Glove having a widened cuff and with finger regions that include a flexible hinge region

Abstract

An ambidextrous or hand specific glove with a widened cuff area to aid in donning or doffing the glove is disclosed, together with a former for fabricating the glove and a method of fabricating the same. The glove may further include a bead on the cuff to resist tearing when the glove is put on or taken off. The glove may be fabricated on a continuous, automated chain machine or a batch or semi-batch machine. While the cuff region on the former for fabricating the glove is elliptical in cross-section and is flared, the region of the former on which the end of the glove is fabricated is circular in cross-section and thus allows the beading process to be successfully undertaken. The thumb region and finger regions of the glove may each be provided with a flexible hinge region that enables a user to more easily bend their thumb and fingers.

1 . A glove comprising:
 a palm region;   a digit region extending outwardly from a first end of the palm region;   wherein the digit region includes a thumb region and one or more finger regions;   a wrist region extending outwardly from a second end of the palm region and generally in an opposite direction to the digit region;   an end of the wrist region comprising a cuff that is disposed a distance remote from the palm region; and wherein the wrist region gradually increases in width from a first width proximate the palm region to a second width proximate the cuff; and   a hinge region defined in one or more of the thumb region and finger regions.   
     
     
         2 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge region includes one or more folds defined in the one or more of the thumb region and finger regions. 
     
     
         3 . The glove as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the thumb region and the finger regions each have a longitudinal axis extending from a tip of the thumb region or the finger region to the palm region, and the one or more folds are oriented generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis. 4 . 
     
     
         4 . The glove as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the thumb region and the finger regions each have a circumference; and the one or more folds extend partially around the circumference. 
     
     
         5 . The glove as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the one or more folds extend for less than have of the circumference of the thumb region or finger region. 
     
     
         6 . The glove as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the thumb region and the finger regions each have a circumference; and the one or more folds extend entirely around the circumference. 
     
     
         7 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising flocking or a lining provided on an interior surface of some or all of the digit regions, palm region, and wrist region of the glove. 
     
     
         8 . The glove as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising an elastomeric band seated within at least some of the one or more folds. 
     
     
         9 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second hinge region provided in one or more of the thumb region and the finger regions of the glove; wherein the second hinge region is spaced a distance longitudinally away from the hinge region; and   a smooth zone provided in the glove between the hinge region and second hinge region; wherein the smooth zone is free of any folds.   
     
     
         10 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge region includes at least two folds and a trough located between the two folds. 
     
     
         11 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge region is defined in only a back surface of one or more of the thumb region and finger regions of the glove; wherein the hinge region originates a distance away from an upper end of the palm region; and wherein the hinge region comprises at least two folds having a gripping surface adapted to grip a back of the user's digit received in the one of the thumb or finger regions; and the at least two folds are disposed generally at right angles to a longitudinal axis where the longitudinal axis extends from a tip of the thumb or finger region to the palm region. 
     
     
         12 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge region is generally C-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the thumb region and finger regions has a length defined between a tip thereof and an upper end of the palm region of the glove; and wherein the hinge region extends for approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the length. 
     
     
         14 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the thumb region and finger regions each define an interior cavity into which one of the user's digits is received; and wherein the hinge region includes at least two elastomeric bands that are positioned to project for a distance into the interior cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The glove as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the at least two bands are generally C-shaped when viewed from a tip end of the respective thumb region or finger region. 
     
     
         16 . The glove as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the thumb region or finger region further includes a smooth zone disposed opposite the hinge region; and
 wherein the smooth zone is substantially free of elastomeric bands that project into the interior cavity; and wherein the smooth zone is adapted to be disposed adjacent a front surface and front portions of the sides of the user's digit received in the one of the respective thumb region or finger region.   
     
     
         17 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge region includes a plurality of alternating gripping bands and troughs. 
     
     
         18 . The glove as defined in  claim 17 , wherein each of the gripping bands has a length measured from a first adjacent trough to a second adjacent trough; and wherein the length of each of the gripping bands is adapted to increase when the user's digit is bent; and is adapted to decrease in size and return to an unstretched length when the user's digit is moved from a bent position to a straight position. 
     
     
         19 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the digit region comprises an index finger region, a middle finger region, a ring finger region, and a little finger region; and wherein the glove is an ambidextrous glove and the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger regions are all aligned along a common axis. 
     
     
         20 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the digit region comprises an index finger region, a middle finger region, a ring finger region, and a little finger region; and wherein the glove is a hand-specific glove and the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger regions are all aligned along a common axis and the thumb region is offset relative to the common axis. 
     
     
         21 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cuff is a rolled cuff. 
     
     
         22 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the glove is fabricated from nitrile or latex and at least part a first section of the wrist region adjacent the palm region is adapted to be positioned in abutting contact with a hand and a wrist of the wearer; and wherein a second section of the wrist region that includes the cuff is adapted to be spaced an increasing distance away from a wrist and forearm of the wearer of the glove as one moves from the palm region to the cuff. 
     
     
         23 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wrist region includes a first section and a second section; and the first section originates proximate the palm region and extends outwardly for a distance therefrom; and the second section originates at an end of the first section and extends outwardly for a distance therefrom; and wherein the first section gradually increases in width and is narrowest proximate the palm region and is widest proximate the second section; and wherein the second section of the wrist region is of a substantially constant width; and that substantially constant width is equal in size to a widest portion of the first section of the wrist region. 
     
     
         24 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the glove is fabricated on a substantially continuous automated chain machine or on a batch machine or on a semi-batch machine. 
     
     
         25 . The glove as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cuff includes a bead provided at an end of the wrist region, wherein the bead is of a greater thickness than a remaining portion of the wrist region.