Touchless glove wearing system

Abstract

The glove donning system includes a glove donning module providing a housing defining a mounting cavity and an access opening providing access into the mounting cavity, a pressure system for generating negative and positive pressures in the mounting cavity, and a glove cartridge assembly mounted to the housing and including a cartridge belt having a plurality of glove cartridges spaced along the cartridge belt, each glove cartridge having a glove releasably secured thereto. The glove cartridge assembly is operable to advance the cartridge belt to sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening. Negative pressure generated by the pressure system causes a glove aligned with the access opening to expand into the mounting cavity, and positive pressure generated by the pressure system causes the glove to fit onto a hand extended into the glove through the access opening.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The use of disposable gloves (e.g., latex gloves, nitrile gloves, etc.) is common in many industries and is generally recognized as one of the primary means of protection against inadvertent or accidental cross - contamination between the user (wearer) and the surrounding environment. When used appropriately, gloves can improve hygiene and minimize exposure for both the user and others, especially those receiving services from the glove - wearing person.

[0002] However, common errors that occur during glove donning (placement) can compromise the overall effectiveness of glove use, such as subjecting the outside of the glove to significant physical contact before and during donning. For example, gloves are generally packaged in a way that increases the probability that a bare hand will physically contact multiple gloves when a user removes one glove. Further, the first glove is typically donned with the ungloved hand, thereby potentially contaminating the outside of the first glove. In fact, simply putting on disposable gloves by hand can inadvertently contaminate multiple gloves intended for sterile or hygienic use. Additionally, gloves can be contaminated by contact with inadvertently or intentionally unhygienic surfaces prior to intended use.

[0003] Furthermore, from the perspective of the ongoing COVID - 19 pandemic that is plaguing the world, the use of disposable gloves has been increasing exponentially. Thus, there is a great need for systems and methods for donning disposable gloves without increasing or spreading contamination.

[0004] The following figures are included to illustrate specific aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered exclusive embodiments. The disclosed subject matter is capable of many modifications, variations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an example glove-wearing system according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a glove-wearing system as another example, according to one or more additional embodiments. [Figure 3] This is an exposed top view of the system shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a partial plan view of an example of the cartridge belt shown in Figure 3 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a top view of an example inflatable glove according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 6A] This is an isometric side view of a glove-wearing system as another example, according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A is a schematic top view of the system. [Figure 7A] This is a schematic side view of a glove-wearing system as another example, according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 7B] This is a schematic front view of a glove-wearing system as another example described above, according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view of a glove-wearing system as another example, according to one or more additional embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] This disclosure relates to a glove-wearing system for putting on disposable gloves, and more particularly to a touchless glove-wearing system designed to minimize the possibility of contamination of the outside of the glove during glove-wearing (placement).

[0007] The automated glove-wearing systems described herein enable "touchless" self-wearing (attachment) of disposable gloves, thereby minimizing or eliminating user contact with the outer surface of the glove during the wearing process. The systems and methods discussed herein can enhance aseptic technology and increase the speed of glove-wearing while simultaneously preventing contamination associated with user error and inadvertent contaminated contact with the glove. The glove-wearing systems incorporate individually packaged and sterile gloves, which can be accessed by the user via an automated system. In some embodiments, the individually packaged gloves may be provided in a pre-packaged and sterile cartridge assembly that can be easily mounted within the dispenser system described herein. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the glove-wearing systems utilize a pressure system that provides periodic negative and positive pressure conditions to assist in glove-wearing and fitting the glove to the user's hand.

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure are advantageous in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable gloves, are rapidly contaminated and are typically discarded when contaminated intentionally or unintentionally. The automated glove-wearing systems described herein can help reduce the amount of wasted disposable gloves that may be accidentally damaged, otherwise users would have to discard contaminated gloves and wear or put on new ones. Embodiments disclosed herein may be particularly advantageous in environments where a high level of hygiene or sterilization is required or desired, including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, and bathrooms. As used herein, the terms “wear” and “wear” refer to the act of putting on or attaching a glove to a hand. The terms “wear” and “wear” may be used interchangeably with terms such as “put on” or “attach.”

[0009] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary glove-wearing system 100 according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the glove-wearing system 100 (hereinafter, "System 100") may include a glove-wearing module 102. In some embodiments, the glove-wearing module 102 may include a standalone system that can be made portable to any desired location. However, in other embodiments, the glove-wearing module 102 may be mounted on a rigid structure 104 for use. The rigid structure 104 may include, but is not limited to, a variety of stationary structures such as a wall, a countertop, a stand, a public access point (e.g., a fuel pump, a subway entrance, an elevator wall, etc.), or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the rigid structure 104 may include a movable (portable) structure such as a wheeled cart, an emergency vehicle, or any combination thereof.

[0010] In some embodiments, a power source, such as electrical grid power available through a wall outlet (e.g., 110V) or power obtained from a vehicle power port, may be included in the rigid structure 104 to operate the glove-wearing module 102. In embodiments where the glove-wearing module 102 is attached to equipment such as a fuel pump or elevator, power can be obtained from such equipment. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the glove-wearing module 102 may include a local power source 106 such as one or more batteries (e.g., 12V, 24V, etc.), a fuel cell, a solar panel power system, or any combination thereof.

[0011] The glove attachment module 102 includes a housing 108 that houses or supports various devices or mechanisms used to operate the glove attachment module 102. In some embodiments, the housing 108 provides or otherwise defines a first or "attachment" cavity 110a and a second or "pressure" cavity 110b separated from the attachment cavity 110a by a partition 112. The cavities 110a, 110b may be alternately referred to as "zones". The partition 112 separates the first cavity 110a from the second cavity 110b but also defines a pressure vent 114 that provides fluid (air) communication between the first cavity 110a and the second cavity 110b.

[0012] Furthermore, the glove mounting module 102 may include a pressure system 116 that can be operated to generate periodic negative and positive pressure conditions within the mounting cavity 110a. The negative and positive pressures are measured relative to ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure. Thus, the negative pressure generation provided by the pressure system 116 may include any pressure condition within the mounting cavity 110a that is lower than atmospheric pressure, and the positive pressure generation may include any pressure condition within the mounting cavity 110a that is higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressure system 116 (shown by a dashed line) may be located within the pressure cavity 110b and may be operable to generate negative and positive pressure conditions within the mounting cavity 110a via a pressure vent 114. In such embodiments, the pressure system 116 may generate periodic negative and positive pressure conditions within the pressure cavity 110b, and such pressure changes are transmitted to the mounting cavity 110a via the pressure vent 114. More specifically, the pressure system 116 may be configured to generate a low-pressure condition within the pressure cavity 110b, drawing air from the mounting cavity 110a into the pressure cavity 110b via the pressure vent 114. The pressure system 116 may then be configured to generate a high-pressure condition within the pressure cavity 110b, forcing air into the mounting cavity 110a via the pressure vent 114. In at least one embodiment, the mounting cavity 110a may be substantially sealed to enhance the effect of periodic negative and positive pressure conditions.

[0014] Alternatively, the pressure system 116 may be in direct contact with the pressure vent 114 via a hose or the like, and therefore may not affect the pressure state in the pressure cavity 110b, but only in the mounting cavity 110a. However, in other embodiments, the pressure system 116 may be located outside the pressure cavity 110b, such as being mounted on the outside of the housing 104. In such embodiments, the pressure cavity 110b may be omitted as it is not needed, and the pressure system 116 can be in direct fluid communication with the mounting cavity 110a, for example, through the side wall of the housing 104 to generate negative and positive pressure states in the mounting cavity 110a.

[0015] The pressure system 116 may include any suitable compressor, pump, or device that can increase or decrease the pressure in the mounting cavity 110a. Suitable examples of the pressure system 116 include, but are not limited to, pressure pistons, air pistons, plungers, wipers, collapsible / deformable mechanisms (e.g., bellows, accordion bellows, expandable bladder, etc.), inverting compressors or pumps, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the pressure system 116 may include a spring-loaded bellows which may be actuated in one direction to create a positive pressure state and allowed to return to its natural state while creating a negative pressure state. In some embodiments, air may be drawn in from outside the housing 108 by the pressure system 116 to increase the pressure in the mounting cavity 110a. In such embodiments, a vent 121 may be defined in the side wall of the housing 108, and an inlet filter may be located inside the vent 121 to filter the incoming air. The inlet filter may be a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter configured to capture various contaminants before they enter the glove-wearing module 102, or more specifically, the mounting cavity 110a.

[0016] The glove mounting module 102 may further include a glove cartridge assembly 118 (generally indicated by dashed lines) mounted in the housing 108 and containing a plurality of individually packaged and releasably fixed gloves. The gloves may include, but are not limited to, latex gloves, nitrile gloves, butyl gloves, vinyl gloves, neoprene gloves, or any combination thereof, and may include disposable gloves. The gloves may be sterile or non-sterile. As will be described in more detail below, the gloves in the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be individually packaged and / or spaced apart along a cartridge belt configured to be driven (transported) between opposing supply spools and recovery spools. The glove mounting module 102 may include means for selectively advancing the individual gloves in the glove cartridge assembly 118 to align with an access opening 120 defined in the housing 108. The access opening 120 provides a place for a user to insert their hand into the mounting cavity 110a through the access opening 120 and simultaneously insert their hand into a glove aligned with the access opening 120.

[0017] In some embodiments, as illustrated, the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be located within the mounting cavity 110a. However, in other embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be mounted on the outside of the housing 108, and the cartridge belt may be supplied into the housing 108 on one side from an externally mounted supply spool and received by an externally mounted recovery spool on the opposite side of the housing 108.

[0018] In some embodiments, the glove attachment module 102 may further include a user interface 122 designed to allow a user to operate the glove attachment module 102. In some embodiments, the user interface 122 may include a touch interface such as a self-sanitizing switch or button mounted on the housing 108. In such embodiments, the user can manually switch on or press a button to activate the operation of the glove attachment module 102, thereby allowing the glove cartridge assembly 118 to advance the cartridge belt and align the glove with the access opening 120. In other embodiments, the user interface 122 may include a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a self-sanitizing touchscreen display, which allows a user to operate the glove attachment module 102. In such embodiments, the user interface 122 may be programmed to accept user input about various glove selection criteria, such as, but not limited to, glove size, glove color, glove material, glove style, right hand, left hand, or any combination thereof.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the user interface 122 may include a touchless interface. In such an embodiment, for example, the touchless user interface 122 may include one or more sensors that facilitate touchless operation of the glove mounting module 102. More specifically, various sensors incorporated into the glove mounting module 102 may sense movement or action in the vicinity of the user interface 122 (e.g., waving a hand in front of the user interface 122, approaching the glove mounting module 102, etc.). Such movement or action in the vicinity of the user interface 122 may cause the glove cartridge assembly 118 to advance the glove and align it with the access opening 120. Suitable sensors for the user interface 122 include, but are not limited to, motion sensors (e.g., infrared (IR) sensors), photoelectric sensors (e.g., photoeyes), light curtains, light sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID) readers), or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the touchless user interface 122 may include, for example, a proximity sensor employing RFID technology, which can detect user identification information (e.g., a company badge) when it approaches the glove mounting module 102. In other embodiments, the touchless user interface 122 may include a voice-activated computer system with a microphone and speaker. In such embodiments, the user can speak voice commands to the user interface 122 to cause the glove cartridge assembly 118 to advance the glove and align it with the access opening 120.

[0020] In some embodiments, one or both of the pressure system 116 and the glove cartridge assembly 118 can be powered by a local power source 106. In other embodiments, one or both of the pressure system 116 and the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be powered by utility power available through a wall outlet (e.g., 110V), or power obtained from a vehicle power port. However, in still other embodiments, a mechanical actuator 124 can form part of the user interface 122 and can be manually actuated by the user to operate the glove wearing module 102. Such embodiments can be seen to be advantageous when utility power or a local power source 106 is not available, such as in remote or portable applications where rapid access to power may be limited.

[0021] The mechanical actuator 124 can include, for example, one or more levers or pedals that the user must manually actuate (e.g., reciprocate) to operate the glove cartridge assembly 118 and / or the pressure system 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation system 124 includes a lever that can be rocked up and down by the user to operate the glove wearing module 102. In at least one embodiment, the lever can include a "wrist blade" or the like, which includes a generally flat surface that can be actively engaged with the arm, wrist, etc. to allow the user to manually operate the glove cartridge assembly 118 and / or the pressure system 116 without the need to use the hand. In other embodiments, the mechanical actuator 124 can include a foot pedal having a geared and / or pulley-type interconnect with one or both of the glove cartridge assembly 118 and the pressure system 116, and the user actuation (operation) of the foot pedal can operate the glove cartridge assembly 118 and / or the pressure system 116.

[0022] Next, an example of the operation of the glove mounting module 102 is provided. In some embodiments, the user can activate the operation of the glove mounting module 102 through interaction with the user interface 122 and / or the mechanical actuator 124, as generally described above. In such embodiments, activating the user interface 122 (e.g., touch or touchless) and / or the mechanical actuator 124 can cause the glove cartridge assembly 118 to advance the cartridge belt and align the gloves with the access opening 120. Once the gloves are aligned with the access opening 120 (or while the gloves are moved and aligned), the pressure system 116 can be activated to generate negative pressure (e.g., vacuum) in the mounting cavity 110a. The generated negative pressure may be sufficient to inflate the aligned gloves into the mounting cavity 110a, but each glove may be operably coupled to the cartridge belt so that the gloves are not released from the cartridge belt when the gloves are inflated into the mounting cavity 110a. However, in other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the user must first penetrate the seal covering the glove before the glove can be inflated into the mounting cavity 110a.

[0023] When the glove is inflated and extended into the attachment cavity 110a, the user can extend their hand into the inflated glove through the access opening 120, at which point the pressure system 116 can cycle (switch - return cycle) from generating negative pressure to generating positive pressure within the attachment cavity 110a. Cycling the pressure system 116 from negative pressure generation to positive pressure generation can be controlled manually or electronically. In embodiments where the pressure system includes a reciprocating device such as a spring - loaded bellows, an air piston, or a treadle, cycling the pressure system 116 from negative pressure generation to positive pressure generation can occur naturally during operation. In some embodiments, the duration of the negative - pressure / positive - pressure cycle can be based on a selected timing, such as every 2 seconds, every 3 seconds, every 5 seconds, etc. In other embodiments, cycling the pressure system 116 from negative pressure to positive pressure can be triggered by the operation of one or more internal sensors that detect the presence of a hand. In such embodiments, a motion sensor or a light curtain can cause the pressure system 116 to switch (cycle) from negative pressure to positive pressure within the attachment cavity 110a when the presence of a hand within the inflated glove is detected. In some embodiments, the pressure system 116 can operate continuously, cycling between a negative - pressure state and a positive - pressure state or maintaining a negative pressure within the attachment cavity 110a. However, in other embodiments, the pressure system 116 can only be operated as needed to attach the glove, and then the operation of the pressure system 116 can be stopped.

[0024] The positive pressure generated by the pressure system 116 helps to put the glove on the user's hand, thereby providing the user with tactile feedback that the glove is properly worn (attached). Without the positive pressure forces that help to put the glove on the user's hand, the user may be able to pull their hand off without removing the glove, undermining the purpose of the glove attachment module 102. Therefore, once the user feels that the glove is properly worn (attached) from the positive pressure state, they can pull their gloved hand out of the access opening 120. In some embodiments, pulling the gloved hand out of the access opening 120 can release the glove from the cartridge belt. In other embodiments, or in addition to that, the positive pressure state may generate a sufficient detachment force to release the glove from the cartridge belt.

[0025] In some embodiments, withdrawing a gloved hand from the attachment cavity 110a can trigger the operation of the glove cartridge assembly 118 to advance another glove and align it with the access opening 120. In such embodiments, the default position of the glove attachment module 102 may be such that a glove is already advanced and aligned with the access opening 120 before the user approaches the system 100. Thus, once a glove is dispensed from the glove attachment module 102 and the user withdraws their hand, the glove cartridge assembly 118 can automatically advance another glove and align it with the access opening 120, thereby preparing the glove attachment module 102 for continued use.

[0026] Figure 2 is a front view of the glove-wearing system 200 as another example, according to one or more additional embodiments. The glove-wearing system 200 (hereinafter, "System 200") may be similar in some respects to System 100 of Figure 1, and is therefore best understood by reference to it, and similar reference numerals again refer to similar components that are not described. As illustrated, System 200 includes a number of vertically stacked glove-wearing modules, indicated as glove-wearing modules 102a, 102b, and 102c. Although three glove-wearing modules 102a-102c are depicted in Figure 2, more than three or fewer than three may be used in System 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The glove-wearing modules 102a-102c may be mounted on a rigid structure 104 for use, or alternatively, may include standalone units.

[0027] In some embodiments, each glove mounting module 102a-102c may include a separate housing 108 that houses or supports various devices or mechanisms used to operate the glove mounting modules 102a-102c. However, in other embodiments, the glove mounting modules 102a-102c may share a common housing that incorporates or includes all of the glove mounting modules 102a-102c. Each glove mounting module 102a-102c may provide a mounting cavity 110a and an access opening 120, the access opening 120 providing a place for the user to insert their hand into the corresponding mounting cavity 110a and simultaneously into an inflated glove aligned with the corresponding access opening 120.

[0028] In some embodiments, the system 200 may further include a mechanical housing 202, which may form part of the housing 108 or be coupled to it. The mechanical housing 202 can house the pressure system 116 and various electrical components (e.g., a computer system) configured to operate the glove-wearing modules 102a-102c. However, in other embodiments, the pressure system 116 may instead be coupled to the outside of the housing 108. In such embodiments, the mechanical housing 202 may be replaced by additional glove-wearing modules. The pressure system 116 may be in fluid communication with the mounting cavities 110a of each glove-wearing module 102a-102c. During operation, in response to user input, the pressure system 116 may be operable to selectively generate periodic negative and positive pressure in any or all of the mounting cavities 110a.

[0029] Each glove mounting module 102a-102c may further include a separate and distinct glove cartridge assembly 118 (shown by dashed lines) mounted in the housing 108. Each glove cartridge assembly 118 may include a plurality of individually packaged gloves, which may be pre-packaged and sterilized before installation, and which are releasably fixed to a cartridge belt configured to be driven (transported) between opposing supply and return spools. Each glove cartridge assembly 118 may also be programmed or otherwise operable to selectively advance individual gloves into corresponding access openings 120 in response to user input. More specifically, the system 200 may further include one or more user interfaces 122 (three shown) designed to allow a user to operate the glove mounting modules 102a-102c. In the illustrated embodiment, each glove mounting module 102a-102c includes a separate user interface 122. In such an embodiment, each user interface 122 may be configured to trigger the operation of the corresponding glove mounting module 102a-102c. However, in other embodiments, the system 200 may include a single user interface 122 configured to selectively operate one of the glove-wearing modules 102a to 102c in response to user input.

[0030] In some embodiments, each glove mounting module 102a-102c may be configured to distribute different types of gloves. For example, each glove cartridge assembly 118 may contain different types of gloves, and the user can select the desired type of glove by activating the operation of a particular glove mounting module 102a-102c via the corresponding user interface 122. The criteria for different types of gloves that may be distributed in the system 200 include, but are not limited to, size, color, material, style, right hand, left hand, or any combination thereof.

[0031] In some embodiments, the system 200 may further include a mechanical actuator 204 that can be manually operated by the user to operate one or both of the pressure system 116 and the glove cartridge assembly 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical actuator 204 includes a spring-loaded foot pedal bellows configured to assist in or replace the operation of the pressure system 116. More specifically, the bellows is pressed down by the user (e.g., with their foot) and then expanded to create periodic positive and negative pressures within the mounting cavity 110a. Such embodiments are found to be advantageous for remote or portable applications where rapid access to power for the pressure system 116 may be limited.

[0032] The operation of the glove-wearing modules 102a-102c may be substantially the same as the operation of the glove-wearing module 102 in Figure 1, except for the ability to distribute different types of gloves through multiple access openings 120. However, in some embodiments, the system 200 may further include an optional sterilization module 206 which is coupled to or forms part of the housing 108. As illustrated, the sterilization module 206 may provide or define an opening 208 into which a user can insert a gloved hand (or more hands) to disinfect and / or sterilize gloves. The sterilization module 206 may include a sterilizer 210 which is capable of operating to disinfect and / or sterilize gloves upon introduction into the opening 208. The sterilizer 210 may include, but is not limited to, an ultraviolet (UV) lamp (e.g., short-wavelength UV lamp, UV-C lamp, germicidal UV lamp, etc.), an ozone generator, a chemical disinfectant (e.g., a sprayer, aerosolizer, tank, etc.), or any combination thereof. The sterilization module 206 has been found to be advantageous for sterilizing gloves that have been used only in limited (or longer) periods, thus minimizing the need to repeatedly remove and replace gloves, and thereby helping to reduce wasteful PPE.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sterilization module 206 may be selectively activatable via one of the user interfaces 122, thus allowing the user to selectively activate the sterilizer 210 on request. However, in other embodiments, the sterilization module 206 may include a sensor 212 (e.g., a proximity sensor) configured to detect the presence of a hand near or inside the opening 208. When a hand is detected, the operation of the sterilizer 210 may be triggered. In yet another embodiment, the operation of the sterilizer 210 may be continuous, and the user only needs to insert a gloved hand into the opening 208, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 is an exposed top view of the system 100 of Figure 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the glove cartridge assembly 118 may include a supply spool 302a, a recovery spool 302b, and a radial cartridge belt 304 extending between the supply spool 302a and the recovery spool 302b. The cartridge belt 304 may be pre-loaded with a plurality of individually spaced and separated glove cartridges 306 attached to the cartridge belt 304 at predetermined positions and intervals. Each glove cartridge 306 includes a single glove and means for attaching the glove to the cartridge belt 304. In some embodiments, the gloves may be vacuum-packed and sealed within sterile packaging, or alternatively, without packaging, and instead simply attached to the cartridge belt 304. The cartridge belt 304 may have a specified number of glove cartridges 306 attached, such as 25, 50, 100, 200, any number between 25 and 200, less than 25, or greater than 200.

[0035] Before the glove cartridge assembly 118 is mounted in or on the glove mounting module 102, the cartridge belt 304 may be sterilized and pre-packaged for delivery. In some embodiments, the pre-packaged and sterilized cartridge belt 304 may be pre-wound entirely (or mostly) onto the supply spool 302a, but alternatively, it may be mounted on an existing supply spool 302a that forms part of the system 100.

[0036] In some embodiments, the installation of the glove cartridge assembly 118 may simply involve attaching the glove cartridge assembly 118 to the glove mounting module 102 such that the cartridge belt 304 extends across the access opening 102. In such embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be provided to the user with the cartridge belt 304 already extending between the supply spool 302a and the recovery spool 302b. However, in other embodiments, it is intended herein that the user may install the glove cartridge assembly 118. In such embodiments, one end of the cartridge belt 304 is pulled radially from the supply spool 302a, extended (passed through) an alignment guide 308 provided within the housing 108, and operably coupled to the recovery spool 302b, and when the rotation of the recovery spool 302b is driven, an additional length of the cartridge belt 304 is pulled from the supply spool 302a through the alignment guide 308 in correspondence. As shown in the figure, the alignment guide 308 is aligned with the access opening 120, and by advancing (pulling) the cartridge belt 304 through the alignment guide 308, the individual glove cartridges 306 are sequentially aligned with the access opening 120 for operation.

[0037] In some embodiments, the recovery spool 302b may be rotationally driven by a motor 310 configured to rotate the recovery spool 302b around a rotation axis 312. In such embodiments, the motor 310 may operate to advance the cartridge belt 304 through the alignment guide 308 in predetermined increments to precisely and accurately align the individual glove cartridges 306 with the access opening 120. However, in other embodiments, the glove mounting module 102 may further include one or more pinion gears 314, which are engageable with the cartridge belt 304 and are rotatable to advance the cartridge belt 304 through the alignment guide 308 in predetermined increments to align the individual glove cartridges 306 with the access opening 120. In such embodiments, the gear teeth of the pinion gear 314 can engage with corresponding holes defined in the cartridge belt 304, and the rotation of the pinion gear 314 drives the gear teeth against the corresponding holes, thereby advancing the cartridge belt 314. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the recovery spool 302b may not be necessary; instead, the portion of the cartridge belt 304 used may self-wrap around the opposite side of the housing 108 beyond the pinion gear 314.

[0038] However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various other methods may be employed to advance the cartridge belt 304 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, as shown above, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical actuator 124 (Figure 1) may be manually operated by a user to operate a glove mounting module 102; for example, a glove cartridge assembly 118.

[0039] During operation as an example, the cartridge belt 304 advances from the supply spool 302a until the individual glove cartridges 306 align with the access opening 120. In some embodiments, the supply spool 302a is spring-loaded, thereby generating constant tension on the cartridge belt 304. In at least one embodiment, for example, the supply spool 302a may include a torsion spring 316, which maintains a tensile load (tension) on the cartridge belt 304, thereby keeping the cartridge belt 304 constantly taut.

[0040] When the glove cartridge 306 is properly aligned with the access opening 120, or as the glove cartridge 306 is moving into the access opening 120, the pressure system 116 (Figures 1 and 2) may be activated to generate negative pressure in the mounting cavity 110a. The negative pressure may be sufficient to at least partially inflate the glove 318 from the aligned glove cartridge 306, causing the glove 318 to extend into the mounting cavity 110a. However, the negative pressure required to inflate the glove 318 may not be sufficient to release the glove 318 from the cartridge belt 304. In some embodiments, aligning the glove cartridge 306 with the access opening 120 forms a barrier between the access opening 120 and the mounting cavity 110a, thereby forming a pressure-sensitive seal that helps in inflating the glove 318. The glove 318 may be inflated from a packaged (storage) configuration, which may include a packaged and / or compressed glove with or without an outer seal or covering.

[0041] Once the glove 318 is inflated, the user can reach their hand into the inflated glove through the access opening 120, and the pressure system 116 can then circulate (switch) to generate positive pressure in the mounting cavity 110a. As described above, the positive pressure can press the glove 318 against the user's hand, thereby providing positive tactile feedback that informs the user that the glove 318 is properly worn (fitted) and ready to be removed. Once the user feels that the glove 318 is properly fitted, they can pull their gloved hand out through the access opening 120, thus releasing the glove 318 from the cartridge belt 304. However, as also described above, in some embodiments, the positive pressure in the mounting cavity 110a may be sufficient to release the glove 318 from the cartridge belt 304.

[0042] When a gloved hand is withdrawn from the attachment cavity 110a, the cartridge belt 304 may advance until another (subsequent) glove cartridge 306 aligns with the access opening 120. Alternatively, the cartridge belt 304 may advance when the glove attachment module 102 is activated again. In either scenario, advancing the cartridge belt 304 may be done manually or through an automated system, as is commonly described herein. The recovery spool 302b may be configured to recover and / or wind up the used cartridge belt 304 and the corresponding empty opening 320 from which individual glove cartridges 306 were previously supplied. When the glove cartridges 306 are depleted from the supply spool 302a, the glove cartridge assembly 118 may be replaced with a new glove cartridge assembly. The glove attachment module 102 may be configured with replaceable or refillable glove cartridge assemblies that allow for rapid replenishment, minimizing potential contamination of packaged gloves 318. The glove cartridge assembly 118 and any replacement glove cartridge assemblies may be pre-packaged, sterilized, and sealed before installation.

[0043] In some embodiments, the system 100 may further include a sterilizer 322 positioned within the mounting cavity 110a. The sterilizer 322 may be similar in some respects to the sterilizer 210 in Figure 2, and therefore may include any of the examples given above for the sterilizer 210. The sterilizer 322 may be operable to disinfect and / or sterilize the glove 318 upon introduction (inflation) into the mounting cavity 110a. In some embodiments, the operation of the sterilizer 322 may be activated when the inflated glove 318 is detected in the mounting cavity 110a using one or more sensors 324 similar to the sensor 212 in Figure 2.

[0044] Figure 4 is a partial plan view of an embodiment as an example of a cartridge belt 304. As shown, the cartridge belt 304 may include a generally planar piece of material to which multiple glove cartridges 306 are joined together. The cartridge belt 304 may be made of a variety of flexible materials such as mechanically durable plastics (e.g., vinyl, polyethylene, etc.), but alternatively, it may be made of paper or paper products. However, in at least one embodiment, the cartridge belt 304 may be made of the same material as the gloves 318.

[0045] Each glove cartridge 306 may include a glove 318 that is individually packaged (stored) and releasably fixed to the cartridge belt 304 in a packaged configuration. In some embodiments, each glove 318 may be vacuum-packed within a sealing interface 402, such as a protective cellophane seal. In at least one embodiment, the sealing interface 402 may provide tamper-evident packaging, but may be thin enough to be easily torn if pierced by a user's hand. However, in other embodiments, the sealing interface 402 may be omitted. In any scenario, each glove 318 may be sterilized before being attached to the cartridge belt 304, thus providing a plurality of sealed and sterilized replacement glove cartridges 306 spaced apart from each other at known distances along the cartridge belt 304.

[0046] Each glove cartridge 306 may further include a fastening system 404 configured to releasably secure a glove 318 to a cartridge belt 304 within the corresponding glove cartridge 306. In some embodiments, for example, the fastening system 404 may be configured to receive and releasably secure the wrist portion (e.g., a wrist bead) of each glove 318, which helps to restrain the glove 318 during inflation. In at least one embodiment, the fastening system 404 may include a split O-ring for releasably securing the wrist bead of the glove 318. However, in other embodiments, the fastening system 404 may be a peelable adhesive, wax, or Velcro. (Registered trademark) The fastening system 404 may include an attachment, one or more mechanical staples, or any other type of release mechanism that can hold the glove 318 in place until an appropriate amount of tension is applied to the glove 318 to release it from the fastening system 404. In yet another embodiment, the fastening system 404 may include an overlapping substrate, and the wrist bead of the glove 318 may sandwich the overlapping substrate in a sandwich-type arrangement that securely fastens the glove 318. The fastening system 404 can also facilitate a pressurized seal that can inflate the glove 318 into the mounting cavity 110a (Figures 1-3).

[0047] In embodiments where the glove mounting module 102 (Figure 3) includes a pinion gear 314 (Figure 3), the cartridge belt 304 may define a series of equidistant holes 406 along one or both of its sides. The holes 406 may be configured to engage with the gear teeth of the pinion gear 314, and as the pinion gear 314 rotates, the gear teeth sequentially engage with the holes 406, thereby driving the cartridge belt 304 forward. Thus, the holes 406 may include equidistant notches or other indexing features configured to assist in the timing and precise positioning of the glove cartridge 306 in motion.

[0048] In some embodiments, the cartridge belt 304 may provide or otherwise define spacer sections 408 that sandwich longitudinally adjacent glove cartridges 306 along the length of the cartridge belt 304. During operation as an example according to some embodiments, the cartridge belt 304 can advance until the spacer sections 408 align with the access opening 120 (Figures 1-3). The aligned spacer sections 408 may be configured to restrict access to the mounting cavity 110a (Figures 1-3) between glove fitting cycles to minimize contamination. In at least one embodiment, the spacer sections 408 may form a seal over the access opening 120, which may help prevent the entry of particulate matter and contaminants between glove fitting cycles.

[0049] Figure 5 is a top view of an example inflated glove 318 according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the glove 318 can be releasably coupled to a cartridge belt 304 using a fastening system 404, as generally described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening system 404 may be fixed to the cartridge belt 304 and may be configured to receive and secure the rolled wrist bead 502 of the glove 318.

[0050] As illustrated, the fastening system 404 may include a split O-ring configured to receive a wrist bead 502, thereby releasably securing the glove 318 to the cartridge belt 304. More specifically, the split O-ring may include a tubular structure 504 defining an interior 506. In some embodiments, for example, the split O-ring may include a tube or hose and may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to elastomers, polymers, or composite materials. The tubular structure 504 may or may not form a complete circle. A split or opening 508 is defined around the entire tubular structure 504, allowing the wrist bead 502 to be received into the interior 506 and the glove 318 to be releasably secured to the cartridge belt 304. The tubular structure 504 may be configured to release the wrist bead 502 when the glove 318 receives the user's hand, when the user pulls the glove out of the mounting cavity 110a (Figures 1-3), or when positive pressure is experienced within the mounting cavity 110a.

[0051] As understood, other types of quick-release fastening systems 404 may also be employed, including but not limited to brittle seals, brittle adhesives, releasable interlocking fits, releasable mechanical connections, or any combination thereof. As described above, the mounting force provided by the fastening system 404 may be sufficient so that the negative pressure in the mounting cavity 110a that inflates the glove 318 does not release the glove 318 from the fastening system 404.

[0052] Figure 6A is an isometric side view of a glove-wearing system 600 as another example, according to one or more embodiments. The glove-wearing system 600 (hereinafter, "system 600") may be similar in some respects to system 100 of Figure 1. As shown, system 600 includes a glove-wearing module 602, which may include a standalone, portable system that can be positioned on a rigid surface such as a countertop. The glove-wearing module 602 includes a housing 604 that provides or otherwise defines a mounting cavity 606. In some embodiments, the housing 604 may include a cylindrical tube having a circular cross-section, and the mounting cavity 606 is defined within this tube. Furthermore, all or part of the housing 604 may be made of a transparent material such as glass or clear plastic so that the user can see the mounting cavity 606 while it is in operation. The access opening 608 may be defined at one end of the housing 604 or otherwise provided, and may be a place in which a user can insert their hand into the fitting cavity 606 and simultaneously insert it into a glove (not shown) aligned with the access opening 608.

[0053] The glove mounting module 602 may further include a pressure system 610 that is operable to generate periodic negative and positive pressure conditions within the mounting cavity 606. In at least one embodiment, the pressure system 610 may include a foldable / deformable mechanism such as a bellows (e.g., accordion type, spring-loaded, etc.). During example operation, the bellows may be actuated in one direction to create a negative pressure condition within the mounting cavity 606 and actuated in the opposite direction to create a positive pressure condition within the mounting cavity 606.

[0054] Figure 6B is a schematic top view of the system 600 according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the glove mounting module 602 may further include a glove cartridge assembly 612 which can be mounted in a housing 604. In some embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 612 may include a supply spool 614a, a recovery spool 614b, and a radial cartridge belt 616 extending between the supply spool 614a and the recovery spool 614b. Similar to the cartridge belt 304 in Figure 3, the cartridge belt 616 may be pre-loaded with a plurality of individually spaced and separated glove cartridges 618 attached to the cartridge belt 616 at predetermined locations and intervals. Each glove cartridge 618 includes a single glove and means for attaching the glove to the cartridge belt 616.

[0055] In some embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 612 may be installed by attaching it to the glove mounting module 602 such that the cartridge belt 616 extends across the access opening 608. In such embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 612 may be provided to the user with the cartridge belt 616 already extending between the supply spool 614a and the recovery spool 614b. However, in other embodiments, it is intended herein that when the user installs the glove cartridge assembly 612 by pulling one end of the cartridge belt 616 from the supply spool 614a across (in front of) the access opening 608 and operably coupling that end of the cartridge belt 616 to the recovery spool 614b, and drives the rotation of the recovery spool 614b, an additional length of the cartridge belt 616 is pulled in correspondingly from the supply spool 614a.

[0056] By advancing the cartridge belt 616 from the supply spool 614a to the recovery spool 614b, the individual glove cartridges 618 can be sequentially aligned with the access opening 608. In some embodiments, the recovery spool 614b may be similar to the recovery spool 302b in Figure 3 and can therefore be rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). However, in other embodiments, one or more pinion gears (not shown) can advance the cartridge belt 616 to align the individual glove cartridges 618 with the access opening 608. In yet another embodiment, the system 600 may include a mechanical actuator 620, such as a wrist blade or ratchet lever, which can be manually operated by the user to operate the glove mounting module 602 and otherwise advance the cartridge belt 616. In some embodiments, operating the mechanical actuator 620 can also initiate the operation of the pressure system 610.

[0057] During operation as an example, the cartridge belt 616 is advanced from the supply spool 614a until the individual glove cartridges 618 are aligned with the access opening 608. When the glove cartridges 618 are properly aligned with the access opening 608, or while the glove cartridges 618 are moving toward the access opening 608, the pressure system 610 may be operated (activated) to generate negative pressure in the mounting cavity 606. Similar to the pressure system 116 in Figures 1 and 2, the pressure system 610 may be powered by an automated or, otherwise, by a mechanical actuator (e.g., a spring-loaded foot pedal bellows) that is manually operated by the user.

[0058] In at least one embodiment, the pressure system 610 may communicate with the mounting cavity 606 via a pressure vent 622. The negative pressure generated by the pressure system 610 may be sufficient to inflate the glove 624 from the aligned glove cartridge 618 so that the glove 624 extends into the mounting cavity 606. Once the glove 624 is inflated, the user can reach their hand into the inflated glove through the access opening 608. In embodiments where the housing 604 is made of a transparent material, the user can see this process and see where their hand is being inserted. The pressure system 610 can then circulate (switch) to generate positive pressure within the mounting cavity 606, which can press the glove 624 against the user's hand, thereby providing positive tactile feedback. The positive pressure may also be sufficient to release the glove 624 from the cartridge belt 616. The user can then pull their gloved hand out.

[0059] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic side and front views, respectively, of the glove-wearing system 700 as yet another example according to one or more embodiments. Like other glove-wearing systems described herein, the glove-wearing system 700 (hereinafter, "System 700") may be configured to sequentially and systematically distribute and put on (wear) disposable gloves. However, unlike the systems disclosed herein, System 700 does not require the use of a pressure system or periodic positive and negative pressure conditions.

[0060] In some embodiments, as illustrated, the system 700 may be mounted on a rigid structure 702 such as a fuel pump, a subway entrance, a toilet wall, or any other location where rapid and discontinuous disposable glove distribution may be desired. In some embodiments, the system 700 may include a mounting bracket 704 that can secure the system 700 to the rigid structure 702 in a desired orientation. The mounting bracket 704 may be secured to the rigid structure 702, for example, using one or more mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

[0061] As illustrated, the system 700 may include a glove cartridge assembly 706 that can be mounted on a mounting bracket 704. In some embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 706 may form an integral part of the system 700. However, in other embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 706 may instead include a pre-packaged and sterilized container containing a supply of disposable gloves that can be mounted on the system 700 (e.g., the mounting bracket 704). In such embodiments, when the supply of gloves from the glove cartridge assembly 706 is depleted, the glove cartridge assembly 706 can be removed from the system 700 and replaced with a new glove cartridge assembly.

[0062] In some embodiments, the glove cartridge assembly 706 may include a supply spool 708 and a radial cartridge belt 710 wound around the supply spool 708 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 7B). The cartridge belt 710 may be pre-loaded with a plurality of individually spaced and separated glove cartridges 712 (Figure 7A) attached to the cartridge belt 710 at predetermined locations and intervals. Each glove cartridge 712 includes a single glove 714 (Figure 7B) and means for attaching the glove 714 to the cartridge belt 710; for example, a fastening system 404 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In at least one embodiment, for example, each glove 714 may be attached to the cartridge belt 710 using an embodiment of a split O-ring as described with reference to Figure 5.

[0063] To install the glove cartridge assembly 612, one end of the cartridge belt 710 may be pulled radially from the supply spool 708 across (in front of) the access opening 716 provided by the mounting bracket 704. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge belt 710 may be extended (passed through) an alignment guide 718 attached to the mounting bracket 704 to align a series of glove cartridges 712 with the access opening 716. As shown, the alignment guide 718 is aligned with the access opening 716, and by advancing (pulling) the cartridge belt 710 through the alignment guide 718, the individual glove cartridges 712 can be sequentially aligned with the access opening 716 for operation.

[0064] In some embodiments, the system 700 may include a recovery spool (not shown) on which the used cartridge belt 710 can be wound after distributing its gloves 714. However, in other embodiments, the recovery spool may be omitted, and the used cartridge belt 710 may instead be recovered (e.g., self-wound) at the bottom of the system 700. In such embodiments, portions of the used cartridge belt 710 may be cut or removed from time to time. The cartridge belt 710 may include, for example, pre-punched tear lines defined in the cartridge belt 710 at predetermined locations, and the cartridge belt 710 may be cut at the tear lines.

[0065] In some embodiments, the system 700 may be motorized and / or otherwise powered to advance the cartridge belt 710 through the alignment guide 718 in predetermined increments to precisely and accurately align individual glove cartridges 712 with the access opening 716. In such embodiments, the power required to operate the system 700 can be obtained from a rigid structure 702. However, in other embodiments, the system 700 may be operated manually by a user. In such embodiments, the system 700 may include a mechanical actuator 720, which can be manually operated by a user to advance the cartridge belt 710 until a glove cartridge 712 aligns with the access opening 716. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical actuator 720 includes a wrist blade or ratchet lever that the user can engage with their hand, wrist, or forearm to manually advance the cartridge belt 710. In such embodiments, the gearing and / or mechanism of the mechanical actuator 720 may be designed so that a new glove cartridge 712 advances and aligns with the access opening 716 with each operating cycle of the mechanical actuator 720.

[0066] During operation as an example, the cartridge belt 710 is advanced from the supply spool 708 until the individual glove cartridges 712 are aligned with the access opening 716 in the alignment guide 718. Once the glove cartridges 712 are properly aligned with the access opening 716, the user can extend their hand 722 (Figure 7A) into the glove cartridge 712 through the access opening 716, and simultaneously extend their hand into the glove 714 packaged within the glove cartridge 712. The act of extending the hand 722 into the glove cartridge 712 causes the glove 714 to expand from its stored configuration and be received over the hand 722. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the glove 714 can be released from the cartridge belt 710 by extending the hand 722 into the glove 714. More specifically, extending the hand 722 into the glove 714 provides excess pressure, which releases the glove 714 from the means of attaching it to the cartridge belt 710; for example, from the fastening system 404 in Figures 4 and 5. Next, the gloved hand 722 can be withdrawn from the access opening 716.

[0067] In some embodiments, the system 700 may further include a user interface 724 (Figure 7B) designed to allow a user to operate the system 700. In embodiments where the system 700 is attached to a fuel pump, the user interface 724 may be the same interface used to operate the fuel pump. In such embodiments, the user interface 724 may communicate with the system 700 and may include either a touch or touchless configuration as described for the user interface 122 in Figures 1 and 2.

[0068] In some embodiments, the system 700 may be capable of distributing gloves upon payment. In such embodiments, the user interface 724 may be used to process the user's payment and trigger the operation of the system 700 when the appropriate fee is paid. However, in other embodiments, the user interface 724 may form an integral part of the system 700 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the glove-wearing system 800 as yet another example, according to one or more additional embodiments. The glove-wearing system 800 (hereinafter, "System 800") may be configured to provide a user with a means of wearing (attaching) a single glove without contaminating it. As shown, System 800 includes an applicator 802 defining an opening 804, and a glove 806 is releasably mounted to the applicator 802 in the opening 804 using a fastening system 808. The applicator 802 may include a generally flat structure made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as, but not limited to, cardboard, cardstock, plastic, composite material, metal, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the applicator 802 may be disposable after use, but may alternatively be reusable or recyclable.

[0070] While the applicator 802 is depicted in Figure 8 to represent a specific shape or design, the shape of the applicator 802 may vary, as long as it is large enough to accommodate the glove 806 and the fastening system 808, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, for example, the applicator 802 may represent a substantially rectangular or square shape, or any other polygonal shape. In other embodiments, the applicator 802 may represent a generally circular, elliptical, or egg-shaped shape.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, the system 800 may be provided to the user with a glove 806 in a packaged (storage) configuration. In the storage configuration, the glove 806 may be compressed or flattened to about the thickness of the applicator 802 and may or may not include an outer seal or covering.

[0072] The fastening system 808 may be similar to any of the fastening systems described herein and may be configured to releasably secure the glove 806 to the applicator 802. In at least one embodiment, for example, the fastening system 808 may include a split O-ring fastening system of a type similar to the embodiment described with reference to Figure 5. However, in other embodiments, the fastening system 808 may include a peelable or brittle adhesive or seal without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The fastening system 808 can secure the glove 806 to the applicator 802 until the user inserts their hand into the glove 806 with enough force to release the glove 806 from the applicator 802.

[0073] In some embodiments, the applicator 802 may have or define a tab 810 that provides a place for the user to grasp the applicator 802 in preparation for putting on (attaching) the glove 806. However, in other embodiments, the tab 810 may be omitted, and the user may simply grasp a portion of the applicator 802 to put on the glove 806.

[0074] In the example operation, the user grasps the applicator 802 with one hand 812 at the tab 810 (or another part of the applicator 802) and simultaneously inserts the other hand (not shown) into the glove 806 at the opening 804. The user advances this other hand into the glove 806 through the opening 804 until sufficient tension is applied to the glove 806 and it is released from the fastening system 808. Once the glove 806 is released from the applicator 802, the user can remove the gloved hand and dispose of the applicator 802 as needed (e.g., throw it away or recycle it). In some applications, the user can repeat the wearing process for the first hand 812 using a new system 800 and a new glove 806, thereby fitting the new glove 806 to the first hand 812.

[0075] In some embodiments, the glove 806 may remain attached to the applicator 802 for use. More specifically, in some cases, it may be desirable for the applicator 802 to remain on or near the user's wrist to act as a type of guard or shield. For example, the applicator 802 can protect the user from fuel splashes or droplets while using the refueling pump. In such embodiments, the user can insert their hand into the glove 806 through the opening 804, but not far enough to release the glove 806 from the applicator 802. When it is desired to remove the glove 806, the user can grasp the applicator 802 again (e.g., on the tab 810 or another part of the applicator 802) and pull their hand out of the glove 806.

[0076] It is intended herein that the system 800 may be available to the user in a package or device that houses multiple systems 800. In such embodiments, the tab 810 of each system 800 may be made easily accessible to the user in order to take a given system 800 from multiple systems. In at least one embodiment, for example, multiple systems 800 may be arranged in a stacked relationship and distributed from a manual or automatic dispenser (not shown) that sequentially distributes a new system 800 when the previous system 800 is removed. In other embodiments, the systems 800 may be stacked in a static dispenser (not shown), such as a box, and the user may access the systems 800 in the static dispenser as needed.

[0077] It is also intended herein that system 800 may form an integral article or integral part of any of systems 100, 200, 300, 600, or 700 described herein. More specifically, in some embodiments, multiple systems 800 may be coupled to a cartridge belt and spaced apart from each other to form a corresponding glove cartridge, or alternatively, multiple systems 800 may be mounted side by side to form the cartridge belt itself. The cartridge belt can then be advanced sequentially to align a given glove 806 with the mounting cavity, and the operation of the pressure system may be triggered to inflate the glove 806 into the mounting cavity.

[0078] Embodiments disclosed herein include:

[0079] A. A glove fitting system comprising: a glove fitting module providing a housing defining a mounting cavity and an access opening providing access to the mounting cavity; a pressure system operable to generate negative and positive pressure within the mounting cavity; and a glove cartridge assembly mounted in the housing and including a cartridge belt, the cartridge belt having a plurality of spaced-apart glove cartridges along the cartridge belt, each glove cartridge having a glove releasably fixed to the cartridge belt, the glove cartridge assembly operable to advance the cartridge belt and sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening, the negative pressure generated by the pressure system causing the gloves of the aligned glove cartridges to inflate into the mounting cavity, and the positive pressure generated by the pressure system causing the gloves to fit onto a hand extended into the glove through the access opening.

[0080] B. A method for putting on a glove, comprising activating a glove-wearing system, the glove-wearing system comprising: a glove-wearing module providing a housing defining a mounting cavity; and a glove cartridge assembly mounted in the housing and including a cartridge belt, the cartridge belt having a plurality of spaced-apart glove cartridges along the cartridge belt, each glove cartridge having a glove releasably fixed to the cartridge belt. The method further comprises advancing the cartridge belt to align the glove cartridge with an access opening defined in the housing and providing access to a mounting cavity; generating negative pressure in the mounting cavity by a pressure system, thereby inflating the glove into the mounting cavity; extending a hand into the inflated glove in the mounting cavity; generating positive pressure in the mounting cavity by a pressure system, thereby putting the glove on the hand; and releasing the glove from the cartridge belt.

[0081] C. A glove wearing system comprising: a mounting bracket providing an access opening; and a glove cartridge assembly mountable to the mounting bracket and including a cartridge belt, the cartridge belt having a plurality of spaced-apart glove cartridges along the cartridge belt, each glove cartridge having a glove releasably fixed to the cartridge belt by a fastening system, wherein the glove cartridge assembly is operable to advance the cartridge belt and sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening, and when a hand is extended through the access opening, a glove from the aligned glove cartridge is attached to the hand and at the same time the glove is released from the cartridge belt.

[0082] Embodiments A, B, and C may each have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination: Element 1: The pressure system includes a device selected from the group consisting of a pressure piston, an air piston, a plunger, a wiper, a foldable / deformable mechanism, a reversing compressor or pump, and any combination thereof. Element 2: Further includes a user interface that can be activated by the user to operate the glove-wearing module. Element 3: The housing includes a cylindrical tube having a circular cross-section. Element 4: Further includes a mechanical actuator that can be manually operated by the user to operate at least one of the pressure system and the glove cartridge assembly. Element 5: Glove mounting module includes a first glove mounting module, glove cartridge assembly includes the first glove cartridge assembly, glove mounting system is a second glove mounting module, the second glove mounting module is coupled to the first glove mounting module and provides a housing that defines a mounting cavity and an access opening that provides access to the mounting cavity of the second glove mounting module, and pressure system is operable to generate negative and positive pressure in the mounting cavity of the second glove mounting module, and the second glove cartridge assembly is mounted on the housing of the second glove mounting module and includes a cartridge belt, the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge of the second glove cartridge assembly has a glove that is individually packaged and releasably fixed to the cartridge belt of the second glove cartridge assembly, the glove included in the first glove cartridge assembly is of a first type, and the glove included in the second glove cartridge assembly is of a second type different from the first type. Element 6: Further includes a user interface that can be activated by the user to select the operation of the first or second glove attachment module. Element 7: The glove cartridge assembly includes a supply spool and a recovery spool, and the cartridge belt is extendable between the supply spool and the recovery spool.Element 8: The glove cartridge assembly is vacuum-packed and sealed in sterile packaging before being installed in the housing. Element 9: Further includes a sterilizer positioned within the mounting cavity. Element 10: Each glove has a split O-ring, peelable adhesive, wax, and Velcro. (Registered trademark) It is releasably secured to the cartridge belt with a fastening system selected from the group consisting of attachments, one or more mechanical staples, overlapping substrates, and any combination thereof.

[0083] Element 11: Activating the glove-wearing system includes operating a user interface included in the glove-wearing module. Element 12: Activating the glove-wearing system includes manually operating a mechanical actuator included in the glove-wearing system. Element 13: Further includes sterilizing the outside of the glove with a sterilizer positioned within the mounting cavity. Element 14: The glove-wearing system further includes a sterilization module coupled to the glove-wearing module, and the method further includes extending a gloved hand into the sterilization module and sterilizing the glove with a sterilizer positioned within the sterilization module. Element 15: Releasing the glove from the cartridge belt includes releasing the glove by positive pressure.

[0084] Element 16: The fastening system includes a split O-ring, which comprises a tubular structure defining its interior and an opening defined in the tubular structure to allow the wrist bead of each glove to be received inside in order to releasably fasten the gloves to the cartridge belt. Element 17: Further includes a manually actuated mechanical actuator to operate the glove cartridge assembly and advance the cartridge belt. Element 18: Further includes an alignment guide through which the cartridge belt extends to align the cartridge belt with the access opening.

[0085] Accordingly, the disclosed systems and methods are adequately adapted to achieve the mentioned objectives and benefits, as well as those specific to them. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, for the teachings of this disclosure can be modified and implemented in different but equivalent ways, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art who are interested in the teachings of this specification. Furthermore, no limitation is intended to the details of the structures or designs shown herein, other than those set forth in the following claims. Accordingly, it is clear that the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed above can be modified, combined, or altered, and all such variations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The systems and methods disclosed exemplary herein can also be suitably implemented without any elements not specifically disclosed herein and / or any optional elements disclosed herein. Compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, but compositions and methods can also “essentially be” or “be” from various components and steps. All numerical values ​​and ranges disclosed above may vary to some extent. Wherever a numerical range with lower and upper limits is disclosed, all numbers falling within that range and all ranges included therein are specifically disclosed. In particular, any numerical range disclosed herein (in the form of "about a to about b," or equivalently "approximately a to b," or equivalently "approximately a-b") is understood to define all numbers and ranges included within a broader numerical range. Furthermore, terms used in the claims have plain, ordinary meanings unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. In addition, the indefinite article "a" or "an" used in the claims is defined herein as meaning one or more of the elements it leads to. If there is any inconsistency between the use of a word or term herein and in one or more patents or other documents incorporated herein by reference, the definition consistent with this specification should be adopted.

[0086] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a set of items, accompanied by the terms “and” or “or” separating any of the items, modifies the entire list, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” may include at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” refer to A only, B only, or C only; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C, respectively.

[0087] The use of terms indicating directions such as up, down, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, and right is used in relation to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures, where the upward direction is towards the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction is towards the bottom of the corresponding figure.

[0088] [Implementation Method] (1) A glove fitting system, A glove-wearing module provides a housing that defines a mounting cavity and an access opening that provides access to the mounting cavity, A pressure system capable of generating negative and positive pressure within the mounting cavity, A glove cartridge assembly, which is installed in the housing and includes a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge has a glove that is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt, Includes, The glove cartridge assembly is operable to advance the cartridge belt and sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening. A glove fitting system wherein the negative pressure generated by the pressure system causes the gloves of the aligned glove cartridges to expand into the mounting cavity, and the positive pressure generated by the pressure system causes the gloves to fit into the hand extended into the glove through the access opening. (2) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the pressure system includes a device selected from the group consisting of a pressure piston, an air piston, a plunger, a wiper, a foldable / deformable mechanism, a reversing compressor or pump, and any combination thereof. (3) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a user interface that can be activated by a user to operate the glove-wearing module. (4) The glove wearing system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical tube having a circular cross-section. (5) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a mechanical actuator that can be manually operated by a user to operate at least one of the pressure system and the glove cartridge assembly.

[0089] (6) The glove attachment module includes a first glove attachment module, the glove cartridge assembly includes a first glove cartridge assembly, and the glove attachment system is A second glove attachment module, the second glove attachment module being coupled to the first glove attachment module and providing a housing that defines a mounting cavity and an access opening that provides access to the mounting cavity of the second glove attachment module, wherein the pressure system is operable to generate negative and positive pressure within the mounting cavity of the second glove attachment module, A second glove cartridge assembly, which is installed in the housing of the second glove mounting module and includes a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge of the second glove cartridge assembly has a glove that is individually packaged and releasably fixed to the cartridge belt of the second glove cartridge assembly, It further includes, The glove wearing system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the gloves included in the first glove cartridge assembly are of a first type, and the gloves included in the second glove cartridge assembly are of a second type different from the first type. (7) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 6, further comprising a user interface that can be activated by a user to select the operation of the first glove-wearing module or the second glove-wearing module. (8) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the glove cartridge assembly includes a supply spool and a recovery spool, and the cartridge belt is extendable between the supply spool and the recovery spool. (9) The glove fitting system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the glove cartridge assembly is vacuum-packed and sealed in sterile packaging before being installed in the housing. (10) The glove attachment system according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a sterilizer positioned within the mounting cavity.

[0090] (11) Each glove is fitted with a split O-ring, peelable adhesive, wax, and Velcro. (Registered trademark) The glove-wearing system according to Embodiment 1, which is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt by a fastening system selected from the group consisting of an attachment, one or more mechanical staples, overlapping substrates, and any combination thereof. (12) A method of putting gloves on the hands, Activating the glove-wearing system, the glove-wearing system is A glove-wearing module that provides a housing defining the mounting cavity, A glove cartridge assembly, which is installed in the housing and includes a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge has a glove that is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt, This includes, The cartridge belt is advanced to align the glove cartridge with an access opening defined in the housing that provides access to the mounting cavity, A pressure system generates negative pressure within the mounting cavity, thereby causing the glove to expand into the mounting cavity. Reaching one's hand into the glove that has been inflated within the mounting cavity, The pressure system generates positive pressure within the mounting cavity, thereby enabling the glove to be placed on the hand. To release the gloves from the cartridge belt, Methods that include... (13) The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein activating the glove-wearing system includes operating a user interface included in the glove-wearing module. (14) The method according to embodiment 12, wherein activating the glove fitting system includes manually operating a mechanical actuator included in the glove fitting system. (15) The method according to embodiment 12, further comprising sterilizing the outside of the glove with a sterilizer positioned within the mounting cavity.

[0091] (16) The glove attachment system further includes a sterilization module coupled to the glove attachment module, and the method is Extending the hand wearing the aforementioned glove into the sterilization module, The gloves are sterilized using a sterilizer located within the sterilization module, The method according to embodiment 12, further including the method described in embodiment 12. (17) The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein releasing the glove from the cartridge belt includes releasing the glove by positive pressure. (18) A glove fitting system, An installation bracket that provides an access opening, A glove cartridge assembly that can be installed on the aforementioned mounting bracket, comprising a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge has a glove that is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt by a fastening system, Includes, The glove cartridge assembly is operable to advance the cartridge belt and sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening. A glove-wearing system in which, when a hand is reached through the access opening, a glove from an aligned glove cartridge is attached to the hand, and at the same time the glove is released from the cartridge belt. (19) The fastening system is A tubular structure that defines the interior, Openings defined in the tubular structure to allow the wrist bead of each glove to be received inside in order to releasably secure the gloves to the cartridge belt, A glove fitting system according to embodiment 18, including a split O-ring. (20) The glove-wearing system according to embodiment 18, further comprising a manually operable mechanical actuator for operating the glove cartridge assembly and advancing the cartridge belt.

[0092] (21) The glove-wearing system according to embodiment 18, further comprising an alignment guide through which the cartridge belt extends to align the cartridge belt with the access opening.

Claims

1. A glove fitting system, A glove-wearing module provides a housing that defines a mounting cavity and an access opening that provides access to the mounting cavity, A pressure system capable of generating periodic negative and positive pressures within the mounting cavity, wherein the negative pressure is a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and the positive pressure is a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, A glove cartridge assembly, which is installed in the housing and includes a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge has a glove that is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt, Includes, The glove cartridge includes a fastening system configured to releasably secure the glove to the cartridge belt within the glove cartridge, The fastening system includes a split O-ring configured to receive a wrist portion and to releasably secure the glove to the cartridge belt, The split O-ring includes a tubular structure defining an inner portion, the split or opening being defined around the entire tubular structure, allowing the wrist portion to be received within the inner portion, and enabling the glove to be releasably secured to the cartridge belt, The glove cartridge assembly is operable to advance the cartridge belt and sequentially align each glove cartridge with the access opening, thereby forming a pressure-sensitive seal between the access opening and the mounting cavity. A glove fitting system wherein the negative pressure generated by the pressure system causes the gloves of the aligned glove cartridges to expand into the mounting cavity, and the positive pressure generated by the pressure system causes the gloves to fit into the hands extended into the gloves through the access opening.

2. The glove-wearing system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure system includes a device selected from the group consisting of a pressure piston, an air piston, a plunger, a wiper, a foldable / deformable mechanism, a reversing compressor or pump, and any combination thereof.

3. The glove-wearing system according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface that can be activated by a user to operate the glove-wearing module.

4. The glove-wearing system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical tube having a circular cross-section.

5. The glove-wearing system according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical actuator that can be manually operated by a user to operate at least one of the pressure system and the glove cartridge assembly.

6. The glove attachment module includes a first glove attachment module, the glove cartridge assembly includes a first glove cartridge assembly, and the glove attachment system is A second glove mounting module, the second glove mounting module being coupled to the first glove mounting module and providing a second housing defining a second mounting cavity and a second access opening providing access of the second glove mounting module to the second mounting cavity, wherein the pressure system is operable to generate negative and positive pressure within the second mounting cavity of the second glove mounting module, A second glove cartridge assembly, which is mounted in the second housing of the second glove mounting module and includes a second cartridge belt, wherein the second cartridge belt has a plurality of second glove cartridges spaced apart along the second cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge of the second glove cartridge assembly has a glove that is individually packaged and releasably fixed to the second cartridge belt of the second glove cartridge assembly, It further includes, The glove wearing system according to claim 1, wherein the glove included in the first glove cartridge assembly is of a first type, and the glove included in the second glove cartridge assembly is of a second type different from the first type.

7. The glove-wearing system according to claim 6, further comprising a user interface that can be activated by a user to select the operation of the first glove-wearing module or the second glove-wearing module.

8. The glove mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the glove cartridge assembly includes a supply spool and a recovery spool, and the cartridge belt is extendable between the supply spool and the recovery spool.

9. The glove mounting system according to claim 8, wherein the glove cartridge assembly is mounted on the outside of the housing, and the cartridge belt extends across the access opening on the outside of the housing.

10. The glove mounting system according to claim 9, wherein the access opening is provided with a wall portion extending in the direction in which the cartridge belt extends, on the side facing the inside of the cartridge belt, and when negative pressure is applied, each glove cartridge comes into contact with the wall portion of the access opening, thereby forming the pressure-sensitive seal.

11. The glove fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the glove cartridge assembly is vacuum-packed and sealed in sterile packaging before being installed in the housing.

12. The glove attachment system according to claim 1, further comprising a sterilization device positioned within the mounting cavity.

13. A method of putting gloves on the hands, Activating the glove-wearing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the glove-wearing system is A glove-wearing module that provides a housing defining the mounting cavity, A glove cartridge assembly, which is installed in the housing and includes a cartridge belt, wherein the cartridge belt has a plurality of glove cartridges spaced apart along the cartridge belt, and each glove cartridge has a glove that is releasably fixed to the cartridge belt, This includes, The process involves advancing the cartridge belt to align the glove cartridges with access openings defined in the housing and providing access to the mounting cavities, such that each glove cartridge is aligned with the access opening, thereby forming a pressure-sensitive seal between the access opening and the mounting cavity. The pressure system generates a negative pressure within the mounting cavity, wherein the negative pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure, and thereby, The process involves inflating the glove into the mounting cavity with negative pressure, extending the hand into the inflated glove within the mounting cavity, and putting the glove on the hand with positive pressure, where positive pressure is a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. To release the gloves from the cartridge belt, Methods that include...

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein activating the glove-wearing system includes operating a user interface included in the glove-wearing module.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein activating the glove-wearing system includes manually operating a mechanical actuator included in the glove-wearing system.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising sterilizing the outside of the glove with a sterilizer positioned within the mounting cavity.

17. The glove attachment system further includes a sterilization module coupled to the glove attachment module, and the method is Extending the hand wearing the aforementioned glove into the sterilization module, The gloves are sterilized using a sterilizer located within the sterilization module, The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein releasing the glove from the cartridge belt includes releasing the glove by positive pressure.

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