So striped toothpaste exists already - this relies on uniform rheology of the paste (its thickness and spreading properties), and filling the tube with even pressure.

But surely we can do better - it's almost the future already.
I propose the creation of patterned toothpaste, and with technological development perhaps even toothpastes with a picture all the way through, like seaside rock.

Polka dots may be a good place to start.
-- Loris, Sep 30 2022

Striped Colgate tube cut in half https://www.reddit....e_tube_cut_in_half/
[a1, Oct 02 2022]

Making toothpaste https://www.youtube...watch?v=RVZ6mUffJgw
Filling tubes with color strips at the 4 minute mark [a1, Oct 02 2022]

+ Only if you can make plaid.
-- xandram, Sep 30 2022


Totally unnecessary, would require complex internal structure and possibly valving. [+]
-- bs0u0155, Sep 30 2022


Unbeweavable!

//But surely we can do better - it's almost the future already//

[marked-for-tagline]
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 01 2022


What [bs0u0155] said.
-- Voice, Oct 01 2022


The unaboner doesn't brush.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 01 2022


Why stop at color when shape is just around the corner? What better way of getting kids excited about brushing their teeth before bed than extruding a tiny, perfectly formed different dinosaur every night?
-- jutta, Oct 01 2022


Can this dinosaur extrusion technology not be extended to cheese wiz and peanut butter?
-- Voice, Oct 01 2022


[+] It wouldn’t be difficult to get patterns instead of regular stripes. Pictures all the way through or dinosaurs might be a stretch, but simple patterns like polka dots should be easy. I read some reddit threads and watched a couple of youtube videos (linked) on how they fill the tubes now, so I know what I’m talking about.
-- a1, Oct 01 2022


Ah the ten minute Wikipedia degree: a marvel of our age.
-- Voice, Oct 02 2022


//and with technological development perhaps even// Wow I would love to have some technological development, do you have any spare? And if not can you direct me to your supplier?
-- pocmloc, Oct 02 2022


3d-print every serving, with 3 or 4-colors of tubes with nozzles. Sell the refills like inkjet printer ink. Make a fortune.
-- RayfordSteele, Oct 02 2022


// the ten minute Wikipedia degree //

Ooh, I didn’t check Wikipedia yet - was saving that for advanced research.
-- a1, Oct 02 2022


//The unaboner doesn't brush.//

Classic.

I try not to care about bones but just curious about this one. This is a great idea, admittedly with some challenges, but that's what makes it interesting. Criticism will be considered respectfully from me at least, but just curious.

As suggested, 3d printing would do this very easily, but could you just have one continuous tube pushed like a syringe to keep it all in place and not mixed? [+] anyway.
-- doctorremulac3, Oct 02 2022



random, halfbakery