Stable hydroalcoholic compositions

Abstract

A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.

1 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer; and   a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of less than 5% by weight of the total composition.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 60 wt-%. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  which forms a foam when dispensed, and wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic foam in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is less than 4% by weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is less than 3% by weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydroalcoholic solvent comprises a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 85:15. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the polyether/polysiloxane copolymer surfactant has the following chemical structure:
   (CH 3 ) 3 —Si—O—[Si(CH 3 )R 11 —O] x [Si(CH 3 )R 8 —O] y —Si(CH 3 ) 3  
 
 where x+y=5-400, and
 R 8  is a polyether substituted alkyl group with the structure:
   —R 9 —O(C 2 H 4 O) p (C 3 H 6 O) q R 10 ;
 
 
 
 where
 R 9  is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; 
 R 10  is hydrogen or an alky group of 1-22 carbon atoms; 
 R 11  is an alkyl group of 1 to 22 carbon atoms or phenyl; 
 p=2-300; and 
 q=0-100. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is present in an amount of at least 0.8%. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising an antimicrobial agent distinct from the lower alcohol. 
     
     
         10 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   an antimicrobial agent distinct from the lower alcohol; and   optionally, a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, if present, is less than 5% by weight of the total composition.   
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 60 wt-%. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10  which forms a foam when dispensed, and wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic foam in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, if present, is less than 4% by weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, if present, is less than 3% by weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the hydroalcoholic solvent comprises a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 85:15. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the polyether/polysiloxane copolymer surfactant has the following chemical structure:
   (CH 3 ) 3 —Si—O—[Si(CH 3 )R 11 —O] x [Si(CH 3 )R 8 —O] y —Si(CH 3 ) 3  
 
 where x+y=5-400, and
 R 8  is a polyether substituted alkyl group with the structure:
   —R 9 —O(C 2 H 4 O) p (C 3 H 6 O) q R 10 ;
 
 
 
 where
 R 9  is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; 
 R 10  is hydrogen or an alky group of 1-22 carbon atoms; 
 R 11  is an alkyl group of 1 to 22 carbon atoms or phenyl; 
 p=2-300; and 
 q=0-100. 
 
 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is present in an amount of at least 0.8%. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 10  further comprising at least one additional emollient. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the antimicrobial agent is a chlorhexidene salt. 
     
     
         20 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer; and   a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   wherein the hydroalcoholic composition is free of a polymeric thickening agent.   
     
     
         21 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic composition in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer; and   an antimicrobial agent distinct from the lower alcohol;   wherein the hydroalcoholic composition is free of a polymeric thickening agent.   
     
     
         22 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic foam in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer; and   a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, wherein the surfactant or emulsifier comprises at least one long chain hydrocarbon of at least 18 carbon atoms; and   wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is less than 5% by weight of the total composition.   
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22  wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one long chain hydrocarbon of at least 22 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         24 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5; wherein the lower alcohol is present in the hydroalcoholic foam in an amount of at least 47.7 wt-%;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer; and   a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, wherein the surfactant or emulsifier comprises at least one long chain hydrocarbon of at least 18 carbon atoms;   wherein the hydroalcoholic composition is free of a polymeric thickening agent.   
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one long chain hydrocarbon of at least 22 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         26 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5;   an antimicrobial agent distinct from the lower alcohol;   at least one emollient; and   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   optionally, a surfactant or emulsifier other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer, if present, is less than 5% by weight of the total composition.   
     
     
         27 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5;   an antimicrobial agent distinct from the lower alcohol;   at least one emollient; and   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   wherein the hydroalcoholic composition is free of a polymeric thickening agent.   
     
     
         28 . A hydroalcoholic composition comprising:
 a hydroalcoholic solvent comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 95:5;   a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   at least one emulsifier or surfactant other than a polyether/polysiloxane copolymer;   at least one emollient;   wherein the total amount of surfactant or emulsifier other than polyether/polysiloxane copolymer is present in an amount of less than 5% by weight of the total composition;   wherein the emulsifier or surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, and mixture thereof; and   wherein the emollient is selected from the group consisting of a poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer, a poly(alkylene oxide) homopolymer, a poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer, a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene glycol, an alkyl phenol with 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain condensed with 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide, a mono- or di-fatty acid ester of ethylene glycol wherein the fatty acid moiety contains from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, a fatty acid monoglyceride wherein the fatty acid moiety contains from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, a polyethylene glycols of molecular weight 200 to 6000, a polyoxyethylene sorbitol, a hydrophilic wax ester, an ethoxylated glyceride, a polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid ester, and mixtures thereof.