Covering material production process

Abstract

The present invention relates to pet hair collectors and grip enhancers. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a material 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 material preferably maintains all or most of its efficacy after repeated washing. The material is particularly adapted to removing pet hair when the material 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/or electrostatic charging properties. In other embodiments, the pet hair collector and/or grip enhancer includes a covering.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a glove, the method comprising:
 providing a first material for a glove, the glove comprising:
 a plurality finger openings configured to receive fingers of a human; 
 a palm portion configured to cover the human's palm when the human's fingers are inserted into the plurality of finger openings; 
 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 finger openings; 
 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; 
   applying a coating composition to at least a portion of the first material for the glove to provide a coated at least a portion of the first material for the glove; and   partially but not completely drying the coating composition on the coated first material for the glove.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating composition comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a silicone and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating composition comprises a thinner. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises applying an adhesive to at least one of the coating composition and the glove prior to the applying. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises adding a tackifier to at least one of: the glove or the coating composition, prior to the applying. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying includes dipping the at least a portion of the first material for the glove in the coating composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating composition comprises a nitrile. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nitrile is partially carboxylated nitrile. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first material consists essentially of a single layer of a fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first material is elastic and the glove is configured to be form-fitting to the human's hand. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating further comprises a coagulant including calcium nitrate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the partially dried coating substantially covers at least the palm portion of the first material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the partially dried coating has a thickness of between approximately 50 microns and approximately 250 microns. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a covering, the method comprising:
 providing a first material for the covering, wherein the first material consists essentially of a single layer of a fabric;   applying a coating composition comprising a polymer to at least a portion of the first material for the covering to provide a coated at least a portion of the first material for the covering; and   partially but not completely drying the coating composition on the coated first material for the covering.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the covering is a glove. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first material is elastic. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating composition comprises partially carboxylated nitrile and a coagulant including calcium nitrate. 
     
     
         18 . A method of producing a covering, the method comprising:
 providing a first material for the covering, wherein the first material consists essentially of a single layer of an elastic fabric;   applying a coating composition comprising partially carboxylated nitrile to at least a portion of the first material for the covering to provide a coated at least a portion of the first material for the covering; and   partially but not completely drying the coating composition on the coated first material for the covering.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the covering is an elastic glove configured to be form-fitting to a human's hand, and wherein the partially dried coating composition substantially covers at least the palm portion of the glove. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises adding a tackifier to at least one of the first material or the coating composition, prior to the applying.