Powder-free elastic article having sweat-absorbing ability and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powder-free coating composition for elastic products having sweat-absorbing properties to improve user comfort. [Solution] The powder-free composition comprises a gelled starch dispersion prepared by heating starch at a temperature between its solubilization and gelation temperatures. Furthermore, the composition comprises a thickener and a preservative. This innovative formulation eliminates the need for powder coating for sweat absorption while maintaining the desirable properties of the elastomer material, improving user comfort, and reducing allergic reactions and environmental pollution caused by conventional powder-coated products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder-free elastomeric article having a sweat-absorbing ability, particularly a powder-free elastomeric glove having a sweat-absorbing ability and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Powdered gloves were once widely used due to their ease of wear and sweat management thanks to the powder (typically cornstarch). However, their use has been largely phased out because the powder causes adverse health effects and environmental pollution. Due to these health concerns, the FDA banned the use of powdered medical gloves in 2017. To address the negative impacts of powdered gloves, glove manufacturers are driving a shift from starch-powdered gloves to powder-free gloves. This transition involves technological advancements such as chlorination and acrylic / polyurethane-based polymer coatings. For example, US20080034467A1, US8313833B2, WO2006071308, US20220175068A1, US20050132466A1, and US20060141186A1 disclose powder-free gloves with acrylic / polyurethane polymer coatings, which are particularly easy to wear in wet hand conditions. However, powder-free gloves manufactured with these polymer coatings offer only ease of wear and do not provide moisture-wicking properties, which can lead to problems during use. The tight fit restricts airflow, causing sweating and discomfort during prolonged use, which can be unpleasant for the user. In severe cases, this can trigger atopic dermatitis (i.e., eczema), resulting in symptoms such as dryness, cracking, swelling, rash, and itching. To address eczema caused by sweating, US20070053958A1 discloses powder-free gloves coated with a mixture of solubilized rice starch and colloidal oatmeal, which lubricates the user's skin during wear. However, this powder-free coating, formed from solubilized starch, does not provide sweat absorption control for the user. Furthermore, to date, no cost-effective material other than starch has been identified as a coating with good sweat absorption capabilities. Therefore, this gap in the field of elastic articles needs to be addressed, as conventional methods still rely on starch-based powders for lubrication and moisture absorption.

[0003] The objective of this invention is to transform powdered starch coatings into thin, powderless coatings with stronger sweat absorption properties. By applying this powderless starch coating to elastic gloves, the invention ensures safer wear for end users through improved ease of putting on and taking off and better sweat management, while also ensuring cost efficiency in the manufacturing process. [Overview of the project]

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a powder-free composition for coating elastic articles, the composition comprising a starch dispersion thickened by a process further comprising combining a starch source and water under high shear conditions to form a starch dispersion, and heating the starch dispersion to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature of starch, a thickener, and a preservative.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a powder-free composition for coating elastic articles, wherein the starch source is a natural starch source selected from corn, potato, tapioca, rice, wheat, barley, arrowroot, or any other cereal or tuber, or a combination thereof. The starch source may be carboxylated starch, hydroxyethylated starch, resistant starch, thermally oxidized starch, or various The starch source may also be selected from modified starches, which may consist of any or a combination thereof of dextrins. The starch source may also be selected from a combination of natural starch and modified starch.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a powder-free composition for coating elastic articles, wherein the composition exhibits improved moisture absorption properties by a step of heating a starch dispersion to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an elastic article having a powder-free coating, the method comprising the following steps: • The process of preparing and cleaning the molding mold; • A step of applying a solidifying agent to the molding mold; - A step of immersing the mold in a water-soluble polymer latex to form the body of the article; The process of pre-leaching and then curing the formed article; • A process of chlorinating and neutralizing the article; • A process of post-leaching the article; - A step of immersing the article in a coating composition to coat the outer surface of the article; • A step of drying the coated article; and - A step of removing the article from the molding die and allowing the outer surface to become the inner surface coating by reverse peeling. The coating composition is characterized by being the powder-free coating described in the above-described embodiment.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an elastic article comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, and a powder-free coating on the inner surface, wherein the coating comprises a starch dispersion thickened by a process further comprising combining a starch source and water under high shear conditions to form a starch dispersion, and heating the starch dispersion to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature of starch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a glove with a powder-free coating applied to the inner surface. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a glove with a powder coating applied to the inner surface. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the method for producing a powderless starch dispersion. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the glove manufacturing process. [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows a flowchart of powderless sweat-absorbing gloves with a starch-derived coating. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Detailed description of the invention The embodiments disclosed herein should be understood as illustrative examples of the principles of the claims. Other modifications may also be included within the claims. Therefore, alternative embodiments may be utilized in accordance with this disclosure, as they are illustrative and not limiting.

[0011] Therefore, the claims are not strictly limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Throughout this specification and the claims, unless otherwise specified in the context, “comprise” and its variations (e.g., “comprises” or “comprising”) include a given constituent element or process, or constituent element or process This is understood to mean encompassing the group and not excluding other constituent elements or processes, or groups of constituent elements or processes.

[0012] No reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter should be construed as an acknowledgment, acceptance, or any form of suggestion that such prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter constitutes part of the common general knowledge in the art to which this disclosure relates.

[0013] The following terms used in this specification have the following meanings: "Gelatinization temperature" refers to a specific temperature range in which starch granules undergo a phase transition and change from a solid state to a gel-like state. The "solubilization temperature" refers to the specific temperature at which a solid substance effectively dissolves in a liquid. At this point, the solid particles separate and mix uniformly with the liquid.

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating for an elastic article, which is a powder-free composition containing starch thickened by a novel process of shearing and gelling.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a glove comprising an outer surface formed from an elastic material selected from, but not limited to, nitrile rubber, latex, and other elastic materials, and a powder-free coating containing starch thickened by a novel process of shearing and gelling. Compared to conventional powder-coated gloves shown in Figure 2, the glove shown in Figure 1 can ensure effective sweat absorption while providing a powder-free coating solution for thin medical gloves. The object of the present invention is to provide a glove that can be used as, but not limited to, an inspection glove, a surgical glove, an industrial glove, or a glove for food-grade applications.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an elastic article having a powder-free coating, wherein the powder-free coating is manufactured according to the following steps: (a) Using a first mixer (for example, a high-speed mixer that provides high shear conditions (preferably about 6000 rpm)), a starch source (for example, potato starch) is combined with water (preferably soft water) to form a starch dispersion. The starch dispersion formation step is carried out at room temperature (about 25°C) for a set period of time (preferably about 1 hour). (b) At the completion of the mixing step, it is desirable that the starch dispersion has reached a desired temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature of the starch. (c) To increase viscosity and prevent microbial growth during storage, additional water, thickeners, and preservatives are added to the starch dispersion slurry. (d) Next, the starch dispersion slurry is mixed overnight at low speed using a second mixer (for example, a low-speed mixer that provides low shear conditions (preferably about 300 to 500 rpm), but not limited thereto). The second mixing step is carried out at a certain desired temperature to promote the gelation step of the starch dispersion slurry. (e) After completion of the second stirring step, the starch dispersion slurry is stored at room temperature.

[0017] In the treatment of the composition for the preparation of the powder-free coating, the formation of the starch dispersion slurry contains a natural starch source, a thickener, and a preservative. The starch source is selected from corn, potato, tapioca, rice, wheat, barley, arrowroot, other grains or tubers, but not limited thereto. Alternatively, modified processed starches (for example, carboxylated starch, hydroxyethylated starch, resistant starch, thermally oxidized starch, various dextrins, etc., but not limited thereto) can also be selected. The selected starch is not limited to a single type and may be combined. The thickener is selected from gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic; cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), microcrystalline cellulose; synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), but not limited thereto. The preservative is selected from phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, but not limited thereto.

[0018] The starch particles of the composition exhibit a semi-crystalline structure having hydrophilic hydroxy groups mainly derived from amylose and amylopectin. These hydroxy groups are composed of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, imparting high polarity to amylose and amylopectin, endowing the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, and contributing to the overall phenomenon of water absorption by starch particles. In addition to the hydrophilic hydroxy groups, the semi-crystalline structure of starch, which encompasses both crystalline and amorphous regions, also affects its water absorption characteristics and powdery texture.

[0019] In the unheated state, starch particles tend to have a higher proportion of crystalline regions compared to amorphous regions. The powdery texture and swelling resistance associated with unheated starch are due to the highly ordered and dense molecular arrangement in these crystalline regions, which limits the absorption of water molecules.

[0020] The object of the present invention is to prepare a composition that exhibits higher water absorption and lower powdery texture after coating an elastomeric article. This is because starch undergoes a change process called gelation upon heating. In the gelation stage, the semi-crystalline structure within the starch particles is disrupted. With heating, the crystalline regions begin to collapse and the amorphous regions increase significantly. This transition to a more disordered molecular arrangement results in a more open structure, allowing water molecules to penetrate and interact more easily, and as a result, swelling of the starch occurs. Therefore, by this mechanism, the water absorption of starch is improved, and a gel-like viscosity is obtained that has lost the powdery texture associated with the unheated state. In addition to the gelation process, a high-shear mixing or grinding process can further contribute to the reduction of the powdery texture of starch and improve water absorption. The reduction of the powdery texture is achieved by decomposing the starch particles into smaller fragments, and the improvement of water absorption is achieved by the release of amylose and amylopectin from the starch particles into the surrounding water.

[0021] Compositions obtained by high-shear treatment of starch dispersions at temperatures between gelation and solubilization improve water absorption while reducing the powdery texture of the starch. This process enables the creation of powder-free coating solutions for elastic articles, ensuring effective water absorption.

[0022] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a conventional immersion method for manufacturing elastic articles, in which a powder-free coating is formed on an elastic article by incorporating a composition obtained from starch processing.

[0023] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an elastic article that incorporates a composition that provides a powder-free coating on the elastic article, according to the following steps: 1. Prepare the mold by cleaning it with acid and alkaline washes to remove dirt and residue. Apply a first coat layer of coagulant to the mold, typically containing, but not limited to, calcium nitrate or carbonate as the latex coagulant and stearate as the anti-tack agent, to ensure proper glove formation and smooth release from the mold. (Optionally, a moisturizer containing Teric 320 may be used to ensure proper wetting of the mold surface for a uniform coagulant coating.) (A humectant may be added.) 2. The composition is then immersed in a water-based polymer latex that forms the body of the glove. The latex immersion may involve one or more immersion steps to obtain the desired thickness. 3. The elastic article formed in the above process undergoes a pre-leaching process to remove excess protein and impurities, followed by a curing process in which hot air is circulated in an oven to evaporate and dry any remaining moisture, thereby promoting the crosslinking reaction of the glove. (After crosslinking, the glove exhibits increased durability, resistance to tearing and stretching, improved chemical resistance and heat resistance, and enhanced structural stability.) 4. After the curing process is complete, the final product is subjected to a cooling process, and then chlorinated by immersion in an 800-1200 ppm chlorine-containing aqueous solution to improve surface properties. Proper chlorination reduces the stickiness of the gloves, making them smoother and easier to wear. 5. After chlorination, the gloves are washed with a base such as sodium hydroxide or ammonia to remove residual chlorine, then subjected to a neutralization treatment to adjust the surface pH, and finally a post-leaching process to remove any remaining impurities. 6. Next, the elastic article is immersed in the starch-dispersed slurry formed by the process shown in Figure 3, and the outer surface of the glove is coated with the starch-dispersed slurry. 7. Subsequently, the elastic article is further dried to remove moisture and form a solid coating on the outer surface of the elastic article. 8. The coated elastic article is removed from the mold by an inversion peeling process, which inverts the outer surface (on the mold) to become the inner surface of the elastic article as shown in Figure 1. By this manufacturing method, the final gloves exhibit good wearability due to chlorination and have sweat absorption capacity due to the powderless starch coating.

[0024] The object of the present invention is to manufacture an elastic article that is thin and can be considered powder-free. By using the powder-free coating disclosed herein, an ultrathin film can be formed on an elastic article (e.g., gloves), enabling a powder-free design. This thin coating reduces the need for conventional powder coatings, which can absorb moisture from the skin and potentially cause allergic reactions, as well as the residue left behind. The powder-free coating provides a smooth and comfortable feel and improves the grip properties of gloves, making it suitable for various applications, particularly in medical and industrial uses. Evaluated according to ASTM D6124 standard, it is powder-free. - To be considered a glove, each glove must have a mass of less than 2 mg. By incorporating a powderless starch coating into the gloves, gloves with a mass of less than 2 mg can be manufactured, thus meeting the ASTM standard.

[0025] Regarding the thickness of the elastic article, the glove is preferably less than 0.2 mm thick, and more preferably in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 mm. Gloves with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm are classified as thin gloves. Gloves of this thickness are designed to enhance tactile sensitivity, dexterity, and comfort in applications requiring precision and fine motor skills. These gloves are particularly suitable for medical procedures requiring delicate manipulation, such as microsurgery, and for industrial work involving small or delicate parts. The reduced bulk and improved comfort of ultra-thin gloves contribute to improved hand-eye coordination, reduced fatigue, and improved overall performance in tasks requiring high tactile sensitivity and precision. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to manufacture an elastic article (for example, a glove that can be considered a thin glove with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm).

[0026] method In the following comparative examples, the following apparatus was used to process the compositions on a laboratory scale. 1. High-shear mixer (L5M-A, Silverson, USA): Maximum rotational speed 10,000 rpm. 2. Overhead agitator (RW 20, IKA, Germany): Maximum rotational speed 2,000 rpm. 3. Hot plate stirrer (C-MAG HS 7, IKA, Germany): Rotation speed range 1 00-1,500 rpm, heating temperature range 50-500°C.

[0027] The particle size of the starch dispersion was measured using a Betasizer 2600 to investigate the swelling of starch particles after water absorption. In the characterization of starch-coated gloves, To measure the amount of powder remaining in the bag, an ASTM D6124 test was performed. To evaluate the sweat absorption capacity of the coating gloves, an in-house test method was also employed. In general, the film was first weighed by its initial weight. Then, a 0.5% NaCl solution drop was added as simulated sweat. 6g was uniformly sprinkled on the inner surface of a starch-coated film, and an absorption process was performed for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the gloves were turned inside out on a drying rack and placed under a fume hood with an airflow of 0.5 m / s to remove unbound excess moisture. After removing the excess moisture, the gloves were weighed again to obtain the final weight. The sweat absorption rate was calculated using the following formula for further comparison with a control glove without an internal coating.

[0028]

number

[0029] Example 1A Potato starch was mixed with soft water, and a starch dispersion was formed using a high-speed mixer (L5M-A) under high shear conditions of 6000 rpm. This process was carried out at room temperature (approximately 25°C) for 1 hour. After mixing at 6000 rpm, the temperature of the starch dispersion was approximately 65°C, which was between the solubilization and gelation temperatures of potato starch. Additional water, thickeners, and preservatives were added to the concentrated starch slurry, and the final composition is described in detail in Table 1. Subsequently, the starch slurry was mixed overnight at low speed (300-500 rpm) using a hot plate stirrer (C-MAG HS 7), and the temperature was maintained at approximately 65°C for at least 16 hours under storage conditions to promote the gelation process. After overnight storage, a stable starch dispersion that did not form powder precipitate was obtained at room temperature.

[0030] Example 1B The starch slurry of 1B had the same process and formulation, but differed only in the mixing method. Mixing was performed using an overhead mixer (RW 20) at a low speed of 1000 rpm. The process was carried out. Subsequently, the mixture was mixed overnight at low speed (300-500 rpm) using a hot plate stirrer (C-MAG HS 7) under room temperature conditions (approximately 25°C). This mixing step is a conventional method for preparing starch slurry for powdered gloves and is performed under conditions significantly below the gelation temperature. After overnight storage, an unstable starch dispersion exhibiting powder precipitation at room temperature was obtained.

[0031] Example 1C The starch slurry was prepared using the same process and formulation, but mixing was performed under extremely high shear conditions of 9000 rpm using a high-speed mixer (L5M-A). After mixing at 9000 rpm, the temperature of the starch dispersion rose to 80°C, exceeding the solubilization temperature of potato starch. At 80°C and 300-500 rpm, a hot plate stirrer (C-MAG H) was used. The mixture was also mixed overnight using S 7). After overnight storage, a clear starch dispersion was obtained. Complete solubilization of potato starch was confirmed at high temperatures.

[0032] [Table 1]

[0033] The original particle size (D90) of the potato starch dispersion was 68.6 μm. When the starch dispersion was synthesized at a temperature above the gelation temperature (Example 1A), the particle size of the potato starch dispersion increased to 243.7 μm. This indicates significant water absorption, meaning that the swelling of the starch increased by 355% after synthesis, as shown in Table 2. For comparison, when the starch dispersion was synthesized below the gelation temperature (1B), a lower swelling of 250% was observed. In contrast, when the starch dispersion was synthesized at an extremely high temperature (1C), the starch particles burst, and most of the components derived from amylose and amylopectin were solubilized in the aqueous liquid environment, making the particle size undetectable.

[0034] The synthesized starch dispersion was applied to gloves using a conventional glove immersion process, and its sweat absorption was compared with that of an uncoated control glove (Table 2). In the sweat absorption test, the absorption process was performed for 20 minutes, reflecting the average glove change interval of healthcare workers. After the 20-minute absorption process, the control glove absorbed 40 mg of simulated sweat. In contrast, the glove coated with the gelled starch dispersion (1A) showed the highest sweat absorption amount of 120 mg, which was 300% higher than the control's sweat absorption. Next, the glove coated with a starch slurry prepared by the conventional method (1B) absorbed 66 mg of water, showing a 66% improvement in sweat absorption compared to the control. Interestingly, the glove coated with the solubilized starch dispersion (1C) showed no sweat absorption compared to the control glove (-100%). These findings highlight the novelty of the synthesis of starch dispersions for glove coatings and demonstrate a further improvement in the moisture absorption rate of starch-coated gloves compared to powder gloves prepared by conventional starch slurry preparations.

[0035] Regarding the powder content of the gloves, the control gloves showed a very small powder content of 0.04 mg per glove, as shown in Table 2. This is well below the ASTM D6124 requirement for powder-free gloves, which specifies a maximum total powder particle content of 2 mg on the finished glove. In contrast, gloves treated with gelled starch dispersion (1A) and solubilized starch dispersion (1C) showed powder content of 1.00 mg and 0.42 mg per glove, respectively, both below the standard requirement of 2 mg / glove. During use, gloves obtained from processes 1A and 1C left no powder residue on the hands, but significant powder residue was observed after removing gloves from process 1B. These findings support the novelty of the synthesis of starch dispersions for glove coating and demonstrate that the powdery feel of starch-coated gloves is efficiently minimized compared to powder-containing gloves prepared by conventional starch slurry preparation.

[0036] [Table 2]

[0037] On the other hand, in Example 1B, since it is unheated, starch granules with a higher proportion of crystalline regions compared to amorphous regions are observed. This results in a powdery texture exceeding 2 milligrams, the maximum amount of total powder particles, on the glove, exhibiting resistance to swelling and limiting water absorption. In contrast, the starch dispersion synthesized in Example 1A absorbs water molecules with a high absorption rate when coated onto a glove and does not exhibit a powdery texture. This is because the starch granules gel upon heating. During the gelation stage, the semi-crystalline structure within the starch granules is destroyed. When heat is applied, the crystalline regions begin to decompose, and the amorphous regions increase significantly. This disordering of the molecular arrangement forms a more open structure, allowing water molecules to penetrate and interact more easily, resulting in the swelling of the starch. Therefore, this mechanism improves the water absorption of starch, eliminates the powdery texture associated with the unheated state, and results in a gel-like viscosity. In addition to the gelation process, high-shear mixing or grinding processes can further contribute to reducing the powdery texture of the starch and improving water absorption. The reduction of powdery texture is achieved by breaking down the starch granules into smaller fragments, and the improvement in water absorption is achieved by releasing amylose and amylopectin from the starch granules into the surrounding water.

[0038] On the other hand, Example 1C involves overheating or shearing of the starch. This induces solubilization, characterized by the rupture of starch granules that do not retain their crystallinity. The solubilized starch forms a mixture uniformly dispersed at the molecular level in the aqueous liquid, with undetectable particle size. Following solubilization, drying of the starch dispersion may cause recrystallization, resulting in the rearrangement of starch molecules and the formation of a more ordered crystalline structure. The molecular arrangement of starch becomes less compatible with interactions with water molecules, resulting in a film with minimal water absorption capacity. The combination of solubilization induced by overheating followed by recrystallization during drying yielded a starch film with reduced water absorption properties.

Claims

1. A powder-free composition for coating elastic articles, comprising a starch dispersion formed by mixing starch with water under high shear conditions and heating the mixture to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature of starch.

2. A powder-free composition for coating elastic articles, comprising a starch dispersion formed by the method of claim 1, a thickener, and a preservative.

3. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the starch is a natural starch source selected from corn, potato, tapioca, rice, wheat, barley, arrowroot, or any other cereal or tuber, or a combination thereof.

4. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the starch is a modified starch selected from carboxylated starch, hydroxyethylated starch, indigestible starch, thermally oxidized starch, or various dextrins, or a combination thereof.

5. A powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a combination of natural starch and modified starch.

6. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickening agent is selected from gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and gum arabic; cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), and microcrystalline cellulose; and synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

7. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the preservative is selected from phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate.

8. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition is obtained by heating the starch dispersion to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature, thereby improving its hygroscopic properties.

9. A method for manufacturing an elastic article having a powder-free coating, comprising the following steps: The process of preparing and cleaning the mold for forming; A step of applying a solidifying agent to the molding mold; A step of immersing the molding mold in a water-soluble polymer latex to form the body of the article; A step of pre-leaching the formed article and then hardening it; A step of chlorinating and neutralizing the aforementioned article; A step of post-leaching the aforementioned article; A step of immersing the article in a coating composition to coat the outer surface of the article; A step of drying the coated article; and The article is removed from the mold, and the outer surface is peeled off by reverse delamination, and the inner surface coating is removed. The process of making it happen; A method characterized in that the coating composition is a powder-free coating according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the coagulant is selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, calcium carbonate, and calcium stearate.

11. An elastic article, It includes an outer surface and an inner surface formed from an elastic material, An elastic product characterized in that the inner surface is coated with a powder-free coating, the coating comprising a starch dispersion formed by mixing starch and water under high shear conditions and heating the mixture to a temperature between the solubilization temperature and the gelation temperature of starch.

12. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic material is selected from nitrile rubber or latex; the method according to claim 9; and the elastic product according to claim 11.

13. The powder-free composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic material is a glove, the method according to claim 9, and the elastic product according to claims 11 to 12.

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