Abstract: A condom in the form of a sheath is described which is closed at one end and open at the opposite end, the opposite end being surrounded by a bead having a minimum inner diameter of at least 32 mm and a wall thickness of greater than 2 mm. A method of manufacture is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08 mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04 mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08 mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04 mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

Abstract: A novel two-layer endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff for the prevention of pneumonia is disclosed. The disclosed two-layer ETT comprises a standard HVLP cuff covered with a second layer of elastomeric material with a sterile gel inserted between the layers. The two-layer cuff forms no folds when inflated in the trachea and prevents leakage, substantially reducing the risk for pneumonia attributable to standard ETT cuffs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-Hevea, non-synthetic, low-allergenic, low-protein latex product that conforms to the standards published by the American Society for Testing Materials for Hevea latex products, and a new method and standard for determining the qualitative and quantitative properties of such products, including the substitutability of and superiority to Hevea and synthetic latex products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: An elastomeric article having reducing microbe affinity and transmission and methods for applying and immobilizing antimicrobial compounds to the elastomeric substrate surface are disclosed. The elastomeric article has a body formed of a natural or synthetic polymer latex having an outer surface and an inner surface. The body has a coating of an antimicrobial agent over at least a portion of said outer surface. The treatment involves applying according to either a spraying or dipping process an antimicrobial polymer or composition to a surface of the elastomeric substrate; binding the antimicrobial composition to the surface in a manner such that said treat antimicrobial coating passes either one or another or both versions of a zone of inhibition test, such test including: a) a dry-leaching or agar-plate-based contact test, according to AATCC 147 protocol, or b) a wet-leaching or dynamic shake flask test according to ASTM E-2149-01 protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of elastomeric articles, such as elastomeric gloves, which can be easily stripped from forming molds, provide good tactile and gripping characteristics, and can be powder free with no halogenation or surface treatments. In general, the elastomeric articles of the invention include an ultra-thin outer layer formed of an acrylic-based polymer and a base polymer layer coagulated onto the surface of the outer layer which forms the primary matrix of the elastomeric article. The ultra-thin outer layer of the articles can be between about 0.25 microns and about 8.0 microns thick.

Abstract: An elastomeric article such as a glove includes a substrate body made of an styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and a donning layer overlying at least one side of the substrate body. The donning layer is formed of 1,2 polybutadiene, preferably syndiotactic 1,2 polybutadiene, or a chlorinated mid block unsaturated block copolymer. Optionally, a surfactant layer is present over the donning layer to further improve the donning characteristics. The surfactant layer is preferably an alkyl dimethylbenzyl quaternary, an alkyl trimethyl quaternary, a dialkyl dimethyl quaternary, sodium lauryl sulfate, or pyridinium chloride.

Abstract: Elastomeric articles, such as gloves and condoms, are disclosed including a process for making the articles. The elastomeric articles produced according to the present invention are made from a synthetic polymer. During production of the articles, the polymer is cross-linked using a metal oxide as a cross-linking agent. In one embodiment, the polymer is cross-linked without using conventional sulfur-containing cross-linking agents or accelerators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of elastomeric articles, such as elastomeric gloves, which can be easily stripped from forming molds, provide good tactile and gripping characteristics, and can be powder free with no halogenation or surface treatments. In general, the elastomeric articles of the invention include an ultra-thin outer layer formed of an acrylic-based polymer and a base polymer layer coagulated onto the surface of the outer layer which forms the primary matrix of the elastomeric article. The ultra-thin outer layer of the articles can be between about 0.25 microns and about 8.0 microns thick.

Abstract: Elastomeric articles, such as gloves and condoms, are disclosed including a process for making the articles. The elastomeric articles produced according to the present invention are made from a synthetic polymer. During production of the articles, the polymer is cross-linked using a metal oxide as a cross-linking agent. In one embodiment, the polymer is cross-linked without using conventional sulfur-containing cross-linking agents or accelerators.