Elastomeric Composition Crosslinking for Hypoallergenic Gloves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rubber compositions for articles like gloves face limitations such as reduced flexibility, potential allergic reactions due to contaminants like sulphur and accelerators, and inadequate chemical resistance, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both durability and hypoallergenic properties.

Innovation Solution

A crosslinked elastomeric composition comprising an elastomer, a liquid fluorocarbon, a silane compound, and a crosslinker with specific functional groups, which enhances mechanical properties and reduces the risk of allergic reactions by eliminating potential irritants like sulphur and accelerators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional sulphur vulcanization system is used for crosslinking, then crosslinking efficiency and mechanical strength are improved, but allergic reactions and discolouration occur due to sulphur and accelerator contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidallergic reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes sulphur and organic accelerators from the crosslinking system, extracting the harmful components while retaining the crosslinking function through alternative peroxide-based chemistry and silane-based crosslinking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinking system by using peroxide initiators and silane compounds instead of sulphur and organic accelerators, fundamentally altering the crosslinking chemistry to eliminate harmful byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If nitrile concentration is increased in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, then chemical and oil resistance is improved, but flexibility and finger control are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating fluorocarbon polymers and silane compounds that enhance chemical resistance without the adverse effects of high nitrile content, allowing maintenance of flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite rubber material combining acrylonitrile butadiene rubber with fluorocarbon polymer and silane compound, achieving synergistic effects that provide both chemical resistance and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If natural rubber is used for high resilience and elongation, then mechanical properties are improved, but allergic reactions occur due to latex proteins

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveelongationVSAvoidallergic reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes natural rubber latex proteins that cause allergic reactions by using synthetic rubber alternatives combined with silane crosslinking, maintaining mechanical properties without the allergenic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material composition from natural rubber to a synthetic composite system that replicates the desirable mechanical properties while eliminating the harmful proteins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of stationary object

If chloroprene rubber is used for ozone and heat resistance, then durability is improved, but hardening over time and chemical degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidchemical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the rubber composition by adding silane compounds and fluorocarbon polymer that prevent hardening and improve chemical stability, allowing chloroprene rubber to maintain its durability advantages without degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition improves flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance while ensuring hypoallergenicity, meeting ASTM requirements for tensile strength and elongation, and providing better protection and grip, especially beneficial for medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

X3 are hydrolysable groups selected from methoxy, ethoxy, or isopropoxy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the process should be carried out under strict monitoring to ensure that the scorch resistance, acceleration, and cure time of the rubber is efficient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Implementation Method 3

a silane compound, and a crosslinker having a formula of: wherein Y is a functional group selected from primary and substituted amino, epoxy, methacryl, vinyl, mercapto, urea, or isocyanate; R is a linking group between the functional group Y and a silicon atom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSilane crosslinking:

Data Source

PatentUS11981797B2Elastomeric composition

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 INOOVA MATERIAL SCI SDN BHD

AI summary

The present application relates to a crosslinked composition. The composition comprises an elastomer, a silane compound, a liquid fluorocarbon and a crosslinker, preferably an epoxy silane. The crosslinked composition may be used in the production of any elastomeric article manufactured through a dipping process, such as a glove.