Conductive Polymer Glove for Anti-Static Chemical Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical resistant gloves often fail to meet anti-static standards and are cumbersome due to metal attachments, hindering hand movement.
Innovation Solution
A glove composed of multiple layers, including a conducting polymer layer made from a mixture of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) and nitrile latex, providing both chemical resistance and anti-static properties without the need for external metal attachments, formed using a dip-line process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal wire or mesh is attached to the glove to provide electrostatic discharge, then anti-static property is improved, but hand movement flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrostatic discharge function and chemical resistance function into a single integrated glove structure. The conductive polymer layer is incorporated directly into the glove material itself rather than being a separate attachment, merging the anti-static property with the glove fabric to maintain flexibility while providing ESD protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical metal wire or mesh system with a conductive polymer layer. This substitution eliminates the rigid metallic structure that hindered hand movement while maintaining the electrostatic discharge function through the conductive properties of the polymer material.
2Reliability
If multiple layers are laminated or heat-sealed together to obtain chemical resistance, then chemical resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional layers into a single integrated structure. The conductive polymer layer serves dual purposes: providing electrostatic discharge functionality and contributing to chemical resistance, thereby reducing the need for separate laminated layers and simplifying the overall glove construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials, specifically the combination of conductive polymer with other polymer materials in the glove structure. This composite approach provides both chemical resistance and electrostatic discharge properties within a unified material system rather than requiring multiple separate layers.
3Ease of operation
If conducting polymer layer is used instead of metal attachments, then hand movement flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the dip-line process, specifically controlling the composition ratio of conductive polymer to other materials (e.g., 1-70 percent by weight ranges specified), viscosity, and deposition conditions to achieve consistent electrostatic discharge properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and flexibility.
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 solution enables comfortable, effective chemical and electrical discharge resistance, reducing the risk of spark formation and explosion, while maintaining flexibility and ease of movement.
Implementation Method 1
The glove achieves a continuous discharge of electricity via the wearer's body so that spark formation and the danger of explosion is considerably less than that with an ordinary chemically protective glove
Implementation Method 2
The conducting polymer layer comprises a mixture of an anionic polymer and a chemical resistant polymer
Data Source
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AI summary
A form-fitting glove having improved mechanical resistance, chemical permeation resistance, anti-static discharge (less than 1.0 x 108 Ω vertical resistance at 23°C and a relative humidity of 50%) and a method of manufacture are provided. The glove is either one layer or multi-layered and formed utilizing a standard latex dip line.