Methods of incorporating a hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution

Methods of incorporating a hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution in a manner which provides a homogeneous composition are described. The hydrophobic substance is at least partially dissolved in an amide to provide an active mixture. The active mixture is then combined with an aqueous solution to form a composition which may then be mixed for a sufficient amount of time to obtain a uniform dispersion. In a particular aspect, the aqueous solution may include a surfactant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to methods of incorporating a hydrophobic 
substance into an aqueous solution. In particular, the present invention 
relates to methods of incorporating a hydrophobic antimicrobial agent into 
an aqueous solution in a manner which provides a homogeneous antimicrobial 
composition. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
It has been desirable to incorporate hydrophobic substances into aqueous 
solutions. For example, it has been desirable to incorporate hydrophobic 
antibacterial agents into aqueous solutions to provide antibacterial 
compositions which can be used in cleansing and cosmetic products such as 
liquid soaps, shampoos, detergents, lotions, and premoistened wipes. 
However, several problems have occurred when attempting to incorporate 
hydrophobic substances, such as hydrophobic antibacterial agents, into 
aqueous solutions. 
For example, it has been very difficult to achieve a homogeneous or 
uniformly dispersed mixture when the hydrophobic substances are added to 
aqueous compositions. Frequently, the hydrophobic substance has 
undesirably precipitated in the aqueous compositions. Such non-homogeneous 
compositions have also resulted in compositions which have not been 
completely satisfactory to the consumer due to their cloudy appearance. In 
an attempt to solve this problem, several conventional compositions have 
included solvents, such as ethanol and propanol, to achieve solubility of 
the hydrophobic substance. However, conventional compositions which have 
included such solvents have undesirably resulted in dehydration, stinging 
and irritation of the skin of the user. The use of such solvents has also 
undesirably resulted in compositions which are highly unstable, relatively 
volatile, and difficult to process. 
As a result, it has been necessary to use water soluble substances in many 
applications. For example, it has been necessary to use antibacterial 
agents which readily dissolve in water in many conventional antibacterial 
compositions. However, such water soluble antibacterial agents have not 
been completely satisfactory. For example, many of the water soluble 
antibacterial agents are not as antimicrobially effective as the 
hydrophobic antibacterial agents. 
In an attempt to achieve homogeneous mixtures, many conventional 
compositions have also used large quantities of surface active agents, or 
surfactants. However, such large quantities of surfactants have lead to 
excessive foaming of the composition and compositions which are cloudy in 
appearance. Such excessive foaming and cloudy appearance of the 
compositions is generally undesirable to the consumer and is particularly 
undesirable to the consumer when the composition is being used in wet 
wipes. Typically, consumers of wet wipes desire solutions which do not 
lather, foam or deposit suds on the skin. 
Accordingly, it remains desirable to provide compositions which are stable, 
highly effective, homogeneous and non-irritating to the skin. In 
particular, it remains desirable to provide methods for incorporating 
hydrophobic substances, such as hydrophobic antimicrobial agents, into 
aqueous solutions in a manner which provides a homogeneous composition. 
For example, it remains particularly desirable to incorporate hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agents into aqueous solutions to provide an antimicrobial, 
homogeneous, clear solution which is nonirritating to the skin and 
relatively nonlathering. It is also desirable that such homogeneous 
compositions be readily processable. Such methods are particularly 
desirable for incorporating hydrophobic antimicrobial agents into 
solutions for conventional wet wipes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a new method 
of incorporating a hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution in a 
manner which provides a homogeneous composition has been discovered. In 
particular, a new method of incorporating a hydrophobic antimicrobial 
agent into an aqueous solution in a manner which provides a homogeneous 
antimicrobial composition and an antimicrobial composition produced by 
such a method have been discovered. 
As used herein, the term "amide" refers to an organic compound which 
contains the structural group --CONH.sub.2. Suitable amides have the 
following structural formula: 
##STR1## 
wherein R is a fatty alkyl group. 
As used herein, the phrase "antimicrobial" refers to a composition which 
prevents the growth of Escherichia coli (ATCC #11229), Staphylococcus 
aureus (ATCC #6538) (both bacteria), and Candida albicans (ATCC #10231) 
(yeast) in a standard Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test. 
Determining MIC values involves standard microbiological laboratory 
practices as described in the Examples. In general terms, the MIC value is 
determined by incubating the test organisms in the presence of various 
dilutions of the composition and monitoring the growth rate. The MIC value 
is the lowest concentration of the antimicrobial agent which inhibits the 
growth of the test organism. 
As used herein, the term "aqueous" refers to a composition, solution or 
mixture which contains at least about 50 weight percent water, desirably 
at least about 70 weight percent water and more desirably at least about 
90 weight percent water based on a total weight of the composition, 
solution or mixture. 
As used herein, the term "homogeneous" refers to a composition, solution or 
mixture whose elements are substantially uniformly dispersed in each 
other. For example, a homogenous composition may include two or more 
compounds or elements which are substantially uniformly dispersed within 
each other. Desirably, the homogenous composition is relatively clear in 
appearance. In addition, the homogenous composition desirably contains 
very minimal particulate matter. In one aspect, a homogenous composition 
is a composition which does not have any particulate matter having a size 
greater than about 1 micrometer. 
As used herein, the term "hydrophobic" refers to a substance which is 
incapable of completely dissolving in an excess of water. In one aspect, a 
hydrophobic substance is a substance which does not completely dissolve in 
an excess of water when allowed to stand for a period of 24 hours. 
In one aspect, the present invention concerns a method of incorporating a 
hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution to provide a homogeneous 
composition. The method comprises at least partially dissolving the 
hydrophobic substance in an amide to form an active mixture and combining 
the active mixture with the aqueous solution to form the homogeneous 
composition. 
In another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making an 
aqueous antimicrobial composition comprising combining an active mixture 
with a surfactant/water mixture wherein said active mixture includes an 
effective amount of a hydrophobic antimicrobial agent and an amide. The 
active mixture may also be mixed and/or heated before combining it with 
the surfactant/water mixture. The resulting aqueous antimicrobial 
composition may also be mixed for an effective amount of time to make the 
solution homogeneous. In a particular embodiment, the aqueous 
antimicrobial composition includes at least about 50 weight percent water 
based on a total weight of the composition. 
In another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making a 
homogeneous antimicrobial composition comprising (a) at least partially 
dissolving from about 0.01 to about 3.0 weight percent of a hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent based on a total weight of the composition in from 
about 1.0 to about 15.0 weight percent of an amide based on the total 
weight of the composition to form an active mixture; (b) blending from 
about 1.0 to 30.0 weight percent of a surfactant based on the total weight 
of the composition in from about 50 to about 98 weight percent water based 
on the total weight of the composition to form a surfactant/water mixture; 
and (c) combining the active mixture with the surfactant/water mixture to 
provide the homogeneous antimicrobial composition. 
In yet another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making a 
homogeneous antimicrobial composition comprising the steps of (a) at least 
partially dissolving from about 0.01 to about 3.0 weight percent 
2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether based on a total weight of the 
composition in from about 1.0 to about 15.0 weight percent of a 
diethanolamide based on the total weight of the composition to form an 
active mixture; (b) blending less than about 10 weight percent of a 
nonionic surfactant based on the total weight of the composition in at 
least about 50 weight percent water based on the total weight of the 
composition to form a surfactant/water mixture; and (c) combining the 
active mixture with the surfactant/water mixture to provide the 
homogeneous antimicrobial composition. 
In still another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of making 
an antimicrobial wet wipe comprising (a) providing an absorbent sheet; and 
(b) wetting the absorbent sheet with from about 150 to about 600 weight 
percent of an aqueous antimicrobial composition based on a dry weight of 
the wet wipe wherein the antimicrobial composition is made from a method 
comprising combining an active mixture with a surfactant/water mixture 
wherein said active mixture includes an effective amount of a hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent and an amide. In a particular aspect, the aqueous 
antimicrobial composition includes at least about 50 weight percent water 
based on a total weight of the composition. In another particular aspect, 
the antimicrobial composition is made from a method comprising the steps 
of (i) at least partially dissolving from about 0.01 to about 3.0 weight 
percent of a hydrophobic antimicrobial agent based on a total weight of 
the composition in from about 1.0 to about 15.0 weight percent of an amide 
based on the total weight of the composition to form an active mixture; 
(ii) blending from about 1.0 to about 30.0 weight percent of a surfactant 
based on the total weight of the composition in from about 50 to about 98 
weight percent water based on the total weight of the composition to form 
a surfactant/water mixture; and (iii) combining the active mixture with 
the surfactant/water mixture to provide the homogeneous antimicrobial 
composition. 
In yet another aspect, the present invention concerns an antimicrobial 
composition and an antimicrobial wet wipe made by the method aspects of 
the present invention. 
Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides a method of 
incorporating a hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution in a manner 
which provides a homogeneous composition. In particular, the present 
invention advantageously provides a method of making a highly aqueous, 
antimicrobial composition which includes a hydrophobic antimicrobial agent 
and a relatively large percentage of water. The invention further provides 
improved processes for incorporating hydrophobic antimicrobial agents in 
aqueous solutions without the use of solvents which are volatile and 
highly flammable. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention concerns improved methods of incorporating a 
hydrophobic substance into an aqueous solution. In particular, the present 
invention concerns improved methods of incorporating a hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent into an aqueous solution to provide a homogeneous 
antimicrobial composition and an antimicrobial composition made by such 
methods. The different method aspects of the present invention will be 
described for use in incorporating hydrophobic antimicrobial agents into 
aqueous solutions to provide antimicrobial compositions for use in 
conventional wet wipes. However, it is to be understood, that such methods 
and the resulting compositions may be used to incorporate other 
hydrophobic substances such as, for example, surfactants, emulsifiers, 
emollients, oils, and the like, into aqueous solutions which may be used 
in the manufacture of other consumer products such as, for example, 
shampoos, soaps, cleansing agents, detergents, lotions and the like. 
It has been discovered that hydrophobic substances, such as hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agents, may be used in aqueous solutions to provide 
homogeneous compositions if the compositions are prepared according to the 
methods of the present invention. According to the different method 
aspects of the present invention, an antimicrobial composition is prepared 
by a method which involves combining an active mixture of a hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent and an amide with an aqueous solution, such as a 
mixture of water and a surfactant. In a particular aspect of the 
invention, the homogeneous antimicrobial composition is prepared by a 
method which involves at least partially dissolving an effective amount of 
the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent in the amide to form the active 
mixture and separately blending the water and surfactant together to form 
a surfactant/water mixture. The active mixture is then combined with the 
surfactant/water mixture to provide the antimicrobial composition. 
The hydrophobic antimicrobial agent is at least partially dissolved and, 
desirably, completely dissolved in the amide before the active mixture is 
combined with the aqueous solution. For example, the active mixture may be 
mixed for a period of time to ensure the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent 
is substantially dissolved in the amide. In a particular aspect, the 
active mixture may be mixed for at least about 10 minutes, desirably at 
least about 20 minutes, and more desirably at least about 30 minutes to 
effectively dissolve most of the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent in the 
amide. Alternatively, the active mixture may be allowed to stand for a 
sufficient period of time to at least partially dissolve the hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent in the amide. The active mixture may also be heated to 
dissolve at least a portion of the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent in the 
amide before the active mixture is combined with the aqueous solution. For 
example, the active mixture may be heated to a temperature of from about 
30 to about 50 degrees Centigrade and desirably from about 37 to about 45 
degrees Centigrade to effectively dissolve the hydrophobic antimicrobial 
agent in the amide. In a particular aspect, the hydrophobic antimicrobial 
agent is dissolved in the amide such that the active mixture does not 
contain any particulate matter having a size greater than about 1.0 
micrometers. Desirably, the active mixture does not contain any 
particulate matter having a size greater than about 0.50 micrometers and, 
more desirably, the active mixture does not contain any particulate matter 
having a size greater than about 0.14 micrometers. 
After the active mixture has been combined with the aqueous solution, the 
antimicrobial composition may also be mixed for an effective amount of 
time to make the composition relatively homogeneous and substantially 
reduce the size and number of insoluble particulates. For example, the 
antimicrobial composition may be mixed for at least about 5 minutes and 
desirably at least about 10 minutes to provide a relatively clear, 
homogeneous antimicrobial composition. 
A wide range of hydrophobic antimicrobial agents which provide 
antimicrobial compositions may be used in the different aspects of the 
present invention. The antimicrobial composition may include a single 
hydrophobic antimicrobial agent or a combination of two or more 
hydrophobic antimicrobial agents. Desirably, the hydrophobic antimicrobial 
agent is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent. For example, suitable 
hydrophobic antimicrobial agents include triclosan, triclocarban, and the 
like, and combinations thereof. Such hydrophobic antimicrobial agents are 
generally considered to be water insoluble by those skilled in the art. In 
a particular aspect, the antimicrobial composition includes triclosan to 
provide improved antimicrobial effectiveness. As used herein, the term 
"triclosan" refers to 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether. 
The hydrophobic antimicrobial agent may be present in the composition in 
any amount which provides an antimicrobial composition. However, if the 
amount of the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent is too high, the composition 
may be unclear and irritating to the skin of the user. Moreover, if the 
amount of the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent is too low, the composition 
may not be antimicrobially effective as described herein. As set forth 
above, the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial composition 
can be determined by testing the composition against several known 
microorganisms. It has been found that antimicrobial compositions of the 
present invention which include from about 0.01 to about 3.0 weight 
percent, desirably from about 0.03 to about 1.0 weight percent, and more 
desirably from about 0.05 to about 0.7 weight percent of the hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent based on the total weight of the composition are 
effective against most microorganisms while not irritating the skin. It 
has also been found that the antimicrobial composition of the different 
aspects of the present invention is particularly effective when it 
contains from about 0.01 to about 3.0 weight percent and more desirably 
from about 0.03 to about 1.0 weight percent triclosan based on the total 
weight of the composition. 
The antimicrobial composition of the different aspects of the present 
invention may also include other antimicrobial agents which may or may not 
be considered hydrophobic. For example, the antimicrobial composition may 
also include p-chloro-m-xylenol, benzalkonium chloride, chlorohexidine 
gluconate, hexachlorophene, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
A wide range of amides which at least partially dissolve the hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agents may be used in the different aspects of the present 
invention. For example, suitable amides include alkanolamides, long chain 
fatty acid diethanolamides, long chain fatty acid monoethanolamides, 
monoisopropanolamides, and the like, and combinations thereof. In a 
particular aspect, the amide includes at least about 50 weight percent and 
desirably at least about 90 weight percent of a lauric diethanolamide 
based on a total weight of the amide. It has been discovered that the use 
of a lauric diethanolamide is particularly desirable because of it's 
solubility in water. 
The amide may be present in the antimicrobial composition in any amount 
which provides the desired composition. However, if the amount of the 
amide is too high, the composition may be irritating to the skin of the 
user. Moreover, if the amount of the amide is too low, the hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent may not dissolve and the composition may not be 
homogeneous. It has been found that antimicrobial compositions which 
include from about 1.0 to about 15.0 weight percent, desirably from about 
2.0 to about 10.0 weight percent and more desirably from about 3.0 to 
about 5.0 weight percent of the amide based on the total weight of the 
composition are effective. It has also been found that the antimicrobial 
composition of the different aspects of the present invention is 
particularly effective when it contains from about 2.0 to about 10.0 and 
more desirably from about 3.0 to about 5.0 weight percent of an 
alkanolamide based on the total weight of the composition. 
A wide range of surfactants may also be incorporated into the aqueous 
solution of the different aspects of the present invention. It has been 
hypothesized that the surfactant acts to prevent the precipitation of the 
active mixture of the hydrophobic antimicrobial agent and amide in the 
water. Suitable surfactants include those which prevent such 
precipitation. For example, suitable surfactants may include anionic 
surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric 
surfactants and combinations thereof as are well known to those skilled in 
the art. Suitable anionic surfactants include sodium laureth sulfate, 
sodium-lauryl methyl taurate, myristoyl sarcosine, sodium dodecylbenzene 
sulfonate, and the like. 
Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyoxyethylene ethers of the 
higher fatty alcohols and alkyl phenols; the polyethylene glycols of fatty 
acids; fatty alkylol amide condensation products; polymers of ethylene and 
propylene oxides; compounds formed by the addition of propylene oxide to 
ethylene diamide, followed by the addition of ethylene oxide; fatty acid 
ethylene oxide condensation products; ethoxylate carboxylic acid; 
ethoxylate glycerides; and glycol esters. In a particular aspect, the 
surfactant is desirably a nonionic surfactant, such as octoxynol-9, which 
provides an improved composition because of it's solubility in water and 
low level of irritation to the skin. 
The surfactant may be present in the aqueous solution and antimicrobial 
composition in any amount which provides the desired composition. However, 
if the amount of the surfactant is too high, the composition may be 
unclear and cause excessive foaming. Moreover, if the amount of the 
surfactant is too low, the active mixture may precipitate and the 
composition may not be homogeneous. It has been found that the 
antimicrobial compositions of the present invention which include from 
about 1.0 to about 30.0 weight percent, desirably from about 1.0 to about 
20.0 weight percent and more desirably from about 4.0 to about 10 weight 
percent of the surfactant based on the total weight of the composition are 
effective. If it is desired to use the antimicrobial composition in a wet 
wipe or similar product, the amount of surfactant should not cause 
excessive foaming of the composition. For example, antimicrobial 
compositions according to the present invention which include less than 
about 10.0 weight percent and desirably less than about 7.0 weight percent 
of the surfactant based on the total weight of the composition have been 
found to be particularly effective with wet wipes. 
The antimicrobial compositions may also include additional elements such 
as, for example, emollients, perfuming agents, chelating agents, cleansing 
agents, foam stabilizers, preservatives, protectants, and the like, to 
enhance the performance of the compositions. 
Accordingly, the different aspects of the present invention provides 
antimicrobial compositions which include hydrophobic antimicrobial agents 
in an aqueous environment. In a particular aspect, the composition of the 
present invention defines an MIC value of 100 ppm (parts per million 
active) or less against E. coli (ATCC #11229) and S. aureus (ATCC #6538) 
(both bacteria), and an MIC value of 10,000 ppm or less against C. 
albicans (ATCC #10231) (yeast), desirably defines an MIC value of 10 ppm 
or less against E. coli (ATCC #11229) and S. aureus (ATCC #6538) (both 
bacteria), and an MIC value of 1,000 ppm or less against C. albicans (ATCC 
#10231) (yeast), and more desirably defines an MIC value of 1 ppm or less 
against E. coli (ATCC #11229) and S. aureus (ATCC #6538) (both bacteria), 
and an MIC value of 1,000 ppm or less against C. albicans (ATCC #10231) 
(yeast). Such aqueous antimicrobial compositions are particularly useful 
in premoistened wipes and cosmetic products such as liquid soaps, 
shampoos, and lotions. 
In another aspect, the present invention concerns an antimicrobial wet wipe 
and methods of making antimicrobial wet wipes which include the 
antimicrobial compositions described herein. The antimicrobial wet wipes 
may appear in several different forms. For example the wet wipes may be in 
the form of a stack of moistened sheets which have been packaged in a 
plastic container. The wet wipes may also be in a folded or unfolded 
configuration. In addition, the wet wipes may be in the form of continuous 
webs of material which include perforations to separate the individual wet 
wipes from the continuous web. Such continuous webs may be wound into 
rolls and also packaged in plastic containers. Such wet wipes can be used 
for baby wipes, hand wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes and 
the like. 
The particular method and sequence of steps to manufacture antimicrobial 
wet wipes described herein is not a limitation to the present invention, 
but is disclosed only as one method of producing a wet wipe. Initially, a 
supply roll of the material being converted into the wet wipe is unwound 
to provide a continuously moving web of material. The web of material is 
saturated or otherwise impregnated with the antimicrobial compositions of 
the present invention, as described herein, by any suitable means such as 
spraying, dipping, or the like as are well known to those skilled in the 
art. In a particular aspect, the web of material is passed over several 
perforated tubes which exude the antimicrobial composition into the 
material. The amount of the antimicrobial composition which may be added 
to the material may vary depending upon the type of material being used to 
provide the wet wipe, the type of container being used to store the wet 
wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Generally, each wet wipe 
can contain from about 150 to about 600 weight percent and desirably from 
about 250 to about 450 weight percent of the antimicrobial composition 
based on the dry weight of the wipe. In a particular aspect wherein the 
wet wipe is made from a coform material comprising from about 30 to about 
40 weight percent polymeric microfibers based on the dry weight of the 
wipe, the amount of the antimicrobial composition contained within the wet 
wipe is from about 300 to about 400 weight percent and desirably about 330 
weight percent based on the dry weight of the wet wipe. If the amount of 
liquid is less than the above-identified range, the wet wipe may be too 
dry and may not adequately perform. If the amount of liquid is greater 
than the above-identified range, the wet wipe may be oversaturated and 
soggy and the liquid may pool in the bottom of the container. 
The web of material is then slit in the machine direction into multiple 
ribbons, each of which may be folded into the type of fold desired for the 
individual wet wipe. For example, the web of material can be slit into 
eight ribbons which may then be folded into a folded configuration. Each 
folded ribbon may then be combined, one ribbon on top of the other, with 
the other seven folded ribbons from the same web of material to form a 
continuous "sausage." The sausage is then cut into "clips" of eight wet 
wipes apiece and the clips of wet wipes are arranged in a stacked 
configuration to form at least one stack of antimicrobial wet wipes which 
is then placed in a plastic container. 
Materials suitable for the antimicrobial wet wipe of the present invention 
are well known to those skilled in the art. The wet wipe can be made from 
any material suitable for use as a moist wipe, including meltblown, 
coform, air-laid, bonded-carded web materials, hydroentangled materials 
and the like and can comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinations 
thereof. The wet wipe may have a basis weight of from about 25 to about 
120 grams per square meter and desirably from about 40 to about 90 grams 
per square meter. In a particular aspect, the wet wipe is a coform 
basesheet of polymeric microfibers and cellulosic fibers having a basis 
weight of from about 60 to about 80 grams per square meter and desirably 
about 75 grams per square meter. Such coform basesheets are manufactured 
generally as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al. which 
issued Jul. 11, 1978, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
Typically, such coform basesheets comprise a gas-formed matrix of 
thermoplastic polymeric meltblown microfibers, such as, for example, 
polypropylene microfibers, and cellulosic fibers, such as, for example, 
wood pulp fibers. The relative percentages of the polymeric microfibers 
and cellulosic fibers in the coform basesheet can vary over a wide range 
depending on the desired characteristics of the wet wipes. For example, 
the coform basesheet may comprise from about 20 to about 100 weight 
percent, desirably from about 20 to about 60 weight percent, and more 
desirably from about 30 to about 40 weight percent of polymeric 
microfibers based on the dry weight of the coform basesheet being used to 
provide the wet wipe. Alternatively, the wet wipe 22 can be made from a 
meltblown sheet of polymeric microfibers having a basis weight of from 
about 25 to about 120 grams per square meter. 
Accordingly, the different aspects of the present invention can also 
advantageously provide an antimicrobial wet wipe which, when compared to 
conventional wet wipes, has improved antimicrobial effectiveness and is 
nonirritating to the user. In particular, the different aspects of the 
present invention can provide an antimicrobial wet wipe which is wetted 
with an aqueous antimicrobial composition which includes a hydrophobic 
antimicrobial agent. Such wet wipes can advantageously be used for baby 
wipes, hand wipes, face wipes, cosmetic wipes, household wipes, industrial 
wipes and the like.

EXAMPLES 
The following examples are presented to provide a more detailed 
understanding of the invention. The particular materials and parameters 
are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
Example 1 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 1.0 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 4.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 8.0 weight percent Octoxynol-9 (CTFA 
nomenclature) and the remainder water. The triclosan was added to the 
lauric diethanolamide and the resulting mixture was heated to about 37.7 
degrees Centigrade and mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The water 
and Octoxynol-9 were blended together. The mixture of triclosan and lauric 
diethanolamide was then added to the water mixture and mixed for about 10 
minutes. The resulting composition was very clear. 
The composition was then subjected to the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration 
(MIC) technique to determine the lowest concentration of the composition 
which demonstrated a lower growth rate than the growth of the control 
against E. coli (ATCC #11229), S. aureus (ATCC #6538) (both bacteria), and 
C. albicans (ATCC #10231) (yeast). The protocol used to determine the MIC 
values was a standard microdilution method in a 96 well microplate format. 
Formulations were prepared by serially diluting each sample of the 
composition in sterile distilled water at dilutions of 0.01, 0.10, 1.0, 
10, 100, and 1000 ppm (parts per million triclosan). The microplate wells 
were filled with the diluted formulation, a fixed number of 
microorganisms, and growth media (Mueller Hinton II for E. coli and S. 
aureus and Saboraud-Dextrose for C. albicans). The inoculums for E. coli, 
S. aureus, and C. albicans contained 1.3.times.10.sup.9 CFU/ml, 
4.9.times.10.sup.8 CFU/ml, and 1.0.times.10.sup.7 CFU/ml, respectively. 
The microplate was incubated in a THERMOmax.TM. microplate reader, which 
was commercially available from Molecular Devices Corporation, a business 
having offices located in Menlo Park, Calif. under the model numbers 
0200-0600 and 0200-0601, for 18 hours at 37 degrees Centigrade. The plate 
reader was programmed to take optical density readings at 650 nanometers 
every 30 minutes to monitor the growth rate. 
The composition had an MIC value of 1.0 ppm against E. coli, 0.1 ppm 
against S. aureus and 1000 ppm against C. albicans. The MIC value is the 
lowest concentration of the composition which demonstrates a slower growth 
rate than the positive growth control for each microorganism. The control 
was the same as the composition tested except that it did not include the 
triclosan. The control did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity at any 
dilution tested. 
Example 2 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 0.5 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 4.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 5.0 weight percent Octoxynol-9 and the 
remainder water. The triclosan was added to the lauric diethanolamide and 
the resulting mixture was heated to about 37.7 degrees Centigrade and 
mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The water and Octoxynol-9 were 
blended together. The mixture of triclosan and lauric diethanolamide was 
then added to the water mixture and mixed for about 10 minutes. The 
resulting composition was very clear. 
Example 3 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 0.5 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 3.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 5.0 weight percent Octoxynol-9 and the 
remainder water. The triclosan was added to the lauric diethanolamide and 
the resulting mixture was heated to about 37.7 degrees Centigrade and 
mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The water and Octoxynol-9 were 
blended together. The mixture of triclosan and lauric diethanolamide was 
then added to the water mixture and mixed for about 10 minutes. The 
resulting composition was slightly hazy. 
Example 4 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 0.5 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 2.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 5.0 weight percent Octoxynol-9 and the 
remainder water. The triclosan was added to the lauric diethanolamide and 
the resulting mixture was heated to about 37.7 degrees Centigrade and 
mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The water and Octoxynol-9 were 
blended together. The mixture of triclosan and lauric diethanolamide was 
then added to the water mixture and mixed for about 10 minutes. The 
resulting composition was clear. 
Example 5 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 0.5 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 3.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 5.0 weight percent Disodium 
capryloamphodipropionate and the remainder water. The triclosan was added 
to the lauric diethanolamide and the resulting mixture was heated to about 
37.7 degrees Centigrade and mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The 
water and Disodium capryloamphodipropionate were blended together. The 
mixture of triclosan and lauric diethanolamide was then added to the water 
mixture and mixed for about 10 minutes. The resulting composition was 
cloudy and an additional 5.0 weight percent Disodium 
capryloamphodipropionate was added to achieve a clear solution. 
Example 6 
An antimicrobial composition according to the present invention was 
prepared as follows. The composition included, based on a total weight of 
the composition, 0.5 weight percent triclosan 
(2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), 1.0 weight percent lauric 
diethanolamide (Lauramide DEA), 1.0 weight percent ricinoleamide 
(Ricinoleamide DEA), 5.0 weight percent Octoxynol-9 and the remainder 
water. The triclosan was added to the lauric diethanolamide and rieinol 
diethanolamide and the resulting mixture was heated to about 37.7 degrees 
Centigrade and mixed for about 15 minutes until clear. The water and 
Octoxynol-9 were blended together. The mixture of triclosan and lauric 
diethanolamide and ricinoleamide was then added to the water mixture and 
mixed for about 10 minutes. The resulting composition was very clear. 
The examples representatively show that the different method aspects of the 
present invention can be used to incorporate hydrophobic antimicrobial 
agents in aqueous solutions to provide homogeneous antimicrobial 
solutions. 
While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific 
aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, 
upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of 
alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these aspects. 
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that 
of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.