Customized Glove Former Creation via 3D Hand Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available disposable gloves often fail to fit users properly, leading to hand fatigue and other issues, especially for surgeons and individuals with physical conditions such as missing fingers or dwarfism, as they are limited to standard sizes that do not accommodate unique hand dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of customized glove formers using three-dimensional imaging or impression materials to produce gloves that match the precise dimensions of a user's hand, allowing for a perfect fit by generating a mold based on hand data and using it to create a custom-fit surgical glove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard-sized formers are used for manufacturing disposable gloves, then manufacturing efficiency and cost are improved, but glove fit and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating customized formers through 3D scanning or molding of individual users' hands before glove production. This pre-customization allows standard manufacturing processes to produce tailored gloves, resolving the contradiction between mass production efficiency and personalized fit by preparing unique templates in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the former from standardized fixed dimensions to customizable dimensions based on individual hand measurements. By varying the size, shape, and anatomical features of the former to match the user's hand, the system maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving perfect fit and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If customized glove formers are created for each user, then glove fit and user comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital or physical replica of the user's hand through 3D scanning or molding. This copy serves as the template for making the custom former, simplifying the manufacturing process by replacing complex measurements and manual modeling with automated replication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement and former creation processes with automated 3D scanning and digital modeling systems. This substitution of mechanical processes with automated technological systems reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining customization benefits.
3Measurement precision
If complete hand molding is performed, then measurement accuracy is improved, but user discomfort and process time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hand into multiple regions (fingers, palm, wrist) and capturing measurements of each segment separately through 3D scanning or selective molding. This allows accurate measurement of critical areas without requiring the user to remain in an uncomfortable complete mold for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by focusing measurement efforts on the most critical hand regions that affect glove fit, rather than requiring complete and exhaustive measurement of every hand surface. This achieves sufficient measurement precision for glove manufacturing while reducing process time and user discomfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making custom glove formers for making custom-fit disposable gloves using a three dimensional camera or laser for taking the dimensions of a user's hand and making a mold therefrom for use in making the custom glove former. Alternatively, the method includes using an impression material for taking an impression of a user's hand to make a mold for use in making the custom glove former. In further embodiments, the method includes using a combination of a three dimensional camera or laser and impression material to make a mold for use in making the custom glove former. The custom glove formers are then used for making the custom-fit disposable gloves.