Abstract:
A heat protective glove or mitt for children to enable them to safely handle hot items taken from ovens, microwaves, toaster ovens and the like, enhancing the protection of children in the kitchen and reducing burns. The gloves are heat resistant and designed longer than normal, below the wrist, and are fitted to the contour of the hands and arms of children. The gloves are made of a material that is heat resistant up to about 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which increases and encourages safe handling of hot items, relatively thin, and does not restrict the natural movement of the child&#39;s hand, allowing for easier maneuvering and independent movement of the pinky finger.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application 60/862,278 filed on Oct. 20, 2006, and United States Design Applications 29/278,712 and 29/718,718, both filed Apr. 6, 2007, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a heat protective glove or mitt that enables a variety of wearers to handle hot items taken from ovens, microwaves, toaster ovens, mass produced mini-ovens for children (e.g., Easy Bake Ovens®), and the like or for use when operating outdoor grills. More particularly, the present invention relates to a glove or mitt that is heat resistant with a longer than normal sleeve and designed slightly fitted to the contour of a hand and arm. 
         [0003]    Heat protective hand covering devices such as oven mitts and potholders are well-known in the art. They are used to handle hot items in the kitchen or when handling a hot item taken from an oven, stove, microwave, toaster or outdoor grill. Traditionally, these devices prove too bulky and inflexible for use by wearers who have smaller hands and less dexterity than adults. In addition to being too large and inflexible, traditional oven mitts do not provide sufficient grip for small hands and those who have limited dexterity and range of movement. 
         [0004]    Over the years there has been an increase in the marketing to children of products that require heating in microwaves, toaster ovens and the like. As a result, children will and sometimes get their toast and waffle out of the toaster or pull their oatmeal or macaroni and cheese from the microwave. Many children want to make hot chocolate by heating water in a microwave. Although it may be best for children to refrain from handling such hot items, in some instances they are required to or insist upon doing it themselves and with the increased need for safety and protection of children in the kitchen comes a need for a vast improvement of the traditional oven mitt. According to a study at the University of Chicago Burn Center, removing hot food from microwaves is one of the most frequent ways in which children under the age of five burn themselves. Child Magazine reported: “Opening a microwave and removing hot food is one of the most frequent ways children under the age of five burned themselves, according to a study at the University of Chicago Burn Center.” Also, just recently this year, a major toy manufacturer recalled over 1,000,000 toy ovens after dozens of children burned their hands. 
         [0005]    Presently, there is no type of cooking glove or mitt suitable for children to handle such hot items. Although there are the traditional oven mitts and potholders, they prove ineffective for young children. For instance, the traditional oven mitts are too large, bulky and roomy inside. They cover essentially the hand and only a very small portion of the arm. Their design prevents children from being able to carefully handle hot items in the kitchen and from being able to maneuver safely as one must in a kitchen. 
         [0006]    Moreover, current oven mitts and potholders are extremely outdated and are manufactured for adults who cook. Oven mitts get their name because the original intent was for them to be used inside of a traditional oven. Potholders were to be used for pots that are on top of a stove and to assist with the holding of a hot handle or simmering lid. With newer inventions/appliances including the toaster, toaster oven, microwave and greater use of these appliances by children, teenagers and the disabled, no other invention or design of the oven mitt/potholder has addressed these current and updated ways of food preparation. 
         [0007]    Because parents are short on time and buy numerous variations of convenience foods that their children usually prepare for themselves, including hot cereals, microwaveable foods, frozen foods, pizzas and popcorn that are heated in the microwave, and hot beverages and because so many of these items are marketed to children, there is a special need for cooking mitts/gloves designed for use by children. Also, because children are cooking and heating foods at an age that is becoming even younger, the risks are becoming even greater. 
         [0008]    In addition to the proliferation of convenience food offerings in the past three decades, which are prepared by children, there are numerous cooking classes, chef-in-training courses and cooking vacations/camps geared toward children. This demonstrates the increased need for appropriate protection for children working in and around the kitchen. 
         [0009]    Recently, The Wall Street Journal Online reported that “the selection overall [of oven mitts] is growing. Retailer Cooking.com carries 57 oven mitts, up from 3 in 2000.”In a review of these gloves, none was designed to be used by children. There is thus a real need in the marketplace for cooking gloves/mitts designed especially for use by children. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat-resistant cooking glove for handling hot items in the kitchen and elsewhere, to prevent burns and which is otherwise free of the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a glove or mitt with separation of the pinky finger/smallest digit for independent movement which aids in the grasping, holding or handling of hot food items and heavier food dishes, containers, larger pots, pans or casserole dishes. 
         [0012]    The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a heat-resistant protective glove suitable for handling hot items. The glove includes a heat-resistant hand covering member for accommodating a hand, and having a length “L” to cover at least the palm and wrist; a first, second and third covering members, the first covering member being a thumb covering member for accommodating a thumb, the second covering member accommodating the ring, middle and index fingers, and the third covering member accommodating the pinky finger. The hand covering member and the first, second and third covering members are formed to the contour of the hand and made of at least an outer, middle and inner material, which are heat resistant up to about at least 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The glove further includes gripping elements positioned on a front and back of the hand covering member and the first, second and third covering members. The gripping elements being heat resistant and aiding in gripping items with the glove. 
         [0013]    The above and other objects of the invention are further accomplished by a heat-resistant protective glove suitable for handling hot items. The heat-resistant hand covering member for accommodating a hand, and having a length “L” to cover at least the palm and wrist; a thumb covering member for accommodating and covering a thumb; finger covering members designed to cover each of the four fingers of the hand. The hand covering member, thumb covering member, and the finger covering members are formed to the contour of the hand and made of at least an outer, middle and inner material, which are heat resistant up to about at least 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The glove also includes gripping elements positioned on a front and back of the hand covering member, thumb covering members, and the finger covering members. The gripping elements being heat resistant and aiding in gripping items with the glove. 
         [0014]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The advantages and nature of the invention will appear more fully upon consideration of the illustrative embodiment of the invention that is set forth in the figures, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a cooking glove according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a front elevational view of a cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a front elevational view of a cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of three fingered cooking glove according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a front elevational view of three fingered cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is a front elevational view of three fingered cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a top view of three fingered cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of three fingered cooking glove according to the present invention of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The present invention relates to a heat resistant hand covering glove or mitt, designated generally as  1  for a first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  and as  10  for a second embodiment as seen in  FIGS. 5 through 8 . The glove is designed to be worn on either the right or left hand and is not left or right specific. Therefore, both sides of the glove have the same or substantially same design and simply by flipping the glove over it can be worn on the right or left hand. In this regard, even if the figures may show a left-handed glove, it will be understood that the glove is also suitable for the right hand. Moreover, because the gloves are not bulky or awkward and conform to the natural shape and movement of one&#39;s hand, they can be worn from the refrigerator to the stove to the dishwasher to the table and can remain on until all the work in the kitchen is complete. Even more, a user may wear a glove on one or both hands while preparing and handling hot items during cooking and performing all kitchen tasks, although wearing a glove on both hands is recommended when being used by children. The embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustrating the present invention, and not intended to be limiting in anyway. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 through 4  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the glove according to the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the glove  1  includes a heat resistant hand-covering member  12  that forms the main body of the glove including the palm section of the hand. The hand-covering member  12  includes an opening  14  for receiving the hand of the user. The glove  1  includes five compartments for receiving the thumb and four fingers. Accordingly, a thumb covering member  18  and four finger-covering members  16  are formed with, and are integral to, the hand covering member  12  to form a five finger glove. The glove  1  is formed to the contour of a hand and arm such that it is not bulky or loose, and provides the user with substantially more dexterity and agility when used as compared to what is conventional in the art. The contour and fit of the glove  1  is such that it may be worn during the preparation, cooking and completion of food item, and not removed until one is ready to eat. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a glove according to the first embodiment with a length L 1  ( FIG. 2A ) and L 2  ( FIG. 2B ) of different dimensions. The length L 1  is intended to cover below the palm of the hand and wrist. The length L 2  is slightly longer and designed to cover below the wrist and about half-way to the elbow of the user&#39;s arm.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate top and bottom views, respectively of the cooking glove according to the first embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the glove is designed relatively thinly without bulk such that it fits fairly snugly to the contour of the user&#39;s hand and arm. 
         [0029]    The glove  1  is formed of a material  25 ,  26 ,  27  that are heat resistant up to about at least 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and be able to withstand temperatures routinely encountered in handling items in a kitchen, such as the oven, microwave, stovetop, toaster, toaster oven, etc. By way of example, materials used for the preferred embodiments have included on the outer portion of the glove  26  an interlocking weft knit of different yarns. The middle layer  27  ( FIG. 4 ) consists of Nomex® (a high temperature-resistant fiber made by DuPont™) which is certified to National Fire Protection Association standards, or a material that is similar in terms of its structure, composition, performance and heat resistance. The lining layer  25  ( FIG. 4 ) of the glove is composed of a fire resistant, 100% polyester material. The glove should also be made of a material that is washable. 
         [0030]    Finally, the glove  1  may incorporate gripping elements  24  to the glove  1 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the gripping elements  24  are applied to the palm side of the glove from top to bottom. The gripping elements  24  serve to enhance gripping of items and to provide added heat resistance to the glove. The gripping elements  24  may be applied to the entirety of the inner portion of the glove, or portions. At a minimum, it is preferred that the gripping elements  24  be applied to the palm section of member  12  and extend to the tips of the finger members  16  and tip of the thumb member  18 . In these non-limiting examples, the gripping elements  24  may be made from a silicone-based material that is heat resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The gripping elements  24  may be applied in other manners to the glove. For example, more or less strips of the gripping elements  24  may be used or the gripping elements may be oriented in other directions and patterns. As stated above because the glove is designed for both the right and left hand, the other side of the glove will similarly have gripping elements  24  applied and positioned to the palm side of the glove from top to bottom. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate a second embodiment of the glove according to the present invention. Similar elements have been designated with the same reference numerals as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    Here, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the glove  10  is a three-pronged glove. The three strongest fingers (ring, middle and index fingers) are placed together/closely situated for better handling and the thumb and pinky finger are separate to promote dexterity, better handling and steadiness of movement for those without fully developed hands. 
         [0033]    The glove  10  includes a heat-resistant hand-covering member  12  that forms the main body of the glove including the palm section of the hand. A combined covering member  20  for the index, middle and ring fingers is formed integral to the hand-covering member  12 . The glove  10  also includes a covering member  22  for the smallest (pinky) finger and a thumb portion  18 , both of which are formed integral with the covering member  12 . As with the first embodiment, the glove  10  is formed to the contour of a hand and arm such that it is not bulky or loose, and provides the user with substantially more dexterity and agility when used as compared to what is conventional in the art. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a glove according to the first embodiment with a length L 1  ( FIG. 2A ) and L 2  ( FIG. 2B ) of different dimensions. The length L 1  is intended to cover below the palm of the hand and wrist. The length L 2  is slightly longer and designed to cover below the wrist and about half-way to the elbow of the user&#39;s arm. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate top and bottom views, respectively of the cooking glove according to the second embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the glove is designed relatively thinly without bulk such that it fits fairly snugly to the contour of the user&#39;s hand and arm. 
         [0036]    Similar to the first embodiment, the glove  10  may be constructed of the same type of materials for both the outer portion  26  of the glove, middle layer  27  and the inner lining  25 . The glove  10  may also incorporate gripping elements  24  to assist in gripping of items and improve the heat resistance of the glove. 
         [0037]    The gloves  1 ,  10  will contribute to the increased safety for children and/or adults with limited hand mobility and/or dexterity when cooking in the kitchen. The glove  1 ,  10  are especially designed for use by those with small hands, with the glove  1 ,  10  extending about three inches past the wrist of the wearer ( FIGS. 2A ,  6 A) or three to eight inches past the wrist of the wearer ( FIGS. 2B ,  6 B). The glove  1 ,  10  would generally contour closely to the user&#39;s hand and wrist area to enhance the natural movement and tendencies of the hand, rather than restrict such movements as is the case with conventional gloves. There has thus been shown and described a novel heat-resistant glove which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof which follow.