Modified Clay Antimicrobial Compositions With Stable Oral Care Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for antimicrobial compositions with improved antimicrobial activity, particularly for use in personal care products such as oral care compositions, to effectively prevent and treat conditions like oral biofilm, plaque, gum diseases, and halitosis.

Innovation Solution

The use of modified clay particles with an antimicrobial compound, such as cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), combined with a nonionic triblock copolymer, enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of personal care compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional clays are used in antimicrobial compositions, then the composition can be formulated, but the clay particles aggregate and settle out of solution reducing stability and efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidefficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface properties of clay particles by treating them with silanes or other surface modifiers to change their chemical parameters. This prevents aggregation and settling by altering the surface charge and hydrophobicity, thereby maintaining stable suspension and reliable antimicrobial efficacy throughout the product shelf life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining clay particles with organic modifiers, surfactants, or polymer coatings. These composite clay materials maintain the antimicrobial properties of the clay while preventing aggregation through the intermediary organic layer, ensuring both stability and efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial agents are applied to kill bacteria, then bacterial growth is controlled, but harmful bacteria may develop resistance reducing long-term effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial growth controlVSAvoidlong-term effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple different antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanisms of action in combination rather than relying on a single agent. This segmented approach targets bacteria through multiple pathways simultaneously, making it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance to all mechanisms at once, thereby maintaining long-term effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates natural clay minerals that have inherent antimicrobial properties as part of the composition. These natural clays work synergistically with synthetic antimicrobial agents, and their complex multi-component nature makes it harder for bacteria to develop resistance, converting the potential harm of resistance development into a benefit of multi-target action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If synthetic polymers are used as binders in antimicrobial compositions, then the composition structure is maintained, but the polymers may not be compatible with natural ingredients reducing versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure maintenanceVSAvoidingredient compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of synthetic polymers through copolymerization with natural polymer units or by adding hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance adjustments. This enables the synthetic polymers to maintain structural integrity while becoming compatible with natural ingredients like essential oils, plant extracts, and natural clays, thereby achieving both strength and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite binder systems that combine synthetic polymers with natural polymers in specific ratios and configurations. This composite approach allows the synthetic component to provide structural strength while the natural component ensures compatibility with other natural ingredients, achieving both objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 modified clay and nonionic triblock copolymer combination demonstrates improved antimicrobial activity, effectively reducing oral biofilm, plaque, and halitosis, and providing therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.

Implementation Method 1

nonionic triblock copolymers and methods using the same

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

killing bacteria and preventing bacterial resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentEP3897530B1Antimicrobial compositions comprising modified clay and nonionic triblock copolymers

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV

AI summary

The present invention is in the field of antimicrobial compositions, e.g. for personal care. In particular, the invention relates to antimicrobial compositions for oral care, such as toothpastes, comprising antimicrobial particles and a nonionic triblock copolymer. Accordingly, the present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising a modified clay particle, the particle comprising an antimicrobial compound and a clay particle, and at least one a nonionic triblock copolymer. The invention further relates to the uses and methods of the antimicrobial compositions of the invention.