Water resistant and chemical resistant glove

Abstract

A flexible, form-fitting glove having improved water and chemical permeation resistance and a method of manufacture. The glove is multi-layered and formed utilizing a standard dip line.

1 . A water-resistant and chemical-resistant glove comprising:
 at least two water-resistant polymer layers; and   at least one polyvinyl alcohol layer;   wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is sandwiched between the water-resistant polymer layers.   
     
     
         2 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the water-resistant polymer layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, nitrile, polyurethane, chloroprene latex, natural latex, butyl latex, fluoric latex, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the water-resistant polymer layer comprises a mixture of polyurethane and nitrile. 
     
     
         4 . The glove of  claim 3  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 1 to 70 weight percent and the mixture of polyurethane and nitrile layer is in the range of about 1 to 70 weight percent. 
     
     
         5 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer comprises multiple polyvinyl alcohol layers and wherein the water-resistant polymer layer comprises multiple water-resistant polymer layers. 
     
     
         6 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the glove further comprises a donnable layer. 
     
     
         7 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the donnable layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic fiber, natural fiber, chloroprene latex, natural latex, butyl latex, fluoric latex, polyurethane, polyethylene and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The glove of  claim 6  wherein the donnable layer comprises cotton. 
     
     
         9 . The glove of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additive wherein the additive comprises an adhesive, a colorant, an anti-microbial agent, a fiber, a fragrance or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A chemical-resistant glove comprising:
 at least two layers of a mixture of polyurethane and nitrile;   at least one polyvinyl alcohol layer; and   a donnable layer;   wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is sandwiched between the mixture of polyurethane and nitrile layers.   
     
     
         11 . The glove of  claim 10  wherein the donnable layer comprises cotton. 
     
     
         12 . The glove of  claim 10  comprising multiple layers of polyvinyl alcohol and multiple layers of the polyurethane and nitrile mixture. 
     
     
         13 . The glove of  claim 10  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm thick; the polyurethane and nitrile mixture layer is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm thick; and the donnable layer is in the range of about 0 mm to about 6 mm thick. 
     
     
         14 . The glove of  claim 10  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 1 to 70 weight percent and one polyurethane and nitrile mixture layer is in the range of about 1 to 70 weight percent, and one polyurethane and nitrile mixture layer is in the range of about 1 to 70 weight percent. 
     
     
         15 . The glove of  claim 10  further comprising at least one additive wherein the additive comprises an adhesive, a colorant, an anti-microbial agent, a fiber, a fragrance or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a water-resistant and chemical-resistant glove comprising:
 a) dipping a hand-shaped former into a polyurethane and nitrile mixture so that a continuous layer of the polyurethane and nitrile mixture is deposited on the former and removing the former from the mixture;   b) dipping the former into an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol so that a continuous layer of polyvinyl alcohol is deposited on the former and removing the former from the polyvinyl alcohol solution; and   c) dipping the former into a polyurethane and nitrile mixture so that a continuous layer of the polyurethane and nitrile mixture is deposited on the former and removing the former from the mixture.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the dipping and removing of a, b and c, are each independently repeated multiple times to form multiple layers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising dipping the former into a coagulant before dipping the former into the polyurethane and nitrile mixture. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising adding at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a colorant, an anti-microbial agent, a fiber, a fragrance or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising adding a donnable layer.