Patent Abstract:
An ambidextrous or hand specific glove with a widened cuff area to aid in donning or doffing the glove is disclosed, together with a former for fabricating the glove and a method of fabricating the same. The glove may further include a bead on the cuff to resist tearing when the glove is put on or taken off. The glove may be fabricated on a continuous, automated chain machine or a batch or semi-batch machine. While the cuff region on the former for fabricating the glove is elliptical in cross-section and is flared, the region of the former on which the end of the glove is fabricated is circular in cross-section and thus allows the beading process to be successfully undertaken.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to gloves. More particularly, this invention relates to dipped unsupported gloves. Specifically, the invention is directed to an ambidextrous or hand specific glove with a widened cuff area to aid in donning or doffing the glove; the glove may further include a bead on the cuff to resist tearing and may be fabricated on a continuous, automated chain machine or a batch or semi-batch machine because while the cuff region on the former for the glove is elliptical in cross-section and flared, the region of the former on which the end of the glove is fabricated is circular in cross-section and thus allows the beading process to be successfully undertaken. 
     2. Background Information 
     Gloves are required to be worn in many industries to protect the hands of the workers. Particular industries require gloves which are made of nitrile, polychloroprene, or latex and which extend for a distance along a worker&#39;s wrist and forearm. Because of the length of the glove and the material from which the glove is fabricated, which tends to conform to the shape of the workman&#39;s hands, it can be quite difficult for a workman to put the glove on and/or take the glove off without damaging the glove. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is therefore a need in the industry for an improved glove which is more readily able to be put on and removed, and which is less inclined to break or become damaged during this procedure. 
     In one aspect, the invention may provide a glove comprising a palm region; a digit region extending outwardly from a first end of the palm region; a wrist region extending outwardly from a second end of the palm region and generally in an opposite direction to the digit region; and an end of the wrist region comprising a cuff that is disposed a distance remote from the palm region; and wherein the wrist region gradually increases in width from a first width proximate the palm region to a second width proximate the cuff. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a glove comprising: 
     a palm region; a digit region extending outwardly from a first end of the palm region; a wrist region extending outwardly from a second end of the palm region and generally in an opposite direction to the digit region; and a bead provided at an end of the wrist region, wherein the bead is of a greater thickness than the rest of the wrist region; and wherein the glove is a hand specific glove that is fabricated on a substantially continuous automated chain machine. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a glove comprising a palm region; a digit region extending outwardly from a first end of the palm region; a wrist region extending outwardly from a second end of the palm region and generally in an opposite direction to the digit region; an end of the wrist region comprising a cuff that is disposed a distance remote from the palm region; and wherein the wrist region gradually increases in width from a first width proximate the palm region to a second width proximate the cuff; and a bead provided on the cuff, wherein the bead is of a greater thickness than the rest of the wrist region. This glove may be an ambidextrous glove or a hand-specific glove. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a former for fabricating a glove, wherein the former comprises a base; a wrist extending outwardly from the base; a palm extending outwardly from the wrist; a digit region extending outwardly from the palm and remote from the wrist; and wherein the wrist includes a first region that is of a first cross-sectional shape and a second region that is of a second cross-sectional shape. The first region of the former is generally elliptical in cross-sectional shape and the second region of the former is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a method of fabricating a glove comprising providing a former that includes a palm, a thumb and four digit regions extending outwardly from the palm in a first direction, and a wrist that extends outwardly from the palm in a second direction; and wherein the wrist includes a first region that gradually increases in width from the palm outwardly in the second direction; dipping the former into a vat of liquid material; removing the former from the liquid material; drying a quantity of liquid material which remains on the former so as to form the glove; and removing the glove from the former. The method may further include providing a former where the wrist further includes a second section which extends outwardly from the first section; and wherein the second section is of a constant width and the constant width of the second section is of a size equal to a widest portion of the first section. Still further, the invention may provide that the first section is generally elliptical in cross-sectional shape and the second region is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the invention 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. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of a glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of a glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of a glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a former for fabricating the gloves of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the former taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the former taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front elevational view of the glove of  FIG. 2  shown on the former of  FIG. 4  and with the cuff of the glove in an initial position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a front elevational view of the glove on the former showing the bottom edge of the cuff being rolled upwardly to form the bead; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a glove in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a former for fabricating the glove of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section of the former taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section of the former taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is an illustrative drawing of a method of manufacturing a glove in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a glove  10  worn on an arm  12  of a workman. Glove  10  may be fabricated from nitrile or latex or any other material which causes glove  10  to generally conform to a hand of a person wearing glove. Glove  10  includes a digit region extending out from a first end of a palm region  16  generally in a first direction. The digit region includes a thumb region  14 , an index finger region  18 , a middle finger region  20 , a ring finger region  22 , and a little finger region  24 . Glove  10  is an ambidextrous glove. This means that glove  10  may be readily worn on either of the left hand or the right hand. Because glove  10  is an ambidextrous glove, thumb region  14 , index finger region  18 , middle finger region  20 , ring finger region  22 , and little finger region  24  are all aligned along a common axis. In other words, if glove  10  is viewed from the side, all of the thumb region  14 , index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger regions  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  will be located in the same plane. 
     A wrist and forearm region  26  (hereafter referred to as the wrist region) extends outwardly from a second end of palm region  16  and in generally the opposite direction to the digit region. Wrist region  26  terminates in an end region which will be further referred to herein as a cuff  28 . Cuff  28  is disposed a distance remote from palm region  14 . Although not illustrated herein, it will be understood that cuff  28  defines an opening into which the workman will be able to insert his or her hand. It will further be understood that wrist region  26  may be of a variety of different lengths as measured between a bottom end of palm region  16  and cuff. Thus, glove  10  may terminate closer to a workman&#39;s wrist or closer to the workman&#39;s elbow. 
     Wrist region  26  includes a first section that is located adjacent palm region  16  and a second section that extends outwardly from first section and is located further away from palm region  16 . The second section includes cuff  28 . Wrist region  26  gradually increases in width as one moves away from palm region  16  and toward cuff  28 . Proximate palm region  16 , wrist region  26  is of a first width “W 1 ” and wrist region  26  gradually increases to a second width “W 2 ”. Thus, wrist region  26  is narrowest proximate palm region  14  and is widest a distance remote therefrom. Wrist region  26  may include a first section which gradually increases in width to the widest width “W 2 ”, and a second section which extends outwardly from the first section and is of a constant width “W 2 ”. This increase in width makes it easier for the workman to put glove  10  on and to take glove  10  off. Width “W 1 ” is of such a size that the first section of wrist region  16  is generally in abutting contact with the wearer&#39;s wrist and first portion of the wearer&#39;s forearm. Width “W 2 ” is of such as a size that second section of wrist region  16  is spaced a distance away from the wearer&#39;s forearm  12  and is generally free of contact therewith. Consequently, a gap  27  will be created between the wearer&#39;s forearm  12  and the material of the glove  10 . It is therefore easier for the wearer to insert a finger or thumb of the other hand into that gap  27  in order to grasp the material of glove  10  in order to pull glove  10  onto their hand or to pull glove off of their hand. 
       FIG. 1  shows that wrist region  26  gradually increases in width from proximate palm region  14  to proximate cuff  28 . So, the width of cuff  28  is the second width “W 2 ”.  FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the ambidextrous glove  10  where the first section of wrist region  26  gradually increases in width from the first width “W 1 ” to the second width “W 2 ”. Second section of wrist region  26  starts where wrist region is of the second width “W 2 ” and the second section terminates at cuff  28 . However, from where wrist region  26  initially reaches the second width “W 2 ” to the point where wrist region  26  terminates in cuff  28 , the second section of wrist region  26  is of a substantially constant width, namely second width “W 2 ”. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a third embodiment of the ambidextrous glove  10 . In this embodiment, the second section of the wrist region  26  of glove  10  is rolled to form a bead  30 . Bead  30  extends around the entire rim of cuff  28  and comprises a rolled and therefore thickened region which serves to strengthen cuff  28 . Bead  30  is thicker than the rest of wrist section and this thicker and stronger bead  30  aids in resisting tears in cuff  28  and therefore wrist region  26  as glove  10  is pulled on or taken off. 
     In each of the first, second, and third embodiments of the glove  10 , at least a portion of glove  10  will conform to the hand of the wearer. The portions of the glove  10  which will tend to conform to the hand of the wearer may include the thumb region  14 , index finger region  18 , middle finger region  20 , ring finger region  22 , little finger region  24 , palm region  16 , and at least part of the first section of wrist region  26 . In these aforementioned locations, an interior surface of glove  10  will abut or be positioned adjacent the wearer&#39;s skin. The rest of glove  10 , namely the parts of first section of wrist region  26  which are of a width that is greater than the wrist or forearm  12  of the wearer, will be spaced a distance away from the wearer&#39;s skin. 
       FIG. 4  shows a former  32  used for fabricating glove  10 . Former  32  includes a base  34  which is secured in any one of a known manner to a batch machine, a semi-batch machine or a substantially continuous automated chain machine that is used for fabricating gloves. The batch machine, semi-batch machine and the automated chain machine are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. 
     Former  32  includes a thumb  36  and four digits which extend outwardly from a palm  38 . The digits include an index finger  40 , a middle finger  42 , a ring finger  44 , and a little finger  46 . A wrist and forearm (hereafter wrist)  48  extend between palm  38  and the base  34 . Since former  32  is utilized for fabricating ambidextrous gloves, such as glove  10 , thumb  36  and the index, middle, ring and little fingers  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  are all positioned so that they are aligned along a common axis. In other words, if viewed from the side, all of the thumb  36 , the index, middle, ring, and little fingers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  will be located in the same plane. 
     Wrist  48  includes a first section  48   a  that increases in width from a width “W 1 ” to a width “W 2 ”. The narrower width “W 1 ” is provided adjacent palm  38  and the wrist  48  increases in width to width “W 2 ” some distance from palm  38 . That distance “L” may be varied in accordance with the overall length of glove  10  to be fabricated on former  32 . So length “L” will be smaller if glove  10  will terminate proximate the workman&#39;s wrist and will be substantially longer if glove  10  is to terminate proximate the workman&#39;s elbow. 
     Wrist  48  further includes a second section  48   b  that extends outwardly from one end of first section  48   a  and is of a constant width. That constant width is of the same magnitude as the widest portion of first section  48   a . The width of second section  48   b  is therefore “W 2 ”. First and second regions  48   a ,  48   b  are different in another way and this can best be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . First section  48   a  is generally elliptical ( FIG. 5 ) in cross-sectional shape while second section  48   b  is generally circular ( FIG. 6 ) in cross-sectional shape. This difference in cross-sectional shape makes it possible for former  32  to be engaged on a substantially continuous automated chain machine so that bead  30  may be readily and easily fabricated. 
     Previously known formers have wrists which are generally elliptical in shape along their entire length from the palm of the former to the base thereof. Thus, when gloves are fabricated on the previously known formers, it is difficult to generate a bead on the glove cuff because the elliptical shape causes the material of the glove to flap around and roll unevenly. This made it difficult for manufacturers using previously known formers to create a consistent product and, consequently, automated chain machines or batch machines could not be used to fabricate gloves which include a rolled cuff. 
     It has been recognized by the inventor that fabricating a former  32  to include a second section  48   b  which is not of an elliptical cross-sectional shape but is instead of a circular cross-sectional shape, such as is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , makes it possible for the former  32  to be utilized in a substantially continuous automated chain machine or a batch machine or a semi-batch machine, in order to fabricate gloves  10 , particularly gloves with a bead  30  on cuff  28 . 
     During fabrication of glove  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , former  32  is dipped into vats of a material such as nitrile or latex so that glove  10  is ultimately formed on former. In the version of glove  10  illustrated in  FIG. 6A , wrist region  26  is elongated and includes a first section  26   a  that progressively widens outwardly from adjacent proximate palm region  16  to a distance remote therefrom. First section  26   a  is formed on first section  48   a  of former  32 . Wrist region  26  further includes a second section  26   b  that is of a substantially constant width, with that width being equivalent to the widest part of first section  26   a . Second section  26   b  is formed on second section  48   b  of former  32 . At this point, glove  10  could be removed from former  32  and would be suitable for a workman to use as the cuff  28  and wrist region  26  are widened so that glove  10  is easy to put on and take off. 
     However, a bead  30  may, instead, be fabricated on second section  26   b .  FIG. 6B  shows how this is done. Former  32  is positioned so that spaced apart opposed rollers  50 ,  52  are brought into contact with the peripheral wall of second section  48   b  of wrist region  48  of former  32 . Rollers  50 ,  52  are caused to rotate in opposite directions “A” and “B” relative to each other. Additionally, rollers  50 ,  52  are moved in a direction “C” away from base  34  or former  32  is moved in the direction “C”. Rollers  50 ,  52  are initially placed in contact with second section  48   b  of former  32  and then are gradually brought into contact with second section  26   b  of glove  10 . This combination of motion in addition to the contact of rollers  50 ,  52  with second section  26   b  causes rollers  50 ,  52  to roll up a length of the material of second section  26   b , thereby gradually forming bead  30 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a fourth embodiment of a glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Glove  110  is a hand-specific glove as opposed to ambidextrous glove  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In particular, glove  110  is shaped to be worn on a workman&#39;s left hand. A glove to be worn on the workman&#39;s right hand will be a mirror image of glove  110 . Glove  110  may be fabricated out of nitrile or latex or any other material which causes glove  10  to generally conform to a hand of a person wearing glove. 
     Glove  110  includes a digit region which extends outwardly generally in a first direction from a palm region  116 . The digit region includes a thumb region  114 , an index finger region  118 , a middle finger region  120 , a ring finger region  122 , and a little finger region  124 . Because glove  110  is a hand-specific glove, the index finger region  118 , middle finger region  120 , ring finger region  122 , and little finger region  124 , are all aligned along a common axis. In other words, when glove  110  is viewed from the side, four of the digits, namely the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger regions  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124  are all located in the same plane. However, unlike glove  10 , the thumb region  114  of glove  110  is offset from that common axis or, when viewed from the side, thumb region  114  can be seen to be located in a different plane from the rest of the digits. 
     A wrist and forearm region  126  (hereafter referred to as the wrist region) extends outwardly from a second end of palm region  116  in the opposite direction to the digit region. Wrist region  126  terminates in a cuff  128 . Although not illustrated herein, it will be understood that cuff  128  defines an opening into which the workman will be able to insert his or her hand. It will further be understood that wrist region  126  may be of a variety of different lengths as measured between a bottom end of palm region  116  and cuff  128 . Thus, glove  110  may terminate closer to a workman&#39;s wrist or closer to the workman&#39;s elbow. 
     Cuff  128  includes a bead  130 . Bead  130  extends around the entire rim of cuff  128  and comprises a rolled and thickened region which strengthens cuff  128 . Bead  130  is thicker than the rest of wrist region  126 . This thicker and stronger bead  130  aids in resisting tears in cuff  128  as glove  110  is pulled on or taken off. Bead  130  is fabricated in the same manner as bead  30  on glove  10 . Thus, the hand-specific glove  110  shown in  FIG. 7  may include a bead and be fabricated by a substantially continuous automated chain machine, or a batch machine, or a semi-batch machine as has been described previously herein with reference to glove  10 . 
     In glove  110 , thumb region  136 , index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger regions  140 ;  142 ,  144 ,  146 , palm region  138  and a first section of wrist region  148  adjacent palm region  138  may be designed to conform to the shape of the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist. Thus, these regions of glove  110  tend to be in abutting contact with the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist. Wrist region  126  may widen as one moves away from palm region  116  and toward cuff  128 . Thus, proximate palm region  116 , wrist region  126  may be of a first width “W 1 ” and proximate cuff  128 , wrist region  126  may be of a second width “W 2 ”. Width “W 2 ” is greater than width “W 1 ”. Width “W 1 ” may cause the first section of wrist region  126  to come into abutting contact with the skin on wearer&#39;s wrist. Width “W 2 ” is greater than the width of the wearer&#39;s forearm and, consequently a gap  127  is created between the skin on the wearer&#39;s forearm and the interior surface of glove  132 . This increase in width or the gap  127  makes it easier for the workman to put glove  110  on and to take glove  110  off. 
       FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B  show a former  132  used for fabricating hand-specific glove  110 . Former  132  includes a base  134  which is secured in any one of a known manner to a batch machine, a semi-batch machine or an automated chain machine that is used for fabricating gloves. Former  132  includes a thumb  136  and four digits which extend outwardly from a palm  138 . The digits include an index finger  140 , a middle finger  142 , a ring finger  144 , and a little finger  146 . A wrist and forearm (hereafter wrist)  148  extend between palm  138  and the base  134 . Index finger  140 , middle finger  142 , ring finger  144  and little finger  146  are all aligned along a common axis or, when viewed from the side, all of these aforementioned components are positioned in the same plane. Thumb region  136  is offset from common axis or, when viewed from the side, thumb region  136  can be seen to be positioned in a different plane relative to the other digits. 
     Wrist  148  may include a first region  148   a  that increases in width from a width “W 1 ” to a width “W 2 ”. The narrower width “W 1 ” is provided adjacent palm  138  and the wrist  48  increases in width to width “W 2 ” some distance “L” from palm  138 . That distance “L” may be varied in accordance with the overall length of glove  110  to be fabricated on former  132 . So length “L” will be smaller if glove  110  will terminate proximate the workman&#39;s wrist and will be substantially longer if glove  110  is to terminate proximate the workman&#39;s elbow. 
     Wrist  148  may further include a second region  148   b  that extends outwardly from one end of first region  148   a  of wrist  148  and is of a constant width. That constant width is of the same size as the widest portion of first region  148   a . The width of second region  148   b  is therefore “W 2 ”. First and second regions  148   a ,  148   b  are different in another way and this can best be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . First region  148   a  is generally elliptical in cross-section shape while second region  148   b  is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. This difference in shape makes it possible for former  132  to be engaged on a substantially continuous or continuous automated chain machine so that bead  130  may be readily and easily fabricated as has been described above with reference to glove  10 . In particular, it is the second region  148   b  of wrist  148  that is contacted by appropriate machinery and is rolled to form bead  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a method of fabricating a glove comprises: 
     providing a former  32  that includes a palm  38 , a thumb  36  and four digit regions  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  extending outwardly from palm  38  in a first direction, and a wrist  48  that extends outwardly from palm  38  in a second direction; and wherein wrist  48  includes a first region  48  that gradually increases in width from palm  38  outwardly in the second direction, i.e., the first region  48   a  flares outwardly;
     A. dipping former  32  into a vat  70  of liquid material  72 , such as nitrile or latex;   B. removing former  32  from liquid material  72 ;   C. drying a quantity of liquid material  72   a  which remains on former  32  so as to form the glove  10 ;   D. removing glove  10  from former  32 .   

     The step A. above of dipping former  32  may further include the step of engaging former  32  in a substantially continuous automated chain machine, a batch machine or a semi-batch machine. The selected one of the machines is represented in  FIG. 11  by box  74 . Former  32  is then dipped into the vat  70  which forms part of the selected machine  74 . 
     The method may further include providing former  32  where the wrist  48  further includes a second section  48   b  which extends outwardly from the first section  48   a ; and wherein second section  48   b  is of a constant width and the constant width of second section  48   b  is of a size equal to a widest portion of the first section  48   a.    
     Additionally, the step A. of dipping includes dipping former  32  into vat  70  of liquid material  72  to a depth that both of the first and second sections  48   a ,  48   b  of wrist  48  on of former  32  will extend into the liquid material  72 . The step of providing the former may further include providing the former where the first section  48   a  is generally elliptical in cross-sectional shape; and the second section  48   b  is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. 
     The method may further include forming a bead  30  at an end of the glove  10 . This is accomplished by passing former  32  between two opposed rollers  50 ,  52  which rotate in opposite directions “A” and “B” relative to each other. Rollers  50 ,  52  or former  32  are moved in a direction “C” that will cause the rollers  50 ,  52  to ride along a length of second section  48   b  of former  32 . This means that the rollers move from a region of the second section  48   b  that is free of drying liquid material  72   a  to a section that includes a quantity of drying liquid material  72   a . Rollers  50 ,  52  move along the section that includes the quantity of drying liquid material  72   a  to cause that drying liquid material to roll into the bead  30  which extends around a circumference of the former  32  and of glove  10 . Finally, the method includes blowing a puff of air  76  into glove  10  while on former  32  in order to remove glove  10  from former  32 . 
     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 the preferred embodiment of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0