Pump-Type Toothpaste Composition with Thixotropic Hydrocolloid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothpaste compositions face issues with high viscosity causing enamel damage, poor releasability, environmental waste, and inadequate cleaning due to tube-type packaging, while liquid toothpastes lack cleaning efficacy and provide a poor brushing experience. Additionally, pump-type toothpastes suffer from tailing and dry-hardening problems.
Innovation Solution
A pump-type toothpaste composition with a hydrocolloid and water weight ratio of 0.5-10:1, comprising a substantially non-hydrated hydrocolloid, abrasive, and foaming agents, which increases viscosity upon contact with saliva or water, improving the brushing experience and reducing dry-hardening and tailing issues through the use of a dip tube pump or other suitable pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tube-type paste toothpaste is used, then cleaning efficacy is maintained, but viscosity causes enamel damage and poor releasability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of toothpaste by introducing a thixotropic agent that induces thixotropy, transforming the toothpaste from a high-viscosity paste into a fluid with shear-thinning properties. This allows the toothpaste to flow easily during brushing while maintaining stability at rest, thereby improving releasability without compromising cleaning efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fluid system by combining multiple components including surfactants, thickeners, and thixotropic agents. This composite formulation achieves both low viscosity for easy dispensing and sufficient cleaning power, while the thixotropic structure prevents enamel damage by reducing abrasive forces during application.
2Ease of operation
If liquid toothpaste is used to improve releasability, then dispensing is easier, but cleaning efficacy decreases due to easy flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thixotropy to create a dynamic viscosity response: the toothpaste maintains higher viscosity at rest for stable storage and controlled dispensing, but exhibits shear-thinning behavior during brushing when mechanical stress is applied. This dynamic property ensures both easy releasability from the container and effective cleaning performance during the brushing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The thixotropic agent fundamentally changes the rheological parameters of the toothpaste, creating a time-dependent viscosity structure. The fluid transitions from a static high-viscosity state during storage to a low-viscosity state during application, thereby achieving both improved releasability and maintained cleaning efficacy through parameter transformation rather than fixed composition.
3Ease of operation
If pump-type container is used to improve convenience, then dispensing control is better, but tailing and dry-hardening occur
Solution Approach 1:
The thixotropic properties fundamentally alter the rheological parameters of the toothpaste, enabling it to maintain shape integrity after dispensing. The shear-thinning behavior allows the toothpaste to flow smoothly through the pump mechanism while the rapid viscosity recovery prevents tailing and dry-hardening by maintaining structural coherence on the toothbrush.
4Reliability
If conventional paste toothpaste is used, then cleaning ingredients are effective, but residual toothpaste remains in container
Solution Approach 1:
The thixotropic formulation enables continuous, complete dispensing of the toothpaste from the pump container. The shear-thinning properties allow the toothpaste to flow completely through the pump mechanism without leaving residues, ensuring that the entire product is utilized for its intended cleaning function, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining cleaning efficacy.
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 provides a rich, effective brushing experience with enhanced viscosity and reduced dry-hardening and tailing, ensuring efficient discharge and improved user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
viscosity of the toothpaste composition is increased by saliva
Implementation Method 2
a pump-type toothpaste composition with a hydrocolloid and water weight ratio of 0.5-10:1, comprising a substantially non-hydrated hydrocolloid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pump-type toothpaste composition which can be provided by being comprised in a pump-type container, and particularly, relates to a pump-type toothpaste composition with improved feeling of use when brushing teeth. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a pump toothpaste composition having improved tailing and dry-hardening property. The pump-type toothpaste composition of the present disclosure may comprise a hydrocolloid.