A water-based hydrogel polymer coating and a method of application to natural rubber or other elastomeric latex products are provided. The water-based hydrogel polymer is mixed with a blend of at least one elastomeric material to provide a hydrogel polymer blend composition. The water-based hydrogel polymer blend composition is applied in a single application to an elastomeric article, such as gloves, without additional solvents in the polymer blend composition and without a separate acid or chemical priming step. The water-based hydrogel coating herein provides increased lubricity to facilitate improved wet and dry donning of the elastomeric article.

An improved slingshot band having a tapered outer contour. The slingshot band has a tubular body having a first fork end and a second pouch end. The tubular body comprises a first layer of an elastic polymer. The first layer has a constant thickness. The tubular body further comprises a second layer of an elastic polymer. The second layer has a greater thickness near the fork end of the tubular body and lower thickness near the pouch end of the tubular body. The increased thickness of the section of the tubular body near the fork end of the slingshot band reinforces the most vulnerable section of the slingshot band against failure, thereby extending its longevity.

Coated articles, methods and coating compositions containing (a) a crosslinkable carboxyl-functional acrylic polymer made by polymerizing monomers including acidic monomer, multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and optional styrene or substituted styrene, and (b) a nitrogen-containing carboxyl-reactive crosslinking agent such as a beta-hydroxyalkylamide or beta-hydroxyalkylurea compound. The coating composition is useful in coating metal substrates including interior or exterior surfaces of food or beverage cans. The cured coating compositions can exhibit both good flexibility and high Tg.

A method of forming a coating on a food or beverage container, which includes spraying a coating composition onto an interior surface of the food or beverage container, where the coating composition includes a latex copolymer and a metal drier or crosslinking agent. The latex copolymer is a reaction product of monomers that include (a) one or more styrene-mimicking monomers containing one or more cyclic groups and one or more ethylenically-unsaturated groups, at least a portion of such styrene-mimicking monomers being polycyclic monomers containing ring unsaturation, and (b) one or more other ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. Preferably, the coating composition is substantially free of each of BPA, PVC, other halogenated monomers, and optionally styrene. The method may also include curing the sprayed coating composition, thereby providing the coating on the interior surface of the food or beverage container.

A method of manufacturing a latex rubber article comprises providing a former wherein at least a part of the former comprises a mould surface that forms the shape of the latex rubber article, and applying liquid latex to the mould surface using an applicator that is configured to apply the liquid latex to an applicator area that is smaller than the mould surface. The method further comprises providing relative movement between the applicator and the former to produce a latex coating that covers the mould surface, curing the latex coating on the former to form the latex rubber article, and removing the latex rubber article from the former.

A safety glove having a protective member or insert extending around the fingertip of the safety glove is provided. The protective member may be positioned along the outer surface or the inner surface of the glove. Alternatively, the protective member may be integrally formed between two layers of glove material. The protective member terminates distally from an interphalangeal joint line to enable finger flexion in order to grasp an item, such as a slab of meat to be deskinned in a skinning machine. The glove may include a rough outer surface formed from thrice dipping the glove and allowing the glove to cure. Additionally, the glove may have a width near the wrist that is wider than the width near the palm to enable the glove to be rapidly removed (i.e., doffed) in an emergency event of the glove getting caught in a rotating blade on the skinning machine.

A coating composition is provided that is useful in coating metal substrates such as interior and/or exterior surfaces of food or beverage cans. In preferred embodiments, the coating composition is formulated using a physical blend of a preformed resin system and an alkali-soluble resin additive.

Barriers for improved vapor mitigation are contemplated, such barriers being formed as a cured latex-asphalt mixture applied to the metal surface of a metallized substrate. The latex-asphalt mixture, prior to curing, comprises an emulsion of an asphalt component, a latex component, and water. Such barriers may be seen to substantially mitigate diffusion of chemical contaminants across the barriers in the form of gas or liquids. Also contemplated are methods for forming such barriers, whether fabricated off-site for installation on site, fabricated in-situ.

An improved slingshot band having a tapered outer contour. The slingshot band has a tubular body having a first fork end and a second pouch end. The tubular body comprises a first layer of an elastic polymer. The first layer has a constant thickness. The tubular body further comprises a second layer of an elastic polymer. The second layer has a greater thickness near the fork end of the tubular body and lower thickness near the pouch end of the tubular body. The increased thickness of the section of the tubular body near the fork end of the slingshot band reinforces the most vulnerable section of the slingshot band against failure, thereby extending its longevity.

Coated articles, methods and coating compositions containing (a) a crosslinkable carboxyl-functional acrylic polymer made by polymerizing monomers including acidic monomer, multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and optional styrene or substituted styrene, and (b) a nitrogen-containing carboxyl-reactive crosslinking agent such as a beta-hydroxyalkylamide or beta-hydroxyalkylurea compound. The coating composition is useful in coating metal substrates including interior or exterior surfaces of food or beverage cans. The cured coating compositions can exhibit both good flexibility and high Tg.