Porous Polyurethane Work Glove Coating for Grip and Wearability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work gloves suffer from environmental pollution issues, cracking over time, and inadequate slip resistance, particularly when used in rural areas or at home, due to the use of harmful solvents and materials that degrade the grip and wearability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pre-treatment with methanol and calcium nitrate, followed by coating with waterborne polyurethane dispersion foam and application of halite powders with specific dimensions for surface treatment, to enhance slip resistance and maintain a smooth texture, while minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber coating layer is formed on the work glove surface to enhance slip resistance, then grip performance is improved, but the coating layer becomes thick and rough which degrades wearability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous polymer coating layer with controlled porosity (30-70%) that provides slip resistance through surface texture while maintaining flexibility and comfort. The porous structure allows for friction enhancement without creating a thick, rough surface that would degrade wearability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the thickness of the polymer coating layer within a specific range (0.1-0.5 mm) and adjusts porosity parameters to achieve optimal balance between slip resistance and wearability. By precisely controlling these parameters, the coating provides grip enhancement without excessive thickness or roughness.
2Reliability
If a thick rubber coating layer is applied to improve grip, then slip resistance is enhanced, but the glove becomes less flexible and comfortable reducing wearability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a controlled thickness range (0.1-0.5 mm) for the polymer coating layer that maintains flexibility while providing adequate grip. This parameter control ensures the coating is thick enough for slip resistance but thin enough to preserve glove flexibility and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure of the coating layer provides mechanical flexibility while maintaining surface friction for grip. The void spaces within the porous structure allow the coating to deform with the glove material, preserving flexibility despite the presence of a relatively thick coating layer.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional foaming agents are used to create foam structure for breathability, then air permeability is improved, but external contaminants are easily introduced through large pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled porous structure with optimized pore size distribution that allows air permeability for breathability while pore dimensions are controlled to prevent intrusion of external contaminants. The porosity (30-70%) provides breathability without creating large open pores that would allow contaminant entry.
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 method effectively prevents cracking and maintains a smooth texture, ensuring improved wearability and grip performance, even in long-term use, while addressing environmental concerns by reducing pollution and enhancing usability in delicate tasks.
Implementation Method 1
the substitution of water with N, N'-Dimethylformamide (DMF)
Implementation Method 2
Frictional force is generated with respect to an object to be gripped by the rubber coating layer to prevent the object from slipping
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a work glove, which prevents slip and improves wearability by using waterborne polyurethane dispersion foam and halite, and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes (a) preparing pre-treatment solution consisting of methanol and a calcium nitrate or the methanol and an acid-based material, (b) depositing the glove into the prepared pre-treatment solution and drying the glove, (c) coating a waterborne polyurethane dispersion foam on a portion of a surface of the dried glove by dipping the portion of the surface of the glove into the waterborne polyurethane dispersion foam, and (d) applying a surface-treatment powder to the coated portion of the glove and drying the coated portion of the glove.