Thermally conductive glove

Abstract

A supported or unsupported glove that includes a polymeric layer, comprised of a polymeric composition having thermally conductive particles disposed within the polymeric layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application No. 62 / 188,061, filed Jul. 2, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField[0002]The present invention relates generally to protective articles and, more particularly, to protective articles such as gloves, sleeves, socks, and / or other wearable articles that include protective polymeric layer(s), which provide heat management properties via addition of thermally conductive fillers into the polymeric layer(s).Description of the Related Art[0003]Many protective articles, such as gloves, sleeves, and the like, which are worn in industrial and / or household settings, have polymeric barriers disposed thereon. However, such articles are lacking in comfort due to poor thermal heat dissipation. In addition, discomfort caused by perspiration can also be a problem, particularly profuse sweating and related odor and germ proliferation issues, and ultim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent relates to a type of glove that is designed to conduct heat. The patent describes the methods for making these gloves and how they work to transfer heat between two objects. The technical effect of these gloves is that they offer an efficient way to handle heat for various applications such as industrial use, sports, and others.

Problems solved by technology

However, such articles are lacking in comfort due to poor thermal heat dissipation.

In addition, discomfort caused by perspiration can also be a problem, particularly profuse sweating and related odor and germ proliferation issues, and ultimately leads to, for example, frequent glove and / or sleeve changing, which is expensive and affects manufacturing productivity.

Industrial workers often wear gloves for several hours and heat builds gradually between the skin and a glove surface that contacts the skin, which can lead to discomfort through excessive sweating and chafing.

Users are faced with two choices, each of which is less than optimal.

However, gloves having open celled foams are incapable of providing barrier properties from exposure to chemicals and / or pathogens, e.g., viruses and bacteria.

Also, gloves having open celled foams are less wear resistant.

A second type of glove includes either a non-foamed polymeric barrier or a closed-cell polymeric foam, which can provide barrier protection but traps heat, leading to excessive perspiration that cannot evaporate.

However, to date, no gloves or other wearable articles in close contact with skin, have promoted heat transfer such that the article is capable of and / or adapted to maintain a temperature inside the article that is substantially similar to the temperature of human skin compared with a temperature while the skin is not within the article.

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