GB2358785A

GB2358785A - Method and apparatus for encapsulating the hand

Info

Publication number: GB2358785A
Application number: GB0002413A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cyril Edward Winter
Original assignee: JENNAWAY JOHN FRANK
Current assignee: JENNAWAY JOHN FRANK
Priority date: 2000-02-02
Filing date: 2000-02-02
Publication date: 2001-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-02
Also published as: GB0002413D0; GB2358785B

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for encapsulating a hand in a fingerless glove or mitt of plastics material such as cling-film. A plate N is moved downwards into a chamber (V figure 2) pulling with it two strips J of plastics sheet material joined at W from rolls H. Fans B suck the strips against perforated plates U so that the hand can be inserted between them. The edges of the strips J nearer the back of chamber (V figure 2) are sealed together e.g. by double sided adhesive tape. Arms O, P now swing together, clamping the two strips J between bars R and I. A hot wire Q embedded in one of the bars or equivalent means is energised thereby heating it to form a weld W between the strips and to separate the "glove" now completed in chamber (V figure 2). The hand is now moved downward out of chamber (V figure 2), separating the newly formed glove. Thereafter the plate N engages the newly formed weld W to repeat the cycle.

Description

1 cMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENCAPSULATING THE HANW 2358785 This invention

relates to a method and apparatus for encapsulating the hand for purposes of hygiene or to avoid soiling the hand.

Gloves are used for purposes of hygiene in hospitals and in establishments where food is handled, or to prevent soiling the hands, for example when changing a wheel of a vehicle or checking its oil. Gloves of this, kind do not have to be warm or durable but their provision does involve some cost because of their relatively complex shape. Particularly when used for purposes of hygiene there should be no disincentive to changing the gloves as frequently as is desirable. A disincentive is not only cost but the time and trouble involved in locating a supply of gloves, separating a pair and drawing the gloves over the fingers. Busy workers either in a hospital or in a food shop may be deterred by the time and trouble involved in changing gloves as frequently as they should, although failure to do so risks cross- contamination.

The present invention proceeds from the realisation that for at least most of the aforementioned purposes it is unnecessary to provide a glove shaped to have fingers and a thumb. A hand encapsulated in a plastics film will have sufficient freedom of movement of the fingers and manufacturing costs will be relatively very small. If a dispenser is conveniently located, for example on a shop counter, and if the encapsulating operation can be performed quickly and simply there is noting to deter hospital staff or shop assistants changing their "gloves" whenever this is desirable, for example before handling different foodstuffs.

Therefore in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for encapsulating the hand comprising a chamber having an opening at the front for insertion of a hand, dispenser means for a doubled strip of plastics sheet material located above the chamber, a member movable into and out of the chamber to carry with it said doubled strip into the chamber, means for creating an excess air pressure within the chamber so as to separate the doubled strip within the chamber, and welding means movable transversely of the doubled strip to weld the same in a region near the top of the chamber.

The dispenser means may be a roll of plastics sheet material folded longitudinally, means being provided to separate the sheet material on either side of said movable member.

Alternatively the dispenser means may be a pair of rolls positioned above the chamber, said member being movable between the rolls to double the strip as the member moves into the chamber. In this embodiment, means is preferably provided for scaling together the edges of the doubled strip nearer to the back of the chamber.

Said means may comprise an adhesive applicator. Means may be provided for applying a double-sided adhesive tape to one of said edges as the doubled strip is moved into the chamber, the arrangement being such that said edges are brought together as the doubled strip is moved into the chamber thereby to be sealed together by the double-sided adhesive tape.

2.

Said edges may be brought together by a pair of discs positioned behind said movable member or said edges may be brought together by devices which are pivotable to swing across the chamber.

Preferably the chamber has an open bottom through which the hand can be moved after being encapsulated.

Side walls of the chamber may be perforated to allow the outflow of air and fan means may be provided extedorly of the chamber to suck air through said perforations.

Said welding means may comprise pressure elements which are movable to confront one another with the doubled strip therebetween, heat applying means being associated with at least one said element to melt the plastics material while gripped between said pressure elements.

Similar apparatus may be located side-by-side with respect to the firstmentioned apparatus to encapsulate the other hand of the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of encapsulating the hand utilising the apparatus of the present invention, the method comprising moving said member into the chamber to draw a doubled strip of the plastics sheet material into the chamber, sealing together the edges of the doubled strip nearer the back of the chamber, activating suction means to separate the doubled strip within the chamber, withdrawing said member from the chamber, inserting a hand through the open front of the chamber, welding the doubled strip near the top of the chamber and moving said hand downwardly out of the chamber to carry with it encapsulating material broken off at the newly formed weld, said hand being bounded on opposite sides by the newly formed weld and a previously formed weld.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of nonEmitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1-5 are similar end elevational views of apparatus in accordance with the invention showing it in different, successive stages of operation, Figure 6 is a view taken on the line VI-VI 'Of Figure 1, Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a first modification of the apparatus of Figures 1-6, and Figure 8 is a view sinfilar to Figure 1 of a second modification of the apparatus of Figures 1-6.

A housing A has a front opening D through which a hand (not shown) may be inserted into a chamber V in the lower part of housing A which is bounded on opposite sides by perforated plates U. Behind the plates U are boxes S, behind which again are housings B in which electrically driven fans are located.

Above and on opposite sides of the chainber V are a pair of freelyrotatable rolls H of a thin, plastics sheet material such as of the kind known as "cling Rotatable about the same axes as the rolls H are arms 0 and P carrying at their lower, inwardly facing ends pressure bars R and 1. A heating wire Q is embedded in the pressure bar 3 1. Between the rolls H is a vertical plate N which is displaceable vertically between the position of Figure 1 and the position of Figure 2.

At the commencement of operations the bottom edge of the plate N is located on a previously formed join W between the strips S drawn from the two rolls H. As the plate N moves downward to the position of Figure 2 it draws the strips J ofF the rolls H and carries a doubled strip into the chamber V.

The edges of the strips J which are nearer the back or closed end of the chamber V are now sealed together. This is accomplished in the example illustrated in Figures 1-6 by applying to one of the strips J on its side presented to the other strip and near the edge of the strip J nearer the back of chamber V a tape K (Figure 6) which has adhesive on both faces. The housings S with the associated fan boxes B are pivotable about respective vertical axes near to the opening D. The pivots of one of the fan box assemblies are indicated at X in Figure 6. With the plate N in the position of Figure 2 the opposite ends of the fan box assemblies are brought together so that the two sheets of film J are pressed together between pads Y on the fan box assemblies with the double-sided adhesive tape K between thern, thus forming a seam Z at the back of the enclosure V.

With the doubled strip J in the position of Figure 2 and with at least that part of it within chamber V sealed together at the edges remote from opening D the fans in housings B are actuated, causing air to be sucked out of the chamber V through the perforated plates U. This draws the strips J into contact with the plates U, separating them except where they are joined at W and at Z, to enable a hand inserted through opening D to pass between them without disturbance.

The arms 0 and P are now moved together (Figure 4), squeezing the two strips J between them at a position above the chamber V. A pulse of electricity through wire Q heats the plastics film, causing the two strips J to weld together and also either severing them or at least weakening them in this position. The hand (not shown) in chamber V, which is now surrounded on all sides except at the wrist by the double strip J, now moves downward out of chamber V through the open bottom of chamber A, taking with it the thus-formed glove or mitt of plastics film.

This movement of the hand, which may be detected by a suitably positioned sensor (not shown) causes actuation of the plate N to repeat the previously described cycle. The lower edge of the plate N contacts the weld W which has just been made. by the wire Q prior to or as the previously-made "glove' is broken offi All of the movements described may be efflected in known manner by electrically powered motors under the control of a micro-processor. Multiple fans in housings B may be replaced by a single fan positioned at the back of the housing with suitable ducting connecting the same with the perforated plates U. The fan or fans may operate continuously, but in this case they will preferably switch ofF if the machine is unused for a given length of time.

The embodiment of Figure 7 is similar to that of Figures 1-6 except that the fan box assemblies S,B are immovable and formation of the seam Z between the two sheets J 4 of film at the back of the enclosure V is achieved by rollers E. The contiguous rollers E are discs only slightly wider than the strip K of double-sided tape and are positioned to form the seam Z behind the plate N.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, which is otherwise - similar to the previous embodiments, the need to form a seam Z between two sheets of film J is avoided in that the film drawn from the single roll H' is folded longitudinally so that it has a fold Z' which will be at the back of the enclosure V. As the double film H' is drawn down by the plate N it passes over a full-length roller F and then over a splitter bar G which is of inverted V shape and extends not quite the full width of the folded film W.

Instead of the hot wire Q high frequency laser or halogen bulb welding/severing means may be employed. In place of the double-sided adhesive tape K other known methods of sealing may be employed to form the seam or weld Z, such as by means of a laser or halogen heat source, ultrasonic or hot wire welding. Alternatively film may be used which has a heat sensitive strip of adhesive pre-applied or built in to it, the adhesive being activated by a suitable heat source as the film passes downward.

In a ffirther embodiment of the invention which is not illustrated a further chamber is provided below the chamber V into which the hand is moved after encapsulation. The floor of chamber V may in this case be defined by a pair of opposed brushes which "wipe' the hand as it passes. An advantage of this arrangement is that if for any reason the plate N should descend while a hand is in chamber V it would simply push it downward out of the chamber.

In yet another modification which is not illustrated the fan boxes are fixed and in place of the rollers E of Figure 7 a pair of opposed, vertical brushes (not shown) are used to form the seam Z between the rear edges of the strips. These brushes are pivotable about vertical axes at the rear of the fan boxes and rotate into opposition to press the strips together after the latter have been brought down in to the chamber V.

The illustrated embodiments have been described as utilising "clingfilrd' but it will be understood that gloves or mitts maybe made out of a heavier gauge material if desired.

In the illustrated embodiments there are indicator lights C one of which, for example an amber light, will indicate that the machine is in operation and the other of whick for example a green light, will indicate that the machine is ready for the insertion of a hand into the chamber V.

Two assemblies each as illustrated in the drawings are preferably positioned side-byside so that a user can encapsulate both hands simultaneously.

It is to be noted that when inserted into the chamber V the hand is remote from any moving parts and from the welding means R.I.Q. It is shielded from contact with the fan or fans by the perforated plates U. As a glove dispenser it can therefore be safely used without particular precautions or the need for supervision.

The apparatus is preferably adapted both for mains and battery power and is preferably portable so that it can be located and used wherever required.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for encapsulating the hand comprising a chamber having an opening at the front for insertion of a hand, dispenser means for a doubled strip of plastics sheet material located above the chamber, a member movable into and out of the chamber to carry with it said doubled strip into the chamber, means for creating an excess air pressure within the chamber so as to separate the doubled strip within the chamber, and welding means movable transversely of the doubled strip to weld the same in a region near the top of the chamber.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser means is a roll of plastics sheet material folded longitudinally, means being provided to separate the sheet material on either side of said movable member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser means is a pair of rolls positioned above the chamber, said member being movable between the rolls to double the strip as the member moves into the chamber.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein means is provided for sealing together the edges of the doubled strip nearer to the back of the chamber.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means comprises an adhesive applicator.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein means is provided for applying a double-sided adhesive tape to one of said edges as the doubled strip is moved into the chamber, the arrangement being such that said edges are brought together as the doubled strip is moved into the chamber thereby to be sealed together by the doublesided adhesive tape.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said edges are brought together by a pair of discs positioned behind said movable member.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said edges are brought together by devices which are pivotable to swing across the chamber.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber has an open bottom through which the hand can be moved after being encapsulated.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein side walls of the chamber are perforated to allow the outflow of air and wherein fan means is provided exteriorly of the chamber to suck air through said perforations.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said welding means comprises pressure elements which are movable to confront one another with the doubled strip therebetween, heat applying means being associated with at least one said element to melt the plastics material while gripped between said pressure elements.

6

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising similar apparatus located side-by-side with respect to the first-mentioned apparatus to encapsulate the other hand of the user.

13. Apparatus for encapsulating the hand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of encapsulating the hand utilising the apparatus claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising moving said member into the chamber to draw a doubled strip of the plastics sheet material into the chamber, activating suction means to separate the doubled strip within the chamber, withdrawing said member from the chamber, inserting a hand through the open front of the chamber, welding the doubled strip near the top of the chamber and moving said hand downwardly out of the chamber to carry with it encapsulating material broken off at the newly formed weld, said hand being bounded on opposite sides by the newly formed weld and a previously formed weld.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein two strips of plastics sheet material are drawn into the chamber and the method additionally comprises sealing the two strips together at the back of the chamber.

16. A method of encapsulating the hand as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 substantially as hereinbefore described.