U.S. patent application number 11/056333 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for gloves with easily deployed cuff catcher.
This patent application is currently assigned to Magla Products, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Mattesky, Henry.
Application Number | 20050229287 11/056333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35094669 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050229287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mattesky, Henry |
October 20, 2005 |
Gloves with easily deployed cuff catcher
Abstract
The present invention relates to a glove having a body made from
an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a
wearer's hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end,
which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is
positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an
annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so
as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body.
The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that
at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the
second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion
positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket,
whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove
can be caught by the pocket. In order to make the glove of the
present invention, an annular projection is formed on a former. At
least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of
elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material
on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric
material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter
removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is
cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is
defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric
material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.
Inventors: |
Mattesky, Henry; (Ramsey,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP
FOUR GATEWAY CENTER
100 MULBERRY STREET
NEWARK
NJ
07102
US
|
Assignee: |
Magla Products, L.L.C.
|
Family ID: |
35094669 |
Appl. No.: |
11/056333 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60543747 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/161.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/0089
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/161.8 |
International
Class: |
A41D 019/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A glove comprising a body made from an elastomeric material and
sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, said body having
a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to said
body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite said first
end, said cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, said
ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the
insertion of a wearer's hand into said body, said ridge being
positioned between said first and second ends such that at least
one section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said second
end can be folded over another section of said cuff portion
positioned adjacent said first end so as to form an open pocket,
whereby materials falling from said body during the use of said
glove can be caught at least temporarily by said pocket.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge normally has a size
which is smaller than the size of said second end so as to provide
said pocket with a flare shape.
3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said ridge includes an elastomeric
band embedded therein.
4. The glove of claim 3, wherein said band is covered with a layer
of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge includes a roll of an
elastomeric material embedded therein.
6. The glove of claim 5, wherein said roll is covered with a layer
of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
7. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially
outwardly from an outer surface of said body.
8. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially
inwardly from an inner surface of said body.
9. A method for manufacturing a glove including a body which is
made from an elastomeric material and which is sized and shaped so
as to receive a wearer's hand, the body having a cuff portion
including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second
end, which is positioned opposite the first end, the cuff portion
having an annular ridge formed thereon, the ridge being expandable
radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's
hand into the body, the ridge being positioned between the first
and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion
positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another
section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as
to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from glove during
its use can be caught by the pocket, said method comprising the
steps of: forming an annular projection on a former; immersing at
least of a portion of the former into a vat of elastomeric material
so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material, at least a portion
of the layer of elastomeric material covering the annular
projection; removing the former from the vat; curing the layer of
elastomeric material so as to form the glove, the annular ridge of
the glove being defined by the annular projection and said at least
a portion of the layer of elastomeric material; and removing the
glove from the former.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the
step of placing an elastomeric band on the former.
11. The glove of claim 10, wherein said band normally has a size
which is smaller than the size of the second end of the cuff
portion so as to provide the pocket with a flare shape.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the
steps of: immersing at least a portion of the former into the vat
of liquid elastomeric material so as to apply a coat of elastomeric
material on the former; removing the former from the vat; at least
partially curing the coat of elastomeric material; and rolling an
end of the coat of elastomeric material so as to form the annular
ridge.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/543,747 filed Feb. 11, 2004, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gloves and, more
particularly, to an aid in forming cuffs in rubber gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Rubber gloves are used by workmen, surgeons, and in the
home. In the home such gloves are often used for washing dishes,
cleaning with household chemicals, and car washing.
[0004] A common problem with using rubber gloves is that when the
user washing dishes with such gloves lifts their arms toward their
body via contracting of the elbow, water drips from the gloves onto
the arm. To prevent this problem, a portion of the glove is rolled
back on itself, thus forming a pocket to catch dripping water. This
is normally done by manipulating the arm portion of the glove,
folding the arm portion inside out, and then straightening the cuff
thus formed to make it even. A problem with forming a cuff manually
is that liquids will likely continue to run onto the arm because
the cuff bulges at the fold, forcing the end of the glove to lie
flush with the portion of the glove between the cuff and the
palm.
[0005] A conventional rubber glove is manufactured on a ceramic
former in the shape of a human hand and arm, as is known in the
art. The problem of forming reliable cuffs is alleviated in the
prior art by creating a folding point in the rubber glove. During
manufacture of the rubber glove, the cuff folding point is formed
by an annular depression in the ceramic former. This depression
proceeds around the circumference of former approximately a few
inches down from the wrist area. When the rubber glove dries around
the former, the cuff folding point is formed as a rubber ridge.
Unfortunately, this method requires special formers to produce such
a glove.
[0006] Gloves with cuff beads and/or cuff inserts are also known in
the prior art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,270 to Jabour
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,709 to Miller et al.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and
shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by placing an
elastomeric band around the desired area below the wrist on a
conventional rubber glove former before the dipping process begins.
After dipping the former in latex rubber, drying it, and curing it,
the elastomeric band becomes an integral part of the rubber glove.
This overcomes the need for special formers.
[0008] The present invention provides an additional advantage in
that the elastomeric band is dimensioned so that there is a degree
of tension on the elastomeric band when placed on the former. The
band being under tension tends to draw in the glove, thus further
defining the fold line, and making it easier and simpler to form
the folded cuff.
[0009] The disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art
discussed above can also be overcome by dipping a former in a bath
of latex rubber without an elastomeric band; removing the former
from the bath; allowing the latex rubber coating to partially dry;
rolling the end of the cuff portion on itself to a point part way
along the cuff portion; and re-dipping the former in the latex
rubber bath at least one more time so as to form an annular ridge
positioned within the cuff portion of the glove.
[0010] The glove made in accordance with the present invention
includes a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and
shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand. The body has a cuff
portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and
a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff
portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable
radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's
hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and
second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion
positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another
section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as
to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body
during the use of the glove can be at least temporarily caught by
the pocket.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
in order to make the glove, an annular projection is formed on a
former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a
vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric
material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of
elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is
thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric
material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the
glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of
elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the
former.
[0012] Further features and advantages of the invention will appear
more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of two
exemplary embodiments of the invention, which is given below by way
of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of two
exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts the first step of manufacturing a rubber
glove on a conventional former according to a first illustrative
embodiment of the present invention in which an elastomeric band is
placed around the former below the wrist;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts the second step according to the first
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the
former with the elastomeric band is dipped in a vat of latex
rubber;
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts the third step according to the first
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the
former, elastomeric band, and latex rubber coating are inserted in
an oven and then heat-cured;
[0017] FIG. 4A depicts the final step according to the first
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the cured
rubber glove has been removed from the former;
[0018] FIG. 4B depicts the final step according to the illustrative
embodiment of the present invention depicting the former after the
cured rubber glove has been removed;
[0019] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line
4C-4C and looking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of
the rubber glove shown in FIG. 4A;
[0020] FIG. 5 depicts how the rubber glove is rolled on itself at
the fold line formed by the elastomeric band embedded within the
glove;
[0021] FIG. 6A depicts the first step according to the second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the
former without an elastomeric band is dipped in a vat of latex
rubber;
[0022] FIG. 6B depicts the second step according to the second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the
former is removed from the vat of latex rubber, the rubber allowed
to partially dry, and then the end of the cuff portion of the glove
formed thereon is rolled back on itself;
[0023] FIG. 6C depicts the third step according to the second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the
former is re-dipped at least one more time in the latex rubber bath
past the point of the rolled up portion of the glove;
[0024] FIG. 7A depicts the final step according to the second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which the cured
rubber glove has been removed from the former; and
[0025] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line
7B-7B and looking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of
the rubber glove shown in FIG. 7A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIGS. 1 through 4 depict the process of manufacturing a
rubber glove on a conventional former according to the first
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a
conventional ceramic former 12 has a finger portion 14, palm
portion 16, and a cuff portion 18. An elastomeric band 10 is placed
around the conventional ceramic former 12 at a position 20 between
the ends of the cuff portion 18. The elastomeric band 10 can be
made of the same material as the rubber glove to be formed or can
be of another elastic or elastomeric material, such as a rubber
band. Preferably, the elastomeric band 10 is partially vulcanized
so as to allow the elastomeric band 10 to sufficiently adhere to a
coating of latex rubber to be applied to the former 12. The
elastomeric band 10 has a diameter that requires it to be stretched
in order to apply it to the former 12 at position 20. Once applied
to the former 12, the elastomeric band 10 is under tension during
the glove forming process.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts the second step according to the illustrative
embodiment of the present invention. The former 12 is dipped in a
bath 22 of latex rubber, covering the elastomeric band 10 to
position 24 between position 20 and the end of the cuff portion 18.
Alternatively, the bath 22 can contain natural rubber, latex
nitrile rubber, latex neoprene rubber, latex, or other rubber or
elastomeric materials.
[0028] As depicted in FIG. 3, the rubber-dipped former 12 is placed
in an oven 26 within which heat 28 is applied to dry and cure the
rubber. Parameters for how to apply heat with regard to temperature
and time, as well as curing time, are known to those skilled in the
art.
[0029] Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the rubber glove 30 is then
removed from the former 12. The elastomeric band 10 is now an
integral part of the rubber glove 30. More particularly, the
elastomeric band 10 is embedded in the coating of rubber defining
the cuff portion of the rubber glove 30, forming an annular ridge
31 which protrudes radially outwardly from the glove 30. The glove
30 can be formed such that the annular ridge 31 also protrudes
radially inwardly from the inside of the glove 30. The area in the
vicinity of the elastomeric band 10 is heavier, thicker, and of
greater diameter than adjacent areas 32. Because the elastomeric
band 10 was in tension around the former 12, the elastomeric band
10 is drawn in slightly from the outer circumference of the glove
30, forming a flare or truncated-cone shape 34 below the
elastomeric band 10, and defining a convenient folding line for the
user to form a folded cuff. These features will be readily apparent
when the gloves are used or even when the gloves are packaged for
sale.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts how the rubber glove 30 is rolled or folded
upon itself at the fold line defined by the elastomeric band 10
embedded within the glove 30. More particularly, a portion of the
cuff is rolled back on itself at the fold line, thus easily forming
a flared pocket 34 to catch, at least temporarily, dripping water
or other materials falling from the glove during its use. The
folded cuff does not bulge at the fold line, nor does the flared
pocket 34 lie flush with the portion of the glove between the cuff
and the palm. Because of the flared pocket 34, dripping water is
inhibited from running down onto the user's arm.
[0031] It should be noted that the present invention can have
numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the
elastomeric band 10 can be positioned on the former 12 after the
former 12 has been pre-dipped into latex rubber and a pre-coating
of latex rubber is formed thereon. Such pre-dipping process can be
performed for reinforcing the annular ridge 31 of the glove 30. The
elastomeric band 10 can also be treated to increase the bond
between the preformed rubber band 10 and the latex rubber. The
elastomeric band 10 can be partially vulcanized to allow for an
increased bond between the band and the latex rubber. The actual
formulation of both the elastomeric band 10 and the latex rubber
can be varied by anyone skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-7B, there is shown a process of
manufacturing a rubber glove on a conventional former constructed
in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 6A-7B, which correspond,
either identically or substantially, to the elements described
above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, have been
designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one
hundred. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-7B is
constructed and operates in the same basic manner as the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-5.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 6A, the process of manufacturing a
rubber glove on a conventional former according to the second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
More particularly, a former 112 is dipped in a bath 122 of
elastomeric material, such as latex rubber, without an elastomeric
band placed thereon such that it is covered with rubber coating to
the position 124. The former 112 is then removed from the latex
rubber bath 122 (see FIG. 6B), and the latex rubber coating applied
thereon is dried at least to the point where the end 136 of the
latex rubber coating can be rolled back upon itself without
dismemberment up to the position 120 so as to form an annular
projection 138. With reference to FIG. 6C, the former 112 is
re-dipped in the latex rubber bath 122 at least one more time to
the position 124. Next, the former 112 is removed from the latex
rubber bath 122 and is subjected to a drying and curing step
similar to the drying and curing step utilized in connection with
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, so as to form a glove 130 (see
FIG. 7A).
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the glove 130 has an
integral, annular ridge 131 formed by the rolled up projection 138
covered by the coating of latex rubber applied during the second
dipping step. More particularly, the annular ridge 131 protrudes
radially outwardly from the glove 130. The glove 130 can also be
formed such that the annular ridge 131 protrudes radially inwardly
from the inside of the glove 130. The annular ridge 131 performs
function or functions similar to those performed by the annular
ridge 31 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.
[0035] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein
are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, both the position of the
band and its tension on the former can be varied. All such
variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are
intended to be included within the scope of the present invention
as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *