Oral Compositions Containing Gel Networks

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an oral composition containing a gel network phase comprising: (i) one or more fatty amphiphiles, (ii) one or more surfactants, and (iii) one or more solvents; and an oral carrier phase. In certain embodiments, the gel network is used to structure the oral composition. The present invention is also directed to a method of forming an oral composition containing a gel network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dentifrice comprising:
 a. from about 1% to about 90% humectant selected from the group consisting of water, edible polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof;   b. from about 0.01% to about 15% anionic surfactant;   c. one or more fatty amphiphiles;   d. a fluoride compound selected from the group consisting of stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, amine fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and combinations thereof;   e. a flavor;   f. an abrasive polishing material;
 wherein the dentifrice composition foams when used in a conventional manner for cleansing teeth. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the humectant comprises glycerin. 
     
     
         3 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the one or more fatty amphiphiles is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty alcohol ethers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 2  wherein the fatty amphiphile comprises:
   R 1 —(OR 2 ) k —OH
 
 
       wherein R 2  is a C1-C5 carbon chain and k is from 0 to about 5. 
     
     
         5 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the fatty amphiphile is a fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, eicosyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the fatty amphiphile is a combination of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol and the surfactant is an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         7 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, sodium monoglyceride sulfate, sodium cetaryl sulfate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, socium lauryl phosphate, sodium lauryl lactylate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium lauryl isethionate, sodium laureth carboxylate, sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The oral composition according to  claim 7  wherein the surfactant comprises sodium lauryl sulfate. 
     
     
         9 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the weight ratio of fatty amphiphile to anionic surfactant is greater than about 1:5. 
     
     
         10 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the weight ratio of fatty amphiphile to anionic surfactant is from about 1:1 to about 10:1. 
     
     
         11 . The dentifrice composition according to  claim 1  wherein the dentifrice composition comprises a viscosity from about 15 to about 50 BKU. 
     
     
         12 . The dentifrice composition according to  claim 1  wherein a rheology of the dentifrice composition enables the dentifrice composition to be easily dispensed from a container and stand-up on a toothbrush head after the composition is dispensed. 
     
     
         13 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 1  wherein the dentifrice composition further comprises a moist feeling in the mouth when used in the conventional manner for cleansing teeth. 
     
     
         14 . A dentifrice comprising:
 a. from about 1% to about 90% humectant wherein the humectant comprises glycerin; from about 0.01% to about 15% sodium lauryl sulfate;   b. one or more fatty alcohols;   c. a fluoride compound selected from the group consisting of stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, amine fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and combinations thereof;   d. a flavor;   e. an abrasive polishing material;
 wherein the dentifrice composition foams when used in a conventional manner for cleansing teeth. 
   
     
     
         15 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 14  wherein the humectant further comprises polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         16 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 14  wherein the humectant further comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         17 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 14  wherein the fluoride ion source comprises stannous fluoride. 
     
     
         18 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 14  wherein the one or more fatty alcohols is selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The dentifrice composition according to  claim 14  wherein a rheology of the dentifrice composition enables the dentifrice composition to be easily dispensed from a container and stand-up on a toothbrush head after the composition is dispensed. 
     
     
         20 . The dentifrice composition of  claim 14  wherein the dentifrice composition further comprises a moist feeling in the mouth when used in the conventional manner for cleansing teeth.