Flame Retardant Glove Multilayer Design for Grip and Washability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flame-retardant protective gloves often compromise on comfort, grip, and ease of washing due to rigid materials and poor wet condition performance, and existing designs face challenges with material combinations that affect usability and safety.

Innovation Solution

A flame-retardant protective glove with a multilayer material composition that includes a silicone-coated aramide fiber layer for strength and heat resistance, a polyamide-aramide fiber layer for outer shell optimization, and a liquid-tight, breathable membrane for enhanced grip and ergonomic design, allowing for secure washing and decontamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic coating is applied to leather for flame protection, then flame resistance is improved, but the glove becomes rigid and difficult to wash

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame resistanceVSAvoidflexibility and washability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The glove is divided into multiple functional layers: outer shell (leather or synthetic), insulating lining (refractory material), and inner lining. Each layer serves specific purposes, allowing the flame-resistant outer shell to be separated from the flexible inner components, maintaining overall flexibility while providing protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The glove uses composite material construction combining leather/synthetic outer shell with refractory insulating material and breathable membrane layers. This composite structure provides flame resistance while maintaining flexibility and washability through careful material selection and layering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If non-leather materials are used for flame resistance, then washability is improved, but grip in wet conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewashabilityVSAvoidgrip ability in wet conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the glove have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The palm and finger areas use materials with superior wet grip characteristics, while other areas use materials optimized for flame resistance and washability. This localized material differentiation maintains grip ability while preserving ease of washing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple material layers are combined for protection, then flame resistance is improved, but the complexity of washing and decontamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame protectionVSAvoidwashing and decontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design separates the flame-resistant outer shell from the inner lining and insulation layers, allowing the outer shell to be removed and washed separately. This extraction of the soiled outer layer simplifies the washing process while maintaining the protective function of the multi-layer construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The glove provides superior comfort, grip, wear resistance, and ease of washing while maintaining strong protective properties, especially in wet conditions, meeting stringent safety standards like European standards 420,659 and 388.

Implementation Method 1

an outer layer of a flame retardant material and said palm side comprising a second multilayer material different than said at least one first multilayer material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a liquid-tight, breathable membrane for enhanced grip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4046515B1Flame retardant protective glove
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 GRANQVIST SPORTARTIKLAR
  • EP4046515B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4046515B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4046515B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

This invention relates to a flame retardant protective glove (1), preferably in the form of a finger glove, having an outer shell comprising a palm side (2), a back side (3), an outer side (4) and a thumb side (5), wherein the material in the back side (3), outer side (4) and a thumb side (5) comprises at least one first multilayer material (M1, M3) comprising an outer layer (30A) of a flame retardant material and said palm side (2) comprises a second multilayer material (M2) different than said at least one first multilayer material (M1, M3), wherein said palm side (2) comprises at least one palm part (20) made of said second multilayer material (M2) having an outer layer (20A) of a flame retardant material comprising Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene and a second layer (20B) including at least 80% aramide fibers, suitably Para-aramide fibers, preferably at least 90% aramide fibers and more preferred 100% aramide fibers, wherein said second multilayer material (M2) has a surfacic mass of between 400 to 1200 g/m2, preferably 500 to 1000 g/m2and a thickness of between 0,5 to 1,5 mm, preferably 0,6 - 1 mm, and is resilient having an elongation at break (ε) of at least 20% in all directions.