1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to gloves and, more particularly, to gloves comprising cut-resistant yarns and fibers in selected zones.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gloves are used in many industries and households to protect the hands of users. Many gloves are designed for specific applications, for example, cut resistant gloves for use in the food services industries. Cut resistant yarns are also used in gloves for other industries, such as laborers who use power tools, saws, work with sheet metal, and the like. However, many such gloves are over-engineered by having, for example, cut-resistant yarns knitted throughout an entire glove, although cut resistance is not needed in all areas of the glove. Furthermore, cut-resistant yarns are often more bulky and inflexible, producing a glove that is not thin, dextrous, flexible, or comfortable enough for a given use. Also, gloves often require chemical, heat, flame, abrasion, and impact resistance, among other properties, requiring the incorporation of additional yarns within a glove. In addition, engineering yarns are expensive, and incorporating such yarns in areas of a glove where not needed is wasteful. Designing gloves for such applications can, however, prove to be challenging with a balance of properties in mind and past attempts have failed at providing such gloves. Therefore, gloves having an enhanced balance of desirable properties in various regions or zones of gloves would represent an advance in the art.
Embodiments of the invention comprise knitted gloves including, for example, a cut-resistant yarn in at least one knitted zone of a glove and further optionally including one or more yarns knitted into other knitted zones of the glove, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an exemplary embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
So that 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 be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is also to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be found in other embodiments without further recitation and that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise knitted liners having at least one knitted zone. Optionally, many knitted liners comprise a plurality of zones. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one zone comprises vertically knitted courses and includes a cut resistant yarn. Also, some liners comprise zones having a second yarn that exhibits a second desired property, for example, flexibility, abrasion resistance, heat resistance, moisture management, and the like. In some embodiments of the invention, a second yarn is plaited with a main yarn in one or more zones of the liner, creating a second layer of yarn in the one or more zones, which may also comprise vertically knitted courses. The zones of a liner in which, for example, a cut resistant yarn is knitted may be defined by an end use of a glove.
A liner may be knitted by conventional knitting processes, typically having knitted courses disposed horizontally to a longitudinal axis of the liner, comprising various yarns of certain deniers and gauges. Alternatively, one or more zones of a liner may be knitted vertically, as discussed in more detail below. In other words, the courses of the knitted glove run along the longitudinal axis of the glove (e.g., the axis from the center of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger). Because the various zones of gloves can be knitted vertically, many different designs for zones of a liner are possible. For example, the palm side and backhand side of a knitted liner need not be the same, creating greater design options. Additionally, a glove may comprise liners having knitted courses that include both vertically and horizontally knitted courses. Furthermore, some gloves in accordance with embodiments of the present invention comprise a three-dimensional aspect. For example, liners in accordance with some embodiments of the invention comprise tapered zones having a variable thickness, knitted ridges, and like structures on a knitted liner in a z-direction with respect to horizontally and vertically knitted courses.
Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be specified for specific end uses. For example, a glove intended for use by some food-service employees comprises a cut resistant yarn in selected zones of the liner chosen to protect a user who is using a knife. For example, cut resistant yarns may be specified for the fingertips while comprising a flexible yarn for comfort and dexterity in other zones of the liner. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention include a glove intended for use by a food-service employees who use sharp knives and grab hot pan handles, which comprises a cut-resistant yarn in one region of the glove and a heat- and/or flame-resistant yarn in another region, such as on the palm or a chemical- or oil-resistant yarn on the backhand.
Furthermore, because each hand is performing a different function, a glove for each hand may be tailored to the function. In other words, the glove for the hand holding the knife may comprise a cut resistant yarn in one zone of the glove, for example, the index and middle fingers, while the other glove, the “off” hand glove, which may be holding an item to be cut, comprises a cut resistant yarn in a different zone, for example, the tips of the thumb and index finger, and/or wrist. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention comprise yarns having different colors, providing visual indicia of the specific type of protection, i.e., cut-resistance, chemical-resistance, flexibility, or the like, a zone within the glove offers. For example, a user can be made aware that, for example, a yellow yarn represents cut-resistance while a black yarn indicates heat-resistance. A user can therefore choose a glove having those properties in zones of the glove as needed for a specific task.
Embodiments of the invention may also comprise where any of the upper palm 312, lower palm 314, or cuff 316 have an additional plaited layer disposed therein. Furthermore, liner 300 may comprise a polymeric coating disposed on parts of the fingers, thumb, palm, knuckles, and the like (not shown). Also, liner 300 may optionally comprise a cuff 316 knit with an elastic yarn or having a size-adjustment, for example, by a hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO® attachment or clasp and strap (not shown).
The additional plaited layer may be plaited into the main body yarn in several ways. For example, the additional plaited layer can be formed by changing the main yarn to the additional cut resistant yarn while varying stitch dimensions, for example, yarn tension. The tension of the yarn may be varied by adjusting the tension of the yarn between a pinch roller and a knitting head by computer control of a knitting machine, as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,422, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Stitch dimensions can also be controlled by varying the depth of penetration of the knitting needle into the knitted liner 300, formed by the main yarn, and by casting off or picking up additional stitches in a knitted course. Additional plaited layer may also be formed by variable plaiting the additional cut resistant yarn on top of the main yarn while varying the tension of the plaited cut resistant yarn. Liners of this design may be formed with, for example and not by way of limitation, the SFG-I and NSFG model machines of Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. Substituting or plaiting one course at a certain tension forms a liner having additional cut resistance. Knitting two or more courses, such as three, four, five, etc., courses, provides a liner having an even greater density of additional plaited layer 330, thereby providing greater cut resistance.
The zones of any liner disclosed herein may be knitted with any known yarn or blends of yarns. Cut resistant yarns comprise, but are not limited to, steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylons, meta-aramids, para-aramids, NOMEX®, TWARON®, KEVLAR®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN®, and the like or any blend of the fibers and materials. The cut resistant yarns may also comprise be blended with other yarns to improve desirable properties, such as for fit and comfort. For example, stretchable yarns, including but not limited to SPANDEX® or LYCRA® may be included for flexibility, comfort, and fit. Also, yarns capable of moisture management, such as STA-COOL® polyesters, HYDROTEC®, AQUARIUS®, and DRYENERGY®, may be included to withdraw moisture and perspiration from the skin, creating a more comfortable glove. Such yarns have high wicking properties, which promote the transfer of moisture away from wet or sweaty skin to less wet areas or to reservoirs for eventual storage and/or evaporation, technologies that are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/538,638, filed on Jun. 29, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/571,569, filed on Jun. 30, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may further include yarns for chemical resistance, impact-resistance, flame-resistance, abrasion-resistance, and other desirable properties imparted by various yarns and/or structures. Modacrylic yarns and oxidized-polyacrylonitrile (OPAN), such as PANOX®, and ARSELON®, provide enhanced heat-resistance. Furthermore, any yarn may comprise one or more yarns, such as can be created by ring spun, rotor spun, friction spun, SIRO, braiding, and other processes for blending yarns.
Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be knitted using automatic seamless glove knitting machines. These seamless glove knitting machines include, but are not limited to, models NSFG, SFG-1, and SWG by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. The method of making knitted liners comprises using one or more continuous yarns and an array of knitting needles corresponding with the denier of the yarn. For example, when a second yarn is introduced as a plaited yarn, the same needle, which does the knitting of the glove, carries the first and second yarns together. When the selected zone of the glove is completed, the second yarn is cut off, while the first yarn continues the knitting process. Similarly, when knitting a different zone of the glove is being knitted, the second yarn may be added to the first yarn to create a knitted zone having both yarn fibers.
A commonly used knitting needle for knitting liners is a 15-gauge needle. Shima Seiki manufactures knitting machines that are capable of using finer knitting machine needle size, such as an 18-gauge needle. The gauge of the knitting machine needle corresponds with the denier of the yarn. For example, a needle of gauge 15 may be used to knit a liner having a 319 denier yarn. However, a needle of gauge 18 may be used to knit a liner having, for example, 70 to 221 denier yarn. Denier is defined as number of grams of a yarn having a length of 9000 meters. A liner knitted by an 18-gauge needle is approximately 30% lighter than a liner knitted with a 15-gauge needle. The small diameter of 221 denier yarn knitted with an 18-gauge needle also has higher packing density per square unit area, thereby presenting a smoother surface for polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating, as discussed below, resulting in a smoother, thinner coating. Other gauges and deniers may be 7, 10, or 12 gauge for knitting yarns up to, for example, 3000 denier.
Liners 100, 200, 300, 400, and other liners in accordance with embodiments of the invention, further comprise a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating disposed on all or part of the gloves. Also, embodiments of the invention comprise transparent or translucent polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coatings so that a glove in which indicia of properties provided by different colored yarns, as discussed above, may still be known to the user.
Knitted liners 100, 200, 300, and 400, as well as other liners according to embodiments of the invention, may have a coagulant disposed thereon before the coating is applied, such as calcium nitrate, calcium citrate, calcium chloride, other salts, and like coagulants known to those in the art. The coagulant may be disposed by dipping, spraying of other processes. The coagulant destabilizes the polymeric, elastomeric, or latex emulsion, causing the coating therefrom to set on the fabric of a liner, preventing strikethrough of the coating. Also, gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may further comprise coatings that are foamed (open cell or closed cell) or unfoamed. Additionally, coatings may be built up in layers or in varying thickness. In some embodiments of the invention, a liner having a coating disposed thereon may have a second coagulant disposed on the coating, which may then have a second layer of coating disposed thereon. The layers may comprise the same or different polymeric materials. Additionally, the coatings may further comprise textured surfaces (not shown). Open cell and closed cell foamed layers and/or textured coatings may impart additional friction during use, allowing superior gripability and safety properties, such as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,378,043, 7,771,644, and 8,001,809 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The following embodiments of the invention are exemplary. It is to be understood that any of the features of one embodiment can be incorporated within any preceding embodiment. Embodiments in accordance with the invention include a knitted glove having a palm side and a backhand side. Both the palm side and backhand side may comprise vertically knitted courses that are seamlessly knitted together.
In embodiments of the invention, either or both of the palm side and backhand side comprise zones, for example, knitted zones defining a thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, upper palm, lower palm, and cuff. Additionally, either of these zones may be further separated into sub zones. Any of these zones can comprise courses that are vertically knitted or horizontally knitted. And, contiguous zones can be knitted seamlessly together, even if one zone, for example, the palm side of the tip of an index finger has vertically knit courses and the corresponding backhand side of the tip of the index finger has horizontally knitted courses.
In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side and backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the palm side and backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as a flexible yarn, such as LYCRA® or SPANDEX®.
In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a cut resistant yarn, while the backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as SPANDEX® and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non cut resistant yarn such as SPANDEX®.
In embodiments of the invention, for example, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a cut resistant yarn and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a cut resistant yarn, while the backhand side of the little finger and ring finger may comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as SPANDEX® and the backhand side of the middle finger and index finger comprise a non cut resistant yarn such as SPANDEX®. The thumb optionally comprises a cut resistant yarn around, for example, 270 degrees of its lateral periphery (from around one side to the other, as opposed to from the base to the tip) and a flexible yarn the remaining 90 degrees.
In embodiments of the invention, the palm side of the little finger and ring finger and upper palm zone comprise a cut resistant yarn that follows a parabolic pattern toward the lower palm zone while the thumb, index finger and middle finger comprise a non-cut resistant yarn, such as a moisture-managing yarn. In embodiments of the invention, the backhand side comprises a yarn of the same type as on the palm side. In some embodiments, the backhand side comprises a different yarn than the palm side. In some embodiments, the pattern is not parabolic and defines a stepped pattern.
In embodiments of the invention, any yarn may have one or more yarns plaited within any stitch or any zone without regard for whether the stitches comprising the knitted courses are vertically or horizontally knit.
In some embodiments of the invention, for example, the gloves may include a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating, which may be disposed on the glove by spraying, dipping, and other processes.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/600,907, filed Feb. 20, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/735,881, filed Dec. 11, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61600907 | Feb 2012 | US | |
61735881 | Dec 2012 | US |