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Abstract

An elastomeric article having reducing microbe affinity and transmission and methods for applying and immobilizing antimicrobial compounds to the elastomeric substrate surface are disclosed. The elastomeric article has a body formed of a natural or synthetic polymer latex having an outer surface and an inner surface. The body has a coating of an antimicrobial agent over at least a portion of said outer surface. The treatment involves applying according to either a spraying or dipping process an antimicrobial polymer or composition to a surface of the elastomeric substrate; binding the antimicrobial composition to the surface in a manner such that said treat antimicrobial coating passes either one or another or both versions of a zone of inhibition test, such test including: a) a dry-leaching or agar-plate-based contact test, according to AATCC 147 protocol, or b) a wet-leaching or dynamic shake flask test according to ASTM E-2149-01 protocol. The substrate is further subject to a rapid germicidal contact-transfer test of relatively short duration. The antimicrobial polymer can include an organosilane quaternary ammonium or a biguanide compound which can disrupt the ionic charges of microbial cellular membranes.

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First Claim