Oral Composition Stabilization for Hydrocarbon Oil Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compositions with a relatively lower water content and a relatively larger hydrocarbon oil content have poor stability over time, leading to separation of hydrocarbon oil during long-term storage, making them unsuitable for oral applications.

Innovation Solution

An oral composition comprising hydrocarbon oil, polyhydric alcohol, and surfactant, specifically combinations of glycerol with polyglycerol fatty acid ester and alkyl glucoside, propanediol with polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil fatty acid ester, butylene glycol with polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, or polyethylene glycol with polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil fatty acid ester, maintains stability by controlling the water content at 5 mass% or less and adjusting the mass ratio of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mouthwashes containing alcohol and surfactants are used, then antiseptic effect is achieved, but mucous membrane irritation and dry mouth occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantiseptic effectVSAvoidmucous membrane irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes harmful components (alcohol, surfactants, strong menthol) from the mouthwash formulation while retaining the antiseptic function through alternative ingredients like plant extracts and mild essential oils, directly resolving the contradiction between efficacy and irritation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful substances into beneficial ones by replacing alcohol with plant-based extracts and surfactants with natural compounds, transforming the formulation from irritating to soothing while maintaining antiseptic properties

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

2Reliability

If strong antiseptic ingredients are used, then bacterial killing effect is improved, but taste becomes unpleasant and user compliance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial killing effectVSAvoiduser compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation by using plant extracts and essential oils with pleasant aromas instead of strong chemical antiseptics, achieving both bacterial killing and acceptable taste to improve user compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining multiple plant extracts and essential oils that work synergistically to provide antiseptic action while maintaining pleasant sensory properties, resolving the contradiction between efficacy and acceptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If frequent use of conventional mouthwashes is performed, then oral hygiene is maintained, but mucous membrane damage accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral hygiene maintenanceVSAvoidmucous membrane health
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates the mouthwash with soothing plant extracts that actively repair and protect the mucous membrane while cleaning, allowing frequent use without cumulative damage by making the product self-healing for the tissue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves excellent stability over time, suitable for use in toothbrushes and interdental brushes, ensuring the hydrocarbon oil remains stable and evenly distributed without separation.

Implementation Method 1

contains thymol in an amount of 0.01 wt % to 0.05 wt % based on the total weight of the composition, said composition having a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, thereby providing an effective antiseptic action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntiseptic action:

Implementation Method 2

said composition having a pH of 6.0 to 8.0

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Data Source

PatentEP3871655B1Composition for oral cavity
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 SUNSTAR INC

AI summary

Provided is an oral composition that has excellent stability over time although a hydrocarbon oil is contained therein. Specifically provided is an oral composition comprising a hydrocarbon oil, a polyhydric alcohol, and a surfactant, the oral composition comprising (i) glycerol, and a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or an alkyl glucoside, (ii) propanediol, and a polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil and/or a polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil fatty acid ester, (iii) butylene glycol, and a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and/or a polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil fatty acid ester, or (iv) polyethylene glycol and a polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil fatty acid ester.