Metal-Detectable Glove Formulation for Thin Fragment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting small glove fragments in food and beverages using metallic additives are ineffective and compromise the mechanical properties of the glove, requiring substantial quantities of metallic additives that reduce durability.

Innovation Solution

A metallic pigment additive comprising iron oxide in the α-Fe2O3 hematite phase, surfactant, preservative, stabilizer, and solvent is used in specific proportions to create a latex formulation for gloves that are detectable by metal detectors without compromising mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If substantial quantity of metallic additive is used to detect small glove pieces, then detection capability is improved, but mechanical properties of the glove deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the metallic additive by specifying iron oxide in the α-Fe2O3 hematite phase with controlled particle size distribution (D10=0.5μm, D90=2.4μm) and a specific composition ratio (20-30% iron oxide, 2-4% surfactant, 0.2-0.3% preservative, 0.2-0.4% stabilizer). This optimized parameter combination enables detection of thin glove fragments while maintaining glove mechanical integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite metallic pigment additive system combining iron oxide hematite phase particles with surfactant, preservative, stabilizer, and solvent in specific proportions. This composite formulation achieves both detection functionality and mechanical property preservation that cannot be obtained with单一 metallic additive alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If visual inspection is used to identify contaminants, then no additional additives are required, but detection effectiveness and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive quantityVSAvoiddetection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual inspection method with a physics-based metal detection system. By incorporating the metallic pigment additive into the glove formulation, the detection mechanism shifts from human visual inspection to automated metal detector scanning, dramatically improving detection efficiency and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for the detection of glove fragments as thin as 0.01 mm while maintaining high tensile strength and elongation, meeting industry standards for food contact materials and ensuring safety in the food and beverages industry.

Implementation Method 1

metal detector as a tool to discover contaminants in these products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250215197A1glove
Publication Date: 2025.07.03 TOP GLOVE INT SDN BHD

AI summary

A metallic pigment additive comprises iron oxide, surfactant, preservative, stabilizer and solvent. A latex formulation comprises the metallic pigment additive as mentioned above and glove prepared therefrom, wherein the minimum thickness of glove fragment that can be detected is 0.01 mm and wherein the glove has magnetization ranging between 0.10 emu/g to 1.0 emu/g, preferably 0.57 emu/g.