Packaged speckled dentifrice

Abstract

Functional agglomerated speckles, for incorporation in dentifrices, include agglomerates of a water insoluble powdered functional material and a mixture of a water insoluble, ethanol soluble ethyl cellulose binder and a suitable water soluble binder, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Such speckles, while more 'soluble' or disintegrable in a flavored dentifrice than those based on ethyl cellulose binders without PVP, still can satisfactorily maintain their integrity and identity during processing of the dentifrice after addition of the speckles to the main dentifrice body, but on storage, after packaging of the dentifrice in dispensing tubes, they will soften sufficiently so as then to be essentially impalpable to one utilizing the dentifrice in brushing his teeth. Despite such softening the speckles continue to maintain their identity as separate small bodies in the dentifrice. The invented speckles are especially useful in translucent or transparent gel dentifrices, which contain components, such as flavoring and surface active agents, which may controllably soften the speckles on storage. Also described in the specification are dentifrices incorporating the present speckles, methods for manufacturing the speckles and such dentifrices, and such dentifrices packaged in end use dispensing containers.