Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Abstract: Provided among other things is a breach or contamination indicating elastomeric article for indicating a breach or contamination by a selected chemical or group of chemicals, the article having an exterior and interior and comprising: (a) an interior elastomeric layer selected to resist permeation by the selected chemical(s), which interior layer is colored; and (b) a contiguous or dis-contiguous indicating layer comprising solid particles of hydrophobic dye effective to provide enhanced color on contacting hexane, cyclohexane, xylene, ethyl ether, butyl acetate, MIBK, methanol, acetonitrile and acetic acid; wherein the distribution of the indicating layer provides for a visually noticeable color change against the background of the colored interior elastomeric layer upon a breach or contamination event by a selected chemical.

Abstract: Provided among other things is a breach or contamination indicating elastomeric article for indicating a breach or contamination by a selected chemical or group of chemicals, the article having an exterior and interior and comprising: (a) an interior elastomeric layer selected to resist permeation by the selected chemical(s), which interior layer is colored; and (b) a contiguous or dis-contiguous indicating layer comprising solid particles of hydrophobic dye effective to provide enhanced color on contacting hexane, cyclohexane, xylene, ethyl ether, butyl acetate, MIBK, methanol, acetonitrile and acetic acid; wherein the distribution of the indicating layer provides for a visually noticeable color change against the background of the colored interior elastomeric layer upon a breach or contamination event by a selected chemical.

Abstract: A latex glove article with a fibrous coating bonded to the skin-contacting surface. Long length soft moisture absorbing fibers are attached to latex layer of a glove with a thin layer of polymeric latex adhesive forming a fibrous lining. The long length fibers have a length ranging from 4 to 100 times the thickness of the polymeric latex adhesive layer and therefore extend or project from the polymeric latex adhesive coating. The fibers penetrate the polymeric latex adhesive layer at one end or both end of the fiber to a depth of about 60% to about 100% of the adhesive thickness, leaving a substantial portion of the fiber available for soft contact with skin and sweat absorption. Due to the substantial thickness of the fibrous lining, an air gap is created between skin and the impervious latex layer establishing continual evaporation of absorbed sweat and evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A latex glove article with a fibrous coating bonded to the skin-contacting surface. Long length soft moisture absorbing fibers are attached to latex layer of a glove with a thin layer of polymeric latex adhesive forming a fibrous lining. The long length fibers extend or project from the polymeric latex adhesive coating. The fibers penetrate the polymeric latex adhesive layer at one end or both end of the fiber to a depth of about 60% to about 100% of the adhesive thickness, leaving a substantial portion of the fiber available for soft contact with skin and sweat absorption. Due to the substantial thickness of the fibrous lining, which is between about 4 and about 100 times the thickness of the thin layer of polymeric latex adhesive, an air gap is created between skin and the impervious latex layer establishing continual evaporation of absorbed sweat and evaporative cooling.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Abstract: Provided among other things are breach or contamination indicating elastomeric articles for indicating a breach or contamination by a selected chemical or group of chemicals, the article having an exterior and interior and comprising: (1) an indicating layer that comprises (a) a carrier polymer, and (b) a plurality of microcapsules wherein each microcapsule comprises a dye and a shell, wherein the plurality of microcapsules is dispersed in the carrier polymer and the polymer shell releases the dye in the presence of the selected chemical(s); and (2) an elastomeric layer selected to resist permeation by the selected chemical(s), which resistant layer is to the interior or exterior side of the indicating layer.

Abstract: Latex articles with geometrically defined surface structure providing enhanced grip characteristics in dry, wet or oily environments; and a method of making same comprising applying a polymeric coagulant coating to a smooth former surface, wherein the coating becomes tacky during drying, applying discrete coagulant particles of selected size, shape and distribution to the tacky coating to attach and protrude from the former surface with the polymeric coagulant coating, dipping the former into an aqueous latex emulsion, wherein the polymeric coagulant coating and the discrete coagulating particles destabilize the latex, thereby developing a latex layer, vulcanizing and stripping the latex article inside out, and dissolving the discrete coagulant particles in water or suitable solvents to reveal the geometrically designed texture with pre-selected size, shape and distribution of impressions providing improved dry, wet and oily surface grip by removal of a fluid boundary layer.

Abstract: A powder-free medical glove having a first surface of a powder-free coagulant and a second surface with a polymer coating to ease donning. The powder-free coagulant on the first surface comprises micronized high-density polyethylene, a micro-emulsion of amino silicone, a dimethicone emulsion, calcium salts, an ethoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant and a cellulose thickener. The medical gloves are made in an on-line process of making latex articles that involves dipping hand-shaped formers into the coagulant before dipping them into the latex. The gloves are thereafter coated with a polymer to improve donnability before removal from the formers. The novel coagulant formulation permits easy removal of the articles from the formers, eases double-donning of gloves and eliminates the need for off-line processing.

Abstract: A latex glove article with a fibrous coating bonded to the skin-contacting surface. Long length soft moisture absorbing fibers are attached to latex layer of a glove with a thin layer of polymeric latex adhesive forming a fibrous lining. The long length fibers have a length ranging from 4 to 100 times the thickness of the polymeric latex adhesive layer and therefore extend or project from the polymeric latex adhesive coating. The fibers penetrate the polymeric latex adhesive layer at one end or both end of the fiber to a depth of about 60% to about 100% of the adhesive thickness, leaving a substantial portion of the fiber available for soft contact with skin and sweat absorption. Due to the substantial thickness of the fibrous lining, an air gap is created between skin and the impervious latex layer establishing continual evaporation of absorbed sweat and evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A powder-free medical glove having a first surface of a powder-free coagulant and a second surface with a polymer coating to ease donning. The powder-free coagulant on the first surface comprises micronized high-density polyethylene, a micro-emulsion of amino silicone, a dimethicone emulsion, calcium salts, an ethoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant and a cellulose thickener. The medical gloves are made in an on-line process of making latex articles that involves dipping hand-shaped formers into the coagulant before dipping them into the latex. The gloves are thereafter coated with a polymer to improve donnability before removal from the formers. The novel coagulant formulation permits easy removal of the articles from the formers, eases double-donning of gloves and eliminates the need for off-line processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an elastomeric article including preparing a non-woven fibrous polymer composition for dip-coating onto a layer of carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomeric surface and in particular making industrial or household gloves. By dipping a former into a salt-based coagulant, followed by dipping into an elastomeric dispersion, and finally dipping into a polymer composite fibrous coating, a useful elastomeric article is prepared. The invention also provides an elastomeric article having a first layer, the first layer comprising a natural or synthetic polymer; and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a polymer composite fibrous coating. The polymer composite fibrous coating includes at least one elastomer or elastomer blend, a fiber or fiber blend, a surfactant, and a micronised wax. The coating can be foamed, and provides improved sweat management and non-shedding properties to a user.

Abstract: Latex articles with geometrically defined surface structure providing enhanced grip characteristics in dry, wet or oily environments; and a method of making same comprising applying a polymeric coagulant coating to a smooth former surface, wherein the coating becomes tacky during drying, applying discrete coagulant particles of selected size, shape and distribution to the tacky coating to attach and protrude from the former surface with the polymeric coagulant coating, dipping the former into an aqueous latex emulsion, wherein the polymeric coagulant coating and the discrete coagulating particles destabilize the latex, thereby developing a latex layer, vulcanizing and stripping the latex article inside out, and dissolving the discrete coagulant particles in water or suitable solvents to reveal the geometrically designed texture with pre-selected size, shape and distribution of impressions providing improved dry, wet and oily surface grip by removal of a fluid boundary layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an elastomeric article including preparing a non-woven fibrous polymer composition for dip-coating onto a layer of carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomeric surface and in particular making industrial or household gloves. By dipping a former into a salt-based coagulant, followed by dipping into an elastomeric dispersion, and finally dipping into a polymer composite fibrous coating, a useful elastomeric article is prepared. The invention also provides an elastomeric article having a first layer, the first layer comprising a natural or synthetic polymer; and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a polymer composite fibrous coating. The polymer composite fibrous coating includes at least one elastomer or elastomer blend, a fiber or fiber blend, a surfactant, and a micronised wax. The coating can be foamed, and provides improved sweat management and non-shredding properties to a user.