Antibacterial Disposable Gloves

Abstract

The material for the antibacterial glove would have fibers such as polyester, cotton, silk, wool, or other similar materials, or biodegradable substances such as renewable wood sources, to form an interlocking matrix of loops, or such other means as would create a product that would absorb and maintain the antibacterial solution on it. The fabric/material is intended to not disintegrate when the antibacterial solution is applied to it. Four examples of antibacterial solutions are listed in the Detailed Description of Invention above. These examples are not intended to be exclusive options for possible canitizing formulas. The first glove option uses the fabric capable of absorbing the antibacterial solution on both sides of the glove/mitten, ie. for the entire glove/mitten. The second glove option uses as a base for the glove the materials used in disposable gloves such as ones made from vinyl, nitrile, latex, or polyethylene. The antibacterial-absorbing fabric is attached only to the palm side of the disposable glove. The third glove option uses wax/parchment, or any similar type paper, for the top side of the glove/mitten. The antibacterial-absorbing fabric is attached only to the palm side of the glove/mitten. The aspect that is new in this invention is the application of the antibacterial solution in an absorbent and non-disintegrating fabric as the component of an entire glove/mitten (Option 1); applied to the palm side of a vinyl, nitrile, latex, or polyethylene type glove/mitten (Option 2); or applied to the palm side of a glove with wax/parchment type paper used for the top side of the glove/mitten (Option 3). The gloves/mittens can be packaged with the antibacterial solution pre-applied to the gloves/mittens. The gloves/mittens can also come with a separate container with the sanitizing solution, so that the gloves/mittens may be packaged in the “dry” form. The user would then have the option of applying the antibacterial solution (or additional solution) to the glove/mitten at any time.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to human health and sanitation endeavors.

With the advent of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a need for humans to personally protect themselves from contagion was sought through the use of various means (such as social distancing, protective face masks, frequent hand-washing, hand sanitizers, protective gloves, etc.). In seeking protection from germs, humans have also participated in disinfecting possibly contaminated surfaces in their homes and surroundings with common household and personal cleaners. Commonly used personal and household cleaners also include the option of disposable wipes. The idea for the applicant's invention came from combining the notion that humans could actively protect themselves from germs while using a glove, and, at the same time, they could sanitize commonly used surfaces with the disinfecting wipe concept.

The reference to “Antibacterial” in the Title of the invention and throughout in this Specification, as well as in any other form used in connection with this Application, is intended to be understood in its broadest sense. The term “Antibacterial” includes, and is not limited, to the terms disinfecting, sanitizing, cleaning, and/or any other synonymous term. The reference to “Gloves” in the Title to the invention and throughout in this Specification, as well as in any other form used in connection with this Application, is intended to be understood in its broadest sense. The term “Gloves” includes the singular glove, or the plural gloves. It also includes, and is not limited, to the term “mitten” in the singular, or “mittens,” in the plural, with either an area for four fingers to be inserted, with a separate insertion for the thumb. “Mitten” also refers to a mitten or mittens for insertion of all five fingers into one area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of combining the protective disposable glove concept with the disposable disinfecting cloth/wipe concept to produce the antibacterial disposable glove. The uniqueness of this invention is that humans can accomplish a dual purpose while using these gloves. Namely, humans can protect themselves from germs, and at the same time, sanitize surfaces. This inventor considers that humans can actively participate in disinfecting possibly contaminated surfaces in both the personal and public realm (such as in elevator buttons, stair railings, door handles, subway railings, toilet seats, bathroom counters, etc.). The inventor presumes that the risks of germ contagion would be lessened in a more sterile and clean society. This inventor also proposes that the effort in sanitizing public areas can be maximized if individuals would actively assist in the sanitizing process by using this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS (PHOTOGRAPHS)

FIG. 1A:

Top side of glove made with the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

FIG. 1B:

Palm side of glove made with the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

FIG. 2A:

Top side of mitten having a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb. The mitten is made with the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

FIG. 2B:

Palm side of mitten having a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb. The mitten is made with the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time. The palm side shown here would also be used in the second and third options for making the glove/mitten, as described on the Detailed Description of the Invention.

FIG. 3A:

Top side of mitten using a full hand insertion. The sample uses the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

FIG. 3B:

Palm side of mitten using a full hand insertion. The sample uses the same absorbent and non-disintegrating material on both sides of the hand, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

The palm side shown here would also be used in the second and third options for making the glove/mitten, as described on the Detailed Description of the Invention.

FIG. 4A:

Top side of glove made from vinyl, nitrile, latex, polyethylene, or any other possible disposable material. A mitten with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or a mitten with a full-hand insertion may be made with the same materials as the disposable glove shown here.

FIG. 4B:

Palm side of glove made with a base using vinyl, nitrile, latex, polyethylene, or any other possible disposable material. This palm side has attached to it the additional absorbent and non-disintegrating material, with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

A mitten with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or a mitten with a full-hand insertion, may be made with the same materials as the glove shown here.

FIG. 5A:

Top side of glove using wax, parchment or other similar type paper.

A mitten with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or a mitten with a full-hand insertion, may be made with the same materials as the glove shown here.

FIG. 5B:

Palm side of glove using the absorbent and non-disintegrating material with the ability to maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time.

A mitten with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or a mitten with a full-hand insertion, may be male with the same materials as the glove shown here.

FIG. 6:

Gloves shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, with two samples of antibacterial solution containers. This option allows the packaging of the gloves/mittens in their “dry” form, with the user having the option of applying the solution (or additional solution) to the glove/mitten at any time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of the production of a disposable glove and/or mitten in a one-size-fits-all or in various sizes (such as extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large), to accommodate differently sized hands.

The material of the fabric for the antibacterial aspect of the glove and/or mitten is made from weaving together fibers of either polyester, cotton, silk, wool, and/or other similar materials, and/or biodegradable substances such as renewable wood sources, to form an interlocking matrix of loops. The fabric is intended to remain together (not disintegrate) in the antibacterial solution that is applied to it. The term “fabric” is intended to be applied in the broadest sense in this Application or any form pertaining to it. It includes any material that may be used to make a glove or mitten that would have the ability to effectively maintain the antibacterial solution on it. The term “solution” as used in this Specification, or in any other form included with this Application, is intended to be applied in the broadest sense. It includes, but is not limited to, a solution in the liquid form, a paste form, or other viable form that would attach to the fabric of the glove or mitten.

The “antibacterial solution” is intended to be understood in the broadest sense. The antibacterial solution would be made from the various ingredients found in any number of sanitizing agents, including, but not limited to, the various ingredients found in existing antibacterial wipes. The sanitizing solution would optimally (though optionally) include a percentage of (isopropyl) alcohol to further eliminate germs, as well as a percentage of aloe vera oil to help moisturize the hands. Four examples of antibacterial solutions are listed here below. These are meant as examples only, as this Invention encompasses any and all other possible sanitizing solution formulas that may be applied to the gloves/mittens.

First Example

n-Alkyl (C14, 60%; C16, 30%; C12, 5%; C18, 5%)

Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride 0.184%

n-Alkyl (C12, 68%; C14, 32%)

Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride 0.184%

Other ingredients 99.632% Total 100%

Second Example

Benzalkonium chloride 0.13% w/w

Water

SD Alcohol 40

Sorbic Acid

PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide

Disodium EDTA

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Fragrance

Third Example

Isopropyl Alcohol 70%

Fourth Example:

Soap made from Fat and Alkili—Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide

And/or RCOO-Na+, Fatty Acids—C17H35COOH, Palmitic Acid—C15H31COOH

Water

The gloves or mittens can be made in a variety of ways. This Invention offers three options, although these options are not intended to be exclusive. This Invention encompasses the making of the gloves or mittens in the broadest sense of the term, so that it includes any and all of the possible way/s of making/manufacturing gloves or mittens for the purposes of this Invention.

First Option:

The first option for the glove or mitten fabrication would have the same absorbent and non-disintegrating fabric/material on both sides of the glove, with the ability to soak up and maintain the antibacterial solution active for a period of time (which may be reflected by including an expiration date on the packaging). A cutting pattern for a glove is made for a one-size-fits-all option or in extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large hand size options. The pattern would allow for the hand to be inserted easily, such as by having an opening on the upper side of the glove (FIG. 1A), or by having an elasticized banding at the opening. These two opening options, are not intended to be exclusive. This Invention encompasses in the broadest sense, any means of facilitating the user in placing his/her hand inside the glove or mitten. The pattern may be made with an insert for each of the 5 fingers, (FIGS. 1A and 1B), or as a mitten, with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb (FIGS. 2A and 2B) or a mitten with a full hand insertion (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Both sides of the hand pattern are either sewn together, glued together, or pressed/attached together with an attaching component (such as a heat dissolving glue). This Invention encompasses in the broadest sense, any and all means for attaching both sides of the glove/mitten together.

Second Option:

A second option for the glove/mitten fabrication is to use as a base a disposable vinyl, nitrile, latex, polyethylene glove/mitten, or any other possible disposable material, with the antibacterial fabric/material applied/attached to the palm of the hand area. The possible materials for the base disposable glove/mitten is intended to be understood in the broadest sense. This Invention encompasses any and all possible materials that may be used to create a viable disposable glove/mitten.

A pattern for the antibacterial material would be cut for the palm side of the hand of a one-size-fits-all option, or in extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large hand size options. This pattern may be made so that it can be applied to a glove with an insert for each of the 5 fingers (FIG. 4B), or as a mitten with a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or as a mitten with a full hand insertion (as similarly depicted in FIGS. 2B and 3B). The antibacterial material/fabric would then be applied to the palm side of the disposable glove/mitten (FIGS. 4A and 4B). The antibacterial solution would then be applied to the absorbent fabric/material. An option for packaging would be to place the gloves/mittens folded in half with the palm side (that has the fabric with the antibacterial solution) placed together, so that the wetness of the antibacterial solution would be maintained. Any and all possible options for packaging are included as part of this Invention (see section under Packaging below).

Third Option:

A third option for the glove/mitten fabrication is to use wax, parchment or other similar type paper for the top side of the hand (FIG. 5A), and the material for applying the antibacterial solution attached to the palm of the hand area (FIG. 5B). The term wax, parchment, or other paper is intended to be understood in the broadest sense. This Invention encompasses any and all similar paper-type materials.

A pattern would be cut for a one-size-fits-all option or in extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large hand size options. The pattern may be made with an insert for each of the 5 fingers (FIGS. 5A and 5B), or as a mitten with either a four-finger insertion with a separate insertion for the thumb, or a mitten with a full hand insertion (similar to FIGS. 2B and 3B). The wax/parchment type paper side and the fabric side for the antibacterial solution are either sewn together, glued together, or pressed/attached together with an attaching component (such as a heat dissolving glue), or by any other viable means of attaching both sides of the glove/mitten together. The attachment of both sides of the glove/mitten is intended to be understood in the broadest sense. This Invention includes any and all means of attaching both sides of the glove/mitten together.

Packaging:

The disposable antibacterial gloves would be packaged in any variety of containers that would maintain the antibacterial solution viable on the fabric for an extended period of time. An expiration date may be included in the packaging.

As an alternative, the packaging may include the option of presenting the glove/mitten in its “dry” form, without the antibacterial solution on it. The antibacterial solution would be included separately in its own container. The user would have the option of applying the antibacterial solution (or additional solution) to the glove/mitten at any time (FIG. 6). The packaging for this Invention is intended to be understood in the broadest sense. This Invention includes any and all means of packaging the antibacterial glove/mitten.

Claims

1. Although disposable gloves exist and disposable antibacterial wipes exist, the concept of combining both together as a glove/mitten does not. The antibacterial disposable glove/mitten combines both the self-protective feature of a glove, as well as the sanitizing feature of an antibacterial wipe. The disposable feature of the glove/mitten would provide a benefit to the user, as it protects the user from being contaminated with germs. The sanitizing feature would add an extra benefit to the user, as it would remove germs from the surfaces the user touches. The general public would also benefit from the use of these gloves, because the gloves would disinfect surfaces commonly used in public areas. By so doing, the spread of germs and diseases would have a higher likelihood of decreasing.