Protective glove with reinforced mechanical strength and method for making same

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-strength glove and manufacturing process thereof. The special glove comprises, from the inside of a glove toward the outside, a high-strength fabric layer. The fabric layer is covered, over part or all of its surface, with at least one layer of an elastomer. The layer is obtained from an aqueous dispersion of the elastomer. The layer of elastomer is also covered, over part or all of its surface, by at least one layer of an elastomer obtained from a solution of the elastomer in one or more organic solvents or in water.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A high-strength glove which comprises, from the inside of the glove toward the outside: 
 a high-strength fabric layer;    said fabric layer being covered, over part or all of its surface, with at least one layer of an elastomer obtained from an aqueous dispersion of said elastomer; and    said elastomer layer being covered, over part or all of its surface, with at least one layer of an elastomer obtained from a solution of said elastomer in one or more organic solvents or in water.    
     
     
         2 . The glove as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said high-strength fabric consists of woven or knitted, natural or synthetic fibers selected from high-tenacity polyethylene fibers, high-tenacity polyester fibers, polyaramid fibers, polyamide fibers, viscose fibers and blends thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The glove as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , characterized in that said elastomer obtained from an aqueous dispersion is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polychloroprenes, carboxylated nitrile rubbers, polyurethanes and blends thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastomer obtained from a solution in one or more organic solvents or in water is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, butyl rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohols and blends thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The glove as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that it possesses a high chemical resistance and in that said elastomer obtained from a solution in one or more organic solvents or in water is selected from the group consisting of butyl rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, polyvinyl alcohols and blends thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total thickness of the elastomer layers is between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.1 and 0.6 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a puncture resistance of at least 150 N.  
     
     
         8 . The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a trouser tear strength of at least 75 N.  
     
     
         9 . A process for manufacturing the glove as defined any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 
 a) clothing a mold with a high-strength fabric layer;    b) dipping the mold/high-strength fabric assembly into one or more aqueous dispersions of elastomers, said elastomers being identical or different;    c) dipping the mold/high-strength fabric/elastomer assembly obtained after the previous step into one or more solutions of elastomers, said elastomers being identical or different, in one or more organic solvents or in water; and then    d) removing the glove by slipping it off the mold.    
     
     
         10 . The process as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that it includes, between steps a) and b), a step a′) of immersing the mold/high-strength fabric assembly in a bath of a coagulant, followed by partial drying of said assembly.  
     
     
         11 . The process as claimed in  claim 9  or  claim 10 , characterized in that it includes, between step c) and d), a step c′) of drying the mold/high-strength fabric/elastomer assembly obtained after step c).  
     
     
         12 . The process as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  11 , characterized in that step b) includes only a single operation of dipping the mold/high-strength fabric assembly into an aqueous elastomer dispersion.  
     
     
         13 . The process as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  12 , characterized in that step c) comprises between 1 and 20, preferably between 1 and 8, operations of dipping the mold/high-strength fabric/elastomer assembly obtained after step b) into one or more solutions of elastomers, said elastomers being identical or different, in one or more organic solvents or in water.  
     
     
         14 . The use of the glove as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8  for handling objects entailing a risk of cutting, puncturing or tearing.  
     
     
         15 . The use of a glove as claimed in  claim 5  for handling dangerous chemicals, such as corrosive chemicals.