WO2015080600A2

WO2015080600A2 - Glove dispenser and glove

Info

Publication number: WO2015080600A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2014/000235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Utsav SHARMA; Chullaka Lahiru HEMACHANDRA
Original assignee: Sharma Utsav; Hemachandra Chullaka Lahiru
Priority date: 2013-11-29
Filing date: 2014-11-28
Publication date: 2015-06-04
Also published as: WO2015080600A3

Abstract

A glove dispenser (10) and a disposable glove (20) adapted to be dispensed from the glove dispenser. The glove has a graspable member (22) extending outwardly from a wrist- covering portion (29) of the glove. The dispenser comprises a container (11) having a plurality of sides that define an interior space (21) for the storage of one or more of the gloves. The container has an opening (15) in at least one of the sides to the interior space formed therein, a first portion (16) of the opening being sized to receive a graspable member extending from a glove stored in the interior space, and a second portion (19) of the opening being sized to allow for the removal of a glove stored in the interior space.

Description

GLOVE DISPENSER AND GLOVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a glove dispenser and a disposable glove adapted to be dispensed from the glove dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Disposable gloves are in widespread use in the medical, dental, scientific and food industries. They may be worn to provide protection to the hands of the wearer as well as to prevent bacterial contamination to objects handled by the wearer.

[0003] Disposable gloves are made available in sterile and non-sterile options. Sterile disposable gloves are sterilised before being packaged individually or in pairs. In contrast, non-sterile disposable gloves are typically contained together in a glove dispenser, such as a cardboard box, for removal by the wearer prior to use.

[0004] A study earned out in a New Zealand hospital found that healthcare workers introduced bacteria onto unused disposable gloves in a glove dispenser during the act of removing a glove from the dispenser (Hughes, K.A., Cornwall, J., Theis, J-C. and Brooks, HJ.I. (2013) Bacterial contamination of unused, disposable non-sterile gloves on a hospital orthopaedic ward. Australasian MedicalJournal, 6(6), 331-338).

[0005] Nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections are a significant problem in healthcare facilities around the world. Unused disposable gloves in a dispenser which have been contaminated with bacteria pose a substantial risk to patient safety despite the practice of other hygiene measures by healthcare workers such as hand washing.

[0006] Problems caused by bacteria on gloves are also present in the dental, scientific and food industries. Bacteria on gloves used by dental clinicians can be transmitted to patients during dental-patient care procedures. Bacteria on gloves used by research scientists can alter the results of experiments, and bacteria on gloves used by food preparation workers can result in food poisoning. [0007] The conventional design of disposable gloves and their dispensers causes some problems for the user. Since the gloves are tightly packed, retrieving gloves from the dispenser can cause them to stick together. What this means is that the user is, at times, unable to retrieve the correct number of gloves they are after. When the user retrieves the gloves by putting their fingers into the opening of the dispenser, they are inadvertently contaminating the contents inside the glove dispenser. This is exacerbated if, for example, the user retrieves the gloves from the top (the finger pockets) instead of the bottom. This may lead to cross-contamination.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a glove dispenser and a disposable glove which will overcome, or at least mitigate, the abovementioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a glove dispenser for dispensing one or more disposable gloves having a graspable member extending outwardly therefrom, said dispenser comprising a container having a plurality of sides that define an interior space for the storage of the one or more gloves, the container having an opening in at least one of the sides to the interior space formed therein, a first portion of the opening being sized to receive a graspable member extending from a glove stored in the interior space, and a second portion of the opening being sized to allow for the removal of a glove stored in the interior space.

[0010] The opening may be elongate with the first portion of the opening at a first end of the opening and the second portion of the opening at a second end of the opening. In one embodiment, the first and second ends of the opening are located in two different sides of the container. In another embodiment, the first and second ends of the opening are located in the same side of the container.

[001 1] The container may be cubic in shape with six rectangular sides, namely, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side. In one embodiment, the second portion of the opening is located in the top side and the first portion of the opening is located in two sides of the container, for example, two sides selected from one of the following: (i) the front side and the top side; (ii) the left side and the top side; or (iii) the right side and the top side. In another embodiment, the first and second portions of the opening are located in only one side of the container, for example, in the top side.

[0012] The first portion of the opening may be a rectangular slit of uniform width along its length.

[0013] The second portion of the opening may be a glove dispensing region with a triangular, rectangular or circular shape.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a glove dispenser containing one or more disposable gloves having a graspable member extending outwardly therefrom, said dispenser comprising a container having a plurality of sides that define an interior space in which the one or more gloves are stored, the container having an opening in at least one of the sides to the interior space formed therein, a first portion of the opening being sized to receive a graspable member extending from a glove stored in the interior space, and a second portion of the opening being sized to allow for the removal of a glove stored in the interior space.

[0015] The opening may be elongate with the first portion of the opening at a first end of the opening and the second portion of the opening at a second end of the opening. In one embodiment, the first and second ends of the opening are located in two different sides of the container. In another embodiment, the first and second ends of the opening are located in the same side of the container.

[0016] The container may be cubic in shape with six rectangular sides, namely, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side. In one embodiment, the second portion of the opening is located in the top side and the first portion of the opening is located in two sides of the container, for example, two sides selected from one of the following: (i) the front side and the top side; (ii) the left side and the top side; or (iii) the right side and the top side. In another embodiment, the first and second portions of the opening are located in only one side of the container, for example, in the top side. [0017] The first portion of the opening may be a rectangular slit of uniform width along its length.

[0018] The second portion of the opening may be a glove dispensing region with a triangular, rectangular or circular shape.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a disposable glove comprising a hand-covering portion and a wrist-covering portion extending from the hand- covering portion and terminating in an edge of an opening for receiving the hand of a user, wherein a graspable member extends outwardly from the wrist-covering portion.

[0020] For convenience and ease of use, the graspable member is preferably a manually graspable member. However, the graspable member could be configured to be grasped by a tool, such as, a pair of tweezers.

[0021] In one embodiment, the graspable member extends from the edge of the opening for receiving the hand of a user. In another embodiment, the graspable member is spaced apart from the edge of the opening for receiving the hand of a user.

[0022] The graspable member may be a tab, lip, hook or loop.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a disposable glove from a glove dispenser wherein the glove has a graspable member extending outwardly therefrom, the method comprising the steps of storing the glove within an interior space of a container having at least one side which has an opening to the interior space formed therein, the glove being stored in the interior space such that the graspable member protrudes through a first portion of the opening, and pulling the graspable member until the glove is released through a second portion of the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the glove dispenser and glove will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a glove dispenser, according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the form of a container having an opening with a wide portion and a narrow portion;

Figure 2 is a partially cutaway, plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 1 showing a glove within the dispenser and a tag on the glove protruding out of the narrow portion of the opening;

Figure 3 is a side view of the glove dispenser of Figure 1 showing in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of a tag on a glove;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 1 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a glove out of the wide portion of the opening;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 1 together with six other glove dispensers in which the wide portion of the opening is alternatively shaped;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of two glove dispensers, each according to a second embodiment of the invention, showing in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of gloves out of the wide portion of the openings;

Figure 7 is a front view of a glove dispenser of Figure 6 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a tag on a glove;

Figure 8 is a side view of a glove dispenser of Figure 6 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a tag on a glove;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 6 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a glove out of the wide portion of the opening;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the glove dispensers of Figure 6 together with six other glove dispensers in which the wide portion of the opening is alternatively shaped;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of two glove dispensers, each according to a third embodiment of the invention, showing in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of gloves out of the wide portion of the openings;

Figure 12 is a side view of a glove dispenser of Figure 11 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a tag on a glove;

Figure 13 is a front view of a glove dispenser of Figure 11 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a tag on a glove;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 11 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a glove out of the wide portion of the opening;

Figure 15 is a plan view of sixteen glove dispensers in which the wide portion of the opening is alternatively shaped; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a glove dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a plan view of a glove showing two lines along which the glove will be folded prior to being stored in the glove dispenser of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a side view of the glove of Figure 17 showing in the direction of the arrows the direction of each fold;

Figure 19 is a side view of the glove of Figure 17 in the folded configuration;

Figure 20 is a side view of the glove dispenser of Figure 16 showing the glove of Figure 19 within the dispenser and in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of a tag on the glove;

Figure 21 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 16 showing in the direction of the arrow the direction of movement of a glove out of the wide portion of the opening;

Figure 22 is a plan view of a glove with a tag according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 23 is a side view of the glove of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a close-up view of the cuff portion of the glove of Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a plan view of a glove with a tag according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 26 is a side view of the glove of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is a close-up view of the cuff portion of the glove of Figure 25;

Figure 28 is a plan view of a glove with a tag according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 29 is a side view of the glove of Figure 28;

Figure 30 is a close-up view of the cuff portion of the glove of Figure 28;

Figure 31 is a plan view of a glove with a tag according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 32 is a side view of the glove of Figure 31;

Figure 33 is a close-up view of the cuff portion of the glove of Figure 31; and

Figure 34 is a view from the perspective of a wearer of a pair of gloves according to the invention showing the wearer grasping a tab on a glove worn on the left hand;

Figure 35 is a perspective view of a glove dispenser, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 36 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 35; Figure 37 is a side view of a glove dispenser, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, showing the glove of Figure 19 within the dispenser and in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of a tag on the glove;

Figure 38 is a side view of the glove dispenser of Figure 37;

Figure 39 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 37;

Figure 40 is a side view of a glove dispenser, according to a eighth embodiment of the invention, showing the glove of Figure 19 within the dispenser and in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of a tag on the glove;

Figure 41 is a side view of the glove dispenser of Figure 40; and

Figure 42 is a plan view of the glove dispenser of Figure 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention described herein allows a user to retrieve the desired number of disposable gloves from a glove dispenser via the feature of a graspable member at the bottom (wrist portion) of the glove. The glove dispenser contains a slit to accommodate the addition of graspable members, such as tags or lips, and to enable the user to retrieve the glove by pulling on the graspable member of the glove along the slit portion on the box. By doing so, the user is able to: (i) retrieve the desired number of gloves; (ii) mitigate contamination to contents inside the box as the user is only touching the graspable member on the glove; and (iii) facilitate easy removal of the glove via the graspable member.

[0026] Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings show a dispenser 10 for disposable gloves according to a first embodiment of the invention. The dispenser includes a container 11 which is cubic in shape and has six rectangular sides, three of which are visible in the drawings, namely, a front side 12, a left side 13 and a top side 14. Not visible in the drawings but also present in the container are a rear side (opposite the front side), a right side (opposite the left side) and a bottom side (opposite the top side). The container is preferably made of cardboard or a cardboard-like material.

[0027] As best shown in Figure 1, the container 11 has a elongate opening 15 with a first end of the opening in the front side 12 and a second end of the opening in the top side 14. The opening includes a slit region 16 which extends across the front side from near a lower edge 17, to an upper edge 18, and then onto the top side before tapering outward to form a glove dispensing region 19 in the top side. The glove dispensing region shown in Figure 1 is triangular in shape. However, as shown in Figure 5, the glove dispensing region could be a number of other shapes, for example, rectangular or circular.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a disposable glove 20 stored in an interior cavity 21 of the container 11. The glove is made of any suitable impermeable material, such as latex, vinyl, nitrile or isoprene rubber or PVC, and includes a graspable member 22 extending outward from a cuff opening in the glove for receiving a wearer's hand. The graspable member shown in the drawings is a rectangular tab which is integrally formed with the cuff portion of the glove. However, the graspable member could be a lip, loop, hook or other suitable element. The manufacturing process for the gloves can remain the same as for conventional disposable gloves with only a small alteration, such as an add-on to the mould to catch a bit more material for the tag of the glove.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, each glove 20 is stacked in the interior cavity 21 of the container 11 with the cuff opening being aligned on one side of the stack, which is the side opposite the front side 12, so that the graspable member on each glove protrudes through the slit region 16 of the opening 15 in the container to such an extent that the member can be manually grasped from outside the dispenser 10. In such a way, a plurality of graspable members may protrude through the slit region of the opening.

[0030] The slit region 16 of the opening 15 is rectangular and has a uniform width throughout its length. The width of the slit region is sized so as to substantially coiTespond with the width of the graspable member 22 on the gloves 20 but is of insufficient width to allow a glove to be dispensed through the slit region. In contrast, the width of the glove dispensing region 19 is, at least in part, wider than the slit region and of sufficient width to allow a glove to be dispensed through the glove dispensing region.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the slit region 16 is in the middle of the front side 12 and the middle of the top side 14. Thus, the distance along the front side between the slit region and edge 23 is the same as the distance between the slit region and edge 24. Similarly, the distance along the top side between the slit region and edge 25 is the same as the distance between the slit region and edge 26. [0032] Reference is now made to Figure 3 which illustrates in the direction of the arrows the direction of movement of the graspable member 22 of each glove 20 as it is pulled by the hand of a user along the length of the slit region 16 of the opening 15. Once a glove reaches the glove dispensing region 19 of the opening the increased width of the glove dispensing opening compared with the slit region causes the glove to be pulled out of the container cuff- first.

[0033] The disposable glove 20 is released from the dispenser with the only part of the glove having been touched by a user being the portion of the graspable member 22 which protrudes through the slit region on the outside of the dispenser. Accordingly, the portions of the glove which are mostly likely to come into contact with objects touched by the wearer, namely, the fingers and the palm of the glove, are not contaminated with bacteria. Thus, the gloves do not act as vehicles for the transmission of bacteria. A further advantage of the glove dispenser is that because each graspable member can be pulled separately, one glove at a time can be dispensed by the glove dispenser.

[0034] Figures 35 and 36 show a variation of the abovementioned glove dispenser 10F in which two dust flaps, 31 and 32, block dust from entering the container and contaminating the gloves stored therein. The dust flaps are adhered to the underside of the top side 14 of the container 11 and extend into the slit region 16 and the glove dispensing region 19 of the opening 15. The dust flaps may be made of any suitable material, such as, transparent or coloured plastic film. In order to further prevent the entry of dust into the container, a perforated cardboard strip is preferably disposed within the slit region and the glove dispensing region of the opening and removed prior to use.

[0035] Three variations of the glove dispenser within the scope of the invention are shown in Figures 6 to 10, Figures 1 1 to 15, and in Figures 16 to 21. These variations relate to the location and shape of the opening 15 within the container 11.

[0036] In the first embodiment of the glove dispenser shown in Figures 1 to 5 the opening 15 is in the middle of the front side 12 and the middle of the top side 14. However, this central position is not necessary to the working of the invention and in the second embodiment of the glove dispenser shown in Figures 6 to 10 the opening is positioned nearer the left or right edges of the front side and top side. [0037] In Figure 6, the two glove dispensers 10A and 10B illustrated in the drawing are mirror images of each other with the opening of one dispenser 10A being closer to the left edges 23 and 25 of the front side 12 and top side 14 and the opening of the other dispenser 10B being closer to the right edges 24 and 26 of the front side 12 and top side 14. The glove dispensing regions 19 shown in Figure 6 are triangular in shape. However, as shown in Figure 10, the glove dispensing regions could be a number of other shapes, for example, rectangular or circular. Features of the glove dispensers which correspond with features indicated in Figures 1 to 5 have been given the same reference numerals, with the addition of the right side 27 which was not visible in Figures 1 to 5 but is visible in Figure 6.

[0038] In the first and second embodiments of the glove dispenser described above the opening 15 is linear. However, this is not necessary to the working of the invention and in the third embodiment of the glove dispenser shown in Figures 11 to 15 the opening is nonlinear.

[0039] In Figure 11, the two glove dispensers IOC and 10D illustrated in the drawing are mirror images of each other with the opening of one dispenser IOC ending in the left side 13 and the opening of the other dispenser 10D ending in the right side 27. The glove dispensing regions 19 shown in Figure 11 are triangular in shape. However, as shown in Figure 15, the glove dispensing regions could be a number of other shapes, for example, rectangular or circular.

[0040] In the first, second and third embodiments of the glove dispenser described above the opening 15 is located in two sides of the container 11. However, this is not necessary to the working of the invention and in the third embodiment of the glove dispenser 10E shown in Figures 16 to 21 the opening is located only in the top side 14.

[0041] As shown in Figures 17 to 19 a glove 20 can be folded along two spaced apart fold lines such that the graspable member 22 in the folded glove extends above the rest of the glove. Thus, as shown in Figure 20, when the folded glove is stored within the container 11, the graspable member protrudes through the slit region 16 of the opening 15. [0042] Figures 22 to 33 show four embodiments of a disposable glove according to the invention. In each embodiment, the disposable glove comprises a hand-covering portion 28 and a wrist-covering portion 29 extending from the hand-covering portion and terminating in an edge 30 of an opening for receiving the hand of a user, wherein a graspable member 22 extends outwardly from the wrist-covering portion.

[0043] For convenience and ease of use, the graspable member 22 is preferably a manually graspable member. However, the graspable member could be configured to be grasped by a tool, such as, a pair of tweezers.

[0044] In the embodiment of the glove 20 shown in Figures 22 to 24 the graspable member 22 extends from the edge 30 of the opening for receiving the hand of a user. In Figure 24, the letter "A" marks the actual position of the graspable member while the letter "B" marks possible positions of the graspable member around the edge of the opening.

[0045] In the embodiment of the glove 20 shown in Figures 25 to 27 the graspable member 22 extends from the wrist portion 29 of the glove in such a manner that it is parallel with the fingers on the hand portion 28 of the glove. In Figure 27, the letter "A" marks the actual position of the graspable member while the letter "B" marks possible positions of the graspable member on the wrist portion.

[0046] In the embodiment of the glove 20 shown in Figures 28 to 30 the graspable member 22 extends from the wrist portion 29 of the glove in such a manner that it is at an inclined angle to the fingers on the hand portion 28 of the glove. In Figure 30, the letter "A" marks the actual position of the graspable member while the letter "B" marks possible positions of the graspable member on the wrist portion.

[0047] In the embodiment of the glove 20 shown in Figures 31 to 33 the graspable member 22 extends from the wrist portion 29 of the glove in such a manner that it is perpendicular to the fingers on the hand portion 28 of the glove. In Figure 33, the letter "A" marks the actual position of the graspable member while the letter "B" marks possible positions of the graspable member on the wrist portion. [0048] As shown in Figure 34, one of the advantages of having the graspable member 22 on the glove 29 is that it can be grasped and pulled in order to remove the glove from the hand of the user without the user touching the rest of the glove.

[0049] In the abovementioned embodiments of the glove dispenser the glove dispensing region 19 of the opening 15 is located in the top side 14 of the container 11. However, this is not essential to the working of the invention and in the seventh and eighth embodiments of the glove dispenser shown in Figures 37 to 39 and Figures 40 to 42 respectively the glove dispensing region is located in the left side 13 of the container. It will be appreciated that the glove dispensing region could instead be located in the right side of the container. In the seventh embodiment of the glove dispenser 10G shown in Figures 37 to 39 the glove dispensing region 19 is rectangular in shape. In contrast, in the eighth embodiment of the glove dispenser 10H shown in Figures 40 to 42 the glove dispensing region 19 is triangular in shape. The glove 20 depicted in Figures 37 and 40 is preferably the glove shown in any one of Figures 28 to 33.

[0050] While some preferred aspects of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that modifications and/or improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in this specification.

[0051] The terms comprise, comprises, comprising, or comprised, if and when used herein, should be interpreted non-exclusively, that is, as conveying "consisting of or including".

Claims

1. A glove dispenser for dispensing one or more disposable gloves having a graspable member extending outwardly therefrom, said dispenser comprising a container having a plurality of sides that define an interior space for the storage of the one or more gloves, the container having an opening in at least one of the sides to the interior space formed therein, a first portion of the opening being sized to receive a graspable member extending from a glove stored in the interior space, and a second portion of the opening being sized to allow for the removal of a glove stored in the interior space.

2. The glove dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the opening is elongate with the first portion of the opening at a first end of the opening and the second portion of the opening at a second end of the opening.

3. The glove dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the first and second ends of the opening are located in two different sides of the container.

4. The glove dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the first and second ends of the opening are located in the same side of the container.

5. The glove dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container is cubic in shape with six rectangular sides, namely, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side.

6. The glove dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the second portion of the opening is located in the top side and the first portion of the opening is located in two sides of the container.

7. The glove dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the first portion of the opening is located in the front side and the top side.

8. The glove dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the first portion of the opening is located in the left side and the top side.

9. The glove dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the first portion of the opening is located in the right side and the top side.

10. The glove dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the first and second portions of the opening are located in one side of the container.

11. The glove dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the first and second portions of the opening are located in the top side of the container.

12. The glove dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the opening is a rectangular slit of uniform width along its length.

13. The glove dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the opening is a glove dispensing region with a triangular, rectangular or circular shape.

14. The glove dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the second portion of the opening is located in either the left side or the right side of the container.

15. A disposable glove comprising a hand-covering portion and a wrist-covering portion extending from the hand-covering portion and terminating in an edge of an opening for receiving the hand of a user, wherein a graspable member extends outwardly from the wrist- covering portion.

16. The disposable glove according to claim 15, wherein the graspable member is a manually graspable member.

17. The disposable glove according to claim 15, wherein the graspable member is configured to be grasped by a tool.

18. The disposable glove according to claim 15, wherein the graspable member extends from the edge of the opening for receiving the hand of a user.

19. The disposable glove according to claim 15, wherein the graspable member is spaced apart from the edge of the opening for receiving the hand of a user.

20. The disposable glove according to claim 15, wherein the graspable member is a tab, lip, hook or loop.

21. A method of dispensing a disposable glove from a glove dispenser wherein the glove has a graspable member extending outwardly therefrom, the method comprising the steps of storing the glove within an interior space of a container having at least one side which has an opening to the interior space formed therein, the glove being stored in the interior space such that the graspable member protrudes through a first portion of the opening, and pulling the graspable member until the glove is released through a second portion of the opening.