Liquid activation system
AssigneeColgate-Palmolive Company
InventorsGuofeng Xu, Steven Miller, Jennifer Gronlund
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are compositions comprising an unactivated liquid, an immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, such that during storage the unactivated liquid is not in contact with the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, but upon use, the unactivated liquid contacts the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, whereby the pH of the liquid is altered, thereby activating the liquid to provide a benefit; together with variant and alternative designs, methods of making and using the compositions, and components thereof.
Claims22
An oral care, skin care or home care composition comprising:
- a first component containing an immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, e.g., solid particles or matrix comprising sparingly soluble acid or base and a second compartment,
- one or more additional components each containing an unactivated liquid, optionally different unactivated liquids, such that during storage the unactivated liquid is not in contact with the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, but upon use, the unactivated liquid contacts the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, whereby the pH of the liquid is altered.
The foregoing composition wherein the enzyme is a glucose oxidase having an optimal pH range of less than 7, the substrate is glucose, and the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base is an acid, such that when the pH of the unactivated liquid is reduced upon use, hydrogen peroxide is produced.
A method of activating a liquid, e.g., a mouthwash, personal care product or home care product, comprising contacting the liquid with an immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base to alter the pH of the liquid just prior to use, e.g., thereby activating the liquid as described in the foregoing paragraph.
A method of tooth whitening or cleaning or of treating conditions of the oral cavity such as gingivitis, dental plaque or halitosis, or reducing demineralization of the enamel, comprising applying a mouthwash activated in accordance with the foregoing paragraph to the oral cavity, e.g., by rinsing the mouth with the activated mouthwash for a period of 15 seconds to one minute and then spitting the mouthwash out.
A method of cleaning surfaces comprising applying to a surface a liquid surface cleanser activated as described above.
A method of cleaning the skin comprising applying to the skin a liquid skin care product activated as described above.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.