Steam-Permeable Glove Insert for High-Capacity Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glove sterilization methods are limited by their large footprint and time-consuming process of mounting gloves on wire racks, which restricts capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A steam-permeable insertion device is used to conform to the inner shape of the glove, allowing for efficient sterilization by filling the entire interior and reaching fingertips, while being flexible and foldable to increase capacity and reduce handling time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire racks are used for sterilization, then sterilization reliability is improved, but device footprint and handling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing gloves on external wire racks, the invention inverts the approach by inserting a support structure inside the glove. This internal insertion device allows the glove to be sterilized in a compact form while maintaining complete exposure of all surfaces to steam, thereby improving capacity without compromising sterilization reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is nested inside the glove itself, with the insertion device fitting within the glove's interior contour. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate external racks, reducing the footprint and allowing more gloves to be sterilized simultaneously in the same chamber volume
2Reliability
If wire racks are used for sterilization, then sterilization reliability is improved, but handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is pre-formed and ready for insertion, eliminating the need for complex assembly during the sterilization process. The insertion device is designed to be quickly placed inside the glove, significantly reducing the time required for preparation compared to mounting gloves on wire racks
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the approach and using an internal insertion device rather than external racks, the handling process is simplified. The insertion device can be quickly placed inside the glove and automatically assumes the correct position, reducing manual handling time while ensuring complete sterilization coverage
3Reliability
If steam penetration to fingertips is ensured, then sterilization completeness is improved, but sterilization time increases due to material damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element inside the glove, creating channels and pathways that facilitate steam flow to all interior surfaces including fingertips. This mediator ensures complete steam penetration without requiring extended exposure times, as the structure actively directs steam to all critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is made of steam-permeable material that allows steam to pass through it and reach all interior surfaces of the glove. This porous or permeable structure ensures that steam can penetrate to the fingertips and all contact surfaces efficiently, achieving complete sterilization in shorter times without damaging the glove material
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
The method ensures reliable and rapid sterilization of a larger quantity of gloves by using a flexible, vapor-permeable insertion device that fits the glove's inner contour, ensuring steam penetration to all surfaces, including fingertips, thus enhancing space efficiency and reducing handling time.
Implementation Method 1
an insertion device (2), in particular a flexible one, which has a contour that is substantially congruent with an inner contour of the glove (100) and has a base body (6) made of or formed from a vapor-permeable material
Implementation Method 2
the steam can fill the entire interior of the glove and also reach the fingertips
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method of steam sterilizing gloves (100) is said to increase capacity while maintaining complete sterilization reliability. To this end, it comprises the steps a) providing a glove (100); b) inserting an insertion device (2) into the glove (100); c) depositing the glove (100) with introduced insertion device (2) in a steam sterilization chamber; d) Introducing sterilizing steam into the steam sterilization chamber, wherein the insertion device (2) has a contour that is essentially shape-congruent to an inner contour of the glove (100) and has a base body (6) that is made of steam-permeable material, and wherein the insertion device (2) is inserted into the glove (100) in such a way that it essentially occupies the entire inner contour of the glove (100).