Percolative surface textured polymeric latex coating for a fabric supported glove and method of making

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymeric latex coated gloves lack enhanced grip in wet and oily conditions, and conventional texturizing methods are either defective, environmentally harmful, or pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A fabric supported glove with a percolative surface textured polymeric latex coating formed by immersing a fabric liner in a coagulant solution, then in a polymeric latex foam, and treating with an aqueous silicone or non-silicon based surface active agent to burst bubbles, followed by stripping with a gentle fluid, creating a breathable and flexible structure with cell windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional embossed patterns are used to texture the outer surface, then the gripping characteristics are improved, but the number of defects increases and gripping performance in wet and oily conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping characteristicsVSAvoidgripping performance in wet and oily conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a porous polymeric latex foam coating that creates a percolative textured surface structure. This porous structure provides multiple capillary channels and surface irregularities that enhance gripping characteristics across all conditions including wet and oily environments, while avoiding the defects associated with conventional embossed patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and surface properties of the polymeric latex coating by using a foam structure with controlled porosity. The foam coating process transforms the surface morphology from smooth embossed patterns to a three-dimensional percolative texture with enhanced gripping performance and reduced defects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If solvent treatment process is used to create rough gripping surface, then dry grip is improved, but safety risks increase and polymeric material properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedry gripVSAvoidfire risk and material swelling

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water as a disposable washing medium to remove uncoagulated polymeric material from the surface, creating the desired textured effect without using harmful solvents. This eliminates fire risks and prevents polymeric material swelling while achieving the rough gripping surface needed for dry grip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical solvent treatment process with a mechanical washing process using water. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of flammable solvents and their associated fire risks, while still achieving surface texturization through removal of uncoagulated material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If washing process is used to create porous surface texture, then breathability is improved, but material waste and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebreathabilityVSAvoidpolymeric material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the coagulation process parameters to achieve partial coagulation of the polymeric latex foam, creating a percolative structure with controlled porosity that provides breathability. By precisely controlling the coagulation degree, the process minimizes material waste while still achieving the desired textured surface and breathability characteristics

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 percolative structure provides excellent grip in dry, wet, and oily environments while being thin, flexible, and fatigue resistant, with reduced defects and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

treatment of foamed polymeric latex coating with an aqueous silicone or non-silicon based surface active agent. This chemical treatment process facilitates the mechanism of bursting bubbles in the foam layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

immersing a fabric liner in a coagulant solution, then in a polymeric latex foam compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS12378725B2Percolative surface textured polymeric latex coating for a fabric supported glove and method of making

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 DIPPED PRODS

AI summary

A latex dipped article, particularly a fabric supported glove which is flexible and fatigue resistant, comprising a fabric liner, with a shape of a hand. The fabric liner is coated with a foam polymeric latex material which is then treated with an aqueous silicone or non-silicon based surface active agent to facilitate the formation of percolative surface structure through bursting of bubbles in the foam layer and stripped off the excess polymeric material. Then the stripped material is removed gently by exposing to a flowing fluid which further enhances the texture of the percolative coating that results an excellent grip in dry, wet and oil environments.