Hypoallergenic Biotic Glove Multilayer Structure for Low Protein Extract
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable gloves, particularly those made from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), suffer from high protein extract content leading to allergic reactions and poor elasticity, posing risks in healthcare and chemical handling environments.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method incorporating alkaline protease, UV irradiation, and a multilayer structure using nitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, isoprene rubber, natural rubber, and polyurethane, along with polysaccharide biotic materials, to reduce protein extract content and enhance mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional NBR gloves are used, then chemical resistance and puncture resistance are improved, but elasticity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure combining NBR latex with polysaccharide biotic materials (cellulose, starch, or chitosan) to create a multilayer glove. This composite approach maintains the chemical resistance and puncture resistance of NBR while the polysaccharide components provide elasticity and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between durability and flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If natural rubber latex is used, then elasticity is improved, but protein extract content increases causing allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water-soluble proteins from the latex through a specific washing process using water at controlled temperatures (20-40°C) for extended periods (5-30 minutes). This extraction process eliminates the harmful protein extracts that cause allergic reactions while preserving the elastic properties of the rubber material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the latex by adjusting pH levels (using acid or base solutions), temperature, and washing duration. These parameter modifications enable effective protein removal while maintaining the structural integrity and elasticity of the glove material.
3Strength
If multiple dipping and vulcanization processes are implemented, then structural integrity and performance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the glove manufacturing into distinct sequential steps: coagulant dipping, latex dipping, washing, and vulcanization. Each step is performed in a separate tank or chamber with specific parameters controlled independently. This segmentation allows for optimized processing at each stage while maintaining overall process manageability despite the multiple steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method significantly reduces protein extract content to less than 50 ppm, ensuring hypoallergenicity and enhances elasticity, tensile strength, and chemical resistance, making the gloves suitable for sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
The latex solution is subjected to pre-vulcanization treatment. This process includes the addition of alkaline protease at a concentration of 0.1% to 2.0%, a pH value of 9.5 to 10.5, and stirring at room temperature for 12 to 48 hours.
Implementation Method 2
The latex solution is also subjected to UV irradiation using lamps with a wavelength of 240-270 nm, an intensity of 1.0-15.0 mW/cm2, and an exposure time of 5 seconds to 120 minutes.
Implementation Method 3
Additionally, polyols are incorporated into the latex solution at a concentration of 10-30% of the total solids, reacting with acid groups in the latex to form a cross-linked structure.
Implementation Method 4
The latex-coated molds are vulcanized at a temperature of 100-120° C. for 18 to 25 minutes. The latex mixture includes curing agents and accelerators, such as inorganic oxides, sulfur, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, and zinc diethyldithiocarbamate.
Implementation Method 5
The gloves are cleaned in a chlorine washing tank with a chlorine concentration of 100-1000 ppm for 60 to 300 seconds, followed by rinsing with water to neutralize any residual chlorine.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing biotic gloves and a hypoallergenic biotic glove are provided. The method includes dipping the molds into a coagulant solution and performing a pre-vulcanization treatment using alkaline protease, ultraviolet irradiation, and polyols derived from cellulose materials. The latex-coated molds undergo drying, washing, vulcanization with specific curing agents and accelerators, chlorine washing, and a secondary dipping in polyurethane to form a hypoallergenic inner layer. The resulting gloves feature a multilayer structure, including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer includes nitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, or isoprene rubber combined with polysaccharide biotic materials. The second layer includes a natural rubber layer or other synthetic rubber combined with polysaccharide biotic materials, and the third layer includes a polyurethane layer. The final gloves have a biotic content of 3-40%, a tensile strength of 14-40 MPa, and an elongation at break of 350-800%.