Materials and methods of producing materials for enhancing tactile perception

Abstract

Materials and methods for producing materials to enhance tactile perception, and articles produced from or incorporating such a material. The materials include a substrate having first and second surfaces and surface patterns of texture on the surfaces. The surface patterns include sensitivity pegs having first portions that project from the first surface and second portions that project from the second surface. The first and second portions of the sensitivity peg are axially aligned and extend in opposite directions from each other to enhance tactile perception at the second surface.

1 . A material comprising:
 a substrate having first and second surfaces; and   first and second surface patterns of texture on the first and second surfaces, respectively, the first and second surface patterns comprising sensitivity pegs having first portions that project from the first surface and second portions that project from the second surface, the first and second portions of the sensitivity peg being axially aligned and extending in opposite directions from each other to enhance tactile perception at the second surface.   
     
     
         2 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a component of an article used in occupations, sports, hobbies, and household activities. 
     
     
         3 . The material according to  claim 2 , wherein the article is a glove. 
     
     
         4 . The material according to  claim 2 , wherein the second surface pattern of texture is aligned with reflexology markers on skin of a user of the article to enhance tactile perception of the skin. 
     
     
         5 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portions of the sensitivity pegs project from the first surface of the substrate to enhance grip at the first surface. 
     
     
         6 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         7 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises multiple layers and the first portions of the sensitivity pegs project from a first of the multiple layers and extend through a second of the multiple layers. 
     
     
         8 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises first and second layers and a third layer therebetween, and the first and second portions of the sensitivity pegs project from the third layer and extend through each of the first and second layers. 
     
     
         9 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensitivity pegs are spaced apart less than five millimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The material according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the sensitivity pegs each have an aspect ratio of greater than one. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a substrate having first and second surfaces; and   using an additive or subtractive process on the first and second surfaces to produce first and second surface patterns of texture on the first and second surfaces, respectively, the first and second surface patterns comprising sensitivity pegs having first portions that project from the first surface and second portions that project from the second surface, the first and second portions of the sensitivity peg being axially aligned and extending in opposite directions from each other to enhance tactile perception at the second surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the additive or subtractive process used is laser engraving. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the additive or subtractive process used is LED printing. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising applying the material to an article used in occupations, sports, hobbies, and household activities. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the article is a glove. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the second surface pattern of texture is aligned with reflexology markers on skin of a user of the article to enhance tactile perception of the skin. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises multiple layers and the first portions of the sensitivity pegs project from a first of the multiple layers and extend through a second of the multiple layers. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises first and second layers and a third layer therebetween, and the first and second portions of the sensitivity pegs project from the third layer and extend through each of the first and second layers. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sensitivity pegs are spaced apart less than five millimeters and the first and second portions of the sensitivity pegs each have an aspect ratio of greater than one.