Surgical glove with modified frictional interface and method for producing same

Abstract

An elastomeric article having a mechanically or chemo-mechanically modified surface for improved anti-slip-down protection, and certain methods for producing the article are disclosed. The methods involve applying a colloidal particle-containing slurry or an abrasive-impregnated substrate to the an exposed elastomeric matrix surface to create a rough, textured or scabrous surface with a topography of micron-scale ridges and dimples.

1 . A chemical-mechanical manufacturing process for creating or modifying a surface property of an elastomeric material, the process comprising: a) providing an elastomeric workpiece; b) providing a chemical-mechanical colloidal slurry, said slurry comprising either non-agglomerated single or multi-component particles of a single or mixed-metal or metalloid oxide, oxyfluoride, or oxynitride composition, c) abrading a surface of said workpiece with said single or multi-component particles.  
   
   
       2 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising rinsing said workpiece with either water or a dilute acid wash after said abrading step to remove any residue particles.  
   
   
       3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric workpiece is at least partially set and has a firm degree of structural integrity.  
   
   
       4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein each particle exhibiting a modified surface chemistry performance and having an isoelectric point (pH  IEP ) greater than the pH of dispersed particles in solution.  
   
   
       5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive particles can have an average particle dimension of up to about 600 nm.  
   
   
       6 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive particles have a distribution with a variable mean particle size of between about 10-400 nm.  
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said process involves supplying said slurry from a supply source to a transfer substrate at a metered rate.  
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying a pressure of about 40 dynes/cm 2  to about 5 psi to said particles against said elastomeric workpiece during said abrading step.  
   
   
       9 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein said pressure is about 100 dynes/cm 2  to about 2 psi.  
   
   
       10 . A method for modifying surface characteristics of an elastomeric article, the method comprises: providing an elastomeric matrix on at least a portion of a mould, the matrix having at least an exposed surface; supplying a transfer substrate with a liquid-mediated treatment; applying said liquid-mediated treatment in a metered fashion to said elastomeric matrix by means of contacting said transfer substrate with said exposed surface; applying a degree of pressure on said transfer substrate against said exposed surface to produce a roughening or texturing of said exposed surface.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said method involves applying an abrasive action of said transfer substrate with colloidal particles of either a single or multi-component composition against said exposed surface.  
   
   
       12 . A two-part reagent solution system for processing an elastomeric material substrate, the solution system comprising: a) a slurry for roughening an elastomeric surface, said slurry having an aqueous solution of either non-agglomerated single or multi-component particles; and b) an aqueous, acidic rinse solution.  
   
   
       13 . The two-part solution according to  claim 12 , wherein said particles have composition of either a single or mixed-metal or metaloid oxide, oxyfluoride, or oxynitride, with at least one metal oxide abrasive including at least one or a combination of the following, silica, ceria, titania, zirconia, germania, and germania-doped silica.  
   
   
       14 . The two-part solution system according to  claim 12 , wherein said slurry has a buffered alkaline pH.  
   
   
       15 . The two-part solution system according to  claim 14 , wherein said colloidal particle slurry has a pH value of greater than 7.2.  
   
   
       16 . The two-part solution system according to  claim 12 , wherein said acidic rinse has a pH in a range of about 1.5-6.  
   
   
       17 . A method for modifying an elastomeric surface, the method comprises: providing an elastomeric workpiece with an exposed surface supported on a form; abrading said exposed surface with an abrading substrate having a layer of abrasives on a contact surface.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrasive substrate is operated against said exposed elastomeric surface under either dry or wet conditions.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrading substrate positioned in a fixed, angle relative to said exposed elastomeric surface.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrading substrate is flexible, and rises and falls against said exposed elastomeric surface corresponding with the motion of said form against said abrading substrate.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein exposed elastomeric matrix surface is rolled against said abrading substrate.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrasive substrate is applied at a pressure of about 15 dynes/cm 2  up to about 5 psi.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrasive substrate is applied at a pressure of about 500 dynes/cm 2  up to about 1 psi.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrasion creates either a lightly textured surface or a series of slightly elevated and depressed ridges or score marks, arrayed either parallel to each other, randomly, or in a cross-hatching pattern.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said abrasive substrate is either a roughened sheet, fabric strip, or set of bristles.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said layer of abrasives are selected from either a) silicates, b) aluminum oxides, or c) silicon carbide, singly or in combination.  
   
   
       27 . A elastomeric glove having an interior surface with at least a first and a second portion, said first portion having a roughened or textured surface derived from either a mechanical or chemo-mechanical treatment involving abrasion with an abrasive substrate or abrasive colloidal particles.  
   
   
       28 . The glove according to  claim 27 , wherein said first and second portions have a difference in relative coefficients of friction, expressed as a ratio in a range of at least 1:1.2 up to about 1:5.5.  
   
   
       29 . The glove according to  claim 28 , wherein said elastomeric substrate is either a nature rubber latex or synthetic polymer latex material.  
   
   
       30 . The glove according to  claim 28 , wherein said interior surface has a number of raised microridges and dimples.  
   
   
       31 . A flexible article comprising: a substrate body formed largely from an elastomeric material, said substrate body having a first surface and a second surface; said first surface is differentiated into at least a first and a second zone, said first zone being subject to either a chemical or mechanical treatment involving either abrasive colloidal particles or an abrasive substrate, or both that is adapted to modify surface characteristics of said first zone to enhance anti-slip-down properties when said article is worn against bare skin or a garment material.  
   
   
       32 . The article according to  claim 31 , wherein a said first and second zones of said inner surface have a difference in relative coefficients of friction expressed as a ratio in a range of at least about 1:1.2, up to about 1:5.5.  
   
   
       33 . The article according to  claim 31 , wherein said coefficient of friction ratio is in a range from about 1:1.3 to about 1:4.5.  
   
   
       34 . The article according to  claim 31 , wherein said inner surface has a portion with a textured and scabrous surface.