Gloves with hydrophilic coating and method of manufacture therefrom

Abstract

To provide a glove capable of being easily put on in a dry state and a wet state, and a manufacturing method thereof.SOLUTION: A hydrophilic coating contains a silicone emulsion, a wax dispersion, a stearate-based chemical, a surfactant, and water. Further, there is provided a method for manufacturing a glove having the hydrophilic coating by using either a chlorination process or a polymer coating process. The glove is made of any one selected from the group consisting of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, a natural rubber, a polyisoprene rubber, a polychloroprene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, a butadiene copolymer rubber, a polyurethane rubber, a rubber of a vinyl-containing compound, a thermoplastic elastomer, a vinyl ethylene acetate rubber, and a mixture thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to elastomeric articles having a hydrophilic coating and methods of making the same. In particular, the present invention relates to disposable elastomeric gloves having a hydrophilic coating applied to the inner surface of the elastomeric glove. The hydrophilic coating improves the donning comfort of the disposable elastomeric glove in both dry and wet conditions, as well as improving the surface hydrophilicity of the disposable elastomeric glove. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional chlorinated gloves are generally made by subjecting the glove on a former to a chlorine solution treatment, which reduces surface friction and stickiness on the inside of the glove. Sometimes, after chlorination, the gloves are washed in an alkaline aqueous solution (i.e., potassium hydroxide or ammonia), then rinsed in water, and finally dried to produce an easy-to-don glove.

[0003] On the other hand, traditional polymer-coated gloves are made by applying a polymer coating to the inner surface of the glove, resulting in a smooth finish that is easy to don. Both the chlorination approach and the polymer coating approach are effective in producing gloves that are easy to don and doff.

[0004] However, both conventional chlorinated gloves and polymer-coated gloves have been found to lack surface hydrophilic properties, which can cause wearers to have difficulty donning the gloves when their hands are wet or sweaty, and therefore can cause wearers to take longer than usual to don their gloves when their hands are wet or sweaty and / or during the process of changing into another glove.

[0005] As described above, it is clear that existing conventional gloves have their own drawbacks. Therefore, there exists a need to identify a suitable approach, such as, but not limited to, applying a hydrophilic coating to conventional gloves, which can improve the surface hydrophilic properties of the gloves, and in return, make the gloves easier to don one after the other, both in dry and wet conditions, especially in wet conditions, without affecting the donning action and efficiency of the glove wearer. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a hydrophilic coating comprising a silicone emulsion, a wax dispersion, a stearate-based chemical, a surfactant, and water, wherein the silicone emulsion is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the wax dispersion is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the stearate-based chemical is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the surfactant is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.4% to 2.0% in the hydrophilic coating, and the remainder of the hydrophilic coating is filled with water to a weight concentration of 100.00%.

[0007] The present invention also discloses a method for preparing a glove having the hydrophilic coating disclosed above using either a chlorination method or a polymer coating method, wherein the glove is made of any one of the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene copolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, rubber of a vinyl-containing material, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl acetate ethylene rubber, and mixtures thereof.

[0008] Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and for teaching those skilled in the art of the present invention. Numerical data or ranges used herein should not be considered limiting.

[0010] The present invention relates to elastomeric articles having a hydrophilic coating and methods of making the same, and in particular, the present invention relates to disposable elastomeric gloves having a hydrophilic coating applied to the inner surface of the elastomeric glove, wherein the hydrophilic coating of the present invention improves the donning comfort of the disposable elastomeric glove in both dry and wet conditions, as well as improving the surface hydrophilicity of the disposable elastomeric glove, as described in more detail in the Examples section (i.e., see particularly Tables 7-11).

[0011] The elastomeric glove may be any one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) gloves, natural rubber (NR) gloves, polyisoprene (PI) rubber gloves, polychloroprene rubber (CR) gloves, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also extends to gloves selected from the group consisting of styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene copolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, vinyl-containing rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) rubber, and mixtures thereof. The gloves of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, cleanroom, food handling, cosmetics, biomedical, semiconductor, electrical, and / or healthcare applications.

[0012] The hydrophilic coated gloves of the present invention are prepared by employing methods commonly known in the glove manufacturing industry, which include, during an on-line process for making hydrophilic coated gloves: 1. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold; or 2. Immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold in a hydrophilic solution. The hydrophilic coating of the present invention may be one layer or multiple layers.

[0013] Chlorinated gloves with hydrophilic coating The method for preparing a glove having a hydrophilic coating (as described above) comprises: i. A process for cleaning / washing a mold to produce a cleaned mold, wherein the first step is treatment with an acidic solution, the second step is treatment with an alkaline solution, the third step is washing with water, the fourth step is brushing, and the fifth step is washing with water, wherein the first, second, third, and fifth steps are all performed at a temperature ranging from 50°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 3 seconds to 10 seconds, and the acidic solution is selected from any one or mixture of inorganic acids, any mixture of organic and inorganic acids, and any combination of the above with the addition of surfactants or additives. the alkaline solution can be selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, a mixture thereof, and any one of the above with the addition of a hypochlorite chemical, a surfactant, or a builder; the acid is used at a concentration ranging from 0.4% to 4.0%, and the alkali is used at a concentration ranging from 0.5% to 8.0%; performing the third and fifth cleaning steps to ensure that any excess acidic and / or alkaline solution remaining on the mold is completely removed, and also performing brushing to ensure that the mold surface is clean; ii. immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution at a temperature of 40°C to 65°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to coat a coagulant layer on the mold, wherein the coagulant solution is any conventional coagulant solution; iii. drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. immersing the mold obtained in step (iii) in a first latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a first latex layer, wherein the first latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. immersing the mold obtained in step (v) in a second latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a second latex layer, wherein the second latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; vii. drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. beading the pre-leached latex film coated on the former obtained in step (viii) to produce a beaded latex film, wherein the beading is performed by beading the edges of the latex film using a roll brush and / or a beading carpet; x. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (ix) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, and then cooling to obtain a cooled latex film, wherein the cooling step is carried out by immersing the cured latex film coated on the mold in cold water at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 40°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; xi. treating the cooled latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) with chlorine water at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 50°C for a time ranging from 10 seconds to 60 seconds to obtain a treated latex film; xii. treating the treated latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues, thereby obtaining a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step (xiv) of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former from the former. wherein the first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation.

[0014] Polymer coated gloves having a hydrophilic coating The method for preparing a glove having a hydrophilic coating (as described above) comprises: i. cleaning / washing a mold to produce a cleaned mold, wherein the first step is treatment with an acidic solution, the second step is treatment with an alkaline solution, the third step is washing with water, the fourth step is brushing, and the fifth step is washing with water, wherein the first, second, third, and fifth steps are all performed at a temperature ranging from 50°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 3 seconds to 10 seconds, and the acidic solution is any one or mixture of inorganic acids, any mixture of organic and inorganic acids, and any combination of the above with the addition of surfactants or additives; the alkaline solution can be selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, a mixture thereof, and any one of the above with the addition of a hypochlorite chemical, a surfactant, or a builder; the acid is used at a concentration ranging from 0.4% to 4.0%, and the alkali is used at a concentration ranging from 0.5% to 8.0%; performing the third and fifth cleaning steps to ensure that any excess acidic and / or alkaline solution remaining on the mold is completely removed, and brushing to ensure that the mold surface is clean; ii. immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution at a temperature of 40°C to 65°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to coat a coagulant layer on the mold, wherein the coagulant solution is any conventional coagulant solution; iii. drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. immersing the mold obtained in step (iii) in a first latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a first latex layer, wherein the first latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. immersing the mold obtained in step (v) in a second latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a second latex layer, wherein the second latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; vii. drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. treating the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (viii) with a polymer solution for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a polymer-coated latex film, wherein the polymer coating is carried out by immersing the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold in a polymer solution having a concentration ranging from 1.5% to 5.0%; x. beading the polymer-coated latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (ix) to produce a beaded latex film, wherein the beading is performed by beading the edges of the latex film using a roll brush and / or a beading carpet; xi. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes to obtain a cured latex film; xii. treating the cured latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues to obtain a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step (xiv) of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former from the former. wherein the first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation.

[0015] The first and second latex formulations are Latex (such as, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), natural rubber (NR), polyisoprene (PI) rubber, polychloroprene rubber (CR) or mixtures thereof); pH adjusters (such as, but not limited to, ammonia (primary pH adjuster), potassium hydroxide (secondary pH adjuster), and mixtures thereof, although sodium hydroxide may also be used); Accelerator (any commercially available accelerator); crosslinkers (such as, but not limited to, sulfur (primary crosslinker) and / or zinc oxide (secondary crosslinker)); pigments (such as, but not limited to, titanium dioxide); Fillers / reinforcing agents (such as but not limited to functional silicate fillers or calcium carbonate); activators (such as, but not limited to, zinc oxide); stabilizer (any commercially available stabilizer); antioxidants (such as, but not limited to, phenolic antioxidants); Anti-blocking agents (such as, but not limited to, paraffin-based wax emulsions); and Defoamers (including but not limited to organically modified siloxane type defoamers) Includes:

[0016] Tables 1 through 5 show the chemical ingredients (as described above) used to prepare the first and second latex formulations and their compositions.

[0017] [Table 1]

[0018] [Table 2]

[0019] [Table 3]

[0020] [Table 4]

[0021] [Table 5]

[0022] The spraying method (which is an online process) for coating the hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold is carried out by spraying the hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold using any conventional liquid sprayer, including but not limited to, at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C, preferably 50°C, for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, wherein the hydrophilic solution is used at a weight concentration ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%, preferably 1.0%.

[0023] Furthermore, the liquid sprayer can operate at a pressure of 0.1 bar to 3 bar, preferably 1.0 bar, at a temperature in the range of 30°C to 50°C, preferably 40°C, and at a spray rate of 1 liter per minute to 5 liters per minute, preferably 3 liters per minute, but is not limited to this.

[0024] The post-leached latex film coated on the former is continuously rotated during and after the spraying process to ensure uniform coating for a time ranging from 5 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably 30 seconds, to produce a latex film having a hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coated latex film is then dried at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 200°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating.

[0025] Alternatively, a coating method for coating a post-leached latex film coated on a former with a hydrophilic solution may be performed by immersing the post-leached latex film coated on a former in a vessel containing the hydrophilic solution at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C, preferably 50°C, for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, to produce a latex film having a hydrophilic coating, where the hydrophilic solution is used at a weight concentration ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%, preferably 1.0%. The latex film having the hydrophilic coating is then dried at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 200°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating.

[0026] The hydrophilic solution comprises a silicone emulsion, a wax dispersion (also called a wax emulsion), a stearate-based chemical, a surfactant, and water. The silicone emulsion is selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane silicone emulsion, amino-type silicone, organofunctional silicone emulsion, resin-type silicone emulsion, film-forming silicone, and mixtures thereof, preferably polydimethylsiloxane silicone emulsion. The silicone emulsion functions as a slip agent to improve slip performance and reduce surface friction.

[0027] The wax dispersion is any one selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene wax, low-density polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, polytetrafluoroethylene wax, and mixtures thereof, preferably high-density polyethylene wax. The wax dispersion functions as an anti-blocking agent and contributes to improving slip.

[0028] The stearate-based chemical is any one selected from the group consisting of potassium stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, and mixtures thereof, preferably potassium stearate, which functions as a lubricant, improves blocking resistance, and improves wet wear performance.

[0029] The surfactant is any one selected from the group consisting of any anionic surfactant, any cationic surfactant, and a mixture thereof, where the anionic surfactant is preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and the cationic surfactant is preferably cetylpyridinium chloride. The surfactant functions as a slip agent and stabilizer, and is a material for ensuring wear performance in wet and damp conditions.

[0030] Table 6 shows the chemical components (as described above) used to prepare the hydrophilic solution and their compositions.

[0031] [Table 6]

[0032] The hydrophilic solution has a pH value in the range of 6 to 11. The final total active content (by weight) of the hydrophilic solution is in the range of 0.01% to 5.0%, preferably 1.0%, with the remaining content being water to make up the weight concentration of 100%.

[0033] The glove having a hydrophilic coating prepared according to the present invention: i. Decreased hydrophilicity with a low contact angle of 6°-10° in 5 seconds; ii. Continuous donning (maximum of three gloves) in both dry and wet conditions for periods of 1 to 5 seconds and 5 to 12 seconds for each donning condition, respectively, without affecting dry and wet donning performance; iii. Improved donning performance of the outer glove in double gloving (so that donning can be done in 2 to 5 seconds); iv. Average dry and wet friction coefficients of 0.19-0.24 and 0.17-0.27, respectively; and v. Average surface roughness of 0.4μm~1.2μm can be achieved, which is further detailed in Tables 7-11 in the Examples section. [Example]

[0034] The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention in a non-limiting sense.

[0035] Example 1 hydrophilic solution The hydrophilic solution includes a silicone emulsion, a wax dispersion, a stearate-based chemical, a surfactant, and water.

[0036] The silicone emulsion is any one selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane silicone emulsion, amino-type silicone, organofunctional silicone emulsion, resin-type silicone emulsion, film-forming silicone, and mixtures thereof, preferably polydimethylsiloxane silicone emulsion. The silicone emulsion functions as a slip agent to improve slip performance and reduce surface friction.

[0037] The wax dispersion is any one selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene wax, low-density polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, polytetrafluoroethylene wax, and mixtures thereof, preferably high-density polyethylene wax. The wax dispersion functions as an anti-blocking agent and contributes to improving slip.

[0038] The stearate-based chemical is any one selected from the group consisting of potassium stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, and mixtures thereof, preferably potassium stearate, which functions as a lubricant, improves blocking resistance, and improves wet wear performance.

[0039] The surfactant is any one selected from the group consisting of any anionic surfactant, any cationic surfactant, and a mixture thereof, where the anionic surfactant is preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and the cationic surfactant is preferably cetylpyridinium chloride. The surfactant functions as a slip agent and stabilizer, and is a material for ensuring wear performance in wet and damp conditions.

[0040] The silicone emulsion is used in a weight concentration in the hydrophilic solution ranging from 0.01% to 1.0%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5%, and more preferably 0.1%.

[0041] The wax dispersion is used in the hydrophilic solution at a weight concentration in the range of 0.01% to 1.0%, preferably at a weight concentration in the range of 0.05% to 0.5%, and more preferably at a weight concentration of 0.1%.

[0042] Stearate-based chemicals are used in hydrophilic solutions at a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0%, preferably 0.1% to 0.5%, and more preferably 0.2%.

[0043] The surfactant is used in the hydrophilic solution at a weight concentration in the range of 0.4% to 2.0%, preferably at a weight concentration in the range of 0.5% to 1.0%, and more preferably at a weight concentration of 0.6%.

[0044] The remaining content is water to make the concentration 100% by weight.

[0045] Example 2 Chlorinated gloves with hydrophilic coating The method for preparing a glove having a hydrophilic coating (as described above) comprises: i. A process for cleaning / washing a mold to produce a cleaned mold, wherein the first step is treatment with an acidic solution, the second step is treatment with an alkaline solution, the third step is washing with water, the fourth step is brushing, and the fifth step is washing with water, wherein the first, second, third, and fifth steps are all performed at a temperature ranging from 50°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 3 seconds to 10 seconds, and the acidic solution is selected from any one or mixture of inorganic acids, any mixture of organic and inorganic acids, and any combination of the above with the addition of surfactants or additives. the alkaline solution can be selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, a mixture thereof, and any one of the above with the addition of a hypochlorite chemical, a surfactant, or a builder; the acid is used at a concentration ranging from 0.4% to 4.0%, and the alkali is used at a concentration ranging from 0.5% to 8.0%; performing the third and fifth cleaning steps to ensure that any excess acidic and / or alkaline solution remaining on the mold is completely removed, and also performing brushing to ensure that the mold surface is clean; ii. immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution at a temperature of 40°C to 65°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to coat a coagulant layer on the mold, wherein the coagulant solution is any conventional coagulant solution; iii. drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. immersing the mold obtained in step (iii) in a first latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a first latex layer, wherein the first latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. immersing the mold obtained in step (v) in a second latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a second latex layer, wherein the second latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; vii. drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. beading the pre-leached latex film coated on the former obtained in step (viii) to produce a beaded latex film, wherein the beading is performed by beading the edges of the latex film using a roll brush and / or a beading carpet; x. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (ix) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, and then cooling to produce a cooled latex film, wherein the cooling step is carried out by immersing the cured latex film coated on the mold in cold water at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 40°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; xi. treating the cooled latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) with chlorine water at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 50°C for a time ranging from 10 seconds to 60 seconds to obtain a treated latex film; xii. treating the treated latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues to obtain a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step (xiv) of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former from the former. The first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation, and the first and second latex formulations include the chemical components and compositions thereof as set forth in Tables 1-5.

[0046] Polymer coated gloves having a hydrophilic coating The method for preparing a glove having a hydrophilic coating (as described above) comprises: i. A process for cleaning / washing a mold to obtain a cleaned mold, wherein the first step is treatment with an acidic solution, the second step is treatment with an alkaline solution, the third step is washing with water, the fourth step is brushing, and the fifth step is washing with water, wherein the first, second, third, and fifth steps are all carried out at a temperature ranging from 50°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 3 seconds to 10 seconds, and the acidic solution is selected from any one or mixture of inorganic acids, any mixture of organic and inorganic acids, and any combination of the above with the addition of surfactants or additives. the alkaline solution can be selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, mixtures thereof, and any one of the above with the addition of hypochlorite chemicals, surfactants, or builders; the acid is used at a concentration ranging from 0.4% to 4.0% and the alkali is used at a concentration ranging from 0.5% to 8.0%; performing the third and fifth cleaning steps to ensure complete removal of any excess acidic and / or alkaline solution remaining on the mold, and also performing brushing to ensure the mold surface is clean; ii. immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution at a temperature of 40°C to 65°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to coat a coagulant layer on the mold, wherein the coagulant solution is any conventional coagulant solution; iii. drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. immersing the mold obtained in step (iii) in a first latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a first latex layer, wherein the first latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. immersing the mold obtained in step (v) in a second latex formulation at a temperature of 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a second latex layer, wherein the second latex layer has a total solids content of 5% to 40% by weight; vii. drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. treating the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (viii) with a polymer solution for a time ranging from 4 seconds to 30 seconds to produce a polymer-coated latex film, wherein the polymer coating is carried out by immersing the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold in a polymer solution having a concentration ranging from 1.5% to 5.0%; x. beading the polymer-coated latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (ix) to produce a beaded latex film, wherein the beading is performed by beading the edges of the latex film using a roll brush and / or a beading carpet; xi. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time period ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes to obtain a cured latex film; xii. treating the cured latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues to obtain a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step (xiv) of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former from the former. The first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation, and the first and second latex formulations include the chemical components and compositions thereof as set forth in Tables 1-5.

[0047] The spraying step (which is an online process) is carried out by spraying the hydrophilic solution (as described in Example 1) onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold using any conventional liquid sprayer, at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C, preferably 50°C, for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, where the hydrophilic solution is used at a weight concentration ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%, preferably 1.0%. The post-leached latex film coated on the mold is continuously rotated during and after the spraying step to ensure uniform coating for a time ranging from 5 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably 30 seconds, to produce a latex film having a hydrophilic coating.

[0048] Conventional liquid sprayers operate at pressures of 0.1 bar to 3.0 bar, preferably 1.0 bar, at temperatures ranging from 30° C. to 50° C., preferably 40° C., with spray rates of 1 liter per minute to 5 liters per minute, preferably 3 liters per minute. The latex film with the hydrophilic coating is then dried at temperatures ranging from 80° C. to 200° C. for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce gloves with a hydrophilic coating.

[0049] Alternatively, the coating step may be carried out by immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the former into a vessel containing a hydrophilic solution (as described in Example 1) at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C, preferably 50°C, for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, to produce a latex film having a hydrophilic coating, where the hydrophilic solution is used at a weight concentration ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%, preferably 1.0%. The latex film having a hydrophilic coating is then dried at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 200°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating.

[0050] All glove test results Gloves with a hydrophilic coating on the inner surface of the glove are tested for hydrophilicity whereby a contact angle analysis is performed to evaluate the hydrophilicity of different types of gloves by placing a 5 μl water droplet on the inner surface of the glove. This test is performed using a contact angle analyzer whereby the instrument can capture the droplet morphology in milliseconds.

[0051] Table 7 shows the contact angles of water droplets on the inner surface of the glove for different types of gloves at different time intervals.

[0052] [Table 7]

[0053] Based on the results obtained, it can be seen that the hydrophilicity of all gloves is approximately the same initially. Over time, the glove of the present invention shows a significant decrease in hydrophilicity, whereby the contact angle decreases to 6-10° in 5 seconds, followed by Conventional Glove 2 and Conventional Glove 1. It is generally said that hydrophilicity increases as the contact angle decreases.

[0054] Furthermore, when donning gloves with wet or sweaty hands, the hydrophilic coating of the present invention on the inner surface of the glove acts to spread water droplets evenly on the hand and also acts as a lubricant to reduce surface friction, thus improving the donning process. As noted above, the gloves of the present invention can exhibit better hydrophilic properties compared to conventional gloves.

[0055] Tables 8a and 8b show the results of both dry and wet donning trials, whereby 10 users were assigned to perform consecutive donning and doffing trials in both conditions using three sets of gloves of the same type. Simply record the average time it takes to don, doff, and doff gloves for the first, second, and third times of the same type.

[0056] [Table 8a]

[0057] [Table 8b]

[0058] Based on the results obtained, it is notable that donning difficulty in both conditions, especially in the wet condition, as represented by conventional gloves 1 and 2, increases when donning and doffing subsequent gloves. The gloves of the present invention show that wet donning performance remains nearly constant over three or more donnings. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the gloves of the present invention can be donned one after the other without affecting the donning performance of the user.

[0059] Table 9 shows the results of the double-donning experiment, whereby 10 users were assigned to perform a double-donning test of different glove types. Two gloves of the same type were donned one after the other. The time it took to don the two gloves was recorded.

[0060] [Table 9]

[0061] Based on the results obtained, it is noteworthy that without the hydrophilic coating of the present invention, double gloving is somewhat difficult to don, as was the case with conventional glove 1. When the hydrophilic coating of the present invention is present, the surface friction of the donning surfaces is significantly reduced, thus simplifying double gloving.

[0062] Table 10 shows the average coefficient of friction analysis of different types of gloves with and without the hydrophilic coating of the present invention in dry and wet conditions. The coefficient of friction (COF) analysis is performed in dry and wet conditions to evaluate the surface friction between the same surfaces of the gloves in dry and wet conditions.

[0063] [Table 10]

[0064] Based on the results obtained, it can be seen that when the hydrophilic coating of the present invention is applied to the inner surface of a glove, the average dry COF is reduced and at the same time the average wet COF is significantly reduced, demonstrating that the hydrophilic coating of the present invention can reduce the surface friction between glove surfaces in both dry and wet conditions.

[0065] Table 11 shows the surface roughness of different types of gloves with and without the hydrophilic coating of the present invention, whereby the hydrophilic coating of the present invention is applied to the inner surface of the glove and the surface roughness of the inner surface of the glove is evaluated.

[0066] [Table 11]

[0067] Based on the results obtained, it is shown that applying the hydrophilic coating of the present invention to the inner surface of a glove reduces the surface roughness, and that the hydrophilic coating of the present invention can improve the surface roughness and smoothness of the glove.

[0068] Overall, all gloves having the hydrophilic coating of the present invention can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, as they improve the surface hydrophilic properties of the gloves, which in return allows the glove wearer to easily don the gloves one after the other in both dry and wet conditions, especially in wet conditions, without affecting the donning action and efficiency of the glove wearer.

[0069] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0070] The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless an order of performance is explicitly specified. It will also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used. The use of the phrase "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements, as may be used in one of the embodiments to achieve one or more desired objects or results.

Claims

1. 1. A hydrophilic coating comprising a silicone emulsion, a wax dispersion, a stearate-based chemical, a surfactant, and water, wherein the silicone emulsion is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the wax dispersion is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the stearate-based chemical is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% in the hydrophilic coating, the surfactant is used in a weight concentration ranging from 0.4% to 2.0% in the hydrophilic coating, and the remainder of the hydrophilic coating is filled with water to a weight concentration of 100%.

2. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the silicone emulsion is used at a concentration by weight in the hydrophilic coating ranging from 0.05% to 0.5%.

3. 10. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the wax dispersion is used at a weight concentration in the hydrophilic coating ranging from 0.05% to 0.5%.

4. 10. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the stearate-based chemical is used at a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight in the hydrophilic coating.

5. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is used in a concentration by weight in the hydrophilic coating ranging from 0.5% to 1.0%.

6. 2. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the silicone emulsion is any one selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane silicone emulsions, amino-type silicones, organofunctional silicone emulsions, resin-type silicone emulsions, film-forming silicones, and mixtures thereof.

7. 2. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the wax dispersion is any one selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene wax, low density polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, polytetrafluoroethylene wax, and mixtures thereof.

8. 2. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the stearate-based chemical is any one selected from the group consisting of potassium stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, and mixtures thereof.

9. 2. The hydrophilic coating of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is any one selected from the group consisting of any anionic surfactant, any cationic surfactant, and a mixture thereof, wherein the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulfate and the cationic surfactant is cetylpyridinium chloride.

10. 10. A method for preparing a glove having the hydrophilic coating of claim 1, comprising: i. cleaning and / or washing the mold to produce a cleaned mold; ii. Immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution to coat a coagulant layer on the mold; iii. Drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. dipping the mold obtained in step (iii) into a first latex formulation to produce a first latex layer; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. dipping the mold obtained in step (v) into a second latex formulation to produce a second latex layer; vii. Drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. beading the pre-leached latex film coated onto the former obtained in step (viii) to produce a beaded latex film; x. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (ix) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, and then cooling to produce a cooled latex film, wherein the cooling step is carried out by immersing the cured latex film coated on the mold in cold water at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 40°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; xi. treating the cooled latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) with chlorine water to obtain a treated latex film; xii. treating the treated latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues to obtain a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiv) from the former. wherein the first and second latex formulations are selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene copolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, rubber of a vinyl-containing material, thermoplastic rubber, vinyl acetate ethylene rubber, and mixtures thereof, and the first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation.

11. 10. A method for preparing a glove having the hydrophilic coating of claim 1, comprising: i. cleaning and / or washing the mold to produce a cleaned mold; ii. Immersing the cleaned mold obtained in step (i) into a coagulant solution to coat a coagulant layer on the mold; iii. Drying the coagulant layer coated on the mold obtained in step (ii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes; iv. dipping the mold obtained in step (iii) into a first latex formulation to produce a first latex layer; v. drying the first latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (iv) at a temperature of 80°C to 150°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; vi. dipping the mold obtained in step (v) into a second latex formulation to produce a second latex layer; vii. Drying the second latex layer coated on the mold obtained in step (vi) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes; viii. treating the second latex layer coated on the former obtained in step (vii) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues and form a pre-leached latex film; ix. treating the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (viii) with a polymer solution to produce a polymer-coated latex film, wherein the polymer coating is carried out by immersing the pre-leached latex film coated on the mold in a polymer solution having a concentration ranging from 1.5% to 5.0%; x. beading the polymer-coated latex film coated on the former obtained in step (ix) to produce a beaded latex film; xi. curing the beaded latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (x) at a temperature of 90°C to 150°C for a time ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes to obtain a cured latex film; xii. treating the cured latex film coated on the former obtained in step (xi) with hot water at a temperature of 40°C to 80°C for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to leach out the chemical residues to obtain a post-leached latex film; xiii. spraying a hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) or immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the mold obtained in step (xii) into a hydrophilic solution to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating; xiv. drying the latex film having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiii) at a temperature of 80°C to 200°C for a time period ranging from 20 seconds to 5 minutes to produce a glove having a hydrophilic coating; and xv. Step of peeling the glove having the hydrophilic coating coated on the former obtained in step (xiv) from the former. wherein the first and second latex formulations are selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene copolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, rubber of a vinyl-containing material, thermoplastic rubber, vinyl acetate ethylene rubber, and mixtures thereof, and the first and second latex formulations are the same latex formulation.

12. 12. The method for preparing a glove according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the spraying step is carried out by spraying the hydrophilic solution onto the post-leached latex film coated on the former at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds, while continuously rotating the post-leached latex film coated on the former during and after the spraying step to ensure uniform coating for a time ranging from 5 seconds to 60 seconds to produce a latex film having a hydrophilic coating.

13. 13. The method for preparing a glove according to claim 12, wherein the spraying is carried out at a pressure of 0.1 bar to 3.0 bar, a temperature in the range of 30°C to 50°C, and a rate of 1 liter per minute to 5 liters per minute.

14. 12. The method for preparing a glove according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the coating step is carried out by immersing the post-leached latex film coated on the former into a vessel containing a hydrophilic solution at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 70°C for a time ranging from 6 seconds to 25 seconds to obtain a latex film having a hydrophilic coating.

15. 15. The method for preparing a glove according to claim 12 or 14, wherein the hydrophilic solution is used at a weight concentration ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%.

16. A glove having a hydrophilic coating, wherein the hydrophilic coating is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, and the glove is any one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene copolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, rubber of a vinyl-containing material, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl acetate ethylene rubber, and mixtures thereof.

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