Disposable glove dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A disposable glove dispensing apparatus includes an apparatus support and a disposable glove roll holder supported by the apparatus support. A disposable glove roll is retained on the disposable glove roll holder. The disposable glove roll includes a plurality of individual disposable gloves retained on a continuous glove carrier strip assembly. An electric motor is supported by the apparatus support for unrolling the glove carrier strip assembly and for positioning disposable gloves in a glove access region. A motor-actuator button is electrically connected to the electric motor for actuating the electric motor. With one embodiment of the invention, the disposable gloves can be in the form of five-fingered gloves. With another embodiment of the invention, the disposable gloves can be in the form of mitts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority based upon my copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 574,254; filed May 26, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to article dispensers, and, more particularly, to dispensers especially adapted for dispensing disposable gloves. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Disposable gloves are employed for a variety of purposes in a variety of environments. A convenient way of storing and dispensing disposable gloves is to employ a roll of disposable gloves and to pull off from the roll the disposable gloves that are to be used. [0006] Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to dispensing articles, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,583,557, 3,958,768, 5,096,089, 6,021,919, and 6,435,388. [0007] More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a new and improved disposable glove dispensing apparatus that has the following technical effects: \n1. The apparatus is easy to use and efficient in dispensing disposable gloves. \n2. The apparatus is durable and reliable, with a long lifespan. \n3. The apparatus is susceptible of low cost of manufacture and sale to the consuming public. \n4. The apparatus provides a plurality of disposable gloves that are placed on a roll, making them convenient for users. \n5. The apparatus does not require a powered vacuum system. \n6. The apparatus provides a heating device to prevent the gloves from cracking at cold temperatures. \n7. The apparatus includes a separator edge for separating the glove carrier strip and the guide edge for guiding the gloves to the access region. \n8. The apparatus provides a disposable glove dispensing apparatus that is easy to manufacture and market."

Problems solved by technology

Sometimes it is difficult for a user to manually locate a free end of the roll of disposable gloves.

Also, sometimes it is difficult to manually grasp a located free end.

The powered vacuum system employed with this device is complex and expensive.

As such, is may be difficult to efficiently and conveniently produce a neat roll of flaccid and non-rectangular disposable gloves.

If a roll of disposable gloves is placed in an outdoor environment in winter, such as near a gasoline pump, the disposable gloves may crack in the cold temperatures.

Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use dispensers for dispensing disposable gloves from a roll of gloves, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a disposable glove dispensing apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) provides a plurality of disposable gloves that are placed on a roll; (2) employs a motorized movement device to rotate a roll of disposable gloves to advance the free end of the roll to a location at which a user can easily grasp the desired disposable glove; (3) does not employ a powered vacuum system; (4) provides that each flaccid disposable glove is placed on a rectangular backing strip that is somewhat stiffer than the disposable glove, such that the backing strip is separated from the flaccid glove at the location at which a user grasps the glove; and (5) provides a heating device to assure that the disposable gloves to be dispensed are maintained at a suitable temperature to prevent the gloves from cracking at cold temperatures.

Images