Patent Application
20130213989
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for dispensing gloves and, more particularly, to systems and methods for dispensing gloves such that gloves are individually presented to a user in a desired orientation.
Laboratory, medical, or industrial glove dispensing systems typically consist of quantities of gloves that are contained in a box with a perforated region. When the perforated region is removed, an opening is provided through which gloves are withdrawn by a user. Gloves may be positioned in a vertical or horizontal position. In conventional glove dispensers, it can be difficult for users to grasp only one glove without causing inadvertent dispensing of additional gloves, resulting in waste. Additionally, known glove dispensers often fail to present gloves in a uniform orientation for grasping by a user. Further, users are frequently required to reach deep into the dispensing opening to withdraw a glove, which can promote rips in the glove as well as contamination of the glove.
Previously known glove dispensers have attempted to address these problems through varying the orientation of the gloves within the dispenser and/or providing a biasing element and/or resilient element to restrict the withdrawal of gloves from the dispenser. However, these approaches have complicated both the methods for loading the glove dispensers and the functionality of the dispensers, thereby increasing the costs associated with the manufacture and usage of the glove dispensers.
Accordingly, there is a need in the pertinent art for a glove dispensing system that holds and sequentially dispenses individual gloves among a plurality of gloves while maintaining the remaining gloves in a desired orientation proximate a dispensing opening. There is a further need for a glove dispensing system that dispenses only one glove at a time while using a consistent orientation of the gloves within the dispenser and without relying upon a biasing element and/or resilient element to restrict withdrawal of gloves from the dispenser, thereby decreasing the costs associated with the manufacture and usage of the system.
Described herein is a system for dispensing gloves. The system includes a dispenser and a plurality of gloves. The dispenser includes a housing having a removable section defined on a portion of a selected side surface and adjoining portions of the top surface of the housing. The removable section is selectively removable to form a dispensing opening of the housing. Each glove of the plurality of gloves has a finger portion, a cuff portion defining an opening, a longitudinal axis extending between the cuff portion and the finger portion, and a transverse axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The gloves are aligned in a compressed configuration in which the gloves are folded substantially along the transverse axes of the gloves. In the compressed configuration, the gloves are received within the housing in a frictional fit such that the transverse axes of the gloves are positioned proximate the portion of the selected side surface of the housing that forms the dispensing opening. Upon removal of the removable section of the housing, the frictional engagement between the housing and the cuff portion of an outermost glove is less than the frictional engagement between the housing and the finger portion of the outermost glove. Methods for dispensing gloves are also described.
These and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent in the detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a delivery conduit” can include two or more such delivery conduits unless the context indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
In one embodiment, and with reference to
In one exemplary aspect, it is contemplated that the housing 12 can have an interior volume that is about one-quarter the size of conventional 100-count glove dispensers, which typically have volumes of about 150 cubic inches. Optionally, it is contemplated that the housing 12 can have an interior volume that is sized to accommodate less than 50 gloves (in the contemplated folded configuration described herein), less than 40 gloves (in the contemplated folded configuration described herein), less than 30 gloves (in the contemplated folded configuration described herein), less than 20 gloves (in the contemplated folded configuration described herein), or less than 100 gloves (in the contemplated folded configuration described herein).
In a further aspect, at least one of the first and second end surfaces 20a, 20b of the housing 12 can be integrally connected to the bottom surface 16 by a seam and detachably connected to the top surface 14 such that the at least one end surface is configured to pivot about the seam between a closed position in which the end surface is connected to or in contact with the top surface and an open position in which the end surface is spaced apart from the top surface, thereby defining a side opening to the housing. In this aspect, it is contemplated that both the first and second end surfaces 20a, 20b can be connected to top surface 14 in this manner.
In an exemplary aspect, the dispenser 11 can comprise one or more disposable materials, such as, for example and without limitation, cardboard. In another exemplary aspect, the dispenser 11 can be configured or appropriately sized and shaped for use with a conventional vending machine. In this aspect, it is contemplated that a plurality of dispensers can be pre-loaded with gloves as described herein and conventionally position within a vending machine such that the vending machine can conventionally dispense one or more dispensers as instructed by a user of the vending machine. It is further contemplated that the loading of the dispensers within the vending machine can permit monitoring of the usage of gloves within a particular environment (for example, monitoring of the number of dispensers that a vending machine dispenses for a particular user within a particular time period), thereby promoting efficient usage of gloves within the environment. In a further exemplary aspect, the disclosed glove dispensing system can be configured for use in sterile environments, such as, for example and without limitation, medical or laboratory environments, especially those where portability of a glove dispenser is desirable. However, it is contemplated that the disclosed glove-dispensing system can also be configured for use in non-sterile environments, such as, for example and without limitation, industrial environments, especially those where portability of a glove dispenser is desirable.
In another aspect, the dispenser 11 can comprise a removable section 24 defined thereon a portion of a selected side surface (side surface 18a, as shown) and adjoining portions of the top surface 14 of the housing 12. In this aspect, the removable section 24 can be configured for selective removal to thereby form a dispensing opening 26 of the housing 12 (see
However, it is contemplated that the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 can have any shape that permits removal of gloves as described herein. As shown in
In various exemplary aspects, the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 can have a length 27. In these aspects, it is contemplated that the ratio between the length 21 of the housing 12 and the length 27 of the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 can range from about 2:1 to about 4:1, and, more preferably, from about 2.5:1 to about 3.5:1. In an exemplary aspect, the ratio between the length 21 of the housing 12 and the length 27 of the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 can be about 3:1. Similarly, it is contemplated that the ratio between the surface area of the selected side surface 18a of the housing 12 and the surface area of the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 can range from about 2:1 to about 4:1, and, more preferably, from about 2.5:1 to about 3.5:1. In an exemplary aspect, the ratio between the surface area of the selected side surface 18a of the housing 12 and the surface area of the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 can be about 3:1. In further exemplary aspects, the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 can have a length along the longitudinal axis of the dispenser 11 that is less than or equal to the length 27 of the portion of the side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening.
In a further aspect, the top surface 14 and the portion of the top surface that forms the dispensing opening 26 can have respective surface areas. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the surface area of the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 can correspond to less than about 40% of the surface area of the top surface. More preferably, the surface area of the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 can correspond to less than about 30% of the surface area of the top surface. Most preferably, the surface area of the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 can correspond to less than about 20% of the surface area of the top surface.
In another aspect, and as shown in the figures, it is contemplated that the dispensing opening 26 can be centered substantially therein the selected side surface 18a at about the middle of the length 27. That is, the opening 26 can be positioned substantially centrally therein the selected side surface 18a. Of course, it is contemplated that the portion of the top surface 14 that forms the dispensing opening 26 is positioned in adjoining relationship with the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26.
In one aspect, and with reference to
In an additional aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise any conventional “disposable” glove, including, for example and without limitation, thin mil exam gloves or surgical-type gloves that are intended for a single use. The “disposable” gloves described herein are generally thin and configured to be easily folded. It is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise one or more polymers, including, for example and without limitation, natural latex, synthetic latex (e.g., nitrile), vinyl, and the like.
In one aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise less than 50 gloves. In another aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise less than 40 gloves. In still another aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise less than 30 gloves. In yet another aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise less than 20 gloves. In an exemplary aspect, the plurality of gloves can comprise from about 10 gloves to about 20 gloves.
In another exemplary aspect, the plurality of gloves 30 can be aligned in a compressed configuration within the housing in which the plurality of gloves are folded substantially along the transverse axes 38 of the plurality of gloves. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the transverse axes of each glove can correspond to a substantially mid-line position along a longitudinal length of each glove such that each respective glove of the plurality of gloves is folded substantially at its mid-line position. In an exemplary aspect, each glove can have a longitudinal length of about 9.5 inches, and, in the compressed configuration, the transverse axis along which each glove was folded can be spaced from the opening 35 of the glove by a distance ranging from about 4.25 inches to about 5.25 inches. In one aspect, it is contemplated that prior to folding about the mid-line position, the plurality of gloves 30 are all positioned in common orientation, i.e. all of the finger portions 32 and the respective cuff portions 34 of the gloves are positioned in stacked, adjacent relationship. In another aspect, it is contemplated that prior to folding about the mid-line position, the gloves can be stacked such that the overlying glove's finger portion overlies the cuff portion of the underlying glove.
In an additional aspect, the plurality of gloves 30, while in the compressed configuration, can be received therein the housing 12 of the dispenser 11 in a frictional fit such that the transverse axes 38 of the plurality of gloves are positioned proximate the portion of the selected side surface 18a that forms the dispensing opening 26 of the housing 12. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves can comprise a plurality of increasingly inwardly positioned gloves. In exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that, in the compressed configuration, the plurality of gloves can have a height that is less than the height 15 of the housing 12, a folded width that is less than the length 21 of the housing, and/or a folded length that is less than the width 19 of the housing. However, it is contemplated that, prior to placement of the gloves 30 in the compressed configuration within the housing 12, the plurality of gloves can be aligned in a folded configuration in which the collective height of the gloves is greater than the height 15 of the housing, the collective folded width of the gloves is greater than the length 21 of the housing, and/or the collective folded length of the gloves is greater than the width 19 of the housing. Thus, it is further contemplated that the plurality of gloves, when in the folded configuration, can be configured for compressive contact with at least portions of the surfaces that form the interior volume of the dispenser 11. It will be appreciated that, in exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the plurality of gloves, when in the folded configuration, can be configured for compressive contact with portions of the interior portions of the top and bottom surfaces 14, 16, portions of the interior portions of the first and second side surfaces 18a, 18b, portions of the interior portions of the first and second end surfaces 20a, 20b, and combinations thereof. In these aspects, it is further contemplated that the compressive contact between the plurality of gloves and the interior surfaces of the housing can effect the operative frictional engagement between the plurality of gloves and the interior surfaces of the housing.
In a further aspect, and with reference to
In another aspect, following withdrawal of the outermost glove 30a from the housing 12, the plurality of gloves can expand into an expanded configuration such that the frictional fit between the plurality of gloves within the housing is maintained. With reference to
An exemplary method of loading the dispenser can comprise aligning the plurality of gloves in a stacked configuration such that the transverse axes of plurality of gloves are substantially aligned. The method can further comprise folding the plurality of gloves along the transverse axes of the plurality of gloves. The method can still further comprise positioning the plurality of gloves in the compressed configuration within the dispenser to produce a frictional fit between the plurality of gloves and the dispenser, as described herein.
Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.
