Polyurethane gloves

Abstract

A polymer glove is disclosed, comprising one or more polymer layers covering the user's fingers and palm, wherein at least one of the polymer layers comprises a polyurethane elastomer. A method for manufacturing this polymer glove is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 617,568, filed on January 4, 2024, entitled "Biodegradable Polyurethane Gloves," and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 934,994, filed on November 1, 2024, entitled "Polyurethane Gloves," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to protective articles, and more particularly to protective articles such as gloves and / or other wearable articles that include one or more protective polymer layers that are at least partially biodegradable.

Background Art

[0003] Polymer barriers are disposed in protective articles such as gloves and sleeves worn in industrial and / or household environments. However, such articles typically do not contain biodegradable materials.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Gloves and other protective gear are required in most industrial environments. The demand for polymer gloves and other protective gear continues to increase. In order to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste generated, it is necessary to improve the biodegradability of such articles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above, the inventors have invented a polymer glove containing a biodegradable material with improved properties compared to polymer gloves currently known in the art, thereby improving both the performance of the polymer glove and the reduction in the amount of non-biodegradable landfill waste generated.

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce the selection of concepts, which will be further described in the detailed explanation. This summary is not intended to identify the main or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. In embodiments, the polymer glove comprises one or more polymer layers, including a polyurethane elastomer, covering the user's fingers and palm.

[0007] Embodiments further include methods for manufacturing such gloves. Embodiments are substantially shown in and / or described in relation to at least one figure and are more fully described in the claims. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of this disclosure, as well as details of the illustrated embodiments thereof, should be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] To allow for a more detailed understanding of the features of the embodiments of this disclosure, a more specific description of the embodiments briefly summarized above may be given by reference to the embodiments, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, since the invention disclosed herein may permit other equally valid embodiments, the accompanying drawings show only exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered to limit its scope.

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a polymer glove according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0010] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a method for forming polymer gloves according to the embodiments disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] First, it should be noted that in developing such actual embodiments, developers will need to make numerous implementation-specific decisions that differ from implementation to implementation, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, in order to achieve their specific goals. Furthermore, while such development efforts are complex and time-consuming, it will be understood that they are still routine tasks for those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure. In addition, the compositions used / disclosed herein may include components other than those cited. In the summary and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already explicitly modified so), and then again as not modified, unless specifically indicated in the context. Similarly, each limitation of an embodiment should be read once as “comprising,” including that embodiment, then again as “consisting essentially of,” and then again as “consisting of,” unless specifically indicated. For brevity, the terms “comprising” are used throughout unless specifically indicated.

[0012] For the purposes herein, unless otherwise specified, gloves or other items must have a decomposition rate of approximately 90% or more in less than 180 days, as determined in accordance with ISO 14855 under composting conditions.

[0013] In the embodiment, the polymer glove, also referred to here simply as “glove,” comprises one or more polymer layers covering the user’s fingers and palm, at least one of these polymer layers, or the polymer layers, comprising a polyurethane elastomer, and the polymer glove has a decomposition rate of about 90% or more in less than 180 days, as determined according to ISO 14855, under composting conditions.

[0014] In the embodiment, the polymer glove comprises a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer including a polyester-polyurethane elastomer. In the embodiment, the polymer glove has a thickness of about 0.035 mm to 0.4 mm, determined by the palm portion of the polymer glove. In the embodiment, one or more polymer layers further include antioxidants, curing agents, pigments, surfactants, pH stabilizers, or combinations thereof.

[0015] In the embodiments, the curing agent, i.e., the crosslinking agent or crosslinking system, comprises a zinc-free metal oxide, i.e., a non-zinc metal oxide. In the embodiments, the polymer formulation is free of accelerators, sulfur, and zinc. Instead, a metal oxide crosslinking agent is used, which is thought to contribute to the permeability of the resulting layer, as evidenced by the water vapor transmission rate of the polymer gloves, as determined according to EN13726-2, being approximately 900 g / d.m2 or higher. Furthermore, the polymer gloves exhibit unexpectedly improved chemical resistance to sodium hydroxide and other substances. While not intended to be bound by theory, this is thought to be due to the clean formulation achieved by excluding zinc compounds and sulfur. The inventors have further observed that the polymer gloves according to the embodiments disclosed herein exhibit unexpectedly reduced swelling when in contact with various chemicals, improving food handling.

[0016] In this embodiment, the polymer gloves have a standardized breakthrough time (NBT) of approximately 480 minutes or more against 40% sodium hydroxide. Therefore, in this embodiment, the polymer gloves have a chemical resistance level L6 against 40% sodium hydroxide.

[0017] In the embodiment, the polymer gloves have a food migration value of approximately 3 mg / dm2 or less for acetic acid and approximately 1.7 mg / dm2 or less for ethanol, as determined according to BS EN1186 or an equivalent standard. Therefore, the embodiment of the polymer gloves has a food migration value of less than 10 mg / dm2 and is suitable for use in food handling applications.

[0018] In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain activators, curing accelerators, curing agents, or combinations thereof (i.e., they contain about 0.01% by weight or less). In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain trivalent metal oxides. In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain zinc. In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain sulfur. In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain trivalent metal oxides. In the embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain zinc and sulfur.

[0019] In the embodiment, the polymer glove has a water vapor transmission rate of about 900 g / d.m² (grams / day / square meter) or more, as determined according to EN13726-2. In the embodiment, the polymer glove has a water vapor transmission rate of about 950 g / d.m² or more, about 980 g / d.m² or more, about 1000 g / d.m² or more, or about 1100 g / d.m² or more, and about 5000 g / d.m² or less, as determined according to EN13726-2. Therefore, this polymer glove has superior properties to nitrile butadiene gloves, which typically have a water vapor transmission rate of about 250 g / d.m², as determined according to EN13726-2.

[0020] In the embodiment, the polymer glove has an ultimate tensile strength of about 22 MPa or more, as determined according to ASTM D412. In the embodiment, the polymer glove has an ultimate tensile strength of about 23 MPa or more, about 24.5 MPa or more, about 25.1 MPa or more, about 26 MPa or more, about 27 MPa or more, or about 27.5 MPa or more, and about 30 MPa or less, as determined according to ASTM D412.

[0021] In the embodiment, the polymer glove has an elongation at break of about 750% or more, as determined according to ASTM D412. In the embodiment, the polymer glove has an elongation at break of about 780% or more, about 790% or more, about 800% or more, or about 820% or more, and about 950% or less, as determined according to ASTM D412.

[0022] In an embodiment, when the polymer glove is determined in accordance with ASTM D412, the modulus of elasticity (M300) at 300% elongation is about 2.75 to 3.05 MPa. In an embodiment, when the polymer glove is determined in accordance with ASTM D412, the modulus of elasticity (M300) at 300% elongation is about 2.8 MPa or more, about 2.9 MPa or more, or about 2.95 MPa or more, and about 3 MPa or less, or about 3.05 MPa or less.

[0023] In an embodiment, when the polymer glove is determined in accordance with EN455-2, the EN force at break (FAB) is about 6 N or more, or about 6.1 N to about 7.8 N. In an embodiment, when the polymer glove is determined in accordance with EN455-2, it has an EN FAB of about 6.2 N or more, about 6.4 N or more, about 6.7 N or more, about 7 N or more, or about 7.3 N or more, and about 7.7 N or less, or about 7.8 N or less.

[0024] In an embodiment, the polymer glove is suitable for use as a surgical or industrial glove and has a force at break (FAB) of about 9 N or more, about 9.5 N or more, or about 10 N or more when determined in accordance with EN455-2. In an embodiment, the polymer glove according to the embodiments disclosed herein has one or more improved somatosensory properties of smoothness, softness, and warmth, i.e., FFT smoothness value, FFT softness value, and FFT warmth value when determined compared to comparative materials in the art, when evaluated using a fabric touch tester (FFT) such as the SDL Atlas M293-FFT fabric touch tester available from SDL-Atlas, South Carolina, USA. The somatosensory properties can be determined using statistical analysis related to bending average stiffness, bending work, compression work, compression recovery rate, compression average stiffness, surface friction coefficient, surface roughness, wave amplitude, wavelength, thermal conductivity, maximum heat flux, etc.

[0025] In embodiments, the polymer glove consists of a single polymer layer or consists essentially of a single polymer layer. In embodiments, the polymer glove further comprises one or more additional layers or blends thereof including polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or combinations thereof.

[0026] In some embodiments, the polymer glove further comprises a skin contact coating layer including polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber; or in embodiments, the skin contact layer includes styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer glove is formed from a single layer including a polyurethane elastomer and an inner coating layer having a thickness of about 20% or less of the thickness of the single layer including the polyurethane elastomer. In embodiments, the thickness of the skin contact coating layer is from about 0.0005 mm to about 0.01 mm or less.

[0027] In the embodiments, the polymer glove is formed from an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer, the polyurethane elastomer comprising a polyester-polyurethane elastomer in the embodiments, a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer in the embodiments, and / or a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane elastomer in the embodiments.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method for producing a polymer glove according to any one of the above embodiments includes: coating a glove former in an aqueous solution of a coagulant to produce a coagulant-coated former; coating the coagulant-coated former with an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer; curing the emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer coated on the coagulant-coated former to produce a polymer layer thereon; and obtaining a glove by removing the polymer layer from the former.

[0029] In embodiments, the polyurethane elastomer may further comprise a polyester portion, i.e., a polyester polyurethane having ester functional groups in the main chain. In embodiments, the polymer glove may further comprise a pH stabilizer, a crosslinking agent, an antioxidant, a pigment, a filler, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the polymer glove may further comprise a filler, which may be an inorganic filler and / or an organic filler. In embodiments, the inorganic filler may be calcite, carbonate, metal carbonate, calcium carbonate (or limestone), potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum carbonate, zinc carbonate, copper carbonate, chalk, dolomite, silicate, hydrated magnesium silicate, talc, soapstone, calcium silicate (wollonite), potassium silicate, magnesium silicate (talc), aluminum silicate (kaolin), mixtures thereof, mica, smectite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, palygorskite-sepiolite, sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate This includes, but is not limited to, gypsum, mica, hydroxide salts, metal hydroxides, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (potassium), magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), hydrotalcite, metal oxides, oxide salts, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, clay, asbestos, silica, graphite, carbon black, metal fibers, metal foil, glass fibers, magnetic fillers, aramid fibers, ceramic fibers, and derivatives thereof, or blends / mixtures of these materials.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, in embodiments, fillers include organic fillers comprising wood flour, plant flour, or cereal flour (e.g., corn flour, wheat flour, rice flour, soy flour, nut shell flour, clamshell flour, corn cob, cork flour, rice husk, etc.), or plant fibers such as sawdust, flax fiber, wood fiber, hemp fiber, bamboo fiber, coconut fiber, and derivatives thereof, or blends / mixtures thereof. Other suitable fillers include polysaccharides such as lignin, cellulose, or hemicellulose, starch, chitin, chitosan, and derivatives or blends / mixtures thereof.

[0031] In embodiments, one or more layers of the polymer glove may contain, essentially consist of, individual or blended versions of, polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or blends and / or mixtures thereof. In embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the polymer glove has a textured surface.

[0032] In the embodiment, the polymer glove is formed from a combination of an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer, such as a latex emulsion, and any additional fillers, pH stabilizers, surfactants, surfactant systems, solvents, curing agents, curing accelerators, etc. In the embodiment, the latex emulsion is an aqueous emulsion.

[0033] In the embodiment, a latex emulsion is cured to form a polymer layer that forms a polymer glove. Curing is performed using an activator, a curing accelerator, a curing agent, or a combination thereof.

[0034] In the embodiments, the curing agent contains a metal. In the embodiments, the curing agent contains a metal oxide, is essentially composed of a metal oxide, or is made of a metal oxide. In the embodiments, the curing agent contains a trivalent metal curing agent, is essentially composed of a trivalent metal curing agent, or is made of a trivalent metal curing agent.

[0035] In alternative embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain activators, curing accelerators, curing agents, or combinations thereof; i.e., the gloves contain less than about 0.01% by weight of any of the activators, curing accelerators, and / or curing agents. In embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain trivalent metals. In embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain zinc; i.e., zinc is not intentionally added to the composition forming the gloves, and the gloves contain less than about 0.01% by weight of zinc. In embodiments, the polymer gloves do not contain sulfur; i.e., sulfur is not intentionally added to the composition forming the gloves, and the gloves contain less than about 0.01% by weight of sulfur.

[0036] In embodiments, a method for producing a glove according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein includes: coating a glove former in an aqueous coagulant solution to produce a coagulant-coated former; coating the coagulant-coated former with a composition which is, in embodiments, a latex emulsion, and in embodiments, an aqueous latex emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer; curing the aqueous emulsion coated on the coagulant-coated former to produce a polymer layer thereon; and removing the polymer layer from the former to obtain a glove according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. This method may further include coating the polyurethane elastomer layer with a skin contact layer before curing.

[0037] In one embodiment of the method, forming a second layer by coating a coagulant coating former with a latex emulsion includes drying the latex emulsion on the coagulant coating former and coating the dried rubber coated on the coagulant coating former with a second layer of the same or a different latex emulsion.

[0038] In embodiments of the method, coating a coagulant coating former with a latex emulsion includes drying the latex emulsion on the coagulant coating former and coating the dried rubber coated on the coagulant coating former with a second relatively thin (i.e., less than about 0.001 mm thick) skin-contact coating layer.

[0039] In some embodiments, the skin-contact coating layer comprises styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the skin-contact coating layer is applied by dipping. In other embodiments, the skin-contact coating layer is applied by spraying.

[0040] In some embodiments, the polymer glove comprises multiple polymer layers. In other embodiments, the polymer glove is formed from a single polymer layer, which in some embodiments is a blend.

[0041] In the embodiments, the thickness of the polymer glove is approximately 0.035 mm to 0.4 mm. In the embodiments, when the thickness of the polymer glove is determined as the average of the portion of the glove that covers the palm of the end user, it is approximately 0.045 mm or more, approximately 0.05 mm or more, approximately 0.055 mm or more, or approximately 0.06 mm or more, and approximately 0.4 mm or less, approximately 0.35 mm or less, approximately 0.3 mm or less, approximately 0.2 mm or less, or approximately 0.1 mm or less. In the embodiments, the polymer glove is a non-supported disposable glove, a general-purpose glove, or a surgical glove.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a non-supported polymer glove 100 formed from a single polymer layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although shown as a non-supported glove, the embodiments disclosed herein are also applicable to supported gloves. The polymer glove 100 comprises a little finger 106, a ring finger 108, a middle finger 110, an index finger 112, a thumb 114, a palm component 116, and may optionally include a beaded cuff 118 as shown in Figure 1. The non-supported polymer glove 100 comprises at least one polymer layer 120.

[0043] The polymer layer 120 comprises a polyurethane elastomer. In other embodiments, the polymer layer further comprises a blend of the biodegradable polyurethane elastomer with other different elastomers, including polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or combinations thereof.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a method 200 for forming a glove comprising one or more polymer layers covering the fingers and palm of a user, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein at least one polymer layer comprises a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer, for example, polymer layer 120. In block 202, method 200 begins with a hand-shaped former. In some embodiments, the former is heated before proceeding to block 204 (block 201). In block 204, the former is coated with a coagulant, for example, by immersing the former in a bath of coagulant solution. The coagulant solution may be applied to the former by spraying or the like. The coagulant can then be dried on the former as coagulant particles. In at least one embodiment, the coagulant solution is heated to a temperature in the range of, for example, about 42°C to 55°C. In some embodiments, excess coagulant solution can be dripped and dried from the liner and / or former.

[0045] In block 206, an exposed former is immersed in a polymer or elastomer composition according to the embodiments disclosed herein, and a polymer layer including a polyurethane elastomer (elastomer layer) is formed thereon.

[0046] The immersion may be palm immersion, 3 / 4 immersion, knuckle immersion, or full immersion, as is known to those skilled in the art. The thickness of the polymer layer formed thereon may be reduced by dripping the polymer layer. In embodiments, the former on which the polymer layer is placed is rotated so that the polymer layer can be dried in ambient air for several minutes. In at least one embodiment, the polymer layer is dried for about 1 hour.

[0047] In the embodiment, the polymer coating may be leached or washed using an aqueous solution at an appropriate temperature (block 208). The former may be cleaned before applying the coagulant, or before coating with the coagulant, or a release layer may be placed on the former before placing the coagulant to allow the formed polymer glove to be easily removed from the former.

[0048] In block 210, one or more polymer layers are cured. In embodiments, the polymer layers are cured at a temperature of, for example, 60°C to 130°C. In some embodiments, the polymer layers are cured at, for example, 70°C to 120°C for about 10 minutes to 1 hour. In embodiments, the curing block includes curing in an oven such as an infrared oven, and may further include multiple curing temperatures, such as 70°C for about 10 to 20 minutes, 100°C for about 10 to 20 minutes, and 130°C for about 10 to 20 minutes in the first curing step, to form a cured glove.

[0049] In one embodiment, the curing of the block 210 is carried out at an isothermal temperature for a set period of time. In another embodiment, the curing of the block 210 is carried out in a stepwise process at different temperatures for the same or different periods of time.

[0050] If the polymer glove essentially consists of a single polymer layer, the polymer layer present on the former is then cured in 210. In embodiments where the polymer glove includes multiple polymer layers or blends thereof, a portion of Method 200 is repeated. In embodiments, the polymer-coated former may be dipped or sprayed again into another material to form a second or additional layer of a different material. In some embodiments, the polymer-coated former is dipped again to form a skin-contact coating layer including polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0051] For example, a first polymer layer may be formed on block 206, followed optionally by washing 208, and then this part of method 200 may be repeated one or more times (as shown in 207A), starting from immersion block 206, in which case the coated former is again immersed in the same or different polymer composition to form any number of subsequent polymer layers thereon.

[0052] In the embodiment, a first polymer layer is formed in block 206, followed optionally by washing 208, and then the layer is cured (block 210). This part of method 200 may then be repeated one or more times (shown in 207B), starting from immersion block 206, in which case the coated former is again immersed in the same or a different polymer composition or blend thereof to form any number of subsequent polymer layers thereon and to cure them (block 210).

[0053] In block 211, the polymer glove is removed from the former, and in embodiments, this removal is performed by inversion. In some embodiments, the method further includes beading the polymer layer to form a cuff before removing the disposable glove from the former. In block 213, method 200 concludes.

[0054] In embodiments, the method for manufacturing polymer gloves according to the embodiments disclosed herein is carried out using an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method, which comprises one or more controllers, conveyors, formers, tanks, ovens, etc. In embodiments, the former may be made of metal or ceramic and is generally hand-shaped. The former may be curved, such as a partially closed hand, or flat instead.

[0055] Furthermore, some blocks of the method described above may be omitted or performed in a different order. In embodiments, other processes may be applied before curing. In addition, additional blocks may be employed. For example, after curing, the uncured polymer layer on the former may be peeled off, washed, and dried. Washing can be carried out at a temperature of about 25°C to 60°C for about 15 to 90 minutes. The polymer gloves may be dried in a rotary dryer at 50°C to 70°C for about 20 to 60 minutes. Other processes may also be applied before the curing step.

[0056] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of a disposable glove has a textured surface. In some embodiments, the textured or wrinkled process may include a salt-based texture applied to a polymer layer, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,522,363 and 7,771,644, which are jointly transferred and each of these patents is incorporated by reference in whole. In other embodiments, a disposable glove having a textured outer surface may include a textured outer layer positioned on a portion of the polymer layer to impart texture to the outer surface. In other embodiments, a portion of a former used to manufacture a disposable glove includes one or more textured portions sized and positioned to impart a textured surface to a portion of a disposable glove formed using the textured former.

[0057] At least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second polymer layer. For example, a method for producing disposable gloves may further include placing another polymer layer on the former described above. A coagulant may optionally be placed on the polymer layer. Embodiment

[0058] This disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments. E1. Equipped with one or more polymer layers covering the user's fingers and palm, The aforementioned one or more polymer layers include a polyurethane elastomer. The water vapor transmission rate, as determined according to EN13726-2, is approximately 900 g / d.m2 or higher. Polymer gloves. E2. The polymer glove according to E1, wherein the polyurethane elastomer comprises a polyester-polyurethane elastomer. E3. The polyurethane elastomer includes a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer. The aforementioned polymer gloves have a decomposition rate of approximately 90% or more in less than 180 days, as determined according to ISO 14855 under composting conditions. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E2. E4. The polymer glove according to Embodiment E3, wherein the biodegradable polyurethane elastomer comprises a polyester-polyurethane elastomer. E5. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E4, wherein the thickness determined at the palm portion of the polymer glove is approximately 0.035 mm to 0.4 mm. E6. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E5, further comprising an antioxidant, a curing accelerator, a curing agent, a pigment, a surfactant, a pH stabilizer, or a combination thereof. E7. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E6, which does not contain zinc. E8. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E7, which does not contain sulfur. E9. A polymer glove according to any of Embodiments E1 to E8, wherein the water vapor transmission rate determined according to EN13726-2 is approximately 950 g / d.m2 or higher. E10. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E9, wherein the maximum tensile strength determined according to ASTM D412 is about 22 MPa or more. E11. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E10, wherein the elongation at break, as determined according to ASTM D412, is about 750% or more. E12. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E11, wherein the modulus of elasticity (M300) at 300% elongation, as determined according to ASTM D412, is approximately 2.75 to 3.05 MPa. E13. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E12, wherein the EN breaking force determined according to EN455-2 is about 9 N or greater. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E12, wherein the EN breaking force determined according to EN455-2 is about 6N or greater. E14. A polymer glove according to any of embodiments E1 to E13, comprising essentially a single polymer layer. E15. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E13, further comprising one or more additional layers containing polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or a blend thereof. E16. Polymer gloves according to any one of embodiments E1 to E15, further comprising a skin contact coating layer containing polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or a combination thereof. E17. The polymer glove according to Embodiment E16, wherein the thickness of the skin contact coating layer is approximately 0.0005 mm to approximately 0.01 mm or less. E18. A polymer glove according to any one of embodiments E1 to E17, formed from an emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer. E19. Coating a glove former in an aqueous solution of a coagulant to produce a coagulant-coated former, The aforementioned coagulant-coated former is coated with an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer, The process involves curing an emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer coated on the aforementioned coagulant coating former to form a polymer layer thereon, The process includes obtaining a polymer glove by removing the polymer layer from the former, A method for manufacturing polymer gloves according to any of embodiments E1 to E18. E20. Coating a glove former in an aqueous solution of a coagulant to produce a coagulant-coated former, The aforementioned coagulant-coated former is coated with an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer, The process involves curing an emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer coated on the aforementioned coagulant coating former to form a polymer layer thereon, The process includes obtaining a polymer glove by removing the polymer layer from the former, The polymer glove comprises the polyurethane elastomer, The polymer gloves have a water vapor transmission rate of approximately 900 g / d.m2 or higher, as determined according to EN13726-2. A method for manufacturing polymer gloves. E21. The polyurethane elastomer includes a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer. The aforementioned polymer gloves have a decomposition rate of approximately 90% or more in less than 180 days, as determined according to ISO 14855 under composting conditions. The method described in Embodiments E19 to E20.

[0059] The above disclosures and descriptions relating to the present invention are illustrative and explanatory, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the size, shape, and materials, as well as to the details of the illustrated structure or combinations of elements described herein, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. It comprises one or more polymer layers covering the user's fingers and palm, and a curing agent containing a metal oxide, The aforementioned one or more polymer layers include a polyurethane elastomer. The polyurethane elastomer includes a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer. Under composting conditions, the decomposition rate in less than 180 days, as determined according to ISO 14855, is approximately 90% or higher. Zinc-free, sulfur-free, or neither zinc nor sulfur-free, Polymer gloves.

2. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the polyurethane elastomer comprises a polyester-polyurethane elastomer.

3. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the biodegradable polyurethane elastomer comprises a polyester-polyurethane elastomer.

4. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the thickness determined in the palm portion of the polymer glove is approximately 0.035 mm to 0.4 mm.

5. The polymer glove according to claim 1, further comprising an antioxidant, a curing accelerator, a curing agent, a pigment, a surfactant, a pH stabilizer, or a combination thereof.

6. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the water vapor transmission rate determined according to EN13726-2 is about 950 g / d.m2 or more.

7. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the maximum tensile strength determined according to ASTM D412 is about 22 MPa or more.

8. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the elongation at break, as determined according to ASTM D412, is about 750% or more.

9. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the modulus of elasticity (M300) at 300% elongation, as determined according to ASTM D412, is approximately 2.75 to 3.05 MPa.

10. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the EN breaking force determined according to EN455-2 is about 6 N or more.

11. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the EN breaking force determined according to EN455-2 is about 9 N or more.

12. The polymer glove according to claim 1, comprising essentially a single polymer layer.

13. The polymer glove according to claim 1, further comprising one or more additional layers containing polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or a blend thereof.

14. The polymer glove according to claim 1, further comprising a skin contact coating layer containing polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile-butadiene rubber, carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber, polyamide polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, or a combination thereof.

15. The polymer glove according to claim 14, wherein the thickness of the skin contact coating layer is approximately 0.0005 mm to approximately 0.01 mm or less.

16. The polymer glove according to claim 1, formed from an emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer.

17. The polymer glove according to claim 1, wherein the water vapor transmission rate determined according to EN13726-2 is about 900 g / d.m2 or more.

18. The polymer glove according to claim 1, having a standardized breakthrough time (NBT) of about 480 minutes or more with respect to 40% sodium hydroxide.

19. A method for producing polymer gloves according to Claim 1, The process involves coating a glove former in an aqueous solution of a coagulant to produce a coagulant-coated former, The aforementioned coagulant-coated former is coated with an emulsion containing a polyurethane elastomer, The process involves curing an emulsion containing the polyurethane elastomer coated on the aforementioned coagulant coating former to form a polymer layer thereon, The process includes obtaining a polymer glove by removing the polymer layer from the former, The polymer glove includes the polyurethane elastomer. A method for manufacturing polymer gloves.

20. The polyurethane elastomer includes a biodegradable polyurethane elastomer. The aforementioned polymer gloves have a decomposition rate of approximately 95% or more in less than 180 days, as determined according to ISO 14855 under composting conditions. The method according to claim 19.

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