Patent Application
20250134194
The present invention relates generally to an elastomeric glove with a superimposed texture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a textured glove with stellate convex polygons and a synthetic latex formulation for producing the said textured glove.
When elastomeric gloves are wet and/or in contact with various oils and fluids, the reduced surface friction between the glove's contacting surfaces and an object results in a less firm and weak grip. One of the ways to address this issue is to increase friction by adding texture to the grasp surfaces of the elastomeric glove. To date, there have been several textured gloves proposed to improve the grip. Some of these examples are discussed in the following prior arts.
WO2021006719A1 discloses a glove with enhanced grip in handling dry, wet and/or oily objects. The glove consisting superimposed texture on an outer surface of the glove, wherein the superimposed texture is microtexture overlaid on macropattern such as honeycomb, fish scale, zigzag, square, circle, wave, fan, star, et cetera.
U.S. Pat. No. 11,241,051B2 discloses an ambidextrous working glove having fish scale-textured inner and outer surfaces for providing advantageous grip properties. The textured inner surfaces of the glove include a series of islands surrounded by channels. The channels present on the inner surfaces facilitate the flow of sweat accumulated on the hands towards the glove's cuff area, potentially allowing it to drain towards the user gown/sleeve and over the object being handled. Furthermore, if the glove in use is facing downwards with the fingers facing in that direction, sweat would flow towards and accumulate at the fingertips, yielding user discomfort as well the glove film sliding over the fingers yielding deficiencies in manual dexterity and gripping.
US10993488B1 discloses a glove with gripping projections. The outer surface of the glove including a plurality of raised projections, wherein the base of each projection is a polyhedron with two parallel linear sides and two parallel curved sides. The projections allow a flow path for liquid to better escape from between the glove and an object being grasped.
The above-mentioned prior arts offer textured gloves with enhanced grip properties. Nevertheless, their texture patterns do not create continuous channels that allow fluid to be orderly diverted and channeled away from the outer surface of the glove in wet condition. The texture patterns of existing gloves such as honeycomb, fish scale, and diamond have only up to four sides. These patterns may have limited grip which can be further enhanced by the number of sides and contact surface area on the patterns for better friction and grip. Further, these patterns do not feature angles which can widened when a frictional force is applied. Moreover, the gloves in the prior art do not provide a synthetic latex formulation that can produce a soft and durable textured glove that can enhance the user's experience in terms of comfortability and dexterity during work operation. Furthermore, they do not provide the synthetic formulation that can synergize with the texture pattern of the glove to promote sweat absorption on the glove's inner surface. Accordingly, there is still a need in the art to optimize the texture pattern of the glove for enhancing grip, fluid diverting and channeling, as well as to provide a synthetic latex formulation for enhancing the flexibility and sweat absorption of the textured glove.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a textured glove with stellate convex polygons having a unique geometry for enhancing grip in wet and dry conditions.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a textured glove with channels for diverting and channeling fluid away from the outer surface of the textured glove in wet conditions.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a synthetic latex formulation that is capable of producing a soft and durable textured glove with enhanced flexibility, thereby improving user's experience in terms of comfort and dexterity.
It is further an objective of the present invention to provide a synthetic latex formulation that is capable of synergizing with the texture pattern of the glove to promote sweat absorption on the glove's inner surface.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a synthetic latex formulation that can offer improved permeation resistance superior to other latex based gloves such as natural rubber gloves and meeting at least type B categorization as per EN 374-1 standard.
Accordingly, these objectives may be achieved by following the teachings of the present invention. The present invention discloses an elastomeric glove comprising a superimposed texture provided on a surface of the elastomeric glove, including front and back of a palm region, a thumb region and fingers region, characterized in that the superimposed texture comprises multiple units of a stellate convex polygon distributed on the surface of the elastomeric glove, with a tip at the center and folded at intersects of the polygon for gripping, diverting and channeling fluid away from the surface of the elastomeric glove.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a non-superimposed texture portion is provided on a region between the palm region and the thumb region.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the superimposed texture provided on the thumb region is divided into a left texture region and a right texture region, encompassing a front surface and a back surface of the elastomeric glove (10).
According to an embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric glove comprises channels which are formed between the multiple units of the stellate convex polygon.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the stellate convex polygon comprises a plurality of outward-facing corner vertices and plurality of inward-facing vertices, with equal sides connecting each of the outward-facing corner vertices to adjacent inward-facing vertices, wherein each of the plurality of inward-facing vertices has an exterior angle of 138 to 146 degrees, and each of the plurality of outward-facing corner vertices has an interior angle of 46 to 52 degrees.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the stellate convex polygon comprises a protruding textured pattern that corresponds to a depressed textured pattern on an inner surface of the elastomeric glove.
The present invention also discloses a synthetic latex formulation for producing the elastomeric glove. The formulation comprises combination of a base polymer, pH adjuster, crosslinker, vulcanizing agent, accelerator, antifoam, opacity enhancer and pigment.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the base polymer of the latex formulation comprises any one or combination of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber latex, polyisoprene latex, styrene butadiene rubber latex, polychloroprene latex, polyurethane rubber.
According to another aspect, the present invention discloses a glove former for producing an elastomeric glove, comprising a former surface debossed with multiple units of a stellate convex polygon for imparting a protruding textured pattern of the stellate convex polygon on the elastomeric glove.
The manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawing illustrates only typical embodiments of this invention and is therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:
The present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim. As used throughout this description, the words “a” or “an” mean “at least one”. Language such as “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” or “involving,” and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term “comprising” is considered synonymous with the terms “including” or “containing” for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, materials, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition.
The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments so that this disclosure will completely and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention proposes a texture pattern for an elastomeric glove (10) that enhances grip in wet and dry conditions, diverts and channels fluid away from an outer surface of the elastomeric glove (10) in wet conditions.
Referring to the drawings as shown in
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the fingers region includes an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger with the superimposed texture extending from the palm region to the fingers region. However, unlike the fingers region, the superimposed texture does not extend from the palm region all the way to the thumb region. This creates a non-superimposed-textured portion between the palm region and the thumb region. More particularly, the thumb's upper region is covered with the superimposed texture, whereas the lower region is not covered with the superimposed texture, wherein the covered region is divided into left and right textured regions. The left and right textured regions encompass the front and back surfaces of the elastomeric glove (10), which includes both sides of the thumb region that face towards and away from the four fingers. Between the left and right textured region, there is a central region that remains texture-free. This design takes into account the user's thumb comfort and greater stability in gripping objects allowing greater indexing with textured contact surfaces at the thumb. Such indexing has not been a feature of any prior arts and creates a further unique aspect of this invention.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the multiple units of the stellate convex polygon (20) are distributed on the outer surface of the elastomeric glove (10), wherein the stellate convex polygon (20) comprises a protruding textured pattern that corresponds to a depressed textured pattern on an inner surface of the elastomeric glove (10). As shown in
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric glove (10) comprises a non-superimposed-textured portion on the central region of the thumb tip, finger tips region, a region between the thumb and the index finger, a region between each of the four fingers, and a region that the little finger facing away from the four fingers, wherein the region between the thumb and the index finger, and the region between each of the four fingers include finger crotches region. The non-superimposed-textured portion can be clearly observed from
The present invention also proposes a synthetic latex formulation to produce the elastomeric glove (10), which is soft and durable.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the latex formulation comprises a combination of a base polymer, pH adjuster, crosslinker, vulcanizing agent, accelerator, antifoam, opacity enhancer and pigment.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the base polymer comprises acrylonitrile butadiene rubber latex, polyisoprene latex, styrene butadiene rubber latex, polychloroprene latex, polyurethane rubber or any combination thereof. More preferably, the base polymer is acrylonitrile butadiene rubber latex in an amount of 100.0 phr. The acrylonitrile butadiene rubber latex contains hydrophilic carboxylic acid groups which can assist in absorbing sweat generated by hands during work operation.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pH adjuster comprises potassium hydroxide, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide or any combination thereof in a range of 0.50 to 1.80 phr to adjust the pH within a range of 10 to 11.5. More preferably, the pH adjuster is potassium hydroxide in an amount of 1.0 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the crosslinker is preferably but not limited to zinc oxide in a range of 0.60 to 2.0 phr. More preferably, zinc oxide is in an amount of 1.10 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vulcanizing agent is preferably but not limited to sulphur in a range of 0.40 to 1.40 phr. More preferably, sulphur is in an amount of 0.80 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the accelerator comprises thiazoles, guinadines, amines, thioureas, dithiocarbamates, xanthates, thiurams, sulfonamides or any combination thereof in an amount of 0.40 to 1.40 phr. More preferably, the accelerator is zinc diethyl dithiocarbamate in an amount of 0.80 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the antifoam is water-based antifoams in a range of 0.01 to 0.04 phr. More preferably, the water-based antifoam is in an amount of 0.02 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the opacity enhancer is preferably but not limited to titanium oxide in a range of 1.50 to 5.40 phr. More preferably, titanium oxide is in an amount of 3.45 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pigment is in a range of 0.20 to 0.50 phr. More preferably, the pigment is in an amount of 0.35 phr.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the latex formulation may further comprise surfactants, dispersants, clays, waxes, antioxidants, fillers, viscosity modifiers, rheology modifiers, functional additives or any combination thereof. The fillers are preferably but not limited to calcium carbonate, aluminum silicate or a combination thereof.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric glove (10) is produced by single-dipping or double-dipping. In the single-dipping process, a glove former is dipped into the above-mentioned synthetic latex formulation to coat a first latex layer on the glove former. In the double-dipping process, the glove former with the first latex layer is dipped into the same synthetic latex formulation again to coat a second latex layer on top of the first latex layer. The second latex layer may be chlorinated and/or treated with an additional polymer coating to enhance the user experience, making it easier to don the elastomeric glove (10) in both dry and wet conditions or to apply a skin-beneficial agent to the user's skin. Further, chlorination will roughen the surface of the elastomeric glove (10) which further enhances sweat absorption. The second latex layer is coated on the outer surface which when the elastomeric glove (10) is removed from the manufacturing line, the elastomeric glove (10) will be reversed and so becomes the inner surface of the elastomeric glove (10). Meanwhile, the first latex layer is coated on the inner surface which when the elastomeric glove (10) is removed from the manufacturing line, the elastomeric glove (10) will be reversed and so becomes the outer surface of the elastomeric glove (10). The above-mentioned formulation synergizes with the stellate convex polygon (20) texture to produce the elastomeric glove (10) with malleable and pliable properties. In other words, the soft and durable elastomeric glove (10) can be easily bent or changed shape according to the gripping object without breaking or cracking. This is because the material of the elastomeric glove (10) itself provides a certain level of suction to supplement the grip. Therefore, the elastomeric glove (10) of the present invention is capable of providing a comfortable wearing experience to the user while allowing the user nimbly and firmly handle the object.
The present invention further proposes the glove former for producing the elastomeric glove (10) with the stellate convex polygon (20) texture. More particularly, the surface of the glove former is debossed with multiple units of the stellate convex polygon (20). When the glove former is dipped into the synthetic latex formulation, the latex layer facing the glove former will be imparted with the protruding textured pattern of the stellate convex polygon (20), while the latex layer facing away from the glove former will receive the corresponding depressed textured pattern. When the elastomeric glove (10) is stripped from the glove former and reversed, the latex layer with the protruding textured pattern becomes the outer surface of the elastomeric glove (10), and the latex layer with the depressed textured pattern becomes the inner surface of the elastomeric glove (10).
Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be provided for more detailed explanation. The advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect from this example. However, it is also to be understood that the following example is not to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
Table 1 shows the latex formulation for producing the elastomeric glove (10) with the first latex layer, which forms as the outer and inner surfaces of the elastomeric glove (10), for gripping objects.
The coefficient of friction tests were conducted in dry and wet conditions to compare the static and dynamic friction loads of the elastomeric glove (10) with the stellate convex polygon (20) of the present invention and the conventional textured gloves with different patterns including the fishscale pattern and diamond pattern. The tests were conducted according to ASTM D1894 standard requirement. The results of the tests are presented in the following tables.
According to the result in Table 2, the elastomeric glove (10) with the stellate convex polygon (20) of the present invention showed 21% increase in static friction and 31% increase in dynamic friction compared to the conventional textured glove A (fishscale pattern) in dry condition. The stellate convex polygon (20) of the present invention showed 11% and 10% increase in static friction and dynamic friction respectively compared to the conventional textured glove B (diamond pattern) in dry condition.
In wet condition, the elastomeric glove (10) with the stellate convex polygon (20) of the present invention showed 9% increase in static friction and 10% increase in dynamic friction compared to the conventional textured glove B (diamond pattern). The elastomeric glove (10) with the stellate convex polygon (20) of the present invention showed 3% increase in static friction and 6% increase in dynamic friction compared to the conventional textured glove B (diamond pattern) in wet condition.
The gripping performance of the gloves was evaluated using a torque meter, following the ASTM F2961-22 standard requirements. Quantitative measurements were taken of individuals wearing gloves while gripping and twisting a smooth cylindrical rod attached to a torque meter. The test subjects performed the task with bare hands, the gloves of the present invention, and conventional gloves, each for five repetitions. The maximum torque readings from the torque meter were recorded for each set of five repetitions. The bare-handed control value is calculated as follows:
As can be seen from the tests data, the gloves of the present invention showed highest bare-handed control value (BHCV %) as compared to conventional textured gloves (fishscale and diamond patterns), indicating that the gloves of the present invention have better gripping performance as compared to the conventional texture gloves.
The gloves were tested according to the SATRA TM437: 2011 standard, which involves a subjective assessment of grip and control during various actions. Tests were conducted under three conditions: dry, wetted with water, and wetted with a 5% washing detergent solution. The glove performance was evaluated by assigning a score from 0 to 4 for each of total 6 questions in accordance with Table 4A below. The tests were conducted in triplicates, and the summed scores for each condition are presented in Table 4B.
It can be seen from the test results that the subjective scores of the invention received highest mean score compared to other type of gloves, which suggested that the grip and dexterity of the gloves of the present invention is superior compared to other conventional textured gloves.
The results above indicate that the texture pattern and the latex formulation proposed in the present invention are feasible for enhancing gripping properties of the elastomeric glove (10).
Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to provide broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claim.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/593,587 filed on Oct. 27, 2023 under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e), the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63593587 | Oct 2023 | US |
