WO2014116407A1

WO2014116407A1 - Protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh

Info

Publication number: WO2014116407A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/010380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. BATT; Erik EINESSON
Original assignee: Batt Michael J; Einesson Erik
Priority date: 2013-01-06
Filing date: 2014-01-06
Publication date: 2014-07-31

Abstract

A protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh and methods of making the garment, are disclosed. The protective garment has a coated mesh that constitutes at least a part of the exterior surface garment. The coated mesh is a stainless-steel metallic-mesh coated with a non-metallic material. The mesh is made of fibers having a diameter of 0.20 mm or less, woven together such that the largest mesh spacing is 0.20 mm or less. The bias-direction of the metallic-mesh is oriented orthogonal to a bending axis of the garment, and in a plane parallel to one containing the bending axis. The non-metallic material is a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof and is resistant to water, acid and alkali, and is electrically non-conducting. The coating is achieved by dip coating, using a pencil, spray painting, printing, or roller painting.

Description

PROTECTIVE GARMENT HAVING AN EXTERIOR COATED-MESH Inventors: Erik Einesson and Michael Blatt

Claim of Priority

This application claims priority to US Application no. 61/749,381 filed on January 6th, 2013 and US Application no. 61/901,748 filed on November 08, 2013, the contents of all of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a protective garment, and more particularly to a protective glove having an external surface that includes a polymer coated metallic mesh that may be bias cut.

Background Art

A protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh may have the advantages of protecting against stab and puncture as well as against chemical dangers such as, but not limited to, acids and alkalis.

Having the polymer coated mesh on the exterior of a garment such as, but not limited to, a glove, also provides protection of the shell of the glove.

Description of the related art:

The relevant prior art includes:

US Patent 5,088,123 issued to MacDonald on February 18, 1992 entitled

"Protective garment" that describes a protective garment that includes a wire mesh portion made from a wire material comprising a plurality of loosely interlinked metal wire rings, and at least one helically coiled stiffening element which is interwoven through a plurality of the metal wire rings in the wire mesh portion for maintaining the latter in a predetermined orientation. The garment can be effectively embodied as a protective glove which includes a wire mesh cuff portion having a plurality of helically coiled stiffening elements interwoven therein to maintain the cuff portion in a predetermined form.

US Patent 4,843,650 issued to Kangas, et al. on July 4, 1989 entitled " Protective glove" that describes a i protective metal mesh glove that has no side opening, yet has a wide enough opening for the hand of the user to fit inside. A V-shaped portion of metal mesh is secured to the sides of the slit to enclose a wearer's hand with metal mesh. When a closure strap is opened, the V-shaped portion extends to its full V-shape. When the glove is fastened by tightening and securing the strap, the upper tips of the V-shaped section overlap each other, thereby securely and completely closing the glove.

Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. Various embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

Disclosure of Invention

Inventive protective garments having an exterior coated-mesh and methods of making the garments are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the protective garment may include a coated mesh that may constitute a part or all of an exterior surface of the protective garment, when it is being worn.

The coated mesh may, for instance, be a metallic-mesh that may have a partial or full coating region of a non-metallic material. The metallic-mesh is preferably made of stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.20 mm or less, woven together such that the largest mesh spacing is 0.20 mm or less. The metallic-mesh may also be incorporated into a garment such that a bias direction of the mesh is oriented perpendicular to a primary bending axis of the protective garment when used, and in a bias plane that is parallel to an imaginary bending plane that would contain the primary bending axis.

The non-metallic material may be integrated into the mesh such that the stainless steel fibers may be encapsulated, and the all the mesh spacing' s within the coating region may be completely filled.

The non-metallic material may, for instance, be a substance such as, but not limited to, a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof. The non-metallic material may, for instance, be water resistant to acid or to alkali, or electrically non-conducting, or some combination thereof.

The coated mesh may be constructed by dip coating the metallic-mesh in a solution such as, but not limited to, a rubber, latex, polyethylene, vinyl or silicone solution, or some combination thereof.

The coating may, alternatively, be applied using a technique such as, but not limited to, a pencil, spray painting, printing, and roller painting or some combination thereof.

Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost effective glove that protects against stab, cut and chemical attacks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective material that protects the garment shell.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective garment that is flexible and easy to wear. Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a coated-mesh in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 A shows a plan view of a bias-cut coated-mesh in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 B shows a plan view of a bias-cut coated-mesh in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 A shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 B shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 C shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of two overlapping meshes of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. .

Fig. 5 shows a glove pattern cut from a coated mesh of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. .

Fig. 6 A shows a cross-sectional view of a protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh layer.

Fig. 6 B shows a palm side, plan view of a protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh layer.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic flow diagram of some steps of making a protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a coated- mesh 105 in accordance with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the coated mesh 105 may be constructed from a metallic-mesh 125 having stainless steel fibers 130 woven to form a grid. The metallic- mesh 125 may contain a coated region 115 of a nonmetallic material that may cover part or all of the metallic-mesh 125.

The stainless steel fibers 130 preferably have a diameter of 0.20 mm or less, and may be woven such that a largest mesh spacing 135 may be 0.20 mm or less. In a more preferred embodiment, the stainless steel fibers 130 may have a diameter of 0.20 mm or less, and may be woven such that a largest mesh spacing 135 may be 0.20 mm or less.

The non-metallic material 140 may be water proof and may be resistant to attack by substances such as water, acids and alkalis, or some combination thereof. The non- metallic material 140 may also or instead be an electrical insulator, or a non or poor conductor of electricity. The non-metallic material 140 may, for instance, be a substance such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl or a silicone, or some combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nonmetallic material in the coated region 115 may, for instance, be applied by dip coating the metallic-mesh 125 in a solution of that may have a solvent in which a coating material such as, but not limited to, a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a polyurethane, a vinyl and a silicone, or some

combination thereof may be dissolved.

Dip coating is a well-known that may proceed in the following stages.

The substrate, i.e., the metallic-mesh 125 may be immersed in a vessel containing a solution of the coating material. The immersion may be accomplished at a constant speed, and is preferably a jitter- free entry of the mesh into the solution.

After the mesh has been in the solution for a predetermined time, which may depend on the nature of the coating material and the solvent that it may be dissolved or suspended in, the mesh may be withdrawn from the vessel of coating solution.

A layer of material may deposit itself on the mesh as it is pulled out of the solution. The thickness of the deposited layer may depend on the speed at which the mesh is withdrawn, with slower speeds yielding thinner coatings. Any excess liquid may drain off, and the remaining solvent may then be evaporated off. Drying may be accelerated by, for instance, using an apparatus such as, but not limited to, a heated air blower, or by placing the coated mesh near a cold surface, or some combination thereof.

Suitable materials and solvents are readily available. For instance Plasti Dip International of St. Louis Park, MN makes and distributes a line of solvent and coatings suitable for dip coating, including their Plasti Dip™ multi-purpose air dry, synthetic rubber coating that may be applied by spraying, brushing or dipping. Plasti Dip™ protective coatings may resist moisture, acids, abrasion, corrosion, skidding/slipping, and may provide a comfortable, controlled grip. The coating may remain flexible and not become brittle or crack in even in temperatures that may range from -30 °F to 200 °F.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the metallic-mesh 125 may, for instance, have a coating region 115 of a nonmetallic material in which the coating may be applied by a coating method such as, but not limited to, using a pencil containing the material, spray painting, printing, or roller painting or some combination thereof. These are all well-known methods of applying full or partial coatings and the appropriate materials are readily available commercially.

Figure 2 A shows a plan view of a bias-cut coated- mesh in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

A bias direction 215 of a woven fabric is the direction that is at 45 degrees with respect to both the warp fibers 220 and the weft fibers 225 of the woven fabric.

In the view shown in Figure 2 A, the bias direction 215 is shown at 45 degrees to both a warp fiber 220 and a weft fiber 225 of the metallic-mesh 125. Although Figure 2 A shows the coating region 115 as a rectangle aligned with the bias direction 215 of the mesh, coating materials typically do not have a bias direction, and this orientation may represent drafting convenience. In various alternate embodiments, a coating region may, however, have a bias direction, in which case it may be advantageous for the coating region bias direction to be aligned with the mesh bias direction for similar reasons.

In a preferred embodiment, the bias direction of the mesh may be aligned so as to be orthogonal to a primary bending axis 230, and the metallic mesh may be in a plane that may be parallel to a plane containing the primary bending axis 230 of the protective garment. Tue primary bending axis 230 may be an axis that is representative of how the protective garment moves when flexed in normal, or intended, use of the garment. For protective garments that may be flexed about more than one axis, the primary bending axis may be the one about which the garment flexes when subjected to the most frequent mode of intended use.

Figure 2 B shows a plan view of a bias-cut coated-mesh in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 2 B, the bias direction 215 of the metallic-mesh 125 is shown aligned with the metallic-mesh 125 and in an imaginary bias plane that may be substantially parallel to an imaginary bending plane 240 that may contain the primary bending axis 230.

In Figure 2 B, the dashed outline shows a bent coated-mesh 235 bent about a primary bending axis 230.

Laboratory testing has shown that cutting the pattern so that the bias of the metal mesh is oriented orthogonal to the primary axis of bending of the protective garment when the garment is flexed in normal use, enables the useable lifetime of the protective garment to be extended by a factor of 3 - 4 times, i.e., it quadruples the lifetime, without impacting the cut or puncture characteristics of the protective garment. The increase in lifetime, and especially the magnitude of the increase, was a surprising and unexpected result.

Figure 3 A shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh 105 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the coated mesh 105 may be made up of woven stainless steel fibers 130. In a process such as, but not limited to, dip coating, spray painting or printing or some combination thereof, the non-metallic material 140 may be integrated into the metallic-mesh 125 and may completely encapsulate the stainless steel fibers 130 within the coating region 115, and may completely fill all of the mesh spacings 135 within the coating region 115. This integration may be due in part to the action of surface tension forces. Figure 3 B shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A further preferred method of a applying a coating region 115 of a nonmetallic material to a metallic-mesh 125 may be to attach a sheet of laminate 205. The sheet of laminate 205 may have one or more layers, and the layers may, for instance, be of a suitable material such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof. Different layers of a laminate may, for instance, provide different chemical and/or physical properties such as, but not limited to, water resistance, acid or alkali resistance, mechanical grip, adhesion or some combination thereof.

When an adhesive layer may be used for attachment, a cross-sectional view may appear as shown in Figure 3 B, in which the non- metallic material 140 may be located substantially to one side of the metallic-mesh 125.

Figure 3 C shows a cross-sectional view of a coated mesh of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the cross-section shown in Figure 3 C, a sheet of laminate 205 may be fixed to the metallic-mesh 125 by an attachment method such as, but not limited to, heating the sheet of laminate 205 to make it plastic and so flow through the openings in the metallic- mesh 125, forming locking extrusions 210 that, on cooling, may provide mechanical adherence, or by applying pressure to the combination of the sheet of laminate 205 and the metallic-mesh 125 so that some of the non-metallic material 140 is forced through the openings to form locking extrusions 210, or some combination thereof.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of two overlapping meshes of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The double layer region 145 may include upper and lower layers of overlaid or overlapping flexible metallic meshes 150/ 170.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper layer of flexible metallic mesh 150 may have an upper, horizontal mesh fiber direction 155 that may be configured to be at an off- set angle 160 of 22.5 +/- 5 degrees with respect to a lower horizontal mesh fiber direction 165 of the lower layer of flexible metallic mesh 170. This off-set range has been found by Moire analysis to be a configuration that provides the lowest average mesh spacing. This is important as this is a significant factor in providing superior stab or puncture resistance to the material.

Figure 5 shows a glove pattern cut from a coated mesh of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The coated mesh may have been cut, or otherwise formed, to a size and shape suitable for including in a protective glove.

In particular, the coated mesh 105 may have been cut to provide one or more finger regions 180; nail cover regions 185; a thumb region 195; and a thumb nail cover region 196.

In a preferred embodiment, the bias direction 215 of the metal mesh may be aligned along the length of the finger regions 180 as when a glove is clenched, the glove moves about one or more primary bending axis, all of which may be orthogonal to the direction of the fingers when in a rest orientation.

The nail cover regions 185 may be joined to the finger regions 180 by waisted regions 190. Similarly, the thumb nail cover region 196 may be joined to the thumb region 195 by a waisted region 190. The double layer region 145 may, for instance, be formed by two overlapping layers of coated mesh 105, or the metal-mesh layers may be cut, shaped and overlaid prior to applying the coating.

Figure 6 A shows a cross-sectional view, and Figure 6 B shows a palm side, plan view, of a protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh.

The protective garment 110 shown in Figure 6 A is a protective glove 175.

The coated mesh 105 shown in Figure 6 A only covers a part of the glove, though in alternate embodiment, the coated mesh 105 may cover all of the glove.

The coated mesh 105 may be attached to the exterior surface 120 of the protective garment. In this, exemplary instance, the coated mesh 105 may be attached to the exterior surface 120 of glove shell, when the glove is configured as if being worn by a user.

The protective glove 175 may, for instance, have a double layer region 145. This double layer region 145 may, for instance, be include a upper layer of flexible metallic mesh 150 and a lower layer of flexible metallic mesh 170, both of which may be suitably coated with, for instance, one or more of the materials detailed above, using one or more of the methods detailed above.

The protective glove 175 may have one or more finger region 180 that may be protected as well as a thumb region 195 that may be protected.

Figure 7 shows a schematic flow diagram of some steps of making a protective garment having an exterior coated-mesh.

In Step 7001, coat mesh, all or part of metallic-mesh 125 may be coated to form a coated mesh 105 having a partial or full coating region 115 of a non-metallic material 140.

The coating may be applied by a coating method such as, but not limited to, dip coating, using a pencil containing the material, spray painting, printing, or roller painting or some combination thereof. These are all well-known methods of applying full or partial coatings and the appropriate materials are readily available commercially.

The coating may be of a suitable material such as, but not limited to, rubber, a latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, coating all or part of metallic-mesh 125 may be achieved by attaching a sheet of laminate 205 to the metallic-mesh 125. The sheet of laminate 205 may, for instance, be a sheet made of a material such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

Attachment of the sheet of laminate 205 to the metallic-mesh 125 may, for instance, be done by a method such as, but not limited to, using an adhesive, heating, or pressure, or some combination thereof.

In Step 7002, pattern mesh to size, the coated mesh may be shaped and sized to be suitable for the garment that it may become a part of. This pattern to size may be done a method such as, but not limited to, cutting, stamping or shearing, or some combination thereof.

In Step 7003, attach coated mesh to the exterior of the garment; the patterned mesh produced in Step 7002 may be attached to an exterior surface of a protective garment shell.

This attachment may be by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, stitching, gluing, stapling, welding or some combination thereof.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Industrial Applicability

The present invention has applicability in the protective garment industry. In particular, the present invention may have applicability to supplying protective garments to a variety of industries such as, but not limited to, the oil drilling industry, the mining industry, the refuse collection industry and policing and security industries.

Claims

What is claimed:

Claim 1 : A protective garment (110), comprising:

a coated mesh (105) comprising a metallic-mesh (125) having a partial or full coating region (115) of a non-metallic material 140; and

wherein said coated mesh constitutes part or all of an exterior surface (120) of said protective garment, when said garment is being worn by a user.

Claim 2: The protective garment of claim 1 wherein said metallic-mesh comprises stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.20 mm woven together such that a largest mesh spacing is 0.20 mm or less.

Claim 3: The protective garment of claim 2 wherein a bias direction (215) of said metallic mesh is oriented orthogonal to a primary bending axis of said protective garment, and in a bias plane that is parallel to a bending plane containing said primary bending axis.

Claim 4: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said coating of a non-metallic material is integrated into said metallic-mesh, encapsulating said stainless steel fibers within said coating region, and completely filling all of said mesh spacings within said coating region.

Claim 5 : The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said non- metallic material is one of a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

Claim 6: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein non-metallic material is water resistant. Claim 7: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said non- metallic material is resistant to acid or to alkali, or some combination thereof. Claim 8: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said non- metallic material is non- conductive of electrical current.

Claim 9: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein all or a portion of said coated mesh comprises a double layer region having two or more layers of said metallic-mesh.

Claim 10: The protective garment of claim 9 wherein said double layer region comprises an upper layer of flexible metallic mesh having an upper, horizontal mesh fiber direction at an off-set angle of 22.5 +/- 5 degrees with respect to a lower horizontal mesh fiber direction of a lower layer of flexible metallic mesh.

Claim 11: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said garment is a protective glove and wherein the bias direction of said metallic mesh is oriented substantially parallel to the length of the fingers of said glove. Claim 12: The protective garment of claim 11 wherein said coated mesh comprises a finger region; a nail cover region; a thumb region; and a thumb nail cover region; and wherein said nail cover region is joined to said finger region by a waisted region; and said thumb nail cover region is joined to said thumb region by a waisted region. Claim 13: The protective garment of claim 3 wherein said coating region of a nonmetallic material comprises a sheet of laminate material attached to said metallic-mesh, said sheet of laminate comprising one of a rubber, a latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

Claim 14: The protective garment of claim 13 wherein attaching said sheet of laminate to said metallic-mesh comprising partially extruding said sheet of laminate through said metallic-mesh by heating or pressure or a combination thereof, to form locking extrusions. Claim 15: A method of making a protective garment, comprising:

coating all or part of metallic-mesh to form a coated mesh having a partial or full coating region of a non-metallic material; and

attaching said coated mesh to said protective garment, such that said coated mesh constitutes part or all of said protective garment form all or part of an exterior surface said garment when worn by a user, such that a bias direction of said metallic mesh is oriented perpendicular to a primary bending axis of said protective garment, and in a bias plane that is parallel to a bending plane containing said primary bending axis.

Claim 16: The method of making a protective garment of claim 15 wherein coating all or part of metallic-mesh comprises dip coating said metallic-mesh in a solution of one of a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

Claim 17: The method of making a protective garment of claim 16 wherein coating all or part of metallic-mesh comprises printing said metallic-mesh with one of a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof. Claim 18: The method of making a protective garment of claim 16 wherein coating all or part of metallic-mesh comprises using one of a pencil, spray painting, printing, and roller painting or some combination thereof, said metallic-mesh with one of a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.

Claim 19: The method of making a protective garment of claim 16 wherein coating all or part of metallic-mesh comprises attaching a sheet of laminate to said metallic-mesh using an attachment method constituting of one of adhesive, heating, or pressure, or some combination thereof and wherein said sheet of laminate is a sheet of one of a rubber, latex, a polyethylene, a vinyl and a silicone, or some combination thereof.