CN210076656U

CN210076656U - Hand form for use in the manufacture of gloves

Info

Publication number: CN210076656U
Application number: CN201822168300.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 奥尔赫·若德利克; 马克西米利安·穆特; 弗洛里安·斯塔克; 保罗·阿尔真蒂
Original assignee: W L Geer And Associates Ltd
Current assignee: W L Geer And Associates Ltd; WL Gore and Associates Inc
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2020-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-21

Abstract

The utility model provides a hand former for use in the manufacture of gloves, this hand former include main part and separable thumb portion, and main part includes four fingers and main part coupling structure, and the thumb portion includes thumb and thumb coupling structure, and wherein, main part and thumb portion configure to connect so as to form the hand former via the coupling of main part coupling structure and thumb coupling structure, and wherein, thumb portion and main part configure to: when the thumb coupling arrangement is coupled to the main portion coupling arrangement, the thumb portion and the main portion are rotated relative to each other.

Description

Hand form for use in the manufacture of gloves

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a hand mould used in the manufacture of gloves and glove linings.

Background

The manufacture of gloves from substantially two-dimensional fabrics or pieces of fabric requires the transformation of those fabrics or pieces of fabric into a three-dimensional shape, which must generally be an inherently stable three-dimensional shape. Thus, after the glove or glove liner is removed from the user's hand, the resulting glove or glove liner retains its three-dimensional shape. In particular, the glove or glove liner needs to maintain an inherently stable three-dimensional shape corresponding to the hand and to closely conform to the user's hand when removed.

This manufacturing process can be particularly difficult where functional layers or functional laminates need to be included in the fabric or fabric sheet used to produce the glove or glove liner. For example, a functional layer or functional laminate may be required to produce a water vapor permeable, waterproof or windproof glove or glove liner. Such known functional stacks-for example by w.l&Produced by Associates

Or

Are provided as, for example, two-dimensional sheets, and it has been found difficult to incorporate these functional layers or functional stacks into inherently stable three-dimensional shapes such as the shape of gloves.

An efficient method for manufacturing gloves or glove liners using such functional layers or functional laminates is provided in international patent application No. wo2018/001468 to w.l.gore & Associates GMBH. The method uses heating of the fabric of the glove or glove liner while stretching in a desired three-dimensional shape to form an inherently stable three-dimensional glove or glove liner. In some embodiments, during the heating process, the fabric of the glove is maintained in a stretched three-dimensional configuration using a hand form that mimics the hand of the user.

However, in such methods using hand molds, it has been found that it can be difficult to insert the hand mold into a two-dimensional glove preform, particularly in the wrist region or cuff of a glove or glove liner, without overstretching the glove preform. Furthermore, gloves or glove liners that have been formed on hand forms are often difficult to remove from the hand form without excessive stretching.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hand form for use in a method for manufacturing a glove or glove liner.

Accordingly, at least some aspects of the present invention aim to provide improved hand forms that address one or more of these problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to a first aspect, there is provided a hand former for use in the manufacture of gloves, the hand former comprising a primary portion comprising four fingers and a primary coupling arrangement and a separable thumb portion comprising a thumb and a thumb coupling arrangement, wherein the primary portion and the thumb portion are configured to be connected via the coupling of the primary coupling arrangement and the thumb coupling arrangement to form the hand former, wherein the thumb portion and the primary portion are configured to: when the thumb coupling arrangement is coupled to the main portion coupling arrangement, the thumb portion and the main portion are rotated relative to each other.

Typically, the hand form is in the shape of a glove with fingers. In at least some embodiments, the hand former may be made in the shape of a fingered glove, wherein the thumb portion lies in a different plane than the fingers. Thus, the hand former may have a more natural configuration to mimic a human hand with an opposing thumb, rather than having the thumb portion lie in the same plane as the finger portion.

In the case of the previously provided one-piece hand former with fingers and thumbs lying in different planes, it is difficult, if not impossible, to pull the two-dimensional functional layer assembly used to form the glove onto the hand former as the functional layer assembly is moved over the fingers and thumb, and can lead to distorted regions of the functional layer assembly, particularly in the region used to form the glove cuff, which in at least some cases can be the narrowest point of the glove.

Providing a hand form with a thumb portion separable from the main portion allows the functional layer assembly to be pulled onto the main portion while the hand form is disassembled, and then, once the functional layer assembly is in place, the thumb portion can be inserted into the functional layer assembly via the opening at the cuff and moved into the thumb stall of the functional layer assembly and coupled with the main portion to form the hand form. Thereby, stretching and twisting of the functional layer assembly is minimized, especially in the cuff area of the functional layer assembly.

The functional layer assembly typically has a flat configuration or a substantially two-dimensional configuration or a sheet-like configuration and can thus be spread out on a flat surface. In the simplest configuration, the functional layer assembly consists of a single piece of material that can be spread out on a flat surface. In more complex configurations, the functional layer assembly may have a two or more layer configuration on top of each other that allows the functional layer assembly to be spread out on a flat surface. For example, the functional layer assembly may have a two-layer configuration having a two-dimensional hand contour when placed on top of each other. At least one of the stacked layers forming the two-dimensional functional layer assembly comprises a functional material. For example, each of the stacked layers forming the two-dimensional functional layer assembly may include a functional material. However, in some embodiments, it may also be sufficient if only one, or some, of the stacked layers forming the two-dimensional functional layer assembly comprise functional material. The other superposed layers may comprise any textile material or fabric, desirably including a textile material or fabric that provides stretchability in at least one direction.

The textile material may have the configuration of a textile sheet or fabric. The textile sheet or fabric may be, for example, a woven, knitted, non-woven or felt fabric. Such materials may be formed from natural fibres, for example cotton or viscose, or from synthetic fibres such as polyesters, polyamides, polypropylene or polyolefins, or from blend fibres of at least two of these materials. Such materials are typically water permeable and water vapor permeable. In order to make a material water-resistant, it may be hydrophobized by treating it with a water-repellent material so that its pores remain open for the transport of water vapour.

The textile material or fabric may be stretchable. This can be achieved by using stretchable or elastic fibers such as those made of certain polyamides, for example polyamide 6.6 or nylon, polyurethane or combinations thereof. Particularly useful are elastic or stretchable fibers comprising polyurethane block copolymers. Such block copolymers may comprise relatively hard polymer blocks, in particular polymer blocks comprising isocyanate groups, and such block copolymers may comprise relatively soft polymer blocks, in particular polymer blocks comprising polyol groups (e.g. polyethylene glycol groups). In such block copolymers, the relatively hard blocks have a continuous (straight) configuration and are bonded to other hard blocks in an ordered configuration, thereby providing stability to the fiber. A relatively soft block is provided between these relatively hard blocks. Such relatively soft blocks have a more disordered clustering configuration than the relatively hard blocks. Thus, the relatively soft blocks tend to orient in the direction of the tensile force when subjected to tension and tend to reorient to an unordered configuration when the tension is released. Thus, the relatively soft blocks provide stretchability or elasticity to the fiber. The relatively soft blocks may be based on polyesters or polyethers. Stretchable fibres of this type are known, for example, as elastic, spandex or rubber fibres, sold in particular under the trade name Lycra or Dorlastan.

The stretchable properties for textile materials or fabrics can also be obtained by structuring the fibers. In particular, texturized fibers may be useful, such as crimped fibers. Texturizing is a process whereby, for example, a fiber is pulled onto a disc and thereby wound or twisted. This is in fact longer than otherwise, and therefore can be stretched, for the fibers in the textile. Even when the texturized fibers are made of a non-elastic material, the texturized fibers provide elastic properties because the fibers tend to return from a stretched configuration to their original configuration after the tension is released. In the absence of tension, one example may be crimped fibers having a generally helical configuration. These crimped fibers elongate when subjected to tension, but at least partially return to their helical configuration upon release of the tension.

Generally, the hand former is suitable for use in a method of manufacturing gloves according to international patent application No. wo2018/001468 to w.l.gore & Associates GMBH. In particular, the hand former may be used to apply a stretching force on the functional component to transform the two-dimensional functional layer component from a two-dimensional configuration to a three-dimensional configuration. Further, the hand mold may apply the stretching force while heating the functional layer assembly to relax the stretched fibers of the functional layer assembly, such that the glove so produced maintains a three-dimensional configuration once removed from the hand mold.

In some embodiments, the primary portion coupling structure may comprise a curved element. The thumb coupling structure may include a curved element. The bending elements may be configured to couple or fit together. One of the curved elements may be a concave element. The other of the curved elements may be a convex element. Thus, the bending element of the thumb coupling may be a complement of the bending element of the main portion coupling.

The curved element may have a curvature about a single axis. The curved element may have curvature about multiple axes. For example, the curved element may have curvature about two axes.

The thumb coupling structure may include a male element. The female element of the primary coupling arrangement may be configured to receive the male element of the thumb coupling arrangement.

In embodiments where the bending element has curvature about two axes, the bending element may allow the thumb portion and the main portion to rotate relative to each other. The curved member may allow the thumb portion to be easily positioned in the correct location, thereby allowing the hand form to be assembled correctly.

Thus, in some embodiments, the bending element of the main portion and the bending element of the thumb portion may be formed as a type of ball joint.

The hand mould may be made of a material having a deformation point or melting point above a relaxation temperature to which the hand mould and the functional layer assembly mounted thereon are heated during use.

The hand former may be made of a material having a deformation or melting point which is significantly higher than the relaxation temperature to which the hand former and the functional layer assembly mounted thereon are heated during use.

For example, the hand form may be made of a metal such as aluminum, iron, or steel. The hand mold may be made of ceramic. The hand mold may be made of a plastic with a high melting point, such as polyimide, Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, such as provided by General Electric

Or for example polyphenylsulfone (PPSU).

The hand mould may comprise one or more vents. The main portion may include one or more vents. The thumb portion may include one or more vents. The main portion and thumb portion may include one or more vents. The one or more vents may allow gas to escape from within the hand form to encourage a glove already formed on the hand form to release from the hand form, thereby allowing the glove to be more easily removed from the hand form.

For example, one or more of the four fingers may include one or more vents. The thumb of the thumb portion may include one or more vents. The one or more vents may be positioned at a tip end of one or more of the four fingers of the main portion.

Typically, the hand former is used in a method of manufacturing a glove or glove liner, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a functional layer assembly and a hand model, the hand model comprising a main portion and a thumb portion;

(B) securing the functional layer assembly to the main portion of the hand form;

(C) inserting a thumb portion of the hand form into the functional layer assembly and connecting the thumb portion with the main portion within the functional layer assembly, thereby applying a tensile force to the functional layer assembly;

(D) heating the functional layer assembly and the hand former when the functional layer assembly is subjected to a tensile force, thereby relaxing the functional layer assembly and transforming the three-dimensional structure of the functional layer assembly into an inherently stable three-dimensional structure; and

(E) the functional layer assembly is removed from the hand mold.

In some embodiments, the thumb portion is removed from within the functional layer assembly after the step of heating and before the step of removing the functional layer assembly from the hand mold.

In embodiments where the hand mold includes one or more vents, gas may be vented from the one or more vents after the step of heating the functional layer but before the step of removing the functional layer from the hand mold. The gas vented from the one or more vents may make the functional layer assembly easier to remove from the hand mold.

In some embodiments, after the step of heating the functional layer assembly and before the step of removing the functional layer assembly from the hand mold, the thumb portion may be removed from the hand mold, and the gas may then be vented from the one or more vents.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1: A) is a front perspective view of the thumb section and the primary section according to an embodiment, wherein the thumb section is in an insertion position; B) is a side perspective view of the thumb portion and main portion shown in a);

FIG. 2: A) is a front perspective view of the thumb section and the primary section according to an embodiment, wherein the thumb section is in a further insertion position; B) is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a);

FIG. 3: A) a front perspective view of a thumb portion and a main portion according to an embodiment, wherein the thumb coupling feature is coupled to the main portion coupling feature; B) is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a);

FIG. 4: A) is a front perspective view of a hand form according to an embodiment, wherein the thumb portion is rotationally aligned; B) a side perspective view of the hand form of A);

FIG. 5: A) is a front perspective view of the hand form according to an embodiment, wherein the thumb portion and the main portion are fully engaged; B) a side perspective view of the hand form of A);

FIG. 6: A) is a front perspective view of a hand mold according to an embodiment, B) is a schematic side view of the embodiment, and C) is a perspective view of the embodiment as viewed from below.

Detailed Description

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable novel concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings that can be commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art of the present invention. Terms such as "a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to only a single entity, but include the general types of specific examples that may be used for illustration. The words used herein are used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their use does not limit the invention except as outlined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, a hand model 1 comprises a main portion 2 and a thumb portion 4. The main portion 2 comprises four fingers 6 at the proximal end 8 and a coupling arrangement 10 extending from the four fingers 6 to the distal end 12 of the main portion 2. Thumb portion 4 includes a thumb 14 at a proximal end 16 and a coupling structure 18 extending from thumb 14 to a distal end 20 of thumb portion 4.

The coupling structure 10 of the main portion 2 comprises a first portion 22 adjacent to the four fingers 6 and a second portion 24 extending from the first portion 22 to the distal end 12 of the main portion 2. The first portion 22 is curved and forms a dimple and the second portion 24 is concave and curved along the length of the main portion 2.

Coupling structure 18 of thumb portion 4 includes a first portion 26 adjacent thumb 14 and a second portion 28 extending from first portion 26 to distal end 20 of thumb portion 4. The first portion 26 is curved and forms a ball-type element configured to be received by the socket of the main portion 2. The second portion 28 is convex and curved along the length of the thumb portion 4, and the second portion 28 is configured to be received by the second portion 24 of the main portion 2.

Thus, when the main section portion 2 and the thumb section 4 are coupled together, the hand mold 1 is represented as a hand piece 30 on a bar piece 32, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B.

As shown, say, for example, in fig. 6A and 6B, the coupling formation 10 of the main portion 2 cooperates with the coupling formation 18 of the thumb portion 4. Thus, the coupling arrangement 10 of the main part 2 is a complement of the coupling arrangement 18 of the thumb part 4.

As shown in fig. 6A, the

first portion

22, 26 of the coupling structure 10, 18 corresponds to a portion of the surface of the ball 34.

As shown in fig. 6A, the

second portion

24, 28 of the coupling structure 10, 18 corresponds to a portion of the surface of the barrel 36.

During use, a preformed glove corresponding to the functional layer assembly, comprising four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath and a cuff, is pulled onto the main portion 2 of the hand form 1 such that the finger portion 6 of the main portion 2 of the hand form 1 is inserted into the corresponding finger sheath of the preformed glove.

As shown in fig. 1-5, thumb portion 4 is inserted into the cuff of the preformed glove and moved into the palm of the preformed glove. The first portion 26 of the coupling structure 18 fits into the first portion 22 of the coupling structure 10. The thumb portion 4 is then rotated about the contact point of the

first portions

22, 26 of the coupling structures 10, 18 such that the thumb of the thumb portion is rotated into the thumb sheath of the preformed glove. When the thumb formation is in place, the second section 28 of the thumb section 4 cooperates with the second section 24 of the main section 2 to form the hand mould 1.

Claims

1. A hand form for use in the manufacture of gloves, the hand form comprising: a main portion comprising four fingers and a main coupling structure and a separable thumb portion comprising a thumb and a thumb coupling structure, wherein the main portion and the thumb portion are configured to be connected via the coupling of the main coupling structure and the thumb coupling structure to form the hand form, wherein the thumb portion and the main portion are configured to: the thumb portion and the main portion rotate relative to each other when the thumb coupling feature is coupled to the main portion coupling feature.

2. A hand swage according to claim 1, wherein the primary portion coupling structure comprises a bend element.

3. A hand form according to claim 1 wherein the thumb coupling comprises a curved element.

4. The hand model of claim 2, wherein the thumb coupling comprises a curved element.

5. A hand former according to claim 4 wherein the bending elements of the thumb coupling and main portion coupling are formed as ball and socket joint types.

6. A hand form according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the hand form includes one or more vents.