HK1189465A - Sterile glove with touchless donning - Google Patents

Description

Sterile glove capable of being worn without contact

Technical Field

One embodiment relates generally to sterile gloves, and in particular to sterile gloves that allow for touchless donning.

Background

In various procedures, medical and laboratory professionals are increasingly using sterile elastic gloves to prevent changes in the tactile feel to foreign objects. Sterile gloves are typically packaged with their cuffs folded over to expose portions of the interior surface of the cuffs. This enables the glove to be picked up and held by touching only the area near the fold and at a distance from the cuff rim when the glove is worn, which minimizes the risk of contamination.

Various improvements and techniques of construction, packaging and dispensing have been introduced to address the problem of sterile glove donning. However, these known methods tend to unnecessarily increase the cost and complexity of using and manufacturing gloves.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment is a sterile glove that includes hand and finger portions, and a cuff having an inner surface and an outer surface and a cuff rim. The cuff is adapted to fold over at the fold when the glove is packaged, and when it is folded over, a portion of the interior surface of the cuff becomes the outward facing surface. The glove further includes a detachable tab (tab) attached to the interior surface and including a free end and a non-free end. The glove further includes a detachable shield (shield) that covers at least a portion of the outer-facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art sterile glove in a configuration when removed from a package and prior to being worn by a user.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a configuration of a sterile glove according to one embodiment, as it is removed from its packaging or other storage device and prior to being worn by a user.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detachable tab according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detachable tab according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sterile glove according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sterile glove that can be flattened, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sterile glove according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sterile glove according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sterile glove according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sterile glove according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

One embodiment is a sterile glove with a detachable grip and a detachable shield that allows the glove to be easily and reliably donned without contacting any wearable (wearable) portion of the glove.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art arrangement of a sterile glove 10 as it is removed from packaging and prior to being donned by a user. Glove 10 includes cuff 2, cuff rim 4, and finger and hand portion 1. Cuff 2 of glove 10 as shown in fig. 1 is in a folded over condition at fold 3 such that at least some of the interior surfaces are exposed as "outward facing surfaces". This enables the glove 10 to be gripped by contacting only the area of the folded cuff 2 close to the fold 3, thereby limiting the contact to the area at a distance from the cuff rim 4 and reducing the risk of contamination. The folded cuff is unfolded prior to use of the glove. The use of the glove may include any action after the glove has been worn. "donning" includes all actions that involve inserting a hand into a glove and unfolding its cuff.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a configuration of the sterile glove 20 according to one embodiment, as it is removed from its packaging or other storage device and prior to being donned by a user. Like glove 10, glove 20 also includes finger and hand portions 1, cuff 2, cuff folds 3, and cuff edges 4. In the cuff folded-over state, at least a part of the inner surface of the cuff 2 is exposed as an "outward facing surface". Cuff fold 3 forms an opening for a user's handle to extend into glove 20. The glove 20 further comprises a "detachable" pull or detachable "donning" pull 5 having a non-free end 6 and a free end 7, wherein the non-free end 6 is attached to the inner surface of the cuff 2. In one embodiment, the detachable tab 5 is attached to the outward facing surface of the cuff 2 in a state where the cuff is folded over. In one embodiment, the detachable tab 5 is substantially rigid. The user can pick up and manipulate sterile glove 20 by grasping only free end 7 of detachable tab 5 with a first hand. The second hand may then be inserted through the cuff crease opening.

In one embodiment, the non-free end 6 is connected at or near the cuff fold 3 and the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 protrudes from the fold 3. This ensures that the opening in cuff fold 3 is adequately supported and does not unfold when reaching into the second hand. The non-free end 6 in this embodiment may help form or maintain the opening. Then, after the second hand has been extended (and before the glove is used), all or at least the contacted portion of free end 7 of detachable tab 5 may be detached, thereby leaving glove 20 securely on the second hand without any remaining portion of the glove ever contacting the user's first hand. In one embodiment, the entire detachable portion of the pull handle 5 is connected to the outward facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

In one embodiment, the dimensions between cuff rim 4 and cuff fold 3, and the dimensions of the outward facing surface, are substantially the same as in a typical prior art sterile glove (e.g., glove 10 shown in fig. 1). While there is no contact between the user's first hand and any part of the glove when donning the glove 20, it is necessary that there is a substantial area of the inner surface near the edge 3 that does not contact the skin of the second hand when the second hand is inserted. Positioning at least a portion of the non-free end at or near the fold 3 provides an unexpected advantage over positioning at least a portion of the non-free end 6 at or near said edge at a distance away from the fold, since the cuff will have a tendency to unfold as the hand is extended, while the non-free end 6 can prevent this tendency. In one embodiment, the non-free end 6 is attached at or near the fold 3 to ensure that the outward facing surface is maintained at approximately the same size as the outward facing surface in the prior art glove shown at 10 during wear, and at least not significantly smaller. In one embodiment, the portion of the non-free end 6 closest to the cuff is closer to the cuff 3 than the portion of the non-free end closest to the cuff 3 is to the cuff edge 4. In one embodiment, the fold 3 is positioned such that when the cuff is folded over, there is no removable portion of the free end 7 on the inward surface of the cuff (the surface opposite the outward facing surface).

In one embodiment, the outwardly facing surface forms an approximate plane, at least a portion of the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. In one embodiment, at least a portion of free end 7 of detachable tab 5 projects generally in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis of glove 20 (the longitudinal axis being defined as the line extending through the center of the cuff crease opening towards hand and finger portion 1). In one embodiment, free end 7 extends sufficiently away from the outwardly facing surface to minimize the risk of the user's first hand coming into contact with any other portion of glove 20 and to minimize the risk of the user's first hand coming into contact with any portion of the user's second hand, or with the arm or sleeve of the second hand, while the second hand is being inserted into the glove.

The non-free end 6 of the handle 5 is detachably connected to the cuff 2. In one embodiment, the non-free end 6 is substantially rigid and helps maintain the fold 3 in the open state. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the non-free end 6 may be generally T-shaped with arms 11, 12 extending along the fold 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detachable tab 5 according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of fig. 3, detachable tab 5 is substantially L-shaped with its non-free end 6 having a substantially rigid portion 13 extending along the outward facing surface away from crease 3 towards cuff rim 4, substantially at right angles to free end 7 rigidly protruding above the outward facing surface of cuff 2. The substantially rigid portion 13 thus helps the user to hold the glove securely by means of the free end 7, while minimizing the chance of contact between the first hand and the outwardly facing surface. In one embodiment, the substantially rigid portion 13 is also detachably connected to the cuff edge 4 and may be used to deploy the cuff as it is removed. Embodiments are possible in which there are other angles than right angles between the substantially rigid portion 13 and the free end 7.

In an embodiment, the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 extends from the glove 20 sufficiently to be easily grasped by the user without contacting any other part of the glove. Any object that can be suitably gripped may be used as the detachable tab 5, including a pull tab, a ring, an appendage, a handle, and the like (collectively referred to as "handles"). In one embodiment, sterile glove 20 is made of a resilient, water-impermeable material, such as latex or other suitable material, to prevent contamination.

Detachable tab 5 may be positioned on cuff 2 by any known attachment mechanism that achieves both a connection of sufficient strength to allow glove 20 to be securely gripped when worn and also allows all, or at least the contacted, portions of tab 5 to be subsequently separated. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detachable tab 5 according to another embodiment. In fig. 4, pull tab 5 is secured to cuff 2 by adhesive and includes an eyelet 14 across all or part of the width of pull tab 5 proximate the bonded region. The perforations 14 allow the pull tab 5 to be torn away from the adhesive area when the pull tab is pulled in the appropriate direction. This embodiment allows at least some portion of the non-free end 6 of the pull tab 5 to remain attached to the cuff 2 after the touched portion is torn away. In one embodiment, the folds 3 are positioned such that when the cuff is folded over, the detachable portion without the handle is positioned on the inward portion of the cuff. When the cuff 2 is fully unfolded and the glove is in use, the remainder of the non-free end 6 is positioned on the inner surface of the cuff 2, so that the remainder will be entirely on the inside of the cuff, leaving nothing that would interfere with the use of the glove. In one embodiment, the entire detachable portion is connected to the outward facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

In another embodiment, the entire pull tab 5 is separated using a suitable releasable adhesive or releasable fastener, such as Velcro (r). In one embodiment, an oriented releasable adhesive may be used that remains securely in place when pressure is applied along the longitudinal axis of the glove, but which can be peeled away without difficulty when lateral pressure is applied. In one embodiment, the pull handle 5 is attached to the cuff 2 in a manner that ensures that the user does not apply excessive force to the glove 20 when wearing the glove, to minimize the risk of over-stretching or over-tearing, thus improving safety.

The pull handle 5 may be constructed of any suitable lightweight material, such as plastic, that allows the glove to be securely held during donning and to be easily sterilized. The handle 5 may be of any suitable size and shape. The non-free end 6 of the pull tab 5 may be of any suitable size and shape and may be sufficiently rigid to keep the fold 3 open when worn. The entire handle 5 may be made of a suitably rigid material. The substantially rigid material in one embodiment results in the pull tab 5 being sufficiently hard or inflexible such that when a user grips the free end 7 of the pull tab 5, the pull tab does not bend or change shape under the tension induced by the second hand extending into the glove. Handles below this stiffness increase the risk of the user's first hand coming into contact with another portion of the glove, or with a portion of the user's second hand or arm, when worn.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 30 according to another embodiment. Glove 30 is similar to glove 20 of fig. 2, but further includes a detachable shield 8 attached to the glove that covers at least a portion of the outward facing surface of cuff 2. In one embodiment, glove 30 is packaged in a sterile enclosure (not shown) that, when opened, presents glove 30 to the user with its cuff folded over as shown in fig. 5. In one embodiment, at least a portion of free end 7 of detachable tab 5 protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the outward facing surface of cuff 2. In one embodiment, at least a portion of shield 8 is positioned between free end 7 of detachable tab 5 and the outward facing surface of the cuff when the glove is folded over and/or packaged. In one embodiment, the first detachable shield is positioned between the detachable tab and the outward facing surface when the glove is packaged such that the free end of the detachable tab does not contact the outward facing surface. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is connected at or near the fold and extends in a direction toward the cuff edge 4. In one embodiment, the shield 8 covers at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface from which the free end 7 projects from the glove, extending in a direction towards the cuff rim 4. In one embodiment, the size/distance between cuff rim 4 and cuff crease 3 on glove 30, and the size of the outward facing surface, is substantially the same as in a typical prior art sterile glove (e.g., glove 10 of fig. 1). In one embodiment, shield 8 covers the entire outward facing surface of the folded cuff, which is on the same side of the glove as detachable tab 5. In one embodiment, the folds are positioned such that no pull handle or removable portion of the shield is located on the inward surface of the cuff when the cuff is deployed.

When wearing the glove 30, the user can pick up and manipulate the sterile glove 30 by grasping the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 with a first hand. The detachable shield 8 ensures that there is no contact between the user's first hand and any other part of the glove other than the pull handle or shield. The second hand may then be inserted through the cuff crease opening. All or at least the contacted portion of the detachable tab 5 can then be detached, and all or at least the contacted portion of the detachable shield 8 can be detached. This leaves the glove 30 securely on the second hand without any remaining surface ever coming into contact with the user's first hand. In one embodiment, shield 8 and pull 5 are coupled together so that removal of all or at least the contacted portion of the detachable pull 5 also removes all or at least the contacted portion of the detachable shield 8. In one embodiment, the shield 8 can also be removably attached to the cuff rim 4 so that the shield can be used to deploy the cuff when removed. In one embodiment, the detachable tab and at least all of the contacted portion of the detachable shield are removed before the glove is used.

The detachable shield 8 may be of any suitable shape and size, provided it is large enough to ensure that the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 can be grasped without difficulty without touching any part of the glove other than the shield 8 and the tab 5. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is wider than the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is wider than the non-free end 6 of the detachable tab 5. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is wider than the cuff. In one embodiment, the shield 8 extends from the cuff fold to the cuff edge at least a distance greater than the length of the free end of the detachable tab. In one embodiment, the shield 8 extends from the cuff fold to the cuff edge. In one embodiment, the shield 8 extends from the cuff fold to beyond the cuff edge. In one embodiment, the detachable shield 8 is attached to the glove such that it covers at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface from which the free end of the detachable tab protrudes from the glove and extends in a direction toward the cuff rim. The detachable shield 8 may be made of any suitable lightweight material that can also be easily sterilized, such as a flexible plastic sheet. The detachable shield 8 may be attached using any suitable detachable adhesive or detachable fastener arrangement. In one embodiment, the detachable shield 8 and the detachable tab 5 can be formed as a single piece.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 40 that can be flattened, according to one embodiment. Glove 40 is similar to glove 30 of fig. 5, except that free end 7 of detachable tab 5 is wrapped flat against the outward facing side of shield 8 (the outward facing side being opposite the side contacting the outward facing surface of the cuff). In this embodiment, the pull handle 5 is rigid and the free end 7 is placed within the confines of the shield 8 with sufficient margin to ensure that the free end 7 can be grasped without difficulty without contacting anything other than the outwardly facing surface of the shield 8. The user can grasp the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5 and lift it to a position where it projects substantially perpendicularly from the outwardly facing surface and the shield 8. At this point, glove 40 may be worn in a manner similar to glove 30 of fig. 5. In another embodiment, the detachable tab 5 may be substantially L-shaped (as in tab 5 of fig. 3), with a flexible portion or hinge between the two portions of the L-shape. This allows the glove to be wrapped flat. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly may be locked into a substantially vertical position to help stabilize when the hand is inserted. Embodiments are also possible in which the hinge means can be locked at an angle other than perpendicular.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 50 according to one embodiment. The glove 50 includes at least two detachable shields 8 and 9 connected to the glove, with the detachable tab 5 positioned between the shields 8 and 9. When the second hand is inserted into the glove, the user can grip and manipulate the glove 50 with the first hand via the free end 7 of the detachable tab 5. Shields 8 and 9 ensure that there is no contact between the user's first hand and any wearable portion of the glove, or between the first hand and the skin of the second hand or any portion of the arm or sleeve of the user's second hand. Once the glove is secured on the second hand, the pull 5 and shields 8 and 9 can be removed. In one embodiment, one or both of the shields 8 and 9 and the pull 5 can be connected together so they can be separated together without difficulty. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is attached at or near the cuff edge 4 in a manner that removes the shield 8 and unfolds the folded cuff. Shield 8 may be of any suitable size, shape or material that can be easily sterilized and may be attached by similar means as described for shield 8 for glove 30. A variation on this embodiment would be to have only the shield 9 and the detachable tab 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 60 according to one embodiment. The glove 60 comprises a detachable shield 8 forming an enclosure around at least the free end of the detachable tab 5. Completely surrounding the free end 7 of the pull handle 5 in this way provides additional protection against the risk of a first hand for gripping the pull handle 5 coming into contact with a second hand when the second hand is inserted into the glove 60. All other aspects of this embodiment are similar to the equivalent components as described above for gloves 20, 30, 40 and 50.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 70 according to one embodiment. Glove 70 includes a detachable shield 8 that is connected to the detachable tab and forms an enclosure around at least the free end of 7. Completely surrounding the pull handle 5 in this manner provides additional protection against the risk of contact between a first hand used to grasp the pull handle 5 and a second hand when the second hand is extended into the glove 60. All other aspects of this embodiment are similar to the equivalent parts as described above for gloves 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sterile glove 80 according to one embodiment. Glove 80 is similar to glove 30, except that removable pull 5 is replaced with removable extension mechanism 15. The extension mechanism 15 includes a pair of handles 16, a pair of extension arms 17 connected at or near the cuff fold 3, and a pivot 18. The handle 16 is connected to an extension arm 17 by a pivot 18. When the handle 16 is in the open position, the fold 3 is in a minimum or unstretched state. When the handles 16 are pressed together in the closing direction, the fold 3 is in an extended state. Thus, in the extended state, the extension mechanism 15 increases the opening of the glove 80 to allow the user to more easily insert a hand. Any object that can be suitably grasped can be used as the handle 16, including a pull handle, a loop, an appendage, and the like (collectively referred to as "handles"). In one embodiment, the handle 16 is similar to the handle of conventional scissors or pliers. In one embodiment, glove 80 is packaged in a sterile enclosure (not shown) that, when opened, presents glove 80 to the user in an unstretched state as shown in fig. 10. The user may manipulate the sterile glove 80 by grasping the handle 16 between the thumb and forefinger of the user's first hand. The shield 8 prevents the first hand of the user from coming into contact with any other part of the glove. The extension mechanism 15 can then be actuated by pressing the index finger and thumb towards each other, causing the handle 16 to move to the closed position and the arms 17 to open via the pivots 18. The second hand can then more easily reach through the cuff crease opening in the extended state. All or a portion of the stretching mechanism 15 may then be removed, leaving the glove 80 securely on the second hand without any remaining surface ever contacting the user's first hand. The shield 8 can then be removed. In one embodiment, when cuff 2 is unfolded, only handle 16 is removed, leaving arm 17 and pivot 18 on the inside of glove 80. In one embodiment, the handle 16 includes a pre-weakened area adjacent the pivot 18 that separates when pressure is applied in the appropriate direction. In another embodiment, the handle 16, the arm 17 and the pivot 18 are all detached before the cuff 2 is unfolded. In one embodiment, if pulled in a direction away from the fingers of glove 80 and hand portion 1, pivot 18 will disengage, thereby enabling handle 16 to be used to pull arm 17 away from glove 80. In this embodiment, the adhesive used to attach the arm 17 to the cuff 2 will separate when pulled in a particular appropriate direction. In some embodiments, the stretching mechanism 15 is packaged in an unstretched state. Other removable extension mechanisms may be used. In one embodiment, the shield 8 is also removably attached to the cuff rim 4 and can be used to unfold the cuff when removed. Sterile glove 80 may also include an additional detachable tab (not shown) connected generally at or near cuff edge 4 and adapted to unfold the folded cuff after the hand has been inserted and before the glove is used.

Several embodiments are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A sterile glove, comprising:

hand and finger portions;

a cuff having an inner surface and an outer surface and a cuff rim, wherein the cuff is adapted to be folded over at a fold when the glove is packaged, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the cuff becomes an outer facing surface when folded over;

a detachable handle connected to the inner surface and including a free end and a non-free end; and

a first detachable shield covering at least a portion of the outer facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

2. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein at least the rigid portion of the detachable tab is generally rigid, and the non-free end is connected generally proximate the fold and adapted to support an opening formed by the cuff.

3. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein at least the rigid portion of the detachable tab is generally rigid, and the non-free end is connected substantially proximate to the fold and adapted to prevent the cuff from unfolding when the hand is inserted into the glove.

4. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the first detachable shield is positioned between the detachable tab and the outward facing surface when the glove is packaged such that a free end of the detachable tab does not contact the outward facing surface.

5. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the detachable portion of the detachable tab is adapted to be removed after the hand has been inserted into the glove, the entire detachable portion being attached to the outward facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

6. The sterile glove of claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein the free end of the detachable tab is substantially rigid and extends in a generally radial direction from the longitudinal axis.

7. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surface comprises an approximate plane, wherein the free end of the detachable tab is substantially rigid and extends from the approximate plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane.

8. The sterile glove of claim 1, further comprising a second detachable shield, wherein the detachable tab is located between the first detachable shield and the second detachable shield when the glove is packaged.

9. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the first detachable shield forms an enclosure around the free end of the detachable tab.

10. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the first detachable shield is detachably connected to the cuff rim.

11. The sterile glove of claim 1, wherein the detachable grip comprises an extension mechanism comprising a pivot, a pair of handles, and a pair of arms, wherein the handles are connected to the arms by the pivot.

12. A method of packaging a sterile glove comprising hand and finger portions, and a cuff having an inner surface and an outer surface and a cuff rim, the method comprising:

folding the cuff at the fold such that, when folded, at least a portion of an inner surface of the cuff becomes an outward facing surface;

attaching a detachable tab to the inner surface, wherein the detachable tab includes a free end and a non-free end; and is

A first detachable shield covering at least a portion of the outward facing surface is attached when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a rigid portion of the detachable tab is generally rigid, and the non-free end is connected generally proximate to the fold and adapted to support an opening formed by the cuff.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein at least the rigid portion of the detachable tab is generally rigid, and the non-free end is connected substantially near the fold and adapted to prevent the cuff from unfolding when the hand is inserted into the glove.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first detachable shield is positioned between the detachable tab and the outward facing surface when the glove is packaged such that a free end of the detachable tab does not contact the outward facing surface.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the detachable portion of the detachable tab is adapted to be removed after the hand has been inserted into the glove, the entire detachable portion being connected to the outward facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising a second detachable shield, wherein the detachable tab is positioned between the first detachable shield and the second detachable shield when the glove is packaged.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first detachable shield forms an enclosure around the free end of the detachable tab.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the first detachable shield is detachably connected to the cuff rim.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the detachable handle comprises an extension mechanism comprising a pivot, a pair of handles, and a pair of arms, wherein the handles are connected to the arms by the pivot.