Methods and compositions for use with gel dispensers

Abstract

A method is provided for reducing the frequency of mis-directed output of hydroalchoholic gel from a dispenser. A method of reducing the formation of coagulated gel deposits, and dispensable hydroalchoholic gel compositions are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensable gel composition comprising:
 at least 50 wt. % of a C 1-4  alcohol, based upon the total weight of the dispensable gel composition;   from 0.01 to 10 wt. % of a polyacrylate thickener, based upon the total weight of the dispensable gel composition;   glycerin; and   one or more neutralizers selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, arginine, tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and triisopropanolamine.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the C 1-4  alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, tertiary butanol, methanol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyacrylate thickener is selected from the group consisting of acrylates/C 10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid and alkyl C5-C10 acrylate, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, carbomers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensable gel composition has a viscosity of from 1,000 to 65,000 centipoise, when measured using RV or LV spindles at 22° C. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensable gel composition comprises at least 60 wt. % of the C 1-4  alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensable gel composition comprises at least 65 wt. % of the C 1-4  alcohol. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyacrylate thickener is a carbomer. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a plug-preventing additive. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the C 1-4  alcohol comprises ethanol; and   the polyacrylate thickener comprises acrylates/C 10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymers.   
     
     
         10 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the neutralizer consists of tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensable gel composition comprising:
 at least 65 wt. % of a C 1-4  alcohol, based upon the total weight of the dispensable gel composition;   from 0.01 to 10 wt. % of a polyacrylate thickener, based upon the total weight of the dispensable gel composition;   glycerin; and   one or more neutralizers selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, arginine, tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and triisopropanolamine.   
     
     
         12 . The dispensable gel composition of  claim 11 , wherein the neutralizer consists of tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine.