阅读说明：本技术 弹性体制品及其生产方法 (Elastomeric article and method of producing the same ) 是由 黄忠万 林秀娟 刘铭来 刘晓清 诺拉妮扎·宾蒂·阿曼德·道尔 于 2021-05-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种弹性体制品及其生产方法,具体地,涉及一种由包含穿戴剂的基础聚合物分散体制备的弹性体制品及其生产方法。穿戴剂制剂包含填料、防粘剂、滑爽剂、分散剂和增稠剂,其中所述填料的用量范围为5.0phr至200.0phr,所述防粘剂的用量范围为8.0phr至30.0phr,所述滑爽剂的用量范围为0.3phr至6.0phr,所述分散剂的用量范围为2.0phr至12.0phr,并且所述增稠剂的用量范围为0.5phr至6.0phr。弹性体制品由天然橡胶(NR)或丁腈橡胶(NBR)制成。使用者能够顺滑地穿戴通过本发明公开的生产方法获得的弹性体制品。(The present invention relates to an elastomeric article and a method for producing the same, and in particular to an elastomeric article prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a wearing agent and a method for producing the same. The wear formulation comprises a filler, an anti-tack agent, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener, wherein the filler is present in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 200.0phr, the anti-tack agent is present in an amount ranging from 8.0phr to 30.0phr, the slip agent is present in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0phr, the dispersant is present in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 12.0phr, and the thickener is present in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 6.0 phr. The elastomeric article is made from Natural Rubber (NR) or nitrile rubber (NBR). The user can smoothly wear the elastomer article obtained by the production method disclosed in the present invention.)

1. A wear formulation comprising a filler, an anti-tack agent, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener, wherein the filler is present in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 200.0phr, the anti-tack agent is present in an amount ranging from 8.0phr to 30.0phr, the slip agent is present in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0phr, the dispersant is present in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 12.0phr, and the thickener is present in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 6.0 phr.

2. The dressing formulation of claim 1 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of: calcium carbonate, silicate, kaolin, and any combination thereof.

3. The wearing agent formulation of claim 1, wherein the anti-blocking agent is a polyethylene wax.

4. The wearing agent formulation of claim 1, wherein the slip agent is selected from the group consisting of: polyorganosiloxane emulsions, polyethylene glycol emulsions, and any combination thereof.

5. The dressing formulation of claim 1 wherein the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, acrylic polymers, and any combination thereof.

6. The dressing formulation of claim 1 wherein the thickener is selected from the group consisting of: xanthan gum, an alkali swellable thickener, and any combination thereof.

7. An elastomeric article prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a donning agent, wherein the donning agent formulation comprises a filler, a detackifier, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener.

8. The elastomeric article of claim 7, wherein said base polymer dispersion is made of Natural Rubber (NR).

9. The elastomeric article of claim 7, wherein said base polymer dispersion is made from Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR).

10. The elastomeric article of claim 8, wherein the amount of filler in the base polymer dispersion made of NR ranges from 50.0phr to 200.0 phr.

11. The elastomeric article according to claim 8, wherein the amount of antiblocking agent in the base polymer dispersion made of NR ranges from 8.0phr to 30.0 phr.

12. The elastomeric article according to claim 8, wherein the amount of slip agent in the base polymer dispersion made of NR ranges from 0.3phr to 6.0 phr.

13. The elastomeric article according to claim 8, wherein the amount of dispersant in the base polymer dispersion made of NR ranges from 2.0phr to 12.0 phr.

14. The elastomeric article according to claim 8, wherein the amount of thickener in the base polymer dispersion made of NR ranges from 1.0phr to 6.0 phr.

15. The elastomeric article according to claim 9, wherein the amount of filler in the base polymer dispersion made of NBR ranges from 5.0phr to 70.0 phr.

16. The elastomeric article according to claim 9, wherein the amount of antiblocking agent in the base polymer dispersion made from NBR ranges from 8.0phr to 30.0 phr.

17. The elastomeric article according to claim 9, wherein the amount of slip agent in the base polymer dispersion made of NBR ranges from 0.3phr to 6.0 phr.

18. The elastomeric article according to claim 9, wherein the amount of dispersant in the base polymer dispersion made of NBR ranges from 2.0phr to 10.0 phr.

19. The elastomeric article according to claim 9, wherein the amount of thickener in the base polymer dispersion made of NBR ranges from 0.5phr to 4.0 phr.

20. A method of producing an elastomeric article prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a donning agent, comprising the steps of:

i. dipping the mold in a coagulant solution to obtain a coagulant coated mold;

drying the mould obtained from step (i) in an oven to dry the coagulant layer overlying the mould;

(iii) dipping the mould obtained from step (ii) in a first base polymer dispersion to obtain a mould covered with a first base polymer layer;

(iv) drying the mould obtained from step (iii) in an oven to dry the first base polymer dispersion layer overlying the mould;

(iv) dipping the mould obtained from step (iv) in a second base polymer dispersion to obtain a mould covered with a second base polymer layer;

(vi) drying the mould obtained from step (v) in an oven to dry the layer of the second base polymer dispersion overlying the mould;

(vii) pre-leaching the second base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (vi) using hot water to remove excess chemical residues from the second base polymer layer coated on the mould, thereby obtaining a pre-leached base polymer coated on the mould;

beading the pre-preg base polymer coated on the mold obtained from step (vii);

(ix) curing the beaded pre-preg base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (viii) in an oven to obtain a cured base polymer coated on the mould;

post-leaching the cured base polymer overlying the mold obtained from step (ix) using hot water to remove excess chemical residues from the base polymer layer overlying the mold, thereby obtaining a post-leached elastomeric article overlying the mold;

drying the post-leached elastomeric article obtained from step (x) over the mold in an oven to obtain a dried elastomeric article over the mold; and

demolding said elastomeric article obtained from step (xi) from a mold,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the dressing agent is added to the base polymer dispersion, wherein the dressing agent formulation comprises a filler, a detackifier, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an elastomeric article prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a wear agent that enhances lubricity and wearability and a method for producing the same.

Background

For dry surfaces (especially the dry skin of the user), elastomeric articles generally have poor lubricity. This is due to surface friction. Also, many elastomeric articles exhibit poor lubricity with respect to wet surfaces. Generally, elastomeric articles are difficult to wear in situations where there is strong friction between the surface of the elastomeric article and the user's skin. Furthermore, perspiration on the skin of the user makes the hands sweaty and makes it difficult to wear elastomeric articles, especially gloves.

To overcome this problem, in conventional practice, smooth donning has been promoted by, for example, but not limited to, applying powdered materials (i.e., corn starch, starch powder, and talc) on the glove donning surface that is in contact with the user's skin. The powdered material reduces surface contact between the surface of the glove and the user's skin to promote smooth donning. However, powder gloves may cause skin irritation to the user.

Thereafter, the glove industry turned to the production of powder-free gloves, particularly powder-free surgical and examination gloves having improved donning characteristics. Various techniques have been developed to produce powder-free gloves. For example, a slip coating, lubricant, or hydrophilic polymer is applied to the interior surface of the glove. The above-described conventional techniques have their own disadvantages, such as, but not limited to, the need to perform additional steps such as coating in the production line.

Thus, from the above, it is apparent that glove manufacturers are facing some challenges to overcome, for which a way can be developed to produce elastomeric articles prepared from base polymer dispersions containing donning agents that enhance lubricity and wearability, and methods of making the same.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a dressing agent preparation, wherein the dressing agent preparation comprises a filler, an anti-sticking agent, a slip agent, a dispersing agent and a thickening agent. Fillers are used in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 200.0phr, antiblocking agents are used in an amount ranging from 8.0phr to 30.0phr, slip agents are used in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0phr, dispersants are used in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 12.0phr, and thickeners are used in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 6.0 phr.

An elastomeric article prepared from the base polymer dispersion containing the donning agent is also disclosed. The elastomeric article is prepared from a base polymer dispersion made from Natural Rubber (NR) or Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR).

Elastomeric articles prepared from a base polymer dispersion made of NR comprise a wear, wherein the wear formulation comprises (i) a filler in an amount ranging from 50.0phr to 200.0 phr; (ii) antiblocking agents in an amount in the range of from 8.0phr to 30.0 phr; (iii) a slip agent in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0 phr; (iv) a dispersant in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 12.0 phr; and (v) a thickening agent in an amount ranging from 1.0phr to 6.0 phr.

Elastomeric articles prepared from a base polymer dispersion made from NBR comprise a donning agent, wherein the donning agent formulation comprises (i) a filler in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 70.0 phr; (ii) antiblocking agents in an amount in the range of from 8.0phr to 30.0 phr; (iii) a slip agent in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0 phr; (iv) a dispersant in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 10.0 phr; and (v) a thickening agent in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 4.0 phr.

A method of producing an elastomeric article prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a donning agent comprises the steps of: (i) dipping the mold in a coagulant solution to obtain a coagulant coated mold; (ii) (ii) drying the moulds obtained from step (i) in an oven to dry the coagulant layer overlying the moulds; (iii) (iii) dipping the mould obtained from step (ii) in a first base polymer dispersion to obtain a mould covered with a first base polymer layer; (iv) (iv) drying the mould obtained from step (iii) in an oven to dry the layer of the first base polymer dispersion overlying the mould; (v) (iv) dipping the mould obtained from step (iv) in a second base polymer dispersion to obtain a mould covered with a second base polymer layer; (vi) (vi) drying the mould obtained from step (v) in an oven to dry the layer of the second base polymer dispersion overlying the mould; (vii) (vii) pre-leaching (pre-leaching) the mould coated second base polymer obtained from step (vi) using hot water to remove excess chemical residues from the mould coated base polymer layer, thereby obtaining a mould coated pre-leached base polymer; (viii) (viii) beading the pre-leached base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (vii); (ix) (viii) curing the beaded pre-leached base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (viii) in an oven to obtain a cured base polymer coated on the mould; (x) (ix) post-leaching (post-leaching) the cured base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (ix) with hot water to remove excess chemical residues from the base polymer layer coated on the mould, thereby obtaining a post-leached elastomeric article coated on the mould; (xi) drying the post-leached elastomeric article obtained from step (x) in an oven to obtain a dried elastomeric article overlying the mold; and (xii) demolding the dried elastomeric article obtained from step (xi) from the mold. The dressing agent of the invention is added to a base polymer dispersion, wherein the dressing agent formulation comprises a filler, a release agent, a slip agent, a dispersant and a thickener.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. The numerical data or ranges used in the specification should not be construed as limiting. Preferred embodiments will be described in detail below.

As used hereinafter, the terms "donning" or "donning" refer to the act of wearing one glove on a hand or on another glove that has been previously worn on a hand.

As used hereinafter, the term "donning agent" refers to a substance that assists in donning.

The present invention relates to an elastomeric article comprising a wear agent that enhances lubricity and wearability and a method for producing the same. In particular, the elastomeric articles can be produced without surface treatments such as, but not limited to, powder coating, chlorination, or polymer coating.

The main object of the present invention is to produce an elastomeric article which enables the user to experience a smooth wear, i.e. an easy donning and doffing of the elastomeric article. Elastomeric articles include, but are not limited to, gloves and finger stalls, preferably elastomeric gloves. The donning agent of the present invention helps make elastomeric gloves easier to don and doff than traditional elastomeric gloves (such as, but not limited to, chlorinated gloves and polymer coated gloves), the difference between which is evident from tables 3-5 of the examples section.

A first embodiment of the invention discusses a donning agent wherein the donning agent formulation comprises a filler, a detackifier, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener. Fillers are used in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 200.0phr, antiblocking agents are used in an amount ranging from 8.0phr to 30.0phr, slip agents are used in an amount ranging from 0.3phr to 6.0phr, dispersants are used in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 12.0phr, and thickeners are used in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 6.0 phr.

The elastomeric articles of the present invention are prepared from a base polymer dispersion comprising a donning agent as described above. The base polymer dispersion is made from a base polymer selected from the group consisting of: natural Rubber (NR) latex, nitrile rubber (NBR) latex, Polyisoprene (PI) latex, polychloroprene (CR) latex, Polyurethane (PU) latex, but are not limited thereto.

Two sets of dressing formulations are disclosed in the present invention. The first group of elastomeric articles, designated in the following as group 1, is prepared exclusively from base polymer dispersions made of NR latex. The second group of elastomeric articles specifically designed to be prepared from base polymer dispersions made from NBR latex is referred to hereinafter as group 2.

The filler is any one selected from the group consisting of: calcium carbonate, silicate, kaolin and any combination thereof, preferably calcium carbonate. The fillers of group 1 are used in an amount ranging from 50.0phr to 200.0phr, preferably from 130.0phr to 180.0phr and more preferably 170.0 phr. At the same time, the fillers of group 2 are used in an amount ranging from 5.0phr to 70.0phr, preferably from 15.0phr to 40.0phr and more preferably 20.0 phr.

The anti-sticking agent is polyethylene wax. The amount of antiblocking agent in both groups 1 and 2 ranges from 8.0phr to 30.0phr, preferably from 10.0phr to 20.0phr and more preferably 15.0 phr.

The slip agent is any one selected from the group consisting of: polyorganosiloxane emulsions, polyethylene glycol emulsions, and any combination thereof, preferably polyorganosiloxane emulsions. The amount of slip agent in both set 1 and set 2 ranges from 0.3phr to 6.0phr, preferably from 0.5phr to 4.0phr, more preferably 1.0 phr.

The dispersant is any one selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, acrylic polymers and any combination thereof, preferably anionic surfactants, wherein the anionic surfactants are polycarboxylic acids, sulfonates, alcohol sulfates and alkylbenzene sulfonates, preferably polycarboxylic acids. The amount of dispersant of group 1 is in the range of 2.0 to 12.0phr, preferably 3.0 to 10.0phr, more preferably 6.0 phr. At the same time, the dispersant of group 2 is used in an amount ranging from 2.0phr to 10.0phr, preferably from 3.0phr to 8.0phr and more preferably 5.0 phr.

The thickener is any one selected from the group consisting of: xanthan gum, an alkali swellable thickener and any combination thereof, preferably xanthan gum. The thickening agent of group 1 is used in an amount ranging from 1.0phr to 6.0phr, preferably from 3.0phr to 5.0phr, more preferably 4.0 phr. At the same time, the thickening agent of group 2 is used in an amount ranging from 0.5phr to 4.0phr, preferably from 1.0phr to 3.0phr and more preferably 2.0 phr.

The formulations of the donning agents of groups 1 and 2 of the present invention are listed in tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1: formulation of dressing agent of group 1 (NR gloves)

Table 2: formulation of dressing agent of group 2 (NBR gloves)

A second embodiment of the invention discusses the production of elastomeric articles prepared from the base polymer dispersion comprising the donning agent of the invention as described above.

The method of producing an elastomeric article made from a base polymer dispersion comprising a donning agent is as follows:

i. dipping the mold in a coagulant solution for 4 to 30 seconds (preferably, 15 seconds) to obtain a mold coated with a coagulant layer;

drying the moulds obtained from step (i) in an oven at a temperature of from 80 ℃ to 300 ℃ (preferably, 120 ℃) for from 1 minute to 5 minutes (preferably, 3 minutes) to dry the coagulant layer coated on the moulds;

(iii) dipping the mould obtained from step (ii) in the first base polymer dispersion for 15 to 40 seconds (preferably 30 seconds) to obtain a mould covered with a first base polymer layer;

(iv) drying the mould obtained from step (iii) in an oven at a temperature of from 80 ℃ to 150 ℃ (preferably, 100 ℃) for from 20 seconds to 2 minutes (preferably, 1 minute) to dry the first base polymer dispersion layer overlying the mould;

(iv) dipping the mould obtained from step (iv) in a second base polymer dispersion for 15 to 40 seconds (preferably 30 seconds) to obtain a mould covered with a second base polymer layer;

(vi) drying the mould obtained from step (v) in an oven at a temperature of from 100 ℃ to 130 ℃ (preferably, 120 ℃) for from 20 seconds to 5 minutes (preferably, 2 minutes) to dry the layer of the second base polymer dispersion overlying the mould;

(vii) pre-leaching the mould coated second base polymer obtained from step (vi) with hot water at a temperature of 50 ℃ to 80 ℃ (preferably, 65 ℃) for 15 seconds to 3 minutes (preferably, 2 minutes) to remove excess chemical residues from the mould coated second base polymer layer, thereby obtaining a mould coated pre-leached base polymer;

beading the pre-preg base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (vii);

(ix) curing the beaded pre-preg base polymer coated on the mould obtained from step (viii) in an oven at a temperature of from 80 ℃ to 180 ℃ (preferably, 120 ℃) for from 8 minutes to 60 minutes (preferably, 20 minutes) to obtain a cured base polymer coated on the mould;

post-leaching the cured base polymer coated on the mold obtained from step (ix) with hot water at a temperature of 60 ℃ to 90 ℃ (preferably, 70 ℃) for 15 seconds to 3 minutes (preferably, 2 minutes) to remove excess chemical residues from the base polymer layer coated on the mold, thereby obtaining a post-leached elastomeric article coated on the mold;

drying the post-leached elastomeric article obtained from step (x) in an oven at a temperature of from 80 ℃ to 200 ℃ (preferably, 120 ℃) for from 20 seconds to 5 minutes (preferably, 3 minutes) to obtain a dried elastomeric article overlying the mold; and

demolding the dried elastomeric article obtained from step (xi) from a mold,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

a donning agent is added to the base polymer dispersion, wherein the donning agent formulation comprises a filler, a detackifier, a slip agent, a dispersant, and a thickener.

The elastomeric article obtained using the above method provides the inner surface of the elastomeric glove with a donning agent that allows the user to wear smoothly. In particular, the lubricity of the elastomeric article may be enhanced without surface treatments such as, but not limited to, powder coating, chlorination, or polymer coating. Elastomeric articles include, but are not limited to, gloves and finger gloves, preferably elastomeric gloves.

The elastomeric gloves of the present invention were subjected to blocking test and coefficient of friction (COF) test. The wearability of the elastomeric glove is monitored based on (i) the tack level of a blocking test conducted at 70 ℃ for 22 hours and (ii) the COF value of the COF test.

Table 3 shows the results of the blocking test of the NR gloves produced in the present invention in comparison with conventional NR gloves in terms of tack level.

Table 3: comparison of the tack level of NR gloves produced in the present invention with that of conventional NR gloves

Level 3-very sticky, separation glove membrane requires the greatest force

Horizontal 2-stick, separation glove membrane requires a certain force

Level 1 is slightly tacky and requires minimal force to separate the glove membrane

The horizontal 0 is not sticky, and the separation glove membrane does not need the action of force

Untreated-no surface treatment applied to the glove

Table 4 shows the results of the blocking tests of the NBR gloves produced in the present invention in comparison with conventional NBR gloves with respect to tack level.

Table 4: comparison of the tack level of the NBR gloves produced in the present invention with that of conventional NBR gloves

Level 3-very sticky, separation glove membrane requires the greatest force

Horizontal 2-stick, separation glove membrane requires a certain force

Level 1 is slightly tacky and requires minimal force to separate the glove membrane

The horizontal 0 is not sticky, and the separation glove membrane does not need the action of force

Untreated-no surface treatment applied to the glove

The results show that both NR gloves and NBR gloves produced using the donning agent in the present invention are not sticky when subjected to the blocking test. This indicates that the addition of donning agents to both NR and NBR gloves allows the gloves to be easily donned and doffed compared to conventional gloves, even without surface treatment (i.e., chlorination and polymer coating).

Tables 3 and 4 clearly show that the NR gloves and NBR gloves produced in the present invention can allow the gloves to be more easily and easily put on or taken off the user's hands because the donning agent of the present invention enhances lubricity and wearability. As shown in both tables 3 and 4, different levels of tack can be achieved with different dosages of filler, while high dosages of filler result in no tack. Therefore, the above results will help to draw the following conclusions: the elastomeric article with a wearing agent of the present invention enables a user to wear it smoothly without causing a stickiness problem. Both NR and NBR gloves obtained by using a conventional latex formulation (sample 3) without chlorination and polymer treatment exhibited a tack level of 3 in the blocking test. The viscosity levels in the blocking test of both NR and NBR gloves obtained by adding the donning agent of the present invention can reach 0, which marks the synergy achieved by the donning agent. Thus, the addition of a donning agent to the base polymer dispersion can make the glove easier to don.

Table 5 shows the COF values of NR gloves and NBR gloves produced in the present invention compared to the COF values of conventional gloves.

Table 5: comparison of COF values of NR gloves and NBR gloves produced in the present invention with those of conventional gloves

The results obtained clearly show that the COF values are lower for both NR gloves containing donning agent and NBR gloves. This clearly shows that both NR gloves and NBR gloves produced in the present invention have better donning effect even without chlorination and/or polymer coating and allow the gloves to be more easily and easily donned and doffed on and from the user's hands.

In summary, the present invention enables the production of elastomeric gloves containing donning agents, wherein the gloves have enhanced lubricity and wearability. Further, it also reduces surface treatments (i.e., chlorination and polymer coating). In the long term, it can reduce additional steps and chemicals while providing enhanced lubricity to the glove.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, a noun without a quantitative modification may also be intended to include one or more of the noun unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless specifically identified as an order of execution, the methods, steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" denotes the use of one or more elements, as such use may achieve one or more desired purposes or results in one of several embodiments.