Method for manufacturing a water vapor permeable or breathable three-dimensional glove or glove lining

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a water vapor permeable glove or a glove lining. The method includes steps: (A) preparing a functional layer assembly in the shape of a hand having a hand insertion opening and having a flat configuration, the flat functional layer assembly being stretchable in at least one direction, (B) subjecting the flat functional layer assembly to a stretching force and thereby transforming the flat configuration into a three-dimensional structure under the influence of the stretching force, (C) applying heat to the functional layer assembly while the functional layer assembly is subject to the stretching force, thereby relaxing the functional layer assembly and transforming the three-dimensional structure of the functional layer assembly into a stable three-dimensional structure, and (D) removing the stretching force from the functional layer assembly.

1 . A method for manufacturing a water vapour permeable a glove or a glove lining, comprising the steps:
 (A) preparing a functional layer assembly in the shape of a hand having a hand insertion opening and having a flat configuration, the flat functional layer assembly being stretchable in at least one direction,   (B) subjecting the flat functional layer assembly to a stretching force and thereby transforming the flat configuration into a three-dimensional structure under the influence of the stretching force,   (C) applying heat to the functional layer assembly while the functional layer assembly is subject to the stretching force, thereby relaxing the functional layer assembly and transforming the three-dimensional structure of the functional layer assembly into an inherently a stable three-dimensional structure, and   (D) removing the stretching force from the functional layer assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (A) comprises:
 superimposing a first flat portion of the functional layer assembly and a second flat portion of the functional layer assembly and joining the first and second flat portions, thereby forming a pocket having an insertion opening.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , comprising joining the first and second flat portions along a contour of the three dimensional glove or glove lining. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein step (A) comprises preparing a single functional layer assembly having a flat configuration and folding the functional layer assembly such so as to superimpose the first flat portion and the second flat portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein step (A) comprises preparing a first part of the functional layer assembly forming the first flat portion and a second part of the functional layer assembly forming the second flat portion, and superimposing the first and second parts of the functional layer assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (B) includes fitting the flat functional layer assembly over a hand form defining the three-dimensional shape of the glove or glove lining 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (C) includes subjecting the functional layer assembly to a temperature of 90 to 160° C. for at least 10 seconds. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional layer assembly has, after completion of step (C), in a test procedure as set out herein a remaining deformation in the area of the middle hand of at least 5%. 
     
     
         10 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A three dimensional water vapor permeable glove, or a glove lining, comprising a functional layer assembly;
 the functional layer assembly having a first portion and a second portion superimposed on each other such as to define a shape of the three-dimensional glove or glove lining, the first portion and the second portion joined together by a single seam so as to form a pocket having an insertion opening;   wherein the functional layer assembly has an inherently stable three-dimensional structure.   
     
     
         15 . The three dimensional glove or a glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the single seam extends from an inner side of the functional layer assembly to an outer side of the functional layer assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The three dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the single seam is visible on an outer side of the functional layer assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The three dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is seamless. 
     
     
         18 . The three dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the seam is any of a stitched seam, a glued seam, a welded seam, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The three dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprises at least one further seam. 
     
     
         20 . The three dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one patch attached to any of the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         21 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the seam joining that joins the first portion and the second portion of the functional layer assembly is a symmetric seam or an asymmetric seam. 
     
     
         22 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining ccording to  claim 14 , wherein the functional layer assembly has a folded configuration with the first portion and the second portion folded and superimposed on each other so as to define the shape of the three-dimensional glove or glove lining. 
     
     
         23 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the functional layer assembly comprises a first functional layer assembly that forms the first portion and a second functional layer assembly that forms the second portion. 
     
     
         24 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the functional layer assembly is at least one of windproof or waterproof. 
     
     
         25 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 14 , wherein the functional layer assembly includes at least one stretchable textile layer. 
     
     
         26 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one stretchable textile layer includes a stretchable fiber. 
     
     
         27 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 26 , wherein the stretchable fiber comprises any of polyurethane (PU), polyamide (PA), rubber, and composites thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The three-dimensional glove or glove lining according to  claim 27 , wherein the stretchable fiber comprises a polyurethane block copolymer.