WO2005013842A2

WO2005013842A2 - Glove package, unpacking device therefor, and glove donning system

Info

Publication number: WO2005013842A2
Application number: PCT/IL2004/000665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uri Shalev; Yosef Timor; Dan Sinai
Original assignee: Soldon Systems (D.M.S) Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-08-10
Filing date: 2004-07-21
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: IL157322A0; WO2005013842A3

Abstract

The present invention discloses a glove package, which comprises an outer hermetically sealed envelope openable under preset conditions. The outer hermetically sealed envelope encloses a) an inner envelope which comprises a first inner sheet and a second inner sheet in substantial overlying relationship, in which the first inner sheet having one longitudinal free edge in overlying relationship with a free longitudinal edge of the second inner sheet; b) at least one glove disposed between the first inner sheet and the second inner sheet, wherein a cuff portion of at least one glove is substantially aligned with the free edges of the first inner sheet and the second inner sheet; and c) suitable grasping means - including apertures on the inner envelope and/or tabs that project from the inner sheets and into the cuff portions - for enabling each of opposed sides of the cuff portion in proximity to the first inner sheet and the second inner sheet, respectively, to be held firmly with respect to the first inner sheet and the second inner sheet, respectively, at least during a part of a preset unpacking procedure of the package.

Description

GLOVE PACKAGE. UNPACKINGDEVICE THEREFOR. AND GLOVE DONNING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates primarily to an improved glove package and a

device for unpacking the gloves from such a package. The present invention

also relates to donning systems that incorporate such a device to facilitate the

donning of gloves in an automatic manner such that the user or wearer is not

required to manually grasp the gloves during the donning operation. Such

donning systems are particularly advantageous for donning surgical gloves

and also for donning gloves used in clean rooms in the

semiconductor/microprocessor and pharmaceutical industries where avoidance

of contamination of gloves is of the highest priority.

Background

The importance of donning surgical gloves or gloves used in semiconductor

"clean rooms" in a contamination-free manner is well known. The presence of

microbial contaminants on the gloves, arising from manual manipulation of

the gloves during donning, for example, can have adverse and even lethal

effects on a patient undertaking surgery. Similarly, particulate contaminants

passed on from a glove can destroy a semiconductor wafer. Surgeons' gloves, patient examination gloves, and other medical gloves are

intended to provide an effective barrier against potentially infectious materials

and other contaminants. However, the use of such gloves has been associated

with a number of adverse health effects in patients and users, including

allergic reactions, foreign body reactions and irritation. Natural rubber latex

(NRL), from which such gloves are generally made, comprises a variety of

naturally occurring substances, including plant proteins, which are believed to

be the primary allergens associated with natural latex allergy. Nonetheless,

NRL gloves provide users with great sensitivity and no suitable synthetic

replacement is currently available. However, NRL gloves are difficult to don

and doff, and thus glove powder, which comprises cornstarch as a main

component thereof, is often used for lubricating the inside surfaces of the

gloves. Natural latex allergens are known to bind to cornstarch, and thus the

use of donning powder may pose an additional hazard for allergic personnel

and patients. Recently, FDA has received requests to ban the use of all

powdered glove, due to the indications that cornstarch on surgical gloves can

reduce tissue resistance to infection, enhance the development of infection and

act as a carrier of natural latex protein from NRL products, for example

[Federal Register: July 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 146) Proposed Rules,

Page 41709-41743 from the Federal Register Online via GPO Access

(wais.access.gpo.gov), 21 CFR Parts 801, 878, and 880]. In June 1997, the

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the US

issued a safety alert recommending the use of powder-free, reduced protein

content or synthetic gloves as a means to reduce exposure to natural latex allergens, specifically via the airborne route of exposure [Department of Health

and Human Services (NIOSH), "National Institute of Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) Alert: Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex

in the Workplace", Publ. No. 97-135, June 1997.]. While the FDA agrees with

the goal of reducing exposure to airborne allergens, it is at the same time

concerned that efforts to produce powder-free gloves with satisfactory donning

properties may require additional manufacturing processes that, if not

appropriately controlled, have deleterious effects on physical properties,

performance and shelf -life of the gloves [Aziz, N., "Chlorination of Gloves"

Paper No. 5. of the Latex Protein Workshop of the International Rubber

Technology Conference, June 1993, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; FDA, CDRH,

"Environmental Degradation of Latex Gloves: The Effects of Elevated

Temperature on Tensile Strength", Division of Mechanics and Materials

Science Report # 96-05, D. Walsh, D. Chwirut, R. Kotz, and J. Dawson,

Rockville, MD, 1997]. In fact, the FDA is encouraging industry to find a

balance between donning requirements -hitherto met by use of the powder -

and reducing the risk of adverse health effects.

Rather than using donning powder, lubrication of the gloves may be provided,

instead, by a coating or by chlorination. Various kinds of coating are in use.

Their manufacture, like the chlorination process, must be carefully controlled.

Since the coatings may have different physical properties from that of the NRL

glove, they may not generally have the same stretching characteristics, and

thus provide a different "feel" to a user than regular NRL gloves. Furthermore, such coatings add costs to the price of the gloves, particularly for damp hand

donning.

Chlorination is widely used for reducing the tackiness of natural latex gloves

and thus eliminates the need for donning powder. Chlorination works by

degrading the surface of the gloves, and thus the chlorination process must be

very carefully controlled to prevent destruction of the glove barrier. Improperly

chlorinated gloves rapidly degrade, and breaks in the latex film may occur

within a span of a few months.

An alternative approach to using less effective synthetic gloves, or to providing

NRL gloves with less or alternative forms of lubrication to donning powder, is

to provide a glove donning system that reduces the need for lubrication. Such a

donning system would thus enable regular NRL gloves (as well as any similar

type of glove) to be donned without lubrication, in particular donning powder,

by elastically deforming the inside of the glove to a volume greater than the

hand of the user. In particular, such a system requires the cuff of the glove to

be elastically expanded to a size such as to facilitate insertion of a hand

therethrough and into the body of the glove.

Glove donning systems are known, for example, in US 3,695,493, US

4,002,276, US 4,275,812, US 4,069,913, US 4,155,494, US 5,058,785, US

5,078,308, US 4,915,272, US 4,889,266, US 4,228,935 and US 4,898,309.

In particular, WO 01/89406 provides an improved automatic glove donning

system, which comprises a glove grasping means, typically a vacuum wand, adapted to grasp the outer skin of the cuff portion of a glove. The system also

comprises means for transporting the glove into a vacuum chamber such that

the cuff portion of the glove is more-or-less aligned with the perimeter or rim of

the opening of the vacuum chamber. By grasping only the outer skin of the

glove, the cuff portion is gently opened sufficiently to enable an inflatable ring

to be inserted into the cuff portion in the deflated state. The ring is then

inflated while positioned inside the cuff portion so that the cuff portion is

stretched and expanded until it touches the rim of the vacuum chamber. The

rim is provided with a suction ring capable of generating sufficient suction to

keep the cuff of the glove pressed against the rim, at which point the inflatable

ring may be deflated and removed with the grasping means. With the glove

thus held within the vacuum chamber, a vacuum is applied to the chamber

inflating the glove and thus enabling a hand to be inserted into the glove.

The system of WO 01/89406 may further comprise a glove magazine having a

stacked arrangement of sterilised and/or contamination-free gloves, in which

the gloves are all oriented in substantially the same manner, typically in a

flattened state with the upper part of the glove (corresponding to the back of

the hand) being substantially parallel and in close proximity to the lower part

of the glove (corresponding to the palm area). The gloves are elastically

expandable, or at least the cuff portions of the gloves are elastically

expandable, and are provided in a non-expanded condition. The magazine is

adapted for presenting an uppermost glove of a stack of gloves at a particular

height within the housing and thus comprises any suitable elevator - D -

mechanism to push the stack upwards by a suitable amount whenever the

uppermost glove is removed. When the stack of gloves in the magazine is

exhausted, a new stack of gloves may be inserted therein from the storage

chambers in a contamination free manner.

While sterile gloves are available, typically double packed in pairs, the

packaging configurations known in the art are not compatible with the glove

donning system of WO 01/89406.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a glove package and

an unpackaging system or device therefor which overcomes the aforementioned

limitations of glove donning systems.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a glove package and an

unpackaging system or device for facilitating the provision of gloves to a glove

donning system in a substantially contamination free manner.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide such a device or system

that is simple to use.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide such a system that is

relatively simple mechanically and thus economic to produce as well as to

maintain.

Summary of Invention According to the present invention, an alternative and improved solution is

provided to that of the glove stack of WO 01/89406. According to the present

invention, gloves, and particularly pairs of gloves, are provided in pre-packed

packages, which may be opened in sterile conditions when required for use in

the donning system.

According to the invention, a glove package is provided for at least one glove,

and preferably for a pair of gloves, comprising:- an outer hermetically sealed envelope openable under preset conditions; said outer envelope enclosing an inner envelope comprising a first inner sheet and a second inner sheet in substantial overlying relationship, said first inner sheet having one longitudinal free edge in overlying relationship with a free longitudinal edge of said second inner sheet; at least one glove disposed between said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, wherein a cuff portion of said at least one glove is substantially aligned with said free edges of said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet; and suitable grasping means — including apertures on the inner envelope and/or tabs that project from the inner sheets and into the cuff portions - for enabling each of opposed sides of said cuff portion in proximity to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, to be held firmly with respect to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, at least during a part of a preset unpacking procedure of said package.

Such packages would reduce potential problems associated with the stack, and

moreover would also reduce the need for such magazines, and therefore enable

the overall dimensions of the donning system to be reduced.

The packages according to the present invention may also be used in the

regular manual manner, in which the cuff portions are folded back to enable

the same to be grasped manually and donned over the hands while holding

only the inner surface of the gloves.

The present invention is also directed to a glove unpacking apparatus,

comprising, inter alia, separating means for holding said first sheet and said second sheet in said housing while said separating said first inner sheet from said second inner sheet such as to open the said cuff portion of said gloves; a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; conveying means for conveying a said glove package from said inlet opening to said separating means; opening means for holding and opening said cuff portion of said cuffs after said first sheet is separated from said-second sheet; cuff expansion means capable of being reversibly expanded from a first configuration that is sufficiently compact such as to be introduced into said cuff portion, to a second configuration sufficiently expanded such as to abut with respect to and expand said cuff portion; removing means for at least partially removing the first outer sheet from the second outer sheet and for introducing said inner envelope into said housing via said inlet opening.

The present invention also relates to a glove donning system comprising

housing accommodating: - a glove unpacking apparatus; at least one vacuum chamber and preferably a pair of vacuum chambers operatively connected to a vacuum source, said vacuum chamber comprising cuff holding means comprising suction means and at least one suitable contact surface for sealingly holding a cuff portion of a glove in an open condition when said cuff portion is in abutting contact with said at least one surface; and first transport means for transporting said at least one glove from said unpacking apparatus to said at least one vacuum chamber. Description of Figures

Figure 1 illustrates in general isometric view the general components of a first

embodiment of the glove package of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates in general isometric view the general components of a

second embodiment of the glove package of the present invention.

Figure 3(a) illustrates in longitudinal cross-sectional view the general

components of a third embodiment of the glove package of the present

invention; Figure 3(b) illustrates a transverse cross section taken along P-P in

Figure 3(a); Figures 3(c) and 3(d) illustrates some details of the tab of Figures

3(a) and 3(b).

Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate in transverse cross-sectional view a first

embodiment of the unpacking apparatus of the present invention, receiving an

inner envelope, and holding the same, respectively; and Figure 4(c) illustrates

in orthogonal transverse cross-sectional view this embodiment wherein the

upper and lower sheets of the inner envelope are separated to open the cuff

portion.

Figure 5 illustrates in sectional view the embodiment of Figure 4 taken along

X-X, illustrating the operation of the mechanical holding means.

Figures 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate in isometric view a preferred embodiment of

the mechanical holding means of the present invention. ^• Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) illustrates in cross-sectional view the embodiment of

Figure 4(a) and 4(b), further comprising feeding means for feeding the inner

envelope into the housing in various operational configurations.

Figures 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate in cross-sectional view the embodiment of

Figure 5, wherein a deflated balloon of a cuff expansion system is introduced

into the opened cuff, and wherein the balloon is partially inflated, respectively.

Figures 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate in transverse cross-sectional view a second

embodiment of the unpacking apparatus of the present invention, receiving an

inner envelope and holding the same, respectively.

Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate in cross-sectional view the embodiment of

Figures 9(a) and 9(b) taken along Y-Y, wherein Figure 10(a) illustrates the

upper and lower sides of a glove cuff portion being separated via a suitable

probe means, and wherein Figure 10(b) illustrates a cuff expansion system

opening the cuff portion;

Figure 10(c) illustrates along another cross-section of this embodiment,

wherein the probe means partially inflates the glove that is previously grasped

by the cuff expansion means.

Figure 11 illustrates in front elevational cross-sectional view, a preferred

embodiment of the system for donning gloves according to the present

invention. Figure 12 illustrates, in transverse cross-section view, the embodiment of

Figure 11.

Figures 13(a) to 13(e) illustrate in partial transverse cross-sectional view, the

embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 at various stags of operation.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is defined by the claims, the contents of which are to be

read as included within the disclosure of the specification, and will now be

described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures.

The present invention relates to a glove package particularly adapted for

enabling the same to be opened in a sterile and automated manner, and such

as to facilitate the entry of a cuff expansion means, typically in the form of an

inflatable balloon of any suitable shape.

For the purposes of the description, relative terms may be used for ease of

comprehension thereof, including "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal",

"side", and so on. These terms are not to be considered as limiting in any way

the present invention.

The term "cuff portion" is herein taken to refer to the open portion of the glove

through which the user inserts the hand in order to don the glove, whether or not the free edge of the glove has been turned inside out to expose part of the

inside of the glove.

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the package of the present

invention, generally designated at (100), comprises an outer envelope (110),

commonly known as a "pouch", which is hermitically sealed so as to prevent

contamination of the contents thereof. The outer envelope is typically made

from an upper sheet (112) and a lower sheet (114) of suitable material and of

general rectangular plan form, superposed and heat sealed or otherwise

sealingly joined at the edges thereof, which include two parallel longitudinal

edges (116) joined at their extremities to a leading edge (117) and a trailing

edge (118), after the contents have been introduced. The edges, in particular

the leading edge (117) and the longitudinal edges (116) are adapted for

separating the upper sheet (112) from the lower sheet (114), when a

predetermined separating force is applied thereto, and the trailing edge (118)

is preferably sealed in a more permanent fashion, as will be understood more

clearly below. Thus, preferably, the upper sheet (112) and lower sheet (114) are

not fully bonded at the leading edge (117), but rather the longitudinal

extremities or free ends (113) of these sheets are not separated, as illustrated

in Figure 1. Preferably, the free ends (113) are folded back to facilitate the

grasping of these ends (113) mechanically, as will be further described herein.

Nevertheless, there is sufficient bonding between the upper sheet (112) and

the lower sheet (114) at the leading edge to hermetically insulate the inner

envelope (200) from the external environment and thus from possible contamination from particles and/or biological agents. Typically, the outer

envelope is made from paper, plastic or any other suitable sheet material, and

preferably contains printed data, including manufacturer name, country of

origin, opening instructions, batch number, expiry date and so on.

Inside the outer envelope (110) there is an inner open package or envelope

(200), which is commonly known as the wrapper or the wrapping paper ,

comprising a pair of gloves (150), in juxtaposed arrangement. In some

embodiments, the glove package may only comprise a single glove, and are

thus similar to those described herein with respect to a pair of gloves, mutatis

mutandis. Preferably, the gloves (150) are each provided in a substantially

flattened condition, and folded over itself over the remaining portion of the

glove in juxtaposition. For example, the gloves may be folded about the wrist

part thereof, or alternatively at the knuckles, so that the finger portions fold

over the thumb portion, for example. Preferably, a part of the cuff portion of

each glove is folded backwards and inside out over itself such that a part of the

inner surface of the cuff portion is now exposed on the outside. These

configurations minimise the size and volume of each package (100).

The inner envelope (200) comprises an upper sheet (212) and a lower sheet

(214) of suitable material and typically of general rectangular plan form, and

superposed in overlying relationship. The inner envelope (200) comprises a

trailing edge (220) and a leading edge (240) at opposite longitudinal ends

thereof, as illustrated in Figure 1. The upper sheet (212) and a lower sheet

(214) are joined together at least at the trailing edge (220) thereof; alternatively, the upper sheet (212) and a lower sheet (214) are made from one

piece of sheet material folded over at the trailing edge (220). Optionally, the

inner envelope may be made integrally as a continuous unit. Typically, the

inner envelope (200) is made from paper, for example 45g/square meter,

although it may be made from any suitable sheet material. While

circumscribing the upper and lower flattened surfaces of the adjacent pair of

gloves (150), the inner envelope (200) is nevertheless open at least on one side

(260) thereof such as to expose the cuffs (155) of the glove.s (150).

The inner envelope (200) is particularly characterized in comprising suitable

grasping means in the form of tongue elements or tabs (250) that project into

each of the cuffs (155) of the gloves from the upper sheet (212) and lower sheet

(214) from the respective longitudinal edges (215) thereof. The tabs (250) may

be integrally formed with the upper sheet (212) and the lower sheet (214).

Alternatively, the tabs (250) may be suitably bonded or otherwise joined to the

upper sheet (212) and the lower sheet (214). Each pair of tabs (250) for any one

glove (150) has the function of maintaining separated at least the cuff portion

of the upper and lower flattened glove sides (160), (170), respectively, at least

during a predetermined part of the unpacking procedure. Thus, the tabs (250)

are advantageously formed as hook-like projections that penetrate into the

glove (150) from the lateral edges (262), (264) of the open side (260). The tabs

(250) may be made from the same material as the upper sheet (212) and lower

sheet (214), and formed integrally therewith. Alternatively, the tabs (250) may

be made from any other suitable materials. Alternatively, the tabs (250) may . .

be made as separate parts, to be bonded or otherwise joined to the inner

envelope (200) in an appropriate manner.

The inner envelope (200) is also characterized in being adapted for enabling

the upper sheet (212) to be separated from the lower sheet (214) in a

substantially vertical manner, without introducing significant longitudinal

displacement to the inner envelope (200) itself or to the gloves (150) therein.

The reason for this will become apparent hereinbelow. In the preferred

embodiment, the inner envelope (200) comprises an expansion region (245) in

the form of an accordion-like multiplicity of alternating folds of the sheet

material at or near the leading edge (240) thereof. Similarly, expansion region

(225) also in the form of an accordion-like multiplicity of alternating folds of

the sheet material may be provided at or near the trailing edge (220) thereof.

In the preferred embodiment, the trailing edge (220) is longitudinally spaced

from the trailing expansion region (225) by a stub region (230), which

generally comprises a portion of the upper sheet (212) and a portion of the

lower sheet (214) extending from the expansion region (225) to the trailing

edge (220). In practice, the trailing expansion region (225) and the leading

expansion region (245) may be integrally formed with either one or both of the

upper sheet (212) and the lower sheet (214), or suitably joined thereto. Thus,

the expansion regions (225), (245) may be made from the same material as the

upper sheet (212) and lower sheet (214), optionally integrally with one or the

other or both. Alternatively, the expansion regions (225), (245) may be made

from the same or different materials and bonded or joined in any suitable way to the upper sheet (212) and lower sheet (214). In other embodiments the

upper and lower sheets may be joined directly without the expansion regions,

and the dimensions of the glove are generally sufficient for allowing the upper

and lower sheets to be slightly separated without significantly disturbing the

gloves therein.

Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the package according to the

present invention, designated herein as (100'), comprises all the elements and

features of the first embodiment as described herein, mutatis mutandis, with

the following differences. In the second embodiment, the corresponding inner

envelope (200') comprises a plurality of holes (201) on the upper sheet (212)

and lower sheet (214), such as to expose and thus provide communication

between the upper side (160) and the lower side (170) of the gloves,

respectively, and the outside of the upper sheet (212) and lower sheet (214),

respectively. Further, the tabs (250) are optional and not strictly required.

Referring to Figures 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c), a third embodiment of the package

according to the present invention, designated herein as (100"), comprises all

the elements and features of the first embodiment or of the second embodiment

as described herein, mutatis mutandis, with the following differences. In the

third embodiment, the gloves are preferably packed with the free edge (258) of

the cuff portion of each glove folded backwards over the rest of the cuff portion

such that the inner surface of a part of the cuff portion is now on the outside

(though optionally they may also be packed with the cuff portion unfolded). In

particular, and as illustrated in Figure 3(c) and Figure 3(d), a first part (251") of the tabs (250") may comprise adhesive or is otherwise bonded to the upper

sheet (212), or in fact may also be integrally formed therewith. A second part

(252") of the tabs (250") that abuts or is in contact with the inside of the glove

comprises adhesive zones (253"), comprising a very weak adhesive, either in

continuous form or alternatively in non-continuous form such as in the form of

one or more strips or spots,. These adhesive zones (253") help to hold the glove

in place during transportation and handling of the packages. On the other

hand, the amount and/or strength of adhesive in the adhesive zones (253") are

insufficient to prevent the glove from being removed from the package

manually or with the system of the invention.

In the embodiments described herein, the stub region (230) may be formed as

an extension of the upper sheet (212) or of the lower sheet (214), as illustrated

in Figures 1, 3, and Figure 2, respectively.

While the package (100, 100', 100") of the present invention is advantageously

used with an unpacking apparatus or to a glove donning system according to

the present invention such as that described herein, it may also be used for

manually donning gloves in a more sterile manner that prior art gloves. For

example, the user may open the outer envelope, and then grasp the cuffs by

holding the tabs (250) and the upper sheet (212) or lower sheet (214) to

manually open the cuff portion, and then force the hands therethrough,

particularly with the first or third embodiments of the package (100), (100"). The present invention also relates to a glove package unpacking apparatus and

to a glove donning system which may advantageously incorporate said

unpacking apparatus. The unpacking apparatus may also be used without

reference to the donning system. In any case, the unpacking device of the

present invention enables the glove package of the present invention to be

unpacked in a sterile and automated manner, and is also used in the donning

system of the invention by presenting the gloves ready for additional

manipulation for the donning thereof.

Referring to the figures, Figures 4(a), 4(b) schematically illustrate a first and

preferred embodiment of the glove unpacking apparatus (300), comprising a

housing (305) having a closeable entry port or inlet opening (310) for inserting

the pair of gloves at least in the inner package thereof, and a closeable outlet

opening (320) (see Figure 5) for removing each glove for donning thereof. The

inlet opening (310) is typically in orthogonal arrangement with respect to the

outlet port (320). The apparatus is adapted for use with glove packages

according to the present invention, and is described herein in the first instance

in relation to the first embodiment of the glove package (100) operation of the

apparatus with respect to the other embodiments of the glove packages is

similar, mutatis mutandis. The apparatus may be used on its own to enable a

user to unpack the glove package is a sterile or clean manner, so that the user

may then manually don the gloves via outlet (320). Advantageously, though,

the apparatus (300) is preferably adapted for use with the glove donning

system of the present invention herein, as will be described further herein. The unpacking apparatus (300) may be mounted onto a floor, table or wall, or

alternatively onto a trolley or wheeled cart to be easily transportable from one

location to another. The apparatus (300) optionally comprises one or a

plurality of storage chambers (not shown) for storing sterilised and or

contamination-free packages (100) of gloves ready to be unpacked by the

apparatus and used thereafter.

A lower table (410) is provided inside the housing (305) for receiving the inner

envelope (200) of a glove package (100), after the outer envelope (110) has been

substantially removed therefrom, as will be described in greater detail

hereinbelow. The lower table (410) is typically aligned with the lower edge of

inlet opening (310), or arranged below the same, and comprises suction means

preferably in the form of a plurality of apertures (415) on the upper surface of

the table (410) which are in communication with a vacuum source (not shown)

via suitable ducting. When the vacuum source is actuated, a suction force is

applied to the lower sheet (214) of the inner envelope (200), holding the lower

sheet in place over the lower table (410).

The housing (305) also accommodates a suitable actuation or driving device,

typically in the form of an upper piston (420) reciprocably movable towards

and away from the lower table (410). The piston (420) comprises a suction pad

(430) at the lower end thereof that comprises suction means in the form of a

plurality of apertures (435) on the lower surface thereof in communication with

a vacuum source (not shown), which may be the same source as that of the

lower table (410) or alternatively different thereto, via suitable ducting. The size of the upper pad (430), and the disposition of apertures thereon, is such as

to superpose at least a significant portion of the upper sheet (212). When this

vacuum source is actuated, a suction force is applied to the upper sheet (212) of

the inner envelope (200), holding the upper sheet in place in abutment with

the pad (430).

When the inner envelope is first inserted into the device (300), the piston (420)

is slightly retracted, providing an upper clearance between the pad (430) and

the inner envelope (200), as illustrated in Figure 4(a). After the first vacuum

source has been actuated, so that the lower sheet (214) is held onto the table

(410) by suction, the piston (420) extends until contact is established between

the pad (430) and the upper sheet (212). Then the second vacuum source is

actuated, whereupon the upper sheet is held against the pad (430), as

illustrated in Figure 4(b).

Referring to Figure 4(c), the piston (420) is then retracted in an upwards

direction, lifting with it the upper sheet (212) away from the lower sheet (214).

The expansion regions (225) and (245) allow for this movement without

creating shear forces between the upper sheet (212) and the pad (430), or

between the lower sheet (214) and the table (410). At the same time, since the

tabs (250) are holding the cuff portion of the upper and lower sides of the

gloves (150) in place with respect to the upper sheet (212) and lower sheet

(214), respectively, the upper side (160) of each of the gloves (150) is similarly

separated and distanced from the corresponding lower side (170), thereby

opening the cuff (155) to some extent. Optionally, the table (410) may also be operatively connected to another

actuation or driving device, such as a piston, such that both the pad (410) and

the table (430) reciprocably move towards and away from each other.

Alternatively, the table and pad arrangement may be inverted, with the pad

below and the table above.

Preferably, the apparatus (300) further comprises mechanical opening means

for holding and opening the cuffs (155) of the gloves (150) prior to a subsequent

operation, typically the insertion of a deflated balloon thereinto, as will be

described in more detail herein or alternatively the manual grasping of the cuff

portion by a user.

Referring to Figures 4(c) and 5, the mechanical opening means (590) according

to one embodiment comprises a pair of pusher plates (520), one each mounted

orthogonally to the end of a rod (525). Each rod (525) is adapted for reversibly

moving from a retracted position clear of the opening (320) and the inner

envelope (200), to a deployed position, in which the end of the rods carrying the

pusher plates (520) are inserted into the cuff portion (155) of the gloves (150)

when this has been slightly opened as illustrated in Figure 4(c). The pusher

plates (520) are oriented such as to be substantially coplanar with the table

(410) or pad (430) and facing one another when they are inserted into the cuff

portion (150). Thus the pusher plates (520) are aligned with the slit opening

provided between the upper side (160) and the lower side (170) when the pad

(430) is retracted upwards as illustrated in Figure 4(c). The rods (525) may - Zo -

then be urged downwards slightly to press onto the lower side (170) of the

glove, and thus clamp this mechanically against the table (410) via the lower

sheet (214). Thereafter, the rods (525) are rotated in opposite directions about

their longitudinal axis, so that the plates (520) rotate from a horizontal to a

vertical position. In the process the cuff portion (155) is opened and the upper

side (160) is distanced from the lower side (170) of the glove (150) thereat, as

illustrated in Figure 5, all the time the end of the rods (525) clamping down on

the lower side (170).

In a preferred embodiment, and referring to Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the

mechanical opening means (600) comprise a pair of probes (610), each of which

is adapted for reversibly moving from a retracted position clear of the opening

(320) and the inner envelope (200), to a deployed position, in which the end of

the probes (610) are inserted into the cuff portion (155) of the gloves (150)

when this has been slightly opened as illustrated in Figure 4(c), mutatis

mutandis. Each pair of probes is adapted for distancing the individual probes

therein one from the other such as to hold and stretch said cuff portion. The

probes (610) are thus advantageously in the form of rods, typically but not

limited to a diameter of about 1.5cm and open to, i.e., separate from each other

by, up to about 16 cm, each having a leading edge (615) which is thus

preferably rounded for facilitating insertion into the cuff portion (155) of the

glove (150), which has already been slightly opened by means of the pad (430)

and table (410) arrangement (shown as phantom lines in these figures. The

probes (610) are carried on a platform (650) which may be transported towards and away from the cuff portion (155) by means of transportation means (660).

Such transportation means (660) may comprise, for example, a suitable jack or

piston arrangement, conveyor or pulley arrangement or indeed any other

suitable propulsive arrangement, powered by any suitable means including but

not restricted to electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, that may provide the

desired displacement with respect to the gloves. The platform (650) also

comprises a suitable displacement mechanism (670) that enables the probes to

reversibly move away from each other, and again such a mechanism (670) may

include any jack, piston, conveyor or pulley arrangement or indeed any other

suitable propulsive arrangement, powered by any suitable means including but

not restricted to electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, that may provide the

desired displacement with respect to the gloves.

Operation of the system (600) is as follows. The probes (610) are aligned with

the slit opening provided between the upper side (160) and the lower side (170)

when the pad (430) is retracted upwards as illustrated in Figure 4(c), mutatis

mutandis. Referring to Figure 6(a), the probes (610) are then inserted into the

middle of this slit via mechanism (660), and then the probes are distanced from

each other by means of the mechanism (670), such as to abut and slightly

stretch the cuff (155) at each end of the slit opening, thereby clamping the cuff

(155), as illustrated in Figure 6(b). As will become clearer herein, after the

gloves (150) are held by the cuff expansion means, the probes (610) may be

retracted away from the cuff portions (155) via any suitable movement,

typically provided by the mechanism (670). - o ^■

Referring to Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c), the apparatus (300) comprises an

envelope handling mechanism (550) externally to said inlet opening (310). The

inlet opening (310) is typically in the form of a horizontal slit, comprising a

door such as a flap (551) that closes the opening (310) when not in use. The

handling mechanism (550) comprises a pair of rollers (552) disposed one above

and one below the inlet opening, and close to the casing (305). The rollers (552)

have friction inducing surfaces or surface features, and are coupled to a

suitable motor (not shown) for providing rotation to the rollers in opposed

directions one from the other. A substantially horizontal support (555) is

provided for resting the package (100) substantially in alignment with the

opening (310).

When it is desired to insert a package (100, 100', 100") of gloves into said

apparatus (300), the leading edge of the outer envelope (110) is opened, either

manually, by holding the free ends of the leading edge (117) and pulling the

ends in opposite directions, or mechanically to achieve the same effect. The

upper sheet (112) is separated from the lower sheet (114) thereat sufficiently

so as to pass upwards the separated part of the upper sheet (112) between the

upper roller (552) and the side (306) of the casing (305) on which the inlet

opening (310) is located. At the same time, the separated part of the lower

sheet (114) is passed downwards between the lower roller (552) and the side

(306). When the rollers (552) are suitably counter-rotated, they urge the

separated parts of the upper sheet (112) and lower sheet (114) away from each other, thereby separating the two sheets, and advancing the inner envelope

(200) into the casing (305) via the inlet opening (310).

Preferably, the rollers are controlled to limit the rotation such that a trailing

edge (118) portion of the outer envelope (110) remains outside the casing (305).

The stub region (260) of the inner envelope (200) is preferably of sufficient size

such that at least a part thereof remains outside of the casing (305) with the

trailing edge (118) while the rest of the inner envelope is positioned over the

table (410). The actuating mechanism for the rollers (552) are further adapted

to enable the rollers to be reversibly displaced at least towards each other so as

to clamp the trailing edge (118), and also the stub region (230), onto the

support (555), as illustrated in Figure 7(b). For this purpose, the rollers (552)

may be eccentrically mounted to a support in a suitable manner. This provides

additional mechanical stability to the inner envelope (200) during the

subsequent pre-donning procedure.

Any other suitable envelope handling mechanism may be employed, according

to the specific structure of the outer envelope of the package.

The casing (305) is preferably over-pressurised using clean air, i.e., the casing

(305) is provided with air pressure greater than the ambient pressure, to

ensure sterility or cleanliness of the environment within the casing while a

package is being inserted thereinto.

As illustrated in Figure 8(a) and Figure 8(b), preferably, a cuff expansion

system (500), typically in the form of an inflatable ring or balloon (510) of any suitable shape, is now introduced in the deflated state into the cuff portion of

one of the gloves via the outlet opening (320). This procedure is considerably

facilitated by the previous step of mechanically opening and maintaining the

cuff (155) in the open position via opening means (590) or (600). Typically, the

balloons (510) comprise a flattened configuration when deflated in order to

facilitate their introduction into the cuff portion (155).

The balloon (155) is then inflated sufficiently such as to hold firmly the cuff

section. Typically, the balloons (510) comprise a shape having a substantially

circular periphery when partially or fully inflated. The upper pad (430) may

also be lifted, and the balloon of the cuff expansion system (300) is retracted

from the apparatus (300), removing with it the glove (150). The glove (150)

may then taken via suitable transport means to a vacuum chamber (not

shown) having a suction ring at the mouth thereof, as described for example

herein, and the balloon further inflated until the expanded cuff portion abuts

against the suction ring. Once the cuff portion (150) is properly positioned in

such a manner, a vacuum is applied to the ring, and this now holds the

expanded cuff portion (150) firmly against the ring, in a similar manner to that

described below in the context of the system of the invention, mutatis

mutandis. The balloon may then be partially or fully deflated and removed

from the cuff portion, and returned to the apparatus (300) to procure the

second glove (150). In the meantime, suction is applied to the vacuum

chamber, which serves to fully open the glove, after which it may be donned by the user. Alternatively, two cuff expansion systems may be employed in

tandem or juxtaposition for simultaneously procuring both gloves.

After the two gloves have been procured by the cuff expansion system (500)

and placed in the respective vacuum chambers, or indeed as soon as the gloves

have been removed from the inner envelope (200), the rollers counter-rotate,

thereby urging the upper sheet (112) and the lower sheet (114) in the opposite

direction to before, pulling the inner envelope (200) (minus the gloves) out of

the casing (305), and enabling the safe and easy disposal of the inner and outer

used envelopes simultaneously.

Operation of the apparatus (300), with or without the mechanical holding

means (590) or (600), with respect to the second embodiment of the package

(100') is similar to that described above with respect to the first embodiment of

the package (100), mutatis mutandis, with the following differences. When

unpacking the second embodiment of the glove package (100') and the inner

envelope (200') is inserted into the apparatus (300) in a similar manner to that

shown in Figure 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c), the vacuum source(s) are activated for the

pad (430) and the table (410). The upper side (160) and lower side (170) of the

gloves (150) are directly acted upon by the suction forces via the holes (201) on

the inner envelope (200'), enabling the glove sides to be firmly held against the

pad (430) and table (410). Thus, when the pad (430) is lifted as illustrated in

Figure 4(c) for the first embodiment, the sides (160), (170) are separated,

enabling the deflated balloon of the cuff expansion system (500), directly or

preceded by the mechanical holding means (590) or (600), to be inserted into the space created between the sides. Thereafter, the operation continues in a

similar manner to that described with respect to the first embodiment of the

glove package (100), mutatis mutandis.

Referring to Figure 9(a), a second embodiment of the unpacking apparatus,

herein designated (300'), comprises all the elements as described herein for the

first embodiment of the apparatus (300), mutatis mutandis, with the following

differences. In the second embodiment, the piston (420') comprises a smaller

pad (430') than in the first embodiment, and no suction is induced thereat.

Rather, and as illustrated in Figure 9(b), when the inner envelope (200) is

introduced into the housing (305) and is resting over the suction table (410),

the piston (420') extends downwards and the pad (430') mechanically holds the

upper sheet (212) in place, using any suitable mechanical grasping or holding

means. As in the first embodiment, the table (410) holds the lower sheet (214)

via suction.

For the second embodiment, and referring particularly to Figure 10(a) and

10(b), the cuff expansion system (500) comprises a suitable probe means (560)

extending downstream of inflatable ring or balloon (565) thereof, similar to

that as described in WO 01/89406, mutatis mutandis. The probe means (560)

has a head (561) comprising at least one nozzle means for directing pressurised

gas in a downstream direction. The nozzle means are preferably in the form of

a plurality of radial apertures, and the probe means (560) further comprises a

compressed gas line in communication with said probe head, said pressurised

gas line being connectable to a suitable pressurised gas source. The probe head (561) preferably comprises a relatively narrow transverse profile with respect

to the transverse profile of ring or balloon (565) when this is deflated. The

probe head (561) is adapted to be insertable in-between the substantially

flattened opposed sides (160), (170) of the said cuff portion (155). The said

probe means (560) is capable of providing compressed gas flow into the glove

(150) when at least said head (561) is inserted the said cuff portion (155). The

compressed gas flow provided by said head (561) is at least sufficient to

separate said opposed flattened sides (160, (170) to enable said deflated ring or

balloon (565) to be inserted into said cuff portion (155). Thereafter, as

illustrated in Figure 10(b), the balloon (565) is inflated sufficiently such as to

partially stretch and hold the cuff portion (155), whereupon the piston (420') is

retracted, and the glove (150) may removed as before.

Advantageously, prior to removing the glove (150), the probe means (560)

continues to supply pressurized gas or air into the glove after the balloon (565)

holds the cuff portion (155). This has the effect of partially inflating the glove,

as illustrated in Figure 10(c), and thereby enabling its maneouver to the

vacuum chambers to be more easily controlled and reducing the possibility of

the (deflated) glove from interfering with the suction rings of the vacuum

chambers during insertion thereinto.

Thus, the probe means (560) may also be advantageously incorporated into the

first embodiment of the apparatus (300) in a similar manner to that described

for the second embodiment, mutatis mutandis. Referring to Figures 11 to 13(e), a preferred embodiment of donning system of

the present invention, generally designated (900), comprises a housing (990)

having an upper portion (991) accommodating: a glove unpacking apparatus

(910); an envelope handling mechanism (930); mechanical opening means

(940); cuff expansion system (950) and vacuum chambers (960). A pair of

openings (998) is provided on the upper part for enabling the user to introduce

the hands into the gloves, when these have been prepared for donning, as will

become clearer below. Hermetically sealable doors (993) are provided to

maintain the inside of the housing sterile and/or contamination free.

Referring particularly to Figures 11 and 12, the housing (990) preferably

comprises a suitable filter (999) on upper portion (991) thereof, to filter

particles and/or bacteria from entering the housing (990). Preferably, the filter

is a 0.2 micron Hepa filter. Preferably, at least the upper part (991), and

optionally all the housing (990) is kept pressurized at a gauge pressure slightly

above atmospheric, so as to prevent entry of particles and/or bacteria and

particles thereinto.

The lower portion (992) of the housing (990) comprises at least one magazine

(920) which provides a glove package on demand to the glove unpacking

apparatus (910). The user steps on a pedal (921) or other interface to choose a

glove of the required size from the magazine (920). In one form thereof, the

magazine is in the form of a turntable having its turning axis aligned

horizontally, and comprising, for example, eight compartments (923) along the

periphery thereof, which may be used to store glove packages. The compartments (923) are open at both longitudinal ends thereof.

Advantageously, the compartments (923) are each used to store similar-sized

gloves. Suitable propulsion means (not shown) such as a motor, for example,

provide rotational motion to the turntable until the glove package

compartment (923) of appropriate size is at the top. When required, the glove

package in the uppermost compartment is pushed out via a suitable

mechanism such as a piston arrangement (925), and onto a waiting platform

(926). The platform (926) may be elevated by any suitable means, such as lift

(927), into a sub-chamber (939) in the upper portion (991), until the package is

aligned with the inlet opening (931) to the unpacking apparatus (910).

In a similar manner to that described herein regarding the glove unpacking

apparatus (300), mutatis mutandis, the package is first pushed towards the

opening (931) by suitable means such as a piston arrangement (936), and the

outer envelope (110) is then peeled off the inner envelope (200) by means of

rollers (932), which after the gloves have been removed from the inner

envelope (200), counter -rotate and extract the inner envelope (200) and outer

envelope (110) from the unpacking apparatus (910) and discard the empty

package into a receptacle (935) via a trap-door arrangement, for example.

Where only the upper portion (991) is pressurized to a pressure above

atmospheric, this zone is effectively insulated from the sub-chamber (939) and

the lower portion (992), enabling the magazine (920) to be resupplied, and the

receptacle (935) emptied, without fear of contamination of the upper part (991).

Whenever desired or necessary, the receptacle may be removed from the housing (900) via a suitable opening (not shown): Any other suitable

arrangement may be employed, alternatively, for removing the outer envelope

from the inner envelope.

As with the unpacking apparatus (300) described above, the unpacking

apparatus (910) of the system (900) comprises an upper pad (911) and a lower

table (912), which essentially sandwich the package between them, and then

provide a vacuum to the upper and lower portions of the inner envelope (200)

such as to separate them. In the unpacking apparatus (910) of the system

(900) the upper part (991) serves a similar function to the housing (305) of the

unpacking apparatus (300) described above. Preferably, both the pad (911) and

table (912) reciprocably move towards each other, but it is also possible for

either one of these components to remain stationary, and the reciprocal

movement to be effected by the other component. Thus, the pad (911) and/or

table (912) are mounted on a suitable actuation mechanism (913) to provide

the required vertical movement.

Once the inner envelope (200) has been parted, the mechanical opening means

(940) are engaged with each of the gloves (150), by first inserting into the

corresponding cuffs (155) a pair of probes (941) and distancing the probes

therein such as to stretch the cuffs (150) via suitable mechanism (942). This

enables a mechanical hold to be maintained on each glove (150).Thus, the

mechanical opening means (940) may be similar to the mechanical opening

means (590) or (600) described above. At this point, the mechanism (942) may

be used to retract the mechanical opening means (940) away from the inner envelope (200), thereby removing the gloves (150) therefrom. After this, the

inner envelope is ejected from then glove unpacking means (910), as described

herein.

The vacuum chambers (960) are each connected to a suitable vacuum source

(not shown), and each comprise a suction ring (961), substantially as described

in WO 01/089406, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their

entirety, for holding thereat the cuff portion of the glove by suction when the

cuff is expanded and in abutment therewith, as will be described herein. Thus,

the suction rings (961) typically comprise suction means, connected to a

suitable vacuum source, and at least one suitable contact surface (964), when

the cuff portion (155) is suitably expanded to contact peripherally this surface.

The vacuum chambers (960) are transversely separated one from the other by

a distance typically such as too facilitate the eventual donning of the gloves.

The vacuum chambers (960) comprise an axial opening (965) for enabling the

gloves to be donned, but also have a lower opening (966), which is sealable and

reversibly openable via doors (967). While the vacuum chambers (960) are

typically cylindrical, they may be of any suitable shape. The vacuum chambers

(960) are mounted onto a suitable transportation means (969), such as rails,

pulleys, jacks or the like, for example, to enable the vacuum chambers (960) to

be moved from a retracted position for receiving the gloves (150) to a donning

position in which the gloves may be donned by the user, as will be further

explained below. Referring particularly to Figure 13(a), in the next stage of the donning process,

that is, after the mechanical holding means (940) are holding the gloves (150)

with the cuffs (155) open, the lower opening (966) is opened, and the

mechanism (942) displaces the mechanical opening means (940) into

juxtaposition with the openings, typically such that each glove is directly

under one or other of the openings (966). Prior to this, a suitable mechanism

reversibly moves the unpacking apparatus (910) out of the way. Then, the

mechanism (942) elevates each one of the mechanical opening means (940)

together with their corresponding gloves (150) into the corresponding cylinder

(630) into a substantially axial position such that the cuff (155) of each glove

(150) faces the axial opening (965).

The cuff expansion system (950) typically comprise a pair of reversibly

inflatable rings or balloons (951), in communication with a suitable

compressed gas or air supply), and coupled to a suitable mechanism (952) that

provides the required displacements to the balloons (951), as will become

clearer herein. The balloons (951) preferably also each comprise at least one

air probe and nozzle (not shown) at the leading edge thereof, in communication

with a suitable compressed gas or air supply (not shown). The mechanism

(952) is generally maintained in a parked position above (or possibly below) the

vacuum chambers (960). Referring to Figures 13(a) and 13(b), after the

mechanical opening means (940) together with their corresponding gloves

(150) have been introduced into the vacuum chambers (960), the mechanism

(952) axially aligns each balloon (951) with its corresponding vacuum chamber (960), and then displaces the balloons into the axial openings (965) of the

vacuum chambers (960) such as to introduce the ^'leading edge and a

substantial portion of each balloon (together with its air nozzles) into the cuff

portion (155) of the corresponding glove (150), held open and in alignment via

the mechanical opening means (940). The balloons are partially inflated,

sufficiently such as to hold the cuff portions firmly, and the mechanical

opening means (940) are retracted away from the gloves (150), and moved back

to their parking position to await their next glove package. Air (or a suitable

gas) is then introduced into the glove via the probe and nozzles (not shown),

partially inflating the gloves to assume a substantially axially aligned

configuration, and thereby preventing the gloves (150) from fouling with the

bottom opening (966). The bottom opening (966) is then sealingly closed via

doors (967) (which may be configured as part of the cylindrical shell (968) of

the vacuum chambers (960). Referring to Figure 13 (c), the mechanism (952) is

configured to then partially retract the balloons (951), which are holding the

gloves (150) to the openings (965) of the vacuum chambers (960), such that in

each case a part of the cuff portion (155) is aligned axially with the suction ring

(961). More air or gas is then provided to the balloons (951) to inflate them

sufficiently so as to make contact between the cuff portions (155) and the inner

periphery or contact surface (964) of the suction rings (961), whereupon suction

is provided to the suction rings from a suitable source to hold the cuff portions

(155) firmly in place. The cuff expansion system (950) is further adapted to

deflate the balloons (951) at this point, and the mechanism (952) retracts the deflated balloons (951) from the gloves (150) and to its parked position, away

from the vacuum chambers (960).

In the next stage of the process, and referring to Figure 13(d) in particular, a

vacuum is applied to the vacuum chambers (960), and thus to the outer surface

of the gloves (150), causing the gloves (150) to expand and effectively inflate

within the chambers (960), while being firmly held at the cuff portions (155)

via the rings (961) due to the greater pressure acting on the inside of the glove.

At this point, the displacement mechanism (969) moves the vacuum chambers

(960) from the retracted or parked position showed in Figure 13(d) or Figure

12, for example, towards the housing (999) to the donning position illustrated

in Figure 13(e), such that the axial openings (965) of the chambers (960) are

aligned and abutted against corresponding openings (998) in the housing (999).

Sealing means (997), such as o-rings for example, are provided on the rings

(961) and/or the openings (998) to prevent entry of external air into the

housing (999) when the doors (993) are opened. Typically, the doors (993)

remain closed even after the gloves have been prepared for donning, and await

a further signal or activity, such as pressing a foot pedal switch, for example,

or getting close to a proximity sensor, for example, by the user to open the

doors. Thus, in case the user is delayed in donning the gloves for some reason,

the risk of contaminating the housing or gloves is minimized. When the user

opens the doors (993) and introduces the hands into the gloves, the suction

ring (961) is deactivated, and the vacuum in the vacuum chambers (960) is

turned off, enabling the cuff portion to close onto the user's wrists or lower arms. The user can then finish the donning manually by unfolding the exposed

cuff portion over the lower arms. Preferably, the suction ring is deactivated in

response to a signal or action from the user, so that this only happens when

the user has fully inserted all the fingers into the gloves. Alternatively, the

suction ring (961) may be deactivated automatically, either by means of a time

delay, or suitable sensors that sense that the fingers have fully been

introduced.

Concurrent with terminating the action of the suction rings (961), a suitable

purging gas — such as air, for example - at over pressure is introduced into the

vacuum chambers (960) via suitable means (not shown) until a little after the

doors (993) have been hermitically closed with respect to openings (998). In

this manner, the sterility and cleanliness of the vacuum chambers (960) is

ensured while they are being exposed to the outside environment.

Each step in the donning process for the donning system (900), and indeed

each step in the unpacking process for the unpacking apparatus (300) may be

controlled using any computer means, or alternatively using a suitable

electronic control system, or may be configured mechanically or in any other

suitable manner to synchronise all the above steps.

While the donning system (900) has been described above as relating to the

simultaneous donning of a pair of gloves, the donning system may be instead

modified to enable only one glove to be donned at a time, in a similar manner

as described above, mutatis mutandis. Alternatively, the system (900) may also be modified to enable more than one user to don gloves simultaneously or

pseudo simultaneously. For example, the housing may comprise two or more

pairs of vacuum chambers, each pair of which enables a user to don gloves

independently of other users. In such a system, a common or separate glove

unpacking systems may be used for unpacking the glove packages. Similarly, a

common or separate mechanical opening means may be used for manipulating

the gloves into the vacuum chambers. Similarly, a common cuff expansion

system, or alternatively a plurality of separate cuff expansion systems, may be

used for the different pairs of vacuum chambers. In all donning systems,

optionally more than one magazine (920) may be provided, of the turntable or

other type, for increasing the capacity of the system and/or for giving the user

greater choice.

While in the foregoing description describes in detail only a few specific

embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art

that the invention is not limited thereto and that other variations in form and

details may be possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the

invention herein disclosed.

Claims

1. A package for at least one glove, comprising: - an outer hermetically sealed envelope openable under preset conditions; said outer envelope enclosing an inner envelope comprising a first inner sheet and a second inner sheet in substantial overlying relationship; and at least one glove disposed between said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, wherein a cuff portion of said at least one glove is substantially aligned with free edges of said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet; and suitable grasping means for enabling each of opposed sides of said cuff portion in proximity to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, to be held firmly with respect to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, at least during a part of a preset unpacking procedure of said package.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said package comprises two said gloves in juxtaposed arrangement, such that a cuff portion of each said glove is substantially aligned with said free edges of said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet.

3. A package as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first inner sheet is joined to said second inner sheet at the leading edges thereof directly or via a suitable expansion portion.

4. A package as claimed in claim 3, wherein said expansion region comprises a multiplicity of alternating folds of sheet material at or near said leading edges.

5. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first inner sheet is joined to said second inner sheet at or near the trailing edges thereof directly or via a suitable expansion portion.

6. A package as claimed in claim 5, wherein said expansion region comprises a multiplicity of alternating folds of sheet material at or near said trailing edges.

7. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the said inner envelope further comprises a stub region between said trailing edges and said expansion portion.

8. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,^' wherein said grasping means comprises, for each said glove, at least one first tab joined to said first inner sheet and at least one second tab joined to said second inner sheet at the said longitudinal edges thereof, each said tab comprising projecting portions that project into the said cuff portion of the corresponding said glove.

9. A package as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one first tab is integrally formed with said first inner sheet.

10. A package as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one first tab is suitably bonded with said first inner sheet.

11. A package as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said at least one second tab is integrally formed with said second inner sheet.

12. A package as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said at least one second tab is suitably bonded with said second inner sheet.

13. A package as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said projecting portions comprise suitable adhesive zones for temporarily holding the gloves in place with respect to the package and the tabs.

14. A package as claimed in claim 13, wherein said adhesive zones comprise a weak adhesive having a bonding strength insufficient to prevent removal of the glove when said glove is grasped by suitable means and moved relative to said inner envelope.

15. A package as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said adhesive zones are in the form of strips or spots.

16. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said grasping means are in the form of apertures comprised in said first inner sheet and second inner sheet such as to enable said opposed sides of said cuff portion to be held firmly with respect to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, when a suitable suction force is applied externally to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet.

17. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the inner envelope is made from any suitable sheet material including any one of or any combination of paper, cloth and plastic.

18. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said outer envelope comprises a first outer sheet suitably joined to a second outer sheet at the edges thereof.

19. A package as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first outer sheet and said second outer sheet are substantially rectangular, and bonded together along parallel longitudinal edges and along a leading edge and a trailing edge, substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal edges.

20. A package as claimed in claim 19, wherein said leading edges are partially joined together such as provide graspable free ends thereof.

21. A package as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least the bonding along said longitudinal edges and said leading edge may be overcome by a suitable preset force applied to said free ends.

22. A package as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein said free edges are folded back for further facilitating grasping thereof.

23. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein said outer envelope comprises printed matter thereon.

24. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the outer envelope is made from any suitable sheet material including any one of or any combination of paper, cloth and plastic.

25. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein each said glove is provided in substantially flattened condition.

26. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein each said glove is provided with at least a portion of the hand portion thereof folded over the remaining portion of the glove.

27. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein each said glove is provided with at least a portion of the cuff portion thereof folded backwardly over the same to expose an inner surface of the cuff portion of the glove.

28. A package as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 27, wherein said stub region is joined to the trailing edge of said outer envelope.

29. A glove unpacking apparatus for unpacking the package of claims 1 to 28, comprising: separating means for holding said first sheet and said second sheet in said housing, after said outer envelope has been at least partially removed, while said separating said first inner sheet from said second inner sheet such as to open the said cuff portion of said gloves.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said separating means comprise a table and a pad in overlying relationship, and comprising driving means for reciprocably driving at least one of said table and said pad with respect to one another.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said pad and said table comprise suction means at mutually facing surfaces thereof.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said suction means comprise a plurality of apertures in each one of said mutually facing surfaces, wherein said apertures are in communication with a suitable vacuum source.

33. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32, further comprising a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening.

34. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein said inlet opening is substantially aligned with said separating means.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein at least one of said inlet opening and said outlet opening is closable.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 35, wherein said outlet opening is substantially aligned with said separating means.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 36, further comprising conveying means for conveying a said glove package from said inlet opening to said separating means.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein said conveying means convey a said packing to a position in-between said pad and said table when said pad and said table are distanced from one another.

39. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 38, further comprising opening means for holding and opening said cuff portion of said cuffs after said first sheet is separated from said second sheet.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said opening means comprise, for each glove, a pair of probes adapted for reciprocably moving from a retracted position substantially clear of said outlet opening to a deployed position wherein the ends of said probes are inserted into the said cuff portion of the corresponding glove when said cuff portion has been opened by said separating means.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein each said pair of probes is adapted for reversibly distancing the probes one from the other such as to hold and stretch said cuff portion.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein said opening means is further adapted to remove said gloves from said package by returning to said retracted position while holding said gloves.

43. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein said probes are in the form of rods having an external diameter of about 1.5 cm.

44. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein for each said pair of probes said probes may be distanced one from another by up to about 16 cm.

45. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 44, further comprising suitable cuff expansion means capable of being reversibly expanded from a first configuration that is sufficiently compact such as to be introduced into said cuff portion, to a second configuration sufficiently expanded such as to abut with respect to and to expand said cuff portion.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45, wherein said cuff expansion means comprises, for each said glove, a suitable inflatable balloon operatively connected to suitable transport means for reversibly transporting said balloon from a retracted position substantially clear of said outlet opening to a deployed position wherein the balloon is inserted into the said cuff portion of the corresponding glove when said cuff portion is held open by said holding means, to an extraction position outside of said outlet opening when said balloon is expanded and held abutted against said cuff portion.

47. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 46, further comprising removing means for at least partially removing the first outer sheet from the second outer sheet and for introducing said inner envelope into said housing via said inlet opening.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein said removing means comprises resting means on an outside of said apparatus for substantially aligning a leading edge of said outer envelope with said inlet opening and grasping means for reversibly grasping said leading edge of said outer envelope and for distancing said first outer sheet with respect to said second outer sheet.

49. Apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein said grasping means comprise a pair of parallel rollers arranged at said inlet opening and adapted for reversible rotation in close proximity to said apparatus, said rollers further adapted for each engaging the said leading edges of one or the other of said first outer sheet and said lower sheet and for distancing said leading edges one from the other such as to separate at least a part of said first outer sheet with respect to a corresponding part of said second outer sheet.

50. Apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein said rollers counter rotate with respect to one another.

51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 49 or claim 50, wherein said rollers are arranged such that as said first outer sheet is being separated from said second outer sheet, said inner envelope is introduced into said inlet opening.

52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein said rollers are adapted such as to retain a trailing edge portion of said inner envelope outside of said casing.

53. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein said rollers are adapted for reversing rotation and extracting the said inner envelope out of said casing after the gloves have been removed from said inner envelope and optionally for removing the outer envelope from said removing means.

54. Glove donning system comprising a housing accommodating:- glove unpacking apparatus of any one of claims 29 to 53 at least one vacuum chamber operatively connected to a vacuum source, said vacuum chamber comprising cuff holding means comprising suction means and at least one suitable contact surface for sealingly holding a cuff portion of a glove in an open condition when said cuff portion is in abutting contact with said at least onό surface; first transport means for transporting said at least one glove from said unpacking apparatus to said at least one vacuum chamber.

55. Donning system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said at least one vacuum chamber further comprises a second sealable opening for introducing said at least one glove via said first transport means.

56. Donning system as claimed in claim 54 or 55, wherein said first transport means are operatively connected to said holding means and adapted for introducing said at least one glove to said at least one vacuum chamber via said second opening.

57. Donning system as claimed in claim 56, wherein a second transport means is provided for transporting and aligning said cuff expansion means with said at least one glove held in said vacuum chamber via said holding means.

58. Donning system as claimed in claim 57, wherein said second transport means is further adapted for introducing said cuff expansion means into said cuff of said glove and for partially expanding such as to abut and hold said cuff.

59. Donning system as claimed in claim 58, wherein said cuff expansion means comprises a suitable probe in communication with a compressed gas source for injecting compressed gas into said glove after said glove is held by said cuff expansion means.

60. Donning system as claimed in any one of claims 58 or 59, wherein said first transport means is further adapted for removing said holding means from said cuff portion and from said at least one vacuum chamber when the said cuff expansion means is holding said cuff portion.

61. Donning system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said at least one vacuum chamber is adapted for sealingly closing said second opening when said holding means are removed therefrom.

62. Donning system as claimed in claim 60 or claim 61, wherein said cuff expansion means is adapted for expanding the periphery of said cuff potion until said cuff portion is brought into abutting contact with said cuff holding means.

63. Donning system as claimed in claim 62, wherein said at least one vacuum chamber is adapted for actuating said suction means and sealingly holding said cuff portion of a glove in an open condition when said cuff portion is in abutting contact with said at least one surface.

64. Donning system as claimed in claim 63, wherein said at least one vacuum chamber is adapted for providing a vacuum therein when said cuff portion is in sealing abutting contact with said at least one surface.

65. Donning system as claimed in claim 63 or claim 64, wherein said second transport means is adapted to remove said cuff expansion means when said when said cuff portion is in sealing abutting contact with said at least one surface.

66. Donning system as claimed in claim 65, wherein said housing comprises at least one donning opening having a reversibly and selectively openable and sealable door for accessing said vacuum chambers. - 02 -

67. Donning system as claimed in claim 66, further comprising third transport means for reversibly and selectively transporting said at least one vacuum chamber from a loading position adapted for enabling the said cuff expansion means to expand said cuff portion into abutment with said cuff holding means, to a donning position wherein said at least one vacuum chamber is in sealing contact with said donning opening, such that when said door is opened, access to an inside of said glove is permitted from the outside of said housing.

68. Donning system as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 67, comprising a pair of said vacuum chambers in juxtaposed arrangement.

69. Donning system as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 68, wherein said housing is pressurized to above atmospheric pressure.

70. Donning system as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 69, wherein said housing comprises a suitable air filter.

71. Donning system as claimed in claim 70, wherein said filter is a Hepa 0.2 micron filter.

72. Donning system as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 71, further comprising at least one magazine for storing and selectively dispensing said glove packages to a fourth transport system, wherein said fourth transport system is adapted for transporting each glove package to said removing means. - oo -

73. Donning system as claimed in claim 72, wherein said magazine is in the form of a rotatable turntable having a plurality of compartments along the periphery thereof for accommodating said glove packages.

74. Donning system as claimed in claim 73, further comprising a receptacle for storing said packages after said gloves have been removed therefrom.

75. A method for packaging gloves comprising:- providing an inner envelope having a first inner sheet and a first outer sheet in overlying relationship, said inner envelope comprising suitable grasping means; temporarily separating said first and second outer sheets and introducing therebetween at least one glove with its cuff portion substantially aligned with parallel overlying edges of said first and second outer sheets; enclosing said inner envelope within an outer envelope which is subsequently hermetically sealed such as to be openable under preset conditions; wherein said grasping means are adapted for enabling each of opposed sides of said cuff portion in proximity to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, to be held firmly with respect to said first inner sheet and said second inner sheet, respectively, at least during a part of a preset unpacking procedure of said package.

76. Method for unpacking a glove package comprising at least one glove having a cuff portion and enclosed in an inner envelope having first and second overlying inner sheets and an outer envelope, the method comprising: - removing said outer envelope; separating the said first and second inner sheets in a manner such that the cuff portion of the at least one glove is correspondingly separated and opened slightly; holding and expanding said cuff portion; removing said glove from said inner envelope.

77. Method of donning gloves from a package accommodating at least one glove, comprising: - removing said at least one glove from said package according to the method of claim 76; introducing a suitable cuff expansion means to the open cuff portion of the glove; expanding the cuff expansion means such as to abut and hold said cuff portion peripherally while removing said glove from said package; transporting said cuff expansion means holding said glove to a suitable vacuum chamber having suitable cuff holding means; - oo - aligning the cuff portion with said cuff holding means; expanding said cuff expansion means such that said cuff portion is in abutting contact with said cuff holding means; actuating said holding means so as to hold the opened cuff portion in an expanded open position at said cuff holding means; providing a vacuum at said vacuum chamber on the outer surface of said glove such as to expand the glove under the influence of atmospheric pressure acting on the inner exposed part of the glove; allowing access of a user's hand to said cylinder for donning the glove therein; terminating the said vacuum in said cylinder.

78. Glove package substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.

79. Unpacking apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.

80. Donning system substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.

81. Method for packing gloves substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.

82. Method for unpacking gloves substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.

83. Method for donning gloves substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.