Patent Publication Number: US-2011067166-A1

Title: Protective Gloves

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to medical gloves, as well as gloves that are used to protect a person&#39;s hand from harmful substances, such as abrasive or toxic chemicals or biological agents. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Latex gloves (both natural and synthetic) are widely used in a variety of industries. For example, protective latex gloves are used in the medical profession, in order to avoid contaminating a wounded area of a patient (and to protect the healthcare provider from infectious diseases that a patient may carry). With these types of applications, it is important to maintain the protective glove in a clean and preferably sterile condition, such that contact between the exterior surface of the glove and a wounded area of a patient will not lead to infection. 
     The protective latex gloves that are routinely used in the medical profession typically exhibit a single, solid color, such as yellow, blue, or other colors. These gloves are typically packaged in a box or other dispenser, used for a single application, and then disposed. Because these types of protective latex gloves typically exhibit a single, solid color, it is often difficult to quickly determine the correct orientation of the glove, i.e., it is often difficult to quickly distinguish the thumb portion from the small-finger portion of the glove, which is necessary to apply the glove to a person&#39;s hand in its correct orientation. As a result, the healthcare provider may handle the exterior portion of the glove more than is desired, in order to inspect the glove and determine its correct orientation (i.e., to distinguish the small-finger from the thumb portion). This leads to undesirable and potentially harmful contamination of the exterior portion of the protective glove, which may cause an infection in a wound of a patient. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for improved protective gloves, such as medical gloves, which allow a user to quickly identify the proper orientation of the glove. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     One embodiment of the subject invention is a protective glove comprising a directional disposed indicator mechanism. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first color and a second color on the protective glove. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first color, a second color and a third color on the protective glove. 
     In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark and a second visual mark on the protective glove. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark, a second visual mark and a third visual mark on the protective glove. 
     In one embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark on a finger portion of the protective glove. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a finger portion comprising a first color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a second color. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a finger portion comprising a first color, a second finger portion comprising a second color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a third color. 
     In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark on a wrist portion of the protective glove. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a wrist portion comprising a first color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a second color. 
     In one embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a wrist portion comprising a first color, a first finger portion comprising a second color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a third color. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the protective glove comprises a ring along a circumference of the wrist portion and the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark on the ring. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the protective glove comprises a ring along a circumference of the wrist portion and the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first color of the ring and a second color on the rest of the protective. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark on a palm portion of the protective glove. 
     In one embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a palm portion comprising a first color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a second color. 
     In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a palm portion comprising a first color, a first finger portion comprising a second color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a third color. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a first visual mark on a dorsum portion of the protective glove. 
     In one embodiment of the subject invention, the directional disposed indicator mechanism comprises a dorsum portion comprising a first color and the rest of the protective glove comprising a second color. 
     Another embodiment of the subject invention is a protective glove comprising first finger portion, a second finger portion, a third finger portion, a fourth finger portion and a fifth finger portion, wherein the first finger portion comprises a first mark and the second, third, fourth and fifth finger portions comprise a second mark. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first finger portion covers a thumb of a user, the second finger portion covers a ring finger of a user, the third finger portion covers a middle finger of a user, the fourth finger portion covers an index finger of a user and the fifth finger portion covers a small finger of a user. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the first finger portion covers a small finger of a user, the second finger portion covers a index finger of a user, the third finger portion covers a middle finger of a user, the fourth finger portion covers a ring finger of a user and the fifth finger portion covers a thumb of a user. 
     In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the first finger portion comprises a first color and the second, third, fourth and fifth finger portions comprise a second color. 
     In one embodiment of the subject invention, the first mark comprises one or more visual lines, whereas the second mark does not contain any visual lines. 
     Another embodiment of the subject invention further comprises a wrist portion, wherein (i) a cross-section of the wrist portion comprises a thumb side and a small-finger side and (ii) the thumb side of the wrist portion comprises a third mark. In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the small-finger side of the wrist portion comprises a fourth mark. 
     One embodiment of the subject invention further comprises a ring along a circumference of the wrist portion, wherein the ring comprises a fifth mark. 
     Another embodiment of the subject invention is a protective glove comprising first finger portion, a second finger portion, a third finger portion, a fourth finger portion and a fifth finger portion, wherein the first finger portion comprises a first mark; the second, third and fourth finger portions comprise a second mark; and the fifth finger portion comprises a third mark. In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first finger portion comprises a first color; the second, third, fourth finger portions comprise a second color; and the fifth finger portion comprises a third color. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the glove further comprises a wrist portion, wherein (i) a cross-section of the wrist portion comprises a thumb side and a small-finger side and (ii) the small-finger side of the wrist portion comprises a fourth mark. In another embodiment of the subject invention, the thumb side of the wrist portion comprises a fifth mark. 
     In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the glove further comprises a ring along a circumference of the wrist portion, wherein the ring comprises a sixth mark. 
     According to certain aspects of the present invention, protective gloves are provided that comprise four fingers and a thumb portion. According to such embodiments, the thumb portion comprises a unique mark that visually differentiates the thumb portion from the four fingers of the glove. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the thumb portion exhibits a color that is different from the color of the other four fingers. In another embodiment of the subject invention, the thumb portion comprises one or more visual lines, whereas the four fingers do not exhibit any of said lines. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the glove comprises a wrist portion, wherein (i) a cross-section of the wrist portion comprises a thumb side and a small-finger side and (ii) the thumb side of the wrist portion comprises a unique mark that is visually different from the small-finger side of the wrist portion. 
     According to additional aspects of the present invention, protective gloves are provided that comprise a small-finger portion, three additional fingers and a thumb portion. According to such embodiments, the small-finger portion comprises a unique mark that visually differentiates the small-finger portion from the three additional fingers and the thumb portion. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the small-finger portion exhibits a color that is different than the three additional fingers and the thumb portion. In another embodiment of the subject invention, the small-finger portion comprises one or more visual lines, whereas the three additional fingers and the thumb portion do not exhibit any of said lines. 
     In another embodiment of the subject invention, the glove further comprises a wrist portion, wherein (i) a cross-section of the wrist portion comprises a thumb side and a small-finger side and (ii) the small-finger side of the wrist portion comprises a unique mark that is visually different from the thumb side of the wrist portion. 
     According to still further aspects of the present invention, protective gloves are provided that comprise four fingers, a thumb portion, and a wrist portion. According to such embodiments, the wrist portion comprises a thumb side and a small-finger side, and either the small-finger side or thumb side comprises a unique mark that is visually different from the other side. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the glove further comprises a ring or band along a circumference of the wrist portion. In another embodiment of the subject invention, the unique mark is located on said ring or band. 
     In embodiments of the subject invention, the gloves are sterile and may be medical gloves. In further embodiments of the subject invention, the gloves are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber latex, carboxylated nitrile rubber latex, non-carboxylated nitrile rubber latex, polychloroprene latex, polyisoprene latex, polyurethane latex, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof. 
     There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. These together with other embodiments of the invention, and with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and formed as part of this disclosure. 
     For a conceptual understanding of the invention and its operational advantages, refer to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which by way of example; illustrate the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which, unless otherwise specified, the platform is shown and the loading system is attached, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of a left-handed protective glove of the present invention, which exhibits a marked thumb portion. 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing of a left-handed protective glove of the present invention, which exhibits a marked small-finger portion. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the wrist portion of a left-handed protective glove of the present invention, which exhibits a marked thumb side portion. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the wrist portion of a left-handed protective glove of the present invention, which exhibits a marked small-finger side portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following will describe, in detail, several embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanation only, and thus, should not unduly restrict the scope of the invention. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that the invention teaches many variations and modifications, and that numerous variations of the invention may be employed, used and made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, protective gloves are provided that comprise four fingers and a thumb portion. Referring to  FIG. 1 , for example, the thumb portion  20  of the glove  10  comprises a unique mark that visually differentiates the thumb portion from the four fingers. As used herein, the term “protective glove” refers to non-ambidextrous disposable gloves. More particularly, the non-ambidextrous protective gloves are designed to fit a human hand, such that, for example, the glove is designed to include a separate small-finger portion and a separate thumb portion. The thumb portion may be set apart from the remaining four fingers (and may exhibit a length that is less than the length of the small-finger), as exhibited by a typical human hand, such that a proper and snug fit is achieved between a user&#39;s hand and the glove. 
     The invention provides that a variety of different demarcations (visual marks) may be employed to visually distinguish the thumb portion  20  of a protective glove  10  from any of the four fingers. For example, the thumb portion  20  may exhibit a color that is different than the color of the four fingers (and body of the protective glove  10 ). Alternatively, for example, the thumb portion  20  may comprise one or more visual lines, whereas the four fingers and body of the protective glove  10  do not exhibit any of such lines. 
     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the protective glove is sterile, and free from contaminants that could infect an open wound on a patient. As such, in certain embodiments, the protective gloves may be a medical glove and used during the provision of healthcare services. The protective gloves of the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, natural rubber latex, carboxylated nitrile rubber latex, non-carboxylated nitrile rubber latex, polychloroprene latex, polyisoprene latex, polyurethane latex, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof. 
     The invention provides that although the protective gloves of the present invention are described to have a thumb portion that is visually distinguishable from the remainder of the glove, in certain alternative embodiments, the protective gloves may include a small-finger portion that is visually distinguishable from the remainder of the glove. Referring to  FIG. 2 , for example, the protective glove  10  may comprise a small-finger portion  30  that is demarcated in such a way that it is visually distinguishable from the three additional fingers and thumb portion of the glove, e.g., the small-finger portion  30  may exhibit a different color from the remainder of the glove. 
     The invention provides that the protective gloves  10  of the present invention will further comprise a wrist portion  40 , which may optionally include a ring or band along the circumference thereof to further secure the glove to a person&#39;s hand.  FIGS. 3 and 4  represent cross-sectional views of the wrist portion  40 , such that the interior portion  90  of the glove could be viewed. The wrist portion  40  of the protective glove  10  will include two sides, namely, a small-finger side  50  and a thumb side  60 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , in certain embodiments of the invention, the thumb side  60  of the wrist portion  40  comprises a unique mark  70  that is visually different from the small-finger side  50  of the wrist portion  40 . The unique mark  70  may be located on a ring or band that is located along the circumference of the wrist portion  40 , and may exhibit a color that is visually different from the remainder of the glove (or otherwise include another form of demarcation that visually distinguishes the thumb side  60  of the wrist portion  40  from the small-finger side  50  thereof). This way, a person will be able to view the wrist portion  40  of the glove, and quickly and properly orient the glove for application to the person&#39;s hand, without handling and contaminating the exterior of the glove that will make contact with a patient. Alternatively, of course, the invention provides that the small-finger side  50  of the wrist portion  40  may exhibit the unique mark  80 , such that it is visually distinguishable from the thumb side portion  60 . 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, and referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dorsal side (and/or ventral side) of the wrist portion  40  may also be demarcated. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the dorsal thumb side  100  of the wrist portion  40  may be demarcated in such a way to visually distinguish itself from the dorsal small-finger side of the wrist portion  40 . Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 2 , the dorsal small-finger side  110  of the wrist portion  40  may be demarcated in such a way to visually distinguish itself from the dorsal thumb side of the wrist portion  40 . Marking (demarcating) the dorsal and/or ventral side of the wrist portion  40  in such way may be particularly useful when the glove does not exhibit a ring or band that is located around the circumference of the wrist portion  40 , as described above and shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Moreover, it should be appreciated that the wrist portion  40  may be demarcated as described herein in replacement of (or in addition to) demarcating the small-finger  30  or thumb portion  20  of the protective glove  10 , to visually distinguish one side of the glove from the other, in order to facilitate a user&#39;s quick and accurate orientation of the glove (and to prevent the contamination of the exterior portion of the glove). 
     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.