Glove Lining Joining via Inflatable Plug and Hot Gas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glove manufacturing processes are inefficient and costly due to the use of complex and expensive metal lasts, requiring forced insertion of linings and gloves, and are slow, especially for three-dimensional leather gloves.
Innovation Solution
A process and device that uses a plug to press the lining into the glove without expensive lasts, employing hot gas to speed up the joining process, with a rigid shell and heaters to facilitate the bonding of the lining and glove, and utilizing three-dimensional, breathable elastomeric gloves for waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metal lasts are used to manufacture gloves, then the lining can be properly shaped and joined to the glove, but the manufacturing process becomes complex, time-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex metal lasts from the manufacturing process, replacing them with a simple inflatable plug. This elimination of cumbersome equipment streamlines the process while maintaining the ability to properly shape and join the lining to the glove.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the plug by inflating it with hot gas. The plug transitions from a deflated state to an inflated state, and the hot gas provides both mechanical pressure for joining and thermal energy for activating the adhesive, combining multiple functions in one parameter change.
2Manufacturing precision
If metal lasts are used to manufacture gloves, then the lining can be properly fitted and joined, but the manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, durable metal lasts with a cheap, disposable inflatable plug. The plug can be easily discarded after use, eliminating the need for costly metal equipment while maintaining joining accuracy. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the expensive metal lasts from the process and replaces them with a simple, low-cost alternative. This extraction of costly equipment while preserving the essential joining function directly addresses the cost issue.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lining is forced onto separate lasts, then the glove can be manufactured, but the process becomes difficult and slow especially for rigid leather gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shaping and joining operations into a single step by using one inflatable plug instead of two separate metal lasts. The plug is inserted into the glove, the lining is placed over it, and inflation simultaneously shapes and adheres the lining, eliminating the need for separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex two-last process and replaces it with a single inflatable plug system. This simplification removes the difficulty of forced insertion onto separate lasts and dramatically reduces manufacturing time.
4Manufacturing precision
If expensive metal lasts are used for each glove size, then proper fitting is achieved, but the manufacturing costs increase noticeably
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable plug serves multiple functions: it acts as a form for shaping the glove, a tool for joining the lining, and an adjustable sizing mechanism. By inflating to different degrees, the same plug can accommodate different glove sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized metal lasts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes (inflation pressure and volume) of the plug to achieve different glove sizes and fittings. This single parameter control replaces the need for multiple fixed-size metal lasts, maintaining precision while reducing costs.
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
This approach significantly reduces manufacturing time and costs, enabling both industrial and handicraft production with improved productivity and lower expenses, while allowing for the use of single-piece elastomeric gloves for waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid, preferably hot air, is pumped through said inlet into said lining so as to press it from the inside against the inner surface of said glove
Implementation Method 2
For decreasing the manufacturing times, the fluid pumped into the lining is a hot gas
Implementation Method 3
the rigid shell is made up of two particular half-shells and/or is provided with heaters for improving and speeding up the joining between lining and glove
Implementation Method 4
a layer of a thermoactivable adhesive arranged on the outer surface of the lining
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Process for manufacturing gloves (2) and the like, which comprises the following operating steps: - inserting a lining (3) into a glove (2), wherein glue is arranged between the glove (2) and the lining (3); - inserting a plug (1) in the zone of the wrist of the glove (2) provided with the lining (3); - pumping a fluid into the lining (3) for pressing it from the inside against the inner surface of the glove (2). The present invention also relates to a device which carries out said process, as well as gloves or the like obtained with this process or device.