Glove for dry erase surfaces and method of erasure

Abstract

A glove including an integrated eraser is disclosed. The glove is flexible, and includes a body having a palmar side and a dorsal side, as well as finger stalls and a thumb stall each connected to the body. A pad comprising material capable of removing dry erase ink from a dry erase surface covers at least a portion of the palmar side of the glove. In use, the glove may be worn while writing on the dry erase surface and then use the glove to erase any desired markings placed thereon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/442,506, entitled “Dry Erase Glove” and filed Jan. 11, 2005. The disclosure of the above-mentioned provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a glove for removing markings from a surface and, in particular to a glove configured to remove dry erase ink from a dry erase surface.

BACKGROUND

Typical dry erase boards (also called whiteboards) include a board or substrate that is coated with an enamel, film, ultraviolet cured liquid, liquid varnish, or porcelain finish. Specially designed markers are used to write on the substrate, with a variety of dry erase ink compositions being known. The ink of the marker dries on the substrate, but does not bond to the substrate surface. Consequently, marks made with the marker can be removed without requiring a comprehensive cleaning. Thus a user can write on a dry erase board with a dry erase marker and then wipe off the writing using an eraser.

Dry erase boards are becoming increasingly popular. Larger dry erase boards are found in classrooms and board rooms (often replacing flip charts). Smaller dry erase boards are used on doors, walls, and lockers, as well as in homes, dormitories, restaurants, and other places where people want to jot down notes. In fact, writing on dry erase boards has become the de facto method of information presentation for school lectures, corporate meetings, even one-on-one sales presentations. Dry erase marker boards provide a high contrast dark-on-light image, and can be used in combination with various colored inks to produce a very readable, high contrast display. In addition, dry erase markers are easier and cleaner than traditional chalk. The markers clean off boards easily, without producing dust. Since chalkboard dust has now been identified as a contributing factor in asthma and as a source of damage to computer equipment and the like, dry erase marker boards are rapidly replacing conventional chalkboards in schools and business places

Currently, dry erase boards are cleaned using erasers with a rectangular eraser surface covered with felt-like material. These erasers suffer from several disadvantages. In use, these rectangular erasers are only practically used at the conclusion of the presentations or at points during the presentations when major portions of (or the entire) dry erase board is erased all at once. It is common for a presenter writing on the dry erase board during a presentation to either make an error or want to change something previously written on the dry erase board. Using conventional erasers during a presentation is impractical. Specifically, the person making the presentation must stop the presentation, locate the standard eraser, and erase the erroneous marking, thereby disrupting the flow of the presentation. Alternatively, the person must ignore the standard rectangular dry eraser and use a bare hand to erase the erroneous marking. The result is that, by the time the presentation ends, the hand of the presenter is covered in dry erase ink material.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved way of conveniently erasing dry erase material from dry erase boards while making presentations. The present invention addresses this need and other related issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward a glove including an integrated eraser and, in particular, to a glove including a pad made of material capable of removing dry erase marker from a dry erase board. This invention is also directed to the method of erasing marks on a dry erase board by a glove worn by a presenter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a glove according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a glove adapted to fit a right hand.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a glove adapted to fit a right hand.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the glove of FIG. 3.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention, a glove with an integrated eraser is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glove according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the glove 10 is made of a palmar (palm) side P and a dorsal (back) side D. The glove 10 comprises a body 15 with a thumb portion or stall 20 integrally formed therewith or otherwise operably attached thereto. The glove 10 further comprises four finger portions or stalls also integrally formed with or otherwise operably attached to the body 15. Specifically, a first finger portion 25 is adapted to receive the pinky finger, a second finger portion 30 is adapted to receive the ring finger, a third finger portion 35 is adapted to receive a middle finger, and fourth finger portion 40 is adapted to receive the index finger. Preferably, the thumb 20 and fourth finger 40 stalls are truncated to expose portions the thumb and index finger when the glove is worn. This enables improved tactile control of a marker, allowing a user to directly contact the marker and write on a surface while wearing the glove. The level of truncation is not particularly limited.

A wrist opening 45 is provided along the wrist edge (bottom) of the glove 10 to enable a user to insert a hand therein. The glove 10 may further include a closure member to facilitate a firm and secure fit of the glove 10 to the hand of the wearer. For example, the body 15 of the glove 10 may include an elastic band 47 located proximate the opening 45 and configured to expand and contract as necessary. Alternatively, the body 15 of the glove 10 may be provided with a split that extends from the opening 45 and toward the finger stalls 25, 30, 35, 40. The split may be adjustably drawn together and/or closed with a closure member traversing the split. In this embodiment, the closure member may comprise a strap or flap secured with an appropriate securing material such as the hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., a Velcro® strap). It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable fastening device (snap fasteners, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners, etc.) may also be used as the closure member.

The glove 10 (i.e., the body 15, thumb 20, and finger portions 25, 30, 35, 40) may be formed from flexibly amorphous and/or stretchable material such as natural fabric (e.g., cotton), synthetic fabric (e.g., polypropylene), as well as natural or synthetic leather (e.g., cabretta leather). Preferably, the material is breathable and/or comprises apertures to permit airflow when worn.

The glove 10 further includes an eraser pad 50 formed from material capable of removing markings from a writing surface when rubbed thereon. The pad 50 substantially covers the palmar side P of the glove 10, and may be sewn onto the exterior surface of the glove 10 via stitches 55. Alternatively, adhesives may be used to connect the pad 50 to the glove 10. The pad 50 may comprise one continuous pad, or may comprise a series of smaller pads. The smaller pads may be selectively positioned on the glove 10 at locations to facilitate erasure with the writing hand of the wearer and, specifically, on any one or more of the body 15, thumb 20, and finger 25, 30, 35, 40 portions.

The surface area of the glove 10 that is covered by the eraser pad 50 is not particularly limited. By way of example, the pad 50 may cover from about 50 percent to about 90 percent of the palmar side P of the glove 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the pad 50 may cover the palmar sides of the first through third finger stalls 25, 30, and 35, as well as the palmar side of the body 15, terminating proximate the thumb portion 20. Alternatively, the pad 50 may cover only the finger portions 25, 30, 35, and/or a portion of the glove body 15. In other words, the pad is located to facilitate its use to erase markings with the wearer's writing hand. Although not as desirable, the wearer may also wear the glove on the wearer's non-writing hand.

The eraser pad 50 may also cover at the lateral portion of the glove remote from the thumb portion 20. FIG. 2 is a side view of the glove of FIG. 1. As shown, the pad 50 extends from the palmar side P to the dorsal side D of the glove 10, covering the lateral edge of the glove body 15 remote from the thumb portion. Similarly, the pad 50 may extend into the dorsal side D of the first (pinky) finger stall 25. This configuration enables a user to use the lateral portion of the hand to remove markings. The distance which the pad 50 extends into the dorsal side D of the glove 10 is not particularly limited. By way of example, the pad 50 may extend from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches into the dorsal side D of the glove 10.

The material forming the pad 50 is not particularly limited. For example, the pad 50 may comprise any material capable of removing erasable markings from a surface. Preferably, material capable of removing dry erase ink from a dry erase surface is used. The dry erase materials comprising the pad 50 include pile nap, wool, cotton, felt, and/or combinations thereof. The pad 50 may have a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 5 mm and, preferably, of about 1 mm to 2 mm.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a glove 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the glove 10 includes the same general structure as described above, including a glove body 15 with a palmar side P and a dorsal side D. The first 25, second 30, and third 35 fingers stalls are also similar to the embodiment described above. However, the thumb portion 20 and the fourth finger stall 40 have been omitted to provide an aperture 60 operable to permit the insertion of both the index finger and the thumb therethrough. As with the above embodiment, the pad 50 may cover at least a portion the glove palmar P and/or dorsal D sides (i.e., the palmer/dorsal sides of the glove body 15 and the first through third 25, 30, 35 finger stalls).

In operation, the above-described gloves may be worn while applying markings to a surface such as a dry erase board, and then be used to selectively remove the markings when desired. Specifically, a user inserts a hand into the glove 10 via the wrist opening 45, positioning each finger within its respective stall (i.e., into the appropriate thumb and finger stalls 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and/or into the aperture 60). A user may then use the gloved hand to grasp and position a writing utensil such as dry erase marker between his/her thumb and index finger and write in the conventional manner. If, during writing, the user desires to selectively remove a mark made on the dry erase surface, the user need only position the glove 10 over the marking and contact the pad 50 to the dry erase surface. In this manner, the user may quickly and efficiently rub or wipe away the marking, without staining his/her hand or without disrupting the presentation while seeking a conventional eraser.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the glove 10 may be of any size and shape suitable for its intended function. For example, the glove 10 can be made in various sizes (small, medium, large, etc.) to comfortably fit the hands of both men and women, as well as to accommodate left- and right-handed users. The glove 10 may further incorporate various features of a conventional glove, including decorative stitching. When present, the closure may include identifying indicia, such as a corporate logo, trademark, or service mark. The glove 10 may be configured to permit the exposure of any number of fingers. That is, any one or more of the thumb 20, first 25, second 30, third 35, and fourth 40 stalls may be truncated or omitted to permit unhampered contact with a writing utensil. The pad 50 may cover the entire glove or selected portions as provided above. While preferably used with dry erase products, it should be noted the glove can be equally effective in removing chalk drawings on a conventional blackboard.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.

Claims

1. A flexible glove comprising:

a glove body having a palmar side and a dorsal side;

a plurality of finger portions and a thumb portion each having a palmar side and a dorsal side, wherein said finger portions and thumb portion are operably attached to said glove body; and

a pad comprising dry erase material operably attached to the palmar side of the glove.

2. The flexible glove of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of finger portions includes a first finger portion operable to receive a pinky finger, a second finger portion operable to receive a ring finger, a third finger portion operable to receive a middle finger, and a fourth finger portion operable to receive an index finger;

the fourth finger portion is truncated to expose the index finger received therein; and

the thumb portion is operable to receive a thumb, wherein the thumb portion is truncated to expose the thumb received therein.

3. The flexible glove of claim 2, wherein the dry erase pad comprises material selected from the group consisting of pile nap, wool, cotton, and felt.

4. The flexible glove of claim 2, wherein the glove includes a lateral portion remote from the thumb portion, and the dry erase pad covers at least a portion of the glove lateral portion.

5. The flexible glove of claim 1, wherein the dry erase pad covers approximately 50 to 90 percent of the palmar side of the glove.

6. The flexible glove of claim 1, wherein the dry erase pad further covers at least a portion of the dorsal side of at least one of the glove body and the fourth finger portion.

7. The flexible glove of claim 1, wherein the dry erase pad has a thickness between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.

8. The flexible glove of claim 1, further comprising a closure member.

9. The flexible glove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of finger portions includes a first finger portion operable to receive a pinky finger, a second finger portion operable to receive a ring finger, a third finger portion operable to receive a middle finger, and an aperture adapted to receive and expose an index finger and a thumb.

10. A method of erasing an erasable mark made by a writing utensil on a writing surface, the method comprising the step of: (a) removing the mark on the writing surface using an eraser pad secured to a flexible glove.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) includes:

(a.1) providing a flexible glove including: a glove body having a palmar side and a dorsal side, a plurality of finger portions and a thumb portion each having a palmar side and a dorsal side, wherein said finger portions and thumb portion are operably attached to said glove body, and a eraser pad comprising material capable of removing the mark made by the writing utensil, the pad operably attached to the palmar side of said glove body;

(a.2) removing the mark by contacting at least a portion of the eraser pad to the mark.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the writing surface comprises a dry erase surface;

the writing utensil comprises a dry erase marker;

the erasable mark comprises dry erase ink;

the eraser pad comprises material effective to remove the dry erase ink from the dry erase surface; and

step (a.2) comprises (a.2.1) removing the mark by contacting the eraser pad to the dry erase ink.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of finger portions includes a first finger portion operable to receive a pinky finger, a second finger portion operable to receive a ring finger, a third finger portion operable to receive a middle finger, and a fourth finger portion operable to receive an index finger;

the pad covers the first, second, and third finger portions;

the fourth finger portion is truncated to expose the index finger received therein; and

the thumb portion is operable to receive a thumb, wherein the thumb portion is truncated to expose the thumb received therein; and

step (a.2) comprises (a.2.1) contacting at least one of the first, second, and third finger portions to the writing surface to erase the mark thereon.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the glove includes a lateral portion remote from the thumb portion;

the eraser pad covers at least a portion of the glove lateral portion; and

step (a.2) comprises (a.2.1) contacting the lateral portion of the glove to the writing surface to erase the mark thereon.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the eraser pad comprises material selected from the group consisting of pile nap, wool, cotton, and felt.