Glove Holder with Flexible Finger Elements for Faster Glovebox Donning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of traditional glove holders for glovebox gloves is time-consuming, especially when the gloves are made of stiff material and have multiple finger elements, which complicates the decontamination process.

Innovation Solution

The glove holder incorporates a flexible section that allows the finger elements to be elastically bent towards each other, reducing the lateral span and making it easier to insert the glove holder into the glovebox glove, while also allowing for easier passage through bottlenecks like the wrist section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the glove holder has multiple finger elements to maintain proper positioning during decontamination, then the reliability of decontamination is improved, but the time required to put on the glove is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination reliabilityVSAvoidglove donning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The glove holder incorporates a flexible section that enables dynamic transformation of the finger element configuration. During donning, the flexible section allows finger elements to be compressed together to reduce lateral span. During decontamination, the flexible section maintains finger elements in an extended state to ensure proper positioning and prevent contact between finger sections, thus resolving the contradiction between donning speed and decontamination reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the glove holder has a larger lateral span to keep finger sections at desired distance, then the decontamination quality is improved, but the ease of insertion into the glove is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination qualityVSAvoidease of insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible section enables the glove holder to dynamically adjust its lateral span. During insertion, the flexible section allows compression of finger elements to reduce lateral span for easier passage through the glove wrist. During decontamination operations, the flexible section maintains the finger elements in an extended configuration to keep finger sections at desired distances, thus resolving the contradiction between decontamination quality and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible section changes the physical state of the glove holder structure between compressed and extended configurations. This parameter change in lateral span allows the glove holder to adapt to different operational requirements: compressed state for insertion and extended state for decontamination, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and decontamination quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the glove holder has stiff finger elements to maintain position, then the stability of finger positioning is improved, but the ease of insertion into the glove is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger positioning stabilityVSAvoidease of insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible section introduces dynamic flexibility to the otherwise stiff finger element structure. During insertion, the flexible section allows the stiff finger elements to be temporarily deformed and compressed together. Once inserted, the flexible section maintains the finger elements in a stable extended position, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning stability and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible section acts as a flexible element within the rigid finger element structure, allowing temporary deformation during insertion while maintaining structural integrity and positioning stability during use. This flexible component enables the stiff finger elements to be compressed during donning and then return to their stable extended position, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design simplifies the use of glove holders by reducing the time required to put on the gloves and ensuring proper positioning of the finger sections during decontamination, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reproducibility of the preparation process.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible section that allows to elastically bend the first finger element towards a second finger element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A flexible section, for the purpose of this invention, may be characterised for instance by the ability to develop restoration forces upon deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRestoration force: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS20250185825A1Glove holder and corresponding method

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 SKAN

AI summary

In a glove holder (1) for a glove box glove, flexible sections (14) are formed on the glove holder (1) that allow elastic compression of a lateral span (17) of the glove holder (1). Here, the flexible section (14) allows elastic bending of a first one of the finger elements (11) towards a second one of the finger elements (16) of the at least two finger elements (11) such that a lateral span (17) of the glove holder (1) at a position of the finger elements (11) is reducible.