U.S. patent application number 16/124018 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for embossed gloves with gripping features.
The applicant listed for this patent is HANDGARDS, INC.. Invention is credited to Danny Aguilar, Tony Williams.
Application Number | 20190069618 16/124018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65517083 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190069618 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Tony ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
EMBOSSED GLOVES WITH GRIPPING FEATURES
Abstract
A disposable glove having grip enhancing features is described.
It includes an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a grip
enhancing section having a grip enhancing pattern defined thereon.
The grip enhancing pattern is formed from a diamond pattern
embossed on said exterior surface of the glove. The diamond pattern
comprises individual diamonds that are in close proximity to one
another. The grip enhancing section comprises the exterior surface
of said glove.
Inventors: |
Williams; Tony; (El Paso,
TX) ; Aguilar; Danny; (El Paso, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HANDGARDS, INC. |
El Paso |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65517083 |
Appl. No.: |
16/124018 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62554976 |
Sep 6, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/0082 20130101;
A41D 19/0068 20130101; A41D 2400/80 20130101; A41D 2500/52
20130101; A41D 2400/52 20130101; A41D 19/01547 20130101; A41D
19/0072 20130101; A41D 19/01558 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015; A41D 19/00 20060101 A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A disposable glove having grip enhancing features comprising: an
interior surface; an exterior surface; and a grip enhancing section
having a grip enhancing pattern defined thereon; wherein said grip
enhancing pattern comprises diamond pattern embossed on said
exterior surface of the glove, wherein said diamond pattern
comprises individual diamonds that are in close proximity to one
another; wherein said grip enhancing section comprises the exterior
surface of said glove; wherein said interior surface and exterior
surface comprise different sides of a single layer; wherein said
glove material includes grip enhancing additives.
2. The glove of claim 1 wherein said glove comprises a polyethylene
material.
3. The glove of claim 2 wherein said glove is free of latex and
vinyl.
4. The glove of claim 1 wherein said grip enhancing pattern results
in the exterior surface becoming temporarily adherent.
5. The glove of claim 1 wherein said grip enhancing pattern is
embossed on said exterior surface at time of extrusion of the glove
material.
6. The glove of claim 1 wherein said diamond pattern comprises
tightly coupled individual diamonds wherein each diamond of said
individual diamonds comprises a raised beveled edge and a
substantially flat interior area.
7. A method of producing a disposable glove having gripping
features comprising: extruding a sheet of glove material; embossing
the glove material with a grip enhancing pattern; folding the sheet
of embossed glove material over on itself; and welding into the
material multiple glove shapes.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said sheet of glove material
comprises low sensity polyethylene.
9. The method of claim 9 wherein said glove material excludes
vinyl.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said sheet of glove material
comprises a plastic material having a melting point from 104 to 115
degrees Celsius.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said sheet of glove material
includes one or more dyes.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein said sheet of glove material
includes a copolymer which increases the stickiness of the glove
material.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said co-polymer comprises
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS).
14. The method of claim 7 wherein said grip enhancing pattern
comprises a geometric shape.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said geometric shape comprises a
diamond pattern further comprising tightly coupled individual
diamonds wherein each diamond of said individual diamonds comprises
a raised beveled edge and a substantially flat interior area.
16. The method of claim 7 wherein said embossing step comprises
contacting the sheet of glove material with a roller having a
metallic outer surface having the pattern embossed thereon.
17. The method of claim 7 wherein said welding step comprises
cutting out of individual gloves and simultaneously sealing the
seams.
18. A method of producing a disposable glove having gripping
features consisting of: extruding a sheet of glove material;
embossing the glove material with a grip enhancing pattern; folding
the sheet of embossed glove material over on itself; and welding
into the material multiple glove shapes.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said sheet of glove material
includes a copolymer of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS)
wherein said copolymer increases the stickiness of the glove
material.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said embossing comprises a
single step process of contacting the glove material with a roller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/554,976, filed Sep. 6, 2017, presently
pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is directed to a method and system for
improving the gripping performance of disposable gloves.
2. Background of the Invention
[0003] Disposable gloves are frequently worn while performing tasks
that require gripping. For example, disposable food handling gloves
are frequently worn while handling slippery food preparation
equipment or utensils. Further, in a food-handling setting, such
gloves are worn when interacting with food containers, such as
smooth plastic or glass containers. Handling such objects is
further made difficult by the use of water--objects become much
harder to grip while wet.
[0004] Outside of the food handling setting, disposable gloves are
frequently worn in settings that require precise movements or tight
grip on an item without applying excess pressure. For example,
precise manufacturing tasks frequently require the donning of
gloves, and also requires the use of tools and workpieces with
smooth and therefore slippery profiles. Similarly, in a medical
setting, an end user donning protective gloves still requires the
ability to securely grip objects.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists in the art for a disposable glove
which includes gripping features. The glove should be inexpensive
to manufacture and use a single layer. The glove should include a
tactile feedback surface that also includes high-performance
gripping properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a
disposable glove that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior
art.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
disposable glove that enhances grip. A feature of the present
invention is that the main body of the glove incorporates gripping
structures. An advantage of the present invention is that the
wearer can grip objects while wearing the glove.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
glove that enhances a wearer's grip regardless of where the wearer
contacts the object. A feature of the present invention is that the
glove incorporates the gripping features throughout the body of the
glove. An advantage of the present invention is that the improved
gripping performance is not dependent on the user donning the glove
in a particular way or gripping the object in a specific area.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
gripping glove with integrated stickiness. A feature of the present
invention is that the gripping enhancing features cooperate with
the composition of the glove to produce more than one feature that
results in improved gripping performance. An advantage of the
present invention is that the gripping performance of the
disposable glove is enhanced both due to the composition of the
glove and the shape of the glove.
[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a disposable glove which is cost effective to manufacture. A
feature of the present invention is that the glove material can be
shaped into the required shape using high throughput equipment. An
advantage of the present invention is that the glove achieves
improved gripping performance despite being a single layer
glove.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a poly
disposable glove. A feature of the present invention is that the
glove film composition relies only upon polymeric materials. An
advantage of the present invention is that it removes the need for
latex or other additives to the material.
[0012] Another embodiment of the invention is to provide a glove
with improved gripping features having a single layer. A feature of
the present invention is that the glove employs only one layer. An
advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates a distinct
gripping layer.
[0013] Briefly, the present invention provides a system for
designing an environment, the system comprising an interior
surface; an exterior surface; a grip enhancing section having a
grip enhancing pattern defined thereon; wherein said grip enhancing
pattern comprises diamond pattern embossed on said exterior surface
of the glove, wherein said diamond pattern comprises individual
diamonds that are in close proximity to one another; and wherein
said grip enhancing section comprises the exterior surface of said
glove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention together with the above and other objects and
advantages will be best understood from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an overview one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the gripping physical features,
in accordance with the features of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the steps in the manufacture
of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a roller for embossing the
gripping physical features in the manufacture of one embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the surface of the
roller for embossing the gripping physical features in the
manufacture of one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings.
[0021] As used herein, an element step recited in the singular and
preceded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is
explicitly stated. Furthermore, the references to "one embodiment"
of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also
incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly
stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an
element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may
include additional such elements not having that property.
[0022] As described herein, one embodiment of the system comprises
a designer of interior habitable spaces. However, the same design
strategies can be used for any design task, including interior
spaces, exteriors of buildings, design of new consumer products,
the design of circuit elements, and other tasks.
Overview
[0023] An overview of a disposable glove pursuant to one embodiment
of the invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The glove 10 comprises a
main body 12 formed from a sheet 14 of a single layer poly
material, described in detail below.
[0024] The sheet 14 is cut in a conventional glove shape, having an
indentation 16 between the digit-shaped extensions 20 and the cuff
opening 18. The digit shaped extensions 20 are separated by a troth
22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the troth 22 is shown as
having a sharp angle. In another embodiment, the troth 22 is
rounded with more space between the digit-shaped extensions 20.
[0025] The glove 10 main body 12 includes an indentation 16 which
is shown as a curved section 16. The curved section 16 aids in the
donning of the glove 10. When an end user inserts their hand
through the cuff opening 18, the curved section rests against the
user's hand, keeping the glove 10 in place. In light of the curved
section 16, the glove cuff opening 18 can be made larger, to make
donning of the glove more efficient, while preventing the glove
from slipping off while it is worn.
[0026] The glove 10 is shaped from single layer material 14. The
single layer material is folded over, and a heated form in the
shape of the hand is placed over the material, resulting in a seam
24. However, at the cuff opening 18 of the glove 10, the form is
not heated, but rather comprises a sharp edge, resulting in an
unsealed cuff opening 18.
[0027] The single layer material 14 has a design 26 embossed
thereon. The design improves the gripping properties of the glove.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the design is embossed
throughout the main body 12 of the glove 10. By creating the glove
form a single embossed sheet 14, the manufacturing process is
simplified and is cost-effective.
[0028] While in FIG. 1, the depicted glove is oriented for use with
a left hand, the gloves are ambidextrous, in one embodiment and can
be donned on either hand. In one embodiment, the glove may be
donned on either hand by reorienting the glove.
[0029] The details of the gripping design 26 are shown in FIG. 2.
The design 26 comprises an array 30 of diamond shapes 32. FIG. 2
depicts two adjacent diamond shapes, but the gripping design 26
comprises an endless array of the individual diamond shapes 32, in
one embodiment.
[0030] Each diamond shape 32 comprises a raised edge 36 and a
central plateau 34. The central plateau 34 is substantially flat,
in the depicted embodiment. The raised edge 36 is considered raised
in that it extends above the exterior surface of the glove 10 shown
in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the raised edge comprises rounded
corners and is a small part of the overall design--generally only
about 10% of the total area of each diamond 32.
[0031] The diamonds 32 comprising the array 30 of diamond shapes
are closely packed. In one embodiment, the space between the
diamonds is less than 5% of the width of each diamond.
[0032] While the diamonds are shown as substantially square, other
shapes with a central plateau 34 are used in other embodiments, not
shown. These include rectangular shapes, circular, and other
shapes.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, each diamond 32 comprises a stand-alone
shape. The diamonds are not formed by crossing lines nor do the
diamonds share boundaries. This standalone shape allows each
diamond's central plateau 34 to bulge up and down, resulting in
improved gripping performance. When the glove main body comes in
contact with an object, the raised edges 36 will reversibly press
down, which causes the central plateau 34 to either bulge up or
down. The resulting trapped air assists in the gripping performance
of the glove, when repeated hundreds of individual times per each
glove. The wearer's grip is thus greatly enhanced even when
interacting with small or slippery objects.
Manufacturing Process
[0034] The manufacturing process 40 of a glove with a gripping
feature pursuant to one embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The process
begins by extruding 42 a sheet of the poly material. Several
formulations of the extruded material are described below.
Initially, the material has a substantially smooth surface.
[0035] The diamond gripping pattern is embossed on this surface 44.
In one embodiment, the embossing step 44 comprises contacting the
extruded surface with an embossing pattern, showing the diamond
shapes in FIG. 2.
[0036] In one embodiment, the embossing process 44 uses a single
roller to emboss the diamond pattern onto the film of the poly
material. FIG. 4 is an overall view of the roller 50. The roller 50
is installed in a frame 70. The frame includes elements, such as
protrusions that allow the roller 50 to rotate around an axis
.alpha..
[0037] In one embodiment, the frame 70 includes a motor to allow
the roller 50 to rotate around the axis .alpha., the motor being
attached externally to the frame 70 and in mechanical communication
with the roller 50. In another embodiment, the roller 50 includes a
heating element which raises the temperature of the surface 60 of
the roller 50. The higher temperature of the surface 60 allows for
faster transfer of the pattern on the surface 60 of the roller to
the film in contact with the surface 60. However, the temperature
increase generated by the heater must be limited to prevent the
film from deforming or melting. As such, the heater includes a
temperature probe and includes an indicator, such as a light in one
embodiment, which shows the end user when the roller surface 60 has
reached a suitable temperature.
[0038] The frame includes a number of vertical supports 72 that are
capable of supporting the weight of the roller along with any feed
stock.
[0039] The surface 60 of the roller 50 comprises a metallic
material, in one embodiment. In other embodiment, the surface 60
also includes a non-stick coating suitable to the film that
contacts the surface 60. The surface 60 is also selected so as to
be easy to clean when necessary. The cleaning step is important so
as to ensure that all structural details will be added to the film,
and that none of the subparts of the surface 60 are filled in by
left over material or other contaminant.
[0040] In one embodiment, the roller surface 60 includes an
indicator as to when a cleaning cycle should be performed. In one
such embodiment, the roller surface includes a color change area 74
that is sensitive to wear and a change of its appearance will
indicate that the surface 60 requires cleaning or other
reconditioning. In one embodiment, the reconditioning consists of
reapplying a non-stick coating material.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the surface 60 of the
roller 50. The roller 50 has a metal surface 60. The surface 60
comprises an array 68 of diamond shapes 62 corresponding to the
diamond shapes 32 (see FIG. 2) to be embossed onto the film. Each
diamond shape 62 comprises a raised edge 66 and a central plateau
64. The central plateau 64 corresponds to the central plateau 34 of
the diamond shape 32 to be formed on the film, and is substantially
flat in the depicted embodiment. Likewise, the raised edge 66
corresponds to the raised edge 36 of the diamond shape 32. The
embossing step 44 comprises pressing and rolling the surface 60 of
roller 50 against one side of the film so that the other side of
the film is embossed with the intended diamond shapes.
[0042] Alternatively, the surface of the roller may comprise an
array of reverse diamond shapes that are complementary to the
diamond shapes to be embossed on the film, so that it will emboss
the intended pattern on the side contacting the roller surface of
the film.
[0043] While the diamond shapes of the roller are shown as
substantially square, other shapes with a central plateau are used
in other embodiments, not shown, depending on the diamond shapes to
be embossed. These include rectangular shapes, circular, and other
shapes.
[0044] In another embodiment, the embossing process 44 uses two
rollers in series. The first roller embosses the honeycomb design.
This first roller features a metal surface and is chrome plated in
one embodiment. The second roller is a silicone roller. The film
which passes out of the embossing process 44 will have the grip
enhancing pattern embossed on its surface. The depth of the
embossing is determined by the distance between the first roller
and the second roller. The embossing will be deeper as the rollers
are moved closer together.
[0045] Once the gripping shapes have been embossed, the material is
folded over 46, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, two
individual layers are brought in proximity to one another. The
glove shapes are subsequently welded over the poly layers 48. In
one embodiment, the welding step 48 includes contacting the folded
over film with a high temperature cutout for the desired glove
sizes. In another embodiment, the welding step 48 comprises using a
welding technique such as radio frequency welding.
Example Formulations
[0046] Several different formulations of the film may be used.
[0047] In one embodiment, the glove main body includes a low
density polyethylene (LDPE) with the chemical structure of
(--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2-).sub.n. The LDPE is in the form of granules
without any color added. The melting point ranges from 104 to 115
degrees Celsius. In one embodiment, 2% of the overall composition
is a blue master, 30% is the LDPE as described above, and 68% is a
copolymer such as styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS). The
copolymer is a hydrogenated styrene isoprene butadiene and acts as
a block copolymer, in one embodiment, with trace amounts of
antioxidant and anti-blocking agents. The glove resulting from this
source material includes a blue coloring.
[0048] The SEBS material is used in this disposable glove adds to
the stickiness of the outer surface. The combination of the SEBS
addition and the diamond pattern results in improved gripping
performance of the glove. The drawback of this addition is that
while processing the film, the extruder machine must run at a
slower rate. In one embodiment, the extruder machine runs at 85% of
its regular rate while processing this SEBS containing film.
[0049] In another embodiment, the resulting glove is substantially
clear. The glove also uses an LDPE base. The resulting film
comprises, by weight, 10% of LDPE, 50% of the copolymer (SEBS)
described above, and 40% of an ethylene based polymer, such as a
metallocene polyethylene resin. The addition of metallocene ensures
the manufacture of resins with a very high consistency and specific
properties.
[0050] The various combinations used in conjunction with the novel
shapes embossed on the main body of the glove result in a glove
that has improved gripping performance. The composition of the
glove provides more elasticity than vinyl. Therefore, the glove can
be "sized down" to provide the end user a suitably tight fit. The
composition of the glove also results in partial stickiness, where
the glove will temporarily attach to the object being grabbed by
the end user of the glove. This allows the end user to fully and
securely grasp objects even when they are small or slippery
objects.
[0051] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. While the
dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to
define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means
limiting, but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms
"comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the
terms "first," "second," and "third," are used merely as labels,
and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their
objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not
written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be
interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f) unless and until such
claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by
a statement of function void of further structure.
[0052] The present methods can involve any or all of the steps or
conditions discussed above in various combinations, as desired.
Accordingly, it will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan
that in some of the disclosed methods certain steps can be deleted
or additional steps performed without affecting the viability of
the methods.
[0053] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and
all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written
description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all
possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any
listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing
and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal
halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting
example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down
into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also
be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up
to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," "more than" and the
like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be
subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. In the
same manner, all ratios disclosed herein also include all subratios
falling within the broader ratio.
[0054] One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that
where members are grouped together in a common manner, such as in a
Markush group, the present invention encompasses not only the
entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group
individually and all possible subgroups of the main group.
Accordingly, for all purposes, the present invention encompasses
not only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more
of the group members. The present invention also envisages the
explicit exclusion of one or more of any of the group members in
the claimed invention.
* * * * *