Softer blended nitrile elastomeric article
Inventors
Modha, Shantilal H. • Issara, Sopha • Tan, Siew Hoe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12240980-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
An elastomeric article is formed from a blend of nitrile rubber and polychloroprene rubber. The elastomeric article can be a glove, such as a medical exam glove. The elastomeric article is softer than a conventional nitrile elastomeric article. The elastomeric article is formed from a blended rubber latex emulsion of nitrile and polychloroprene. The blended rubber latex emulsion may be free of sulfur and vulcanization accelerators.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an elastomeric article having a flexible layer of elastomeric material formed from a blended emulsion of nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber, with a first surface and a second surface. The blended emulsion includes a divalent metal oxide and a trivalent crosslinker, and is free from sulfur and free from a dithiocarbamate accelerator.
The described elastomeric article excludes sulfur and dithiocarbamate accelerators such as zincediethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT), diphenyl guanidine (DPG), or combinations thereof. The formulation uses a divalent metal oxide and a trivalent crosslinker to contribute to crosslinking in the nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber blended emulsion.
The trivalent crosslinker forms bonds with carboxyl groups of the nitrile rubber. The resulting glove material can be softer and maintain elongation at break after aging, while also improving aging behavior compared with a comparative conventional nitrile glove.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers one inventive concept: an elastomeric article with a flexible layer formed from a blended emulsion of nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber, where the emulsion contains a divalent metal oxide and a trivalent crosslinker and is free from sulfur and specified dithiocarbamate accelerators, including ZDEC, ZMBT, and DPG, or combinations.
Blended emulsion from nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber
An elastomeric article comprising a flexible layer of elastomeric material formed from a blended emulsion of nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber, the article having a first surface and a second surface.
Divalent metal oxide with trivalent crosslinker
The blended emulsion comprises a divalent metal oxide and a trivalent crosslinker.
Sulfur-free and dithiocarbamate-accelerator-free emulsion
The blended emulsion is free from sulfur and free from a dithiocarbamate accelerator, zincediethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT), diphenyl guanidine (DPG), or a combination thereof.
Overall claim coverage is directed to an elastomeric article made from a nitrile rubber and chloroprene rubber blended emulsion that uses a divalent metal oxide and a trivalent crosslinker while excluding sulfur and specific dithiocarbamate accelerators (ZDEC, ZMBT, and DPG, individually or in combination).
Stated Advantages
Softer material/comfort compared with a comparative conventional nitrile glove.
Improved aging behavior.
Maintained elongation at break after aging.
Documented Applications
A glove article, including a donning side (first surface) and a grip side (second surface).
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