Abstract: Toothpastes containing 10 to 60% by weight of a polishing agent, 2 to 20% by weight of a humectant, 0.5 to 5% by weight water-soluble consistency regulators, 0.02 to 0.5% by weight antibacterial biguanides and 1 to 5% by weight other additives from the group consisting of surfactants, flavoring oils and sweeteners show particularly high biguanide availability if they contain predominantly .alpha.-aluminium oxide trihydrate as the polishing agent, nonionic polysaccharide derivatives as the consistency regulators, an alkyl glycoside and, optionally, a nonionic solubilizer for the flavoring oil as surfactants and L-aspartyl-L-phenyl alanine methyl ester as sweetener.

Abstract: Combinations of fluoride or monofluorophosphate with phosvitin or soluble salts thereof provide superior protection against demineralization of tooth enamel when used in oral hygiene compositions such as toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Abstract: Aqueous homogeneous preparations containing 0.0025 to 0.1% by weight antimicrobial biguanide compounds, 0.005 to 0.2% by weight of an alkyl glycoside, 0.01 to 0.3% by weight of a water-insoluble aromatic oil, 0.01 to 0.3% by weight of a solubilizer from the group consisting of ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides, ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan partial esters or fatty acid partial esters of glycerol or sorbitan ethoxylates show high activity despite the low concentration of antimicrobial biguanide compounds. The clear solubility is obtained without ethanol or with only very small contents of up to 15% by weight of ethanol. The preparations are particularly suitable as mouthwashes.

Abstract: Oral and dental hygiene preparations containing quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an n-alkyl group, preferably containing from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a CH.sub.3 -group or a CH.sub.2 OH-group and R.sup.3 is a CH.sub.3 -group or a group of the formula --CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--R.sup.2, A is an inorganic or organic acid anion and n is the basicity of the anion. The quaternary ammonium compounds of formula I can have a plaque inhibiting effect and show only slight antimicrobial activity. R.sup.1 is preferably an n-decyl group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen and R.sup.3 is a CH.sub.3 -group or a 2-hydroxyethyl group. The oral and dent al hygiene preparations also preferably contain fluorides and/or organophosphonates as the anion A.

Abstract: Alkyl glycosides are used to greatly increase the microbicidal activity of biguanide compounds, such as chlorhexidine salts. The alkyl glycoside/biguanide agents have a particular utility in teeth cleaning preparations due to their improved microbicidal activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: Oral and dental preparations containing as an active ingredient an anti-caries effective amount of a C.sub.2-4 alkoxylated trihydric to hexahydric C.sub.3-12 aliphatic polyol wherein at least one hydroxyl moiety is esterified with phosphoric acid, or a physiologically compatible water soluble salt thereof.

Abstract: A printing ribbon spool is disclosed for maintaining the print-out density or consistency of a printing ribbon. The spool contains a sealed reservoir of ink. Within the reservoir there is provided a sealed container of ink which communicates with the reservoir when it is desired to use the spool.

Abstract: Open ended tubes which are impervious to water and having a length of at least two feet are placed in holes in the ground. The tubes are filled with a sterile growing medium. The vines are planted in said growing medium. The exposed portion of the medium is covered by a filter material porous to water but impervious to pests. The tubes force the roots to grow downwardly and then out the bottom end of the tubes and then horizontally into the native soil.

Abstract: A printing ribbon spool is disclosed for maintaining the print-out density or consistency of a printing ribbon by contact between a woven or knitted pad on the spool and a side edge of the ribbon. Ink is communicated to the pad from a sealed reservoir by way of a woven or knitted fabric which communicates with the reservoir through a hole substantially smaller in diameter than the transverse width of the wick in its normal condition.

Abstract: A printing ribbon is composed of a printing portion and a correction portion welded together and extending parallel to each other. The correction portion lies in the plane of the printing portion which is the thickest portion of the ribbon and constitutes only a single thickness of inked fabric.