Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to disposable palmar protector configured in the shape of dismembered gloves for protection of the palm of a human hand while leaving the dorsum of the hand substantially exposed.

Description:
[0001]    This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/806,894 filed Mar. 31, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to disposable palmar protector configured in the shape of dismembered gloves for protection of the palm of a human hand while leaving the dorsum of the hand substantially exposed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disposable gloves are manufactured according to high quality standards to protect hands and fingers from exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants commonly found in medical and hospital settings, food preparation areas, biologic engineering laboratories, electromechanical and manufacturing work, inspection industries, automotive repair, household, and so on. Gloves are also used to protect against contamination of, for example, pharmaceuticals and foods that may be handled. 
         [0004]    Disposable gloves are manufactured with several considerations in mind, such as: materials costs, environmental impact, durability, comfort, sanitation, ability to form a protective barrier, and hypo- or non-allergenic materials. 
         [0005]    Disposable gloves are conventionally manufactured from a mixture of polymers, typically a low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene, because of the low cost of the materials, the inertness of the materials to a wide range of chemicals, and the flexibility of the sanitary palm protector over a wide range of temperatures. This invention is not limited to the material of construction, be it vinyl, natural rubber latex, or synthetic latex. 
         [0006]    In lieu of gloves, the constant use of hand sanitizing liquids over time may reduce the body&#39;s ability to fight germs on its own. The inconvenience of applying these liquids every time public places are accessed can be daunting. It also leaves the hands dry, removes any lotions or moisturizers and can be costly to maintain. 
         [0007]    Anti-bacterial liquids can contain active ingredients such as Triclosan which according to many research studies may be harmful to human health when small amounts are absorbed through the skin and enters the blood stream. 
         [0008]    Some of the ways germs are transferred are as follows: 
         [0009]    Some individuals are very unsanitary. They may sneeze by putting their hands to their mouths, wipe their hands on their clothing or a public surface such as a door handle or grocery basket. 
         [0010]    Individuals may at times, blow their nostrils and neglect to wash excess mucus from their hands. 
         [0011]    Some may cough into their hands or pick one&#39;s teeth after a meal and neglect to wash their hands. 
         [0012]    Public places include: any public door handle; railings to trains and subway stations; hand rails in the bus or trains used when standing; grocery baskets and carts; gas nozzles at gas stations; items at public parks; escalators or elevator knobs 
         [0013]    The public area in general is a haven for germs. People of all walks of life and sanitation standards interact and associate, leaving behind a trail of germs to be picked up by just about any one. 
         [0014]    The hands are the most vulnerable to these germs since touch is one of the senses we use constantly. Protecting our hands from germs can reduce or possibly eliminate getting the flu or harmful bacteria which may lead to ill health. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, it is one objective of the present invention to provide a sanitary palm protector to reduce exposure to surface borne germs and provide a cost effective and easy to use alternative to sanitizing liquids. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, it is another objective of the present invention to provide a method of reducing the use of hand sanitization liquids and to reduce direct exposure of the hands (palm side) to germs in public places. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    As used in this specification, terminologies relating to hand anatomy are based on the anatomical drawing appended below. Anatomically, a hand comprises the palmar side and the dorsal side. This invention relates to a modified glove that covers the palmar side leaving the dorsal side substantially exposed. As used herein, the dorsum of the hand is the back of the hand opposite the palmar. See  FIG. 5 . 
         [0018]    As used herein, construction material is any material known in the art suitable for use in making gloves. As used herein, a membrane is any piece of glove construction material that is adaptable for sanitary uses by providing a thin layer of covering over the hands. Thus a typical glove will comprise a palmar membrane, a dorsal membrane, and finger pockets and a neck portion extending over the wrist crease. 
         [0019]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a hand palm protection in the shape of a dismembered glove having a palmar protector wherein the dorsal portion of the glove is cut out but for finger pockets, and adapted for receiving thumb, fingers, and a hand therein. 
         [0020]    One feature of the sanitary palmar protector is its ease of use. Unlike conventional gloves, this product lacks material covering a substantial portion of the dorsal side of the hand. In another embodiment, this product lacks material covering the dorsal side of the hand. By eliminating the dorsal side, entry and exit to the product is made simpler and easier than conventional gloves. 
         [0021]    One preferred embodiment comprises a palmar protector with finger pockets that covers a portion of the distal end of the dorsal side of each finger, at a position slightly below the nails, and thus also protects the nails. These finger pockets can be made with a firm material or reinforced material to aid in the quick and easy insertion of the fingers. 
         [0022]    Yet another preferred embodiment comprises a convenient wrist strap. In one embodiment, the wrist strap is fastened by button snaps or Velcro. The material in the model preferably extends 2-3 mm on each side of each finger to extend surface contact protection. 
         [0023]    The invention provides a method of protection from germs on the anterior or palmar side of the hand. Since this is the more active side of the product, the design takes into consideration natural palm contours and movements. 
         [0024]    This model can be constructed by several materials; including fabric, polyurethane, nylon or even latex and many other materials that can also be introduced as a fashionable statement as the product gains public acceptance. 
         [0025]    All materials used must be recyclable, friendly to the environment and easily disposable. The palm protector can also come in many colors including colors that mimic the different shades of human skin colors. 
         [0026]    Another embodiment comprises a palmer covering without the finger pockets and further comprising a means for adhering the product to palmar side of the hand. Such means could be adhesive or suction cups that allow the product to adhere to the palmar side of the hand. The product is easily peeled off and also may carry a strap at the wrist, and other fastening agents. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the palmar side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the dorsal side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the anatomical annotations of the human hand. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    This invention comprises a sanitary palmar protector  10  having the shape of a dismembered glove lacking a dorsal membrane, and comprising a palmer membrane  12 , finger pockets  16  extending through a portion of the distal phalanx, and adapted for receiving thumb, fingers, and a hand  18  therein. See  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    One feature of the sanitary palmar protector is its ease of use. Unlike conventional gloves, this product lacks material covering a substantial portion of the dorsal side of the hand. By eliminating the dorsal side, entry and exit to the product is made simpler and easier than conventional gloves. See  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    One preferred embodiment comprises a palmar protector with finger pockets  16  that covers a portion of the distal end each finger, and also protects the nails. These finger pockets  16  can be made with a firm or reinforced material that aids in the quick and easy insertion of the fingers. See  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    Yet another preferred embodiment comprises a convenient wrist strap  20 . In one embodiment, the wrist strap is fastened by button snaps or Velcro. The material in the preferred embodiment preferably extends 2-3 mm on each side of each finger to extend surface contact protection. 
         [0036]    The product  10  provides a method of protection of the hand from germs on the anterior or palmar side of the hand  14 . Since this is the more active side of the product, the design takes into consideration natural palm contours and movements. Thus the invention provides a method of protection of the hand from germs comprising covering the hand with a palmar membrane having optional finger pockets, wherein the palmar membrane has a neck portion that extends over the crease of the wrist. 
         [0037]    This model can be constructed by several materials; including fabric, polyurethane, nylon or even latex and many other materials that can also be introduced as a fashionable statement as the product gains public acceptance. 
         [0038]    All materials used preferably should be recyclable, friendly to the environment, and easily disposable. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 4 , another embodiment  30  comprises a palmer membrane  40  without the finger pockets and further comprising a means  32  for adhering the product to palmar side of the hand. Such means could be adhesive or suction cups that allow the nonabsorbent material  34  to adhere to the palmar side of the hand. The product is easily peeled off and also may carry a strap at the wrist, and other fastening agents. Preferably, this embodiment  30  does not extend beyond the radial border  36  of the hand  18 . 
         [0040]    The many aspects and benefits of the invention are apparent from the detailed description, and thus, it is intended for the following claims to cover all such aspects and benefits of the invention which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, because numerous modifications and variations will be obvious and readily occur to those skilled in the art, the claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents should be understood to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed herein.