Pet hair collector

Abstract

The present invention relates to pet hair collectors. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a glove having a surface which, due to its specific manufacturing and curing process, provides a tacky surface and additionally develops an electrostatic charge during use that further serves to attract pet hair. The glove preferably maintains all or most of its efficacy after repeated washing. The glove is particularly adapted to removing pet hair when the glove is placed in contact with (e.g., brushed against) the pet hair. In some embodiments, an existing glove made of a material such as nylon and/or elastane (Spandex), or bamboo, is coated with a material such as nitrile rubber which is partially cured to obtain the desired tack and electrostatic charging properties. In other embodiments, the pet hair collector is a nitrile roller.

1 . A coated glove comprising:
 a) a glove comprising:
 i) a plurality of fingers openings configured to allow fingers of a human to pass through; 
 ii) a palm portion configured to cover the human's palm when the human's fingers are inserted through the finger openings; 
 iii) a back hand portion configured to cover the back of the human's hand when the human's fingers are inserted through the finger openings; 
 iv) a glove opening defined by the back hand portion and the palm portion at a side opposite to the plurality of fingers openings so that the human's hand can be inserted through the glove opening, 
 the glove comprised of a first material; 
   b) a dried coating comprising a polymer bound to the first material, wherein at least the palm portion of the coated glove is configured to adhere to pet hair.   
     
     
         2 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein at least the palm portion of the coated glove is configured to adhere to pet hair via electrostatic charging attraction between the coating and the pet hair. 
     
     
         3 . The coated glove of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is configured to acquire a negative charge when the polymer contacts the pet hair. 
     
     
         4 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a silicone and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a nitrile. 
     
     
         6 . The coated glove of  claim 5 , wherein the nitrile is at least one of: partially cross-linked or partially cured. 
     
     
         7 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the coated glove is elastic and configured to be form-fitting the human's hand. 
     
     
         8 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein the nitrile has a viscosity of between about 30 and about 80 Mooney units. 
     
     
         9 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a fiber selected from the consisting of nylon, elastane, bamboo and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is adhered to the first material via an adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the coating further comprises a coagulant. 
     
     
         13 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the coating substantially covers at least the palm portion of the first material. 
     
     
         14 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the coated glove further comprises a plurality of fingers extending from each of the plurality of finger openings, and further wherein a side of each of the plurality of fingers adjacent to the palm portion of the glove is tacky. 
     
     
         15 . The coated glove of  claim 1 , wherein the coated glove is hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a coated glove to remove pet hair, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the coated glove of  claim 1 ; and   b) putting the pet hair in contact with the coated glove.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising washing the coated glove to remove the pet hair. 
     
     
         18 . A method of producing a coated glove, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a first material for a glove, the dove comprising:
 i) a plurality fingers configured to receive fingers of a human; 
 ii) a palm portion configured to cover the human's palm when the human's fingers are inserted into the plurality of fingers; 
 iii) a back hand portion configured to cover the back of the human's hand when the human's fingers are inserted into the plurality of fingers; 
 iv) a glove opening defined by the back hand portion and the palm portion at a side opposite to the plurality of fingers so that the human's hand can be inserted through the glove opening; 
   b) dipping the first material for the glove in a coating composition to provide a coated first material for the glove; and   c) partially but not completely curing the coating composition on the coated first material for the glove.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a silicone and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the coating composition comprises a thinner. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises applying an adhesive to at least one of the coating composition and the glove prior to step b). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises adding a tackifier to at least one of the glove and the coating composition prior to step b).