This invention relates to the field of medicine and more specifically to a method and composition for prevention of disease encountered in public washroom facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disinfectants have been known for many years, with a primary object of household sanitation in modern society being to keep restroom surfaces, and particularly those associated with the toilet, free from germs that can cause infection of a person coming into skin contact, typically when seated on a toilet.

Numerous products and compositions are well known in the art for the purpose of providing such safety and freedom from infection, with antiseptic cleaners having been provided and well known in the art. As an example of such a known compound that has disinfectant properties may be mentioned the hexamethylenebisbiguanide compound known as Chlorhexidine gluconate. which is typically administered to a surface in a four percent solution in a mild, sudsing base which is adjusted to a pH of from about 5.0 to about 6.5, and used in that form to treat skin.

Certain long chain linear polyunsaturated acids, aldehydes and primary alcohols are proposed as effective for topical treatment as a virucide for herpes lesions in Reviσi et al, U.S. Patent 4,513,008 granted April 23, 1985. Prevention of the spread of the virus is suggested by incorporating such compounds in a hand cream or lotion for use by physicians, or in fluids used to kill virus on examining tables, instruments, gloves, towels and other surfaces. (col. 5, line 65 - col. 6, line 3).

Martin, U.S. Patent 4,469,614, granted September 4, 1984, teaches a chemical disinfectant and sterilant that includes glutaraldehyde, o-phenyl phenol, p-tert-amyl phenol, benzotriazole and a large number of other specific

ingredients. Martin teaches that his composition may be used on contaminated dental or surgical instruments, or as a "secondary" use by dilution as a hand disinfectant. (col. 2, lines 3-6). Prussin, U.S. Patent 4,364,515, granted December 21, 1982, teaches a water-in-air emulsion or suspension as an improvement in aerosol compositions which are stated as generally used for bath and body powders, make-up powders, foot powders, personal deodorant and antiperspirant powders, and a variety of other uses. (column 2, lines 18-18). Prussin teaches the use of hydrophobic metal oxides, particularly silane treated silicas (column 2, lines 28-0).

Reinchr et al., U.S. Patent 4,357,476, granted November 2, 1982, teach nonadienylamines and related compounds as suitable for combatting microorganisms, particularly in "material protection" (column 32, line 40) and to protect "organic substrates" (column 32, line 43). Protection of industrial products is stated as including glues, binders, paints and a variety of other things, and also as a disinfective for plastics. Plastics are also included in a list of materials that can be protected, including plastics to be used for foot mats, bathroom curtains, toilet seats, foot grids .in swimming pools, wall coverings and the like. (column 33, lines 4-10). The Reinchr et al. patent discloses that the compounds may be included in an aqueous solution or dispersion with appropriate surface-active agent. (column 33, line 55). There is also a generic listing of the use of the composition in either a liquid form or aerosol. (column 33, line 54).

Schleppnik, U.S. Patent 4,310,512, granted December 4, 1979, discloses treatment of offensive odors with a combination of a perfume and fragrances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the treatment of the skin is well known to remove germs, an object of the present invention is to provide a

method of keeping a toilet surface germ-free.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for keeping toilet seats and other surfaces in public restroo s germ-free. Typically an airport washroom facility is used numerous times by all types of persons over the course of a day and between cleaning by airport personnel. It is highly desirable to provide the traveller with a convenient means of sanitizing washroom surfaces in such public facilities, without the need to carry cleaning fluids, cloths, and other items necessary to provide safety from infection.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet seat cleansing unit which comprises a pressurized container housing a toilet seat aerosol composition capable of being ejected at a distance of from about six inches to two feet from said pressurized container, said aerosol composition being suitable for prophylaxis against infections of persons coming into time direct physical contact with said toilet seat, said aerosol composition comprising an aqueous lower alkanol solution with up to about 4.0 percent by weight of Chlorhexidine gluconate, whereby upon administration of said aerosol composition to said toilet seat there are rendered ineffective germs capable of otherwise topically infecting the person at the point of bodily contact with said toilet seat. in accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the lower alkanol is isopropyl alcohol. Alternatively, in accordance with yet another preferred aspect of the present invention, said lower alkanol is ethanol. A mixture of about one part isopropyl alcohol and one part ethanol forms yet a further aspect of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, said Chlorhexidine gluconate is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 3.0 percent by weight of said lower alkanol.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present

-V- invention there is provided a method of prevention of infection of a person through direct skin contact of said person to a germ-containing surface in a washroom facility, which comprises applying a coating of an aerosol composition over said germ-containing surface at the point of expected skin contact therewith, said aerosol composition being suitable for prophylaxis against infections of persons coming into time direct physical contact with said germ-containing surface, said aerosol composition comprising an aqueous lower alkanol solution with up to about 4.0 percent by weight of Chlorhexidine gluconate, whereby upon administration of said aerosol composition to said germ-containing surface there are rendered ineffective germs capable of otherwise topically infecting the person at the point of bodily contact with said germ-containing surface.

In accordance with a more preferred embodiment of this second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of prevention of infection of a person through direct skin contact of said person to a toilet seat, which comprises applying a coating of an aerosol composition over said toilet seat at the point of expected skin contact therewith, said aerosol composition being suitable for prophylaxis against infections of persons coming into time direct physical contact with said toilet seat, said aerosol composition comprising an aqueous lower alkanol solution with up to about 4.0 percent by weight of Chlorhexidine gluconate, whereby upon administration of said aerosol composition to said toilet seat there are rendered ineffective germs capable of otherwise topically infecting the person at the point of bodily contact with said toilet seat.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a purse- or pocket-sized cleansing unit which contains a pressurized toilet seat aerosol composition capable of being ejected at a distance of from

about six inches to two feet from said pressurized container, said aerosol composition being suitable for prophylaxis against infections of persons coming into time direct physical contact with said toilet seat, said aerosol composition containing a disinfectant, whereby upon administration of said aerosol composition to said toilet seat there are rendered ineffective germs capable of otherwise topically infecting the person at the point of bodily contact with said toilet seat. The following examples illustrate the invention: EXAMPLE I

An aerosol composition is prepared with a 4 percent Chlorhexidine gluconate in an ethanol solution, together with conventional aerosol spray adjuvants, to provide a spray to be administered to a toilet seat from a distance of about eight to ten inches. A brief spray of this aerosol composition instantly kills the usual bathroom germs that are found on toilet seats.

EXAMPLE II

An aerosol composition is prepared with a 3 percent Chlorhexidine gluconate in an alkanol mixture of one half isopropyl alcohol and one half ethanol solution, together with conventional aerosol spray adjuvants, to provide a spray to be administered to a toilet seat from a distance of about eight to ten inches. A brief spray of this aerosol composition instantly kills the usual bathroom germs that are found on toilet seats.

EXAMPLE III An aerosol composition is prepared with a 2 percent Chlorhexidine gluconate in an ethanol solution, together with conventional aerosol spray adjuvants, to provide a spray to be administered to a toilet seat from a distance of about eight to ten inches. A brief spray of this aerosol composition instantly kills the usual bathroom germs that are found on toilet seats.

EXAMPLE IV

An aerosol composition is prepared with a 4 percent Chlorhexidine gluconate in an isopropanol solution, together with conventional aerosol spray adjuvants, to provide a spray to be administered to a toilet seat from a distance of about eight to ten inches. A brief spray of this aerosol composition instantly kills the usual bathroom germs that are found on toilet seats.

EXAMPLE V An aerosol composition is prepared with a 1 percent Chlorhexidine gluconate in an ethanol solution, together with conventional aerosol spray adjuvants, to provide a spray to be administered to a toilet seat from a distance of about eight to ten inches. A brief spray of this aerosol composition instantly kills the usual bathroom germs that are found on toilet seats.

EXAMPLE VI An aerosol composition of Example 1 is useful for killing germs on surfaces where they proliferate. Such an aerosol composition is sprayed onto a surface contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. The composition kills the germ and, thus, provides a surface free from the germ such that bodily contact with the surface is undertaken without fear of germicidal contamination. EXAMPLE VII

An aerosol composition of Example 2 is useful for killing germs on surfaces where they proliferate. Such an aerosol composition is sprayed onto a surface contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The composition kills the germ and, thus, provides a surface free from the germ such that bodily contact with the surface is undertaken without fear of germicidal contamination.

EXAMPLE VIII An aerosol composition of Example 3 is useful for killing

germs on surfaces where they proliferate. Such an aerosol composition is sprayed onto a surface contaminated with

Salmonella choleraesuis. The composition kills the germ and, thus, provides a surface free from the germ such that bodily contact with the surface is undertaken without fear of germicidal contamination.

EXAMPLE IX

An aerosol composition of Example 4 is useful for killing viruses on surfaces where they proliferate. Such an aerosol composition is sprayed onto a surface contaminated with Herpes simplex virus type I. The composition kills the virus and, thus, provides a surface free from the virus such that bodily contact with the surface is undertaken without fear of virucidal contamination. EXAMPLE X

An aerosol composition of Example 5 is useful for killing viruses on surfaces where they proliferate. Such an aerosol composition is sprayed onto a surface contaminated with Herpes simplex virus type II. The composition kills the virus and, thus, provides a surface free from the virus such that bodily contact with the surface is undertaken without fear of virucidal contamination.