US20170347726A1

US20170347726A1 - Seal for Disposable Gloves

Info

Publication number: US20170347726A1
Application number: US15/171,857
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven John Whited
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-02
Filing date: 2016-06-02
Publication date: 2017-12-07

Abstract

My invention adds a seal to the outside of the wrist area of disposable (plastic, latex, or rubber) gloves. This added feature provides the user with the option to seal and contain unwanted material once the glove is removed from the hand, reducing the possibility of cross contamination and skin exposure while also minimizing odor.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technology is improving rapidly every day. However, certain products continue to stand the test of time. One example is the disposable glove. This form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used worldwide in a variety of occupations. The disposable glove serves the purpose of protecting the individual who uses them, but fails to protect others who could potentially come in contact with them after use. My invention improves the existing disposable glove design and introduces a seal that will secure the unwanted contents and prepare it for proper disposal. This invention can be used on all disposable gloves (plastic, latex, rubber, etc.) as long as the seal is located on the outside of the wrist area.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Disposable gloves currently do not have a way to seal and capture unwanted contents. They often get disposed in the trash after use which exposes other individuals to the waste material. With my invention, gloves will be equipped to seal and capture the unwanted contents when they are removed from the hand.
This invention simply combines two existing products; the plastic, latex or rubber glove and the plastic seal. When used correctly, this invention will eliminate cross contamination and the potential for skin exposure to hazardous material. The glove, equipped with a seal, can be beneficial to a variety of professionals (i.e. nurses, doctors, mechanics, water and wastewater operators, etc.) if used as designed. It can also be used at home when using cleaning supplies and picking up pet waste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1, Photograph 1 of this Non Provisional Patent Application displays a prototype of the invention, Seal for Disposable Gloves. The seal is located on the outside of the glove in the wrist area and provides an option for the user to contain unwanted material after use and prepare it for disposal. The prototype was developed simply by cutting the seal off of a plastic bag and attaching it to the outside of a plastic glove in the wrist area.
The prototype for this specific Non Provisional Patent Application was developed using a plastic disposable glove. However, the “wrist seal” feature can be applied to all disposable gloves (plastic, latex and rubber).
For this invention to be effective, the glove must be removed properly. Starting from the wrist area, the user will need to slowly remove the glove with the opposite hand, pulling it away from the body. Once the glove is completely removed, the opening will be positioned where it can be properly sealed.
The end result is a plastic bag that contains the unwanted material. This will eliminate the possibility of cross contamination while also minimizing odor.

Description of FIG. 1

FIG. 1, Photograph #1—Prototype of plastic glove with seal located on the outside of the wrist area.
FIG. 1, Photograph #2—Demonstration of how to place the glove on the hand.
FIG. 1, Photograph #3—Glove on the hand in the resting position.
FIG. 1, Photograph #4—With the glove securely on the hand, the item is lifted and placed in the palm.
FIG. 1, Photograph #5—The item is grasped with the palm of the hand with the fingers securely around it.
FIG. 1, Photograph #6—using the fee hand, the glove is slowly removed while the item is still being grasped with the other hand.
FIG. 1, Photograph #7—Continue removing the glove while holding onto the item with the other hand.
FIG. 1, Photograph #8—Continue removing the glove while holding onto the item with the other hand.
FIG. 1, Photograph #9—The item is fully enclosed inside the glove.
FIG. 1, Photograph #10—Begin sealing glove, leaving the item inside the glove.
FIG. 1, Photograph #11—Continue sealing the glove until the item is fully contained and the bag is sealed.
FIG. 1, Photograph #12—Item and bag is ready for disposal.

Description of FIGS. 2-6

FIG. 2—This is a view of the invention as a glove. The seal is located on the wrist area.
FIG. 3—This drawing shows an object being picked up with the glove securely in place on the hand.
FIG. 4—This drawing displays the first step in removing the glove with the free hand. Grab the glove in the wrist area and peal the glove away from your body to remove it.
FIG. 5—This drawing shows a continuation of removing the glove with the free hand.
FIG. 6—This is a view of the bag that is created when the glove is removed from the hand. The unwanted items will remain in the bag when the seal is made. No mess, no spills and no cross contamination. The bag can now be properly disposed of.

Claims

1. This Non Provisional Patent Application, Seal for Disposable Gloves, claims the flowing: a seal that is added to the outside of the wrist area of disposable gloves. This seal provides the user with the option to seal unwanted contents in preparation for disposal.