Communicative glove containing embedded microchip

Abstract

The present invention provides a communicative glove which includes means for monitoring the glove's integrity such that a breach of the glove's barrier may be detected, or in some cases anticipated, and thus a warning may be provided to the wearer of the breach.

1 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . A breach-detecting barrier material comprising: 
 at least two elastomer layers;    a microchip embedded between the elastomer layers, the microchip adapted to receive a first signal, process the signal and output a second signal indicative of barrier integrity;    a breach-detecting sensor embedded between the elastomer layers, the sensor adapted to measure a chemical characteristic of the material, the chemical characteristic indicative of barrier integrity, and generate the first signal, the sensor further adapted to communicate with the microchip by sending the first signal to the microchip; and optionally,    a power supply.    
     
     
         32 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 31 , wherein the sensor is a chemical sensor.  
     
     
         33 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 31 , wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor.  
     
     
         34 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 31 , wherein the sensor forms a third layer.  
     
     
         35 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 34 , wherein the third layer is a fluid layer.  
     
     
         36 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 34 , wherein the third layer is a chemical sensor.  
     
     
         37 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 34 , wherein the third layer is a moisture sensor.  
     
     
         38 . A glove made of the breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 31 .  
     
     
         39 . The glove of  claim 38  wherein the power supply is a battery.  
     
     
         40 . The glove of  claim 38  wherein the power supply is a capacitor charged by the action of a wearer putting on the glove.  
     
     
         41 . A breach-detecting barrier material comprising: 
 at least two elastomer layers;    a microchip embedded between the elastomer layers, the microchip adapted to receive a first signal, process the signal and output a second signal indicative of barrier integrity;    a breach-detecting sensor embedded between the elastomer layers, the sensor adapted to measure a physical characteristic of the material, the physical characteristic indicative of barrier integrity, and generate the first signal, the sensor further adapted to communicate with the microchip by sending the first signal to the microchip; and optionally,    a power supply.    
     
     
         42 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 , wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric device.  
     
     
         43 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 , wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer.  
     
     
         44 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 , wherein the sensor is a conductive material.  
     
     
         45 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 , wherein the sensor is a capacitor.  
     
     
         46 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 , wherein the sensor forms a third layer.  
     
     
         47 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 46 , wherein the third layer is a piezoelectric film layer.  
     
     
         48 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 46 , wherein the third layer is a pressure transducer.  
     
     
         49 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 46 , wherein the third layer is a fluid layer.  
     
     
         50 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 46 , wherein the third layer is a conductive film layer.  
     
     
         51 . The breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 46 , wherein the third layer is a capacitor.  
     
     
         52 . A glove made of the breach-detecting barrier material of  claim 41 .  
     
     
         53 . The glove of  claim 52  wherein the power supply is a battery.  
     
     
         54 . The glove of  claim 52  wherein the power supply is a capacitor charged by the action of a wearer putting on the glove.