Monophasic Oral Care Compositions Stabilizing Cationic and Anionic Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care compositions face challenges in maintaining the efficacy of cationic antibacterial agents while minimizing staining and biofilm formation, as cationic and anionic ingredients interact unfavorably, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased viscosity in biphasic systems.

Innovation Solution

A stable monophasic aqueous solution comprising an acidic polymer, polyphosphate, nonionic polymer, polyamine (such as lysine), and cationic active agent, which prevents interaction between incompatible ingredients, maintaining antibacterial efficacy and reducing staining, formulated with specific concentrations of polyphosphates and polyamines to stabilize the composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cationic antibacterial agents are used in combination with anionic polymers to deliver effective levels of both ingredients, then antibacterial efficacy is improved, but formulation incompatibility occurs leading to reduced effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial efficacyVSAvoidformulation compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A nonionic polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance that prevents direct interaction between cationic antibacterial agents and anionic polymers. The nonionic polymer acts as a physical barrier and compatibility agent, allowing both active ingredients to coexist in the same formulation without neutralizing each other, thereby maintaining antibacterial efficacy while ensuring formulation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses a composite system combining cationic antibacterial agents, anionic polymers, and nonionic polymers in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the beneficial properties of each ingredient to be preserved while the nonionic polymer component prevents unfavorable interactions, creating a stable multi-component system that delivers both antibacterial and protective functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If biphasic systems are used to separate cationic and anionic components, then formulation compatibility is improved, but viscosity increases making handling less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation compatibilityVSAvoidhandling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges previously separated cationic and anionic components into a single monophasic formulation by introducing nonionic polymers as compatibility agents. This eliminates the need for biphasic separation while maintaining formulation stability, resulting in a homogeneous product with improved handling characteristics and reduced viscosity compared to biphasic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If cationic antibacterial agents are used at effective levels, then antibacterial activity is improved, but staining of teeth is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial activityVSAvoidtooth staining

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nonionic polymer, which initially serves as a compatibility agent to prevent interaction between cationic and anionic ingredients, also provides a secondary beneficial effect by reducing staining. The polymer forms a protective coating on tooth surfaces that prevents chromogens from adhering to the enamel, thereby converting a formulation requirement into a dual-function system that addresses both stability and staining issues.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 solution provides extended antibacterial effects lasting up to 18 hours, inhibiting biofilm formation and staining while maintaining optimal handling characteristics and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a stable monophasic aqueous solution comprising an acidic polymer, polyphosphate, nonionic polymer, polyamine (such as lysine), and cationic active agent, which prevents interaction between incompatible ingredients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

the presence of polyphosphates in compositions is also known to unfavorably interact with cationic components. For example, such cationic antibacterial agents are known to complex with these polyphosphates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11497694B2Oral care compositions

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

This application provides, among other things, novel aqueous monophasic compositions useful for combining and delivering poorly compatible ingredients, for example to deliver effective levels of cationic antibacterial agents in combination with anionic polymers, e.g. that protect against erosion and staining, by addition of a stabilizing amount of a polyamine, e.g. lysine, and methods for making and using the same.