Antimicrobial composition comprising an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound
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Publication Number
US-12568965-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aqueous antimicrobial composition having from about 0.08% to about 0.8% by weight of the composition of an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound; from about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of the composition of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyldimethylamine oxide, alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, alkylpolyglucoside, alkylbetaine, and a mixture thereof wherein the average alkyl chain length of the surfactant is less than 12 carbon atoms; from 0 to about 0.5% by weight of the composition of a polymer; at least 80% by weight of the composition of water; wherein the composition is substantially free of dialkyldimethylammonium compound.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aqueous antimicrobial composition that provides residual biocidal activity while minimizing tackiness and improving hard-surface shine and cleaning. The composition includes an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound at about 0.08% to 0.8 wt% and a short-chain surfactant at about 0.01% to 1.5 wt%, with an average alkyl chain length of less than 12 carbon atoms. The balance is provided by water at about 80 wt% or more, optionally with polymer at 0 to 0.5 wt%.
A key formulation constraint is that the composition is substantially free of dialkyldimethylammonium compound, free of polymer, and free of glycol ether solvent. The alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound is selected from C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethyl(ethylbenzyl)ammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium saccharinate, and mixtures thereof. The short-chain surfactant is selected from alkyldimethylamine oxide, alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, alkylpolyglucoside, alkylbetaine, and mixtures thereof, with the specified short-chain limitation.
The surfactant/ADMBA ratio is selected within a range of about 1.2:1 to 2:1 to support reduced filming with short-chain surfactants, and polymer is not required for residual self-sanitizing effect. The document further includes component definitions, optional additives such as pH adjusting agents and divalent ion salts, and avoidance of glycol ether solvents due to reduced efficacy. The resulting composition is intended for application in forms including treated articles/wipes, aerosol, and concentrates, and it is evaluated using residual biocidal activity test frameworks.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an aqueous antimicrobial composition having specified weight percentages of an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound and a selected short-chain surfactant (average alkyl chain length less than 12 carbons), together with water as at least about 80% by weight, while the composition is substantially free of dialkyldimethylammonium compound and is free of polymer and glycol ether solvent. It further restricts the ADMBA species to C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethyl(ethylbenzyl)ammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium saccharinate, and mixtures thereof.
Aqueous antimicrobial composition with low-to-moderate ADMBA and short-chain surfactant
An aqueous antimicrobial composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 0.5% by weight of an alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound, from about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a surfactant selected from alkyldimethylamine oxide, alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, alkylpolyglucoside, and alkylbetaine having an average alkyl chain length less than 12 carbon atoms, and at least about 80% by weight water.
Dialkyldimethylammonium, polymer, and glycol ether solvent exclusion
The composition is substantially free of dialkyldimethylammonium compound, free of polymer, and free of glycol ether solvent.
C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium species selection
The alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound is selected from C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethyl(ethylbenzyl)ammonium chloride, C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium saccharinate, and mixtures thereof.
Across the claim set, the primary inventive coverage is an aqueous system that couples a C12–C16 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium compound with a specific short-chain surfactant class having an average alkyl chain length less than 12, while excluding dialkyldimethylammonium species, polymer, and glycol ether solvent. Dependent claims further narrow surfactant identity and chain-length constraints and may add pH adjusting agents, divalent ion salts, fragrance, and testing or measurement conditions for residual biocidal activity.
Stated Advantages
Provides residual biocidal activity with improved performance in an EPA 24-hour RSS test framework.
Minimizes tackiness.
Improves hard-surface shine and cleaning.
Reduced filming with the selected short-chain surfactants.
Documented Applications
Applying the composition to inanimate surfaces and evaluating residual biocidal activity over a 24-hour self-sanitizing effect using US EPA protocol #01-1A, including modifications based on EPA interim guidance versus H1N1.
Application forms described include treated articles/wipes, aerosol, and concentrates.
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