GB2463722A

GB2463722A - A cleaning glove

Info

Publication number: GB2463722A
Application number: GB0817636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gina Rowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-25
Filing date: 2008-09-25
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-25
Also published as: GB2463722A8; GB0817636D0; GB2463722B

Abstract

A cleaning glove is provided which may protect the user whilst cleaning as well as facilitate cleaning. The glove has a hand portion (6, fig 2) and an arm portion (10, fig 2) connected thereto extending substantially to the elbow of the wearer. A region for facilitating cleaning 11 is provided on the glove, at least a portion of which is provided on the arm portion (10, fig 2) of the glove. Preferably the glove is made out of a protective material such as rubber or the like. The region 11 may comprise a variety of materials such as microfiber and may include a cleaning liquid.

Description

Cleaning gloves and method of manufacturing thereof

Field of invention

The invention relates to protective gloves to be worn whilst cleaning. In particular, the invention relates to protective gloves especially adapted to facilitate various cleaning processes.

Background of invention

Washing-up gloves have been used for many years to protect the user's hands from detergents that may cause irritation or chafing. Washing-up gloves are generally made of rubber, which is waterproof and provides the user with the flexibility to pick up dishes and cleaning implements to scrub and wash dishes.

Attempts have been made to provide washing-up gloves which themselves comprise all the cleaning implements required to wash-up. Figure 1 illustrates a known example. A typical rubber glove is provided having a palm portion 1, finger portions 2 and a thumb portion 3. A sponge is attached to the palm portion at 4 and scourers attached to the finger and thumb portions at 5. In this known example, the sponge portion is either detachably attached to the glove, for example using Velcro, or adhered to the glove by a waterproof adhesive.

Such known gloves are intended to facilitate washing-up in the traditional manner. The user must not grip separate cleaning implements, but must still perform typical washing-up movements.

For people with arthritis in their hands or those prone to cramp, traditional washing-up methods, and indeed traditional cleaning methods in general, are problematic. Even if one must not grip a cleaning implement, the traditional hand movements required to clean can cause pain and discomfort.

The present invention aims to facilitate efficient cleaning in general, in particular, in a manner which is advantageous for those with arthritis in their hands or those prone to cramp.

Summary of invention

The invention provides a cleaning glove comprising a glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and a region adapted to facilitate cleaning, wherein at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located on the exterior of the arm portion of the cleaning glove.

The invention enables the lower arm to be used, in addition to the hand, for cleaning. Accordingly, the area used for cleaning may be increased, thereby increasing cleaning efficiency. Moreover, the user must not rely solely on their hands to clean. This is particularly advantageous for those with arthritis in their hands or those prone to cramp.

The invention is applicable in a wide variety of cleaning applications. As will be discussed, in some embodiments it is particularly advantageous that at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located on the exterior of the inner side of the arm portion of the glove. In other embodiments it is particularly advantageous that at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is provided on the exterior of the outer side of the arm portion of the glove. In further embodiments, preferably, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located over substantially the entire exterior of the glove.

Preferably the region to facilitate cleaning comprises a cleaning apparatus and/or a cleaning substance. In an embodiment of the invention the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises microfibre. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the region comprises a layer of material which may be impregnated with cleansers.

Preferably the glove on which the region for facilitating cleaning is provided is made from a protective material, such as rubber. Preferably biodegradable rubber is used since it is environment friendly.

Preferably the arm portion of the glove comprises a gauntlet shape such that the arm and arm clothing of the user may fit in the arm portion of the glove.

Advantageously, this means that the user need not roll up his sleeve, or remove items of clothing, before putting a glove.

The invention further provides a method of manufacturing a cleaning glove according to the invention, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and providing the region adapted to facilitate cleaning to the glove as part of the moulding process.

According to the embodiment of the invention wherein the cleaning glove comprises a region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprising microfibre, there is provided, in particular, a method of manufacturing a cleaning glove, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and attaching the region comprising microfibre to the glove as part of the moulding process.

Thus, a cleaning glove according to the present invention may be manufactured in a single moulding process. A simple method of manufacture is provided which is cost effective. The region adapted to facilitate cleaning is securely fixed to the glove and a professional finish may be achieved.

Description of the drawings

The background art has already been described with reference to figure 1 in which: Figure 1 illustrates an adapted washing-up glove known in the art.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 2 illustrates a cleaning glove comprising a gauntlet shaped arm portion according to an embodiment of the invention worn by a user; Figure 3 illustrates a cleaning glove comprising a region adapted to facilitate cleaning located on the inner side of the exterior of the arm portion according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a cleaning glove comprising a region adapted to facilitate cleaning located on the outer side of the exterior of the arm portion according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a cleaning glove comprising regions adapted to facilitate cleaning on both the arm portion and the hand portion of the glove.

Description of embodiments of the invention

Embodiments of the invention provide a glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow.

Referring to figure 2, the hand portion 6 comprises a palm portion 7, finger portions 8 and a thumb portion 9. The arm portion 10 extends to just below the elbow of the wearer and comprises a gauntlet shape such that the circumference of the glove near the elbow is larger than the circumference of the glove at the wrist.

The glove provides a hollow into which the user's hand and arm can fit comfortably. A snug fit is preferred to increase the user's dexterity when wearing the glove. Preferably the hollow formed by the gauntlet allows the user's arm, and his clothing, to fit comfortably within the glove. In this example, advantageously, the user does not need to roll up his sleeve or, where this is not possible, remove items of clothing before putting the glove on.

Preferably, the glove is made out of a protective, waterproof material such as rubber or the like. Rubber is preferred since it is flexible so that the user may move his hands, but also provides rigidity encouraging the glove to remain in place, covering the user's arm, during use. Biodegradable rubber is presently preferred for its environment friendly properties. For example, corn starch may be used to produce a particularly eco-friendly rubber.

A region adapted to facilitate cleaning is provided on the glove, at least a portion of which is provided on the exterior of the arm portion of the glove. In this way the protective properties of the glove described above may be retained, whilst facilitating efficient cleaning.

The region adapted to facilitate cleaning may comprise various materials. The region may consist of a cleaning apparatus and/or cleaning substance. Many embodiments of the invention exist and will occur to those skilled in the art, In a preferred embodiment the region adapted to facilitate cleaning may comprise microfibre. Microfibre may be made from wood and as such is, advantageously, very eco-friendly. Since the fibres can remove bacteria, there is no need to use detergents to clean.

In this embodiment, it is presently preferred that the microfibre be provided over the entire of the glove. This is illustrated in figure 2. In this embodiment the user can use the entire of the arm and hand to clean. Since the microfibre is flexible, the user may still move his hand and wrist in a normal manner.

Many other embodiments exist. For example, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning may comprise an absorbent cloth such as a J clothTM or the like. In a further example the region may be impregnated with cleansers. For example, in order to facilitate cleaning of silver, the region may be impregnated with silver polish. In a preferred embodiment the region may comprise a cloth impregnated with silver polish. In a further embodiment the region may comprise an abrasive material.

It will be appreciated that the region adapted to facilitate cleaning need not to cover the entire glove.

Figure 3 illustrates the palm and back perspectives of an embodiment of the cleaning glove. In this embodiment, a region adapted to facilitate cleaning 11 extends on the exterior of the glove along the inner side of the arm portion of the glove 12. That is the side of the arm portion which extends from the little finger of the glove.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein a region adapted to facilitate cleaning 13 is provided on the exterior of the glove along the outer side of the arm portion of the glove 14. That is the portion which extends from the thumb portion of the glove.

It will also be appreciated that a plurality of regions adapted to facilitate cleaning may also be provided on the glove. The regions may be provided in a number of locations. Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein a region adapted to facilitate cleaning is provided on the finger portions 15, thumb portion 16, palm portion 17 and fist portion 18 as well as the arm portion 19. In this example the regions on the finger and thumb portions extend substantially over the finger and thumb pad portions. However, the regions do not extend over all of the sides of the finger and thumb portions. In addition, the regions on the finger and thumb portions and the palm portion do not meet at all places. This ensures that the user can move his hand in a normal manner when wearing the glove, even when, for example, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises an inflexible material such as an abrasive material.

In one example, the region may comprise an abrasive material suitable for scouring pots and pans. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that at least a portion of the region be provided at the inner side of the arm portion of the glove as illustrated in figure 3. The user wearing the glove may insert his hand in a pot to clean the base of the pot as usual. The user may then, however, advantageously, clean the sides of the pot by applying pressure to the inner pot with the inner side of his arm, where the abrasive material is located, and rotating his arm around the circumference of the pot.

In another example the region may comprise an abrasive material suitable for cleaning house boats. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that at least a portion of the region be provided at the outer side of the arm portion of the glove as illustrated in figure 4. In this manner, the user wearing the glove may utilise the outer side of his arm to clean the boat.

Thus, a cleaning glove may be provided that not only has protective properties but actually facilitates efficient cleaning. One glove may be worn by the user whilst cleaning or two gloves may be worn on each hand. The cleaning glove enables the user to utilise the arm, as well as the hand, to clean. This is particularly advantageous for those with arthritis in their hands or those prone to cramp.

The cleaning glove described above may be manufactured in a single moulding process. Methods of moulding rubber gloves and the like are well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, before moulding of the rubber glove is complete, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is provided to the glove in the required location. Alternatively, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning may be provided to the glove mould before the rubber is introduced to the mould and moulding commences. In this manner, the region adapted to facilitate cleaning may be fixed to the glove as part of the moulding process.

For example, in the microfibre embodiment, the microfibre may be placed in the mould for the glove such that it lines the mould. Rubber may then be added to the mould on top of the microfibre. As the rubber is moulded, the microfibre becomes attached to the rubber glove as an outer layer on the glove.

Thus, a simple method of manufacture is provided which is cost effective. The region adapted to facilitate cleaning is securely fixed to the glove and a professional finish may be achieved.

Many other applications of the invention are possible and various other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning glove comprising: a glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and a region adapted to facilitate cleaning, wherein at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located on the exterior of the arm portion of the cleaning glove.
2. A cleaning glove according to claim 1 wherein the at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located on the exterior of the inner side of the arm portion of the glove.
3. A cleaning glove according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located on the exterior of the outer side of the arm portion of the glove.
4. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located over substantially the entire glove.
5. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the arm portion of the glove comprises a gauntlet shape such that the arm and arm clothing of the user may fit in the arm portion of the glove.
6. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the glove is made from a protective material.
7. A cleaning glove according to claim 6 wherein the protective material is biodegradable.
8. A cleaning glove according to either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the glove is made from rubber.
9. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises a cleaning apparatus and/or a cleaning substance.
10. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises microfiber.
11. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises a layer of material.
12. A cleaning glove according to claim 8 wherein the layer of material is impregnated with cleansers.
13. A method of manufacturing a cleaning glove any of claims Ito 12, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and providing the region adapted to facilitate cleaning to the glove as part of the moulding process.
14. A method of manufacturing a cleaning glove according to claim 10, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and attaching the region comprising microfibre to the glove as part of the moulding process.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:-Claims 1. A cleaning glove comprising: a glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and a region adapted to facilitate cleaning, wherein at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located along the exterior of the arm portion of the cleaning glove.2. A cleaning glove according to claim I wherein the at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located along the exterior of the inner side of the arm portion of the glove.3. A cleaning glove according to either claim I or claim 2 wherein the at least a portion of the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located along the exterior of the outer side of the arm portion of the glove.4. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning is located over substantially the entire glove.5. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the arm portion of the glove comprises a gauntlet shape such that the arm and arm clothing of the user may fit in the arm portion of the glove.6. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the glove is made from a protective material.7. A cleaning glove according to claim 6 wherein the protective material is biodegradable.8. A cleaning glove according to either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the glove is made from rubber.-9. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises a cleaning apparatus and/or a cleaning substance.10. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises microfiber.11. A cleaning glove according to any preceding claim wherein the region adapted to facilitate cleaning comprises a layer of material.12. A cleaning glove according to claim 8 wherein the layer of material is impregnated with cleansers.13. A method of manufacturing a cleaning glove any of claims 1 to 12, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and providing the region adapted to facilitate cleaning to the glove as part of the moulding process.14. A method of manufacturing a cleaning glove according to claim 10, comprising: moulding the glove having a hand portion and an arm portion connected thereto which extends substantially to the elbow of the wearer; and attaching the region comprising microfibre to the glove as part of the moulding process.