Elastomeric Chemical Barrier Laminate for Solvent Permeation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical barrier materials, such as nitrile, neoprene, and butyl gloves, provide limited protection against a broad range of chemicals, particularly polar solvents, and are not ergonomically practical due to bulkiness when used as overgloves, compromising dexterity and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A laminate structure comprising an elastomeric polymeric barrier layer, a non-reactive tie adhesive resin with oxo groups, and a polyamide layer, which enhances chemical resistance and flexibility, providing a broader range of chemical protection while maintaining dexterity and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomeric gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl) are used to provide flexibility and dexterity, then handling comfort is improved, but chemical protection range against polar solvents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple elastomeric layers (nitrile, neoprene, butyl) in a laminate structure. Each layer provides protection against different chemical families, creating a composite barrier that maintains flexibility and dexterity while expanding chemical protection range against both non-polar and polar solvents
2Reliability
If plastic-based welded gloves are used to provide chemical resistance, then chemical protection is improved, but flexibility and dexterity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different elastomeric materials in different layers of the laminate, each optimized for specific chemical resistance properties. The nitrile layer provides protection against non-polar solvents, while butyl and neoprene layers provide protection against polar solvents, creating localized chemical resistance throughout the glove structure while maintaining overall flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The laminate structure combines multiple elastomeric materials with different chemical resistance profiles, creating a composite glove that achieves broad-spectrum chemical protection without the bulkiness and rigidity of plastic-based welded gloves
3Reliability
If overgloves are used to provide comprehensive chemical protection, then chemical protection range is improved, but ergonomics and handling deteriorate due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple chemical protection functions into a single laminate glove structure. Instead of requiring separate overgloves for different chemical families, the laminate combines nitrile, neoprene, and butyl layers in one integrated glove that provides comprehensive protection against both non-polar and polar solvents, eliminating the need for bulky overgloving configurations
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided among other things is an elastomeric article providing a chemical barrier, the article having a layered structure comprising a sequential laminate of: (a) a latex-based elastomeric polymeric barrier layer; (b) a non-reactive tie adhesive resin layer comprising oxo (-(C=O)-) groups; and (c) a polyamide layer; wherein the layered structure has a first side nearest the latex-based elastomeric polymeric barrier layer and a second side; wherein the layered structure is effective to provide a chemical permeation time in excess of 100 minutes pursuant to EN 16523-1:2015 for benchmark solvents of acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol, when applied to the first side, and in excess of 100 minutes for acetone when applied to the second side; and wherein the elastomeric layer is primarily not polyolefin.