U.S. patent application number 11/934495 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for gloves with reinforcing elements and methods for making same.
Invention is credited to Henry Mattesky.
Application Number | 20090126074 11/934495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40640406 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mattesky; Henry |
May 21, 2009 |
GLOVES WITH REINFORCING ELEMENTS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME
Abstract
A reinforced glove includes a substrate, typically in the form
of a shell having the shape of a human hand, and a protective
coating disposed on the substrate to form a composite therewith.
The shell and any integral or non-integral reinforcing elements are
at least partially covered by the protective coating, which
penetrates such reinforcing elements to thereby improve the bond
between the shell and reinforcing elements, whereby the durability,
strength and grippability of the glove are enhanced.
Inventors: |
Mattesky; Henry; (Ramsey,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
200 PARK AVE., P.O. BOX 677
FLORHAM PARK
NJ
07932
US
|
Family ID: |
40640406 |
Appl. No.: |
11/934495 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60856558 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/161.8 ; 2/159;
2/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2500/10 20130101;
A41D 2400/80 20130101; A41D 19/0065 20130101; A41D 19/01523
20130101; B29C 41/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/161.8 ; 2/167;
2/159 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A reinforced glove, comprising a shell in the shape of a hand,
said shell having a first side and a second side opposite said
first side, at least one of said sides being reinforced over at
least a portion thereof to thereby form a reinforced portion of
said shell, and a coating applied to said shell so as to at least
partially cover said shell and said reinforced portion thereof.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said shell has an unreinforced
portion which is at least partially covered by said coating, said
coated reinforced portion having a characteristic which
distinguishes said coated reinforced portion from said coated
unreinforced portion.
3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said characteristic is visually
perceptible.
4. The glove of claim 2, wherein said characteristic tactilely
perceptible.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein said reinforced portion of said
shell is formed integrally with said shell.
6. The glove of claim 5, wherein said shell is formed by a
plurality of elements made from a first material and said
reinforced portion of said shell is at least partially formed by
reinforcing elements made from a second material that is more
durable than said first material.
7. The glove of claim 6, wherein said shell has a knit construction
and said reinforcing elements are knitted into said shell.
8. The glove of claim 1, wherein said reinforced portion of said
shell is formed by an independent reinforcing element attached to
said shell by said coating.
9. A reinforced, multi-layered glove, comprising a shell in the
shape of a hand, said shell defining a first layer and having a
palm side and a back side; a second layer applied to said first
layer so as to reinforce at least a portion thereof; and a third
layer applied as a coating so as to at least partially cover said
first and second layers.
10. The glove of claim 9, wherein said second layer is applied to
only a portion of said first layer, whereby said shell has a
reinforced portion and an unreinforced portion, said reinforced
portion of said shell being completely covered by said third layer
and said unreinforced portion of said shell being partially covered
by said third layer, said coated reinforced portion having a
characteristic which distinguishes said coated reinforced portion
from said coated unreinforced portion.
11. The glove of claim 10, wherein said third layer penetrates said
second layer and contacts said first layer over at least a portion
of said reinforced portion of said shell, whereby said third layer
is bonded to both said first layer and said second layer.
12. The glove of claim 10, wherein said second layer has a first
surface, which is positioned adjacent to said first layer, a second
surface, which is opposite said first surface and which is
positioned remote from said first layer, and a peripheral edge
between said first and second surfaces.
13. The glove of claim 12, wherein said peripheral edge of said
second layer is enveloped by said third layer.
14. The glove of claim 9, wherein said second layer has an open
construction.
15. The glove of claim 14, wherein said second layer is made from a
fabric.
16. The glove of claim 14, wherein said second layer has a
plurality of openings extending from said first surface thereof to
said second surface thereof, said plurality of openings permitting
said liquid coating agent to flow therethrough.
17. The glove of claim 16, wherein said third layer forms bonds
within said openings of said second layer, whereby said second and
third layers are inhibited from folding onto themselves when the
glove is in use.
18. The glove of claim 9, wherein said second layer. includes a
plurality of reinforcing elements, whereby said shell has a
plurality of reinforced portions.
19. The glove of claim 18, wherein at least one of said reinforcing
elements is positioned on said palm side of said shell and wherein
at least one of said reinforcing elements is positioned on said
back side of said shell.
20. The glove of claim 18, wherein at least some of said
reinforcing elements are positioned on said palm side of said shell
at spaced-apart locations thereon, said at least some of said
reinforcing elements being attached together by connecting
strips.
21. The glove of claim 9, wherein said first and second layers are
made from flexible material, said second layer having at least one
pressure relief area formed therein so as to enhance the
flexibility of said second layer.
22. The glove of claim 21, wherein said third layer is formed by a
liquid coating agent having elastic properties when cured, whereby
said first and second layers remain flexible after they are at
least partially covered by said third layer.
23. A reinforced glove, comprising a shell in the shape of a hand,
said shell having a first side and a second side opposite said
first side, at least one of said sides being reinforced over a
portion thereof to thereby form a reinforced portion and an
unreinforced portion, and a coating applied to said shell so as to
at least partially cover said reinforced and unreinforced portions
thereof, said coated reinforced portion having a characteristic
which distinguishes said coated reinforced portion from said coated
unreinforced portion.
24. The glove of claim 23, wherein said characteristic is visually
perceptible.
25. The glove of claim 23, wherein said characteristic tactilely
perceptible.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the priority of the U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/856,558 filed Nov. 3, 2006, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to multilayer, reinforced
gloves and methods for manufacturing such gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gloves of the prior art are constructed of various materials
and are used for various purposes. For example, the prior art
includes workman gloves, surgical gloves, driving gloves, household
gloves, skiing gloves, and gloves for providing warmth. Gloves of
the prior art have typically been formed from leather,
polyvinyl-chloride, rubber, and fabric. It is also known in the art
to provide composites, such as fabric gloves dip-coated with a
natural or nitrile rubber.
[0004] The prior art also includes gloves having fabric and leather
reinforcing elements that are mechanically fastened to a glove. For
example, the prior art includes fabric and leather strips sewn onto
the outer surface of the glove. The fabric and leather reinforcing
elements are positioned on sections of the glove corresponding to
the fingertips, the knuckles, the wrist, the palm, and/or the back
side of the hand. Although fabric and leather reinforcing elements
increase a glove's grip and wear resistance, they are expensive
materials and must be mechanically fastened to the glove. This
increases the total manufacturing cost of the glove, as well as the
final retail price paid by consumers.
[0005] It is also known in the art to provide a glove having
polyvinylchloride patches bonded to an underlying fabric. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,747 discloses polyvinylchloride
patches that are metal-screened to the fibers of the underlying
fabric. Unfortunately, the bond between the screened
polyvinylchloride and the fibers causes the fibers to stiffen,
which in turn causes discomfort and potential irritation to the
hands of a person wearing the glove. Furthermore, the fabric of the
glove is exposed in multiple locations, such as in the areas
between the polyvinylchloride patches. This forms vulnerable areas
that have low wear resistance and that are easily susceptible to
puncture and/or chemical penetration.
[0006] What is needed in the art is a glove that provides good
grippability at a low cost and does so without unnecessarily
compromising the wear resistance or comfort of the glove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a glove, which
includes a shell in the shape of a human hand, is reinforced over
at least a portion of the shell and then coated so as to at least
partially cover the shell, including its reinforced portion. The
shell can be reinforced integrally by, for instance, making a
portion of it thicker than the rest of the shell. If the shell has
a knit construction, the reinforced portion can be formed by
knitting thicker (i.e., lower gauge) threads into the shell at
desired locations on the palm side and/or the back side of the
shell. Once the shell is coated, the result is a composite glove
having a plurality of reinforced portions that enhance the
durability, grippability and/or comfortability of the glove. It is
also possible to reinforce the shell using independent reinforcing
elements that are attached to the palm side and/or the back side of
the shell by the coating. The result, in this instance, is a
reinforced, multi-layered glove having enhanced durability,
grippability and/or comfortability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following description of various exemplary
embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a palm side of a glove
constructed in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except that a portion of
a coating layer of the glove has been removed to show an underlying
shell and reinforcing element;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a back side of the glove shown
in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is sectional view, taken along section line 4-4 of
FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the glove
shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the glove shown in
FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a palm side of a glove
constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, an outer coating layer of the glove having been
removed so that an underlying shell and reinforcing elements are
visible.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, there is shown a glove 10
which includes a shell or substrate 12 (see FIG. 2), a reinforcing
element 14 and a coating layer 16. The shell 12 is in the form of a
conventional fabric glove and includes a plurality of finger
portions 18, a palm side 20 and a back side 22. More particularly,
the shell 12 can have a string-knit construction which provides a
seamless shell, or a sewn-knit construction which provides a shell
having seams. Alternatively, the shell 12 can be woven, knitted, or
non-woven, including but not limited to bonded fiber, stitched
bonded, needle punched, spun bonded and spun lace are examples of
textile types which can be used.
[0016] The shell 12, especially if it has a knit construction, may
also include areas or portions (not shown) that have a gauge (i.e.,
number of courses of threads per inch) or strength or size
different from the rest of the shell 12, thereby providing
integrally formed reinforcing portions with different texture,
weight and/or integrity. For instance, such integrally formed
reinforcing portions can result in raised areas having a cushioning
effect if the size or gauge (i.e., diameter) of the threads in the
reinforced portion is larger than the size of the threads used to
make the remainder (i.e., the unreinforced portion) of the shell
12. Rather than modifying thread size, the type of material used to
make the reinforced portion could be different than the type used
to make the unreinforced portion of the shell 12, thereby providing
an opportunity to enhance the durability, grippability and/or
comfortability of the glove 10. The use of a stronger (i.e., more
wear-resistant) material for the reinforced portion would, by way
of example, enhance durability which would, in turn, increase the
useful life of the glove 10.
[0017] If the shell 12 is made from one of the foregoing
constructions, suitable materials include polyester, nylon,
acrylic, Kevlar.RTM., Dyneema.RTM., rayon, polypropylene, lyocell,
glass lyocell, glass and metallic fibers, acetate, aramide,
modacrylic. melamine, urethane etc., or blends thereof. The other
suitable materials include all natural fibers such as vegetable
fibers (i.e., cotton, flax, jute, and sisal, also including animal
fibers such as wool, horsehair and silk), and synthetic fibers
including regenerated cellulose, polylactic acid, polyurethane,
vinyl and polyolefins. High performance specialty fibers such as
aramide, polybenzimidazole, polyimide, phenolaldehyde and
polysulfone are also suitable for construction of the shell 12. The
shell 12 could be made from non-fabric materials. For instance,
heat-sealed plastic or rubber (natural or synthetic), as well as
other elastomeric materials, might be used to form the shell
12.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the reinforcing element
14 can be any sheet-like material that has some degree of
flexibility and some affinity for liquid agents used to form the
coating layer 16. The term "affinity" is used herein to define a
material that can absorb or adsorb suitable liquid agents or that
does not repel such agents. One suitable material for the
reinforcing element 14 is a urethane foam, preferably one with a
reticulated construction, having cells in the range of from about
20 per inch to about 100 per inch. Such a foam material can be
provided with a thickness preferably ranging from about 0.04 inch
to about 0.25 inch, and, more preferably, ranging from about 0.06
inch to about 0.12 inch.
[0019] Other suitable materials for the reinforcing element 14
include knit or woven fabrics. The knit or woven fabrics have a
mesh-like or somewhat open construction and are typically made from
cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic, Kevlar.RTM., Dyneema.RTM.,
rayon, polypropylene, lyocell, etc., or blends thereof.
[0020] The reinforcing element 14 can also be made from non-woven
fabrics constructed by any known process, such as airlaid, spun
bound, spunlace (e.g., Ahlstrom Green Bay, Inc. Grades SX-392,
SX-252 and SX-600), melt blown, carded/bonded and needle punched
processes. Like the knit and woven fabrics, the non-woven fabrics
can be constructed from cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic,
Kevlar.RTM.. Dyneema.RTM., rayon, polypropylene, lyocell, etc., or
blends thereof. Other materials suitable for the reinforcing
element 14 are perforated plastic films, plastic foams, reticulated
foams, plastic netting and molded plastic. Rubber sheeting, rubber
foams, molded rubber, and soft metal (e.g., bronze and aluminum)
mesh and screening are also suitable. Leather, reconstituted
leather (e.g., perforated leather) and low quality leather are
suitable as well. Preferably, all of these materials should have an
open construction. The term "open construction" is used herein to
define a characteristic or property which allows liquid agents used
to form the coating layer 16 to more readily penetrate or permeate
the reinforcing element 14.
[0021] When a fabric material (e.g., knit, woven or non-woven
fabric) is used to make the reinforcing element 14, the preferred
weight of the fabric material can range from about 1.0 oz per
square yard to about 8 oz per square yard. Of course, the fabric
material could have a weight outside this range, depending upon the
type of fiber used and the degree of reinforcement desired.
[0022] In certain cases, it may be preferable to perforate or die
cut openings in the reinforcing element 14 to achieve satisfactory
penetration/permeation of the coating agent (to be described in
greater detail hereinafter) into the reinforcing element 14. If
desired, an anti-vibration effect can be achieved by selecting an
appropriate material for the reinforcing element 14. For instance,
a reticulated urethane foam or a bonded non-woven fabric (e.g., 6
denier polyester bonded fiber) having a thickness of about 0.12
inch can be used as the reinforcing element 14 to achieve such an
effect.
[0023] It may be desirable to provide one or more pressure relief
areas 24 in the reinforcing element 14 for enhanced flexibility or
conformity of the glove 10 to the hand of a user. In addition, the
reinforcing element 14 could be replaced with a plurality of
reinforcing elements, the size, shape and/or location thereof being
variable. For instance, while the reinforcing element 14 shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is applied to the palm side 20 of the shell 12 with
portions thereof extending onto the finger portions 18, the back
side 22 of the shell 12 could be reinforced in a similar manner
using multiple reinforcing elements (not shown). For instance, a
reinforcement element can be positioned in the knuckle-area (not
shown) on the back side 22 of the shell 12 in order to provide
additional protection to the knuckles of the wearer of the glove
10.
[0024] The reinforcing element 14 provides enhanced cushioning to
the hand of a user. The reinforcing element 14 also increases the
tensile strength of the glove 10, while functioning as an
abrasion-resistant and cut-resistant element. Accordingly, the
shell 12 can be made from a comfortable material (e.g., fabric) and
then reinforced with the reinforcing element 14.
[0025] The reinforcing element 14 could be dispensed with, if the
shell 12 is provided with an integrally formed reinforcing portion
as described above. Alternatively, the reinforcing element 14 could
be used, as a supplement, in combination with any such integrally
formed reinforcing portion.
[0026] The coating layer 16, which permanently adheres the
reinforcing element 14 to the shell 12, can be made from any
suitable liquid coating agent adapted for absorption or adsorption
by the reinforcing element 14 or from such an agent that is not
repelled by the reinforcing element 14. Suitable coating agents
include any elastomeric compound known in the art, such as natural
rubber latex, synthetic rubber latices (e.g., neoprene, nitrile
(Rheichold/Dow TYLAC 68074-06) or urethane). Other suitable
materials for the coating layer 16 include silicone, polyurethane,
polyvinylchloride or other 100% solid plastic resins, and solvent
solutions of similar resins. All of the foregoing materials could
be expanded or foamed. In certain instances, the coating layer 16
might be formed from neoprene and/or styrene butadiene rubbers.
[0027] The coating layer 16 bonds to the shell 12, while permeating
and penetrating the reinforcing element 14 to thereby securely
attach it to the shell 12. More particularly, the coating layer 16
permeates or penetrates the reinforcing element 14 through its
intersticies or openings. The bonds formed within the intersticies
(not shown) of the reinforcing element 14 prevent the reinforcing
element 14 and the coating layer 16 from bunching-up or folding
onto themselves as the glove 10 is flexed by a user's hand, thereby
providing greater comfort to the user and excellent durability for
the glove 10. Preferably, the reinforcing element 14, including its
peripheral edges 26, is encapsulated or enveloped by the coating
layer 16. As a result, the coating layer 16 forms a fillet-like
border 28 (see FIG. 4) along the peripheral edges 26 of the
reinforcing element 14, thereby providing added protection to such
edges. Depending upon the construction of the reinforcing element
14, the coating layer 16 could be absorbed directly into the
material forming the reinforcing element 14.
[0028] The glove 10 can be made using the following process or
method. First, the shell 12 is applied to a three-dimensional mold
or two-dimensional form (not shown) which is in the shape of a
human hand. Next, the reinforcing element 14 is applied to the
shell 12 on the palm side 20 thereof. More particularly, the
reinforcing element 14 can be applied loosely to the shell 12; or
it can be temporarily affixed thereto using any conventional
mechanism, such as a light spray adhesive. After such affixation of
the reinforcing element 14, the shell 12 is dipped into a liquid
bath of a suitable coating agent at an angle such that an area 30
(see FIG. 3) on the back side 22 of the shell 12 is free of the
coating agent. This free area 30 is provided so as to improve the
breathability of the glove 10. If breathability is not a concern,
then the entire shell 12 can be dipped into the coating bath,
thereby eliminating the free area 30. After the shell 12 is removed
from the bath, the coating agent applied to the shell 12 is cured
in a conventional manner to form the coating layer 16. For
instance, the shell 12 can be oven-dried in accordance with methods
known in the glove manufacturing industry. After curing, the shell
12 is removed from the mold, resulting in the formation of a unique
reinforced, multi-layer glove. It should be noted that alternate
methods of applying the coating can be used. Screen printing and
spray coating are among some alternate methods to the dipping
process. An elastic strap 32 is then attached to a wrist portion of
the shell 12. A loop and fastener (not shown) may be attached to
the elastic strap 32. Alternate wrist treatments include an
overcast hem or gauntlet cuff.
[0029] Depending upon the thickness and construction of the
reinforcing element 14, the reinforcing element 14 can be readily
observed on the glove 10. However, in some instances, it may be
desirable to further highlight the appearance of the reinforcing
element 14 from the rest of the glove 10. By selecting the
reinforcing element 14 from the variety of the materials available,
varying the thickness of the reinforcement or the degree of
openness of the reinforcing element 14, the reinforced areas, after
coating, can be visually and tactilely highlighted so that the
glove 10 can be readily determined to be reinforced. Additionally,
this can be accomplished by providing the reinforcing element 14 in
a contrasting color (e.g., the reinforcing element 14 can be
highlighted in black, while the shell 12 can be provided in white).
The coating layer 14 could then be formulated with varying degrees
of translucency to enhance the desired highlighting effect. Such a
highlighting effect can be achieved by screen printing the
contrasting color (e.g., black) over the portion of the coating
layer 16 overlying the reinforcing element 14.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, a glove 10' includes a reinforcing
element 14' having pads 14A'-14G' positioned on a palm side 20' of
the glove 10', including finger portions 18' thereof. For ease of
manufacturing and handling, the pads 14A'-14G' are attached
together by connecting strips 15A'-15F' (i.e., small segments made
from the same material as the pads 14A'-14G' themselves).
[0031] The preferred embodiments disclosed herein provide for a
reinforced, multilayer glove that achieves many desirable
objectives (e.g., grippability, durability, comfortability, etc.)
at a relative low manufacturing cost. Various reinforcement
elements enhance the properties of the gloves depending on the
materials, and the form of the materials (e.g., knit, nonwoven,
molded part, etc.), that are utilized in the construction of same.
The invention also improves glove performance characteristics such
as abrasion resistance, vibration isolation, thermal insulation,
and protection against hand injuries. Nevertheless, it should 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 present invention. Accordingly, all such variations
and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to
be included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *