Disinfectant Polymeric Coatings for Hard Surfaces

The invention relates to aqueous liquid compositions that can form adherent, transparent, abrasion resistant polymeric films having prolonged antimicrobial properties. The polymers of the invention are made of a blend of monomers that provide a quality long lasting film that can be easily removed by dilute acid.

Recent studies have indicated that the contamination of both wet and dry household surfaces with potentially pathogenic quantities of bacteria is widespread. Following a study of bacterial flora in 200 homes, Scott et al, in J. Hyg. Camb., Vol. 89, 279 (1982) concluded that improved decontamination procedures are necessary, particularly at sites which are repeatedly wetted, such as the surfaces of sinks, toilets, draining boards, stoves, washing machines and the like. However, in controlled use tests, employing dilute aqueous detergents at kitchen and bathroom sites achieved no observable reduction in microbial contamination, while application of aqueous hypochlorite and phenolic disinfectant compositions only produced a significant reduction in contamination levels for 3-6 hours. In their evaluation of disinfectants in the domestic environment, Scott et al, J. Hyg. Camb., Vol. 92, 193 (1984) hypothesized that the rapid recontamination was due both to re-usage of surfaces such as toilets and to the local multiplication of residual colonies at repeatedly wetted sites such as sinks.

The film forming surface sanitizers introduced to date are prepared in volatile solvents. Such solvents create risks of toxic reaction during use and can be flammable.

Other compositions intended for the controlled release of a disinfectant from a film of a stabilized hydrophilic polymer are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,902. The polymer complex is stabilized as a metal complex by the addition of an inorganic aluminum, zirconium or zinc salt such as aluminum chlorohydrol to the polymerization mixture. The stabilization adjuvant is necessary due to the fact that upon contact with water, films of simple hydrogels become highly swollen and rapidly elute their additives. Furthermore, dry films both simple and metal-complexed hydrogels do not adhere well to ceramic and other hard surfaces and lose their adhesion completely when wetted.

Thus, a need exists for a disinfectant composition capable of forming a polymeric film on hard surfaces such as those formed of ceramics, glass, formica, plastics, metals and the like, which film can entrain a germicidal substance such as a quaternary ammonium salt or a phenolic. A need also exists for a composition capable of yielding a transparent film having strong adhesion to the substrate surface and high resistance against abrasive removal during commonly-employed cleansing procedures. A further need exists for a disinfectant film capable of providing extended protection against microbial contamination. Additionally a need exists for long-lasting films that can be laid down from aqueous solvents but are easily removable under mild acid cleaning conditions.

The present invention provides liquid disinfectant compositions which yield adherent, water-resistant, polymeric films when coated from an aqueous composition onto porous or non-porous hard surfaces and dried. The aqueous liquid compositions comprise germicidal agents which are effective to destroy pre-existing microbial colonies and which impart prolonged antimicrobial properties to the deposited films.

The liquid disinfectant compositions will comprise a film-forming copolymer of (a) a monomer having a hydrophilic carboxylic acid ester group, (b) an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester selected from the group consisting of aromatic esters, cycloalkyl esters and mixtures thereof, and (c) a monomer having a hydrophilic amine group. Preferably, the copolymer will comprise about 20 to 99.5 of the hydrophilic carboxylic acid ester monomer, about 0.5 to 80 mol-% of the cycloalkyl or aromatic ester monomer, and about 0.1 to 5 mol-% of the hydrophilic amine group containing monomer. The copolymers are substantially free of inorganic metal salt complexation agents such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,902. These copolymers can be viewed as modified hydrogels which are surprisingly capable of forming films which are adherent to hard surfaces and are resistant to removal when exposed to water under conditions of mild abrasion.

The films can be readily deposited from dilute, neutral or mildly acidic, aqueous solutions or dispersions of the copolymer in a generally aqueous system. Volatile solvent systems are not required for solubility. These liquid systems will also incorporate germicidal agents such as phenols or a quaternary ammonium salt. The agents which are entrapped in the dried polymeric films, can be incrementally released when the coated surface is contacted with moisture. Contact with atmospheric humidity can assist in maintaining treated surfaces in a substantially microbe-free condition, while exposure to larger amounts of water, as when the surface is moistened by wiping, food residues, dishwater and the like, can lead to the release of increased amounts of the germicide. The polymeric films remain clear and non-tacky, and thus do not detract from the appearance of the surfaces to which they are applied.

Although not wishing to be bound to any theory of action, it is believed that the desirable properties of the present composition are due to (1) the balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties derived from the blend of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers, and (2) from the blend of hydrophilic carboxylic acid ester monomers with the hydrophilic amine containing monomer to produce aqueous solubility, antimicrobial releasability and acidic solubility of the copolymer. The hydrophilicity of the resultant films may assist both the retention of the germicide and its exposure and activation by externally-applied water. The hydrophobicity imparted to the films by the aromatic and/or the cycloalkyl ester comonomer apparently imparts the necessary adherence and abrasion-resistance to the dried films.

As used herein with respect to antimicrobial action or to the release of a germicide from the present films, the term "prolonged" is intended to refer to the retention of substantial antimicrobial action greater than 4 log reduction prefereably greater than 5 log reduction of microbial population as determined by laboratory test methods after 2 water washes and between a 4 log and a 3 log reduction after 2-10 water washes.

As used herein with respect to the solvents used as carriers for the active ingredients of the present compositions, the term aqueous is intended to define solvents or solvent systems which readily evaporate when applied to hard surfaces in thin films at ambient conditions. Such solvents comprise 65 to 95 wt-% water, with the balance comprising water miscible solvents.

As used herein with respect to the surfaces treated by the present compositions, the term "hard" is intended to refer to surfaces composed of refractory materials such as glazed and unglazed tile, brick, porcelain, ceramics, metals, glass and the like, and also includes hard plastics such as formica, polystyrenes, vinyls, acrylics, polyesters, and the like.

Percentages of materials used in the film-forming composition are weight percentages (wt-%) unless otherwise indicated and the percentages of monomers in the copolymers of the invention are in mol-%.

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the sanitizing capacity of films of the invention that are formed from an aqueous solution and from aqueous solutions containing from 0.1 to 0.4 wt-% of acetic acid.

The liquid disinfectant composition of the present invention comprises an aqueous solution of a minor amount of a film-forming copolymer of (a) a monomer having a hydrophilic carboxylic acid ester functional group, (b) about 0.5 to 80 mol-% of said copolymer of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester selected from the group consisting of aromatic esters, cycloalkyl esters, and mixtures thereof, and (e) about 0.1 to 5 mol-% of said copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer having an amine group. The copolymer is dissolved in a major amount of an aqueous solvent which also incorporates an amount of a germicidal agent effective to impart prolonged antimicrobial properties to the films formed upon removal of the solvent from coatings of said compositions. Copolymer monomer (b) preferably comprises a mixture of a first monomer comprising a cycloalkyl ester or an aromatic ester of an alpha, beta-unsaturated acid with a second monomer comprising an alkyl ester or an (alkoxy)alkyl ester of an alpha, beta-unsaturated acid wherein the mixture contains about 1 to 90 mol-% of the second monomer based on the first monomer.

Hydrophilic monomer materials which may be utilized in accord with the present invention are preferably esters of alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, cinnamic acid, crotonic acid, mesaconic acid, carboxyethyl acrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid and the like. For example, preferred hydroxyalkyl esters include the esters of these acids and ethylene glycol, di-, tri-, tetra- and (poly)ethylene glycols, propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol; 1,3- or 1,4-butylene glycol; 1,6 hexamethylene glycol, and the like. The preferred unsaturated carboxylic acids include C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 -carboxylic acids, i.e., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and itaconic acid.

Preferably the film-forming copolymers of the present invention will incorporate about 20-99.5 mol-% of the hydrophilic monomer component, most preferably about 50-95 mol-% based on the polymer.

In accord with the present invention, the copolymerization of the hydrophilic monomer with at least one alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl esters, aromatic esters, and mixtures thereof, substantially improves the adhesion of the copolymer films to hard surfaces. Preferably, the copolymer will include about 0.5-80 mol-% of at least one of these modifying comonomers, most preferably about 1-50 mol-%.

As used herein, the term "cycloalkyl ester" includes bi- and tricycloalkyl esters, and the term "aromatic ester" includes hetero-aromatic esters. Especially preferred cycloalkyl and aromatic esters are those of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or itaconic acid. Useful aromatic esters of these acids include phenyl, benzyl, tetrahydrofurfuryl, and phenoxyethyl esters. Useful cycloalkyl esters include C.sub.5 C.sub.12 cycloalkyls, e.g. the cyclohexyl, isobornyl and adamantyl esters of these acids.

Alkyl and alkoxy(alkyl) esters of alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids can be used in combination with the aromatic and/or cycloalkyl ester. Preferably the alkyl esters will be selected from higher (alkyl) esters, such as those of about 5-22 carbon atoms, most preferably about 5-12 carbon atoms. The alkyl and alkoxy (alkyl) esters can be employed to the extent of about 1-90 mol-% by weight of the total of the modifying comonomer. Preferably the mol-% ratio of cycloalkyl or aromatic ester to alkyl ester is about 2:1-1:2.

The alkyl and (alkoxy)alkyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and itaconic acid are preferred for use in the present comonomer mixtures.

Examples of these fatty-alkyl ester comonomers which can be employed in combination with cycloalkyl and/or aromatic ester monomers include myristyl, palmityl and stearyl acrylates, methacrylates and itaconates.

Examples of useful C.sub.5 -C.sub.12 compounds include hexyl, octyl, ethyl(hexyl), isodecyl and lauryl, acrylates, methacrylates and itaconates. Alkyl esters having branched, as opposed to straight chain moieties are also preferred for use in the present copolymers.

(Alkoxy)alkyl esters useful as comonomers include (C1-C4) alkoxy(C1-C4-alkyl) esters of acrylic, methacrylic or itaconic acid such as (methoxy)ethyl, (ethoxy)ethyl, (methoxy)propyl, (ethoxy) propyl and the like.

Suitable hydrophilic monomers containing an amine group as a functional group include the following: diethylaminoethyl acrylate or methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate or methacrylate, monoethylaminoethyl acrylate or methacrylate, tertbutylaminoethyl methacrylate, di-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, (N-morpholino) alkyl acrylate and methacrylate including 2-(N-morpholino) ethyl methacrylate 4-(Nmorpholino) butyl methacrylate, piperidinoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl acrylate and methacrylate, 2-pyrrolidinoethyl methacrylate, 3-dimethylaminoethyl-2-hydroxy-propyl acrylate or methacrylate, 2-aminoethyl acrylate or methacrylate, and the like. Preferably the film-forming copolymers of the present invention will incorporate about 0.1 to 5 mol-% of the amine group containing hydrophilic component, most preferably 0.25 to 3 mol-% based on the polymer.

The film-forming copolymers can be prepared by carrying out the polymerization of the mixture of monomer in a solvent or solvent mixture and at concentrations wherein the resultant copolymers remain in solution. Preferred solvents include lower alkanols such as ethanol; ketones, glycol esters or ethers, lower(alkyl)acetates; tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide and the like. The monomeric starting materials are typically dissolved in the solvent to the desired concentration, e.g. to a total concentration about 15-30% by weight, although higher or lower concentrations may be employed in some cases.

The polymerization reactions are initiated in the conventional manner and preferably by use of radical-forming initiators. Instances of suitable initiators include dibenzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroctoate, cumene hydroperoxide, diazodiisobutyrodinitrile, diisopropylpercarbonate, ammonium persulfate, and the like, per se or in combination with a reducing agent, i.e., in the form of an oxidation-reduction system.

During the course of the reaction,. the reaction mixture may be agitated and heated, preferably in a closed system under an inert atmosphere, to about 50-100.degree. C., preferably to about 75-95.degree. C. After completion of the polymerization reaction, a solution of copolymer results, which can be employed without further purification or concentration in the present disinfectant compositions.

The liquid compositions will incorporate an amount of one or more germicidal agents effective to both disinfect surfaces upon contact and to impart prolonged antimicrobial action to the polymeric films prepared therefrom. A wide variety of antimicrobial agents may be included in effective amounts without inducing undesirable interactions or chemical reactions between the major components of the compositions. Such agents can include chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine gluconate, glutaral, halazone, hexachlorophene, nitrofurazone, nitromersol, povidone-iodine, thimerosol, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -parabens, hypochlorite salts, clofucarban, clorophene, poloxamer-iodine, phenolics, mafenide acetate, aminacrine hydrochloride, quaternary ammonium salts, oxychlorosene, metabromsalan, merbromin, dibromsalan, glyceryl laurate, sodium and/or zinc pyrithione, (dodecyl)(diethylenediamine)glycine and/or (dodecyl)(aminopropyl)glycine and the like.

Phenolic compounds are among the preferred germicides for use in the present compositions. Useful phenolic germicides include phenol, m-cresol, o-cresol, p-cresol, o-phenyl-phenol, 4-chloro-m-cresol, chloroxylenol, 6-n-amyl-m-cresol, resorcinol, resorcinol monoacetate, p-tert-butylphenol and o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol. The biologically active, water soluble salts of these compounds may also be employed, e.g. the alkali metal salts. Of these compounds o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol is preferred due to its high germicidal power.

Quaternary ammonium salts are also preferred germicides for use in the present invention and include the N-(higher) C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 -alkyl-N-benzyl-quaternary ammonium salts which comprise water solubilizing anions such as halide, e.g., chloride, bromide and iodide; sulfate, methosulfate and the like and the heterocyclic imides such as the imidazolinium salts.

For convenience, the aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts may be structurally defined as follows:

wherein R is benzyl, or lower(alkyl) benzyl; R.sub.1 is alkyl of 10 to 24, preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -hydroxyalkyl, R.sub.3 is lower alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X represents an anion capable of imparting water solubility or dispersibility including the aforementioned chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate and methosulfate. Particularly preferred species of these aliphatic quats include N-C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -alkylalkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (myrisalkonium chloride), n-C.sub.12 -C.sub.24 -alkyl-dimethyl (ethylbenzyl) ammonium chloride (quaternium 14), dimethyl(benzyl)ammonium chloride and mixtures thereof. These compounds are commercially available as the BTC series from Onyx Chemical Co., Jersey City, NJ. For example, BTC 2125M is a mixture of myrisalkonium chloride and quaternium-14.

Other useful aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds include the N,N-di-(higher)-C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 -alkyl-N,N-di(lower)-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl-quaternary ammonium salts such as distearyl(dimethyl)ammonium chloride, cetyl(dimethyl)ethyl ammonium bromide, dicoco(dimethyl)ammonium chloride, dihydrogenated tallow(dimethyl)ammonium chloride, di-tallow(dimethyl)ammonium chloride, distearyl(dimethyl)ammonium methosulfate cetyl(trimethyl)ammonium bromide and di-hydrogenated-tallow(dimethyl)ammonium.methosulfates.

Other useful nitrogenous germicides include benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, domiphen bromide, gentian violet, and the like.

The total concentration of the germicidal component of the present liquid compositions can vary widely, depending upon its antimicrobial activity, solubility, stability and the like. The disinfectant compositions will preferably comprise about 0.01-10%, most preferably about 0.05-5% by weight of the phenolic or quaternary ammonium salts based on the disinfectant polymeric composition as a whole. Highly durable, abrasion resistant films can be achieved when the concentration of the germicidal agent in the present compositions comprises about 0.01-50%, preferably about 0.25-20%, and most preferably about 0.5-15% by weight based upon the weight of the dissolved copolymer.

The present film-forming liquid compositions are readily prepared by dissolving the germicidal agent in the copolymer concentrate with agitation under ambient conditions, followed by acidification and/or by dilution of the resultant solution to the appropriate concentration by addition of water or other predominately aqueous solvent system. Since the copolymer is commonly prepared in a volatile solvent such as a lower(alkanol) or a lower(alkyl)acetate, this solution can be diluted with a water to reach at least 70 wt-% preferably greater than 75 wt-% water. Alternatively, the volatile solvent containing polymer product can be removed using heat and/or vacuum to produce the mat polymer. The mat polymer can then be taken up into a water solution using 0.01-1.0 N acid as an aid for solubility. Therefore, the preferred liquid disinfectant compositions of the present invention will comprise about 0.25-10%, preferably about 0.5-5% of the film-forming copolymer; about 0.10-10%, preferably about 0.5-5% of the germicidal agent, most preferably selected from a phenolic or quaternary ammonium salt; the remainder of the composition being the aqueous solvent-system.

Preferably the film-forming copolymer will incorporate about 50-95 mol-% of the hydrophilic monomer, most preferably 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or 2-hydroxyethylacrylate; about 10-35 mol-% of a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, an aromatic acrylate or methacrylate or mixtures thereof, and about 0.1 to 5 mol-% of a hydrophilic amine containing monomer. Preferably the amine containing monomer comprises diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, tert-butyl-aminoethyl methacrylate, 2-(N-morpholino) ethyl methacrylate 4-(N-morpholino) butyl methacrylate or mixtures thereof. Optionally, a higher(alkyl)acrylate or methacrylate monomer will also be included in the copolymer, replacing the cycloalkyl and/or aromatic monomer to the extent of about 25-75 mol-%. Minor amounts of adjuvants such as an indicator of germicide level, fragrance, surfactants, dyes and the like may also be included in the present compositions, insofar as they are compatible with the film-forming process. For example, about 0.5-5% of a compatible surfactant can be included in the present compositions to enhance their cleaning power.

The finished disinfectant compositions are homogenous liquids which are applied to the surfaces to be treated by dipping, spraying, brushing, roller coating, pad coating or using similar coating procedures. For household applications, hand-operated pump-type or pressurized aerosol sprayers can be effective. Although the present compositions are particularly adapted to adhere to hard surfaces, they can also be employed to coat or otherwise treat materials such as sponges, flexible plastics, textiles, wood and the like. Generally, the coating process is continued to the extent required to deliver an amount of the liquid composition which rapidly dries to a clear, uniform polymeric film under ambient conditions, e.g., about 50-100 mg/in.sup.2 of liquid composition is generally effective to disinfect and impart prolonged antimicrobial protection to tile surfaces. The germicidal films are glossy, resistant to mild abrasion and are not broken or substantially depleted of biocide by slow release caused by repeated wettings. Repeated application of the liquid compositions does not result in substantial film build-up since the reapplication can act to resolubilize and level the prior-applied film, the film can easily be removed with dilute acid. The invention will be further described by reference to the following detailed Examples.

Cyclohexylmethacrylate, 5 mol-% (2.46 g), isodecyl methacrylate, 5 mol-% (3.31 g) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate 90 mol-% (34.23 g) were dissolved in 160 ml of 95% ethyl alcohol and 0.4 g of dibenzoyl peroxide were added. The solution was bubbled with nitrogen for 10 minutes and heated in a closed system (pressure bottle) for 8 hours at 80.degree. C. The resulting solution of the copolymer was used for the preparation of disinfectant compositions.

A copolymer solution was prepared by the procedure of Example A, with the exception that 7.0 mol-% cyclohexyl methacrylate, 3.0 mol-% isodecyl methacrylate and 90 mol-% 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate were copolymerized.

A copolymer solution was prepared by the procedure of Example A, except that 3.0 mol-% cyclohexyl methacrylate, 7 mol-% isodecyl methacrylate and 90 mol-% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were employed.

A copolymer solution was prepared by the procedure of Example A with the exception that 10 mol-% of cyclohexyl methacrylate was used with no isodecyl methacrylate.

The ethanolic polymer solutions were slowly diluted with an equal volume of deionized water. As the addition of the water to the ethanolic polymer solutions began, the solution immediately became cloudy and as the proportion of water increased the water insoluble polymer formed a white gummy dispersion/precipitate in the water solution. On standing, the water insoluble polymer coated the container with a white gummy, oily, polymeric film. The polymers free of the aminecontaining monomer composition were insufficiently water soluble to form an aqueous solution that could be used to deposit the polymeric film onto a surface requiring sanitization.

Following the general polymerization procedure set forth in Comparative Example A, the polymer preparations shown in Table II following describe the preparation of polymers containing amino groups that render the polymer composition water soluble for use in aqueous systems.

The data relating to the quality and durability of the films was obtained by casting an ethanolic solution of the polymers on a tile surface. The following Tables show the quality of the film cast from aqueous solution. *40% C.sub.12, 50% C.sub.14, 10% C.sub.16

The following Table III displays aqueous preparations made by combining the ethanolic solution of polymer prepared in Examples 1, 2, 5 and 9 with water, acetic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt sanitizing agent in the wt-% proportions displayed in the Table.

The aqueous preparations displayed in the table were clear and stable.

The following Table IV shows film forming characteristics of Examples 13, 14, 16, 19 and 20 shown above.

A review of Table IV shows that the films cast from the aqueous quat-polymer preparations of the invention are clear, smooth and uniform. The films depending on formation can possess varied lifetime in the environment but are on the whole clear, uniform, and long-lasting.

The following Tables V and VI demonstrate that the water soluble amine monomer containing polymers of the invention can effectively contain a broad range of anti-microbial quat concentrations and can be prepared with varying levels of acetic acid. The aqueous film forming sanitizing compositions in these various concentrations provide high quality clear long-lasting films.

Examples 26-29, used in sanitizing hard surfaces, were tested using the following procedure:

(a) Culture Media-Cultures are maintained following AOAC Methods, as specified in Section 4.001-4.002 and 4.020 of the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC, 14th Edition (1984).

Cultures are maintained on nutrient agar slants by monthly transfers, except Ps. aeruginosa which is carried on Cystine Trypticase agar, as specified in Section 4.001.

From the above stock cultures, tubes of AO AC nutrient broth are inoculated and incubated at 37.degree. C.+1.degree. C. Broth cultures are transferred daily with incubation at 37.degree. C. Cultures used for these tests are incubated 18-24 hours at 37.degree. C.

(b) Subculture Media.--Use Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar.

(c) Neutralizer blanks.--Prepare as described in AOAC Methods 4.020 (c), (d), or other appropriate neutralizer material should be employed.

(d) Phosphate buffer dilution blanks.--Prepared as described in AO AC Methods 4.020 (e), (f).

(e) Test Organisms.--For a non-food contact hard surface sanitizer claim, product must be tested against Stapylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumonia, aberrant, (ATCC 4352). Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) may be substituted for K. pneumoniae. For a food contact hard surface sanitizer claim, product must be tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229).

Determine resistance to phenol at least every 3 months by AOAC Method 4.001-4.005.

(a) Glassware-- Sterile Bactereiological Pipettes. Sterilize at 180.degree. F. in hot air oven--2 hours.

(b) Petri Dishes--Sterile--100.times.15mm.

(c) Cotton Swatches--Sterile--1".times.1".

(d) Forceps--Sterile.

From stock cultures inoculate tube of AOAC nutrient broth, AOAC 4.001 A, and make--3 consecutive daily transfers (-30), incubating transfers 20-24 hours at 37.degree. C.+1. Do not use transfer >30 days. If only 1 daily transfer has been missed, no special procedures are required; if 2 daily transfers are missed, repeat with 3 daily transfers.

Test surfaces may include, but are not limited to, the following glazed and unglazed ceramic, glass, PVC plastic, Formica, and stainless steel.

Test surfaces are precleaned 4" by 4" square tiles that are wiped with Isopropyl Alcohol just prior to applying the product to the surface. Product formulations are applied evenly to the entire square surface as per instructions. Tiles are allowed to air dry at room temperature.

Control surfaces containing all ingredients except the antimicrobials are also prepared as above, along with a control surface which has no surface treatment.

a. Treated surfaces, prepared as above, are inoculated with 1.0 ml of the organism being tested. Inoculum is prepared by adding 11 ml of an 18-24 hour culture, prepared as described in Step 1(a), to 99 ml of sterile buffered water and mixed well.

b. Inoculum is spread evenly over the entire surface using a sterile glass spreader.

c. Inoculated tiles are allowed to air dry 30 minutes at 37.degree. C.

d. Initial inoculum is plated using Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar to verify a viable culture and to enumerate the surface inoculum level.

e. Surviving microorganisms are then recovered by swabbing the entire tile surface with a sterile 1" square cotton swatch which has been wetted with sterile buffered water, approximately 0.5 ml. Cotton swatches are handled aseptically using flamed forceps.

f. Swabbing of the surface is accomplished by wiping the cloth across the surface using a back and forth motion four times.

g. Transfer swatch immediately to a sterile tube containing 9.0 ml of appropriate neutralizing broth.

h. Vortex tubes for approximately 15 seconds and immediately prior to plating for another 5 seconds.

i. Plate samples, using serial 10-fold dilutions. to enumerate surviving organisms. Use Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar.

j. Incubate plates at 37.degree. C. for 48 hours and enumerate.

a. Treated surfaces, prepared as above, are inoculated with 1.0 ml of the organism being tested. Inoculum is prepared by adding 11 ml of an 18-24 hour culture, prepared as described in Step 1(a), to 99 ml of sterile buffered water and mixed well.

b. Inoculum is spread evenly over the entire surface using a sterile glass spreader.

c. Inoculated tiles are allowed to air dry 30 minutes at 37.degree. C.

d. Initial inoculum is plated using Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar to verify a viable culture and to enumerate the surface inoculum level.

e. Surviving microorganisms are then recovered by swabbing the entire tile surface with a sterile 1" square cotton swatch which has been wetted with sterile buffered water, approximately 0.5 ml. Cotton swatches are handled aseptically using flamed forceps.

f. Swabbing of the surface is accomplished by wiping the cloth across the surface using a back and forth motion four times.

g. Transfer swatch immediately to a sterile tube containing 9.0 ml of appropriate neutralizing broth.

h. Vortex tubes for approximately 15 seconds and immediately prior to plating for another 5 seconds.

i. Plate samples, using serial 10-fold dilutions to enumerate surviving organisms. Use Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar.

j. Incubate plates at 37.degree. C. for 48 hours and enumerate.

k. Wash tiles using a 4".times.4" Kay Dry towel which has been thoroughly wetted using 15.0 ml of the respective wash solution, either distilled/deionized water or a 0.15% solution of Triton X-100 w/v in deionized water.

l. Wash surfaces using approximately 1-2 lbs. of pressure in a back and forth motion twice covering the whole tile.

m. Blot surface dry using a Kim Wipe.

n. Inoclulate tiles, recover surviving organisms, and plate following above procedures a-j.

o. Repeat Steps k-n until the surface treatments prove to be ineffective in reducing bacterial contamination when compared to the proper control or until the product survives the number of washes necessary to meet product claims.

To be considered valid, results must meet standard effectiveness:

For a hard surface sanitizer claim for food contact surfaces, a 99.999% reduction in count of number of organisms when compared to the proper control numbers, is required.

For a hard surface sanitizer claim for non-food contact surfaces, a 99.9% reduction in count of number of organisms when compared to the proper control numbers, is required.

(a) Neutralizer -- Plate 1 ml from previously unopened

tube.

(b) Water -- Plate 1 ml from each type of water used.

(c) Media -- Pour one plate from previously unopened bottle.

The following Table VII shows that the formulations can achieve a 5 log reduction in microbial popoulations for at least four washes after application and can achieve between a 4 and 5 log reduction in microbial population through 10 washes of the film with no additional film application.

FIG. 1 is a graph displaying the log reduction in microbial populations on a hard surface resulting from the application of the compositions of examples 26 through 29. The graph shows that the long-lasting clear films formed by the sanitizing compositions of the invention can achieve more than a 5 log reduction (sanitizing action) for more than 4 washes and up to 6 washes of a film without additional application of the sanitizing material. Even after 10 washes the in tact films release sufficient quat to have a 4-fold reduction in microbial populations, a highly desirable result.

In summary, the above description experiments and tables of data clearly indicates that the quat polymer compositions of this invention are soluble in water and dilute acid in varying proportions. Such quat polymer compositions can be used in forming high quality clear anti-microbial films on surfaces which can resist repeated washings while providing significant sanitizing action for more than 4 washes and can provide extended anti-microbial activity for 10 washes or more. If desired, the sanitizing films can be easily removed using dilute acid. The polymer compositions obviate the need to use sanitizing compositions primarily based on volatile solvents that demonstrate the use of aqueous based compositions with minimal volatile content.

The above discussion examples and data provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, since many embodiments of the sanitizer compositions of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.