WO2007136801A2 - Waterproof and high heat resistant coated gloves - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to kitchen gloves for commercial, industrial and/or home use, and related uses requiring waterproof gloves or mitts with high, and low, temperature resistance; this invention also relates to mitts or puppets that have a high wear and high heat resistant material, yet can still grip.

Description

Title: Waterproof and High Heat Resistant Coated Gloves

Inventors: DUNCAN, David W. (Valencia, California, U.S.)

PEWITT, Richard W. (Summerville, Georgia, U.S.) Attorney Docket No.: 2007-05-0218-PCT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to kitchen gloves for commercial, industrial and/or home use, and related uses requiring waterproof gloves or mitts with high, and low, temperature resistance.

It is desirable to make kitchen gloves or mitts, or kitchen puppet style holders out of a high heat resistant, cold resistant and waterproof or liquid proof material. Neoprene® rubber, made by du Pont, or generically known as chloride rubber, is used as wet suits to protect against cold and water. Chloride rubber also does not burn, although it can char (charcoal or carbonize). However, when used as a glove or mitt, it is not fully waterproof, because there are seams. Hot liquids such as hot oil, steam and other vapors and liquids can seep through the glove, mitt or puppet at the seams. These liquids can also wick along or through the seams.

The present invention relates to mitts or puppets that have a high wear and high heat resistant material, yet can still grip.

The present invention introduces such refinements. In its preferred embodiments, the present invention has several aspects or facets that can be used independently, although they are preferably employed together to optimize their benefits. All of the foregoing operational principles and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated upon consideration of the following detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a mitt in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a gusset portion of the mitt of Fig. 1 between the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the gusset portion of the mitt of Fig. 1, taken along a line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig.4 shows a partial top view of zigzag stitching and straight stitching on the inside of the seams of the mitt;

Fig. 5 is a view of the portion of Fig. 3 in circle 5, but in an alternative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a view of a step of dipping a mitt into a chloride rubber solution for coating the mitt in accordance with a step in a method in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is view of another step involving heating the mitt before the step of dipping of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a coated five-fingered glove in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, and a perspective view of an uncoated mitt prior to or after the step of heating in the second embodiment. ///

Fig. 9 is a front view of a puppet embodiment of the invention, with the top mouth portion and bottom mouth portion of the puppet open;

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the puppet of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1 1 is a view of a portion of the inside of the puppet at the puppet's mouth with a layer folded back;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 1 with the layer more unfolded;

Fig. 13 is a view of the inside lining of the puppet at the mouth;

Fig. 14 is a front view of the puppet similar to Fig. 9 but showing more detail including silicone gripping nodules;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along a line 7-7 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a view of a portion of Fig. 15 in a circle 8-8.

Fig. 17-23 show tables related to the Waterproof and High Heat Resistant Gloves Invention.

Fig. 24-28 show alternate embodiments of the glove invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Waterproof and High Heat Resistant Gloves (Duncan and Pewitt)

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a chloride rubber kitchen glove or mitt, or puppet (hereinafter "mitt" will be used, but the same applies equally to gloves and puppets). To waterproof and otherwise seal the seams, the glove is coated with a chloride rubber liquid, e.g., a dispersion or suspension. Suitable exemplary dispersion formulations for the chloride rubber dispersion are shown in attached Appendix A, incorporated by reference herein.

A problem with chloride rubber is that it contains oil and so coatings will not adhere to it easily. This is one of the attributes that makes it desirable for a kitchen mitt, because the chloride rubber is nonporous and will not absorb condiments, grease, or other food stuffs that typically stain materials.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the amount of oil in chloride rubber such as that traditionally used for clothing is reduced to a point where a chloride rubber liquid dispersion will adhere to the chloride rubber mitt. This is achieved, e.g., by heating the chloride rubber for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature to remove substantial amounts of emollients (oil), which bakes off, until the chloride rubber is able to have the liquid chloride rubber dispersion form a permanent coating thereon.

In an alternative embodiment, the chloride rubber for the mitt may be produced with substantially lower oil than heretofore used for clothing or the like. At the desired level of oil for the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chloride rubber is much dryer than usual. Once coated, the mitt/tool can withstand 134 degrees below zero to about 500 degrees Farenheit (260 degrees C).

With the coating, the mitt may be immersed in hot oil, such as for cleaning a fryer, e.g., a fast food restaurant's hot oil vat used for French fries, while the oil still is at or close to boiling, or at least about 350 to 360 degrees Farenheit. Further, in the process of canning steamed vegetables, the steamy vegetables can be handled. Also, in boiling soup or other food in a bag, the bag can be handled and opened without the boiling water and steam penetrating the mitt at the seams. Similarly, in the armed forces, heated rations are carried in a hot water bath and may be removed using the mitt of the invention, rather than a wire basket or the like, enabling more rations to be stored in the bath.

Preferably, as shown, e.g., in Fig. 8, the mitt, which may also be made as a glove, is made long. The more mass, the more the heat or cold is dissipated. In addition, there is more protection. A finished mitt with the coating is shown in Fig. 8 as element 4. It may be seen that near the end 4a of the mitt 4, there is a cuff 8 (folded over and stitched at 8a, Fig. 1, to the glove) to prevent liquids from flowing along the mitt and going past end 4a onto the wearer's skin or clothes.

Fig. 2 shows a gusset 10, a strip of material which may go part way or all the way around the periphery of the glove, represented by the dark lines in Fig. 1. Gusset 10 meets the front and back main pieces of material 4b and 4c at seems 10.

Fig. 3 shows connection of the front material 4b to the gusset 10 and the gusset 10 to the back material 4c. (This material is sewn together before the coating is applied, i.e., while chloride rubber base layer 16 is still exposed.)

If no gusset is used, then front and back material (or front and back of finger portions in a glove) are connected by one seam. Fig. 3 shows the two seams 10a where the chloride rubber material is uncoated on the inside and is sewn together by threads 11. Preferably, one thread 1 1 e.g., proximate the outside of the glove is nonbonded or absorbent to receive the coating in accordance with the invention, while a second thread 11 is bonded for strength at the seam. Coating 14 of the solidified chloride rubber dispersion covers the entire exterior of the glove and penetrates or seals off each seam, except that it is preferred not to coat near end 4a to form a cuff, as noted above.

In a further preferred version, as shown in Fig. 4, the outer stitch 1 1 of the seam is straight and is very close to the outside of the mitt, while the inner stitch 1 1 ' of the seam is in a zigzag or even a double zigzag pattern, for even more strength.

In Fig. 5, a "foamier" version of chloride rubber 16a or the like, is used, and chloride coating 14 is applied to rubber 16a, in the same manner as described herein for chloride rubber 16.

Figs. 6 and 7, and also 8, are for explaining a method of making such a mitt.

First, an uncoated mitt, or as shown in Fig. 8, a glove 6 (five fingered glove) is shown before the coating is applied. The mitt or glove are formed as follows:

Preferably, the chloride rubber mitts are prepared by cutting chloride rubber raw material into appropriate pieces for a mitt or glove, then folding over the edges and sewing them together inside the mitt or glove. This step of sewing or other bonding, preferably using a porous outer bonding element (e.g., stitching 11) is performed with the mitt inside out.

Then, the mitt is turned so that the seams are inside and the textured chloride rubber is outside.

Mitts 4 are mounted on heat resistant forms 20 and placed in an oven 22 in lots, e.g., in lots of twenty. Preferably, the oven is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove significant oil, e.g., to 300° F and oil is burned off for about 45 minutes. When excess volatiles have been removed, the mitts are removed from the forms and allowed to cool, while another batch is burned off.

Mitts are mounted (loaded) on the form again; the thumb piece is placed in the thumb and positioned to open up the thumb crotch by wedging the thumb piece between the mitts' cuff and a large paper spring clip.

Two forms with gloves of equal length are clamped together in a wooded form holder. Rubber chloride compound is agitated and pH and viscosity are selected to enable a smooth coating of desired thickness.

The mitts 4 are slowly immersed in dispersion 30 in a container 32. One exemplary rate is 10 inches per minute until the desired depth for that mitt has been reached. This slow immersion rate allows the chloride rubber dispersion to wet the textured mitt surface and flush any air in front of the wet edge. This step may take a minute or so, e.g., 72 seconds (1 min 12 sec).

The mitts are then withdrawn from the compound preferably at a like rate to the dipping rate, e.g., again 10 inches per minute. The slow withdrawal rate works with the rheology of the compound to pull most of the excess compound off the glove so there is very little drip or compound movement, but there is usually one drop on the tip of the palm and the tip of the thumb. This step again takes about a minute or so, e.g., 72 seconds (1 min 12 sec).

The mitts are turned up thumb first. This allows the larger drip or tag to flow along the seam and down the long edge of the glove. The tag on the thumb does go into the crotch but if the crotch is still spread and the tag thins out without leaving any problems.

After about 3-4 minutes the mitts a placed in the oven again at 180° degrees F. The oven is filled with mitts taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes and hold for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes the oven is turned up to 200 ° for 80 minutes. After 80 minutes the oven is turned up to 280 ° for 45 minutes. After a total of 135 minutes (2 hours 15 minutes) on the last mitts then are unloaded from the oven and cooled for the coating to harden.

The mitts preferably are inspected for pinholes along the seams. If a pinhole is found the glove is repaired, e.g., by spot application of dispersion or even re-dipping.

Mitts are then donned on the hand and immersed into water and flexed 30 cycles and examined by touch for any moisture. If no moisture is found the mitt is dried and ready.

The same coating process may be used by starting with mitts having chloride rubber that is lower in oil than standard. With lower oil, the chloride rubber is stiffen, and more like that which would be used for a gasket or seal than clothing or other items that are worn.

Note that the inventors have discovered that using a greater amount of soap during the manufacturing process using a textile material of fabric. This greater amount of soap is contrary to what is used in the industry. /// High Wear and Heat Resistant Gloves with Gripping Pods (Duncan)

As shown in Figs. 9-10 and 14, a puppet 1 for use as a kitchen tool or the like for handling hot or cold items has a mouth having an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 4. The main body 8 of the puppet may be made of a suitable hot and cold resistant material such as Neoprene® rubber made by du Pont, or generically known as chloride rubber. The body 8 may be made by stitching at the seams as is explained in a provisional patent application concurrently filed herewith, by folding in each layer and stitching the seams using a straight stitch and/or a zigzag or double zigzag stitch, or other suitable bonding.

The U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/801,455 (Filed 17 May 2006) is entitled WATERPROOF AND HIGH HEAT RESISTANT COATED GLOVES with inventors: David D. Duncan and Richard W. Pewitt, incorporated by reference herein.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a high heat resistant and high durability material such as Nomex® 10 for the mouth of the puppet and another high heat resistant material Kevlar® 12 in the central gripping area of mouth 10 on the upper and lower portions. The Nomex is not very porous and is not easy to grip with. Kevlar also is not easy to grip with, but has more porosity. Therefore, the Kevlar is used in the gripping area, and silicone nodules 14 are formed to protrude from, but be rooted in, the porous surface of the Kevlar.

The Nomex may have a lip 1 Oa and 1 Ob folded over the back side and stitched at 15 to the back chloride rubber layer 18.

Folds 22 (Fig. 15) enable stitching and seams to be covered up. The stitching 24 may be straight or zigzag or other stitching or bonding. The stitching preferably passes through the Nomex 10, then the Kevlar 12, then the Nomex, then a silicone rubber layer 17, then the chloride rubber. The stitching 26 at the chloride rubber seams may also bind the edges of the Nomex 10; the silicone nodules are preferably food grade.

This provides great gripping, with high heat resistance, i.e., significantly more than typical high kitchen temperatures of 500 degrees Farenheit, and wear resistance significantly greater than typical mitt or puppet wear resistance. To provide water or liquid resistance, and a steam barrier, the folds are provided.

The silicone nodules may be applied to the Kevlar using a perforated drum, and then curing in an oven. The Kevlar may be cut to size before or after applying the nodules.

An apparatus for a hand of a user to handle hot or cold items comprising: a body with a first end and a second end; the body further comprising a first material, which is resistant to cold and hot temperatures, and said body being able to receive the hand of the user at the second end; there is a mouth at the first end of the body; the mouth has an upper portion and a lower portion and a central gripping area; the mouth comprising a second material with high heat resistance and high durability characteristics; the central gripping area of the mouth having a third material with high heat resistance; and the central gripping area having at least one gripping nodule. While the invention as described above in connection with preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specific function, or "step for" performing a specific function, is not be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Sec. 1 12, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of "step of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 1 12, Paragraph 6.

Claims

We claim:

1. An apparatus for a hand of a user to handle hot or cold items comprising:

A body with a first end and a second end;

The body further comprising a first material, which is resistant to cold and hot temperatures, and said body being able to receive the hand of the user at the second end;

There is a mouth at the first end of the body;

The mouth has an upper portion and a lower portion and a central gripping area;

The mouth comprising a second material with high heat resistance and high durability characteristics;

The central gripping area of the mouth having a third material with high heat resistance; and the central gripping area having at least one gripping nodule.