U.S. patent application number 15/198049 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for thermally conductive glove.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ansell Limited. Invention is credited to Noorman Abu Hassan, Darryl Nazareth, Ahmad Helmi Ujar.
Application Number | 20170000202 15/198049 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57607348 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170000202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hassan; Noorman Abu ; et
al. |
January 5, 2017 |
THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE GLOVE
Abstract
A supported or unsupported glove that includes a polymeric
layer, comprised of a polymeric composition having thermally
conductive particles disposed within the polymeric layer.
Inventors: |
Hassan; Noorman Abu; (Shah
Alam, MY) ; Nazareth; Darryl; (Flanders, NJ) ;
Ujar; Ahmad Helmi; (Shah Alam, MY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ansell Limited |
Richmond |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
57607348 |
Appl. No.: |
15/198049 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62188061 |
Jul 2, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09D 123/06 20130101;
A41D 31/065 20190201; B32B 2270/00 20130101; B32B 2437/02 20130101;
B32B 2266/08 20130101; B32B 2266/06 20130101; B32B 2307/302
20130101; B32B 25/10 20130101; B32B 2262/0253 20130101; B32B 27/12
20130101; A41D 19/01529 20130101; B32B 2262/0269 20130101; B32B
27/40 20130101; B32B 2262/0261 20130101; B32B 25/00 20130101; B32B
2264/104 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00; A41D 31/00 20060101 A41D031/00 |
Claims
1. A glove, comprising: at least one polymeric layer in the shape
of a hand and having stalls for a thumb, an index finger, a middle
finger, a ring finger, and a little finger for receiving the hand
of a wearer; and thermally conductive particles, wherein the
thermally conductive particles are highly crystalline and dispersed
within the at least one polymeric layer.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive particles
are at least one of nano-sized or micro-sized particles.
3. The glove of claim 1, wherein the highly crystalline fillers are
at least one of h-Boron Nitride (h-BN), crystalline boron nitride
(c-BN), synthetic single walled carbon graphite (SWCN) or natural
crystalline graphite (NCWG).
4. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive particles
are hexagonal and/or hexagonal rhombohedral in crystalline
structure.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive particles
comprise 1 to 15 parts per hundred rubber dispersed within the
polymeric layer.
6. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive particles
range from 1 micron to 300 microns in size.
7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer comprises at
least one of carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, non-carboxylated
acrylonitrile butadiene, polychloroprene, natural rubber, synthetic
polyisoprene, polyurethane, or blends thereof.
8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer further
comprises at least one of a closed-cell foam or an open-celled
foam.
9. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive particles
provide a mechanism to transport heat effectively through phonons
vibration waves across crystallite structures of the thermally
conductive particles through the polymeric coating.
10. A glove, comprising: a polymeric layer in the shape of a hand
comprised of a polymeric composition having highly crystalline
particles disposed within the polymeric composition, wherein the
highly crystalline particles range in size from 130-260 microns and
1-5 microns in size in amounts of 1-15 PHR.
11. The glove of claim 10, wherein the highly crystalline particles
are hexagonal in crystalline structure.
12. The glove of claim 10, wherein the highly crystalline particles
are at least one of synthetic h-Boron Nitride (h-BN), crystalline
boron nitride (c-BN), synthetic single walled carbon graphite
(SWCN) or natural crystalline graphite (NCWG).
13. The glove of claim 10, wherein the polymeric layer is combined
with flock to form a flock-lined glove.
14. The glove of claim 10, wherein the polymeric layer is disposed
on a fabric liner to form a supported glove.
15. The glove of claim 14, wherein the fabric liner comprises at
least one of nylon, p-aramid, m-aramid, ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene, polyester, or elastane yarns.
16. The glove of claim 15, wherein the at least one of nylon,
p-aramid, m-aramid, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,
polyester, or elastane yarns further comprise thermally conductive
particles.
17. A method of forming a thermally conductive glove, comprising:
dressing a fabric liner onto a former; dipping the former having
the fabric liner into a coagulant solution; dipping the former in a
polymeric composition comprising thermally conductive particles,
wherein a thermally conductive coating is disposed onto the fabric
liner; and curing the thermally conductive coating with heat.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fabric liner comprises at
least one of nylon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,
polyester, or elastane yarns.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of nylon,
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, or elastane
yarns further comprises thermally conductive particles.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one of nylon,
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, p-aramid, m-aramid,
polyester, or elastane yarns are wet, dry, or gel spun with
thermally conductive particles to form thermally conductive yarns.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
application No. 62/188,061, filed Jul. 2, 2015, and is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to protective
articles and, more particularly, to protective articles such as
gloves, sleeves, socks, and/or other wearable articles that include
protective polymeric layer(s), which provide heat management
properties via addition of thermally conductive fillers into the
polymeric layer(s).
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Many protective articles, such as gloves, sleeves, and the
like, which are worn in industrial and/or household settings, have
polymeric barriers disposed thereon. However, such articles are
lacking in comfort due to poor thermal heat dissipation. In
addition, discomfort caused by perspiration can also be a problem,
particularly profuse sweating and related odor and germ
proliferation issues, and ultimately leads to, for example,
frequent glove and/or sleeve changing, which is expensive and
affects manufacturing productivity.
[0004] Industrial workers often wear gloves for several hours and
heat builds gradually between the skin and a glove surface that
contacts the skin, which can lead to discomfort through excessive
sweating and chafing. Robust gloves that have thicker polymeric
coatings exacerbate this condition.
[0005] Surgical or examination gloves, and/or flock-lined gloves,
and/or supported gloves include a fabric liner and a barrier
layer(s), comprise polymeric materials that act as insulators.
Users are faced with two choices, each of which is less than
optimal. One type of glove that users may choose is a glove wherein
the barrier layer includes open celled polymeric foams, which
breathes and is capable of releasing some heat from within,
providing some level of comfort. However, gloves having open celled
foams are incapable of providing barrier properties from exposure
to chemicals and/or pathogens, e.g., viruses and bacteria. Also,
gloves having open celled foams are less wear resistant. A second
type of glove includes either a non-foamed polymeric barrier or a
closed-cell polymeric foam, which can provide barrier protection
but traps heat, leading to excessive perspiration that cannot
evaporate.
[0006] The mechanism of sweat liberation from human skin,
especially at the palm region, needs to be clearly understood in
order to address heat dissipation from a human palm having a glove
worn thereon. Heat transfer describes the exchange of thermal
energy between physical systems, depending on the temperature and
pressure. The fundamental modes of heat exchange are conduction,
convection and radiation. Within an organism, the process of
conduction is the prevalent manner of heat transfer from the body
core to the surface. Heat is conducted through layers of skin
tissue or via the blood. As skin temperature increases, the sweat
glands begin to function. This occurs at approximately a skin
temperature of 35.degree. C., subject to individual variation. When
sweating has been adequate to reduce the temperature of blood
perfusing the thermoregulatory center, the rate of sweat production
is reduced until equilibrium is established. The evaporation of
sweat from the surface of the skin also provides a cooling effect.
However, the physiological response of humans to a hot ambient
temperature is the flow of blood to the surface, wherein
cardiovascular activity maintains blood flow and rapid heat
transfer within the organism to physically remove heat from the
skin surface.
[0007] Inorganic fillers have been added to polymer matrices within
polymeric gloves for increasing cut-resistance, abrasion
resistance, and/or electrical conductivity. However, to date, no
gloves or other wearable articles in close contact with skin, have
promoted heat transfer such that the article is capable of and/or
adapted to maintain a temperature inside the article that is
substantially similar to the temperature of human skin compared
with a temperature while the skin is not within the article.
[0008] With the foregoing in view, the inventors have invented
thermally conductive gloves comprising a polymeric or elastomeric
layer(s), optionally foamed, having thermally conductive particle
fillers dispersed therein for use as an unsupported glove, a flock
lined glove or a supported glove further comprising a fabric liner,
wherein the glove conducts heat from the human body to the external
environment, resulting in a glove having thermal managing
properties.
SUMMARY
[0009] Thermally conductive gloves, and methods for manufacturing
thermally conductive gloves, substantially as shown in and/or
described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set
forth more completely in the claims. Various advantages, aspects
and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of
an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood
from the following description and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present invention can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only illustrative embodiments
of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting
of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an unsupported glove having thermally
conductive particles, according to embodiments of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a close up view of the unsupported glove of
FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a supported glove having thermally conductive
particles embedded within a fabric liner and a polymeric coating,
according to embodiments of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section taken along line 4-4 of the
supported glove of FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a method for forming an unsupported glove
comprising a polymeric layer or a supported glove having a fabric
liner and a polymeric layer having a plurality of thermally
conductive particles, according to embodiments of the invention;
and
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a diagram for a method and apparatus for
producing a supported glove, according to embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Thermally conductive gloves according to embodiments of the
invention comprise a polymeric layer containing thermally
conductive filler material(s). In some embodiments, the polymeric
layer may comprise a non-foamed polymeric layer, a foamed polymeric
layer, or a multi-layer glove having both a non-foamed polymeric
layer and a foamed polymeric layer. The non-foamed polymeric layer
and the foamed polymeric layer comprise non-foamed and/or foamed
lattices and inorganic crystalline particles mixed therein, which
provide unexpected enhanced thermal conductivity in an otherwise
insulating polymeric layer. Suitable inorganic crystalline
particles include fillers having high thermal conductivities, i.e.,
thermally conductive particle fillers. For example, h-Boron Nitride
(h-BN), natural crystalline Boron Nitride (c-BN), and/or natural
crystal vein carbon graphite (NCVCG), are suitable highly
crystalline particle fillers because of their high thermal
conductivities. In some embodiments according to the invention, the
inorganic crystalline particle fillers are highly crystalline. In
this context, highly crystalline indicates that the crystalline
structure of the inorganic crystalline particle fillers is high in
degree, as is known to those in the art. In some embodiments
according to the invention, the highly crystalline fillers comprise
hexagonal rhombohedral crystalline structures.
[0018] Carbon-based fillers couple high thermal conductivity
properties and lightweight properties. Crystalline graphite also
has a suitably high thermal conductivity. Single-walled carbon
nanotube (SWCNT) and vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) are more
expensive than crystalline graphite, natural crystalline vein
graphite (NCVG), or natural crystal vein carbon graphite (NCVCG),
yet the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties are
comparable to the less expensive crystalline graphite, NCVG and/or
NCVCG fillers. Therefore, c-BN, h-BN, NCVCG, and NCVG are suitable
particles to achieve enhanced thermal cooling comfort for articles
comprising polymeric or elastomeric layers, such as gloves; and
induce ambient cooling and, therefore, comfort to the user's skin
contacting a glove surface upon period of glove usage. The
elastomeric layer, whether disposed on a fabric liner or on a
former, can be a foamed or a non-foamed polymer coating.
[0019] The elastomeric layer can disposed on or otherwise adhered
to a knitted fabric liner or flock lining or dip-able flock
composite layer to provide a skin contacting layer that is
comfortable to a user. The skin-contacting, i.e., donning,
elastomeric flocked layer or dip-able flocking layer can also
comprise thermally conductive particles to enhance the cooling and
comfort through an effective transportation of heat generated from
the human body or conduction across the glove to an exterior
surface of the glove.
[0020] Also, a particle size of the inorganic crystalline additives
generally ranges from 1 to 300 microns and, in some exemplary
embodiments, range from 130-260 microns and, in some exemplary
embodiments, 5 to 10 microns for better dispersal within layers and
coatings made from polymeric compositions. Moreover, smaller
particles provide additional surface contact area and, therefore,
increased heat transfer by conduction across the articles, e.g.,
gloves, sleeves, and the like. In some embodiments of the
invention, the inorganic crystalline particles, e.g., the h-BN,
c-BN and natural crystal vein carbon graphite particles are reduced
in size, cut, and/or crushed from 300 microns to 5-10 microns. A
particle size of 1 to 300 microns has provided unexpectedly
enhanced thermal cooling as the particles remain well suspended in
polymeric dispersions and/or colloids and, furthermore, without
intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that a particle
size of 1 micron to 300 microns in diameter provides a free phonon
path length for a phonon spectra, without scattering, appropriate
for enhanced thermal conduction. In other words, a particle
diameter of 1 to 300 microns is easily suspended and well dispersed
through the polymeric compositions, providing an unexpectedly
effective phonon path length. Also, larger particles will not
disperse well nor be easily suspended while nano-sized particles
are dispersed and suspended well, but have a high level of phonon
scattering, resulting in an unfavorable reduction in thermal
conductivity.
[0021] Embodiments according to the invention comprise a lining,
such as a knitted fabric liner or a flock lining, made from a yarn
and/or fibers and/or staple fibers. For example, a fabric liner may
be knitted and coated with a polymeric layer having the thermally
conductive particle fillers mixed therein to produce a supported
article, such as a glove. Some gloves or articles according to the
invention include a flock-lined article, for example, staple fibers
that are adhered to or within and projecting from a polymeric or
elastomeric layer. Some gloves according to embodiments of the
invention comprise one or more polymeric or elastomeric layers,
such as a surgical glove or an examination glove. Each article
comprises at least one polymeric or elastomeric layer that further
comprises at least one thermally conductive particle filler.
Thermally conductive particle fillers transfer heat, such as body
heat, internally from the polymeric or elastomeric layer that
contacts the skin through an internal surface of the layer through
the external layer of the glove by thermal conduction to the
external environment. Also, any yarn used to knit a fabric liner or
any flock may comprise the thermally conductive particle fillers.
For example, yarns and/or fibers may be gel spun or wet spun with
the thermally conductive particle fillers, creating thermally
conductive yarns and/or flock, which can further promote the
conduction of heat from the skin, through the glove to an external
surface of the glove, where it can be transferred to the
environment.
[0022] Embodiments according to the invention provide a mechanism
to conduct the body heat of a gloved hand from a skin interface,
below the skin threshold temperature where sweating starts, by
dissipating the heat generated by the skin within the inside of the
glove, through an interface of the skin and a glove and through the
thickness of the glove to the environment.
[0023] Unsupported gloves, flock lined gloves, and/or supported
gloves further comprising a fabric liner, capable of conducting
heat from the human body to the external environment, resulting in
a glove having thermal managing properties are each contemplated
herein. Furthermore, a flock lining and/or a fabric liner,
comprising yarns, filaments, and/or staple fibers may have
thermally conductive particle fillers disposed therein or
thereon.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts an unsupported glove 100 having thermally
conductive particles 122, according to embodiments of the
invention. The glove 100 comprises a pinky finger 106, a ring
finger 108, a middle finger 110, an index finger 112, a thumb 114,
a palm component 116, and, optionally, a beaded cuff 118. The
unsupported glove 100 is comprised of a polymeric coating 120.
Disposed on and/or within the polymeric coating 120 is a plurality
of thermally conductive particles 122.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a dose up view 200 of the unsupported glove
100 of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention. The dose
up view 200 shows that the polymeric coating 120 comprises a
plurality of the thermally conductive particles 122. The thermally
conductive particles 122 are generally highly crystalline and are
optionally hexagonal in shape. The plurality of thermally
conductive particles 122 are not drawn to scale for ease of
presentation and comprise different sizes, i.e., a particle size
ranges from 1 to 300 microns and, in some exemplary embodiments,
ranges from 130-260 microns and in some exemplary embodiments,
ranges from 5 to 10 microns. The polymeric coating 120 comprises
one or more polymeric materials or blends, as described in Tables
1-4 or in other polymeric compositions. For example, the polymeric
coating 120, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, may
comprise natural or synthetic polymeric coatings or mixtures or
blends thereof. The polymeric coating 120 may comprise a natural
latex, such as guayule or natural rubber, synthetic latexes, such
as synthetic polyisoprene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene,
highly-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, non-carboxylated
acrylonitrile butadiene, acrylics, butyl latex, polychloroprene,
aqueous- and/or non-aqueous-polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene, and
the like, or mixtures or blends thereof. In at least one exemplary
embodiment of the invention, the polymeric coating 120 comprises a
highly carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene latex, which is,
optionally, approximately 35-40% carboxylated.
[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a supported glove 300 having thermally
conductive particles embedded within a fabric liner 340 and a
polymeric coating 120, according to embodiments of the invention.
The supported glove 300 comprises a pinky finger 306, a ring finger
308, a middle finger 310, an index finger 312, a thumb 314, a
backhand component 330, and, optionally, a cuff 318. The supported
glove 300 comprises the polymeric coating 120 having the plurality
of thermally conductive particles 122 disposed therein. As shown,
the polymeric coating 120 comprises a palm dip although optionally
a 3/4 dip, full dip, and the like, as is known to those in the art,
are also within the scope of embodiments according to the
invention. The fabric liner 340 comprises at least one yarn 350,
which optionally comprises the plurality of thermally conductive
particles 122 disposed therein.
[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section 400 taken along line 4-4 of
the supported glove 300 of FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the
invention. The cross section 400 shows that the polymeric coating
120 is disposed on an external surface 420 and extends to an
interior surface 420, which is adhered to the fabric liner 340. As
shown, the plurality of thermally conductive particles 122 is
dispersed throughout the polymeric coating 120. Also, the thermally
conductive particles 122 are dispersed throughout the fabric liner
340.
[0028] Gloves according to embodiments of the invention exhibit
unexpectedly enhanced heat conduction from an internal heat source,
through the glove, and into the environment.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a method 500 for forming an unsupported glove
comprising a polymeric layer 120 or a supported glove having a
fabric liner 340 and a polymeric layer 120 having a plurality of
thermally conductive particles 122, according to embodiments of the
invention. At step 502, the method 500 starts. If a supported glove
is to be manufactured, a fabric liner 340, as described above, such
as a knitted fabric liner, is optionally dressed onto a hand shaped
former at step 501 and the method 500 proceeds to step 504. If an
unsupported glove is to be formed, the undressed hand shaped former
is provided and the method 500 proceeds to step 504. Irrespective
of whether an unsupported glove or a supported glove is to be
formed, the fabric liner and/or the former is optionally heated
before proceeding to step 504.
[0030] At step 504, the fabric liner and/or undressed former has a
coagulant, such as the coagulant solutions described below, applied
thereon, for example, by dipping the former/liner into a bath of
the coagulant solution. In at least one embodiment of the
invention, the coagulant solution is heated at a temperature
ranging from 42-45.degree. C. Also, optionally, excess coagulant
solution is allowed to drip dry from the liner and/or the former,
which is optionally rotated so that the fingers of the former/liner
are pointed up and allowed to dry.
[0031] At step 506, the fabric liner dressed on the former or the
undressed former is dipped into a polymeric or elastomeric
composition, such as the composition of Tables 1-4, i.e., a foamed
or non-foamed polymeric or elastomeric composition, forming a
polymeric or elastomeric layer thereon. The dipping step may be a
palm dip, a 3/4 dip, a knuckle dip or a full dip as is known to
those in the art. Optionally, the polymeric or elastomeric
composition is allowed to drip down, i.e., fingers are pointing
down, to allow excess composition to drip off, and reducing the
thickness of the polymeric coating formed thereon.
[0032] At step 508, the former and/or fabric liner optionally
dressed on the former having the polymeric coating disposed thereon
is rotated so that the polymeric coating can dry in ambient air for
several minutes. In at least one embodiment according to the
invention, the polymeric coating is allowed to dry for
approximately one hour. At step 510, the unsupported polymeric
coating or polymeric coating on a fabric liner undergo a curing
step to cure the polymeric coating, such as within an oven at a
temperature of approximately 130.degree. C. for ten minutes. In at
least one embodiment according to the invention, the polymeric
coating is cured in a staged process, for example, at a first stage
at 90.degree. C. for fifteen minutes, a second stages at
100.degree. C. for fifteen minutes, and a third stage at
130.degree. C. for fifteen minutes. At step 512, the method 500
ends.
[0033] Polymeric compositions, such as the compositions described
in Tables 1-4, may be compounded as are known to those in the art.
For example, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the following
steps are taken to compound the compositions described herein. The
thermally conductive particle filler, e.g., h-BN may be optionally
pre-mixed with, for example, Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonate
(SDBS 50) or any suitable wetting agent(s) before the addition of
other ingredients, such as surfactants, waxes and/or paraffins,
thickeners and/or rheology agents, and/or fillers, such as calcium
carbonate, to form a polymeric or elastomeric composition having
crystalline inorganic conductive particles as shown below in Table
1. At least one exemplary embodiment according to the invention
includes Sodium alkylbenzyl sulfonate as a surfactant, anionic
paraffins and/or polyethylene waxes, and/or a cellulosic material
as a thickener. Compounding of any of the compositions of Tables
1-4 is performed by delivering the latex and a surfactant and
mixing, adding other ingredients approximately every thirty minutes
during continuous mixing.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Part per hundred Ingredient rubber (PHR)
Carboxylated acrylonitrile- 100 butadiene latex Surfactant 1.2
Inorganic crystalline 1.0-2.0 particles (conductive)
Paraffins/waxes 0.3-0.5 Calcium carbonate 5 Thickener Adjust to
desired viscosity
[0034] Embodiments of the current invention further comprise
wherein the above composition of Table 1, as well as Table 3-4, can
be foamed to achieve 10% to 30% air content. Typically, gloves are
foamed to approximately to 10% air content. The parameters of the
compound to achieve at least one foamed polymeric or elastomeric
composition for disposition on a fabric liner to form a glove is as
below in Table 2:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Parameters Specifications Total Solids
Content (TSC) 40-43% Viscosity 1000-1300 cps pH ~8.7-9.1 Foam
content ~10-30% by volume
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Parts per % Ingredient hundred (PHR) 43
Synthomer 6311 100 30 Calsoft L60 1.2 50 ZnO dispersions 2.8 71
BK1212 1.3 64 BK1100 0.3 35 ML 135 0.5 30 Boron Nitride dispersions
1.0 71 Hydrocal 295 5.0 6 Culminal MHPC 50 solution 1.0
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Parts per % Ingredient hundred (PHR) 43
Synthomer 6311 100 30 Calcium Carbonate 1.2 50 ZnO dispersions 2.8
71 BK1212 1.3 64 BK1100 0.3 35 ML 135 0.5 25 Asbury Micro 770
dispersions 1.0 6 Culminal MHPC 50 solution 1.0
[0035] Polymeric compositions comprise a latex material, for
example, but not limited to, an aqueous, colloidal dispersion of
carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, such as
SYNTHOMER.RTM. X6311, as described herein, and inorganic
crystalline particle fillers, e.g., crystalline thermally
conductive fillers, such as Asbury Micro 770 (crystalline carbon
black) marketed by Asbury Graphite Mills, Inc. The polymeric
compositions further comprise curing agents, such as zinc oxide
dispersions; fillers, such as calcium carbonate dispersions, and/or
other low cost filler dispersions; such as Hydrocal 295, marketed
by Polymer Innovation Co., Ltd.; optionally, pigment dispersions,
such as BK1212 and/or BK1100, surfactants, such as Calsoft L60,
marketed by Pilot Chemical Co., wax emulsions, such as polyethylene
blends, such as ML 135 marketed by Michelman, Inc., and thickeners,
such as nonionic cellulose ethers, such as Culminal MHPC 50,
marketed by the Ashland Chemical Co. Any of the foregoing may be in
aqueous dispersions. Tables 3-4 represent the amounts of each
ingredient as the total solids content (TSC) of the aqueous
dispersions. In general, thickening agents are added last so that
the amount may be corrected for a desired viscosity, such as in
Table 2.
[0036] Embodiments according to the invention comprise the use of a
coagulant to wet the fabric liner may include at least one
exemplary aqueous solution of 6-7% calcium nitrate and 93-94%
water, although other concentrations are possible as are known to
those in the art. For example, aqueous, alcoholic, or a combination
of aqueous and alcoholic solutions comprising 2-15% other of salts
known to those in the art, such as calcium chloride, calcium
citrate, acetic acid, formic acid, tricarboxylic acid and/or blends
thereof.
[0037] FIG. 6 depicts a diagram for a method and apparatus 600 for
producing a supported glove, according to embodiments of the
invention. The apparatus 600 comprises a controller 601 for
controlling, for example, a conveyor (not shown) that coordinates
the timing and delivery of formers 604 to tanks, ovens, and the
like discussed below. The former 604 is, for example, a metallic or
ceramic former generally in the shape of a hand and may be in an
arcuate shape, such as a partially closed hand or, alternatively, a
flat shape. The former 604, may have a fabric liner dressed
thereon, such as a knitted fabric liner 602, as described above,
and furthermore, the knitted fabric liner 602 optionally comprises
thermally conductive particles. Embodiments of the invention also
comprise a knitted fabric liner 602 and former 604 that is
optionally pre-heated to approximately 50-70.degree. C. The former
604 having the knitted fabric liner 602 dressed thereon is dipped
into a first tank 608 containing a coagulant solution, e.g., an
aqueous or alcoholic solution, as described herein, which is
optionally heated to approximately 40-50.degree. C. The former 604
having the knitted fabric liner 602 dressed thereon and with the
coagulant disposed on the knitted fabric liner 602 is removed from
the first tank 608 and allowed to drip dry. In some embodiments
according to the invention, the former 604 is drip dried with the
former 604 pointing down for approximately one to three minutes
and/or, allowed to drip dry with the former 604 pointing up for one
to three minutes.
[0038] The former 604 having the knitted fabric liner 602 dressed
thereon and with the coagulant disposed on the knitted fabric liner
602 is then dipped into a second tank 612, containing a polymeric
or elastomeric composition that further comprises thermally
conductive particles therein, such as described in Table 1-4, and
is removed therefrom. The polymeric or elastomeric composition in
the second tank 612 may be a foamed composition or a non-foamed
composition. At least one exemplary embodiment according to the
invention comprises a polymeric or elastomeric composition 612 that
is a foamed to approximately 10% volumetric air content, as shown
in, for example, Table 2, to form an ungelled, i.e., uncured,
polymeric or elastomeric coating 614.
[0039] The polymeric or elastomeric coating 614, in some
embodiments according to the invention, is drip dried with the
former 604 pointing down for approximately one to three minutes
and/or, allowed to drip dry with the former 604 pointing up for one
to three minutes so that excess polymeric or elastomeric
composition 616 can drip off. The polymeric or elastomeric coating
614 is optionally leached using room temperature or hot water (not
shown) and/or allowed to dry in ambient air for approximately three
to ten minutes. The former 604 and the knitted fabric liner 602
having the polymeric or elastomeric coating 614 is then delivered
to an oven 618, in which the polymeric or elastomeric coating 614
is cured to form a glove 620. The polymeric or elastomeric layer is
cured, for example, at a temperature ranging between 90-130.degree.
C. In some exemplary embodiments, the polymeric layer(s) is cured
at, for example, 120.degree. C. for approximately one hour. The
curing step(s) comprise, in some embodiments, curing in an oven,
such as an infrared oven, at, for example, 90.degree. C. for
approximately 10 to 20 minutes in a first curing stage, 100.degree.
C. for approximately 10 to 20 minutes, and at 130.degree. C. for
approximately 10 to 20 minutes, wherein a cured glove is
formed.
[0040] Also, some steps of the preceding method may be omitted or
performed in a different sequence. Furthermore, additional steps
may be employed. For example, the uncured polymeric coating on the
former may be stripped, washed, and dried after the curing step(s).
Washing can be carried out at a temperature between approximately
25.degree. C. and 60.degree. C., for approximately 15 to 90
minutes. The gloves may then be dried in a tumble dryer for
approximately 20 to 60 minutes at 50.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.
Also, other processes may be applied before the curing step. For
example, texturization or wrinkling processes may added gripping
properties to any glove described herein. For example, a salt-based
texturization may be applied to a foamed or non-foamed
nitrile-butadiene layer, as disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S.
Pat. Nos. 8,522,363 and 7,771,644, each of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0041] Any polymeric or elastomeric coating described herein
comprises one or more polymeric materials or blends thereof,
including thermoplastic and thermoset materials. A polymeric or
elastomeric coating, such as the polymeric or elastomeric coating
120, may comprise a natural latex, such as guayule or natural
rubber, synthetic latexes, such as synthetic polyisoprene,
carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, highly-carboxylated
acrylonitrile butadiene, non-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene,
acrylics, butyl latex, polychloroprene, aqueous- and/or
non-aqueous-polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene, and the like, or
mixtures or blends thereof. At least one exemplary embodiment of
the invention comprises an aqueous, colloidal dispersion of
carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer having a medium
acrylonitrile level. The dispersion contains an emulsifier system
and is stabilized with an antioxidant. At least one example of an
aqueous, colloidal dispersion of carboxylated
butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer is SYNTHOMER.RTM. X6311, which is
manufactured by Synthomer PLC. Also, at least one exemplary
embodiment of the invention, the polymeric coating 120 comprises a
highly carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene latex, which is
optionally approximately 35-40% carboxylated. Thermosetting
materials may include, for example, phenolics, silicones,
polyesters, vulcanizable natural and synthetic rubber
materials.
[0042] Any polymeric or elastomeric composition described herein
further comprises additional components as are known to those in
the art. For example, any composition may contain thickening
agents, i.e., rheological modifiers, as known to those in the art
to control the viscosity of the thermosetting and/or polymeric
and/or thermoplastic materials, surfactants for dispersing various
additives, anti-oxidants, stabilizers for stabilizing foams,
wetting agents, pigments, vulcanizing agents, such as sulfur, zinc
oxides, rubber accelerators, activators, thioureas, benzothiazole
sulphenamides, thiazoles, such as mercaptobenzothiazole, zinc
mercaptobenzothiazole, dibenzodithiazyl disulphide, dialkyl
dithiocarbamates, such as sodium dimethyldithiocarbarmate, zinc
dimethyldithiocarbarmate, zinc diethyl dithiocarbamate, zinc
dibutyldithiocarbamate, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, sodium
dibutyldithiocarbamate, zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate, or
combinations thereof; thiurams, such as tetramethyl
thiuramdisulfide, tetraethyl thiuramdisulfide, teirabutyl
thiuramdisulfide, dipentamethylene thiuramtetrasulfide or
xanthogens, such as diisopropyl xanthogen polysulfide,
dihydrocarbyl xanthogen polysulfide, dibutyl xanthogen polysulfide,
or combinations thereof; and the like are all contemplated
herein.
[0043] Embodiments of the invention comprise thermally conductive
gloves having at least one polymeric layer in the shape of a hand
and having a stalls for a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger,
a ring finger, and a little finger for receiving the hand of a
wearer; and thermally conductive particles, wherein the thermally
conductive particles are highly crystalline and dispersed within
the at least one polymeric layer. Embodiments of the invention
further comprise thermally conductive particles that are at least
one of nano-sized or micro-sized particles.
[0044] Also, any glove described herein, whether supported or
non-supported may comprise, a highly-carboxylated nitrile-butadiene
composition. A highly-carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene in this
context indicates approximately 35-40% acrylonitrile, and is
particularly oil-resistant, providing enhanced gripping
properties,
[0045] At least one exemplary embodiment according to the invention
comprises a second polymeric layer. For example, the method for
making a glove may further comprise a step for disposing a foamed
polymeric layer on the former described above. The foamed polymeric
layer may optionally have a coagulant disposed thereon and,
subsequently, a second non-foamed polymeric composition disposed
thereon. Alternatively, a non-foamed polymeric layer may be
disposed on a former, a foamed layer may be disposed on the
non-foamed polymeric layer (again, with or without a coagulant
disposed on the foamed layer before the disposition of the
non-foamed polymeric layer), the foamed layer and the non-foamed
layer disposed thereon is inverted, so that the non-foamed layer is
now an outer layer and the foamed layer is an inner layer.
[0046] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises
a surgical or examination glove, in the shape of a hand, comprised
of a polymeric composition having thermally conductive fillers
disposed within the polymeric composition. Also, in some
embodiments, the thermally conductive fillers are highly
crystalline fillers that are hexagonal in crystalline
structure.
[0047] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
above comprises highly crystalline fillers that are at least one of
h-Boron Nitride (h-BN), crystalline boron nitride (c-BN), synthetic
single walled carbon graphite (SWCN) or natural crystalline
graphite (NCWG).
[0048] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
above comprises highly crystalline fillers that are at least one of
h-Boron Nitride (h-BN), crystalline boron nitride (c-BN), synthetic
single walled carbon graphite (SWCN) or natural crystalline
graphite (NCWG) and polymeric compositions may further comprise one
or more of the foregoing highly crystalline fillers in amounts
ranging in total from approximately 1 to approximately 15 PHR.
[0049] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
above comprises a flock lining disposed on an internal surface of a
glove.
[0050] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
above comprises a fabric liner having a polymeric coating adhered
thereto, forming a supported glove.
[0051] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
further comprises a fabric liner having at least one of nylon,
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, p-aramid, m-aramid,
polyester, or elastane yarns.
[0052] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
further comprises a fabric liner having at least one of nylon,
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, p-aramid, m-aramid,
polyester, or elastane yarns that further comprise thermally
conductive particle fillers, such as by dry, wet, or gel spinning
processes as are known to those in the art.
[0053] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
herein has an ability to remove human body heat at a skin
contacting interface of the glove, through a thickness of the
glove, and transferring heat to the environment.
[0054] At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention described
above comprises a glove having at least one of a fabric liner or a
flock lining, wherein yarns and/or fibers of the fabric liner or
flock lining further comprises thermally conductive particles.
[0055] All numerical values recited herein are exemplary, are not
to be considered limiting, and include ranges therebetween, and can
be inclusive or exclusive of the endpoints. Optional included
ranges can be from integer values therebetween, at the order of
magnitude recited or the next smaller order of magnitude. For
example, if the lower range value is 0.1, optional included
endpoints can be 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 . . . 1.1, 1.2, and the like, as
well as 1, 2, 3 and the like; if the higher range is 10, optional
included endpoints can be 7, 6, and the like, as well as 7.9, 7.8,
and the like.
[0056] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate comparable elements
that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale
and may be simplified for clarity. It is contemplated that elements
and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in
other embodiments without further recitation.
[0057] Publications and references, including but not limited to
patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety in the entire
portion cited as if each individual publication or reference were
specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference herein as being fully set forth. Any patent application
to which this application claims priority is also incorporated by
reference herein in the manner described above for publications and
references.
* * * * *