Gloves with reinforcing elements and methods for making same

Abstract

A reinforced glove includes a substrate, typically in the form of a shell having the shape of a human hand, and a protective coating disposed on the substrate to form a composite therewith. The shell and any integral or non-integral reinforcing elements are at least partially covered by the protective coating, which penetrates such reinforcing elements to thereby improve the bond between the shell and reinforcing elements, whereby the durability, strength and grippability of the glove are enhanced.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the priority of the U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 856,558 filed Nov. 3, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to multilayer, reinforced gloves and methods for manufacturing such gloves.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Gloves of the prior art are constructed of various materials and are used for various purposes. For example, the prior art includes workman gloves, surgical gloves, driving gloves, household gloves, skiing gloves, and gloves for providing warmth. Gloves of the prior art have typically been formed from leather, polyvinyl-chloride, rubber, and fabric. It is also known in the art to provide composites, such as fabric gloves dip-coated with a natural or nitrile rubber.[0004]The prior art also includes gloves having fabric and leather reinforcing elements that are mechanically fastened t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In accordance with the present invention, a glove, which includes a shell in the shape of a human hand, is reinforced over at least a portion of the shell and then coated so as to at least partially cover the shell, including its reinforced portion. The shell can be reinforced integrally by, for instance, making a portion of it thicker than the rest of the shell. If the shell has a knit construction, the reinforced portion can be formed by knitting thicker (i.e., lower gauge) threads into the shell at desired locations on the palm side and / or the back side of the shell. Once the shell is coated, the result is a composite glove having a plurality of reinforced portions that enhance the durability, grippability and / or comfortability of the glove. It is also possible to reinforce the shell using independent reinforcing elements that are attached to the palm side and / or the back side of the shell by the coating. The result, in this instance, is a reinforced, multi-layered glove having enhanced durability, grippability and / or comfortability.

Problems solved by technology

Although fabric and leather reinforcing elements increase a glove's grip and wear resistance, they are expensive materials and must be mechanically fastened to the glove.

This increases the total manufacturing cost of the glove, as well as the final retail price paid by consumers.

Unfortunately, the bond between the screened polyvinylchloride and the fibers causes the fibers to stiffen, which in turn causes discomfort and potential irritation to the hands of a person wearing the glove.

This forms vulnerable areas that have low wear resistance and that are easily susceptible to puncture and / or chemical penetration.

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