CLEANING GLOVE

Abstract

A cleaning glove has an integral multi-layered construction having an outer layer of hardened abrasive foamed polyurethane, an intermediate layer of soft foamed polyurethane and an inner layer of a gripping elastomeric material or silicone. The integral layers are contoured and co-extensive, of similar moduli elasticity, to provide a natural feel of the fingers in cleaning food encrusted surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cleaning gloves. Specifically, this invention relates to a cleaning glove for cleaning dishes, pots and pans.

2. Background and Discussion of the Prior Art

It is generally known in the art related to cleaning to use a scrubber pad such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,219, granted Oct. 24, 1961 to Miller and U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,666, granted Sep. 5, 1978 to Kallow.

It is generally known to provide a glove to assist in cleaning. The art directed to cleaning gloves is directed to attaching pads, and fibrous or metal elements to a glove to facilitate the cleaning operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,943, granted Jan. 1, 1991 to Barber, discloses a cleaning mitt in which a fibrous bristle strip is attached to a side of the mitt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,770, granted Sep. 28, 1999 to Dennis, discloses a glove with attachable pads. U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,171, granted May 1, 2007 to Jacobs et al, discloses a cleaning glove having water-proof polyester material on the palm and an artificial thumbnail.

The prior art constructions suffer one or more of the following impediments or disadvantages: the attachable pads or elements created crevices for food particulates to accumulate creating a source of bacterial growth; specialized attachment elements were costly to manufacture precluding practical commercialization; cleaning functionality was limited to those areas or surfaces specific to the attached elements or like attached features; and the gloves or mitts did not provide a natural feel and comfort consistent with that of cleaning with the hand itself.

The present invention provides a solution to the several aforesaid prior art impediments and disadvantages. The present invention provides a cleaning glove that is of practical design and construction for commercially viable manufacture and provides effective natural feel hand cleaning functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one broad respect, is a cleaning glove of multi-layered integral construction wherein the user cleans surfaces using all digits with supple and comfortable natural feel on the surfaces to be cleaned. The food encrusted surfaces of dishes, pots and pans are readily scrubbed clean by the present invention.

The invention, in another respect, is a three layered cleaning glove, wherein the outer layer is of hardened elastomeric sponge-like material, the middle layer is a soft elastomeric sponge-like material, and the inner layer is a tight fitting highly elastomeric material, preferably silicone or urethane to grippingly engage all the digits. The glove is of integral construction preferably by thermoplastic bonding, so that the layers are moveable in unison in all the digits. The outer layer is preferably a foamed polyurethane, and intermediate layer is also a foamed polyurethane. The outer layer has a greater hardness or stiffness than the intermediate layer. The inner layer is preferably a thermoplastic or elastic material, and most preferably a silicone or urethane. The moduli of elasticity for the layers are within a like range. The outer layer and/or intermediate layer is thinned or contoured particularly between the fingers for enhanced feel and cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a palm side elevational view of the glove of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is thumb side elevational view of the glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a small finger or pinky side view of the glove of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a rear or wrist side elevational view of the glove of FIG. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the FIGS., there is shown cleaning glove 10 of the present invention. Glove 10 has outer layer 11, intermediate or middle layer 12 and inner layer 13. Outer layer 11 is formed of a hardened or abrasive elastomeric sponge-like material. Intermediate layer 12 is formed of soft elastomeric sponge-like material. Outer layer 11 covers all of outer surfaces of glove 10. Inner layer 13 is formed of highly elastomeric gripping material, such as silicone or polyurethane. Inner layer wrist portion 10, with end rib 30, grippingly engages the user's wrist. The wrist portion 20 of inner layer 13 grips the wrist in a manner to provide a water-tight construction.

Outer layer 11, in particular, has a contoured thickness or thinned portion, particularly as between the finger portions as at 18 and 19 (typical). The moduli of elasticity of the layers 11-13 are within an equivalent range, and the contoured layers are thermoplastically bonded to provide an integral ergonomic construction. In this manner of construction, cleaning glove 10 provides an operability where the user in manipulating the fingers to clean an encrusted surface effectively scrubs and cleans the surface with a comfortable natural ergonomic movement and feel of the fingers.

An elastic removable wrist band 25 with hang loop 26 of thermoplastic construction is an optional feature. Wrist band 25 is highly elastic to ensure a water tight seal. Hang loop 26 permits the wet glove to engage a hook so that the glove can air dry.

It is also important to note that the integral polyurethane construction provides a microwaveable construction for ready bactericidal and germicidal functionality. In one preferred embodiment, the outer layer, intermediate layer and inner layer are thermoplastically bonded polyurethane.

The inner layer may be formed of a polyurethane elastomeric material such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,156, granted Jul. 31, 1989 to McGary, Jr. et al., which reference is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. The outer and inner layers, most preferably, may be of a polyurethane as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,219, granted Oct. 24, 1961 to Miller. The polyurethane layers may be thermoformed and thermoplastically bonded by means known in the art directed to high polymers. The bonding of shaped polyurethane foams may be achieved by the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,324, granted Jun. 2, 1998 to Roth et al., which reference is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. Where the intermediate layer polyurethane is bonded to the silicone rubber inner layer, an integral bonding may be effected by pre-treatment of the outer silicone rubber surface, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,699, granted Jan. 26, 1982 to Salensky et al., which reference is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

The layers are preferably thermoplastically bonded by means known in the art. In this manner of construction, a integral construction is provided throughout the glove, so that the natural cleansing movement of the fingers is faithfully translated to the contoured outer and intermediate layers. The layers have a similar range of moduli of elasticity.

In operation, the user wears the glove in a water tight form fit. The outer and inner layers, through sponge action, absorb a cleansing solution. The user, by a combination of finger movements and outer layer scraping action, readily cleans the dish, pot or pan surfaces with comfort and, without fatigue. It is important to note that the contoured outer and/or intermediate layers in combination with the form fitting inner layer, provides ergonomic functionality.

The invention is described in detail with reference to a particular embodiment, but it should be understood that various other modifications can be effected and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning glove comprising:

a glove comprising an integral construction comprising an inner layer comprising an elastomeric material, an intermediate layer comprising sponge material and an outer layer comprising an abrasive material, having a hardness greater than the inner and intermediate layers.

2. The cleaning glove of claim 1, wherein each layer consists essentially of a thermoplastic material, and the layers are thermoplastically bonded in an integral construction.

3. The cleaning glove of claim 2, wherein the layers are substantially co-extensive so that cleaning effect is undertaken in all manipulation of the hand in the glove in cleaning plates, pots or pans.

4. The cleaning glove of claim 1, wherein the layers in the integral construction are microwaveable for bacterial and germicidal functionality.

5. A cleaning glove comprising:

a glove comprising an integral construction comprising an inner layer comprising elastomeric material, an intermediate layer comprising sponge material and an outer layer comprising an abrasive material having a hardness greater than the inner and intermediate layers;

each layer consists essentially of a thermoplastic material, and the layers are thermoplastically bonded in an integral construction; and

wherein the layers are substantial co-extensive so that cleaning is effect in undertaken all manipulations of the hand in the glove in cleaning plates, pots or pans.

6. The cleaning glove of claim 5, wherein the layers cover all the digit configurations of the glove.

7. The cleaning glove of claim 6, wherein the glove comprises a cuff to insure a water-proof construction.

8. The cleaning glove of claim 7, further comprising a loop integrally connected to the glove for stowage of the glove on a hook.

9. The cleaning glove of claim 5, wherein the inner layer comprises a silicone.

10. The cleaning glove of claim comprising a glove having an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer, said layers being fixedly bonded so as to provide an integral construction, said intermediate layer comprising an elastomeric sponge-like material, and said outer layer comprises a material having a hardness greater than the intermediate layer, whereby the construction forms fits a hand and there is conventional finger manipulation in cleaning plates, pots and pans.

11. The cleaning glove of claim 10, said outer layer comprise an elastomeric sponge-like material, and said inner layer comprises a water tight elastomeric material.

12. The cleaning glove of claim 11, said outer layer being thinner in portions between the fingers than in the palm portion.

13. The cleaning glove of claim 12, said inner and outer layers comprise foamed polyurethane.

14. The cleaning glove of claim 13, said inner layer comprise a silicone

15. The cleaning glove of claim 14, said inner layer further comprises means for providing a water tight seal at the wrist portion.

16. The cleaning glove of claim 15, wherein the outer and inner layers cover substantially the entire glove.

17. The cleaning glove of claim 16, said layers have the same range of moduli of elasticity.

18. The cleaning glove of claim 17, said means for providing a water tight seal comprise an elastic wrist band.

19. The cleaning glove of claim 10, said cleaning glove being microwaveable for germicidal and bactericidal control.