Same-Hand Shield and Dispenser for Hygienic Donning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand shields are cumbersome to don and remove, often requiring both hands and leading to contamination, which hinders their widespread use due to inconvenience and expense.
Innovation Solution
A same-hand, hand shield and dispenser design that allows for single-hand donning and removal, featuring a flexible material with a partial palm portion and parallel sides, and a dispenser that facilitates easy dispensing without requiring an opposing hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hand shields are stored in dispensers and require separation from a plurality of shields, then the hand shields can be dispensed, but the process requires both hands and contaminates the container and untaken shields
Solution Approach 1:
The hand shield is designed with a self-releasing mechanism where the shield automatically detaches from the dispenser when the user inserts their hand. The shield's own hand insertion action triggers the release mechanism, eliminating the need for manual separation by contaminated hands. This self-service approach prevents contamination while enabling easy dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand shield is pre-positioned in the dispenser with its opening facing outward and is held in a ready-to-use position. The shield is preliminarily arranged so that when a user inserts their hand, the shield is already oriented for immediate donning without requiring manual manipulation or separation from the container.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hand shields are shaped as generic gloves, then they can cover the hand, but they remain cumbersome during use and do not fit specific tasks well
Solution Approach 1:
The hand shield incorporates specific structural features tailored to particular tasks. For example, the shield may include extended coverage areas, reinforced sections, or modified opening shapes depending on the intended use (e.g., food handling, medical procedures, cash transactions). This local customization of the shield's structure improves task adaptability while maintaining ease of use through the same-hand donning mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hand shields require both hands for removal, then the shield can be taken off, but the unshielded hand becomes contaminated by contact with the contaminated shield
Solution Approach 1:
The hand shield is designed to be removed by the same hand that donned it, through a self-releasing mechanism. When the user withdraws their hand, the shield automatically detaches and can be disposed of without requiring the other hand to contact the contaminated surface. This eliminates cross-contamination while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand shield is designed as a disposable item that is used once and then discarded. The same-hand removal and automatic release mechanism enables the shield to be easily detached and thrown away without contaminating the user's hands, making the disposable approach practical and hygienic.
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 convenient, hygienic, and efficient use of hand shields by allowing single-hand operation, reducing contamination and increasing accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The present inventions are directed to a same-hand, hand shield formed of a flexible material
Implementation Method 2
The two pieces can then be joined together to form the hand shield. In one embodiment, the two pieces are thermally joined together to form the hand shield
Data Source
AI summary
A same-hand, hand shield formed of a flexible material. The same-hand, hand shield includes an opening adapted for receiving at least a portion of the hand and substantially parallel sides adapted for same-hand removal, whereby the hand shield may be donned and removed with the same hand without requiring an opposing hand. In one embodiment, the same-hand, hand shield includes a partial palm portion adapted for same-hand donning. The partial palm portion may include a palm flap adapted to cover a palm face of a user's hand and a back flap adapted to cover a back face of a user's hand. The present inventions may also include a same-hand dispenser adapted for same-hand donning of the hand shield.