Method for delivering an active agent
A method for delivering one or more oral care active agents to a mammal's mouth using a nonwoven web of filaments and/or fibers containing one or more oral care active agents that are releasable from the filaments and/or fibers is provided.
1. A method for delivering one or more oral care active agents to a mammal's mouth, the method comprising the steps:
a. providing a water-soluble nonwoven web comprising a plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers produced from a filament-forming composition comprising from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the filament-forming composition of water, wherein the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers comprise of only one water-soluble filament-forming material and two or more oral care active agents present in the water-soluble filament-forming material that are releasable from the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers when the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers are exposed to conditions of intended use, wherein the total level of the water-soluble filament-forming material present in the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers is 80% or less by weight on a dry filament basis and the total level of the two or more oral care active agents present in the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers is 20% or greater by weight on a dry filament basis; and
b. triggering the release of at least one of the two or more oral care active agents from the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the triggering step comprises exposing the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers to moisture.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the triggering step comprises exposing the filament to a temperature of greater than 75° F.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the triggering step comprises the step of applying a force to the filament.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein two or more of the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers are inter-entangled in the water-soluble nonwoven web.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the triggering step comprises exposing the filament to a chemical reaction.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the triggering step results in the filament losing its filament structure.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the filament loses its filament structure as a result of at least a part of the filament swelling.
9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the filament loses its filament structure as a result of at least a part of the filament shrinking.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of triggering comprises forming a wash liquor by contacting the water-soluble nonwoven web with water.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the water-soluble nonwoven web exhibits an average disintegration time of less than 120 seconds/gram of sample as measured according to the Dissolution Test Method.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the water-soluble nonwoven web exhibits an average dissolution time of less than 950 seconds/gram of sample as measured according to the Dissolution Test Method.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers exhibit 20% or less by weight on a dry filament basis of moisture as measured according to the Water Content Test Method.
14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the water-soluble nonwoven web exhibits a thickness of greater than 0.01 mm as measured according to the Thickness Test Method.
15. The method according to claim 1 wherein the water-soluble nonwoven web comprises two or more different layers.
16. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the two or more oral care active agents is selected from the group consisting of: teeth whitening agents, tooth care agents, mouthwash agents, periodontal gum care agents, and mixtures thereof.
17. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the two or more oral care active agents comprises silica.
18. The method according to claim 1 wherein the water-soluble nonwoven web comprises a least one of the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of: effervescent agents, preservatives, lathering agents, deposition aid agents, coacervate-forming agents, clays, thickening agents, silicas, drying agents, odor control agents, cooling agents, warming agents, dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.
19. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing a water-soluble nonwoven web comprises making the water-soluble nonwoven web from the plurality of water-soluble meltblown filaments and/or fibers.