Hydroalcoholic compositions thickened using polymers

Abstract

An antimicrobial hydroalcoholic composition comprising hydroalcoholic solvent system comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 50:50; a thickener system comprising at least one cationic or nonionic polymeric thickener that is solid at ambient temperature; and a secondary antimicrobial agent.

1 - 50 . (canceled)  
     
     
         51 . An antimicrobial hydroalcoholic composition comprising: 
 (a) a hydroalcoholic solvent system comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 50:50;    (b) a thickener system comprising at least one cationic polymeric thickener that is solid at ambient temperature; wherein the cationic polymeric thickener is selected from the group of polymers derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group of acrylates, acrylamides, vinyl lactams, vinyl acetates, methyl vinyl ethers, styrene, and acrylonitrile, and    (c) a secondary antimicrobial agent.    
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the cationic thickener is selected such that the composition has a viscosity of at least 55 centipoise at 23° C.  
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 51  which has a pH of at least about 5.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the secondary antimicrobial agent comprises a chlorhexidine salt.  
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54  wherein the chlorhexidine salt is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 55  which has a viscosity of at least 160 centipoise at 23° C.  
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 51  which has a viscosity of at least 625 centipoise at 23° C.  
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 51  which has a viscosity of at least 870 centipoise at 23° C.  
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the cationic polymer is a synthetic polyquaternary amine polymer.  
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the cationic polymer is at least partially crosslinked.  
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the polymeric thickener is selected from the group of polymers formed from acrylates.  
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 51  further comprising at least one associative polymeric thickener.  
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 51  further comprising at least one nonionic polymeric thickener.  
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein the nonionic polymeric thickener is selected from the group of modified celluloses, associative polymers based on nonionic ethylenically unsaturated monomers wherein at least one comonomer has at least 16 carbon atoms, and polymers based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group of acrylates, acrylamides, vinyl lactams, vinyl acetate and it hydrolyzed derivatives, methyl vinyl ethers, styrene, and acrylonitrile.  
     
     
         65 . The composition of  claim 51  which is a lotion.  
     
     
         66 . The composition of  claim 51  which is a foam or a mousse.  
     
     
         67 . The composition of  claim 51  further comprising a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer.  
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 67  which is a foam or mousse.  
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the lower alcohol to water weight ratio is at least about 60:40.  
     
     
         70 . An antimicrobial hydroalcoholic composition comprising: 
 (a) a hydroalcoholic solvent system comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 50:50;    (b) a thickener system comprising at least one cationic polymeric thickener that is solid at ambient temperature; wherein the cationic polymeric thickener is selected from the group of polymers based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group of acrylates, acrylamides, vinyl lactams, vinyl acetates, methyl vinyl ethers, styrene, and acrylonitrile, and    (c) a secondary agent comprising at least one of an antimicrobial agent, a pharmaceutical agent, a UV absorber, a skin barrier, or an antifungal agent.    
     
     
         71 . The composition of  claim 70  which is a lotion.  
     
     
         72 . The composition of  claim 70  which is a foam or a mousse.  
     
     
         73 . The composition of  claim 70  further comprising a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer.  
     
     
         74 . The composition of  claim 73  which is a foam or mousse.  
     
     
         75 . The composition of  claim 70  wherein the lower alcohol to water weight ratio is at least about 60:40.  
     
     
         76 . A method of disinfecting skin, the method comprising applying to skin a composition of  claim 51 .  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  comprising dispensing the composition in a discrete and substantially uniform amount.  
     
     
         78 . A method of delivering an agent, the method comprising applying to skin a composition of  claim 70 .  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  comprising dispensing the composition in a discrete and substantially uniform amount.