A glove and a method of manufacturing a glove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gloves with folded down borders or cuffs face challenges in achieving sufficient stiffness for fluid collection while maintaining low weight and comfort, and their manufacturing methods are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped member with a bi-stable structure, comprising conical annular portions and a central portion, which is foldable to form a circumferential trough, providing high stiffness and flexibility, and can be manufactured as a single component with reduced wall thickness and weight, allowing for easy attachment to gloves without additional parts or processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a folded down border or collar is added to the glove to collect fluid, then fluid collection capability is improved, but the glove weight increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is constructed from thin-walled plastic material that provides sufficient stiffness for fluid collection while maintaining flexibility and minimizing weight. The thin-walled structure allows the collar to form a circumferential trough effective for catching fluid without adding excessive weight or bulk to the glove.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates a foldable design with a folding line that allows it to transition between a flat state during manufacturing and a folded-down state during use. This dynamic configuration enables the collar to provide fluid collection capability only when needed, reducing weight and bulk when the glove is being manufactured or stored.
2Reliability
If a folded down border or collar is added to the glove to collect fluid, then fluid collection capability is improved, but the number of separate parts and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed as a single integrated piece formed from one continuous sheet of plastic material, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts or complex assembly steps. The collar includes an integrated folding line that allows it to be folded down into position without requiring additional fasteners, clips, or attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is divided into distinct functional zones including a folding line, a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a central annular portion, each optimized for its specific function. This segmentation allows the collar to achieve the desired folded-down configuration for fluid collection while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If the collar is made with sufficient stiffness to keep shape and collect fluid, then fluid collection capability is improved, but the collar becomes heavy and may irritate the user
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is constructed from thin-walled plastic material with optimized wall thickness that provides sufficient stiffness to maintain the circumferential trough shape for effective fluid collection, while the thin-walled structure minimizes weight and prevents the collar from being overly rigid or uncomfortable during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's physical parameters including wall thickness, diameter, and height are optimized to achieve the desired balance between stiffness for shape retention and flexibility for comfort. The folding line is positioned and dimensioned to allow easy folding while maintaining structural integrity in the folded-down configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ring-shaped member for engaging with an opening of a glove to form a circumferential trough around the opening of the glove. The invention further relates to a glove and to a method of manufacturing a glove comprising a conical collar forming a circumferential trough around the opening of the glove and where the collar comprises such ring-shaped member. The ring-shaped member comprises a first annular portion of a conical shape, a second annular portion of a conical shape, and a central annular portion in between the first and the second annular portions. The ring-shaped member is foldable about the central portion to attain a folded configuration wherein the second annular portion is folded down to lie essentially alongside the first annular portion.