Device and Method for Sealing Protective Gloves
A levered sealing tab for a glove includes a relatively thin and flexible sheet material including a rectangular shape having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is folded over the first portion. A first area of the first portion is bonded to a second area of the second portion forming a hinged portion of the second portion. An adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the second portion opposite the first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a surface of the first portion opposite the hinged portion, for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area. A removable cover material for covers the adhesive prior to using the apparatus.
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIXNot applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to gloves. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved method of creating a tight seal with a levered sealing tab around the wrist while wearing protective gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn life sciences and microelectronics cleanroom testing, processing, and manufacturing areas, personnel wear contamination control suits and contamination control gloves. These contamination control suits and gloves create a physical barrier system that generally prevents expired skin cells and other contaminants commonly produced by humans or transported by human activity from adversely affecting the quality of sensitive products and the purity of sensitive processes.
Contamination control suits and contamination control gloves are constructed in several predefined sizes and do not perfectly fit the varied torso, limb, wrist, and hand sizes of humans. Because the suits and gloves are not custom-fit to individual human bodies, the glove cuffs often do not provide a complete and secure seal to the contamination control suit sleeve at the wrist section, which can create a breach in the barrier system. Further, the ill-fitting design of the contamination control suit and/or gloves makes them unnecessarily uncomfortable to wear. Other glove users, such as, but not limited to, surgeons, doctors, dentists, painters, mechanics, janitors, etc. also experience similar awkwardness and discomfort by ill-fitting gloves.
A currently known method to alleviate the problem of providing protection at glove cuffs involves adhering a wide piece of semi-flexible adhesive tape around the wrist covering the area where the glove and contamination control suit meet. This method essentially fastens the glove cuff to the wrist section of the contamination control suit with adhesive. Another currently known method to alleviate the problem of providing protection at glove cuffs involves double cuffed sleeves whereby the inner cuff covers the wrist and arm, over which the glove cuff is worn, and the second cuff is worn over the glove cuff.
This known solution has many flaws. Firstly, uneven application of the glove cuff tape does not provide a quality glove-to-garment seal. Use of the glove cuff tape often requires assistance from other personnel to properly align and apply the tape. Upon removal of the glove cuff tape, adhesive residue remains on the wrist section of the contamination control suit sleeve, which may cause contaminants to adhere to the residual adhesive and interferes with proper laundering. Also, fastening the glove to the garment with glove cuff tape does not allow for quick removal of the glove in emergency situations. Use of glove cuff tape hampers wrist movement and creates excessive undesirable waste material. Furthermore, double-cuff garments are expensive and cannot be easily inspected to validate that they are being worn correctly.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for providing a tight seal between a contamination suit and contamination gloves at the wrist of the user that is comfortable and effective.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a device and method for sealing protective gloves is presented.
In one embodiment, an apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove is presented. The apparatus includes a relatively thin and flexible sheet material including a rectangular shape having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is folded over the first portion along a first widthwise line of the sheet material. A first area of the first portion located widthwise along a line of the first portion is bonded to a second area located widthwise along a line of the second portion forming a hinged portion of the second portion. An adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the second portion opposite the first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a surface of the first portion opposite the hinged portion, for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area. A removable cover material for covers the adhesive prior to using the apparatus. In other embodiments the sheet material further includes a groove along the widthwise line to facilitate folding the second portion over the first portion a groove widthwise on a surface of the first portion opposite the first area to facilitate folding the first portion when attaching the surface of the first portion opposite the hinged portion to the glove. In a further embodiment, the sheet material further includes a finger grip area adjacent to an end of the first portion to facilitate folding the first portion when attaching the surface of the first portion opposite the hinged portion to the glove. In yet another embodiment, comers of the folded first and second portions are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove. In various other embodiments the removable cover material is folded over the sheet material and the removable cover material is a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy. In still another embodiment the sheet material, adhesive and cover material include materials with minimal volatile components and are clean room compatible, having low outgas, no silicone, and no metallic minerals.
In another embodiment an apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove is presented. The apparatus includes a first portion of a relatively thin and flexible sheet material an adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, applied to at least a portion of a first surface of the first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a second surface of the first portion for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area and a removable cover material for covering the adhesive prior to using the apparatus. A further embodiment includes a hinged portion where an end of the hinged portion is bonded to the first surface and the adhesive is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the hinged portion opposite the first surface. In yet another embodiment the first portion further includes a finger grip area adjacent to an end of the first portion to facilitate attaching the second surface to the glove. In still another embodiment, comers of the first portion are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove. In various other embodiments the removable cover material is folded over the first portion and the removable cover material includes a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove is presented. The apparatus includes means for forming a tab having a hinged portion, means for attaching the tab to the glove and means for covering the attachment means prior to using the apparatus.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a glove-sealing tab that can seal glove cuffs in a consistent manner and can be easily applied and operated without assistance from others. Preferred embodiments also do not leave a residue on contamination control garments and allow for quick removal of gloves if necessary. Preferred embodiments require no fastening equipment in order to be effective. Preferred embodiments also have low profiles, are unobtrusive, and enable unhindered movement of the wrist. Preferred embodiments enable users to use the full working length of gloves and create a tighter-fitting glove at the palm and fingers of the hand. Preferred embodiments also create enhanced tactile feel of objects through glove materials by fingers of users. Preferred embodiments use a low amount of raw material and create a minimal amount of waste material. Various embodiments of the present invention may also be packaged for easy transport and storage and can be guaranteed to be unused upon initial use. Further objects and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention are to provide a glove-sealing tab that can be successfully used with various types of glove material that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
In the present embodiment, the tab comprises a thin base material 10 of uniform cross section comprising a flexible sheet material that can be bent and straightened without fracturing. In the present embodiment, base material 10 is a flexible but stiff plastic, such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate or polyester. However, base material 10 may be any flexible material that can be bent then straightened by hand without fracturing such as, but not limited to, various other plastics, cardboard, etc.
A widthwise groove 14 is formed on one side of base material 10 to create a predetermined bend point in base material 10, to enable base material 10 to be freely bent away from groove 14. A second groove 16 that is parallel but distant to groove 14, is formed on the opposite side of base material 10 to create a predetermined bend point in base material 10 to enable base material 10 to be freely bent away from groove 16. In alternate embodiments, there may be various numbers of grooves, for example, without limitation, four widthwise grooves with one groove on each side of the base material at indicated locations of grooves 14 and 16 in the present embodiment, or there may be no grooves at all. Grooves 14 and 16 may be formed by various methods including, without limitation, machining, scoring, rolling or extruding. In embodiments without grooves, holes or perforations may be punched or machined into base material 10 at points corresponding to grooves 14 and 16 in the present embodiment to weaken base material 10 and to cause a predetermined bend point in base material 10.
Base material 10 is folded opposite of groove 16, over itself at groove 16 and permanently joined at a bond area 36. In the present embodiment, fusing base material 10 to itself using typical heat-bonding techniques creates bond area 36. However, in alternate embodiments the bond area may be created through other means such as, but not limited to, RF welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, adhesive bonding, stapling, or other suitable bonding methods. In the present embodiment, adhesive areas 20, 22, and 24 on base material 10 are created by coating base material 10 with a liquid adhesive using traditional coating techniques, or may be created by applying double-sided transfer adhesive tape or other types of adhesives to base material 10.
A semi-adhering cover material 30 is applied to generally eliminate adhesive areas 20, 22, and 24 from adhering to unwanted items until the tab is ready for actual use. In the present embodiment, cover material 30 is uniquely shaped and longitudinally positioned to create a finger grip area 32 on base material 10, and a finger grip area 34 on cover material 30. Alternate embodiments may be implemented without finger grip areas or with only one finger grip area. In the present embodiment, cover material 30 is a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy such as, but not limited to, film created from UHMW-PE, PTFE, or polyester materials. However, in alternate embodiments, the cover material may be any flexible material that has semi-adhering properties on at least one side, for example, without limitation, various other plastics, wax paper, etc.
In the present embodiment, the assembly comprising cover material 30, adhesive areas 20, 22, and 24 and base material 10 is die cut to the final shape of the tab. Thus, cover material 30, the outer edges of adhesive areas 20, 22, and 24, and base material 10 have an identical perimeter shape. In alternate embodiments, the perimeters of the adhesive areas may not match the perimeter of the base material. In these embodiments the cover material may be shaped to match the perimeter of the base material or may be shaped to match the perimeter of the adhesive areas. Base material 10 is typically 0.10 mm to 0.16 mm in thickness and has overall dimensions roughly from 5 mm×25 mm to 25 mm×60 mm. However, alternate embodiments may have various different thicknesses and may be manufactured at enlarged or reduced sizes to accommodate various glove designs. Various embodiments may also be manufactured in various colors. In the present embodiment, corners 12 on the perimeter of the tab are typically beveled or rounded to eliminate possible damage to the glove to which the tab is to be applied and to avoid causing injury to or irritation of the user's skin; however, alternate embodiments may not have rounded corners. Alternate embodiments may vary in shape. For example, without limitation, some embodiments may be round or ovular, and other embodiments may be rectangular with semicircular ends. In some embodiments messages such as, but not limited to, instructions for use, size indications, company names, etc. may be permanently printed on the tab.
The present embodiment is comprised of materials that are compatible with and adhere to nearly all disposable glove materials and generally prevent puncturing and tearing of the glove materials. However, in alternate embodiments construction materials may be modified or scaled for other types of gloves. The present embodiment is comprised of materials that enable the tab to be free of electrostatic charges and nearly free of detached particulate matter; however, depending on the intended use, alternate embodiments may be implemented that are not free of electrostatic charges or detached particulate matter. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, glove-sealing tabs comprise materials with minimal volatile components and are cleanroom compatible, having low outgass, no silicone, and no metallic minerals. However, alternate embodiments that are not meant for cleanroom use may comprise silicone, metallic minerals, or various volatile components. Furthermore, the present embodiment may be quickly and conveniently sterilized by steam, gas, radiation or other methods. Preferred embodiments are 100% recyclable; however, alternate embodiments may comprise non-recyclable materials.
In typical use of the present invention, a user removes cover material 30 from adhesive areas 22 and 24 using finger grips 32 and 34, as shown by way of example in
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing a sealing tab for gloves according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the adhesive areas may vary depending upon the particular type of adhesive used or overall shape of the sealing tab. The adhesive areas described in the foregoing were directed to square implementations where all of the adhesive areas are the same size; however, similar techniques are to provide adhesive areas that vary from each other in size and may be various shapes, such as, but not limited to, circles, ovals, rectangles, irregular shapes, etc. Implementations of the present invention comprising adhesive areas of different sizes and shapes are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
- a relatively thin and flexible sheet material comprising a rectangular shape having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion folded over said first portion along a first widthwise line of said sheet material and a first area of said first portion of said first portion being bonded to a second area located widthwise along a line of said second portion forming a hinged portion of said second portion;
- an adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, applied to at least a portion of a surface of said second portion opposite said first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion, for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area; and
- a removable cover material for covering said adhesive prior to using the apparatus.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet material further comprises a groove along said widthwise line to facilitate folding said second portion over said first portion.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheet material further comprises a groove widthwise on a surface of said first portion opposite said first area to facilitate folding said first portion when attaching said surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion to the glove.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet material further comprises a finger grip area adjacent to an end of said first portion to facilitate folding said first portion when attaching said surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion to the glove.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein comers of said folded first and second portions are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said removable cover material is folded over said sheet material.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said removable cover material comprises a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet material, adhesive and cover material comprise materials with minimal volatile components and are clean room compatible, having low outgas, no silicone, and no metallic minerals.
9. An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
- a first portion of a relatively thin and flexible sheet material;
- an adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, applied to at least a portion of a first surface of said first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a second surface of said first portion for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to said first area; and
- a removable cover material for covering said adhesive prior to using the apparatus.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a hinged portion where an end of said hinged portion is bonded to said first surface and said adhesive is applied to at least a portion of a surface of said hinged portion opposite said first surface.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said first portion further comprises a finger grip area adjacent to an end of said first portion to facilitate attaching said second surface to the glove.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein corners of said first portion are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said removable cover material is folded over said first portion.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said removable cover material comprises a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy.
15. An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
- means for forming a tab having a hinged portion;
- means for attaching said tab to the glove; and
- means for covering said attachment means prior to using the apparatus.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2010
Inventor: William N. Carpenter, JR. (Auburn, CA)
Application Number: 12/179,187
International Classification: A41D 19/00 (20060101);