Glove cartridge

Abstract

To provide a gloving apparatus that comprises a glove-opening device and a glove-lifting-and-positioning device.SOLUTION: The glove-lifting-and-positioning device includes a linear actuator with a moveable rod that is ended with an inserting pin, a rotating actuator that is designed to rotate the glove-lifting-and-positioning device, and a lifting arm with a lifting actuator designed to lift up and lower the glove-lifting-and-positioning device. The glove-lifting-and-positioning device is designed to insert the inserting pin into a matching hole at a glove holder to which a glove is attached and to insert the opening of the glove over grasping pins of the glove-opening device. The glove-opening device can stretch and open the glove opening and when an air pump creates sub-pressure, and then cause the glove to inflate to a size and shape suitable for insertion of a hand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove donning device for donning a sterile glove onto the palm of a hand. [Background technology]

[0002] It is common, and sometimes mandatory, to use sterile gloves in operating rooms, laboratories, and various other locations where a sterile environment must be maintained. For example, a user, such as a surgeon preparing for surgery, will typically don sterile gloves after scrubbing and disinfecting his or her hands with soap and disinfectant. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When a user touches a glove while putting it on, the exterior of the glove can potentially become contaminated. Even after washing and disinfecting with soap, touching the exterior of the glove can potentially contaminate the glove with bacteria. The present invention describes a system that provides a solution to this problem. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] The drawings attached to this application are not intended to limit the invention and its scope of application, as the drawings are merely intended to illustrate the invention and constitute only one of many possible implementations. [Figure 1] A glove 100 is shown having an opening 103 and a circumferential portion 104 of the opening 103 . [Diagram 2] Shown is a glove donning device 1 comprising a casing 2, a glove opening device 3, a glove lifting and positioning device 4, an air pump 5 and a replaceable glove cartridge 7. [Diagram 3] Shown is a glove donning device 1 comprising a casing 2, a glove opening device 3, a glove lifting and positioning device 4, an air pump 5 and a replaceable glove cartridge 7. [Figure 4]The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown with the movable rod 411 pointing downwards during collection of gloves from the replaceable cartridge 7. [Diagram 5] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown with the movable rod 411 pointing downwards during collection of gloves from the replaceable cartridge 7. [Figure 6] 1 shows the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the insertion pin is inserted into the mating hole in the glove holder. [Figure 7] 1 shows the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the insertion pin is inserted into the mating hole in the glove holder. [Figure 8] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown in a diagonal position on a glove opening device 3, which holds the gloves during donning. [Figure 9] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown in a diagonal position on a glove opening device 3, which holds the gloves during donning. [Figure 10] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown which holds the gloves in a horizontal position and places the gloves on the glove releasing device 3. [Figure 11] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown which holds the gloves in a horizontal position and places the gloves on the glove releasing device 3. [Figure 12] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 for donning gloves on a glove releasing device 3 is shown. [Figure 13] A glove lifting and positioning device 4 for donning gloves on a glove releasing device 3 is shown. [Figure 14] The glove 100 is shown inserted over a grasping pin and inflated, ready to receive a user's hand. [Figure 15] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown with the movable rod 411 in the "up" position. [Figure 16] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is shown with the movable rod 411 in the "down" position. [Figure 17] The glove lift and positioning device 4 is shown in a diagonal position. [Figure 18]The glove lift and positioning device 4 is shown in a diagonal position. [Figure 19] The adjustment piece 48 is shown in two states relative to the movable rod 411. [Figure 20] The insertion pin 42 is shown when inserted into the glove holder. [Figure 21] The insertion pin 42 is shown when inserted into the glove holder. [Figure 22] The insertion pin 42 is shown before and after being inserted into the glove holder 6. [Diagram 23] The insertion pin 42 is shown before and after being inserted into the glove holder 6. [Figure 24A] Several states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6 are shown. [Figure 24B] Several states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6 are shown. [Figure 24C] Several states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6 are shown. [Figure 24D] Several states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6 are shown. [Figure 24E] Several states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6 are shown. [Diagram 25] A glove holder 6 is shown. [Figure 26] A glove holder 6 is shown with a glove 100 . [Figure 27] A glove opening device 3 is shown with gripping pins 36 centralized in the center of a polygonal circumferential frame 31. [Figure 28] A glove opening device 3 is shown with gripping pins 36 centralized in the center of a polygonal circumferential frame 31. [Figure 29] The glove opening device 3 is shown in a partially open position. [Diagram 30] The glove opening device 3 is shown in the open position. [Diagram 31] The regulator 8 is shown in several states. [Diagram 32] The regulator 8 is shown in several states. [Diagram 33] The regulator 8 is shown in several states. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a replaceable cartridge 7 having a follower 92 and a spring 93. [Diagram 35] An empty replaceable cartridge 7 is shown. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the replaceable cartridge 7. [Figure 37] This is the top frame of the cartridge including the stopper 75. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a glove donning device 1 designed to assist a user in donning a glove on his or her hand. The glove donning device 1 includes the following main parts: a casing 2, a glove releasing device 3, a glove lifting and positioning device 4 and an air pump 5.

[0006] The glove donning device 1 may include a replaceable glove cartridge 7 designed to accommodate gloves 100. The gloves may be arranged in a stacked manner within the replaceable glove cartridge. The replaceable glove cartridge may be fixed as a permanent part of the glove donning device, to be replenished whenever gloves run out, or alternatively, the entire replaceable cartridge may be replaced with a new replaceable glove cartridge, acting as a kind of disposable glove cartridge. If the sterility of the gloves needs to be preserved, a disposable, replaceable glove cartridge setup is more appropriate and recommended.

[0007] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is designed to lift gloves, one at a time, from a replaceable glove cartridge and position the glove opening 103 in the glove opening device 3 .

[0008] The glove donning apparatus 1, as shown in the drawings and previously described, includes a casing 2, a glove lifting and positioning apparatus 4, a glove releasing apparatus 3 and an air pump 5. The casing 2 is partially shown in the drawings and includes the previously described components of the glove donning apparatus 1. The casing 2 may also further include a replaceable glove cartridge 7.

[0009] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 includes: (a) A base 43 with a linear actuator 41 mounted with a moveable rod 411. When the linear actuator is operated, the moveable rod is designed to move back and forth. (b) A rotary actuator 44 designed to rotate the glove lift and positioning device 4. By operating the rotary actuator, the glove lift and positioning device can be rotated to change the direction in which the moveable rod is pointing. (c) A lift arm 45 with a lift actuator 46 designed to raise and lower the glove lift and positioning device 4. The drawing shows, by way of example, two lift arms. By controlling the lift actuator the position of the glove lift and positioning device is changed. (d) The base also includes a release rod 47. An insertion pin 42 is disposed at the end of a movable rod 411, which includes an adjustment piece 48 having an adjustment rod 49.

[0010] The glove lifting and positioning device 4 is designed to "pick up" the glove by the movable rod 411 after it descends to reach the glove holder 6 with the glove 100 attached thereto, due to the fact that the insertion pin 42 penetrates into the fitting hole 61 in the glove holder 6 and locks onto the movable rod. At this stage, the glove lifting and positioning device 4 lifts the glove upward and forward to present the glove to the glove opening device.

[0011] Some notes on gloves: The glove donning device 1 can include a replaceable glove cartridge 7 containing a number of gloves 100. Each glove 100 is attached to a glove holder 6. The glove holder can be made of flexible plastic with a number of fixed rods 62, each having a fixing clip 63 at its end to which the circumferential portion 104 of the opening 103 of the glove 100 is attached, and a mating hole 61 that matches the insertion pin 42 of the glove lifting and positioning device 4. In this way, the insertion pin 42 is inserted into the mating hole 61 to fix the glove holder 6 thereto and move the glove holder with gloves attached to the glove unloading device 3. To directly center the insertion pin 42 in the mating hole 61, the movable rod 411 includes an adjustment piece 48 with an adjustment rod 49 that receives and surrounds the glove holder 6 to linearly center the insertion pin 42 in the mating hole 61.

[0012] When in the closed position, the glove opening is inserted over the gripping pin 36, and when such gripping pin 36 moves to the open position, the glove is separated from the glove holder 6. At this stage, the glove lifting and positioning device 4 moves back to bring another glove, if required. The glove lifting and positioning device 4 removes the glove holder 6 that is now without a glove by pulling back the movable rod 411, which causes the glove holder 6 to collide with the release rod 47 connected to the base 43, which causes the glove holder 6 to slip off the insertion pin 42 and preferably fall into a waste bin.

[0013] Although the drawings show a glove opening device 3 having a six sided frame, the invention may be embodied with a frame having more or less sides. An outer end 33 of each spreading rod 32 is attached to the polygonal circumferential frame 31 by an axial joint 34. An inner end 35 of each spreading rod 32 is fitted with a gripping pin 36. The glove opening device 3 further includes a mechanism for varying the joint angle between the spreading rods 32 and the polygonal circumferential frame 31.

[0014] The glove donning device 1 may include an adjuster 8 that covers a hole within the polygonal circumferential frame 31 and is designed to close when the device 1 is not in use, or vice versa.

[0015] Operation of the glove donning device 1: The glove lifting and positioning device 4, as described above, descends to pick up the glove 100. The glove lifting and positioning device 4 then moves the glove opening over the gripping pins 36. The glove opening device 3 then moves from the closed position to the open position, i.e., the glove opening is stretched in the form of a polygonal circumferential frame, and the glove actually seals the opening of the glove opening device. The air pump 5 then generates sub-pressure in the casing 2 to inflate the glove. The user can then insert his / her hand into the inflated glove, and after a slight inward movement, the glove is released from the gripping pins and remains on the user's hand. A sensor or a press or touch switch that identifies when the hand is fully inserted into the glove can control the release of the glove from the gripping pins. The glove donning device is also equipped with various activators that activate each of the above-mentioned device components, as well as sensors that allow them to operate automatically.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a glove 100 having an opening 103 and a circumferential portion 104 of the opening 103. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a glove donning apparatus 1 including a casing 2, a glove opening device 3, a glove lifting and positioning device 4, an air pump 5 and a replaceable glove cartridge 7. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the movable rod 411 is facing downwards in the process of collecting gloves from the replaceable cartridge 7. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the insertion pin is inserted into the fitting hole of the glove holder. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 in a diagonal position for fixing a glove in the process of donning the glove on the glove opening device 3. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 in a horizontal position for picking up a glove and donning the glove on the glove opening device 3. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 for donning the glove on the glove opening device 3.

[0017] Fig. 14 shows the glove 100 inserted on the grip pin, expanded and ready to receive the user's hand. Fig. 15 shows the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the movable rod 411 is in the "up" position, and Fig. 16 shows the glove lifting and positioning device 4 when the movable rod 411 is in the "down" position. Figs. 17 and 18 show the glove lifting and positioning device 4 in diagonal positions. Fig. 19 shows the adjustment piece 48 in two states relative to the movable rod 411. Figs. 20 and 21 show the insertion pin 42 when inserted into the glove holder 6. Figs. 22 and 23 show the insertion pin 42 before and after it is inserted into the glove holder 6. Figs. 24A-24E show various states of the movable rod 411 and the glove holder 6. Fig. 25 shows the glove holder 6. Fig. 26 shows the glove holder 6 with a glove 100 attached.

[0018] Figures 27 and 28 show the glove opening device 3 with the gripping pin 36 centered in the center of the polygonal circumferential frame 31, i.e. in the closed position. Figure 29 shows the glove opening device 3 in a partially open position, i.e. the extension rods 32 have been rotated slightly so that the inner ends 35 are closer to the sides of the polygonal circumferential frame 31. Figure 30 shows the glove opening device 3 in the open position, i.e. the extension rods 32 are parallel and adjacent to the sides of the polygonal circumferential frame 31 and the gripping pins 36 are located at the angle between said sides of the polygonal circumferential frame. Figures 31-33 show the adjuster 8 in various states.

[0019] The replaceable cartridge 7 and glove holder 6 of the glove donning apparatus 1 have been shown in the drawings and described above, and will be described in more detail below. The glove donning apparatus 1 preferably includes a replaceable cartridge 7 of gloves 100, and more preferably the glove donning apparatus includes various replaceable cartridges 7 as described below.

[0020] The glove donning device 1 includes a cartridge mechanism 90 including a cartridge housing 91, a follower 92, and a spring 93. The follower 92 may include a push rod 921 with a push plate 922 attached to its upper end and a pool plate 923 attached to its lower end, as shown in Fig. 34, for example. Preferably, one end of the constant force spring type spring 93 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge housing 91 and the other end of the spring is attached to the pool plate 923 in a manner that the spring exerts pressure on the follower 92 to move upward through the cartridge housing and push the holder 6 up on the glove 100, similar to the manner in which rifle cartridges / magazines operate.

[0021] The cartridge mechanism 90 can include associated components such as followers and springs, multiple cartridge housings 91, and an activator that rotates the cartridge mechanism to align the associated replaceable cartridges with the insertion pin 42. Figures 2 and 3 show a glove donning device having a cartridge mechanism 90 designed to contain multiple replaceable cartridges 7.

[0022] The user can insert a replaceable cartridge 7 into each cartridge housing 91 through the top opening of the cartridge housing, which pushes the follower 92 downwards and then locks the replaceable cartridge into the housing. The tensioned spring 93 then activates an upward force on the follower 92 as described above. Each time the glove holder 6 is drawn out onto a cartridge 7, the follower 92 rises slightly upwards, similar to the working principle of a rifle cartridge. When the replaceable cartridge is exhausted, the cartridge mechanism rotates slightly to align another cartridge with the insertion pin, and when all the cartridges are exhausted, the user can replace them all.

[0023] The replaceable glove cartridge 7 is designed to include a plurality of glove holders 6 to which gloves 100 are attached, one above the other. The replaceable cartridge 7 includes a closed peripheral wall 71 having an upper opening 72 through which the glove holders 6 can be withdrawn from the replaceable cartridge and a lower opening 73 through which a follower 92 can push the glove holders 6 upwardly.

[0024] The replaceable cartridge 7 includes at least three internal corners 74 which act as guides when the glove holder 6 is inside the cartridge. In this manner, the glove holder 6 is located inside the cartridge in such a way that an end of each fixed rod 62 is located at each internal corner 74, therefore if the glove holder includes three legs, meaning three fixed rods, the cartridge must include at least three internal corners.

[0025] Along two or more or all of the interior corners 74, there are stops 75 designed to stop the upward movement of the glove holder 6. The stops 75 can correspond to the ends 64 of the fixed rods 62. For example, the stops 75 can include two horizontal protrusions 751 with a gap 752 that correspond to the ends 64 of the fixed rods 62 that include two horizontal pieces 641 with a vertical piece 642 therebetween. In this manner, the two horizontal protrusions 751 of the stops 75 prevent the two horizontal pieces 641 from moving upward while the vertical pieces 642 of the glove holder 6 are positioned within the gap 752, thereby properly positioning the upper glove holder 6 in the cartridge to meet the insertion pin 42. The glove holder 6 can be made of a flexible material so that when the insertion pin 42 passes through the mating hole 61 of the glove holder 6, it locks and pulls upward, causing the fixed rods 62 to bend and the glove holder to be pulled out of the cartridge. FIG. 35 shows an empty cartridge 7, FIG. 4 shows this as a glove holder 6, FIG. 36 is a plan view of the cartridge 7 and FIG.

[0026] The glove holder 6 described above and below includes a base 60 and at least three fixed rods 62. The base 60 includes a mating hole 61 with a number of horizontal slots 611 that match the insertion pin 42. The insertion pin 42 includes a rounded mushroom tip 421 and a polygonal stem 422. The rounded mushroom tip 421 allows the insertion pin 42 to easily pass through the mating hole 61 and prevent it from easily slipping out. It is possible to design the base such that the area 612 around and between the mating holes is inclined towards the holes to make it easier for the insertion pin to pass through and prevent the pin from easily slipping out of the holes. The polygonal stem 422 is located within the mating hole 61 and is surrounded by the ends of the horizontal slots 611 that prevent rotational movement of the glove holder 6 around the insertion pin 42. Each end 64 of the at least three fixing rods 62 includes a fixing clip 63 to which the circumferential portion 104 of the opening 103 of the glove 100 is attached, and two horizontal pieces 641 having a vertical piece 642 therebetween. When the glove holders 6 are positioned one above the other inside the cartridge, the vertical piece 642 of each glove holder is positioned between the two horizontal pieces 641 of the glove holder above it, thereby providing a stable and regular stacked arrangement of the glove holders inside the cartridge.

Claims

1. A glove donning device including a casing, a glove releasing device, a glove lifting and positioning device, and an air pump, the glove lift and positioning device includes a base having a linear actuator with a moveable rod attached thereto, a rotational actuator designed to rotate the glove lift and positioning device, and a lift arm having a lift actuator designed to raise and lower the glove lift and positioning device; the base includes a release rod; An insertion pin is provided at the end of the movable rod, The glove opening device includes a polygonal circumferential frame and a plurality of extension rods; The outer end of each extension rod is attached to the polygonal circumferential frame via an axial joint, and the inner end of each extension rod is equipped with a gripping pin; The glove lifting and positioning device is designed to move up and down and back and forth to insert an insertion pin into a fitting hole in a glove holder to which a glove can be attached, and to lift the glove holder together with the glove to insert the opening of the glove onto the gripping pin; the glove opening device may be movable from a closed position to an open position to stretch and open the glove opening to assume the configuration of the polygonal circumferential frame; The air pump can generate subpressure within the casing to inflate the glove to a size and shape suitable for inserting a hand into the inflated glove.

2. A glove holder comprising a base including a mating hole designed to accommodate an insertion pin having a rounded mushroom-shaped tip, and at least three fixing rods, the end of each fixing rod including a fixing clip to which a circumferential portion of the glove opening can be attached.

3. 3. The glove holder of claim 2, wherein the base further includes a plurality of horizontal slots designed to accommodate the polygonal stems of the insertion pins, and the end of the fixing rod further includes two horizontal pieces with a vertical piece therebetween.

4. 1. A replaceable glove cartridge designed to include a glove holder with gloves, the glove holder including a closed peripheral wall and at least two stoppers, the closure peripheral wall includes at least three internal corners designed to act as guides for the glove holder, an upper opening through which the glove holder can be pulled out, and a lower opening through which a follower can pass and push the glove holder upwards; stops are located along at least two of the at least three interior corners, said stops being designed to halt upward movement of the glove holder only when pushed upward by the follower; a replaceable glove cartridge, each of said stoppers corresponding to an end of a fixed rod of each of said glove holders, each stopper including two horizontal protrusions having a gap therebetween corresponding to an end of a fixed rod of each of said glove holders including two horizontal pieces having a vertical piece therebetween.

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