Patent Description:
Conventionally, a glove having a slip-suppressing function is used to prevent or suppress an object from slipping on the outer surface of the glove when the wearer grasps the object.

For example, <CIT> discloses a glove including a glove body configured to cover a hand of a wearer, in which anti-slipping particles are arranged on an outer surface of the glove body and the anti-slipping particles are synthetic resin particles such as acrylic particles, glass particles, or rubber articles. It further discloses that, according to such a glove, the anti-slipping particles arranged on the outer surface of the glove body prevent or suppress the object from slipping on the outer surface of the glove body and allow the object to be easily grasped by the wearer of the glove even in the case where the wearer handles an object with the wet surface, such as a dish during washing.

<CIT> discloses a non-slip glove having glove body made of fibre and a plurality of convex portions fixed to at least the palm region of the outer surface of the glove body. The convex portions are made of rubber. A coating layer covers the outer surface of the glove body. The coating layer contains non-slip particles of walnut husks containing cellulose. The non-slip particles have a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, a cubic shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, a spindle shape, a plate shape, a scale shape, or a fibrous shape. The upper limit of the average particle size of the non-slip particles is preferably <NUM> pm, more preferably <NUM>. The lower limit of the average particle diameter of the non-slip particles is preferably <NUM> pm, more preferably <NUM>.

<CIT> relates to protective garments and materials therefor and discloses a glove according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> relates to fabrics, more particularly fabrics comprising a liner having a polymeric coating on at least a portion thereof and garments especially gloves, made from such fabrics.

However, the glove disclosed in <CIT> has a problem that the slip-suppressing function is insufficient when the glove is used for grasping an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed. In particular, the problem is that, in the case where the object is an ice-containing object (which means ice itself or an object having the outer surface formed of ice), a film of water can be formed on the surface of the ice that is thawing, and thereby reduces the frictional resistance of the surface of the ice. Consequently, the ice-containing object is likely to slip on the outer surface of the glove body and is hardly grasped by the wearer.

In view of the aforementioned problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a glove configured to allow the wearer of the glove to relatively easily grasp even an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed.

A glove according to the present invention is defined by the independent claim <NUM>.

In the aforementioned glove, it is preferable that the outermost layer include a resin and an additive other than the cellulose particles, and include <NUM> parts or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass of the cellulose particles based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additive other than the cellulose particles.

Hereinafter, a glove according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, a glove <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a glove body <NUM> configured to cover a hand of a wearer, and a cuff <NUM> connected to the glove body <NUM> and configured to cover a wrist and a part of a forearm of the wearer.

The glove body <NUM> includes a body bag 10a having a bag shape to cover the back and the palm of the hand of the wearer, and finger bags 10b each extending from the body bag 10a to cover each finger of the wearer. The finger bags 10b are constituted by a first finger part10b1, a second finger part 10b2, a third finger part 10b3, a fourth finger part 10b4, and a fifth finger part 10b5 that respectively cover a first finger (a thumb), a second finger (an index finger), a third finger (a middle finger), a fourth finger (a ring finger), and a fifth finger (a little finger), of the wearer. The first finger part 10b1 to the fifth finger part 10b5 have a tubular shape with their fingertip parts closed.

As shown in <FIG>, the glove body <NUM> has a four-layered structure. Specifically, the glove body <NUM> includes a fiber layer <NUM>, a first resin layer <NUM> covering an outer surface of the fiber layer <NUM>, a second resin layer <NUM> covering an outer surface of the first resin layer <NUM>, and a slip-suppressing layer <NUM> covering an outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>. In the glove body <NUM>, the fiber layer <NUM> is an innermost layer (i.e., a layer that comes in contact with the hand of the wearer of the glove <NUM>) constituting the inner surface of the glove <NUM>, and the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is an outermost layer constituting the outer surface of the glove body <NUM>.

The fiber layer <NUM> is formed by knitting a fiber material. Examples of the fiber material for use include a yarn made of any known general-purpose fiber (e.g., nylon fiber, polyester fiber, polyethylene fiber, cotton, acrylic fiber, rayon fiber), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, or any known cut resistant fiber (e.g., stainless-steel fiber), and a composite yarn made of the various fibers above.

The fiber layer <NUM> is produced, for example, by knitting a fiber material into a glove shape using a glove knitting machine, or by knitting a fiber material using a circular knitting machine, a flat knitting machine, a warp knitting machine or the like, cutting the knitted fabric into a given shape, and sewing the cut fabric into a glove shape.

Generally, the thicker a glove is, the less flexible it becomes, which causes its wearer to be less likely to get the sense of touch at the moment when the wearer grasps the object. Thus, if a glove knitting machine is used, it is preferable to choose a <NUM> gauges or more and <NUM> gauges or less knitting machine, and for ease of knitting, choose a <NUM> gauges or more and <NUM> gauges or less knitting machine.

The fiber layer <NUM> is preferably formed to have a thickness of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

The thickness of the fiber layer <NUM> is measured by a film thickness gauge (for example, PG-<NUM> with a measuring force of <NUM> gf, manufactured by TECLOCK Co. ) before the first resin layer <NUM> is formed thereon. The thickness of the fiber layer <NUM> is obtained by arithmetically averaging the values measured at five given places using the film thickness gauge.

The fiber layer <NUM> may be, for example, subjected to various treatments using a softener, a water and oil repellant, an antimicrobial or the like, or have an ultraviolet blocking function imparted by applying an ultraviolet absorber to the fiber layer <NUM> or impregnating the fiber layer <NUM> with the ultraviolet absorber. In order to impart the various functions to the fiber layer <NUM>, the fiber layer <NUM> may be formed by knitting a fiber material including the aforementioned various chemical agents (for example, a fiber material having the aforementioned various chemical agents kneaded therein).

The first resin layer <NUM> is formed to cover the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber layer <NUM>.

Examples of a resin constituting the first resin layer <NUM> include various known resins such as vinyl chloride resin, natural rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, fluororubber, silicone rubber, isoprene rubber, polyurethane, acrylic resin, or their modified products (e.g., a carboxyl-modified product). Alternatively, these various known resins are used in combination.

The various known resins may be mixed with: a generally used vulcanizing agent such as sulfur; a vulcanization accelerator such as zinc dimethylthiocarbamate; a vulcanization accelerator such as zinc oxide; a cross-linking agent such as a blocked isocyanate; a plasticizer or a softener such as a mineral oil or a phthalate ester; an antioxidant or an aging inhibitor such as <NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-methylphenol; a thickener such as an acrylic polymer or a polysaccharide; a blowing agent such as azocarbonamide; a foaming agent or a foam stabilizer such as sodium stearate; an additive such as an anti-tacking agent, e.g., a paraffin wax; and a filler such as carbon black, calcium carbonate, or fine powder silica.

The first resin layer <NUM> is preferably formed to have a thickness of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

The thickness of the first resin layer <NUM> is measured by observing its cross section at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION), and then arithmetically averaging the values measured at <NUM> places at intervals of <NUM>. The cross-sectional observation using the digital microscope is carried out by observing a cross section of the center of a palm of the glove.

The center of the palm of the glove herein means an area in the palm near the point at which a straight line drawn in a longitudinal direction of the glove (i.e., a direction in which the third finger part 10b3 extends) from the crotch between the third finger part 10b3 and the fourth finger part 10b4 intersects with a straight line drawn in a lateral direction of the glove (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) from the crotch between the first finger part 10b1 and the second finger part10b2.

The first resin layer <NUM> is preferably formed as a non-porous resin layer. The first resin layer <NUM> thereby increases its strength. The non-porous resin layer herein means a layer having no visible voids when the cross-section thereof is observed at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). However, any void resulting from unexpected foam or bubbles shall be ignored.

It is preferable that the first resin layer <NUM> penetrate partially into voids among fibers of the fiber layer <NUM>, in terms of allowing the voids among fibers of the fiber layer <NUM> to hold air and in terms of increasing adhesiveness to the fiber layer <NUM>.

The second resin layer <NUM> is formed of the same resin as that of the first resin layer <NUM>. The second resin layer <NUM> is formed to cover the entire area of the outer surface of the first resin layer <NUM>. The second resin layer <NUM> is formed to increase the thickness of the resin layer. As in the case of the first resin layer <NUM>, the second resin layer <NUM> is also preferably formed as a non-porous resin layer.

The second resin layer <NUM> may be formed of the same resin as that of the first resin layer <NUM>, or may be formed of a different resin from that of the first resin layer <NUM>. In the case where the second resin layer <NUM> is formed of a different resin from that of the first resin layer <NUM>, an adhesive layer may be provided between the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> to increase adhesiveness therebetween. The adhesive layer can be formed of any known adhesive such as an acrylic-based or urethane-based adhesive. The adhesive used preferably has a solubility parameter (SP value) that falls between the SP value of the material of the first resin layer <NUM> and the SP value of the material of the second resin layer <NUM>.

The second resin layer <NUM> is generally formed to have a thickness of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

The thickness of the second resin layer <NUM> is measured in the same manner as the thickness of the first resin layer <NUM>.

The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is formed to cover the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is the outermost layer constituting the outer surface of the glove <NUM>. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is generally formed to have a thickness of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is preferably formed to have a thickness of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

The thickness of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is measured by observing its cross section at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION), and then arithmetically averaging the values measured at any <NUM> places.

The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> may be formed on the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>, but may be formed only on part of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>, that is, only on an area that can come into contact with an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed, when the wearer grasps such an object. For example, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> may be formed only on the palm side of the glove body <NUM>, or may be formed only on the fingertip parts on the palm side. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is configured to suppress an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed, particularly an ice-containing object, from slipping on the outer surface of the glove body <NUM> due to the film of water formed on the surface of the ice when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps such an ice-containing object. Specifically, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> includes a resin and cellulose particles 14a. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> may include an additive other than the cellulose particles 14a. Examples of the additive other than the cellulose particles 14a include a plasticizer, a pH adjuster, a vulcanizing agent, a metal oxide, a vulcanization accelerator, an aging inhibitor, an inorganic filler, a defoaming agent, a thickener, and a pigment.

The hydrophilic liquid herein means a liquid that homogenously mixes with water at a given ratio at normal temperature (for example, <NUM>). Examples of the hydrophilic liquid include water, methanol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone.

The resin included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> can be the same resin as that constituting the first resin layer <NUM>.

The cellulose particles 14a included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> can be any known various cellulose particles, regenerated cellulose particles, or the like. The cellulose particles 14a are preferably particles of ground natural wood cellulose (hereinafter referred to as ground cellulose particles). Since such ground cellulose particles typically have different shapes from one another, a relatively high proportion of particles have surfaces and angular portions that come into contact with an object. The ground cellulose particles can thereby have relatively large portions that come into contact with an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed. Thus, use of the ground cellulose particles as the cellulose particles 14a included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> improves the slip-suppressing function at the moment of grasping the object. As the cellulose particles 14a, KC FLOCK (registered trademark), for example, can be used. As KC FLOCK, KC FLOCK W-100GK (manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co. ), for example, can be used.

The cellulose particles 14a are preferably fibrous particles. The fibrous particles are the particles having a ratio LID being <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more, where D represents the width of each particle and L represents the length of the particle. In the case where the cellulose particles 14a are fibrous particles, the length L is preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, while the width D is preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The width of the particle means a length in the short side direction of each fibrous particle. In the case where the length in the short side direction varies according to the measurement position, the largest value is regarded as the width of the particle. The length of the particle means a length in the longitudinal direction of each fibrous particle. In the case where the fibrous particle has a linear shape, the length of the particle means the length from an end of the linear shape to the other end thereof. In the case where the fibrous particle has a curled shape (for example, a crimped shape) or a bent shape (for example, an L-shape or a V-shape), the length of the particle means the length of the line segment connecting an end of the particle and the other end thereof in the curled or bent state.

The width D of the particle and the length L of the particle can be obtained by measuring L and D of any <NUM> particles while observing the particles before being mixed with the resin or the like at a magnification of <NUM> or <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION), and then arithmetically averaging the measured values of L and D, respectively.

The cellulose particles 14a have a relatively high water absorption rate since cellulose includes a large number of hydroxyl groups. The relatively high water absorption rate herein means that the saturated water absorption rate is <NUM>% or more in an environment at <NUM> °C and at <NUM>% relative humidity.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> includes the cellulose particles 14a. At least some of the cellulose particles 14a are at least partially exposed from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>. In <FIG>and <FIG>, the cellulose particles 14a are shown in white. The cellulose particles 14a that are at least partially exposed from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> suppress an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed, particularly an ice-containing object, from slipping on the outer surface of the glove body <NUM> caused by the film of water formed on the surface of the ice when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps such an ice-containing object. This enables the wearer of the glove <NUM> to easily grasp the ice-containing object. The part of the cellulose particles 14a that is not exposed from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is embedded in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> and secured therein; therefore, the cellulose particles 14a can be suppressed from excessively falling from the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps the ice-containing object.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> includes, on its outer surface, projections 14A each formed by a plurality of cellulose particles 14a that gather in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> and rise outward from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>, and recesses 14B that are recessed more toward the second resin layer <NUM> than the projections 14A. That is, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> has an uneven outer surface. The projections 14A and the recesses 14B in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> are determined using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). Specifically, the cross-sectional shape (measurement curve) of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is displayed on the monitor using the dedicated software under the conditions in which the line roughness mode is selected as the measurement mode, "roughness" is selected as the measurement type, the reference length is set to <NUM>, and no cutoff is made. In a portion of the measurement curve corresponding to the reference length, a portion projecting more toward the upper side of the monitor than the average line of the measurement curve is determined as a projection 14A while a portion recessed more toward the lower side of the monitor than the average line is determined as a recess 14B. The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> including the projections 14A and the recesses 14B can exhibit a more sufficient slip-suppressing function for an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed when the object is grasped. As aforementioned, the glove <NUM> according to this embodiment includes the cellulose particles 14a exposed from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>, and further includes the projections 14A and the recesses 14B on the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>; thus, it can exhibit an excellent slip-suppressing function when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed.

The occupancy ratio of the projections 14A on the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> (hereinafter referred to simply as the occupancy ratio of the projections 14A) is <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The occupancy ratio of the projections 14A is measured using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). Specifically, the length of a segment of the average line of the cross-sectional shape (measurement curve) that intersects with a portion of the measurement curve constituting a projection 14A (hereinafter referred to as the intersecting line segment) is obtained within the reference length of the measurement curve of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> (or in the case where a plurality of projections 14A are included within the reference length, the total length of the intersecting line segments respectively corresponding to the portions of the measurement curve constituting the plurality of projections 14A is obtained) to calculate the ratio of the length of the intersecting line segment(s) to the reference length. In the case where a portion of the measurement curve constituting a projection 14A is partially included within the reference length, the length of a portion of the intersecting line segment thereof that is included within the reference length is obtained.

Although it is uncertain how the glove <NUM> according to this embodiment suppresses slipping of the ice-containing object when grasped, the present inventors assume the reason for the slip suppression as follows. As described above, cellulose in the cellulose particles 14a includes a large number of hydroxyl groups, and is thereby assumed to achieve relatively high affinity between the exposed sides of the cellulose particles 14a and the surface of ice. Accordingly, the portion in which the surface of ice comes in contact with the exposed sides of the cellulose particles 14a has a relatively high frictional resistance. The ice-containing object is thus suppressed from slipping on the outer surface of the glove <NUM>.

In particular, in the case where the cellulose particles 14a are fibrous particles, such cellulose particles 14a each having a long narrow shape can efficiently scratch into the film of water on the surface of ice. Thus, the exposed sides of the cellulose particles 14a easily come into contact with the surface of ice. The cellulose particles 14a each having a fibrous shape easily follow the motion of the ice-containing object. As a result, the portion in which the surface of ice comes in contact with the exposed sides of the cellulose particles 14a has a relatively high frictional resistance. This allows the ice-containing object to be suppressed from slipping on the outer surface of the glove <NUM>.

The average particle size of the cellulose particles 14a is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The cellulose particles 14a with the average particle size falling within the aforementioned numerical range can more sufficiently suppress an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed, in particular an ice-containing object, from slipping on the outer surface of the glove body <NUM> due to the film of water formed on the surface of ice. Further, the cellulose particles 14a having such an average particle size can be more sufficiently suppressed from excessively falling from the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps the ice-containing object. Such cellulose particles 14a can exhibit the sufficient slip-suppressing effect also for an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is not formed.

The average particle size of the cellulose particles 14a is measured before they are mixed, using a laser diffraction-type particle-size-distribution measuring apparatus (Mastersizer <NUM> manufactured by Malvern Panalytical Ltd) as a measuring device. Specifically, the measurement is performed using the dedicated software called Mastersizer <NUM> Software in which the scattering type measurement mode is employed. A wet cell through which dispersion liquid with a measurement sample (cellulose particles) dispersed therein is circulated is irradiated with a laser beam to obtain a scattered light distribution from the measurement sample. Then, the scattered light distribution is approximated according to a log-normal distribution, and a particle size corresponding to the cumulative frequency of <NUM>% (D50) within the preset range from the minimum value of <NUM> to the maximum value of <NUM> in the obtained particle size distribution (horizontal axis, o) is determined as the average particle size. The dispersion liquid for use is prepared by adding <NUM> of <NUM> mass % hexametaphosphoric acid solution to <NUM> of purified water. The concentration of the measurement sample in the dispersion liquid is <NUM>%. Before the measurement, the dispersion liquid including the measurement sample is processed for two minutes using an ultrasonic homogenizer. The measurement is performed while the dispersion liquid including the measurement sample is agitated at an agitating speed of <NUM> rpm.

Short fibers (such as pile) used for being implanted in the inner surface of a glove have a length of, for example, <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, which are significantly longer than the cellulose particles 14a having the average particle size of, as aforementioned, <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less (hereinafter referred to simply as the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a).

Thus, in the case where the short fibers in the same number as that of the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a are included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> having the same thickness as aforementioned, the longer the short fibers are as compared with the average particle size of the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a, the more densely the short fibers should be included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>. Further, the more densely the short fibers are included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>, the harder the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> with the short fibers included therein should be as compared with the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> with the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a included therein.

The slip-suppressing layer <NUM> including the short fibers has a higher proportion of short fibers exposed from the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> than that of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> including the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a, and thus becomes less likely to exhibit the slip-suppressing effect for an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is not formed. Further, such a slip-suppressing layer <NUM> having a high proportion of short fibers exposed therefrom becomes less resistant to abrasion.

The longer the short fibers are as compared with the average particle size of the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a, the more likely the short fibers are to agglutinate in mixing materials (a third coating liquid to be described later) as compared with the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a. Thus, the mixing materials including the short fibers become more likely to be destabilized than the mixing materials including the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a.

A possible way of suppressing the short fibers as aforementioned from being densely included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> may be to reduce the number of short fibers included therein. In such a case, however, the fewer the short fibers are included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>, the fewer the short fibers are exposed from the surface of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>. As a result, the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> should decrease its slip-suppressing function for an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed.

Another possible way of suppressing the short fibers from being densely included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> may be to increase the thickness of the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>. However, the thicker the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> is, the harder it could be, depending on the type of resin included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>.

In contrast, the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a are significantly shorter than the short fibers, and thus less likely to cause the problems concerned as aforementioned when included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM>. Thus, the aforementioned cellulose particles 14a included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> enable the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> to exhibit a more sufficient slip-suppressing function while, in particular, sufficiently suppressing the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> from being hardened.

In the case where the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> includes an additive other than the cellulose particles 14a, it preferably includes <NUM> parts or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass of the cellulose particles 14a based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of resin and the additive other than the cellulose particles 14a. The cellulose particles 14a included in the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> within the aforementioned range can more sufficiently suppress an object having a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed, in particular an ice-containing object, from slipping on the outer surface of the glove body <NUM> due to the film of water formed on the surface of the ice-containing object. Further, since <NUM> parts or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass of the cellulose particles 14a are included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additive other than the cellulose particles 14a, the cellulose particles 14a can be more sufficiently suppressed from excessively falling from the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> when the wearer of the glove <NUM> grasps the ice-containing object.

The cuff <NUM> is formed in a tubular shape. As shown in <FIG>, the cuff <NUM> has a three-layered structure. Specifically, the cuff <NUM> includes a fiber layer <NUM>, a first resin layer <NUM> covering the outer surface of the fiber layer <NUM>, and a second resin layer <NUM> covering the outer surface of the first resin layer <NUM>. In the cuff <NUM>, the fiber layer <NUM> is an innermost layer while the second resin layer <NUM> is an outermost layer. That is, the cuff <NUM> has a different layered structure from that of the glove body <NUM> in that it has the second resin layer <NUM> as the outermost layer.

In the glove <NUM> according to this embodiment, the cuff <NUM> is formed continuously and integrally with the glove body <NUM>. That is, in the glove <NUM>, the two fiber layers (i.e., the fiber layer <NUM> and the fiber layer <NUM>), the two first resin layers (i.e., the first resin layer <NUM> and the first resin layer <NUM>), and the two second resin layers (i.e., the second resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>) are respectively formed continuously and integrally with each other; thus, the fiber layer <NUM> has the same configuration as the fiber layer <NUM>, the first resin layer <NUM> has the same configuration as the first resin layer <NUM>, and the second resin layer <NUM> has the same configuration as the second resin layer <NUM>. Thus, no explanation will be given on the configurations of the fiber layer <NUM>, the first resin layer <NUM>, and the second resin layer <NUM>.

The glove <NUM> configured as above can be produced according to, for example, the following steps.

First, a fiber glove including the glove body <NUM> and the cuff <NUM> (i.e., a fiber glove including the fiber layers <NUM> and <NUM>) is produced using a glove knitting machine.

Next, the fiber glove is put on a hand form, and a first coating liquid including a resin to form the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> covering the entire areas of the outer surface of the fiber glove (i.e., the entire area of the outer surfaces of the fiber layers <NUM> and <NUM>) is applied to the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber glove. The first coating liquid is applied to the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber glove by, for example, immersing the fiber glove put on the hand form in the first coating liquid. The hand form is any known hand form made of ceramic, metal, or the like. After having the first coating liquid applied thereto, the fiber glove put on the hand form is dried at a certain temperature over a certain period of time by, for example, being placed in an oven for drying at <NUM> °C for <NUM> minutes, to form the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> on the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber glove.

Before the first coating liquid is applied, the fiber glove put on the hand form may be entirely immersed in a coagulant solution to pretreat the outer surface of the fiber glove. Examples of the coagulant solution include a solution prepared by dissolving <NUM>-<NUM> parts by mass of calcium nitrate in <NUM> parts by mass of methanol.

As the resin of the first coating liquid, any known resin as aforementioned can be used. In addition to the resin, the first coating liquid may include various additives such as a pH adjuster, a vulcanizing agent, a metal oxide, a vulcanization accelerator, an aging inhibitor, an inorganic filler, a defoaming agent, a thickener, and a pigment. For the pH adjuster, <NUM> part or more and <NUM> part or less by mass thereof is preferably included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the aforementioned various additives. Examples of the pH adjuster include potassium hydroxide. For the vulcanizing agent, <NUM> part or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass thereof is preferably included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the aforementioned various additives. Examples of the vulcanizing agent include sulfur. For the metal oxide, <NUM> part or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass thereof is preferably included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the aforementioned various additives. Examples of the metal oxide include zinc oxide. For the vulcanization accelerator, <NUM> part or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass thereof is preferably included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the aforementioned various additives. Examples of the vulcanization accelerator include an accelerator based on sodium dithiocarbamate (for example, NOCCELER BZ (manufactured by OUCHI SHINKO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CO. ) composed mainly of zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate). For the aging inhibitor, <NUM> part or more and <NUM> part or less by mass thereof is preferably included based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the aforementioned various additives. Examples of the aging inhibitor include polynuclear phenols (for example, VULKANOX (registered trademark) BKF). The inorganic filler, the defoaming agent, the thickener, and the pigment each are added in an appropriate amount as needed. Various known inorganic fillers, defoaming agents, thickeners, and pigments can be used.

Next, a second coating liquid to form the second resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> covering the entire areas of the outer surfaces of the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> is applied to the entire areas of the outer surfaces of the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM>. The second coating liquid is applied to the entire areas of the outer surfaces of the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> by, for example, immersing the fiber glove with the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> formed thereon in the second coating liquid. After having the second coating liquid applied thereto, the fiber glove put on the hand form is dried at a certain temperature over a certain period of time by, for example, being placed in an oven for drying at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, to form the second resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> on the entire areas of the outer surfaces of the first resin layers <NUM> and <NUM>.

As the resin included in the second coating liquid, the same resin as that included in the first coating liquid can be used. Similar to the first coating liquid, the second coating liquid may include, in addition to the resin, a pH adjuster, a vulcanizing agent, a metal oxide, a vulcanization accelerator, an aging inhibitor, an inorganic filler, a defoaming agent, a thickener, a pigment, or the like.

Next, a third coating liquid to form the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> covering the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM> (i.e., the second resin layer of the glove body <NUM>) is applied to the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>. The third coating liquid is applied to the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM> by, for example, immersing only the glove body <NUM> side of the fiber glove with the second resin layers <NUM> and <NUM> formed thereon in the third coating liquid. After having the third coating liquid applied thereto, the fiber glove put on the hand form is dried at a certain temperature over a certain period of time by, for example, being placed in an oven for drying at <NUM> °C for <NUM> minutes and then at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, to form the slip-suppressing layer <NUM> on the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer <NUM>.

The third coating liquid includes a resin and the cellulose particles 14a. As the resin included in the third coating liquid, the same resin as that included in the first coating liquid can be used. As the cellulose particles 14a included in the third coating liquid, any known cellulose particles as aforementioned can be used. The third coating liquid may include an additive (such as a plasticizer and the same various additives as those included in the first coating liquid) other than the cellulose particles 14a. In the case where the third coating liquid includes an additive other than the cellulose particles 14a, it preferably includes <NUM> parts or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass of the cellulose particles 14a based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additive other than the cellulose particles 14a.

The glove <NUM> according to this embodiment can be obtained as described above.

The glove according to this embodiment is configured as above, and thus has the following advantageous effects.

A glove according to the present invention includes:.

Such a configuration allows the cellulose particles exposed from the outer surface to come into contact with the surface of an object, and thus allows the object to be relatively easily grasped even when such an object has a film of hydrophilic liquid formed on the surface.

In the aforementioned glove, it is preferable that the cellulose particles have an average particle size of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

Since, according to such a configuration, the average particle size of the cellulose particles is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, an object can be more easily grasped even when such an object has a film of hydrophilic liquid formed on the surface.

Since, according to such a configuration, the outermost layer includes <NUM> parts or more and <NUM> parts or less by mass of the cellulose particles based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additive other than the cellulose particles, an object can be still more easily grasped even when such an object has a surface on which a film of hydrophilic liquid is formed.

The glove according to the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment. The glove according to the present invention is not limited by the aforementioned operational advantages, either. Various modifications can be made for the glove according to the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The aforementioned embodiment has been described by taking, for example, the case where the glove body <NUM> has the four-layered structure while the cuff <NUM> has the three-layered structure (i.e., the glove body <NUM> has one fiber layer <NUM>, two resin layers (the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>), and one slip-suppressing layer <NUM> while the cuff <NUM> has one fiber layer <NUM> and two resin layers (the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>)). However, the layered structures of the glove body <NUM> and the cuff <NUM> are not limited to the aforementioned embodiment. For example, the glove body <NUM> may have only one resin layer constituted by the first resin layer <NUM> to form the three-layered structure (i.e., one fiber layer <NUM>, one resin layer, and one slip-suppressing layer <NUM>), and the cuff <NUM> may have only one resin layer constituted by the first resin layer <NUM> to form the two-layered structure (i.e., one fiber layer <NUM> and one resin layer).

It should be noted that the glove body <NUM> formed to have two resin layers and one slip-suppressing layer on the outer surface of one fiber layer <NUM>, that is, to have three resin-inclusive layers on the outer surface of one fiber layer <NUM> can improve its resistance to chemicals (such as acetic acid) and organic solvents. Specifically, the glove body <NUM> formed to have the three resin-inclusive layers has thick resin-inclusive layers, and the layered structure of the glove body <NUM> suppresses pinholes from being formed in the resin-inclusive layers; thus, the glove body <NUM> can improve its permeation resistance to chemicals and organic solvents. The glove including the glove body <NUM> formed to have the three resin-inclusive layers as described above can improve resistance to chemicals and organic solvents, and is thus suitable for food applications.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be more specifically described with reference to the examples. The following examples are provided for more specifically describing the present invention, and do not intend to limit the scope of the present invention.

The glove according to Example <NUM> was produced using the following materials.

Three polyester two-ply yarns (each made of two <NUM> dtex polyester single yarns twisted together) were seamlessly knitted into a fiber layer using a glove knitting machine (model <NUM> N-SFG, manufactured by SHIMA SEIKI MFG. The fiber layer was produced as a fiber glove including a glove body and a cuff.

The aforementioned fiber layer was put on a three-dimensional metal hand form, and the three-dimensional hand form was heated to <NUM> °C.

Next, the fiber layer put on the heated three-dimensional hand form was immersed in a coagulant solution in which <NUM> parts by mass of calcium nitrate is dissolved in <NUM> parts by mass of methanol, to apply the coagulant solution to the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber layer. After the application of the coagulant solution, methanol was partially volatilized from the fiber layer.

Then, the fiber layer with the coagulant solution applied thereto was entirely immersed in a first coating liquid for forming a first resin layer, to apply the first coating liquid to the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber layer.

The fiber layer with the first coating liquid applied thereto was then dried in an oven at <NUM> °C for <NUM> minutes to form the first resin layer on the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber layer.

The first coating liquid was prepared by diluting the composition including the mixing materials shown in Table <NUM> with ion exchange water to have a solid content at a ratio of <NUM> mass %. The first coating liquid had a viscosity of <NUM> Pa·s (the value measured using a Brookfield viscometer under the condition of V6 (i.e., a rotational speed of <NUM> rpm, a temperature of <NUM>)). An observation of the cross section of the layers at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) found that the first resin layer according to Example <NUM> was a non-porous layer.

After the first resin later was formed on the entire area of the outer surface of the fiber layer, the fiber layer with the first resin layer formed thereon was immersed in water to wash the surface of the first resin layer.

Next, the fiber layer with the first resin layer having the washed surface was dried in an oven at <NUM> °C for <NUM> minutes, and then the three-dimensional hand form was cooled to <NUM> ° C.

Thereafter, the fiber layer with the first resin layer formed thereon was entirely immersed in a second coating liquid for forming a second resin layer, to apply the second coating liquid to the entire area of the outer surface of the first resin layer.

Then, the fiber layer with the second coating liquid applied thereto was dried in an oven at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes to form the second resin layer on the entire area of the outer surface of the first resin layer.

The second coating liquid was prepared in the same manner as the first coating liquid. An observation of the cross section of the layers at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) found that the second resin layer according to Example <NUM> was also a non-porous layer.

After the second resin layer was formed on the entire area of the outer surface of the first resin layer, the three-dimensional hand form was cooled to <NUM> °C.

Next, a portion of the fiber layer with the second resin layer formed thereon, which extends from the fingertip parts to an area near a wrist part, was immersed in a third coating liquid for forming a slip-suppressing layer, to apply the third coating liquid.

Thereafter, the fiber layer with the third coating liquid applied thereto was dried in an oven at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, and then further dried in an oven at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, to form the slip-suppressing layer on the entire area of the outer surface of the second resin layer of the glove body.

The glove according to Example <NUM> was thus obtained.

The third coating liquid was prepared by diluting the composition including the mixing materials shown in Table <NUM> with ion exchange water to have a solid content at a ratio of <NUM> mass %. The third coating liquid had a viscosity of <NUM> Pa · s (the value measured using a Brookfield viscometer under the condition of V6 (a rotational speed of <NUM> rpm, a temperature of <NUM>)).

As shown in Table <NUM> below, <NUM> parts by mass of the cellulose particles were added based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of a resin (NBR latex) and additives other than the cellulose particles.

An observation of the cross section of the slip-suppressing layer at a magnification of <NUM> times using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) found that at least some of the cellulose particles were partially exposed from the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer, as shown in <FIG>.

The average particle size of the cellulose particles included in the slip-suppressing layer was <NUM> pm, according to the measurement thereof before mixing, using a laser diffraction-type particle-size-distribution measuring apparatus (Mastersizer <NUM> manufactured by Malvern Panalytical Ltd). The average particle size of the cellulose particles was measured as follows. That is, the dedicated software called Mastersizer <NUM> Software was used, the scattering type measurement mode was employed, and a wet cell through which dispersion liquid with the cellulose particles dispersed therein is circulated was irradiated with a laser beam, to obtain a scattered light distribution from the cellulose particles. Then, the scattered light distribution was approximated according to a log-normal distribution, and a particle size corresponding to the cumulative frequency of <NUM>% (D50) within the preset range from the minimum value of <NUM> to the maximum value of <NUM> in the obtained particle size distribution (horizontal axis, σ) was determined as the average particle size. In the measurement, the dispersion liquid for use was prepared by adding <NUM> of <NUM> mass % hexametaphosphoric acid solution to <NUM> of purified water. The concentration of the cellulose particles in the dispersion liquid was <NUM>%. Before the measurement, the dispersion liquid including the cellulose particles was treated for two minutes using an ultrasonic homogenizer. Further, the measurement was performed while the dispersion liquid including the cellulose particles was agitated at an agitating speed of <NUM> rpm.

The ratio of the length L to the width D of the cellulose particles, that is, the ratio LID of the cellulose particles, was <NUM>, according to the measurement thereof before mixing. The L and D of the cellulose particles were measured in the manner as aforementioned.

The glove according to Example <NUM> was produced in the same manner as Example <NUM>, except that <NUM> parts by mass of the cellulose particles having an average particle size of <NUM> based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additives other than the cellulose particles were added to the third coating liquid.

The ratio LID of the cellulose particles was <NUM>.

The glove according to Example <NUM> was produced in the same manner as Example <NUM>, except that <NUM> parts by mass of the cellulose particles based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additives other than the cellulose particles were added to the third coating liquid.

The glove according to Example <NUM> was produced in the same manner as Example <NUM>, except that <NUM> parts by mass of the cellulose particles having an average particle size of <NUM> based on <NUM> parts by mass of the total amount of the resin and the additives other than the cellulose particle were added to the third coating liquid.

The glove according to Comparative Example <NUM> was produced in the same manner as Example <NUM>, except that the type of slip-suppressing particles included in the third coating liquid was a composite (having an average particle size of <NUM>) of nitrile butadiene rubber particles (NBR particles) and acrylic rubber particles (AR particles), and that <NUM> parts by mass of such particles were added. The average particle size of the composite was measured in the same manner as in the case of cellulose particles.

For the gloves according to Examples and Comparative Example, the types of slip-suppressing particles included in the third coating liquid, the average particle sizes of the slip-suppressing particles, and the numbers of parts by mass of the slip-suppressing particles added are shown in Table <NUM> below. The occupancy ratios of the projections on the outer surface of the slip-suppressing layer were determined using a digital microscope (model VHX-<NUM>, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). The results are also shown in Table <NUM>. The occupancy ratios of the projections were measured in the aforementioned manner.

The gloves according to Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and the glove according to Comparative Example <NUM> were evaluated for their grippability when ice was grasped, the results of which are shown in Table <NUM>. The grippability was evaluated by sensory evaluation. Specifically, the evaluation was performed by <NUM> test subjects who wore the gloves according to Examples and Comparative Example, grasped a cylindrically-shaped ice having a diameter of about <NUM> and a height of about <NUM>, and evaluated the grippability according to three grades, followed by dividing the total points by the number of the test subjects. The three grades include <NUM> point, <NUM> point, and <NUM> points, each grade indicating as follows. <NUM> point: Not capable of grasping ice. <NUM> point: Capable of grasping ice but not stably. <NUM> points: Capable of firmly grasping ice.

Table <NUM> reveals that the gloves according to Examples, that is, the gloves having the cellulose particles included in the slip-suppressing layer exhibit grippability on ice while the glove according to Comparative Example <NUM>, that is, the glove having the composite of the NBR particles and the AR particles included in the slip-suppressing layer does not exhibit grippability on ice. The grippability evaluation results of Example <NUM> and Example <NUM>, the grippability evaluation results of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the grippability evaluation results of Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, and the grippability evaluation results of Example <NUM> and Example <NUM> reveal that, when the Examples share the same average particle size of the cellulose particles included in the respective slip-suppressing layers, the larger the number of parts by mass of the cellulose particles added becomes, the higher the grippability tends to be.

Further, the grippability evaluation results of Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the grippability evaluation results of Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the grippability evaluation results of Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> reveal that, when the Examples share the same number of parts by mass of the cellulose particles included in the respective slip-suppressing layers, the larger the average particle size of the cellulose particles becomes, the higher the grippability tends to be.

A comparison of the occupancy ratios of the projections between Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, between Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, and between Examples <NUM> and <NUM> reveal that, when the Examples share the same average particle size of the cellulose particles included in the respective slip-suppressing layers, the larger the number of parts by mass of the cellulose particles added becomes, the higher the occupancy ratio of the projections tends to be, and the higher the occupancy ratio of the projections becomes, the higher the grippability tends to be.

It was further found that the grippability is sufficiently delivered when the occupancy ratio of the projections is <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less, the grippability is more sufficiently delivered when the occupancy ratio of the projections is <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less, and the grippability is further sufficiently delivered when the occupancy ratio of the projections is <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less.

A certain test piece was cut out of the palm of each of the gloves according to Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the glove according to Comparative Example <NUM>, to measure abrasion loss after <NUM> times abrasion and <NUM> times abrasion according to the European Standard EN <NUM>:<NUM>, using the Nu-Martindale tester specified in EN ISO <NUM>-<NUM>. The abrasion loss was evaluated by observation of a change in the weight of the test piece before and after abrasion. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

A comparison between the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the abrasion loss of the composite of the NBR particles and the AR particles in Comparative Example <NUM> reveals that the composite of the NBR particles and the AR particles has larger abrasion loss than that of the cellulose particles both in <NUM> times abrasion and <NUM> times abrasion.

A comparison between the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Example <NUM> and the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Example <NUM> reveals that, when the Examples share the same average particle size of the cellulose particles, the smaller the number of parts by mass of the cellulose particles added is, the smaller the abrasion loss becomes after both <NUM> times abrasion and <NUM> times abrasion.

A comparison among the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Example <NUM>, the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Example <NUM>, and the abrasion loss of the cellulose particles in Example <NUM> reveals that, when the Examples share the same number of parts by mass of the cellulose particles added, the larger the average particle size of the cellulose particles is, the larger the abrasion loss becomes.

Claim 1:
A glove (<NUM>) comprising:
a glove body (<NUM>) configured to cover a hand of a wearer, wherein
the glove body (<NUM>) comprises an outermost layer (<NUM>) including cellulose particles (14a) and constituting an outer surface of the glove (<NUM>),
at least some of the cellulose particles (14a) are at least partially exposed from the outer surface, and
the cellulose particles (14a) have an average particle size of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less,
the outermost layer (<NUM>) of the glove body (<NUM>) comprises, on its outer surface, projections (14A) each formed by a plurality of the cellulose particles (14a) in the outermost layer (<NUM>) of the glove body (<NUM>) that gather in the outermost layer (<NUM>) and rise outward from the outer surface of the outermost layer (<NUM>), characterized in that
an occupancy ratio of the projections (14A) on the outer surface of the outermost layer (<NUM>) of the glove body (<NUM>) is <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less.