FI87732B - FOERPACKAD TANDKRAEM - Google Patents

Description

1 87732

This invention relates to a toothpaste packaged in a plastic laminate tube, a mechanical dispenser, a flexible bag or the like. In particular, it relates to a toothpaste which is in direct contact with the polyolefin surface of a package such as a plastic laminate toothpaste tube, a mechanical dispenser or a flexible bag.

For many years, toothpastes have been packaged in flexible metal tubes such as waxed lead tubes, uncoated aluminum tubes, or aluminum tubes coated with epoxy resin lacquer. In recent years, there has been an increasing use of shaped laminated plastic pipes.

Plastic laminated toothpaste tubes typically consist of an inner layer of polyolefin resin in direct contact with the toothpaste and at least one intermediate layer, including an aluminum foil layer, which prevents the loss of flavor from the toothpaste. Preferably it has · '. also a paper interlayer that gives the tube rigidity. The outermost layers are typically polyolefin resin; a stand, one of which may be colored white and have printed markings and a clear polyolefin coating layer of ‘; protecting characters. Flexible plastic second intermediate laminate layers may also be included.

Mechanical toothpaste dispensers may also have a polyolefin surface against the toothpaste they contain. In fact, the polyolefin itself may be the shell of the dispenser.

_ ··. Flexible pouches may also have a polyolefin surface against toothpaste.

2,87732

Toothpastes typically contain a liquid medium of water and a wetting agent, a solid medium of a gelling aid, and a water-soluble tooth polish. Toothpastes consisting of such substances when the wetting agent consists of glycerol and sorbitol and the polishing agent is at least substantially a water-soluble earth metal salt or alpha alumina trihydrate have been successfully packaged in flexible metal toothpaste containers including epoxy, including aluminum. However, it has been found that when such toothpastes are packaged in containers having a polyolefin inner surface, such as plastic laminated toothpaste tubes, mechanically operated toothpaste dispensers, or flexible bags, thanks to the phosphate ion.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent the phases of toothpaste packaged in contact with a polyolefin substance from separating.

The present invention is therefore directed to a packaged toothpaste having at least 20% by weight of a liquid medium containing water, a mixed wetting system of glycerol and sorbitol having a glycerol / sorbitol weight ratio of between 0.25: 1 and about 3% by weight. : 1; and a solid medium containing between about 0.05% and about 10% by weight of a gelling agent and about 20-75% by weight of a dentally acceptable water-insoluble polishing agent, at least most of which is a water-insoluble alkaline earth metal salt or alpha- aluminum trihydrate, and when said alpha-aluminum trihydrate is present as the major component of the polish, the polish further contains a water-soluble agent to lower the pH of the toothpaste to about 87732, wherein the pH-lowering agent produces phosphate ions.

According to the invention, the object of the invention is achieved in such a way that, in order to prevent syneresis (separation of liquids from solids) when the toothpaste is contacted with a polyolefin resin package, the toothpaste contains a polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200-1000 the weight ratio of total sorbitol to polyethylene glycol is between about 60: 1 and about 6: 1.

In toothpaste formulations, liquids and solids are dispensed as needed to form a paste-like mass having the desired consistency that is compressible from its package. Liquids in this toothpaste mainly comprise water, glycerol and sorbitol together with a small amount of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 200-1000, preferably about 600-1000. The total liquid medium comprises at least about 20% by weight of the composition. It is also preferred to use a gelling aid in toothpastes, such as natural or synthetic vegetable gums or vegetable gum-like substances, carrageenans such as Irish lichen; ** or iota-carrageenan, trakearite gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium alginate, guar gum, starch, xanthan and the like, including mixtures thereof. Carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose. including mixtures thereof are particularly suitable and are preferred gelling agents. When the main polishing agent is a water-insoluble earth metal salt, iotacarragen is also a preferred gelling aid. The vegetable gum content is generally about 0.05-10% and preferably about 0.5-5% by weight of the composition.

Water is generally added to the toothpaste in an amount of about 10-50% by weight, preferably about 15-35%. Glycerol and sorbitol 4,87732 together generally comprise about 15-50% by weight, preferably about 20-35% of toothpaste with a weight ratio of glycerol to sorbitol of about 0.25: 1 to about 3: 1, typically about 0.25: 1 to 0, 8: 1 and preferably about 0.6: 1 to about 0.8: 1. The amounts of sorbitol used herein are sorbitol syrup, which is commercially available, which means 70% by weight of sorbitol in 30% by weight of water.

The low molecular weight polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200-1000, preferably 600-1000, is easily dispersed in the liquid medium and effectively prevents the toothpaste from separating when in direct contact with the polyolefin resin surface of the toothpaste package. To easily affect the dispersion, polyethylene glycol grades that are normally solid at room temperature are heated to liquefy them. The weight ratio of glycerol to sorbitol in the polyethylene glycol is, according to the invention, about 60: 1 to 6: 1, preferably about 15: 1 to about 12: 1 in an earth metal salt-based polishing toothpaste or about 10: 1 in alpha-alumina trihydrate-based toothpaste. Typically, the polyethylene glycol is at least 0.5% by weight, preferably: "about 0.5-5%.

The toothpaste contains about 20-75% by weight, preferably about 35-60%, of a dentitionally acceptable water-insoluble polish. At least the major part, this means: y: about 50-100% of the polish is a water-insoluble earth metal salt or alpha-alumina trihydrate. ; acetate.

Typical water-insoluble earth metal salts include dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, dimagnesium phosphate trihydrate, and mixtures thereof with magnesium. Most preferably, a calcium salt is present, especially dicalcium phosphate dihydrate or a mixture of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and 5,87732 anhydrous dicalcium phosphate.

The dentistically water-insoluble alpha alumina toothpaste is typically used in a finely divided form, i.e., has at least about 85% particles smaller than 20 microns, and is preferably hydrated, such as that classified as gibbsite (alpha alumina trihydrate) O 3 H O or Al (OH). The average particle size of gibbsite 2 3 2 3 is usually about 6-9 microns. However, alpha alumina trihydrate having a larger particle size, i.e., where 20-70% of the particles are larger than 20 microns, can also be used. A particularly desirable grade of alpha alumina trihydrate, available from Alcoa as C-333, is a fine gibbsite grade with the following particle size distribution:

Micron Percent <30 94-99 ... <20 85-93 <10 56-67 ;; ; <5 28-40 * i

Unless the pH of the toothpaste is adjusted, the toothpaste containing a substantial amount of alpha alumina trihydrate is generally highly basic, i.e., the pH is about 9-10.5. Therefore, acidic substances are often added to such toothpastes to generally lower the pH to about 6-8. Water-soluble phosphates, especially inorganic phosphates, are effective in producing such a reduction in alkalinity. Such substances include orthophosphates, in particular orthophosphoric acid and early metal or ammonium monohydrogen orthophosphates or dihydrogen orthophosphates. Sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate or hydrates thereof are preferred. The amount of these substances is such that it is sufficient to adjust the pH of 6,87732 to about 6-8, i.e., sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate (cracked hydrate or anhydrous) is typically present in an amount of 0.15 to 0.50% by weight. Such pH-adjusting phosphates make toothpastes susceptible to separation when in contact with the polyolefin resin coating, unless an additive is present to prevent separation.

When the water-insoluble alkaline earth metal salt is the main component of the polish, alpha alumina trihydrate, calcined alumina or other additional polish may alternatively be present in small amounts, for example in a weight ratio of alkaline earth metal salt to alumina of about 2.5: 1 to 4: 1. , the total amount of polishing agent in the toothpaste being about 25-75% by weight.

When alpha alumina trihydrate is the major component of the polish, a minor portion of the polish, if any, typically comprises about 5-20% by weight of the polish and may be a polishing aid such as dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, calcium dicalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, di-magnesium phosphate trihydrate, magnesium carbonate, calcined alumina, zirconium silicate and insoluble sodium metaphosphant.

Organic surfactants can be used in the toothpaste of the invention to increase the protective effect, to help achieve a thorough and complete dispersion of the instant mixtures throughout the oral cavity and to make the toothpastes cosmetically better * The organic surfactant may be anionic, nonionic, nonionic, it is preferable to use as a surfactant a cleaning agent which imparts cleaning and foaming properties to the mixture. Suitable such detergent of the types of water-soluble salts of the higher 7 87732 monoglycerides of fatty acids mono-sulphate, monosulfo-dry lignocellulosic monoglyceride such as hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids, sodium salt of higher alkyylisul-phosphates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, alkyyliaryylisulfo-carbonates, such as sodium, no-sulfonate, such as natriumolefiinisulfonaatti, wherein olefUniryhmä includes 12-22 carbon atoms, higher alkyl sulfoacetates, higher fatty acid esters of 1,2-dihydroxypropanesulfonates, and substantially saturated higher aliphatic acylamides of lower aliphatic carboxylic acid compounds, such as those having alkyl or acyl groups in the fatty acid. Examples of the latter amides are N-lauroyl sarcosine and the sodium, potassium or ethanolamine salts of N-lauroyl, N-myristoyl or N-palmitoyl sarcosine, which must be substantially free of soap or similar higher fatty acid material which tends to significantly reduce potency in the composition of this invention. Amides are particularly advantageous because they have a prolonged and clear effect in preventing the formation of acid in the oral cavity due to the decomposition of carbohydrates, in addition to causing a small decrease in the solubility of tooth enamel in acid solutions. Another desirable agent is the sodium salt of a long chain fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonate alone or in combination with sodium lauryl sulfate.

Other particularly suitable surfactants include nonionic excipients such as condensates of sorbitol monostearate with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide, condensates of ethylene oxide with propylene glycol ("Pluronic" substances) and amphoteric excipients such as long chain (alkyl) aminoalkyl Miranol ", such as Miranol C2M. Cationic germicidal germicides and bacteria killing compounds such as diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, benzyldimethylstearylanonium chloride-polyoxy) -carboxylic acid a lene group attached to a nitrogen atom (typically containing a total of about 2 to 50 ethaneoxy groups per molecule) and their salts with acids, and compounds of formula

^ (ch2ch2o) zh ^ (ch2ch2o) xh R-N-CH2CH2CH2N- (CH2CH2O) yH

wherein R is a fatty alkyl group containing about 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and x, y and z are a total of 3 or more, as well as their salts with mineral or organic acids, may also be used. In toothpastes, it is preferred to use about 0.05 to 5% by weight of the above-mentioned surfactants. Most preferably, the surfactant is an anionic agent, especially sodium lauryl sulfate.

• »• ·.

* The toothpaste may also suitably contain a fluorinated substance which has a beneficial effect on the treatment of the oral cavity and on: · hygiene, i.e. reducing the acid solubility of the enamel and protecting the teeth against rot. Examples of these: include sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, potassium fluoride, potassium stannous fluoride (SnP (KF)), sodium hexafluorostannate, stannous chlorofluoride, sodium fluorozirconate and sodium monofluorophosphate. These substances, which dissociate or release fluorine-containing ions into water, may suitably be in an effective but non-toxic amount, generally in the range of about 0.01 to 1% by weight of water-soluble fluorine. 1 l · # 9 87732

The preferred fluorine-containing compound is sodium monofluorophosphate, typically in an amount of about 0.076 to 7.6% by weight, preferably 0.76%. A mixture of sodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride is also desirable, for example in a weight ratio of about 2: 1 based on fluorine.

Any flavoring or sweetening agents can be used to formulate the flavor of the composition of the invention. Examples of suitable seasonings include seasoning oils, i.e., mint, peppermint, winter, sassofras, cloves, sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon and orange oils, as well as methyl salicylate. Suitable sweeteners include sucrose, lactose, maltose, xylitol, sodium 6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4-one, sodium cyclamate, perillartine and sodium saccharin. The flavoring and sweetening agents may suitably together comprise about 0.01-5% or more of the composition of this invention.

Many other substances can be added to toothpaste. Examples of these are dyeing and bleaching aids or dyes, corrosion inhibitors, silicones, chlorophyll compounds, ammonia-containing substances such as urea, diammonium phosphate and mixtures thereof and other ingredients. Bleaching aids, such as titanium dioxide, typically in an amount of about 0.5% to about 0.5%, may be a preferred carrier for the appearance of the toothpaste mixture because some degree of color formation may occur as it ages.

Additives are added to the mixtures in question in amounts; which do not have a significant adverse effect on the desired properties and characteristics and are selected and used in appropriate amounts depending on the particular type of mixture in question.

w 87732

Bactericidal excipients may also be used in the oral compositions of this invention in an amount of about 0.01 to 5% by weight. Typical bactericidal excipients include: 15 N- (4-chlorobenzyl) -N- (2,4-dichlorobenzyl) biguanine; p-klorofenyylibiguaniidi; 4-klorobentshydrylbiguaniidi; 4-chlorobenzhydrylguanurea; N-3-lauroxypropyl-N-chlorobenzyl biguanide; 1,6-dichlorophenylbiguanidohexane; 1,6-bis (2-ethylhexyl biguanide) hexane; 1- (lauryylidimetyyliammonium) -8- (p-klorobentsyylidimetyy1i-ammonium) oktaanidikloridi; 5 ^ 6-dichloro-2-guanidine; N-p-chlorophenyl-N-lauryl biguanide; 5-Amino-1,3-bis (2-ethylhexyl) -5-methylhexahydropyrimidine and their non-toxic acid addition salts.

In toothpastes containing an alkaline earth metal salt polishing aid, calcium and magnesium ion scavengers can also be used to adjust the physical properties of the mixture. Suitable excipients are water-soluble inorganic polyphosphate salts, such as tetraspium pyrophosphate or disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, with partially neutralized or hydrogen polyphosphate being preferred. Other: Suitable excipients are alkali metal, preferably sodium, salts of citric acid. Such compounds are generally present in small amounts or in a proportion of the formulation. The exact amount will vary depending on the particular formulation, such as the physical characteristics of the toothpaste, but will generally be approx. . 0.1-3% by weight.

Toothpastes must have a suitable pH for use. A pH range of 5-10 *: * is especially desirable with a toothpaste based on water-insoluble alkali metal salts of soil 87732. By reference to pHthon is meant the determination of pH directly from toothpaste. If desired, substances such as citric acid may be added to adjust the pH to, for example, 6-7. For alpha alumina trihydrate toothpaste, a pH of about 6-8 obtained by adjusting the phosphate ions with a water-soluble substance is particularly desirable.

The package in which the toothpaste is placed can be any polyolefin laminated toothpaste tube. For example, the tubes may be as simple as described in U.S. Patent 3,260,410. As described in its example, an aluminum film having a thickness of about 0.0013 cm was heated to about 177 ° C and the other side of the heated film was brought together by a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid ( acid content 3 + 0.5% and melt index 8 + 1) with the extrudable film, while its opposite side was placed against the LD polyethylene film.

Using guide rollers, a laminated base film was obtained in which the copolymer layer was about 0.151 mm thick and the polyethylene layer was about 0.126 mm. The base film was then tubular shaped and sealed.

After the tubular mold is cut into tubular bodies, the tubes can be packed with toothpaste.

Polyolefin laminate dentifrice tubes containing more interlayers can also be successfully used in the toothpaste of this invention. . ·. without separation, for example, the multilayer flexible membrane structure for toothpaste tubes described in the "prior art" in U.S. Patent 4,418,841 can be used as well as the more crack-resistant structures described therein. In fact, the toothpastes of this invention packaged in tubes of film material identified in Prior Art A and A-1 in U.S. Patent 4,418,841 are quite satisfactory and do not separate at all. These tubes A and A-1 consist of layers shown below in order from outermost to innermost.

A A-1

0.038 mm LDPE 0.038 mm LDPE

0.051 mm Pigmented LDPE 0.051 mm Pigmented LDPE

0.041 mm Paper 0.041 mm Paper

0.018 mm LDPE 0.051 mm LDPE

0.084 mm EAA 0.025 mm OPP

0.018 mm Aluminum foil 0.025 mm EAA

0.051 mm EAA 0.018 mm Aluminum foil

0.031 mm LDPE_ 0.051 mm EAA

0.33 mm Total 0.031 mm LDPE_ 0.33 mm Total In A and A-1, the abbreviations have the following meanings: LDPE high pressure polyethylene EAA ethylene acrylic acid OPP oriented polypropylene

Mechanically operated dispensers, such as the dispenser, especially for pasty materials, described in U.S. Patent 4,437,591, may also be used in the practice of this invention. The shell of such dispensers is generally composed of a polyolefin resin such as polypropylene. . sales. Thus, the resin of the shell is in fact a layer whose inner surface is in contact with the toothpaste. When the toothpaste of the invention is packaged in such a polypropylene mechanical dispenser, substantially no separation occurs.

13 87732

The advantages of the invention also occur when the toothpaste is packaged in a flexible bag with polyole.fi in Lp, typically LD or MD polyethylene seat.

The following illustrative examples further illustrate the nature of this invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. All amounts and ratios are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Example 1

The following toothpastes are made into paste-like consistencies and packaged in each of the above laminate structures Λ and Λ-1:

Weight part l 2 3_ 4

Glycerol 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000

Sorbitol (70%) 16,000 15,000 15,500 14,000

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000

Sodium saccharin 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200

Sodium monofluoro-I phosphate 0.760 0.760 0.760 0.760

Sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate ionohydrate 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.250

Ion - exchanged water - irradiated 19,700 19,700 19,700 19,700

Alpha alumina trihydrate (C-333) 52,000 52,000 52,000 52,000 i4 87,732

Sodium lauryl sulphate 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200

Flavor 0.890 0.890 0.890 0.890

Polyethylene glycol

Average loan mp. 600 - 1,000 0,500 2,000 pH 7,0 7,0 7,0 7,1 o After aging for at least 13 weeks at 25 ° C, the toothpastes (2), (3) and (4) remained pasty in the conulence of each laminate structure A and Al in the laminate tubes, while the toothpaste (1) separates into a liquid o and a solid phase in 1 week at 25 ° C in both the tubes of structures A and Al.

Example 2

Toothpastes (1) to (4) are added to a mechanical dispenser having a polypropylene shell in accordance with U.S. Patent 4,437,591. Toothpastes (2), (3) and (4) retain the consistency of the toothpaste, while the tooth cleaning agent (1) separates into a liquid and solid phase.

Example 3 - Results similar to those described above in Examples 1 and 2 are found when: (i) the average mp of glycerol, sorbitol (70%) and polyethylene glycol. 600 - relative amounts are: 6: 24: 2 vs. 6: 24: 0 and 18: 6: 2 vs. 18: 6: 0; (il) Polyethylene glycol - average mp 200 and 1000 - used polyethylene glycol - average mp. 600 15 87732 - on the farm? (iii) Toothpastes are packaged in laminated tubes in accordance with U.S. Patent 3,260,410; (iv) Toothpastes are packaged in crack-resistant laminated tubes in accordance with U.S. Patent 4,418,841; (v) Toothpastes are packed in flexible bags having the following structure from the outer to the inner layer: 12.2 ^ u polyethylene terephthalate 21.3 ^ u white ethylene acrylic acid 9.0 ^ u aluminum foil 3.3 ^ u ethylene acrylic acid 25.4 ^ u MD polyethylene? (vi) a mixture of 0.3 parts of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and 0.6 parts of xanthan replaces sodium carboxymethylcellulose as the sole gelling agent; (vii) 3,000 parts of calcined alumina replaces 3,000 V. parts of alpha alumina and ) 10 parts insoluble sodium metaphosate Pate replaces 10,000 parts alpha alumina trihydrate (ix) sodium cyclamate replaces sodium saccharide i uin

It is to be understood that the above detailed description is given by way of illustration only and that variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

87732 BC

Example 4

The following toothpastes are made into a paste-like consistency and packaged in each of the tubes A and A-1 of the laminated structures described above:

Weighted parts (1) (2)

Glycerol 10,000 10,000

Sodium monofluorophosphate 0.760 0.760

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.950 0.950

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate. 0.250 0.250

Sodium saccharin 0.200 0.200

Sorbitol - 70% -Solution 15,000 17,000

Polyethylene glycol - average mp. 600 2,000

Ion - exchanged water - - _ irradiated 20,090 20,090

Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate 48,760 48,760

Flavor 0.890 0.890

Sodium lauryl sulphate 1,100 1,100 • - o After aging for at least 20 weeks at 25 ° C, the paste (1) remains machine-like in both laminate tubes of structures A and A1, while the paste (2) separates into a liquid and solid phase within 4 to 10 days. In C in both pipes of structures A and A1.

i7 87732

Example 5

Toothpastes (1) and (2) are added to a mechanical dispenser having a polypropylene shell according to U.S. Patent 4,437,591.

The toothpaste (1) retains its pasty consistency, while the toothpaste (2) separates into a liquid and solid phase.

Similar results to those described above are observed when: (i) Calcium carbonate replaces calcium phosphate dihydrate; (ii) Dmagnesium phosphate trihydrate replaces dicalcium phosphate dihydrate? (iii) Relative amounts of glycerol, sorbitol (70%) and polyethylene glycol - average mp. 600 - are: 6: 24: 2 vs. 6: 24: 0 and 18: 6: 2 vs. 18: 6: 0? ! (iv) Polyethylene glycols - average mp 200 and 1000 - used polyethylene glycol - average mp.

600 - on the farm; (v) Toothpastes are packaged in laminated tubes in accordance with U.S. Patent 3,260,410; (vi) Toothpastes are packaged in crack-resistant laminated tubes in accordance with U.S. Patent 4,418,841; (vii) Toothpastes are packaged in flexible bags having the following structure from outer to inner layer: ie 87732 12.2 polyethylene terephthalate 21.3 white ethylene acrylic acid 9.0 aluminum foil 3.3 ethylene acrylic acid 25.4 MD polyethylene; and (viii) a mixture of 0.3 parts of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and 0.6 parts of iota-carrageenan replaces sodium carboxymethylcellulose as the sole gelling agent;

It is to be understood that the above detailed description is given by way of illustration only and that variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (22)

A packaged toothpaste comprising at least 20% by weight of a liquid medium comprising water, a mixed wetting system of glycerol and sorbitol having a glycerol / sorbitol weight ratio of between 0.25: 1 and about 3: 1; and a solid medium containing between about 0.05% and about 10% by weight of a gelling agent and about 20-75% by weight of a dentally acceptable water-insoluble polish, at least most of which is a water-insoluble alkaline earth metal salt or alpha-aluminum trihydrate, and when said alpha-aluminum trihydrate is present as the major component of the polish, the polish further comprises a water-soluble substance to lower the pH of the toothpaste to about 6--, wherein the pH-lowering agent produces phosphate ions, characterized in that syneresis (liquid separation from solids ), when the toothpaste is contacted with a polyolefin resin package, the toothpaste contains polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200-1000 as an anti-syneresis additive in an amount such that the weight ratio of glycerol and sorbitol to polyethylene glycol is about 60: 1 and about 6: 1. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight ratio of glycerol to sorbitol is from about 0.25: 1 to about 0.8: 1 and the weight ratio of total glycerol and sorbitol to polyethylene glycol is from about 15: 1 to about 10: 1. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 2, characterized in that the weight ratio of glycerol to sorbitol is from about 0.6: 1 to about 0.8: 1. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 600-1000. 20 87 7 32 A packaged toothpaste according to claim 4, characterized in that the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 600. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of polyethylene glycol is at least about 0.5% by weight. Packaged toothpaste according to claim 6, characterized in that the amount of polyethylene glycol is about 0.5 to 5% by weight. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 1, characterized in that alpha-aluminum trihydrate is present as the sole polishing agent. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 8, characterized in that the pH-lowering agent is inorganic. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 9, characterized in that the inorganic substance which lowers the pH emits orthophosphate ions. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 10, characterized in that the orthophosphate ion-containing substance is selected from the group consisting of orthophosphoric acid, alkali metal dihydrogen orthophosphate, ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate, alkali metal monohydrogen orthophosphate and ammonium monohydrogen orthophosphate. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 11, characterized in that the substance containing orthophosphate ions is sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 12, characterized in that the sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate is sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate monohydrate. 21 87732 A packaged toothpaste according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a water-insoluble earth metal salt which is a calcium salt. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 14, characterized in that the calcium salt is dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 1, characterized in that the toothpaste is packaged in a plastic laminate tube. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 16, characterized in that the polyolefin resin inner surface of the plastic laminate tube is made of polyethylene. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 17, characterized in that the polyethylene is LD polyethylene. Packaged toothpaste according to Claim 1, characterized in that the toothpaste is packaged in a mechanical dispenser whose shell is made of polyolefin resin. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 19, characterized in that the polyolefin resin of the shell is. ·: Polypropylene. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothpaste is packed in a flexible bag. A packaged toothpaste according to claim 21, characterized in that the polyolefin resin inner surface of the bag is LD polyethylene or MD polyethylene. 22 87732