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.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . An elastomeric article comprising:
 an elastomeric layer; and   a coating formed from a coating composition, the coating composition comprising:
 a) at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer; and 
 b) sodium citrate; 
   wherein the coating is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.   
     
     
         52 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein sodium citrate acts as a hydration promoter. 
     
     
         53 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the coating composition further comprises an acidic pH adjuster. 
     
     
         54 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 53 , wherein sodium citrate acts as a buffer to the acidic pH adjuster. 
     
     
         55 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 53 , wherein the acidic pH adjuster comprises at least one of an inorganic acid and an organic acid. 
     
     
         56 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 55 , wherein the acidic pH adjuster is citric acid. 
     
     
         57 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 56 , wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, citric acid is present in the coating composition in an amount ranging from 0% to about 0.5% by weight of the coating composition. 
     
     
         58 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, sodium citrate is present in the coating composition in an amount ranging from 0% to about 2.0% by weight of the coating composition. 
     
     
         59 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises natural rubber. 
     
     
         60 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         61 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 60 , wherein the synthetic rubber is one of nitrile rubber polyurethane, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, styrene block co-polymers and polymer blends thereof. 
     
     
         62 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the elastomeric article is one of an examination glove and a surgeon's glove. 
     
     
         63 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer comprises at least one of glycerin, sorbitol, and pantothenol. 
     
     
         64 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 63 , wherein the at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer comprises glycerin, and wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, glycerin is present in the coating composition in an amount ranging from 0% to about 3.0% by weight of the coating composition. 
     
     
         65 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 63 , wherein the at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer comprises sorbitol, and wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, sorbitol is present in the coating composition in an amount ranging from 0% to about 3.0% by weight of the coating composition. 
     
     
         66 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 63 , wherein the at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer comprises pantothenol, and wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, pantothenol is present in the coating composition in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight of the coating composition. 
     
     
         67 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the coating composition further comprises at least one alphahydroxy lactone. 
     
     
         68 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 67 , wherein the at least one alphahydroxy lactone comprises gluconolactone. 
     
     
         69 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the coating composition further comprises a water-soluble film-forming polymer. 
     
     
         70 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 69 , wherein the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises chitosan. 
     
     
         71 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the coating composition further comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         72 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, the coating composition includes water. 
     
     
         73 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 51 , wherein the coating is formed by drying the coating composition on the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         74 . An elastomeric article comprising:
 an elastomeric layer; and   a coating formed from a coating composition, the coating composition comprising:
 a) a polyhydric alcohol moisturizer; 
 b) an acidic pH adjuster; and 
 c) a hydration promoter, wherein the hydration promoter acts as a buffer to the acidic pH adjuster; 
   wherein the coating is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.   
     
     
         75 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 74 , wherein the hydration promoter comprises sodium citrate. 
     
     
         76 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 74 , wherein the acidic pH adjuster comprises at least one of an inorganic acid and an organic acid. 
     
     
         77 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 76 , wherein the acidic pH adjuster comprises citric acid. 
     
     
         78 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 74 , wherein the polyhydric alcohol moisturizer comprises at least one of glycerin, sorbitol, and pantothenol. 
     
     
         79 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 74 , wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, the coating composition includes water. 
     
     
         80 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 74 , wherein the coating is formed by drying the coating composition on the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         81 . An elastomeric article comprising:
 an elastomeric layer; and   a coating formed from a coating composition, the coating composition comprising:
 a) at least one polyhydric alcohol moisturizer; and 
 b) a hydration promoter comprising sodium citrate; 
   wherein the coating is water-soluble and hydratable upon contact with skin.   
     
     
         82 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 81 , wherein prior to application to the elastomeric layer, the coating composition includes water. 
     
     
         83 . The elastomeric article according to  claim 81 , wherein the coating is formed by drying the coating composition on the elastomeric layer.