Patent Publication Number: US-2019166932-A1

Title: Hydrophobic and oleophobic cut resistant yarn and glove

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/594,714, filed Dec. 5, 2017, titled, HYDROPHOBIC AND OLEOPHOBIC CUT RESISTANT YARN AND GLOVE, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a yarn that is hydrophobic and cut resistant. The yarn can be formed, e.g., knitted, into a structure, such as a glove or a sleeve. The yarn may also be oleophobic. 
     Hand protection, such as gloves and mittens, is commonly used in many industries. In the food service industry personnel are often working in environments that are cold and wet, which are generally challenging environments. When such personnel are also required to use knives to cut objects such as meat, for example, the task can become even more challenging. 
     Typical gloves are knitted from material that absorb water. Even though cut resistant gloves are fabricated in part with high performance materials that are already hydrophobic, other materials in the glove may be of a type, such as cotton, that absorb liquids. As such, a user&#39;s glove that is dry when starting work maybe be fully soaked through quite quickly. It will be appreciated that a wet glove transfers cold (or heat away from a user&#39;s hand) very rapidly. Moreover, when a user&#39;s hand becomes wet in a cold environment, dexterity, comfort and the like may be diminished, and the time that a user can work and function may be impacted. 
     One way in which this has been addressed, is to wear two pairs or sets of gloves. One set is to protect the user&#39;s hands from the blade or other cutting implement and the other set is to prevent the user&#39;s hands from becoming wet, by using, for example, rubber, latex or like water resistant materials. 
     While double-gloving may resolve some issues with working with cutting tools in cold and wet environments, such double-gloving can also reduce a user&#39;s dexterity. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a yarn that is cut-resistance and prevents absorption. Such a yarn can for formed into structures such as a glove or sleeve. Such a structure provides hand and arm protection that is cut-resistance and prevents absorption in a single layer of material. Desirably, such a glove, mitt or sleeve is sufficiently thin that it provides a user with high level of dexterity, such as that needed in the food service industry. More desirably still, such a yarn and structure may be oleophobic to resist fats and oils. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cut resistant hydrophobic glove includes a main body portion having a front side and a rear side, the main body portion enclosing the palm and back of a user&#39;s hand, finger portions, and a thumb portion. The main body portion, the finger portions and the thumb portion are each knitted as a single layer of material formed from a yarn. The yarn is a composite yarn having a core constructed of one or more core filaments and a sheath constructed of two or more filaments. At least one of the core filaments is a formed from a high performance material having cut resistant properties and at least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a material exhibiting hydrophobic characteristics. 
     In embodiments, the at least one core filament material is one of fiberglass, high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), stainless steel, aramid, liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), aromatic polymer and combinations thereof. In embodiments, the at least one sheath filament material is one of nylon, polyester, cotton, cotton blends and combinations thereof. The sheath filaments can be formed from a material treated to exhibit hydrophobic characteristics and/or oleophobic characteristics. 
     In an aspect, a cut resistant hydrophobic sleeve includes a body knitted from a yarn that is a composite yarn having a core constructed of one or more core filaments and a sheath constructed of two or more filaments. At least one of the core filaments is formed from a high performance material having cut resistant properties and at least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a material exhibiting hydrophobic and/or oleophobic characteristics. 
     In embodiments, at least one core filament material is one of fiberglass, high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), stainless steel, aramid, liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), aromatic polymer and combinations thereof. In embodiments the at least one sheath filaments is formed from one of nylon, polyester, cotton, cotton blends and combinations and/or blends thereof. At least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a material treated to exhibit hydrophobic and/or oleophobic characteristics. 
     In an aspect, a cut resistant hydrophobic and/or oleophobic yarn is formed from a core constructed of one or more core filaments of a high performance material of fiberglass, high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), stainless steel, aramid, liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), aromatic polymer and combinations thereof having cut resistant properties and a sheath constructed of two or more filaments of nylon, polyester, cotton, cotton blends and combinations thereof, at least one of the sheath filaments being treated to exhibit hydrophobic and/or oleophobic characteristics. 
     In an embodiment the sheath filaments are wrapped together around the core filaments. In embodiments, one of the sheath filaments is an inner wrap and the other of the sheath filaments is an outer wrap. The inner wrap can be an S-wrap and the outer wrap can be a Z-wrap. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an embodiment of a hydrophobic cut resistant glove; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an embodiment of the yarn construction for the thermal and cut resistant glove; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of another embodiment of the yarn construction for the thermal and cut resistant glove; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of still another embodiment of the yarn construction for the thermal and cut resistant glove; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of yet another embodiment of the yarn construction for the thermal and cut resistant glove. 
     
    
    
     These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1  there is shown an embodiment of a hydrophobic cut resistant glove  10 . The glove  10  provides cut-resistance and is resistant to liquid/moisture absorption in a single layer of material. The glove  10  is sufficiently thin that it provides a user with a high level of dexterity, while maintaining excellent resistance to liquid/moisture absorption and abrasion/cutting. 
     In an embodiment, the glove  10  is formed from a main body portion  12  that encloses the palm  14  and back (not shown) of a user&#39;s hand, finger portions  16  and a thumb portion  18 . The glove  10  may include a cuff  20  or other portions around or about the user&#39;s wrist, such as a strap or the like. In embodiments, the glove  10  can be formed having fourchettes, a separate, stitched on thumb portion, points, quirks, and the like. In embodiments, the glove may be formed in a seamless, knit construction. In the various constructions, the portions, e.g., fourchettes, points, if used, are joined to one another, as by stitching, along a portion of their respective peripheries, leaving an opening  22  at the uppermost wrist (or arm) portion for the user to put the glove  10  on the user&#39;s hand. 
     The glove  10  is knitted as a single layer of material formed from a yarn. A section of an embodiment of the yarn of the glove, is indicated generally at  110  in  FIG. 2 . The yarn is a composite yarn with a core constructed of filaments and a sheath layer constructed of filaments. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the filaments are identified as filaments A, B, C and D. The sheath is formed from filaments B and C, and the core is formed from filaments A and D. The sheath filaments B, C are wound together around the core filaments A, D in a single spiral wind. 
     One filament in the core, for example filament D, is formed from a cut resistant material, such as a high performance fiber. The other core filament A can be formed from a cut resistant material, a hydrophobic material, or another suitable material. The other filaments, that is, the sheath filaments B and C, can also be formed from a hydrophobic material. Various combinations of filament types can be used as shown. For example, filament D can be cut-resistant and filaments A, B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filaments A and B can be hydrophobic, or only filaments B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filament B or C can be hydrophobic. In any event, at least one of the core filaments is formed from a cut resistant material and at least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a hydrophobic material, and the other filaments can be formed from suitable materials. 
     In the embodiment of the yarn  210  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the filaments are once again identified as filaments A, B, C and D. The sheath is formed from filaments B and C, and the core is formed from filaments A and D. The sheath filaments B, C are wound around the core filaments A, D in a double spiral wind similar to a double helix. 
     Here again, one filament in the core, for example filament D is formed from a cut resistant material. The other core filament A can be formed from a cut resistant material, a hydrophobic material or other suitable material. The other filaments, the sheath filaments B and C, can also be formed from a hydrophobic material. Various combinations of filament types can be used as shown. For example, filament D can be cut-resistant and filaments A, B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filaments A and B can be hydrophobic, or only filaments B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filament B or C can be hydrophobic. In any event, at least one of the core filaments is formed from a cut resistant material and at least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a hydrophobic material, and the other filaments can be formed from suitable materials. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate yet other embodiments of the yarn  310 ,  410 . In the embodiment of the yarn  310  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the filaments are once again identified as filaments A, B, C and D. The sheath is formed from filaments B and C, and the core is formed from filaments A and D. The sheath filaments B, C are wound around the core filaments A, D with the B filament being an inner S-wrap and the C filament being an outer Z-wrap. It will however, be appreciated that the direction of wrap of the filaments is interchangeable. 
     In this embodiment, again, one filament in the core, for example filament D is formed from a cut resistant material. The other core filament A can be formed from a cut resistant material, a hydrophobic material or other suitable material. The other filaments B and C can also be formed from a hydrophobic material. Various combinations of filament types can be used as shown. For example, filament D can be cut-resistant and filaments A, B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filaments A and B can be hydrophobic, or only filaments B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filament B or C can be hydrophobic. In any event, at least one of the core filaments is formed from a cut resistant material and at least one of the sheath filaments is formed from a hydrophobic material, and the other filaments can be formed from suitable materials. 
     With respect to  FIG. 4 , other variations are envisioned. For example, the yarn can be formed with only one core filament, for example, filament D (filament A being eliminated), with filament D being formed from a cut resistant material and only the outer wrap, filament C may be formed from a hydrophobic material, with filament B formed from a different, suitable material. 
     In the embodiment of the yarn  410  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the filaments are once again identified as filaments A, B, C and D. The sheath is formed from filaments B and C, and the core is formed from filament D with an under-wrap of filament A. The sheath filaments B, C are wound around the core and under-wrap filaments D and A with the B filament being an inner S-wrap and the C filament being an outer Z-wrap. It will however, be appreciated that the direction of wrap of the filaments is interchangeable. 
     In this embodiment, again, filament D in the core is formed from a cut resistant material. The under-wrap filament A can be formed from a cut resistant material, a hydrophobic material or other suitable material. It is also contemplated that filament A can be formed from a cut resistant material and filament D can be formed from a cut resistant material, a hydrophobic material or other suitable material. The other filaments B and C can also be formed from a hydrophobic material. Various combinations of filament types can be used as shown. For example, filament D can be cut-resistant and filaments A, B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filaments A and B can be hydrophobic, or only filaments A and C can be hydrophobic, or only filaments B and C can be hydrophobic, or only filament B or C can be hydrophobic. In any event, at least the core filament D or the under-wrap filament A is formed from a cut resistant material and at least one of the under-wrap or sheath filaments is formed from a hydrophobic material, and the other filaments can be formed from suitable materials. 
     The filaments can be formed from a variety of fibers. The high performance, cut resistant filament can for formed from, for example, fiberglass, high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), stainless steel, aramid, engineered materials such as a liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) or aromatic polymer and the like and combinations of these materials. Other suitable high performance, cut resistant filament materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. 
     The hydrophobic filaments can also be formed from a variety of fibers, such as nylon, polyester and the like, and can be formed from combinations of fibers that include cotton, which fibers (or blends or combinations of all of the above-noted fibers) are treated with materials to provide hydrophobic characteristics. Other suitable materials that can be treated to provide high hydrophobic characteristics will be recognized by those skilled in the art. 
     Other filament materials that are not high performance, cut resistant filaments and are not hydrophobic filaments that may be used in the yarn can also be formed from a variety of fibers, such as nylon, polyester and like suitable materials. 
     A number of other variations are also contemplated. For example, the yarn configurations above could be knitted into a structure, such as a glove, with an added plating yarn having hydrophobic performance characteristics, which will increase the end product&#39;s, e.g., the glove&#39;s, hydrophobic performance. In addition, the structure, for example the glove, can be knit with a conventional regular engineered yarn, with an added hydrophobic plating yarn. 
     Other structures and features are contemplated. For example, the structure can be a sleeve that is worn on a user&#39;s arm. In such a structure, the body of the sleeve is formed from any of the yarns described above. It is also contemplated that the material can be oleophobic, that is resistant to fats and oils in addition to being hydrophobic. 
     And, it is also contemplated that a structure can be fabricated as a terry-like material with filaments having cut resistant and hydrophobic properties in the stitch yarn the loop yarn or both. 
     As will be appreciated from the present disclosure, hand protection in the form of, for example, a glove, provides both cut-resistance and hydrophobicity in a single layer of material. The examples presented provide a glove that is sufficiently thin that it provides a user with a high level of dexterity, while also providing increased resistance to moisture absorption, which reduces heat loss (or a user&#39;s exposure to cold), such as that needed in the food service industry. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. All patents and published applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure. 
     It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative directional terms such as sides, upper, lower, top, bottom, rearward, forward and the like are for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.