GB2275326A

GB2275326A - Glove-drying stand

Info

Publication number: GB2275326A
Application number: GB9402537A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Leckenby; Kenneth John Howkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-10
Filing date: 1994-02-10
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: GB9402537D0; GB9302600D0

Abstract

A stand for drying rubber gloves consists of a tray 10, a first holder 20, and a second holder (not shown) identical to the first. A glove is placed upside down on each of the holders, allowing the gloves to drain and holding the gloves open so that air can circulate and their insides can dry relatively quickly. Holder 20 consists of 2 plates 21 and 22, plate 21 having a slot along its centre line from the top down to point 23, and plate 22 having a slot along its centre line from the bottom up to point 23 so that they interlock. The tray consists of a base 11 with an upstanding rim 12 round its edge, 2 pairs of lobes 13 as shown defining two square areas one at each end of the tray, and a set of 4 pins 14 in the centre of each such square area. The corners of the bases of the 2 plates 21 and 22 engage with the 2 corners at one end of the stand 10 and with the 2 lobes which complete the square at that end. The other holder (not shown) is similarly held at the other end of the tray. The tray and the holder plates may conveniently be made by injection moulding from plastics material, using only 2-piece moulds. <IMAGE>

Description

Domestic Appliaicice The present invention relates to the drying of rubber gloves.

Lightweight rubber gloves are widely used for domestic purposes, such as washing up and household cleaning. Their purpose is to protect the hands of the user from water and other substances such as chemical cleansers and detergents.

In practice, however, they quite often get wet inside. If this happens, it is obviously highly desirable to rinse them out and dry their insides when they are taken off. It is fairly easy to rinse them out, but it is then surprisingly difficult to dry them. Leaving them flat results in them collapsing, so that they dry inside only very slowly. They can be turned inside out, but that is fiddly and inconvenient, and they will need to be turned right side out again when they are next needed.

The main object of the present invention is to make it easier to dry the inside of rubber gloves.

According to its main aspect, the invention provides means for drying rubber gloves, comprising a base having two upstanding holders over which a pair of gloves may be placed. Preferably the base is in the form of a tray, and each holder is in the form of a pair of generally triangular members interlocking at right angles.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a stand embodying the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the drawing, which is a perspective view of the stand.

The stand consists of a tray 10, a first holder 20, and a second holder (not shown) identical to the first. A convenient height for the holders is roughly 330 mm, and a convenient size for the tray is roughly 175 x 80 mm. To use the stand, a glove is placed upside down on each of the holders. This allows the inside of the gloves to drain, and also holds the gloves open so that air can circulate and their insides can dry relatively quickly.

ln more detail, the tray consists of a base 11 with an upstanding rim 12 round its edge, 2 pairs of lobes 13 as shown defining two square areas one at each end of the tray, and a set of 4 pins 14 in the centre of each such square area.

Holder 20 consists of 2 plates 21 and 22 of broadly similar shape, which is roughly triangular but with the slope of the sloping edges increasing at about two-thirds of its height and its apex rounded off. These 2 plates differ in detail, however, in that plate 21 has a slot along its centre line from the top down to point 23, while plate 22 has a slot along its centre line from the bottom up to point 23.

These 2 plates interlock along their common centre line as shown. Further, plate 22 has a pair of small fins 24 on each side, near the top of its centre line; these engage with the top parts of plate 21 to hold those top parts against sideways deflection.

The corners of the bases of the 2 plates 21 and 22 engage with the 2 corners at one end of the stand 10 and with the 2 lobes which complete the square at that end. The bottom parts of the sides of the 2 plates may be made vertical and bevelled for more effective engagement. The centres of the bases of the 2 plates 21 and 22 engage with the 4 pins 14 at the centre of the square. The holder 20 is thus held firmly in position in the tray 10.

In use, the two gloves of a pair of rubber gloves are placed one on each holder, with the fingers pointing upward. Each holder holds its glove in position, with the interior of the glove held open so that it can drain readily without any parts of the inner surfaces sticking together.

The tray and the holder plates may conveniently be made by injection moulding from plastics material. It will be realized that only 2-piece moulds may be needed, and that the moulds can be substantially flat for the holder plates and of relatively modest thickness (roughly 20 mm) for the tray.

The specific design described can obviously be varied in many respects.

In particular, one plate of each holder can be made wider at the top, to assist in keeping á glove on it open. Further, one plate can be provided with four fingers, to assist in keeping the fingers of a glove on it upright and open; the other plate can be provided with a single offset finger, to assist in keeping the thumb of the glove open. Alternatively, the 2 holders can be of generally conical shape.

Claims

1 Means for drying rubber gloves, comprising a base having two upstanding holders over which a pair of gloves may be placed.

2 Means according to claim 1 wherein the base is in the form of a tray, and each holder is in the form of a pair of generally triangular members interlocking at right angles.

3 Means according to claim 2, wherein the two members of each holder are separably interlockable with each other and with the tray.

4 Means according to either of claims 2 and 3, wherein one of the two members of each holder has a plurality of upstanding fingers.

5 Means according to claim 4, wherein the other member of each holder has an offset upstanding thumb.

6 Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).