GB2641758A

GB2641758A - Improvements in or relating to mouthwashes

Info

Publication number: GB2641758A
Application number: GB2408342.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Titley Mark
Original assignee: Mouth Boss Ltd
Current assignee: Mouth Boss Ltd
Priority date: 2024-06-11
Filing date: 2024-06-11
Publication date: 2025-12-17
Also published as: GB202408342D0

Abstract

A potable mouthwash drink comprising a sweetener e.g. xylitol, a humectant e.g. glycerine, an oral cleansing agent e.g. sodium bicarbonate, a flavouring e.g. peppermint oil and a diluent e.g. water. The sweetener may be a non-fermentable sweetener, the humectant may be a modified sugar alcohol and/or honey, the flavouring may be an essential oil, the oral cleansing agent may be an inorganic compound, and the diluent may be water. A potable mouthwash concentrate comprising a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent and a flavouring. The potable mouthwash drink and concentrate may further comprise an emulsifier and/or an additive. The potable mouthwash drink or concentrate may be provided in a container, such as bottle, tube, sachet, can or a pouch, which may contain a single dose amount. The potable mouthwash drink may be prepared from the potable mouthwash concentrate by a method comprising mixing the concentrate with a diluent.

Description

[0001] Intellectual Property Office Application No GI32408342.0 RTM Date:20 February 2025 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Cremophor -page 1 line 30 C*Sorbidex -page 7 line 33 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MOUTHWASHES The present invention relates to a potable mouthwash.

[0002] Mouthwashes are generally used as a breath freshener to treat bad breath as well as to prevent tartar and to reduce plaque. Currently, the locations at which mouthwashes can be used is limited due to the need to have a suitable receptacle for spitting out the mouthwash.

[0003] A way of ameliorating this problem has been sought.

[0004] According to the invention there is provided a potable mouthwash drink which comprises a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and a diluent.

[0005] According to the invention there is also provided a potable mouthwash concentrate suitable for forming the potable mouthwash drink according to the invention wherein the potable mouthwash concentrate comprises a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, and a flavouring.

[0006] According to the invention there is further provided a container comprising the potable mouthwash drink or potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention.

[0007] Advantages of the invention include that the potable mouthwash drink can be used at almost any location due to the ability of the user to swallow the mouthwash drink without causing themselves harm. For example, the mouthwash could be used while travelling to an important appointment such as an interview or a date or after lunch before returning to work. The potable mouthwash drink has a longer lasting effect as it is ingested and so affects the oesophagus and the upper gastrointestinal tract. It freshens and rinses the user's tongue, remineralises layers of tooth enamel, and has an anti-plaque effect on teeth. Furthermore, it is vegan and animal cruelty-free.

[0008] In some embodiments, the sweetener may be a non-fermentable sweetener. In some embodiments, the non-fermentable sweetener may be lactose, maltodextrin, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol (ERYLITE (Registered Trade Mark)), isomalt, glycerine, a Stevia rebaudiana and/or Stevia phlebophylla extract generally marketed as stevia (such as stevioside and/or steviol glycoside), monk fruit extract (Luo Han Guo), and/or aspartame.

[0009] In some embodiments, the humectant may be an optionally modified sugar alcohol (e.g sorbitol, mannitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, and/or isomalt) and/or honey.

[0010] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise an emulsifier. In some embodiments, the emulsifier may be a polysorbate emulsifier (e.g. polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80), poloxamer, lecithin, and/or a cremophor. Advantages of using an emulsifier include that a wider range of flavourings may be used including oil-based flavourings such as essential oils.

[0011] In some embodiments, the flavouring may be suitable for freshening the breath. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be spearmint, peppermint, tea tree, lemon, orange, cherry mint, cherry, chocolate, apple, strawberry, vanilla, and/or watermelon. In some embodiments, the flavouring may comprise one or more essential oils. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be spearmint essential oil. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be peppermint essential oil. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be tea tree essential oil. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be lemon essential oil. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be orange essential oil. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be cherry essential oil.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diluent is an inert diluent. In some embodiments, the diluent may be water.

[0013] In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may be an inorganic compound. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may be an inorganic salt. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a carbonate salt. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a hydroxide salt. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a citrate salt. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a salt of aluminium. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a salt of calcium. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a salt of magnesium. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may comprise a salt of sodium. In some embodiments, the oral cleansing agent may be sodium bicarbonate. In some embodiments, the antacid may be calcium carbonate. In some embodiments, the antacid may be aluminium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the antacid may be magnesium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the antacid may also provide an anti-plaque effect.

[0014] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise an additive. In some embodiments, the additive may comprise a preservative, a pH adjuster, and/or a pH buffer. In some embodiments, a suitable preservative may be sodium benzoate and/or potassium sorbate. In some embodiments, a suitable pH adjuster may be citric acid, lactic acid, and/or sodium hydroxide. In some embodiments, a suitable pH Buffer may be sodium phosphate and/or disodium phosphate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

[0016] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

[0017] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

[0018] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

[0019] In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the humectant to the diluent may be from 1:3 to 3:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the humectant to the diluent may be greater than 1:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the humectant to the diluent may be greater than 1:1 to 1:3.

[0020] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise from 3.8 to 11.5% by weight of a sweetener, from 86.2 to 95.4% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.2% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, and from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of from 3.8 to 11.5% by weight of a sweetener, from 86.2 to 95.4% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.2% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, and from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of from 3.8 to 11.5% by weight of a sweetener, from 86.2 to 95.4% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.2% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, and from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring.

[0021] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 81.5 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, and from 0.4 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 81.5 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, and from 0.4 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 81.5 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, and from 0.4 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier.

[0022] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 80.6 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.3 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier, and from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an additive. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 80.6 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.3 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier, and from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an additive. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 80.6 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.3 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier, and from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an additive.

[0023] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and a diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and a diluent.

[0024] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and a diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and a diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and a diluent.

[0025] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may comprise a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, an additive, and a diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, an additive, and a diluent. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, an additive, and a diluent.

[0026] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, and a flavouring. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, and a flavouring.

[0027] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and an emulsifier. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and an emulsifier. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and an emulsifier.

[0028] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may comprise a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and an additive. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist essentially of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and an additive. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash concentrate may consist of a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, an emulsifier, and an additive.

[0029] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from an ingredient which is not suitable for ingestion by a human or animal subject. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from an ingredient which is not suitable for ingestion by a human or animal subject.

[0030] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from a fluoride salt. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from a fluoride salt. Advantages of excluding fluoride salts include avoiding issues such as fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, and joint related problems (see Solanki et al "Fluoride Occurrences"; Sci Total Environ, 2022 Feb 10;807(Pt 1):150601).

[0031] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from alcohol. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from alcohol. Advantages of excluding alcohol from a mouthwash include that it causes intoxication, dry mouth, tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and reduces damage to the mouth and gut biome.

[0032] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from a benzoate salt. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from a benzoate salt.

[0033] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from methyl salicylate. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from methyl salicylate. Advantages of excluding methyl salicylate include that the risk of salicylate poisoning is avoided Y Chan; Hum Exp Toxicol. 1996 Sep;15(9):747-50).

[0034] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from triclosan. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from triclosan. Advantages of excluding triclosan include that the risks of hormone disruption and cancer are reduced.

[0035] In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be substantially free from an alkali such as an alkali metal hydroxide, particularly sodium or potassium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the potable mouthwash drink and/or the potable mouthwash concentrate may be free from an alkali such as an alkali metal hydroxide, particularly sodium or potassium hydroxide. Advantages of excluding an alkali such as an alkali metal hydroxide, particularly sodium or potassium hydroxide include that the risk of vomiting is reduced.

[0036] In some embodiments, the container may be a receptacle such as a bottle, tube, sachet, can, or a pouch. In some embodiments, the container may have a tamper-evident seal. In some embodiments, the container may contain a single dose amount of the potable mouthwash drink or the potable mouthwash concentrate. In some embodiments, the container may contain from 50m1, e.g. from 100m1, to 2000m1, e.g. to 1000m1, e.g. to 500m1 of the potable mouthwash drink. In some embodiments, the container may contain 50m1, 150m1 or 250m1 of the potable mouthwash drink. In some embodiments, the container may contain from 5m1, e.g. from 20m1, e.g. from 50m1 to 500m1, e.g. to 200m1, e.g. to 100m1 of the potable mouthwash concentrate. A person of skill in the art would be familiar with receptacles such as bottles, tubes, sachets, cans, or pouches and their suitability for use with different volumes of liquid.

[0037] According to the invention there is also provided a method of preparing the potable mouthwash drink according to the invention wherein the method comprises a step of mixing the potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention with a diluent. In some embodiments, the mixing step comprises using a volume ratio of the diluent to the potable mouthwash concentrate of from 1:1, e.g. from 2:1, e.g. from 4:1, e.g. from 5:1 to 50:1, e.g. to 30:1, e.g. to 20:1, e.g. to 10:1. In some embodiments, the mixing step comprises stirring, shaking, and/or blending the potable mouthwash concentrate with the diluent. In some embodiments, blending comprises using a mechanical blender such as an electrically powered mechanical blender. A person of skill in the art would be familiar with suitable mechanical blenders for use in mixing the potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention with the diluent.

[0038] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Examples which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. The sources of the ingredients used in the Examples are as follows. The glycerine was obtained from Direct Food Ingredients (99.5% pure) with code DFI- 157018V01. The xylitol was Xylitol 20-60 Mesh obtained from Cambridge Commodities with product code P2403. The emulsifier (polysorbate 80) was derived from rapeseed oil and sourced from Plant-Ex Ingredients Ltd with product code P2004. The sodium bicarbonate was sourced from Cambridge Commodities with product code P1917. The peppermint (Mentha Piperita) essential oil was sourced from (:)&3 with product code K0347. The cherry mint flavouring was sourced from Claremont Ingredients Ltd with product code 18681. Sorbitol was sourced from Cargill Deutschland GmbH with brand name C*Sorbidex NC 16200.

[0039] EXAMPLE 1

[0040] A potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 1 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver.

[0041] TABLE 1

[0042] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Glycerine 79.1% Xylitol 13.3% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 5% Sodium bicarbonate 1.3% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 1.2% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0043] EXAMPLE 2

[0044] A potable mouthwash drink according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 2 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver. Alternatively, the potable mouthwash drink may be prepared by diluting the potable mouthwash concentrate of Example 1 in a ratio of 60 parts by weight of the potable mouthwash concentrate to 40 parts by weight of water.

[0045] TABLE 2

[0046] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Water 40% Glycerine 47.5% Xylitol 8% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 3% Sodium bicarbonate 0.8% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 0.7% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0047] EXAMPLE 3

[0048] A potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 3 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver.

[0049] TABLE 3

[0050] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Glycerine 83.3% Xylitol 8.8% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 5.7% Sodium bicarbonate 1.1% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 1.1% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0051] EXAMPLE 4

[0052] A potable mouthwash drink according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 4 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver. Alternatively, the potable mouthwash drink may be prepared by diluting the potable mouthwash concentrate of Example 3 by 43 parts by weight of water.

[0053] TABLE 4

[0054] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Water 43% Glycerine 47.5% Xylitol 5% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 3% Sodium bicarbonate 0.8% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 0.7% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0055] EXAMPLE 5

[0056] A potable mouthwash concentrate according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 5 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver. Alternatively, the potable mouthwash drink may be prepared by diluting the potable mouthwash concentrate of Example 3 by 38 parts by weight of water.

[0057] TABLE 5

[0058] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Glycerine 79.1% Xylitol 13.3% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 5% Sodium bicarbonate 1.3% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 1.2% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0059] EXAMPLE 6

[0060] A potable mouthwash drink according to the invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 2 in an anchor scrape mixer with a disc dissolver.

[0061] TABLE 6

[0062] Ingredient Amount (percentage by weight) Water 38% Glycerine 47.5% Xylitol 10% Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80) 3% Sodium bicarbonate 0.8% Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil 0.7% In an alternative embodiment, the glycerine may be replaced by sorbitol and/or peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil may be replaced by cherry mint flavouring and the emulsifier may be omitted.

[0063] TEST EXAMPLE 7

[0064] The stability of pouches containing the potable mouthwash drink prepared as described in Example 2 was tested at fridge temperature (4°C), room temperature (18°C), and at 40°C at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

[0065] The appearance, taste, colour, and pH remained stable at each temperature over the whole 12 week period.

[0066] TEST EXAMPLE 8

[0067] The potable mouthwash drink was subjected to long term in person testing by 12 testers over a two month period and by two testers over a six month period, each consuming the potable mouthwash drink from 5 to 15 times per week. The anecdotal test responses were as follows: * Nice texture while in mouth * Immediate fresh taste and clean feeling * Practical sized bottle makes it easy to carry around during the day * Great after taste -for hours afterwards * Teeth feel clean and smooth after swallowing * A pleasant looking bottle that I don't mind taking to work with me * Can feel food remains being removed during use * Removes a strong coffee taste * Long aftertaste, mint flavour stays in the throat too * Really good way to stay on top of oral hygiene throughout the day, wouldn't ever take traditional mouthwash into the office with me * Much preferred the smaller pocket bottle to drop into my jacket pocket * Kept my breath fresh as well as my teeth * Made me feel more confident when meeting clients after my lunch break * Used it after an evening meal with red wine and stopped me worrying about my teeth becoming stained * Easy to drink after getting over the reaction to spit it out! * Teeth felt clean after use * Mouth felt clean for hours afterwards, I didn't want to eat for the rest of the day! * Really strong taste, better than gum or mints

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. A potable mouthwash drink which comprises a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, a flavouring, and a diluent.

2. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in Claim 1 wherein the sweetener is a non-fermentable sweetener.

3. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the humectant is an optionally modified sugar alcohol and/or honey.

4. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the flavouring is suitable for freshening the breath; preferably the flavouring comprises one or more essential oils.

5. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the diluent is water.

6. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the oral cleansing agent is an inorganic compound; preferably the oral cleansing agent is an inorganic salt.

7. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the weight ratio of the humectant to the diluent is from 1:3 to 3:1; preferably the weight ratio of the humectant to the diluent is greater than 1:1.

8. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which comprises from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

9. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 which comprises an emulsifier; preferably the potable mouthwash drink comprises from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

10. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 and 9 which comprises an additive; preferably the potable mouthwash drink comprises from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

11. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in Claim 11 which comprises an additive and an emulsifier; preferably the potable mouthwash drink comprises from 1 to 10% by weight of a sweetener, from 25 to 75% by weight of a humectant, 0.1 to 1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an emulsifier, from 0.1 to 1% by weight of an additive, and the balance up to 100% by weight is the diluent.

12. A potable mouthwash drink as defined in Claim 11 wherein the additive comprises a preservative, a pH adjuster, and/or a pH buffer.

13. A potable mouthwash concentrate suitable for forming the potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the potable mouthwash concentrate comprises a sweetener, a humectant, an oral cleansing agent, and a flavouring.

14. A potable mouthwash concentrate as defined in Claim 13 which comprises from 3.8 to 11.5% by weight of a sweetener, from 86.2 to 95.4% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.2% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, and from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring.

15. A potable mouthwash concentrate as defined in Claim 13 which comprises an emulsifier and/or an additive; preferably the potable mouthwash concentrate comprises from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 81.5 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.4 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, and from 0.4 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier; preferably the potable mouthwash concentrate comprises from 3.8 to 10.8% by weight of a sweetener, from 80.6 to 95% by weight of a humectant, 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an oral cleansing agent, from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of a flavouring, from 0.3 to 5.5% by weight of an emulsifier, and from 0.3 to 1.1% by weight of an additive.

16. A container comprising the potable mouthwash drink defined in any one of Claims 1 to 12 or the potable mouthwash concentrate as defined in any one of Claims 13 to 15.

17. A container as defined in Claim 16 wherein the container is a bottle, tube, sachet, can, or a pouch.

18. A container as defined in Claim 16 or Claim 17 which contains a single dose amount of the potable mouthwash drink or the potable mouthwash concentrate.

19. A method of preparing the potable mouthwash drink as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the method comprises a step of mixing a potable mouthwash concentrate as defined in any one of Claims 13 to 15 with a diluent.

20. A method as defined in Claim 19 wherein the mixing step comprises using a volume ratio of the diluent to the potable mouthwash concentrate of from 1:1 to 50:1.

21. A method as defined in Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the mixing step comprises stirring, shaking, and/or blending the potable mouthwash concentrate with the diluent.