Thermal Protection Glove with Polymer Coating and Grip Studs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermal protection gloves, such as bouclé gloves, offer inadequate dexterity and tactile sensitivity due to their thickness, and are not suitable for precision work or handling oily/greasy objects, as they are not waterproof and can form thermal bridges, compromising insulation and grip.

Innovation Solution

A thermal protection accessory featuring a textile layer with a low-thickness coating and distributed studs, providing improved dexterity, tactile sensitivity, and waterproofing, while maintaining thermal insulation and grip, even in oily or greasy conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the thickness of thermal protection gloves is increased to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but dexterity and tactile sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoiddexterity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The glove is divided into multiple functional layers: a textile layer for comfort and breathability, a thin polymer coating for waterproofing and oil resistance, and an array of discrete protrusions for enhanced grip. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute its specific function without requiring excessive overall thickness, thereby maintaining dexterity while providing thermal protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The glove combines multiple materials with complementary properties: textile fibers for thermal insulation and comfort, polymer coating for waterproofing and chemical resistance, and protrusion structures for mechanical grip enhancement. This composite approach achieves superior overall performance without increasing thickness, resolving the contradiction between insulation and dexterity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If the thickness of thermal protection gloves is increased to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but tactile sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidtactile sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The glove structure segments thermal protection functions from tactile contact functions. The thin polymer coating and protrusions handle external contact and protection, while the textile layer provides thermal insulation at a distance from the skin, preserving tactile sensitivity by minimizing the thickness of materials directly contacting the hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating is applied as a thin film that provides waterproofing and oil resistance without significant thickness. This thin film approach maintains tactile sensitivity while providing necessary protection, allowing the user to feel temperature and texture changes in handled objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If conventional textile gloves are used to handle oily or greasy objects, then comfort is maintained, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the textile layer and oily/greasy objects. This coating prevents direct contact between oil and the textile fibers, eliminating thermal bridges that would otherwise form when oil penetrates the textile structure, thereby maintaining thermal insulation properties in contaminated conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the surface properties of the glove by adding a polymer coating with different chemical characteristics than the textile. This coating has oil-resistant properties that prevent oil absorption, maintaining the thermal insulation parameter even when handling oily objects, while the textile layer continues to provide comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the thickness of thermal protection gloves is reduced to improve dexterity, then dexterity is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedexterityVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The glove uses composite materials where the textile layer provides thermal insulation and the polymer coating provides protection and grip enhancement. This composite structure achieves effective thermal protection with reduced overall thickness compared to traditional single-layer thick gloves, thereby improving dexterity while maintaining insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating performs multiple functions simultaneously: waterproofing, oil resistance, and grip enhancement through protrusions. This multi-functionality allows the coating to be thin yet effective, reducing the need for thick textile layers and thereby improving dexterity while maintaining thermal insulation through the optimized textile-coating composite structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances dexterity and precision in handling hot objects, maintains insulation, and prevents thermal bridges, ensuring comfort and effective heat protection without compromising grip or insulating qualities.

Implementation Method 1

a textile layer (10) comprising a first surface (11) and a second surface (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a coating (20) covering at least part of the first surface (11) of the textile layer (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the spikes make it possible to limit the points of contact with the heat source and to maintain a film of air between the heat source and the surface of the coating, thus greatly limiting heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2583574B1Thermal protection accessory
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 SPONTEX
  • EP2583574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2583574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2583574B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The accessory e.g. glove (1) has a textile layer (10) including an external surface and an internal surface, where a coating (20) covers a portion of the external surface of the textile layer. Barbs (30) are distributed on a surface of an area of the coating, where the textile layer includes glass fibers, metal fibers, or aramid fibers. The coating is made of a polymer of the family of nitriles, where the coating covers a palm (2), a lower part (3i), and a distal part (3d) of fingers (3) of the glove. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a thermal protective glove.