Gloves with easily deployed cuff catcher

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glove having a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand. The body has a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end. The cuff portion includes an annular ridge formed thereon and expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body. The ridge is positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from the body during the use of the glove can be caught by the pocket. In order to make the glove of the present invention, an annular projection is formed on a former. At least a portion of the former is then immersed into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material on the former. At least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covers the annular projection. The former is thereafter removed from the vat, and the layer of elastomeric material is cured so as to form the glove. The annular ridge of the glove is defined by the annular projection and the layer of elastomeric material. The cured glove is then removed from the former.

1 . A glove comprising a body made from an elastomeric material and sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, said body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to said body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite said first end, said cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, said ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into said body, said ridge being positioned between said first and second ends such that at least one section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said second end can be folded over another section of said cuff portion positioned adjacent said first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from said body during the use of said glove can be caught at least temporarily by said pocket.  
   
   
       2 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said ridge normally has a size which is smaller than the size of said second end so as to provide said pocket with a flare shape.  
   
   
       3 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein said ridge includes an elastomeric band embedded therein.  
   
   
       4 . The glove of  claim 3 , wherein said band is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.  
   
   
       5 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said ridge includes a roll of an elastomeric material embedded therein.  
   
   
       6 . The glove of  claim 5 , wherein said roll is covered with a layer of an elastomeric material so as to form said ridge.  
   
   
       7 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said ridge protrudes radially outwardly from an outer surface of said body.  
   
   
       8 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said ridge protrudes radially inwardly from an inner surface of said body.  
   
   
       9 . A method for manufacturing a glove including a body which is made from an elastomeric material and which is sized and shaped so as to receive a wearer's hand, the body having a cuff portion including a first end, which is connected to the body, and a second end, which is positioned opposite the first end, the cuff portion having an annular ridge formed thereon, the ridge being expandable radially outwardly so as to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's hand into the body, the ridge being positioned between the first and second ends such that at least one section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the second end can be folded over another section of the cuff portion positioned adjacent the first end so as to form an open pocket, whereby materials falling from glove during its use can be caught by the pocket, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming an annular projection on a former;    immersing at least of a portion of the former into a vat of elastomeric material so as to apply a layer of elastomeric material, at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material covering the annular projection;    removing the former from the vat;    curing the layer of elastomeric material so as to form the glove, the annular ridge of the glove being defined by the annular projection and said at least a portion of the layer of elastomeric material; and    removing the glove from the former.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said forming step includes the step of placing an elastomeric band on the former.  
   
   
       11 . The glove of  claim 10 , wherein said band normally has a size which is smaller than the size of the second end of the cuff portion so as to provide the pocket with a flare shape.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said forming step includes the steps of: 
 immersing at least a portion of the former into the vat of liquid elastomeric material so as to apply a coat of elastomeric material on the former;    removing the former from the vat;    at least partially curing the coat of elastomeric material; and    rolling an end of the coat of elastomeric material so as to form the annular ridge.