Anhydrous Oral Care Composition for Stable Remineralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care products that aim to remineralize and whiten teeth often require compartmentalized packaging, which is inconvenient and environmentally unfriendly, and may not effectively deliver calcium and phosphate sources in a stable single-phase composition without generating calcium phosphate compounds prematurely.

Innovation Solution

A stable single-phase oral care composition comprising a water insoluble and/or slightly soluble calcium source, a phosphate source, a thickener, and a carrier humectant, which is anhydrous and free of generated calcium and phosphate compounds until applied, ensuring effective remineralization and whitening of teeth without the need for compartmentalized packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If calcium and phosphate sources are combined in a single-phase composition, then convenience and packaging simplicity are improved, but stability deteriorates due to premature formation of calcium phosphate compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidcompositional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from aqueous to anhydrous, which fundamentally alters the chemical reactivity between calcium and phosphate sources. By removing water, the system prevents premature hydrolysis and precipitation reactions, maintaining stability while allowing single-phase formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the phase transition from hydrated to anhydrous state as the key mechanism. This phase change transforms the chemical environment, preventing unwanted reactions between calcium and phosphate sources during storage while maintaining their reactivity when applied to teeth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If water is added to the composition, then solubility and delivery of calcium and phosphate sources are improved, but stability deteriorates due to premature reaction and shelf-life reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of calcium and phosphateVSAvoidshelf-life

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The anhydrous environment acts as an inert medium that prevents unwanted chemical reactions between calcium and phosphate sources during storage. The absence of water creates a chemically inactive atmosphere that preserves the individual components until application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the hydration state parameter from hydrated to anhydrous, the invention simultaneously achieves both long shelf-life through stability and effective delivery through controlled reactivity at the application site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If aqueous-based products are used, then calcium and phosphate delivery is improved, but environmental impact and packaging complexity worsen due to compartmentalized packaging requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of calcium and phosphateVSAvoidpackaging complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate aqueous-based compositions into a single anhydrous phase. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex compartmentalized packaging while maintaining the delivery effectiveness of both calcium and phosphate sources through the anhydrous formulation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition maintains stability and effectiveness, providing excellent remineralization and whitening of teeth by forming hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface, with improved texture and taste characteristics, and is more stable than aqueous-based products, even when stored for extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

The composition is surprisingly stable notwithstanding the fact that both calcium and phosphate sources are present in a single-phase composition... substantially free of water and generated calcium and phosphate comprising compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnhydrous condition prevention of chemical reaction:

Implementation Method 2

thickener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThickening:

Implementation Method 3

carrier humectant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumectant action:

Implementation Method 4

results in remineralisation and whitening of teeth by delivering calcium and phosphate sources to the teeth of consumers... forming hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRemineralization through hydroxyapatite formation:

Data Source

PatentEP2544650B1Stable oral care compositions

Publication Date: 2016.11.30 UNILEVER PLC

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AI summary

A single-phase oral care composition is described. The composition comprises both calcium and phosphate sources and is substantially free of water and is substantially free of generated calcium phosphate comprising compounds. The single-phase oral care composition is stable, maintains good viscosity characteristics and avoids the need for compartmentalized packaging.