Patent Description:
Consumers are increasingly concerned with microbial and viral contamination. As such, hygiene continues to be one of the most important attributes desired among consumers. Consumers desire products that will provide the required hygienic properties. Consumers throughout the world use different types of antibacterial compositions for disinfecting various surfaces including hard surfaces such as countertops, floors, and furniture; soft and porous surfaces such as clothes, carpets, and upholstery; and personal surfaces such as skin and hair. Many microorganisms like bacteria and viruses are found on such surfaces. It is desirable to keep these surfaces free of germs to minimize the risk of becoming ill.

Many antibacterial products are commercially available. Some are supplied as gels, liquids, or liquid sprays containing at least <NUM>% by weight or more of ethanol. While such products are known to yield good antibacterial benefits after application, certain consumers shun using high ethanol-based products since such products may dry the skin, weaken the epidermis barrier, and expedite the aging process. In the current environment, consumers may be using antibacterial products on their bodies throughout the day thus increasing the likelihood of developing dry skin.

As such, there is continually a need to develop an antibacterial composition that provides excellent antimicrobial and antiviral benefits while at the same time being safe and mild enough to use an unlimited amount of times throughout the day. Given consumer demands, it is of increasing interest to develop an antibacterial composition that also delivers soothing and moisturizing benefits when topically applied. <CIT> discloses such alcoholic disinfectants that comprise a) at least <NUM> wt% ethanol, relative to the weight of the disinfectant, and b) one or more fatty acid esters of monovalent C1 to C6 alkyl alcohol.

Disclosed in various aspects are moisturizing antibacterial compositions.

A transparent antibacterial composition comprises: water; alcohol; a humectant; and a sensory oil according to claim <NUM>.

A method of making a transparent antibacterial composition comprises: combining a sensory oil and a humectant forming a first phase; combining water with an alcohol forming a second phase; combining the first phase and the second phase forming a third phase; and adding a neutralizer to the third phase, thereby forming the antibacterial composition according to claim <NUM>.

These and other features and characteristics are more particularly described below.

Disclosed herein is an antibacterial composition. The antibacterial composition is a transparent composition with non-tacky sensory properties. The antibacterial composition can be any form, but preferably is in the form of a transparent liquid spray. The antibacterial composition provides moisturization to the surface onto which it is applied. For example, when the composition is applied to human skin, the antibacterial composition does not leave the user with dry skin, but rather with skin that has been both moisturized and sanitized. The antibacterial composition can provide less than or equal to <NUM> hours of moisturization to the surface on which it is applied. The antibacterial composition can also provide antimicrobial and antiviral protection against bacteria, virus, and fungus. The antibacterial composition includes water, alcohol, a humectant, and a sensory oil. It was unexpectedly found that the antibacterial composition provides moisturization without tackiness after application. This is an unexpected benefit because antibacterial compositions typically require the use of a non-tacking agent to reduce that sticky feeling often associated with antibacterial composition application.

The antibacterial composition can be substantially free of a non-tacking agent. Substantially free of a non-tacking agent means that the composition contains less than <NUM>% by weight of a non-tacking agent, preferably, less than <NUM>% by weight a non-tacking agent, more preferably less than <NUM>% by weight a non-tacking agent, even more preferably, less than <NUM> % by weight a non-tacking agent, still more preferably, <NUM>% by weight a non-tacking agent. Percent by weight (% by weight) referred to herein throughout refers to the % by weight in the overall composition.

The antibacterial composition advantageously provides both moisturizing and sanitizing benefits to the surface onto which it is applied. Sanitizing or antibacterial composition as used herein refers to a composition that is capable of killing bacteria or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The antibacterial compositions can be substantially emulsifier free. The antibacterial compositions can be transparent or translucent, preferably the antibacterial compositions are transparent. Substantially emulsifier free means that the composition contains less than <NUM>% by weight emulsifier, preferably, less than <NUM>% by weight emulsifier, more preferably less than <NUM>% by weight emulsifier, even more preferably, less than <NUM> % by weight emulsifier, still more preferably, <NUM>% by weight emulsifier.

The antibacterial composition comprises water in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight.

The antibacterial composition comprises alcohol in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, including all values and ranges subsumed therein. The alcohol comprises ethanol, propanol (n-propanol), isopropyl alcohol, or a combination thereof. The level of alcohol present in the antibacterial composition can be adjusted based upon the purity percentage of the alcohol. For example, if using ethanol with a purity of <NUM>%, ethanol can be used in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight. Optionally, the alcohol can comprise chloroxylenol. A preferred alcohol can be denatured SD-<NUM> ethanol.

The antibacterial composition can optionally comprise one or more additional antibacterial agents. The optional, additional antibacterial agent can be selected from terpenes, essential oils, or cationic oils having a solubility in water of less than <NUM> parts per million (ppm) at <NUM>. Examples of aromatic essential oils that can be used in the antibacterial compositions disclosed herein include amyl salicylate, carvacrol, cymene, e.g., p-cymene, dihydroeugenol, eugenol, hexyl eugenol, hexyl salicylate, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, methyl isoeugenol, methyl salicylate, tert butyl cresol, thymol, cumarin, ylang, ylang, copaiba oil, and vanillin. Examples of non-aromatic essential oils of terpenoid compounds include cedrane, cineole, citral (including geranial and neral), citronellal, nitronelol, eucalyptol (i.e., <NUM>,<NUM> cineole) paradihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol (DH myrcenol), farnesol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamaldehyde, hydroxycitronallol, hydroxycitronellal, isocitral, limonene, preferably d-limonene, linallol, longifolene, menthol, nerol, nerolidiol, pinene, e.g., α-pinene, phellendrene, terpinine, e.g., α-terpinene and γ-terpinene, terpineol, e.g., γ-terpineol and terpin-<NUM>-ol, and tetrahydromyrcenol (THM).

Preferred cationic oils include quaternary ammonium cationic vegetable oil and charged aminopolydimethylsilane having the formula (CH<NUM>)<NUM>-Si[Si(CH<NUM>)<NUM>-O]-[Si(CH<NUM>)-((CH<NUM>)<NUM>-NH-(CH<NUM>)<NUM>-NH<NUM>)-O]<NUM>-Si-(CH<NUM>)<NUM>. It is preferred that the solubility of these additional antibacterial agents be less than <NUM> ppm at <NUM>. For example, the additional antibacterial agent can be terpineol, thymol, eugenol, borneol, limonene, or a combination thereof. A preferred additional antibacterial agent can be terpineol, thymol, or eugenol, or a combination thereof.

Other types of optional additional antibacterial agents include silver compounds. The silver compound can comprise a silver ion, for example, the silver ion can be selected from silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver oxide, silver sulfate, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the silver compound is silver nitrate.

Stated more specifically, the silver compounds optionally employed in the compositions are one or more water-soluble silver (I) compounds having a silver ion solubility of at least <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> mol/L (in water at <NUM>). Silver ion solubility, as referred to herein, is a value derived from a solubility product (Ksp) in water at <NUM>, a well-known parameter that is reported in numerous sources. More particularly, silver ion solubility [Ag+], a value given in mol/L may be calculated using the formula: <MAT> wherein Ksp is the solubility product of the compound of interest in water at <NUM>, and x represents the number of moles of silver ion per mole of compound. It has been found that silver (I) compounds having a silver ion solubility of at least <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> mol/L are desirable for use herein.

Among the silver compounds desirable for use herein are silver oxide, silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver sulfate, silver benzoate, silver salicylate, silver carbonate, silver citrate and silver phosphate, or a combination thereof, preferably wherein the silver compound is silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver oxide, silver sulfate, or a combination thereof.

When present, the additional antibacterial agent can be included in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the overall antibacterial composition including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

A sensory oil can be used in the antibacterial composition to assist in leaving the user with a non-tacky feeling to the skin after application of the composition. The antibacterial composition comprises a sensory oil in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight including all values and ranges subsumed therein. The sensory oil can comprise a soluble sensory oil. Sensory oils desirable for use in the antibacterial composition disclosed herein must meet the following criteria: the sensory oil must be liquid, the sensory oil must be soluble in at least a <NUM>/<NUM> or higher ratio of EtOH/Water which is to be reflective of solubility in the final composition to give a clear final antibacterial composition, and the sensory oil must have no solvency for water.

The soluble sensory oil can comprise dicarboxylic acid esters, lactate esters, fatty alcohols, (poly)propylene glycol fatty ethers or a combination thereof. The sensory oil can also comprise mixtures of a soluble sensory oil and an insoluble sensory oil, provided the combination is soluble in the end use composition. For example, the soluble sensory oil can comprise diisopropyl adipate, diisopropyl sebacate, or diethyl hexyl malate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isostearyl alcohol, PPG14 butyl ether, PPG15 stearyl ether or a combination thereof.

Further combinations of the aforementioned with oils such as triglycerides such as capric/caprylic triglyceride or soybean oil or fatty esters such as isopropyl myristate or isopropyl palmitate are also in scope provided they are soluble and form a transparent end use composition. The latter is not limiting the choice of insoluble oil that can be used in the compositions disclosed herein. That is, other insoluble oils can be used provided that when combined with the selected sensory oils of the present compositions the insoluble oils become soluble when mixed in with the end use composition. Any combination of sensory oils used in the antibacterial compositions shall not affect the transparency of the antibacterial composition.

The antibacterial composition can additionally contain other ingredients in addition to those previously described herein including, but not limited to, skin benefit agents, fragrances, preservatives, surfactants, fixatives, opacifiers, chelators, thickening agents, humectants, structurants, dyes or colorants, or a combination thereof. For example, various colorants can optionally be used in the antibacterial composition. When present, the colorants can be in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

For example, humectants can optionally be used in the antibacterial composition to provide additional moisturization properties to the composition. Such humectants desirable for use in the antibacterial composition can include water soluble polyols such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (e.g., PPG-<NUM>), polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol, sorbitol, hexylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-octane diol, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexane diol, isoprene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-hexanetriol, ethoxylated glycerol, propoxylated glycerol and combinations thereof. Most preferred are glycerin, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, sorbitol, polyglycerol, isoprene glycol, hyaluronic acid, or a combination thereof. The humectant can be present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition.

The antibacterial composition can optionally contain surfactants, for example, cationic surfactants. When used, the cationic surfactant is only limited in that it should be able to be used for topical application onto human skin. The cationic surfactant can comprise branched or straight chain alkyl trimonium compounds, alkanol trimonium compounds or a combination thereof. The alkanol trimonium compounds include lauroyl ethyltrimonium methosulfate, palmitoyl ethyltrimonium methosulfate, stearoyl ethyltrimonium methosulfate, carnitine, palmitoyl carnitine, a combination thereof or the like. The trimonium compound used can be an alkyl trimonium compound comprising cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, mytrimonium chloride, mytrimonium bromide, behentrimonium methosulfate, cocotrimonium methosulfate, behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium bromide, steartrimonium chloride, steartrimonium bromide, laurtrimonium chloride, laurtrimonium bromide, a combination thereof or the like. For the avoidance of doubt, cationic surfactant used in the antibacterial composition disclosed herein can consist essentially of or consist of any combination of the aforementioned surfactants.

As to the cationic surfactant comprising a dimonium compound, such a compound includes dialkyl dimonium compounds like distearyl dimonium chloride, didecyl dimonium chloride, dicoco dimonium chloride, a combination thereof or the like. Other dimonium compounds suitable for use include benzethonium chloride and/or benzalkonium chloride. The dimonium and trimonium compounds used herein are meant to include salts of the same, especially chlorides and bromides of the same.

Polyquaternium materials can also be used and can include materials such as polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM>, acrylamidepropyl-trimonium chloride/acrylate (or acrylamide) copolymer, a combination thereof or the like.

The amount of cationic surfactant (i.e., cationic trimonium, dimonium) and/or polyquaternium material used in the composition is typically <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, and preferably, from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, and most preferably, from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, based on total weight of the composition, including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

When both trimonium and dimonium surfactant are used they are often used in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, and most preferably, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The antibacterial composition can also optionally include sunscreens and photostabilizers, provided that the type and amount of sunscreens and photostabilizers used do not affect the transparency of the composition. The sunscreens and photostabilizers for use include such materials as octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), ethylhexyl salicylate, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (Ensulizole), ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, available as Parsol MCX®, Avobenzene (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), available as Parsol <NUM>®,benzophenone-<NUM>, also known as oxybenzone and benzophenone-<NUM>, also known as sulisobenzone. Still others can inlcude bis-ethyl hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenol triazine, <NUM>-ethylhexyl-<NUM>-cyano3,<NUM>-diphenyl-<NUM>-propanoic acid, drometrizole trisiloxane, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethyl cyclohexyl <NUM>-hydroxybenzoate, <NUM>-ethylhexyl-<NUM>-hydroxybenzoate or combination thereof. Inorganic sunscreen actives may be employed such as microfine titanium dioxide (preferably with a particle diameter of less than <NUM> nanometers (nm), and most preferably, less than <NUM>) and zinc oxide may be used, polyethylene and various other polymers are also suitable sunscreens. Other sunscreens suitable for use include p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), octyldimethyl-PABA, <NUM>-ethoxyethyl p-methoxy cinnamate, benzophenone-<NUM>, benzophenone-<NUM>, benzophenone-<NUM>, benzophenone-<NUM>, benzophenone-<NUM>, benzophenone-<NUM>, homomethyl salicylate, menthyl anthranilate, benzophenone-<NUM>, triethanolamine salicylate, terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, bisoctriazole, bisethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, bisdisulizole disodium, diometriazole trisiloxane, octyltriazone, iscotrizinol, polysilicone-<NUM>, isopentenyl-<NUM>-methoxycinnamate, or a combination thereof. Octocrylene can also be used. Amounts of the sunscreen or photostabilizing agents when present can be <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>%, even more preferably, <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Desirably the optional skin benefit agents used in the antibacterial composition disclosed herein include niacinamide (vitamin B<NUM>), tocopherol (Vitamin E), aloe vera, alpha-hydroxy acids and esters, beta-hydroxy acids and esters, hydroxyethyl urea, polyhydroxy acids and esters, creatine, hydroquinone, t-butyl hydroquinone, mulberry, hyaluronic acid and salts thereof (including, but not limited to, Na+ and K+ salts of the same), extract, liquorice extract, resorcinol derivatives, or a combination thereof. Such skin benefits can include, but are not limited to, wound healing benefits like healing, dryness reduction, anti-sallowing, etc. For example, the skin benefit agent can be sodium hyaluronate. Such benefit agents, including sodium hyaluronate can be present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>%, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>%, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>%, and for example, <NUM>% by weight, based on total weight of the antibacterial composition and including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Further optional water-soluble skin benefit agents include acids, such as amino acids like arginine, valine, histidine, lysine, aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, proline, glycine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, or phenylalanine. Other vitamins can be used such as vitamin B<NUM>, picolinamide, panthenol (vitamin B<NUM>), vitamin B<NUM>, vitamin C, a combination thereof or the like. Derivatives (generally meaning something that has developed or been obtained from something else), and especially, water soluble derivatives of such vitamins can also be employed. For instance, vitamin C derivatives such as ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl glycoside may be used alone or in combination with each other. Niacinamide derivatives such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) may be used alone or in combination with each other. Other skin benefit agents that can be used include <NUM>-ethyl resorcinol, extracts like sage, aloe vera, green tea, sugar cane, citrus, grapeseed, thyme, chamomile, yarrow, cucumber, liquorice, rosemary extract, or a combination thereof. Electrolytes such as NaCl and/or KCI, MgCl<NUM> may also be used. The total amount of optional water-soluble benefit agents (including mixtures) when present in the composition disclosed herein can be <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>%, and most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, based on total weight of the antibacterial composition and including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

It is also within the scope of the antibacterial composition to optionally include oil soluble benefit agents. Illustrative examples of the types of oil soluble benefit agents that can optionally be used in the antibacterial composition disclosed herein include components like stearic acid, vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K (and their oil soluble derivatives).

Other optional oil soluble benefit agents for use include resorcinols and resorcinol derivatives like <NUM>-hexyl resorcinol, <NUM>-phenylethyl resorcinol, <NUM>-cyclopentyl resorcinol, <NUM>-cyclohexyl resorcinol <NUM>-isopropyl resorcinol or a combination thereof. Also, <NUM>-substituted resorcinols like <NUM>-cyclohexyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, combination thereof or the like may be used. The <NUM>-substituted resorcinols and their synthesis are described in commonly assigned <CIT>.

Even other oil soluble benefit agents that can be used include omega-<NUM> fatty acids, omega-<NUM> fatty acids, climbazole, magnolol, honokiol, farnesol, ursolic acid, myristic acid, geranyl geraniol, oleyl betaine, cocoyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, hexanoyl sphingosine, <NUM>-hydroxystearic acid, petroselinic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, terpineol, thymol essential components, the dissolution auxiliary selected from limonene, pinene, camphene, cymene, citronellol, citronellal, geraniol, nerol, linalool, rhodinol, borneol, isoborneol, menthone, camphor, safrole, isosafrole, eugenol, isoeugenol, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, neem oil, lemon grass oil, orange oil, bergamot oil, or a combination thereof.

Another optional oil soluble benefit agent that may be used is a retinoic acid precursor. The retinoic acid precursor can be retinol, retinal, retinyl ester, retinyl propionate, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate or a combination thereof. Retinyl propionate, retinyl palmitate and combinations thereof are typically preferred. Still another retinoic acid precursor for use is hydroxyanasatil retinoate made commercially available under the name Retextra® as supplied by Molecular Design International. The same may be used in a combination with any of the oil soluble benefit agents described herein.

When an optional (i.e., <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight) oil soluble benefit agent is used in the antibacterial composition, it typically is present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>%, and for example, <NUM> to <NUM>%, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the total weight of the end use composition, including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Film forming agents may be used in the antibacterial compositions. While optional, such agents can aid with the composition adhering to the surface to which it is applied. Film forming agents include those having hydrophilic properties and they include materials comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), acrylates, acrylamides, and copolymers thereof. Deposition agents like organosiloxanes and polyquaternium-<NUM> (Merquat™ S Polymer from Lubrizol) may also be used. When used, such agents make up from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Other optional components that can be used in the composition are anti-mosquito agents like eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), a combination thereof or the like. Even other ingredients which may be used include octopirox (piroctone), zinc pyrithione, chloroxylenol, triclosan, cetylpyridinium chloride as well as silver compounds including silver oxide, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, carbonate, acetate, benzoate, a combination thereof or the like. If used, these other components typically make up from <NUM> to <NUM>%, and preferably, from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Optionally, preservatives can be used in the antibacterial composition disclosed herein. When used, illustrative preservatives for use include sodium benzoate, iodopropynyl butyl carbamate, phenoxyethanol, hydroxyacetophenone, ethylhexylglycerine, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium dehydroacetate, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin and benzyl alcohol or a combination thereof. Other preservatives suitable for use include sodium dehydroacetate, chlorophenesin and decylene glycol. Preservatives are preferably employed in amounts of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the total weight of antibacterial composition, including all values and ranges subsumed therein. Also preferred is a preservative system with hydroxyacetophenone alone or in a mixture with other preservatives.

Fragrances, fixatives, opacifiers (like titanium dioxide or glycol distearate), chelating agents may optionally be included in the antibacterial composition. Possible chelating agents include, but are not limited to, ethylyene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylene diamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), pentasodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, trisodium N-(hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetracetate, an acid form of EDTA, sodium thiocynate, trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate and phytic acid, preferably wherein the chelating agent is ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylene diamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), or a combination thereof. Each of these substances may be present in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM>%, preferably, about <NUM> to about <NUM>% by weight of the total weight of the antibacterial composition, including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

Another optional additive desirable for use includes hemp oil with <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight cannabigerol and/or cannabidiol at from <NUM> to <NUM> percent by weight. When used, such oil makes up <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition, and preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the antibacterial composition, if used, including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

To adjust antibacterial spray composition viscosity, it is within the scope of the compositions to optionally include small amounts of thickening agents. Optional for use are thickeners classified as polysaccharides. Examples include fibers, starches, natural/synthetic gums and cellulosics. Representative of the starches are chemically modified starches such as sodium hydroxypropyl starch phosphate and aluminum starch octenylsuccinate. Tapioca starch is often preferred, as is maltodextrin. Gums include xanthan, tara, sclerotium, pectin, karaya, arabic, agar, guar (including Acacia senegal guar), carrageenan, alginate and combinations thereof. Cellulosics include hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (e.g., BENECEL™ E10M by Ashland), ethylcellulose, sodium carboxy methylcellulose (cellulose gum/carboxymethyl cellulose) and cellulose (e.g., cellulose microfibrils, cellulose nanocrystals or microcrystalline cellulose). Sources of cellulose microfibrils include secondary cell wall materials (e.g., wood pulp, cotton), bacterial cellulose, and primary cell wall materials. Preferably the source of primary cell wall material is selected from parenchymal tissue from fruits, roots, bulbs, tubers, seeds, leaves and combination thereof; more preferably is selected from citrus fruit, tomato fruit, peach fruit, pumpkin fruit, kiwi fruit, apple fruit, mango fruit, sugar beet, beet root, turnip, parsnip, maize, oat, wheat, peas and combinations thereof; and even more preferably is selected from citrus fruit, tomato fruit and combinations thereof. A most preferred source of primary cell wall material is parenchymal tissue from citrus fruit. Citrus fibers, such as those made available by Herbacel® as AQ Plus can also be used as source for cellulose microfibrils. The cellulose sources can be surface modified by any of the known methods including those described in <NPL>.

Other thickening agents that can be included can comprise a hydrophobically modified crosspolymer. Synthetic polymers are effective thickening agents. Possible thickening agents includes crosslinked polyacrylates such as the carbomers like ASHLAND™ <NUM> carbomers (cross linked polymer of acrylic acid), acrylate copolymers, acrylates/ acrylate (C<NUM>-C<NUM>) alkyl acrylate crosspolymers such as the Carbopol® line like Ultrez20 and ETD2020 commercially available from Lubrizol with an INCI name of acrylates/C10-<NUM> alkyl acrylate crosspolymer. Still other polymers from Lubrizol Carbopol® line can include Ultrez <NUM>, Ultrez <NUM> and the like. Polyacrylamides such as Sepigel® <NUM> and taurate copolymers such as Simulgel® EG and Aristoflex® AVC, the copolymers being identified by respective INCI nomenclature as sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate and acryloyl dimethyltaurate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer. Still other thickening polymers can include synthetic polymers such as an acrylate-based polymer made commercially available by Seppic and sold under the name Simulgel INS100. Calcium carbonate, fumed silica, and magnesium-aluminum-silicate may also be used.

The amounts of the thickening agent, when used, may range from <NUM> to <NUM>%, by weight of the antibacterial composition. Maltodextrin, xanthan gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose are the often preferred thickening agents. Other thickening agents often desired are dilinoleyl/dimethyl carbonate copolymer, stearyl alkonium hectorite, cetyl (cetearyl, stearyl) fatty alcohols, tara gum, polyquaternium <NUM> and/or <NUM>, pentaerythrityl tetrastearate or a combination thereof.

The antibacterial composition can optionally contain an emulsifier. The emulsifier may be selected from the group consisting of those with a C<NUM>-C<NUM> fatty alcohol or acid hydrophobe condensed with about <NUM> to about <NUM> moles of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe; C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl phenols condensed with <NUM> to <NUM> moles of alkylene oxide; mono- and di-fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol; f; sorbitan, mono- and di- C<NUM>-C<NUM> fatty acids; and polyoxyethylene sorbitan, or a combination thereof. Alkyl polyglycosides and saccharide fatty amides (e.g., methyl gluconamides) can also be used as nonionic emulsifiers.

Preferred emulsifiers typically have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>, and most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>, including all ranges subsumed therein. e.g., nonionic emulsifier can include polysorbate <NUM> (Tween <NUM>), polyoxyethylene (<NUM>) sorbitan monooleate (Tween <NUM>). When present, the emulsifier can be present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM>% by weight including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

The antibacterial composition can additionally contain a neutralizing agent such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, triethanolamine, ammonium, arginine, tromethamine, aminomethyl propanol sold as AMP <NUM>, AMP-Ultra PC1000, AMP-Ultra PC2000, AMP-Ultra PC3000 by Angus, tetrahydroxylpropyl ethylenediamine also known as Neutrol TE from BASF, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, or a combination thereof. The neutralizing agent can be present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight including all values and ranges subsumed therein.

As to packaging, the antibacterial composition, can be packaged in a spray bottle, squeeze bottle, or provided as an impregnating wetting agent on cotton swab, wipe, towelette, cosmetic substrate sheet (like those described in <CIT>) or the like. As the viscosity is increased with thickening agent, the antibacterial composition gels and may be provided to consumers in a squeeze bottle as a gel composition. The spray bottle may also be metal, and the antibacterial composition may be provided via conventional aerosol packaging technologies and including those which utilize air-in-bag discharging cannisters, mechanisms and actuators. It is also within the scope of the antibacterial composition to include foaming agents (e.g., zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactants) so that the antibacterial composition can be discharged as a foam.

The antibacterial composition should be supplied with instructions to apply (e.g., squeeze or spray) the composition on to a surface, like skin, for bacteria kill and viral activity reduction. The antibacterial composition can be provided for in biodegradable packaging and the packaging used is preferably refillable or reusable, biodegradable, and/or at least <NUM>%, and preferably, at least <NUM>% made from post-consumer recycled resin. The antibacterial composition can be in the form of a liquid or a gel, preferably the antibacterial composition is in the form of a liquid, e.g., a liquid spray antibacterial composition.

Skin, as used herein, is meant to include skin on the arms (including underarms), face, feet, neck, chest, hands, legs, buttocks and scalp (including hair). Sanitizing as used herein means a bacteria log kill of at least <NUM> and a viral log inactivation of at least <NUM> (both achieved), preferably a bacteria log kill of at least <NUM> and a viral log inactivation of at least in less than <NUM> minutes after topical application to a surface. Combination, as used herein means, total weight, e.g., of cetrimonium chloride plus benzalkonium chloride. Skin benefit agent means an ingredient suitable to improve a skin characteristic. Surface as used herein includes skin or the surface of an inanimate object such as a tabletop, computer monitor, doorknob, toilet seat, shopping cart handle or even a clothing garment. Surface is also meant to include the coat of an animal such as the fur on a dog and cat. As used herein, surface preferably means human skin, and especially, skin on the face and hands.

The antibacterial composition can be a home care composition like a laundry spray composition suitable to spray clothing and upholstery requiring sanitizing. The home care composition can also be an antibacterial kitchen or bathroom spray composition. Preferably, the antibacterial composition is a topical composition to apply to skin for sanitizing by significantly reducing the amount of bacteria and viruses on the skin. The composition may optionally comprise skin benefit ingredients added thereto such as emollients, vitamins and/or derivatives thereof, resorcinols, retinoic acid precursors, colorants, moisturizers or humectants, fragrances, sunscreens, a combination thereof or the like as previously described herein. The skin benefit ingredients may be water or oil soluble.

The antibacterial composition, therefore, is a hydroalcoholic based composition with a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>, and the composition is water/alcohol continuous. Viscosity, as used herein, is taken either with a Brookfield viscometer using Spindle <NUM> at <NUM> rpm or with a Discovery HR-<NUM> Rheometer using sand blasted plates having a <NUM> micron gap and a first shear rate SA of <NUM>-<NUM> for a first viscosity VA and a second shear rate SB of <NUM>-<NUM> for a second viscosity VB, both at <NUM> and <NUM> second interval.

Several units are known to be used in the context of viscosity, but the ones used more often are centipoise (cP), Pascal seconds (Pa*s) and millipascal seconds (mPa*s) and these units are easily interconvertible with the help of publicly available resources like textbooks, encyclopaedias and the internet. In still another embodiment, the composition is a non-therapeutic and non-medicinal composition which is a hydroalcoholic solution having a viscosity under <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (cP) (<NUM> Pa*s), preferably having a viscosity under <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> Pa*s), preferably having a viscosity of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s), more preferably having a viscosity of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s).

Typically, the viscosity of the antibacterial composition will be under <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> Pa*s).

Often the viscosity of the antibacterial composition will be <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s), and preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s), more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s), and still more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa*s (<NUM> to <NUM> Pa*s), including all ranges subsumed therein.

The antibacterial compositions can be made by any method of making an antibacterial composition. In one embodiment, a method of making the antibacterial composition can include the following: combining the sensory oil and a humectant to form a first phase.

Water is then combined with the alcohol to form a second phase. The first and second phases are then combined to form a third phase. A neutralizer is added to the third phase, thereby forming the antibacterial composition.

The following examples are merely illustrative of the antibacterial compositions disclosed herein and are not intended to limit the scope hereof.

Samples <NUM> and <NUM> are examples demonstrating compositions of the antibacterial compositions disclosed herein.

The level of alcohol present in the antibacterial composition can be adjusted based upon the purity percentage of the alcohol. For example, the ethanol purity should preferably be <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w such that if using ethanol with a purity of <NUM>%, the ethanol can be used in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, for example, <NUM>% by weight.

Table <NUM> shows oils that can be used in the antibacterial compositions to design a clear and quick drying hand sanitizer spray formulation with a non-tacky feel. The examples are not meant to limit the materials that can be used but merely to illustrate oil type and level selected based on three criteria. The oils that are preferred for use are oils that have greater than <NUM>% solubility in at least a <NUM>/<NUM> EtOH/Water blend reflective of good solubility in formulation shown in Sample <NUM>. Furthermore, the oil must be liquid at room temperature so that once left behind as a film, the composition does not impart any negative feel. Finally, the preferred oil must itself not have solvency for water such that during application and on drying as the ethanol and water evaporate, the water is also allowed to quickly evaporate leaving behind only the oil and any skin benefit actives/moisturizers if present. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that when a hand sanitizer formulation with preferred oils as disclosed herein is applied to the skin and as the water and ethanol evaporate, if the oil possesses good solubilizing capacity for water, this will delay evaporation and drive towards an undesirable slower drying and tackier feel.

Demonstrated in Table <NUM> are examples of oils that satisfy and do not satisfy the three criteria, which include: (<NUM>) oil must be liquid; (<NUM>) oil must be soluble in at least a <NUM>/<NUM>.

EtOH/Water mixture; (<NUM>) oil must have no solvency for water and thus, are desirable for use in the disclosed antibacterial compositions.

The composition of Sample <NUM> was used for testing of moisturization, resilience wound healing testing, and melanin content.

Moisturization was measured with visual measurements (dryness and erythema) and instrumental hydration assessments with a Skicon and Corneometer. Measurements were obtained at a baseline, <NUM> hours, <NUM> hours, <NUM> hours, and <NUM> hours after a single controlled product application.

As can be seen from the data, the sanitizer made with the composition of Sample <NUM> showed improvements in hydration compared to the baseline at all time points. The sanitizer made with the composition of Sample <NUM> was also superior in hydration compared to the untreated control sites.

Sample <NUM> was tested and compared to Samples <NUM> and <NUM>. Formulations for Samples <NUM> to <NUM> are displayed in Table <NUM>. Samples <NUM> and <NUM> were untreated skin to which no sanitizing composition was applied.

Participants were entered into a <NUM>-day conditioning phase where they were instructed to use DOVE® white soap bar for all general bathing and showering including the test sites (forearms). Participants were asked to refrain from using any additional products on the test areas during the study and from shaving within two days prior to or during the product application and assessment phase. Participants were also instructed to show at least <NUM> hours prior to a study.

At the baseline visit, participants with visual dryness scores of <NUM> to <NUM> and erythema scores ≤<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> scale) on each site on the volar forearms with a difference in grades not exceeding ± <NUM> between adjacent sites or <NUM> unit overall were enrolled in the product application phase. A total of eight test sites (<NUM> × <NUM>) were randomly assigned to either the right or left volar forearm within a participant. The treatment sites were balanced across all sites on the volar forearm via a carry-over latin square design.

Prior to the product application phase, baseline assessments were obtained for Visual assessment of dryness and erythema by an expert visual assessor and instrumental assessment of hydration (Skicon: conductance, Corneometer: capacitance). Following baseline measurements, study personnel made a single controlled product application. The product application procedure is described as follows:
Study personnel dispensed <NUM> of the test product to the test site using a repeating pipette. Using gloved fingers, the test product was thoroughly rubbed onto the assigned test site in a circular motion until the site was completely wet. The site was then allowed to air dry.

Two test sites were left untreated on each subject, which form Samples <NUM> and <NUM>.

Visual assessment of dryness, Corneometer, and Skicon measurements were then obtained at <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> hours (± <NUM> minutes), and <NUM> hours (± <NUM> minutes) post application. Participants acclimated for a minimum of <NUM> minutes prior to assessments in a room maintained at <NUM>°F to <NUM>°F (<NUM> to <NUM>) and <NUM>% to <NUM>% relative humidity. One trained evaluator performed all visual evaluations during the treatment phase. More than one trained operator per instrument was used to collect instrument readings.

Visual dryness analysis was completed using simple pairwise non-parametric methods (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test with Pratt-Lehman adjustment), for example assessing within-product Change from Baseline (CFB) or assessing the difference in CFB for pairs of products.

For instrumental data, within each product/untreated site, each evaluation timepoint was compared to baseline using a paired t-test, <NUM>-tailed, at <NUM>% confidence level. Between-treatment analyses for instrumental measurements applied a single linear model at each timepoint (with CFB as the outcome variable, BL as a covariate and PRODUCT as the effect of interest) comparing all products to all others. CFB for each product, and also all product comparisons were conducted for all comparisons of interest.

No visual erythema was observed during the study for any of the Samples or untreated site.

During hydration assessment with the Corneometer, Samples <NUM> to <NUM> were evaluated. As seen from Table <NUM>, Samples <NUM> and <NUM> showed either no change from the baseline or worsening Corneometer levels at all timepoints after application. Sample <NUM> showed improvement at all timepoints after one application.

As can be seen from Table <NUM>, Sample <NUM> showed a statistically significant increase in hydration by the Corneometer at all timepoints. Samples <NUM> and <NUM> showed a statistically significant increase in hydration by the Corneometer at the <NUM>-hour timepoint. "BL" in Table <NUM> refers to baseline. Baseline is the starting point for measurements.

As seen in Table <NUM>, Sample <NUM>, the inventive sample showed a significant increase in hydration by Skicon at all time points and Samples <NUM> and <NUM> showed a slight increase in hydration at all time points.

In this example, various combinations of benefit agents were tested for resilience wound healing and barrier repair. For wound healing assessments, cells were grown to <NUM>% confluency and treated with bioactives for <NUM> to <NUM> hours. Post treatment, a scratch was created on the cell and closure of the wound was monitored after <NUM> hours of incubation. Closure of the scratch area was calculated as a % closure of the wound. Microscopic images were captured at a magnification of 4x and the open wound area measurements were analyzed using the software CellSens. Wound closure in percentage = (mean of the readings of the open wound area at (t=<NUM>) - mean of the readings of the open wound area at (t=<NUM>) / mean of the readings at (t=<NUM>)) *<NUM>. Table <NUM> lists the results from the wound healing assay.

As can be seen in Table <NUM>, a significant improvement was observed in wound healing with the combination of Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Sodium Hyaluronate, a statistically significant improvement compared to Vitamin B3 or Vitamin E.

In this example, a melanin content assay was performed to determine the inhibition or melanin reduction found with various combinations of benefit actives as seen in Table <NUM>. In this Example, cells were grown for <NUM> hours and treated with bioactives and incubated for <NUM> hours. Post treatment, the cells were lysed and absorbance measured at <NUM>. The lysate was transferred to a fresh <NUM>-well clear flat bottom plate and an original diameter was measured at <NUM> using a FlexStation <NUM> reader. (% reduction in melanin content was measured by taking the mean absorbance value of the control - the mean absorbance value of the treated cells / the mean absorbance value of the control) *<NUM>.

In this melanin content assay, <NUM>-Hexyl resorcinol @ <NUM> micromolar gives ~<NUM>% inhibition (benchmark). It is generally considered in a melanin content assay that any inhibition above ~<NUM>% was be considered as significant. Thus, as can be seen from Table <NUM>, the combination of Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, and Aloe Vera at both levels of Vitamin E showed significant inhibition in melanin content. Additionally, the combination of Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Sodium Hyaluronate showed significant inhibition in melanin content.

In the absence of explicitly stating otherwise, all ranges described herein are meant to include all ranges subsumed therein. As used herein, except where explicitly described, substantially free of means less than <NUM>% by weight. Antimicrobial benefits mean at least a log kill of <NUM>, preferably at least a log kill of <NUM>, in under <NUM> minutes, or even <NUM> seconds whereby antimicrobial assessment is measured via ASTM International standard method E2783-<NUM> (Reapproved <NUM>) which sets forth the procedure for measuring antimicrobial activity for water miscible compounds using a time kill procedure. Viral (or virus) inactivation is determined by assessing the impact of microbiocides against viruses as set forth in ASTM International standard method <NUM>-<NUM>. The term comprising is meant to encompass the terms consisting essentially of and consisting of. For the avoidance of doubt, and for illustration, a composition comprising water, cationic surfactant and preservative is meant to include a composition consisting essentially of the same and a composition consisting of the same.

Except where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about. " All amounts are by weight of the final composition, unless otherwise specified.

It should be noted that in specifying any range of concentration or amount, any particular upper concentration can be associated with any particular lower concentration or amount as well as any subranges consumed therein. In that regard, it is noted that all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other (e.g., ranges of "up to <NUM>% by weight, or, more specifically, <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight, in inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight, etc.). "Combination is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms "a" and "an" and "the" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The suffix "(s)" as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term it modifies, thereby including one or more of the term (e.g., the film(s) includes one or more films). Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment", "one aspect", "another embodiment", "another aspect", "an embodiment", "an aspect" and so forth means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other embodiments or aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments or aspects.

While particular aspects have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.

For the avoidance of doubt the word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of. " In other words, the listed steps, options, or alternatives need not be exhaustive.

Claim 1:
A transparent antibacterial composition, comprising:
water;
ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, or a combination thereof;
a humectant; and
a sensory oil; wherein the sensory oil must be liquid at room temperature, the sensory oil must be soluble in at least <NUM>/<NUM> EtOH/Water, and the sensory oil must have no solvency for water; and wherein the water is present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight and wherein the alcohol is present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight.