Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for producing amorphous, precipitated silicic acid pigments having improved chemical and physical properties when employed in dentifrice compositions, said method comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous reaction medium containing an electrolyte, adjusting the pH of the aqueous medium to a value in the range of from about 8.0 to 10.4; simultaneously introducing an acid and a prepolymerized alkali metal silicate into said aqueous reaction medium; said acid being selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid; said prepolymerized alkali metal silicate being selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and lithium silicate, said alkali metal silicate being at least partially polymerized and having an SiO 2 /X 2 O ratio of about 2.0 to 3.3, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and lithium, and said electrolyte comprises the sodium, potassium or lithium salt of said acid; continuing the addition of the said acid and said silicate to said aqueous reaction medium in a manner such that a substantially constant pH in the range of from about 8.0 to 10.4 is maintained and until the precipitation of said pigment is substantially complete and recovering the precipitated pigment from the aqueous reaction medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for producing amorphous, precipitated silicic acid pigments having improved chemical and physical properties when employed in dentifrice compositions, said method comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous reaction medium containing an electrolyte, adjusting the pH of the aqueous medium to a value in the range of from about 8.0 to 10.4; simultaneously introducing an acid and a prepolymerized alkali metal silicate into said aqueous reaction medium; said acid being selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid; said prepolymerized alkali metal silicate being selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and lithium silicate, said alkali metal silicate being at least partially polymerized and having an SiO 2 /X 2 O ratio of about 2.0 to 3.3, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and lithium, and said electrolyte comprises the sodium, potassium or lithium salt of said acid; continuing the addition of the said acid and said silicate to said aqueous reaction medium in a manner such that a substantially constant pH in the range of from about 8.0 to 10.4 is maintained and until the precipitation of said pigment is substantially complete and recovering the precipitated pigment from the aqueous reaction medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said alkali metal silicate has an SiO 2 /X 2 O mol ratio in the range of from about 2.0 to 2.8, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and lithium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is added to the aqueous reaction medium in an amount in the range of from 3 to 15% by weight based on the weight of the reaction medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the concentration of the solution of said silicate is in the range of from about 1.0 to 2.5 pounds per gallon and the acidic solution is from about 10 to 25% by weight acid based on the total weight of acidic solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein an adduct material selected from the group consisting of the water soluble salts of aluminum and alkaline earth metals is combined with said acid to thereby control the refractive index of the precipitated pigment and to form a metal silicate pigment having particular utility for use as an abrasion and gelling agent in clear tooth compositions.