Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2002-07-23
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
C424S065000, C424S401000, C424S404000, C424S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06423329
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of sanitizing and moisturizing skin surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today's consumers are well acquainted with the notion of germs and germ transmission. Daily, people come into contact with germs at eating establishments, the gym, while changing diapers or using portable toilet facilities (e.g., portapotties). Once in contact with human hands, these germs (i.e., micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungus and/or viruses) are quickly passed from individual to individual and, thus, contribute to the spread of contagious and/or infectious diseases. One of the best and easiest ways of preventing such germ and/or disease transmission is by routinely and conscientiously washing one's hands. Recognizing the inconvenience or impossibility of such hand washing under certain traveling conditions and/or time constraints, a number of manufacturers have introduced hand sanitizing products which sanitize skin surfaces without the need for water and/or towels.
Although current hand sanitizing products kill the germs associated with such routine activities as changing diapers or handling exercise equipment, they can fail to adequate moisturize the skin. Attempts at providing such moisturization have involved the use of humectant. However, effective amounts of humectant typically result in compositions having a sticky or tacky feel. The present inventors have found that skin sanitizing compositions comprising high concentrations of humectant and a detackifying agent provide excellent moisturization with improved skin feel.
The present inventors have also discovered that the detackifying agents of the present invention reduce the tack associated with thickening agents.
Therefore, an important aspect of the present invention is to provide skin sanitizing compositions providing moisturization and improved skin feel.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide skin sanitizing compositions comprising high levels of humectant and a detackifying agent.
One other aspect of the present invention is to provide instant, hand sanitizing compositions comprising high levels of humectant and a detackifying agent selected from the group consisting of select silicones, wax materials having a melting point above about 20° C., powders, fluorochemicals and mixtures thereof.
These and other aspects will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The compositions of the present invention relates to skin sanitizing compositions, comprising:
a.) an effective amount of sanitizing agent to kill or reduce the growth of microorganisms, the sanitizing agent comprising from about 40% to about 99% by weight of the composition of alcohol antiseptic;
b.) from about 0.1% to about 15% of a humectant;
c.) an effective amount of a detackifying agent selected from the group consisting of:
i.) wax material soluble in the alcohol antiseptic and having a melting point greater than about 20° C.;
ii.) silicones selected from the group consisting of nonvolatile silicones having a viscosity of at least about 15,000 centipoise, silicone elastomer, silicone elastomer/volatile silicone blends, silicone elastomer
onvolatile silicone blends, nonvolatile/volatile silicone blends and mixtures thereof.
iii.) powder;
iv.) fluorochemicals; and
v.) mixtures thereof;
d.) optionally, from 0 to about 10% of thickener;
e.) optionally, from 0 to about 20% of a lipophilic skin moisturizing agent;
f.) optionally, from 0 to about 1% of perfume; and
g.) from about 0 to about 60% water.
The skin sanitizing compositions of the present invention are suitable for use in leave-on or rinse-off products.
The present invention further relate to methods of using the skin sanitizing compositions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The skin sanitizing compositions of the present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations described herein.
All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the personal cleansing compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified.
By the term “alcohol antiseptic” as used herein, means an alcohol (or combination of alcohols) which is effective, at the concentration employed, to kill microorganisms, for example, bacteria, with which it comes in contact.
By the term “instant” as used herein means the compositions of the present invention disinfect the skin area within 30 seconds, preferably 20 seconds without the need for soap and water.
Preferably the sanitizing and moisturizing compositions of the present invention are clear. The term “clear” as defined herein means transparent or translucent, preferably transparent as in “water clear,” when observed through a layer having a thickness of less than about 10 cm.
The skin sanitizing compositions of the present invention, including the essential and optional components thereof, are described in detail hereinafter.
Essential Components
Alcohol Antiseptic
The compositions of the present invention also contain from about 40% to about 99%, more preferably from about 50% to about 80%, most preferably from about 55% to about 80% of a alcohol antiseptic or mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable alcohol antiseptics include, but are not limited to, ethanol, n-propanol and isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Preferred for use herein is ethanol.
Humectant
Another essential ingredient of the present invention is the humectant. Humectants serve to retain water on the skin surface. Examples of preferred humectants include polyhydric alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, glycerin sorbitol, panthenols, urea, alkoxylated glucose derivatives, such as Glucam (RTM) E-20, hexanetriol, glucose ethers, sodium hyaluronate, soluble chitosan and mixtures thereof. Glycerin is presently preferred.
The glycerin used in this invention is preferably “glycerin, USP, 99.5%”, most preferably that which is sold by Dow Chemical, Inc., Emery Industries, Inc. (under the name “Superol 99.5%”), and Procter & Gamble. Another preferred humectant is “DL-panthenol”, which is sold by Hoffman-Laroche. Yet another preferred humectant is PEG/PPG 17/6 copolymer (17 moles ethylene oxide/6 moles propylene oxide), preferably that sold by PPG/Mazer Chemicals or Union Carbide, under the names “Macol 450” and “Ucon 75-H-450”. Still another preferred humectant is phytantriol, preferably that sold by Roche. Also preferred are polyglycerylmethacrylate lubricants having a viscosity at 25° C. of 300,000 to 1,100,000 mPa.s; a specific gravity at 25° C. of 1 to 1.2 g/ml, a pH of 5.0 to 5.5; a bound water content of 33 to 58%; and, a free water content from 5 to 20%. Suitable polyglycerylmethacrylate lubricants are marketed by Guardian Chemical Corporation under the trademark “Lubrajel”. The “Lubrajels” identical as “Lubrajel DV”, “Lubrajel MS”, and “Lubrajel CG” are preferred in the present invention. Preferred Polyethylene glycols have weight average molecular weights less than about 6000.
Humectants are preferably present in the compositions of the present invention at concentrations of from about 0.1% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 8%, more preferably from about 3% to about 6%.
Detackifying Agent
Also essential to the compositions of the present invention are detackifying agents at an effective amount to reduce the stickiness or tack associated with humectants and/or gelling agents. The term “detackifying agent,” as used herein, means an agent which prevents, reduces and/or eliminates the sticky or tacky feeling typically associated
Dodd Michael Thomas
Jakubovic David Andrew
Putman Christopher Dean
Sine Mark Richard
Thomas Cheyne P.
Dressman Marianne
Howard S.
Little Darryl C.
Page Thurman K.
Rosnell Tara M.
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