Textured Glove Crotches for Tear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical gloves suffer from reduced tactile sensitivity and dexterity due to excessive material between the fingers, and are prone to tearing and premature failure in the finger crotches due to bubbles forming during production and heat/sweat damage.
Innovation Solution
A glove with textured crotch areas between adjacent digit regions, created through a micro-etching process, which strengthens the material, prevents bubble formation during production, and reduces heat/sweat damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thinner glove material is used, then tactile sensitivity and finger dexterity are improved, but the glove becomes prone to tearing in the finger crotches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by texturing only the crotch areas of the glove while keeping the rest of the glove material thin. This creates a differentiated structure where the crotch areas have enhanced strength through texture patterns (micro-etching or similar texturing processes) to prevent tearing, while the fingertip areas remain smooth and thin to maintain tactile sensitivity and dexterity.
2Strength
If more glove material is used, then strength and tear resistance are improved, but tactile sensitivity and dexterity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by concentrating additional material and texturing specifically in the crotch areas where strength is needed, while maintaining minimal material thickness in the fingertip regions. This localized approach ensures that the enhanced strength does not compromise tactile sensitivity, as the fingertips remain thin and responsive.
3Stability of the object's composition
If liquid nitrile flows into gaps between finger regions during production, then the glove material is continuous, but bubbles form and cause pinhole tears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by texturing the crotch areas before the glove is put into service. This pre-texturing creates a structured surface that prevents bubble formation during production and use. The texture patterns (created through micro-etching or similar processes) eliminate the gaps where bubbles would otherwise form, ensuring continuous material integrity without pinhole tears.
4Adaptability or versatility
If heat and sweat pool in finger crotch areas during use, then the glove provides coverage, but the glove material deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by texturing the crotch areas to create a more durable surface that resists degradation from heat and sweat. The texture patterns (through micro-etching or similar texturing processes) create a more robust material structure in these high-stress areas, preventing the material from deteriorating over time while maintaining the necessary coverage for hand protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A glove including a wrist region; a palm region extending outwardly from the wrist region; a plurality of digit regions extending outwardly from the palm region, wherein each digit region of the plurality of digit regions has a longitudinal axis extending along the digit region from the tip of the digit region to the palm region; an interior cavity bounded and defined by the wrist region, the palm region, and the plurality of digit regions, wherein the interior cavity is accessible via an opening defined by the wrist region. A crotch area is defined between each pair of adjacent digit regions. An exterior surface of at least one crotch area is textured, particularly through micro-etching of the exterior surface of the crotch area.