Coating composition for skin-contacting surface of elastomeric articles and articles containing the same

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to a therapeutic, moisturizing coating composition for elastomeric articles which is applied directly onto the skin-contacting surface of the article as part of the manufacturing process. The coating composition is thermally stable and subsequently hydrates when contacted with a moisturized skin surface to convert into a liquid “lotion” form during wearing of the article. The coating composition provides therapeutic benefits to the wearer's skin as a result of wearing the article, such as improved skin moisturization, softness of feel, improved skin elasticity and firmness, and reduced redness and irritation. The invention is particularly useful in medical gloves, including examination and surgical gloves.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A therapeutic coating composition for the skin-contacting surface of an elastomeric article, said coating composition comprising: 
 a hydration promoter; and    a water-soluble moisturizer;    wherein said composition is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.    
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic coating according to  claim 1 , wherein said hydration promoter comprises sodium citrate.  
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic coating composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-soluble moisturizer comprises polyhydric alcohol.  
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic coating composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of glycerin and sorbitol, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . An elastomeric article comprising the therapeutic coating composition of  claim 1  on the skin-contacting surface of said article.  
     
     
         6 . A therapeutic coating composition for the skin-contacting surface of an elastomeric article, said coating composition comprising: 
 a water-soluble moisturizer; and    a water-soluble film-forming polymer;    wherein said composition is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.    
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic coating composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said water-soluble film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl pyrrolidone derivatives, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic coating composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said polysaccharide comprises chitosan.  
     
     
         9 . An elastomeric article comprising the therapeutic coating composition of  claim 6  on the skin-contacting surface of said article.  
     
     
         10 . A therapeutic coating composition for the skin-contacting surface of an elastomeric article, said coating composition comprising: 
 a water-soluble moisturizer; and    an exfoliant;    wherein said composition is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.    
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic coating composition according to  claim 10 , wherein said exfoliant comprises hydroxyacid.  
     
     
         12 . The theraprutic coating composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said hydroxyacid comprises gluconolactone.  
     
     
         13 . An elastomeric article comprising the therapeutic composition of  claim 10  on the skin-contacting surface of said article.  
     
     
         14 . A therapeutic coating composition for the skin-contacting surface of an elastomeric article, said coating composition comprising: 
 a water-soluble moisturizer; and    microporous particles;    wherein said composition is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.    
     
     
         15 . An elastomeric article comprising the therapeutic composition of  claim 14  on the skin-contacting surface of said article.