A device for attaching gloves to the palm of the hand

Abstract

The glove donning device includes a glove lifting and positioning device, a linear actuator with a movable rod having a plurality of insertion teeth at its end, a rotary actuator designed to rotate the glove lifting and positioning device, and a lifting arm with a lifting actuator designed to raise and lower the glove lifting and positioning device. The glove lifting and positioning device is designed to insert the plurality of insertion teeth into corresponding plurality of mating holes in a glove holder to which a glove is attached, and to place the opening of the glove over the gripping pin of the glove opening device. The glove opening device can be stretched to open the opening of the glove, and when an air pump creates negative pressure, the glove expands to a size appropriate for inserting a hand into the glove.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The inventors of the present disclosure, who are also the inventors of the subject matter of PCT / IL2020 / 051334, state that it is common practice, and sometimes necessary, to use sterile gloves in the performance of medical procedures in operating rooms, laboratories, and various other locations where a sterile environment must be maintained. A user (e.g., a surgeon preparing for surgery) typically cleanses and disinfects their hands with soap and disinfectant, then dons sterile gloves. When donning gloves, the user touches the gloves, potentially contaminating the outside of the gloves. Touching the outside of the gloves can potentially contaminate them with bacteria, even after cleaning and disinfection. The present invention provides several innovative improvements to the glove donning device disclosed in PCT / IL2020 / 051334. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] The drawings attached to this application are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and its application, as the drawings are intended only to illustrate the invention and are merely one of many possible embodiments. [Figure 1] A glove (100) is shown having an opening (103) and a perimeter (104) around the opening (103). [Figure 2] Shown is a glove donning apparatus (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 3] Shown is a glove donning apparatus (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 in the process of collecting gloves from the replaceable cartridge (7). [Figure 5] The glove lifting and positioning device (4) is shown with the movable rod (411) pointing downwards in the process of collecting gloves from the replaceable cartridge (7). [Figure 6] Shown is the glove lifting and positioning device (4) with the insertion pin inserted into the mating hole in the glove holder. [Figure 7] Shown is the glove lifting and positioning device (4) with the insertion pin inserted into the mating hole in the glove holder. [Figure 8] The glove opening device (3) shows a glove lifting and positioning device (4) that holds the glove in an angled position during donning. [Figure 9] The glove opening device (3) shows a glove lifting and positioning device (4) that holds the glove in an angled position during donning. [Figure 10] Shown is a glove lifting and positioning device (4) that holds the glove in a horizontal position and places the glove in the glove opening device (3). [Figure 11] Shown is a glove lifting and positioning device (4) that holds the glove in a horizontal position and places the glove in the glove opening device (3). [Figure 12] Shown is a glove lifting and positioning device (4) for donning gloves onto a glove opening device (3). [Figure 13] Shown is a glove lifting and positioning device (4) for donning gloves onto a glove opening device (3). [Figure 14] The glove (100) is shown inserted onto the gripping pin and ready to expand and receive the 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]Shown is the glove lifting and positioning device (4) in an oblique position. [Figure 18] Shown is the glove lifting and positioning device (4) in an oblique position. [Figure 19] Two states of the adjustment piece (48) relative to the movable rod (411) are shown. [Figure 20] The insertion pin (42) is shown inserted into the glove holder. [Figure 21] The insertion pin (42) is shown inserted into the glove holder. [Figure 22] The insertion pin (42) is shown before and after being inserted into the glove holder (6). [Figure 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 glove holder (6) are shown. [Figure 24B] Several states of the movable rod (411) and glove holder (6) are shown. [Figure 24C] Several states of the movable rod (411) and glove holder (6) are shown. [Figure 24D] Several states of the movable rod (411) and glove holder (6) are shown. [Figure 24E] Several states of the movable rod (411) and glove holder (6) are shown. [Figure 25] The glove holder (6) is shown. [Figure 26] The glove holder (6) is shown with a glove (100) attached. [Figure 27] A glove-opening device (3) is shown with gripping pins (36) centered at the center of a polygonal peripheral frame (31). [Figure 28] A glove-opening device (3) is shown with gripping pins (36) centered at the center of a polygonal peripheral frame (31). [Figure 29] The glove opening device (3) is shown in a partially open state. [Figure 30] The glove-opening device (3) is shown in an open position. [Figure 31] The adjustment part (8) in several states is shown. [Figure 32] The adjustment part (8) in several states is shown. [Figure 33] The adjustment part (8) in several states is shown. [Figure 34] A partial cross-sectional view of the replaceable cartridge (7) with follower (92) and spring (93) is shown. [Figure 35] An empty replaceable cartridge (7) is shown. [Figure 36] A top view of the replaceable cartridge (7) is shown. [Figure 37] The upper frame of the cartridge is shown, including the stopper (75). [Figure 38] A glove holder (6) is shown with multiple fitting holes (610). [Figure 39] A cartridge (7) with multiple glove holders (6) is shown. [Figure 40] The end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insert teeth (450) are shown. [Figure 41] The end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insert teeth (450) are shown. [Figure 42] The end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insert teeth (450) are shown. [Figure 43] The end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insert teeth (450) are shown. [Figure 44] The end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insert teeth (450) are shown. [Figure 45] The glove holder (6) is shown together with the end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insertion teeth (450). [Figure 46] The glove holder (6) is shown together with the end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insertion teeth (450). [Figure 47] The glove holder (6) is shown together with the end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insertion teeth (450). [Figure 48] The glove holder (6) is shown together with the end of the movable rod (411) and a number of insertion teeth (450). [Figure 49A] Horizontal step (454) associated with glove holder (6) is shown. [Figure 49B] Horizontal step (454) associated with glove holder (6) is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The primary objective of the invention in PCT / IL2020 / 051334 is to provide a glove donning device (1) designed to assist a user in donning gloves on their hands. The glove donning device (1) comprises a casing (2), a glove opening device (3), a glove lifting and positioning device (4), and an air pump (5).

[0005] The glove donning device (1) may contain a replaceable glove cartridge (7) designed to hold gloves (100). The gloves are placed one on top of the other in the replaceable glove cartridge. The replaceable glove cartridge may be a fixed glove cartridge that is a permanent part of the glove donning device and is replenished as gloves run out. Alternatively, the entire replaceable glove cartridge may be replaced with a new replaceable glove cartridge, functioning as a type of disposable glove cartridge. If glove sterility needs to be maintained, a disposable replaceable glove cartridge configuration is more appropriate and recommended.

[0006] The glove lifting and positioning device (4) is designed to lift one glove at a time from a replaceable glove cartridge and position the glove opening (103) over the glove opening device (3).

[0007] The glove donning apparatus (1) includes a casing (2), a glove lifting and positioning device (4), a glove opening device (3), and an air pump (5), as shown in the drawings and described above. The casing (2) is partially shown in the drawings and houses the above-mentioned portions of the glove donning apparatus (1). The casing (2) may house a replaceable glove cartridge (7).

[0008] The glove lifting and positioning device (4) includes: (a) A base (43) having a linear actuator (41) with a movable rod (411) designed to move back and forth when the linear actuator is operated.

[0009] (b) A rotary actuator (44) designed to rotate the glove lifting and positioning device (4). By manipulating the rotary actuator, the glove lifting and positioning device can be rotated to change the direction in which the movable rod is pointing.

[0010] (c) A lifting arm (45) with a lifting actuator (46) designed to raise or lower the glove lifting and positioning device (4). Two lifting arms are shown as an example. By controlling the lifting actuator, the position of the glove lifting and positioning device is changed.

[0011] (d) The base also includes a release rod 47. The end of the movable rod 411 is provided with an insertion pin 42, and the movable rod 411 has an adjustment piece 48 with an adjustment rod 49.

[0012] The glove lifting and positioning device (4) is designed to descend and reach the glove holder (6) with the glove (100) attached, and "pick up" the glove by means of the movable rod (411). This is because the insertion pin (42) is inserted into the mating hole (61) of the glove holder (6) and locked to the movable rod. At this stage, the glove lifting and positioning device (4) lifts the glove upward and forward, presenting it to the glove opening device.

[0013] (Some explanations about gloves) The glove donning device (1) includes a replaceable glove cartridge (7) containing several gloves (100). Each glove (100) is attached to a glove holder (6). The glove holder (6) is made of flexible plastic and includes several retaining rods (62), each of which has a retaining clip (63) at the end to which the periphery (104) of the opening (103) of the glove (100) is attached, and a hole (61) for receiving an insertion pin (42) of the glove lifting and positioning device (4). The insertion pin (42) is inserted into the hole (61), locking the glove holder (6) and bringing the glove holder and the gloves into the glove-opening device (3). To directly center the insertion pin (42) in the hole (61), a movable rod (411) has an adjustment element (48) with an adjustment rod (49) that cradles and surrounds the glove holder (6), thereby directly centering the insertion pin (42) in the hole (61).

[0014] When the openings of the gloves are inserted into the gripping pins (36) and the gripping pins (36) are in the closed position, the gloves are disconnected from the glove holder (6) when these gripping pins (36) are moved to the open position. At this stage, the glove lifting and positioning device (4) returns to bring another glove on demand. The glove lifting and positioning device (4) removes the now glove-free glove holder (6) by pulling back the movable rod (411). This causes the glove holder (6) to collide with the release rod (47) connected to the base (43), disengaging the glove holder (6) from the insertion pins (42) and preferably dropping into a trash can.

[0015] Although the drawings show a glove-opening device (3) having a six-sided frame, the invention may be practiced with frames having more or fewer sides. The outer end (33) of each extension rod (32) is attached to the polygonal perimeter frame (31) via a pivot joint (34). The inner end (35) of each extension rod (32) includes a gripping pin (36). The glove-opening device (3) also includes a mechanism for changing the joint angle between the extension rods (32) and the polygonal perimeter frame (31). The glove donning device (1) has an adjustment portion (8) that covers a hole in the polygonal perimeter frame (31) and is designed to close when the glove donning device (1) is not in use.

[0016] Operation of the glove donning device (1): The glove lifting and positioning device (4) descends to pick up a glove (100) as described above. The glove lifting and positioning device (4) then places the opening of the glove over the gripping pins (36). The glove opening device (3) then moves from its closed position to its open position, i.e., the opening of the glove is stretched to the shape of the polygonal perimeter frame, with the glove actually sealing the opening of the glove opening device. The air pump (5) then creates negative pressure within the casing (2), inflating the glove. The user can insert their hand into the inflated glove, which moves slightly inward, releasing it from the gripping pins and remaining on the user's hand. A sensor that identifies complete insertion of the hand into the glove or a push or touch switch may control the release of the glove from the gripping pins. Furthermore, the glove donning device includes several actuators that operate each of the above-mentioned device components and sensors that enable it to operate automatically.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a glove (100) having an opening (103) and a surrounding portion (104) of the opening (103). FIGS. 2 and 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). FIGS. 4 and 5 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) with the movable rod (411) pointing downward while collecting gloves from the replaceable cartridge (7). FIGS. 6 and 7 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) with the insertion pin inserted into the glove holder's mating hole. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) holding a glove at an angle while donning the glove into the glove opening device (3). FIGS. 10 and 11 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) holding a glove horizontally while donning the glove into the glove opening device (3). Figures 12 and 13 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) for placing gloves on the glove opening device (3).

[0018] Figure 14 shows the glove (100) inserted into the gripping pin and inflated, ready to receive a user's hand. Figure 15 shows the glove lifting and positioning device (4) when the movable rod (411) is in the "up" position, and Figure 16 shows the glove lifting and positioning device (4) when the movable rod (411) is in the "down" position. Figures 17 and 18 show the glove lifting and positioning device (4) in an angled position. Figure 19 shows two positions of the adjustment element (48) relative to the movable rod (411). Figures 20 and 21 show the insertion pin (42) inserted into the glove holder (6). Figures 22 and 23 show the insertion pin (42) before and after insertion into the glove holder (6). Figures 24A to 24E show several positions of the movable rod (411) and glove holder (6). Figure 25 shows the glove holder (6). Figure 26 shows the glove holder (6) with a glove (100) fitted.

[0019] Figures 27 and 28 show the glove-opening device (3) in a closed position, i.e., with the gripping pin (36) centered at the center of the polygonal peripheral frame (31). Figure 29 shows the glove-opening device (3) in a partially open position, i.e., with the extension rod (32) slightly rotated so that its inner end (35) approaches the side of the polygonal peripheral frame (31). Figure 30 shows the glove-opening device (3) in an open position, i.e., with the extension rod (32) parallel and adjacent to the side of the polygonal peripheral frame (31) and the gripping pin (36) positioned at the angle between the sides of the polygonal peripheral frame. Figures 31-33 show several positions of the adjustment portion (8).

[0020] The replaceable cartridge 7 and glove holder 6 have been described above and in the drawings and will now be described in more detail. The glove donning device 1 preferably includes a replaceable cartridge 7 of gloves 100, and more preferably, the glove donning device includes multiple replaceable cartridges 7.

[0021] The glove donning device (1) includes a cartridge mechanism (90) that includes a cartridge housing (91), a follower (92), and a spring (93). The follower (92) has a push rod (921) with a push plate (922) at its upper end and a pull plate (923) at its lower end, as shown, for example, in FIG. 34. One end of the spring (93) (preferably a type of constant force spring) is attached to the bottom of the cartridge housing (91), and the other end of the spring is attached to the pull plate (923), and the spring is designed to apply pressure to the follower (92) to move it upward through the cartridge housing and push the holder (6) up along with the glove (100), similar to how a rifle cartridge / magazine works.

[0022] The cartridge mechanism (90) includes several cartridge housings (91) and associated components, such as followers and springs, and an actuator that rotates the cartridge mechanism to align the replaceable cartridges with the insertion pins (42). Figures 2 and 3 show a glove donning device with a cartridge mechanism (90) that contains multiple replaceable cartridges (7).

[0023] The user inserts the replaceable cartridge (7) through the top opening of the cartridge housing (91), thereby depressing the follower (92) and locking the replaceable cartridge into the housing. The spring (93) generates an upward force on the follower (92) as described above. Similar to the operation principle of a rifle cartridge, the follower (92) rises slightly each time the glove holder (6) is withdrawn from the cartridge (7). When that replaceable cartridge is depleted, the cartridge mechanism rotates slightly, aligning another cartridge with the insertion pin. Once all cartridges are depleted, the user can replace them all.

[0024] The replaceable glove cartridge (7) is designed to contain a plurality of glove holders (6) stacked one on top of the other, each with a glove (100) attached thereto. The replaceable cartridge (7) has a closed peripheral wall (71) having an upper opening (72) through which the glove holders (6) can be pulled out of the replaceable cartridge, and a lower opening (73) through which a follower (92) can pass to push the glove holders (6) upward.

[0025] The replaceable cartridge (7) has at least three inner corners (74) that act as guides when the glove holder (6) is in the cartridge. In this way, the glove holder (6) is placed in the cartridge so that the end of each retaining rod (62) is located at each inner corner (74). Therefore, if the glove holder has three legs, i.e., three retaining rods, the cartridge must have at least three inner corners.

[0026] Along two or more or all of the inner corners (74) are provided stops (75) designed to stop upward movement of the glove holder (6). The stops (75) may correspond to the ends (64) of the retaining rods (62). For example, the stops (75) may include two horizontal protrusions (751) with a gap (752) between them, and the horizontal protrusions may correspond to the ends (64) of the retaining rods (62) with two horizontal pieces (641) with a vertical piece (642) between them. 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 holders (6) are positioned within the gap (752), thereby positioning the upper glove holder (6) in the cartridge in position to mate with the insertion pin (42). The glove holder (6) is made of a flexible material, and when the insertion pin (42) passes through the fitting hole (61) of the glove holder (6) and the glove holder is locked and pulled up, the retaining rod (62) bends, allowing the glove holder to be pulled out of the cartridge. Figure 35 shows an empty cartridge (7), Figure 4 shows it with the glove holder (6), Figure 36 is a top view of the cartridge (7), and Figure 37 shows the upper frame of the cartridge with the stopper (75).

[0027] As described above and below, the glove holder (6) comprises a base (60) and at least three retaining rods (62). The base (60) includes a mating hole (61) with several horizontal slots (611) that mate with the insertion pins (42). The insertion pins (42) have a rounded mushroom-shaped tip (421) and a polygonal stem (422). The rounded mushroom-shaped tip (421) allows the insertion pins (42) to easily pass through the mating hole (61) and prevent them from being easily withdrawn. The area (612) surrounding the mating hole can be designed to slope toward the hole, allowing the insertion pins to easily pass through and preventing them from being easily withdrawn from the hole. The polygonal stem (422) is located within the mating hole (61) and is surrounded by the ends of the horizontal slots (611), preventing the glove holder (6) from rotating around the insertion pins (42). Each end (64) of the at least three retaining rods (62) has a retaining clip (63) to which the peripheral portion (104) of the opening (103) of the glove (100) is attached, and has two horizontal pieces (641) and a vertical piece (642) therebetween. When the glove holders (6) are arranged one above the other in the cartridge, the vertical piece (642) of each glove holder is located between the two horizontal pieces (641) of the glove holder above it, thereby stably and orderly arranging the glove holders in the cartridge.

[0028] The object of the present invention is to provide improvements over the glove donning device (1) of PCT / IL2020 / 051334 described in detail above, primarily by using a plurality of insertion teeth (450) instead of the insertion pin (42) and a plurality of engagement holes (610) instead of the engagement hole (61), as described above and below and shown in Figures 38 to 44.

[0029] In this improvement, a plurality of insertion teeth (450) are provided at the end of the movable rod (411), and each insertion tooth (450) has a horizontal arm (451) and a vertical arm (452) having an inclined portion (453) at the end and forming a horizontal step (454). For example, as shown in the example of Figures 49A and 49B, each of these plurality of teeth (450) is connected to the movable rod (411) by an axial connection (455) and a spring (456), and when the tooth (450) moves toward the glove holder (6), the inclined portion (453) contacts the fitting hole (610) of the glove holder (6) and rotates the tooth on the axial connection against the force of the spring, thereby allowing the tooth to penetrate into one of the fitting holes, and the spring rotates the tooth to its original position, and the horizontal step firmly holds the bottom (613) of the region (612) of the fitting hole (610). To release the glove holder from the corresponding tooth, the release rod (47) pushes the horizontal arm (451) of the tooth (450), releasing the horizontal shoulder (454) from the bottom (613) of the glove holder (6), thereby pulling the tooth out of the mating hole.

[0030] The use of multiple insertion teeth (450) and corresponding multiple mating holes (610) allows the movable rod to stably grip the glove holder without the glove holder moving in different directions; rather, the glove holder is in a fixed position relative to the movable rod, ensuring that the glove holder, along with the gloves, can be moved to the appropriate location. Figure 38 shows a glove holder (6) with multiple mating holes (610), Figure 39 shows a cartridge (7) with multiple glove holders (6) (only the top is visible), Figures 40-44 show the end of the movable rod (411) and multiple insertion teeth (450), Figures 45-48 show the end of the movable rod (411) and multiple insertion teeth (450) and the glove holder (6), and Figures 49A and 49B show the horizontal step (454) for the glove holder (6). The glove donning device is designed to have at least one replaceable cartridge with a glove holder and gloves.

Claims

1. A casing; a glove-opening device; a glove lifting and positioning device; An air pump and A glove donning device comprising: The glove lifting and positioning device a base having a linear actuator with a moveable rod; a rotary actuator configured to rotate the glove lifting and positioning device; a lifting arm having a lifting actuator designed to raise and lower the glove lifting and positioning device; The base has a release rod, and the end of the movable rod is provided with a plurality of insertion teeth; the glove-opening device comprises a polygonal perimeter frame and a plurality of extension rods, an outer end of each extension rod attached to the polygonal perimeter frame via a pivot joint, and an inner end of each extension rod comprising a gripping pin; the glove lifting and positioning device is designed to move up and down and back and forth, to insert the insertion teeth of the movable rod into corresponding fitting holes of a glove holder to which a glove is attached, and to lift the glove holder together with the glove to place the opening of the glove over the gripping pin; The glove-opening device is designed to move from a closed position to an open position, thereby stretching and opening the glove opening to take the shape of the polygonal surrounding frame, and the air pump is designed to create a negative pressure within the casing, thereby expanding the glove to a size and shape suitable for inserting a hand into the inflated glove. Glove donning device.

2. Each of the plurality of insertion teeth has a horizontal arm and a vertical arm having an inclined portion forming a horizontal step, and each of the plurality of insertion teeth is connected to the movable rod by an axial connection portion and a spring. The glove donning device of claim 1.

3. a base including a plurality of mating holes designed to correspond to a plurality of insertion teeth of a movable rod of the glove donning device; at least three retaining rods; Each end of the retaining rod has a retaining clip designed to fit around the perimeter of the opening of the glove. Glove holder.

4. further comprising at least one replaceable glove cartridge for housing the glove holder with gloves; the replaceable glove cartridge comprises a closed peripheral wall and at least two stoppers; The closed peripheral wall portion is at least three inner corners designed to act as guides for the glove holder; an upper opening through which the glove holder can be pulled out; a lower opening through which a follower passes to push the glove holder upward; the stoppers are disposed along at least two of the at least three inner corners and are designed to stop upward movement of the glove holder when the glove holder is pushed upward only by the follower; Each of the stoppers corresponds to an end of a respective holding rod of the glove holder, and each stopper has two horizontal protrusions with a gap therebetween, and the horizontal protrusions correspond to the end of the respective holding rod of the glove holder, which end has two horizontal pieces with a vertical piece therebetween. The glove donning device of claim 1.

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