Detectable and multi detectable articles

Abstract

This application relates to elastomeric articles such as gloves, compositions for producing the articles and methods for their manufacture. The elastomeric articles contain particles for detectability of the articles (or portions thereof) by metal detectors and/or x-ray detectors. The articles may contain two different types of particles—one particle type is selected from magnetic particles, highly conductive particles or a combination, and the second particle type is particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements (with an atomic mass of at least 132). The particles may be coated by a corrosion inhibitor coating, or they may be uncoated. The compositions for producing the articles may contain a viscosity modifier.

1 . An elastomeric article comprising an elastomeric film containing one or more film layers, and at least two types of particles including:
 (a) magnetic particles, and/or conductive particles having electrical conductivity of at least 3.0×10 7  S/m at 20° C., and   (b) particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements with an atomic mass of at least 132,   
       dispersed throughout at least one of said film layers. 
     
     
         2 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the article of 5.0 mm 3  or 1.0 mm 3  is detectable by both a metal detector and x-ray detector. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has a thickness in the range of 0.01 mm-3 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , with a modulus at 500% elongation of between 1.0 and 25 MPa. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , with an elongation at break of at least 100%, or at least 200%, or at least 300%, or at least 400% or at least 500%. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises said magnetic particles and the magnetic particles have an average particle size based on the mean diameter of less than 5 μm, or less than 2 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements are selected from the group consisting of particles of barium compounds; particles of bismuth compounds, particles of tungsten metal or tungsten compounds, or mixtures of one or more thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of particles (a) to particles (b) is between 1:99 and 99:1. 
     
     
         9 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of particles (a) and (b) is in the range of 2.0% and 80% by weight of the article. 
     
     
         10 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the particles (a) and (b) are in combination and are dispersed uniformly throughout at least one film layer. 
     
     
         11 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , comprising a viscosity modifier. 
     
     
         12 . The elastomeric article of  claim 11 , wherein the viscosity modifier is present in an amount sufficient to provide a composition used to produce the elastomeric article with a viscosity of between 50-1200 centipoise using a Brookfield viscometer at 25° C., spindle no. 3, 30 rpm, measured after 24 hours. 
     
     
         13 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of carboxylated or non-carboxylated polyacrylonitrile butadiene, natural rubber, polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated or non-carboxylated polychloroprene, silicone rubber, polyurethane, synthetic polyisoprene, thermoplastic elastomers and combinations or co-polymers thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The elastomeric article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one type of particles present in the film selected from the magnetic particles, conductive particles and the particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements with an atomic mass of at least 132, are coated by a corrosion inhibitor. 
     
     
         15 . An elastomeric film-forming composition comprising:
 (a) magnetic particles and/or conductive particles having electrical conductivity of at least 3.0×10 7  S/m at 20° C., and   (b) particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements with an atomic mass of at least 132,   
       dispersed throughout the composition. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing the elastomeric article of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 incorporating (a) magnetic particles and/or conductive particles having electrical conductivity of at least 3.0×10 7  S/m at 20° C., and (b) particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements with an atomic mass of at least 132, into one or more elastomeric film-forming compositions, and   dipping a former into the or each of said one or more elastomeric film-forming compositions, to produce said article of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 dipping the former into an elastomeric film-forming composition comprising:
 (a) magnetic particles and/or conductive particles having electrical conductivity of at least 3.0×10 7  S/m at 20° C., and 
 (b) particles containing one or more high atomic mass elements with an atomic mass of at least 132, the particles being dispersed throughout the composition; and 
   curing the elastomeric film-forming composition on the former so as to produce the elastomeric article.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising incorporating a viscosity modifier into the elastomeric film-forming composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising incorporating the viscosity modifier into the elastomeric film-forming composition in an amount sufficient to provide said composition with a viscosity of between 50-1200 centipoise using a Brookfield viscometer at 25° C., spindle no. 3, 30 rpm, measured after 24 hours. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the elastomer of the elastomeric film-forming composition is selected from the group consisting of carboxylated or non-carboxylated polyacrylonitrile butadiene, natural rubber, polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated or non-carboxylated polychloroprene, silicone rubber, polyurethane, synthetic polyisoprene, thermoplastic elastomers and combinations or co-polymers thereof.