Patent Publication Number: US-2011047671-A1

Title: Antibacterial and antiviral glove

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     An antibacterial and antiviral glove in accordance with the present invention inhibits and prevents growth and transmission of bacteria or viruses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Overuse of antibiotics has caused many microbes to mutate faster and produce antibiotic-resistant strains. Furthermore, reduced transportation time between widely divergent worldwide locations has caused diseases to spread more quickly. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and swine influenza (H1N1) have been significant worldwide threats. 
     Bacteria and viruses are microbes that grow by infecting a host to obtain essential energy and maintain metabolism but live for several hours after leaving the host until infecting a new host. Precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses include frequently washing hands, avoiding public places and wearing a surgical mask. Washing hands removes bacteria and viruses from hands and may kill the bacteria and viruses. Wearing a surgical mask prevents bacteria and viruses from adhering to mucous membranes in the nose or mouth and infecting the host. However, people may touch something to which bacteria or viruses have adhered and be infected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention provides an antibacterial and antiviral glove that inhibits and prevents growth and transmission of bacteria and viruses. 
     An antibacterial and antiviral glove in accordance with the present invention has an opening and comprises an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer. 
     The outer fabric layer has many microscopic pores and a rough surface and prevents bacteria or viruses from passing through the glove. The inner fabric layer connects to the outer fabric layer and allows water and air to pass through the layer in only one direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a glove in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the glove in  FIG. 1  with a fastener. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a glove in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front cross-sectional view of the glove in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a glove in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front cross-sectional view of the glove in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , an antibacterial and antiviral glove ( 1 ) in accordance with the present invention has an opening and comprises an outer fabric layer ( 11 ), an inner fabric layer ( 12 ), an optional cotton layer ( 13 ), an optional enhanced layer ( 14 ) and an optional fastener (A). 
     The outer fabric layer ( 11 ) may be a nonwoven or a washable fabric, has many microscopic pores and a rough surface and may be impregnated with an antibiotic or a microbicidal reagent. The microscopic pores prevent bacteria and viruses from passing through the outer fabric layer ( 11 ). The rough surface increases friction when holding an item. The antibiotic and microbicidal reagents inhibit growth of bacteria and viruses on the outer fabric layer ( 11 ). The microbicidal reagent is selected from a group consisting of hydrocarbons, chlorine dioxide and nano silver particles. The chlorine dioxide oxidizes proteins, fats and nucleic acids of bacteria and viruses. 
     The inner fabric layer ( 12 ) connects to the outer fabric layer ( 11 ), is a web through which water and air will only pass in one direction to remove excess heat and prevent the antibiotic or the microbicidal reagent in the outer fabric layer ( 11 ) from directly contacting a person&#39;s hand. 
     The cotton layer ( 13 ) is mounted between the outer fabric layer ( 11 ) and the inner fabric layer ( 12 ) and helps the outer fabric layer ( 11 ) prevent bacteria and viruses from passing through the glove ( 1 ) and contacting a person&#39;s hand. 
     The enhanced layer ( 14 ) is mounted between the outer fabric layer ( 11 ) and the cotton layer ( 13 ), is gauze or cotton fabric and comprises a microbial inhibitor or an antibiotic compound. The microbial inhibitor is selected from a group consisting of activated carbon, hydrocarbons, nano silver particles, antibiotic reagent and antimicrobial ointment. The activated carbon adsorbs bacteria and viruses to prevent bacteria and viruses from passing through the glove ( 1 ) and contacting a person&#39;s skin. The nano silver particles have positively charged surfaces, attach to and enter bacteria and viruses and disrupt metabolism of the bacteria and viruses. The antimicrobial ointment may be a mixture of chlorine dioxide and petroleum jelly. 
     The fastener (A) is mounted on the outer fabric layer ( 11 ), and closes the opening around a person&#39;s wrist and may be a hook and loop fastener or an adhesive fastener.