Patent · US Expired

Soft nitrile medical gloves having improved glove relaxation properties

US7176260B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 2004
Grant dateFeb 13, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC08K5/36
  • WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention is the manipulation of the zinc oxide content and sulfur content of nitrile butadiene rubbers and selected vulcanization conditions that can be achieved economically with common production facilities. The manipulation of these components affects the relaxation property of gloves formed by this material. Produced are gloves that have a relaxation property, higher than 50%, and a low modulus (approximately 3 Mpa). The glove maintains decent ultimate tensile strength (>20 Mpa) and elongation (>500%). The glove is produced by a vulcanization process, which lasts from 5 to 60 minutes at temperatures ranging from 300° F. to 400° F. The tensile strength and elongation are well above the ASTM requirements for medical gloves. The current ASTM requirements are ASTM D412-92. Thanks to sufficient vulcanization, the films produced provide satisfactory protection from viral penetration. The tearing strength is also better because of the lower modulus.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.