Abstract:
A glove donning system including glove assemblies is provided that maintains the cleanliness of a glove until the glove is utilized. In addition, the glove donning system assists a user during a donning process thereby preventing contamination of the glove during the donning process.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/268,823 entitled “GLOVE DONNING APPARATUS” filed on Dec. 17, 2015. The entirety of the above-noted application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     ORIGIN 
       [0002]    The innovation disclosed herein relates to a glove donning system and a glove packaging assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Disposable gloves have been utilized in the health care industry, scientific industry and elsewhere for many years. In health care, the use of gloves by a heath care provider protects the health care provider from possible contamination resulting from handling a patient. In addition, a glove that is clean on the outside protects a patient from contaminants that may reside on the hands of the health care provider. In any contamination-sensitive usage, special precautions must be taken to insure that the user does not contaminate the gloves as they are being donned and that other stored gloves are not contaminated or touched by the user. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0005]    In an aspect of the innovation, it is desirable to provide a glove donning system that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and maintains the cleanliness of the glove until it is utilized. Assisting a user in donning the gloves prevents contamination of the glove during donning. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the innovation, a glove donning system includes a housing having a glove dispensing opening, multiple gloves on glove insert cards arranged on a conveyance track such that a single glove is advanced by a pair of front-to-back glider assemblies toward the glove dispensing opening, and that a pair of grabber assemblies disposed on either side of the housing captures, cuffs, and expands the opening of the glove to facilitate the insertion of a user&#39;s hand into the glove. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect of the innovation, a glove donning system is disclosed that includes a conveyance assembly that facilitates an initiation of a glove donning sequence, a track set that cooperates with the conveyance assembly in positioning the glove donning system for the glove donning sequence, a pair of grabber assemblies that cooperates with the track set for the donning sequence, and a glider assembly that horizontally positions the grabber assemblies for the glove donning sequence. 
         [0008]    In still yet another aspect of the innovation, a glove donning system that includes a housing, a glove box having a plurality of glove assemblies disposed therein, a conveyance assembly that transports the plurality of glove assemblies into position for the donning sequence, a front-to-back glider assembly that positions the plurality of glove assemblies horizontally toward and away from a user, a transverse glider assembly that positions the plurality of glove assemblies horizontally transversely with respect to the user, and a pair of grabber assemblies that remove a glove assembly from the plurality of glove assemblies and prepare the glove assembly for donning. 
         [0009]    In still yet another aspect of the innovation, a glove donning method that includes activating a glove donning system, positioning a glove assembly in a position where it will be ready to cooperate with left and right grabber assemblies, positioning the right and left grabber assemblies toward the glove assembly, moving the right and left grabber assemblies toward the glove assembly, engaging pinchers of the right and left grabber assemblies with a face of the glove assembly, inserting the pinchers between a glove and a glove insert card of the glove assembly, pinching the glove between the pinchers and grabbers of the right and left grabber assemblies, rotating the right and left grabber assemblies, thereby ejecting the glove insert card from the glove, rotating the right and left grabber assemblies further, thereby forming a glove cuff in the glove, extending in a substantially horizontal direction the right and left grabber assemblies and glove to a donning position, inserting a hand of the user through the glove opening and into the glove when the right and left grabber assemblies come to a complete stop, and removing the gloved hand from the glove donning system. 
         [0010]    To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the disclosure. Illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the glove donning system illustrating a multiple dispensing capability in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an alternate embodiment of the glove donning system with a drawer in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are side views illustrating the maintenance door opening sequence in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of the glove donning system illustrating the conveyance assembly in the down and up positions respectively in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0019]    FIG.  4 C 1  is a side view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0020]    FIG.  4 C 2  is a partial section side view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0021]    FIG.  4 C 3  is a front view of a lifter screw motor of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0022]    FIG.  4 C 4  is a side view of the lifter screw motor of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0023]    FIG.  4 C 5  is a top view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0024]    FIG.  4 C 6  is a partial section top view of the conveyance assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D, 4E, and 4F  illustrate alternate embodiments of lifters and track sets in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4G  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a lifter motor assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4H  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a lifter screw assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the glider assembly and the grabber assemblies of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 5B and 5C  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a transverse motor system of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective unexploded and exploded views respectively of the right grabber assembly of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0031]    FIGS.  6 C 1 - 6 C 3  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a pincher translation driver in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the glove assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0033]    FIG.  8 A 1  is a perspective view of a glove box assembly lid in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0034]    FIG.  8 A 2  is a perspective view of the glove box assembly base in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0035]    FIG.  8 A 3  is a perspective view of the glove box assembly alignment fixture in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0036]    FIG.  8 A 4  is an exploded perspective view of the glove box assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0037]    FIG.  8 A 5  is a perspective view of the glove box assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0038]    FIG.  8 A 6  is a perspective view of the glove box assembly illustrating another alignment fixture in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0039]    FIG.  8 A 7  is an end view of a glove box assembly lid in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0040]    FIG.  8 A 8  is a perspective view of the glove box assembly assembled and including an exterior wrapper in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8B  is a front view of the insert termination card in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0042]    FIG.  9 A 1  illustrates a side view card alignment assembly of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0043]    FIG.  9 A 2  is a plan view of a pin base of the card alignment assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0044]    FIG.  9 A 3  is a top view of a pin base of the card alignment assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0045]    FIG.  9 A 4  is a plan view of the card alignment assembly in the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0046]    FIG.  9 A 5  is a side view of the card alignment assembly in the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0047]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a sensor that senses a location of a glove assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0048]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of the glove box retention mechanism of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0049]      FIG. 10B  is a top view of the glove box retention mechanism in the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10C  is a plan view of the glove box retention mechanism in the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of the glove box retention mechanism in the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0052]      FIG. 10E  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the glove box retention mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0053]      FIGS. 11A through 11G  are top views illustrating the glove donning sequence of the glove donning system in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0054]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the glove donning system illustrating a glove being presented for donning in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustration illustrating a glove donning sequence in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation. 
         [0057]    While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness, orientation, configuration, etc.), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the innovation can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation and claims appended hereto. 
         [0058]    While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation. 
         [0059]    The innovation disclosed herein dispenses and holds open a clean glove, allowing a user to don the glove without touching the outside of the glove, thus preventing possible contamination of the outside of the glove. Unlike a traditional glove box, the innovation also keeps other stored gloves that are ready to be dispensed from becoming contaminated, as these gloves remain protected until ready to don. 
         [0060]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a glove donning system  10  contained within a housing  11  and includes a conveyance assembly  12 , a glider assembly  13 , a power source  14  (e.g., batteries, and/or an electrical line cord connected to an electrical source), and glove assemblies  15 .  FIG. 1A  also illustrates a glove  16  with a glove cuff  17 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 1B  discloses an alternative embodiment of a glove donning system  18  with multiple adjacent track sets  19  which allow for dispensing of a selection of multiple glove  16  sizes and types or providing for a larger capacity of gloves  16 . In this alternate approach, the right and left transverse gliders  20 ,  21  have independent right and left transverse glider motors  22 ,  23  and a fully threaded fixed lead screw  24  allowing the right and left transverse gliders  20 ,  21  to move the full width of the fully threaded fixed lead screw  24  within the clearance boundaries imposed. 
         [0062]    In alternate embodiments, the glove donning systems  10 ,  18  may be configured with multiple sets of grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  and glider assemblies  13  operating within the same housing  11 , and are configured to retrieve and process at least two gloves  16  within the same donning sequence. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 2A and 2C  illustrate a side view and a perspective view respectively of the housing  11 , which includes a housing opening  25  disposed at the front of the housing  11 . The housing  11  may also include a glove insert card collection area  30  and an openable panel  27  or panels with a latch  28 . In an alternate embodiment, the housing  11  may contain a drawer  29 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The housing  11  may also include ultraviolet lights  31  used to sanitize the inside of the housing  11  and glove housing contents described further below. The housing  11  may also include perimeter sensors  32  that can detect the presence of an object penetrating the protected housing perimeter  11 A defined by the housing opening  25 , including the space between the open doors  34 . Detected intrusion by the perimeter sensors  32  stops all moving parts for safety. The perimeter sensors  32  may be made from LEDs and receiving photo sensors. The housing  11  may also include a door opening mechanism  33  which opens and closes dual opposable doors  34  with at least one set of door hinges  35  per door  34 . An alternative embodiment includes a single door  34  that slides up, down or from the side. The housing  11  may also include doors  34  with door extensions  36 , that when closed, fit into a cutaway  37  in the top of the housing  11 . An additional alternative could have no doors  34  or partial doors  34 . The housing  11  may also contain a glove box retention shelf  38  supported between the glove insert card collection area  30  and the glove box base  144 , to prevent the glove box base  144  from entering the glove insert card collection area  30 . The glove donning system  10  includes a control system  236 , which may consist of electronic components, mechanical components, and/or software components, and may be in one or more locations inside or outside of the glove donning system  10 . The control system  236  includes all items that cause the glove donning system  10  to initiate and complete an action or task. The housing  11  may also contain a control panel  40  that may include activation devices  41 , RFID sensors  46 , and indicators such as dispensing lights  42 , ready lights  43 , glove orientation graphics  44 , and glove count displays  45 . The control panel  40  may be stationary or may be retractable. The activation device  41  is configured to transmit a signal to the control system  236  upon input from a user of the system. The control system  236  is configured to activate and control systems during the glove donning sequence. 
         [0064]    Still referring to  FIG. 2A, 2C  and to  FIGS. 3A-3E , the housing  11  may include a maintenance door  26 . The maintenance door  26  includes at least one maintenance door hinge  47 , and may include a glider assembly  13 , right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  and a frame  48 . The maintenance door  26  allows for maintenance, glove box base  144  loading and increased accessibility to the inside of the glove donning system  10 . The maintenance door hinge  47  may be a zero clearance hinge. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 3A through 3E  illustrate a sequence of the maintenance door  26  opening.  FIG. 3A  shows the dual front doors  34  and the maintenance door  26  in the closed position.  FIG. 3B  illustrates the dual front doors  34  in an open position.  FIG. 3C  illustrates the maintenance door  26  lifted up and clear of the front doors  34 , thus allowing the maintenance door  26  to rotate.  FIGS. 3D and 3E  illustrate rotating the maintenance door  26  to the desired position, which may be flush with the back of the housing  11 .  FIGS. 3D and 3E  also show the card alignment assembly  172 , which will be described in greater detail further below. 
         [0066]      FIG. 4A, 4B  and  4 C 1 - 4 C 6  illustrate the conveyance assembly  12 , which in one embodiment includes an insertion actuator  49  pivotally attached to the housing  11  and pivotally attached to a lifter arm  50 , a lifter bracket  51 , a lifter screw motor  52 , and a lifter rod or screw  53 . The lifter arm  50  includes a lifter arm stem  54  having a first end attached to the rod or screw  53 , and a second end attached to the insertion actuator  49 , and a lifter arm pinned termination  55 . The lifter arm  50  is pulled towards the front of the housing  11  to raise the lifter screw  53 . The lifter screw  53  includes a track set  19 , a lifter screw gear  56 , a glove box stop ring  57 , and a lifter screw shaft  58 . The lifter screw gear  56  is engaged by a lifter screw motor gear  59  which rotates the lifter screw  53 . A lifter motor anti-rotation bracket  60  extends from the lifter screw motor  52  to the lifter arm stem  54  to prevent the lifter screw motor  52  from rotating while the lifter screw motor gear  59  drives the lifter screw  53 . A lifter screw shaft  58  is rigidly connected co-radially to the lifter screw  53  and passes through a lifter arm bushing  61 . The lifter arm pinned termination  55  holds the lifter arm bushing  61  allowing the lifter screw  53  to rotate while providing a rigid connection to the lifter arm  50  to raise and lower the lifter screw  53 . The lifter arm pinned termination  55  includes two opposed lifter arm pins  62  extending through the lifter bracket  51  and a lifter bracket side plate  63 , creating a pivot point. The lifter arm  50  and the lifter screw  53  form a planarly rigid L-shaped bracket that pivots about the lifter arm pins  62  allowing the lifter screw  53  to be raised when a lifter insertion actuator  49  pulls on the lifter arm stem  54 . A lifter screw snap ring  64  fastens to the lifter screw shaft  58  to retain the lifter screw  53  in the lifter arm  50  and the lifter screw motor  52 . The lifter bracket side plate  63  fastens to the lifter bracket  51  and contains a lifter arm pivot pin hole  65 . 
         [0067]    In an alternate embodiment, the lifter screw  53  may be raised and lowered in the manner of a block and tackle hoist activated by a rotating motor. 
         [0068]    The conveyance assembly  12  may also contain a glove box loading switch  66  that includes a switch located in a position to indicate the correct loading of the back of the glove box base  144 . When the switch is activated by contact with or proximity to the glove box base  144 , a signal is generated to notify the user that the glove box base  144  has been positioned correctly. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4D  illustrates another embodiment in which the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  (also shown in  FIG. 5A ) are moved toward the glove  16  for pincher insertion rather the previously stated approach of bringing the glove  16  toward the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 . Grabber insertion actuators  199  are affixed to right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  and the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 . The same effect can be achieved by fitting one or more grabber insertion actuators  199  between any of the structures at any location from pinchers  111  and grabbers  110  (shown in  FIG. 6A and 6B ) back to the housing  11  directly or through linkages. 
         [0070]    In one embodiment, the track set  19  illustrated in FIG.  4 C 1  includes the thread surfaces of the lifter screw  53 . The track set  19  cooperates with the glove insert card alignment feature  135  of  FIG. 7  comprising the edge of an aperture in the glove insert card  131 , to convey the glove assembly  15  to a ready position for the donning sequence. The glove assembly  15  is described herein below. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4E , the conveyance assembly  12  includes a rod  191  having a smooth surface track set  192 , as opposed to a threaded surface, to guide the glove assembly  15  to a ready position for the donning sequence by gravity and a retention bar  193 . 
         [0072]    In another embodiment, the track set  192  comprising a rod or rods  191  supports the glove assembly  15 , without conveyance, at the ready position for the donning sequence with the rod or rods  191  being angled, curved, flat or any combination thereof. 
         [0073]    In another embodiment,  FIG. 4F  illustrates a track set  195  that includes a pair of opposing conveyor belts  196  mounted on conveyors  194  that cooperate with opposed glove insert card edge features  198  to convey the glove assemblies  15  to a ready position for the donning sequence. 
         [0074]      FIG. 4G  illustrates an alternate lifter motor assembly  231 . The alternate lifter motor assembly  231  includes a motor  206 , a motor mount  214 , a motor shaft  208 , a coupling  207 , a screw  204 , a nut  205 , a bracket  212 , bracket pins  213 , a trunnion pin  215 , a trunnion  203 , a lifter arm  50 A, a guide  209 , flanges  211 , and a linear bearing  210 . 
         [0075]    The alternate lifter motor assembly  231  replaces the pivotable insertion actuator  49 . The motor  206  is fixedly attached to the motor mount  214 . The motor shaft  208  is fixedly coupled to the screw  204  by a coupling  207 . The nut  205  cooperates with the screw  204  to translate when the screw  204  rotates. The nut  205  is fixedly attached to the bracket  212 , which is guided by the linear bearing  210  along the guide  209 . Two bracket pins  213  on either side of the bracket  212  rotatably connect to the trunnion  203 , which is rotatably pinned to the lifter arm  50 A with the trunnion pin  215 . Pulling or pushing motion is achieved by rotating the screw  204  with the motor  206 . As the screw  204  rotates, the nut  205  translates toward or away from the motor  206 , forcing the lifter arm  50 A to follow. 
         [0076]      FIG. 4H  illustrates an alternate lifter screw motor assembly  232 . The alternate lifter screw motor assembly  232  replaces the lifter screw motor  52  in FIGS.  4 C 1 - 4 C 6 . The alternate lifter screw motor assembly  232  includes a motor  52 A, a motor shaft  227 , a belt  202 , a first pulley  225 , and a second pulley  223 . The motor  52 A is fixedly attached to an alternate lifter arm  50 A. The first pulley  225  is fixedly attached to the rotatable motor shaft  227  and the second pulley  223  is fixedly attached to the lifter screw  53 . The motor  52 A drives the first pulley  225  through the motor shaft  227 , driving the belt  202  and the second pulley  223 , which drives the lifter screw  53 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 5A  illustrates the glider assembly  13  which includes a front-to-back glider assembly  67  and the transverse glider assembly  68 .  FIG. 5A  also illustrates the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 . The front-to-back glider assembly  67  includes a front-to-back driver motor  71  mounted to a housing side mounting plate  72 , a front-to-back belt  73 , a front-to-back idler pulley  74 , a front-to-back driver pulley  75 , and right and left front-to-back glider blocks  76 ,  77 . The right and left front-to-back glider blocks  76 ,  77  have a clearance through-hole  78  through their length to allow the front-to-back glider shafts  79  to pass through. Each through hole  78  is fitted with bushings or bearings  80  co-radially mounted with the through holes  78  to facilitate low friction motion along the front-to-back glider shaft  79  direction. The front and back of each front-to-back glider shaft  79  is rigidly mounted to the glider frame  81 , which is rigidly mounted to the housing  11 . Front-to-back belt anchors  82  connect the front-to-back belt  73  to the right front-to-back glider block  76 . Supported between the right and left front-to-back glider blocks  76 ,  77  are two rigidly held transverse glider shafts  83 . 
         [0078]    The front-to-back driver motor  71  drives the front-to-back driver pulley  75  which drives the front-to-back belt  73  supported by the front-to-back idler pulley  74 . The front-to-back belt  73  is anchored to at least one of the right or left front-to-back gliders  76 ,  77  and pulls the front-to-back glider assembly  67  forward and back. 
         [0079]    In an alternate embodiment, the glider assembly  13  positioning system could be or include a pair of articulated arms. 
         [0080]    Mounted upon the transverse glider shafts  83  is the transverse glider assembly  68  which includes a right and left transverse glider  84 ,  85 . The right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  contain bushings or bearings  86  to facilitate low friction motion along the transverse glider shafts&#39;  83  direction with clearance holes  87  through the right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  to allow the transverse glider shafts  83  to pass through. Mounted on the ends of the right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  are the respective right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  and the right and left grabber assembly rotation motors  88 ,  89 . 
         [0081]    The transverse glider assembly  68  further includes a lead screw  90  that has a thread  91  on one side and a reverse thread  92  on the other side, and a transverse driver assembly  93  which includes a transverse driver motor  94  and a transverse driver gearbox  95 . The right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  further include threaded and reverse threaded inserts  39 ,  96  that engage with the lead screw  90 . Alternately, threaded holes  96 A and reverse threaded holes  39 A can be used instead of threaded and reverse threaded inserts  39 ,  96 . 
         [0082]    An alternate approach was previously disclosed in  FIG. 1B  using a fully threaded fixed lead screw  24  and independent right and left transverse glider motors  22 ,  23 . 
         [0083]    The right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  are driven by the transverse driver assembly  93 . The transverse driver gearbox  95  is rotationally coupled to the lead screw  90  and is driven by the transverse driver motor  94 . Engagement of the thread  91  portion and the threaded insert  96  and the reverse thread  92  portion and the reverse threaded insert  39  will cause the right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  to move towards each other or away from each other when the lead screw  90  rotates. The right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  have rotation holes  97  co-radially fitted with rotation bushings  98 . The right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85  have rigidly attached right and left grabber assembly rotation motors  88 ,  89 . 
         [0084]      FIGS. 5B and 5C  illustrate another approach in which the transverse driver motor  94  and lead screw  90  have been replaced with a right and left transverse motor and belt system  233 . Because the right and left motor and belt systems are constructed and operate in mirrored fashion, this description will proceed with the understanding that the right motor and belt system descriptions will apply to the left motor and belt system descriptions in a mirrored fashion. For simplicity, only one of the two transverse glider assemblies  68  is shown. 
         [0085]    The right motor and belt system  233  includes a belt  222 , a drive pulley  226 , a motor  224 , a motor shaft  229 , a transverse glider block  230 , right and left front-to-back glider blocks  76 A,  77 A, and an idler pulley  228 . The motor  224  is fixedly attached to the right front-to-back glider block  76 A, and includes a rotatable motor shaft  229 . The drive pulley  226  is rigidly attached to the motor shaft  229 . The belt  222  is rigidly attached to the right transverse glider block  230  and cooperates with the driver pulley  226  and idler pulley  228 . The idler pulley  228  is rotatably fixed to the front-to-back glider block  77 A. The motor shaft  229  drives the drive pulley  226 , which drives the belt  222 , causing the transverse glider block  230  to travel in the direction of the attached belt  222  movement. The belt  222  is supported by the idler pulley  228 . 
         [0086]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the right grabber assembly  69 , which includes a grabber assembly frame  99  with a rigidly attached grabber assembly shaft  100  and dual grabber frame bearing flanges  101 . The grabber assembly shaft  100  is fitted with a rigidly attached grabber assembly rotation gear  102  after it is inserted through the rotation bushing  98 . Also rigidly attached to the grabber assembly frame  99  are the pincher motor  103  and the grabber raiser motor  104 . The right and left slotted tube bearings  105 ,  106  are fitted to the grabber frame bearing flanges  101 . 
         [0087]    Because the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  are constructed and operate in a mirrored fashion, this description will proceed with the understanding that the right grabber assembly  69  descriptions will apply to the left grabber assembly  70  in a mirrored fashion. 
         [0088]    The grabber assembly further includes a slotted tube  107  with an inner bore  108  and at least one transverse slot  109 . The grabber  110  is rigidly attached to the slotted tube  107 . The slotted tube  107  passes through the pincher  111  and is rigidly attached to the guide bar support  116 , and rotatably passes through the right and left slotted tube bearings  105 ,  106 . A pincher slider bushing  113  is rigidly mounted in the clearance bore  114  and rides over the slotted tube  107 . A guide bar bushing  115  is rigidly mounted in the pincher  111 . The guide bar  112  is rigidly mounted in the guide bar support  116  and passes through the guide bar bushing  115  and rigidly terminates in the grabber  110 . The guide bar  112  is parallel to the slotted tube  107 . A pincher drive screw follower  117  rides inside the slotted tube inner bore  108 . The pincher drive screw follower  117  is threaded on the inside diameter and contains at least one transverse hole  118  joined with at least one pincher pin  119  to the pincher  111 . The pincher pin  119  may have an orientation feature. 
         [0089]    A pincher screw  120  inserts through the pincher screw right bearing  121 , the pincher driven gear  122 , and the slotted tube  107 , and is supported on the end by the pincher screw bushing  123  contained in the grabber  110 . The pincher screw right bearing  121  inserts into the right end of the slotted tube  107 . The pincher drive screw follower  117  is threaded onto the pincher drive screw thread  124  and translates through the inner bore  108  when the pincher screw  120  rotates. The grabber driver gear  157  is rigidly affixed to the grabber raiser motor shaft  125 . A pincher driver gear  126  is rigidly affixed to the pincher motor shaft  127 . 
         [0090]    The grabber belt  128  is driven by the grabber driver gear  157  and drives the grabber driven gear  142 , which is rigidly attached to the slotted tube  107  and is contained between the grabber frame bearing flanges  101 . The pincher belt  129  is driven by the pincher driver gear  126  and drives the pincher driven gear  122 , which is rigidly attached to the pincher screw head  130 . The grabber  110  and pincher  111  are raised and lowered by the rotation of the slotted tube  107 . The slotted tube  107  is rotated by the grabber raiser motor  104  through the grabber driver gear  157 , grabber belt  128 , and grabber driven gear  142 , and is supported by the right and left slotted tube bearings  105 ,  106 . 
         [0091]    The guide bar  112  rotates about the slotted tube  107  and maintains grabber  110  and pincher  111  alignment rigidity. The pincher  111  translates along the slotted tube  107  and guide bar  112  moving away from or towards the grabber  110 . The pincher motor  103  drives the pincher driver gear  126 , the pincher belt  129 , the pincher driven gear  122 , and the pincher screw  120 . As the pincher screw  120  rotates, the pincher drive screw follower  117  is forced to translate inside the slotted tube  107  along the pincher drive screw thread  124  and pulls the pincher  111  linked to the pincher drive screw follower  117  through the pincher pin  119 . The pincher pin  119  rides in the transverse slot  109  of the slotted tube  107 , preventing rotation of the pincher drive screw follower  117  relative to the slotted tube  107 . Alternatively, the pincher pin  119  can be any shape that will follow in the transverse slot  109 . 
         [0092]    The right grabber assembly rotation motor  88  is coupled to the grabber assembly rotation gear  102 . Rotation of the right grabber assembly rotation motor  88  rotates the grabber assembly rotation gear  102  and then rotates the right grabber assembly  69 . 
         [0093]    FIGS.  6 C 1 - 6 C 3  illustrate an alternate pincher translation driver  234 . The alternate pincher translation driver  234  includes a slotted tube  107 A, which contains a slot  109 A. A follower  219  is mounted on the pincher  111 A and is pushed in place by a spring  220 , which is held in place by a follower keeper plate  221 . The follower  219  is threaded on the pincher screw  120 A side with a mating thread that cooperates with the pincher screw  120 A. The follower  219  is captive in the pincher  111 A. Rotation of the pincher screw  120 A drives the follower  219  along the pincher screw  120 A, forcing the pincher  111 A to follow. 
         [0094]      FIG. 7  illustrates a glove assembly  15  which includes a glove insert card  131  and a glove  16 . The glove insert card  131  includes a glove insert card exposed (first) portion  132 , a glove insert card insertion (second) portion  133 , a glove insert card alignment feature  135 , and glove insert card insets  136 . The glove insert card  131  may also include a guide line  141  and one or more glove insert card tabs  134  and markings  137 . The glove insert card exposed portion  132  generally extends out from a glove opening  187  away from the glove  16  and is defined by a reduced width portion formed by the glove insert card insets  136  between the glove insert card exposed portion  132  and the glove insert card insertion portion  133 . The glove insert card tab  134  may be centrally located adjacent to the glove insert card exposed portion  132 , which may extend above the glove insert card shoulder  138  and may be narrower than the rest of the glove insert card  131 . The glove insert card perimeter  139  may include rounded or sharp contours. The glove insert card  131  may contain markings  137  to distinguish right and left orientation, glove  16  placement, glove  16  count, and glove  16  description. The glove insert card  131  may include markings  137 , such as but not limited to symbols, text, shapes, cutouts, appliques, colors etc. The glove opening  187  includes a glove opening perimeter  140  and is situated at the glove insert card inset  136 , at the glove insert card guide line  141 . The glove  16  generally conforms to the glove insert card  131 . Card edge control points  189  may exist on the glove insert card perimeter  139  such that the card edge control points  189  are spaced sufficiently apart to provide an alignment function illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0095]    The glove  16  further includes a glove wrist  188  where the glove wrist  188  is installed over the glove insert card  131  through the glove opening  187  where the glove opening perimeter  140  conforms into the area of the glove insert card insets  136 . 
         [0096]    FIGS.  8 A 1 - 8 A 8  and  8 B disclose gloves  16  packaged in a glove container or box  143  which includes a glove box base  144  and a box lid  145 . A wrapper  146  may enclose the glove box  143 . In an alternative method, a seal may include adhesively bonded tape or stickers sealing the box lid  145  to the glove box base  144 . The glove box  143  contains glove assemblies  15  and one or more glove assembly alignment fixtures  147  cooperating with the glove insert card alignment feature  135 . Glove assembly alignment fixtures  147  may be enclosed or semi-enclosed hollow tubular fixtures. In another example embodiment, glove assembly alignment fixtures  237  that engage and align the glove assemblies  15  may be affixed to or included in the glove container. In one configuration, the box lid  145  extends over the top and sides of the glove box base  144 . The glove box base  144  has box cutaway portions  148  to allow access to the gloves  16 . The box back  149  may have one or more alignment fixture support features, such as notched cutaways  150  at the top to accommodate or support the glove assembly alignment fixture  147 . The box lid  145  may have box lid cutaways  151  to facilitate removal of the box lid  145  from the glove box base  144 . One or more insert termination cards  152  with one or more alignment features  153  may be inserted in the front, back, or front and back of the glove box  143  to protect the gloves  16  during box handling, and to allow loading of the glove box  143  into the glove donning system  10  in a front-to-back or back-to-front orientation. The glove box  143  can be a container and/or a flexible covering such as a bag or wrapper. 
         [0097]    The glove assembly alignment fixture  147  may be an enclosed or semi-enclosed hollow tubular fixture that maintains the alignment of the glove insert card alignment features  135  of the glove insert cards  131 . During packaging, both ends of the glove assembly alignment fixture  147  may be folded down towards the bottom of the glove box base  144  to allow the box lid  145  to be placed over the glove box base  144  and the glove assembly alignment fixture  147 . Upon removal of the box lid  145 , the user may unfold the glove assembly alignment fixture  147  to allow the user to slide the glove assembly alignment fixture  147  with accompanying glove assemblies  15  and glove box base  144  over the lifter rod  53  and track set  19 . 
         [0098]    As the user slides the glove assembly alignment fixture  147  with accompanying glove assemblies  15  and glove box base  144  over the track set  19 , the proper placement of the glove box base  144  may be signaled by the activation of the glove box loading switch  66 . When the glove box base  144  is in the proper position, the user presses on the insert termination card  152  and removes the glove assembly alignment fixture  147 , allowing the glove assemblies  15  to transfer onto the track set  19  in the proper position. The insert termination card  152  is then removed by the user. The insert termination card  152  may have an alignment feature  153  and may contain insert termination card shoulders  154  on either side. The insert termination card  152  may contain a fold-over portion  155  and a slit  156  from the alignment feature  153  to the edge of the fold-over portion  155  to facilitate removal from the track set  19 . 
         [0099]    In one approach, the glove insert card alignment feature  135  is one or more apertures defined in the glove insert card  131 , and the glove assembly alignment fixture  147  may be one or more enclosed or semi-enclosed tubular hollow fixtures. In another approach the glove insert card alignment feature  158  is shown as a pair of opposing insets on the glove insert card  160  and the glove assembly alignment fixture  159  is a structure with opposing surfaces mating to the opposing glove insert card alignment features  158 . 
         [0100]    FIGS.  9 A 1 - 9 A 5  illustrate a glove donning system  10  containing a card alignment assembly  172 . The card alignment assembly  172  includes a card alignment bar  161  having a proximate (first) end  161 A attached to the housing  11 , a card alignment bar contactor  162  attached to a distal (second) end  161 B of the card alignment bar  161 , a card alignment frame bracket  163 , a card alignment transverse frame  164 , a card alignment shaft  165 , a card alignment receiver bracket  166 , a card alignment pin  167 , a rest  168 , and one or more card alignment pin bases  169 . 
         [0101]    The pair of card alignment bars  161  may be positioned on either side of the track set  19 . The card alignment bar contactors  162  extend below the card alignment bars  161 . The card alignment bar contactors  162  maintain glove insert card shoulder  138  alignment by resting on or near the card edge control points  189 . The card alignment bars  161  terminate into the card alignment frame brackets  163 . 
         [0102]    The card alignment frame brackets  163  are rigidly connected by the card alignment transverse frame  164 . The card alignment shaft  165  is rigidly connected normal to the card alignment frame bracket  163  on one side of the housing. The card alignment pin  167  is connected normal to the card alignment frame bracket  163  and is co-radial with the card alignment shaft  165  in the opposing direction. 
         [0103]    The card alignment receiver bracket  166  is rigidly connected to the card alignment shaft  165 , such that the card alignment shaft  165  extends beyond the card alignment receiver bracket  166 , and is positioned to receive the card alignment hinge contactor  170 . When the maintenance door hinge  47  is rotated up, the card alignment hinge contactor  170  pushes on the card alignment receiver bracket  166 , rotating the card alignment shaft  165 , which raises the card alignment bars  161  and provides access for maintenance and glove assembly  15  loading. When the maintenance door  26  is lowered, the card alignment hinge contactor  170  rotates clear of the card alignment receiver bracket  166  and the card alignment bars  161  rotate back to the rest position through the force of gravity. 
         [0104]    The card alignment pin base  169  includes an opening  171  defined therein that is adapted to accept a pin or shaft. The card alignment pin base  169  is rigidly connected to the housing  11 . One card alignment pin base  169  is positioned on one end of the card alignment assembly  172  and accepts the card alignment pin  167 . Another card alignment pin base  169  is positioned at the opposing end of the card alignment assembly  172  and accepts the free end of the card alignment shaft  165 . A rest  168  may be positioned below the card alignment frame bracket  163  and is rigidly attached to the housing  11 , such that when the card alignment bar contactor  162  is in its fully down position, it rests at or near the card edge control points  189 . In an alternate approach, the card alignment shaft  165  may be replaced with one or more card alignment pins  167 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a glove-in-place sensor  235 . The glove-in-place sensor  235  includes a flag  201 , a flag head  216 , a flag tail  217  and a sensor  218  that work together to signal that the front-most glove assembly  15  is in position to begin contact with the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 . The flag tail  217  is pinned to the card alignment bar  161 . When the glove assembly  15  passes the flag  201 , the flag tail  217  rotates up and the flag head  216  rotates down and interacts with the sensor  218  which signals that the next glove assembly  15  is in position for the next operation. 
         [0106]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrates a glove box retention mechanism  173  which includes a right and a left glove box retention subassembly  174 ,  175  which include an arm assembly  176 , a top pulley  177 , a bottom pulley  178 , a cable  179 , a shaft  180 , and may contain a cable idler  181 . The arm assembly  176  includes a base  182 , a pin  183 , a tension arm  184 , a spring  185 , and a contactor  186 . Because the right and left glove box retention subassemblies  174 ,  175  operate in a mirrored fashion on opposite sides of a glove box base  144  in the glove donning system  10 , this description will proceed with respect to the right glove box retention subassembly  174 , with the understanding that it also applies to the left glove box retention subassembly  175 . 
         [0107]    The shaft  180  is co-radial to the hinge pin  200  and is rigidly attached to the maintenance door hinge  47  and the top pulley  177 . The cable  179  is rotationally coupled to the top pulley  177  such that the cable  179  wraps around the circumference of the top pulley  177  as it rotates. The cable  179  extends from the top pulley  177  down to the bottom pulley  178 . The bottom pulley  178  face is orthogonal to the top pulley  177  face. 
         [0108]    The cable  179  follows the circumference of the bottom pulley  178 , thus changing direction from a downward direction to a direction towards the glove box base  144 , and terminates and is flexibly affixed to the tension arm  184  of the arm assembly  176 . The tension arm  184  is rotatably pinned to the base  182 . The spring  185  is affixed to the base  182  and to the tension arm  184  pulling the spring  185  in tension. A contactor  186  is attached to the end of the tension arm  184 . 
         [0109]    When the maintenance door  26  is raised, the maintenance door hinge  47  rotates, rotating the shaft  180 , which then rotates the top pulley  177 . The cable  179  winds up around the top pulley  177  and slides over the bottom pulley  178 , which pulls the tension arm  184  away from the glove box base  144 . When the maintenance door  26  is lowered, the tension is lessened on the cable  179  and the spring  185  pulls the arm towards the glove box base  144 , engaging the contactor  186  to the side of the glove box base  144 . When both the right and left contactors  186  press against the glove box base  144 , the glove box base  144  deforms, thus preventing forward motion of the glove box base  144 . When the tension arms  184  are pulled away from the glove box base  144 , the glove box base  144  is free to move forward and backward. As illustrated in  FIG. 10E  in an alternate embodiment, a friction arm assembly  176 A prevents motion through friction with the glove box base  144 . 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 13  and also to  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 11A-11G, and 12  for reference, a method  1300  of glove donning in accordance with an aspect of the innovation will now be explained. As described herein, the donning sequence and the front-to-back movement are accomplished by the front-to-back glider assembly  67 . The transverse movement is accomplished by the transverse glider assembly  68 . Further, the rotational movement is accomplished by the right and left grabber assembly rotation motors  88 ,  89  coupled rotationally to the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 . The front-to-back glider assembly  67  is driven by the front-to-back motor  71  or an equivalent displacement actuator such as a linear motor or air cylinder. The transverse glider assembly  68 , front-to-back glider assembly  67  and the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  all work in concert to position the gloves  16  as described below. 
         [0111]    In the method description below, since the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70 , the right and left transverse gliders  84 ,  85 , and the right and left front-to-back glider blocks  76 ,  77  operate in a mirrored fashion on opposite sides of the glove  16  in the glove donning system  10 , the description below will proceed with respect to the right grabber assembly  69 , the right transverse glider  84 , and the right front-to-back glider block  76 , with the understanding that it also applies to the left grabber assembly  70 , left transverse glider  85 , and left front-to-back glider block  77 . 
         [0112]    Thus, at  1302 , the activation device  41  is activated by the user. At  1304 , the activation device transmits a signal to the control system  236 , and at  1306 , the control system  236  initiates a glove donning sequence, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In other embodiments, user identification approval (e.g., via RFID, etc.) can be required to activate the glove donning system. At  1308 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  are positioned with the pincher  111  and the grabber  110  pointing down, and the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  facing the glove assemblies  15 . At  1310 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  move towards the back of the glove donning system  10  until the face of the pincher  111  engages the front face of the glove insert card exposed portion  132 . This may be achieved by moving the glove insert card  131  forward or the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  toward the glove insert card  131  or both, whereby sensors may determine correct positioning. In one embodiment, the lifter screw gear  56  is engaged by a lifter screw motor gear  59  which rotates the lifter screw  53 , thereby moving the glove assemblies  15  forward to the correct position. At  1312 , once the pincher  111  and glove insert card  131  are engaged, the lifter screw (rod)  53  is raised, thus raising the glove assembly  15 , and at  1314 , causing the pincher  111  to become inserted into the glove insert card insertion portion  133 , between the glove  16  and the glove insert card  131 . Alternatively, the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  or the grabber  110  and pincher  111  pair are lowered causing the pincher  111  to insert in the glove insert card insertion portion  133 , between the glove  16  and the glove insert card  131 . At  1316 , the glove  16  is then pinched between the pincher  111  and grabber  110  by translating the pincher  111  and grabber  110  together. At  1318 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  move towards the front of the glove donning system  10  until the glove insert card  131  is free of the lifter screw  53  or track set  19 . At  1320 , the grabber  110  and pincher  111  raise from a vertical (downward) orientation to a horizontal orientation. At  1322 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  rotate towards the glove  16 , causing the ejection of the glove insert card  131  from the glove  16 . At  1324 , the glove insert card  131  drops down into the glove insert card collection area  30 . At  1326 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  rotate generally 180 degrees from their starting position towards the glove  16  until the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  are facing the front of the glove donning system  10  and whereby in the process at  1328 , form a glove cuff  17  in the glove  16 . The depth of the glove cuff  17  is generally defined by the depth of the grabbers  110  insertion into the glove cuff  17 . The right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  may move transversely towards or away from the glove  16  as needed to maintain required tension in the glove  16  during the cuffing process. At  1330 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  move in opposite directions away from the glove  16  transversely to prepare the glove  16  for donning. At  1332 , the pincher  111  move away from the grabber  110 , once sufficient tension is achieved in the glove cuff  17 . At  1334 , the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  and glove  16  are extended to the donning position, and the glove opening  187  is presented to the user, whereby the right and left grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  come to a complete stop. At  1336 , the user inserts his or her hand through the glove opening  187  and fully into the glove  16 . Optionally, a ready light  43  may be used to indicate that the glove  16  is ready for donning. At  1338 , once the glove  16  is secure on the user&#39;s hand, the user removes the gloved hand from the glove donning system  10 . Alternately, activating the activation device  41  with the user&#39;s other hand will signal gloving completion and the grabber assemblies  69 ,  70  will move to release the glove  16 . 
         [0113]    What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible. Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.