Gloves with enhanced anti-cuff-slip surface

Abstract

An elastomeric article encompassing an enclosure with an interior surface having at least two regions or zones is described. The first region has a higher coefficient of friction than the second region, in which an average coefficient of friction (COF) ratio between the first and second regions of the wearer-contact surface ranges from about 1:1.2 to about 1:3.8 or 4.0. The first region has either the same or smaller surface area than the second region, and is situated at or near an opening to the enclosure. The second region is coated with a hydrogel-based donning layer. A process of making the elastomeric article is also provided. Examples of elastomeric articles according to the invention include surgeons' gloves that exhibit good lubricity and donning characteristics, and have an improved cuff-slippage control.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to elastomeric articles. In particular, the invention relates to certain work, medical, or surgical gloves that have a modified surface, which reduces cuff-slip down, for enhanced protection of wearers. BACKGROUND [0002] Tight-fitting elastomeric articles, such as examination, medical, or surgical gloves, are usually made from either natural rubber or synthetic latex materials. Typically, such natural or synthetic latex materials are tacky and have a high coefficient of friction. This does not allow for easy introduction of a hand into the glove. Hence, some sort of surface treatment is required on the inner surface of the glove to facilitate donning, which may also involve lubricating the interior surface to enable ease of donning by a wearer because of undue clinging or friction between the surface of the article and that of the wear's skin. Traditionally, powdered lubricants have been applied to the inside surface of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Just as the first region of the glove, absent a slick coating, will exhibit a relatively more tacky surface, it is envisioned that the second region of the glove includes a donning layer, such as a hydrogel or lubricating silicone layer, which will exhibit a low friction, sleek surface. This may be accomplish in the second region through application of a variety of different kinds of donning coatings that, for example, may either completely or partially cover the surface to assist donning requirements.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, such natural or synthetic latex materials are tacky and have a high coefficient of friction.

This does not allow for easy introduction of a hand into the glove.

Unfortunately, the use of powdered lubricants may not be appropriate for specific situations, such as the case of surgical gloves.

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

Coating the inner surface of elastomeric gloves with lubricant or donning layers, however, is believed to have unintentionally aggravated the tendency of the cuff regions of gloves to slip or roll down along the wrist during use.

The problem is particularly burdensome with surgical gloves, in view of the critical nature of the surgeon's activities, and also in view of the danger that sterile field on the gloves may be compromised by attempts to re-roll the glove backup along the surgeon's arm.

Surgical gloves currently on the market experience significant cuff slippage during use.

Alternatively, others have suggested applying an adhesive strip to inside of the cuff, and still others have suggested employing rather cumbersome straps and pegs to secure the cuff tightly to the wear's wrist and forearm.

Some manufactures have remedied this issue by narrowing the diameter of gloves at the cuff opening or its immediate area, which has resulted in more constrictive force on the arms producing discomfort and often a compression band on the skin.

Hence, these efforts have not been very successful.

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