Conductive Single-Use Glove Composition for ESD and Touchscreens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Protective articles such as gloves lack electrostatic dissipation characteristics, preventing interaction with touchscreens and capacitive sensing electronics, and pose a risk of electrostatic discharge in environments requiring ESD protection, such as ATEX areas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of conductive fillers, such as carbon black and carbon nanotubes, into polymeric layers of gloves to achieve vertical resistivity of less than 10^8 Ohms and surface resistivity of less than 10^6 Ohms, allowing interaction with touchscreens while dissipating static charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymeric gloves are used for protection, then protective barrier is provided, but electrostatic dissipation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymeric layers with conductive fillers (such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, or metal particles) to create a glove that simultaneously provides protective barrier and electrostatic dissipation. The conductive filler is dispersed throughout the polymeric layer to form a conductive network that allows charge dissipation while maintaining the protective properties of the polymer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the polymeric glove by incorporating conductive fillers. The concentration and distribution of these fillers are controlled to achieve specific resistivity values (vertical resistivity ≤ 10^8 Ohms and surface resistivity ≤ 10^6 Ohms) that enable electrostatic dissipation while maintaining protective functionality.
2Reliability
If polymeric gloves are used for protection, then protective barrier is provided, but interaction with touchscreens is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with conductive fillers dispersed in the polymeric layer to enable touchscreen interaction. The conductive network formed by the fillers allows electrical signals to pass through the glove, enabling capacitive touchscreen interaction while the polymer matrix maintains the protective barrier function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive filler is added to polymeric layers, then electrostatic dissipation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive filler addition step with the existing polymeric layer formation process. The conductive filler is incorporated into the polymeric composition during mixing or extrusion, allowing both components to be processed together in a single manufacturing flow, thereby minimizing additional manufacturing complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive filler concentration is increased, then electrostatic dissipation performance improves, but glove flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and size distribution of conductive fillers to achieve the minimum required electrostatic dissipation performance while maintaining glove flexibility. By carefully controlling filler concentration (enough to achieve required resistivity) and using appropriately sized particles, the patent balances electrical performance with mechanical properties and wearability.
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 gloves provide effective electrostatic dissipation, ensuring safe use in ATEX environments and enabling interaction with capacitive electronics, meeting EN 1149-5:2018 standards.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of conductive fillers, such as carbon black and carbon nanotubes, into polymeric layers of gloves to achieve vertical resistivity of less than 10^8 Ohms and surface resistivity of less than 10^6 Ohms, allowing interaction with touchscreens while dissipating static charge.
Implementation Method 2
Means of dissipating electrostatic charge to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) are required in electrostatic protected areas (e.g., EPA or ESD areas)
Data Source
AI summary
A static dissipative single use glove having a vertical resistivity of less than about 108 Ohm when determined according to EN 1149-2 and surface resistivity of less than or equal to about 106 Ohm when determined according to EN 1149-1, which includes a polymeric layer comprising conductive filler particles. A method to produce the single use glove is also disclosed.