Abstract: A toothpaste composition includes different combinations of konjac gum and/or agar-agar, alginates, gelatin, pectin, xanthan, tara gum, gum arabic, carrageenan, celluloses, gellan gum, guar gum, inulin, konjac, locust bean gum, pectin, tragacanth, xanthan, polyethylene glycol-3350, xylitol, calcium carbonate, stevia, quillaja, liquid bioflavonoid extract, and water. The toothpaste composition produces a toothpaste product that maintains its shape prior to being used for brushing one's teeth and is preferably formed into a single serving of toothpaste stored in an open-top compartment having a removable protective film. A method of applying a single serving of toothpaste to a toothbrush includes the steps of pressing the bristles of a toothbrush against the single serving of toothpaste so that the single serving of toothpaste clings or otherwise adheres to the bristles, and subsequently pulling the toothbrush away from the compartment for brushing one's teeth.

Abstract: A handheld toothpaste dispensing system that dispenses single serving portions of toothpaste in preformed shapes includes an outer housing surrounding an interior chamber. To load the dispensing system, a replaceable or refillable disk containing single serving portions of toothpaste assembled in spaced arrangement is inserted into the interior chamber of the dispensing device and is supported on a disk advancing mechanism. In operation, a button on the dispensing device is pressed to operate the disk advancing mechanism, thereby advancing the disk through a partial rotational movement and exposing the subsequent compartment on the disk within a dispensing opening on the housing of the device. The preformed shapes of toothpaste are removed from the disk for brushing by inserting the bristles of the user's toothbrush into the preformed shape of toothpaste and subsequently pulling the toothbrush away from the disk with the single serving toothpaste shape clinging to the bristles.

Abstract: A toothpaste composition includes different combinations of konjac gum and/or agar-agar, alginates, gelatin, pectin, xanthan, tara gum, gum arabic, carrageenan, celluloses, gellan gum, guar gum, inulin, konjac, locust bean gum, pectin, tragacanth, xanthan, polyethylene glycol-3350, xylitol, calcium carbonate, stevia, quillaja, liquid bioflavonoid extract, and water. The toothpaste composition produces a toothpaste product that maintains its shape prior to being used for brushing one's teeth and is preferably formed into a single serving of toothpaste stored in an open-top compartment having a removable protective film. A method of applying a single serving of toothpaste to a toothbrush includes the steps of pressing the bristles of a toothbrush against the single serving of toothpaste so that the single serving of toothpaste clings or otherwise adheres to the bristles, and subsequently pulling the toothbrush away from the compartment for brushing one's teeth.

Abstract: A handheld toothpaste dispensing system that dispenses single serving portions of toothpaste in preformed shapes includes an outer housing surrounding an interior chamber. To load the dispensing system, a replaceable or refillable disk containing single serving portions of toothpaste assembled in spaced arrangement is inserted into the interior chamber of the dispensing device and is supported on a disk advancing mechanism. In operation, a button on the dispensing device is pressed to operate the disk advancing mechanism, thereby advancing the disk through a partial rotational movement and exposing the subsequent compartment on the disk within a dispensing opening on the housing of the device. The preformed shapes of toothpaste are removed from the disk for brushing by inserting the bristles of the user's toothbrush into the preformed shape of toothpaste and subsequently pulling the toothbrush away from the disk with the single serving toothpaste shape clinging to the bristles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to food or nutritional products containing betaine. Also disclosed are methods for lowering the activity of water (A&ohgr;) and retarding microbial spoilage in an intermediate food or nutritional product, comprising including betaine and a humectant in said food or nutritional product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to food or nutritional products containing betaine. Also disclosed are methods for lowering the activity of water (A&ohgr;) and retarding microbial spoilage in an intermediate food or nutritional product, comprising including betaine and a humectant in said food or nutritional product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to food or nutritional products containing betaine. Also disclosed are methods for lowering the activity of water (A&ohgr;) and retarding microbial spoilage in an intermediate food or nutritional product, comprising including betaine and a humectant in said food or nutritional product.