GB2404350A

GB2404350A - Coated elastomeric article

Info

Publication number: GB2404350A
Application number: GB0326956A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Miles Blustin; Gregory James Murray
Original assignee: BM Polyco Ltd
Current assignee: BM Polyco Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-19
Filing date: 2003-11-19
Publication date: 2005-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-19
Also published as: GB0326956D0; GB2404350B

Abstract

An elastomeric article such as a glove, condom, verruca socks or caps for head is coated with a substance such as aloe vera by placing at least one elastomeric article in a movable container with at least one substance sponge which has been allowed to absorb the substance and moving the container, wherein movement, for example rotation, of the container results in the transference, for example by tumbling, of the substance from the at least one sponge to the at least one elastomeric article. The elastomeric article may be further treated with at least one further sponge containing surfactant and also a fragrance either by spraying or again with at least one still further sponge.

Description

An Elastomeric Article [001] The present invention relates to an

elastomeric article, such as a glove, coated with a substance such as hydrated aloe Vera and a method for making the same.

[002] Elastomeric articles which are worn on the human body, such as disposable gloves for medical or non-medical use, household gloves, condoms and protective footwear e.g. swimming socks, can cause irritation to the skin. This irritation often occurs because the elastomeric article reduces air circulation across the skin which in turn causes sweating. The presence of excess moisture against the skin for a prolonged period of time can result in irritation and drying of the skin.

[003] Certain glove manufacturers have tried to solve the problem by adding powder to the glove to soak up the excess moisture. However, the amount of moisture present is often too excessive for the powder to effectively soak up. The irritation and drying of the skin can, therefore, continue to occur.

[004] To overcome this problem glove manufacturers have produced gloves which contain aloe vera which is a gelatinous substance from Aloe plants. Aloe Vera is a known emollient which can moisturize the skin without leaving a greasy feeling or look.

[005] GB 2370277 discloses a plant-based emollient containing glove and a method for making the same. The glove is produced from a latex composition which has been admixed with an extract from the plant aloe Vera. The glove is produced by dipping a former of the glove into the - 2 - aforementioned latex composition which has been admixed with the extract of the plant aloe vera.

[006] PCT/USOO/09022 discloses a moisturising and therapeutic glove which includes a thin layer of dehydrated aloe vera coated on the inside surface of the glove. The aloe vera is attached to the surface of the glove by a drying process.

[007] A disadvantage of such aloe vera gloves is that the aloe vera is part of the latex composition which means that in order for the aloe vera to be transferred onto the hands of the user the hands of the user must become excessively moist in order that the aloe vera dissociates from the latex composition.

[008] An object of the present invention is to overcome disadvantages of known gloves.

[009] According to the present invention there is provided a method of coating an elastomeric article with a substance, the method comprising: [0010] a) placing at least one elastomeric article in a movable container with at least one substance sponge which has been allowed to absorb the substance; [0011] b) moving the container, wherein the movement of the container results in the transference of the substance from the at least one substance sponge to the at least one elastomeric article.

2] This method promotes transference of the substance onto the elastomeric article. The elastomeric article could comprise, for example, gloves for household or - 3 medical use, condoms, verruca socks, caps for head.

3] The surface of the elastomeric article to which the substance should be imparted should be facing outwardly.

4] The substance can be moisturising (e.g. aloe Vera), and may have antibacterial, antifungal or spermicidal properties.

5] One advantage of this method is that the substance is not dehydrated and, therefore, does not require an external source of moisture before the substance can be transferred in a useful form to another entity such as the skin of a person.

6] Conveniently, the moveable container is

rotatable.

7] Accordingly, the at least one elastomeric article can tumble about the container with the at least one substance sponge allowing the substance to be imparted onto the surface of the elastomeric article.

8] Conveniently, the moveable container is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

9] This shape ensures that elastomeric articles and/or sponges do not become stuck in corners or recesses of the moveable container.

0] Conveniently, the at least one substance sponge is saturated with the substance in step a). - 4

1] By saturating the sponges this will ensure a significant portion is transferred to the surface of elastomeric article. I [0022] Conveniently the substance is aloe vera.

3] It is to be understood that the term "aloe Vera extract" or "aloe Vera" used herein comprises any composition of substances extracted principally from the parenchymatous tissue in the leaf centre of the Aloe Vera Linne (also known as Aloe barbadensis Miller, Cuacao aloe or Barbados aloe) in the form of mucilaginous gel known for its emollient and wound healing properties.

4] Conveniently, the method further comprises: [0025] c) adding at least one surfactant sponge with a surfactant absorbed therein to the moveable container; and [0026] d) moving the moveable container wherein the movement results in transference of the surfactant to the at! least one elastomeric article.

7] Surfactants can be used to allow the substance to remain in a hydrated form on the elastomeric article. The surfactants form a moisture attracting layer on the surface of the elastomeric article. ; [0028] Further, if the elastomeric article is used in contact with the skin, the surfactants are absorbed through the skin which causes the skin to absorb moisture. - 5

9] Conveniently, before the at least one surfactant sponge is added to the moveable container after the at least one substance sponge is removed.

0] This step ensures that there are not too many sponges in the moveable container, which could reduce the amount of transference of the surfactant to the elastomeric article. The at least one substance sponge and the at least one surfactant sponge could be the same sponge with different chemicals absorbed therein.

1] Conveniently, the surfactant is a cationic surfactant.

2] Cationic surfactants include pyridinium compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, imidazolium compounds, amines, and salts and mixtures thereof. For example: cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), stearalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, imidazolium chloride, imidazolium sulphate, aliphatic mono-, di- and polyamides derived from fatty acids, amine oxides, ethoxylated alkyl amines and imidazolines. Preferably, the cationic surfactant is CPC.

3] Cationic surfactants attract moisture from the air. The non-polar end of CPC is attracted to the elastomeric material leaving the polar section exposed. The polar section then attracts moisture from the air.

4] Conveniently, the method further comprises: [0035] e) heating the moveable container to remove excess moisture. - 6

If excess moisture was present the substance/surfactant may not stay in place on the surface of the elastomeric article.

6] Conveniently, the moveable container is moved at the same time as step e).

7] This step ensures that an even heat is produced throughout the moveable container and the elastomeric article is heated at a constant temperature.

8] Conveniently, the at least one surfactant sponge is removed before e).

9] This step ensures that time is not spent removing excess moisture from the sponge(s) before removing the excess moisture from the elastomeric article.

0] Conveniently, the method further comprises:- t f) adding a fragrance to the elastomeric article. I Consumers often like products to be fragranced as some fragrances are associated with different states. For example, pine or lemon smells are often associated with cleanliness.

1] Conveniently, the fragrance is added to the moveable container by spraying the fragrance into the moveable container containing the elastomeric articles or adding sponges with fragrance absorbed therein and moving the moveable container wherein the movement of the container results in the transference of the fragrance to the elastomeric articles. - 7

2] Alternatively, the fragrance can be an integral part of the elastomeric material from which the elastomeric article is produced.

3] Conveniently, step f) is performed at the same time as heating the moveable container.

4] The heat attaches the fragrance to the surface of the elastomeric article.

5] Conveniently, the method is performed in alphabetic order.

6] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of coating an elastomeric article with aloe vera, the method comprising treating the elastomeric article with a solution of aloe Vera and a surfactant.

7] The surfactant forms a moisture attracting layer on the surface of the elastomeric article which attracts moisture from the air. In this regard, the aloe Vera is maintained in a hydrated form.

8] Further, if the surfactant is in contact with the skin it causes the skin to absorb moisture.

9] Conveniently, the elastomeric article is treated with the solution of aloe Vera and the surfactant at separate stages.

0] Preferably, the solution of aloe Vera and the - 8 surfactant are transferred to the elastomeric article via at least one sponge with the solution of aloe Vera and/or the surfactant absorbed therein.

1] A method as set out above can be used to transfer the aloe Vera and the surfactant onto the elastomeric article.

2] According to the present invention there is provided an elastomeric article produced by the methods of the present invention.

3] Conveniently, the elastomeric article is a glove.

4] Accordingly, the substance (e.g. aloe Vera) and the surfactant (e. g. CPC) are provided on the surface of the glove which is in contact with the skin.

5] Conveniently, the glove is for household use, for example cleaning, gardening or first aid.

6] According to the present invention there is provided an elastomeric article coated with a layer of hydrated aloe Vera, wherein the aloe Vera is not subsequently dehydrated.

Example

8] An elastomeric article such as a glove, condom or protective footwear is produced by known methods.

Approximately 250 of such elastomeric articles are placed inside a tumbler at room temperature. The articles are 9 - arranged to have the surface to be coated facing outwards.

9] Three sponges having a cross-sectional area approximately 20cm by 30cm are soaked in a solution of 40% aloe vera extract in water or alcohol/water mixture. The sponges are also placed into the tumbler which is then rotated for approximately 20 minutes. The sponges are then removed.

0] Cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) solution is produced by dissolving 150g of CPC in 101 of water. Three sponges having a cross-sectional area approximately 20cm by 30cm are then saturated in the CPC solution. The sponges are introduced into the tumbler at room temperature and the tumbler is rotated for approximately 20 minutes.

1] The sponges are then removed and the tumbler is rotated for approximately a further 30 minutes at approximately 60 C to remove excess moisture. However, the aloe vera does not dehydrate because the CPC keeps it hydrated.

2] If a fragrance is to be added to the elastomeric articles, a solution of fragrance, say 10% can be sprayed onto the gloves and the tumbler can be rotated for a further 30 minutes at 60 C.

3] The elastomeric articles can then be cooled and inverted, if necessary, before packaging.

4] It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated shows one application of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

5] The temperatures used in the example are not critical provided that there is not significant drying of the aloe vera, the surfactant and/or the fragrance before they are substantially evenly spread over the surface of all the gloves.

6] The time used for the tumbling or heating steps can be varied and will be dependent upon, inter alla, the size of tumbler, the number of gloves and the number of sponges. À 11

Claims

Claims [0068] 1. A method of coating an elastomeric article with a

substance, the method comprising [0069] a) placing at least one elastomeric article in a movable container with at least one substance sponge which has been allowed to absorb the substance; [0070] b) moving the container, wherein the movement of the container results in the transference of the substance from the at least one substance sponge to the at least one elastomeric article.

1]
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the moveable container is rotatable.

2]
3. A method according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein the moveable container is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

3]
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one substance sponge is saturated with the substance in step a).

4]
5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the substance is aloe Vera.

5]
6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the method further comprises: [0076] c) adding at least one surfactant sponge with a surfactant absorbed therein in to the moveable container; and [0077] d) moving the moveable container wherein the movement results in transference of the surfactant to the at least one elastomeric article.

8]
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the at least one surfactant sponge is added to the moveable container after the at least one substance sponge is removed.

9]
8. A method according to either claim 6 or 7 wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant.

0]
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the cationic surfactant is cetyl pyridinium chloride.

1]
10. A method according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the method further comprises: [0082] e) heating the moveable container to remove excess moisture.

3]
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the moveable container is moved at the same time as step e).

4]
12. A method according to either claim 10 or 11 wherein the at least one surfactant sponge is removed before e).

5]
13. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the method further comprises:- f) adding a fragrance to the elastomeric article. - 13

6]
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the fragrance is added to the moveable container by spraying the fragrance into the moveable container containing the elastomeric articles or adding sponges with fragrance absorbed therein and moving the moveable container wherein the movement of the container results in the transference of the fragrance to the elastomeric articles.

7]
15. A method according to either claim 13 or 14 wherein step f) is performed at the same time as heating the moveable container.

8]
16. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the method is performed in alphabetic order.

9]
17. A method of coating an elastomeric article with aloe Vera, the method comprising treating the elastomeric article with a solution of aloe Vera and a surfactant.

0]
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the elastomeric articles is treated with the solution of aloe Vera and the surfactant at separate stages.

1]
19. A method according to either claim 17 or 18 wherein the solution of aloe Vera and the surfactant are transferred to the elastomeric article via at least one sponge with the solution of aloe Vera and/or the surfactant absorbed therein.

2]
20. An elastomeric article produced by the methods of any of claims 1 to 19.

- - 14

3]
21. An elastomeric article according to claim wherein the elastomeric article is glove.

4]
22. An elastomeric article according to claim 21 wherein the glove is for household use.

5]
23. An elastomeric article coated with a layer of hydrated aloe Vera, wherein the aloe Vera is not subsequently dehydrated.