Eversible Sealable Glove with Pre-Attached Zip Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for handling and disposing of bacteria-ridden waste, such as gloves and bags, often fail to provide adequate protection and sealing, leading to exposure risks and contamination due to the difficulty in manufacturing and using resealable glove bags with zipping closures.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose sanitary disposal glove with a 'front panel' or 'in-field' zip extrusion system, where the zipping closure is pre-attached to one side of the film, allowing for easier eversion and sealing without compromising the integrity of the bag, and is designed to be flat and sealed for efficient packaging and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a zipping closure system is used in a glove bag, then sealing capability is improved, but the glove becomes difficult to evert and use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoideversion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into separate components: a closure member with engagement protrusions and a corresponding engagement surface on the glove bag. This allows the closure function to be separated from the glove body, enabling independent optimization of sealing mechanism and eversion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure member is pre-attached to the glove bag in a sealed position during manufacturing. The glove is provided in a ready-to-use state with the closure already in place, eliminating the need for users to perform complex eversion maneuvers to activate the sealing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the glove is everted before use, then the closure can function, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the glove to be everted to activate the closure (as in prior art), the invention inverts the approach by providing the closure in a pre-attached sealed position that activates automatically when the glove is donned in the traditional manner. The closure member is positioned on the exterior of the glove, reversing the conventional arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a light weight plastic glove is used, then dexterity is improved, but the glove lacks containment capability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedexterityVSAvoidcontainment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated product: the light-weight plastic glove provides dexterity and tactile sensitivity, while the attached closure member provides sealing and containment capability. The closure member is directly attached to the glove, creating a unified system that combines both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glove system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides tactile sensitivity and dexterity for handling, acts as a containment vessel for waste, and includes an integrated closure mechanism for sealing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate glove and bag elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9380819B2Eversible sealable glove

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 BALDWIN BARLOW & BARING INC

AI summary

An eversible sealable glove has front and rear panels, each panel having a cuff portion, a sleeve portion, a hand portion, and a perimeter. The perimeter of the front panel is completely sealed to the perimeter of the rear panel. An opening is formed through the front panel between the cuff portion of the front panel and the sleeve portion of the front panel, and may be sealed by a zipping closure comprising a mating pair of female and male extrusions, wherein one of the extrusions is bonded to the cuff portion of the front panel and the other one of the extrusions is bonded to the sleeve portion of the front panel. The zipping closure is configured to allow the mating pair to seal the opening whether the glove is everted or noneverted. A method for manufacturing the glove is also disclosed.