Multilayered Elastomeric Gloves for Mold Release and Donning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastomeric surgeon's gloves face challenges such as difficulty in removal from molds due to tackiness, adherence issues, and compromised tactile sensitivity and comfort due to existing surface modification techniques, which often result in thicker, less sensitive, and potentially cytotoxic products.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered elastomeric article with a hydrophobic polymer patient contacting layer, a hydrophilic polymer wearer contacting layer, and a blended polymer intermediate layer, formed through a dipping process that includes multiple baths for layer formation, washing, and chlorination, reducing tackiness and enhancing water absorption and leaching effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional dipping processes are used to form elastomeric gloves, then the gloves can be manufactured with basic film strength, but the gloves become tacky and adhere to the mold, making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into multiple functional layers: a first layer formed from elastomeric latex providing film strength, and a second layer formed from hydrophilic polymer providing non-tacky surface properties. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, solving the contradiction between manufacturing feasibility and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining elastomeric latex (natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, nitrile, polychloroprene, or polystyrene-butadiene) with hydrophilic polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate copolymer, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, or hydroxyethyl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer). This composite approach creates a material that simultaneously provides mechanical strength and non-tacky surface properties for easy mold removal.
2Ease of operation
If surface modification techniques like chlorination or coating are applied to reduce tackiness, then the gloves become easier to don, but the film strength is weakened and shelf life is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The glove structure is segmented into a first layer for mechanical strength and a second layer for surface properties. The hydrophilic polymer in the second layer provides non-tacky surface for easy donning without compromising the elastomeric latex first layer's film strength, avoiding the weakness introduced by surface modification techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glove have different properties: the first layer (elastomeric latex) provides bulk film strength and flexibility, while the second layer (hydrophilic polymer) provides non-tacky surface properties for easy donning. This local differentiation allows the glove to simultaneously achieve both strength and ease of donning without compromising either.
3Ease of operation
If hydrogel polymer coatings are applied to improve surface properties, then the gloves become less tacky, but the gloves become thicker and tactile sensitivity is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The second layer of hydrophilic polymer is applied as a thin coating only where needed for surface properties, maintaining the thinness of the glove for tactile sensitivity while providing the necessary non-tacky surface characteristics. This localized application avoids the thickness increase that would occur with bulk hydrogel polymer application.
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 results in gloves that are easier to don with both wet and dry hands, have improved mechanical strength, reduced cytotoxicity, and lower incidence of defects like air pinholes, while maintaining tactile sensitivity and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the polymers blended from both layers of polymers as an intermediate layer between two contacting layers... the hydrophilic polymers are crosslinked. Consequently, they texturize a wearer contacting surface, increase water absorption capability
Implementation Method 2
the patient contacting surface of this technology is also very tacky when compared to the glove produced from the present invention... effectively swell into enlarged water gel during washing
Implementation Method 3
The gloves are dipped three times in three different solutions... washed, dried and cured to form a unitary glove, then the surface of the first layer of the glove is turned outward as it is removed from the mold... further washed and chlorinated
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a multilayered elastomeric article with hydrophobic polymers as a patient contacting surface, hydrophilic polymers as a wear contacting surface, and a blend of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic polymers as an intermediate layer between two contacting surfaces. The article has low water absorption of the patient contacting surface to prevent virus penetration and a textured surface of the wear contacting surface to reduce the friction force between hand and glove surface. The hydrophilic polymers in wear contacting and intermediate layers of the article can increase water absorption and boost leaching effectiveness. High water absorption minimizes the uncomfortable feelings from excessive sweating. Increased effectiveness in leaching makes the article less cytotoxic. A method for making the disclosed elastomeric article is also provided.