SHELLS FOR GLOVES

A glove shell fitting over a glove includes a covering portion that covers a non-thumb portion of the glove when the glove shell is fitted over the glove. The glove shell includes a closed rounded distal end, an opened proximal end, and a through hole opening formed on a side of the glove shell above a portion of the glove shell having a trapezoidal cross-section. The opening is configured to receive a thumb portion of the glove and at least partially surround a corresponding base of the thumb portion of the glove. The thumb portion of the glove is exposed in whole or in part when the glove shell is fitted over the glove.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to interchangeable shells for gloves that can cover gloves. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to interchangeable shells for gloves that can provide added protection, decoration, warmth, waterproofing, or other features.

BACKGROUND

People engaging in winter sports, or other activities that take place in harsh-climate conditions frequently use gloves. Gloves often provide warmth and protection to a user's hands. Adjusting the warmth provided by a glove, for high variation of ambient temperatures, can be challenging. Gloves can have additional features such as non-slip fabric to improve grip, soft fabric for wiping the nose, or a rubber or silicone blade that can be used to wipe away water or snow from goggles. These features can be located on the glove's thumb. A user can also desire to wear gloves for aesthetic or fashion purposes although the appearance of a pair of gloves is generally not changeable.

Over time or with more use, gloves can become damaged. This damage can manifest as a defect or hole, which can diminish the glove's ability to warm or protect a user's hands. Repairing such a defect or hole can be challenging and/or expensive. Also, such a defect or a hole in a glove can prompt a user to obtain a new pair of gloves, which can be expensive.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to interchangeable shells for gloves that can cover gloves. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to interchangeable shells for gloves that can provide added protection, decoration, warmth, waterproofing, or other features. In some implementations, an apparatus includes: a glove shell configured to fit over a glove; the glove shell including a covering portion that covers a non-thumb portion of the glove when the glove shell is fitted over the glove; and the glove shell including a closed rounded distal end, an opened proximal end, and a through hole opening formed on a side of the glove shell above a portion of the glove shell having a trapezoidal cross-section, wherein the opening is configured to receive a thumb portion of the glove and at least partially surround a corresponding base of the thumb portion of the glove, wherein the thumb portion of the glove is exposed in whole or in part when the glove shell is fitted over the glove.

The foregoing and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination. In particular, implementations can include all the following features:

In an aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the glove is a first glove and wherein the glove shell is configured to fit over a second glove different from the first glove. In another aspect, the apparatus further includes: a pull tab that is coupled to a cuff portion of the glove shell. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the pull tab is rectangularly shaped. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the pull tab is coupled to the glove shell in a folded configuration, wherein a first end of the pull tab is coupled to an outer portion of the glove shell and a second end of the pull tab is coupled to an inner portion of the glove shell. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the pull tab is coupled to a middle section of the opened proximal end. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the glove shell is made of a blended material. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the blended material includes a blend between a synthetic material and a stretchable material. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the synthetic material includes one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, or recycled nylon, microporous polymer, thermoplastic polymer; and the stretchable material includes elastane. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the synthetic material weighs 100 to 300 grams per square meter. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the glove shell is imprinted with a design.

Other implementations include a glove shell for a hand covering, including: a cover including a nonthumb covering portion including a closed rounded distal end and an opened proximal end, at least a portion of the nonthumb covering portion including a trapezoidal cross-section; and a through hole opening formed in a thumb portion of the cover, wherein the trapezoidal cross-section includes a tapering width increasing from the thumb portion of the cover to the opened proximal end. The glove shell can further include at least one pull tab that is coupled to a cuff portion of the cover. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the at least one pull tab includes a pair of pull tabs, each pull tab of the pair of pull tabs being coupled to a symmetrically opposite portion of the cover. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, cach pull tab of the pair of pull tabs includes a loop. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, each pull tab of the pair of pull tabs includes a coupling feature for detachably coupling the pull tabs to each other. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cover is made of a blended material. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the blended material includes a blend between a synthetic material and a stretchable material. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the synthetic material includes one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, or recycled nylon, wherein the synthetic material weighs 100 to 300 grams per square meter; and the stretchable material includes elastane, wherein the stretchable material provides three-dimensional stretching to approximately 50% of an unstretched dimension. In another aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cover is imprinted with a design including an identifier of the glove shell.

When practical, like labels are used to refer to same or similar items in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to interchangeable shells, which can, e.g., add protection, decoration, warmth, waterproofing, wind resistance, breathability, and/or other features, when applied on top of gloves. “Glove(s),” as used herein, refers to gloves, mittens, or other hand coverings that cover in whole or in part at least the thumb and one or more fingers on the hand of the wearer.

FIGS.1A-1Cillustrate different schematic views of an example glove shell100. The example glove shell100includes a body102forming a through hole opening104. The example glove shell100further includes one or two pull tabs106A,106B that is/are coupled to a cuff portion108of the body102. The body102defines a covering portion with a rounded apex110configured to match a curvature of figure tips of a human hand. The body102covers a non-thumb portion of the glove when the glove shell is fitted over a glove being inserted through the cuff portion108defining an opened end of the body102. The body102includes a bottom section112that extends from the opening104to the cuff portion108. The bottom section112can have a trapezoidal shape with a tapering width, such that the portion of the bottom section112proximal to the opening104has a narrow lateral width by the opening104and the potion of the bottom section proximal the cuff portion108has a wider lateral width.FIG.1Aillustrates a dotted line that is for illustration purposes only to demarcate an imaginary horizontal edge of the trapezoidal shape. This is further described in detail with reference toFIGS.3A-3D.

The body102can feature reinforced stitching114A,114B,114C crossing one or more folded portions of the material. The stitching along the cuff portion108includes double stitching that reinforces the edge of the cuff portion108and the pull tabs106A,106B. The stitching around the opening104includes double stitching that reinforces the edge of the opening104. In some implementations, an elastic, tear resistant string116(shown inFIG.1C) is inserted within the folded portion of the material forming the edge of the opening104to increase a durability of the glove shell100by preventing tearing from extended pressure applied by the glove thumb during usage. For example, the opening104can be finished by a hem line, and/or by surging, and/or by ribbon sewn over the unfinished edge, and/or by using bias tape to increase its durability.

The stitching along the body114C is located on the interior or inside of glove shell100. The interior stitching includes an inside seam situated on an interior of the glove shell100such that there is no exteriorly exposed seam between a palmar portion118A of the glove shell100and a dorsal portion118B of the glove shell100. In some implementations, the edge of the opening104can be curved on the palmar portion118A of the glove shell100and can be approximately linear on the dorsal portion118B of the glove shell100.

In some implementations, the glove shell100described herein can include any number of pull tabs106A,106B. For example, the glove shell100can include a single pull tab106A, two pull tabs106A,106B, or more than two pull tabs. The pull tabs106A,106B can be located near the hem of the cuff108. For example, one pull tab106A can be attached near the hem of the cuff on the glove shell's dorsal side118B and another pull tab106B can be attached near the hem of the cuff on the glove shell's palmar side118A. The pull tabs106A,106B can be attached to a central portion of the cuff portion108, approximately in the middle between the side stitching of the body114C of the glove shell100. Because a user naturally loses some dexterity when wearing a glove, the pull tabs106A,106B facilitate control of the proximal end108of the glove shell100. The location and the size of the pull tabs106A,106B also improve user's ability to pull the glove shell taut over the underlying glove.

In some implementations, the pull tab106A,106B can be formed as a continuous piece of fabric that wraps around the cuff of the glove shell. The pull tabs106A,106B can be rectangularly shaped. The pull tabs106A,106B form a loop having an outer section120A and an inner section120B. The outer section120A of the pull tabs106A,106B is attached (through exterior stitching) to an outer portion122A of the glove shell100and the inner surface120B of the pull tabs106A,106B is attached (through inner stitching) to an inner surface122B of the glove shell100. Additionally, the pull tabs106A,106B can also include a detachably coupling (fastener) system, such as a snap button or hook-and-loop fasteners, that detachably connects shells to each other to form a detachable pair, when they are not worn by a user. Additionally, the pull tabs106A,106B can facilitate a user's ability to store the glove shells, c.g., by hanging them from a hook. In some implementations, the pull tabs106A,106B can be made of, e.g., woven label fabric, and can be sewn or fastened to the glove shells via another attachment mechanism (e.g., gluc).

In some implementations, the glove shells100described herein can be made with lightweight material, such as polyester or nylon, that typically ranges from 100-300 grams per square meter, such as approximately 200 grams per square meter. For example, the glove shells 100 described herein can include approximately 82% nylon and approximately 18% spandex. The lightweight nature of such shells preserves the dexterity, flexion, and tactile sensation of the underlying gloves. In some embodiments, the material of glove shell100can be selected to allow a user wearing glove shell100to operate the input mechanism of an electronic device. The input mechanism of the electronic device can take a variety of forms such as, for example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen. In some embodiments, the input mechanism can include a multi-touch screen. In some embodiments, the input mechanism can emulate a rotary phone or a multi-button keypad, which can be implemented on a touch screen, or the combination of a click wheel or other user input device and a screen.

The material selected for glove shell100can include attributes effective to operate particular input mechanisms. In some embodiments, glove shell100can be manufactured from a material that provides high tactile feedback for the user when operating an electronic device. For example, glove shell100can be manufactured from a thin fabric material (e.g., cotton, wool, linen, silk or synthetic fabric). As another example, glove shell100can be manufactured from latex, vinyl, rubber, neoprene, or any other suitable flexible material. In some embodiments, glove shell100can include material providing high tactile feedback at portions of glove shell100that can come into contact with an input mechanism (e.g., only within a portion of the apex110of the glove shell100). In some embodiments, the glove shell for a hand of a pair of gloves can include material that conserves the tactile feedback of the inserted glove (as shown inFIG.2BandFIGS.3A-3D).

In some embodiments, glove shell100can be constructed from a material having low thermal conductivity. For example, glove shell100can be constructed from a material that retains heat around the user's glove and does not allow heat generated to dissipate when the glove shell is exposed, even if the glove includes one or more holes. Suitable materials can include, for example, rubber, polystyrene, silica aerogel, plastic, polymers, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the material can be provided in the form of a fabric to provide high tactile feedback. For example, the material can include a polymer fabric with thin portions (e.g., at least around the tip of fingers). The thermal conductivity of glove shell100can provide a user with an anti-sticky feel when using the input mechanism (e.g., as compared to bare fingertips) because of the lack of sweat-induced moisture.

In some embodiments, glove shell100can be constructed from an electrically conductive material (e.g., conductive fibers made of stainless steel, silver, copper, nickel). For example, glove shell100can be constructed from a material with an electrical resistivity similar to that of a user's skin. Choosing an electrically conductive material can be necessary, for example, to interface with input mechanisms that use the electrical resistivity of a user's fingers to determine whether a user is providing an input (e.g., as opposed to an errant interaction with the input mechanism).

Instead of or in addition to having the various properties described above, the material selected for glove shell100can match the composition and properties of the glove material, such that using the glove shell100or using no glove shell100is indistinguishable to the user. One material that can include most or all of the properties described above can be a fabric material constructed from electrically conductive polymer. The polymer can be selected such that the thermal conductivity of the glove shell100is minimized while retaining a portion of electrical conductivity for the user's inputs to be recognized by the input mechanism (e.g., because thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity can be inversely related).

In some implementations, as described in detail with reference toFIGS.3A-3D, the glove shells100can be adjusted (e.g., stretched) so that they are tightly applied on top of gloves of different configurations, including different shapes and dimensions (different diameters). In some implementations, the glove shells100described herein can be made with stretchable material such as elastane. By incorporating stretchable material, the glove shells100have a natural tendency to conform to the shape and contours of the underlying glove. This further helps to preserve the dexterity and flexion of the underlying glove. The stretchable nature of the material also enables a user to easily remove the glove shell100in one motion, e.g., by grasping the area of the glove shell100close to the user's fingers and pulling it away from the user's hand.

In some implementations, the glove shells100can be both lightweight and stretchable and this can be achieved by combining the above-recited materials, e.g., by blending a lightweight, synthetic base such as polyester or nylon, with a stretchable material such as elastane. Typically, these blends are comprised of 70-90% synthetic material (such as polyester, recycled polyester, nylon or recycled nylon) blended with 10-30% stretchable material (such as, e.g., elastane, lycra, spandex). The resulting material provides the glove shell's overall fabric with a texture that is smooth enough to enable a user to easily slide the glove shell on or off a glove (or even another shell100) yet provides enough friction and/or compression between the glove shell and the glove so that the glove shell does not inadvertently slide off the glove during general use. The blended combination of fabrics also permits a sleek and low profile of the glove shell100, which improves the ease of applying another glove shell100on top of an existing shell100. For example, a user can desire to apply two shells100to an existing glove, in which one shell100primarily adds warmth and another shell100primarily adds decoration or the addition of multiple layered glove shells can increase the warmth level provided by the glove shell(s)100.

A material used for stitching114A,114B,114C can be compatible with the material used for the glove shell100to maintain the overall characteristics of the glove shell100. For example, glove shells100designed to be both lightweight and stretchable can include stitching114A,114B,114C with lightweight and stretchable materials, such as elastane. The stitching114A,114B,114C can include natural materials, such as naturally derived fiber or synthetic materials (polymers), e.g., nylon or nylon-like polymers. In some implementations, synthetic materials for stitching114A,114B,114C can include aromatic polyamide. Nonlimiting examples of aromatic polyamides suitable for stitching114A,114B,114C can include aramid or para-aramid.

Unlike other glove covering, which are generally bulky and do not conform to the shape and contours of the underlying glove due to the weight, stiffness, and/or nonstretchable materials typically used in such coverings, the glove shells100described herein enable flexion and dexterity of the underlying glove without impairing or otherwise limiting the accessibility to features provided on the underlying thumb covering of the glove, such as non-slip fabric, soft fabric, or a silicone blade or other features.

FIGS.2A and2Billustrate an example pair200A,200B of glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D.FIG.2Aillustrates an example glove shell pair200A without gloves underneath.FIG.2Billustrates an example glove shell pair200B applied on top of gloves202. The glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D include designs204A,204B,204C,204D printed on the outer portion122A of the glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D. The designs204A,204B,204C,204D include design patterns, images, and/or other information applied to each of the glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D. For example, the designs204A,204B,204C,204D can include a base design pattern and a unique portion of the pattern that can be used as an identifier for the pair200A,200B of glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D. The base pattern can be used to identify a group of users (c.g., a team, a family, or any group of people sharing a characteristic). The designs204A,204B,204C,204D can be selected to create a seamless print across the vertical stitching114B generating an impression of a continuous (uninterrupted) design pattern across the entire surface on the outer portion122A of the glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D. The designs204A,204B,204C,204D can be selected to form a theme matched pattern between the pair200A,200B of glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D.

For example, as shown inFIG.2A, the design204A can include a map of a first portion of an area (e.g., a first ski resort trail map) printed on a first glove shell100A of a pair200A. The matched design204B can include a second portion of the area (c.g., a continuation or extension of the first ski resort trail map or a second ski resort trail map within the resort of the first ski resort trail map) printed on a second glove shell100B of the pair200A. The designs204A,204B can include respective identifiers206of the portions of the map (e.g., a title or name of the first ski resort trail map). In some implementations, the identifiers206can include a machine-readable identifier, such as a bar code, a quick-response (QR) code, or any other type of code or identifier that can be processed by a computing device to identify (e.g., by processing images to select a region of interest including the identifier and processing the region of interest using a model configured to convert the code image to an alpha-numerical string) the respective glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D. In some implementations, the identifier of each glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D of the pairs200A,200B includes a portion of an identifier and scanning of the identifiers206of both glove shells100A,100B are used to complete the identification of the respective pair200A. As another example, as shown inFIG.2B, the designs204C,204D can include a similar or symmetrical design pattern printed across the pair200B of glove shells100A,100B,100C,100D.

In some implementations, designs, images, or other information can be printed on the glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D in a manner that ensures that the printed designs/images/information are long lasting, durable, and resistant to fading due to wear and use of the glove shell. For example, the textile of the glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D is printed using a direct to ground digital printing method, allowing the dye to fully saturate into the textile, achieving vibrant colors and full coverage while the textile is stretched. In implementations where glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D are made with polyester, printing can be done using sublimation dye, which efficiently and strongly bonds to polyester providing a colorfast print. Printing designs/images/information on removable glove shell100A,100B,100C,100D for gloves can be useful for people who typically wear gloves for work or activities as useful information such as maps, checklists, or technical specifications can be printed on covers for the gloves for convenient and quick reference.

FIGS.3A-3Dillustrate example hand covering apparatuses300A,300B,300C,300D including a glove shell100covering a glove202and, optionally, a portion of a sleeve302.

The glove shells100can be a part of the hand covering apparatuses300A,300B,300C,300D can attach to the underlying glove202using any fastener, including but not limited to zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, or any combination of these and other fasteners. The features of the hand covering system300A,300B,300C,300D can be adjusted by applying the underlying hand covering onto the hand and then adding or removing layers of glove shells100. For example, shells100can be made with hydrophobic materials such as polyurethane laminate, thermoplastic polyurethane, nylon taffeta, polytetrafluorethylene or similar materials or coated with a waterproofing substance such as poly-vinyl chloride, water-repellent elastomer, boiled linseed oil, or similar waterproofing substance that can provide a layer of waterproofing. Other shells100can be made with materials that provide warmth such as wool or fleece. For example, a user could adjust the features of their hand covering system by adding or removing layers of shells100for warmth and could also apply a shell as a waterproofing layer.

In some implementations, the glove shells100described herein can be shaped similar, at least in part, to a glove202(c.g., a mitten), such that the wearer's non-thumb fingers (i.c., the second, third, fourth, and fifth digits) typically slide into a single compartment (inner volume of the mitten where four of a user's fingers can direct touch each other without being separated by other materials). Unlike a mitten, the glove shells100described in the illustrated implementation are not covered by another compartment for the thumb and instead include an opening104or a hole where the thumb would typically be located. The hole/opening104for the thumb allows the glove shells100to provide a more universal fit onto existing gloves202due to the variation of the location, size, and shape of the thumb cover of existing gloves202. The hole/opening104also maintains a sleek and low profile for the remainder of the glove shell100when the glove shell100is applied onto an existing glove as no appreciable crease or slack fabric is formed (relative to what can occur if a thumb covering were included on the glove shells100). In addition, the hole/opening104preserves access to any features that can be present on the thumb cover of the underlying glove. For example, some gloves202have a thumb cover made with non-slip fabric to improve grip, soft fabric for wiping the nose, or an attached rubber or silicone blade that can be used to wipe away water or snow from goggles.

In some implementations, the glove shells100can be part of a hand covering system including a particular glove202and a shell100specifically designed to accommodate the particular glove202(compared to shells described that can be used with any pre-existing glove). The underlying glove202provides the basic functions of a glove202, such as, c.g., warmth and protection. The particularly designed shell100for the glove is designed to conform to the size, shape, and contours of the underlying glove202or to adapt to a variable size within a particular range (c.g., different dimensions, as shown inFIGS.3A and3B). Because the glove shells100conform to the characteristics of the underlying glove202, the glove shells100can achieve many of the benefits of the glove shells100described with reference toFIGS.1and2, without needing to be made out of the lightweight and/or stretchable materials. In some implementations, the glove shells100can have an opening104that can be at least partially sealed close. In other implementations, the glove shells100can have a thumb covering304with a matching contour of the underlying glove thumb covering. The matching contour prevents an appreciable crease or slack to be formed when the glove shell100is applied over the glove202.

In some implementations, the glove shells100present a tapered fit (trapezoidal shape) allows for conformance around the hand for better fit while ensure accommodation for sleeve. The tapered fit of the glove shells100accommodates insertion of an end portion of a sleeve302to provide improved (thermal, water, and/or wind) insulation. In some implementations of the glove shell100(in the case of the hand covering system or otherwise), the cuff of the glove shell100can extend farther up the user's forearm. In another implementation the cuff of the glove shell extends far enough to reach the user's elbow. Shells100that extend farther up the user's forearm further reduce, or completely eliminate, snow, water, dirt or other environmental elements from entering in the gap that often forms between the cuff of a glove and the cuff of a sleeve.

FIG.4is a view of examples of glove shells100A,100B,100C of different sizes and with different patterns. In some implementations, a first glove shell100A can have an unstretched height402A in the range of 30 cm to 40 cm, such as approximately 33.5 cm. The first glove shell100A can be stretched to a height402A of 40 cm to 70 cm, such as approximately 55 cm. The first glove shell100A can have an unstretched top width404A of 10 cm to 20 cm, such as approximately 13 cm, such that the unstretched top circumference is 20 cm to 40 cm, such as approximately 26 cm. The first glove shell100A can have an unstretched central width of 8 cm to 18 cm, such as approximately 12 cm. The first glove shell100A can have an unstretched bottom (hem cuff) width of 12 cm to 24 cm, such as approximately 16 cm. The first glove shell100A can be stretched to increase its width by approximately 60% to 80%, such that an unstretched top width of 10 cm can be stretched to approximately 16 cm to 18 cm. Each section (side)120A,120B of the pull tab106A,106B can have a width410A of 2 cm to 3 cm, such as approximately 2.5 cm and a height412A of 4 cm to 5 cm, such as approximately 4.5 cm.

In some implementations, a second glove shell100B can have an unstretched height402B in the range of 25 cm to 35 cm, such as approximately 31 cm. The second glove shell100B can be stretched to B height402B of 35 cm to 60 cm, such as approximately 50 cm. The second glove shell100B can have an unstretched top width404B of 10 cm to 20 cm, such as approximately 12 cm, such that the unstretched top circumference is 20 cm to 40 cm, such as approximately 24 cm. The second glove shell100B can have an unstretched central width of 6 cm to 16 cm, such as approximately 11 cm. The second glove shell100B can have an unstretched bottom (hem cuff) width of 10 cm to 20 cm, such as approximately 15 cm. The second glove shell100B can be stretched to increase its width by approximately 60% to 80%, such that an unstretched top width of 10 cm can be stretched to approximately 16 cm to 18 cm. Each section120A,120B of the pull tab106A,106B can have a width410B of 2 cm to 3 cm, such as approximately 2.5 cm and a height412B of 4 cm to 5 cm, such as approximately 4.5 cm.

In some implementations, a third glove shell100C can have an unstretched height402C in the range of 25 cm to 35 cm, such as approximately 29.5 cm. The third glove shell100C can be stretched to a height402C of 40 cm to 50 cm, such as approximately 45 cm. The third glove shell100C can have an unstretched top width404C of 10 cm to 15 cm, such as approximately 11 cm, such that the unstretched top circumference is 20 cm to 30 cm, such as approximately 22 cm. The third glove shell100C can have an unstretched central width of 6 cm to 14 cm, such as approximately 10 cm. The third glove shell100C can have an unstretched bottom (hem cuff) width of 10 cm to 20 cm, such as approximately 14 cm. The third glove shell100C can be stretched to increase its width by approximately 60% to 80%, such that an unstretched top width of 10 cm can be stretched to approximately 16 cm to 18 cm. Each section120A,120B of the pull tab106A,106B can have a width410C of 2 cm to 3 cm, such as approximately 2.5 cm and a height412C of 4 cm to 5 cm, such as approximately 4.5 cm.

As shown inFIG.4, the glove shells100A,100B,100C can include designs with different patterns, such as abstract, map, and nature. In some implementations, as discussed with reference toFIGS.2A and2B, the design can include an obvious (human readable) identifier206that can be printed within a highlighted region (e.g., a rectangle or a square) that can have a different color than the background/base design. In some implementations, the design patterns can have repetitive elements distributed across the outer surface of the glove shells100A,100C that can encode an identifier through their arrangement and size. For example, a series of numbers derived from the sizes of the elements (e.g., flowers, waves, lines, etc.) printed along a particular direction (e.g., vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or a particular angular orientation) can be used as a numerical identifier of the respective glove shell100A,100C. The numerical identifier of the respective glove shell100A,100C can be determined in real time by a computing device that received an image of the glove shells100A,100B,100C.

Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. These implementations can be combined with each other to form other implementations. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results.

Example 1. An apparatus, comprising: a glove shell configured to fit over a glove; the glove shell comprising a covering portion that covers a non-thumb portion of the glove when the glove shell is fitted over the glove; and the glove shell comprising a closed rounded distal end, an opened proximal end, and a through hole opening formed on a side of the glove shell above a portion of the glove shell having a trapezoidal cross-section, wherein the opening is configured to receive a thumb portion of the glove and at least partially surround a corresponding base of the thumb portion of the glove, wherein the thumb portion of the glove is exposed in whole or in part when the glove shell is fitted over the glove.

Example 2. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the glove is a first glove and wherein the glove shell is configured to fit over a second glove different from the first glove.

Example 3. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, further comprising: a pull tab that is coupled to a cuff portion of the glove shell.

Example 4. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the pull tab is rectangularly shaped.

Example 5. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the pull tab is coupled to the glove shell in a folded configuration, wherein a first end of the pull tab is coupled to an outer portion of the glove shell and a second end of the pull tab is coupled to an inner portion of the glove shell.

Example 6. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the pull tab is coupled to a middle section of the opened proximal end.

Example 7. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the glove shell is made of a blended material.

Example 8. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the blended material comprises a blend between a synthetic material and a stretchable material.

Example 9. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein: the synthetic material comprises one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, or recycled nylon, microporous polymer, thermoplastic polymer; and the stretchable material comprises elastane.

Example 10. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the synthetic material weighs 100 to 300 grams per square meter.

Example 11. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the glove shell is imprinted with a design.

Example 12. A glove shell for a hand covering, comprising: a cover comprising a nonthumb covering portion comprising a closed rounded distal end and an opened proximal end, at least a portion of the nonthumb covering portion comprising a trapezoidal cross-section; and a through hole opening formed in a thumb portion of the cover, wherein the trapezoidal cross-section comprises a tapering width increasing from the thumb portion of the cover to the opened proximal end.

Example 13. The glove shell of example 12, further comprising at least one pull tab that is coupled to a cuff portion of the cover.

Example 14. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein the at least one pull tab comprises a pair of pull tabs, each pull tab of the pair of pull tabs being coupled to a symmetrically opposite portion of the cover.

Example 15. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein each pull tab of the pair of pull tabs comprises a loop.

Example 16. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein each pull tab of the pair of pull tabs comprises a coupling feature for detachably coupling the pull tabs to each other.

Example 17. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein the cover is made of a blended material.

Example 18. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein the blended material comprises a blend between a synthetic material and a stretchable material.

Example 19. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein: the synthetic material comprises one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, or recycled nylon, wherein the synthetic material weighs 100 to 300 grams per square meter; and the stretchable material comprises elastane, wherein the stretchable material provides three-dimensional stretching to approximately 50% of an unstretched dimension.

Example 20. The glove shell of any one of the previous examples, wherein the cover is imprinted with a design comprising an identifier of the glove shell.

Example 21. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of glove shells configured to fit over a glove; each glove shell of the plurality of glove shells comprising a covering portion that covers a non-thumb portion of the glove when the glove shell is fitted over the glove; and the glove shell comprising a closed rounded distal end, an opened proximal end, and a through hole opening formed on a side of the glove shell above a portion of the glove shell having a trapezoidal cross-section, wherein the opening is configured to receive a thumb portion of the glove and at least partially surround a corresponding base of the thumb portion of the glove, wherein the thumb portion of the glove is exposed in whole or in part when the glove shell is fitted over the glove.

Example 22. The apparatus of example 1, wherein a first glove shell of the plurality of glove shells is configured to increase a warmth factor.

Example 23. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the warmth factor is proportional to a number of the plurality of glove shells.

Example 24. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein a second glove shell of the plurality of glove shells comprises a waterproof material configured to form a fluid permeability barrier.

Example 25. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the pull tab is coupled to the glove shell in a folded configuration, wherein a first end of the pull tab is coupled to an outer portion of the glove shell and a second end of the pull tab is coupled to an inner portion of the glove shell.

Example 26. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the pull tab is coupled to a middle section of the opened proximal end.

Example 27. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein at least one glove shell of the plurality of glove shells is made of a blended material.

Example 28. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the blended material comprises a blend between a synthetic material and a stretchable material.

Example 29. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein: the synthetic material comprises one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, or recycled nylon, microporous polymer, thermoplastic polymer; and the stretchable material comprises elastane.

Example 30. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein the synthetic material weighs 100 to 300 grams per square meter.

Example 31. The apparatus of any one of the previous examples, wherein each glove shell of the plurality of glove shells is imprinted with a design associated to a protection type provided by a respective glove shell.