Water-Soluble Glove Composition for Fast Dissolution and Hand Function
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable gloves are impractical, inhibit hand functionality, require extensive cleaning, and take too long to dissolve in water, posing risks of clogging plumbing and causing skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble and disposable glove composed of a polymeric material with a specific polyvinyl acetate concentration, glycerin content, and uniform thickness, designed for quick dissolution in water and biodegradability, featuring independently offset finger channels and a translucent material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dissolvable gloves are used, then environmental friendliness and ease of disposal are improved, but dissolution time is too long causing plumbing clogs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the polymer composition parameters - using polyvinyl alcohol with specific degrees of hydrolysis (70-99%) and controlling the concentration of water-soluble polymers (5-20%) to achieve optimal dissolution speed. The thickness parameter is also controlled (0.05-0.2 mm) to ensure quick dissolution without compromising glove functionality during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polyvinyl alcohol with other water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose, or starch derivatives. This composite approach enhances the dissolution properties while maintaining the mechanical integrity and flexibility needed for hand functionality during normal use.
2Ease of operation
If thin-walled polymeric material is used, then glove flexibility and hand functionality are improved, but mechanical strength and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter to a specific range (0.05-0.2 mm) that balances flexibility and strength. It also controls the degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol (70-99%) and the molecular weight to achieve the right balance between mechanical properties and water solubility, ensuring the glove is both flexible for hand movement and strong enough for practical use.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining polyvinyl alcohol with reinforcing agents such as cellulose derivatives or other water-soluble polymers, the patent creates a composite material structure that enhances mechanical strength while maintaining thin wall construction and flexibility. The composite structure provides tensile strength and durability without compromising the thin-walled design.
3Strength
If elastic polymeric material like nitrile is used, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but water solubility and biodegradability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter by selecting polyvinyl alcohol as the base polymer, which inherently possesses water solubility and biodegradability. The degree of hydrolysis is controlled (70-99%) to optimize the balance between water solubility and mechanical strength, ensuring the material dissolves effectively while maintaining sufficient durability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system using polyvinyl alcohol combined with other water-soluble polymers and natural fiber reinforcements. This composite approach maintains mechanical strength comparable to traditional elastomers while ensuring complete water solubility and biodegradability, eliminating the environmental persistence issues of nitrile and other synthetic elastomers.
4Strength
If glove thickness is increased, then mechanical strength and protection are improved, but dissolution speed and biodegradability rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter within a specific range (0.05-0.2 mm) and controls the degree of hydrolysis (70-99%) to achieve the optimal balance between protection capability and dissolution speed. The molecular weight and polymer composition are adjusted to ensure that even at the maximum thickness, the glove dissolves quickly upon contact with water while providing adequate mechanical protection during use.
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 glove effectively dissolves quickly in water, maintains hand functionality, prevents skin irritation, and is biodegradable, providing an eco-friendly sanitary solution for food handling and healthcare.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric material having a composition including a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%
Implementation Method 2
water soluble and disposable glove... completely, quickly, safely, and effectively dissolvable in water
Implementation Method 3
The glove is also completely biodegradable, capable of being effectively and safely transported or handled without degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble and disposable glove including a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.