Anhydrous Dentifrice Stabilization with Strontium Salts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-aqueous dentifrice compositions face challenges with incompatibility and stability issues, particularly with ingredients like potassium nitrate and bioactive glass, which are unstable in aqueous or non-aqueous environments, leading to poor rheological properties and shelf-life concerns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an alkaline earth metal acetate salt, such as strontium acetate, and/or an alkaline earth metal nitrate salt, along with a carboxyvinyl polymer and a humectant, to stabilize the composition and improve rheological properties, allowing for the inclusion of incompatible materials and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If non-aqueous dentifrice compositions are used to overcome incompatibility issues, then stability of certain ingredients is improved, but rheological properties deteriorate (composition becomes runny)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate salts (strontium, calcium, or barium) in specific concentrations (0.1-10% w/w). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing both stability for incompatible ingredients and maintaining proper rheological properties through the unique interaction of these salts with carboxyvinyl polymers in non-aqueous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining multiple components: alkaline earth metal salts, carboxyvinyl polymers, humectants, and incompatible ingredients (potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, bioactive glass). This composite approach allows each component to contribute specific properties, resolving the contradiction between stability and rheology by synergistic interactions among the composite materials
2Adaptability or versatility
If incompatible materials are included in non-aqueous compositions, then versatility of the dentifrice is improved, but physical stability deteriorates (runny consistency develops)
Solution Approach 1:
The alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate salts act as intermediary substances that mediate between the incompatible materials (potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, bioactive glass) and the non-aqueous base. These intermediaries provide a stable environment that allows incompatible ingredients to coexist without compromising physical stability, thereby enabling versatility while maintaining composition integrity
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the concentration parameters of alkaline earth metal salts (0.1-10% w/w) and optimizing the ratio with carboxyvinyl polymer and humectant, the patent creates optimal conditions for incorporating incompatible materials. This parameter optimization allows the formulation to achieve both high versatility with multiple active ingredients and maintained physical stability without runny consistency
3Ease of manufacture
If carboxyvinyl polymer is used as thickening agent, then viscosity is improved, but neutralisation is required adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by introducing alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate salts, which alter the interaction mechanisms between carboxyvinyl polymer molecules. This parameter change enables the polymer to provide adequate viscosity (75,000-500,000 cps) without requiring neutralisation, as the salt environment stabilizes the polymer structure differently than traditional aqueous systems, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate salts enhances the physical stability and viscosity of the dentifrice composition, preventing a runny consistency and extending shelf-life, while effectively suspending abrasives and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate together with the carboxyvinyl polymer, collectively serve to thicken humectant material in the composition which helps to maintain the structural integrity of the dentifrice
Implementation Method 2
the alkaline earth metal acetate or nitrate together with the carboxyvinyl polymer, collectively serve to thicken humectant material in the composition
Implementation Method 3
The alkaline earth metal acetate and/or nitrate salt(s) appears also to confer the necessary rheological properties required to suspend any solid material, such as an abrasive, present in the composition
Data Source
AI summary
Non-aqueous dentifrice compositions comprising an alkaline earth metal acetate salt such as strontium acetate and/or an alkaline earth metal nitrate salt such as strontium nitrate; a carboxyvinyl polymer and a humectant.