Water-soluble and disposable glove

Abstract

A water-soluble and disposable glove including a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to disposable hand gloves and, more particularly, relates to water soluble and disposable hand gloves.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many individuals desire to protect their hands from dirt, viruses, bacteria, and other matter, and most individuals utilize sanitizers and other cleaning agents or gloves to do so. Sanitizers, while effective at killing bacteria, do not prevent the initial exposure to an individual's hands. Many individuals are also unable to use sanitizers because of the adverse effects they have on the skin of an individual's hands. As such, many individuals use gloves to protect their hands. Most gloves, however, have significant drawbacks. Some gloves are impractical, or prevent normal functioning of an individual's hands. Other known gloves require extensive cleaning after extended periods of use.

[0003] Those known gloves designed for one-time use often utilize an elastic polymeric material, e.g., nitrile, or other thin-walled polymeric material, but most of these gloves are designed to be water-soluble and / or do also not permit the individual to effectively utilize all the user's fingers and / or hand. There are some known dissolvable gloves, but they too have some drawbacks based on the time it takes for the gloves to dissolve in a body of water, particularly in a toilet bowl where time is of-the-essence to prevent a glove from clogging the plumbing associated with a toilet bowl. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,516,906, issued to Wiggins, fails to disclose any particular type of material or structural configuration that would enable effective and efficient dissolving of the glove. U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,336, issued to Finch et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0221367, issued to Darrow, also fail to teach a functional glove and a specific polymer-based and biodegradable material and structural configuration that would enable effective and efficient dissolving of the glove. Similarly, International Publication No. 2011 / 163377, issued to Smarthealth, Inc., while discloses that a glove could be made with several different materials, including a polyvinyl alcohol-based material, does not provide any specificity as to the composition of said material or the specific structural configuration that would enable effective and efficient dissolving of the glove.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a water-soluble and disposable glove that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provides individuals a glove completely, quickly, safely, and effectively dissolvable in water, e.g., within a toilet bowl. The glove is also beneficially utilized for the purposes of food handling and in the health-care industry. The glove is also completely biodegradable, capable of being effectively and safely transported or handled without degradation, and capable of being utilized by a user without inhibiting the functionality of a user's hands. The glove composition also prevents or inhibits a skin reaction or irritation that some known gloves also tend to produce.

[0006] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a water-soluble and disposable glove having a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.

[0007] In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the plurality of independently offset finger channels being formed to an enclosed little finger channel, an enclosed ring finger channel, an enclosed middle finger channel, an enclosed index finger channel, and an enclosed thumb channel.

[0008] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the glove body is at least of a translucent material.

[0009] In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the composition of the polymeric material of the glove body 102 includes greater than approximately 78% concentration of polyvinyl acetate, less than approximately 15% of glycerin, less than approximately 8% of other additives, and approximately 4-8% water.

[0010] In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the polymeric material of the glove body has a melting point greater than 150° C.

[0011] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the globe body has a uniform thickness of approximately 0.02 mm.

[0012] In accordance with an exemplary feature of the present invention, the polymeric material of the glove body has a decomposition temperature greater than 200° C.

[0013] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the polymeric material of the glove body has a pH of approximately 5-7 (4% weight sol. water).

[0014] In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the polymeric material of the glove body has a specific weight of approximately 1.1-1.3 g / mm3.

[0015] Also in accordance with the present invention, a water-soluble and disposable glove is disclosed that includes a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including greater than approximately 78% concentration of polyvinyl acetate, less than approximately 15% of glycerin, less than approximately 8% of other additives, and approximately 4-8% water, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.

[0016] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a water-soluble and disposable glove, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0017] Other features that are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0018] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and / or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing / coming into physical existence, making available, and / or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,”“rear,”“right,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0019] As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Unless otherwise stated herein, approximately may at least be interpreted as + / −5 mm if expressed in mm and + / −2% if expressed in percentage. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the glove, or in direction spanning from the bottom opening of the glove to the distal tips of the fingers.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-soluble and disposable glove in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the water-soluble and disposable glove in FIG. 1 with an individual's hand disposed therein; and

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along section line 3-3 in FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0025] The present invention provides a novel and efficient water-soluble and disposable glove that is capable of effective and quick dissolution in a small, approximately room temperature, body of water, like a toilet bowl. Embodiments of the invention also enable the glove to be effectively worn by the user without significant risk of tearing or failure.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view, elevational view, and cross-sectional view, respectively. FIGS. 1-3 show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a water-soluble and disposable glove, as shown in the figures, includes a glove body 102 with a lower enclosed opening 104 defined thereon and an internal enclosed glove cavity 200 defined therein and spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening 104. The lower enclosed opening 104 may be described as being at a terminal opposite end of the glove relative to one or more of the terminal end(s) of a plurality of independently offset finger channels 200a-n formed on the glove body 102. It should be understood that terms such as, “front,”“rear,”“side,” top,”“lower,” and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the glove body 102 as seen in the figures and may vary based on perspective.

[0027] For example, the longitudinal length 202 separating a terminal end of an outer surface of the glove finger defining the middle finger channel 200c and the end of the glove body 102 defining the lower enclosed opening 104 may be approximately 266 mm (or 10.5 in.). The diameter of the lower enclosed opening 104 may be approximately 152 mm (or 6 in.). The width of the glove body 102 (from tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb finger) may be approximately 228 mm (or 9 in.).

[0028] The glove body 102 may be formed with independent fingers for effective and conventional use of the user's hands. Said another way, the plurality of independently offset finger channels 200a-n (wherein “n” represents any number greater than one) include an enclosed little finger channel 200a, an enclosed ring finger channel 200b, an enclosed middle finger channel 200c, an enclosed index finger channel 200d, and an enclosed thumb channel 200e. The glove body 102 is beneficially shaped and sized to provide a universal (one size fits all) size glove for users having varying finger lengths and thicknesses. The glove body 102 is preferably without any apertures or holes, such that it may be formed with a wall-like structure, i.e., continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together so as to form a substantially continuous external surface. In preferred embodiments, the glove body 102 is unitary or monolithic, in that it is formed from a single material and operates as a unit.

[0029] The glove body 102 is beneficially made with a polymeric material having a composition that includes a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%, in addition to having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm (+ / −0.005 mm). Research and testing have demonstrated that this composition and thickness provides the requisite rigidity and toughness for the glove's limited application while simultaneously providing effective and quick solubility in a body of water having approximate room temperature, e.g., 20-26° C. (68-78° F.). The composition of the polymeric material of the glove body 102 preferably is made up of greater than approximately 78% concentration of polyvinyl acetate, less than approximately 15% of glycerin, less than approximately 8% of other additives, and approximately 4-8% water, wherein the total composition will equal 100%.

[0030] The glove body 102 has a uniform thickness in that the wall structure forming the fingers and palm portion glove (i.e., the whole glove) is the same, or at a maximum of a 5% thickness variance, of one another. For example, looking at FIG. 3, the thickness 300 of the wall can be seen being approximately 0.02 mm (or 20 microns). In preferred embodiment, the thickness is exactly 0.025 mm (or 25 microns and / or 100 gauge).

[0031] The glove body 120, along with a plurality of other glove bodies, will be preferably stored in packaging (e.g., box) until desired for use. Once a glove has been removed from the package, the rest of the gloves will remain therein. In some embodiments, the gloves will be individually packaged, thereby protecting the gloves from environmental or ambient moisture.

[0032] In one embodiment, the glove body 102 is at least of a translucent material, i.e., translucent, or transparent, to enable a user to see internal within the glove body 102. In some embodiments, the glove body 102 is solid or non-translucent and may have a slight odor. Beneficially, the glove body 102 is designed such that it does not leave any toxic residue and has zero microplastics incorporated therein. To provide an effective and efficient glove that is soluble, the polymeric material of the glove body 102 has physical properties that include a melting point greater than 150° C., a decomposition temperature greater than 200° C. (but preferably around approximately 60° C.), a pH of approximately 5-7 (4% weight sol. water), and a specific weight of approximately 1.1-1.3 g / mm3.

[0033] A water-soluble and disposable glove has been disclosed that is capable of being completely, quickly, safely, and effectively dissolved in a body of fluid, preferably water within a toilet bowl. The glove is also completely biodegradable and capable of being utilized by a user without inhibiting the functionality of a user's hands, thereby providing an eco-friendly sanitary solution for many users not accomplished by the prior art. The glove is also completely biodegradable, capable of being effectively and safely transported or handled without degradation, and capable of being utilized by a user without inhibiting the functionality of a user's hands.

[0034] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.

Claims

1. A water-soluble and disposable glove comprising:a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including a polyvinyl acetate concentration within a range of 75-85% and including glycerin within a range of 10-20%, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.

2. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of independently offset finger channels further comprise:an enclosed little finger channel, an enclosed ring finger channel, an enclosed middle finger channel, an enclosed index finger channel, and an enclosed thumb channel.

3. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the glove body is at least of a translucent material.

4. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the polymeric material of the glove body includes greater than approximately 78% concentration of polyvinyl acetate, less than approximately 15% of glycerin, less than approximately 8% of other additives, and approximately 4-8% water.

5. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a melting point greater than 150° C.

6. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the globe body having the uniform thickness of approximately 0.02 mm.

7. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a decomposition temperature greater than 200° C.

8. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a pH of approximately 5-7.

9. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a specific weight of approximately 1.1-1.3 g / mm3.

10. A water-soluble and disposable glove comprising:a glove body with a lower enclosed opening, defining an internal enclosed glove cavity spatially coupled to the lower enclosed opening and including a plurality of independently offset finger channels, wholly of a polymeric material having a composition including greater than approximately 78% concentration of polyvinyl acetate, less than approximately 15% of glycerin, less than approximately 8% of other additives, and approximately 4-8% water, and having a uniform thickness within a range of approximately 0.01-0.05 mm.

11. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of independently offset finger channels further comprise:an enclosed little finger channel, an enclosed ring finger channel, an enclosed middle finger channel, an enclosed index finger channel, and an enclosed thumb channel.

12. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 10, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a melting point greater than 150° C.

13. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 10, wherein the globe body having the uniform thickness of approximately 0.02 mm.

14. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 10, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a decomposition temperature greater than 200° C.

15. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 10, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a pH of approximately 5-7.

16. The water-soluble and disposable glove according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the glove body has a specific weight of approximately 1.1-1.3 g / mm3.

Images