Seamless Chemical Resistant Glove

Abstract

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

1 . A chemical resistant glove comprising:
 a seamless multi-layered composition comprised of:
 at least one polyethylene layer; 
 at least one polyvinyl alcohol layer; and; 
 a donnable layer, 
   wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is nearer to the donnable layer than is the polyethylene layer.   
     
     
         2 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm thick and the polyethylene layer is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm thick. 
     
     
         3 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 1 to 50 weight percent and the polyethylene layer is in the range of about 1 to 50 weight percent. 
     
     
         4 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer comprises multiple polyvinyl alcohol layers, wherein the polyethylene layer comprises multiple polyethylene layers, wherein the donnable layer comprises multiple layers. 
     
     
         5 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the donnable layer comprises a substantially water-proof layer. 
     
     
         6 . The glove of  claim 5  wherein the donnable layer comprises polyurethane or latex rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The glove of  claim 5  wherein the donnable layer is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm thick. 
     
     
         8 . The glove of  claim 1  wherein the donnable layer is in the range of about 1 to 50 weight percent. 
     
     
         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 a seamless multilayer composition comprised of:
 at least one polyethylene layer;   at least one polyvinyl alcohol layer;   a donnable layer; and   at least one additional layer wherein the additional layer comprises:
 a fabric, a polymer, a solid material or mixtures thereof. 
   
     
     
         11 . The glove of  claim 10  wherein the donnable layer comprises polyurethane or latex rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The glove of  claim 10  comprising multiple layers of polyvinyl alcohol and multiple layers of polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The glove of  claim 10  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol layer is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm thick; the polyethylene layer is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm thick; and the donnable layer is in the range of about 0.5 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 30 weight percent and the polyethylene layer is in the range of about 1 to 30 weight percent, and the polyurethane layer is in the range of about 1 to 40 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 seamless chemical-resistant glove comprising:
 a) preparing a dippable polyethylene dispersion;   b) dipping a hand-shaped former into the dippable polyethylene dispersion so that a continuous layer of polyethylene is deposited on the former and removing the former from the polyethylene solution;   c) 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;   d) dipping the former into a polyurethane solution so that a continuous layer of polyurethane is deposited on the former and removing the former from the polyurethane solution; and   e) stripping the former of the glove.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the dipping and removing of b, c, and d are each independently repeated multiple times to form multiple layers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the preparing of a dippable polyethylene dispersion comprises:
 dissolving polyethylene in a solvent to form a polyethylene solution; 
 adding water and one or more surfactants to the polyethylene solution; 
 dispersing to a desired particle size; and 
 removing the solvent leaving a polyethylene dispersion. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the solvent is toluene. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adding at least one additive wherein the additive comprises:
 an adhesive, a colorant, an anti-microbial agent, a fiber, a fragrance or mixtures thereof.