Solid antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

Substantially solid (or nonflowable) antimicrobial compositions have advantages over corresponding liquids and powders. Such a composition may be contained within a plastic bottle with a label indicating that the contents have antimicrobial or deodorizing properties containing a substantially solid, non-flowable composition having greater than about 0.02 percent by weight antimicrobial compounds. The preferred compositions consist essentially of an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, fatty amines and diamines, chlorhexidine gluconate, phenol, derivatives of phenol, parachloro metaxylenol and mixtures thereof, and between 0 and 99.98 percent by weight of a cleaning composition. The compositions can be effectively used with solid dispensers. The solid dispensers have a bowl with a drain at the bottom and an upward pointing spray nozzle. The spray nozzle directs water into an inverted bottle of the composition to produce an aqueous solution of antimicrobial compounds which drains from the bottom of the bowl. A second source of aqueous solution or fresh water can combine with the solution draining from the bowl to product a more dilute solution of antimicrobial compounds. The relative flow into the spray nozzle and the secondary source can be adjusted to produce a final diluted solution with a desired dilution. Antimicrobial solutions can be used in a variety of industrial and institutional applications including laundry and hard surface cleaning. Four methods of producing these substantially solid, antimicrobial compositions are described.