Matmarket, LLC recently secured a major technological breakthrough with the issuance of U.S. Patent No. US12768099B2. This patent, titled ‘Fire resistant glove and methods of manufacture’, introduces a new process for creating work gloves with advanced flame retardant properties. Inventors Matthew Pennington, Cooper-Jinha Jung, and Jae-Kap Lee developed a design that utilizes a cotton base layer and specialized silicone coatings to enhance heat resistance and grip.

NEW HAMPSHIRE PATENT OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2026

The innovation focuses on an improved manufacturing process that applies a silicone-based binder and a fire-resistant coating to a cotton fabric. This system uses a carefully controlled curing process to ensure the materials bond correctly while maintaining flexibility and strength. A specialized wet grip surface treatment further enhances the glove’s utility in demanding work environments. Swanson Reed granted this invention the New Hampshire Patent of the Month for November 2026 because it successfully solves persistent technical uncertainties regarding the balance between flame retardancy, durability, and user comfort in industrial workwear.

Practical Applications and R&D Tax Credit Eligibility

The practical applications of this patent present strong opportunities for Research and Development tax credits in the United States. Companies developing advanced protective equipment often engage in iterative testing to overcome engineering challenges related to material composition, thermal resistance, and manufacturing scalability. The process of designing, prototyping, and validating the performance of new fire retardant coatings requires dedicated experimentation. These activities directly align with the requirements of IRS Section 41 for qualified research. By documenting the systematic elimination of technical uncertainties in their design phases, manufacturers can leverage these experimental efforts to claim substantial R&D tax incentives.