A LENGTH OF DISPOSABLE CUFFS AND A CUFF DISPENSER TO BE LOCATED ABOUT AND ACROSS INLET OPENINGS OF A CHAMBER WITH A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE

Abstract: The cuff dispenser (7) comprises the rear plate (8), the core plate (9), and the front plate (10). The front plate is cranked (at 22) and welded along the rims to the rear plate (8). In the spacing between the rear plate and the front plate, the core plate (9) is retained by the flanges (20, 21). The plates (8, 9, 10) comprise a handhole (11, 12, 13). A storage box (16) on the front plate comprises a roll of disposable cuffs (17). Each cuff comprises indicated yield lines (6) for insertion of a hand. By pressing with his finger tips the attendant may break the yield lines (6) and insert his hand through the cuff (1) and the holes (11, 12, 13) into the incubator when the dispenser (7) is secured thereon. The cuffs are of a tough resilient plastics closing thightly about the wrist, whereby the incubator atmosphere is maintained. Separately, the dispenser and the cuffs are easily replaceable, which is an advantage in surgical operations. Furthermore, the cleaning of the incubator is facilitated.

Description: A Length of Disposable Cuffs and a Cuff Dispenser to be Located About and Across Inlet Openings of a Chamber With a Controlled Atmosphere. ' Technical " Field ' 5 The present invention relates to a length of disposable cuffs to be located about and across inlet openings of a chamber with a controlled atmosphere, said openings be¬ ing intended for introducting the hands of an attendant. Background Art 0 US patent specification No. 2,695,605 discloses an in¬ fant uncubator with inlet openings and provided with a sleeve system. In this known sleeve system a- cylindri¬ cal sleeve of fabric or plastics is mounted in such a manner that one opening thereof is located on a fixed 5 flange about the hand-hole opening and the opposite open¬ ing thereof is located on a closure device mounted about the flange. When the closure device is turned, the . sleeve - is opened and closed, respectively, like an iris. ' This known system is encumbered with the following. drawbacks.. .. 0 The system is stationary, and since it must be replaced as a complete unit, this replacement is by routine re¬ peated once a day. In use the known sleeve becomes still more, contaminated during this period. In order to be cleaned both the flange and the closure device must be 5.completely, demounted-,, /which, is -usually performed . each , time- another patient is placed therein or once a week. The system requires much work in connection with the clean¬ ing, which is also an unfortunate procedure from a bac¬ teriological point of view. The price of the sleeves - 0 (Dkr. 25,- 30,-) excludes the possibility of using it as a disposable sleeve. When the attendant is to insert both hands into the incubator, it is necessary that anot- her person closes the sleeve tightly about the attend¬ ant's wrists. From a functional point of view the known system has the advantage that it may be tightly closed about the wrist, whereby the climatic conditions are ai tained within the incubator. Another known system for closing the hand-hole openings of an incubator comprises some hatches which are simply opened, whereafter free access to the interior of the incubator is provided. This system has the drawback tha when the hatch is opened, the climatic conditions within the chamber are changed, and since routine work each day is performed a considerable number of times for up to about 30 minutes, difficulties arise especially concer¬ ning the temperature, whereas a drop in the oxygen con- centration and the moisture percentage may be partly com pensated for through an increased flow, which, however, makes the system more expensive. From a bacteriologica point of view, the system is better than the system de¬ scribed above since it is not necessary to touch parts o the incubator durin the work... However, the . hatches wit openings and a locking system are so complicated that th can only be superficially cleaned. . . Disclosure of Invention The- object of the present invention is to provide a cuff and a cuff dispenser which in a simple manner may be lo- cated- ou side- the-inlet -openings-..of .a chamber: with-a-,con trolled atmosphere, and which by use of disposable cuffs provide an almost optimal access system from a bacterio¬ logical point, of view, said system to an essential degre preventing changes in the climatic conditions as well -as in possible particular gas concentrations. The cuff and the cuff dispenser according to the inventio are characterised by the subject matter stated in claims 1 and 4. In this manner a cuff and a cuff dispenser are obtained which permit a guick application of always clean, sterile cuffs. The inventive cuff dispenser may further- more be quickly detached and mounted on the smooth outer surface of the outer wall surface of the chamber in ques¬ tion, said wall surface upon removal of the cuff dispens¬ er comprising no projecting surfaces and therefore being easy to clean. In use the attendant inserts his hand transverse through the tube-shaped disposable cuff of double sheet material which closes tightly about his wrist. After use the cuff surrounding the guide and re¬ taining means is pulled out whilst advancing another fresh cuff from the storage box. Subsequently the used cuff is torn off, and the chamber is again hermetically closed in this respect. Advantageous embodiments of the individual parts of the cuff and the cuff dispenser are described in the sub-claims. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the cuff and the cuff dispenser according to the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a section of a length of disposable cuffs of double sheet material, Figs. 2 and 3 are front and sectional views of a first embodiment of a cuff dispenser according to the invention, Figs. 4 and 5 are front and side views of a second embodi¬ ment of a cuff dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a front view of a core plate for use in con- nection with the cuff dispenser of Figs. 4 and 5, OMPI Fig. 7 is a side view of a front plate for use in connec tion with the cuff dispenser of Figs. 4 and 5, Fig. 8 illustrates on a smaller scale a portion of an a- mended embodiment of the cuff dispenser of Fig. 4, Figs. 9 to 11 are on a larger scale sectional views take along the lines A-A, B-B, and C-C, respectively, of Fig. 8, Fig. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the dis penser of Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 13 illustrates a known incubator, on which the cuff dispenser according to the invention may be mounted upon removal of a known cuff dispenser, Figs. 14 and 15 are front and side views of a third pre ferred embodiment of a cuff dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 16 illustrates a section of a preferred embodiment of a length of disposable cuffs of double sheet material and Figs. 17 and 18 are front and side views of a core plate .for. use in. connection with the cuff dispenser of Figs. 14 and 15. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a double length of dis¬ posable, cuffs 1, only the to laye appearing. The cuff are intended for a separate and quickly replaceable lo¬ cation in front of .the hand-hole openings 2 of a chamber • 3 V7ith a controlled atmosphere, cf. Fig. 13. Such a chamber with a controlled atmosphere may for instance form part of the incubator illustrated in Fig. 13, said incubator for instance being of the type described in US patent specification No. 2,695,605. Another example of such a chamber with a regulated atmosphere is illustrated in US patent specification No. 2,600,240. Other chambers with a regulated atmosphere may be particularly shaped for chemical or biological tests, for use in connection with assembling of optical instruments, and for use with- in the electronic industry etc. The disposable cuff 1 is shaped as a tube of clear, tough, resilient plastics, preferably of extruded high pressure polyethylene of a thickness of about 0.03 to 0.08 mm, preferably 0.04 to 0.06 mm, and most preferably about 0.05 mm. The disposable cuffs 1 are manufactured in a long double length 4 with indicated transverse tear-off lines or perforations 5 between each cuff 1. Opposing yield lines 6 are placed at a location, preferably at the middle of the lengths of the cuffs. These yield lines are for instance as indicated formed as a cross or as a cir¬ cular section, a star or a polygon. It is preferred that the indicated yield lines 6 are hermetical prior to the intended perforation, which is performed by inserting the finger tips perpendicular to the stretched out length of sheet material in such a manner that the fingers hit the indicated yield lines . Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a cuff dispenser 7. This cuff dispenser comprises a rear plate 8, a core plate 9, and a front plate 10. All these plates comprise a transverse hole 11, 12, and 13, respectively of substantially the same size as the hand-hole openings 2, i.e. that they for instance have a diameter of about 120 to about 170 mm, preferably 130 to 150 mm, and most preferably 140 mm. Along the periphery the rear plate 8 comprises a secu¬ ring and sealing member 14, which sealingly and detacha¬ bly may secure the rear plate 8 to the outer surface of the wall 15 of the chamber 3 with the holes 11, 12, 13 opposite an opening 2. A simple securing member 14 is a double adhesive tape. At one end the front plate 10 comprises a storage box 16 in which a roll 17 of cuffs 1 is provided, cf. the dia¬ grammatical indication by a dotted line in Fig. 3 Along the two side rims 17, the front plate 10 is cranked (at the reference number 22) , and there secured to the rear plate 8 for instance by welding. In this manner the rear plate 8 and the front plate 10 form a long, flat di penser tube open to the storage box and comprising an or fice 19 located farthest off the storage box 16. The core plate 9 is located in such a manner between the front and the rear plate of the flat dispenser tube that the front portion of the tube-shaped double length of cuffs is pulled over the core plate. At both ends the core plate 9 comprises a transverse bend or flange 20 an 21, respectively. The upwardly bent flange 20 at the en adjacent the storage box prevents the pulling out of th core plate and co-operates in guiding the tube-shaped length of double sheet material over the core plate. Th upwardly bent flange 21 prevents the core plate from be¬ ing disposed into the storage box, and the optionally ser rated end rim thereof facilitates the tearing off of used cuffs. A plurality of dispensers 7 are for use secured on the smooth outer wall surface 15 of the chamber 3 with the holes 11, 12, and 13 flushing with an opening 2. The cu dispenser may be located as desired either in such a man ner -chat the storage box is vertically situated to the side of the inlet opening or in such a manner that the storage box is horizontally located below the inlet open¬ ing according to the position the least preventing an ob¬ servation of the chamber. If desired the dispenser may be shaped in such a manner that it comprises two parallel dispensers located side by side and having a single rear plate and with a particular storage box on both front plates. As a result only one complete dispenser need to be located in front of the two inlet openings of the in- cubator. When a dispenser is located on the chamber, the attendant can by pressing his finger tips against the indicated yield lines 6 of the first cuff penetrate the tough, re¬ silient plastic length and insert his hands into the chamber. The tough, resilient material ensures that the cuff sealingly closes about 10 cm behind the carpus. When finished the attendant pulls out his hand and by catching the free end of the cuff on the inclined rim of the guide, the length of cuffs is advanced until the next transverse perforation is situated on the rim of the_flange 21 and the next cross with indicated yield lines is pres¬ ent in the middle of the hole. Subsequently a new cuff is advanced in front of the opening of the chamber in such a manner that it hermetically closes said opening. Now the used cuff is torn off along the perforation with a support by the edge, and the system is again ready for use. The rim of the core plate 9 comprises preferably in the portion between the centre of the hole 12 and the tear-off flange 21 a plurality of notches 140. The most advantageous positioning of these notches is determined by assembling a dispenser with a core plate without • notches, fixing the double length at the tear-off flange 21, and penetrating and loading the cuff. The folds ap¬ pearing in the double length are marked cn the rim of the core plate, and the positioning of the notches is thereby OMPI determined according to the materials and tolerances em¬ ployed. Since folds at the load are always positioned above the penetrating spot, the notches must be located in the rim portion present above a horizontal diagonal through the centre of the hole 12. That is, if the box i horizontally located below the hand-hole openings 2 of the incubator, these notches must be provided in the hal of the core plate between the centre of the hole 12 and the tear-off flange 21, whereas the notches in case the storage box is vertically located must be provided in th entire upward rim of the core plate 9. By co-operating with the folds formed in the cuff 1 during use and load thereof these notches ensure in use that the cuff length of double sheet material is locked in its position. In stead of notches the rim of the core plate may be rough¬ ened. Figs. 4 to 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a dispens¬ er 107. This dispenser also comprises a rear plate 108, a core plate 109, and a front plate 110. Each plate com- prises a transverse hole 111, 112, and 113, respectively, of substantially the same size as the hand-hole openings 2 of the chamber 3, i.e. between about 120 mm and about 170 mm. On the surface of the rear plate 1C8 facing the outer wall surface of the chamber 3, the rear plate comprises a securing and sealing member 114 along its entire periphery, e.g. in the form of a narrow pad of resilient material preferabl of foam plastic. This foam plastic is on the side facing the wall 15 coated with an adhesive which may retain the rear plate 108 and consequently the dispenser 107 detacha bly to the wall 15 of the chamber 3. This adhesive must possess a lesser binding strength than the binding agent used for securing the narrow pad to the rear plate 108. For cleaning purposes it is preferred that the adhesive is water-soluble, and it may for instance be "Bostik ( ~ ~\ 36" ^- In a second embodiment the pad may be omitted whereby only the securing and sealing member 114 forms the adhesive tapes. These adhesive tapes are directly ap- 5 plied to the back of the dispenser 7 along the rims and are covered by a detachable, not shown, protecting film coat- • ing or a plastic. Upon removal of the protecting coat¬ ing, the dispenser may be loosely secured on an incubator by being pressed against the outer wall thereof. The 10 resiliency of the plastics used is sufficient to adapt the dispenser to the plate surface of the incubator. The binding strength is good and proved through tests to be able to withstand the influences usually expected in use. The binding strength is not greater than an empty dispens- 15 er can easily be removed. The adhesive residues were easily removed by means of water and soap. At the dis¬ penser end, the rear plate . comprises an upwardly bent transverse flange 120 bent an angle α outwards in a direc¬ tion away from the wall 15. The angle α is between 10° 20 and 20 , preferably between 12 and 17 , and most prefera¬ bly about 15 for a purpose described below. At one end the front plate 110 comprises a storage box 116 containing the roll 17. A short distance within the longitudinal side rims 118 the front plate 110 is cranked 25 at 122. Along the side rims 118 and the rim 123 and behind the storage box the front plate is welded or glued to the rear plate 108 in such a manner that a flat dispenser tube is formed between the cranks 122. This dispenser tube is " defined " by " the rear plate " 108- and the front plate """ 30 110, and it comprises a narrow oblong opening to the storage box 116 and a flat orifice 119. A short distance within the orifice 119 and parallel thereto the front plate is further cranked at 124, cf. Fig. 7, for welding or glueing of the core plate 109, cf. below. The orifice 35 of the front plate is bent an angle β to . form a transverse lO flange 121. The angle β is smaller than the angle α, e.g. 4-6°, and preferably 5 smaller than the angle α. A recess 126 is provided in the middle of the transverse orifice flange 120, said recess permitting both an easy 5 catching and pulling out of the cuffs 1 into the correct position and a closing of the opening 2. In the flat dispenser tube between the front and the rear plate, the core plate 109 is located a short distance both from the front and the rear plate and from the inte- 10 rior limits of the crank 122. The front cuff 1 of the tube-shaped cuff length 4 is pulled over the major por¬ tion of the core plate and to the orifice 119. A short distance within the orifice end, the core plate comprises in both sides a transverse or obliquely extending recess 15 127 comprising knives 128 for cutting the cuff tube dur¬ ing the pulling out, whereby the pulling out is con¬ siderably facilitated. Between the recesses 127 and the orifice, the core plate comprises two projections 129 pro truding to both sides. The outer portions of these pro-. 20 jections are welded or glued to the inner surface of the front plate 110 at the cranks 124. As a result, the- core plate is secured in such a manner that a narrow, wide slot on both sides of the intermediary portion of the cor plate for introduction of the tube-shaped cuffs 1. Fur- 25 ther towards the orifice, the core plate is bent an angle α upwards, to a transverse flange 125 in such a manner tha at this spot the core plate follows the flange 120 of the ...bottom.,jsurface...-; Since- α-is_ grater, than..β., a squeezing._.~ effect is provided between the front plate and the core 30 plate, said squeezing effect co-operating in retaining a succeeding cuff at the tearing -off of a used cuff. In order, to facilitate the tearing off " , the core plate alon or both the core and the front plate may comprise a line of teeth 130. The .upwardly bent flanges 120, 121, and 35 125 at the orifice form a long catching surface, whereby OM the entire dispenser may be torn off the wall 15 of the chamber 3. In order to lock the cuff 1 during use, an ar¬ bitrary number of notches 140 may for instance be formed in the two longitudinal rims of the core plate 109. One limit line of these notches is preferably located sub¬ stantially perpendicular to the rim, and the second limit line thereof forms an angle of preferably not more than 50 with the first limit line. This second limit line furthermore inclines towards the tear-off flange 121 in such a manner that the notches present no resistance a- gainst pulling out of the cuffs. Both rims may optional¬ ly be provided with notches 130 or just be rough in their entire length. The embodiment illustrated in the drawing has proved to be suited for a load of the double length of up to 6 kg, v/hereby the materials used in this connec¬ tion were pol inyl chloride of 1 mm for the core plate, and high pressure polyethylene sheet of 0.05 mm for the cuff. Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a variation of the embodiment il- lustrated in Figs. 4 to 7. In this embodiment the knife has been replaced by curved, sharpened ' -rim "" of edge 131, which may optionally be formed like a serrated cutting edge. Figs. 9 to 11 are sectional views of the permanent connections between the plates 108-110, said connections being rendered possible through the cranks 122, 124, 134, 135. Furthermore, the cutting of the tube-shaped cuff 1 of sheet material is illustrated together with the securing means in the form of a foam plastics pad 132. ; This- pad " is permanently secured to " the rear plate, which on the side turning therefrom comprises a coating of a detachable, pressure-sensitive adhesive preferably being water-soluble and e.g. being "Bostik"36_^.. Fig. 12 illustrates a variation of the embodiment of the cuff dispenser illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. In this em bodiment the flange 20 projecting into the storage box has been replaced .by a thickening 36 with a guttiform or a circular cross section and surrounded by two corres- ponding swellings 37, 38 in the front plate 10 and the rear plate 8, respectively. A securing and sealing mem¬ ber of the type illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 is located on the rear plate 8. The material used for the various plates is preferably a clear, hard plastics such as for instance polyvinyl chloride. The plate may be manufactured through vacuum forming or preferably through die casting. Beyond the illustrated securing means it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that also other securing means may be employed. These means may for instance be mechan ical securing members such as pressure buttons, whereby preferably the female part is secured to the rear plate and the male part is secured to the outer side of the wa 15 of the chamber 3, the- ale part being easier to clean. It is also possible to use strips such as for instance s called Velcro tapes, which, however, make the cleaning more difficult, but which facilitate the quick removal o an empty dispenser. In this manner a quick removal of dispensers may be performed, which is of particular im- portance in connection with surgical operations of a child in an infant incubator. Oblong snap lock-like catching means .of plastics , maχ ^ als - . -be.- used. . . .. . .. . ..... .. It is to be noted that the second embodiment in practice is used in the same manner as the first manner of use de scribed. The present invention thus provides a cuff dis¬ penser for closing chambers with a controlled atmosphere, whereby a disposable cuff is used. As a result the syste according to the invention provides an almost optimal se curity from a bacteriological point of view. Since a close contact is present between the two lengths of the cuff and the surface of the hand and the wrist, respec¬ tively, during the entire inserting and pulling out pro- cedure, changes in the climatic conditions as well as in possible, particular gas concentrations are prevented. The cuff dispenser permits a very quick insertion and pul¬ ling out of the hand, which is work-saving and of great importance during operations. Furthermore this dispenser is work-saving with respect to the fact that the entire chamber is easier to clean, a cuff dispenser only need¬ ing to be torn off and optionally thrown away, whereafter the incubator on the outer side comprises nothing but smooth surfaces which facilitates the cleaning essential- ly. It is expected that a cuff dispenser for use in connec¬ tion with for instance relatively healthy babies such as prematurely born babies, must comprise about 30 disposable cuffs, said number covering the daily consumption. Compared to the prior art the cuff dispenser according to the invention is work-saving since only one person need to use the cuff, whereas known cuffs of the art dealt with in US patent specification No. 2,695,605 require at least two persons for a sterile insertion of a hand. When a cuff for a long period only has been used for cov¬ ering ..the hand—hole,opening, of..an incubator,- the-outward— surfaces of the cuff are not long sterile. When a sterile cuff is needed, the cuff not yet used for inserting the hand only has to be pulled out and the succeeding cuff is then used for inserting.a hand into the incubator. " When an increased guarantee is desired that only sterile cuffs are used, a length without indicated yield lines may be inserted between each cuff. The presently preferred embodiment of the cuff dispenser 207 is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, whereby the as¬ sociated tubular double length 204 of disposable cuffs 201 appears from Fig. 16, and the associated core plate 5 209 appears in details from Figs. 17 and 18. The rear plate 208 of the cuff dispenser 207, cf. Figs. 14 and 15, comprises a transverse hole 211 and at the bottom thereof a circular arc-shaped hook 220 formed so as to catch the rim of the hand-hole opening 2, cf. Fig. 13. At the top, a corresponding circular arc-shaped hook 221 with a hole 222 is shaped in such a manner that the hook 221 may be displaced by means of a spring-loade pawl 223 for fixing the dispenser 207 to the chamber 3, cf. Fig. 13. The pawl 223 is located in a bushing 224 f 5 axial displacing, said bushing being moulded in the rear plate. Other mechanical, e.g. helical or snap lock-like, fastening means may be used. At both ends of the rear plate 208, transverse recesses 226, 225 are provided, th purpose thereof appearing later on. " At. the ' bottom of- he rear plate 20, a hinge projection.2 is mounted on which the front plate 210 is hinged. The lower end of the front plate 210 is formed as a storage box 216 for a roll, not shown, of disposable cuffs 201, and furthermore a transverse hole 213 is provided. For locking the front plate 210 to the rear plate 2.08, mutua ly engaging catching means are provided at the upper end of the plates. In the present embodiment, this catching means is indicated as a knob 228 formed integral with th rear plate. A screw 229 extends through the knob throug a hole therein and engages a threaded hole in the front plate. -Other mechanical, securing means such as for in¬ stance spring-loaded members, snap lock or bayonet socke may be used. Along, the rims the front and the rear plat closely abut each other, whereas the intermediary por- tions are thinner to form a spacing capable of receiving the core plate 209. Opposite the recesses 225, 226 in the rear plate, corresponding recesses 230, 231 are formed in the front plate. The core plate 209 is loosely located in the spacing for¬ med between the front and the rear plate completely sur¬ rounded by the first cuff of the tubular double length 204. In the spacing the core plate is retained by means of two oblong, transverse guide knobs 232, 233 located at both ends of said core plate. These guide knobs 232, 233 rest in the recesses 226, 230 and 225, 231, respectively, of the front and the rear plate. In practice these knobs turned out not to prevent the drawing-out of the double length 204, since the friction between acryl or polyvinyl chloride plastics used for the dispenser and the poly= vinyl chloride plastics used for the double length is insignificant. As illustrated, the guide knob 233 is V-shaped, which ensures the correct positioning of the core plate when load is applied. lube foils of the art described are produced v.ith tolerances of - 3mm optionally - 2 πui. The core plate must consequently be shaped in such a manner that it functions satisfactorily with all foil widths between for instance 197 and 203 mm. The illustrated core plate 209 has therefore a width of 200 mm as its greatest width, said width functioning satisfactorily at foil widths from 201 to 203 mm. At widths between 197 and 201 mm, the slit 234 illustrated in Fig. 17 provides the core plate with an appropriately springy effect in such a manner that even the smallest di¬ mension may be pulled out without any particular resist¬ ance. In the previously described core plates it is necessary with a very steep increase for taking account to the an- OMPI gle of the knives relative to the foil. This implies that the previously described foil can only be advanced by pulling in each corner with one hand, which is rather laboriously, especially when using two cuff dispensers located side by side. It is natural to use one hand only and subsequently to crumple the foil when catched. This implies that the upper portion of the foil becomes nar¬ rower. The core plate 209 illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18 is adequately pointed so that this procedure may be carried out. It turned out to be advantageous to provide the side rims 235 with cuts 236 of a uniformly increasing size, cf. the left portion of- Fig. 17. When inserting the hand through the perforation of yield lines of the foil the foil is stretched about the individual points in such a manner that it is fixed, and subsequently at the load of the arm the foil is stretched downwards. The centre of the pull F is about 40 mm below the centre of the hole When the lower line of each cut is directed towards the * point F, it is achieved that the foil even at a very heav load is.only,perforated by the outer, points, .and. not cut as a ; unit. ' ■ On the upper rim 237 of the core plate two cuts 238 appea which retain the foil at the tearing off procedure. When tearing off ' to the right or left side, the foil is catch¬ ed by h vertical side, rim i stead of " sliding towards the centre. In both lengths of the tubular double length 204, cf. Fig 16, yield lines 206 are indicated in the form of circular arcs, which provides a high strength against unintentiona loads. At the two ends of the circular arc, the yield line 206 has been extended with two yield lines 206a_ and b extending parallel to and at a distance from the centra line of the double length 204. In this manner it sured that the flap 206£ ejected by the penetration sticks to the cuff 201 and is pulled out together there¬ with. Furthermore it is ensured that the opening formed by the penetration in emergency situations may be en- larged and provide a greater freedom of movement within the incubator. Since the cuff dispenser is usually located in such a manner that the storage box is at the bottom, an upward movement of the wrist penetrates the lines 206a and b. The tear-off line 205 is shaped in such a manner that when the yield line 206 is in the centre of the hand-hole opening 2, cf. Fig. 13, the tear-off line 205a_ flushes with the upper rim 237 of the core plate 209, whereas the trapezoidal portion 205b hangs freely for catching. In this manner the tearing off is facilitated, since the outer point on the tearing off line mostly loaded is a- ligned with the upper rim of the core plate. At the same time the noise level at the tearing off is lowered. This embodiment of the cuff dispenser is particularly suited when for economical reasons it is desired not to dispose a dispenser completely functional per se, but only to re-fill the dispenser v/ith cuffs. Of course the dis¬ penser becomes more expensive thereby but the total ex¬ penses are essentially lower. Beyond the above, the cuff dispenser 207 is suited for mechanical securing on the surface of an incubator, v/hich for easier cleaning should be completely free from mechanical devices. The perma¬ nent hook or collar supporting the dispenser in the down¬ ward direction as well as the displaceable locking collar which may be displaced by means of a screw or a pawl ex¬ tending into a bushing, are one possibility of securing the cuff dispenser. When positioning the cuff dispenser it is advantageous . to locate the storage box at the bot¬ tom of the incubator, whereby a free observance of the -^_ E _ _T- OMPI interior of the incubator is not prevented. Since the front plate may be swung downwards, the insertion of a new roll of cuffs is facilitated, since the downward rim of the storage box swings inwards and rests against the wall of the incubator in such a manner that a substan¬ tially horizontal surface is obtained for use as support during the insertion of the new roll of cuffs. If de¬ sired, the cuff dispenser 207 may be provided with foam rubber strips for sealing the surfaces of the rear plate facing the incubator. r £Ti

Claims: Claims : 1. A length of disposable cuffs to be located about and across inlet openings (2) of a chamber (3) with a controlled atmosphere, said openings being intended for introducing the hands of an attendant, c h a r a c - " t e r i s e d in that the disposable cuffs (1) are of double sheet material and are produced in an endless double length of a flattened tube shape, that tear- off lines (5) are provided between the individual cuffs and across the longitudinal direction of the tube, and that yield lines (6) are indicated in each length, pre¬ ferably substantially in the middle of each cuff, where¬ by said yield lines may be two lines crossing each other or be polygonal, circular or star-shaped, and whereby they are preferably shaped as a circular arc with short, straight yield lines (206a, 206b) extending from the ends of the circular arc and parallel to and at a dis¬ tance from the central line of the double length (204) . 2. A length as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d in that the double sheet material is of a tough, resilient material of the type being capable of stretching at perforation and insertion of the hand and subsequently closing tight to the wrist or arm and preferably being high pressure polyethylene in tube- shape , said sheet material having _a..thickness of 0.03- 0.08 mm, preferably 0.04-0.06 mm, and most preferably about 0.05. mm, and- whereby the-indicated yield,., lines....... (6) in the form of diagonal lines crossing each other preferably are of a length of between 2 and 5 cm, pre- ferably about 3 cm. 3. A length as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d in that said tear-off lines (205) extend across the length so that a trapezoidal portion (205b) for gripping is formed on a cuff when a previously used cuff is torn off and that also 1 at each side of the cuff . (201) short tear-off lines are formed for easing the tearing off. 5 4. A cuff dispenser to be located about and across inlet openings (2) of a chamber (3) with a controlled at mosphere, said openings being intended for introducing the hands of a person, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in tha the dispenser (7? . 107; 207) comprises a storage box 10 (16; 116; 216) with a supply (17) of a length of tube- shaped disposable cuffs (1; 201) of double sheet materia a flat dispenser tube (8, 10; 108, 110; 208, 210) con¬ nected with the storage box and comprising a cuff guide and retaining means (109; 209), whereby holes (11, 12, 15 13;- 111, 112, 113; 211, 212, 213) extending across the dispenser tube and located both in the wide, flat wall plates (8, 10; 108, 110; 208, 210) of the dispenser tube and in the guide and retaining means (9, 109; 209),. said holes being of substantially the same dimension as the 0 inlet openings (2) of the chamber (3) , and securing and sealing members (14, 114;- 220, 221) for detachably and sealingly securing the dispenser (7; 107; 207) to the smooth, outer surface of the wall (15) of the chamber (3) and surrounding at least one of the inlet openings 5 (2). 5. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 4, c h a r- . a. c.ti.e r. i .s. e..d_ .in: that, the -fiat:: ispenser." tube-com y prises a rear plate (8; 108) and a front plate (10; 110) secured to said rear plate along three rims (18, 23; 118, 0 123) preferably through welding or glueing, and cranked (at 22; 122) to form the flat tube, whereby the storage box (16; 116) forms part of the front plate (10; 110) . 6. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claims 3 and 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the guide and retain¬ ing means is a core plate (9) , the rims (20, 21) of which projecting from the end of the storage box and the ori- : fice end, respectively, of the dispenser tube, are bent upwards and shaped so as partly to form a guide surface (20) and a tear-off rim (21) , respectively, for the cuffs (.1) passed across the core plate, and partly to form means for loosely retaining the core plate at a distance both relative to the rear and to the front plate (8, 10) respectively. 7. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claims 4 and 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the guide and retain¬ ing means is a core plate (109) , which at a short dis¬ tance within the orifice (119) comprises a cranked pro- jection (129, 134) projecting to the sides for securing, preferably through welding or glueing, to the rear plate (108) and to a corresponding crank (135). on the front plate (110) , respectively, in such a manner that the major portion of the core plate (109) is secured at a distance both relative to the rear and to the front plate., said.core plate (109)- preferably comprising-side -rims ■ being rough or provided with notches (140) . - 8. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 7, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d in that a sharp edge is located in both sides of. the core plate (109)- immediately within the projection (129) , said edge for instance either being shaped in the core plate, by .shaping, an..optionally, ser:-.......:- rated cutting edge (131) , preferably curving slightly outwards in the core plate (109) , said edge extending into the cranked projection (129, 134), or being a knife (128) located in a transverse or inclined recess (127 ' ) immediately adjacent or a short distance within the cranked projection (129, 134), and whereby the core plate (109) preferably comprises side rims being rough or pro- vided with notches (140) . 9. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 7, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i s e d in that the rear plate (108) and the core plate (109) at the orifice end are defined by an upwardly bent transverse flange (120, 125) bent an angle α upwards from the plane of the rear and the core plate, respectively, and that the front plate (110) at the ori¬ fice end is defined by a transverse flange (121) bent an angle β upwards from the plane of the front plate, where by α is greater than β and whereby α is between about 10 and about 20°, preferably between 13 and 18 , and most preferably 15 , and whereby β is 4-6 smaller than α and preferably is about 5 smaller than α. 10. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 4, and one or more of the claims 5 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the securing and sealing member is an adhesive strip or an adhesive tape (14) comprising an adhesive coating on both sides, and whereby the tape preferably co prises foamed plastics, preferably with closed pores, and whereby " the adhesive layer used .for securing the cuff. dispenser to the wall (15) of the chamber (3) possesses such an adhesiveness to the wall that the dispenser (7) may be reliably secured and upon use be removed therefrom and is preferably water-soluble. 11. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 4 and one or more of the claims 9 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i s e.d in that the securing " arid sealing '" member comprises a spacing and sealing layer located on the rear plate (109) and along the entire periphery thereof, said layer for in¬ stance being of foamed plastics, and mechanical securing, members such as for instance press buttons, preferably of the type whereby the female part is secured to the rear plate and the male part is secured -to the outer side of - ~ $ O Λ WI the wall of the chamber (3) , or Velcro tapes permanently secured to both the rear plate and the wall, or oblong snap lock-like catching means of plastics with a slight¬ ly curved and pointed projection protruding from the wall (15) and a corresponding holding member with aper¬ tures located on the rear plate (8; 108) . 12. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 4, c h a r¬ a c t e r i s e d in that the flat dispenser tube is formed between a rear plate (208) and a front plate (210) which by means of a hinge (227) at the storage box (216) is pivotably secured to one transverse rim of the rear plate and when used is secured adjacent the rear plate by means of co-operating locking means (228, 229) . 13. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claims 4 and 12, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the guide and retain¬ ing means is a core plate (209) shaped in such a manner that when introduced into the front cuff (201) it is re¬ tained in a flat spacing formed between the rear plate (208) and the front plate (210) . 14. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 13, c h a r¬ a c t e r i s e d in that the core plate (209) comprises oblong, transverse guide knobs (232, 233) engaging cor¬ responding transverse recesses (225, 226, 230, 231) in the rear and the front plate, respectively, of which one . knob (233) and the corresponding recesses (226, 230) are preferably .V-shaped to. retain the. core plate when the load ' is applied- 15. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claim 13 and/or claim 14,. c h. a r a c t . e r i s e in that a slit (234) extends from the hole (212) of the core plate (209 to the rear edge thereof in such a manner that the core plate may be adapted to tube foils of a. varying ' width. OMPI 16. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claims 13, 14, and/or 15, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the core plate (209) along substantially half of its side rims (235) is pointed and preferably comprises cuts (236) of a uniformly increasing size towards the middle of the core plate. 17. A cuff dispenser as claimed in claims 12, 13, 14, 15, and/or 16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that cuts (238) " are shaped in the upper rim (237) of the core plat (209) in the knob (233), said cuts facilitating the tear¬ ing off of a removed used cuff (201) . 18. A cuff dispenser as claimed claim 12, c h a r¬ a c t e r i s e d in. that mechanical securing members (220, 221, 222, 223) are mounted on the rear plate (208) for loosely securing the dispenser (207) to the rim of the inlet opening (2} during the sealing.

Inventors: NESHEIM E
Applicants: NESHEIM E
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B25J21
IPC codes: A61G11, B25J21