Glove with interior grasping element for inversion

An invertible glove includes a hand portion having at least two digit portions configured to cover at least two digits of a hand of a wearer of the glove and a palm portion configured to cover a palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion includes an exterior surface for handling an object and an interior surface for abutting the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion further includes a grasping element that extends from the interior surface of at least one of the digit portions and is configured to be grasped by a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove for facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove. A glove is inverted by pulling on the grasping element as the hand is removed from the glove.

II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

Plastic, disposable gloves are used in many applications. Such gloves provide a barrier between the hands of the wearer of the glove and whatever the wearer is handling. Because the plastic is generally relatively thin, the gloves do not hinder the wearer's ability to perform the particular task that he or she is performing.

Such gloves may be utilized in a number of activities to prevent contaminants from contacting the hands of a wearer. For example, a person may wear such gloves in culinary activities, such as preparing meat. In addition, a person may wear such gloves in industrial or hobby-craft applications, wherein various hazardous chemicals and materials may be handled.

When using such gloves, it would be advantageous to be able to remove a glove and then don the same glove again without contaminating the environment or the hand of the wearer while doing so. For example, this particular feature would be advantageous when handling raw foods such as meat. A person could don the glove to cut and tenderize the meat, then remove the glove to season the meat with a seasoning dispenser. The person then could re-don the glove to continue handling the meat. In this example, any bacterial or other contaminants that may be present on the meat are kept out of contact with the hands of the wearer and the seasoning dispenser. The person also has avoided excessive waste that otherwise would occur by using a new disposable glove instead of re-donning the old glove.

Once an activity has been completed, a person typically removes and disposes of the glove that was used. During such removal and disposal, the person is generally concerned with preventing contaminants disposed on the external surface of the glove from contacting his or her hands or other objects. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to remove such glove without contaminating the hand of the wearer during removal. It would further be advantageous to be able to prevent contamination of the environment after the glove has been removed.

One or more of these advantages are provided by one or more aspects of the present invention.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an invertible glove and includes many aspects and features.

In a first aspect of the present invention, an invertible glove comprises a hand portion including at least two digit portions configured to cover at least two digits of a hand of a wearer of the glove and a palm portion configured to cover a palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion includes an exterior surface for handling an object and an interior surface for abutting the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion further includes a grasping element that extends from the interior surface and is configured to be grasped by a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove for facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove.

In a feature of this aspect, the at least two digit portions consist of a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand of the wearer of the glove and a finger portion for receiving four fingers of the hand of the wearer. In a further feature of this aspect, the at least two digit portions consist of a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand of the wearer of the glove and two finger portions for collectively receiving four fingers of the hand of the wearer. In still yet another feature, the at least two digit portions consist of a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand of the wearer of the glove and three finger portions for collectively receiving four fingers of the hand of the wearer. In an additional feature, the at least two digit portions consist of a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand of the wearer of the glove and four finger portions, each for receiving a respective finger of the hand of the wearer.

In another feature of this aspect, the grasping element comprises a loop. In accordance with this feature, the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the end of a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove. With further regard to this feature, the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the end of a finger of the hand of the wearer of the glove. It is preferred that the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the end of a thumb of the hand of the wearer of the glove. It is further preferred that the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the respective ends of two digits of the hand of the wearer of the glove. In further accordance with this feature, the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the respective ends of three digits of the hand of the wearer of the glove. Additionally, the loop defines an opening that is configured to receive therethrough the respective ends of four digits of the hand of the wearer of the glove.

In an additional feature of this aspect, the grasping element is affixed at a seam of the glove and protracts into an interior space enclosed by the hand portion of the glove. In a further feature of this aspect, the grasping element is affixed to the interior surface of the hand portion of the glove in an area configured to abut a volar side of the hand. In another feature of this aspect, the grasping element is affixed to the interior surface of the hand portion of the glove in an area configured to abut a dorsal side of the hand.

In yet another feature of this aspect, the grasping element comprises a tab. In still yet another feature, the grasping element is disposed proximate an end of a digit portion distal to the palm portion.

In a further feature, the hand portion further comprises a second grasping element that extends from the interior surface and is configured to be grasped by one or more digits of the hand thereby facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove. In an additional feature, the hand portion comprises two planar layers of pliable plastic seamed at outer margins thereof with the glove comprising a disposable glove. In yet another feature, the at least two digit portions define a cleft there between that terminates in an arcuate recess.

In another aspect, a method for inverting a glove comprises providing a glove, which includes a hand portion. The hand portion includes at least two digit portions configured to cover at least two digits of a hand of a wearer of the glove and a palm portion configured to cover a palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion also includes an exterior surface for handling an object and an interior surface for abutting the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion further includes a grasping element that extends from the interior surface and is configured to be grasped by a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove for facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove. The method also comprises handling an object having contaminants by engaging the object with the exterior surface of the hand portion. The method further comprises grasping with a digit of the hand on which the glove is worn the grasping element disposed on the interior surface of at least one digit portion of the glove after handling the object and removing the hand from the glove while pulling the grasping element with the digit of the hand such that, when the hand is completely withdrawn from the glove, the glove is inverted and the exterior surface is contained within the glove.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes sealing the inverted glove by pressing sealing elements disposed on a forearm portion into interlocking engagement with one another, whereby any contaminants disposed on the exterior surface of the glove are contained within the inverted, sealed glove.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a disposable glove comprises cutting two glove forms from a generally planar sheet of pliable plastic, wherein at least one of the glove forms includes a grasping element; overlaying the two glove forms and seaming the glove forms together along a periphery thereof; and inverting the glove such that the grasping element is disposed within an interior of the glove and extends from an interior surface.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further comprises forming an opening in the grasping element that is configured to receive there through an end portion of a digit of a hand when the glove is donned on the hand.

In another aspect, an invertible glove comprises a hand portion configured to cover a hand of a wearer of the glove, a forearm portion joined with the hand portion, and first and second sealing elements affixed to the forearm portion. When the glove is in a first configuration, the first and second sealing elements bias the forearm portion toward an open position in which the forearm portion defines an opening for receipt of the hand there through in donning of the glove by the wearer, the first and second sealing elements being disposed in surrounding relation to the opening. When the glove is in a second configuration that is inverted relative to the first configuration, the first and second sealing elements are disposed in opposed facing relation to one another and are configured to engage one another in interlocking relation for sealing of the opening defined by the forearm portion.

In a feature of this aspect, the sealing elements comprise a pair of mating sealing strips configured for interlocking engagement with one another. In accordance with this feature, portions of the sealing strips generally are disposed in oppositely facing directions when the glove is in the first configuration. With further regard to this feature, the sealing strips are disposed in opposed relation to one another when the glove is in the second configuration. It is preferred that the sealing strips are disposed in end-to-end disposition relative to one another and, collectively, completely encircle the opening when the glove is in the first configuration.

In another feature of this aspect, the hand portion and forearm portion are formed by two planar layers of pliable plastic that are sealed at outer margins thereof. In accordance with this feature, the sealing elements comprise a pair of mating sealing strips configured for interlocking engagement with one another, each of the sealing strips being attached to a respective planar layer.

In yet another feature of this aspect, each sealing element includes spring-like characteristics.

In a further feature of this aspect, the hand portion comprises at least two digit portions configured to cover at least two digits of a hand of a wearer of the glove, a palm portion configured to cover a palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove, an exterior surface for handling an object, an interior surface for abutting the hand of the wearer of the glove, and a grasping element that extends from the interior surface and is configured to be grasped by a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove for facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove.

In another feature of this aspect, the glove further comprises a gripping area disposed proximal a forearm margin for assisting in donning and removing the glove. In accordance with this feature, the gripping area defines an opening therein.

In another aspect, a method for inverting a glove after repeated use comprises providing a glove including a hand portion configured to cover a hand of a wearer of the glove, a forearm portion joined with the hand portion, and first and second sealing elements affixed to the forearm portion. When the glove is in a first configuration, the first and second sealing elements bias the forearm portion toward an open position in which the forearm portion defines an opening for receipt of the hand there through in donning of the glove by the wearer with the first and second sealing elements being disposed in surrounding relation to the opening. When the glove is in a second configuration that is inverted relative to the first configuration, the first and second sealing elements are disposed in opposed facing relation to one another and are configured to engage one another in interlocking relation for sealing of the opening defined by the forearm portion. The method further comprises donning the glove by inserting a hand through the opening defined by the forearm portion when the glove is in the first configuration with the first and second sealing elements biasing the forearm portion toward the open position for insertion of the hand; handling an object having contaminants by engaging the object with the exterior surface of the hand portion; and removing the hand from the glove when the glove is in the first configuration with the first and second sealing elements biasing the forearm portion toward the open position for withdrawal of the hand. The method further comprises re-donning the glove by inserting the hand through the opening defined by the forearm portion when the glove is in the first configuration with the first and second sealing elements biasing the forearm portion toward the open position; removing the hand from the glove such that, when the hand is completely withdrawn from the glove, the glove is inverted and the exterior surface is contained within the glove; and sealing the inverted glove by pressing the sealing elements disposed on the forearm portion into interlocking engagement with one another, whereby any contaminants disposed on the exterior surface of the glove are contained within the inverted, sealed glove.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further comprises the step of grasping, with a digit of the hand on which the glove is worn, a grasping element that is disposed on the interior surface of a digit portion of the glove while removing the hand from the glove.

In yet another aspect, a method for making a disposable glove comprises cutting two glove forms from a generally planar sheet of pliable plastic; overlaying the two glove forms and seaming the glove forms together along a periphery thereof; and inverting the glove such that a first sealing element of the first glove form and a second sealing element of the second glove form bias the glove into an open configuration defining an opening for receiving there through a hand for donning of the glove.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further comprises the steps of affixing the first and second sealing elements respectively to the first and second glove forms prior to seaming of the glove forms together. In accordance with this feature, the first and second sealing elements comprise first and second sealing strips disposed in end-to-end relation.

In another feature of this aspect, the method further comprises the steps of affixing the first and second sealing elements respectively to the first and second glove forms after the seaming of the glove forms together. In yet another feature, the method further comprises forming a grasping element in each of the glove forms such that, when the glove is inverted, the grasping element is disposed within an interior of the glove and extends from an interior surface. In accordance with the feature, the method further comprises forming an opening in the grasping element that is configured to receive there through an end portion of a digit of a hand when the glove is donned on the hand. In accordance with this feature, the method further comprises forming a second grasping element in one of the glove forms such that, when the glove is inverted, the second grasping element is disposed within an interior of the glove and extends from an interior surface.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, as used herein, “glove” means a covering for at least the hand and wrist and that includes one or more finger portions sheathing the four fingers of the hand, a thumb portion sheathing the thumb of the hand, and a palm portion sheathing the remainder of the hand including the palm.

Turning now to the figures, a glove10according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. The glove10is formed of two generally planar layers of pliable plastic, such as 4 mil polyethylene, joined in a unitary construction. Additional suitable plastics may include polyvinyl chloride, nylon, or other plastics with similar characteristics. Exemplary plastics are available from Eastman Chemical Company under the trade names PROVISTA copolymer, ALL AMERICAN POLY 2100, and ALL AMERICAN POLY 3000. Biodegradable plastics may also be utilized. An exemplary biodegradable plastic is available from Eastman Chemical Company under the trade name EASTAR BIO. The two layers are seamed together along outer margins12by plastic welding, fusing, bonding, sewing, or adhesive attachment to form seams of approximately one eighth of an inch thickness. Forearm margins18are not seamed, however, and provide an opening for insertion and removal of a hand into the glove10. The layers when seamed together along outer margins12form two sides of the glove10, with one side covering volar surfaces of a hand and the other side covering dorsal surfaces of the hand of a wearer when the glove10is donned.

In addition, when the layers of the glove10have been seamed, the glove10includes an interior surface14, which contacts the hand of a wearer when the glove10is worn, and an exterior surface16, which may contact external environmental contaminants while the glove10is worn. The glove10includes forearm margins18disposed at a perimeter of a forearm portion20and a pair22of sealing-strips22a,22bdisposed on the exterior surface16of opposite sides of the glove10proximal the forearm margin18. The glove10may be transparent or opaque. Moreover, the glove10may be any desired color.

In this embodiment, the glove10includes a hand portion. The hand portion includes a palm portion24, a first finger portion26, a second finger portion28, and a thumb portion30. Whereas fingers and thumbs are collectively referred to as digits, the first finger portion26, the second finger portion28and the thumb portion30may also be referred to as digit portions. As such, the present embodiment of the glove10comprises three digit portions.

When the glove10is donned, the first finger portion26receives three fingers, the second finger portion28receives an index finger, and the thumb portion30receives a thumb. Clefts32defined between adjacent finger portions26,28and the thumb portion30terminate in arcuate recesses34that facilitate motion of the fingers while minimizing tearing of the glove material.

Optionally, portions of the glove10are textured to facilitate gripping of objects while wearing the glove10. For example, inFIG. 1, raised bumps or protuberances36, formed by embossing, are provided on the finger portions26,28thumb portion30, and palm portion24. In other embodiments, other textured patterns are formed by other techniques such as, for example, by entraining an abrasive substance into the material of the glove10or by attaching abrasive pads to desired areas of the glove10.

The embodiment of the inventive glove10ofFIG. 1is configured to cover the human hand and a substantial portion of the human forearm. For example, insofar as the glove10is dimensioned to receive an adult hand, the overall length “L” of the glove10preferably is about thirteen inches. Such length provides an optional gripping area42(shown inFIG. 7) at the terminus of the glove10to assist in donning, removing, or inverting of the glove10without contacting contaminants disposed on portions of the glove, such as the finger portions26,28, thumb portion30, and palm portion24, all of which may have been used to handle such contaminants.

Additionally, the glove10ofFIG. 1preferably is a left-handed glove. Alternatively, both sides of the glove10may include the same features, in which case the glove10may be used with either the left hand or right hand.

Further features of the inventive glove10are shown inFIGS. 2A-Band3A-3C. InFIG. 2A-2B, the forearm margins18of the glove10are biased in an open position to allow for convenient passage of a hand in donning and removing the glove10. The forearm margins18of the glove10are biased open by the flexible but semi-rigid sealing strips22a,22battached to the exterior surface16of the opposite sides of the glove10. The flexible but semi-rigid construction of the sealing strips22a,22bgives them spring-like characteristics. Exemplary sealing strips are available from Zip-Pak under the trade names EASY-STOMP zipper, POWDER PROOF zipper, ZIP-PAK RETORT zipper, ATL-140 zipper, and PERF CAP zipper tape. Additional exemplary sealing strips are available from other manufacturers under the trade names EZ-ALIGN zipper, which has multiple interlocking profiles; the ONE-TIME LOCKING zipper, which closes but does not reopen; the DEGRADABLE zipper; the SURLYN compatible zipper; and Barrier INNO-LOK—a combination of Zip-Pak's barrier zipper with Hudson-Sharp's INNO-LOK technology.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the glove10can be donned, used in activities that tend to contaminate the exterior surface16of the glove10, removed, re-donned, and used again. A benefit of reuse of the glove10is that waste can be minimized since only one glove10is required for each hand during a given activity.

For example, the glove10may be used in culinary activities. In preparing a meal, an amateur or professional chef can: firstly, don and use the glove10in handling and cutting meat; secondly, remove the glove10to handle a spice dispenser and sprinkle spices on the cut meat; and thirdly, with particular regard to the forearm margins18of the glove10being biased open, don the glove for further use. Note this can be accomplished without contaminating the spice dispenser (not shown) and the interior surface14of the glove10because of the open-biased position of the forearm margins18. Thus the glove10is useful to prevent the contamination of a kitchen environment with blood, fluids and debris that potentially contain food-poisoning agents such as salmonella organisms. Furthermore, as the glove10can be reused before disposal, waste is minimized to serve the interests of those environmentally concerned and those concerned about the costs of gloves.

The glove10also can be used in many industrial and hobby-craft applications. For example, the glove10can be used to avoid contaminating a work environment with a chemical and can be used to avoid cross-contaminating chemical resources. Minimizing waste by using the inventive glove10can be particularly poignant in activities where waste materials must be managed with care or expense. For example, gloves, brushes, and rags contaminated with oils and epoxies can represent a fire hazard, consequently, waste thereof should be minimized and carefully managed. In another example, disposing of gloves contaminated with hazardous materials—such as biological agents and radioactive materials—requires special handling and expense, and thus waste thereof should be minimized.

InFIG. 3A-3C, the glove10is shown inverted, that is, turned inside-out such that the interior surface14of the glove10ofFIGS. 2A-2Bis exposed to the surrounding environment. When inverted, the sealing strips22a,22bare disposed in opposed facing relation to each other, as shown inFIG. 3B, and are thereby capable of sealing engagement, as shown inFIG. 3C. Specifically, the sealing strips22a,22bpreferably are pressed into engagement with one another along entire lengths thereof for sealing of the inverted glove10. When the sealing strips22a,22bare sealed as shown inFIG. 3C, any contaminants collected on the exterior surface16of the glove10during use are thereby contained within the inverted, sealed glove10. The glove10can then be safely disposed in a trash container with concerns regarding contamination and odors being alleviated by the sealing of the inverted glove10.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 3A, a grasping element38depends from the interior surface14of the glove10. The grasping element38is provided to facilitate inversion of the glove10. After donning and using the glove10, the wearer, in inverting the glove10, conveniently grasps the grasping element38with one or more fingers disposed within the glove10and withdraws the hand from the glove10. The grasping element38preferably includes a loop attached to a seam of the glove10within the first finger portion26. Insofar as the glove10is formed of two generally planar layers of pliable plastic—such as 4 mil polyethylene—seamed along outer margins12thereof, the grasping element38may be formed as a bi-layer comprising portions of the planar layers. Alternatively, the grasping element38may be formed as a single layer comprising a portion of only one of the planar layers. In other embodiments, the grasping element38comprises a tab for grasping and pulling for inverting the glove.

Yet another alternative of the grasping element38is shown inFIGS. 4-5, wherein the grasping element38is attached to the interior surface of the first finger portion26of the glove10and does not extend from a seam of the glove10. Such embodiment is shown biased open inFIG. 4and inverted inFIG. 5. The glove10may further include a second grasping element (not shown) depending from the interior surface14of another digit portion of the glove10to facilitate further the inversion of the glove10. Though the glove10may be manufactured by many techniques, an exemplary method comprises cutting or stamping a glove form40, which includes a grasping element38, from a generally planar layer of pliable plastic. Two such glove forms40are then overlaid and heat-seamed together. The steps of cutting and heat-seaming may be combined. Sealing strips22a,22bmay be attached to the glove forms40before or after heat-seaming the two forms40together. According to the exemplary method, the glove10is thereby first manufactured in the configuration shown inFIG. 3A, i.e., in an inverted configuration. The glove10is then turned “outside-in” for use in the configuration shown inFIG. 2A.

In operation, the glove10of the present invention may be easily donned because the forearm margins18are biased into an open position by the pair of sealing strips22. A person wishing to wear the glove10simply slips his or her hand into the glove10such that the fingers of the hand of the wearer are disposed within the finger portions26,28and the thumb of the wearer is disposed within the thumb portion30. If the wearer wishes to remove the glove10temporarily, the wearer simply pulls the hand out of the glove10and places the glove10in a suitable holding location. For example, a wearer preparing meat may wish to remove the hand from the glove10temporarily to season the meat thereby avoiding contaminating the spice dispenser. While the meat is being seasoned, the glove10may be placed in a sink. After the meat has been seasoned, the wearer may easily re-don the glove10without contaminating the still-clean hand because the forearm margins18of the glove10are biased open.

If the wearer wishes to remove the glove10permanently and dispose of the glove10, the grasping element38is grasped with one or more of the fingers and pulled as the hand is removed from the glove10. The grasping element38thus facilitates inversion of the glove10during removal of the hand, and once the hand has been removed, the glove10will be inverted. When the glove10is inverted, the pair of sealing strips22then are pressed into sealing engagement to contain any contaminants within the sealed, inverted glove10. The sealed, inverted glove10then may be disposed of without concern for subsequent environmental contamination.

The glove optionally may include a gripping area42that extends from the sealing strips22a,22baway from the fingers, thumb, and palm portions of the glove10. This alternative embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 7. While inverting the glove10by withdrawing the hand and pulling the grasping element38, the wearer additionally may hold the gripping area42with a free hand to further facilitate removal of the hand and inversion of the glove10. Because the gripping area42extends from the sealing strips22a,22baway from the hand portion of the glove10, the gripping area42is unlikely to have contaminants on the exterior surface thereof. Moreover, additional care can be exercised by the wearer to avoid contamination of the gripping area, as necessary.

If a gripping area42is provided, then a hang tab cutout44may be defined therein whereby the glove10may be hung from a hook during storage or when displayed for sale. Such a cutout further may be utilized both when simply removing a hand from a glove10as well as when inverting a glove, especially if both hands are gloved. In this respect, a hook or other protuberance can be used, in conjunction with the cutout, in removing a hand from a glove10. The hook or other protuberance can be extended through the cutout and used as an anchor point when removing the hand.

The descriptions herein thus far have been provided generally without recitation of dimensions of the inventive glove10and the accompanying drawings are generally presented without particular regard to any absolute or relative scale beyond that inherent in the human hand and forearm. Insofar as the human hand takes various particular shapes and sizes, the inventive glove10conforms to various shapes and sizes. Accordingly, the inventive glove10can be made available: as a “one size fits all” garment; in size ranges such as small, medium, and large; in men's and women's respective sizes; in children's and adult's respective sizes; and, in any indexed assortment of sizes and shapes. Furthermore, though the embodiments of the inventive glove10shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrated to include exactly two finger portions26,28with the thumb portion30, other embodiments include other numbers of finger portions. For example, in one embodiment, the inventive glove includes a finger portion for each finger of the human hand such that the glove is formed as a four-finger glove with a thumb portion. As such, this embodiment includes five digit portions. In another embodiment, the glove includes a single finger portion for four fingers such that the glove is formed as a mitten, with one finger portion and a thumb portion. Accordingly, the mitten embodiment includes two digit portions.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.