Claims for Patent: 6,793,931

Summary for Patent: 6,793,931

Title:	Ectoparasite asphyxiator compositions and methods for their applications
Abstract:	Water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially air-impermeable, pharmacologically acceptable, liquid barrier compositions for treating ectoparasite infestations on animal skin and hair, wherein the compositions contain at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol to prevent the ectoparasites from closing their respiratory systems.
Inventor(s):	Precopio; Michael J (Collegeville, PA)
Assignee:	Summers Laboratories, Inc. (Collegeville, PA)
Application Number:	10/195,048
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 6,793,931
Patent Claims:	1. In a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially air-impermeable, pharmacologically acceptable, liquid or gel form barrier composition containing a surfactant and a thickening agent, the improvement wherein the composition contains a quantity of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol of formula I below: ##STR2## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 straight chain saturated alkylene group, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups sufficient to prevent lice from closing their respiratory systems when the composition is applied to an animal body infected with the lice; and wherein the composition is free from pediculicides. 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition contains from about 1 to about 25% by weight of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol of formula I, based on the weight of the composition. 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition contains an effective quantity of at least one enzyme that loosens nits. 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition contains from about 2 to about 10% by weight of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol of Formula I. 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition contains from about 3 to about 7% by weight of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol of Formula I. 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition contains from about 4 to about 6% by weight of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol of Formula I. 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is a water-containing gel. 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein R in formula I is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 saturated straight chain alkylene group. 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the compound of formula I is benzyl alcohol. 10. The composition of claim 9 wherein the composition contains from about 1 to about 25% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 11. The composition of claim 9 wherein the composition contains from about 2 to about 10% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 12. A water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially air-impermeable, pharmacologically acceptable, liquid barrier composition for killing lice infestations on the animal body comprising the following components: A) at least one aralkyl alcohol in a quantity sufficient to prevent the lice from closing their respiratory system; B) a film forming agent; C) a surface active agent; D) a thickening agent; and E) water; and wherein the composition is free from pediculicides and wherein the at least one aralkyl alcohol has the formula I below ##STR3## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 straight chain saturated alkylene group and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups. 13. The composition of claim 12 in which component A) is present in a quantity sufficient to prevent a head louse from closing its spiracle. 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the animal body is the body of a human being. 15. The composition of claim 12 wherein component A) is present in from about 1 to about 25% by weight of the composition. 16. The composition of claim 12 wherein component A) is present in from about 1 to about 25% by weight; component B) is present in from about 1 to about 25% by weight; component C) is present in from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight; and component D) is present in from about 0.05 to about 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. 17. The composition of claim 12 wherein component A) is present in from about 2 to about 10% by weight; component B) is present in from about 2 to about 10% by weight; component C) is present in from about 0.25 to about 5% by weight; and component D) is present in from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight; based on the weight of the composition. 18. The composition of claim 12 wherein component A) is present in from about 3 to about 7% by weight; component B) is present in from about 3 to about 7% by weight; component C) is present in from about 0.5 to about 3% by weight; and component D) is present in from about 0.15 to about 1% by weight; based on the weight of the composition. 19. The composition of claim 12 wherein component A) is present in from about 4 to about 6% by weight; component B) is present in from about 4 to about 6% by weight; component C) is present in from about 0.8 to about 1.2% by weight; and component D) is present in from about 0.2 to about 0.35% by weight; based on the weight of the composition. 20. The composition of claim 12 wherein R in Formula I is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 saturated straight chain alkylene group. 21. The composition of claim 12 wherein the compound of formula I is benzyl alcohol. 22. The composition of claim 21 wherein the composition contains from about 1 to about 25% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 23. The composition of claim 21 wherein the composition contains from about 2 to about 10% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 24. The composition of claim 12 wherein component C) is a sugar-based surfactant. 25. The composition of claim 12 wherein component B) is an oil and component C) is an alkyl polyglycoside. 26. The composition of claim 13 wherein component E) is present in from about 80 to about 90% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. 27. The composition of claim 12 wherein the composition consists of the following components: 28. A method for the topical treatment of lice on animal skin comprising the steps of: A) applying to the skin and hair containing lice a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially air-impermeable, pharmacologically acceptable, liquid barrier composition containing a quantity of at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol sufficient to prevent the lice from closing their breathing apparatus, wherein the liquid composition can range from free-flowing to gel form, and wherein the composition is free from pediculicides, and wherein the at least one monohydric aralkyl alcohol has the formula I below ##STR4## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 straight chain saturated alkylene group, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups; B) leaving the composition in contact with the skin and hair for at least 10 minutes until the lice have been killed by suffocation; and C) removing the composition and the dead lice from the skin and hair. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the lice is the head louse. 30. The method of claim 28 wherein the composition also contains an effective quantity of at least one enzyme that loosens nits. 31. The method of claim 28 wherein the composition is in the form of a gel. 32. The method of claim 28 wherein the time period is from about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes. 33. The method of claim 28 wherein in step C) the composition is removed by rinsing with water. 34. The method of claim 28 wherein R in Formula I is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 saturated sraight chain alkylene group. 35. The method of claim 28 wherein the compound of Formula I is benzyl alcohol. 36. The method of claim 28 wherein the composition contains from about 1 to about 25% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 37. The method of claim 28 wherein the composition contains from about 2 to about 10% by weight of benzyl alcohol. 38. The method of claim 28 wherein the composition is the composition of claim 12.