U.S. patent application number 12/974795 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for protective glove and method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMMIT GLOVE INC.. Invention is credited to James L. Hull.
Application Number | 20110145967 12/974795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44149012 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110145967 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hull; James L. |
June 23, 2011 |
PROTECTIVE GLOVE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Abstract
A temperature resistant and fluid impermeable protective glove
having front and back panels joined by at least one seam. During
manufacture, the glove is dipped into a first thin liquid to coat
the exterior surface of the glove. The first liquid penetrates
through gaps in the seam and seals those gaps as it solidifies. The
first liquid coated glove is then dipped into a second thicker
liquid to coat the entire exterior surface including the sealed
seam. A third coating may be applied to the interior surface of the
glove prior to joining the front and back panels together. The
glove may also include an interior liner and an exterior protective
member for added comfort and protection.
Inventors: |
Hull; James L.; (Malvern,
OH) |
Assignee: |
SUMMIT GLOVE INC.
Minerva
OH
|
Family ID: |
44149012 |
Appl. No.: |
12/974795 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61289246 |
Dec 22, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/16 ;
112/475.09; 2/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/0065 20130101;
A41D 19/015 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/16 ; 2/169;
112/475.09 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015; D05B 23/00 20060101 D05B023/00; A41D 19/04 20060101
A41D019/04; A41D 19/02 20060101 A41D019/02 |
Claims
1. A glove for protecting the hands comprising: an outer shell
having a front, a back and a seam joining the front and back,
wherein the glove has an exterior surface, an interior surface and
a cavity bounded by the interior surface and shaped to receive a
worker's hand therein; a first coating of a first material applied
to the exterior surface of the glove, wherein said first material
penetrates and seals the seam and substantially prevents substances
from passing through the seam and into the cavity.
2. The glove as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a second
coating of a second material applied to an exterior surface of the
first coating and overlaying the sealed seam.
3. The glove as defined in claim 2, further comprising: a third
coating of a third substance applied to the interior surface of the
outer shell, where the third coating is covered at least partially
by the first coating in a location adjacent the seam.
4. A protective glove comprising: a front panel; a back panel; at
least one seam securing the front and back panels together to form
an outer shell, wherein the outer shell includes: an exterior
surface; an interior surface; an interior cavity bounded by the
interior surface; and an opening to the cavity adapted for entry of
a hand therein; and wherein said seam includes: a plurality of
strands of thread that extend between the front and back panels;
and a plurality of gaps, each gap being disposed between two
adjacent threads; and a first layer of a first material applied to
at least a portion of the exterior surface of the outer shell;
wherein the first material substantially obstructs the gaps and
closes off fluid communication through the seam between the
interior cavity and air surrounding the exterior surface of the
outer shell.
5. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, wherein the first
material is applied to the outer shell in liquid form and
penetrates into the gaps.
6. The protective glove as defined in claim 5, wherein after
application, the liquid solidifies into the first layer, and a
quantity of the solidified liquid is disposed in each gap, thereby
effectively sealing off the same.
7. The protective glove as defined in claim 5, wherein the liquid
flows through the gaps and for a distance along the interior
surface of the outer shell adjacent the seam, and the first layer
of the first liquid solidifies onto both the portion of the
exterior surface of the outer shell and for a distance along the
interior surface of the outer shell adjacent the seam.
8. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, wherein the first
material comprises one or both of a temperature resistant material
and a fluid impermeable material.
9. The protective glove as defined in claim 8, wherein the first
material is nitrile or neoprene.
10. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, further comprising:
a second layer of a second material applied over an exterior
surface of the first layer of first material; wherein the second
layer overlays the sealed seam.
11. The protective glove as defined in claim 10, wherein the second
material is one or both of a temperature resistant material and a
fluid impermeable material.
12. The glove as defined in claim 11, wherein the second material
is nitrile or neoprene.
13. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, further comprising
a third layer of a third material that covers at least a portion of
the interior surface of the outer shell.
14. The protective glove as defined in claim 13, wherein the third
layer is a blade-coating.
15. The protective glove as defined in claim 14, wherein the third
material is nitrile or silicon.
16. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, further comprising
a liner having an interior surface that bounds an interior cavity
and an exterior surface, and wherein the liner is receivable within
the interior cavity of the outer shell such that the exterior
surface of the liner abuts the interior surface of the outer
shell.
17. The protective glove as defined in claim 16, wherein the liner
includes a first fastener and the outer shell includes a second
fastener; and the first and second fasteners are engageable to
secure the liner and outer shell together.
18. The protective glove as defined in claim 4, further comprising
a separate protective member having an interior surface that bounds
and defines an interior cavity and an exterior surface; and wherein
the outer shell is receivable in the interior cavity of the
protective member such that the exterior surface of the outer shell
abuts the interior surface of the protective member.
19. The protective glove as defined in claim 18, wherein the
protective member is manufactured from a fabric that is one or more
of temperature resistant, liquid impermeable, cut resistant and
penetration resistant.
20. The protective glove as defined in claim 19, wherein the
protective member has a length from a top end of a finger region
thereof to a bottom end thereof adjacent the opening to the
interior cavity of the protective member; and the glove has a
length from a top end of a finger region thereof to a bottom end
thereof adjacent the opening of the glove into the interior cavity,
and wherein the length of the protective member is substantially
smaller than the length of the glove.
21. A method of manufacturing a temperature resistant and fluid
impermeable glove comprising the steps of: sewing an outer shell of
the glove by stitching at least a first piece of fabric to a second
piece of fabric with strands of thread so as to form at least one
seam; and applying a first liquid to an exterior surface of the
outer shell such that the first liquid coats the exterior surface
and a quantity of the first liquid migrates into the at least one
seam and substantially seals the same.
22. The method as defined in claim 21, further comprising the steps
of: solidifying the first liquid to form a first coating on the
outer shell; and applying a second liquid to an exterior surface of
the first coating.
23. The method as defined in claim 22, further comprising the step
of: stretching the glove to open up a plurality of gaps in the at
least one seam prior to applying the first liquid to the outer
shell.
24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the step of
stretching the glove includes: placing the outer shell over an
expandable former when the former is in a non-expanded condition;
moving the former to an expanded condition so that the at least one
seam is expanded and the plurality of gaps open up in the seam,
with a single gap being disposed between each pair of adjacent
strands of the thread.
25. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the step of applying
the first liquid to the outer shell occurs when the former is in
the expanded condition.
26. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising the steps
of: moving the former to a non-expanded condition after the
application of the first liquid; and allowing sufficient time to
pass to permit the first liquid to fill in the gaps in the at least
one seam and to solidify as the first coating over the exterior
surface of the outer shell.
27. The method as defined in claim 26, further comprising the steps
of: applying a second liquid to an exterior surface of the first
coating.
28. The method as defined in claim 27, further comprising the step
of: allowing sufficient time to pass to permit the second liquid to
solidify as a second coating over the exterior surface of the first
coating and over regions of the at least one seam where the gaps
were previously filled with the first liquid.
29. The method as defined in claim 28, wherein the step of applying
the second liquid includes: maintaining the former in the
non-expanded condition until the second liquid has solidified.
30. The method as defined in claim 23, further including the step
of: removing the twice-coated outer shell from the former.
31. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the step of applying
the first liquid to the exterior surface of the outer shell
includes dipping the outer shell into a quantity of the first
liquid while the outer shell is engaged on the expanded former.
32. The method as defined in claim 31, wherein the step of applying
the first liquid includes dipping the outer shell into a quantity
of a low viscosity liquid.
33. The method as defined in claim 31, wherein the step of applying
the second liquid to the exterior surface of the first coating
includes dipping the first liquid coated outer shell into a
quantity of the second liquid while the outer shell is engaged on
the non-expanded former.
34. The method as defined in claim 33, wherein the step of applying
the second liquid to the outer shell includes dipping the first
liquid coated outer shell into a quantity of a high viscosity
liquid.
35. The method as defined in claim 27, wherein the steps of
applying one or both of the first and second liquids further
includes the step of heating the one or both of the first and
second liquids.
36. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein the step of sewing
the outer shell includes the steps of: selecting a fabric, where
the fabric has an interior surface and an exterior surface;
blade-coating the interior surface of the fabric; cutting a front
panel and a back panel from the fabric; sewing the front panel to
the back panel such that the interior surfaces of the front and
back panels form an interior surface of the outer shell.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/289,246, filed Dec. 22, 2009, the entire
specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to gloves. More
particularly, the invention relates to protective gloves used in
industries where workers encounter extremely high or extremely low
temperature substances or potentially come into contact with any
number of a variety of caustic substances. Specifically, the
invention relates to a glove having a first coating on its exterior
surface that penetrates and seals the seams and a second coating
that overlays the first coating, and to a method of manufacturing
gloves incorporating these elements.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] In many industries, workers may have to handle articles that
potentially can injure them. In the food services industry, for
example, workers are frequently exposed to heated surfaces and hot
liquids and gases that may cause severe burns. It has therefore
become commonplace for workers in such environments to wear
protective clothing, including temperature and fluid resistant
gloves. The gloves in question need to prevent radiant heat from
reaching the skin and they need to be fluid impermeable to prevent
liquids and gases from penetrating into the interior of the glove,
causing a contact-type injury. Similar requirements are necessary
in industries where the workers are exposed to extremely cold
substances, such as liquid nitrogen, or to caustic substances such
as acids and bases that can severely damage flesh if they come into
contact with the skin.
[0006] While gloves currently known in these industries function
quite well, one of the problem areas that persists is the tendency
for liquids and gases to be able to penetrate the seams of the
gloves. Since most gloves are stitched together, the fabric at the
seams is effectively secured together only by small lengths of
thread that are separated from each other by small gaps. Liquids
and gases tend to penetrate into the interior of the glove through
these small gaps and thereby cause injury to the wearer.
[0007] There is therefore a need in the art for an improved
protective glove that is temperature resistant and/or fluid
impermeable, especially in the region of the seams, and to an
improved method of manufacturing this type of glove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The device of the present invention comprises a temperature
resistant and fluid impermeable protective glove having front and
back panels joined together by at least one seam. During
manufacture, the glove is dipped into a first thin liquid to coat
the exterior surface of the glove. The first liquid penetrates
through gaps in the seam and seals those gaps as it solidifies. The
first liquid coated glove is then dipped into a second thicker
liquid to coat the entire exterior surface including the sealed
seam. A third coating may be applied to the interior surface of the
glove prior to joining the front and back panels together.
Preferably, the third coating is a blade-coating that improves the
gloves cut and penetration strength. The glove may also include an
interior liner and an exterior protective member for added comfort
and protection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown
in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and
set forth in the appended claims.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a glove in accordance
with the present invention being used to protect a worker's hand
from a hot or caustic liquid;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the glove of the
present invention showing the exterior surface thereof;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevational view of the glove of
FIG. 2 being lowered over an expandable glove former;
[0013] FIG. 3a is an exploded front elevational view of the glove
of FIG. 2 being lowered over the expandable former;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the glove on the glove former,
illustrating the former being expanded to open up the glove's seams
to obtain access to the gaps between the threads of the
stitching;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the glove and
former being dipped into a tank of a first liquid to coat the
exterior of the glove and showing some of that first liquid flowing
into the expanded seam;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of the glove through
line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the highlighted region of FIG.
6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the highlighted region of FIG.
6 shown with the former returned to its non-expanded condition and
illustrating how the first fluid has sealed the seam in the glove
by filling the gaps between the threads;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the glove on the former
when in a non-expanded state, with the glove being dipped a second
time to apply a coat of a second liquid over the solidified first
layer of the first liquid;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view of the glove of FIG. 9
removed from the former and showing the solidified first and second
layers;
[0021] FIG. 11 is an enlarged top view of the highlighted region of
FIG. 10; showing the second layer of the second liquid coated over
the solidified first layer and forming the exterior surface of the
glove;
[0022] FIG. 11a is an enlarged top view of the highlighted region
of FIG. 10 showing an alternative embodiment of the invention in
which a blade-coating is additionally applied to the interior
surface of an outer shell of the glove; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is an exploded front view of the glove of the
present invention along with a cotton liner that is received in the
interior of the glove and which directly contacts the worker's
hand, together with a Kevlar.RTM. mitt that is slipped over the
exterior surface of the top portion of the glove of the present
invention to give added temporary protection to a workman's
hand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, there is shown a protective glove
in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at
10. FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 show various details of the structure of
glove 10. FIGS. 3-11a illustrate how glove 10 is manufactured and
how the process constructs the structure of glove 10. FIG. 11a
illustrates an alternative structure for the glove in accordance
with the present invention.
[0025] Glove 10 as illustrated herein is of a mitt style and
includes a thumb region 14 and a single finger region 16 that would
cover and protect all four of the wearer's fingers together. It
will be understood that if it is desirable to protect the wearer's
fingers in a different manner, that glove could alternatively
include a thumb region and two, three or four finger regions. These
alternative versions of the glove are not illustrated herein but
are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0026] As indicated previously, glove 10 is designed for
applications where protection is needed from one or more of hot,
cold or caustic substances that are able to penetrate into the
interior of the glove through the seams. It should be understood
that the term "temperature resistant" used herein means resistance
to both heat and cold, and the term "fluid impermeable" means
impermeability or resistance to both liquids and gases. It will
further be understood that glove 10 will also protect the wearer's
hand from exposure to hot, cold and caustic solid materials but
solid materials are less likely to be of such a nature that they
are able to penetrate into the interior cavity of the glove through
the seams. However, the glove of the present invention will also
substantially prevent particulate-type solid materials that are
extremely hot, extremely cold or extremely caustic from penetrating
into the interior cavity through the glove's seams. Consequently,
the term "fluid" should also be considered, for the purposes of
this description, to refer to particulate-type solid materials and
"fluid impermeability" to refer to impermeability of the seams with
reference to particulate-type solid materials.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows glove 10 in use protecting a person's hand
against injury during exposure to a hot liquid 12. Glove 10 is
designed to extend for a distance beyond the wrist of the wearer
and to terminate approximately midway between the wrist and elbow.
Alternately, the glove may extend entirely up the length of the
user's arm.
[0028] Glove 10 is manufactured by cutting two substantially
identical pieces of fabric and then stitching those pieces together
to form an outer shell 18. Outer shell 18 has a front 20 and a back
22 that are joined together by sewing along a seam 24 to form a
plurality of stitches that hold the two pieces of fabric together.
Front 20 is designed to abut the palm of the wearer and back 22 is
designed to abut the back of the wearer's hand. Front 20 and back
22 bound an interior cavity 26 (FIG. 6), configured to receive the
hand and a portion of the wearer's wrist and arm therein. Cavity 26
is accessed through an opening (not shown) at a lowermost end 20a,
22a (FIG. 3) of front 20 and back 22.
[0029] In accordance with the present invention, the base fabric
used to manufacture outer shell 18 preferably is a poly/cotton, a
cotton jersey or a cotton interlock fabric that is not
blade-coated. Blade-coating is accomplished by applying a silicon
or nitrile coating onto one face of front 20 and back 22 either
before or after cutting them out and prior to sewing.
Alternatively, the fabric used for front 20 and back 22 is one of a
poly/cotton, a meta-aramid and a poly-aramid fabric that is
blade-coated. When front 20 and back 22 are cut out and sewn
together, the blade-coated face of the two pieces of fabric is
disposed on the interior of the glove and therefore bounds cavity
26.
[0030] In accordance with methodology of the present invention,
once front 20 and back 22 of outer shell 18 have been sewn
together, outer shell 10 is slipped over an expandable former 28
(FIGS. 3 and 3a). Former 28 comprises a first member 28a and a
second member 28b that are movable horizontally toward and away
from each other. Former 28 is therefore able to be moved between a
non-expanded condition (FIG. 3) and an expanded condition (FIG. 4).
When in the non-expanded condition, first and second members 28a,
28b abut each other along a midline 29. When in the expanded
condition, first and second members 28a, 28b are separated from
each other by a small vertical space 31. The former illustrated in
FIGS. 3-4 is a former for a mitt and therefore includes a thumb
region 33 and a single finger region 35. It will be understood,
however, that if the glove to be manufactured is to have a thumb
region and four finger regions, that the former used in that
instance would likewise include a thumb region and four finger
regions.
[0031] When outer shell 18 is properly positioned on former 28, the
former 28 is moved from its non-expanded condition (FIG. 3) to its
expanded condition (FIG. 4). This movement causes front 20 of glove
10 to move slightly away from back 22 of glove 10 thereby causing
seam 24 to slightly open up along substantially the entire length
thereof. Seam 24 is expanded to a degree sufficient to make the
individual strands 30 of the thread used to sew front 20 and back
22 together more evident (FIGS. 4 & 6). The strands 30 of
thread extend between front 20 and back 22 and retain the two
together. Seam 24 also includes a plurality of gaps 32, where each
gap 32 is disposed between two adjacent strands 30. Gaps 32 permit
fluid communication through seam 24 between interior cavity 26 and
the air surrounding the exterior surface 18a of outer shell 18. In
other words, gaps 32 permit some flow of liquids and gases through
the seam 24 between interior cavity 26 and the air surrounding
exterior surface 18a of outer shell 18. When former 28 is expanded,
strands 30 become more visible and the gaps 32 are widened to a
greater degree than when outer shell 18 was in the non-expanded
condition.
[0032] In accordance with yet another feature of the present
invention, once seam 24 is expanded (FIG. 6), a first coating 34 of
a suitable liquid is applied to the exterior surface 18a of outer
shell 18. This step may require moving former 28 from a first
location to a second location in some manner. Thus, in a first
instance shown in FIG. 5, former 28 with the expanded outer shell
18 disposed thereon is dipped into a vat 36 holding a quantity of a
first liquid 38. This dipping procedure is the preferred manner of
applying first liquid 38. First liquid 38 preferably will make
outer shell 18 one or both of temperature resistant and fluid
impermeable. A suitable first liquid 38 for this purpose would be
nitrile or neoprene. First liquid 38 preferably is in the form of a
low viscosity fluid, meaning that it is more thin and runny and
less sticky. In order to attain the correct viscosity for the first
liquid 38, the liquid may need to be heated.
[0033] When outer shell 18 is dipped into first liquid 38, the
liquid 38 covers exterior surface 18a and effective obstructs gaps
32 thereby cutting off fluid communication between interior cavity
26 and the air surrounding exterior surface 18a of outer shell 18.
More particularly, first liquid 38 penetrates into seam 24, flowing
into and through gaps 32 between adjacent strands 30 of threads.
First liquid 38 also flows around and coats strands 30 and may
penetrate slightly into the same. First liquid 38 preferably also
flows through seam 24 and flows for a short distance along the
interior surfaces of front 20 and back 22 (FIG. 7) that define and
bound cavity 26. After being immersed for a length of time
sufficient to allow first fluid 38 to flow into and through gaps
32, outer shell is removed from being further exposed to first
liquid 38. The length of time involved will vary with the viscosity
of first fluid 38 from just a few seconds to several minutes. While
outer shell 18 is being removed from first liquid 38, former 28 is
moved from its expanded condition back to its non-expanded
condition. At the same time, the previously heated first liquid 38
begins to cool and solidify and seam 24 begins to close back to its
original non-expanded condition. Thus, strands 30 move closer
together and gaps 32 close but, as this occurs, a quantity of the
cooling first liquid 38 becomes entrapped in the gaps 32 between
adjacent strands 30 (FIG. 8) and thereby fills and seals the same.
Thus, fluid communication through the seam 24 between interior
cavity 26 and the air surrounding the exterior of outer shell 18 is
effectively cut off. Sufficient time is allowed to pass after
removing outer shell 18 from first liquid 38 to permit the quantity
of first liquid 38 on exterior surface 18a to cool and solidify to
form a first coating 34. Since the entire outer shell 18 preferably
is dipped into first liquid, first coating 34 covers the entire
exterior surface 18a. It will be understood, however, that if only
a portion of outer shell 18 was dipped into first liquid 38, then
first coating 34 will only form on the area of outer shell 18 that
was dipped. First coating 34 effectively seals off both the
interior and exterior regions of seam 24 because both of the
interior and exterior regions thereof have had a quantity of first
liquid 38 applied thereto. This sealing of seam 24 ensures that
liquids cannot flow through gaps 30 in seam 24 and into interior
cavity 26 of glove 10. Substantially the entire length of seam 24
is sealed by first coating 34, thus rendering outer shell 18 liquid
impermeable. This first coating 34 therefore substantially prevents
liquid from being able to penetrate into the interior cavity 26 of
glove 10 by way of entering through seam 24 and thereby
substantially reduces the likelihood of the worker being burned or
injured by hot, cold or caustic substances.
[0034] It will be understood that instead of dipping outer shell
18, alternatively, former 28 with the expanded outer shell thereon,
may be moved through a zone in a piece of equipment (not shown)
where a quantity of first liquid 38 is sprayed over exterior
surface 18a of outer shell 18. Any other procedures for applying a
quantity of the first liquid to the exterior surface 18a of outer
shell 18 are also considered to fall within the spirit and scope of
this invention. Dipping is, however, preferred as it ensures that
substantially the entire seam 24 will be exposed to first liquid
38.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, and in accordance with yet another
feature of the present invention, once seam 24 is sealed with first
liquid 38, a second coating 40 is applied to the exterior surface
34a of the first coating 34 on outer shell. A suitable substance
for use as second coating 40 is nitrile, neoprene or any other
substance that improves the temperature resistance and/or liquid
impermeability qualities of the glove. A second coating 40 may also
be provided to give the glove better abrasion and/or gripping
qualities and materials that provide these features can be used to
form second coating 40.
[0036] At this point, the first-liquid coated outer shell 18 is
still engaged on former 28 and the former is in the non-expanded
condition. Keeping former 28 in this non-expanded condition, the
former is moved to permit a second coating 40 to be applied to the
first-liquid coated outer shell 18. Preferably, second coating 40
is applied by dipping the first-liquid-coated outer shell 18 and
former 28 into a vat 42 of a suitable second liquid 44. Any other
suitable method of applying the second coating, such as spraying,
may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Preferably, second liquid 44 is of a higher
viscosity than is first liquid 38, meaning that second liquid 44
preferably is more tacky and thicker than first liquid 38. In order
to attain the correct viscosity for the second liquid 44, the
liquid may need to be heated or cooled to a certain degree. When
the first-liquid-coated outer shell 18/34 is dipped into second
liquid 44, it coats and sticks to exterior surface 34a of first
coating 34 and completely covers the area of the glove that is
dipped therein. The twice coated outer shell 18 on former 28 is
then removed from vat 42 and, once again, sufficient time is
allowed to permit second liquid 44 to cool, solidify or set so as
to form the second coating 40 over the exterior surface 34a of
first coating 34. Once both of the first and second coatings 34, 40
have been applied and set, the manufacture of glove 10 is completed
and glove 10 is removed from former 28 by sliding it off the
same.
[0037] FIG. 11a is an enlarged top view of the highlighted portion
of FIG. 10 showing an alternative embodiment of the invention. FIG.
11a shows that a blade-coating 46 has been applied to the fabric
used to construct the front 20 and back 22 of outer shell 18 before
the front and back are sewn together. Blade-coating 46 preferably
comprises a silicon or nitrile coating, or any other substance that
improves the temperature resistance, fluid impermeability or the
resistance of the glove to penetration or cuts from sharp objects.
This blade-coating layer also tends to enable the glove to be used
for applications involving higher temperatures than a glove that
includes only the first and second coatings 34, 40.
[0038] FIG. 12 shows the glove 10 being used as part of a
protection assembly for a worker. The assembly includes a fabric
liner 50, the glove 10 described above, and a separate protective
member 56. Fabric liner 50 preferably is made from a soft material
that is feels good to the touch, such as cotton. The cotton liner
50, is inserted into the cavity 26 of glove 10 such that an
exterior surface of the liner abuts the interior surface of glove
10. Complementary hook and loop fasteners are applied to liner 50
and glove 10. FIG. 12 shows a strip of hook and loop fastener 52
applied to the end portion of liner 50 and a complementary strip of
hook and loop fastener 54 applied to an end portion of the interior
surface of glove 10. The hook and loop fastener holds liner 50 and
glove 10 together, but allows them to be separated for cleaning or
replacement purposes. It will be understood that the exact
configurations and locations of the hook and loop fasteners 52, 54
is immaterial and they may be applied in several different
locations on glove 10 and liner 50.
[0039] Protective member 56 is in the form of a mitt that is
slidable over the exterior surface 40a of the first and second
liquid coated glove 10. Preferably, this mitt 56 is manufactured
from a material such as KEVLAR.RTM. and provides extra strength and
heat resistance to glove 10 for temporary applications where such
qualities are required. Specifically, the protective member 56 is
manufactured from a material that is one or more of temperature
resistant, fluid impermeable, provides improved cut strength (i.e.,
resistance to cuts) and penetration strength (i.e., resistance to
penetration by sharp objects).
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 12, protective member 56 has a length
from a top end 56a of a finger region to a bottom end 56b adjacent
an opening to the interior cavity thereof; and glove 10 has a
length from a top end 10a of a finger region to a bottom end 10b
adjacent the opening into the interior cavity of the glove, and
wherein the length of the protective member 56 is substantially
smaller than the length of the glove 10.
[0041] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0042] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact
details shown or described.
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