Abstract: Disclosed herein are thermochromic elastic articles suitable for a variety of uses. The thermochromic elastic articles include at least one elastic polymeric composition having at least one thermochromic pigment substantially uniformly dispersed therein, and the elastomeric polymers include such as elastomeric emulsion-based polymers and elastomeric solution-based polymers. Such thermochromic elastic articles are highly useful for use in protective wear products, health care and medical care products, bandages and the like, and are capable of signaling environmental temperature change or temperature change in a wearer or user via a change in color. Additionally provided are articles of manufacture including the thermochromic elastic articles, such as articles including without limitation gloves, medical wraps, garments, and stress indicating articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring integrity of a fingertip of a polymeric glove. The apparatus contains a sample mount for holding the fingertip sample, a pressure supply and a pressure measuring device. The apparatus may be portable. The invention also relates to a method of measuring the integrity of a fingertip of a polymeric glove by mounting a sample on a testing apparatus, supplying pressure to the sample from an attached source and measuring the pressure required to burst the sample with a pressure measuring device. The invention also relates to a method of comparing the fingertip integrity of polymeric gloves among a set of polymeric gloves.

Abstract: A glove having improved chemical permeation resistance includes a substrate body formed from polyvinyl chloride and a barrier layer overlying at least a portion of the substrate body, where the barrier layer is formed from an acrylic polymer having a glass transition temperature of from about ?30° C. to about 30° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a glove having improved fingertip puncture resistance is disclosed. The method includes providing a glove former, the former pivotably attached to a chain assembly, dipping the former into a plastisol in a first position, the position being substantially vertical, removing the former from the plastisol, pivoting the former to a second position, the second position forming an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the first position, and maintaining the former at the second position until the plastisol forms a gel on the former.