AU2017100214A4 - Garment - Google Patents

Description

1 2017100214 22 Feb 2017

Garment

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to garments; in particular garments for protecting specific body parts.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to gloves for providing protection to the hand,

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Some garments cover only specific parts of a body to provide protection to the specific body. One example of a particular garment used for covering a specific body part is a glove. Other examples of garments used for covering a specific body part are socks.

[0005] Some particular types of gloves are: (1) Barrier gloves - such as washing up gloves and/or similar to protect against harsh chemicals and compounds; (2) Seamless gloves - manufactured from thread by knitting device into a final glove. The thread used may range from cotton, nylon or wool to a para-aramid synthetic fiber (such as Kevlar®) or high performance polyethylene. They may also be coated to provide different properties and levels of performance; and, (3) Cut-N-Sew gloves - manufactured from a wide range of materials and/or layers of materials to produce a final product fitting the consumer’s needs; examples of these type of gloves are: firefighters gloves, car racing gloves, mechanics gloves, welding glove etc... Typically, the cut-n-sew gloves are assembled by cutting the various materials following a pattern and then stitching them together.

[0006] Referring back to seamless gloves, seamless gloves are manufactured for specific purposes. However, the most common types of seamless gloves are limited to 2 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 a single type of thread and coating. Different threads provide different levels of comfort and protection from a range of mechanical injuries iike burns and cuts. Seamless gloves may differ from each other by the type of coatings applied to them. By applying different coatings you adjust the properties of the seamless gloves to suit the conditions of the different environments were the seamless gloves may be used. For example, a latex coating is better used in dry or wet conditions; in contrast, a nitrile based coating performs better in oily conditions than latex would perform if used in oily conditions.

[0007] Gloves cover at least partially the hands of a user to protect the entire hand or particular portions of the hand. Some gloves are designed to protect the user’s hands from the cold; other gloves protect the user’s hand from injury due to contact with sharp-edged objects. The gioves used for protecting hands from sharp edged objects are typically used during handling of toois and articles or while conducting handiwork such as gardening.

[0008] Cut injuries are among the most common hand injury. And, most of these cut injuries are not only on the palm of the hand but also any other areas of the hand. This means protection across the entire hand (its palm, its dorsal side and its fingers) is required. To provide 360° protection to the hand with a cut-n-sew glove is not easy to achieve in cut-n-sew gloves. A cut-n-sew liner could be developed for incorporation into a cut-n-sew outer glove to provide a full protection; but, developing such a cut-n-sew glove is relative time consuming. The incorporation of a cut-n-sew liner into a cut-n-sew outer glove also adds additional seams to the overall glove; this reduces comfort and dexterity.

[0009] Alternately, a cut-n-sew glove that provides additional protection could be made by first laminating or bonding cut resistant material (such as Kevlar®) onto each piece that makes up the glove to iayer(s); but, this introduces a new process and results in bulky seams and less dexterity -- thus, reducing comfort and increasing costs,

[0010] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a garment having an outer layer and inner layer attached to an inner face of the outer layer, 3 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 wherein the inner layer comprises a cut resistant thread knitted together to define the inner layer.

[0012] Preferably, the garment comprises a glove.

[0013] Preferably, the glove covers an entire hand.

[0014] Preferably, the glove comprises an outer glove and an inner glove.

[0015] Preferably, the inner giove is attached to an inner face of the outer glove via at least one joint.

[0016] Preferably, the outer glove comprises a cut-n-sew giove.

[0017] Preferably, the inner giove comprises a cut-resistant thread knitted in such a manner so as to define the inner giove.

[0018] Preferably, the thread may be any thread that when knitted to define the inner glove, the knitted thread provides the inner glove with a cut resistance as defined by international standards.

[0019] Preferably, in particular arrangements, the inner glove provides a minimal level of protection as defined by any one the following international standards: EN 388 -Cut level 3 or greater; EN ISO 13997 -- Cut levei 2 or greater; and ANSI 105:2011 -- Cut level 2 or greater.

[0020] Preferably, at least one portion of the inner glove is attached to the inner face of the outer glove via at least one joint.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one joint comprises stitching; alternatively, the joint comprises adhesive or any other suitable attachment means.

[0022] Preferably, each fingertip of the inner glove is attached to a counterpart fingertip of the outer giove.

[0023] Preferably, an outmost portion of each fingertip of the inner glove is attached to a outmost portion of the counterpart fingertip of the outer glove. 4 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 [0024] Preferably, attachment of the fingertips may be conducted via stitching or adhesives, among other fastening means.

[0025] In an alternative arrangement, at least one particular portion other than the fingertips of the inner and outer glove are attached to each other.

[0026] Preferably, the particular portions comprise the palm sides, the forchettes and/or dorsal sides of the inner and outer gloves.

[0027] Preferably, attachment of the particular portions may be conducted via stitching or adhesives, among other fastening means.

[0028] Preferably, the cuffs of the inner and outer gloves are joined together, [0029] Preferably, the joint of the cuffs of the inner and outer gloves comprises a finishing trim.

[0030] Preferably, attachment of the trim to the cuff may be conducted via stitching or adhesives, among other fastening means.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing the glove as defined in the first aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: joining together the fingertips of the inner glove and outer glove; folding the inner glove over the outer glove to locate the outer glove inside the inner glove; joining the cuff of the inner glove and the cuff of the outer glove together; and reversing the glove so that the inner glove is contained in the outer glove.

[0032] Preferably, the method further includes joining together particular portions other than the fingertips. 5 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 [0033] Preferably, the particular portions comprise the palm sides, the forchettes and/or dorsal sides.

[0034] Preferably, the method further comprises applying a trim to the joined cuffs.

[0035] Preferably, attachment of the fingertips, the particular portion(s) and the trim may be conducted via stitching or adhesives, among other fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a glove in accordance with a first aspect of the invention comprising an inner glove inside an outer glove;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inner glove included inside the outer glove of the glove shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a detail of a fingertip of the inner glove joined together to a fingertip of the outer glove jointed together in exploded condition;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the fingertip of the inner glove shown in figure 3 mounted on the fingertip of the outer giove;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the inner giove mounted on the outer glove with the fingertips joined together;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the inner glove lying below the outer glove with the fingertips and particular portions of the inner glove and outer glove joined together; 6

Figure 7 is a pian view of the giove in reversed condition; 2017100214 22 Feb 2017

Figure 8 is a side perspective view of the rear section of the giove shown in figure 1 depicting the cuff of the glove in unstitched condition;

Figure 9 is a pian view of the cuff of the giove shown in figure 1 in stitched condition; and

Figure 10 is a pian view of a detaii of the cuff shown in figure 9 incorporating a finishing trim.

It should be noted that the figures are schematic only and the iocation and disposition of the components can vary according to the particular arrangements of the embodiments of the present invention as well as of the particular applications of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0037] Figures 1 shows a particular arrangement of a glove 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. The glove 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention has a relative high resistance to external influences. The glove 10 is adapted to provide protection to particular areas of an operator’s hand or all of the operator’s hand from sharp edged objects during handling of articles having sharp edges or during manual work such as gardening and handiwork.

[0038] The glove 10 comprises an outer giove 12 and an inner glove 14. The inner glove 14 is covered by the outer glove 12. As will be described at a later stage, the inner glove 14 is secured at particular portions of the outer glove 12 to impede movement of the inner glove 14 within the outer 12 during use of the glove 10; for example, the fact that the inner glove 14 is fastened at particular portions of the outer glove 12 impedes the inner gloves 14 from exiting the outer gloves 12 when the user is removing the glove 10 from the hand.

[0039] Figure 2 depicts a particular arrangement of the inner glove 14. The inner glove 14 shown in figure 2 comprises cut-resistant thread 16 that is knitted in such a manner so as to define the inner glove 14. The fact that the inner glove 14 is defined by a cut-resistant thread is particularly advantageous because it impedes sharp edges and 7 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 pointed ends to perforate the inner giove 14 ~ thus, avoiding injury to the user. Furthermore, the fact that the inner giove 13 is defined by knitted thread 16 provides dexterity to the giove 10 therefor increasing the comfort of the glove 10.

[0040] The thread 16 that defines the inner glove 14 may be any type of thread. In a particular arrangement, the thread 16 may be any thread that when knitted into a glove such as the inner glove 14 provides the inner glove 14 with a cut resistance as defined by international standards; in particular arrangements, the inner glove 14 provides a minimal level of protection as defined by the international standards: EN 388 - Cut level 3 or greater; EN ISO 13997 - Cut level 2 or greater; and ANSI 105:2011 - Cut level 2 or greater.

[0041] The inner glove 14 is contained within the outer glove 12 such that each finger 28 of the inner glove 14 is contained within the counterpart finger 30 of the outer glove 12; in particular, each finger 28 of the inner glove 14 is contained within the finger 30 that extends from a particular location of palm 32 of the outer glove 12, the particular location at the palm 32 is the same location at the palm of the inner glove 14 from which the finger 28 extends.

[0042] In accordance with the particular arrangement of the glove 10 shown in the figures, the outer glove 12 comprises a cut-n-sew glove 18 - see figure 5 and 6. The cut-n-sew glove 18 comprises a plurality of sections that have been cut out of materials following particular patterns. The glove 10 is assembled by joining the sections together to define the cut-n-sew glove 18. Any suitable material may be used for assembling the cut-n-sew glove 18.

[0043] Referring now to figures 3 to 10. Figures 3 to 10 show a particular arrangement of a method for manufacturing the giove 10.

[0044] The method for manufacturing the giove 10 comprises the steps of (1) joining together the fingertips 20 of the inner glove 14 and outer glove 12; (2) folding the inner glove 14 over the outer glove 12 to locate the outer glove 12 inside the inner glove 14; (3) joining the cuff 24 of the inner glove 14 and the cuff 26 of the outer glove 12 together; and (4) reversing the glove 10 so that the inner glove 14 is contained in the outer glove 14. 8 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 [0045] As mentioned above, a first step for manufacturing the glove 10 is to join each fingertip 20 of the fingers 28 (of the inner glove 14) to its counterpart fingertip 22 of the counterpart finger 30 of the outer glove 12.

[0046] Figures 3 and 4 show the joint of the fingertips 20 and 22. In the particular arrangement shown in figures 3 and 4, the fingertip 20 and 22 are joined together by stitching together the outmost portion of the fingertips 20 and 22. The joint of the fingertips 20 and 22 may be formed by any suitable fastening mechanism other than stitching; for example, adhesive may be used.

[0047] Further, as shown in figure 6, in accordance with a particular arrangement of the method of manufacture of the glove 10 particular portions other than the fingertips 22 and 28 may be joined together. For example, the palm sides 34, the forchettes 36 (this being the union of the front and back sections of the fingers 28 and 30) or dorsal sides 39 may be joined together. Attachment may be conducted via stitching or adhesives among any other suitable attachment means.

[0048] The second step for manufacturing the glove 10 includes the step of folding the inner glove 14 over the outer glove 12 to locate the outer glove 12 inside the inner glove 14; by folding the glove 10; in this manner, the glove 10 is located in the reversed condition.

[0049] Figure 7 shows the glove 10 in the reversed condition prior applying the third step of the manufacturing process of the glove 10. In this condition, the step of joining together the cuffs of the gloves 12 and 14 may be conducted.

[0050] Figure 8 shows the end section of the glove 10 shown in figure 1 depicting the cuffs 24 and 26 of the gloves 14 and 12 in the unstitched condition.

[0051 ] The third step for manufacturing the glove 10 includes the step of joining together the cuff 24 of the inner glove 14 and the cuff 26 of the outer glove 12. The joint between the cuffs 24 and 26 may be done via stitching or adhesive among other type of fastening means. Figure 9 shows the rear section 38 of the glove 10 having the cuffs 24 and 26 stitched together. 9 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 [0052] Further, in accordance with a particular arrangement of the method of manufacture of the glove 10 after the cuffs 24 and 26 have been joined together, a border such as a finishing trim 40 may be applied to the edges of the rear section 38 of the glove 10. Figure 9 shows the rear section 38 of the glove 10 having the cuffs 24 and 26 stitched together. Attachment of the trim 40 to the rear section 38 may be conducted via stitching, adhesives or any other suitable attachment means.

[0053] The fourth step for manufacturing the glove 10 includes reversing the glove 10 so that the inner glove 14 is contained in the outer glove 14. In this condition the gloves is ready to be worn by a user.

[0054] The glove 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is particularly useful because it provides a glove 10 that provides overall protection to the user’s hand from entering in contact with sharp edges during use of the glove 10 while conducting handiwork and/or handling articles and tools.

[0055] The glove 10 provides comfort to the user because the glove 10 does not include bulky seams. Also, during selectively pulling on and off of the glove 10, the inner glove 14 is not extracted from the outer glove 12. Also, the manufacturing process in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is relatively cost effective.

[0056] The glove 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention provides an all over cut protection, and combines the benefits of using a seamless and knitted glove with the benefits of cut-n-sew gloves.

[0057] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0058] As an example, in accordance with present embodiment of the invention relates to a glove 10 that covers an entire hand; however, alternative embodiments of the invention may relate to gloves that cover only a particular area of the hand, such as fingerless gloves.

[0059] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed. By way of example, the present embodiment of the invention relates a glove 10. However, in accordance with alternative 2017100214 22 Feb 2017 10 embodiments of the invention there may be provided other type of garments comprising an inner layer (made out of knitted cut resistant thread) and an outer layer (made, for example, of particular sections of materials joined together for assembling of the outer layer); a particular example of these type of garments are socks.

[0060] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise'’ or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (5)

1. A garment having an outer body and an inner body attached to an inner face of the outer body, wherein particular portions of the inner body are attached to the inner face of the outer body via at least one joint.

2. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the garment comprises a glove having an outer glove and an inner glove attached to an inner face of the outer glove, each of the inner and outer glove comprising a centra! body comprising palm sides, dorsal sides and a plurality of fingers portions for receiving fingers of a user of the glove.

3. A garment according to claim 2 wherein the particular portions of the inner glove comprise ends of the fingers.

4. A garment according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the particular portions of the inner glove comprise any of the dorsal sides and the palm sides of the fingers.

5. A method for manufacturing a glove having an outer glove and an inner glove attached to an inner face of the outer glove, each of the Inner and outer glove comprising a central body comprising palm sides, dorsal sides, and a plurality of fingers portions for receiving fingers of a user, the method comprises the steps of: reversing the inner glove and the outer glove so that outer surfaces of the inner glove and the outer glove are contained within the each of the inner and outer glove; abutting particular portions of inner surfaces of the inner glove to the particular portions of the inner surfaces of the outer glove, the particular portions being any one of the palm sides, dorsal sides, and a plurality of fingers portions; joining together the particular portions via a least one joint; folding the inner glove over the outer glove to locate the outer glove inside the inner glove; joining cuffs of the inner glove and outer glove to each other; and reversing the glove so that the inner glove is contained in the outer glove.