Waltco LSG (Lotionizing/Sanitizing Gloves)

Abstract

A glove for protecting the hand of the user includes a substrate which includes an external surface of the glove, and a layer which includes an interior surface of the glove and which includes a first agent and a second agent. The first agent may be a moisturizing agent, and the second agent may be a sanitizing agent. The layer includes a third agent and the third agent may be a pH balancer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to gloves, and more specifically to a combination glove, sanitizer, lotionizer and a pH balancer or a combination of these.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's medical profession, gloves are routinely used to provide protection for the user of the gloves and the patient. Pathogens, germs and contaminants are found in all areas of today's society, but take on special importance in some areas such as operating rooms, emergency rooms, ICU's, exam rooms, medical surgical units, doctors offices, clinics, rehab centers, nursing homes, restaurants, school cafeterias, hospitals, public bathrooms and other such areas. In order to alleviate the problem, hands can be washed with soap and water. However, soap and water may be only limited available or may be insufficient to eliminate the adverse effects of these pathogens, germs and contaminants. Inconsistent hand washing is a large problem that all industries are facing today. Thousands of patients are lost due to infections from hospitals, the doctors office, the dentist office and clinics due to improper and washing techniques or improper sanitization. Furthermore, people are infected in the food industries due to the improper handling of food of customers and not providing sufficient protection for combating germs. Furthermore, a solution to the cross-contamination problem is one of the most sought after solutions in today's medical and other industries. It is estimated that thousands could be saved if a solution to the cross-contamination problem was achieved.

The present invention incorporates by reference in their entirety U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,643,582, 6,742,521 and 6,352,700.

SUMMARY

A exam/surgical glove which may be made from elastomer material is designed and formulated with a combination of agents including moisturizer, sanitizer or skin pH balancer. The glove of the present invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems and other concerns. The glove provides up to a triple barrier of protection for the user of the glove and the patient against pathogens, germs and contaminants. The glove of the present invention uses the above agents in powder form, liquid form or an additional bonded layer on the interior of the glove. The glove of the present invention may be ambidextrous in that there is no left or right handed glove or may be right and left handed.

A glove for protecting the hand of the user includes a substrate which includes an external surface of the glove; and a layer which includes an interior surface of the glove and which includes a first agent and a second agent.

The first agent may be a moisturizing agent, and the second agent may be a sanitizing agent.

The layer includes a third agent and the third agent may be a pH balancer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a glove in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the glove of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the glove 100 of the present invention, and the glove 100 includes a finger section 102, a thumb section 104 and a central hand section 106. The glove 100 may be formed from elastomeric material or cloth or any suitable material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the glove 100 of the present invention. The glove 100 includes a interior surface 114 which is the inside surface that contacts the wearer of the glove 100. The glove 100 additionally include an exterior surface 116 which is at the distal end of the user. The glove 100 includes a substrate 110 which may be made from elastomic material and the substrate 110 includes the exterior surface 116 of the glove 100. The glove 100 includes an agent layer 112 which includes the interior surface 114 which may include a predetermined number of agents. The agent layer 112 may be continuous throughout the glove 100, or the agent layer 112 may be non-continuous and found at specific locations. The agent layer 112 may be a solid which is bonded to the substrate 110, may be a powder which is bonded to the substrates 110 or a liquid that coats the substrate 110. The agent layer 112 may be heat activated. The glove 100 may be ambidextrous, may have a left and right glove, may come in various sizes, colors, lengths, thicknesses, tensile strength and textured material, and may be formed from synthetic, rubber or latex materials.

The first agent 120 is a moisturizer for rehydrating or maintaining hydration in skin and mucous membranes using bio-adhesives in combination with humectants and water complexing agents. In addition, this moisturizing first agent 120 has lubricating properties derived from the moisturizing properties and unctuous components which make it useful in preventing abrasions or soreness and redness resulting from contact with other materials.

Moisturizers are widely available for treating topical skin problems like dry, flaking or cracked skin caused by loss of water, or abrasions and redness caused by exposure and rubbing. There are many choices. But as a general rule skin lotions and skin conditioners fail into a group of types of formulations which can be broken out into two main categories, the oil-in-water emulsions and hydrophobic barriers illustrated by the likes of petrolatum. Many of these formulations can be used on either dermal or mucosal tissue and will work well on both types of tissue, at least on the short or very short term of a few hours or so.

Nearly all these moisturizers work by preventing or reducing moisture loss; however some add moisture back to the skin. Petrolatum and similar products are among the best at preventing or reducing water loss, and since petrolatum adheres well to the skin, it's residence time and its affect is extended. Oil-in-water emulsions are absorbed into the skin, but often they lack a sustainable affect; water evaporation from the formula, once applied to the skin is high.

Some formulations can replenish the water lost through normal evaporation. Some compounds such as glycerol and some amino acids like arginine have found some favor in these attempts and have been labeled humectants. Along with work on humectants, xerogels have been used in an attempt to increase the residence time on the skin of the water in the moisturizers. Some of these formulations may have lubricating properties as well. One has both a short acting and a long acting component and the capability to adhere to and remain adhered to the site for up to several days. This is due to the use of two adhesive agents. One is immediately available when the moisturizer is applied. The other becomes available at a later time as the gust adhesive agent is being dissolved or eroded away. A composite particulate is used to provide both adhesives.

The sanitizing second agent 122 may include for exemplary purposes only, iodine solution, isopropyl alcohol and/or other alcohols, germicidal solutions/gels, antimicrobial solutions/gels, antibacterial solutions/gels, peroxide solutions/gels, antiseptic solutions/gels and/or any combination thereof.

In 1928, Schade and Marchionini reported the existence of skin acidity and the importance of this mantle in preventing infection. They referred to the skin surface (SC) as an “acid mantle” having a protective role and preventing growth of many environmental bacteria and fungi. Today the factors regulating skin surface pH are still unknown. However, there is sufficient evidence to support the barrier function and self-disinfection of the skin's “acid mantle”. The pH value of human “acid mantle” is generally ranges from 4 to 6. On the other hand, the body's internal pH is about neutral, ranging from about 7.35 to about 7.46. Skin pH varies among different body areas and also depends on the skin moisture—skin areas with higher moisture having a higher pH.

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pH balancer third agent 124 to transfer to the skin during use and to the skin acid mantle to achieve proper skin moisture/vapor balance and which users find soothing to irritated or damaged skin, and which users may find soothing to irritated skin and which may facilitate healing of chapped skin and skin. Preferably, the skin pH balancer third agent 124 is an organic acid, a combination of an organic acid and the salt of an organic acid, or a buffer combination.

The layer 112 may only include one of the first agent 120, the second agent 124 or the third agent 124, or the layer may only include two of the first agent 120, the second agent 122 or the third agent 124.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1) A glove for protecting the hand of the user, comprising:

a substrate which includes an external surface of the glove; and

an agent layer which includes an interior surface of the glove and which includes a first agent and a second agent.

2) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 1 wherein said first agent is the moisturizing agent.

3) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 2, wherein said second agent is a sanitizing agent.

4) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 3, wherein said layer includes a third agent.

5) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 4, wherein said third agent is a pH balancer.

6) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 2, wherein said second agent is a pH balancer.

7) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 1, wherein said first agent is a sanitizing agent.

8) A glove for protecting the hand of the user as in claim 7, wherein said second agent is a pH balancer.