Apparel – Hand or arm coverings – Gloves
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-11
2004-07-13
Welch, Gary L. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Hand or arm coverings
Gloves
C002S163000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06760923
ABSTRACT:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to elastomeric gloves. More particularly, the present invention relates to such elastomeric gloves that have flexible joint portions formed thereon. More particularly, the present invention relates to universal gloves wherein a flexion mechanism is provided so as to facilitate flexing of the digits after application of the gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of gloves is commonplace in medical and industrial practice in order to protect the user's hands from infectious or irritating agents. These gloves also to help guard against sticking by sharps within the medical environment. Additionally, and furthermore, these gloves are also used for general hygienic purposes. These flexible gloves can be made of latex, vinyl, nitrile, or other elastomeric material. These gloves are often intended for single use in order to prevent contamination.
Disposable gloves are generally available in two (2) types. One is an inexpensive, bulk-packaged “universal” glove in which one glove can fit either hand. Such universal gloves are typically loose fitting in order to accommodate the unique position of the thumb on each hand. As a result, they fit relatively poorly on either hand. Another common type of disposable glove is the “dedicated” glove. This glove is used for surgery or precision work in which the glove must to fit specifically only the right or the left hand. This is a design that results in a generally tight, well-fitting glove.
Dedicated gloves, although better fitting, are more expensive to manufacture than bulk-packaged universal gloves. Dedicated gloves are dip molded on specially designed right or left formers. This results in a glove fitting only the right or left hand. The gloves must be paired in special packaging. This makes such gloves more expensive to purchase. An additional disadvantage of dedicated gloves is that an entire package of a new pair of gloves must be opened in order replace only a single glove if one glove is damaged or lost.
The relatively inexpensive bulk-packaged universal gloves are made on a single former that is designed to fit either hand fairly well. The ability to form the gloves on a single former makes the gloves less expensive to manufacture, package, purchase, and use. The single former used to manufacture universal gloves has the thumb generally in the same plane as the palm of the hand so that the thumb will fit either hand roughly equally. However, in the human hand, the position of a relaxed thumb will drop below the palm rather than being in the same plane as the palm. In use, the elastomer of gloves made on a universal former pulls the thumb rearward, out of its relaxed position, toward the plane of the palm. Constant exertion of the thumb muscles pulling against the elastomer glove are required in order to grasp objects or manipulate tools. This can quickly resulting in fatigue of the thumb. Although less of a problem, hand fatigue of the fingers can also occur from stretching the glove in order to bend the fingers. Since most health care users must change their gloves many times each day, and must wear gloves nearly all day, fatigue and the cost of the gloves are both considerable problems.
Fatigue and discomfort are not merely undesirable, but could be dangerous to the patient or the health care worker wearing the gloves. Distraction, loss of grip or thumb fatigue can result in a mistake, shaky hands, an inadvertent stick with a sharp (such as a needle), or some other undesirable results. The inadvertent transmission of an infectious agent, for example, could result from a needle stick caused by untimely fatigue that results from ill-fitting gloves.
Dedicated gloves are more comfortable to wear and are less likely to cause fatigue than universal gloves. This is due, in part, to the fact that dedicated gloves are made to custom fit either the right or left hand while in a relaxed position. As a result, less stretching of the elastomer is required. Unfortunately, dedicated gloves must be individually packed in pairs. This will increasing the cost of purchase significantly. Dedicated gloves can even be available in different styles in order to optimize fit. This also adds to the cost of the gloves.
In the past various U.S. Patents have issued relating to formed gloves that allow for finger flexibility. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,036,413, issued on Apr. 7, 1936 to W. Herbruck, describes the shaping of formed gloves. This patent utilizes various bending grooves formed in the elastic material of the glove in general proximity to the joints of the wearer. Although the gloves of this patent add increased flexibility to the digit portions and thumb portion of the elastic glove, it is not particularly related to universal gloves which must be designed to fit both hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,796, issued on Aug. 14, 1984 to Heissenberger et al., teaches a glove formed of rubber or plastic material that has a roll-down beaded edge and contains a structured surface at the cuff region. The structured surface is formed at the outer side or surface of the glove by non-connected raised portions. The structured surface is formed at the inside or inner surface of the glove by mirror-image non-connected recess or depressions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,490 issued on Jun. 28, 1994 to D. Yarbrough, teaches a glove having stress relief areas. In particular, the stress relief areas are located adjacent to the individual joints of the hand, fingers and thumb. These stress relief areas provide additional glove material, such as by ribs or bellows formed of peaks and valleys, which reduce the energy expended to overcome the resistance of the material and, thereby, reduce fatigue. Each of these stress relief areas extends entirely around the particular joint. Additionally, each of the stress relief areas does have sharp peaks and valleys which makes manufacture of the glove more difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,956, issued on Mar. 26, 1996 to Schulkin et al., describes a basketball glove which has a plurality of protruding elements formed across the palm surface of the glove. The finger elements are each open so as to allow individual fingers of the user to extend there through. An elastic material is formed on the backhand side of the glove so as to provide flexibility to the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,816, issued on Aug. 22, 1995 to N. F. Seketa, describes a surgical glove with flexible elements formed at the various joints of the glove. These flexible elements are identified as “flextubules” which can be a bell-shaped curve located on the palmar surface of the glove. An accordion fold and a flextuble are located at each of the joints and extend entirely therearound so as facilitate the movement of the various joints placed within the glove.
Each of these prior art patent describes a particular type of dedicated glove. They are not directed toward universal gloves whereby the thumb portion is placed directly between the plane associated with the palm surface of the glove and the plane associated with the backhand surface of the glove. In none of the cases identified in these prior art patents could the construction be utilized in association with the universal glove. None of the flexible portions identified in these gloves is particularly useful for allowing the glove to be adapted to either hand.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal glove that is more easily adapted for use on either hand.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a universal glove that facilitates the flexibility of the digit portions and thumb portion of the universal glove.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universal glove that provides effective protection to the hands of the user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universal glove that flexes more easily than otherwise allo
Harrison & Egbert
OriGen Biomedical
Welch Gary L.
LandOfFree
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