METHODS OF MAKING POLYMERIC ARTICLES AND POLYMERIC ARTICLES FORMED THEREBY
Low durometer polymeric gel articles and methods of making are provided. herein.
1 . An improved handle, comprising:
a rigid core defining a recess seat therein, the recess seat having a bottom surface, and a top edge;
a molded gel member disposed within the recess seat, comprising a polymerized gel layer having an upper surface opposite a lower surface, the lower surface being closer to the bottom surface of the recess seat;
a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the polymerized layer; and
a stabilization layer disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the polymerized gel layer.
2 . The improved handle of claim 1 , further comprising a support layer.
3 . The improved handle of claim 1 , further comprising a layer 34 , wherein layer 34 is disposed
a. within the polymerized gel layer;
b. between the stabilization layer and the lower surface of the polymerized. gel layer;
c. between the barrier layer and the upper surface of the polymerized gel layer; or
d. between the lower surface of the polymerized gel layer and the bottom surface of the recess seat.
4 . The improved handle of claim 1 wherein the rigid core is manufactured of plastic or metal.
5 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric film layer and an elastomeric polymer coating.
6 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is polyurethane.
7 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the molded gel member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and silicone-based material.
8 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is less than 0.004 inch thickness.
9 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is less than 0.002 inch in thickness.
10 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is less than 0.001 inch in thickness.
11 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is about 0.0002-0.005 inch thick.
12 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein at least one layer is pigmented.
13 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein at least one layer is transparent.
14 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein the least one layer in communication with the molded gel member carries printed graphics on a surface thereof.
15 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer contains antimicrobial agents selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial silver, antimicrobial copper, antimicrobial zinc, nano-particle silver, nano-particle copper and nano-particle zinc.
16 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the molded gel member is not flush with the top edge of the recess seat of the hard plastic core.
17 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein the layer 34 is disposed between the lower surface of the polymerized gel layer and the bottom surface of the recess seat.
18 . The improved handle of claim 17 , wherein the layer 34 comprises a polyester film.
19 . The improved d of claim 18 , wherein the polyester film is 0.002 inch or less thick.
20 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein the layer 34 comprises woven fabric or non-woven fabric.
21 . The improved handle of claim 17 , wherein the layer 34 carries printing thereon.
22 . The improved handle of claim 1 , further comprising: a surface finish disposed on the top of the barrier layer.
23 . The improved handle of claim 22 , wherein the surface finish contains antimicrobial agents.
24 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer contains phase change materials.
25 . The improved handle of claim 24 , wherein the phase change material are contained in microspheres.
26 . The improved handle of claim 22 , wherein the surface finish contains phase change materials.
27 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the gel member is removably secured to the recess seat.
28 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the gel member has a durometer of 65 shore 00 or less.
29 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the gel member has a durometer of 55 shore 00 or less.
30 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the gel member has a durometer of 45 shore 00 or less.
31 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the gel member has a durometer of 25 shore 00 to 55 shore 00.
32 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the molded gel member includes a flange embraced by the rigid core.
33 . The improved handle of claim 1 , wherein the molded gel member and the barrier layer each include respective flanges embraced by the rigid core.
34 . The improved handle of claim 3 , wherein the molded gel member, the barrier layer and the layer 34 each include respective flanges embraced by the rigid core.
35 . An improved handle, comprising:
a rigid core defining a recess seat therein having a top edge;
a molded gel member, having an upper surface, disposed in the recess seat; and
an barrier layer comprising an antimicrobial agent, disposed on the upper surface of the molded gel member.
36 . An improved handle, comprising:
a rigid core defining a recess seat therein having a top edge;
a molded gel member, disposed in the recess seat, the molded gel member having an upper surface, and having a durometer of 65 Shore 00 or less; and a barrier layer comprising an antimicrobial agent, disposed on the upper surface of the molded gel member.