Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
INTERNATIONAL PCT APPLICATION
Title of Invention
PROTECTIVE GLOVE WITH ENHANCED EXTERIOR SECTIONS
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0am] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
14/657,081, filed
March 13, 2015, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/296,612, filed June 5,2014.
Technical Field and Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to fabric articles, such as gloves with
sections
having enhanced properties formed on the exterior surface of the glove. The
enhanced
sections can be areas on the exterior surface of the glove having superior
physical
properties, such as cut or abrasion resistance, in relation to the other parts
of the glove.
[0003] Often it is desirable for a single glove to be constructed of various
sections
having distinct properties. For
example, safety gloves often have an interior surface
layer comprised of a relatively soft yarn for the comfort of the wearer, and
an exterior
surface comprised of a relatively rough yarn providing cut resistance.
Plaiting (also
known as "plating") is a process that has been used to make such gloves.
Plaiting is a
process in which the fabric is produced from two yarns having different
properties or
characteristics. A primary yarn is placed on the outside (or face) of the
fabric, and the
plaiting yarn is placed on the inside (or back) of the fabric.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-28
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[0004] Prior art gloves constructed of plaited fabrics have required the yarn
with
enhanced properties to be plaited to the inside (back) of the fabric. When it
is desirable
because of cosmetic or functional requirements for the plaiting yarn to be on
the outside
of the glove, the glove must be inverted (turned inside out). Inverting is a
separate,
time-consuming operation done manually or on a special machine.
Summary of Invention
[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a glove
comprising a
plaited fabric, in which the plaiting yarn is plaited to the exterior surface
of the fabric.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric article, such
as a glove,
comprising sections having enhanced properties formed on the exterior surface
of the
glove. The enhanced sections can be areas on the exterior surface of the glove
having
superior physical properties, such as cut or abrasion resistance, in relation
to the other
parts of the glove. These and other objects of the invention can be obtained
in various
embodiments of the invention described below.
[0006] One embodiment of the invention comprises a protective glove comprising
a
primary yarn used to construct a palm section, and thumb, index finger, middle
finger,
ring finger and baby finger sections. The interior surface of the primary yarn
defines the
interior surface of the glove, and the exterior surface of the primary yarn
defines the
exterior surface of the glove. Enhanced sections are formed on the exterior
surface of
the glove, and the enhanced sections have at least one substantially enhanced
physical
characteristic in relation to the primary yarn.
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[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
formed by a secondary yarn plaited to portions of the exterior surface of the
primary
yarn.
[0ow] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
provide enhanced cut resistance, and the secondary yarn comprises at least one
material selected from the group consisting of ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene
and a hard particle-filled polyethylene fiber wherein the hard particles have
a MONS
hardness of greater than three.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
formed on portions of the index finger section, the middle finger section, the
ring finger
section and the baby finger section.
[0olo] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
formed on the palm section, the thumb section, the index finger section, and
the middle
finger section.
pain According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprising a first strand of fiberglass and a second strand of ultra-high
molecular
weight polyethylene, and at least one cover strand wrapped around the core.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, a first cover strand
of textured
polyester is wrapped around the core, and a second cover strand of textured
polyester
is wrapped around the core and the first strand of textured polyester.
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[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
provide enhanced resistance to abrasion, and the secondary yarn comprises a
strand of
flat nylon.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprised of a first strand of fiberglass and a second strand of ultra-
high molecular
weight polyethylene, and at least one cover strand comprising textured
polyester
wrapped around the core.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
provide enhanced gripping properties, and the secondary yarn is comprised of
latex
rubber, spandex, and/or micro-fiber polyester.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprising a first core strand comprised of fiberglass and/or flat
polyester, and a
second core strand comprised of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
and/or
stainless steel wire.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, a first cover strand
comprised
of textured polyester and/or stainless steel wire is wrapped around the core,
and a
second cover strand comprised of textured polyester is wrapped around the
first cover
strand and the core.
[cam According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
substantially rectangular and extend laterally across the palm section, the
thumb
section, and the finger sections of the glove.
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[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the secondary yarn
comprises
a retroreflective material, so that the enhanced sections provide enhanced
visibility of
the glove.
[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprising a first strand of fiberglass and a second strand of ultra-high
molecular
weight polyethylene, and at least one cover strand comprising textured
polyester
wrapped around the core.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the secondary yarn
comprises
an electrically conductive material, so that a wearer of the glove can operate
a touch
screen on an electronic device by contacting the touch screen with the
enhanced
sections.
[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprising a first core strand comprising fiberglass, and a second core
strand
comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. A first cover strand
comprising
textured nylon is wrapped around the core, and a second cover strand
comprising
textured nylon is wrapped around the first cover strand and the core.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
located at the tips of the thumb section, index finger section and middle
finger section.
[0023] A protective glove according to another embodiment of the invention
comprises a
primary yarn defining a palm section, thumb section, index finger section,
middle finger
section, ring finger section and baby finger section. The interior surface of
the primary
yarn defines the interior surface of the glove, and the exterior surface
defines the
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exterior surface of the glove. A first plaiting yarn is plaited to portions of
the exterior
surface of the primary yarn, and a second plaiting yarn is plaited to the
first plaiting yarn
to form a plurality of enhanced sections formed on the exterior surface of the
glove.
The enhanced sections have at least one substantially enhanced physical
characteristic
in relation to the primary yarn.
[0024] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plaiting
yarn
comprises a core strand of spandex, a first cover strand of polyester wrapped
around
the core strand, and a second strand of nylon wrapped around the first cover
strand and
the core strand.
[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, a protective glove
comprises
a palm section, and a plurality of finger sections. A primary yarn defines the
palm
section, and finger sections, and has an interior surface defining the
interior surface of
the glove and an exterior surface defining the exterior surface of the glove.
Spaced-
apart enhanced sections are formed on the exterior surface of the glove and
extend
substantially laterally on at least one of the finger sections. Each enhanced
section has
at least one substantially enhanced physical characteristic in relation to the
primary
yarn.
[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of
spaced apart
enhanced sections comprise first and second ring sections extending around the
circumference of at least one of the finger sections. The ring sections define
a spaced
interval therebetween.
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[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first ring
section and the
second ring section each have a width of about six millimeters and are spaced
about
three millimeters apart from each other.
[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, the finger sections
are
comprised of a thumb section, an index finger section, a middle finger
section, a ring
finger section and a baby finger section. The spaced apart ring sections
comprise at
least two spaced apart ring sections extending around a circumference of the
thumb
section, and at least two spaced apart ring sections extending around a
circumference
of the index finger section.
[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
are
formed by a secondary yarn plaited to selected portions of the exterior
surface of the
primary yarn.
[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enhanced sections
provide enhanced cut resistance, and the secondary yarn comprises ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene and/or a hard particle-filled polyethylene
fiber, in which
the hard particles have a MONS hardness of greater than three.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the primary yarn
comprises a
core comprising a first strand of fiberglass and a second strand of ultra-high
molecular
weight polyethylene, and at least one cover strand wrapped around the core.
[0032] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover strand
comprises a
first strand of textured polyester wrapped around the core, and a second
strand of
textured polyester wrapped around the core and the first strand of textured
polyester.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a yarn according to a preferred
embodiment of
the invention;
[0034] Figure 2 is a magnified schematic view of a plaiting yarn plaited to a
primary yarn
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0035] Figure 3 is a magnified schematic view of a three layer fabric
construction
according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;
mow Figure 4 is a schematic view of an intermediate plaiting yarn according to
a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to a
preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0038] Figure 6 is another schematic view of the protective glove of Fig. 5;
[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to another
preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0040] Figure 8 is another schematic view of the protective glove of Fig. 7;
[0041] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to another
preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0042] Figure 10 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to
another
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0043] Figure 11 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to
another
preferred embodiment of the invention;
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[0044] Figure 12 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to
another
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0045] Figure 13 is another schematic view of the protective glove of Fig. 12;
[0046] Figure 14 is a schematic view of a protective glove according to
another
preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0047] Figure 15 is another schematic view of the protective glove of Fig. 14.
Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention and Best Mode
[0048] A protective glove according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
is
illustrated in Figures 1-6, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The
glove 10
is comprised of an inner primary yarn 11, and a plaiting yarn 21 having cut
resistance
properties plaited to the primary yarn 11. The inner primary yarn 11 can be
comprised
of a first core strand 12 of 450 (one hundred denier) fiberglass and a second
core
strand 14 comprised of four hundred denier ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene
(UHMWPE), a first covering strand 16 of one-hundred fifty denier textured
polyester
wrapped around the core stands 12, 14, and a second covering strand 18 of one-
hundred fifty denier textured polyester wrapped over the first cover strand
16, as shown
in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the first cover strand 16 is wrapped in an
S
orientation, while the second cover strand 18 is wrapped in a Z orientation.
Alternatively, the first cover strand 16 can be wrapped in a Z orientation,
and the second
cover strand 18 can be wrapped in an S orientation.
[0049] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the glove 10 is generally comprised of a
first palm
section 50, a second palm section 51 on the opposite side of the first palm
section 50, a
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thumb section 61, an index finger section 62, a middle finger section 63, a
ring finger
section 64 and a baby finger section 65, which are formed from the inner
primary layer
11.
[0050] A plaiting yarn 21 comprising a strand of four hundred denier UHMWPE is
plaited
to the primary yarn 11, as shown in Figure 2. The plaiting yarn 21 can be
plaited at
specific areas on the exterior surface of the inner primary layer 11 to form
enhanced cut
protection sections 20 on areas of the exterior of the glove 10 that are
typically exposed
to the greatest cutting hazard. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the enhanced cut
protection sections 20 can be formed on the index finger section 62, middle
finger
section 63, ring finger section 64 and baby finger section 65, except for at
the finger
tips. The enhanced sections 20 are formed on both sides of the glove 10 so
that the
glove is ambidextrous and can be worn on both the right and left hand.
Alternatively,
the enhanced sections 20 can be formed on the palm sections 50, 51, the thumb
section 61, the index finger section 62, and the middle finger section 63, as
shown in
Figures 7 and 8. This configuration is particularly suitable for cut resistant
gloves to be
used in high hazard areas. By placing the enhanced sections 20 only at
specific areas
on the glove 10 where they are most needed, rather than plaiting the entire
glove 10
with the plaiting yarn 21, the glove 10 can be made lighter in weight and more
flexible.
[0051] The plaiting yarn 21 can be plaited to selected regions of the exterior
surface of
the primary yarn 11 using a conventional glove knitting machine modified to
plate on the
outside surface of the fabric in specified glove regions. By plaiting the
plating yarn 21
directly to the exterior surface of the glove 10, it is not necessary to
invert the glove 10
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to have the plaiting yarn 21 on the outside of the glove, thereby eliminating
this time
consuming step from the manufacturing process.
[0052] Alternatively, the protective glove 10 can be knit in three layers,
utilizing two
plaiting yarns 21, 31. As shown in Figure 3, an intermediate plaiting yarn 31
comprised
of spandex can be plaited to the inner primary yarn 11. The outer plaiting
yarn 21,
comprised of four hundred denier UHMWPE, is plaited to the intermediate
plaiting yarn
31, as shown in Figure 3. The intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can be comprised
of a core
strand 32 of forty denier spandex, a first covering strand 34 comprised of
20/1 polyester
and a second covering strand 36 comprised of forty denier nylon, as shown in
Figure 4.
The intermediate plaiting yarn 31 provides a softer, more elastic and form
fitting feel of
the glove 10. Alternatively, the intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can comprise a
moisture
wicking yarn, such as HYDROTECH, or a treated fiber such as STA-COOL or
SORBTEK.
[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the inner primary yarn 11 first core
strand 12 can
be one hundred denier basalt fiber, the second core strand 14 can be two
hundred
denier UHMWPE, the first covering strand 16 can be seventy denier textured
polyester
and the second covering strand 18 can be seventy denier textured polyester.
The
plaiting yarn 21 can be a strand of four hundred denier hard particle-filled
polyethylene
fiber, in which the hard particles are polymeric or mineral particles having a
MOHS
hardness of greater than three.
[0054] In another alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 first core
strand 12 can
be D450 fiberglass, the second core strand 14 can be two hundred denier
UHMWPE,
11
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the first covering strand 14 can be seventy denier textured polyester, and the
second
covering strand can be seventy denier polyester. The plaiting yarn 21 can
comprise a
two hundred denier hard particle-filled polyethylene fiber, in which the hard
particles are
polymeric or mineral particles having a MOHS hardness of greater than three.
[0055] In another alternative embodiment, two ends of the primary yarn 11 can
be knit
together through the same yarn feeder, and the plaiting yarn 21 is plaited to
thereto.
The plaiting yarn 21 can comprise a strand of 20/1 aramid fiber, such as
DuPont
KEVLAR or Teijin TVVARON, a strand of 0.0016 stainless steel , and a covering
strand
of 20/1 polyester wrapped around the aramid fiber and stainless steel.
[0056] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective glove
10 has
enhanced sections 20 having enhanced resistance to abrasion. In this
embodiment, the
glove 10 has an inner primary yarn 11 comprised of a first core strand 12 of
D450
fiberglass, a second core strand 14 of two hundred denier UHMWPE, a first
covering
yarn 16 of seventy denier textured polyester, and a second covering yarn 18 of
seventy
denier textured polyester. The plaiting yarn 21 comprises a strand of two
hundred
twenty denier flat nylon, as shown in Figure 3.
[0057] The plaiting yarn 21 can be plaited at specific areas on the inner
primary layer 11
to form enhanced abrasion resistance sections 20 on the exterior of the glove
10, as
shown in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the enhanced abrasion
resistance sections 20 can be formed on the index finger section 62, middle
finger
section 63, ring finger section 64 and baby finger section 65, except for at
the finger
tips. The enhanced abrasion resistance sections 20 are formed on both sides of
the
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glove 10 so that the glove is ambidextrous and can be worn on both the right
and left
hand.
[0058] Alternatively, the glove 10 having enhanced abrasion resistance
sections 20 can
be knit in three layers, utilizing two plaiting yarns 21, 31. As shown in
Figure 5, an
intermediate plaiting yarn 31 comprised of spandex can be plaited to the inner
primary
yarn 11. The outer plaiting yarn 21, comprised of two hundred twenty denier
flat nylon,
is plaited to the intermediate plaiting yarn 31. The intermediate plaiting
yarn 31 can be
comprised of a core strand 32 of forty denier spandex, a first covering strand
34
comprised of 20/1 polyester and a second covering strand 36 comprised of forty
denier
nylon, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the intermediate plaiting yarn 31
can
comprise a moisture wicking yarn, such as HYDROTECH, or a treated fiber such
as
STA-COOL or SORBTEK.
[0059] In an alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 can be comprised of a
first
core strand 12 of one hundred fifty denier basalt fiber, a second core strand
14 of
UHMWPE, with a first covering yarn of 70 denier textured polyester and a
second
covering yarn of 70 denier textured polyester. The plaiting yarn consists of a
20/1
polyester treated with PTFE.
[0060] In another alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 comprises a
first core
strand 12 of two hundred twenty denier flat polyester, a second core strand 14
of .002
stainless steel wire, a first covering strand 16 of .002 stainless steel wire,
and a second
covering strand of 3/150 denier textured polyester. The plaiting yarn 21
comprises two
hundred twenty denier flat nylon.
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[0061] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
protective glove
has enhanced sections 20 having improved gripping properties. The inner
primary
yarn 11 of this embodiment can be comprised of a first core strand 12 of D450
fiberglass, a second core strand 14 comprised of two hundred denier UHMWPE, a
first
covering yarn 16 comprised of seventy denier textured polyester, and a second
covering yarn comprised of seventy denier textured polyester. The plaiting
yarn 21
comprises a strand of fifty gauge latex rubber.
[0062] The plaiting yarn 21 is plaited at specific areas on the inner primary
layer 11 to
form enhanced gripping sections 20 on the exterior of the glove 10. The
enhanced
sections 20 can be substantially rectangular sections extending laterally
across the
palm sections 50, 51, the thumb section 61, and the finger sections 62-65, as
shown in
Figure 9. The enhanced gripping sections 20 are formed on both sides of the
glove 10
so that the glove is ambidextrous and can be worn on both the right and left
hand.
[0063] Alternatively, the glove 10 having enhanced gripping sections 20 can be
knit in
three layers, utilizing two plaiting yarns 21, 31. As shown in Figure 5, an
intermediate
plaiting yarn 31 comprised of spandex can be plaited to the inner primary yarn
11. The
outer plaiting yarn 21, comprised of fifty gauge latex rubber, is plaited to
the
intermediate plaiting yarn 31. The intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can be
comprised of a
core strand 32 of forty denier spandex, a first covering strand 34 comprised
of 20/1
polyester and a second covering strand 36 comprised of forty denier nylon, as
shown in
Figure 6. Alternatively, the intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can comprise a
moisture
wicking yarn, such as HYDROTECH, or a treated fiber such as STA-COOL or
SORBTEK.
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[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 is comprised of a
first core
strand 12 of two hundred twenty denier flat polyester, a second core strand 14
of .002
stainless steel wire, a first covering strand 16 of .002 stainless steel, and
a second
covering strand 18 of two hundred twenty denier textured polyester. The
plaiting yarn
21 is comprised of a strand of four hundred twenty denier spandex.
[0065] In another alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 comprises a
first core
strand 12 of D225 fiberglass, a second core strand 14 of four hundred denier
UHMWPE, a first covering strand 16 of one hundred fifty denier textured
polyester, and
a second covering strand 18 of fifty denier textured polyester. The plaiting
yarn 21 is
comprised of a strand of one hundred fifty denier micro-fiber polyester.
[0066] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the glove
10 can
have enhanced exterior sections 20 that provide enhanced visibility of the
glove 10.
The protective glove 10 with enhanced visibility has an inner primary yarn 11
comprised
of a first core strand of D450 fiberglass, a second core strand 14 of two
hundred twenty
denier UHMWPE, a first covering strand 16 comprised of 70 denier textured
polyester,
and a second covering strand comprised of 70 denier textured polyester. The
plaiting
yarn 21 comprises a retroreflective material such as the 2P2 Retroglo slit
film sold by
MetIon Corp.
[0067] The plaiting yarn 21 is plaited at specific areas on the inner primary
layer 11 to
form enhanced visibility sections 20 on the exterior of the glove 10. The
enhanced
visibility sections 20 can be substantially rectangular sections extending
across the
palm sections 50, 51, the thumb section 61, and the finger sections 62-65, as
shown in
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Figure 10. The enhanced visibility sections 20 are formed on both sides of the
glove 10
so that the glove is ambidextrous and can be worn on both the right and left
hand.
[0068] Alternatively, the glove 10 having enhanced visibility sections 20 can
be knit in
three layers, utilizing two plaiting yarns 21, 31. As shown in Figure 5, an
intermediate
plaiting yarn 31 comprised of spandex can be plaited to the inner primary yarn
11. The
outer plaiting yarn 21, comprised of a retro-reflective material, is plaited
to the
intermediate plaiting yarn 31. The intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can be
comprised of a
core strand 32 of forty denier spandex, a first covering strand 34 comprised
of 20/1
polyester and a second covering strand 36 comprised of forty denier nylon, as
shown in
Figure 6. Alternatively, the intermediate plaiting yarn 31 can comprise a
moisture
wicking yarn, such as HYDROTECH, or a treated fiber such as STA-COOL or
SORBTEK.
[0069] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the glove
10 can
have enhanced exterior sections 20 that are adapted for use on electronic
touch screen
devices. In this embodiment, the enhanced exterior sections 20 comprise
electrically
conductive materials enabling the wearer to operate a touch screen on an
electronic
device while wearing the glove 10 by contacting the touch screen with the
enhanced
sections 20. As such, the wearer may keep the glove 10 on his hand and use the
touch
screen device without having to remove the glove 10. This embodiment is
particularly
useful for those wearing cut resistant gloves in the workplace who need to
manipulate
electronic touch-screen devices for inventory, order processing communication
and the
like. The inner primary inner primary yarn 11 of this embodiment can be
comprised of a
first core strand 12 of D450 fiberglass, a second core strand 14 of two
hundred twenty
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denier UHMWPE, a first covering strand 16 of seventy denier textured nylon,
and a
second covering strand 18 of seventy denier textured nylon. The plaiting yarn
21 can be
comprised of a one hundred denier silver-coated electrically conductive yarn
such as X-
STATIC fiber sold by Noble Technologies.
[0070] The plaiting yarn 21 is plaited at specific areas on the inner primary
layer 11 to
form enhanced touch screen compatible sections 20 on the exterior of the glove
10.
The enhanced touch screen compatible sections 20 can be located at the tips
(distal
phalanges) of the thumb 61, index finger 62 and middle finger 63, as shown in
Figure
11. The touch screen compatible sections 20 are formed on both sides of the
thumb 61,
index finger 62 and middle finger 63 so that the glove is ambidextrous and can
be worn
on either the right or left hand.
[0071] Alternatively, the glove 10 having touch screen compatible sections 20
can be
knit in three layers, utilizing two plaiting yarns 21, 31. As shown in Figure
5, an
intermediate plaiting yarn 31 comprised of spandex can be plaited to the inner
primary
yarn 11. The outer plaiting yarn 21, comprised of an electrically conductive
material, is
plaited to the intermediate plaiting yarn 31. The intermediate plaiting yarn
31 can be
comprised of a core strand 32 of forty denier spandex, a first covering strand
34
comprised of 20/1 polyester and a second covering strand 36 comprised of forty
denier
nylon, as shown in Figure 6.
[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the primary yarn 11 can be comprised of a
first
core strand 12 of D225 fiberglass, a second core strand 14 of four hundred
denier
UHMWPE, a first covering strand 16 of one hundred fifty denier textured
polyester, and
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a second covering strand 18 of one hundred fifty denier textured polyester.
The plaiting
yarn 21 can be comprised of a seventy denier electrically conductive copper-
suffused
nylon, such as THUNDERON fiber sold by Nihon Sanmo Dyeing Co.
[0073] A protective glove according to another preferred embodiment of the
invention is
illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, and shown generally at reference numeral
100. The
glove 100 is comprised of an inner primary yarn 111, and a plurality of spaced
apart
enhanced sections 120 formed on the exterior surface of the primary yarn 111.
The
enhanced sections 120 are positioned at closely spaced apart intervals 102. In
between each enhanced section 120 is an interval 102 that has only the primary
yarn
111. As such, the enhanced sections 120 have a staggered "hinge" like
construction.
[0074] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the glove 100 is generally comprised of
a first
palm section 150, a second palm section 151 on the opposite side of the first
palm
section 150, a thumb section 161, an index finger section 162, a middle finger
section
163, a ring finger section 164 and a baby finger section 165, which are formed
from the
inner primary yarn 111.
[0075] The inner primary yarn 111 can have any one of the constructions of the
primary
yarns 11 of the embodiments previously described above. The enhanced sections
120
can be formed by plaiting a plaiting yarn at closely spaced apart areas on the
exterior
surface of the inner primary layer 111 using a computer driven jacquard
machine. No
plaiting yarn is plaited at the intervals 102 in between the enhanced sections
120. The
plaiting yarn of the enhanced sections 120 can have any one of the
construction of the
plaiting yarns 21 of the embodiment previously described above. Alternatively,
the
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enhanced sections 120 can be knit in three layers, utilizing two plaiting
yarns, such as is
described in reference to the previously described embodiments.
[0076] The enhanced sections 120 can be rectangular, and run substantially
perpendicular to the length of the thumb section 161 and the index finger
section 162,
as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The enhanced sections 120 can extend laterally
around the circumference of the thumb section 161 and the index finger section
162, as
shown in Figures 12 and 13. In between each enhanced section 120 there is a
spaced
interval 102 in which there is only the primary yarn 111. Alternatively, there
can be
enhanced sections 120 on any one or more of the other finger sections 163,
164, 165.
In yet another alternative embodiment, one or more enhanced sections 120 can
extend
around the palm sections 150, 151.
[0077] The enhanced sections 120 can provide enhanced cut resistance, enhanced
abrasion resistance and/or enhanced gripping properties, depending on the
plaiting yarn
used to form the enhanced sections 120. In an embodiment in which the enhanced
sections 120 are comprised of a plaiting yarn providing enhanced cut
resistance and/or
enhanced abrasion resistance, there can be five enhanced sections 120
extending
around the circumference of the index finger section 162, and four enhanced
sections
120 extending around the thumb section 161, as shown in Figures 12 and 13.
This
protects the wearer at the areas that are typically exposed to the greatest
risk of a
cutting hazard. Alternatively, the glove 100 can have a different number of
enhanced
sections 120, and the enhanced sections 120 can be positioned on additional
finger
sections 163, 164, 165.
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[0078] The positioning of the enhanced sections 120 in closely spaced apart
alignment
with intervals 102 of no plaiting in between the enhanced sections 120 provide
a hinge
like construction, whereby the glove 100 can provide excellent flexibility,
while providing
enhanced cut resistance and/or abrasion resistance. This can be particularly
important
for the thumb section 161 and the index finger 162 section.
[0079] In a preferred embodiment, each enhanced section 120 can have a width
of
about six millimeters, and the spaced intervals 102 between each section 120
can be
about three millimeters. The inner primary layer 111 can have a fabric
thickness of
about 1.0414 millimeters, and each enhanced section 120 can have a fabric
thickness
of about 1.270 millimeters.
mow A protective glove according to another preferred embodiment of the
invention is
illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, and shown generally at reference numeral
200. The
glove 200 is comprised of an inner primary yarn 211, and a plurality of
relatively small,
spaced apart enhanced sections 220 formed on the exterior surface of the
primary yarn
211. The enhanced sections 220 are positioned at closely spaced apart
intervals 201.
The spaces 201 between the enhanced sections 220 are comprised of only the
primary
yarn 211. As such, the enhanced sections 120 have a staggered "speed bump"
like
construction.
[0081] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the glove 200 is generally comprised of
a first
palm section 250, a second palm section 251 on the opposite side of the first
palm
section 250, a thumb section 261, an index finger section 262, a middle finger
section
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263, a ring finger section 264 and a baby finger section 265, which are formed
from the
inner primary yarn 211.
[0082] The inner primary yarn 211 can have any one of the constructions of the
primary
yarns 11 of the embodiments previously described above. The enhanced sections
220
can be formed by plaiting a plaiting yarn at closely spaced apart areas on the
exterior
surface of the inner primary layer 211. No plaiting yarn is plaited at the
intervals 201 in
between the enhanced sections 220. The plaiting yarn of the enhanced sections
220
can have any one of the construction of the plaiting yarns 21 of the
embodiment 10
previously described above. Alternatively, the enhanced sections 220 can be
knit in
three layers, utilizing two plaiting yarns, such as is described in reference
to the
previously described embodiments.
[0083] The enhanced sections 220 can be rectangular, and extend longitudinally
on the
thumb section 261 and the index finger section 262. The enhanced sections 220
can
be aligned to form a plurality of enhanced rings 222 extending laterally
around the
circumference of the thumb section 261 and the index finger section 262, as
shown in
Figures 14 and 15. In between each ring 222 there is a spaced interval 202 in
which
there is only the primary yarn 211 and no plaiting yarn. Alternatively, there
can be
enhanced rings 222 on any one or more of the other finger sections 263, 264,
265. In
yet another alternative embodiment, one or more enhanced rings 222 can extend
around the palm sections 250, 251.
[0084] The enhanced sections 220 can provide enhanced cut resistance, enhanced
abrasion resistance and/or enhanced gripping properties, depending on the
plaiting yarn
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used to form the enhanced sections 220. In an embodiment in which the enhanced
sections 220 are comprised of a plaiting yarn providing enhanced cut
resistance and/or
enhanced abrasion resistance, there can be five enhanced rings 222 extending
around
the circumference of the index finger section 262, and four enhanced rings 222
extending around the thumb section 261, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. This is
to
protect the wearer at the areas that are typically exposed to the greatest
risk of a cutting
hazard. Alternatively, the glove 200 can have a different number of enhanced
rings
222, and the enhanced rings 222 can be positioned on additional finger
sections 263,
264, 265.
[0085] By positioning relatively small enhanced sections 220 in closely spaced
apart
alignment with spaced intervals 201, 202 comprised only the primary yarn 211
with no
enhancing plaiting, the thumb section 261 and the index finger section 262 can
have
excellent cut resistance and/or abrasion resistance, while also having
excellent
flexibility. This can be particularly important for the thumb section 261 and
the index
finger 262 section.
[0086] In a preferred embodiment, each enhanced section 220 can have a length
of
about six millimeters and a width of about two millimeters. The spaced
intervals 101
measured between the lateral sides of each enhanced section 220 can be about
one
millimeter, and the space 202 between each ring 222 (the distance between
longitudinal
ends of enhanced sections 220 in adjacent rings 222) can be about three
millimeters.
The inner primary layer 211 can have a fabric thickness of about 1.0414
millimeters,
and each enhanced section 220 can have a fabric thickness of about 1.270
millimeters.
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[0087] Protective gloves and methods of making same are described above.
Various
changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The
above
description of embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the
purpose of illustration only and not limitation¨ the invention being defined
by the claims
and equivalents thereof.
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