U.S. patent application number 14/094410 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for expandable glove with lateral closure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alfredo Mauricio FRAGA-ROSENFELD. Invention is credited to Alfredo Mauricio FRAGA-ROSENFELD.
Application Number | 20150150322 14/094410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53263994 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150322 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FRAGA-ROSENFELD; Alfredo
Mauricio |
June 4, 2015 |
EXPANDABLE GLOVE WITH LATERAL CLOSURE
Abstract
An expandable glove includes a hand portion having a first
cavity and a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity, a sleeve
portion including a cuff having an opening therein for access to
the hand portion, and a lateral closure extending from the hand
portion to the sleeve portion. The lateral closure is configured to
repeatedly and reversibly move from a closed position in which the
opening of the cuff has a first perimeter, to an open position in
which the opening of the cuff has a second perimeter larger than
the first perimeter. The glove is formed of vinyl.
Inventors: |
FRAGA-ROSENFELD; Alfredo
Mauricio; (Arlington, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FRAGA-ROSENFELD; Alfredo Mauricio |
Arlington |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53263994 |
Appl. No.: |
14/094410 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61744638 |
Oct 1, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
134/22.1 ;
2/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/0082 20130101;
A41D 2400/44 20130101; A41F 1/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015 |
Claims
1. An expandable glove comprising: a hand portion including a first
cavity and a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity; a sleeve
portion including a cuff having an opening therein for access to
the hand portion; and a lateral closure extending from the hand
portion to the sleeve portion, the lateral closure configured to
repeatedly and reversibly move from a closed position in which the
opening of the cuff has a first perimeter, to an open position in
which the opening of the cuff has a second perimeter larger than
the first perimeter, wherein the glove is formed of vinyl.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the lateral closure extends from
an area located between the first cavity and the second cavity in
the hand portion to an area in the sleeve portion.
3. The glove of claim 1, wherein the lateral closure extends along
a top surface of the glove.
4. The glove of claim 1, wherein the lateral closure comprises a
zipper.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the lateral closure is selected
from the group consisting of a ziplock, a snap, and Velcro.
6. The glove of claim 1, further comprising an opening and closing
device having a base portion configured to assist in moving the
lateral closure between the closed position and the open position,
the opening and closing device comprising a base portion configured
to couple the opening and closing device to the lateral closure and
a puller portion configured to be gripped and pulled to move the
lateral closure between the closed position and the open
position.
7. The glove of claim 6, wherein the opening and closing device is
made from a high density polyethylene material.
8. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a gusset configured to
be affixed substantially adjacent to a first edge of the lateral
closure and a second edge of the lateral closure, wherein the
gusset is configured to allow the opening of the cuff to expand to
a size having the second perimeter when the lateral closure is in
the open position.
9. The glove of claim 8, wherein the gusset is configured to be
hidden from view when the lateral closure is in the closed
position.
10. The glove of claim 8, wherein the gusset is made of vinyl.
11. The glove of claim 1, further comprising an interior lining
made of an absorbent material.
12. The glove of claim 1, further comprising an interior lining
including an antimicrobial material configured to prevent formation
of mold and/or mildew within an interior of the glove.
13. The glove of claim 1, further comprising an interior lining
made of a heavy weighted cotton, antimicrobial material.
14. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove is configured to be
reused.
15. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove is configured to be
repeatedly and reversibly inverted to an inside-out position to
clean an interior of the glove.
16. The glove of claim 1, wherein the first perimeter is
approximately ten inches and the second perimeter is approximately
thirteen inches.
17. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a decorative design
provided on at least one of the hand portion and the sleeve portion
that is configured to be visible to a user.
18. A method of cleaning an expandable glove comprising a hand
portion including a first cavity and a second cavity adjacent to
the first cavity, a sleeve portion including a cuff having an
opening therein for access to the hand portion, and a lateral
closure extending from the hand portion to the sleeve portion, the
lateral closure configured to repeatedly and reversibly move from a
closed position in which the opening of the cuff has a first
perimeter, to an open position in which the opening of the cuff has
a second perimeter larger than the first perimeter, the method
comprising: inverting the glove to an inside-out position; placing
the glove into a dishwashing machine; and running the dishwashing
machine for a cleaning cycle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/744,638, filed
on Oct. 1, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety into the present disclosure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a glove having
a lateral closure to expand a size of a cuff of the glove.
[0003] Users often wear household gloves to protect their hands
from chemicals present in cleaning products or gardening products
or from the heat of hot water. Household gloves may be disposable
or reusable. Reusable household gloves are often thicker than
disposable gloves. Once an interior of a pair of reusable household
gloves gets wet due to water from the task being performed (e.g.,
dishwashing, cleaning or gardening) or from the user's sweat due to
the thickness of the gloves, the gloves may develop an unpleasant
smell that is difficult to remove. In addition, once the reusable
household gloves are wet, they are difficult to take off and put on
again until they are dry.
[0004] A need exists for improved technology, including technology
that may address one or more of the above described
disadvantages.
SUMMARY
[0005] One embodiment relates to an expandable glove including a
hand portion having a first cavity and a second cavity adjacent to
the first cavity, a sleeve portion including a cuff having an
opening therein for access to the hand portion, and a lateral
closure extending from the hand portion to the sleeve portion. The
lateral closure is configured to repeatedly and reversibly move
from a closed position in which the opening of the cuff has a first
perimeter, to an open position in which the opening of the cuff has
a second perimeter larger than the first perimeter. The glove is
formed of vinyl.
[0006] Another embodiment relates to a method of cleaning an
expandable glove comprising a hand portion including a first cavity
and a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity, a sleeve portion
including a cuff having an opening therein for access to the hand
portion, and a lateral closure extending from the hand portion to
the sleeve portion, the lateral closure configured to repeatedly
and reversibly move from a closed position in which the opening of
the cuff has a first perimeter, to an open position in which the
opening of the cuff has a second perimeter larger than the first
perimeter. The method includes inverting the glove to an inside-out
position, placing the glove into a dishwashing machine and running
the dishwashing machine for a cleaning cycle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following
description and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the
drawings, which are briefly described below.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
expandable glove with a lateral closure in a closed position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the expandable glove of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the expandable glove of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the expandable glove of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the expandable glove of FIG.
1 with the lateral closure in an open position.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of the expandable glove of FIG. 1
with an opening and closing device for the lateral closure.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the opening and closing
device of FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
expandable glove with a lateral closure in a closed position.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a front view of the expandable glove of FIG.
8.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a top view of the expandable glove of FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the expandable glove of
FIG. 8 with the lateral closure in an open position.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a top view of an embodiment of an expandable
glove with a decorative appearance or design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Presently preferred embodiments are illustrated in the
drawings. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference
numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-6 and 8-11, a preferred embodiment of a
glove 100 includes a hand portion 110, a sleeve portion 120, and a
lateral closure 130 extending from the hand portion 110 to the
sleeve portion 120.
[0022] The hand portion 110 and the sleeve portion 120 preferably
are integrally formed. In other words, the hand portion 110 and the
sleeve portion 120 preferably are made of the same material that is
continuous from the hand portion 110 through the sleeve portion
120. For example, the glove 100 is preferably made of a reusable,
washable, and waterproof material. In a preferred embodiment, the
glove 100 is made of a vinyl material, for example, latex free
vinyl. Vinyl gloves offer an alternative to users who are sensitive
to latex and/or dislike the smell of rubber gloves. In other
embodiments, the glove 100 may be made of other suitable materials
such as nitrile, latex or another rubber or resin provided that the
material may be washed, for example, in a dishwashing machine or
laundry machine, and will not break, deform or otherwise
deteriorate when exposed to household cleaning products (e.g.,
dishwashing soap, bleach, or ammonia) or gardening products (e.g.,
fertilizer, dirt, or pesticide). The waterproof material may be
natural or synthetic (i.e., man-made). In yet other embodiments,
the hand portion 110 and the sleeve portion 120 may not be
integrally formed. For example, the hand portion 110 may be formed
of a first material and the sleeve portion 120 may be formed of a
second material, and the first and second materials of the hand
portion 110 and the sleeve portion 120 may be joined by a
waterproof joining portion. In such embodiments, the first and
second materials of the hand portion 110 and the sleeve portion 120
may be the same material or may be different materials.
[0023] Although only a single glove 100 is described hereafter, one
of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a pair of gloves
100 may be utilized by the user (one glove for each of the user's
hands) and that each glove 100 in the pair is configured to be a
mirror image of the other glove 100 in the pair.
[0024] The hand portion 110 preferably is configured to cover a
hand of a user by being configured to extend approximately from
tips of the user's fingers to the user's wrist. The hand portion
110 includes a first cavity 111A configured to receive the user's
thumb and at least one other cavity 111B disposed adjacent to the
first cavity 111A and configured to receive at least one of the
user's fingers, other than the user's thumb. In one embodiment, the
glove 100 includes the first cavity 111A configured to receive the
user's thumb and a plurality of other cavities 111B-111E, each
configured to receive one of the user's fingers. For example, the
cavity 111B may be configured to receive the user's index finger,
the cavity 111C may be configured to receive the user's middle
finger, the cavity 111D may be configured to receive the user's
ring finger and the cavity 111E may be configured to receive the
user's pinky finger. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the
glove 100 comprises a mitten in which the first cavity 111A is
configured to receive the user's thumb and a single, other cavity
111B is configured to receive the rest of the user's fingers (i.e.,
the user's index finger, middle finger, ring finger and pinky
finger).
[0025] The sleeve portion 120 preferably is configured to cover at
least a portion of a forearm of the user by being configured to
extend approximately from the user's wrist to a point below the
user's shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve portion 120
is configured to extend from the user's wrist to a point on the
user's forearm between the user's wrist and the user's elbow. In
other embodiments, the sleeve portion 120 may be configured to
extend from the user's wrist to the user's elbow. In additional
embodiments, the sleeve portion 120 may be configured to extend
from the user's wrist to a point on the user's arm between the
user's elbow and the user's shoulder. The sleeve portion 120
includes a cuff 121 disposed at an end of the sleeve portion 120
furthest away from the hand portion 110. The cuff 121 may define,
at least in part, an opening 122 through which the user's hand is
inserted into the glove 100.
[0026] The glove 100 further includes the lateral closure 130. In
preferred embodiments (see FIGS. 1-6), the lateral closure 130
extends along a top surface of the glove 100 in a substantially
straight line from an area of the hand portion 110 located between
the first cavity 111A and the cavity 111B (i.e., an area located
between the user's thumb and index finger) to the cuff 121 of the
sleeve portion 120. In this embodiment, the lateral closure 130 is
configured to extend substantially along the radius bone of the
user's forearm. The preferred location of the lateral closure 130
is considered to be the most ergonomic location for the lateral
closure 130 in that it provides optimum comfort and avoids any
stress or injury associated with the user opening and closing the
lateral closure 130 with the user's other hand, which may be
disposed in a second glove 100.
[0027] In other embodiments (see FIGS. 8-11), the lateral closure
130 extends on the top surface of the glove 100 in a substantially
straight line from an area of the hand portion 110 proximate to the
cavity 111C (i.e., an area beneath the user's middle finger) to the
cuff 121 of the sleeve portion 120. In such an embodiment, the
lateral closure 130 is configured to extend substantially between
the radius and ulna bones of the user's forearm. In other
embodiments (not illustrated) the lateral closure 130 may be
provided at other locations, for example, on a bottom surface of
the glove 100, a side surface of the glove 100, or a portion of the
top surface of the glove 100 different from the locations
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 8-11. For example, the lateral closure
130 may extend on the top surface of the glove 100 in a
substantially straight line from an area of the hand portion 110
proximate to the cavity 111E (i.e., an area beneath the user's
pinky finger) to the cuff 121 of the sleeve portion 120.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the lateral closure 130 comprises
a zipper. In other embodiments, the lateral closure 130 may be any
other suitable closure, including, but not limited to a ziplock, a
snap, or Velcro lateral closure 130. The lateral closure 130 is
configured to repeatedly and reversibly move between a closed
position and an open position to allow a size of the opening 122 of
the glove 100. To facilitate this movement, the lateral closure 130
may include an opening and closing device 131 (see FIGS. 6 and 7)
configured to assist the user in moving the lateral closure 130
between the closed position (FIGS. 1-4 and 6) and the open position
(FIG. 5).
[0029] The opening and closing device 131 may include a base
portion 132 configured to couple the opening and closing device 131
to the lateral closure 130 and a puller portion 133 configured to
be gripped between the user's fingers (e.g., the user's thumb and
index finger) and pulled to move the lateral closure 130 between
the closed and open positions. The base portion 132 and the puller
portion 133 may be integrally or separately formed. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the puller portion 133 is
a ring-like or substantially circular body. However, in other
embodiments, any other shape may be used. The opening and closing
device 131 is formed from an easy-to-grip material, for example, a
plastic or a rubber. In one embodiment, the opening and closing
device 131 is made of high density polyethylene that has been
injection molded into the desired shape.
[0030] When the lateral closure 130 is in the closed position (see
FIGS. 1-4, 6, and 8-10), the cuff 121 of the glove 100 is in a
non-expanded state. For example, in the non-expanded state, the
opening 122 may have a circumference or perimeter of 10 inches.
When the lateral closure 130 is moved to the open position (see
FIGS. 5 and 11), the cuff 121 of the glove 100 is in an expanded
state. For example, in the expanded state, the opening 122 may have
an increased circumference or perimeter of 13 inches. As seen in
FIGS. 5 and 11, when the lateral closure 130 is in the open
position, a gusset 140 may extend from a first edge 130A of the
lateral closure 130 to a second edge 130B of the lateral closure
130. The gusset 140 may be affixed substantially adjacent to the
first edge 130A and the second edge 130B by any suitable method,
for example, gluing or sewing. In some embodiments, the gusset 140
is made of the same reusable, washable, and waterproof material as
the glove 100. In other embodiments, the gusset 140 is made of a
different material from which the glove 100 is made. In a preferred
embodiment, the gusset 140 is made of vinyl. In other embodiments,
the gusset 140 may be made of nitrile, latex, a rubber, or a resin
material, provided that the material is waterproof, may be washed,
for example, in a dishwashing machine or laundry machine, and will
not break, deform or otherwise deteriorate when exposed to
household cleaning products (e.g., dishwashing soap, bleach, or
ammonia) or gardening products (e.g., fertilizer, dirt, or
pesticide). The gusset 140 is configured to allow the cuff 121 to
repeatedly and reversibly move between the non-expanded state in
which the gusset 140 is not visible to the user (i.e., is hidden
from view) when the lateral closure is in the closed position, and
the expanded state in which the gusset 140 creates an extension
between the first and second edges 130A and 130B of the lateral
closure 130 when the lateral closure is in the open position. The
gusset 140 may be, for example, triangular or rhomboid.
[0031] In some embodiments, an interior of the glove 100 may be
lined with a material configured to improve the user's comfort
and/or to prevent the formation of mold or mildew within the glove
100. In some embodiments, the interior of the glove 100 may be
lined with an absorbent material such as cotton. In other
embodiments, the interior of the glove 100 may be lined with an
antimicrobial material. In some embodiments, the glove 100 may be
lined with an absorbent and antimicrobial material such a heavy
weighted cotton, antimicrobial vinyl. Such a lining may help reduce
the presence of mold or mildew within the glove, and may be
absorbent to minimize the user's feelings of a sweaty or damp
interior. In other embodiments, only a portion of the interior of
the glove 100 may be lined with one or more of the above materials.
For example, the hand portion 110 may be lined while the sleeve
portion 120 has no lining, or vice versa. In yet other embodiments,
the interior of the glove 100 may have no lining.
[0032] According to the embodiments described above, an expandable
glove is provided with a lateral closure configured to move
repeatedly and reversibly between a closed position and an open
position to allow a cuff of the glove to expand in size. By
expanding the size of the cuff of the glove, the lateral closure
allows the user to easily put on or take off the glove, even if the
glove has already been used. The expandable glove is formed of a
reusable, waterproof, and washable material. Thus, the user may
remove a used glove and place it in a dishwashing machine or
laundry machine to remove any smells, dirt, residue or other items
from the interior and/or the exterior of the glove. For example,
the expandable glove may be repeatedly and reversibly inverted to
an inside-out position and washed with the lateral closure in an
open position (i.e., in an expanded state) in order to remove any
unpleasant smells from an interior of the glove, especially a glove
that has become wet during use. Thus, the expandable glove is easy
to use, ergonomic and easily cleaned for reuse.
[0033] According to other embodiments, the glove 100 may have a
decorative appearance or design that is visible to the user in the
use configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a design 150
can be provided on the glove 100 that provides it with an
aesthetically pleasing and distinctive appearance. The design can
be provided on the hand portion 110, on the sleeve portion 120, or
on both. The design 150 can be provided on the glove 100 by a
variety of known techniques, such as designs formed in the material
of the glove 100 during the manufacture of that material, ink
printing on the material, overlays on the material, etc. While a
counterpart glove is not illustrated (e.g., the right-hand glove),
the counterpart glove may have a mirror image of the design 150
provided on the glove 100 or a different design. By providing such
design(s) 150 on the glove 100, the glove 100 becomes more
aesthetically pleasing and may be displayed by the user as
aesthetic aspects of their living environment.
[0034] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about,"
"substantially", and similar terms are intended to have a broad
meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of
ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this
disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in
the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to
allow a description of certain features described and claimed
without restricting the scope of these features to the precise
numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be
interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential
modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and
claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as
recited in the appended claims.
[0035] It should be noted that the term "for example" as used
herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that
such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or
illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not
intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily
extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0036] The terms "couple," "connect," and the like as used herein
mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one
another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or
moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be
achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional
intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two members or the two members
and any additional intermediate members being attached to one
another.
[0037] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "top,"
"bottom," "above," "below," etc.) are merely used to describe the
orientation of various elements in the FIGS. It should be noted
that the orientation of various elements may differ according to
other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended
to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
[0038] It is important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the gloves as shown in the various exemplary
embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments
have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in
the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,
dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various
elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of
materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing
from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter
described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed
may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of
elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or
number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied
or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be
made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the
various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *