Device and Method for Sealing Protective Gloves

Abstract

A levered sealing tab for a glove includes a relatively thin and flexible sheet material including a rectangular shape having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is folded over the first portion. A first area of the first portion is bonded to a second area of the second portion forming a hinged portion of the second portion. An adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the second portion opposite the first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a surface of the first portion opposite the hinged portion, for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area. A removable cover material for covers the adhesive prior to using the apparatus.

1 . An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
 a relatively thin and flexible sheet material comprising a rectangular shape having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion folded over said first portion along a first widthwise line of said sheet material and a first area of said first portion of said first portion being bonded to a second area located widthwise along a line of said second portion forming a hinged portion of said second portion;   an adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, applied to at least a portion of a surface of said second portion opposite said first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion, for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to the first area; and   a removable cover material for covering said adhesive prior to using the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheet material further comprises a groove along said widthwise line to facilitate folding said second portion over said first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said sheet material further comprises a groove widthwise on a surface of said first portion opposite said first area to facilitate folding said first portion when attaching said surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion to the glove. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheet material further comprises a finger grip area adjacent to an end of said first portion to facilitate folding said first portion when attaching said surface of said first portion opposite said hinged portion to the glove. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein comers of said folded first and second portions are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said removable cover material is folded over said sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said removable cover material comprises a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheet material, adhesive and cover material comprise materials with minimal volatile components and are clean room compatible, having low outgas, no silicone, and no metallic minerals. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
 a first portion of a relatively thin and flexible sheet material;   an adhesive, suitable for adhering to the glove, applied to at least a portion of a first surface of said first portion, for attaching to a first area of the glove, and to at least a portion of a second surface of said first portion for attaching to a second area of the glove adjacent to said first area; and   a removable cover material for covering said adhesive prior to using the apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a hinged portion where an end of said hinged portion is bonded to said first surface and said adhesive is applied to at least a portion of a surface of said hinged portion opposite said first surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first portion further comprises a finger grip area adjacent to an end of said first portion to facilitate attaching said second surface to the glove. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein corners of said first portion are beveled or rounded to mitigate damage to the glove. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said removable cover material is folded over said first portion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said removable cover material comprises a thin flexible plastic film that has low surface energy. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for a levered sealing tab for a glove, the apparatus comprising:
 means for forming a tab having a hinged portion;   means for attaching said tab to the glove; and   means for covering said attachment means prior to using the apparatus.