Mineral Particle Test Strip for Fast Toothpaste Content Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the content of mineral particles in formulations are time-consuming, technically demanding, and expensive, requiring complex sample preparation and expert knowledge.

Innovation Solution

A method involving application of the formulation to a test matrix with a defined roughness, followed by visual or digital evaluation of mineral content using a test strip with a defined surface roughness, allowing for quick and reliable determination of mineral particles in formulations with viscosities ranging from 1 mPas to 200,000 mPas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (AAS, XRF, ICP-AES, UV-VIS, IR spectroscopy) are used to determine mineral particle content, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time, device complexity, and operational difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemineral particle content determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex analytical instrumentation (spectrometers, fluoroscopy equipment) with a simple optical comparison method using a grayscale card. Instead of using advanced physical measurement systems, the invention uses visual perception and simple photography to achieve mineral content determination, dramatically reducing measurement time and equipment complexity while maintaining sufficient precision for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a visual copy of the mineral content information through grayscale imaging. By photographing the test strip and comparing the grayscale values to a reference card, the system captures and analyzes the mineral content data in a simplified digital format, eliminating the need for complex spectral analysis while preserving the essential measurement information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used for mineral particle determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemineral particle content determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex analytical instrumentation (spectrometers, fluoroscopy equipment) with a simple optical comparison method using a grayscale card. Instead of using advanced physical measurement systems, the invention uses visual perception and simple photography to achieve mineral content determination, dramatically reducing measurement time and equipment complexity while maintaining sufficient precision for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a simple, inexpensive grayscale card as the measurement reference, replacing expensive, complex instrumentation. The test strip itself serves as a disposable measurement medium that combines the sample holder and measurement interface functions, eliminating the need for costly reusable analytical equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used for mineral particle determination, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring expert knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemineral particle content determination accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex analytical instrumentation (spectrometers, fluoroscopy equipment) with a simple optical comparison method using a grayscale card. Instead of using advanced physical measurement systems, the invention uses visual perception and simple photography to achieve mineral content determination, dramatically reducing measurement time and equipment complexity while maintaining sufficient precision for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The test strip system is designed to be self-explanatory and self-evaluating. The grayscale patterns on the test strip directly correspond to mineral content levels, allowing users to interpret results without specialized training. The system performs its own measurement and presentation functions, eliminating the need for expert operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used for mineral particle determination, then measurement precision is improved, but sample preparation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemineral particle content determination accuracyVSAvoidsample preparation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sample application area and measurement interface into a single integrated test strip. The test strip simultaneously serves as the substrate for formulation application, the measurement platform, and the reference comparison card, eliminating the need for separate sample preparation steps and complex instrumentation setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The test strip acts as an intermediary medium that simplifies sample preparation. Instead of requiring direct analysis of the original formulation with complex instrumentation, the test strip provides a standardized interface that transforms the formulation into a visually evaluable format, greatly simplifying the preparation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables rapid and reliable determination of mineral particle content in formulations, suitable for non-experts, including end consumers, and facilitates quality control and comparison of formulations.

Implementation Method 1

the surface of the test matrix, preferably of the test strip, on which the formulation is applied has a defined roughness with a mean arithmetic height in the range of 0.1 to 500 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4675255A1Method for determining the content of mineral particles in formulations, and kit
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 DR KURT WOLFF
  • EP4675255A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675255A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4675255A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the content of mineral particles in a formulation and in particular in a toothpaste.