Hypoallergenic natural rubber latex and a process for making the same
AssigneeThe University of Akron
InventorsWilliam W. Schloman, Jr., Donald McIntyre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semi-synthetic rubber latex. The rubber employed in the latex is natural rubber obtained from plant life known to produce polyisoprene. Surprisingly, the semi-synthetic rubber latex is essentially devoid of those proteins that are known to give rise to natural rubber allergenicity or hypersensitivity, and are also essentially devoid of antigens that potentially will give rise to immune responses. Also provided is a method for obtaining the semi-synthetic rubber latex and dipped films thereof that are also substantially free of known natural rubber allergens.
Claims19
A process for the preparing of a semi-synthetic hypoallergenic latex comprising the steps of
- dissolving plant material containing polyisoprene in a single phase mixed solvent system, said mixed solvent system including a hydrocarbon solvent and an organic polar solvent, to form a miscella;
- raising the concentration of organic polar solvent to a desired level, thereby causing the precipitation of the natural polyisoprene from the miscella to form a swollen-rubber mass;
- dissolving the swollen-rubber mass in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a cement;
- emulsifying the cement with an aqueous solution under the agitation and high shear;
- and,
- stripping the hydrocarbon solvent to form a latex dispersion.
A hypoallergenic vulcanized dipped film comprising
- a film of a cured semi-synthetic natural rubber latex that is essentially devoid of antigens that will give rise to immune responses, wherein said film comprises less than about 2 .mu.g of protein per gram of dry rubber, and wherein said semi-synthetic natural rubber latex is prepared by:
- dissolving plant material containing polyisoprene in a single phase mixed solvent system to form a miscella, said solvent system including a hydrocarbon solvent and an organic polar solvent;
- raising the concentration of organic polar solvent to a desired level, thereby causing the precipitation of the natural polyisoprene from the miscella to form a swollen-rubber mass;
- dissolving the swollen-rubber mass in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a cement;
- emulsifying the cement with an aqueous solution under agitation and high shear;
- and
- stripping the hydrocarbon solvent to form a latex dispersion.
A semi-synthetic natural rubber latex prepared by:
- dissolving plant material containing polyisoprene in a single phase mixed solvent system to form a miscella, said solvent system including a hydrocarbon solvent and an organic polar solvent;
- raising the concentration of organic polar solvent to a desired level, thereby causing the precipitation of the natural polyisoprene from the miscella to form a swollen-rubber mass;
- dissolving the swollen-rubber mass in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a cement;
- emulsifying the cement with an aqueous solution under agitation and high shear;
- and
- stripping the hydrocarbon solvent to form a latex dispersion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.