Heatable glove liner, glove containing the same, and method of making the same

Abstract

A heatable glove liner, including a glove shaped garment having a conductive composite yarn sewn along a portion thereof, wherein the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn have electrical leads configured for connection to a power source to form an electrical circuit, such that upon completion of the electrical circuit, the conductive composite yarn heats up due to electrical resistance; and a glove containing the same.

1 . A heatable glove liner, comprising:
 a glove shaped garment formed by affixing two or more fabric portions to one another by sewing the two or more fabric portions together with a conductive composite yarn, wherein the conductive composite yarn comprises:
 a) a core formed of at least one strand of an electrically conductive metal of 34 or higher gauge; 
 b) at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover, wherein the inner cover is a natural or synthetic yarn; 
 c) at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped; 
 d) at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and 
 e) optionally, a lubricant; 
   wherein the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn have electrical leads configured for connection to a power source to form an electrical circuit, such that upon completion of the electrical circuit, the conductive composite yarn heats up due to electrical resistance.   
     
     
         2 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 1 , wherein said core comprises two or more strands of an electrically conductive metal of 34 or higher gauge. 
     
     
         3 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive metal is copper. 
     
     
         4 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one copper wire strand is a 42 gauge copper wire. 
     
     
         5 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one copper wire strand is a 44 gauge copper wire. 
     
     
         6 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 3 , wherein said core comprises two 34 or higher gauge copper wires. 
     
     
         7 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 6 , wherein the two copper wires are each of 44 gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 7 , wherein said core further comprises a stainless steel wire having a diameter of 1-2 mil. 
     
     
         9 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 1 , wherein said outer cover is formed of at least one strand of a yarn selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester yarns. 
     
     
         10 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein said core further comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a denier of from 100 to 300. 
     
     
         11 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive composite yarn is a conductive composite sewing thread. 
     
     
         12 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn has a composite denier of from 400 to 700. 
     
     
         13 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn has a composite deneir of from 500 to 600. 
     
     
         14 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is a composition comprising silicone and paraffin. 
     
     
         15 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the glove liner is prepared from two fabric portions joined along a perimeter by sewing to form a seam with the conductive composite yarn, leaving open a side corresponding to a wrist area through which a wearer would insert a hand. 
     
     
         16 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the glove liner is prepared from two fabric portions joined along a line tracing a path adjacent a perimeter and located at least partially on a palm side of the heatable glove liner when assembled, said two fabric portions being joined by sewing to form a seam with the conductive composite yarn, leaving open a side corresponding to a wrist area through which a wearer would insert a hand. 
     
     
         17 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the glove liner is prepared from three or more fabric portions. 
     
     
         18 . A heatable glove liner, comprising:
 a glove shaped garment having a conductive composite yarn sewn along a portion thereof, wherein the conductive composite yarn comprises:
 a) a core formed of at least one strand of an electrically conductive metal of 34 or higher gauge; 
 b) at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover, wherein the inner cover is a natural or synthetic yarn; 
 c) at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped; 
 d) at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and 
 e) optionally, a lubricant; 
   wherein the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn have electrical leads configured for connection to a power source to form an electrical circuit, such that upon completion of the electrical circuit, the conductive composite yarn heats up due to electrical resistance.   
     
     
         19 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 18 , wherein said core comprises two or more strands of an electrically conductive metal of 34 or higher gauge. 
     
     
         20 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 18 , wherein said electrically conductive metal is copper. 
     
     
         21 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one copper wire strand is a 42 gauge copper wire. 
     
     
         22 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one copper wire strand is a 44 gauge copper wire. 
     
     
         23 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 20 , wherein said core comprises two 34 or higher gauge copper wires. 
     
     
         24 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 23 , wherein the two copper wires are each of 44 gauge. 
     
     
         25 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 24 , wherein said core further comprises a stainless steel wire having a diameter of 1-2 mil. 
     
     
         26 . The heatable glove liner of  claim 18 , wherein said outer cover is formed of at least one strand of a yarn selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester yarns. 
     
     
         27 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein said core further comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a denier of from 100 to 300. 
     
     
         28 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the conductive composite yarn is a conductive composite sewing thread. 
     
     
         29 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the yarn has a composite denier of from 400 to 700. 
     
     
         30 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the yarn has a composite deneir of from 500 to 600. 
     
     
         31 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the lubricant is a composition comprising silicone and paraffin. 
     
     
         32 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the conductive yarn is sewn along a perimeter of the glove liner. 
     
     
         33 . The heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 , wherein the conductive yarn is sewn along a line tracing a path adjacent a perimeter and located at least partially on a palm side of the heatable glove liner. 
     
     
         34 . A glove, comprising:
 an exterior layer having an exterior side and an interior side; and   an interior layer comprising the heatable glove liner according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         35 . The glove according to  claim 34 , wherein the exterior layer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of animal hides, vinyl, and fabrics made from synthetic or natural fibers. 
     
     
         36 . The glove according to  claim 35 , wherein the exterior layer comprises leather. 
     
     
         37 . The glove according to  claim 34 , wherein the interior layer is affixed to the interior side of the exterior layer. 
     
     
         38 . The glove according to  claim 37 , further comprising at least one adhesive layer adhering the exterior layer and the interior layer to one another. 
     
     
         39 . A glove comprising:
 a reinforced multilayer material, including an exterior layer having an exterior side and an interior side, the exterior layer being absent from an index finger of the glove from a tip of the index finger to where the index finger connects to a palm portion, and a first interior layer affixed to the interior side of the exterior layer and covering the index finger of the glove, the first interior layer comprising the heatable glove liner of  claim 1 ; and, optionally, a plurality of soft knuckle pads covering a first knuckle and a second knuckle of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a thumb.   
     
     
         40 . The glove of  claim 39 , wherein the two or more fabric portions forming the heatable glove liner comprise a fabric formed from a high performance fiber and being light-weight, cut and abrasion resistant, and permitting air and water vapor to flow therethrough. 
     
     
         41 . The glove of  claim 40 , wherein the high performance fiber comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene filaments. 
     
     
         42 . The glove of  claim 40 , wherein the high performance fiber comprises one or more composite yarns. 
     
     
         43 . The glove of  claim 39 , further comprising: a protective padding covering a portion of a back of the glove. 
     
     
         44 . The glove of  claim 43 , further comprising: a hard knuckle protector covering a third knuckle of each of the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and a pinky finger. 
     
     
         45 . The glove of  claim 44 , further comprising: an adjustable wrist strap. 
     
     
         46 . The glove of  claim 45 , further comprising: a palm protection pad covering at least a portion of the palm of the glove. 
     
     
         47 . The glove of  claim 39 , wherein the exterior layer extends past a third knuckle of the index finger. 
     
     
         48 . The glove of  claim 39 , wherein the exterior layer does not extend past the second knuckle of the index finger. 
     
     
         49 . The glove of  claim 39 , wherein a hard knuckle protector covers the third knuckle of each of the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the pinky finger with no separation between each third knuckle. 
     
     
         50 . The glove of  claim 45 , wherein the adjustable wrist strap includes a strap connector. 
     
     
         51 . The glove of  claim 50 , wherein the strap connector secures the adjustable wrist strap via a hook and loop material. 
     
     
         52 . The glove of  claim 39 , wherein the exterior layer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of animal hides, vinyl, and fabrics made from synthetic of natural fibers. 
     
     
         53 . The glove of  claim 52 , wherein the exterior layer comprises leather. 
     
     
         54 . The glove of  claim 39 , further comprising at least one adhesive layer adhering the exterior and interior layers. 
     
     
         55 . A method for keeping the hand and fingers warm, comprising:
 applying a heatable glove liner according to  claim 1  on a hand, wherein the heatable glove liner is electrically connected to a power source via the electrical leads at the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn to form an electrical circuit;   thus heating the heatable glove liner and warming the hand and fingers therein.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the power source is a DC power source. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the DC power source is a battery of 5 to 15 V. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the battery is a battery of 7 to 12 V. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the battery is a 12 V battery. 
     
     
         60 . A method for keeping the hand and fingers warm, comprising:
 applying a glove according to  claim 39  on a hand, wherein the heatable glove liner is electrically connected to a power source via the electrical leads at the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn to form an electrical circuit;   thus heating the heatable glove liner and warming the hand and fingers therein.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the power source is a DC power source. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the DC power source is a battery of 5 to 15 V. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the battery is a battery of 7 to 12 V. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the battery is a 12 V battery. 
     
     
         65 . A glove, comprising:
 an exterior layer having an exterior side and an interior side; and   an interior layer comprising the heatable glove liner according to  claim 18 .   
     
     
         66 . A glove comprising:
 a reinforced multilayer material, including an exterior layer having an exterior side and an interior side, the exterior layer being absent from an index finger of the glove from a tip of the index finger to where the index finger connects to a palm portion, and a first interior layer affixed to the interior side of the exterior layer and covering the index finger of the glove, the first interior layer comprising the heatable glove liner of  claim 18 ; and, optionally, a plurality of soft knuckle pads covering a first knuckle and a second knuckle of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a thumb.   
     
     
         67 . A method for keeping the hand and fingers warm, comprising:
 applying a heatable glove liner according to  claim 18  on a hand, wherein the heatable glove liner is electrically connected to a power source via the electrical leads at the ends of the at least one strand of electrically conductive metal forming the core of the conductive composite yarn to form an electrical circuit;   thus heating the heatable glove liner and warming the hand and fingers therein.