Membranes fashioned from latex and other materials and methods of producing the same
First Claim
1. A method of making a latex membrane having a biocide barrier comprising the steps of:
- providing a deformable latex membrane having pores;
deforming the membrane from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed;
treating the deformed membrane with a biocide; and
relaxing the membrane.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various methods of forming a chemical barrier against the transmission of disease-causing microbes and other harmful agents through a membrane fashioned of latex or other material. In one method, the latex material is provided with microbe sterilization properties by deforming the latex material from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are deformed, then washing the deformed latex material with a biocide, which is entrapped in the pores, and then relaxing the latex material. Alternatively, instead of washing the deformed latex material with the biocide, the biocide may be mixed directly with the liquid latex preferably along with a buffer agent and then the liquid latex can be cured. In yet another method, the latex material is treated with a silicone, protein or high molecular polyion to form a water resistant surface. A method of inhibiting the deterioration, extending the effective life, increasing the strength, and increasing the elasticity of the latex material is to mix an oxidation reducing agent that chelates iron and other heavy metals with the liquid latex and then to cure the latex. The latex materials produced by the foregoing methods are also disclosed.
44 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of making a latex membrane having a biocide barrier comprising the steps of:
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providing a deformable latex membrane having pores; deforming the membrane from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed; treating the deformed membrane with a biocide; and
relaxing the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of making a latex membrane having improved strength characteristics comprising the steps of:
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providing a deformable latex membrane having pores; deforming the membrane from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed; treating the deformed membrane with a chelating agent; and relaxing the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of making a latex membrane having improved aging characteristics comprising the steps of:
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providing a deformable latex membrane having pores; deforming the membrane from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed; treating the deformed membrane with a chelating agent; and relaxing the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of making a latex membrane having improved strength characteristics, said membrane formed by curing a liquid latex material, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a liquid latex material; providing a chelating agent; providing a buffer agent selected from the group consisting of TRIS and citrate; mixing the liquid latex material, the buffer agent and the chelating agent; and curing the latex material. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of making a latex membrane having improved strength characteristics, said membrane formed by curing a liquid latex material, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a liquid latex material; providing a chelating agent; providing a buffer agent selected from the group consisting of TRIS and citrate; mixing the liquid latex material, the buffer agent and the chelating agent; and curing the latex material. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of making a latex membrane having a biocide barrier, said membrane formed by curing a liquid latex material, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing liquid latex material; providing a biocide; providing a buffer agent selected from the group consisting of TRIS and citrate capable of acting as a buffer between the biocide and the latex; mixing the liquid latex material, the buffer agent, and the biocide; and curing the latex material. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of making a polymeric covering adapted for placement adjacent to a human body comprising the steps of:
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providing a latex polymeric covering having pores; deforming the covering from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed; treating the deformed covering with a biocide; relaxing the covering; and coating the surface of the polymeric covering with a chemical selected from the group consisting of gelatin, albumium, casein, dextrins, silicone, adhesives and soybean protein such that the surface of the covering is substantially sealed and water resistant. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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- 27. A membrane comprising a latex material having a substantially water resistant surface treated with a chemical selected from the group consisting of gelatin, albumium, casein, dextrins, adhesives and soybean protein.
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29. A method of making an animal skin membrane having a biocide barrier comprising the steps of:
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providing a deformable animal skin membrane having pores; deforming the membrane from a relaxed condition such that the pores therein are concomitantly deformed; treating the deformed membrane with a biocide; and
relaxing the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification