Latex Gloves

The first Latex gloves were manufactured in 1964 by the Ansell Rubber Company founded in 1905 by Eric Ansell in Melbourne Australia. Initially it manufactured balloons and condoms, going on to manufacture the first disposable Latex gloves in 1925. In 1945, Ansell designed and built the first automatic dipping machine that produced 300 dozen pairs of Latex gloves in eight hours. The manufacturing of disposable Latex gloves technique used in this remarkable development was a major Australian innovation.

Proderma ( 5mil 9" Cuff )	High Risk Safety ( 10mil 12" Cuff )	Ultra High Risk ( 15mil 12" Cuff  )
$59 / Case	$69 / Case	$79 / Case

Disposable Latex gloves manufacturing is a long and complex operation that begins with the harvesting of natural rubber latex (NLR) . Its main objective is to optimize the properties (flexibility, barrier properties) of the latex material while minimizing its adverse effects (allergies).

Latex is an emulsion of rubber particles in suspension in an aqueous medium. The mean dry rubber content is 33%. The fresh latex harvested from the rubber latex tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is unstable and must be processed rapidly after the collection of the lartex in order to prevent spontaneous coagulation. Latex gloves are manufactured from the concentrated raw latex obtained by centrifuging and stabilization. Several immersion stages are required to enhance the properties of the rubber latex, in particular its mechanical strength and barrier properties.

In order to make Latex gloves, in addition to latex, one needs water, vulcanizing agents, accelerators, activators, blockers, retarders, anti-oxidants, preservatives, odorants, colorants, stabilizers, and processing aids. In other words, you need a veritable chemical soup.

Latex Gloves are created by dipping forms (which look like hands) into vats of liquid Latex and admixed chemicals. Latex Gloves forms are prepared by washing with a detergent and rinsing. The latex gloves forms are then dipped in a coagulant mixture to promote congealing of the latex around the latex gloves forms. After being dipped in the coagulant mixture, the latex gloves forms are dipped in the latex material. The coated latex gloves forms are then dipped in a leach consisting of warm water and then into a powder slurry consisting of powdered starch. The coated latex gloves forms are then placed in an oven for 30 minutes. The latex gloves then harden on the molds - it is formed with what will ultimately be the inside of the latex gloves (touching your skin) on the outside of the latex gloves mold. Then the latex gloves, still on the mold, go through one or more rinses to leach out protein and residual chemicals (better rinsing equals less residual). Finally, the latex gloves are stripped off the mold, inspected, and then the latex gloves are packaged.

Latex Gloves