Three-dimensional finger glove

Abstract

A 3-D finger glove that may fit onto a human finger is provided. The finger glove that has a 3-D cavity so that it may easily be put on to a finger by a user and is formed by bonding together two nonwoven webs, at least one of which is elastic, while the elastic web stretched. Additionally, the 3-D finger glove successfully prevents the formation of stiff seams along the edge so that seams will not cause abrasion or damage to the areas where the glove is intended to be used. Additionally, the 3-D glove disclosed can have flush seams, which further reduces the stiffness along the seams so that the user feels more comfortable while wearing the glove. Furthermore, the 3-D shaped finger glove may provide a bigger surface area for cleaning or other uses. A number of therapeutic additives may also be applied to the glove.

1 . A 3-D finger glove comprising a hollow member having an open end for the insertion of a finger, said hollow member comprising a first section attached to a second section, said first section comprising a nonwoven material, said second section comprising an elastic nonwoven material, said first section being bonded to said second section to make a seam, while said second section is stretched by an amount between 25 and 90 percent of the unstretched length.  
   
   
       2 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein the length of said first section divided by the length of said second section defines a length ratio, and said length ratio of first section to second section is about 25 to 90 percent.  
   
   
       3 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 2  wherein the length ratio of first section to second section is about 50 to 70 percent.  
   
   
       4 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said the ratio of first section to second section is about 25 to 50 percent.  
   
   
       5 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said seam is less than 1 millimeter (mm) in width and 1 mm in height.  
   
   
       6 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said seam is less than 50 microns in width and 50 microns in height.  
   
   
       7 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said first section includes a texturized surface.  
   
   
       8 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 7 , wherein said texturized surface comprises looped bristles.  
   
   
       9 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 7  wherein said texturized surface comprises a point un-bonded material.  
   
   
       10 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said elastic nonwoven material is seclecte from the group consisting of stretch-bonded laminates, neck-bonded laminates and neck-stretch-bonded laminates.  
   
   
       11 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said elastic nonwoven material comprises an elastic material positioned in between a first nonwoven web and a second nonwoven web.  
   
   
       12 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 1  wherein said first section comprises a laminate including a moisture barrier layer positioned in between a first nonwoven web and a second nonwoven web.  
   
   
       13 . A 3-D finger glove comprising a first section attached to a second section, said first section and said second section defining a pocket therebetween, said pocket having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being closed and said proximal end being open, said open proximal end being configured to allow the insertion of a finger into said pocket, said second section comprising an elastic nonwoven material, bonded to said first section while said second section is stretched.  
   
   
       14 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 13  wherein said elastic nonwoven material comprises a laminate.  
   
   
       15 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 13  wherein said elastic nonwoven material comprises an elastic material positioned in between a first nonwoven web and a second nonwoven web.  
   
   
       16 . The 3-D finger glove ofin  claim 15  wherein said elastic material comprises a film.  
   
   
       17 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 13  wherein said elastic material comprises elastic strands.  
   
   
       18 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 13  further comprising a moisture barrier layer incorporated into at least a portion of one of said first or said second sections.  
   
   
       19 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 13  wherein said first section comprises a material selected from the group consisting of spun-bonded webs, meltblown webs, spun-bonded/meltblown/spun-bonded webs, through-air bonded webs, spun-bonded/meltblown webs, and bonded carded webs.  
   
   
       20 . The 3-D finger glove of  claim 19  wherein said first section defines a texturized surface, said texturized surface comprising a material selected from the group consisting of looped bristles, crimped fibers, and a point un-bonded material containing a plurality of tufts surrounded by bonded regions.