Patent Application
20240032628
The present invention relates generally to the field of gloves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a layered glove device preferably comprised of at least two layers having a first glove layer and a second glove layer inside the first glove layer. The first glove layer and second glove layer preferably differ in color and/or scent such that when a user is done using the first layer, the first layer can be removed via a pull tab to expose the second layer. Because the layers differ in color and/or scent, a user is aware they are now using the new, sterile layer and not the old, used layer of the prior color/scent. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Individuals use gloves in a variety of different settings such as at home, in an office, in medical settings, and in numerous other situations and professions. Users often wear gloves to prevent their hands from becoming dirty and/or contaminated. Further, a single pair of gloves must be changed multiple times if a user is doing a certain procedure or cleaning different areas. However, wearing the same pair of gloves continuously can lead to germs and bacteria being spread from area to area. In addition, constantly putting on clean gloves and removing them when contaminated can be frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming. Also, individuals may forget to change gloves as needed, which can also lead to the spread of bacteria and germs in addition to cross-contamination.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved glove. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that only requires that a user sterilize their hands once before changing gloves multiple times. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that eliminates the need for a user to put on a new set of gloves when an old set of gloves needs to be removed. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that alerts a user whether they are using a clean or old pair of gloves.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a layered glove device. The device is preferably comprised of at least two layers having a first glove layer and a second glove layer inside the first glove layer. The first glove layer and second glove layer preferably differ in color and/or scent. When a user is done using the first layer, the first layer can be removed via a pull tab to expose the second layer. Because the layers differ in color and/or scent, a user is aware they are now using the new, sterile layer and not the old, used layer of the prior color/scent.
In this manner, the layered glove device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an improved glove. Due to the multi-layer construction, the device only requires that a user sterilize their hands once before changing gloves multiple times and eliminates the need for a user to put on a new set of gloves when an old set of gloves needs to be removed. In addition, the different colors of each layer alert a user whether they are using a clean or old pair of gloves.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a layered glove device. The device is preferably comprised of at least two layers having a first glove layer and a second glove layer inside the first glove layer. The device may also be comprised of a third glove layer inside the second glove layer. The glove layers may be made from a plurality of materials such as, but are not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, natural latex, synthetic latex, nitrile, vinyl, etc. The glove layers may be any color known in the art, and preferably all differ in color.
Each glove layer is comprised of at least one finger area that receives a finger of a user and at least one thumb area that receives a thumb of a user. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the glove layer may have at least one grip area located on the finger, thumb, and/or palm area. The grip area is preferably comprised of a raised or grooved textured area that improves grip.
Each glove layer is also comprised of at least one opening that allows a user to insert their hand into the glove layer, wherein the opening preferably has at least one elastic cuff that tightens the opening around the wrist of a user. The opening and/or cuff may also have at least one pull tab that is fixedly attached to the opening and/or cuff to allow a user to easily remove a glove layer while keeping the other glove layers sterile by avoiding contact.
Each glove layer may differ in color and/or scent. In this manner, a user will be aware of what glove layer is currently being used as the outer layer of the device due to the color and/or scent of said layer. The colors and scents thereby provide a visual aid and an olfactory contrast that helps the user be more mindful about cross-contaminating areas preventing the usage of the first glove layer (that was used on a first area) from being used on a second area.
Accordingly, the layered glove device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved glove with a multi-layer construction that only requires that a user sterilize their hands once before changing gloves multiple times. In doing so, the device also eliminates the need for a user to put on a new set of gloves when an old set of gloves need to be removed. In addition, the different colors of each layer alert a user whether they are using a clean or old pair of gloves. In this manner, the layered glove device overcomes the limitations of existing gloves known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved glove. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that only requires that a user sterilize their hands once before changing gloves multiple times. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that eliminates the need for a user to put on a new set of gloves when an old set of gloves need to be removed. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a layered glove device that alerts a user whether they are using a clean or old pair of gloves.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a layered glove device preferably comprised of at least two layers having a first glove layer and a second glove layer inside the first glove layer. The device may also be comprised of a third glove layer inside the second glove layer. The glove layers may be made from a plurality of materials such as, but are not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, natural latex, synthetic latex, nitrile, vinyl, etc. The glove layers may be any color known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, each glove layer differs in color.
Each glove layer is also comprised of at least one finger area that receives a finger of a user and at least one thumb area that receives a thumb of a user. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the glove layer may have at least one grip area located on the finger, thumb, and/or palm area. The grip area is preferably comprised of a raised or grooved textured area that improves grip.
Each glove layer is also comprised of at least one opening that allows a user to insert their hand into the glove layer. The opening preferably has at least one elastic cuff that tightens the opening around the wrist of a user. In addition, the opening and/or cuff may also have at least one pull tab that is fixedly attached to the opening and/or cuff to allow a user to easily remove a glove layer while keeping the other glove layers sterile by avoiding contact.
Each glove layer may differ in color and/or scent. As a result, a user will be aware of what glove layer is currently being used as the outer layer of the device due to the color and/or scent of each layer. The colors and scents thereby provide a visual aid and an olfactory contrast that helps the user be more mindful about cross-contaminating areas by preventing the usage of the first glove layer (that was used on a first area) from being used on a second area.
Accordingly, the layered glove device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved glove with a multi-layer construction that only requires that a user sterilize their hands once before changing gloves multiple times. In doing so, the device also eliminates the need for a user to put on a new set of gloves when an old set of gloves need to be removed. In addition, the different colors of each layer alert a user whether they are using a clean or old pair of gloves. In this manner, the layered glove device overcomes the limitations of existing gloves known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first glove layer 200 is comprised of at least one finger area 210 that receives a finger of a user and at least one thumb area 220 that receives a thumb of a user. In one embodiment, the outer surface 202 of the glove layer 200 may have at least one grip area 212 located on the finger 210. In another embodiment, the glove layer 200 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 212 located on the thumb 220. Further, in one embodiment the glove layer 200 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 232 located on the palm 230 of the outer surface 202. The grip area(s) 212,222,232 is preferably comprised of a raised or grooved textured area that improves grip. The grip area 212,222,232 is preferably made from the same material as the rest of the glove layer 200. However, in one embodiment, the grip area 212,222,232 is made from a differing material such as, but not limited to, a non-slip rubber material. Said material can include, but is not limited to, natural rubbers, neoprene rubber elastomer, silicone rubber elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, buna-n rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber elastomers, Viton rubber elastomer, diaphragm rubber, thermoplastic rubber, etc.
The glove layer 200 is also comprised of at least one opening 240 that allows a user to insert their hand into the glove layer 200. The opening 240 preferably has at least one elastic cuff 242 that tightens the opening around the wrist of a user. The opening 240 and/or cuff 242 may also have at least one pull tab 250 that is fixedly attached to the opening 240 and/or cuff 242. The pull tab 250 allows a user to easily remove a glove layer 200 while keeping the other glove layers 300,400 sterile by avoiding contact.
The second glove layer 300 is comprised of at least one finger area 310 that receives a finger of a user and at least one thumb area 320 that receives a thumb of a user. In one embodiment, the outer surface 302 of the glove layer 300 may have at least one grip area 312 located on the finger 310. In another embodiment, the glove layer 300 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 312 located on the thumb 320. Further, in one embodiment the glove layer 300 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 332 located on the palm 330 of the outer surface 302. The grip area(s) 312,322,332 is preferably comprised of a raised or grooved textured area that improves grip. The grip area 312,322,332 is preferably made from the same material as the rest of the glove layer 300. However, in one embodiment, the grip area 312,322,332 is made from a differing material such as, but not limited to, a non-slip rubber material. Said material can include, but is not limited to, natural rubbers, neoprene rubber elastomer, silicone rubber elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, buna-n rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber elastomers, Viton rubber elastomer, diaphragm rubber, thermoplastic rubber, etc.
The glove layer 300 is also comprised of at least one opening 340 that allows a user to insert their hand into the glove layer 300. The opening 340 preferably has at least one elastic cuff 342 that tightens the opening around the wrist of a user. The opening 340 and/or cuff 342 may also have at least one pull tab 350 that is fixedly attached to the opening 340 and/or cuff 342. The pull tab 350 allows a user to easily remove a glove layer 300 while keeping the other glove layers 200,400 sterile by avoiding contact.
The third glove layer 400 is comprised of at least one finger area 410 that receives a finger of a user and at least one thumb area 420 that receives a thumb of a user. In one embodiment, the outer surface 402 of the glove layer 400 may have at least one grip area 412 located on the finger 410. In another embodiment, the glove layer 400 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 412 located on the thumb 420. Further, in one embodiment, the glove layer 400 may additionally or alternatively, have at least one grip area 442 located on the palm 440 of the outer surface 402. The grip area(s) 412,422,442 is preferably comprised of a raised or grooved textured area that improves grip. The grip area 412,422,442 is preferably made from the same material as the rest of the glove layer 400. However, in one embodiment, the grip area 412,422,442 is made from a differing material such as, but not limited to, a non-slip rubber material. Said material can include, but is not limited to, natural rubbers, neoprene rubber elastomer, silicone rubber elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, buna-n rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber elastomers, Viton rubber elastomer, diaphragm rubber, thermoplastic rubber, etc.
The glove layer 400 is also comprised of at least one opening 440 that allows a user to insert their hand into the glove layer 400. The opening 440 preferably has at least one elastic cuff 442 that tightens the opening around the wrist of a user. The opening 440 and/or cuff 442 may also have at least one pull tab 450 that is fixedly attached to the opening 440 and/or cuff 442. The pull tab 450 allows a user to easily remove a glove layer 400 while keeping the other glove layers 200,300 sterile by avoiding contact.
In one embodiment, each glove layer 200,300,400 differs in color. In this manner, a user will be aware of what glove layer 200,300,400 is currently being used as the outer layer of the device 100. By way of example, in one embodiment, the first glove layer 200 may be red, the second glove layer 300 may be blue, and the third glove layer 400 may be orange. A user can complete a first task using the first glove layer 200 and remove the first layer 200 using the tab 250 to expose the second layer 300. Because the second layer 300 is blue, a user knows they are no longer using the red first layer 200. This provides a visual that aids users in being more mindful about cross-contaminating areas by preventing the usage of the first glove layer 200 (that was used on a first area) from being used on a second area.
In addition, each layer 200,300,400 may have its own unique scent 205,305,405 that further helps a user easily distinguish between layers. The scent 205,305,405 is preferably impregnated within the material of each layer 200,300,400. The scent may include, but is not limited to, a natural food scent, an imitation food scent, a fragrance scent, a naturally occurring scent, a plant-based scent, a chemical scent, a natural flavoring scent, an imitation flavoring scent, etc.
By way of example, in one embodiment, the first glove layer 200 may have an apple scent, the second glove layer 300 may have a pine scent, and the third glove layer 400 may have a mint scent. A user can complete a first task using the first glove layer 200 and remove the first layer 200 using the tab 250 to expose the second layer 300. Because the second layer 300 is pine scented, a user knows they are no longer using the apple-scented first layer 200. This provides an olfactory contrast that aids users in being more mindful about cross-contaminating areas by preventing the usage of the first glove layer 200 (that was used on a first area) from being used on a second area. Further, in one embodiment, each glove layer 200, 300, 400 may differ in material to perform different tasks requiring different glove materials.
It should be appreciated that each layer 200,300,400 may differ in size and dimension to fit within one another and to allow the device 100 to be used. For example, the first layer 200 is shorter to allow the pull tab 350 of the second layer 300 to remain exposed while the first layer 200 is fitted over the second layer 300.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “layered glove device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the layered glove device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the layered glove device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the layered glove device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the layered glove device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the layered glove device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the layered glove device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/392,889, which was filed on Jul. 28, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63392889 | Jul 2022 | US |
