Glove

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a breathable waterproof glove, the method comprising: providing an inner glove layer (30) in a stretched configuration over an oversized glove former (20); while the inner glove layer (30) is in the stretched configuration adhering the inner glove layer (30) to an inner surface of an intermediate glove layer (40) resistant to penetration by liquid water but permeable to water vapour at a plurality of discrete securement locations to form an intermediate glove part in a stretched configuration,the intermediate glove layer defining a first plurality of finger portions (46); providing an outer glove part defining a second plurality of finger portions; and attaching using interconnecting securement tabs (48) the first plurality of finger portions (46) to the second plurality of finger portions formed on the outer glove layer such that each one of the finger portions of the first plurality is registered with a corresponding one of the finger portions of the second plurality.

Claims

1. A breathable waterproof glove comprising: an inner glove layer; an outer glove layer; and an intermediate glove layer provided in a folded configuration between the inner and outer glove layers, the intermediate glove layer being resistant to penetration by liquid water but permeable to water vapour; wherein: the intermediate glove layer is attached to the inner glove layer by regions of adhesive provided at a plurality of discrete securement locations; and the intermediate glove layer and outer glove layer define a first and second plurality of finger portions respectively, with each one of the first plurality of finger portions being attached to a respective one of the second plurality of finger portions; wherein each one of the first plurality of finger portions is attached to a respective one of the second plurality of finger portions by a respective interconnecting securement tab connected to its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions at first and second mutually spaced locations to form a loop, the first and second mutually spaced locations being on opposed sides of their respective one of the first plurality of finger portions, wherein the first of the mutually spaced locations is on a front side of the respective one of the first plurality of finger portions adjacent to a palm side of a finger-tip of a wearer and the second of the mutually spaced locations is on a rear side of the respective one of the first plurality of finger portions adjacent to a dorsal side of the finger-tip the wearer when worn, and wherein each securement tab is connected at a central part of the loop to its respective one of the second plurality of finger portions, with the central part of the loop being spaced from its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions by an opening.

2. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 1, wherein each securement tab extends through the intermediate glove layer.

3. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 2, wherein each securement tab is connected at a first end to a respective one of a third plurality of finger portions formed on the inner glove layer in registration with the first plurality of the finger portions.

4. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 2, wherein each securement tab extends between first and second discrete parts forming the intermediate glove layer and each securement tab is welded to the first and second discrete parts.

5. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 1, wherein the securement tabs are formed from an elastic fabric.

6. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 5, wherein the elastic fabric is an elastic woven fabric or elastic fabric tape.

7. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 1, wherein each securement tab is connected to its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions at the first and second mutually spaced locations by first and second adhesive connections respectively.

8. A breathable waterproof glove according to claim 1, wherein each securement tab is connected to its respective one of the second plurality of finger portions by a sewn connection.

9. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove, the component part comprising: an intermediate glove part defining a first plurality of finger portions, the intermediate glove part comprising: an inner glove layer; and an intermediate glove layer provided in a folded configuration adjacent the inner glove layer, the intermediate glove layer being resistant to penetration by liquid water but permeable to water vapour, wherein the intermediate glove layer is attached to the inner glove by regions of adhesive provided at a plurality of layer discrete securement locations; wherein each of the first plurality of finger portions has attached thereto a securement tab for connecting the intermediate glove part to an outer glove part, each securement tab being connected to its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions at first and second mutually spaced locations to form a loop having a central part configured for attaching each securement tab to an outer glove layer, the first and second mutually spaced locations being on opposed sides of their respective one of the first plurality of finger portions with the central part of the loop being spaced from its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions by an opening, and wherein the first of the mutually spaced locations is on a front side of the respective one of the first plurality of finger portions adjacent to a palm side of a finger-tip of a wearer and the second of the mutually spaced locations is on a rear side of the respective one of the first plurality of finger portions adjacent to a dorsal side of the finger-tip of the wearer when worn.

10. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove according to claim 9, wherein the securement tabs are formed from an elastic material.

11. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove according to claim 9, wherein each securement tab is connected to its respective one of the first plurality of finger portions at the first and second mutually spaced locations by first and second adhesive connection respectively.

12. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove according to claim 9, wherein each securement tab extends through the intermediate glove layer.

13. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove according to claim 12, wherein each securement tab is connected at a first end to a respective one of a further plurality of finger portions formed on the inner glove layer in registration with the first-defined plurality of finger portions.

14. A component part for forming a breathable waterproof glove according to claim 13, wherein each securement tab extends between first and second discrete parts forming the intermediate glove layer and each securement tab is welded to the first and second discrete parts.

Description

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of components of a novel component glove part for forming a breathable waterproof glove being sequentially inserted over an oversized glove former in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the components of the novel component glove part of FIG. 1 assembled in position over the oversized glove former;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a laminating step in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the novel component glove part being attached to an outer glove part;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the final novel product formed following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 1-4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of components of a novel component glove part for forming a breathable waterproof glove being sequentially inserted over an oversized glove former in accordance with a second embodiment of the method of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the components of the novel component glove part of FIG. 6 following a laminating step;

(9) FIGS. 8A and 8B shows in detail the securement tab arrangement used in the novel component glove part of FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of components of a novel component glove part for forming a breathable waterproof glove being sequentially inserted over an oversized glove former in accordance with a second embodiment of the method of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10 shows the components of the novel component glove part of FIG. 9 following a laminating step;

(12) FIG. 11 shows in detail the securement tab arrangement used in the novel component glove part of FIG. 9;

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of components of a novel three-layer glove being sequentially inserted over an oversized glove former in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 13 shows the components of the novel glove of FIG. 12 assembled in position over the oversized glove former;

(15) FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a laminating step in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention; and

(16) FIG. 15 shows the final novel product formed following the steps illustrated in FIGS. 12-14.

(17) FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a method of manufacturing a novel three-layer waterproof windproof breathable glove 10.

(18) As shown in FIG. 1, a first stage of the method comprises sequentially forming two layers of component glove part 50 on a planar oversized glove former 20 comprising a main hand portion 22 and a hinged thumb portion 24 pivotable relative to the main hand portion 22 about a pivot axis A between a laterally extended position (as shown) in which thumb portion 24 extends away from main hand portion 22 and a folded position in which with thumb portion 24 is positioned beneath main hand portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment, oversized glove former 20 is at least 30% larger than eventual glove 10 in both planar dimensions.

(19) In step one, an elastic, stretchable water permeable knitted inner glove layer 30 having approximately the same profile as the eventual glove 10 (including an opening 32 for receiving a user's hand) is stretched over the oversized glove former 20, the hinged thumb portion 24 is retracted inwards into the folded position to allow inner glove layer 30 to be stretched over oversized glove former 20 without causing damage to the knit, or localised overstretching of the inner glove layer 30. Inner glove layer 30 may be formed from a single continuous (e.g. seamless) warp knitted layer and will typically configured to wick moisture away from the wearer.

(20) In step two, a flexible intermediate glove layer 40 of limited stretchability relative to the inner glove layer 30 and having approximately the same profile (including an opening 42 for receiving a user's hand) as oversized glove former 20 is drawn over inner glove layer 30, again with hinged thumb portion 24 in the folded position to allow intermediate glove layer 40 to be placed over inner glove layer 30 without damaging intermediate glove layer 40 which is a snug fit around oversized glove former 20 when the hinged thumb portion 24 is in the extended position. Intermediate glove layer 40 comprises an inelastic membrane (typically 30-40 microns thick) resistant to penetration by liquid water but permeable to water vapour perspiration (e.g. a hydrophilic polyurethane membrane or microporous hydrophobic polyurethane membrane of types known in the art). Intermediate glove layer 40 includes an inner layer 42 on which is printed a discontinuous pattern (e.g. dots, a network, lines or a combination thereof) of water based co-polyamide heat activatable adhesive, or other types of adhesive known in the art (e.g. powder coat or hot-melt types) 44. The membrane may be formed from a plurality of shaped membrane sheets welded together (e.g. radio frequency, ultrasonic or hot-bar welded). An outer perimeter of intermediate glove layer 40 is additionally welded to form a watertight seal. Intermediate glove layer 40 also defines a first plurality of finger portions 46 each including tip portion 47 having one end 48A of an elastic fabric securement tab 48 attached thereto by a heat activated adhesive regions 49.

(21) In step three, thumb portion 24 of oversized glove former 20 is pivoted back into the extended position to form the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 with the two glove layers 30, 40 mounted sequentially on oversized glove former 20. Oversized glove former 20 with the two glove layers 30, 40 mounted thereon is then passed through a laminating machine 60 in which discontinuous patterns of heat activatable adhesive 44 and heat activated adhesive regions 49 are activated by heat. Pressure is than applied by one or more rollers 62 to squeeze the softened adhesive into the knit of the fabric of the inner glove layer 30 and into securement tabs 48.

(22) After lamination, in step four thumb portion 24 of oversized glove former 20 is pivoted to the folded position to enable the resulting article to be removed from oversized glove former 20, at which point the inner glove layer 30 will retract slightly by the pulling in of the fabric knit. Once the article has cooled, it is then put through a shrinking process including the steps of wetting inner glove layer 30 with water, removing some of the moisture mechanically and then exposing the article to heat (e.g. in a tumble dryer) to form component glove part 50 as shown in FIG. 4. After a predetermined period of drying, component glove part 50 is removed from the heat, with the shrinking of the inner glove layer 30 resulting in folding of the inelastic intermediate glove layer 40 and also closed the knit of the inner glove layer 30 to its original knitted shape. Inner glove layers 30 can now be stretched back to its pre-laminated stretched configuration without applying any stress to intermediate glove layer 40.

(23) In step five, a component glove part 50 is attached to an outer glove layer 60 (including an opening 64 for receiving a user's hand) by sewing a second end 48B of each of securement tabs 48 attached to component glove part 50 to corresponding second finger portions 62 of outer glove layer 60 to form the final glove 10. Outer glove layer 60 may be formed from a variety of materials (including materials that have limited stretchability) and may be formed from a plurality of panels (e.g. a cut and sewn outer glove layer).

(24) FIGS. 6-8A/B show a method for sequentially forming two layers of a component glove part 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention based on the method of FIGS. 1-3 (features in common with the first embodiment are labelled accordingly). Component glove part 50 differs from component glove part 50 in that each elastic fabric securement tab 48 has first and second ends 48A, 48B connected to front and rear heat activated adhesive regions 49A, 49B of its respective tip portion 47 to form a loop 48C (as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 8A). As loop 48C is connected to tip portion 47 at two opposed locations, the tendency for elastic fabric securement tab 48 to damage or pull away from intermediate glove layer 40 is advantageously reduced.

(25) Component glove part 50 is assembled into a final glove in accordance with method steps 4-5 (FIGS. 4-5) of the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, loop 48C includes a central part 48D spaced from tip portion 47 and configured to be connected to a respective finger portion of an outer glove layer by a sewn connection (not shown).

(26) FIGS. 9-11 show a method for sequentially forming two layers of a component glove part 50 according to a third embodiment of the present invention based on the method of FIGS. 1-3 (features in common with the first embodiment are labelled accordingly). Component glove part 50 differs from component glove part 50 in that each elastic fabric securement tab 48 extends through its respective finger portion 46 of intermediate glove layer 40 and has a first end 48A connected by means of a first sewn connection 49A to a tip portion 37 of a respective one of a plurality of finger portions 36 defined by inner glove layer 30 and a second end 48B configured to be connected by means of a second sewn connection 49B to a respective finger portion 62 of outer glove layer 60 (see FIG. 11 showing outer glove layer 60 inverted during formation of the second sewn connection 49B).

(27) In this embodiment, intermediate glove layer 40 is formed by connecting discrete front and rear membrane parts each defining respectively front and rear sections of the plurality of fingers portions 46 and each securement tab 48 extending through the intermediate glove layer 40 is positioned between the discrete front and rear membrane parts prior to a step of welding the discrete front and rear membrane parts together. In this way, securement tabs 48 are fused to plurality of finger portions 46 during the step of connecting the discrete front and rear membrane parts to form a waterproof connection. As with component glove part 50, the tendency for elastic fabric securement tab 48 to damage or pull away from intermediate glove layer 40 is advantageously reduced in this arrangement.

(28) Component glove part 50 is assembled into a final glove in accordance with method steps 4-5 (FIGS. 4-5) of the first embodiment.

(29) FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a method of manufacturing a novel three-layer waterproof, windproof breathable glove 110.

(30) As shown in FIG. 12, a first stage of the method comprises sequentially forming the three component layers of glove 110 on a planar oversized glove former 120 comprising a main hand portion 122 and a hinged thumb portion 124 pivotable relative to the main hand portion 122 about a pivot axis A between a laterally extended position (as shown) in which thumb portion 124 extends away from main hand portion 122 and a folded position in which with thumb portion 124 is positioned beneath main hand portion 122. In the illustrated embodiment, oversized glove former 120 is at least 30% larger than eventual glove 110 in both planar dimensions.

(31) In step one, an elastic, stretchable water permeable knitted outer glove layer 130 having approximately the same profile as the eventual glove 110 (including an opening 132 for receiving a user's hand) is stretched over the oversized glove former 120, the hinged thumb portion 124 is retracted inwards into the folded position to allow outer glove layer 130 to be stretched over oversized glove former 120 without causing damage to the knit, or localised overstretching of the outer glove layer 130. Outer glove layer 130 is intended in use to provide the outermost layer of glove 110 and may be formed from a single continuous (e.g. seamless) warp knitted layer.

(32) In step two, a flexible intermediate glove layer 140 of limited stretchability relative to the outer glove layer 130 and having approximately the same profile (including an opening 142 for receiving a user's hand) as oversized glove former 120 is drawn over outer glove layer 130, again with hinged thumb portion 124 in the folded position to allow intermediate glove layer 140 to be placed over outer glove layer 130 without damaging intermediate glove layer 140 which is a snug fit around oversized glove former 120 when the hinged thumb portion 124 is in the extended position. Intermediate glove layer 140 comprises an inelastic membrane (typically 30-40 microns thick) resistant to penetration by liquid water but permeable to water vapour perspiration (e.g. a hydrophilic polyurethane membrane or microporous hydrophobic polyurethane membrane of types known in the art). Intermediate glove layer 140 includes inner and outer surfaces 144, 146 on which are printed first and second discontinuous patterns (e.g. dots, a network, lines or a combination thereof) of water based co-polyamide heat activatable adhesive, or other types of adhesive known in the art (e.g. powder coat or hot-melt types) 145, 147 respectively. The membrane may be formed from a plurality of shaped membrane sheets welded together (e.g. radio frequency, ultrasonic or hot-bar welded). An outer perimeter of intermediate glove layer 140 is additionally welded to form a watertight seal.

(33) In step three, a stretchable water permeable knitted inner glove layer 150 having approximately the same profile (including an opening 152 for receiving a user's hand) as the eventual glove 110 is stretched over intermediate glove layer 140 (again with hinged thumb portion 124 in the folded position). The inner glove layer 150 is intended in use to provide the innermost layer of glove 110 and like the outer glove layer 130 may be formed from a single continuous warp knitted layer. Since the inner glove layer 150 is likely to be contact with a wearer's skin, this layer will typically configured to wick moisture away from the wearer (with water vapour being allowed to escape through intermediate glove layer 140). Once inner glove layer 150 has been stretched over intermediate glove layer 140, thumb portion 124 of oversized glove former 120 is pivoted back into the extended position to form the arrangement shown in FIG. 13 with all three glove layers 130, 140, 150 mounted sequentially on oversized glove former 120. Oversized glove former 120 with the three glove layers 130, 140, 150 mounted thereon is then passed through a laminating machine 160 in which first and second discontinuous patterns of heat activatable adhesive 145, 147 are activated by heat. Pressure is than applied by one or more rollers 162 to squeeze the softened adhesive into the knit of the fabric of the outer and inner glove layers 130, 150.

(34) After lamination, hinged thumb portion 124 of oversized glove former 120 is pivoted to the folded position to enable the resulting article to be removed from oversized glove former 120, at which point the outer and inner glove layers 130, 150 will retract slightly by the pulling in of the fabric knit. Once the article has cooled, it is then put through a shrinking process including with the inner glove layer 150 outermost filling the glove with water to wet the outer glove layer 130 but not the inner glove layer 150 (this step will advantageously additionally check for leaks without requiring a separate leak testing step), removing some of the moisture mechanically and then exposing the article to heat (e.g. in a tumble dryer) to form glove 110 (including an opening 112 for receiving a user's hand) as shown in FIG. 15. After a predetermined period of drying, glove 110 is removed from the heat. The shrinking of the outer and inner glove layers 130, 150 has now resulted in folding of the inelastic intermediate glove layer 140 and also closed the knit of both the outer and inner glove layers 130, 150 to their original knitted shapes. Outer and inner glove layers 130, 150 can now be stretched back to their pre-laminated stretched configurations without applying any stress to intermediate glove layer 140.