FOAM TOOTHPASTE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME

Abstract: Preferred alternatives historically have been toothpaste in a) a firm ribbon or strip form or b) powder in various presentations. Blended emulsion containing toophpaste formula is stored in a dispensing container at a ratio by volume of 90% to 95% emulsion and 5% - 10% liquid gas. The dispensing container is presurised by liquid gas at between 140 to 280 kilopascals. Flowability of emulsion is determined to be between .5 to 2 grams per second through the valve orifice. Expanded toothpaste, - foam toothpaste occurs at the valve orifice exit as the emulsion comes under atmospheric pressure.

Description: H The invention is an emulsion blend containing a toothpaste formula which is discharged from a dispensing container by a liquid gas propellant through a manually closable valve as foam, applied directly onto the bristles of a toothbrush. Foaming of the toothpaste emulsion blend in it's various formulations occurs at the valve orifice exit as the emulsion com under atmospheric pressure because a liquid gas is used as the propellant. The composition of packaging an emulsion blend containing a toothpaste formula in an aerosol type container by volume would be 90% to 95% emulsion and 5% to 10% liquid gas propellant. Flowability of emulsion is determinded to be between .5 to 2 grams per second through the valve orifice. Studies show that not all liquid gases are compatible with emulsion containing toothpaste formula. Hydrocarbon A46 and flourocarbon 12/144 are the most compatible but the invention is not limited to the employment of these two liquid gases. The emulsion is propelled by liquid gas pressurised in the range of 140 to 280 kilopascals. Commercial toothpastes in their present form of a relatively firm ribbon or strip could not be packaged and dispensed as descri in this invention as a foam. The key factors being to produce foam toothpaste are - - A blended emulsion containing a toothpaste formula which accomodates a flow rate of .5 to 2 grams per •i second at the valve orifice exit. - Relatively low pressurised liquid gas which when released into the atmosphere with the emulsion causes a reaction which results in foam. Sufficient quantity of foam is discharged from a pressurised container through a manually operated valve to satisf ctorily reduce to an acceptable level the flamable properties of liquid gas. The loading of the toothpaste formula in the blended emulsion and the satisfactory discharge of the emulsion blend as a toothpaste foam is governed by the flow rate at the valve exit of .5 to 2 grams per second and the liquid gas propellant pressurised at 140 to 280 kilopascals. Sufficient foam product is discharged by this method as to be economic and waste material is minimal. The product volume to propellant ratio of 90% to 95% product and 5% to 10% propellant contributes to some reductions in the cost of the manufacturing process and even with low volume of propellant there is no loss of efficiency in product delivery or quality of foam. THE EMULSION BLEND The emulsifying agent for forming the emulsion being 'Span 81 (R) ur 'Ξmcol 14' (R), but the invention is not limited to these two emulsifying agents, for forming the emulsion of glycerine and or other carriers and water. Further the emulsion blend contains abbrasives and polrshing agents, a softner-sorbital flouride compounds for strengthening tooth enamel. Harmless flavouring, colouring and perfume material may also be included in the composition. The emulsion blend may contain other optional ingredients in varying proportions. The composition of the emulsion blend - the following approximate composition all percentages are by weight: Humectants which may contain a glycerine and sodium laurly sulphat mixture, from about 5% to about 75%. Abbrasive and polisning agents from about 30% tp about 55% of the composition. containing flouride from about 0.1% to about 5%. Materials for flavouring, colouring and perfumes and preservatives from about 1% to about 5%. An emulsifying agent from about 0.5% to about 10%, binders in an amount from about 0.5% to about 25%. Water at about 20% to about 70%. Said percentage ranges cover different formulations of commercial toothpastes. The invention of which the emulsion blend is a step described in the foregoing is not to be limited to the description given because a substitution of equivalents for, elements, and materials could occur without going outside the scope of the invention step set out herein. " The present invention is the only invention known that dispenses a blended emulsion from a pressurised container as foam. Said method comprising the steps of : - Forming the initial emulsion blend containing a toothpaste formula to accomodate a determined flow rate of .5 to 2 grams per second at the valve exit; - Introducing the emulsion blend into the container; and - Pressurising the emulsion blend with liquid gas in the range of 140 to 280 kilopascals. The present invention causes the emulsion blend and the liqui gas to produce foam toothpaste when dispensed into the atmosphere. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Known attempts to dispense toothpaste onto the bristles of a toothbrush are well known, toothpaste compositions are in paste, gel, powder or cream form and at some period of time of the prior art, been dispensed from collapsible tubes, squeeze containers and aerosol pressure packs. With regard to dispensing toothpaste from a pressure pack some known examples are - - Australian patent application number 44815-59 (Precision) an invention which dispenses a relaτively firm ribbon or strip of toothpaste. - Australian patent number 512912 application number 21345/77 (Risdon) an invention that dispenses powder which could be part of a toothpaste formula as a spray not only from a pressure pack but also from a non- pressure container. - Australian patent application number 27598-77 an invention in part which dispenses toothpaste in paste or gel form. - Australian patent application number 4377-66 an invention covering dental compositions which form a creamy mass which may be extruded from a number of packagings including an aerosol container. SUBSTITUTE SHEET The j.riυr art Iras ri i κρc-n.-. d toothpaste in ι:.:_r_γ snd varif-d forms but never in the form of foam. The invention foamed toothpaste and method for producing same is new and innovative to the prior art. kUBSililUE SHEET

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS : 1. A dispensing package containing a blended emulsion of toothpaste dispensed from a container pressurised with liquid gas which becomes foam product when released through the valve into the atmosphere. 2. A dispensing packaging according to claim 1 wherein the emulsion blend accomodates a flow rate at the valve exit of a rang of .5 to 2 grams per second. 3. A dispensing packaging according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the propellant is a liquid gas. 4. A dispensing packaging according to claims 1, 2 or -3 wherein the blended emulsion containing a toothpaste formula by volume occupies some 90% to 95% of the volume of the dispensing packaging. 5. A dispensing packaging according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein by volume the liquid gas propellant is 5% to 10% of the volume of the dispensing packaging. 6. A dispensing packaging according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the propellant is liquid gas pressurised in the range 140 to 280 kilopascals. 7. The method of producing a dispensing packaging comprising a "container sealed at the top verticle end by a valve connected to a dip tube. A blended emulsion containing toothpaste that has a flow rate through the valve exit of .5 to 2 grams per second propelled by liquid gas pressurised at 140 to 280 kilopascals. 8. The method according to claim 4 wherein the blended emulsion containing toothpaste by volume occupies some 90% to 95% of the volume of the dispensing packaging. 9. The method according to claim 5 wherein by volume the liquid gas propellant is 5% to 10% of the volume of the dispensing packaging. 10. The method according to claim 6 wherein the propel Ian: liquid g s is pres.-uri • =< d in the range of 1*40 to 280 kilo:- " --*" ** ._! = . S B . e me o accor ng o c a ms o a spens ng packaging that dispenses foam toothpaste substantially describe herein before.

Inventors: MATTHEWS STEWART A
Applicants: MATTHEWS STEWART A
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A47K5
IPC codes: A47K5, A61K8, A61Q11