Glove Cuff Locking Mechanism via Hinged Annular Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber gloves with cuffs are difficult and expensive to manufacture due to the need for specialized machining and extra steps to create structures like annular beads and undulations, which can weaken the glove material and require additional latex layers or machines for cuff maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A glove design featuring an annular band with specific thickness relationships and hinged relationships between components, allowing the cuff to be locked and supported in a folded configuration without flow disruption during the dipping process, using a conventional manufacturing process that forms a conical sleeve and cuff portion with a connection portion that locks and supports the cuff in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized machining and extra steps are used to create annular beads and undulations for cuff structure, then the cuff can be formed with locking and support structure, but the manufacturing process becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the annular band with integrated hinge features and thickness variations directly into the glove body during the initial molding process. The thinned wall portion is pre-formed in the connection region, creating a natural hinge line that enables the cuff to fold and lock without requiring subsequent machining or assembly steps. This preliminary structuring of the cuff support features eliminates the need for specialized post-manufacturing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cuff support structure with the glove body by integrating the annular band and connection portion as unified molded features. The thinned wall portion connects the cuff portion to the sleeve portion, creating an inherent hinge mechanism that combines structural support, folding capability, and locking function into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate annular beads or undulations that would require additional manufacturing steps.
2Reliability
If annular beads and thickened wall portions are added to create cuff structure, then the cuff can maintain its folded position, but the glove material structure is weakened and requires additional latex layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a thinned wall portion specifically in the connection region between the cuff and sleeve, while maintaining normal wall thickness in the cuff portion and hand portion. This localized thinning creates a flexible hinge line that enables folding without compromising the overall structural integrity of the glove. The thinned region is precisely where flexibility is needed, while other areas retain full strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a flexible hinge mechanism through the thinned wall portion that allows the cuff to transition between folded and unfolded states. The variable thickness design enables the connection region to bend and flex at the hinge line while the thicker cuff and hand portions maintain their structural rigidity. This dynamic flexibility at the connection point allows the cuff to lock in the folded position without requiring additional latex layers or rigid support structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-formed cuff structures are created using specialized machines, then the cuff can maintain its position relative to the glove, but the manufacturing equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cuff positioning function with the glove body by forming the annular band and connection portion as integrated molded features. The thinned wall portion is created as an inherent feature of the connection region, establishing a precise hinge line that determines cuff position relative to the glove. This integration eliminates the need for specialized machines to attach separate cuff components, as the positioning structure is built-in during the standard molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the thinned wall portion and annular band geometry directly into the glove body during the initial molding process. The connection portion is structured in advance with the correct thickness variation to create the hinge mechanism, ensuring precise cuff positioning without requiring subsequent machining or assembly operations. The hinge line position and cuff orientation are determined during the primary manufacturing step.
Data Source
AI summary
The glove includes a hand portion, a sleeve portion integral to the hand portion and extending conically outward, a cuff portion integral with the sleeve portion and extending conically outward, and a connection portion between the cuff portion and the sleeve portion. The cuff portion has an extended configuration and folded configuration. The connection portion includes an annular band includes a first ring, a second ring, and a protruding ring between the first and second rings. The protruding ring includes a first bulged rim, a second bulged rim, and a band portion between the first and second bulged rims. The connection portion is in a first hinged relationship with the sleeve portion at the first ring so as to lock the folded configuration, and a second hinged relationship of the connection portion with the cuff portion supports the folded configuration.