Disposable gloves and glove material compositions including a coloring agent

摘要

The present invention generally relates to disposable gloves, ethylene-based thermoplastic materials for use in preparing disposable gloves, and methods for preparing ethylene-based thermoplastic materials for use in preparing disposable gloves. Generally, the present invention relates to non-medical and non-surgical disposable gloves suitable for use in food-service and industrial applications. In particular, the present invention is directed to disposable including a coloring agent incorporated into one or more of the ethylene-based polymer layers to indicate, for example, the size of the glove, the right- or left-handedness of the glove, and/or the presence of one or more additives (e.g., an antibacterial agent).

主权项

1. A disposable glove comprising:
a glove construction material in the shape of a glove adapted for receiving a thumb, fingers, and/or a hand therein, and comprising a plurality of ethylene-based polymer layers, the glove construction material comprising: (a) a first film having a thickness of from about 5 to about 40 μm and comprising: (i) a coloring agent which imparts a first color to the first film, (ii) a first inner layer comprising (I) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), and (II) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof, the first inner layer comprising at least about 60 wt. % m-LLDPE; (iii) a first outer layer comprising (I) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), and (II) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof; the first outer layer comprising at least about 80 wt. % m-LLDPE; and (iiia) a first middle layer disposed between and in contact with the unexposed surface of the first inner layer and the unexposed surface of the first outer layer, the first middle layer consisting essentially of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and optional additives selected from one or more fillers and/or one or more mineral additives, wherein the LLDPE is the only polymer component of the first middle layer; wherein the composition of the first inner layer, first middle layer, and first outer layer are different; and (b) a second film having a thickness of from about 5 to about 40 μm and comprising: (iv) a second inner layer comprising (I) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), and (II) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof, the second inner layer comprising at least about 60 wt. % m-LLDPE; (v) a second outer layer comprising (I) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), and (II) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof, the second outer layer comprising at least about 80 wt. % m-LLDPE; and (vi) a second middle layer disposed between and in contact with the unexposed surface of the second inner layer and the unexposed surface of the second outer layer, the second middle layer consisting essentially of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and optional additives selected from one or more fillers and/or one or more mineral additives, the LLDPE is the only polymer component of the second middle layer; wherein the composition of the second inner layer, second middle layer, and second outer layer are different; and wherein the second film is free of any coloring agent which would impart said first color so that the second film and the first film have a color contrast; wherein the first film and second film are each flat films heat-sealed to each other with either the first or second film being a palm side film of the glove and the other film being a backhand side film of the glove so said color contrast is a color contrast distinguishing the backhand side film of the glove from the palm side film; and wherein one or more of the first color, and the color contrast between the first and second flat films achieves a function selected from one or more of indicating the right- or left-handedness of the glove, indicating the size of the glove, indicating the presence of one or more additives, and assisting the user in opening the glove.