Foamable Sanitizing Compositions

Abstract

Foamable sanitizing compositions are disclosed. The compositions contain alcohol, water, a foaming agent, and a foam strengthening agent. The foaming agent which may comprise a derivatized dimethicone has been found to cause the alcohol solution to foam even though alcohol has various defoaming properties. The foam strengthening agent may comprise, for instance, a betaine that contains organic molecules wherein at least 90% of the organic molecules have a carbon chain length of 18 carbon atoms or greater. In one embodiment, the composition can be contained in a non-aerosol dispensing container that mixes the composition with air causing the composition to foam when dispensed.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A foamable composition comprising:
 (a) a linear dimethicone copolyol ester,   (b) at least one C 1-4  alcohol in an amount of from about 30% to about 90% by weight,   (c) water in an amount of at least 10% by weight, and   (d) betaine.   
     
     
         25 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the dimethicone copolyol ester is present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 15 by weight. 
     
     
         26 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the dimethicone copolyol ester contains from about 2 moles to about 20 moles of polyoxyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         27 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the alcohol is present in the composition in an amount of from about 40% to about 70% by weight. 
     
     
         28 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the composition comprises at least two C 1-4  alcohols. 
     
     
         29 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the C 1-4  alcohol comprises ethanol, 2-propanol, or n-propanol. 
     
     
         30 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the water is present in the composition in an amount of from about 20% to about 70% by weight. 
     
     
         31 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a foam strengthening agent comprising an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant comprising surfactant molecules. 
     
     
         32 . The foamable composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the composition further comprises a glycerin. 
     
     
         33 . A foaming sanitizer product comprising:
 a dispensing container, the dispensing container including a non-aerosol pumping device,   a foamable sanitizing composition contained within the dispensing container, the foamable sanitizing composition comprising
 (a) a linear dimethicone copolyol ester in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, 
 (b) at least one C 1-4  alcohol in an amount of from about 30% to about 90% by weight, 
 (c) water in an amount of at east 10% by weight, and 
 (d) betaine, 
   wherein the pumping device of the dispensing container is configured to combine the sanitizing composition with air when dispensed from the container for producing a foam.   
     
     
         34 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the linear dimethicone copolyol ester is present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight. 
     
     
         35 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the dimethicone copolyol ester contains from about 2 moles to about 20 moles of polyoxyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         36 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the alcohol is present in the composition in an amount of from about 40% to about 70% by weight. 
     
     
         37 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the composition comprises at least two C 1-4  alcohols. 
     
     
         38 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the C 1-4  alcohol comprises ethanol, 2-propanol, or n-propanol. 
     
     
         39 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the water is present in the composition in an amount of from about 20% to about 70% by weight. 
     
     
         40 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a foam strengthening agent comprising an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant comprising surfactant molecules. 
     
     
         41 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the composition further comprises a glycerin. 
     
     
         42 . The foaming sanitizer product as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the pumping device comprises an air pump and a liquid pump in communication with an actuating head, and wherein displacing the actuating head manually causes the liquid pump to pump sanitizing composition and the air pump to pump air for mixing with the sanitizing composition and forming a foam that is dispensed from the container.