Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a connector that is suitable for connecting medical suction tubing with at least two different types of fluid ports of a medical fluid collection system. In certain aspects, the connector includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a cylindrical outer surface extending generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the body portion, and an inner surface defining a primary conduit extending through the connector. At least one lateral closure wall extends radially outward from the outer surface of the body portion. At least one annular skirt wall extends longitudinally from the at least one lateral closure wall, including a first annular skirt wall that serves to receive an open mouth of a first fluid port having a relatively small diameter, and a second annular skirt wall that serves to receive an open mouth of a second fluid port having a relatively larger diameter.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to vulcanization compounds and relates more specifically to vulcanization compositions with reduced allergenic potential that include accelerator compositions for vulcanizing elastomeric articles. Vulcanization compositions are disclosed that include a single fugitive dihydrocarbyl xanthogen polysulfide accelerator and a single aldehyde-aniline condensate accelerator.

Abstract: An aqueous elastomer dispersion includes a dispersed phase and an aqueous phase. The dispersed phase includes an elastomer including curable aliphatic conjugated-diene elastomers, such as polyisoprene, and a minor amount of at least one additive. The aqueous phase includes water and other optional components in either a soluble state or a dispersion state. The aqueous elastomer dispersion may be prepared by dissolving an elastomer, such as rubber, and additives in a solvent mixture and then converting the resulting solution into an aqueous emulsion. The aqueous emulsion is concentrated and the solvent is stripped from it to yield a dilute latex. The dilute latex that is obtained is concentrated again. Articles made from the aqueous elastomer dispersion include medical gloves, condoms, probe covers, dental dams, finger cots, catheters and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antistatic elastomeric articles and methods of making the same. The articles can be single layered or multilayered. The single layered articles possess desirable antistatic properties and desirable properties of comfort and feel. The multilayered articles have an outermost layer/surface that possesses desirable antistatic properties and an innermost layer/surface that exhibits desirable properties of comfort and feel. In preferred embodiments, the elastomeric articles are made form a nitrile/natural rubber blend. Articles of the present invention have antistatic properties measured as having a surface resistivity below about 1014 ?/sq and a static decay time of less than about 60 seconds.

Abstract: A water-based hydrogel polymer coating and a method of application to natural rubber or other elastomeric latex products are provided. The water-based hydrogel polymer is mixed with a blend of at least one elastomeric material to provide a hydrogel polymer blend composition. The water-based hydrogel polymer blend composition is applied in a single application to an elastomeric article, such as gloves, without additional solvents in the polymer blend composition and without a separate acid or chemical priming step. The water-based hydrogel coating herein provides increased lubricity to facilitate improved wet and dry donning of the elastomeric article.

Abstract: An elastomeric article processing system includes a conveyor chain driven by a prime mover, and a mounting mandrel configured to receive and support an elastomeric article. The mounting mandrel coupled to the conveyor chain. The mounting mandrel including an arm configured to support the elastomeric article, a movable engagement member that engages a portion of the elastomeric article to expose a printing area of the elastomeric article, and an anvil that engages the elastomeric article to support the printing area. The elastomeric article processing system also includes a printer configured to apply a marking to the printing area, and a glove inversion device configured to invert the elastomeric article while the elastomeric article is supported on the mounting mandrel.

Abstract: An elastomeric article processing system includes a conveyor chain driven by a prime mover, and a mounting mandrel configured to receive and support an elastomeric article. The mounting mandrel coupled to the conveyor chain. The mounting mandrel including an arm configured to support the elastomeric article, a movable engagement member that engages a portion of the elastomeric article to expose a printing area of the elastomeric article, and an anvil that engages the elastomeric article to support the printing area. The elastomeric article processing system also includes a printer configured to apply a marking to the printing area, and a glove inversion device configured to invert the elastomeric article while the elastomeric article is supported on the mounting mandrel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elastomeric article with improved lubricity and donnablity and reduced stickiness/tackiness. According to the methods of the invention, the internal surface of the elastomeric article is coated with a polyisoprene coating. The coating of the invention is formed from synthetic polyisoprene rubber that may or may not contain minor amounts of other components. The coating is preferably directly bonded to the underlying elastomeric article.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting, storing and transferring a liquid specimen includes a first cup for collecting a liquid specimen and a lid attachable to the first cup for closing an opening in the first cup. The lid defines a protruding collar, the lid and the collar define an aperture extending through the lid and a length of the collar. The apparatus further includes a transfer assembly including a tube having first and second ends, the first end defining a point, the second end configured for insertion through the aperture in the collar for transferring a liquid specimen from the first cup through the tube. The first end of the tube extends through a bottom of a second cup and into the second cup. The first end of the tube configured for insertion into an evacuated vial for transferring a liquid specimen from the first cup to the vial.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of sterilizing elastomeric articles in a manner that prevents and/or reduces degradation to the articles, particularly degradation that may be caused and/or accelerated by sterilization techniques such as gamma irradiation, x-ray irradiation, and electron-beam processing. The methods include packaging the elastomeric articles in order to improve their resistance to degradation. In certain aspects of the invention, packaged elastomeric articles, optionally containing one or more antidegradants, such as antioxidant and/or antiozonant compounds, are also provided. The methods of providing degradation-resistant elastomeric articles in accordance with the present invention may also be used to reduce the occurrence of cracking and discoloration in elastomeric articles, regardless of whether they are subjected to sterilization.

Abstract: An aqueous elastomer dispersion includes a dispersed phase and an aqueous phase. The dispersed phase includes an elastomer including curable aliphatic conjugated-diene elastomers, such as polyisoprene, and a minor amount of at least one additive. The aqueous phase includes water and other optional components in either a soluble state or a dispersion state. The aqueous elastomer dispersion may be prepared by dissolving an elastomer, such as rubber, and additives in a solvent mixture and then converting the resulting solution into an aqueous emulsion. The aqueous emulsion is concentrated and the solvent is stripped from it to yield a dilute latex. The dilute latex that is obtained is concentrated again. Articles made from the aqueous elastomer dispersion include medical gloves, condoms, probe covers, dental dams, finger cots, catheters and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of sterilizing elastomeric articles in a manner that prevents and/or reduces degradation to the articles, particularly degradation that may be caused and/or accelerated by sterilization techniques such as gamma irradiation, x-ray irradiation, and electron-beam processing. The methods include packaging the elastomeric articles in order to improve their resistance to degradation. In certain aspects of the invention, packaged elastomeric articles, optionally containing one or more antidegradants, such as antioxidant and/or antiozonant compounds, are also provided. The methods of providing degradation-resistant elastomeric articles in accordance with the present invention may also be used to reduce the occurrence of cracking and discoloration in elastomeric articles, regardless of whether they are subjected to sterilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of preparing antimicrobial elastomeric articles that include an elastomeric article having an antimicrobial coating provided thereon. The antimicrobial elastomeric articles exhibit enhanced ability to reduce or eliminate microbes that come in contact with the article. Certain aspects of the invention are further directed to methods of packaging the antimicrobial elastomeric articles, where the packaged antimicrobial articles exhibit antimicrobial effectiveness for an extended period of time as compared to unpackaged antimicrobial articles. Antimicrobial elastomeric articles and packaged antimicrobial elastomeric articles prepared in accordance with the methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Various implementations of a fluid collection system having a flexible liner are disclosed. In one exemplary variation, the fluid collection system may include a container having a top opening, a lid configured to close the top opening, and a flexible liner attached to the lid. The liner may be interposed between the lid and the container when the lid closes the top opening. The liner and the lid may define a substantially sealed interior space therebetween. The lid may include an access port through which the interior space receives fluid. The flexible liner may also be configured to controllably collapse as the fluid is removed from the interior space.

Abstract: A modular attachment is provided to attach to a packaging machine for forming a vent opening in a packaging film used for packaging an item via a packaging machine, and attaching a semipermeable or permeable vent covering material over the vent opening. The vent opening with the attached vent covering material may allow for sterilization of medical devices, medical equipment or other medical supplies while packaged within the packaging film. The modular attachment may include features for forming the vent opening in the packaging film during delivery of the packaging film for use in the packaging process, delivering the covering material to the location of the vent opening, cutting the covering material to size for covering the vent opening, and attaching the vent covering material to the packaging film so as to cover the vent opening.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to vulcanization compositions used to vulcanize elastomeric articles, where the vulcanization compositions have reduced allergenic potential as compared to elastomeric articles formed using vulcanization compositions having non-fugitive accelerators. The present invention also relates to elastomeric articles formed using the vulcanization compositions. The invention further relates to methods for making a reduced-allergenicity vulcanization composition, and to methods for using the vulcanization compositions to vulcanize elastomeric articles.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first receptacle having a first mouth and a second receptacle having a second mouth, wherein the first mouth is in open communication with the second mouth via a joint joining the first receptacle with the second receptacle, and wherein the first mouth and second mouth open in a common direction. The surgical device can be used to effectively collect fluid during surgery in a first receptacle while simultaneously and independently retaining equipment and other medical supplies, such as tubes, wires, and/or tools, in a second receptacle. A drape sheet for covering at least a portion of a patient, the drape sheet optionally having a fenestration therein, with the surgical device being attached to the drape sheet.

Abstract: Described are systems, devices, and methods for stripping a formed thin film elastomeric article such as a latex or synthetic polymer medical or surgical glove from a mold, inverting the article, and transferring and securing the inverted article to a mandrel for further on-line processing, integrating dip forming and off-line surface treatment processes into a single, continuous on-line process. The system can include a stripping apparatus including an actuation device for peeling the article from the mold and inverting the article, and a donning device to receive the inverted article. The system may position the article about a mandrel of the donning device. The mandrel may expand or separate to engage the interior of the inverted article to securely hold the article on the mandrel. The donning device may be coupled to a continuous loop conveyor chain to carry the donning device and the mounted article through on-line secondary processing.