Three Finger Sanitary Glove

Abstract

A disposable, three finger sanitary glove is provided that can be used to handle unsanitary or soiled items. The glove has a body portion, a thumb cover, an index finger cover, and a middle finger cover. The body portion has a palm surface, a rear surface, and a glove opening. The glove opening forms a curved lower edge that extends across the palm and across the backside of the wearer's hand while leaving exposed the wrist and a portion of the palm. A pull tab is provided for efficiently donning and doffing the glove using an opposite hand. In one embodiment, moisture absorbent material is provided along the glove opening and/or along the palm surface. Other embodiments contemplate textured finger cover surfaces for improved grip. Overall, the glove provides an efficient hand covering for short term use while handling unsanitary or soiled items.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/186,452 filed on Jun. 30, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to gloves and hand coverings that allow the wearer to handle unsanitary items without direct contact with the wearer's hand. More specifically, the present invention relates to a disposable sanitary glove that covers the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger to allow the wearer to pinch and support objects with a temporarily covered hand. The disposable glove is shaped to be easily doffed and donned, be distributed for public use, and sized to minimize material waste.

[0004] Medical gloves and sanitary gloves exist for shielding the wearer's hand and preventing cross-contamination between the wearer and another object. These devices form a layer over the wearer's hands that form fits to the wearer's fingers, thumb, hand, and wrist, and are useful devices in several fields. The present invention provides a new sanitary glove that is suited for mass distribution and one-time use, whereby a portion of the wearer's hand is shrouded while the user handles unsanitary items, such as feminine hygiene items, soiled items, and other items that may have contamination, waste, or bodily fluids thereon.

[0005] One particular use that is contemplated is handling feminine hygiene products after use. A disposable hand covering device is desired that improves sanitary handling of these items in different environments, and one that does not require the user the don a full medical or sanitary glove beforehand. Therefore, an easily donned and doffed sanitary glove is desired that covers a portion of the wearer's hand such that the user can readily handle unsanitary items.

[0006] The present invention provides a three finger glove that covers the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of the wearer, and covers a portion of the wearer's palm. The opening of the glove extends across the wearer's palm and across the back of the wearer's hand, thereby allowing the glove to be readily applied and removed before and after use. The glove is disposable and readily deployable in public restrooms or other suitable environments. Along the opening is a pull tab to assist donning and doffing, while absorbent material may be provided along the opening and along the palm to absorb moisture and prevent contamination of the wearer's exposed hand. Overall, the three finger glove of the present invention is simple and an efficient solution for handling unsanitary items while in different environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new sanitary glove that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when handling soiled or unsanitary items using a disposable hand cover.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sanitary glove that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a sanitary glove having a structure that forms a three digit covering.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove comprising a body portion, a thumb cover, an index finger cover, and a middle finger cover. The thumb cover is adapted to secure over the thumb of the wearer's hand, the index finger cover is adapted to secure over the index finger of the wearer's hand, and the middle finger cover is adapted to secure over the middle finger of the wearer's hand.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove in which the body portion comprises a palm surface, a rear surface, and a glove opening. The glove opening forms a curved lower edge.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove wherein the curved lower edge extends across the palm of the wearer's hand and along the backside of the wearer's hand when donned, while leaving exposed the wrist and a portion of the palm.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove comprising wherein the curved lower edge extends from a base of the thumb and between the middle finger and the ring finger of the wearer's hand.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove further comprising a pull tab disposed along the glove opening. The pull tab has a first end affixed to the body portion of the glove and an exposed second end that is adapted to be gripped and pulled by an opposite hand of the wearer.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove wherein the pull tab is positioned along the glove opening and the second end of the pull tab extends outward from the glove opening.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove wherein the pull tab is positioned along the palm surface adjacent to the glove opening, and wherein the second end of the pull tab extends outward from the glove opening.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove that further comprises a textured grip surface disposed along the thumb cover, the index finger cover, and the middle finger cover.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove in which the textured grip surfaces are disposed along an inner surface of each finger cover such that the textured grips of the index finger cover and the middle finger cover oppose the textured grip of the thumb cover when gripping items.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove wherein the three finger glove is composed of a disposable latex material, or of a disposable non-latex material selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, vinyl, and neoprene.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove further comprising an absorbent barrier disposed along the body portion and adjacent to the glove opening.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove in which the absorbent barrier further comprises a strip of moisture absorbent material.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary glove in which the absorbent barrier extends from the glove opening and is disposed along the palm surface. Moreover, the moisture absorbent material may additionally extend from the palm surface and along an underside surface of the thumb cover, the index finger cover, the middle finger cover.

[0023] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a view of the sanitary glove of the present invention in a working state, donned on the hand of a wearer.

[0026] FIG. 2A shows a view of an embodiment of the sanitary glove of the present invention in a working state.

[0027] FIG. 2B shows another embodiment of the sanitary glove of the present invention in a working state.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a view highlighting the textured grips along the ends of the index finger and middle finger coverings.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the sanitary glove of the present invention being removed from the hand of the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sanitary glove of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as providing a three finger glove that allows the user to don a disposable hand covering when handling unsanitary or soiled material. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown views of the sanitary glove of the present invention in a working state, donned on a wearer's hand. The sanitary glove forms a three finger glove that covers the thumb 61, index finger (forefinger) 62, and middle finger 63 of the wearer's hand, while also covering a portion of the wearer's palm 65. The glove is useful for temporary covering the wearer's hand while handling unsanitary or soiled items, whereafter the glove can be disposed of. Since the glove covers only three digits and a portion of the wearer's hand, the glove is more efficiently donned and doffed, and minimizes unnecessary material used for forming a temporary glove.

[0032] Specifically, the glove comprises a body portion 25, a thumb cover 21, an index finger cover 22, and a middle finger cover 23. The thumb cover 21 is adapted to secure over the thumb 61 of a wearer's hand. The index finger cover 22 is adapted to secure over the index finger 62 of the wearer's hand. And, the middle finger cover 23 is adapted to secure over the middle finger 63 of the wearer's hand. The body portion 25 has a palm surface 19, a rear surface 18, and a glove opening 40 that extends across the wearer's palm 65 and across the backside 68 of the wearer's hand. The glove opening 40 forms a curved lower edge that is configured to extend across the palm 65 of the wearer's hand and along the backside 68 of the wearer's hand when donned, leaving exposed the wrist 66 and a portion of the palm. This allows three digits of the wearer's hand to be quickly covered such that the user can quickly grasp items using the index and middle finger against the opposing thumb.

[0033] The curved lower edge of the glove opening 40 extends across the wearer's palm 65 and across the backside 65 of the wearer's hand to form a partial hand covering and three digit glove. The glove opening 40 is formed such that its curved lower edge extends from a base 67 of the thumb, across the palm 65, between 65 the middle finger 63 and the ring finger 64, and across the backside 68 of the wearer's hand. A portion of the wearer's palm 65 is covered adjacent to the thumb 61, index finger 62, and middle finger 63, while a portion of the palm 65 is exposed after the glove has been full donned. The glove opening 40 may further comprise an elastic lower edge or other suitable structure to maintain the position of the opening 40 across the hand of the wearer. Below the thumb covering, the body portion 25 of the glove leaves the wrist of the hand partially exposed, while the lower portion of the opening extends substantially across or adjacent to the anatomical snuff box and along the base of the thumb. Similarly, the upper portion of the opening extends across the finger webbing between the middle 63 and ring 64 fingers (i.e. across the plica interdigitalis or across the interdigital folds between these fingers).

[0034] To assist donning and doffing the glove on the wearer's hand, the glove may further comprise a pull tab 70 disposed along the glove opening 40. The pull tab 70 has a first end 71 affixed to the body portion 25 of the glove, and an exposed second end 72 that is adapted to be gripped and pulled by an opposite hand of the wearer (see FIG. 4). One or more pull tabs 70 may be positioned along the glove opening 40, allowing the palm surface 19 of the glove and the backside surface 18 of the glove to be stretched over the wearer's hand. In one embodiment, the pull tab 70 is positioned along the glove opening 40 and the second end 72 of the pull tab extends outward from the glove opening 40 for improved purchase by the wearer's opposing hand. The pull tab 70 provides a means to draw the glove onto the wearer's hand and assist when removing the glove, whereby the glove can be inverted and folded inside out to contain any contaminates along the outside surface of the glove.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there are shown embodiments of the glove in which the finger covers 21, 22, 23 include textured grip surfaces 80 thereon to improve user grip while wearing the glove. The textured grip surface 80 may completely cover the entire exterior surface of the gloves, or alternatively the grip surfaces 80 may be positioned in only certain locations along the glove exterior surface. In one embodiment, and as shown in the drawing views, the textured surfaces 80 may be disposed only along the thumb cover 21, the index finger cover 22, and the middle finger cover 22. More specifically, the textured surfaces 80 may be present only along the inner surface 13 of each cover thereof such that the textured grips 80 of the index finger cover 22 and the middle finger cover 23 oppose the textured grip 80 of the thumb cover 21 when gripping items. In particular, the grips 80 may be provided only along the palmer surfaces of the three finger covers, and moreover be limited to covering distal phalanx 15 of each finger cover. This allows the opposing fingers and thumb to grip items with a glove surface thereover that exhibits sufficient friction against the gripped item to prevent slippage or dropping of the held item.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there are shown yet more embodiments of the sanitary glove of the present invention. In these embodiments, the sanitary glove of the present invention further comprises an absorbent barrier 90 disposed on the body portion 25 of the glove and extending along the glove opening 40. The absorbent barrier 90 is a moisture absorbent material that extends along the glove opening 40 and is adjacent thereto, whereby the barrier 90 absorbs moisture and other liquid contaminants that may be present on the exterior surface of the glove. In one embodiment, the absorbent barrier 90 is preferably a raised layer or strip of moisture absorbent material that is disposed adjacent to the glove opening 40. This prevents liquids from traveling along the glove exterior surface and contacting the exposed portion of the wearer's palm 65. The absorbent barrier 90 may extend completely around the opening 40 or extend only partially therearound. In another embodiment, the moisture absorbing material may extend along the palm surface of the glove body portion 25. Further still, the moisture absorbing material may extend from the palm surface along an underside surface of the thumb cover 61, the index finger cover 62, the middle finger cover 63. This larger surface area allows for greater absorbing of moisture when the glove is donned.

[0037] The sanitary glove of the present invention is designed as a partial cover for a wearer's hand such that a user can readily don the device and grip unsanitary or soiled items without wearing a full glove. The glove can then be readily removed and disposed of. The material of the glove may be formed of common glove materials used for medical gloves or form-fitting hand coverings, including latex and non-latex materials. Non-latex materials may include nitrile rubber, vinyl, neoprene, or equivalent materials.

[0038] Overall, the device protects a wearer's hands when and provides a disposable hand covering adapted to secure over a plurality of fingers and the wearer's thumb. The glove may be deployed or sold for various purposes, including both commercial and personal use. Common personal uses include handling feminine hygiene products and soiled items. Commercial uses may include uses in industry or medical fields. The gloves may be deployed in public places, such as restrooms and the like. Finally, the gloves may be sold individually or in packages that can be easily transported by a user. Both left and right handed gloves are contemplated.

[0039] It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0040] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A three finger glove, comprising: a body portion, a thumb cover, an index finger cover, and a middle finger cover; wherein the thumb cover is adapted to secure over the thumb of a wearer's hand; wherein the index finger cover is adapted to secure over the index finger of the wearer's hand; wherein the middle finger cover is adapted to secure over the middle finger of the wearer's hand; the body portion having a palm surface, a rear surface, and a glove opening; wherein the glove opening forms a curved lower edge that is configured to extend across the palm of the wearer's hand and along the backside of the wearer's hand when donned, while leaving exposed the wrist and a portion of the palm.

2) The three finger glove of claim 1, wherein: the curved lower edge extends from a base of the thumb and between the middle finger and the ring finger of the wearer's hand.

3) The three finger glove of claim 1, further comprising: a pull tab disposed along the glove opening; the pull tab having a first end affixed to the body portion and an exposed second end that is adapted to be gripped and pulled by an opposite hand of the wearer.

4) The three finger glove of claim 3, wherein the pull tab is positioned along the glove opening and the second end of the pull tab extends outward from the glove opening.

5) The three finger glove of claim 3, wherein the pull tab is positioned along the palm surface adjacent to the glove opening, and wherein the second end of the pull tab extends outward from the glove opening.

6) The three finger glove of claim 1, further comprising: textured grip surfaces disposed along the thumb cover, the index finger cover, and the middle finger cover.

7) The three finger glove of claim 6, wherein: the textured grip surfaces are disposed an end of each of the thumb cover, the index finger cover, and the middle finger cover; and whereby textured grip surfaces are disposed along an inner surface thereof such that the textured grips of the index finger cover and the middle finger cover oppose the textured grip of the thumb cover when gripping items.

8) The three finger glove of claim 1, wherein the three finger glove is composed of a disposable latex material.

9) The three finger glove of claim 1, wherein the three finger glove is composed of a disposable non-latex material selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, vinyl, and neoprene.

10) The three finger glove of claim 1, further comprising an absorbent barrier disposed along the body portion and adjacent to the glove opening.

11) The three finger glove of claim 10, wherein the absorbent barrier further comprises a strip of moisture absorbent material.

12) The three finger glove of claim 10, wherein the absorbent barrier further comprises moisture absorbent material disposed along the palm surface.

13) The three finger glove of claim 12, wherein the moisture absorbent material extends from the palm surface along an underside surface of the thumb cover, the index finger cover, the middle finger cover.

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