RU2316242C2 - Compositions for mouth and method for using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tooth and mouth cavity care means.

SUBSTANCE: method involves using compositions having predetermined rheological properties for mouth cavity caring systems, in particular, electric toothbrush comprising reservoir and means for pumping said composition from reservoir to applicator such as toothbrush head. Also described are mouth care compositions and reservoir used in mouth cavity caring system.

EFFECT: simplified pumping of composition and reliable retention thereof on brush head.

16 cl, 8 ex

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Oral formulations are available for use in comprehensive oral care systems.

State of the art

Recently, electric toothbrushes have become very popular with consumers, as well as with dentists. It is believed that these devices provide better cleaning and massaging of intra-oral surfaces than traditional manual cleaning. However, electric toothbrushes still require the application of toothpaste on the bristles before use. Starting brushing quickly leads to a decrease in the concentration of toothpaste on the bristles and, possibly, results in worse than expected cleaning of the tooth surfaces.

As a result, it is desirable to have an oral care system that contains an oral composition distributed through the bristle head and the bristles during brushing, either automatically or as desired. This idea is not new. For example, US Pat. No. 3,217,720 discloses a toothbrush with a container of liquid toothpaste. US Pat. No. 5,909,997 discloses a toothbrush dispensing toothpaste using a refillable cartridge for storing toothpaste material and a pushed elastic button for pumping toothpaste material onto the head of the toothbrush. Further development of this idea involves the use of hollow bristles through which toothpaste flows, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,309,590.

However, this type of integration creates new challenges in relation to the rheological profile of the integrated composition for the mouth. This oral composition is preferably pumped from the storage tank to the place of use through some form of tube. In the toothbrush, the neck of the toothbrush should be less than a certain maximum diameter and greater than a certain minimum length to ensure its convenient use in the mouth. This neck size restriction necessarily limits the maximum cross-sectional area and the minimum length of the tube used internally to deliver the composition to the toothbrush head from the reservoir. This limitation on the cross-sectional area of the tube leads to higher shear strain rates developed when the mouth composition is pumped through the tube, increasing the pressure required to transfer the mouth composition. Further, toothbrushes, if necessary, have a limited pumping pressure, either due to power requirements in systems with electric pumping, or due to the maximum amount of force that can be conveniently applied by a consumer to hand pumps. Thus, the composition must have a specific rheological profile in order to ensure its pumping through a given pipe, while minimizing the pressure requirements of the pumping system.

Further, the available oral formulations are not optimized for use with oral care systems and may result in too little or excessive pressure on the toothbrush head applied by the consumer to the oral tissues for cleaning teeth. Applying too little or too much pressure to the bristle head may result in reduced cleaning performance of the oral care system.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide formulations for use in oral care systems that can easily be pumped through tubes of a given diameter and length. Further, it is also desirable to provide an oral care system containing oral compositions that have rheological properties that make it easy to pump the composition and at the same time allow it to remain in the bristles during distribution. Further, it is also desirable to provide a kit containing the device required to use the oral composition in an oral care system.

In addition, it is desirable to provide oral formulations optimized for use in oral care systems that make it possible to manipulate the oral care system and the pressure exerted by the consumer on such a system when used in the mouth.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become immediately apparent from a consideration of the following summary of the invention, detailed description, and examples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(в с^-1), где η и

определяются уравнениями:The use of an oral composition in an oral care system is proposed, the use comprising pumping an oral composition from a reservoir to an outlet through a tube with an internal cross-sectional area A and length y, wherein A is from 0.0025 mm ² to 25 mm ² , and y is from 10 mm to 300 mm, the composition is characterized in that it has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

(in s ^-1 ), where η and

are determined by the equations:

the composition further has a viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 .

In the following description:

“integrated device” or “integrated oral care system” refers to an oral care device or system that comprises an integrated reservoir capable of containing an oral composition, such as toothpaste, for delivering this composition to the oral cavity;

“tube” means a closed internal cavity through which fluid substances can pass from one end to the other;

"longitudinal axis" is an axis that is parallel to the direction of flow in the tube;

an “internal cross section” is a tube cross section taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and surrounded by an inner surface of the tube material;

"length" refers to the length of the tube along the longitudinal axis; and

"pump recoil force" means the force exerted by the pump or on the pump during the filling part of the inflation cycle. The pump recoil force can be determined by measuring the minimum force required to prevent the pump from filling after the ejection cycle and keeping it in equilibrium.

The invention further provides an oral composition comprising:

a) from more than 0.5% to 4% of thickening ingredients selected from: hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas, tertiary and quaternary derivatives of magnesium silicate, bentonite, xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan, carbomer, algin, alginic acid, alginates and their derivatives, hydroxyethyl cellulose and its derivatives, hydroxypropyl cellulose and its derivatives, derivatives starch phosphate, guar gum and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, copolymers of maleic acid anhydrite with alkenes and their derivatives, cellulose resin and its derivatives, copolymers of ethylene glycol / propylene glycol, poloxamers and their derivatives, polyacrylates and their derivatives, methylcellulose , ethyl cellulose and its derivatives, agar and its derivatives, gum arabic and its derivatives, pectin and its derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives, resinous polyethylene glycols such as PEG-XM, where X≥1, karaya resins, locust bean gum, natto gum, vinylpyrrolidone copolymers with alkenes, tragacanth gum, polyacrylamides, derivatives of chitin, gelatin, beta-glucan, dextrin, dextran, cyclodextrin, methacrylates, microcrystalline cellulose, polyquaternium resins, furciumumate resin, psu resin, tamarind resin, larch resin, container resin and mixtures thereof;

b) less than 20% insoluble solids;

c) 20-70% of the total water; and

d) from more than 20% to 80% of moisturizers selected from polyols and polyethylene glycols;

however, the composition has a viscosity of from 0.001 Pa · s to 780 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 20 s ^-1 and at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 .

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an oral composition comprising from 1% to 10% abrasive; from 20% to 70% of total water; and at least 10% humectants selected from polyols and polyethylene glycols; wherein the composition has an RDA of greater than 70 and a viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ⁻¹ .

In addition, an oral care kit is provided comprising an oral care system and an oral composition according to the present invention, the oral care system comprising a reservoir and means for pumping the composition from the reservoir to an outlet of the oral care system.

All parts, percentages and proportions that are mentioned here and in the attached claims are taken by weight of the entire composition for the oral cavity, unless otherwise indicated. All measurements were taken at 25 ° C on the entire composition for the mouth, unless otherwise indicated. The viscosity, as used here, is measured using a Carrimed CSL2 rheometer with a measuring system of two parallel plates with a diameter of 2 cm and a gap between the plates of 500 μm. If, however, the composition contains particulate ingredients that are insoluble in the composition and have a particle size greater than 50 μm, then the gap between the plates should be used ten times the particle size. For the purpose of setting the gap, the particle size of the ingredients should be taken as the smallest mesh size of the sieve through which at least 90% by weight of the dry ingredient passes.

The oral formulations described herein have a Dentin Radioactive Abrasion (RID) value of at least 70.

All documents cited herein in their relevant part are hereby incorporated by reference; the citation of any document should not be interpreted as recognition that it is an analogue in relation to the present invention.

Detailed description

The oral compositions of the present invention are suitable for use in oral care systems in which the oral composition is contained in a reservoir and is pumped from the reservoir into an outlet through a tube. They have viscosities that are optimized for transferring through tubes of a predetermined size and length using a relatively low force pumping means. A relatively low force means that the required pumping force is not large enough to require input of high power in relation to the electric pump or to require a lot of force from the user's finger to drive the pump. The relatively low force for transferring the oral compositions refers to the force that is less than 100 N required to drive the pump to achieve the indicated delivery rates.

The oral composition for use herein delivers the oral composition through specific cross-sectional areas and tube lengths at a flow rate of at least 0.1 ml / s, preferably 0.2 ml / s. This is beneficial in providing fast and efficient transfer of the composition for the oral cavity from the reservoir to the applicator head. Oral formulations for use herein may be Newtonian formulations or shear facilitating formulations, preferably facilitating shear, so that as the shear strain rate — and hence shear pressure — increases, the viscosity of the composition for the oral cavity gradually decreases. The use of the composition for the oral cavity in the oral care system here provides an effective delivery of the composition for the oral cavity to the applicator and its retention in the applicator without the need for multiple applications or negative impact on the aesthetic properties of the product.

ORAL CARE SYSTEM

Toothbrush

The oral compositions of the present invention are suitable for use in a wide range of oral care systems, such as integrated toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes. An exemplary oral care system is disclosed in International Application WO 02/064056 and US Pat. No. 6,404,410. Such systems comprise a reservoir, an applicator, and means for transferring the oral composition from the reservoir to the applicator. Preferably, the oral care system is a hand-held portable device suitable for use with one hand. The oral care system preferably comprises a single housing that can be conveniently gripped by the hand of the user, the housing preferably comprising a reservoir and means for transferring the oral composition.

Storage tank

The system of the present invention comprises a reservoir for storing oral formulations. The reservoir may be fixedly or removably attached to the care system. Preferably, the reservoir is removably removable from the housing, for example, to allow the reservoir to refill and reinsert the reservoir, or to replace the reservoir with another of substantially the same design, which may contain additional volumes of oral composition. Any suitable reservoir may be used in the present invention. It should be understood that the reservoir used may be fully or partially internal to the housing of the care system or fully or partially internal to the housing.

Non-limiting examples of reservoirs include positive displacement type reservoirs, which generally have rigid walls, such as a cartridge, and also include pump-evacuated type reservoirs, which generally have soft walls, such as sachets, chambers, and bubbles. Preferably, the tank is of the type with soft walls, emptied by a pump, more preferably a sachet. The reservoir may be made of materials suitable for use known to those skilled in the art. For example, positive displacement tanks may be made of metal, hard plastic, and other suitable solid materials. The soft-walled reservoirs with soft walls are preferably made of soft, flexible plastic materials such as PET, PE, metallized PE, laminated aluminum and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the reservoir defines an internal volume of 5 ml to 25 ml.

In an embodiment, the reservoir comprises means for attaching to the pump. This is desirable to allow the reservoir to be attached to the pump, for example, when the replaced reservoir is attached to the oral care system. In another embodiment, the reservoir may comprise a pumping means and means for attaching to the transport tube. This is beneficial in order to enable the tank and the pump to be replaced at the same time as a single unit. Suitable examples of means for securing a reservoir to a pump include grippers, stuffing boxes, bayonets, and screw arrangements.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to propose filling the tank in place from a separate filling cartridge external to the system housing, which is provided either with the system or as a separate item. This can be advantageous when the volumes of the composition consumed during care are relatively large, and it would be expensive or inefficient to throw away the inner tank every time it empties. An external fill cartridge may form part of a base station, which further performs the function of providing a holder for the housing of the care system. When the care system includes electrical means, the base station may further comprise a charger for charging a chargeable battery in the care system.

Pump and tube

The oral care system of the present invention comprises means for transporting the oral composition from the reservoir to the applicator. The means for transporting the compositions for the mouth may contain a pump and / or tube. Preferably, the oral care system comprises a pump to provide mechanical pressure for transporting the oral formulations from the reservoir to the applicator. The pump may comprise an electronically controlled pump or, for example, a mechanical pump operating from an elastic push button, located above the tank or in line with a tube leading from the pump to the tank. Preferably, the pump comprises a positive displacement pump. Positive displacement pumps (see, for example, Chemical Engineering, Volume 6, Design, RKSinnott, Pergamon Press, 1983, p. 155) cover many different pump designs in which material cannot flow back through the pump, when it is not activated. Particular designs of positive displacement pumps suitable for use in a device such as this include peristaltic pumps, piston and diaphragm pumps.

Diaphragm pumps here typically contain a pump housing containing a pump chamber (a void that can be filled with the product to be pumped), a pump activator consisting of an elastomeric membrane that forms the surface of the pump chamber, an inlet valve and an exhaust valve. The pump activator may further comprise a spring to help it return to the maximum volume of the pump chamber following the release. The pump casing also includes an inlet nozzle with a channel connected to the inlet valve, and an outlet nozzle with a channel connected to the outlet valve. The inlet valve is located between the inlet nozzle and the pump chamber and opens when the pressure outside the pump is lower than on the inlet side of this valve and closes when the pressure in the pump is higher than on the inlet side of this valve. The inlet valve, as a rule, consists of an elastic material with the ability to spring the door while removing the reduced pressure in the chamber; suitable material is PET. An exhaust valve is placed between the pump chamber and the exhaust nozzle and opens when the pressure inside the pump is higher than on the exhaust side of this valve, and closes when the pressure in the pump is lower than on the exhaust side of this valve. The exhaust valve, as a rule, has the same properties as the intake valve. These valves can be mounted on the valve body to support their design and to ensure that they open in only one direction.

The activator causes the volume of the pump housing to decrease during squeezing, and when pressed, increase and push the product through the exhaust valve. The activator is spring-loaded to enable it to restore maximum volume when released. When the activator is released, the volume of the pump housing increases, causing the pressure in the housing to decrease and the product to be drawn into the pump chamber through the inlet valve. The activator, as a rule, consists of a thermoplastic elastomer, for example TPE (polyester).

In another embodiment, the pump may comprise a piston. A piston, such as in a syringe, negates the need for the pump to fill with product. Diaphragm pumps are preferred here.

The oral care system herein comprises means for transporting the oral composition from the reservoir through the pump to the applicator. A suitable vehicle includes tubes. Non-limiting examples of tubes include a silicone tube, molded plastic ducts, and plastic tubes. Preferably, the tube has a sufficiently small internal cross-sectional area so that it can fit in the neck of the applicator without increasing the diameter of the neck of the applicator itself. The internal cross section of the inner surface of the tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can be of any closed shape, such as, for example, a circle, oval or polygon, such as a square or rectangle.

In one embodiment, the tube has a sufficiently small internal cross-sectional area to fit in the neck of the applicator along with the drive shaft for motorized manipulation of the applicator head, the neck of the applicator narrow enough to maintain the ergonomic properties of the applicator. The internal cross-sectional area of the tube is preferably from 0.0025 mm ² to 25 mm ² . More preferably, the internal cross-sectional area of the tube is from 0.01 mm ² to 20.25 mm ² , even more preferably from 0.25 mm ² to 16 mm ² . Most preferably, the internal cross-sectional area of the tube is from 0.5 mm ² to 10 mm ² .

Further, the tube requires a length such that the reservoir and the pump can be located at such a distance from the applicator head that the pump can be easily activated by the hand holding the oral care system. Preferably, the tube has a length of from 10 mm to 300 mm, more preferably from 50 mm to 250 mm, even more preferably from 100 mm to 200 mm. Most preferably, the tube length is from 120 mm to 180 mm.

In addition, the tube for use here has a ratio of length to internal cross-sectional area (y: A) of at least 1: 1 mm ^-1 , preferably at least 2: 1 mm ^-1 . When the tube has many different internal cross-sectional areas, the internal cross-sectional area used to find the minimum length allowed by the above ratio should be the smallest internal cross-sectional area of the tube. When the tube expands due to the flow of the composition for the mouth, the internal cross-sectional area used to determine the minimum length according to the above ratio is the area determined by the maximum expansion of the tube.

Applicator

The oral care system of the present invention includes an applicator for applying the oral composition to the oral cavity. The applicator may be fixedly or removably attached to the body of the oral care system. Preferably, the applicator is removably attached to the body. This is beneficial in order to ensure that the applicator is replaced with another of practically the same design without the need to replace the entire oral care system. The applicator may be any device suitable for applying the oral composition here to the teeth or intraoral soft tissues, and may include a neck portion extending from the attachment means and ending with a head portion that contains an applied surface, which may be a brush or swab. Preferably, the applicator head comprises a brush. As a rule, the cervical part has a length of 20 mm to 100 mm and a diameter of 5 mm to 115 mm.

In addition to the tube, the applicator may include means for actuating the motorized applicator head. Examples of such a tool include a drive shaft or gearing.

COMPOSITION FOR MOUTH

Viscosity

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:The oral composition of the present invention is a liquid composition having a selected viscosity profile. Without wanting to be bound by theory, it is believed that the pressure required to pump the composition for the oral cavity through the tube to the given areas of internal cross section and length is proportional to the viscosity of the composition for the mouth at a shear strain rate determined by the size of the tube. Due to restrictions on the inflation pressure, either to minimize energy in the case of electrically powered pumps or to prevent excessive force requirements for hand pumps, the oral compositions of the present invention preferably have a viscosity at 25 ° C. of not more than η (in Pa · s) at speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

equation 1:

, будут пригодны для накачивания через трубку, определенную в вышеприведенных выражениях А и у. Когда трубка имеет множество различных площадей внутреннего поперечного сечения, вязкость должна вычисляться, как если бы вся длина трубки (у) имела площадь (А) внутреннего поперечного сечения, равную наименьшей площади внутреннего поперечного сечения трубки. Если трубка расширяется, когда содержащийся внутри продукт накачивается вдоль ее длины, площадь поперечного сечения должна находиться как площадь при максимальном расширении трубки.while A and y are respectively the internal cross-sectional area (mm ² ) and the length (mm) of the tube used to transport the composition for the mouth from the reservoir to the head of the applicator through the pump. Oral formulations having a viscosity less than η at speed

will be suitable for pumping through the tube defined in the above expressions A and y. When the tube has many different internal cross-sectional areas, the viscosity should be calculated as if the entire length of the tube (y) had an internal cross-sectional area (A) equal to the smallest internal cross-sectional area of the tube. If the tube expands when the product contained inside is pumped along its length, the cross-sectional area should be as the area at maximum expansion of the tube.

Table 1 below provides examples of preferred combinations of the length and area of the inner cross section of the tube for use in the oral care system of the present invention and the required viscosity limits for the oral composition for use in accordance with Equation 1.

Table 1 Length (mm) fifty one hundred 120 150

сдвига (с^-1)Speed

shear (s ^-1 ) Area (mm ² ) Maximum viscosity (Pa · s) one 1.25 0.63 0.52 0.42 2500 four twenty 10 8.33 6.67 312.5 9 101.25 50.63 42.19 33.75 92.59 16 320 160 133.33 106.67 39.06

In addition, the oral compositions of the present invention have a viscosity at a shear rate of 20 s ⁻¹ from 0.001 Pa · s to 780 Pa · s, preferably from 0.1 Pa · s to 500 Pa · s, more preferably from 1 Pa · s to 100 Pa · s.

Unless otherwise specified here, viscosities, as mentioned here, are measured on the compositions of the present invention without any particular shear applied to the composition, although it should be recognized that in practice a small amount of shear will inevitably be applied to the composition, i.e. to. The Carrimed rheometer is mounted for the partial programmed shear strain rate at which the measurement is taken. In order to simulate the effects of a more accurate shear application, such as those obtained when the composition is pumped through the tube to the brush head, viscosity can also be measured on a Carrimed after a certain programmed shear. The oral compositions of the present invention preferably have a “post-shear” viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear rate of 1 s ⁻¹ . As used here, "post-shear viscosity" means the viscosity of the composition at 1 s ^-1 after the composition undergoes a linear change in shear strain rate from 0 to 450 s ^-1 for a period of 30 seconds, followed by a linear change in shear strain rate from 450 from ^-1 to 0 for a period of 30 seconds, while the post-shear viscosity is as the viscosity at 1 s ^-1 on the second change in shear strain rate from 450 s ^-1 to 0 s ^-1 . Samples are loaded onto the base plate of the Carrimed CSL2 rheometer with a spatula, after which the plates are moved to the appropriate clearance distance (usually 500 μm) using an exponentially weakening compression unit. Then the samples are left in equilibrium for 5 minutes, after which a test protocol is initiated.

It is desirable to have a post-shear viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ⁻¹ to prevent the mouth composition from escaping from the applicator head after distribution. Preferably, the oral composition for use herein has a post-shear viscosity at 25 ° C. of at least 25 Pa · s at a shear rate of 1 s ⁻¹ .

Further, it is preferable that the oral compositions of the present invention have limited hysteresis, so that when the viscosity of the composition is reduced by increasing shear stress, as when pumping through a tube, the composition quickly returns to its low shear viscosity by removing high shear stress. Preferably, the oral compositions of the present invention have a ratio of initial viscosity measured at a shear strain rate of 1 s ⁻¹ during an initial change in shear strain rate from 0 s ⁻¹ to 450 s ⁻¹ to the post-shear viscosity measured at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 during the second change in shear strain rate from 450 s ^-1 to 0 s ^-1 , less than 10: 1, preferably less than 5: 1, even more preferably less than 2: 1. This ratio of initial viscosity to post-shear viscosity has been found to be an indicator of the hysteresis level present in the oral compositions of the present invention. A ratio of greater than 10 indicates that the composition for the mouth exhibits too much hysteresis, following how it undergoes a strong shear deformation, and therefore having a limited return to the viscosity preceding a strong shear deformation, after removing the shear stress.

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:If the means for pumping the composition contains a direct displacement pump, the composition for the mouth preferably has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

equation 2:

Table 2 below provides examples of preferred combinations of tube length and internal cross-sectional area for use in the oral care system of the present invention and preferred viscosity limits for an oral composition for use with a direct displacement pump according to Equation 2.

table 2 Length (mm) fifty one hundred 120 150

сдвига (с^-1)Speed

shear (s ^-1 ) Area (mm ² ) Maximum viscosity (Pa · s) one 0.2 0.1 0.08 0,07 10,000 four 3.2 1,6 1.33 1,07 1250 9 16,2 8.1 6.75 5,4 370.37 16 51,2 25.6 21.33 17.07 156.25

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:More preferably, if the means for pumping the composition contains a positive displacement pump, the composition for the mouth preferably has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

equation 3:

Table 3 below provides examples of preferred combinations of length and internal cross-sectional area of a tube for use in the oral care system of the present invention and preferred viscosity limits for an oral composition for use with a positive displacement pump according to Equation 3.

Table 3 Length (mm) fifty one hundred 120 150

сдвига (с^-1)Speed

shear (s ^-1 ) Area (mm ² ) Maximum viscosity (Pa · s) one 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.04 10,000 four 1.92 0.96 0.8 0.64 1250 9 9.72 4.86 4.05 3.24 370.37 16 30.72 15.36 12.8 10.24 156.25

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:More preferably, if the means for pumping the composition contains a diaphragm pump, the composition for the mouth preferably has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

equation 4:

Table 4 below provides examples of preferred combinations of tube length and internal cross-sectional area for use in the oral care system of the present invention and preferred viscosity limits for an oral composition for use with a diaphragm pump according to Equation 4.

Table 4 Length (mm) fifty one hundred 120 150

сдвига (с^-1)Speed

shear (s ^-1 ) Area (mm ² ) Maximum viscosity (Pa · s) one 0.06 0,03 0,025 0.02 10,000 four 0.96 0.48 0.4 0.32 1250 9 4.86 2.43 2.03 1,62 370.37 16 15.36 7.68 6.4 5.12 156.25

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:Even more preferably, if the means for pumping the composition contains a diaphragm pump, the composition for the mouth preferably has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

сдвига (в с^-1), причем η и

определяются уравнениями:In a more preferred embodiment, if the means for pumping the composition contains a diaphragm pump, the composition for the mouth preferably has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), with η and

are determined by the equations:

Oral formulations having viscosities within the ranges defined by the above equations are excellent for use in oral care systems containing means for pumping an oral composition, wherein the oral composition is pumped from the reservoir to the applicator through a tube. Compositions with viscosities higher than those defined in this application are too viscous to effectively pump through a tube of a certain diameter and length. Although these compounds can flow through a tube of a certain internal cross-sectional area and length, the force required to efficiently transport these compounds with an effective delivery flow rate is higher than that which can be effectively applied by a battery-operated pump or by manually manipulating the pump activator by a consumer.

. В этих случаях вязкость состава для рта при таких скоростях деформации сдвига находится с помощью модели Хершель-Балкли. Напряжение сдвига состава для рта находится как функция скорости деформации сдвига по диапазону скоростей деформации сдвига от 0 до 450 с^-1 или максимальной скорости деформации сдвига, которую можно приложить к составу для рта без того, чтобы он стал частично разорванным, с помощью как минимум 40 равномерно распределенных скоростей деформации сдвига в диапазоне. Данные моделируются путем подгонки к уравнению:It is understood that the tools used to measure shear stress and shear strain rate (such as the Carrimed CSL2 rheometer used here) are unable to achieve some shear strain rates indicated by the equations for

. In these cases, the viscosity of the composition for the mouth at such shear strain rates is found using the Herschel-Balkley model. The shear stress of the composition for the mouth is found as a function of shear strain rate over the range of shear strain rates from 0 to 450 s ^-1 or the maximum shear strain rate that can be applied to the composition for the mouth without it becoming partially torn, with at least 40 uniformly distributed shear strain rates in the range. Data is modeled by fitting to the equation:

является скоростью деформации сдвига, κ представляет собой консистенцию (вязкость при 1 с^-1), а n есть показатель сдвига. Когда значения τ₀, κ и n найдены, следующее уравнение применимо к скорости деформации сдвига, требуемой для предсказания вязкости состава для рта при высокой скорости деформации сдвига:where τ is the shear stress, τ ₀ is the generated shear,

is the shear strain rate, κ is the consistency (viscosity at 1 s ^-1 ), and n is the shear rate. When the values of τ ₀ , κ, and n are found, the following equation applies to the shear strain rate required to predict the viscosity of the composition for the mouth at high shear strain rate:

Further, the oral compositions of the present invention preferably have a viscosity at a shear rate of 450 s ^{-1 of} less than 10 Pa · s. More preferably, the oral compositions have a viscosity of less than 5 Pa · s, even more preferably less than 2 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 450 s ⁻¹ . It is striking that the formulations to be used here require these low viscosities at high shear rates to ensure that they are adequately dosed to the bristle head of the oral care system. It was found that compositions with high shear viscosities significantly higher than those indicated here have unsuitable flow distribution.

In addition, it is preferable that the oral composition for use in the present invention has a viscosity such that when the pump pushes the containing oral composition upon activation, the oral composition has a flow rate of at least 0.2 ml / c and at the same time the return force of the pump was less than 100 N. It is desirable to enable the pump to be effectively filled following the distribution of the product.

In addition, it is preferable that the composition for the mouth of the present invention, when diluted in water to a liquid 16.67% solution, has a viscosity greater than 0.1 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 . This is beneficial in order to provide a composition for the mouth that, when diluted in the oral cavity, has a viscosity that is high enough to hold it in the oral cavity without excessive manipulation or application of applicator pressure by the consumer. More preferably, the oral composition for use in accordance with the present invention has a viscosity when diluted in water to a liquid 16.67% solution greater than 0.2 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ⁻¹ , even more preferably greater than 0, 3 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 . It has been found that oral formulations with diluted viscosities greater than 0.1 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ⁻¹ cause greater consumer convenience and better cleaning efficiency. It is believed that this is the result of less pressure developed by the oral care system on the oral cavity by the consumer to hold the diluted composition in the mouth. Reducing the developed pressure leads to a better and more effective cleaning effect and reduces the irritation of intraoral tissues. These two features lead to an improved consumer experience and therefore increase consumer convenience.

The rheology of the oral composition is influenced by the types and levels of thickeners, as well as the types and levels of optional ingredients. Specialists know that different thickeners can be used at different levels to provide similar viscosity at the same rate of shear strain. However, thickeners may show different viscosity profiles over a range of shear strain rates. Some thickeners or thickening systems, such as those containing synthetic hectorite clay, show moderate to high hysteresis levels, limiting the return of the viscosity of the composition to its initial viscosity at a low shear strain rate after it undergoes a high shear strain rate, but all desirable, because they are greatly facilitating the shift. Other thickeners do not have shear relief sufficient to permit their use here.

In order to maintain the shear relief properties of the oral composition, it is preferable to avoid high levels of substances that excessively increase the viscosity with high shear deformation. Examples of such substances include Newtonian fluids such as glycerin, sorbitol syrup, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (also known as hydrogenated glucose syrup). These substances, although they are desirable as humectants and optional ingredients, when added at high levels can alter the rarefying properties of the composition so that it becomes unsuitable for use here. Most liquid ingredients have a higher viscosity than the water that they usually replace. This includes other humectants, such as propylene glycol and polyethylene glycols (PEG). If you replace the water with one of these ingredients, the composition for the mouth will have a higher viscosity at both high and low shear strain rates.

However, it is preferable to avoid high levels of particulate solids such as abrasives. These substances reduce the amount of shear relief in the compositions for the mouth, making them unsuitable for transportation through the pump and the tube. It has been found that oral formulations containing high levels of particulate solids are sometimes not able to be drawn into the pump from the reservoir, resulting in blockage of the pump.

Thickeners

The formulation should have a sufficiently low viscosity at a high shear strain rate to ensure adequate flow rates through the combined device, despite a sufficiently high viscosity at low shear strain rates after it undergoes a high shear strain rate to prevent the product from escaping from the brush after distribution. The optimal thickener or thickening system for formulating the combined device should increase the fluid viscosity at low shear strain rate (1 s ^-1 ), while at the same time adding as little viscosity as possible at high shear strain rates. In order to satisfy these goals, the thickener or thickening system must give the formulation a high degree of pseudoplasticity, causing the formulation to significantly reduce viscosity as the shear strain rate increases.

As a rule, thickeners that impart high levels of pseudoplasticity are those that form a structure through charge-charge interactions or hydrogen bonds, such as colloidal silicas and hectorite clays. In terms of flow rate, these substances have ideal characteristics, greatly facilitating shear. Thickeners that form cross-linked networks, such as polysaccharide derivatives including xanthan gum or polymers including carbomer, also give a high degree of pseudoplasticity. Thickeners that build structure only due to chain entanglement, such as cellulose resin, are also pseudo-plastic, but tend to have a lower level of pseudo-plasticity than those that have a three-dimensional order.

Thickeners can be used singly or in combination to form “thickening systems”. Some thickeners, for example hectorite, provide phase separation of the compositions in which they are used in the absence of a second thickener. Similarly, there may be restrictions on the level at which a separate thickener can be used, requiring the addition of additional thickeners to achieve the desired rheological profile.

As described above, compositions containing bentonite clay and hectorite clays, such as laponite, greatly facilitate shear and are therefore desirable for use in the present invention. However, formulations containing these thickeners show moderate to high hysteresis levels, limiting their attainable post-shear viscosity after being subjected to high shear strain rates. Further, these thickeners are unsuitable for use with certain active oral care agents, such as sodium fluoride. Formulations containing more preferred polysaccharide resins, such as xanthan gum and carrageenan, do not facilitate shear to the same extent as those containing laponite or bentonite gum, but show less hysteresis after distribution. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the appropriate thickeners and levels in order to achieve the rheological requirements established here.

For a particular thickener or combination of thickeners, achieving the correct rheological profile to allow the product to have a suitable flow rate at high shear strain and maintain the structure of the composition after it undergoes a high shear strain rate to remain in and / or on the bristles, will greatly depend on the level of formulation at which a thickener or combination of thickeners is used. As a rule, an increase in the thickener level will lead to an increase in viscosities both at a low shear strain rate and at a high shear strain rate. Therefore, there is a window in the levels of the thickener, which allows the composition to pump up and remain on the bristles. The optimal level or levels of thickener or combination of thickeners will also be found by sorting the substance used, typically as a function of molecular weight or polymer chain length, with longer chains leading to higher viscosity. The thickener can also exhibit synergistic interactions with other ingredients in the formulation, so that the level required to achieve the correct viscosities at both high and low shear strain rates changes. Many other factors may govern the choice of private thickener in a private formulation. A specific charge on the thickener may be required, for example, in order to avoid unwanted interactions with other ingredients.

Thickeners suitable for the present invention include organic and inorganic thickeners and mixtures thereof. Inorganic thickeners include hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas, tertiary and quaternary derivatives of magnesium silicate, bentonite and mixtures thereof. Preferred inorganic thickeners are hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas and mixtures thereof. Organic thickeners include xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan, carbomer, algin, alginic acid and alginic acid and hydroxyethyl acid its derivatives, hydroxypropyl cellulose and its derivatives, starch phosphate derivatives, guar gum and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, copolymers of maleic acid anhydrite with alkenes and their derivatives cellulose resin and its derivatives, ethylene glycol / propylene glycol copolymers, poloxamers and their derivatives, polyacrylates and their derivatives, methyl cellulose and its derivatives, ethyl cellulose and its derivatives, agar and its derivatives, gum arabic and its derivatives, pectin and its derivatives, chitin and its derivatives, chitin and its derivatives, its derivatives, resinous polyethylene glycols, such as PEG-XM, where X≥1, karaya resin, carob resin, natto resin, vinylpyrrolidone-alkene copolymers, tragacanth resin, polyacrylamides, chitin derivatives, gelatin, beta-glucan, dex rin, dextran, cyclodextrin, methacrylates, microcrystalline cellulose, polyquaternium, furtsellarenovuyu gum, ghatti gum, psyllium gum, quince gum, tamarind gum, larch gum, packaging, and mixtures thereof. Preferred are xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan, carbomer, algin, alginic acid, alginates and their derivatives, hydroxyethyl hydroxypropyl cellulose and its derivatives, derivatives of starch phosphate, guar gum and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, copolymers of maleic acid anhydrite with alkenes and their derivatives, cellulo knowing the resin and its derivatives, ethylene glycol / propylene glycol copolymers, poloxamers and their derivatives and mixtures thereof. More preferred are xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan and mixtures thereof.

The volumes of thickeners can vary from more than 0.5% to 4%, preferably more than 0.5% to 3%, more preferably more than 0.5% to 2% by weight.

Surfactants

The oral composition of the present invention contains more than 0.1% by weight of a surfactant or mixture of surfactants. The levels of surfactants indicated here are based on 100% activity, even though common crude materials, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, can be supplied as aqueous solutions with lower activity.

A surfactant is important for cleaning the mouth, both through the removal of contamination from surfaces, and during the production of foam to suspend the removed contamination. Suitable surfactant levels are from about 0.1% to about 15%, preferably from about 0.25% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, by weight of the total composition. Suitable surfactants for use herein include anionic, amphoteric, nonionic, zwitterionic, and cationic surfactants, although anionic, amphoteric, nonionic, and zwitterionic surfactants are preferred.

Useful anionic surfactants herein include water-soluble salts of alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, and water-soluble salts of sulfonate monoglycerides of fatty acids having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Sodium lauryl sulfate and coconut monoglyceride sodium sulfonates are examples of anionic surfactants of this type. Sodium lauryl sulfate is preferred. In preferred embodiments, the oral composition comprises at least about 0.125%, preferably at least 0.5%, of an anionic surfactant, more preferably at least about 2%.

Suitable cationic surfactants useful in the present invention can be broadly defined as derivatives of quaternary ammonium aliphatic compounds having one long alkyl chain containing from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, such as lauryl trimethylammonium chloride; setil pyridinium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; setil trimethylammonium bromide; diisobutylphenoscietyl dimethylbenzylammonium chloride; alkyltrimethylammonium nitrate coconate; set pyridinium fluoride, etc. Some cationic surfactants may also act as bactericides in the compositions disclosed herein.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants that can be used in the compositions of the present invention can be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic and / or in nature aromatic. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include poloxamers; sorbitan derivatives such as sorbitan di-isostearate; hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide condensates such as PEG-30 hydrogenated castor oil; ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols or alkyl phenols; products isolated from the condensation of ethylene oxide with a reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine; long chain tertiary amine oxides; long chain tertiary phosphine oxides; long chain dialkyl sulfoxides and mixtures of such substances. These substances are useful for stabilizing the foam without introducing the excess viscosity created for the composition for the mouth.

Zwitterionic surfactants can be widely described as derivatives of aliphatic compounds of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium and sulfonium, in which aliphatic radicals can be straight chains or branched, and one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-soluble group, for example, carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Preferred zwitterionic surfactants include betaine surfactants disclosed in US patent No. 5180577.

Liquid carriers

The oral composition of this invention contains more than about 50% liquid carrier substances. Water is usually present. The water used in the preparation of a commercially acceptable oral composition should preferably be deionized and free of organic contaminants. Water generally contains here at least 10%, preferably from about 20% to 70%, by weight of liquid toothpaste compositions. More preferably, the compositions include at least about 30% water, suitably from about 30% to about 50% water. These amounts of water include free water, which is added to that which is introduced with other substances, such as sorbitol, and with solutions of surfactants.

In general, the liquid carrier will further include one or more humectants. Suitable humectants include glycerin, sorbitol, and other edible polyhydrogen-containing alcohols, such as low molecular weight polyethylene glycols, at levels of from about 15% to about 50%. In order to provide the best balance of foaming properties and resistance to drying, the ratio of total water to total humidifier is preferably from about 0.65: 1 to 1.5: 1, preferably from about 0.85: 1 to 1.3: 1.

Viscosities with a high shear strain rate of oral compositions here are strongly influenced by the viscosity of Newtonian fluids present in the composition. As used here, “Newtonian fluids” include liquid substances obeying the law that a uniform shear stress is a product of the viscosity coefficient and shear strain rate. They can be either pure liquids, such as glycerin or water, or solutions of a solute in a solvent, such as a solution of sorbitol in water. The level of contribution of Newtonian fluid to viscosity in a non-Newtonian oral composition will depend on the level at which Newtonian fluid is mixed. Water is usually present in a significant amount in the composition for the mouth and has a Newtonian viscosity of approximately 1 MPa · s at 25 ° C. Humidifiers, such as glycerol and sorbitol solutions, typically have a significantly higher Newtonian viscosity than water. As a result, the overall level of the humectant — the ratio of water to humectant — and the choice of humectants is critical for finding viscosity at high shear strain rates for oral formulations.

Well-known humectants may be used, such as sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycols, propylene glycols and mixtures thereof, but the specific levels and ratios used will vary depending on the choice of humectant. Sorbitol can be used, but due to its relatively high Newtonian viscosity, it cannot mix at levels above 45% by weight of the composition for the mouth. Conversely, propylene glycol can be used at higher levels since it has a lower Newtonian viscosity than sorbitol, and therefore does not contribute as much to viscosity at high shear strain rate for the mouth composition. Glycerin has an intermediate Newtonian viscosity between the viscosities of sorbitol and polyethylene glycol.

Ethanol may also be present in oral formulations. Its amounts can vary from 0.5 to 5%, optimally from 1.5 to 3.5%, by weight. Ethanol can be a useful solvent and can serve to enhance the effects of odor, although only low levels are usually used in this latter respect. Non-ethanol solvents such as propylene glycol may also be used. Low molecular weight polyethylene glycols are also useful here.

Other components

The composition for the mouth will typically contain many other components, such as abrasives, sources of fluoride ions, chelating agents, antimicrobial agents, thickeners, silicone oils and other auxiliary substances, such as preservatives and coloring agents.

Abrasives

The oral composition of the present invention may comprise a dental abrasive. Abrasives are used for polishing teeth and (or) removing surface deposits. The abrasive intended for use herein may be any substance that does not excessively wash dentin. Suitable abrasives include insoluble phosphate polishing agents, such as, for example, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, beta-phase calcium pyrophosphate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, anhydrous calcium phosphate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate and the like. Cretaceous abrasives such as calcium and magnesium carbonates, xerogels including silica, hydrogels, aerogels and precipitates, alumina and its hydrates, such as alpha-alumina trihydrate, aluminum silicates, such as calcined aluminum silicate and aluminum silicate, magnesium silicates are also suitable. zirconium, such as magnesium trisilicate, and heat-shrink polymerized resins, such as urea and formaldehyde particulate condensation products, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene powder, and others, such as disclosed in US Pat. NTE US №3070510, 25 December 1962. You can also use a mixture of abrasives. Abrasive polishing agents generally have an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 30 microns, preferably from about 1 to 15 microns.

The oral formulations described herein preferably have a Dentin Radiation Abrasion (RID) (RDA) value of from about 70 to about 200, more preferably from about 70 to about 140, most preferably from about 80 to about 125. The RID values are found according to the method set forth by Hefferen, "Journal of Dental Research" July-August 1976, pp. 563-573 and described in US patent No. 4340583, 4420312 and 4421527, issued in the name of Wason.

Non-abrasive substances, such as polyphosphates, can also contribute to the value of RID. The RID value can, however, be measured for an abrasive in the absence of these substances. In the compositions of the present invention, it is preferable that the abrasives themselves have a RID value of from about 70 to about 140, more preferably from about 80 to about 125, when used at 5% load. The REID of the abrasive at 5% load can be measured using the following method. A test formulation is prepared containing 50% glycerol, 44% water, 5% abrasive and 1% xanthan gum by mixing the xanthan gum into glycerin, adding water and mixing, and then adding the abrasive and mixing. The RID of this test composition can then be measured using a standard RID method to ensure that the RID for the abrasive is measured at 5% load.

An alternative measure for evaluating the quality of cleaning compositions is here to evaluate their effects on the collecting film. The oral formulations described herein preferably also have a film cleaning ratio (OOP) ratio of PCR of at least about 70, preferably from about 70 to about 140, more preferably from about 80 to about 125. The OOP cleaning values are found by the OOP test described in "In Vitro Removal of Stain With Dentifrice", GKStookey, TABurkhard and BRSchemerhom, J. Dental Research, 61, 1236-9, 1982.

Silica dental abrasives of various types offer exceptional quality of dental cleaning and polishing without excessive abrasion of tooth enamel or dentin. The silica abrasive can be sedimentary silica or silica gels, such as silica xerogels, described in US Pat. No. 3,538,230 issued March 2, 1970 to Pader et al., And US Pat. No. 3,862,307, issued June 21, 1975 to DiGiulio, for example, silica xerogels sold under the trademark "Sytoid" by WRGrace & Company, Davison Chemical Division. Suitable sedimentary silicas include those sold by INEOS under the trade names Sorbosil AC 43 and AC 33. Preferred are silicas that have an oil absorption of from 30 g per 100 g to 100 g per 100 g of silica. It was found that silicas with low levels of oil absorption are less structured and therefore do not bring the viscosity of the composition to the mouth to the same extent as silicas, which have a higher structure and therefore have higher levels of oil absorption. As used here, oil absorption is measured by measuring the maximum amount of linseed oil that silica can absorb at 25 ° C.

Suitable levels of abrasive are from about 0% to about 20%, preferably less than 10%, for example from 1% to 10%. Abrasive levels of 3% to 5% are preferred. It was found that compositions for the mouth with high levels of abrasive do not have rheological properties suitable for use in the present invention. Without wanting to be bound by theory, it is believed that oral formulations containing higher levels of abrasives, although they have good viscosity at a low shear strain rate for stability after distribution, do not liquefy sufficiently at higher shear strain rates to provide good performance filling and emptying the pump.

Sources of fluoride ions

To protect against caries, a source of fluoride ion will usually be present in the oral composition. Sources of fluoride include sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, calcium fluoride, stannous fluoride, stannous monofluorophosphate and sodium monofluorophosphate. Suitable levels provide 25 to 2500 ppm of the available fluoride ion by weight of liquid toothpaste.

Chelating Agents

Another preferred optional agent is a chelating agent, in the sense of anti-stone agent. Suitable chelating agents include organic acids and their salts, such as tartaric acid and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, citric acid and alkali metal citrates, and mixtures thereof. Chelating agents are capable of collecting calcium found on bacterial cell walls. Chelating agents can also destroy plaques by removing calcium from calcium jumpers, which helps keep this biomass unscathed. However, it is possible to use a chelating agent that has an affinity for calcium that is too high. This leads to demineralization of the tooth and is the opposite of the objectives and aspirations of the present invention.

Preferred chelating agents have a constant binding of calcium from about 10 ¹ to 10 ⁵ to provide improved cleaning with reduced plaques and stone formation. Amounts of a chelating agent suitable for use in the present invention are from about 0.1% to about 2.5%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 2.5%, and more preferably from about 1.0% to about 2, 5%. The chelating agent of the tartaric acid salt may be used alone or in combination with other optional chelating agents.

Another group of agents suitable, in particular for use as chelating agents in the present invention, are water-soluble polyphosphates, polyphosphonates and pyrophosphates, which are useful as anti-stone agents. The pyrophosphate salts used in the present compositions may be any of the alkali metal pyrophosphate salts. An effective amount of the pyrophosphate salt useful in the composition is generally sufficient to provide at least 1.0% of the pyrophosphate ion, preferably from about 1.5% to about 6% of such ions. Pyrophosphate salts are described in more detail in Kirk & Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Volume 15, Interscience Publishers (1968).

Water soluble polyphosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate are preferred. Other long chain anti-stone agents of this type are described in international application WO 98/22079. Water soluble diphosphonates are also preferred. Suitable water soluble diphosphonates include ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) and aza-cycloheptane diphosphonate (ANP). Tripolyphosphates and diphosphonates are particularly preferred since they provide both anti-stone activity and activity in removing plaques without creating a viscosity as large as less water-soluble chemical agents for removing plaques, and are stable against hydrolysis in water. Due to the limited abrasive load that can be included in the present compositions for reasons of maintaining low viscosity, water-soluble polyphosphates and diphosphonates are beneficial as plaque-removing active substances. Without the desire to bind himself with theory, it is believed that these ingredients remove plaques by desorbing the stain-giving film from the enamel surface of the tooth. Suitable levels of water soluble polyphosphates and diphosphonates are from about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably from about 1% to about 5%, and more preferably from about 1.5% to about 3%, by weight of the composition for the mouth. More preferred for use herein are alkali metal salts of tripolyphosphates.

Another possible group of chelating agents suitable for use in the present invention are anionic polymeric polycarboxylates. Such substances are well known in the art, being used in the form of their free acids or partially or preferably completely neutralized, water-soluble salts of alkali metals (for example, potassium and preferably sodium) or ammonium. Additional polymeric polycarboxylates are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,138,477 to Gaffar and US Pat. No. 4,183,914 to Gaffar et al. and include copolymers of maleic anhydride with styrene, isobutylene or ethyl vinyl ether, polyacrylic, polyitaconic and polymaleic acids and sulfoacrylic oligomers with such low MB (molecular weight) as 1000, available as Uniroyal ND-2.

Antimicrobial agents

Antimicrobial agents are also useful for inclusion in the compositions of the present invention. A wide variety of antimicrobial agents can be used, including salts of divalent tin, such as divalent tin pyrophosphate and divalent tin gluconate; zinc salt such as zinc lactate and zinc citrate; copper salts such as copper bisglycinate; quaternary ammonium salts such as setyl pyridinium chloride and tetradesilethyl pyridinium chloride; bis-biguanide salts and non-ionic antimicrobial agents such as triclosan. Some aromatic oils, such as thymol, may also have antimicrobial activity. Such agents are disclosed in US patent No. 2946725, issued July 26, 1960 in the name of Norris et al., And in US patent No. 4051234, issued September 27, 1977 in the name of Gieske et al. Sodium chlorite, described in international application WO 99/43290, is also useful.

Antimicrobial agents, if present, are typically included at levels from about 0.01% to about 1-0%. It is preferable to keep the level of tin and cationic antimicrobial agents less than 5%, preferably less than 1%, to avoid stain problems.

A preferred antimicrobial agent is a non-cationic antimicrobial agent, such as described in US Pat. No. 5,037,637. A particularly preferred antimicrobial agent is 2 ', 4,4'-trichloro-2-hydroxy-diphenyl ether (triclosan).

Silicone oils

An optional ingredient in these formulations is silicone oil. Silicone oils may be useful as barriers to plaques, as disclosed in international application WO 96/19191. Suitable classes of silicone oils include, but are not limited to, dimethicones, dimethiconols, copolyols of dimethicone and aminoalkyl silicones; preferred silicone oils are selected from copolyols of dimethicone and aminoalkyl silicones, more preferably from copolyols of dimethicone. Silicone oils are generally present at a level of from about 0.1% to about 15%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 3%, by weight.

Other excipients

Sweetening agents such as sodium saccharin, sodium cyclamate, acesulfame K, aspartame, sucrose and the like can be included at levels of from about 0.1 to 5% by weight. Other excipients may also be included, including flavors, preservatives, opacifiers, and colorants. Typical dyes are D&C yellow No. 10, FD&C blue No. 1, FD&C red No. 40, D&C red No. 33, and combinations thereof. Dye levels can vary from 0.0001 to 0.1%.

The following examples will more fully illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

The compositions for the mouth in the above examples were packaged in vacuum-cleaned collapsible sachets made of a thermo-sealed aluminum-plastic laminate. Sasha was attached to the inlet nozzle of the diaphragm pump with a volume of 0.3 ml diaphragm chamber through the clamping connector. The pump nozzle was connected to a silicone tube of circular cross section with an internal cross-sectional area of 3.14 mm ² and a length of 120 mm. The end of the silicone tube distal to the pump ended with a silicone slotted non-return valve in the brush applicator head. The entire sachet / pump / tube assembly was placed in an electric toothbrush case with a size for convenient grip by the user's hand, so that the diaphragm pump arch was manually pressed outside the case in order to pump the composition. When the pump vault was manually pressed, the oral formulations of the above examples were dispensed at a flow rate of approximately 0.3 ml / s without the need for the user to apply excessive force. After distribution, the oral formulations quickly reached an acceptable viscosity at 1 s ^-1 .

Claims (19)

1. The use of an oral composition for caring for an oral cavity, comprising pumping an oral composition from a reservoir of a manual toothbrush, which comprises a single housing that can be conveniently gripped by a user’s hand, the housing comprising a reservoir to an outlet of the toothbrush through a tube with an internal area cross-section A and length y, where A is from 0.0025 to 25 mm ² , and y is from 10 to 300 mm, the composition is characterized in that it has a viscosity of not more than η (in Pa · s) at a speed

shear (in s ^-1 ), where η and

are defined by equations

the composition further has a viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 . 2. The use according to claim 1, in which the toothbrush is an electric toothbrush. 3. The use according to claim 2, in which the composition for the mouth is pumped by a positive displacement pump. 4. The use according to claim 3, in which the tube has a ratio of length to internal cross-sectional area of at least 1: 1 mm ^-1 . 5. The use according to claim 4, in which

6. The use of claim 3, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a diaphragm pump. 7. The use according to claim 6, in which

8. The use according to claim 1, wherein the composition for the mouth is further characterized in that it provides a flow rate of at least 0.2 ml / s to the positive displacement pump, wherein the return force of the pump is less than 100 N. 9. The composition for the mouth for use according to claim 1, containing a) from more than 0.5 to 4% of thickening ingredients selected from hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas, tertiary and quaternary derivatives of magnesium silicate, bentonite, xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan, carbomer, algin, alginic acid, alginates and their derivatives, hydroxyethyl cellulose and its derivatives, hydroxypropyl cellulose and its derivatives, derivatives starch phosphate, guar gum and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, copolymers of maleic acid anhydrite with alkenes and their derivatives, cellulose resin and its derivatives, ethylene glycol / propylene glycol copolymers, poloxamers and their derivatives, polyacrylates and their derivatives, methyl celluloses and its derivatives, ethyl cellulose and its derivatives, agar and its derivatives, gum arabic and its derivatives, pectin and its derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives, resinous polyethylene glycols, such as PEG-XM, where X≥1, car tar I, locust bean gum, natto gum, vinyl pyrolidone copolymers with alkenes, tragacanth gum, polyacrylamides, derivatives of chitin, gelatin, beta-glucan, dextrin, dextran, cyclodextrin, methacrylates, microcrystalline cellulose, polyquaternium resin, furcellarum resin, quince resin, tamarind resin, larch resin, tar tar and mixtures thereof; b) less than 20% insoluble solids; c) 20-70% of the total water; and d) from more than 20 to 80% of the humectants selected from their polyols and polyethylene glycols; however, the composition has a viscosity of from 0.001 to 780 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 20 s ^-1 and at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 . 10. The composition for the mouth according to claim 9, containing a) from more than 0.5 to 4% thickening ingredients selected from xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum, velan gum, konjac, kurdlan, carbomer , algin, alginic acid, alginates and their derivatives, hydroxyethyl cellulose and its derivatives, hydroxypropyl cellulose and its derivatives, starch phosphate derivatives, guar gum and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, maleic anhydrite copolymers slots with alkenes and their derivatives, cellulosic resin and its derivatives, copolymers of ethylene glycol / propylene glycol, poloxamers and their derivatives, hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas and mixtures thereof; b) less than 10% insoluble solids; c) from 30 to 60% of the humectants selected for their polyols and polyethylene glycols; and d) from 30 to 60% of the total water. 11. The oral composition of claim 10, containing from more than 0.5 to 2% thickening ingredients selected from xanthan gum, carrageenan and its derivatives, gellan gum, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, sclerotin gum and its derivatives, pullulan, ramzan gum , velane gum, konjac, kurdlan, hectorite and its derivatives, hydrated silicas and mixtures thereof. 12. The oral composition of claim 10, containing from 0.1 to 10% of an anti-stone agent selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt of tripolyphosphate and diphosphonates, preferably alkali metal salts of tripolyphosphate. 13. The oral composition of claim 10, further characterized in that it has a viscosity of greater than 0.1 Pa · s, preferably more than 0.2 Pa · s, more preferably more than 0.3 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-11 in the case of dilution with water to a liquid 16.67% solution. 14. The composition for the mouth, containing a) from 1 to 10% abrasive; b) from 20 to 70% of the total water; c) at least 10% of humectants selected from polyols and polypropylene glycols; wherein the composition has a REI from 70 to 200 and a viscosity of at least 10 Pa · s at a shear strain rate of 1 s ^-1 . 15. The composition for the mouth of claim 14, containing from 1 to 10% water-soluble polyphosphate or diphosphonate. 16. A reservoir for use in an oral care system comprising a) the composition for the mouth according to any one of paragraphs.9-15; b) means for connecting the reservoir to the oral care system. Priority on points: 10/04/2002 according to claims 1-11, 13, 16; 10/31/2002 according to claims 1-8, 12, 16; 06/13/2003 according to claims 1-8, 12, 14-16.