Article of Apparel Having Textured Grip - Patent application

Abstract

An article of clothing having an outer surface with a grip texture formed by a plurality of spaced apart projections extending from said outer surface to a distal end and each defining a recessed recess therein, the article of clothing may include (i) a glove body having an outer surface with a cuff having an open end and a hand portion from which four finger sleeves and a thumb sleeve extend, for receiving a hand, and at least one grip field for gripping an article, and (2) a shoe cover having a sole with a grip field for providing grip resistance on a walking surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to articles of clothing used for protective purposes. More particularly, the present invention relates to articles of clothing with textured surfaces used in protective industrial and cleaning applications. More particularly, the articles of clothing characterized by textured surfaces are gloves for hand and finger protection and for safe gripping of articles, and shoe covers for protective footwear, the latter characterized by textured soles for slip resistance on walking surfaces. [Background technology]

[0002] Protective rubber or polymeric material gloves-like articles of clothing made from natural or synthetic polymers are used for hygiene reasons, to protect the skin from pollutants and chemicals, and many other applications. These applications typically include protecting the user from the environment, and often the environment from the user, but wearing rubber gloves often impedes the user's ability to grip objects such as, but not limited to, tools and cleaning supplies. Additionally, protective rubber or polymeric material shoe covers cover footwear during spill and material containment, cleaning, and serving. Shoe covers provide anti-slip functionality to the sole surface for protective and / or hygiene purposes.

[0003] Glove manufacturers use a variety of techniques to improve the grip of protective gloves for the wearer. One technique is to make the polymer material sticky, thus improving the grip of the wearer for glove-wearing purposes. A more common approach is to modify the physical glove surface in the form of texture to provide a better grip.

[0004] To increase the grip obtained when using such protective gloves, various grip patterns have been developed by roughening the surface or adding geometric patterns. Many grip patterns, such as Furlong (US Pat. No. D773744), Hull (US Pat. No. 8,028,348), and Sood (US Pat. Pub. No. 20160050993), are made of adjacent cavities shaped like fish scales, circles, or lattice peaks and valleys. In the case of Sood, the cavities are part of a ridge-like grid pattern that creates adjacent cavities. In other forms, adjacent shapes such as diamonds are formed. However, in currently available grip textures, the shape results in thick and thin spots along the surface. The thin spots are often thinner than the non-textured portions of the glove due to surface tension and physical entrapment of the coagulant and latex dip. The raised portions of the texture pattern tend to take material away from the cavity areas, resulting in thinner spots on the glove. These thin spots are the weakest points of the glove and are usually the first to fail due to chemical penetration or physical attack.

[0005] Similarly, footwear and protective shoe covers may have relatively thin areas because the texture pattern may allow chemicals to flow unevenly.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for improved articles of clothing having texture for protective and practical purposes, particularly gloves having texture that can enhance grip while minimizing weak and thin areas in the glove membrane, and shoe covers having texture for contacting surfaces while minimizing weak and thin areas in the sole, which is the object of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention addresses this need in the art by providing an article of clothing comprising a protective shell having an opening for receiving a portion of a wearer for donning the article of clothing, and at least one gripping field having a plurality of spaced projections, each projection extending from an outer surface to a distal end of the protective shell and defining a recessed recess therein.

[0008] In the article of clothing described in paragraph

[0007] , each protrusion defines a geometric shape on the outer surface having a base having a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, extends from the outer surface to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, the recessed depth is 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and adjacent ones of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

[0009] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0007] , wherein the protective shell defines a glove having a hand portion from which four finger holders and a thumb holder extend.

[0010] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0007] , wherein the protective shell defines a shoe cover.

[0011] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein each protrusion extends from the outer surface to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

[0012] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein each protrusion extends to a height of 0.8 mm.

[0013] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the diameter of the concave recess is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0014] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the diameter of the concave recess is 1 mm.

[0015] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the depth of the recessed depression is in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0016] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the depth of the recessed portion is 0.1 mm.

[0017] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusion extends outwardly from the side wall at an angle of up to 90 degrees relative to the outer surface.

[0018] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions are inclined toward their distal ends at an angle between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the outer surface.

[0019] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusion is inclined toward the distal end at 45 degrees relative to the outer surface.

[0020] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions have a base on the outer surface having a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0021] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions have a base on the outer surface that is 2.3 mm wide.

[0022] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein adjacent ones of the multiple protrusions are spaced apart from each other by a distance ranging from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

[0023] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein adjacent ones of the multiple protrusions are spaced 1 mm apart.

[0024] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions define a conical geometric shape on the outer surface having a base width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, extend from the outer surface to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, have recessed depressions with depths in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and adjacent ones of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

[0025] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0009] , wherein the hand portion defines at least one pad portion and the at least one grip field occupies at least one pad portion.

[0026] An article of clothing as described in paragraph

[0025] , wherein at least one grip field occupies the palmar tip portion of at least one of the four finger portions and the thumb portion.

[0027] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0009] , wherein each of the four finger holders and the thumb holder has a respective palm side tip portion, and each palm side tip portion has a respective one of at least one grip field of the plurality of protrusions.

[0028] An article of clothing as described in paragraph

[0009] , wherein at least one pad portion is located on the palm side adjacent the thumb sleeve.

[0029] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0028] further includes a second of the at least one pad portion on the palm side adjacent to the finger holder most distal from the thumb holder, and further includes a second of the at least one grip field occupying the second of the at least one pad portion.

[0030] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein a plurality of spaced apart projections are arranged in a row.

[0031] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0030] , wherein the spaced protrusions in a first row are offset from the spaced protrusions in an adjacent row.

[0032] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions are conical.

[0033] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the protrusions are pyramidal.

[0034] An article of clothing described in any of paragraphs

[0007] to

[0010] , wherein the cross-section of the protrusion is circular.

[0035] The article of clothing described in paragraph

[0010] , wherein the outer surface of the protective shell comprises a sole portion of a shoe cover.

[0036] In another aspect, the present invention addresses the need in the art by providing a glove having a grip texture comprising a glove body having an outer surface for receiving a hand therein, a cuff having an open end and extending therefrom to a portion of the hand from which four finger sleeves and a thumb sleeve extend, and at least one grip field having a plurality of spaced apart geometrics, each of the geometrics extending from the outer surface to a distal end and defining a recessed depression therein.

[0037] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein a grip field is defined on the palm side tip portion of each of the finger and thumb sleeves.

[0038] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein a grip field is defined on a palm side portion adjacent the thumb cap and on an opposing portion adjacent one of the distal sides of the finger caps.

[0039] The glove described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the geometrics extend at an angle up to perpendicular to the glove surface.

[0040] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the cross section of the geometrics is circular.

[0041] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the base of the geometrics has a lateral distance of 0.5 mm to 5 mm on a horizontal axis relative to the glove surface.

[0042] The glove described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the geometrics extend from the outer surface to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

[0043] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the diameter of the recessed portion is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0044] A glove as described in paragraph

[0036] , wherein the depth of the recessed portion is in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0045] In another aspect, the present invention addresses the need in the art by providing a shoe cover having a grip texture for resisting slipping on a walking surface, the shoe cover comprising: a shell having an outer surface, the shell defining an upper portion and a toe and an opposing heel at respective ends of the sole opposite the upper portion, an opening into the shell adjacent the heel, and a sole having at least one grip field of a plurality of spaced apart geometries, each geometries extending from the outer surface to a distal end of the sole and defining a recessed recess therein.

[0046] The shoe cover described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the geometrics extend at an angle up to perpendicular to the outer surface of the sole.

[0047] A shoe cover as described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the cross section of the geometrics is circular.

[0048] A shoe cover as described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the base of the geometricus has a lateral distance of 0.5 mm to 5 mm on the horizontal axis relative to the outer surface of the sole.

[0049] The shoe cover described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the geometrics extend from the outer surface of the sole to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

[0050] A shoe cover as described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the diameter of the recessed portion is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0051] The shoe cover described in paragraph

[0045] , wherein the depth of the recessed portion is in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0052] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glove having a textured geometric field of spaced apart projections for enhancing grip on an object in accordance with the present invention.

[0054] [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a glove having a plurality of spaced apart projections each having a distinct textured geometric field for enhancing grip on an object in accordance with the present invention;

[0055] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a portion of a glove surface having a plurality of protruding, spaced apart projections in a first embodiment of a textured geometry;

[0056] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing a portion of the glove surface shown in FIG. 3.

[0057] [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a protrusion;

[0058] [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a protrusion.

[0059] [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the protrusion;

[0060] [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a protrusion.

[0061] [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a glove mold for making a glove according to the present invention.

[0062] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a wall portion of the glove shown in FIG.

[0063] [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a shoe cover according to the present invention.

[0064] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic side perspective view of the shoe cover shown in FIG. 11 angled to show a sole having a field of protruding spaced projections in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] Referring now to the drawings, in which like parts are designated with like numerals, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view an article of clothing in the form of a glove 10 having a glove surface 12. The glove surface 12 generally includes a plurality of spaced apart fields 14 of projections 16 as textured geometric structures (referred to as geomatrices or nodules) projecting from the glove surface for enhancing grip on an article by a person wearing the glove in a glove application. The glove 10 includes an elongated cuff 20 defining an open end 22 for receiving the hand of a person wearing the glove in a protective glove application. The elongated cuff 20 extends to a hand covering portion 24 from which extend four finger sleeves 26 and a thumb sleeve 28.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the field 14 extends across the entire palm side of the glove surface 12, including the palm, finger sleeves, and thumb sleeve. Another embodiment 10a shown in Figure 2 includes spaced apart textured geometric fields, particularly in the palm grip portion of the glove. The tip portion 32 of each finger sleeve 26 and thumb sleeve 28 includes a geomatrix field 14a. Opposing palm portions 34 and 36 adjacent the thumb sleeve 28 and opposing finger sleeve 26a each include a respective geomatrix field 14b and 14c for a person wearing the protective glove to close their hand to grip an object on both sides.

[0067] 3 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a portion of glove surface 12 having a plurality of protruding, spaced apart projections 16 in a first embodiment of a textured geometry. The projections 16 in the illustrated preferred embodiment define a truncated geometry, for example, a truncated cone or frustum of a cone, or in another embodiment, a truncated pyramid or frustum of a pyramid. Convex member 16 protrudes with sloping sides 38 from base 40 of glove surface 12 to distal end 42, at which end defines a concave recess 44 having a concave floor 46. Alternatively, the surface of inner floor 46 of recess 44 may be flat, but is preferably curved in an arc as an inverted dome-shaped recess floor with a low apex. The recess 42 at the distal end facilitates gripping of projections 16 by suction when in contact with the surface of an article.

[0068] The projections 16 extend at an angle of up to 90 degrees from the glove surface 12, and more preferably are angled inwardly from the glove surface to a smaller apex at the distal end 42 at a slope ranging from 45±30 degrees, more preferably at 45 degrees, and have the geometry of a protruding post or stub, and more preferably have a conical geometry, preferably shaped like a volcano or octopus tentacle. Alternatively, the convex projections 16 may be pyramidal, such as, but not limited to, a triangular or square pyramid in cross-sectional side view, or may be circular in cross-section.

[0069] Thus, the gripping surface of field 14 is formed with a plurality of convex projections 16 having recessed depressions 44. The projections 16 are spaced apart sufficiently at intervals 48 so that the film chemistry from which glove 10 is formed does not readily flow away due to trapping or surface tension. This spacing 48 prevents the side walls and recesses from robbing the film chemistry due to trapping or surface tension. This results in a glove 10 formed with a substantially uniform thickness transverse to the longitudinal axis of the glove, although the glove thickness adjacent the finger ends may be greater than the glove thickness adjacent the cuff end because the finger ends of the glove mold are immersed in the chemical bath longer than the cuff end, which enters the glove mold last.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, which shows a detailed plan view of the portion of the glove surface shown in FIG. 3, the projections 16 are spaced apart at their bases 40 to define a gap distance 48 ranging from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, preferably 1 mm. The bases 40 are preferably round, but may be of other geometric shapes such as triangular or square pyramids in cross section. The diameter of the convex projections at their bases 40 ranges from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably 2.3 mm. The diameter or width of the concave recesses 44 at the distal ends 42 of the projections ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 1 mm. With continued reference to FIG. 3, the height of the convex projections 16 from the bases 40 to the open edge of the recesses 44 at the distal ends 42 ranges from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.8 mm. The depth of the recesses 44 at the distal ends 42 ranges from 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 mm. As shown, adjacent rows of spaced apart convex projections 16 are preferably arranged in a staggered pattern, which may be evenly or uniformly staggered, but may also be aligned in series or slightly staggered. Adjacent rows may, in another embodiment, be oriented in a grid of aligned rectilinear rows and columns.

[0071] The spacing gap 48 may be between about 1:2 and about 3:2 in relation to the height of the projections 16 extending from the glove surface 12. The spacing gap 48 may be between about 1:1.15 and about 1:5 in relation to the width of the projections 16.

[0072] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of a first embodiment of a projection 16 extending from glove surface 12 having a height of 0.4 mm and a base diameter of 2.29 mm. The recessed depression 44 has a diameter of 1.03 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm.

[0073] 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional detail of a second embodiment of a projection 16 extending from glove surface 12 having a height of 0.8 mm and a base diameter of 2.29 mm. The recessed depression 44 has a diameter of 1.03 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm.

[0074] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective cutaway view of a third embodiment of a projection 16 having a rectangular convex shape and defining a concave recess 44 at a distal end 42 .

[0075] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of glove surface 12 having a fourth embodiment of projections 16a extending as stubs or posts 60 to distal ends 62 and defining recessed recesses 44 having dome-shaped floors 46. In this embodiment, posts 60 extend perpendicularly from glove surface 12 with adjacent posts 60 spaced apart.

[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates a glove mold 50 for making a glove according to the present invention. The mold 50 may be made of ceramic, metal, or plastic. The geometry on the mold 50 is the inverted shape of a finished glove 12. The outer wall 52 of the mold 50 defines a plurality of spaced recesses 54 conforming to a shape for forming the protruding projections 16 when the glove mold 50 is conventionally immersed in a chemical bath of a flowable material, preferably a polymer, from which the glove is made. The recesses 50 have side walls 54 and floors 58 conforming to the geometry of the projections 16. The gloves 12 are made using the molds 50, for example, conveyed on a large chain line driven molding machine or conveyed with other molds in a batch dipping process. The mold(s) 50 go through a manufacturing / dipping process that rotates through multiple dipping and processing steps as is conventional in the industry. The mold 50 shown produces the glove 10 shown in FIG. 1. In a batch process, a group of molds are moved (e.g., carried on a pallet) through various stations in the process. For example, a pallet carrying the molds may move into a dipping station having a chemical bath and then exit for drying or moving to the next station, and another pallet of molds may move into the vacant station.

[0077] Alternate molds, not shown, may be used to produce the glove shown in FIG. 2 by providing indentations in selected areas, such as, but not limited to, embodiments having projections 16 on the finger tip (and thumb tip) portions 32, 34, projections 16 along the entire length of each finger sleeve 26 and thumb sleeve 28, projections 16 on the palm grip portions 34, 36, or projections on both the finger and thumb tips and the palm grip portion.

[0078] Figure 10 is an enlarged, detailed cross-sectional view of the wall portion of glove mold 50 shown in Figure 9. Outer wall 52 defines spaced recesses 54, each of which extends inwardly from wall 52 to define a sidewall 56 and further inwardly to define an interior floor 58. In the illustrated embodiment, interior floor 58 is dome-shaped curved toward the opening in outer wall 52 to define recessed recess 44 during the dipping manufacturing process.

[0079] It should be understood that the glove 10 according to the standard description includes a cuff 20, a hand covering portion 24, and four extending finger sleeves 26 and one thumb sleeve 28. The glove 10 of the present invention can be manufactured in an ambidextrous form, which allows the glove to be used on either the left or right hand. In an ambidextrous embodiment, the field(s) 14 may be defined on both exterior surfaces with corresponding characteristics for positioning the glove on either hand. In other embodiments, the glove can be manufactured for use in a dedicated left or right hand configuration, with the thumb rotated toward the palm, thus designating the glove for wearing on the appropriate right or left hand. A dedicated shape generally allows for a more ergonomic shape.

[0080] 9, mold 50 is used in a glove molding apparatus which, in the prior art, is a production line consisting of stations for preparing the molds for making gloves 10, dipping the molds in a chemical bath for a period of time, finishing the gloves, and stripping the finished gloves from each mold, and repeating the process. Traditionally, gloves are manufactured in a production line configured to clean mold 50 using acid or alkaline liquids and mold wiping brushes, etc., dry, coagulation dip (such as calcium nitrate salt + powder or wax bath), dry, dip in a chloroprene mixture or latex / nitrile in a chemical bath with materials appropriate for the intended use of the protective glove, optionally a second dip for quality and / or glove performance, partial drying, beading, leaching, dipping in a polymer or powder slurry, drying, and stripping the finished gloves from the molds.

[0081] As mentioned above, the mold 50 is typically inverted so that the fingertip side is inserted into the chemical bath first and the cuff portion is inserted last. The spacing gaps 48 between adjacent projections 16 defined by recesses 54 in the mold 50 resist material being stripped from the recesses and flats of surface 52 by surface tension or physical trapping during immersion in the chemical bath, resulting in a generally uniform thickness along a line transverse to the longitudinal axis, although the thickness of the glove will be greater on the finger side than on the cuff side relative to this line due to this extended immersion in the chemical bath.

[0082] While the foregoing describes a protective glove embodiment of the article of clothing according to the present invention, a shoe cover is yet another article of clothing that advantageously implements the grip texturing of the present invention. Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a shoe cover 70 having a grip texture for grip and, more particularly, for preventing slipping on walking surfaces, according to the present invention. The shoe cover 70, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a shell 72 that is dip molded onto a shoe-shaped mold as described above in connection with the glove embodiment of the article of clothing. The shell 72 of the shoe cover 70 has an outer surface 74 having a toe 76 and an opposed heel 78 at each end of an upper 80 and an opposing sole 82 opposite the upper, with an opening 84 into the shell adjacent the heel for receiving footwear to be protectively covered. The sole 82 has at least one grip field of a plurality of spaced apart geometries or protrusions 16 (shown not to scale) each extending from a base 40 to a distal end 42 of the outer surface 74 of the sole and defining a recessed recess 44 at the distal end.

[0083] 12 is a schematic side perspective view (again, not shown to scale for illustrative purposes) of shoe cover 70 angled to show sole 82 having a field of protruding, spaced apart projections 16 extending from outer surface 74. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment optionally includes one or more rows of spaced apart projections 16 on a sidewall of shoe upper 80 adjacent an edge of sole 82.

[0084] The fields of spaced apart projections 16 enhance grip on the walking surface while providing protective coverage for the footwear of a wearer using the shoe cover 70. In another embodiment (not shown), the sole defines first and second spaced apart fields of a plurality of projections 16 proximate the toe 76 and heel 78.

[0085] Typically, the geometries or protrusions 16 extend at an angle to perpendicular to the outer surface of the sole 82. In embodiments, the geometries or protrusions 16 may be circular in cross section or may be pyramidal geometries as described above. The base of the geometries has a lateral distance of 0.5 mm to 5 mm on a horizontal axis relative to the outer surface of the sole. The geometries extend to heights ranging from 0.2 mm to 2 mm from the outer surface of the sole. The diameter of the recessed recesses ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm and the depth ranges from 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0086] Thus, in another embodiment, an improved grip texture of geometric projections formed on an article of clothing, and more particularly, an exemplary embodiment of a protective rubber glove and shoe cover made from natural and synthetic rubber, has been described. Currently available protective gloves use grip textures to improve a wearer's grip on an object being gripped while performing an intended task, but these gloves have drawbacks. The grip texture of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of spaced convex projections, each having a concave recessed top or distal end, which create suction at the grip contact points. As the user grips an object, each projection 16 acts as a small suction point, improving grip. The protective glove of the present invention provides an overall improved grip. In addition to the improved grip provided by the use of suction projections, other features and improvements exist. Conventional grip texture geometries create thicker and thinner areas in the textured glove due to surface tension and physical entrapment of coagulants. The raised spots of the textured glove tend to steal material from other parts of the glove, creating "weak spots" on the glove. The aforementioned grip texture feature provides sufficient clearance space between each of the projections that make up the texture, reducing the tendency for the protruding projections to "steal" material and reducing weak spots. Additionally, the shoe cover advantageously provides less slippage when working or walking on surfaces such as, but not limited to, contaminated, wet, or petrochemical spilled surfaces.

[0087] Typical specifications for gloves according to the present invention (according to current ASTM standards for natural and synthetic gloves): - Palm thickness is 3mil to 20mil -The length from the tip of the middle finger to the cuff is 200mm to 400mm - Tensile strength >14MPa -Elongation rate > 400% -Sizes range from XXS to 4XL -Color variations include, but are not limited to, white, yellow, amber, blue, green, red, orange, black, and purple

[0088] The above description discloses dip-molded protective clothing articles, particularly gloves, characterized by a field with a plurality of geometric projections, each having a recessed recess at a distal end, for enhancing suction grip of the article when the gloves are used for glove purposes, and shoe covers, characterized by a field with a plurality of geometric projections, each having a recessed recess at a distal end, for enhancing suction grip for anti-slip effect when the shoe covers are used for protective covering purposes. Although the present invention has been illustratively disclosed in other embodiments, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. Gloves (10), A protective shell of uniform thickness having a hand portion from which four finger tubes (26) and a thumb tube (28) extend, It comprises at least one grip field (14) having a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions (16), The protective shell is provided with an opening (22) for receiving the hand of a person wearing the glove. Each of the projections opens into the interior of the protective shell and extends from the outer surface of the protective shell to a distal end (42) defining a recessed recess (44) inside, and the plurality of projections (16) are spaced sufficiently apart to reduce the flow of protective shell material onto the extending projections during the dipping formation of the protective shell of uniform thickness.

2. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions (16) defines a base on the outer surface (74) with a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, extends from the outer surface (74) to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, the depth of the recessed recess (44) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and adjacent of the plurality of protrusions (16) are spaced apart in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

3. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions (16) extends from the outer surface (74) to a height in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

4. The glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the recessed area (44) is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

5. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the recessed area (44) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

6. The glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions (16) has a side wall that extends outward at an angle of up to 90 degrees with respect to the outer surface (74), and optionally the protrusion is inclined toward the distal end (42) at an angle of 15 to 75 degrees with respect to the outer surface (74), and optionally the protrusion is inclined toward the distal end (42) at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the outer surface (74).

7. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions (16) has a base (40) on the outer surface (74) with a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

8. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein adjacent protrusions (16) are spaced apart from each other in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

9. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hand portion defines at least one pad portion, and the at least one grip field occupies the at least one pad portion, and optionally the at least one grip field occupies the palmar tip of at least one of the four finger tubes (26) and the thumb tube (28).

10. The glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the four finger tubes (26) and the thumb tube (28) has a palmar tip portion, and each palmar tip portion has one of the at least one grip field of the plurality of projections (16).

11. The glove (10) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pad portion is located on the palm side adjacent to the thumb tube (28), and optionally further comprises a second of the at least one pad portion on the palm side adjacent to the finger tube (26) furthest distal from the thumb tube (28), and further comprises a second of the at least one grip field that occupies the second of the at least one pad portion.

12. The glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart protrusions (16) are arranged in a plurality of rows, and optionally, the spaced-apart protrusions (16) in the first row are offset from the spaced-apart protrusions in the adjacent row.

13. The glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions (16) is conical in shape, or each of the plurality of protrusions (16) is pyramidal in shape.

14. The glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-section of each of the plurality of protrusions (16) is circular.

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