Fluoride Oral Care Composition With Ion-Separating Web Layers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fluoride ions in dentifrice compositions are difficult to incorporate due to reactivity with other components, leading to altered bioavailability and reduced efficacy, necessitating a formulation that minimizes interactions between fluoride ions and other ingredients.

Innovation Solution

The use of nonwoven webs to physically separate fluoride and calcium ions in oral care compositions, ensuring they are in different locations within the composition to reduce reactivity and enhance bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluoride ion sources are incorporated into dentifrice compositions, then anti-caries benefits are delivered, but reactivity with other components (such as calcium ions) reduces fluoride bioavailability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-caries benefitVSAvoidfluoride ion availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dentifrice composition is divided into multiple layers with fluoride-containing layers and calcium-containing layers separated by barriers. This segmentation prevents direct contact and chemical reaction between fluoride ions and calcium ions, maintaining fluoride bioavailability while delivering anti-caries benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Barrier layers comprising materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or wax are introduced as intermediaries between fluoride-containing layers and calcium-containing layers. These barriers prevent direct chemical interaction while allowing the composition to function as a unified dentifrice product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If fluoride ion sources are added to dentifrice, then fluoride delivery to enamel is achieved, but chemical reactivity and hydrolysis alter fluoride bioavailability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluoride deliveryVSAvoidchemical reactivity and hydrolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dentifrice is structured as a multi-layer composition where fluoride-containing layers are physically separated from aqueous phases and reactive components. This segmentation protects fluoride ions from hydrolysis and chemical reactivity while ensuring adequate fluoride delivery to enamel surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thin barrier films and layers comprising water-insoluble materials are used to encapsulate or separate fluoride-containing components. These flexible barriers prevent contact between fluoride ions and harmful aqueous phases or reactive ingredients, maintaining fluoride stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If fluoride and calcium components are combined in dentifrice paste, then comprehensive oral care is provided, but reactivity between components minimizes fluoride ion availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral care functionalityVSAvoidfluoride ion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dentifrice composition is segmented into distinct functional layers: fluoride-containing layers for anti-caries protection, calcium-containing layers for remineralization, and barrier layers to prevent unwanted reactions. This segmentation enables comprehensive oral care functionality while maintaining fluoride ion stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Barrier layers act as intermediaries that allow multiple functional components (fluoride, calcium, abrasives, surfactants) to coexist in the same dentifrice product without detrimental interactions. These intermediaries enable versatile oral care functionality while protecting fluoride from reactivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4717253A2Oral care compositions comprising fluoride ions

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Oral care compositions and/or unit-dose oral care compositions with a fluoride ion source. Oral care compositions and/or unit-dose oral care compositions with a high average fluoride ion uptake. Oral care compositions with one or more web forming materials, a calcium ion source, and a fluoride ion source with a high average fluoride uptake.