ZONAL CUT RESISTANT GLOVE

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include knitted gloves having a cut-resistant yarn in at least one knitted zone of a glove and further including one or more yarns knitted into other knitted zones of the glove in which at least one zone has vertically knitted courses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/600,907, filed Feb. 20, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/735,881, filed Dec. 11, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to gloves and, more particularly, to gloves comprising cut-resistant yarns and fibers in selected zones.

2. Description of the Related Art

Gloves are used in many industries and households to protect the hands of users. Many gloves are designed for specific applications, for example, cut resistant gloves for use in the food services industries. Cut resistant yarns are also used in gloves for other industries, such as laborers who use power tools, saws, work with sheet metal, and the like. However, many such gloves are over-engineered by having, for example, cut-resistant yarns knitted throughout an entire glove, although cut resistance is not needed in all areas of the glove. Furthermore, cut-resistant yarns are often more bulky and inflexible, producing a glove that is not thin, dextrous, flexible, or comfortable enough for a given use. Also, gloves often require chemical, heat, flame, abrasion, and impact resistance, among other properties, requiring the incorporation of additional yarns within a glove. In addition, engineering yarns are expensive, and incorporating such yarns in areas of a glove where not needed is wasteful. Designing gloves for such applications can, however, prove to be challenging with a balance of properties in mind and past attempts have failed at providing such gloves. Therefore, gloves having an enhanced balance of desirable properties in various regions or zones of gloves would represent an advance in the art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention comprise knitted gloves including, for example, a cut-resistant yarn in at least one knitted zone of a glove and further optionally including one or more yarns knitted into other knitted zones of the glove, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an exemplary embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is also to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be found in other embodiments without further recitation and that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a glove according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cut away view of the glove of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a second cut away view of the glove from FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of the palm side of a glove, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the backhand side of the glove of FIG. 4, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts the uncoated palm side of a liner according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the back side of the liner of FIG. 6, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts the uncoated palm side of a liner according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts the backhand side of the liner of FIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a glove having a polymeric coating in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise knitted liners having at least one knitted zone. Optionally, many knitted liners comprise a plurality of zones. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one zone comprises vertically knitted courses and includes a cut resistant yarn. Also, some liners comprise zones having a second yarn that exhibits a second desired property, for example, flexibility, abrasion resistance, heat resistance, moisture management, and the like. In some embodiments of the invention, a second yarn is plaited with a main yarn in one or more zones of the liner, creating a second layer of yarn in the one or more zones, which may also comprise vertically knitted courses. The zones of a liner in which, for example, a cut resistant yarn is knitted may be defined by an end use of a glove.

A liner may be knitted by conventional knitting processes, typically having knitted courses disposed horizontally to a longitudinal axis of the liner, comprising various yarns of certain deniers and gauges. Alternatively, one or more zones of a liner may be knitted vertically, as discussed in more detail below. In other words, the courses of the knitted glove run along the longitudinal axis of the glove (e.g., the axis from the center of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger). Because the various zones of gloves can be knitted vertically, many different designs for zones of a liner are possible. For example, the palm side and backhand side of a knitted liner need not be the same, creating greater design options. Additionally, a glove may comprise liners having knitted courses that include both vertically and horizontally knitted courses. Furthermore, some gloves in accordance with embodiments of the present invention comprise a three-dimensional aspect. For example, liners in accordance with some embodiments of the invention comprise tapered zones having a variable thickness, knitted ridges, and like structures on a knitted liner in a z-direction with respect to horizontally and vertically knitted courses.

Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be specified for specific end uses. For example, a glove intended for use by some food-service employees comprises a cut resistant yarn in selected zones of the liner chosen to protect a user who is using a knife. For example, cut resistant yarns may be specified for the fingertips while comprising a flexible yarn for comfort and dexterity in other zones of the liner. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention include a glove intended for use by a food-service employees who use sharp knives and grab hot pan handles, which comprises a cut-resistant yarn in one region of the glove and a heat- and/or flame-resistant yarn in another region, such as on the palm or a chemical- or oil-resistant yarn on the backhand.

Furthermore, because each hand is performing a different function, a glove for each hand may be tailored to the function. In other words, the glove for the hand holding the knife may comprise a cut resistant yarn in one zone of the glove, for example, the index and middle fingers, while the other glove, the “off” hand glove, which may be holding an item to be cut, comprises a cut resistant yarn in a different zone, for example, the tips of the thumb and index finger, and/or wrist. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention comprise yarns having different colors, providing visual indicia of the specific type of protection, i.e., cut-resistance, chemical-resistance, flexibility, or the like, a zone within the glove offers. For example, a user can be made aware that, for example, a yellow yarn represents cut-resistance while a black yarn indicates heat-resistance. A user can therefore choose a glove having those properties in zones of the glove as needed for a specific task.

FIG. 1 depicts a liner according to embodiments of the invention. Liner 100 comprises eight zones, four of which define the four finger zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, one defining the thumb zone 5, one defining an upper palm zone 6, one defining a lower palm zone 7, and one defining a wrist zone 8. In practice, a liner may comprise fewer zones or as many as is practicable. For example, any of zones 1-8 may have one or more zones within a zone. Furthermore, as discussed below, each zone on the palm side of a liner may have a corresponding zone on the backhand side of the liner although, in vertically knit courses, the yarn comprising the palm side zone need not be the same as the yarn of the corresponding backhand zone, unlike when courses are knit horizontally. In liner 100, palm side zones 1-8 correspond with thumb 102, index finger 104, middle finger 106, ring finger 108, and pinky finger 110, upper palm 114, lower palm 116, and, optionally, cuff 112. In the fingers and upper palm 114, the courses of the knitted glove run laterally or, in other words, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of glove 100. In exemplary lower palm 116, the courses of the knitted glove run along the longitudinal axis of glove 100 or parallel to the longitudinal axis, indicating that these courses were knitted vertically.

FIG. 2 depicts a cut away view of the glove of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Cutaway view 120 is in exemplary upper palm zone 6 of FIG. 1 and shows three yarns 150, 160, and 170 intermeshing in loops to form courses 172, 174, and 176 of knitted stitches in horizontal rows. FIG. 3 depicts a second cut away view of the glove from FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention. Cutaway view 130 is taken from lower palm 130 corresponding to zone 7. Element 130 shows three yarns 180, 182, and 184 intermeshing in loops to form courses 186, 188, and 190 of knitted stitches in vertically knitted courses, in contrast to the horizontally knit courses. The courses are vertical irrespective of whether weft or warp knitted. Although FIGS. 1-3 depict a glove wherein the upper palm and fingers comprise horizontal courses and a lower palm having vertical courses, in practice, any finger, thumb, palm, or other zone, or sections of those zones, of a liner may comprise vertical and/or horizontal courses. Furthermore, as discussed below, seamlessly knitted courses on cylindrical features, such as the finger stall of a glove, can now comprise zones having different yarns around the periphery of the finger stall.

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of the palm side of a glove, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Exemplary glove 200 comprises thumb 202 and index finger 204, middle finger 206, ring finger 208, and little finger 210. Glove 200 optionally comprises cuff 212. In some embodiments according to the present invention, thumb 202, index finger 204, middle finger 206 comprise a KEVLAR® yarn for cut-resistance while ring finger 208 and little finger 210 comprise oxidized-polyacrylonitrile (OPAN), for heat- and flame-resistance. Any of the zones can have vertically knitted courses. As illustrated, the entire glove in exemplary glove 200 has vertically knitted courses. For example, only part of the glove can comprise a KEVLAR® yarn (the lighter colored yarn), as in the index finger 204, middle finger 206, and thumb 202 zones while upper palm 216, near little finger 210 and ring finger 208, can comprise an OPAN yarn (the darker colored yarn). Also, because of the vertical courses, the borderline 222, connecting the OPAN and KEVLAR® yarns can, but need not, embody a non-linear line. As illustrated, a parabolic border 222 is shown, allowing additional design choices, such having cut resistance near the fingers and heat resistance (or some other property) near the heel of the hand. In embodiments of this type, for example, a user can protect the fingers from cuts while, the little finger and the side of the palm (interface between the palm side and back hand side along the little finger) comprises the heat-resistant OPAN yarn, protecting from burns from a hot surface that a hand may rest on when cutting or a hot pot handle.

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the backhand dorsal side of the glove of FIG. 4, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The backhand side of glove 200 is shown, including thumb 202, index finger 204, middle finger 206, ring finger 208, little finger 210 and cuff 212. In this embodiment of the present invention, the KEVLAR® yarn is substantially on the same features as on the palm side of glove 200. Also, the OPAN yarn is also on the same features as on the palm side of glove 200. However, as discussed above, this need not be the case. Because of the vertical courses, the backhand of the glove can comprise different yarns in different regions of glove 200. For example, in glove 200, on the backhand side, borderline 224 embodies a completely distinct pattern than borderline 222 on the palm side of glove 200. Borderline 222 on the backhand side appears parabolic and transfers into a stepped function, as shown as steps 224. As opposed to the parabolic pattern on the palmside. Additionally, in embodiments of the present invention, gloves knitted with programmable knitting machines of the SWG type, manufactured by Shima Seiki, may switch from knitting vertical courses to horizontal courses easily and on-the-fly, so that patterns of several different types using different yarns can be created, allowing varied glove designs having different physical and chemical properties in any desired region of the glove. In other words, many multifunctional gloves can be created specifying various yarns in, and only in, desired zones. Single jersey knits, full jacquard, intarsia, mesh, and other transfer patterns may be knitted within various zones of the liners.

FIGS. 4-5 also shows that glove 200, or other gloves in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may comprise yarns having colors contrasting to each other. Where the color of one zone of the glove differs from another region, the user can easily and visually identify the particular glove type, so that whether a particular glove embodies heat- and/or flame-resistant, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and cut-resistant properties is known to the user.

FIG. 6 depicts the palm side of a glove according to embodiments of the invention. Liner 300 comprises thumb 302, index finger 304, middle finger 306, ring finger 308, and pinky finger 310, upper palm 312, lower palm 314, and cuff 316. Liner 300 comprises a main body yarn (not shown) and may comprise, for example, a cut resistant yarn, such as but not limited to, steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylons, NOMEX®, TWARON®, KEVLAR®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN®, and the like or any blend of these fibers and materials. The palm side and backhand dorsal side of liner 300 are seamlessly knit. Liner 300 further comprises an additional plaited layer of a cut resistant yarn (shown as crossed lines), which may be plaited into the main body yarn. Plaiting in this context is a knitted structure of loops having two or more yarns knitted in the same knitting cycle. As illustrated in FIG. 6, additional plaited layer is disposed on index finger 304, middle finger 306, ring finger 308, and pinky finger 310. As is discussed below, liner 300 may further comprise a polymeric coating to form a supported glove, which is not shown for ease of understanding (See FIG. 10 below for an exemplary coated glove).

FIG. 7 depicts the backhand side of the liner of FIG. 6, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7 comprises an additional plaited layer on the index finger 304, middle finger 306, ring finger 308, and pinky finger 310. The additional plaited layer is also disposed on the backhand sides of the fingers and thumb in some embodiments of the invention. Also, the additional plaited layer can comprise a cut resistant yarn having a different color than the main body yarn. Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention can comprise indicia of the properties of the glove. For example, where the color of the additional plaited layer is different than that of the main body yarn, a user can choose a glove for a specific task or hazard based on the color, similar to that discussed above. In other words, if a user expects to face potential cuts on all four fingers, such as might occur during the use of, for example, a table saw or band saw, the user can choose an appropriate glove based on the color seen plaited into the glove on all four fingers. In fact, the design options are nearly unlimited. One finger stall tip can comprise a heat resistant yarn on the palm side, a cut resistant yarn on the sides, and a chemical resistant yarn on the backhand side of the tip.

Embodiments of the invention may also comprise where any of the upper palm 312, lower palm 314, or cuff 316 have an additional plaited layer disposed therein. Furthermore, liner 300 may comprise a polymeric coating disposed on parts of the fingers, thumb, palm, knuckles, and the like (not shown). Also, liner 300 may optionally comprise a cuff 316 knit with an elastic yarn or having a size-adjustment, for example, by a hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO® attachment or clasp and strap (not shown).

The additional plaited layer may be plaited into the main body yarn in several ways. For example, the additional plaited layer can be formed by changing the main yarn to the additional cut resistant yarn while varying stitch dimensions, for example, yarn tension. The tension of the yarn may be varied by adjusting the tension of the yarn between a pinch roller and a knitting head by computer control of a knitting machine, as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,422, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Stitch dimensions can also be controlled by varying the depth of penetration of the knitting needle into the knitted liner 300, formed by the main yarn, and by casting off or picking up additional stitches in a knitted course. Additional plaited layer may also be formed by variable plaiting the additional cut resistant yarn on top of the main yarn while varying the tension of the plaited cut resistant yarn. Liners of this design may be formed with, for example and not by way of limitation, the SFG-I and NSFG model machines of Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. Substituting or plaiting one course at a certain tension forms a liner having additional cut resistance. Knitting two or more courses, such as three, four, five, etc., courses, provides a liner having an even greater density of additional plaited layer 330, thereby providing greater cut resistance.

FIG. 8 depicts the uncoated palm side of a liner according to embodiments of the invention. Liner 400, according to embodiments of the invention, is shown in FIGS. 8-9. Liner 400 is seamlessly knitted and comprises a main body yarn (not shown) and further includes an additional plaited layer 430 (shown as crossed lines) comprised of, for example, a cut resistant yarn, which may be the same or different than the main body yarn. Also, additional plaited layer 430 may comprise a yarn of a color contrasting to that of the main body yarn. In FIG. 8, fingers 404, 406, thumb 402, upper palm 412, and lower palm 414 comprise additional plaited layer 430. Liner 400 may optionally comprise a cuff knitted with an elastic yarn or having a size-adjustment, for example, by a strap and clasp or hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO® attachment (not shown).

FIG. 9 depicts the backhand side of the liner of FIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 9 comprises additional layer 430 on the backs of index finger 404 and middle finger 406. Also, additional plaited layer 430 is disposed on the back hand side of the fingers 404, 406, 408, 410, thumb 402 and upper back hand area 418. As can be seen, the additional layer 430 is present on the backside 420 of ring finger 408 and backside 422 of pinky finger 410, though not on the palm side of liner 400. In one embodiment of a glove for use in a food service industry, such a glove would be appropriate for the “off” hand of a person using a knife. The main hazard for the off hand, which may be holding an item to be cut, such as vegetables, meat, or another food item, is the knife impacting the backs of fingers and thumb during normal use, causing an inadvertent cut. Accordingly, an additional cut resistant layer is needed in the fingers and, for some applications, much of or the entire backhand area 418 because it is those zones which are most proximal during a cutting action. Alternatively, where the ring and pinky fingers, lower palm, and back hand area have no additional plaited layer, the glove remains more flexible and comfortable, providing dexterity that also promotes safety. In practice, any conceivable combination of the front or back sides of thumb 402, fingers 404, 406, 408, 410, upper palm 412, lower palm 414, upper back hand side 418, and lower back hand area 420, and cuff 416, further comprising the additional cut resistant layer 430, can be specified for many different uses. Moreover, in some embodiments of the invention, upper backhand 418 may comprise a yarn, for example, for chemical resistance. Yarns may be dropped and picked up, whether as a plaited layer or a single yarn zone, and in view of the design options provided by vertically knitting courses of the zones, glove designs having zones specified for many applications and/or properties are possible.

The zones of any liner disclosed herein may be knitted with any known yarn or blends of yarns. Cut resistant yarns comprise, but are not limited to, steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylons, meta-aramids, para-aramids, NOMEX®, TWARON®, KEVLAR®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN®, and the like or any blend of the fibers and materials. The cut resistant yarns may also comprise be blended with other yarns to improve desirable properties, such as for fit and comfort. For example, stretchable yarns, including but not limited to SPANDEX® or LYCRA® may be included for flexibility, comfort, and fit. Also, yarns capable of moisture management, such as STA-COOL® polyesters, HYDROTEC®, AQUARIUS®, and DRYENERGY®, may be included to withdraw moisture and perspiration from the skin, creating a more comfortable glove. Such yarns have high wicking properties, which promote the transfer of moisture away from wet or sweaty skin to less wet areas or to reservoirs for eventual storage and/or evaporation, technologies that are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/538,638, filed on Jun. 29, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/571,569, filed on Jun. 30, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may further include yarns for chemical resistance, impact-resistance, flame-resistance, abrasion-resistance, and other desirable properties imparted by various yarns and/or structures. Modacrylic yarns and oxidized-polyacrylonitrile (OPAN), such as PANOX®, and ARSELON®, provide enhanced heat-resistance. Furthermore, any yarn may comprise one or more yarns, such as can be created by ring spun, rotor spun, friction spun, SIRO, braiding, and other processes for blending yarns.

Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be knitted using automatic seamless glove knitting machines. These seamless glove knitting machines include, but are not limited to, models NSFG, SFG-1, and SWG by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. The method of making knitted liners comprises using one or more continuous yarns and an array of knitting needles corresponding with the denier of the yarn. For example, when a second yarn is introduced as a plaited yarn, the same needle, which does the knitting of the glove, carries the first and second yarns together. When the selected zone of the glove is completed, the second yarn is cut off, while the first yarn continues the knitting process. Similarly, when knitting a different zone of the glove is being knitted, the second yarn may be added to the first yarn to create a knitted zone having both yarn fibers.

A commonly used knitting needle for knitting liners is a 15-gauge needle. Shima Seiki manufactures knitting machines that are capable of using finer knitting machine needle size, such as an 18-gauge needle. The gauge of the knitting machine needle corresponds with the denier of the yarn. For example, a needle of gauge 15 may be used to knit a liner having a 319 denier yarn. However, a needle of gauge 18 may be used to knit a liner having, for example, 70 to 221 denier yarn. Denier is defined as number of grams of a yarn having a length of 9000 meters. A liner knitted by an 18-gauge needle is approximately 30% lighter than a liner knitted with a 15-gauge needle. The small diameter of 221 denier yarn knitted with an 18-gauge needle also has higher packing density per square unit area, thereby presenting a smoother surface for polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating, as discussed below, resulting in a smoother, thinner coating. Other gauges and deniers may be 7, 10, or 12 gauge for knitting yarns up to, for example, 3000 denier.

Liners 100, 200, 300, 400, and other liners in accordance with embodiments of the invention, further comprise a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating disposed on all or part of the gloves. Also, embodiments of the invention comprise transparent or translucent polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coatings so that a glove in which indicia of properties provided by different colored yarns, as discussed above, may still be known to the user. FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a glove having a polymeric coating in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Coating 530 may comprise natural or synthetic polymeric coatings or mixtures thereof. For example, a latex coating may comprise a natural latex, such as guayule or polyisoprene, synthetic latexes, such as synthetic polyisoprene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, non-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, butyl latex, polychloroprene, nitriles, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, and the like, or mixtures thereof. The polymeric coating on liners 100, 200, 300, or 400 can comprise a palm dip, knuckle dip, finger dip, three-quarters dip, full dip, and the like as needed for specific applications using the dip processes as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,571, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 10 depicts liner glove 500 having a palm dip in which the palm is totally covered with an polymeric coating 530. The palm side of fingers 502, 504, 506, 508, and 510 are covered with polymeric coating 530, and extending over the tips to the backhand sides. Coating 530 partially covers the backside of fingers, while the back hand side 518 of a left hand glove 500 is uncoated, leaving the cut resistant layer 522 exposed. Glove 500 may further comprise cuff 526 and lower backhand section 524, which are not coated with coating 530 as shown.

Knitted liners 100, 200, 300, and 400, as well as other liners according to embodiments of the invention, may have a coagulant disposed thereon before the coating is applied, such as calcium nitrate, calcium citrate, calcium chloride, other salts, and like coagulants known to those in the art. The coagulant may be disposed by dipping, spraying of other processes. The coagulant destabilizes the polymeric, elastomeric, or latex emulsion, causing the coating therefrom to set on the fabric of a liner, preventing strikethrough of the coating. Also, gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may further comprise coatings that are foamed (open cell or closed cell) or unfoamed. Additionally, coatings may be built up in layers or in varying thickness. In some embodiments of the invention, a liner having a coating disposed thereon may have a second coagulant disposed on the coating, which may then have a second layer of coating disposed thereon. The layers may comprise the same or different polymeric materials. Additionally, the coatings may further comprise textured surfaces (not shown). Open cell and closed cell foamed layers and/or textured coatings may impart additional friction during use, allowing superior gripability and safety properties, such as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,378,043, 7,771,644, and 8,001,809 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The following embodiments of the invention are exemplary. It is to be understood that any of the features of one embodiment can be incorporated within any preceding embodiment. Embodiments in accordance with the invention include a knitted glove having a palm side and a backhand side. Both the palm side and backhand side may comprise vertically knitted courses that are seamlessly knitted together.

In embodiments of the invention, either or both of the palm side and backhand side comprise zones, for example, knitted zones defining a thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, upper palm, lower palm, and cuff. Additionally, either of these zones may be further separated into sub zones. Any of these zones can comprise courses that are vertically knitted or horizontally knitted. And, contiguous zones can be knitted seamlessly together, even if one zone, for example, the palm side of the tip of an index finger has vertically knit courses and the corresponding backhand side of the tip of the index finger has horizontally knitted courses.

In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side and backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the palm side and backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as a flexible yarn, such as LYCRA® or SPANDEX®.

In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a cut resistant yarn, while the backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as SPANDEX® and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non cut resistant yarn such as SPANDEX®.

In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a cut resistant yarn, while the backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as SPANDEX® and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non cut resistant yarn such as SPANDEX®. The thumb optionally comprises a cut resistant yarn around, for example, 270 degrees of its lateral periphery (from around one side to the other, as opposed to from the base to the tip) and a flexible yarn the remaining 90 degrees.

In embodiments of the invention, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger and upper palm zone comprise a cut resistant yarn that follows a parabolic pattern toward the lower palm zone while the thumb, index finger and middle finger comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as a moisture-managing yarn. In embodiments of the invention, the backhand side comprises a yarn of the same type as on the palm side. In some embodiments, the backhand side comprises a different yarn than the palm side. In some embodiments, the pattern is not parabolic and defines a stepped pattern.

In embodiments of the invention, any yarn may have one or more yarns plaited within any stitch or any zone without regard for whether the stitches comprising the knitted courses are vertically or horizontally knit.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example, the gloves may include a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating, which may be disposed on the glove by spraying, dipping, and other processes.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A glove, comprising:

a knitted liner having one or more zones;

the zones having knitted courses, the knitted courses knitted from at least one yarn, and

the knitted courses vertically disposed along a longitudinal axis of the glove in at least one zone, wherein at least one yarn of the at least one zone is a cut resistant yarn.

2. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of zones wherein two or more zones are knitted from two or more yarns.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the two or more yarns are of different colors.

4. The glove of claim 2, wherein the plurality of zones define a palm side and a corresponding backhand side that are seamlessly knitted together.

5. The glove of claim 4, wherein the zones of the palm side and the corresponding backhand side comprise different yarns.

6. The glove of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of zones further comprise knitted courses disposed along a lateral axis of the glove.

7. The glove of claim 1, further comprising at least one zone having a plaited yarn.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one yarn further comprises a textured nylon, nylon wrapped SPANDEX®, polyester, moisture-managing yarn, meta-aramid, para-aramid, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, SPANDEX®, LYCRA®, NOMEX®, KEVLAR®, TWARON®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN™, STA-COOL®, AQUARIUS®, steel wire, fiberglass, filaments, or any blend of the fibers and materials thereof.

9. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a polymeric coating.

10. The glove of claim 9, wherein the polymeric coating comprises natural latex, guayule, polyisoprene, synthetic latexes, non-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, butyl latex, polychloroprene, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, nitriles, or blends thereof.

11. The glove of claim 9, wherein the polymeric coating is foamed or comprises a textured surface.

12. A method of knitting a glove, comprising:

knitting a liner into at least one zone, wherein the courses of the at least one zone are knitted vertically, wherein a glove having at least one zone is formed.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of zones, wherein the courses of at least one the plurality of zones are knitted horizontally.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the knitting a liner step comprises using a computer-controlled knitting machine.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the computer-controlled knitting machine is a SWG model machine.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising plaiting a yarn into the at least one zone.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one zone comprises a cut resistant yarn.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cut resistant yarn comprises a textured nylon, a nylon wrapped SPANDEX®, polyester, nylon, meta-aramid, para-aramid, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, LYCRA®, NOMEX®, KEVLAR®, TWARON®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN™, steel wire, fiberglass, filaments, or any blend of the fibers and materials thereof.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of zones comprise at least two different colors.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of disposing a polymeric coating on a palm, knuckle, fingers, backhand or entire knitted liner.