Readily donned, powder-free elastomeric article

Abstract

An elastomeric article such as a glove includes a substrate body made of an styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and a donning layer overlying at least one side of the substrate body. The donning layer is formed of 1,2 polybutadiene, preferably syndiotactic 1,2 polybutadiene, or a chlorinated mid block unsaturated block copolymer. Optionally, a surfactant layer is present over the donning layer to further improve the donning characteristics. The surfactant layer is preferably an alkyl dimethylbenzyl quaternary, an alkyl trimethyl quaternary, a dialkyl dimethyl quaternary, sodium lauryl sulfate, or pyridinium chloride.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of pending and allowed application Ser. No. 08 / 604,009, filed Feb. 20, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, for which priority is claimed.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to elastomeric articles such as gloves, and, more particularly, to such elastomeric articles specially treated to make them easy to slip on. [0003] Highly elastic articles such as surgical and examination gloves have traditionally been made of natural rubber latex in order to utilize its combination of good elasticity and strength. However, some persons are allergic to natural rubber latex, and in addition natural rubber latex is susceptible to environmental damage such as ozonation. For many years, the only available alternatives to natural rubber latex were synthetic elastomers which did not produce allergic reactions, but which also tended to exhibit insufficient elasticity and strength, as well as susceptibility to ozone degradation in some c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention provides an elastomeric, powder-free article having excellent donning characteristics. The article is preferably made using a substrate of synthetic elastomer that exhibits good elasticity and strength, is hypoallergenic, is resistant to environmental degradation, is producible by dip forming, and is otherwise acceptable for use. These properties are not adversely affected by the treatment and structure that provide improve

Problems solved by technology

However, some persons are allergic to natural rubber latex, and in addition natural rubber latex is susceptible to environmental damage such as ozonation.

For many years, the only available alternatives to natural rubber latex were synthetic elastomers which did not produce allergic reactions, but which also tended to exhibit insufficient elasticity and strength, as well as susceptibility to ozone degradation in some cases.

Tightly fitting elastomeric articles such as gloves and condoms, whether made of natural or synthetic elastomers, can be difficult to don.

The use of a powdered lubricant on the elastomer is operable, but has drawbacks in specific situations such as the case of surgical gloves.

If some of the powder escapes from the inside of the glove into the surgical environment, as for example of the glove is torn during the surgery, the powder may enter the surgical wound to cause further complications for the patient.

The powder may carry infectious agents, or the patient may be allergic to the powder.

While these techniques for producing powder-free gloves are perhaps operable in their conventional applications, the present inventors have found that they are not fully satisfactory for use with gloves made of the synthetic S-EB-S block copolymers and some other materials of construction.

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