Antibacterial compositions comprising quaternary ammonium germicides and alkamine oxides having reduced irritation potential

Abstract

Antibacterial compositions having antibacterial effectiveness and reduced eye irritation potential are disclosed. The antibacterial compositions contain a quaternary ammonium compound, an alkamine oxide, a nonionic compound, optional adjuvant materials known in the art, and water. The eye irritation is decreased by decreasing the amount, by weight, of alkamine oxide present in the composition and alternatively, or in combination therewith, increasing the ratio of nonionic material to alkamine oxide present in the composition.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . An antibacterial composition comprising:
 a quaternary ammonium compound present in the amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of the antibacterial composition;   one or more alkamine oxides present in the amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of the antibacterial composition;   one or more nonionic materials;   one or more liquid carriers; and   optionally one or more ingredients selected from a group comprising:   polymeric thickeners of the nonionic or cationic class, dyes, perfumes, builders, pH adjusters, solvents, and mixtures thereof.   
   
   
       22 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said quaternary ammonium compound is present in the amount of about 1.0 percent by weight of the antibacterial composition. 
   
   
       23 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 22 , wherein said quaternary ammonium compound is selected from a group comprising: benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. 
   
   
       24 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said one or more alkamine oxides are present in the amount of from about 0.3 to about 1.5 percent by weight of the antibacterial composition. 
   
   
       25 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 24 , wherein said alkamine oxide is lauramine oxide. 
   
   
       26 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said nonionic material is comprised of a nonionic polymeric surfactant. 
   
   
       27 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 26 , wherein said nonionic polymeric surfactant is a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. 
   
   
       28 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said nonionic material is comprised of an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant. 
   
   
       29 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said nonionic material is selected from a group comprising decyl polyglucose and Pluronic F108. 
   
   
       30 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 29 , wherein said nonionic material is present in the composition at an amount of about 2.5 percent by weight. 
   
   
       31 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said liquid carrier is water. 
   
   
       32 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said polymeric thickener is Natrosol 250HHR CS present in the composition at an amount of about 1.0 percent by weight. 
   
   
       33 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21  having a pH between about 5 and 9. 
   
   
       34 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21  having a pH between about 6 and 8. 
   
   
       35 . The antibacterial composition of  claim 21  having a pH between about 6.5 and 8. 
   
   
       36 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the relative weight ratio of the nonionic material to the alkamine oxide yields a composition with a Permeability Value in a BCOP assay of less than about 1.2. 
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said relative weight ratio of the nonionic material to the alkamine oxide is from about 0:1 to about 8.5:1. 
   
   
       38 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 37 , wherein said relative weight ratio of the nonionic material to the lauramine oxide is from about 5:1 to about 7:1. 
   
   
       39 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein said composition is free of anionic and zwitterionic surfactants. 
   
   
       40 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein said surfactants comprise a sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate, aminocarboxylate, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       41 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said composition exhibits a log reduction of at least 2 after the first wash and a log reduction of at least 3 after the eleventh wash in a Health Care Personnel Hand Wash test, as measured bacteria.