Glove Collar Chamber With Bellows for One-Handed Donning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for putting on and taking off gloves are either bulky, unsuitable for one-handed operation, or require touching the glove's outer surface, posing challenges in reducing skin contact with chemicals and bacteria, and are not efficient for both donning and doffing.

Innovation Solution

A device with a container and compressible bellows that changes volume to facilitate easy on and off of gloves without needing both hands, using a flexible collar and non-return valve to manage air pressure, allowing for one-handed operation and minimizing skin contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the glove opening is placed firmly and tightly in the device, then sealing is sufficient to obtain required underpressure, but attachment requires initial stretching of the glove which takes time and requires two hands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidglove attachment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rim with engagement features is pre-configured to receive the glove collar without requiring stretching or complex manipulation. The glove collar can be simply placed over the rim, and the engagement features automatically secure it in position, providing both sealing and mechanical attachment in one preliminary action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The glove collar acts as a flexible element that can be easily deformed and placed over the rigid rim structure. The flexibility of the collar allows it to conform to the rim shape and engage with the engagement features without requiring forceful stretching or two-handed manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of moving object

If the device is designed to be compact and movable, then portability is improved, but creating underpressure makes the apparatus bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellow is integrated directly into the chamber structure, merging the volume-changing mechanism with the containment structure. This eliminates the need for separate external pumping equipment or complex mechanical systems, keeping the device compact and simple while still achieving the required underpressure function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables fast, easy, and safe donning and doffing of gloves, reducing the risk of skin irritation and bacterial spread, while allowing for reuse and reducing wear on hands, with a simple and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

a compressible bellow arranged to change the volume of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a non-return valve placed in the container such as to allow air to be pressed out when the container volume is decreased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a vent configured to be opened by the hand from within the compartment for preventing or reducing the establishment of an underpressure when the container volume is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2903484B1A device for taking a glove on and off, and a glove
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 GLOVAC APS
  • EP2903484B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2903484B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3D
  • EP2903484B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for aiding in the taking on and off a glove of an elastic material from a hand of a user, wherein the opening of the glove is reinforced by a flexible collar, the device comprising. The device according to the invention comprises a container with an opening for receiving the glove and the hand, and with a circumferential rim for supporting the collar of the glove such that the container and the glove inserted into the container form a closed compartment. The container comprises means such as a bellow to change the volume of the container and thereby of the pressure within the container. Further, a vent is placed in the container such as to be opened by the hand from within the compartment for removing any underpressure when the container volume is increased, such that the hand inserted in a glove can be easily withdrawn from the compartment. The invention further relates to method of manufacturing a glove for use in such device, the method involving placing a flexible collar around the wrist of a hand model prior to dip moulding the glove. When pulling off the glove from the hand mode, turning the glove except the opening with the collar inside out, the collar forms an outwardly folded down border on the finished glove.