Powder-Free Anti-Blocking Coated Glove

Abstract

Provided herein are powder-free elastomeric articles exhibiting therapeutic properties, and anti-blocking properties. Also provided herein are methods for the manufacture of such articles that are substantially free from interfering materials, as well as packaging means for maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

1 . A powder-free glove, comprising:
 an elastomeric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a therapeutic fluid coating disposed on the interior surface of the elastomeric layer; and   an anti-blocking film coating disposed on the therapeutic fluid coating.   
     
     
         2 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic fluid coating comprises an antimicrobial agent, a fragrance, a warming composition, a cooling composition, a skin-nourishing composition, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a cured latex selected from the group consisting of natural latex, synthetic latex, and blends of natural and synthetic latex. 
     
     
         4 . The glove of  claim 3 , wherein the synthetic latex is selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic fluid coating comprises one or more fragrances. 
     
     
         6 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic fluid coating comprises a skin-conditioning agent that comprises a silicone composition. 
     
     
         7 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-blocking film coating comprises a cellulosic water-soluble polymer; and optionally, a water-insoluble occlusive moisturizer. 
     
     
         8 . The glove of  claim 7 , wherein the cellulosic water-soluble polymer of the anti-blocking film coating is selected from the group consisting of hydroxylpropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose (MC) polyvinylpyrrolidinone (PVP), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The glove of  claim 7 , wherein the water-soluble polymer has a lower critical solution temperature greater than 40° C. permitting dissolution of anti-blocking film coating by skin-generated moisture. 
     
     
         10 . The glove of  claim 7 , wherein the water-insoluble occlusive moisturizer is aminofunctional siloxane, polydimethylsiloxane (dimethicone), oleyl erucate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The glove of  claim 1  having less than 2 mg of powder. 
     
     
         12 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-blocking film coating dissolves upon contact with moisture or is dislodged by rubbing action during use. 
     
     
         13 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein a therapeutic agent from the therapeutic fluid coating is released following dissolution or dislodgement of the anti-blocking film coating during use. 
     
     
         14 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic fluid coating exhibits substantially no loss of therapeutic activity following aging at 50° C. for 8 weeks and 40° C. for 6 months. 
     
     
         15 . A packaged powder-free, antimicrobial article comprising the powder-free of  claim 1  packaged in an inner wrap surrounded by an outer pack, wherein the outer pack contains a sufficient amount of gas to allow the inner wrap to freely move within the outer pack. 
     
     
         16 . A process for preparing a powder-free glove comprising:
 providing an elastomeric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   applying a therapeutic fluid coating comprising one or more agents to the interior surface of the elastomeric layer;   drying the therapeutic fluid coating;   applying an anti-blocking film coating to the therapeutic fluid coating; and   drying the anti-blocking film coating.   
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein the anti-blocking film coating comprises a cellulosic water-soluble polymer; and the drying step comprises:
 drying the anti-blocking film coating at a temperature greater than the low critical solution temperature of the cellulosic water-soluble polymer to form a liquid film, and   further drying of the liquid film to form a solid film covering said therapeutic fluid coating.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming an additional elastomeric layer, or applying an additional coating, or both between the elastomeric layer and the therapeutic fluid coating. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising water-washing the glove prior to applying the therapeutic fluid coating. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising packaging the powder-free glove having the therapeutic fluid coating and the anti-blocking film coating in an inner wrap surrounded by an outer pack, wherein the outer pack contains a sufficient amount of gas to allow the inner wrap to freely move within the outer pack. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing an elastomeric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprises dipping a pre-heated former into a powder free coagulant composition, drying the coagulant composition on the former, dipping the former into a latex solution comprising natural and/or synthetic elastomers, and leaching the gelled latex on the former in hot water.