Patent Application
20240349831
Multiple glove manufacturing technologies exist to produce various types of gloves. One technique includes knitting gloves with textiles to give desired properties. Other techniques include dipping gloves with or without textile liners to provide properties such as grip, chemical resistance, and increased durability. Typical multi-functional gloves are offered with at least one but typically combinations of multiple use requirements:
Many industrial and heavy equipment operations and applications require a work glove with multiple properties. An example of this is a glove that is both chemical and cut resistant. Current manufacturing techniques are limited when multiple properties are required. For example, dipping a cut resistant liner with a polymer for chemical resistance is limited due to polymer penetration, which makes the glove unusable, stiff, and uncomfortable. The resulting glove is often compromised with respect to performance and can result in reduced cut resistance or reduced chemical resistance.
Available techniques for glove manufacture include bonding multiple gloves made by different processes. Some current market products are manufactured with a complex robotic receiving mould and air inflation bonding technology. The drawbacks to such apparatus and method include the complexity, cost and difficulty in operation. For example, a multiple function glove manufactured with a current process uses air pressure inflation during the bonding of an inner liner layer and an exterior functional glove. The inner liner layer is a receiving glove that receives the exterior functional glove. The assembly process applies an adhesive to the liner, or receiving glove. The liner then receives the second layer, or exterior functional glove. A nozzle coupled to a supply of pressurized air injects pressurized into the cavity of the liner glove assembled to the exterior glove. The air pressure inflates the assembled liner glove and exterior glove for pressing the liner glove against the exterior glove. The pressurized assembly is heated to activate the adhesive and bond the two layer together as an assembled glove. Challenges to bonding multiple layers include the mechanics of bringing the multiple layers together into a usable glove. Challenges include getting the complex 3-dimensional geometry including fingers and crotches together without wrinkling. The tacky surface of the receiving glove increases the complexity since the additional layer will not easily slide across the tacky surface.
Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for an improved method and apparatus for assembling a first layer glove and a second layer glove as a multi-layer glove. It is to such that the present invention is directed.
This invention meets the need in the art by providing a novel mechanical process that brings two gloves of a liner and an exterior together as a secured-together bonded glove of multiple layers without using an air inflation method. The invention brings a surface of the first (liner) glove and second (exterior) glove together smoothly without resistance or wrinkling, resulting in no decreased comfort or function for the finished glove during use for glove purposes. The invention uses a slide-from-tip application apparatus and method to roll together the opposing surfaces of the liner glove and the exterior glove that has an open tacky adhesive coating for receiving the liner glove and bondingly securing the liner glove to the exterior glove upon cure. The present invention also uses a novel technique to apply an external pressure to facilitate bonding the multiple layers while heating to cure the adhesive coating. Also, a heating of the assembled glove helps to further melt the adhesive into a liner of a textile material and accelerate cross-linking and curing of the adhesive layer to bond the opposing surfaces. The adhesive requires about 24-72 hours to completely cure, but the heating helps to accelerate the process as well flow the adhesive for joinder of the opposing surfaces of the joined glove layers.
The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a glove comprising a first glove and a second glove of a protective material overlying the first glove. An adhesive coating layer intermediate the first glove and the second glove bondingly secures the first glove and the second glove together. The adhesive coating layer comprises a tacky adhesive with an open time between an application to the second glove and a cure, whereby the second glove, having received the application of the adhesive layer, rollingly receives respective portions of the first glove while tacky before cure.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling a protective glove, comprising the steps of:
In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for assembly of a glove, comprising a first form for receiving a first glove and having five spaced-apart digital carriers with each of the digital carriers receiving a respective digital portion of the first glove and a second form for receiving second glove. The first form attaches to a frame, and the first form is movable from a first position with the digital carriers remote from but aligned with respective digital portions of the second form to a second position with the digital portions of the first glove rollingly received on a respective digital portion of the second glove from a respective digital tip to a crotch portion of the second glove. Pulling a cuff portion of the first glove longitudinally past the respective crotch portions of the second glove brings a palm portion and the cuff portion of the first glove into contacting alignment with the second glove. An apparatus for applying a coating of a tacky adhesive with an open time on an outward surface of the second glove, whereby the adhesive coating bonds the first glove and the second glove together upon cure of the adhesive coating.
Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like identifiers,
The tacky adhesive coating 14 in accordance with the present invention has a long open period of tackiness between application of the adhesive coating to a surface of the exterior glove 16 held inverted on a form (discussed below) and a cure whereby the adhesive coating is no longer tacky but bonds the liner glove 12 and the exterior glove 16 together securely and uniformly. The assembly apparatus and the method disclosed herein advantageously rolls the liner glove into engaging contact with the open tacky surface of the adhesive coating as a first form holding the liner glove moves relative to a second form holding the exterior glove. The tacky adhesive coating having a long open period to cure enables smoothing of the liner glove to remove wrinkles during rolling attachment of the liner glove.
The tacky adhesive is a reactive hot melt adhesive that remains tacky for a long period from application to final cure, for example, of at least one minute, preferably to about 10 minutes, more preferably to about 60 minutes, and more preferably with a final cure to about 3 days. The tacky adhesive uses warm temperature application and ambient curing over an extended period (up to 3 days). The ambient curing may be facilitated in low ambient humidity (<50{circumflex over ( )}%) with supplemental moisture, to provide a bonding of the liner glove and the exterior glove. The cured bonding exhibits resistance to low and high temperatures, solvents, and moisture. A tacky adhesive useful with the present invention is TORA TT 1001 reactive hot melt adhesive available from Selic Corp Public Company Limited, of Bangkok, Thailand. Such tacky adhesive is a polyurathene having a viscosity of about 2,500 cps at 120° C., with an open time of between about 50 to 60 minutes, and complete cure within 1 to 3 days, applied at an operating temperature of about 100° C. to 170° C. Also, a heating of the assembled glove helps to further melt the adhesive relative to the liner glove, and accelerate cross-linking and curing of the adhesive layer to bond to the opposing surfaces of the liner glove and the exterior glove. For example, an embodiment makes the inner liner of a textile material and the heating of the assembled glove helps the adhesive to flow into the interstices of the textile material. The adhesive useful with the present invention with a long open time may take about 24 hours-72 hours to completely cure for bonding the opposing layers of the inner glove and the exterior gloves together, but the heating helps to accelerate the curing process as well as all facilitate uniform adhesive coverage over the surfaces, for example, of the textile portion in such embodiment.
Other multi-layer gloves may be similarly assembled. These include as examples and not limitation, exterior gloves manufactured for providing chemical resistance, woven fabrics that are cut-resistant, that offer thermal resistance. Work and industrial gloves find uses in a range of trade and industries requiring multiple features, including oil and refinery facilities, manufacturing, construction, heavy equipment operation and servicing, and surgical gloves requiring puncture resistance with fluids repellant or impermeable barrier. Multiple layer gloves may be assembled for particular industrial applications, such as a first layer of a textile material for positioning adjacent skin, a second layer of a temperature resistant material, and a third layer of an exterior working material for chemical and impact resistance.
The assembly apparatus and process inverts the glove layers 16, 12 for assembly. The exterior layer 16 is innermost during assembly and attachingly receives the inner layer 12 as a covering layer in contact with the adhesive coating 14. The assembly of the multiple layer glove 10 is then reversed inside-out for proper relation of the second glove exterior layer 16 outwardly and the first glove inner layer 12 inwardly, for glove use purposes.
The liner glove 12 loads onto a first form in a loading apparatus discussed below so that the desired surface to bond with the exterior glove 16 is outwardly of the apparatus. The liner glove 12 after positioning on the first form alternatively may be pre-treated with an adhesive or other material to assist in bonding. The loading apparatus includes a first form with five spaced-apart digital carriers that receive the respective fingers and thumb portions of the liner glove 12. (The term “digital carrier” refers to the portion of the loading apparatus that receives the thumb and finger portions of the liner glove 12. The term “thumb” refers to the first digit of a human hand, set apart and opposable to the other four digits of the hand and separated along a palm edge at finger crotches or gaps between the adjacent digits. Appendages such as fingers and thumbs are digits.)
The second glove, or exterior glove 16, is placed on a conforming former, or a second form 22, of the same size without wrinkling. The second form 22 has the structure of a human hand with fingers and thumb and forearm for conformingly receiving the exterior glove 16.
Next, the adhesive 14 featuring a long open period for cure, such as a hot melt, water-based, or solvent-based adhesive, is applied to the outer glove 16 held on the second form 22. The available methods typically includes spray, dip, or brush application. (After assembly of the inner glove 12 onto the open adhesive coating 14 on the exterior glove 16, the adhesive then dries or cures, by either air or heat to remove moisture and bond the opposing liner glove 12 and the exterior glove 16 together.)
The loading apparatus with the first form carrying the liner glove 12 is positioned to align the digital carriers with the digital extensions of the second form 22. The loading apparatus is moved downwardly, to engage the first glove 12 (liner glove 12) with the second glove 16 (exterior glove 16). The loading apparatus is pushed down, to engage the distal end of the respective digital carriers with the respective digital extension of the second form. This brings the liner glove 12 into contact with the adhesive coating 14, starting with the respective finger tips. Continuing the relative movement, the digital carriers move towards the palm portion. As each digital carrier moves, the carried portion of the liner glove rolls onto the coated digital portion of the exterior glove 16. The inner passageway defined by the digital carrier receives the respective digital portion of the second form 22. This moving/rolling placement of the respective portions of the liner 12 onto contacting attachment to the exterior glove 16 continues towards the palm portion. This relative movement of the digital carrier applies and rolls the liner outwardly of the digital carrier onto and overlying the receiving portions in the respective digital portions of the exterior glove starting from the finger tips down to and proximately past the finger crotch. The long open adhesive holds the liner glove but yet allows slight adjusting by a technician of the respective portions of the liner to smooth wrinkles during application of the liner glove positioning in alignment with respective portions of the exterior glove.
Once the first form moves past the digital crotches (the lateral edges of the palm between adjacent fingers and thumb), the cuff portion of the liner is pulled over the respective forearm portion of the glove 16 on the second form 22. This thereby inverts the remaining portions of the liner glove 12 as a transfer step to move into contacting engagement with the glove 16 for positioning the palm portion, the forearm portion, and the cuff portion in adhering contact between the liner and the exterior gloves.
The assembled exterior glove 16 and liner 12 are thereby attached together by the long open adhesive coating. Minor and slight relative movement of the liner 12 may be accomplished to remove wrinkles and smooth the liner. The assembly of the glove 10 is then allowed to cure whereby the bonding of the adhesive secures the multi-layers together.
In an alternate practice of the assembly process, a pressure layer maybe installed to apply compression onto the glove surface to push the liner 14 firmly and uniformly against the exterior glove 16 held on the second form 22. The pressure layer in an embodiment consists of a tight resilient glove of similar shape, such as a rubber glove or a resilient textile glove. The pressure layer is installed on the second form including the respective digital carriers. The second form is then moved to roll the pressure layer over the liner 14 in the manner discussed above from the digital (finger and thumb) tips to the palm and further through the forearm and cuff portions. The pressure layer as a conforming glove shape applies continuous pressure on the liner pressing the liner against the receiving exterior glove layer. The pressure provided from the pressure layer has a modulus of about 5 to 15 megapascals at 100% elongation.
In an alternate practice, the firm contacting of the liner 12 to the exterior glove 16 during curing is accomplished by placing the assembled glove in a pressure vessel and applying vacuum compression for a period sufficient for cure of the adhesive to securely bond the multiple layers. The pressure vessel may comprise a vacuum poly bag.
In an alternate aspect of the assembly process, the assembled glove product may be heated to a temperature, normally 70° C. to 150° C., to induce the adhesive coating to cure. The curing adhesive and (alternatively, under pressure), the exterior glove 16 and the inner liner 14 adhere and bond securely together. The heating step occurs for a short period of time, of about 30 to 180 seconds, to ensure complete and secure bonding. A target temperature of the bonding surfaces during such curing event is typically 50° C. to 130° C. An oven preheated to about 70° C. to 170° C. facilities this alternative curing for the adhesive coating to bond the layers securely. The assembled product is then cooled to ambient, typically room, temperature or through accelerated cooling, such as by cooled air or a cool water bath, to harden the adhesive and prevent separation. Typically, the target cool down temperature is between 25° C. to 50° C.
In an alternative, a “fast cool” bath may be gainfully used to reduce the adhesive temperature to below 20° C., thus increasing the viscosity and hardness. This allows removal of the assembled glove 16 from the second form 22 without disrupting the adhesion bonding of the opposing layers. However, the wrist area may experience elongation such as up to about 50%, when pulled over the thumb and can result in wrinkling if the adhesive coating 14 is too fluid or of a low viscosity.
The pressure glove layer (if used) is removed. The finished assembled glove 10 is then removed from the second form 22. This may be accomplished by rolling the glove 10 off of the first form. Alternatively, a supplemental assist of pressurized air may be directed between the second form 22 and the exterior glove 16 to assist straight-off removal. The assembled finished glove 16 is then re-verted to position the multi-layer assemble with the exterior glove 16 outwardly as shown in
The liner loading apparatus consists of a pipe or multiple spaced-apart bars defining passageway for receiving the digital extensions of the second form 22, with or without rollers to allow the liner 12 to slide or roll smoothly across the surface of the pipe while the liner loading apparatus moves relative to the exterior glove 16 held on the second form 22, and thereby cause the liner to contact the coating layer 14 for attaching to the exterior glove, which liner inverts during application.
With continuing reference to
The glove 16 assembles by aligning the five digital carriers 52 of the first form 50 with the five digit members extending from the second form 22. The digital carriers 52 move relative to the second form 22 between a first position aligned with and spaced from the second form 22 and a second position with the digital carriers 52 engaging and receiving the digital members in the respective passageways of the tubes that define the digital carriers. During movement, each digital carrier 52 receives inwardly a respective digital member of the second form 22. The inner liner 12 carried outwardly on the digital carriers 52 moves rollingly onto the coated exterior glove 16 as the distal end of the respective tube (or digital carrier) moves longitudinally on the digital member towards the palm portion. The inner liner 16 rolls from the distal end of the digital carrier 52 and contacts and attaches to the adhesive coating 14. The distal ends of the digital carriers reach the crotches between the adjacent digital portions of the exterior glove 16 on the second form 22. The cuff at the distal end of the forearm of the liner 12 is then pulled over the palm portion of the second form 22 and extended relative to the second form 22 to bring the palm portion and the forearm portion of the liner glove 12 into contact with respective portions of the exterior glove 16 held on the second form. The coating layer 14 bonds the liner glove 12 to the exterior glove 16. Upon cure as discussed above, the assembled glove 10 is removed from the second form 22.
With continued reference to
As shown in detail view in
With continuing reference to
The following succinctly characterizes features disclosed of the of the present invention of the assembled glove, the apparatus for assembly of the glove, and the process for assembly of the glove.
1A. A glove with multiple layers with separate functions.
1B. The glove of paragraph 1A, wherein an outer layer provides a chemical resistant function.
1C. The glove of paragraph 1A, wherein an outer layer provides an abrasion resistant function.
1D. The glove of paragraph 1A, wherein one or more inner layers include a cut resistant textile liner.
1E. The glove of paragraph 1A, wherein one or more inner layers include a thermal resistant textile liner.
2A. An apparatus to apply an inner layer to an outer glove easily and free from wrinkles.
2B. The apparatus of paragraph 2A, wherein a series of smooth pipes carries each finger or digit, each with a length of 3 inches to 18 inches and a diameter of 3/.4 inch to 2 inches, used to invert the liner over the receiving outer layer without wrinkles.
2C. The apparatus of paragraph 2B, wherein the pipes are spliced in half or more to allow the pipes to open and close along a travel of the finger or digit and palm surfaces of the outer glove.
2D. The apparatus of paragraph 2C, wherein a spring is attached to the upper part of the spliced pipes to keep the pipe surfaces near the receiving outer glove surface during application of the inner glove thereto.
2E. The apparatus of paragraph 2B, wherein an end roller, with a 1 mm to 15 mm diameter, is attached to roll the textile liner and allow for smooth inversion.
2F. The apparatus of paragraph 2B, further comprising multiple rollers, with a 1 mm to 15 mm diameter, positioned along the pipes or rods to assist in rolling the textile liner during inversion application
2G. The apparatus of paragraph 2A, wherein a series of smooth rods for each finger are used to invert the liner over the receiving outer layer without wrinkles.
2H. The apparatus of paragraph 2G, wherein an end roller is attached to roll the textile liner and allow for smooth inversion.
2I. The apparatus of paragraph 2G, wherein multiple rollers are positioned along the pipes or rods to assist in rolling the textile liner during inversion application
3A. The use of a pressure layer to add constant force to the multiple layers during the bonding process.
In embodiments for which a working exterior surface of the exterior glove 16 exterior differs from the opposing glove surface, such as by treatment, texturizing, embossing, impact resistant projections, or other differentiating structure, the outer glove is positioned inverted on the first form so that such exterior surface is inwardly relative to the first form.
Multiple layer gloves may readily be assembled with the foregoing disclosed apparatus and method. For example, a glove may have a chemical resistance exterior glove layer and work requirements call for the glove to also have cut resistance. A first liner formed of a cut resistant fabric such as woven metallic threads may first be received on the coated adhesive layer on the exterior glove held on the first form. The coating may exude through the weave, or alternatively, additional adhesive may be applied as a coating on the received first liner. After assembly, a second first liner of a cloth fiber weave may than be installed in overlying contacting relation to the first liner of the assembled glove using the assembly apparatus discussed above, for an assembled three-layer glove.
Further, the apparatus and method of the present invention readily provides for assembly of industrial gloves in which each layer enables one or more protective properties. In the illustrative embodiment of
It thus is seen that an apparatus and process for assembly of multi-layer liner and exterior gloves is now provided which overcomes problems associated with the prior art. While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many modifications, additions, and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention recited in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/238,806 filed Aug. 31, 2021, entitled “Gloves & Method Of Manufacture”, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/042014 | 8/30/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63238806 | Aug 2021 | US |
