Dentifrice containing functional film flakes

Abstract

A dentifrice composition comprising a dentifrice vehicle and film flakes comprising a hydratable matrix and a member selected from the group consisting of flavorants, therapeutic agents, cosmetic agents, and combinations thereof.

1 . A dentifrice, comprising a dentifrice vehicle and film flakes comprising a hydratable matrix and a member selected from the group consisting of flavorants, therapeutic agents, cosmetic agents, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the film flakes comprise a flavorant.  
     
     
         3 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the film flakes comprise from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight of a flavorant.  
     
     
         4 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the film flakes comprise a flavorant in an amount to release a burst of flavor during toothbrushing.  
     
     
         5 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydratable matrix comprises as a major film forming agent an hydroxyalkyl cellulose.  
     
     
         6 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydratable matrix comprises from about 10 to about 60% hydroxyalkylmethyl cellulose and further wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose comprises a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylpropyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A dentifrice according to  claim 6 , wherein the film matrix further includes cornstarch.  
     
     
         8 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear, and further wherein the film flakes are shaped flakes including a colorant.  
     
     
         9 . A dentifrice according to  claim 8 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle contains a colorant contrasting to that included in the film flakes.  
     
     
         10 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the film flakes comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of flavorants, sweeteners, cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidene, anticavities agents, anticalculus agents, antibacterial agents, breath freshening agents, desensitizers, vitamins, herbs, whitening agents, high cleaning silica, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A dentifrice according to  claim 1 , wherein the flakes are about 0.5 to about 10 microns thick and have a particle size of about 0.01 to about 0.5 inches.  
     
     
         12 . A dentifrice, comprising a dentifrice vehicle and film flakes comprising at least one agent in a film flake matrix, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of flavorants, therapeutic agents, cosmetic agents, and combinations thereof, and further wherein said matrix releases said agent when the dentifrice is applied to a tooth surface.  
     
     
         13 . A dentifrice according to  claim 12 , wherein the agent comprises a flavorant.  
     
     
         14 . A dentifrice according to  claim 12 , wherein the film flakes comprise from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight of a flavorant.  
     
     
         15 . A dentifrice according to  claim 12 , wherein the matrix comprises as a major film forming agent a hydroxyalkyl cellulose.  
     
     
         16 . A dentifrice according to  claim 15 , wherein the matrix further includes cornstarch.  
     
     
         17 . A dentifrice according to  claim 12 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear, and further wherein the film flakes are shaped flakes including a colorant.  
     
     
         18 . A dentifrice according to  claim 12 , wherein said agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of flavorants, sweeteners, cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidene, anticavities agents, anticalculus agents, antibacterial agents, breath freshening agents, desensitizers, vitamins, herbs, whitening agents, high cleaning silica, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A dentifrice comprising a dentifrice vehicle and flakes that disintegrate during toothbrushing to release an agent.  
     
     
         20 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein the agent comprises a flavorant.  
     
     
         21 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein the flakes comprise from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight of a flavorant.  
     
     
         22 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein the flakes comprise a flavorant in an amount to release a burst of flavor during toothbrushing.  
     
     
         23 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein the flakes comprise a hydratable matrix having as a major film forming agent an hydroxyalkyl cellulose.  
     
     
         24 . A dentifrice according to  claim 23 , wherein the flakes further comprise cornstarch.  
     
     
         25 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear, and further wherein the flakes are shaped flakes including a colorant.  
     
     
         26 . A dentifrice according to  claim 19 , wherein said agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of flavorants, sweeteners, cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidene, anticavities agents, anticalculus agents, antibacterial agents, breath freshening agents, desensitizers, vitamins, herbs, whitening agents, high cleaning silica, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         27 . A dentifrice comprising a dentifrice vehicle and flakes of a hydratable film, wherein the film disintegrates during toothbrushing to release a burst of flavor.  
     
     
         28 . A dentifrice according to  claim 27 , wherein the hydratable film comprises as a major film forming agent an hydroxyalkyl cellulose.  
     
     
         29 . A dentifrice according to  claim 28 , wherein the hydratable film further comprises cornstarch.  
     
     
         30 . A dentifrice according to  claim 27 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear, and further wherein the flakes are shaped flakes including a colorant.  
     
     
         31 . A dentifrice according to  claim 27 , wherein the flakes further comprise an agent selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidene, anticavities agents, anticalculus agents, antibacterial agents, breath freshening agents, desensitizers, vitamins, herbs, whitening agents, high cleaning silica, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A dentifrice according to  claim 27 , wherein the film comprises an effective amount of sweetener.  
     
     
         33 . A dentifrice, comprising a dentifrice vehicle and flakes, 
 wherein said flakes comprise at least one hydratable cellulose as a major film forming agent and from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight of a flavorant.    
     
     
         34 . A dentifrice according to  claim 33 , wherein the flakes release a burst of flavor during toothbrushing.  
     
     
         35 . A dentifrice according to  claim 33 , wherein the hydratable cellulose comprises hydroxyalkyl cellulose.  
     
     
         36 . A dentifrice according to  claim 33 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear, and further wherein the flakes are shaped flakes including a colorant.  
     
     
         37 . A dentifrice according to  claim 33 , wherein the flakes further comprise an agent selected from the group consisting of cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidene, anticavities agents, anticalculus agents, antibacterial agents, breath freshening agents, desensitizers, vitamins, herbs, whitening agents, high cleaning silica, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         38 . A dentifrice according to  claim 33 , wherein the flakes further comprise cornstarch.  
     
     
         39 . A dentifrice, comprising a dentifrice vehicle and flakes, wherein said flakes comprise a film matrix effective to substantially separate an agent from the dentifrice vehicle until it is applied to a tooth surface.  
     
     
         40 . A dentifrice according to  claim 39 , wherein said film matrix releases the agent when applied to a tooth surface.  
     
     
         41 . A dentifrice according to  claim 40 , wherein the matrix releases the entrained agent substantially immediately when applied to a tooth surface.  
     
     
         42 . A method of preparing a dentifrice, comprising steps of: 
 (a) preparing a film by drying a layer of a liquid mixture comprising hydroxyalkyl cellulose, a starch, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of colorants, flavorings, sweeteners, therapeutic agents, and breath freshening agents,    (b) cutting or punching shaped flakes from the film;    (c) incorporating the flakes into a dentifrice vehicle.    
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the film is from about 0.5 to about 10 microns thick and wherein the flakes have a particle size of 0.01 to 0.50 inches.  
     
     
         44 . A dentifrice, comprising a dentifrice vehicle and decorative, shaped film flakes comprising hydroxyalkylmethyl cellulose, cornstarch, from about 15 to about 25% by weight of a flavorant, titanium dioxide, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of surfactants and emulsifying agents.  
     
     
         45 . A dentifrice according to  claim 44 , wherein the dentifrice vehicle is substantially clear and wherein the film flakes further comprise FD&C Green colorant.  
     
     
         46 . A dentifrice according to  claim 44 , wherein the film flakes comprise cetyl pyridinium chloride and an antibacterial agent.