Patent Description:
Antimicrobial personal care compositions are known in the art. Especially useful are antimicrobial cleansing compositions, which typically are used to cleanse the skin and to kill bacteria and other microorganisms present on the skin, especially the hands, arms, and face of the user.

Antimicrobial compositions are used, for example, in the health care industry; long term care, hospitality and health/exercise facilities; food service industry, meat processing industry, and in the private sector by individual consumers. The use of antimicrobial compositions is recognized as an important factor in controlling bacteria and other microorganism populations on skin to reduce the potential spread of illnesses, particularly in healthcare and food service environments. It is important, however, that the antimicrobial compositions provide a substantial and broad spectrum reduction in microorganism populations quickly and without problems associated with toxicity or skin irritation.

In particular, antimicrobial cleansing compositions typically contain an active antimicrobial agent, an anionic surfactant for cleansing and foam generation, skin conditioning agents for cosmetic effects, dyes, perfumes, and optional thickening agents, such as clays, polymers, cellulosic derivatives, or colloids, for aesthetic effects, all in an aqueous carrier.

Several different classes of antimicrobial agents have been used in antimicrobial cleansing compositions. These include active ingredients selected from the following classes: phenolic compounds, carbanalide compounds, lower alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Each of these classes has their own unique advantages and challenges. Examples of specific antimicrobial agents include PCMX (para-chlorometa xylenol), triclosan, triclocarban, benzyl alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), iodine and iodine complexes and biguanides (e.g., chlorhexidine digluconate). At this time triclosan is the dominant antimicrobial active ingredient in the U. dermal antiseptic cleanser market.

Although there is an increasing consumer demand for products which have both an activity against bacteria and other microorganisms, there is an even greater demand to fulfill the consumer's expectations with regard to their level of concern with certain biocides such as triclocarban and triclosan.

Triclosan is disfavored as an antimicrobial agent due to environmental persistence and health concerns due to the possible formation of intermediate and/or environmental by products. Thus, a need exists for an efficacious antimicrobial personal care composition which is substantially free of biocides such as triclocarban and triclosan but that still provides adequate foam volume during wash and foam structure leading to dense, rigid and stable foam desired by consumers and is also mild to the skin. The present invention is directed to such antimicrobial compositions.

The above-mentioned disadvantages of current antimicrobial compositions are addressed by the present invention.

The document <CIT> discloses antimicrobial foaming compositions comprising the following active ingredients:.

The document <CIT> relates to an antimicrobial composition, in particular a liquid hand soap, which has a proper balance of ingredients for providing a high cleansing ability, high foam, good conditioning and a pleasant emollient effect on the skin. The composition includes <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % of a cationic antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of lauric arginate and benzalkonium chloride, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % of two or more non-ionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of glucoside alkyl ethers and poloxamers, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % of an amine oxide and one or more preservatives selected from the group consisting of phenoxyethanol, ethylhexyl glycerine, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol and mixtures thereof.

The document in particular discloses in Table <NUM>, Example <NUM> a cationic antimicrobial handwash comprising:.

A further document <NPL>, <NPL>) discloses a foaming hand sanitiser (manufactured by Procter & Gamble) which eliminates <NUM> % of germs in as little as <NUM> seconds. Enriched with vitamin E and natural fruit extracts, the foam is said to moisturise the skin whilst killing germs.

In accordance with the present invention, a composition that has superior aesthetic attributes, broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy and is also mild to skin is provided. The antimicrobial composition comprises a cationic active ingredient, a cationic compatible surfactant which may encompass nonionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants; a foam boosting agent, a foam structure enhancing agent, skin conditioning agents, which may include emollients, humectants, vitamins, antioxidants; and water as set out in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are set out in dependent claims. The present antimicrobial compositions are substantially free of the antimicrobial agent triclosan (i.e., <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>'-trichloro-<NUM>'hydroxy-diphenylether) and anionic surfactants and have rapid cidal efficacy. The compositions also provide stable yet free-rinsing foam and may optionally contain ingredients to increase skin compatibility and skin health.

As used herein, weight percent (wt. %), percent by weight, % by weight, and the like are synonyms that refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by <NUM>.

As used herein, the quantity of an ingredient in the compositions of the invention or employed in the methods of the invention may vary in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and the like. Amounts may differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture.

As used herein, the term "cationic active" is defined as the ingredient that provides antimicrobial cidal activity.

As used herein, the term "cationically compatible" means a component that does not cause an insoluble complex with the cationic active agent and/or does not substantially reduce the antimicrobial action of the cationic active agent.

As used herein, the term "skin conditioning agent" is defined as the ingredient or ingredients that improve or maintain the health of the skin and/or post wash aesthetic feel.

The term "alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a linear or branched C<NUM>-C<NUM> carbon chain.

The term "microbial" or "microbial population" refers to bacterial, fungal, yeast, or viral population or combinations thereof or any mixture thereof in a laboratory or natural setting.

The term rapid cidal efficacy refers to ≥<NUM> log kill in up to <NUM> seconds in the in vitro time kill test ASTM E <NUM>.

The term "surfactant" or "surface active agent" refers to an organic chemical that when added to a liquid changes the properties of that liquid at a surface or interface.

"Cleansing" means to perform or aid in soil removal, bleaching, microbial population reduction, rinsing, or combination thereof.

As used herein, the term "free" refers to compositions completely lacking the component or having such a small amount of the component that the component does not affect the effectiveness of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or as a contaminant and shall be less than <NUM> wt. % and in yet another embodiment, the amount of component is less than <NUM> wt.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing "a compound" includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The term "actives" or "percent actives" or "percent by weight actives" or "actives concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refers to the concentration of those ingredients involved in cleansing expressed as a percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salts. Note that percentages reported in the examples section only are total percentages of components as received from commercial vendors and in those tables, do include inert ingredients such as water or salts.

As used herein, the term "substantially free" refers to compositions completely lacking the component or having such a small amount of the component that the component does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as a minor constituent and/or impurity or contaminant and shall be less than <NUM> wt-%.

As used herein, the terms "triclosan free" or "free of triclosan" refers to a composition, mixture, or ingredients that do not contain triclosan (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>'-trichloro-<NUM>'hydroxy-diphenylether) or triclosan containing compounds or to which the same has not been added. Should triclosan or triclosan containing compounds be present through contamination of a composition, mixture, or ingredients, the amount of the same shall be less than <NUM> wt. % and in a preferred embodiment, the amount is less than <NUM> wt.

The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition that exhibits rapid cidal antimicrobial efficacy and excellent foaming attributes. The antimicrobial composition comprises a cationic active ingredient, a cationic compatible surfactant which may encompass nonionic, amphoteric, or cationic surfactants, a foam boosting agent, a foam structure enhancing agent, a skin conditioning agent and water. The present antimicrobial compositions are free of the antimicrobial agent triclosan (i.e., <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>'-trichloro-<NUM>'hydroxy-diphenylether) and anionic surfactants, have rapid cidal efficacy and provide adequate foam volume during wash and foam structure that leads to dense, rigid and stabile foam and also contain ingredients to increase skin compatibility and skin health.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention an antimicrobial composition is provided for reducing the microbial population on dermal tissue, the antimicrobial composition comprising: (a) <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, of one or more cationic actives; (b) <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, of one or more cationic compatible surfactants (c) <NUM>% to <NUM>% of one or more foam boosting agents (d) <NUM>% to <NUM>% of one or more foam structure enhancing agents (e) <NUM>% to <NUM>% of one or more skin conditioning agents, and (f) water or other suitable diluent, wherein the composition is substantially free of triclosan, anionic surfactants, cocamide DEA, betaine based surfactants, triclosan, p-chloro-m-xylenol, and iodide.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention an antimicrobial composition is provided for reducing microbial population on dermal tissue which is stable and has a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>. The present composition also exhibits excellent esthetic properties during the wash process, providing adequate foam volume and foam structure that leads to dense, rigid and stabile foam and ingredients to increase skin compatibility and health. Moreover, the composition may exhibit reduced tissue irritancy potential.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention personal use products are provided based on an antimicrobial composition of the present invention, for example, a skin cleanser, a surgical scrub, a hand sanitizer, a disinfectant, and the like.

A further aspect of the present invention is a foaming antimicrobial dermal cleanser composition for use in a method of reducing gram positive and/or gram negative bacteria populations on mammalian tissue, including human tissue, by contacting the tissue, like the dermis, with a composition of the present invention for a sufficient time, such as <NUM> seconds to <NUM> minutes, to reduce the bacteria level to a desired level.

The following illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention.

One or more cationic actives is present in an antimicrobial composition for reducing microbial population on the dermal tissue of a mammal of the present invention in an amount of <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, and preferably <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, and more preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % of the composition.

The amount of antimicrobial agent in the composition is related to the end use of the composition. The amount of antimicrobial agent is sufficient in the compositions of the invention to achieve a microbial kill in a short contact time, for example, <NUM> to <NUM> seconds.

Cationic active ingredients are an antimicrobial agent useful in the present invention. The cationic active ingredients are substances based on nitrogen centered cationic moieties with net positive change. The cationic active ingredients are preferably selected from the group consisting of cationic polymers, cationic surfactants, cationic monomers, cationic silicon compounds, cationic derivatized protein hydrolyzates and betaines with at least one cationic or cationically-active group.

Suitable cationic active ingredients contain quaternary ammonium groups. Suitable cationic active ingredients especially include those of the general formula:.

wherein R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> independently of each other represent alkyl groups, aliphatic groups, aromatic groups, alkoxy groups, polyoxyalkylene groups, alkylamido groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, aryl groups, H+ ions, each with from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, with the provision that at least one of the groups R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> has at least eight carbon atoms and wherein X(-) represents an anion, for example, a halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrate or alkyl sulfate, preferably a chloride. The aliphatic groups can also contain cross-linking or other groups, for example additional amino groups, in addition to the carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Particular cationic active ingredients include, for example, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC, or benzalkonium chloride), alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, N, N-bis-(<NUM>-aminopropyl) dodecylamine, chlorhexidine gluconate, a salt of chlorhexidene gluconate, PHMB (polyhexamethylene biguanide), salt of a biguanide, a substituted biguanide derivative, an organic salt of a quaternary ammonium containing compound or an inorganic salt of a quaternary ammonium containing compound or mixtures thereof.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, a present antimicrobial composition is substantially free of triclosan. The phrase "substantially free" of triclosan is defined as meaning that the composition contains <NUM>% to less than <NUM> % by weigth, in total, of triclosan. In particular, triclosan may be present in an antimicrobial composition either as a by-product or as a component of an ingredient in the composition, but triclosan is not intentionally introduced into the composition.

The present antimicrobial composition also contains one or more cationic compatible surfactants. Such surfactants include nonionic, amphoteric or cationic surfactants. The one or more cationic compatible surfactants is present in an amount of <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % preferably <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, and more preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % of the composition. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the surfactant component comprises less than <NUM> wt. % of the composition.

The amount of cationic compatible surfactant present in the composition is related to the amount of the cationic active in the composition, the identity of the cationic compatible surfactant, and the end use of the composition.

Suitable cationic compatible surfactants include compounds that functions as a primary cleansing and foaming ingredients, they can be (a) nonionic surfactants (b) amphoteric surfactants, or (c) cationic surfactants, or mixtures thereof. The formulation is essentially free of anionic surfactants.

Examples of nonionic surfactants include amine oxide surfactants, which may be: alkyl di(C<NUM>-C<NUM>) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has <NUM>-<NUM>, and preferably <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples of such compounds include lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, and those in which the alkyl group is a mixture of different amine oxide, dimethyl cocoamine oxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide, and myristyl/palmityl dimethyl amine oxide; alkyl di(hydroxy C<NUM>-C<NUM>) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has <NUM>-<NUM>, and preferably <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples of such compounds include bis(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, bis(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl) tallowamine oxide; and bis(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide; alkylamidopropyl di(C<NUM>-C<NUM>) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has <NUM>-<NUM>, and preferably <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples of such compounds include cocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide and tallowamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide; and alkylmorpholine oxides in which the alkyl group has <NUM>-<NUM>, and preferably <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Particularly preferred are alkyl amine oxides in which the alkyl group has <NUM>-<NUM>, and preferably has <NUM> carbon atoms, which are preferably saturated. Especially preferred is lauryl dimethyl amine oxide.

Additional nonionic surfactants include alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylate, monoalkonaolamide ethoxylates, sorbitan esters and their ethoxylated derivatives, ethoxylated fats and oils, amine ethoxylates, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide co -polymers, glycol esters, glycerol and polyglycerol esters, sucrose esters mono and polysaccharides surfactants, such as alkyl polyglucosides.

The antimicrobial composition can contain a nonionic surfactant component that includes a detersive amount of nonionic surfactant or a mixture of nonionic surfactants. Typically, a nonionic surfactant has a hydrophobic region, such as a long chain alkyl group or an alkylated aryl group, and a hydrophilic group comprising an ethoxy and/or other hydrophilic moieties.

The cationic compatible surfactant component can include a detersive amount of amphoteric surfactant or a mixture of amphoteric surfactants. Exemplary useful amphoteric surfactants include those which may be represented by the following general formula
<CHM>
in which, R represents a C<NUM> to C<NUM> alkyl group, and is preferably a C<NUM> to C<NUM> alkyl group, R<NUM> and R<NUM> independently represent a C<NUM> to C<NUM> alkyl group, is preferably --CH<NUM>CH<NUM>-- or-CH<NUM>CH<NUM>CH<NUM>--, and M may be any salt-forming anion which permits water solubility or water miscibility of the compound, e.g., chloride, bromide, methosulfate, ethosulfate, lactate, saccharinate, acetate or phosphate. Such compounds are presently commercially available, such as those marketed in the Tomamine Amphoteric series of amphoteric surfactants, ex. Air Products Inc.

Additional amphoteric surfactants that can be used includeimidiazolines and imidiazoline derivatives, betaine derivatives, amphoacetate derivatives, propionates, and mixtures thereof.

Exemplary betaine surfactants include those which may be represented by the general formula:
<CHM>
wherein R<NUM> is an alkyl group containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or the amido radical which may be represented by the following general formula:
<CHM>
wherein R is an alkyl group having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, a is an integer having a value of from <NUM> to <NUM> inclusive, and R2 is a C1-C4 alkylene group. Examples of such watersoluble betaine surfactants include dodecyl dimethyl betaine, as well as cocoamidopropylbetaine.

One or more amphoacetates such as sodium lauroamphoacetate, or diamphoacetates may also be used. Amphoacetates may be represented by the following general formula:
<CHM>
and, diamphoacetates may be represented by the following general formula:
<CHM>
wherein in both formulas, R represents an aliphatic group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, R<NUM> represents an aliphatic group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, but is preferably --CH<NUM>--, or-CH<NUM>CH<NUM>--, and M is a cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, or a substituted ammonium. Examples of such compounds include: sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphoacetate, and disodium cocoamphoacetate. In a preferred embodiment the composition is substantially free of sodium cocoamphoacetate and cocoamidoproyl hydroxysultaine which may reduce the antimicrobial activity of the cationic active compound.

In a preferred embodiment the composition is also substantially free of betaine based surfactants.

The surfactant component of the composition may also include a detersive amount of cationic surfactant or a mixture of cationic surfactants. Cationic surfactants that can be used in the antimicrobial composition include quaternized sugar-derived surfactants, quaternized polysaccharides, quaternized alkyl polysaccharides, alkoxylated amines, alkoxylated ether amines, and mixtures thereof. The amount of cationic compatible surfactant present in the composition is related to the amount of the cationic active in the composition, to the identity of the cationic surfactant, and the end use of the composition.

The cationic compatible surfactant may be a quaternized sugar-derived surfactant that is a quaternized alkyl polyglucoside or a polyquaternized alkyl polyglucoside.

The quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside is a naturally derived cationic surfactant from alkyl polyglucosides and has a sugar backbone. Quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides have the following representative formula:
<CHM>.

Wherein R<NUM> is an alkyl group having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and R<NUM> is CH<NUM>(CH<NUM>)n' where n' is an integer ranging from <NUM>-<NUM>. Examples of suitable quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides components which can be used in the cleansing compositions according to the present invention include those in which the R<NUM> alkyl moiety contains primarily <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms, the R<NUM> group is CH<NUM> and n is the degree of polymerization of <NUM>-<NUM>. Further examples of a suitable quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside include the antimicrobial and antifungal quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides described in <CIT> and <CIT>. Examples of commercially suitable quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides useful in cleansing compositions of the present invention include: Suga ®Quat TM <NUM> (primarily C<NUM> quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside), Suga ®Quat L <NUM> (primarily C<NUM> quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside), and Suga ®Quat S <NUM> (primarily C<NUM> quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside) available from Colonial Chemical, Inc. , located in South Pittsburg, TN. A polyquaternary alkyl polyglucoside is naturally derived from alkyl polyglucosides and has a sugar backbone. Polyquaternary alkyl polyglucosides have the following representative formula:
<CHM>.

Wherein R is an alkyl group having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and n is an integer ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. Examples of suitable polyquaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides which can be used in the compositions include those in which the R alkyl moiety contains from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment the quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside contains primarily <NUM>-<NUM> carbon atoms. Examples of commercially suitable poly quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides useful in cleansing compositions of the present invention include: Poly Suga ®Quat series of quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucosides, available from Colonial Chemical, Inc. , located in South Pittsburg, TN.

The compositions of the invention include a foam boosting agent comprising glyceryl caprylate/caprate. Suitable foam boosting agents are compounds that increase the volume of foam in the hand of a user. Specifically, for a foaming formulation to remain in the foam phase, bubbles in the foam must maintain their shape and volume without drainage. When drainage occurs, liquid from the outer portion or skin of the bubbles drains through the foam due to gravity and the bubbles cease to exist from the top down. As the foam volume decreases, the balance of the formulation begins pooling under the remaining foam as liquid until no more bubbles exist and liquid is all that remains.

The composition according to the present invention includes glyceryl caprylate/caprate which the inventors have identified as a foam boosting agent. The glyceryl caprylate/caprate foam boosting agent which may be present as a part of the foam boosting component, may be present in an amount of from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM> wt.

Foam structure enhancing agents are agents that change the physical foam structure including foam stability, bubble size, density and rigidity thereby imparting sensorial attributes during the washing process. Users may describe such sensorial attributes as lather, creaminess, cushion, and/or slip. According to the present invention the foam structure enhancing agent comprises PEG <NUM>, hexylene glycol, myristamide diisopropanolamide and phenoxyethanol.

An additional foam structure agent may be a linear, non-substituted high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, such as PEG <NUM> or greater, or PEG <NUM> or greater. The foam structure enhancing agents are present in the in an amount of from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % and more preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt.

Examples of other foam structure enhancing agents include an organic solvent, other than a short chain alcohol, typically soluble in both water and oil. Examples of foam structure enhancing agents according to the present invention include: polyols, such as glycerol (glycerin), propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol n-alkanols, ethylene glycol, other glycols, monooleate of ethoxylated glycerides (with <NUM> to <NUM> ethylene oxide units); esters, such as isopropyl myristate/palmitate, myristyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, lauryl lactate, amides, such as acetamide oleates such as triolein.

The foam structure enhancing agents constituent may also comprise at least one a fatty alkanolamide, examples of which include: cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, soyamide DEA, lauramide DEA, oleamide MIPA, stearamide MEA, myristamide MEA, lauramide MEA, capramide DEA, ricinoleamide DEA, myristamide DEA, stearamide DEA, oleylamide DEA, tallowamide DEA, lauramide MIPA, tallowamide MEA, isostearamide DEA, isostearamide MEA, and mixtures thereof. Alkanol amides may provide an ancillary thickening benefit as well. A preferred alkanol amide is diisopropanolamide, such as the Cola® liquid non DEA amides available from Colonial chemical which includes cocamide DIPA (diisopropanolamide), Soyamide DIPA, lauramide DIPA, or myristamide DIPA. In a preferred embodiment the composition is substantially free of DEA and/or MEA, such as in cocamide DEA.

Additional foam structure enhancing agents may include agents that modify slip during the hand washing process by helping the foam structure enhancing agents to flow more easily and more smoothly in the hand of a user. Examples of these agents may include; caprylyl glycol, ethylhexyl glycerine and phenoxyethanol. Phenoxyethanol is often recognized as a preservative; however, it was surprisingly found that it acted as an excellent foam structure enhancing agent.

According to the present invention the composition comprises a skin conditioning agent comprising one or more of glycerin, vitamin E acetate, methyl gluceth <NUM>, and hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. The composition can contain from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % of dermal adjuvants, preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % and more preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. Dermal adjuvants/skin conditioning agents generally include any substance which improves or maintains the health of the epidermis. Some examples include emollients, humectants, vitamins, antioxidants, skin nutrients, moisturizers and skin conditioners.

The composition can include emollients including dicaprylyl carbonate, dibutyl adipate, hexyl laurate, dicaprylyl ether, propylheptyl caprylate. Also included are ethoxylated natural and synthetic oils. Examples include C12-<NUM> alkyl benzoate, capric triglyceride, caprylic triglyceride, isopropyl myristrate, isopropyl palmitate, octyldodecanol, decyl oleate, cocoglycerides, ethylhexyl stearate, ceteraryl isononanoate, cetearyl ethyhexanonate, decyl cocoate, cetyl dimethicone, ethylhexyl palmitate, PPG-<NUM> stearyl ether, PPG-<NUM> stearyl ether, and PPG-<NUM> butyl ether.

These materials also may include derivatives of water soluble oils and waxes, ethoxylated fats and oils, lanolin ethoxylate; examples include mono-, di-, and triglycerides and butters and hydrogenated versions of seed and nut oils including palm oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, corn oil, soy bean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, meadowfoam seed oil, bilberry seed oil, watermelon seed oil, olive oil, cranberry, macadamia nut oil, argan oil, pomegranate oil, argan moraccan oil, blue berry oil, raspberry oil, walnut oil, pecan oil, peanut oil, bayberry oil, mango seed oil, Marula oil, castor oil, Shea butter, jojoba oil, hydrolyzed jojoba oil, Carnauba butter, Carnauba wax, castor isostearate succinate stearyl heptanoate, cetyl ricinoleate, oleyl frucate, sucrose monostearate, sucrose distearate, sucrose tristearate, sucrose tetrastearate, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, lanolin ethoxylate, low molecular weight polyethylene waxes, lower molecular weight polypropylene waxes, PEG-<NUM> glyceryl cocoate, PEG-<NUM> Glyceryl cocoate, PEG-<NUM> Glyceryl stearate, PEG-<NUM> Ricinoleate, PEG-<NUM> Raspberriate, Linear (otherwise known as bis) and Pendant versions of including hydroxyl terminated and methyl ether terminated; PEG- <NUM> to PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone (including: PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Methyl ether dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone), bis-PEG/PPG-<NUM>/<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG/PPG <NUM>/<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG/PPG <NUM>/<NUM> Butyl Ether Dimethicone, PEG/PPG <NUM>/<NUM> Dimethicone, PEG/PPG <NUM>/<NUM> Dimethicone.

Alkyl modified dimethicone (stearoxy dimethicone, behenoxy dimethicone, cetyl dimethicone, certeryl methicone C30-<NUM> Alkyl cetearyl dimethicone copolymer, C30-<NUM> Alkyl dimethicone, caprylyl methicone, PEG-<NUM> dimethicone/dimer dilinoleic acid copolymer, Bis-PEG-<NUM> Dimethicone/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Dipheyl dimethicone, Lauryl polyglycerol-<NUM> polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-<NUM> polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone), Dimethicone fluid (>20cst), quaternized ammonia silicone polymers, Amino silicones, silicone quaternium-<NUM>, Amodimethicone, phenyltrimethicone, amino silicone polyethers, Polyglycerol-<NUM> Disiloxane dimethicone, Polyglycerol-<NUM> polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, and PEG-<NUM> polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone.

The composition can include one or more skin conditioners such as vitamins, humectants, an occlusive agent, or other moisturizer material to provide skin moisturization, skin softening, skin barrier maintenance, anti-irritation, or other skin health benefits. Some examples of additional skin conditioners include cationic and nonionic guar and their derivatives, alkyl benzoate, myristyl myristate, cetyl myristate, gelatin, lactic acid, glyceryl dioleate, methyl laurate, PPG-<NUM> laurate, lauryl lacylate, allantoin, octyl palmitate, lanolin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, monobutyl ether, glycerine, fatty acids, proline, natural oils such as almond, mineral, canola, sesame, soybean, pyrrolidine, wheat germ, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed oat protein, hydrolyzed collagen, corn, peanut and olive oil, isopropyl myristate, myristyl alcohol, aloe vera, algae extract, cocamidopropyl PG dimmonium chloride phosphate, gluconic acid, hydrolyzed silk protein, <NUM>,<NUM>-propane-diol, Vitamin E, nicatinamide, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, sorbitol, amino acid complexes, panthenol, Cocoamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride, quaternized hydrolyzed protein such as collagen, oat, wheat, , inositol, fructose, sucrose, hydrolyzed plant proteins, seaweed extract, polyethylene glycol, ammonium lactate, sodium hyaluronate, and cyclic peptides.

Some examples of humectants include hydroxyethyl urea, agarose, urea, fructose, glucose, glutamic acid, glycerine, honey, lactose, maltose, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof.

Some examples of occlusive agents include ethtoxylated petrolatum, ethoxylated version of shea butter, avocado oil, balm mint oil, cod liver oil, mineral oil, trimyristin, stearyl stearate, synthetic wax, or mixtures thereof. Some examples of other moisturizers include ethyl hexylglycerin, cholesterol, cystine, hyaluronic acid, keratin, lecithin, egg yolk, glycine, PPG-<NUM>, polyquaternium polymers such as polyquaternium-<NUM>, behentrimonium chloride, dihydroxypropyl PEG-<NUM> linoleammonium chloride, glycerol oleate, PEG-<NUM> glyceryl cocoate, cocoglucoside, PEG-<NUM> hydrogenated glyceryl palmate, panthenol, retinol, salicylic acid, vegetable oil, methyl gluceth-<NUM>, methyl gluceth-<NUM>, ethoxylated derivatives of skin conditioners such as glycereth-<NUM> and ethoxylated shea butter, and mixtures thereof. Finally, some examples of anti-irritants include bisabolol and panthenol.

The skin conditioner may include an antioxidant for improved skin condition through the removal of free radicals, and improved product stability. Some examples of antioxidants include retinol and retinol derivatives, ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives, BHA, BHT, beta carotene, cysteine, erythorbic acid, hydroquinone, tocopherol and tocopherol derivatives.

The composition may optionally include a preservative. Generally, preservatives fall into specific classes including phenolics, halogen compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, metal derivatives, amines, alkanolamines, nitro derivatives, biguanides, analides, organosulfur and sulfur-nitrogen compounds, alkyl parabens, and miscellaneous compounds. Some non-limiting examples of phenolic preservative agents include pentachlorophenol, orthophenylphenol, chloroxylenol, p-chloro-m-cresol, p-chlorophenol, chlorothymol, m-cresol, o-cresol, p-cresol, isopropyl cresols, mixed cresols, phenoxyethanol, phenoxyethylparaben, phenoxyisopropanol, phenyl paraben, resorcinol, and derivatives thereof. Some non-limiting examples of halogen compounds include sodium trichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, iodine-poly(vinylpyrolidin-onen) complexes, and bromine compounds such as <NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-nitropropane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, and derivatives thereof. Some non-limiting examples of quaternary ammonium compounds include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, and derivatives thereof. Some non-limiting examples of amines and nitro containing compounds include hexahydro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, dithiocarbamates such as sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, and derivatives thereof. Some non-limiting examples of biguanides include polyaminopropyl biguanide and chlorhexidine gluconate. Some non-limiting examples of alkyl parabens include methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl parabens.

The preservative is preferably present in the composition in an amount from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, and from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt.

The carrier of the present antimicrobial composition comprises water, propylene glycol, glycerols, alcohols or mixtures thereof. It should be appreciated that the water may be provided as deionized water or as softened water. The water provided as part of the composition can be relatively free of hardness. It is expected that the water can be deionized to remove a portion of the dissolved solids. That is, the concentrate can be formulated with water that includes dissolved solids, and can be formulated with water that can be characterized as hard water. The carrier present in the composition can be present in an amount of from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. %, preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt. % and more preferably from <NUM> wt. % to <NUM> wt.

The antimicrobial composition of the present invention does not rely upon a low pH or a high pH to provide a rapid reduction in microbial populations. The composition for the present invention has a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>. Within this pH range, the present composition effectively reduces microbial populations, and is consumer acceptable, i.e., provides adequate foam volume during wash generates stable, dense and rigid foam and is mild to skin and phase stable.

In some instances a pH adjusting compound may be necessary in a sufficient amount to provide a desired composition pH. To achieve the full advantage of the present invention, the pH-adjusting compound is present in an amount of <NUM> % to <NUM>%, by weight.

Examples of basic pH-adjusting compounds include ammonia; mono-, di-, and trialkyl amines; mono-, di-, and trialkanolamines; alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides; alkali metal phosphates; alkali sulfates; alkali metal carbonates; and mixtures thereof. However, the identity of the basic pH adjuster is not limited, and any basic pH-adjusting compound known in the art can be used. Specific, nonlimiting examples of basic pH-adjusting compounds are ammonia; sodium, potassium, and lithium hydroxide; sodium and potassium phosphates, including hydrogen and dihydrogen phosphates; sodium and potassium carbonate and bicarbonate; sodium and potassium sulfate and bisulfate; monoethanolamine; trimethylamine; isopropanolamine; diethanolamine; and triethanolamine.

The identity of an acidic pH-adjusting compound is not limited and any acidic pH-adjusting compound known in the art, alone or in combination, can be used. Examples of specific acidic pH-adjusting compounds are the mineral acids and polycarboxylic acids. Nonlimiting examples of mineral acids are hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid. Nonlimiting examples of polycarboxylic acids are citric acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.

The antimicrobial composition can include additional components or agents, such as additional functional materials. As such, in some embodiments, the antimicrobial composition comprises a cationic active ingredient, a cationic compatible surfactant, a foam boosting agent, foam structure enhancing agent, skin conditioning agent and water or even all of the total weight of the antimicrobial composition, for example, in embodiments having few or no additional functional materials disposed therein. The functional materials provide desired properties and functionalities to the antimicrobial composition. For the purpose of this application, the term "functional materials" include a material that when dispersed or dissolved in a use and/or concentrate solution, such as an aqueous solution, provides a beneficial property in a particular use. The antimicrobial composition comprises a cationic active ingredient, a cationic compatible surfactant, a foam boosting agent, a foam structure enhancing agent, skin conditioning agent and water. It may optionally contain chelants, pH adjusting compound, antioxidants, fragrances, dyes, other disinfectants, sanitizers, thickening or gelling agents, or mixtures thereof. Some particular examples of functional materials are discussed in more detail below, but it should be understood by those of skill in the art and others that the particular materials discussed are given by way of example only, and that a broad variety of other functional materials may be used. For example, many of the functional materials discussed below relate to materials used in disinfecting and/or cleansing applications, but it should be understood that other embodiments may include functional materials for use in other applications.

The composition is generally a concentrate or a ready to use composition that can optionally include a chelating agent. In general, a chelating agent is a molecule capable of coordinating (i.e., binding) the metal ions commonly found in water sources to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the other ingredients. Examples of chelating agents include phosphonic acid and phosphonates, phosphates, aminocarboxylates and their derivatives, pyrophosphates, ethylenediamine and ethylenetriamine derivatives, hydroxyacids, and mono-, di-, and tri-carboxylates and their corresponding acids. In certain embodiments the composition is phosphate free. Preferred chelating agents form calcium-chelating agent complexes with a stability constant (expressed in logarithmic form) of <NUM> or greater. The calcium-chelating agent stability constant (K) is the measure of the stability of a calcium-chelating agent complex (CaL) formed by the reaction of a calcium ion (Ca) with a chelating agent (L) in aqueous solution. <MAT> The stability constant is expressed as: <MAT> Where:.

Preferred chelating agents are selected from the group comprising ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA); methylglycine-N,N-diacetic acid (MGDA); glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA); Aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA) and alkali, alkali earth metal, transition metal and/or ammonium salts thereof.

The composition may optionally include a thickener. Exemplary thickeners include (<NUM>) cellulosic thickeners and their derivatives, (<NUM>) natural gums, (<NUM>) starches, (<NUM>) stearates, and (<NUM>) fatty acid alcohols. Some non-limiting examples of cellulosic thickeners include carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose, hydroxybutyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate. Some non-limiting examples of natural gums include acacia, calcium carrageenan, guar, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar, karaya gum, kelp, locust bean gum, pectin, sodium carrageenan, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum. Some non-limiting examples of starches include oat flour, potato starch, wheat flour, wheat starch. Some non-limiting examples of stearates include PEG-<NUM> distearate, methoxy PEG-<NUM>/dodecyl glycol copolymer. Some non-limiting examples of fatty acid alcohols include caprylic alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, palm kernel alcohol.

The amount of thickener in the composition depends on the desired viscosity of the composition.

The composition may optionally include a fragrance. Examples of possible fragrances include natural oils or naturally derived materials, and synthetic fragrances such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones, ethers, nitriles, and polyfunctionals. Non-limiting examples of natural oils include the following: basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil, bay (Pimento acris) oil, bee balm (Monarda didyma) oil, bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia) oil, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) oil, cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) oil, chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) oil, cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) oil, citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) oil, clary (Salvia sclarea) oil, clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) oil, cloveleaf (Eufenia caryophyllus) oil, Cyperus esculentus oil, cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) oil, Eucalyptus citriodora oil, geranium maculatum oil, ginger (Zingiber officinale) oil, grapefruit (Citrus grandis) oil, hazel (Corylus avellana) nut oil, jasmine (Jasminum officinale) oil, Juniperus communis oil, Juniperus oxycedrus tar, Juniperus virginiana oil, kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) water, lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) oil, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) water, lemon (Citrus medica limonum) oil, lemongrass (Cymbopogon schoenanthus) oil, lime (Citrus aurantifolia) oil, linden (Tilia cordata) oil, linden (Tilia cordata) water, mandarin orange (Citrus nobilis) oil, nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) oil, orange (Citrus aurantium dulcis) flower oil, orange (Citrus aurantium dulcis) oil, orange (Citrus aurantium dulcis) water, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) oil, peppermint (Menthe piperita) oil, peppermint (Menthe peperita) water, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, rose oil, rose (Rosa damascena) extract, rose (Rosa multiflora) extract, rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) extract, sage (Salvia officinalis) oil, sandalwood (Santalum album) oil, spearmint (Menthe viridis) oil, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil, and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) oil. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic hydrocarbon fragrances include caryophyllene, β-farnesene, limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic alcohol fragrances include bacdanol, citronellol, linalool, phenethyl alcohol, and α-terpineol (R=H). Some non-limiting examples of synthetic aldehyde fragrances include <NUM>-methyl undecanal, citral, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, isocycolcitral, lilial, and <NUM>-undecenal. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic ketone fragrances include cashmeran, α-ionone, isocyclemone E, koavone, muscone, and tonalide. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic ester fragrances include benzyl acetate, <NUM>-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate (cis and trans), cedryl acetate, cyclacet, isobornyl acetate, and α-terpinyl acetate (R=acetyl). Some non-limiting examples of synthetic lactone fragrances include coumarin, jasmine lactone, muskalactone, and peach aldehyde. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic ether fragrances include ambroxan, anther, and galaxolide. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic nitrile fragrances include cinnamonitrile and gernonitrile. Finally, some non-limiting examples of synthetic polyfunctional fragrances include amyl salicylate, isoeugenol, hedione, heliotropine, lyral, and vanillin.

The composition may include a mixture of fragrances including a mixture of natural and synthetic fragrances. The fragrance can be present in a composition in an amount up to <NUM> wt. %, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. %, from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. %, and from <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

The composition may optionally include a dye. Examples of dyes include any water soluble or product soluble dye, any FD&C or D&C approved dye.

The compositions of to the invention are easily produced by any of a number of known art techniques. Conveniently, a part of the water is supplied to a suitable mixing vessel further provided with a stirrer or agitator, and while stirring, the remaining constituents are added to the mixing vessel, including any final amount of water needed to provide to <NUM>% wt. of the inventive composition.

The compositions may be packaged in any suitable container particularly flasks or bottles, including squeeze-type or pump bottles, as well as bottles provided with a spray apparatus (e.g. trigger spray) which is used to dispense the composition by spraying. The selected packaging may have a pump head foamer. Examples of commercially available pump head foamers include the F2 foamer from Rexam PLC (London, England, formerly Airspray), and the RF-<NUM> Palm Foamer from Rieke Corporation (Auburn, Indiana). Accordingly the compositions are desirably provided as concentrates or ready to use products in manual or automated dispensing equipment.

The composition may be provided in various packaging sizes. Examples of packaging sizes include <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> oz), <NUM> and <NUM> liter bottles.

Whereas the compositions of the present invention are intended to be used in the types of liquid forms described, nothing in this specification shall be understood as to limit the use of the composition according to the invention with a further amount of water to form a solution there from. Conversely, nothing in the specification shall be also understood to limit the forming of a "super-concentrated" composition based upon the composition described above Such a super-concentrated ingredient composition is essentially the same as the compositions described above except in that they include a lesser amount of water.

The invention includes compositions for use in a method for reducing the population of microorganisms on skin, and for use in a method for treating a disease of skin, and the like. These compositions and methods can operate by contacting the body with a composition of the invention. Contacting can include any of numerous methods for applying a composition of the invention, such as spraying the compositions, immersing, foam or gel treating the skin with the composition, or a combination thereof. The compositions and methods may be used without further dilution with water or other suitable diluents or may be supplied as concentrated compositions.

The compositions of the invention can be included in any skin application products such as, sanitizers, deodorizers, antiseptics, fungicides, germicides, virucides, waterless hand sanitizers, and pre- or post-surgical scrubs, preoperative skin preps.

The antimicrobial composition of the present invention has a high broad spectrum of antimicrobial efficacy, adequate foam volume during wash and foam structure leading to dense, rigid, and stable foam desired by consume and low irritation to mammalian tissue. Exemplary compositions are provided in the following table.

The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples. Unless otherwise noted, all parts, percentages, and ratios reported in the following examples are on a weight basis, and all reagents used in the examples were obtained, or are available, from the chemical suppliers described below, or may be synthesized by conventional techniques.

The following methods were used in the preparation and testing of the examples:.

(a) Determination of Time Kill Activity: The activity of antimicrobial compositions was measured by the time kill method [ASTM E <NUM> Standard Guide for Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity Using a Time Kill Procedure], whereby the survival of challenged organisms exposed to an antimicrobial test composition is deterred as a function of time. In this test, a diluted aliquot of the composition is brought into contact with a known population of test bacteria for a specified time period at a specified temperature. The test composition is neutralized at the end of the time period, which arrests the antimicrobial activity of the composition. The percent or, alternatively, log reduction from the original bacteria population is calculated. In general, the time kill method is known to those skilled in the art. In addition, comparative data on the foam profile of representative systems is shown. (b) The composition can be tested at any concentration from <NUM>-<NUM>%. The choice of which concentration to use is at the discretion of the investigator, and suitable concentrations are readily determined by those skilled in the art. All testing if performed in triplicate, the results are combined, and the average log reduction is reported. (c) The choice of contact time period also is at the discretion of the investigator. Any contact time period can be chosen. Typical contact times range from 10second to <NUM> minutes, with <NUM> seconds and <NUM> minute being typical contact times. The contact temperature also can be any temperature, typically room temperature, or <NUM> degrees Celsius. (d) The microbial suspension, or test inoculum, is prepared by growing a microbial culture on any appropriate solid media (e.g., agar). The microbial population then is washed from the agar with sterile physiological saline and the population of the microbial suspension is adjusted to <NUM><NUM> colony forming units per ml (cfu/ml). (e) The table below lists the test microbial cultures used in the following tests and includes the name of the bacteria, the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) identification number, and the abbreviation for the name of the organism used hereafter.

The log reduction is calculated using the formula:<MAT>.

The foam height was determined with the following procedural steps:.

The foam resistance was determined by measuring <NUM> grams of the test product into a blender and blending for <NUM> seconds on medium speed. Thereafter, the test solution was poured into a cylinder and a plastic ball was dropped into the test solution and timed to determine how many seconds it took for the plastic ball to drop from a first pre-determined level to a second pre-determined level, e.g., from <NUM> mark on the cylinder to the <NUM> mark on the cylinder.

The following table reports various formulations made and tested. Note that percentages reported in this section only are total percentages of components as received from commercial vendors and in these tables, do include inert ingredients such as water or salts. In each instance where this occurs, the percentage of active component in the product as received from the vendor is listed and percent actives can easily be calculated from this information.

The efficacy testing results in Table <NUM> demonstrates that introducing foam structure enhancing agents like PEG <NUM>, Hexylene Glycol, and Myristamide diisiopropanolamide or a combination of them does not interfere with the antimicrobial efficacy of cationic active, Benzalkonium Chloride.

The foam heights of the formulations were determined by preparing <NUM>% solution and using a rotational device. The device was rotated for <NUM> minutes and the foam height was recorded after 30seconds, <NUM> and <NUM> minutes.

As shown on table <NUM>, formulation example <NUM> has significantly higher foam height which was contributed by foam boosting agent, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate. Therefore, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate is a primary foam boosting agent in the preferred formula. Also shown on table <NUM>, formulation example <NUM> exhibits greater foam height, this is due to combining foam boosting and foam structure enhancing components like; Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyethylene <NUM>, Hexylene Glycol, and Myristamide Diisopropanolamide, the optimal foam height can be achieved. Also shown on table <NUM>, formulation example <NUM>, it is critical to have a cationic compatible surfactant for foam generation.

The foam resistance was determined by measuring 40mls of the test product into a blender and blending for <NUM> seconds on medium speed. The test solution was poured into a graduated cylinder and a plastic ball was dropped into the test solution and timed to determine how many seconds it took for the plastic ball to drop from <NUM> mark on the cylinder to the <NUM> mark.

As shown on <FIG>, formulation example <NUM> has the most rigid foam when compare to formulation examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Therefore, Polyethylene Glycol <NUM> is a primary contributor for foam rigidity and resistance. Also shown in <FIG> with formulation example <NUM> the combination of Polyethylene Glycol and Hexylene Glycol is essential for foam rigidity and resistance. Optimal foam rigidity and resistance can be achieved when combining foam boosting agent like Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate and foam structure enhancing components like, Polyethylene <NUM>, Hexylene Glycol, and Myristamide Diisopropanolamide,.

Example formulation <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are various formulations based on cationic active. Example formulation <NUM> contains unique foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents. The addition of these novel agents improves the product aesthetic profile thereby improving product acceptability by consumers without disrupting the antimicrobial effectiveness of cationic active. As seen on Table <NUM>, all formulations maintained high cidal antimicrobial efficacy. The <NUM> second test of Example <NUM> was performed on a different day than the <NUM> second tests. Thus, there were likely differences in bacteria populations, which may contribute to the differences in log reduction between the <NUM> second test and <NUM> second test data.

Example <NUM> has significantly higher foam height at 30sec, <NUM> and <NUM> minutes compare to formulation example <NUM> and <NUM>. This demonstrates that the addition of foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, PEG <NUM> and Hexylene Glycol and Myristamide Diisopropanolamide to the cleaning composition increases foam height thereby increasing consumer product preference.

Example <NUM> has the most rigid foam compare to formulation examples <NUM> and <NUM>. This demonstrates that the addition of foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents like Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, PEG <NUM> and Hexylene Glycol and Myristamide Diisopropanolamide to the cleaning composition increases foam rigidity and foam resistance thereby increasing consumer product preference.

The development of the Antimicrobial composition containing cationic active ingredient, cationic compatible surfactant, foam boosting agent, foam structure enhancing agent, and skin conditioning agent with optional addition of preservative, pH adjusting additive and fragrance was subjected to a panel test to determine its aesthetic acceptability to consumers.

During the first session, close to <NUM> applicants tested the cosmetic attributes of formulation example <NUM> compared to formulation example <NUM>. Applicants were asked to wash their hands with plain soap to normalize skin between applicants, then applied soil on the hands and proceeded to wash with test products.

The panelist preferred formulation example <NUM> from formulation example <NUM> almost by <NUM>%. This corresponds to foam height results (table <NUM>) and foam rigidity and resistance results (<FIG>) where formulation <NUM> performed better than <NUM>. Therefore, improved foam height and foam rigidity confirms better foam aesthetic profile that can be translated into consumer preference.

During the second session, <NUM> applicants tested the cosmetic attributes of formulation example <NUM> with unique foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents, compared to commercially available Triclosan active foam hand soaps.

As seen by the results above, formulation example <NUM> with unique foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents is more preferred than commercial product <NUM> and equally preferred to commercial product <NUM>.

From the panel tests conducted, and results of foam height and foam rigidity we have proven that the addition of unique foam boosting and foam structure enhancing agents improve the formula aesthetic profile thereby leading to consumer acceptability while maintaining the required antimicrobial efficacy.

The activity of cationic antimicrobial active depends on the final pH of the cleaning composition. <FIG> shows the results of Antimicrobial efficacy of formulation example <NUM> at various pH ranges (<NUM>-<NUM>).

The efficacy test results show that the antimicrobial efficacy depends on the pH of the formulation. Within pH range of <NUM>-<NUM>, the cleaning composition effectively reduces microbial populations, is phase stable, generates stable foam during the wash and is mild to skin.

Table <NUM> illustrates efficacy of four different cationic actives formulated independently in the composition of formulation example <NUM> at pH <NUM>. All actives have high antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria at 30seconds exposure time.

The following formulation of Example <NUM> is not according to the invention.

Formulation Example <NUM> shows that the antimicrobial activity of S. aureus was reduced to "No detectable reduction" when the Antimicrobial Cationic biocide was removed. Therefore, one can conclude that the composition must have an antimicrobial active in order to be efficacious.

Claim 1:
A foaming antimicrobial dermal cleanser comprising:
a. a cationic active ingredient, which provides antimicrobial activity;
b. <NUM> to <NUM> wt-% of one or more cationic compatible surfactant;
c. a foam boosting agent comprising glyceryl caprylate/caprate;
d. a foam structure enhancing agent comprising PEG <NUM>, hexylene glycol, myristamide diisopropanolamide and phenoxyethanol;
e. a skin conditioning agent comprising one or more of glycerin, vitamin E acetate, methyl gluceth <NUM>, and hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride; and
f. water,
wherein said cleanser is substantially free of anionic surfactants and triclosan.