Gloves with easily deployed cuff catcher
The present invention relates to a glove having a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove can be caught by the pocket. In order to make the glove of the present invention, an annular projection is formed on a former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/543,747 filed Feb. 11, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to gloves and, more particularly, to an aid in forming cuffs in rubber gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRubber gloves are used by workmen, surgeons, and in the home. In the home such gloves are often used for washing dishes, cleaning with household chemicals, and car washing.
A common problem with using rubber gloves is that when the user washing dishes with such gloves lifts their arms toward their body via contracting of the elbow, water drips from the gloves onto the arm. To prevent this problem, a portion of the glove is rolled back on itself, thus forming a pocket to catch dripping water. This is normally done by manipulating the arm portion of the glove, folding the arm portion inside out, and then straightening the cuff thus formed to make it even. A problem with forming a cuff manually is that liquids will likely continue to run onto the arm because the cuff bulges at the fold, forcing the end of the glove to lie flush with the portion of the glove between the cuff and the palm.
A conventional rubber glove is manufactured on a ceramic former in the shape of a human hand and arm, as is known in the art. The problem of forming reliable cuffs is alleviated in the prior art by creating a folding point in the rubber glove. During manufacture of the rubber glove, the cuff folding point is formed by an annular depression in the ceramic former. This depression proceeds around the circumference of former approximately a few inches down from the wrist area. When the rubber glove dries around the former, the cuff folding point is formed as a rubber ridge. Unfortunately, this method requires special formers to produce such a glove.
Gloves with cuff beads and/or cuff inserts are also known in the prior art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,270 to Jabour and U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,709 to Miller et al.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by placing an elastomeric band around the desired area below the wrist on a conventional rubber glove former before the dipping process begins. After dipping the former in latex rubber, drying it, and curing it, the elastomeric band becomes an integral part of the rubber glove. This overcomes the need for special formers.
The present invention provides an additional advantage in that the elastomeric band is dimensioned so that there is a degree of tension on the elastomeric band when placed on the former. The band being under tension tends to draw in the glove, thus further defining the fold line, and making it easier and simpler to form the folded cuff.
The disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above can also be overcome by dipping a former in a bath of latex rubber without an elastomeric band; removing the former from the bath; allowing the latex rubber coating to partially dry; rolling the end of the cuff portion on itself to a point part way along the cuff portion; and re-dipping the former in the latex rubber bath at least one more time so as to form an annular ridge positioned within the cuff portion of the glove.
The glove made in accordance with the present invention includes a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove can be at least temporarily caught by the pocket.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in order to make the glove, an annular projection is formed on a former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.
Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of two exemplary embodiments of the invention, which is given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of two exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As depicted in
Now referring to
It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the elastomeric band 10 can be positioned on the former 12 after the former 12 has been pre-dipped into latex rubber and a pre-coating of latex rubber is formed thereon. Such pre-dipping process can be performed for reinforcing the annular ridge 31 of the glove 30. The elastomeric band 10 can also be treated to increase the bond between the preformed rubber band 10 and the latex rubber. The elastomeric band 10 can be partially vulcanized to allow for an increased bond between the band and the latex rubber. The actual formulation of both the elastomeric band 10 and the latex rubber can be varied by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring now to
Referring now to
With reference to
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, both the position of the band and its tension on the former can be varied. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A glove comprising a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, said body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to said body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite said first end, said cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, said ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into said body, said ridge being positioned between said first and second ends such that at least one section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said second end can be folded over another section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from said body during the use of said glove can be caught at least temporarily by said pocket.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge normally has a size which is smaller than the size of said second end so as to provide said pocket with a flare shape.
3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said ridge includes an elastomeric band embedded therein.
4. The glove of claim 3, wherein said band is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge includes a roll of an elastomeric material embedded therein.
6. The glove of claim 5, wherein said roll is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.
7. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially outwardly from an outer surface of said body.
8. The glove of claim 1, wherein said ridge protrudes radially inwardly from an inner surface of said body.
9. A method for manufacturing a glove including a body which is made from an elastomeric material and which is sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, the body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end, the cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, the ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body, the ridge being positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from glove during its use can be caught by the pocket, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming an annular projection on a former;
- immersing at least of a portion of the former into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material, at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covering the annular projection;
- removing the former from the vat;
- curing the layer of elastomeric material so as to form the glove, the annular ridge of the glove being defined by the annular projection and said at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material; and
- removing the glove from the former.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the step of placing an elastomeric band on the former.
11. The glove of claim 10, wherein said band normally has a size which is smaller than the size of the second end of the cuff portion so as to provide the pocket with a flare shape.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step includes the steps of:
- immersing at least a portion of the former into the vat of liquid elastomeric material so as to apply a coat of elastomeric material on the former;
- removing the former from the vat;
- at least partially curing the coat of elastomeric material; and
- rolling an end of the coat of elastomeric material so as to form the annular ridge.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 11, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Henry Mattesky (Ramsey, NJ)
Application Number: 11/056,333