Dentifrice Rheology via Polyethylene Glycol Structuring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care compositions face challenges in achieving optimal rheology and viscosity while providing effective cleaning and consumer satisfaction, as they often become too runny or thick, affecting dispensing and mouth feel.
Innovation Solution
A topical composition with a humectant component comprising 40% to 77% by weight, including a structuring humectant like polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 8,000, along with abrasives, viscosity modifiers, and controlled addition methods to regulate water activity and improve rheology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If humectants such as polyethylene glycol are used to modify viscosity, then the composition provides a smooth feel and improved rheology, but the composition becomes too runny or too thick, affecting dispensing and mouth feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting polyethylene glycol with specific molecular weights (3,000 to 8,000) and controlling its concentration (0.25% to 7%) to achieve optimal rheology. This precise parameter control allows the composition to maintain stable viscosity without becoming too runnymay be too thick, resolving the contradiction between rheological stability and dispensing ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polyethylene glycol humectants with cleaning abrasives (such as silicas) and other ingredients in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both improved rheology for smooth feel and appropriate viscosity for easy dispensing, balancing multiple functional requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If humectants such as polyethylene glycol are used to modify viscosity, then the composition provides a smooth feel and improved rheology, but the composition becomes too runnymay be too thick, affecting mouth feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight (3,000 to 8,000) and concentration (0.25% to 7%) of polyethylene glycol to achieve optimal rheological properties. This precise parameter control ensures the composition provides a smooth feel without becoming too runnymay be too thick, thereby improving mouth feel while maintaining rheological stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the specific properties of the polyethylene glycol component (molecular weight range and concentration) to create a localized effect on rheology and mouth feel. This targeted approach ensures that the humectant provides smooth feel and appropriate viscosity without adversely affecting dispensing or other functional properties
3Stability of the object's composition
If polyethylene glycol with specific molecular weight is used as structuring humectant, then the composition achieves improved rheology and viscosity, but the composition may become too thick or runnymay affect dispensing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting polyethylene glycol with molecular weights in the range of 3,000 to 8,000 and controlling its concentration at 0.25% to 7%. This precise parameter optimization allows the composition to achieve improved viscosity and rheology while maintaining appropriate dispensing performance, resolving the contradiction between viscosity stability and dispensing ease
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 improved rheology and viscosity, enhancing the consumer experience by ensuring the product is neither too runny nor too thick, thus improving dispensing and mouth feel, while maintaining effective cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Humectants such as polyethylene glycols have been used in dentifrice compositions to modify viscosity and to provide a smooth feel to dentifrice compositions
Implementation Method 2
wherein the structuring humectant is added to the composition in solution with solvent or is added in a controlled manner as a molten material to the composition at a temperature less than about 35° C. and with turbulent mixing or vigorous agitation
Data Source
AI summary
A dentifrice composition containing a polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 3,000 to about 8,000, glycerin, precipitated silica, and a fluoride source. The polyethylene glycol forms a crystalline structure in the composition and the composition has a water activity from about 0.25 to about 0.46 measured at about 22° C.