Aloe Vera glove and manufacturing method

• US 6,274,154 B1
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shen Wei (USA) Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Shen Wei (USA) Incorporated
• Inventors: Chou, Belle L
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEIDLECK, BRIAN K
• Application Number:
  US09/288,067
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 424/402, 424/443, 215/9, 215/8, 216/17, 216/8, 216/9, 152/27
• US Class Current: 424/402
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0055 Plastic or rubber gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0058 Three-dimensional gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/32 Therapeutic use
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/52 Disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/305 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/00 Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/60 Devices for cleaning, washing, drying or powdering
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/30 Compounds of undetermined constitution extracted from natural sources, e.g. Aloe Vera
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/452 Lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/005 Ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/14 Dipping a core B29C41/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 71/0009 using liquids, e.g. solvents, swelling agents spectacle cases, e.g. for cleaning contact lenses A45C11/04; disinfecting or sterilising contact lenses A61L12/00, using liquid substances A61L2/20; cleaning involving the use of liquid in general B08B3/00; for hydrating contact lenses B29D11/00067
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2525 Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]

Abstract

A moisturizing and therapeutic glove is disclosed which includes a thin layer of Aloe Vera coated evenly and uniformly on an inside surface of the glove. Aloe Vera is attached to the surface through a dehydration process achieved with a controlled drying method. Aloe Vera soothes hand during the wearing of the glove.

Claims

1. A disposable examination glove comprising:

a) only a single layer of a flexible material forming a cavity to receive a hand; and

b) a quantity of dehydrated Aloe Vera on an inner surface of the layer of the flexible material, the Aloe Vera contacting the hand during donning of the disposable examination glove,

wherein the aloe vera is attached to the flexible material by dipping the glove into a solution comprising aloe vera, removing the glove from said solution and subsequently heating the glove to form a layer of dehydrated aloe vera on the surface of the glove.

2. The disposable examination glove of claim 1 in which the layer of the flexible material is made of natural rubber latex.

3. The disposable examination glove of claim 1 in which the layer of the flexible material is made of acrylonitrile.

4. The disposable examination glove of claim 1 in which the Aloe Vera is attached to the flexible material through dehydration.

5. The disposable examination glove of claim 4 in which the Aloe Vera is evenly distributed on the flexible material.

6. The disposable examination glove of claim 1 in which the Aloe Vera forms a layer with thickness of about 0.01 mm.

7. The disposable examination glove of claim 1 in which the Aloe Vera forms a layer with a thickness that is about {fraction (1/16)} of the thickness of the layer of the flexible material.

8. A method of manufacturing a disposable glove for protecting and soothing hands, comprising the steps of:

a) mixing a quantity of water with Aloe Vera so as to dissolve the Aloe Vera and form a solution;

b) arranging the glove inside out whereby an inner surface of the glove faces outward, wherein the inner surface is a surface of the glove that would face inward toward a hand while the glove is being worn on the hand;

c) dipping the glove into the solution so that the inner surface is in contact with the solution;

d) removing the glove out of the solution, wherein a portion of the solution is on the glove;

e) heating the glove with the portion of the solution to cause water in the portion of the solution to evaporate and form a substantially evenly distributed layer of dehydrated Aloe Vera on the surface of the glove;

f) cooling the glove to room temperature.

9. The method of manufacturing a glove of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

a) pre-treating the glove by bringing the glove into an environment containing chlorine;

b) drying the gloves by heating,

such that powders and proteins are removed, bacteria and viruses are killed, and the glove is ready for the manufacturing method set forth in claim 8.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the solution has a concentration of about 15-30%.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the heating step further comprises the steps of:

a) heating a drying machine to about 45°

C. before the glove is introduced into the machine;

b) setting a maximum temperature at about 65°

C.;

c) starting a tumbling mechanism that force gloves in the machine to tumble;

d) Keeping the heating and tumbling running for about 35 to 40 minutes.

12. A disposable glove manufactured according to claim 8.