Abstract:
The present invention is an improved glove having a fit enhancing, moisture absorbent component attached to the interior of the gauntlet of the glove on at least a portion thereof. The fit-enhancing, moisture absorbent component, or gauntlet insert, provides a closer fit of the glove around the wearer&#39;s wrist than the fit provided by the glove shell itself in the absence of the gauntlet insert. In addition, the gauntlet insert provides moisture absorption to collect perspiration which runs from the hand to the wrist area, as well as perspiration which runs from the arm toward the hand during use by the wearer. Both the fit and absorption features of the gauntlet insert provide for improved tactility, dexterity and comfort to the wearer during use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to gloves having a gauntlet which enhances the fit of the glove to the wearer&#39;s hand and absorbs perspiration, or sweat, generated during use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Liquid and/or vapor impermeable gloves, sometimes referred to generally as chemical protective gloves, have utilized impermeable materials for many years due to the level of chemical protection offered by these materials. These materials can vary from inelastic (i.e., materials which are not capable of recovering their original shape upon stretching) to elastic (i.e., materials capable of recovering their original shape upon stretching). One example of a conventional chemical protective glove made from such inelastic materials is an aluminized polyethylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) glove. Examples of conventional chemical protective gloves made from such elastic materials include, for example, elastomerics such as butyl rubber and fluoroelastomer, such as VITON® fluoroelastomer. Users of the chemical protective gloves have experienced several problems over the years with fit and comfort.  
           [0003]    Impermeable gloves are often not very form fitting due to the design of the glove and the material used in the glove. The gloves will tend to slip off the user&#39;s hands unless the gloves are secured to the hand. The current method of securing a glove to a hand is the use of some sort of strap-like hook-and-loop construction (e.g., VELCRO® strap) or cinch, on the outside of the glove, usually in the area of the glove directly below the wrist. Straps on the outside of the glove can cause some functional problems for the user by having the strap get caught or scraped under normal operations. Also, some straps have to be sewn into the glove causing a potential path for chemicals or liquids to wick into the glove. If a strap is sewn into a glove, the stitch holes in the glove must be sealed on the inside to prevent the wicking of liquids or chemicals. These design issues are costly and still potentially unreliable with regard to chemical protection.  
           [0004]    The type of material also can cause slippage problems for the glove user. Inelastic materials do not stretch and recover very well. Thus, a glove made from an inelastic material will not conform to the user&#39;s hand. A user with an inelastic glove material will experience functional problems such as glove slippage, lack of tactility and dexterity and possibly hand fatigue. Tactility relates to the user&#39;s ability to grasp, handle and manipulate objects or perform movements requiring fine motor skills, and dexterity related to flexibility of fingers and the entire hand. Elastic materials also present functional problems for the glove user. Even though these materials can recover upon stretching, the gloves are designed in such a way that the wrist section is wider than necessary for the glove to be secured to the hand. Thus, gloves manufactured from elastic materials also slip during use unless the gloves are secured to the hand in some way similar to what was described above (i.e., strap on outside of glove). The glove manufacturer is faced with the same problem noted above, namely, that the attachment mechanism could cause the glove to wick chemicals or liquids from the outside of the glove to the inside.  
           [0005]    Impermeable materials also cause comfort issues for the user since water vapor typically cannot be transmitted from the hand to the outside of the glove. Sweat build-up under the glove is a major issue for the user of impermeable, chemical protective gloves. The amount of sweat build-up, or moisture accumulation, can cause functional and comfort problems for the user. Most users can only wear chemical protective gloves for a short period of time (i.e., less than 2 hours) before the user is forced to discard the glove or take it off due to heat and sweat build-up. In certain environments, the user cannot take the glove off for risk of serious injury. The other problem with chemical protective clothing is that sweat or moisture will run down a person&#39;s arm and settle in the glove area. This moisture or sweat accumulation in the glove area compounds the functional issues described above.  
           [0006]    Conventional solutions to such sweat build-up have been directed to glove liners of absorbent material which contact the entire hand region during use. A limitation of these types of solutions is that the absorbent liner is quickly overwhelmed by the sweat generated by the hand, and the functionality (e.g., tactility) of the glove is compromised upon saturation.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No., 5,740,551 is directed to a multi-layered barrier glove comprising a barrier insert fabricated from a porous polytetrafluoroethylene which provides the wearer with barrier protection for the skin while still maintaining breathability. While this glove reduces sweat build-up in the hand region due to its breathability, during times of extreme exertion, or when the wearer is attired in a full chemical protective suit, the problems note above still exist.  
           [0008]    In addition to chemical protective gloves, the wearers of other types of gloves, whether permeable or impermeable, which are manufactured for less hazardous activities ranging from consumer cleaning with excessive water exposure or harsh cleaning aids to outdoor activities under extreme environmental conditions where protection of the hands is needed, can experience the comfort and tactility problems noted above.  
           [0009]    The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present glove designs. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an improved glove directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is an improved glove having a fit enhancing, moisture absorbent component attached to the interior of the gauntlet of the glove on at least a portion thereof. The fit-enhancing, moisture absorbent component, or gauntlet insert, provides a closer fit of the glove around the wearer&#39;s wrist than the fit provided by the glove shell itself in the absence of the gauntlet insert. In addition, the gauntlet insert provides moisture absorption to collect perspiration which runs from the hand to the wrist area, as well as perspiration which runs from the arm toward the hand during use by the wearer. Both the fit and absorption features of the gauntlet insert provide for improved tactility, dexterity and comfort to the wearer during use.  
           [0011]    Specifically, the present invention provides an improved glove wherein the glove shell may comprise a permeable (i. e., permeable to vapors and liquids) material, an impermeable (i. e., not permitting liquids or vapors to pass through) material, a selectively permeable (i.e., selectively permitting the passage of some vapors or liquids) material, or some combination thereof. The glove shell may include either a single layer or multiple layers of material. As used herein, the term “glove” is intended to refer to any hand-covering having at least one finger stall, a thumb stall, a proximal portion, a distal portion and a gauntlet. The term “gauntlet” refers to the portion of a glove covering the wrist and extending to and defining the opening of the glove to its interior, where the wearer&#39;s hand is inserted. The gauntlet may vary in length and dimensions, ranging, for example, from a relatively short section covering only the wrist area to a longer section which extends up the wearer&#39;s arm to varying lengths, depending on the design of the glove.  
           [0012]    The fit-enhancing, moisture absorbent gauntlet insert is attached to at least a portion of the gauntlet on the interior of the glove shell by any suitable means, such as stitching, welding, adhering or the like. As used herein, the term “fit-enhancing” is intended to refer to a material which can be stretched to a size at least 25% greater than its non-stretched state with a material recovery to its original shape of at least 90%, and preferably 100%. Examples of suitable materials include, for example, knitted materials which meet these levels of stretch and recovery, as determined by ASTM 2594-87 “Stretch Properties of Knitted Fabrics Having Low Power”. The term “absorbent,” as used herein, is intended to refer to a material which is capable of absorbing and holding at least 10% by weight of water, and preferably at least 20% by weight of water, as determined by the Water Absorbtion for Accessories Test contained herein.  
           [0013]    With the use of the novel gauntlet insert in the gloves of the present invention, not only is there no need to provide an elastically yielding area or a strap means on the exterior of the glove to cinch the glove around the wrist of the wearer, but also, the gauntlet insert provides absorption of moisture from perspiration generated by the wearer.  
           [0014]    It is, therefore, a purpose of the invention to provide a glove that has enhanced tactility, comfort and dexterity characteristics. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, several embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown. In the drawings:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective cut-away view of a glove of the present invention showing the gauntlet insert oriented inside the gauntlet;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective cut-away view of the gauntlet section of one embodiment of the glove of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective cut-away view of another embodiment of the gauntlet section of the glove of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a top view of a partially cross-sectioned glove having flanges or tabs for attachment of a gauntlet insert of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]    It will be understood that the foregoing brief description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of this invention, but are not intended to be restrictive thereof or limiting of the advantages which can be achieved by this invention. Thus, the accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate embodiments of this invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the fit-enhancing, absorbent glove of the present invention is generally illustrated as  20  in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, the glove  20  comprises a glove shell  24  and, in the gauntlet region  22  of the glove  20 , a gauntlet insert  26 , indicated in the cut-away portion of the drawing. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, but not all designated with reference numerals therein, the glove shell  24  may include any of the following: a palm portion, a dorsal or back portion, one or more finger stalls or passageways, a thumb stall or passageway, and the gauntlet defining the opening to the interior of the glove. Although the glove shell  24  is illustrated as a conventional glove, in the sense that it includes an individual finger stall for each finger of a human hand and a thumb stall, the teachings of the present invention may be applied to other glove designs having less than four finger stalls, but at least one (e. g., a mitten design).  
         [0022]    The gauntlet insert of the present invention may be attached to the gauntlet of the glove shell by any number of suitable means, provided the resulting insert remains attached within the gauntlet region and maintains a close fit of the glove to the wearer&#39;s hand during use. In one embodiment, as shown in cut-away view in FIG. 2, an adhesive bead  31  attaching the gauntlet insert  26  to the glove shell  24 . While the adhesive is shown as a bead, it would also be contemplated by one of skill in the art that the adhesive may be in a continuous or discontinuous form and may be located in one or multiple locations around the gauntlet inner surface of the glove shell. Alternatively, adhesive may be used to attach the insert to the entire inner surface of the gauntlet section.  
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the gauntlet insert  26  may be stitched to the gauntlet section  22 , as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the glove shell has a stitched construction, where two pieces of, for example, hand-shaped material have been stitched together and inverted, creating a stitched flange  40  interior to the glove shell  24 . The gauntlet insert  26  is attached with stitches  44  to the flange  40  within the gauntlet section  22 . Depending on the design and configuration of the glove, stitching may be located in other regions around the gauntlet section, such as various locations around the gauntlet section, or along the edge perimeter of the gauntlet. Combinations of such stitching techniques may be employed as well. In those cases where the glove is intended for uses which require impermeability, any stitching which compromises the integrity of the impermeable glove shell can be sealed with an appropriate seal, such as an impermeable tape or other suitable impermeable sealer.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a top view, looking down, of a glove shell cross-sectioned in the gauntlet area showing the interior of the gauntlet which has flanges, or tabs,  48  for attachment of the gauntlet insert (not shown in figure). These flanges  48  may be created when two hand-shaped layers are thermally bonded, adhesively bonded, or sewn together, such as described with respect to FIG. 3, or the flanges  48  may be strips of material which are separately attached to the interior of the gauntlet section to provide an attachment location(s) for the gauntlet insert.  
         [0025]    The gauntlet insert of the present invention may have any suitable geometry adapted to the glove design, provided the insert enhances the fit and provides absorption of perspiration for the wearer. While an insert which completely encircles the wearer&#39;s wrist is most preferred, it is envisioned that suitable inserts may also be provided which contact only a portion of the circumference of the wearer&#39;s wrist, such as pads of varying geometries.  
         [0026]    The material of the fit-enhancing, absorbent gauntlet insert, as described earlier herein, may comprise any material which can be stretched to a size at least 25% greater than its non-stretched state with a material recovery to its original state of at least 90%, and preferably 100%. In addition, the material is capable of absorbing and holding at least 10% by weight of water, and preferably at least 20% by weight. Such materials may comprise either synthetic or natural materials, or some combination of the two. Materials comprising polyethylenes, polypropylenes, cottons, wicking materials such as those sold under the trademark COOLMAX, nylons and the like, are examples of compositions which can meet the fit-enhancing, absorbent gauntlet criteria. One example of such a suitable material is a cotton/latex rubber blend. A particularly preferred material comprises an 89% cotton/11% natural latex rubber in a tubular knit form.  
         [0027]    Any glove shell material which does not inherently provide a close fit on the wearer&#39;s hand will benefit from the fit-enhancing, absorbent gauntlet insert glove of the present invention. In the particular case of chemical protective gloves for protection against exposure to chemical agents during industrial use or chemical warfare, the impermeability or selective permeability requirements of the glove shell generally translate to poor fit and discomfort for the wearer, as described earlier herein. Examples of suitable glove shell materials which fall within this impermeable or semi-permeable status include, but are not limited to, those materials which meet ASTM F739, “Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids and Gases”, 1996, and CRDC-SP-84010 “Laboratory Methods for Evaluating Protective Clothing Systems Against Chemical Agents” (Mary Jo Waters, June 1984, U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Section 2.2).  
         [0028]    Without intending to limit the scope of the present invention, the apparatus and method of production of the present invention may be better understood by referring to the examples provided below.  
       TESTS  
     Water Absorption for Accessories Test  
       [0029]    Water absorption of materials is tested pursuant to MIL-S-21894F, Section 4.4.5, in the following manner. The specimen size is 10 cm by 10 cm, and three specimens per sample are tested. The specimens and distilled water are conditioned at 23±0.6° C. at 50% relative humidity prior to testing. The conditioned sample is weighed and recorded as “dry weight”, then completely immersed in the distilled water. After one hour, the sample is removed from the water and allowed to drip for 10 seconds without blotting. The sample is then weighed and recorded as “weight wet.” The percent water absorption is calculated as (“weight wet” minus “dry weight”) divided by the “dry weight”, multiplied by 100.  
       O&#39;Connor Fine Finger Dexterity Test  
       [0030]    The O&#39;Connor fine finger test, manufactured by Lafayette Instrument Company (Lafayette, Ind.), is a measurement of how well a person wearing gloves can perform a delicate task. The test requires the subject to place three {fraction (1/16)} inch (0.16 cm) diameter pins approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) long into ⅛ inch (0.32 cm) diameter holes arranged in a 10×10 matrix. The holes are roughly on ½ inch (1.27 cm) pitch. Although there are 100 holes, the test requires only 2 rows, or 20 holes, to be filled. The time required to fill 20 holes with 3 of these small pins is recorded. The test is always performed with the bare hand initially and then with the gloves of interest. For each reported value the test is conducted at least twice, with the first pass serving as a practice or conditioning pass to remove any learning based bias. Only the second pass or run is recorded.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0031]    A Silver Shield™ chemical protective glove, Model Number SS104L, size large, manufactured by North Safety Products of Cranston, R.I. was purchased from Fisher Scientific, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. An insert was fashioned by folding 2.5 centimeter of a 10 centimeter wide by 20.3 centimeter long piece of tubular knit comprised of 89% cotton and 11% natural latex rubber back on itself to form a tube where one end is of double thickness. The tubular knit, style number 2-681AAR, was obtained from Strauss Knitting Mills of St. Croix Falls, Wis. The fit enhancing gauntlet insert was attached to the glove by stitching the entire longitudinal edges of the insert to the seamed edges of the glove so that the double thickness opening of the insert tube was covering the wrist portion of the glove and the single thickness opening of the insert was adjacent the open end of the gauntlet. The thread used was from American and Effrid, Inc., of Charlotte N.C., style US t-60 Cotton wrapped core thread. The samples were sewn using a lock stitch with 8-10 stitches per inch (2.54 cm). The glove was then inverted so that the gauntlet insert was contained wholly inside the gauntlet section of the glove. The insert was also stitched to the glove around the end of the gauntlet section. Errant stitches that punctured the glove shell were sealed by applying 2.54 cm (1 inch) wide by 50 micron (2 mil) thick PTFE tape (Part Number 76475A14), obtained from McMaster Carr Supply Company, New Brunswick N.J., along the stitch line. The fit and comfort of the glove was greatly improved, as demonstrated by the chart showing results of the O&#39;Connor Fine Finger Test, which is described earlier.  
                                             O&#39;Connor Fine Finger Test for Example 1 -       Glove Time in seconds                    Silver Shield ™ Glove with           Standard Silver   fit-enhancing gauntlet       Bare Hand   Shield ™ Glove   insert as in Example 1               71   145   103                  
 
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0032]    A size extra large butyl rubber chemical protective glove, 14 mil thick manufactured by Guardian Manufacturing Company, Willard Ohio, was obtained from The Cole Parmer Instrument Company, Vernon Hills Ill. An insert was fashioned in the same manner as in Example 1. The glove was inverted so that it was inside out, and then the fit enhancing gauntlet insert was stitched through both side walls of the glove in the same plane as the thumb and little finger for the length of the fit enhancing insert. The insert was also stitched in three places approximately 120 degrees apart around the circumference of the open end of the gauntlet. The insert was then reverted to its original state so that the fit enhancing gauntlet insert was located wholly inside the gauntlet. The needle holes which were created in the butyl rubber were then sealed using part number 1300 rubber and gasket sealer/adhesive available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing located in St. Paul Minn.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0033]    A VITON® chemical protective glove manufactured by North Safety Products of Cranston, R.I. was obtained from Fisher Scientific located in Pittsburgh Pa. This glove was partially inverted to expose the inner side of the gauntlet region. A laminate measuring 25.4 cm×36 cm comprising 1.7 ounce per square yard nylon taffeta laminated to an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane (Part Number WAZ000000A) was obtained from W. L. Gore and Associates, Elkton Md. A pressure sensitive adhesive material coated onto release paper (available as part number 7098 from Adhesives Research, Inc. of Glen Rock, Pa.) was applied to portions of the ePTFE membrane side of the laminate. The resulting adhesive-coated laminate material was cut into ten 2.54 cm×36 cm strips. The strips were applied to the sidewalls of the inverted glove along the plane defined by the thumb and little finger so that 1.27 cm of each strip was attached to the VITON® glove and 1.27 cm was left as a flange for attachment of a fit enhancing gauntlet insert. A fit enhancing adsorbent insert was fashioned as described in Example 1 and sewn to the flange using the thread and stitch length described in Example 1. The glove was then reverted to its original state so that the fit enhancing absorbent insert was located wholly inside the inside the glove along the interior of the gauntlet.  
         [0034]    Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages which are described herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.