Patent Publication Number: US-11641894-B2

Title: Safety glove with fingertip protective member

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/135,266, filed on Sep. 19, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/185,097, filed Jun. 17, 2016, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/181,967, filed Jun. 19, 2015. Each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to gloves. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to work gloves for use in the food processing industry. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a protective work glove that includes an etched exterior layer which has improved abrasion resistance and a protective member integrally formed at the tip of each finger and thumb. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many industries it is both desirable and necessary for workers to wear protective gloves. One of these industries is the food processing industry, particularly the meat packing industry. In the meat packing industry, many workers have to use knives during the performance of their jobs and, thus, there is a risk of accidentally cutting through the glove and injuring the worker&#39;s hand. It is therefore vital that a cut-resistance glove be worn in these particular occupations. Other workers use motorized machinery to perform tasks. One such machine is a deriding skinner which is utilized to simultaneously remove skin and a layer of fat from carcasses during meat processing. These skinners are configured to remove tough, thick layers of skin from a carcass. Consequently, workers gloves have to be strong and abrasion resistant so as to try and prevent a worker&#39;s hand from being badly hurt if it coming into contact with the blade region of a deriding skinner. 
     A number of patents are directed to protective gloves which are cut-resistant and abrasion resistant. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,293 and a protective glove commercially known as “Best Nitty Gritty” manufactured by Showa Best Glove of Menlo, Ga. 
     SUMMARY 
     Issues continue to exist with protective gloves insofar as they still may lack adequate protection in the fingertip region. Thus, a need exists for an improved protective glove used in the meat packing industry. The present disclosure addresses these and other issues. 
     In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a protective glove comprising: a flexible first layer; a hardened second layer; a flexible third layer; a tip of a finger region adapted to receive a user&#39;s finger therein; and wherein the hardened second layer is between the flexible first and third layers adjacent the tip of the finger region. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a protective glove comprising: a distal tip of a finger region adapted to receive a user&#39;s finger therein; a flexible first layer extending over a distal tip of a finger region; a hardened second layer extending over the distal tip of the finger region and positioned entirely distal from an interphalangeal join plane; and an indicator layer extending over the distal tip of the finger region positioned between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the indicator layer provides a visual identifier to a user in the event that the flexible first layer is broken. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment may provide a method comprising the steps of: donning a protective work glove including a protective layer adjacent a tip of a finger region on the glove, wherein the protective layer is fabricated from a hardened material and is positioned between two layers of flexible material; skinning meat in a skinning device including a rotating blade; wherein the protective layer protects a user from injury if the protective work glove contacts the rotating blade. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a protective glove comprising: a proximal wrist end opposite a distal fingertip end; a first finger sleeve including a distal tip; and a protective member adjacent the distal tip and positioned distal from an interphalangeal joint line, wherein the protective member is hardened relative to the first finger sleeve. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method comprising the steps of: donning a protective work glove including a protective layer adjacent a tip of a finger region on the glove, wherein the protective layer is fabricated from a hardened material and is positioned between two layers of flexible material; skinning meat in a skinning device including a rotating blade; and protecting a wearer from injury if the protective work glove contacts the rotating blade. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a safety glove having a protective member or insert extending around the fingertip of the safety glove. The protective member may be positioned along the outer surface or the inner surface of the glove. Alternatively, the protective member may be integrally formed between two layers of glove material. The protective member terminates distally from an interphalangeal joint line to enable finger flexion in order to grasp an item, such as a slab of meat to be deskinned in a skinning machine. The glove may include a rough outer surface formed from thrice dipping the glove and allowing the glove to cure. Additionally, the glove may have a width near the wrist that is wider than the width near the palm to enable the glove to be rapidly removed (i.e., doffed) in an emergency event of the glove getting caught in a rotating blade on the skinning machine. 
     In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a protective article comprising: a first end opposite a second end; a liner adapted to receive objects therein; an outer layer connected with the liner; and a protective member adjacent the second end that transitions from a liquid state to a solid state while forming the protective article. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member in a solid state is positioned between the liner and the outer layer. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective article is a protective glove, and the protective glove includes: the first end is a proximal wrist end; the second end is a distal fingertip end; a longitudinal direction of the protective glove defined between the proximal wrist end and the distal fingertip end; a first finger sleeve including a distal tip; the liner defining a portion of the first finger sleeve; the outer layer connected with the liner defining a portion of the first finger sleeve; and the protective member adjacent the distal tip. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member in the solid state is positioned between the liner and the outer layer. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member in the solid state is hardened relative to the liner and the outer layer. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member includes a first end extending from the distal fingertip end to a second end that tapers towards the liner. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member in a solid state is positioned distal from an interphalangeal joint line of the first finger sleeve. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member in the liquid state covers a distal tip of the liner. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an indicator layer positioned between the protective member in the solid state and the outer layer. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the indicator layer has a color that is different than that of the outer layer adapted to provide a visual indicator if the layer of material is ripped, torn, cut, or otherwise broken. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the protective member that transitions from the liquid state to the solid state is formed from a material selected from the group comprising: natural rubber, acrylic, monomers, or polymers. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a two-way stretch direction of the liner that is not parallel to the longitudinal direction. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the two-way stretch direction of the liner is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the liner does not include four-way stretch. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a two-way stretch direction of the liner that is not parallel to a longitudinal direction of the protective article measured from the first end to the second end, and the liner does not include four-way stretch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG.  1    is a front elevation view of a protective work glove in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear elevation view of the protective work glove of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged front view of the highlighted region of  FIG.  1    and showing the etched rubber on the exterior surface of at least part of the work glove. 
         FIG.  4    is a longitudinal cross-section of a finger region of the work glove taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a longitudinal cross-section of a finger region of the work glove taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  2    including an indicator layer positioned between a flexible outer layer and a hardened layer. 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged elevation view of a finger region of the work glove detailing a rip or tear or cut in an outer flexible layer such that an indicator layer is visible to provide a visual identifier that the glove is broken and needs replaced. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross section view of a finger region for an alternative embodiment glove having a protective member therein. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic operational elevation view of a liner being dipped into a liquefied material that cures to form the protective member in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is an inverted elevation view of the liner having cured protective member originally formed form liquefied material covering the distal tips of the finger sleeves of the liner. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagrammatic operational elevation view of the liner and protective members being dipped into a liquefied bath of material that will form the outer layer or outer surface of the resultant protective glove. 
         FIG.  11    is cross section of one finger sleeve depicting the protective member disposed between the liner and the outer layer and being hardened relative to the same. 
         FIG.  12    is a flow chart depicting an exemplary method in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 6    there is shown a work glove in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, generally indicated at  10 . Glove  10  comprises a wrist region  12 , a palm region  14 , finger regions  16  and a thumb region  18 . Glove  10  is configured to receive a user&#39;s hand therein through an opening (not shown) but defined in a first end  12   a  of wrist region  12 . 
     Wrist region  12  is configured to cover a portion of a user&#39;s wrist and forearm and first end  12   a  thereof is preferably angled such that a first side  12   b  of wrist region  12  is longer than a second side  12   c  thereof. First side  12   b  is that side which is located adjacent thumb region  18 . 
     Wrist region  12  has a first width  13  when glove  10  is laid flat. The wrist region  12  width is widest portion of the glove  10  and defines an opening  15  through which a user or wearer is intended to insert their hand. 
     Palm region  14  is positioned distally from wrist region  12  and positioned proximal from first end  12   a . Palm region  14  is configured to cover the palm of the user&#39;s hand and the back (i.e., dorsal portion) of their hand. Palm region  14  has a second width associated with it which may referred to as second width  17 . Second width  17  is less than the first width  13  of the wrist region  12 . As such, when glove  10  is laid flat, side edges  12   b ,  12   c  taper inwardly from wrist region  12  towards palm region  14 . By enabling wrist region  12  to have a greater width than that of palm region  14 , glove  10  is enabled to rapidly and easily be pulled from the wearer&#39;s hand. The rapid doffing may occur during the meat skinning process if the distal tip of the glove is caught in a rotating blade. 
     Finger region  16  extends distally outward from palm region  14  in a direction opposite to wrist region  12 . Finger region  16  include the index finger region  16   a , middle finger region  16   b , ring finger region  16   c , and little finger region  16   c . The respective finger regions are defined by finger sleeve coverings formed of glove material. The finger sleeves are similarly labeled by reference numerals  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d.    
     Thumb region  18  also extends outwardly from palm region  14  in a direction generally opposite to wrist region. Thumb region  18  is located in front of finger region  16 . 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention and as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , glove  10  may be fabricated from a first layer  20 . First layer  20  forms part of every region of glove  10 . Thus, first layer  20  is provided as part of wrist region  12 , palm region  14 , finger region  16  and thumb region  18 .  FIG.  1    shows that first layer  20  is the exterior layer covering most of wrist region  12 . First layer  20  is of substantially the same thickness over the entire glove  10  with the exception of the tips of each respective finger region  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , in the tip  22  of each digit, such as index finger region  16   a , first layer  20  is thinner than over the rest of glove  10  and a protective member  24  of material is provided exteriorly of first layer  20 . In one embodiment, the protective member  24  may be a hardened acrylic and provides additional protection in the tips  22  of each finger. A liner of drilled cotton  26  may be provided interiorly of first layer  20 . This drilled cotton liner  26  makes glove  10  more comfortable to wear as it is gentle on the skin and also absorbs perspiration from the user&#39;s hand. The drilled cotton liner  26  is secured to first layer  20  in any suitable manner, however normally the cotton liner  26  is fitted to a mold and dipped into liquid rubber creating adhesion between the two. Further, alternative to drilled cotton liner  26 , a liner of interlock or jersey cotton may be utilized to provide comfort for the user&#39;s skin. 
     The protective member  24  is integrally formed in glove  10  extending from a first end  40  over and around a distal tip region  22  of each finger region  16  to a second end  44 . In the embodiment described above, protective member  24  is a hardened acrylic or hardened rubber however, other hardened materials used to protect the tip region  22  of each finger region  16  are entirely possible. For example, hardened polymers, Kevlar, hardened milled rubbers, and various other hardened non-metals may suffice. It may be undesirable in some instances to use a metal as protective member  24  because protective member  24  is designed to protect the tips of a user&#39;s fingers when inside the glove in the event the glove comes in contact with the metal blade on the skinner. The use of a metal protective member  24  contacting a rotating metal blade on the skinning device may damage the blade on the skinning device. However, it may be entirely possible to use a softer metal such as aluminum to fabricate protective member  24 . 
     The first and second ends  40 ,  44  of protective member  24  terminate distally relative to a distal interphalangeal joint line  46 . The interphalangeal line  46  is an imaginary line drawn at the location of the distal interphalangeal joint of a user&#39;s hand when the glove  10  is worn. The advantage of terminating protective member  24  distally from interphalangeal line  46  is that this design permits a user to continue to have a full range of motion in flexing the distal interphalangeal joint line  46  while protecting the tip regions  22  of their fingers with a solid protective member  24 . The first and second ends  40 ,  44  form a portion of an annular edge  41  defining an opening opposite a tip of the protective member  24 , wherein the annular edge is positioned entirely distal of the interphalangeal line  46  associated with the first finger sleeve  16   a . The annular edge  41  tapers towards the second end  40  of the protective member to thereby define a tapered surface  45 . 
     Protective member  24  is integrally formed between first layer  20  and a second etched outer layer  28  (described in further detail below). In one embodiment, the integral formation of a protective member  24  sandwiched between first layer  20  and second layer  28  is accomplished by adhering protective member  24  to first layer  20  with an adhesive and then coating second layer  28  over first layers  20  and protective member  24 . In other embodiments, no adhesive is needed to secure protective member  24  to first layer  20 . 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second layer  28  of etched material is provided exteriorly over first layer  20  across all of the finger regions  16 , the thumb region  18 , the palm region  14  and a portion of wrist region  12  adjacent palm region. The second layer  28  comprises a plurality of randomized alternating ridges  28   a  and valleys  28   b . The ridges  28   a  and valleys  28   b  are oriented generally horizontally relative to a longitudinal axis “Y” ( FIG.  1   ) of glove  10 . 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, second layer  28  also includes a plurality of striations  28   c , seen best in  FIG.  3   . Striations  28   c  are generally aligned with longitudinal axis “Y”. Striations  28   c  extend across each individual valley  28   b  generally from one ridge  28   a  to the adjacent ridge  28   a . The ridges  28   a , valleys  28   b , and striations  28   c  provides improved abrasion resistance to glove  10 . The material of second layer  28  may be natural rubber that is milled, formed, and compressed rubber. The outer etching second layer  28  defining ridges  28   a , valley  28   b , and striations  28   c  defines a very rough outer surface of glove  10 . The rough outer surface is advantageous in the meat packing industry to allow grease and water to drain through various channels defined by the valleys  28   b  and striations  28   c  so that glove  10  is less slippery, especially when working with pork and chicken. The etching of second layer  28  is formed as glove  10  is dipped in liquefied first layer and liquefied second layer material. It is entirely possible and foreseen that other methods of forming a rough surface around a protective member  24  would be entirely possible other than forming it through a dipped process. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  5   , another aspect of protective glove  10  includes an indicator layer  50 . Indicator layer  50  extends from a first end  52  around the tip  22  to a second end  54 . First end  52  and second end  54  of indicator layer  50  are both distal of interphalangeal joint  46 . Indicator layer  50  is positioned between hardened protective member  24  and flexible outer second layer  28 . Indicator layer  50  is preferably fabricated from acrylic in combination with styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Indicator layer  50  has a color that is different than that of flexible outer second layer  28  such that indicator layer  50  provides a visual indicator in the event that flexible outer second layer  28  is ripped or torn or otherwise broken. In one exemplary embodiment, indicator layer  50  is an orange color visually distinct from the color associated with outer flexible second layer  28 . 
     While  FIG.  5    details an embodiment of glove  10  having indicator layer  50  to provide a visual representation in the event the flexible outer second layer  28  is torn, it is entirely possible that an embodiment of  FIG.  4    having only a hardened protective member  24  and a flexible outer second layer  28  is utilized and wherein the hardened protective member  24  is dyed a color different than that of the flexible outer second layer  28 . If this version is employed, the hardened protective member  24  may be an orange thimble-like member that visually identifies a cut or tear or rip or otherwise break in the flexible outer second layer  28  of glove  10 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  6   , an exemplary tear or rip  56  is shown near the tip of a finger region of glove  10 . The tear or rip  56  extends entirely through flexible outer second layer  28  revealing indicator layer  50  there beneath. Indicator layer  50  shows itself through the aperture defined by tear  56  in order to provide a visual indicator to the user that the glove is broken and needs replaced. 
     It will be understood that the style of glove  10  illustrated in these figures is a hand-specific glove, but other styles of glove, such as puppet gloves or mitts may utilize include the features of glove  10  which provide improved abrasion resistance. 
     A pair of gloves  10  in accordance with the above description and figures was fabricated and tested for abrasion resistance. Glove  10  is fabricated by forming the liner of drilled cotton  26  over a mold in the desired shape or form of resultant glove  10 . The drilled cotton liner  26  may then be dipped into a liquid solution of first layer  20  and then removed allowing first layer  20  to cool. Protective member  24  may be attached via an adhesive to the tip end  22  of first layer  20 . Thus, protective member  24  may be pre-hardened and secured to glove. Alternatively, the cotton liner  26  and first layer  20  may have the finger tips  22  dipped into an acrylic or polymer solution and removed and cured to form protective member  24 . Thereafter, portions of the glove having first layer  20  and protective member  24  adhered thereto may be dipped into a bath of liquid second layer material wherein second layer  28  is then permitted to cool. The milled features  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  of second layer  28  may be formed while second layer  28  cools and cures. Second layer  28  may be a natural rubber, Acrynitrile Butadiene Rubber, or Chloroprene. Similarly, first layer  20  may be a natural rubber, Acrynitrile Butadiene Rubber, or Chloroprene. Alternatively, first layer  20  and second layer  28  may also be pre-vulcanized latex. 
     When the layers are formed from pre-vulcanized latex, glove  10  may be dipped at least three times into the bath of liquid pre-vulcanized latex layer material. By dipping three times, glove  10  is formed thicker than conventional protective gloves in the meat packing industry. The thrice dipped thick glove  10  is semi-stiff or semi-rigid and less flexible than conventional protective glove. One exemplary, non-limiting advantage of a thrice dipped semi-rigid glove  10  is that the rigid form enables the glove to be removed from the hand (i.e., doffed) very quickly in the event of an emergency with the glove getting caught in the machine. The thick glove  10  having the wider first width  13  also assists with rapid removal of thick glove  10  in such an emergency. 
     In the embodiment of glove  10  that includes indicator layer  50  positioned between outer second layer  28  and the hardened protective member  24 , the indicator layer  50  is applied over the hardened member  24 . Then the glove with the indicator layer  50  is dipped into a liquid bath of the second layer  28  such that the dipping process seals indicator layer  50  therebetween the second layer  28  and the hardened protective member  24 . 
     Once glove  10  is fabricated, a user dons the glove by inserting their hand into the interior portions of the glove contacting cotton liner  26 . User may then grasp a piece of meat that needs skinned in a skinning device. When grasping the meat, the etched second layer  28  contacts the meat and provides a gripping surface with the plurality of randomized alternating ridges  28   a  and valleys  28   b . Additionally, the material of first layer  20  and second layer  28  allow the user to flex their fingers to assist in the gripping of the meat. Further, with protective member  24  integrally formed between first and third layer entirely distal of the interphalangeal line  46 , the tips  22  of a user&#39;s fingers are protected when manipulating the meat onto the skinning device while still allowing fingers to flex about the interphalangeal joint. 
     During the skinning process, the user guides the meat over a rotating blade narrowly exposed through a hole defined in a skinning table top (i.e., a deriding skinner machine). The user may rest the tips of the glove on the table top and move the piece of meat over the hole having the rotating skinning blades moving therein. In the event that tip region  22  of glove  10  comes into contact with the rotating blade, the protective member  24  made of hardened material will protect the tips of a finger in a thimble-like manner. Stated otherwise, protective member  24  may be generally cup-shaped to cover the tips of a wearer&#39;s fingers such that the cup-shaped protective member terminates between the base of a wearers finger nail and the interphalangeal joint. One exemplary and non-limiting deriding skinner machine is manufactured and commercially available for sale under the name “SK 15-340 Pork Skinner” by Marel hf of Reykjavik, Iceland. 
       FIG.  7    depicts a first finger region  116   a  of a protective glove  110  in accordance with one aspect of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Glove  110  is formed from a single layer  128  of flexible material. The single layer  128  may form similar rough surfaces (i.e.,  28   a ,  28   b ) to provide suitable grip during the meat handling process. However, unlike glove  10  which has an integrally formed protective member  24 , glove  110  is designed to utilize a protective member  124  which may be retrofitted to an existing protective glove. Stated otherwise, glove  110  is formed by retrofitting an ordinary and usual non-slip glove utilized in the meat packing industry with the protective member  124  inserted into the fingertip region.  FIG.  7    depicts the step of retrofitting an ordinary meat packing protective glove into glove  110  by inserting protective member  124  into the fingertip in the direction of Arrow A. 
     Protective member  124  may fit into the inner surface of layer  128  via a frictional interference fit, or may be attached with a thin layer of adhesive. Alternatively, protective member  124  may fit interiorly of a liner  126  and be connected thereto. In each instance, protective member  124  is shaped similar to a thimble and has an end that terminates distally from imaginary interphalangeal joint line  46 , similar to that of glove  10 . 
       FIG.  8    schematically depicts a portion of the method used to formulate a protective article or glove in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. A cross-section of one finger of a glove or one portion of the article formed in accordance with this alternative embodiment is shown as  200  ( FIG.  11   ). For example, this exemplary embodiment may refer to a protective article comprising: a first end opposite a second end; a liner adapted to receive objects therein; an outer layer connected with the liner; and a protective member adjacent the second end that transitions from a liquid state to a solid state while forming the protective article. Further, the protective member in a solid state is positioned between the liner and the outer layer. In this scenario, the protective article may refer to any device that may protect something else that is disposed within the protective article. For example, as shown, the protective article may be a protective glove. However, it is possible that the protective article be other devices than a glove. For example, the protective article may be a mitten, shirt, jacket, hat, belt, shoe, sock, goggle, mask. However, the protective article need not be a wearable item. For example, the protective article may be any article of manufacture, such as a protective box, container, vessel, chest, or canister. However, any other article of manufacturer is entirely possible. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  8   , a mold  202  may include a base  204  and a plurality of finger shaped extensions  206  so as to define the shape of a hand which will ultimately define the shape of the glove  200  of the alternative embodiment. A liner  208  is fitted to the mold  202  so as to form the shape of a glove  200 . 
     The liner  208  includes a proximal end  210  and a distal end  212  defining a longitudinal direction therebetween of the glove  200 . Liner  208  may include a thumb portion  214  having a distal tip  216 , a first finger portion  218  having a distal tip  220 . The liner  208  may include additional finger portions, such as for a middle, index, and pinky fingers each having their own respective distal tip. The distal tip  220  on the index finger portion  218  is positioned distally from the distal tip  216  of the thumb portion  214 . 
     The longitudinal direction of the glove defined by the liner  212  is shown generally as arrow  224  which extends between the proximal end  210  and the distal end  212  of the liner. 
     The liner  208  may be fabricated from either cotton or a polyester-cotton blend. Regardless of the cotton or polyester-cotton blend material that defines liner  208 , the liner  208  is a two-way stretch fabric. The term two-way stretch fabric refers to a fabric that stretches in only one direction, usually from selvedge to selvedge thereof. The direction in which the liner  208  stretches is indicated by arrow  226 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , according to one aspect the two-way stretch direction of the liner  208  is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 . In one particular aspect, the liner  208  does not stretch in the longitudinal direction  224 . In accordance with this exemplary aspect, a non-limiting advantage for providing a single direction (i.e., two-way stretch) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208  is that if the glove  200  is donned and used in a skinning process, as described above, and the glove is rapidly doffed by being caught by a rotating mechanical blade, it is desirable to reduce any stretch or give in the glove  200 . Stated otherwise, by orienting the stretch direction  226  orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the glove  224 , it enables the liner  208  to not stretch as it is pulled off. This enhances the rigidity and structure of the glove  200  and may improve safety in some exemplary aspects. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not indicating that the operator should not exercise maximum caution when donning glove  200  because of the stretch orientation (in the direction of  226 ) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the glove of the liner  208 , but rather that orienting the stretch direction  226  orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the liner  208  may be beneficial to enhance some rigidity of the liner  208  as it is doffed. In another particular embodiment, the stretch direction of the liner  208  may not be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 . However, it is envisioned that the stretch direction of the liner  208  is not parallel to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 . For example, the stretch direction of the liner  208  may be angled or skewed relative to the longitudinal direction  224  of the glove  200 . In one particular embodiment, the stretch direction of the liner  208  may be in a range from orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to about 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or 5 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction  224  of the glove. 
     In another particular embodiment, if the stretch direction of the liner  208  is not orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 , then it would be greater than about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction  224 . For example, an alternative stretch direction is indicated by arrow  228  that defines an angle  230  between the stretch direction arrow  228  and the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 . Angle  230  may be less than about 45 degrees. In one particular embodiment, angle  230  is in a range from about 45 degrees to about 10 degrees. As indicated in  FIG.  8   , as angle  230  decreases, the stretch direction  228  of the liner  208  approaches orthogonal relative to the longitudinal direction  224  of the liner  208 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  8   , the liner  208  supported by the mold  202  may be dipped into a liquefied bath  232  of a material that will cured to form the protective member inside the glove  200 . As indicated in previous embodiments, the protective member is configured to be located distally from interphalangeal joint  46  so as to protect the distal tip  222  of the finger portions  206 . In those previous embodiments, the finger protectors were hardened members, such as metal or rubber or other materials that are hardened relative to the external portion of the glove. However, the previous versions of the description did not detail how the protective members were formed. 
     Accordingly,  FIG.  8    depicts the formation of a protective member, such as protective member  234  ( FIG.  11   ). With the liner  208  attached to the mold  202 , the assembly may be lowered in the direction of arrow A so as to dip the distal tips  220  and  216  of the respective portions of the liner  208  into the liquefied bath of material  232  that will ultimately result in the formation of the protection member  234 . Stated otherwise, the material  232  is first in a liquid state. In one particular embodiment, the liquefied material  232  may be a water-based synthetic elastomer copolymer. In another particular embodiment, the protective member  234  may be formed from the material  232  which may be a liquefied natural rubber. In each instance, the liquefied material  232  may be maintained at a temperature during the dipping process to keep the liquefied material  232  in liquid form. Accordingly, a container  236  may have sufficient heating elements cooperating therewith so as to maintain the material  232  in liquid form. Once the liner  208  and the mold  202  have been lowered in the direction of arrow A, the tip regions, namely, the distal tips  220  and  216 , are coated with the liquefied material. The liner  208  and the mold  202  are raised in the direction of arrow B which opposite that of arrow A. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  8   , the liquefied material  232  may be formed from an acrylic material or may consist essentially of acrylic polymers or monomers. 
       FIG.  9    depicts the protective members  234  being attached to the liner  208  after being removed from the liquefied material  232 . The liquefied material  232  is allowed to cool and cure so as to define a hardened member in order to protect the finger tips of a wearer or operator. Further, it is envisioned that the liner  208  will remain on the mold  202  while the protective members  234  are allowed to cure into their hardened state. When cured, the protective members  234  terminate distally from the interphalangeal joint line  246 . Stated otherwise, material  232  transitions from the liquid state to a solid state during formation of glove  200 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  9   , when the protective members  234  are formed from the material  232  that includes a polymer or monomer, the curing process may occur over a period of time sufficient to impart sufficient rigidity to the protective member  234 . In one particular embodiment, the liner  208  on the mold  202  is cured in a standard curing environment over a period of time that enables the protective member  234  to at least partially cure. Alternatively, other embodiments may enable a full cure of the protective member. Protective member, namely, the material  232  forming the protective member in some instances may strike through the liner  208 . However, in other embodiments, it is possible to fabricate the liner  208  from a material so as to prevent the material  232  forming the protective member  234  from striking through the liner  208 . 
       FIG.  10    depicts the mold  202  having the liner  208  with the at least partially cured protective members  234  being dipped into a liquefied bath of material  238  which will ultimately form the outer layer of the glove  200 . The mold  202  carrying the liner  208  and the protective members  234  is dipped downwardly in the direction of arrow A such that the depth of the dipping is adjacent the proximal end  210  of the liner  208 . The material  238  adheres, connects, or otherwise attaches to the liner  208  along its outer surface  240 . Furthermore, the material  238  attaches and connects to the outer surface of the protective member  234 . Accordingly, the material  238  in its liquefied state should be a sufficient material that will attach equally well to both the liner  208  and the protective member  234  even though the liner  208  and the protective member  234  are formed from different materials. 
       FIG.  11    depicts a cross-section of the index finger portion  206  of the glove  200 . The liner  208  defines an inner cavity  242  configured to receive a finger therein. Collectively, the liner  208  attached with an outer layer  244  formed from the material  238  define a finger sleeve. The protective member  234  is positioned between the liner  208  and the outer layer  244 . In one particular embodiment, the protective member  234  extends over and around the distal tip  216  of the liner  208  and extends proximally to a terminal end  246  which formed with a tapered slope  248  that forms as a result from the dipping process identified in  FIG.  8   . The tapered slope  248  tapers proximally relative to the interphalangeal joint line  46 . Stated otherwise, the outer surface of the protective member  234  slopes and narrows downwardly towards the liner  208 . 
       FIG.  12    depicts the method of forming a glove generally at  1200 . Method  1200  may include attaching the glove liner  208  to the glove mold  202 , which is shown generally at  1202 . Method  1200  may include dipping the liner  208  into a liquid first material  232 , which is shown generally at  1204 . Method  1200  may include curing the liquid first material  232  to form solid first material (i.e., the protective member  234 ), which is shown generally at  1206 . Method  1200  may further include dipping the liner  208  and the solid first material (i.e., protective member  234 ) into a liquid second material  238 , (such as will define the outer layer  244 ), which is shown generally at  1208 . Method  1200  may include curing the liquid second material  238  to form a flexible solid second material (i.e., the outer layer  244 ) with the solid first material (i.e., the protective member  234 ) disposed between the liner  208  and the flexible solid second material or outer layer  244 , and wherein the solid first material is hardened relative to the liner  208  and the flexible solid second material or outer layer  244 , which is shown generally at  1210 . Method  1200  may further include forming a first finger sleeve portion of the glove with the liner; and dipping the liner into the liquid first material without extending beyond an interphalangeal joint line of the first finger sleeve. Method  1200  may further include withdrawing the liner from the liquid material; and forming a tapered end of the solid first material after withdrawing the liner from the liquid material. Method  1200  may further include wherein the liner consists of a two-way stretch, and orienting the two-way stretch of the liner at an angle that is not parallel to a longitudinal direction of the glove; or orienting the two-way stretch of the liner orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the glove; or orienting the two-way stretch of the liner at an angle in a range from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction of the glove. 
     Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. 
     While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     Stretch fabric is a synthetic fabric which stretches. Stretch fabrics are either 2-way stretch or 4-way stretch. 2-way stretch fabrics stretch in one direction, usually from selvedge to selvedge (but can be in other directions depending on the knit). 4-way stretch fabrics, such as spandex, stretches in both directions, crosswise and lengthwise. 
     The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. 
     If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. 
     Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.