Patent Publication Number: US-2022233008-A1

Title: Glove cartridge

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,848, which was filed on Jan. 26, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field of this disclosure relates generally to method and systems for glove dispensing and, in particular, to such methods and systems configured to utilize a glove cartridge. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Sanitary gloves have been an essential item for many industries for decades, including medical industries, food industries, and law enforcement agencies. These gloves can be relatively tight fitting and difficult or time consuming to put on, especially with damp hands that have just been washed. The gloves are often stored in boxes of 50 to 500 gloves, which are easy to contaminate while gloves are pulled from the box for use or for storage in after-market bins. Often only a single size of large gloves is available because the larger gloves are easier to put on and “fit” everyone. People with smaller hands are often compelled to use oversized gloves, which wastes material and may interfere with fine finger control. 
     Many devices have been made to facilitate and automate hygiene: automated water faucets, automated soap dispensers, automated paper towel dispensers, and automated hand dryers, for example. However, glove donning has not been automated in a practical manner. 
     OVERVIEW OF DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of this disclosure relates to glove cartridges. 
     Another aspect of this disclosure relates to glove dispensing machines. 
     Yet another aspect of this disclosure relates to methods for dispensing gloves. 
     In some embodiments, a glove cartridge comprises: a flexible glove including an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region of glove material, wherein the upper region includes multiple finger parts, wherein the middle region includes a palm part and a back part, and wherein the lower region includes a wrist part and a glove base that defines a glove opening; and a cartridge including a cartridge frame having a cartridge boundary and a cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge aperture defines an inner edge of the cartridge frame, and wherein the glove opening is positioned to extend around a majority of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a glove cartridge comprises: a flexible glove including an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region of glove material, wherein the upper region includes multiple finger parts, wherein the middle region includes a palm part and a back part, and wherein the lower region includes a wrist part and a glove base that defines a glove opening; and a cartridge including a cartridge frame having a cartridge boundary and a cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge aperture defines an inner edge, wherein the inner edge is in proximity to an aperture ridge that extends along at least a portion of the cartridge aperture, wherein the aperture ridge has a ridge base and a ridge lip, wherein the inner edge is closer to the ridge base than to the ridge lip, and wherein the glove base is positioned at the ridge base or between the ridge base and the ridge lip such that the glove opening is positioned about the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, multiple glove cartridges including a first glove cartridge and a second glove cartridge comprise: a first flexible glove of the first glove cartridge including a first upper region, a first middle region, and a first lower region of glove material, wherein the first upper region includes multiple first finger parts, wherein the first middle region includes a first palm part and a first back part, and wherein the first lower region includes a first wrist part and a first glove base that defines a first glove opening; a first cartridge of the first glove cartridge including a first cartridge frame having a first cartridge boundary and a first cartridge aperture, wherein the first cartridge has a first cartridge boundary configuration, wherein the first cartridge aperture defines a first inner edge, wherein the first inner edge is in proximity to a first aperture ridge that extends along at least a first portion of the first cartridge aperture, wherein the first aperture ridge has a first ridge base and a first ridge lip, wherein the first inner edge is closer to the first ridge base than to the first ridge lip, and wherein the first glove base is positioned at the first ridge base or between the first ridge base and the first ridge lip such that the first glove opening is positioned about the first cartridge aperture; a second flexible glove of the second glove cartridge including a second upper region, a second middle region, and a second lower region of glove material, wherein the second upper region includes multiple second finger parts, wherein the second middle region includes a second palm part and a second back part, and wherein the second lower region includes a second wrist part and a second glove base that defines a second glove opening; and a second cartridge of the second glove cartridge including a second cartridge frame having a second cartridge boundary and a second cartridge aperture, wherein the second cartridge has a second cartridge boundary configuration that is different from the first cartridge boundary configuration, wherein the second cartridge aperture defines a second inner edge, wherein the second inner edge is in proximity to a second aperture ridge that extends along at least a second portion of the second cartridge aperture, wherein the second aperture ridge has a second ridge base and a second ridge lip, wherein the second inner edge is closer to the second ridge base than to the second ridge lip, and wherein the second glove base is positioned at the second ridge base or between the second ridge base and the second ridge lip such that the second glove opening is positioned about the second cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, an inventory of multiple glove cartridges including a first glove cartridge and a second glove cartridge comprises: a first flexible glove of the first glove cartridge including a first upper region, a first middle region, and a first lower region of glove material, wherein the first upper region includes multiple first finger parts, wherein the first middle region includes a first palm part and a first back part, and wherein the first lower region includes a first wrist part and a first glove base that defines a first glove opening; a first cartridge of the first glove cartridge including a first cartridge frame having a first cartridge boundary and a first cartridge aperture, wherein the first cartridge has a first cartridge boundary configuration, wherein the first cartridge aperture defines a first inner edge, wherein the first inner edge is in proximity to a first aperture ridge that extends along at least a first portion of the first cartridge aperture, wherein the first aperture ridge has a first ridge base and a first ridge lip, wherein the first inner edge is closer to the first ridge base than to the first ridge lip, and wherein the first glove base is positioned at the first ridge base or between the first ridge base and the first ridge lip such that the first glove opening is positioned about the first cartridge aperture; a second flexible glove of the second glove cartridge including a second upper region, a second middle region, and a second lower region of glove material, wherein the second upper region includes multiple second finger parts, wherein the second middle region includes a second palm part and a second back part, and wherein the second lower region includes a second wrist part and a second glove base that defines a second glove opening; and a second cartridge of the second glove cartridge including a second cartridge frame having a second cartridge boundary and a second cartridge aperture, wherein the second cartridge has a second cartridge feature that is different from a first cartridge feature of the first cartridge, wherein the second cartridge aperture defines a second inner edge, wherein the second inner edge is in proximity to a second aperture ridge that extends along at least a second portion of the second cartridge aperture, wherein the second aperture ridge has a second ridge base and a second ridge lip, wherein the second inner edge is closer to the second ridge base than to the second ridge lip, and wherein the second glove base is positioned at the second ridge base or between the second ridge base and the second ridge lip such that the second glove opening is positioned about the second cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a glove-dispensing system comprises: a slot configured to receive a glove cartridge, the glove cartridge containing a glove attached around a cartridge aperture that is through a cartridge frame; a glove portal face having a rear surface; a glove portal configured to allow entry of a hand through the glove portal face and the rear surface; a sealing plate configured to apply a glove cartridge against the rear surface of the glove portal face such that glove portal overlaps the cartridge aperture; a vacuum chamber that includes the sealing plate; and a vacuum source in communication with the vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a glove-dispensing system comprises: a holding chamber configured to house multiple glove cartridges, each of the glove cartridges containing a glove attached around a cartridge aperture that is through a cartridge frame; a glove portal face having a rear surface; a glove portal configured to allow entry of a hand through the glove portal face and the rear surface; a sealing plate configured to apply a glove cartridge against the rear surface of the glove portal face such that glove portal overlaps the cartridge aperture; a cartridge pathway chamber between the holding chamber and the sealing plate; a vacuum chamber that includes the sealing plate; and a vacuum source in communication with the vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a glove-dispensing system comprises: a primary holding chamber configured to house primary multiple glove cartridges, each of the primary glove cartridges containing a primary glove attached around a primary cartridge aperture that is through a primary cartridge frame; a primary glove portal face having a primary rear surface; a primary glove portal configured to allow entry of a primary hand through the primary glove portal face and the primary rear surface; a primary sealing plate configured to apply a glove cartridge against the primary rear surface of the primary glove portal face such that primary glove portal overlaps the primary cartridge aperture; a primary cartridge pathway chamber between the primary holding chamber and the primary sealing plate; a primary vacuum chamber that includes the primary sealing plate; and a primary vacuum source in communication with the primary vacuum chamber; a secondary holding chamber configured to house secondary multiple glove cartridges each of the secondary glove cartridges containing a secondary glove attached around a secondary cartridge aperture that is through a secondary cartridge frame; a secondary glove portal face having a secondary rear surface; and a secondary glove portal configured to allow entry of a secondary hand through the secondary glove portal face and the secondary rear surface. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a glove-dispensing system comprises: a primary glove-dispending machine and a secondary glove-dispending machine, wherein the primary glove-dispending machine includes a primary holding chamber configured to house primary multiple glove cartridges each of the primary glove cartridges containing a primary glove attached around a primary cartridge aperture that is through a primary cartridge frame, a primary glove portal face having a primary rear surface, a primary glove portal configured to allow entry of a primary hand through the primary glove portal face and the primary rear surface, a primary sealing plate configured to apply a primary glove cartridge against the primary rear surface of the primary glove portal face such that primary glove portal overlaps the primary cartridge aperture, a primary cartridge pathway chamber between the primary holding chamber and the primary sealing plate, a primary vacuum chamber that includes the primary sealing plate, and a primary vacuum source in communication with the primary vacuum chamber, and wherein the secondary glove-dispending machine, includes a secondary holding chamber configured to house secondary multiple glove cartridges each of the secondary glove cartridges containing a secondary glove attached around a secondary cartridge aperture that is through a secondary cartridge frame, a secondary glove portal face having a secondary rear surface, a secondary glove portal configured to allow entry of a secondary hand through the secondary glove portal face and the secondary rear surface, a secondary sealing plate configured to apply a secondary glove cartridge against the secondary rear surface of the secondary glove portal face such that secondary glove portal overlaps the secondary cartridge aperture, a secondary cartridge pathway chamber between the secondary holding chamber and the secondary sealing plate, a secondary vacuum chamber that includes the secondary sealing plate, and a secondary vacuum source in communication with the secondary vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a method for facilitating the donning of a glove comprises: in response to a size selection signal, conveying from a holding chamber a glove cartridge so that it is positioned adjacent to a glove portal, wherein the glove cartridge contains a glove attached around a cartridge aperture through a cartridge frame, wherein the glove portal provides access to a vacuum chamber; applying vacuum pressure to the vacuum chamber to expand the glove into the vacuum chamber; and releasing the glove from the glove cartridge onto a hand in response to movement of the hand after it has been inserted into the glove or in response to positive pressure supplied to the vacuum chamber after the hand has been inserted into the glove. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a method for facilitating the donning gloves comprises: in response to a size selection signal, conveying from one or more holding chambers primary and secondary glove cartridges so that they are positioned adjacent to a common glove portal or to respective separate primary and secondary glove portals, wherein the primary glove cartridge contains a primary glove attached around a primary cartridge aperture through a primary cartridge frame, wherein the secondary glove cartridge contains a secondary glove attached around a secondary cartridge aperture through a secondary cartridge frame, wherein the common glove portal or the respective separate primary and secondary glove portals provide access to a common vacuum chamber or to respective separate primary and secondary vacuum chambers; applying vacuum pressure to the common vacuum chamber or to the respective separate primary and secondary vacuum chambers to expand the primary and secondary gloves into the common vacuum chamber or into the respective separate primary and secondary vacuum chambers; and releasing the primary and secondary gloves from the respective primary and secondary glove cartridges onto primary and secondary hands in response to positive pressure supplied to the vacuum chamber or to the respective separate primary and secondary vacuum chambers after the primary and secondary hands have been inserted into the respective primary and secondary gloves, or in response to movement of the primary and secondary hands after they have been inserted into the respective primary and secondary gloves, or in response to both positive pressure supplied to the vacuum chamber or to the respective separate primary and secondary vacuum chambers and movement of the primary and secondary hands after they have been inserted into the respective primary and secondary gloves. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove opening is positioned to extend around all of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the inner edge is in proximity to an aperture ridge that extends along at least a portion of the cartridge aperture, the aperture ridge has a ridge base and a ridge lip, the inner edge is closer to the ridge base than to the ridge lip, and the glove base is positioned at the ridge base or between the ridge base and the ridge lip such that the glove opening is positioned around the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove cartridge is configured to facilitate formation of a vacuum seal around a glove portal into a vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge boundary defines a cartridge dimensional area, the inner edge defines a cartridge aperture dimensional area, and the cartridge aperture dimensional area is greater than or equal to the cartridge dimensional area. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a cartridge major surface between the cartridge boundary and the inner edge, wherein the cartridge major surface is configured to facilitate formation of a vacuum seal around a glove portal into a vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the multiple finger parts include a thumb part that has a different shape than that of the other finger parts. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove comprises a nitrile material. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove comprises a vinyl material. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove comprises latex. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove comprises a polymer material. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove base includes a glove lip that includes a thicker region of glove material. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge frame has a boundary shape resembling a polygon. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge frame has a boundary shape resembling a rectangle, square, ellipse, circle, or oval. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge aperture has an aperture shape resembling a polygon. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge aperture has an aperture shape resembling a rectangle, square, ellipse, circle, or oval. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove base has a glove major axis and a glove minor axis that is transverse to the glove major axis, wherein the cartridge aperture has an aperture major axis and an aperture minor axis that is transverse to the aperture major axis, and wherein the glove is positioned about the cartridge aperture such that the glove major axis is substantially parallel to the aperture major axis. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge boundary has a boundary wall that is transverse to the major cartridge surface. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the boundary wall tapers externally as it extends away from the major cartridge surface. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a front side and a rear side, and wherein the front side is configured for entry of a hand into the glove. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is configured to be stackable with multiple additional cartridges having similar features. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge is configured to be stackable with multiple additional cartridges having similar features, such that major cartridge surfaces of the multiple additional cartridges are substantially parallel when they are in a stacked configuration. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a front side and a rear side, and wherein the front side is configured to provide a receptacle for the rear side of an additional cartridge having similar features. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge boundary has a boundary wall that is transverse to the major cartridge surface, wherein the cartridge has a front side and a rear side, wherein the boundary wall extends from the front side, and wherein the front side is configured to provide a receptacle for the rear side of an additional cartridge having similar features. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture ridge extends along at least a major portion of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture ridge extends along the entire inner edge of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture ridge is continuous. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture ridge is discontinuous. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is configured to hold the glove during the donning process. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a front side and a rear side that is opposite the front side, wherein the cartridge comprises a rear protective layer that is attached to the cartridge and covers the cartridge aperture on the rear side of the cartridge such that the rear protective layer is configured to prevent external contact with the glove from the rear side of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the rear protective layer is a bag configured to accommodate a major portion of the glove when it is inflated. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a front side and a rear side, and wherein the cartridge comprises a front protective layer that at least partly occludes the cartridge aperture on the front side of the cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the front protective layer is configured to break during a glove donning or glove extraction process. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the front protective layer has one or more weakened break-lines. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the one or more weakened break-lines are perforated. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the front protective layer has an open central portal. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge comprises a front protective layer that at least partly occludes the cartridge aperture on the front side of the cartridge, wherein the cartridge has a rear side that is opposite the front side, wherein the cartridge comprises a rear protective layer that is attached to the cartridge and covers the cartridge aperture on the rear side of the cartridge, wherein a major portion of the glove is positioned between a plane of the front protective layer and the rear protective layer and within a volume of the cartridge aperture therebetween. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a front side and a rear side, and wherein the aperture ridge is positioned on a front side of the cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major axis that is smaller than 155 mm. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is disposable. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is reusable. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is recyclable. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge is biodegradable. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the ridge base has a base perimeter that is smaller than a lip perimeter of the ridge lip. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, space between the cartridge boundary and the inner edge defines a cartridge surface area, wherein the inner edge defines a cartridge aperture dimensional area, and wherein the cartridge aperture dimensional area is greater than or equal to the cartridge surface area. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture, and wherein the major cartridge surface is substantially flat. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major cartridge surface between the cartridge boundary and the cartridge aperture, and wherein the major cartridge surface is configured to form a seal against a flat surface. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge boundary has multiple sides edges, including first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge has a first edge dimension configured to fit within a doorway dimension of holding chamber configured to store multiple cartridges, and wherein the second side edge has a second edge dimension that is larger than the first edge dimension and larger than the doorway dimension. In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second edge dimensions facilitate placement of the glove cartridge in a selected orientation into a holding chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge boundary has at least one perimeter edge having one or more notches or one or more outward tabs. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge boundary has at least one perimeter edge having one or more notches or one or more outward tabs that are mated to features along a wall of holding chamber configured to store multiple cartridges. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge boundary has multiple sides edges, including first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge has a first edge configuration that correlates with a first wall feature of a holding chamber configured to store multiple cartridges, wherein the second side edge has a second edge configuration that is different from the first edge configuration, such that the second edge configuration is incompatible with the first wall feature. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second edge configurations are different with respect to one or more of: size, shape, color, notch, and tab. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second edge configurations facilitate placement of the glove cartridge in a selected orientation into the holding chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, an additional flexible glove includes an additional upper region, an additional middle region, and an additional lower region of glove material, wherein the additional upper region includes additional multiple finger parts, wherein the additional middle region includes an additional palm part and an additional back part, and wherein the additional lower region includes an additional wrist part and an additional glove base that defines an additional glove opening; and an additional cartridge aperture defines an additional inner edge, wherein the additional inner edge is in proximity to an additional aperture ridge that extends along at least an additional portion of the additional cartridge aperture, wherein the additional aperture ridge has an additional ridge base and an additional ridge lip, wherein the additional inner edge is closer to the additional ridge base than to the additional ridge lip, and wherein the additional glove base is positioned at the additional ridge base or between the additional ridge base and the additional ridge lip such that the additional glove opening is positioned about the additional cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture and the additional aperture lie in substantially the same plane. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the aperture and the additional aperture lie in different planes. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major surface between the cartridge frame boundary and the cartridge aperture, and wherein the major surface comprises cardboard, metal, or plastic. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cartridge has a major surface between the cartridge frame boundary and the cartridge aperture, and wherein the major surface comprises a transparent, partly-transparent, or translucent material. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second cartridge boundary configurations are different with respect to one or more of: size, shape, color, notch, and tab. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second cartridge boundary configurations are configured to facilitate placement into different holding chambers, including first and second holding chambers having respective first and second chamber features correlated with the respective first and second cartridge boundary configuration, such that first holding chamber is configured to house first glove cartridges and the second holding chamber is configured to house second glove cartridges. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises one or more holding chambers configured to house multiple glove cartridges, each of the glove cartridges containing a glove attached around a cartridge aperture that is through a cartridge frame. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a cartridge pathway chamber between the holding chamber and the sealing plate. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises multiple holding chambers. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises multiple holding chambers, including first and second holding chambers of different sizes. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises multiple holding chambers, including first and second holding chambers configured for holding glove cartridges containing different sizes of gloves. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises multiple holding chambers, including first and second holding chambers, wherein the first holding chamber has a first feature that correlates with a first edge configuration of a first side edge of a first glove cartridge, wherein the second holding chamber has a second feature that correlates with a second edge configuration of a second side edge of a second glove cartridge, wherein the first feature of the first holding chamber is different from the second feature of the second holding chamber, wherein the first edge configuration of the first glove cartridge is different from the second edge configuration of the second glove cartridge, such that the first holding chamber is incompatible with the second glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises multiple holding chambers, including first and second holding chambers, wherein the first holding chamber has a first wall feature that correlates with a first edge configuration of a first side edge of a first glove cartridge, and wherein the first wall feature is incompatible with a second edge configuration of a second side edge of the first glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first and second edge configurations are different with respect to one or more of: size, shape, color, notch, and tab. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a cartridge deck actuator that is operable to move a glove cartridge to the cartridge pathway chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a glove size-selector mechanism that presents indicators of different glove sizes, including first and second glove sizes, that are available for selection, wherein the glove size-selector mechanism is configured to directly or indirectly communicate with a cartridge deck actuator that is operable to move a glove cartridge that contains a glove of a selected size to the cartridge pathway chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove portal has a glove portal area that is greater than or equal to a cartridge aperture area of the cartridge aperture. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the sealing plate has a sealing plate aperture that is configured to be aligned with the glove portal whenever the sealing plate is employed to apply the glove cartridge against the rear surface of the glove portal face, wherein the sealing plate aperture is configured to allow entry of a hand through the sealing plate. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a sealing plate actuator that is configured to apply force to the sealing plate to move a glove cartridge on the sealing plate toward the rear surface of the glove portal face. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the holding chamber is configured to hold glove cartridges in a first orientation, wherein the cartridge pathway chamber is configured to retain the first orientation of the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the holding chamber is configured to hold glove cartridges in a first orientation, wherein the cartridge pathway chamber is configured to change the first orientation of the glove cartridge to a second orientation that is different from the first orientation. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove portal face is transparent, partly transparent, or translucent. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the holding chamber is a primary holding chamber, wherein the glove portal face is a primary glove portal face, wherein the glove portal is a primary glove portal, wherein the sealing plate is a primary sealing plate, wherein the cartridge pathway chamber is a primary cartridge pathway chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is a primary vacuum chamber, and wherein the vacuum source is a primary vacuum source, and wherein the glove-dispensing system further comprises one of more of a secondary holding chamber, a secondary glove portal face, a secondary glove portal, a secondary sealing plate, a secondary cartridge pathway chamber, a secondary vacuum chamber, and a secondary vacuum source. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the holding chamber is a primary holding chamber, wherein the glove portal face is a primary glove portal face, wherein the glove portal is a primary glove portal, wherein the sealing plate is a primary sealing plate, wherein the cartridge pathway chamber is a primary cartridge pathway chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is a primary vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source is a primary vacuum source, and wherein the glove-dispensing system further comprises a secondary glove portal, wherein the glove-dispensing system is configured to provide a primary glove cartridge containing a primary glove in a primary glove orientation at the primary glove portal, wherein the glove-dispensing system is configured to provide a secondary glove cartridge containing a secondary glove in a secondary glove orientation at the secondary glove portal, and wherein the primary and secondary glove orientations are different. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a secondary holding chamber, wherein the primary and secondary holding chambers are configured for holding respective primary and secondary glove cartridges containing gloves of the same size. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a secondary vacuum chamber, wherein the secondary vacuum chamber is connected to the secondary glove portal, and wherein the primary vacuum chamber is connected to the primary glove portal. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is connected to the primary and secondary vacuum chambers. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system comprises a secondary vacuum source that is connected to the secondary vacuum chamber, and wherein the primary vacuum source is connected to the primary vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the holding chamber is a primary holding chamber, wherein the glove portal face is a primary glove portal face, wherein the glove portal is a primary glove portal, wherein the sealing plate is a primary sealing plate, wherein the cartridge pathway chamber is a primary cartridge pathway chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is a primary vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source is a primary vacuum source, and wherein the glove-dispensing system further comprises a secondary holding chamber, a secondary glove portal face, a secondary glove portal, a second sealing plate, a secondary cartridge pathway chamber, a secondary vacuum chamber, and a secondary vacuum source. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system is configured to be mounted on a wall. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove-dispensing system is configured to be mounted on a wall without additional support from a ground surface and/or such that the glove-dispensing system does not reach the floor. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum chamber is configured to accommodate positive pressure. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is configurable to provide positive pressure. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum chamber is connected to a source of positive pressure. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove portal face is a primary glove portal face, and wherein the glove portal is a primary glove portal, wherein the glove-dispensing system further comprises a secondary glove portal that is through a secondary glove portal face, wherein the secondary glove portal face lies in a secondary plane that is different from primary plane of the primary glove portal face. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the glove cartridges are primary glove cartridges, wherein the glove is a primary glove, wherein the cartridge aperture is a primary cartridge aperture, wherein the cartridge frame is a primary cartridge frame, wherein the glove portal is a primary glove portal that is through a primary portal face and a primary back surface of the primary portal face, wherein the glove-dispensing system further comprises: a secondary glove portal that is through a secondary portal face and a secondary back surface of the secondary portal face; and secondary glove cartridges, each of the glove cartridges containing a secondary glove attached around a secondary cartridge aperture that is through a secondary cartridge frame, wherein the primary glove has a primary major opening axis, wherein the secondary glove has a secondary major opening axis, wherein the primary cartridge aperture has a primary aperture axis, wherein the secondary cartridge aperture has a secondary aperture axis, wherein the primary major opening axis has a primary relationship with the primary aperture axis, wherein the secondary major opening axis has a secondary relationship with the secondary aperture axis, and wherein the glove-dispensing system in cooperation with the primary and secondary relationships is configured to apply the primary and secondary glove cartridges to the respective primary and secondary back surfaces of the respective primary and secondary glove portal faces so that the primary major opening axis is transverse to the secondary major opening axis. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the primary glove cartridge has a primary cartridge boundary with a primary side edge, wherein the secondary glove cartridge has a secondary cartridge boundary with a secondary side edge, and wherein the primary side edge and the secondary side edge are nonparallel. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the secondary sealing plate is configured to apply a secondary glove cartridge against the secondary rear surface of the secondary glove portal face such that secondary glove portal overlaps the secondary cartridge aperture, the primary cartridge pathway chamber is positioned between the secondary holding chamber and the secondary sealing plate, the primary vacuum chamber includes the secondary sealing plate, and/or the primary vacuum source is in communication with the second vacuum chamber. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is configured to cooperate with the vacuum chamber and a glove cartridge to inflate a glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is configured to cooperate with the vacuum chamber and a glove cartridge to stretch at least one finger part of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is configured to cooperate with the vacuum chamber and a glove cartridge to stretch multiple finger parts of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the vacuum source is configured to cooperate with the vacuum chamber and a glove cartridge to stretch a middle region of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, applying vacuum pressure causes inflation of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, applying vacuum pressure causes stretching of at least one finger part of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, applying vacuum pressure causes stretching of multiple finger parts of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     In some alternative, additional, or selectively cumulative embodiments, applying vacuum pressure causes stretching of a middle region of the glove on the glove cartridge. 
     Selectively cumulative embodiments are embodiments that include any combination of multiple embodiments that are not mutually exclusive. 
     Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a conventional flexible glove. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a glove cartridge, including a flexible glove. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of an alternative glove cartridge, including a flexible glove. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a cartridge without a glove. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view or left side view of the cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view or a bottom view of the cartridge. 
         FIG. 6  is a front and left side perspective view of the cartridge. 
         FIG. 7  is a left front isometric view of a glove-dispensing machine equipped with a stack of glove cartridges. 
         FIG. 8  is front view of a glove-dispensing machine. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a glove-dispensing machine. 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of a glove-dispensing machine. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side and front perspective view of a glove-dispensing system that includes two glove-dispensing machines and a mannequin positioned in front of the system. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a glove-dispensing system. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of a glove-dispensing system. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a glove-dispensing system. 
         FIG. 14  is a top, left, and front isometric view of a glove-dispensing system. 
         FIG. 15  is a right side cross-sectional view of a glove-dispensing system showing internal components. 
         FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D  are right side cross-sectional views of a glove-dispensing region of a glove-dispensing system, showing an example of a portion of a sequence for loading a cartridge into a glove-dispensing position. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are right front isometric views of a glove-dispensing region of a glove-dispensing system, showing a portion of a cartridge removal sequence. 
         FIGS. 18A-18C  are right front isometric views of a glove-dispensing region of a glove-dispensing system, showing an example of a portion of a sequence for placing a glove onto a hand, including positioning a hand through a dispenser aperture and through a cartridge aperture of a glove cartridge to receive a glove. 
         FIG. 19  is an image of a hand covered by a glove dispensed by the glove-dispensing machine of  FIGS. 18A-18C . 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of example circuitry that can be employed to facilitate operation of a glove-dispensing machine. 
         FIG. 21A  is a top right front isometric view of another embodiment of a glove-dispensing machine that includes an additional manual-feed cartridge slot for glove cartridges. 
         FIG. 21B  is a top right front isometric view of another embodiment of a glove-dispensing machine that employs a manual-feed cartridge slot that may replace an automated cartridge feeding system (and optionally excludes cartridge storage chambers). 
         FIG. 22A  is a front right isometric view of an example of a stand-alone cartridge storage system. 
         FIG. 22B  is a front right isometric view of an example of a bottom frame of a stand-alone cartridge storage system with bottom-dispensing slots. 
         FIG. 23  is a front right isometric view of a portion of an example glove-dispensing machine having a slot-insertion storage chamber that may be employed with or without a door. 
         FIG. 24  is top right front isometric view of an example glove-dispensing machine configured for receiving cartridge boxes of multiple cartridges that can be fed directly by an actuator into a cartridge pathway chamber. 
         FIG. 25A  is a top, left, and front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a glove-dispensing system including a discard storage chamber for empty cartridges. 
         FIG. 25B  is a left side view of an alternative embodiment of a glove-dispensing system including a discard storage chamber for empty cartridges. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Example embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings, the sizes, positions, etc., of components, features, elements, etc., as well as any distances therebetween, are not necessarily to scale, and may be disproportionate and/or exaggerated for clarity. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be recognized that the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “include,” “including,” “have,” “has,” and having” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, one element could be termed a “first element” and similarly, another element could be termed a “second element,” or vice versa. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. 
     Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “about,” “thereabout,” “substantially,” etc. mean that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “right,” left,” “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element or feature, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be recognized that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can, for example, encompass both an orientation of above and below. An object may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly. 
     Unless clearly indicated to be otherwise only, all connections and all operative connections may be direct or indirect. Similarly, unless clearly indicated to be otherwise only, all connections and all operative connections may be rigid or non-rigid. 
     Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, even elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings. 
     Many different forms and embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and so this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. 
     With global outbreaks of deadly contagious diseases becoming more regular, frequent glove changes are required in medical industries, food industries, and law enforcement agencies, for example. A practical glove-dispensing machine would save time and help prevent spread of contagious agents. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a conventional flexible glove  20  that may include an upper region  22 , a middle region  24 , and a lower region  26  of glove material. For convenience, the regions are shown as separated by a virtual distal broken line  14  and a virtual proximal broken line  16 . The upper region includes multiple finger sleaves or finger parts  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c , and  28   d  (collectively finger parts  28 ). In some embodiments, the finger parts  28  may have substantially the same size. However, in many embodiments, the finger part  28   d  may be the shortest, and/or it may have the smallest circumference or diameter. The finger part  28   b  may be the longest, and/or it may have the largest circumference or diameter. The finger parts  28   a  and  28   c  may have similar lengths, circumferences, and/or diameters, and these finger parts  28   a  and  28   c  may be generally smaller than those of the finger part  28   b  and generally larger than those of the finger part  28   d . In some embodiments, the finger part  28   c  may have slightly larger dimensions than those of the finger part  28   a.    
     The middle region  24  may include a palm part  30  and a back part (not shown) that are configured to cover the palm region of a hand. A thumb part  34  may form part of the middle region  24 , the upper region  22 , or both the middle region  24  and the upper region  22 . The lowest portion of the thumb part  34  may be positioned in the middle region  24  or the upper region  22 . The thumb part  34  may have a wider circumference and diameter than those of the finger parts  28 , and the thumb part  34  may be shorter than the finger parts  28 . However, the thumb part  34  may be longer than or equal to the finger part  28   d.    
     The lower region  26  may include a wrist part  36  and a glove base  38  that defines a glove opening  40 . In  FIG. 2 , the glove base  38  and glove opening  40  are depicted in a relaxed, at least partly open, and unstretched condition. The glove base  38  may include a glove lip  42  that includes a thicker region of glove material. The glove lip  42  may extend along the entire perimeter of the glove base  38 , or the glove lip  42  may extend only partly around the entire perimeter, such as a major portion of the perimeter or a minor portion of the perimeter. Additionally, the glove lip  42  may be continuous or noncontinuous, and the glove lip  42  may have uniform thickness, or the glove lip  42  may have some regions where the glove lip  42  is thicker than in other regions. The glove  20  may comprise a polymer material. Some glove materials include one or more of a nitrile material, a vinyl material, or a latex material. 
     The gloves  20  may be configured as a “one size fits all” glove  20 , or the gloves  20  may be configured in different sizes, such as: large and small; large, medium, and small; or extra large, large, medium, small, and extra small. The different sizes may include different lengths or circumferences for the finger parts  28 , and/or different dimensions for the palm part  30  or the opening  40 . The gloves  20  may all have the same color, or different sizes of gloves  20  may be manufactured with different colors so that the different sizes are readily discernable. 
     The glove opening  40  may be circular, oval, elliptical, or other shape in a relaxed (nonstretched) at least partly open state. Regardless of shape, perimeter and circumference are used interchangeably herein for convenience. In some embodiments, the glove opening  40  for a small glove  20  may have a perimeter of 200 mm plus or minus 5 mm, the glove opening  40  for a medium glove  20  may have a perimeter of 210 mm plus or minus 5 mm, and the glove opening  40  for a large or an extra large glove  20  may have a perimeter of 220 mm plus or minus 5 mm. 
     The glove base  38  or the glove opening  40  may have a major opening dimension  32  along a major opening axis  44  and a minor opening dimension  46  along a minor opening axis  88 . The major opening axis  44  may be generally parallel with a major plane of the middle region  24  or palm part  30 . These dimensions will vary depending on whether the glove is in a stretched state or a relaxed state. In a relaxed state, the major opening axis  44  may be an inverse function of the minor opening dimension  46  and vice versa. However, these axes and dimensions may be useful for describing orientation. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a glove cartridge  50 , including the flexible glove  20 ; and,  FIGS. 3-6  are respective front, side, top, and perspective views of a cartridge  52  without the glove  20 . The glove cartridge  50  may also be referred to as a glove cartridge assembly because it includes a glove  20  that is reversibly attached to a cartridge  52 . With reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , the cartridge  52  may include a cartridge frame  54  having a cartridge frame boundary (or cartridge frame outer perimeter)  56  and a cartridge aperture  58  having an aperture inner edge (or cartridge frame inner perimeter)  60 . A major surface  48  of the cartridge  50  may extend from the cartridge frame boundary  56  to the cartridge aperture  58 . 
     The cartridge frame boundary  56  may have any shape, such as elliptical, oval, circular, or polygonal. Possible polygonal shapes for the cartridge frame boundary  56  may include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or dodecagonal. The polygon may include one side or pair of sides that are dissimilar from other sides in shape or length so as to facilitate handling of the glove cartridge  50  in a dedicated orientation. For example, the cartridge frame boundary  56  may have a top side  72  that has a top dimension  74  that is greater than or equal to a side dimension of a left or right side  78 . One will appreciate that the shape of the cartridge frame boundary  56  (and/or the dimensions of its sides) may be useful for error-proofing that the cartridges  52  are oriented correctly when placed into holding chambers  122  ( FIG. 7 ), as later described. One will appreciate, alternatively, that all sides or opposite sides may have equal length dimensions. 
     Similarly, the aperture inner edge  60  may have any shape, such as elliptical, oval, circular, or polygonal. Possible polygonal shapes for the aperture inner edge  60  may include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or dodecagonal. The aperture  58  may have a major aperture dimension  80  along a major aperture axis  82  that propagates through the central axis  70 , and the aperture  58  may have a minor aperture dimension  84  along a minor aperture axis  86  that propagates through the central axis  70 . The major aperture axis  82  and the minor aperture axis  86  are typically transverse and may be perpendicular. The major aperture axis  82  may bisect the top side  72  and the bottom side, and the minor aperture axis  86  may bisect the left and right sides  78 . However, alternative major aperture axes  82  may run through opposite corners. 
     In some embodiments, a small cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 38% plus or minus 5% larger than a small glove opening  40 . In one example, a small cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 277 mm plus or minus 14 mm. In some embodiments, a medium cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 39% plus or minus 5% larger than a medium glove opening  40 . In one example, a medium cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 294 mm plus or minus 15 mm. In some embodiments, a large or extra large cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 50% plus or minus 5% larger than a large or extra large glove opening  40 . In one example, a large or extra large cartridge aperture  58  may have a perimeter that is 331 mm plus or minus 16.5 mm. 
     The aperture dimensions may be based on the glove size and glove material and may also be brand dependent. In some embodiments, the major aperture dimension  80  may be approximately 40-50% larger than the glove opening  40 . A determinate factor for aperture size may be elasticity of the glove  20  being mounted to the cartridge  52 . The aperture dimensions may be tuned to fit a certain brand of the glove  20  in a manner that permits the glove base  38  or glove lip  42  to be mounted without over-stretching it, while the glove base  38  or glove lip  42  provides sufficient elastic force to stay on the cartridge  52  until the hand  190  ( FIG. 18B ) is inserted and pressure is applied to force removal of the glove  20  from the cartridge  52 . Similarly, the degree of stretch of the glove opening  40  may be based upon a use case for each glove to cartridge mating system. For example, the glove base  38  may be stretched to a large degree in the case of a nitrile glove, but a smaller or even no degree in the case of vinyl or other types of gloves  22 . 
     In some embodiments, the cartridges  52  may all have the same shape and size for the cartridge frame boundary  56  regardless of whether the cartridges  52  support different sizes of gloves  20 . In such embodiments, the cartridge apertures  58  may have different sizes or shapes to accommodate the potentially different sizes of the perimeters of the glove bases  38 , if useful. The cartridge apertures  58  of different sizes may provide a useful visual cue for distinguishing the different sizes of gloves  20  carried by the cartridges  52 . One will appreciate, however, that the cartridges  58  supporting different sizes of gloves  20  may have cartridge apertures  58  of identical sizes and shapes as well as frame boundaries  56  of identical sizes and shapes. The flexibility or stretchability of the glove material may permit such uniformity of the cartridges  52 . 
     In some of such embodiments, the cartridges  52  may have different signature colors for each glove size and/or the gloves  20  may have different signature colors for each glove size, as previously mentioned, as a useful visual cue for distinguishing the different sizes of gloves  20  carried by the cartridges  52 . The signature coloring may cover all or parts of the cartridge  50 , such as one or both major surfaces  48  (front major surface  48   a  and back major surface  48   b ) of the cartridge  50 . 
     Alternatively, the cartridges  52  may have a different shape and/or size for the cartridge frame boundary  56  for different sizes of gloves  20 . For example, the cartridges  52  may be configured with decreasing sizes to coordinate with decreasing sizes of gloves  20 . Alternatively or additionally, the frame boundaries  56  of the cartridges  52  may be configured with different numbers of sides to coordinate with the sizes of gloves. For example, a cartridge  52  for a large glove  20  may be configured with eight sides; a cartridge  52  for a medium glove  20  may be configured with six sides; and a cartridge  52  for a small glove  20  may be configured with four sides. 
     In some embodiments, the cartridge  52  has a major axis (along a side or along a diagonal) that is less than or equal to 155 mm (6 inches). In some examples of rectangular frame boundaries  56 , the frame boundary dimensions are 101.6 mm plus or minus 25 mm by 127 mm plus or minus 25 mm. In some examples of rectangular frame boundaries, at least two of the frame boundary dimensions differ by greater than 10 mm, 15 mm, or 25 mm. Cartridges  52  with different shapes or with different dimensions along different sides may be useful to ensure placement of respective different cartridges  52  into respective holding chambers  122  and/or may be useful to ensure that the cartridges  52  are placed into the holding chambers  122  in a desirable orientation. 
     With or without different cartridge configurations, the cartridges  52  may be color coded to reflect different glove sizes. One will appreciate, however, that having uniform sizes or similar shapes (such as rectangles of the same or different sizes) for cartridge frame boundaries  56  regardless of different glove sizes may simplify considerations for a glove-dispensing machine, as later described. The cartridges  52  may also include alternative keying features, such as one or more notches or outward tabs along one or more of the sides of the frame boundaries  56  that are matched to particular holding chambers  122  and/or particular orientations within the holding chambers  122 , to facilitate placement of specific cartridge types into specific holding chambers  122  in specific orientations. Moreover, cartridges  52 , especially cartridges  52  having identical frame boundary dimensions but supporting different-sized gloves  20 , may be equipped with machine-identifiable size information. Machine sensors may be employed to identify size or other information by cartridge color or by sensing RFID tags that contain desirable information such as size. 
     An aperture ridge  62  may be in proximity to the aperture inner edge  60  and may extend along at least a portion of the aperture edge  60 . Proximity to aperture inner edge  60  may be less than or equal to 1 cm, less than or equal to 0.5 cm, or less than or equal to 0.25 cm, or may be at the aperture inner edge  60 , itself. In  FIGS. 2-6 , the aperture ridge  62  is shown protruding from the front major surface  48   a . One will appreciate, however, that the aperture ridge  62  may protrude from the back major surface  48   b . In other embodiments, both the front major surface  48   a  and the back major surface  48   b  may each support an aperture ridge  62 . (In some embodiments, both the front and back sides of the cartridge  50  may be identical, which may be advantageous for manufacture or manipulation.) 
     The aperture ridge  62  may extend along the entire perimeter of the aperture edge  60 . However, the aperture ridge  62  may extend along only a major portion of the aperture edge  60  (i.e., greater than or equal to half the perimeter of the aperture edge  60 ), or the aperture ridge  62  may extend along a minor portion of the aperture edge  60  (i.e., less than or equal to half the perimeter of the aperture edge  60 ). The aperture ridge  62  may be a continuous structure, or it may be a discontinuous structure, including one or more breaks along the aperture edge  60 , forming multiple aperture tabs  62   a . Moreover, the aperture ridge  62  may have a uniform cross-sectional profile along its length, or the aperture ridge  62  may have a nonuniform cross-sectional profile along its length, with regions having different cross-sectional profiles or sizes. A discontinuous aperture ridge  62  (aperture tabs  62   a ) may permit less force to be applied to disconnect a glove  20 , facilitating easier glove removal by an inserted hand  190 . Accordingly, the amount of the aperture ridge  62  along the aperture edge  60  may be configured to the specific size, elasticity, and/or brand of the glove  20 . 
     The aperture ridge  62  may have a ridge base  64  and an optional ridge lip  66 , wherein the aperture inner edge  60  is closer to the ridge base  64  than to the ridge lip  66 . The ridge base  64  may have a base perimeter that is smaller than a lip perimeter of the ridge lip  66 , potentially forming a recess  68  between the ridge lip  66  and a major surface  48  of the cartridge  52 . For example, the aperture ridge  62  may flare outwardly (with respect to a central axis  70  of the cartridge aperture  58 ) from the ridge base  64  to the ridge lip  66 . In another example, the ridge base  64  may extend generally perpendicularly from the plane of the cartridge aperture  58 , and the ridge lip  66  may extend outwardly (with respect to the central axis  70  of the cartridge aperture  58 ) from the ridge base  64 . The ridge lip  66  may be transverse to the ridge base  64 , extending toward or away from the plane of the aperture  58  or generally perpendicular to the plane of the aperture  58 . 
     The aperture ridge  62  could alternatively flare inwardly. A perpendicular or inward flare would decrease complexity in a cartridge injection mold design, as such ridges  62  would allow the use of a simple two-piece mold. An outward flare might utilize additional mold slides to form the underlying recess. However, cartridges may be manufactured by on-demand printing that could readily accommodate any design features. 
     The ridge base  64  or ridge lip  66  may be continuous structures, or they may be discontinuous structures, including one or more breaks along the aperture edge  60 . One will appreciate that their continuities need not be the same. Moreover, they may have uniform cross-sectional profiles along their lengths, or they may have nonuniform cross-sectional profiles along their lengths, with regions having different cross-sectional profiles or sizes. The dimensions of the ridge base  64  or ridge lip  66  may be configured to the specific size, elasticity, brand of the glove  20 , and/or the amount of the aperture ridge  62  along the aperture edge  60 . 
     The major cartridge surface  48  may have surface area that includes all of the area between the cartridge frame boundary  56  and the cartridge aperture  58 . Alternatively, the major cartridge surface  48  may be skeletal in nature having sufficient struts or other connections between the cartridge frame boundary  56  and the cartridge aperture  58  to sustain structural integrity. The cartridge surface  48 , itself, may be flat or textured. There may, however, be air-pressure-containment advantages or hygienic or sterilization advantages for having a flat, uniform, continuous surface between the cartridge frame boundary  56  and the cartridge aperture  58 . The cartridge surface  48  may employ a transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material, or may include one or more windows of such materials. Even so, color coding of the cartridges would still be possible. 
     In some embodiments, the major cartridge surface  48  exhibits no slope from the cartridge frame boundary  56  to the cartridge aperture  58 , such that the cartridge frame boundary  56  and the cartridge aperture  58  lie in the same plane. In some embodiments, the major cartridge surface  48  slopes from the cartridge frame boundary  56  to the cartridge aperture  58  so that the cartridge frame boundary  56  and the cartridge aperture  58  lie in different planes. The slope can be forwardly or backwardly with respect to the front cartridge surface  48   a . A sloped surface  48  may be advantageous for providing space for the glove  20  when it is in a collapsed configuration  92 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The cartridge  52 , at or near the cartridge frame boundary  56 , may have a boundary wall  90  ( FIG. 2 ) that is transverse to the major cartridge surface  48 . The boundary wall  90  may taper outwardly (with respect to the cartridge aperture  58 ) from its boundary wall base at the major cartridge surface  48  to its boundary wall top. The boundary wall  90  could instead be perpendicular to the major cartridge surface  48 , or the boundary wall  90  could taper inwardly. 
     One will appreciate that an outward flare may facilitate stacking the cartridges on top of each other with their surface planes being substantially parallel. The outward taper of the boundary wall  90  may extend from the front cartridge surface  48   a  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or it may extend from the rear cartridge surface  48   b . In some embodiments, the boundary wall  90  may extend from both major cartridge surfaces  48 , with an outward taper on one side and an inward taper on the other side to improve seating of the cartridges  52  while in a stack. For example, the front surface  48   a  with a boundary wall  90  with an outward taper may be configured to provide a receptacle for the rear surface  48   b  of another glove cartridge  50  with or without a boundary wall  90  with an inward taper on its rear surface  48   b.    
     However, many embodiments that do include a boundary wall  90  have it only on one side of the cartridge  52  so that the cartridge  52  can present a flat surface to a back surface  176  of a glove portal face  178 , as later described with respect to  FIG. 16A . One will appreciate that the height(s) and flare(s) of aperture ridge  62  and the boundary wall  90  may be configured to permit sliding of one cartridge  52  across another cartridge  52  in response to an intentionally applied force greater than a predetermined amount, such as to move a selected cartridge  52  from a holding chamber  122 , as later described. One will also appreciate that it is possible to have boundary walls  90  on fewer than all sides of the cartridge frame  54 . For example, putting boundary walls  90  on only two parallel frame sides (such as the longer frame sides) may allow the cartridges  52  to stack together, while allowing stacked cartridges to substantially easily slide relative to each other in one or both directions along an axis that is parallel to the parallel sides. This embodiment would facilitate automated conveyance of a glove cartridge  50  from the holding chamber  122 , such as employing a cartridge deck actuator  152  ( FIG. 15 ) to push a cartridge  52  from the bottom or top of a stack. 
     The glove  20  may be seated on the cartridge  52  in a number of ways. The glove base  38 , with or without, a glove lip  42  may be positioned around the aperture ridge  62 . In particular, the glove base  38  or glove lip  42  may be positioned at the ridge base  64 , or between the ridge base  64  and the ridge lip  66 , such that the glove base  38  and the glove opening  40  are positioned about the cartridge aperture  58  in a stretched condition 100 with the interior of the glove  20  facing frontwards with respect to the front major surface  48   a  of the cartridge  52  (regardless of whether the aperture ridge is positioned on the front major surface  48   a  or on the rear major surface  48   b ). 
     The glove  20  may be oriented to the cartridge  52  so that its major opening axis  44  is generally collinear with, or generally parallel with the major aperture axis  82  of the cartridge  52 . For example, the major opening axis  44  of the glove  20  may be generally collinear or generally parallel with a major aperture axis  82  that bisects the top side  72  and bottom side of the cartridge  52 , or the major opening axis  44  of the glove  20  may be generally collinear or generally parallel with a major aperture axis  82  that runs through the corners of the cartridge  52 . One will, however, appreciate that the major opening axis  44  may be positioned with other orientations with respect to the cartridge  52 . For example, the major opening axis  44  may be oriented at a glove-orientation angle with respect to the major aperture axis  82  that bisects the top side  72  and bottom side of the cartridge  52 . However, the glove-orientation angle may be less than or equal to 45 degrees, less than or equal to 30 degrees, less than or equal to 25 degrees, less than or equal to 15 degrees, less than or equal to 10 degrees, or less than or equal to 5 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, one or both faces of the glove cartridge  50  may be hermetically sealed or partly sealed such as by a wrap or film  110 . The film  110  may help maintain the glove  20  in the collapsed configuration  92  during transport, storage, and manipulation of the glove cartridge  50 . The film  110  may be a plastic or other layer material and may be configured with indentations or perforations along predetermined tear lines  112 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the film  110  covers a stretched portion of the lower region  26  of the glove  20  so that the interior opening of the finger parts  28  are accessible through an opening (or film aperture)  114  in the film  110 . In  FIG. 2 , the tears lines  112  are generally aligned with the major aperture axes  82  and extend from the corners of the cartridge  52  to the film opening  114 . The film opening  114  may have a border that is continuous as shown in  FIG. 2 , or the border may include tear lines such as any type of perforation. 
     Film  110  may be transparent as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A ; however, it may be opaque, have color, and/or have size information, logos, and/or advertising. In some embodiments, glove cartridges  50  having gloves  20  of different sizes may have different colors or patterns so that they can be readily distinguished from each other. One will appreciate that the film  110  may completely cover one or both faces of the glove cartridge  50  and use any type of tear lines or perforations to create a tear-through film opening  114  instead of a pre-existing film opening  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the glove cartridge  50  may include an additional cartridge aperture  58  that may have any of features previously discussed and that may support an additional flexible glove  20  having any of features previously discussed. In such embodiments, the major cartridge surface  48  may be substantially planar, or it may be angled between the two glove apertures  58 . The angle between the planes may be between two axes or between three axes. 
       FIG. 7  shows a portion of a glove-dispensing machine  120  having multiple holding chambers  122   a ,  122   b , and  122   c  (collectively holding chambers  122 ) for holding stacks of glove cartridges  50 , with each stack having different sizes of gloves  20 . Generally, certain dimensions, such as the length and/or width dimensions, for each holding chamber  122  will be same, especially if all of the cartridges  52  have frame boundaries  56  with the same sizes and shapes. These holding chambers may have some dimensions that are slightly greater than the dimensions of the frame boundary  56  to facilitate stacking of the glove cartridges  50 . Some of the holding chambers  122  may have one dimension, such as height, that may differ among the holding chambers  122  to accommodate more or less numbers of glove cartridges  50  that may correspond to demographics of hand sizes in general, at a geographic area, or a particular group of employees, for example. One will appreciate that the holding chambers  122  may be divided by moveable shelves so that the holding chambers  122  can be adjusted to accommodate different numbers of cartridges  52  having different glove sizes. One will appreciate however, as noted previously, the cartridges  52  holding the different size gloves  20  may have different sizes or shapes, so the holding chambers  122  may have different sizes or shapes, such as different length and/or width dimensions. 
     The holding chambers  122  may have chamber doors  124  (with or without handles  108 ) that swing outwardly from holding chamber side walls  116  on one or more pivot points such as hinges  118 . One will appreciate that other door configurations are possible, such as doors  124  that open upwardly to bias a closed-door position. Alternatively, hinges  118  can be biased to close a horizontal swing, for example. In some embodiments, the doors  124  may be configured to slide horizontally to avoid possible contamination caused by air being swept toward the chamber  122  when the door  124  is swinging closed. In other additional or alternative embodiments, the chambers  122  can be supplied with positive air pressure to prevent or inhibit external air from entering the chambers  124 . 
     Some embodiments of the glove-dispensing machine  120  may omit chamber doors  124 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , the holding chambers  122  instead may have a cartridge-insertion slot  234  in the holding chamber side wall  116  through which the glove cartridges  50  can be manually loaded into the holding chamber  122 . 
     The doors  124  may be marked to indicate a specific glove size to facilitate the loading of the correct glove cartridges into the correct chambers  122 . These indicators may include words, initials, and/or colors that designate specific sizes. The holding chambers  122  may be associated with or correspond to size selector mechanisms  126  on a size selector panel  128 . For example, the holding chambers  122   a ,  122   b , and  122   c  may correspond to size selector mechanisms  126   c ,  126   b , and  126   a , respectively. The size selector mechanisms  126  may include, push buttons, (re-settable) switches, pull knobs, or other equivalents. 
       FIG. 8  is front view of a glove-dispensing machine  120 ,  FIG. 9  is a left side view of the glove-dispensing machine  120 , and  FIG. 9A  is a top view of the glove-dispensing machine  120 .  FIG. 10  is a left side and front perspective view of a glove-dispensing system  130  that includes two glove-dispensing machines  120  built into a wall  134  with a mannequin  132  positioned in front of the system  130 .  FIG. 11  is a front view of the glove-dispensing system  130 ,  FIG. 12  is a left side view of the glove-dispensing system  130 ,  FIG. 13  is a top view of the glove-dispensing system  130 , and  FIG. 14  is a top, left, and front isometric view of the glove-dispensing system  130 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8-14 , the glove-dispensing machine  120  may include a housing upper portion  136 , a housing lower portion  138 , a base  140 , and chamber housings,  144   a ,  144   b , and  144   c . The housing upper portion  136  may be positioned in front of the holding chambers  122  and may have multiple separate housing sections or panels  142   a ,  142   b , and  142   c . The housing panels  142   a ,  142   b , and  142   c  (collectively, housing panels  142 ) may enclose cartridge pathway chambers  146  ( FIG. 15 ), as later described. A glove-dispensing system  130  may include only a single glove-dispensing machine  120  having only a single glove portal  150 , such that a user would insert only one hand at a time to receive a glove  20 . 
     However, the glove-dispensing system  130  may include two glove-dispensing machines  120  that are mirror images of each other. However, in some embodiments, some of the components and mechanisms may be mirror images and other components and mechanisms that need not be oriented to a particular side can be substantially similar or substantially identical. One will also appreciate that any portion of the description concerning the glove-dispensing system  130  may also apply to the glove-dispensing machine  120 , except where such descriptions can pertain only to a glove-dispensing system  130  that includes two or more glove-dispensing machines  120 . 
     The glove-dispensing system  130  may also include a central spacer portion whose purpose is to space apart the two glove-dispensing machines  120  by a suitable distance to allow a user to don a glove  20  on each hand substantially simultaneously. In some embodiments, the glove-dispensing system  130  may include two size selector panels  128 , one for each glove-dispensing machine  120  to accommodate people who have hands of different sizes. However, the glove-dispensing system  130  may include only a single size selector panel  128  to provide gloves  20  of the same size at each glove portal  150 . Moreover, for a two-hand glove-dispensing system  130 , a number of components may be centralized, such as a main controller and/or a vacuum pump, for example, as later described. Also, the space between the mirrored machines  120  (or partly mirrored machines  120 ) may be used to house components, allowing the over system size to be smaller. 
       FIG. 15  is a right side cross-sectional view of the glove-dispensing system  130 , with portions cut away to show internal components.  FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D  right side cross-sectional views of a glove-dispensing region of a glove-dispensing system  130 , showing an example of part of a sequence for loading glove cartridge  50  into a glove-dispensing position  162  between a sealing plate  158  and a glove portal face  178 .  FIGS. 17A and 17B  are right front isometric views of a glove-dispensing region of the glove-dispensing system  130 , showing part of a cartridge removal sequence. One will appreciate that the same sequence would work in connection with the glove-dispensing machine  120 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11-17B , each cartridge holding chamber  122  may be equipped with a cartridge deck actuator  152  that is configured to move a glove cartridge  50  through a cartridge slot  154  at the base of the holding chamber  122  and into an adjacent cartridge pathway chamber  146  and ultimately onto a sealing plate  158 . In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the cartridge deck actuator  152  may include one or more effectors  156  configured to apply a pushing force to the glove cartridge  50  to move it through the cartridge slot  154 . In some embodiments, the cartridge deck actuator  152  may be responsive to a cartridge deck actuator motor  148 , such that the cartridge deck actuator motor  148  may be connected to a lead screw which, when spun by the motor  148 , drives the effector(s)  156  through a lead screw nut to push the glove cartridge  50  through the cartridge slot  154  toward the cartridge pathway chamber  146  from the holding chamber  122 . 
     One will appreciate that the cartridge deck actuator  152  may alternatively be employed to move the glove cartridge  50  off the top of a stack of glove cartridges  50 . Optical or other sensing systems may be used to determine the position of the top glove cartridge  50 , or the entire stack may be sensed and moved to position the top glove cartridge  50  in line with the actuator. Moreover, the glove cartridges  50  may be stored vertically side by side, and the cartridge deck actuator  152  may be oriented appropriately. 
     The upper pathway chambers  146   a  and  146   b  may each include one or more cartridge slides  160  that permit the glove cartridges  50  to be directed by gravity onto the sealing plate  158 . In this regard, the cartridge slides  160  may be configured with slopes that are steep enough to permit gravity to move the glove cartridges  50  on to the sealing plate  158 . The cartridge slides  160  may all be angled in the same direction and at the same slopes, or they may be angled in different directions and/or at different angles. For example, an upper slide  160  may be configured to deliver the glove cartridge  50  at least partly onto or into contact with a lower slide  160 . 
     The slide angles may be configured to retain the glove cartridge  50  in its as loaded (in the holding chamber) face up or face down (or sideways) configuration and its original orientation with respect to its major aperture axis  86 . Alternatively, the arrangement of the cartridge slides  160  can be configured to flip and/or rotate the glove cartridge  50  one or more times between the holding chamber  122  and the sealing plate  158 . 
     In some embodiments, a single cartridge deck actuator  152  may be employed to serve all of the holding chambers  122  or each glove-dispensing machine  120 . In yet other embodiments, a centralized cartridge moving mechanism can be employed to move the glove cartridges  50  from all of the holding chambers  122  of the glove-dispensing machines  120  on both sides of the glove-dispensing system  130 . Such a centralized system may employ a cartridge extraction mechanism utilizing vacuum or other conveyance system. 
     One will appreciate that the glove cartridges  50  have some similarities in size and shape to computer discs and that automated transport and manipulation of computer discs during their manufacture and use are well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,218, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, provides a suitable example of how discs can be loaded and conveyed between different locations. The glove-dispensing system  130  need not being wedded to this particular conveying system. However, one can utilize any known disc conveyance technique to move a glove cartridge  50  from its holding chamber  122  to the sealing plate  158 . For convenience, the route that the glove cartridges  50  take between the holding chamber  122  and the sealing plate  158  may be called a cartridge path or cartridge pathway. 
     The sealing plate  158  may be positioned within the lower housing potion  138  and may be angled away from the glove portal  150  such that a bottom  170  of a front surface  172  of the sealing plate  158  is in proximity to a bottom  174  of a rear surface  176  of a glove portal face  178  of the glove portal  150 . The bottom  170  and the bottom  174  may be spaced apart when receiving a glove cartridge  50 , and a retaining system or device  180 , such as a cartridge retaining solenoid or other gate or switch, may be employed to prevent the glove cartridge  50  from passing in between. The retaining device  180  effectively stops the glove cartridge  50  in front of the glove portal  150  of the vacuum chamber  202  and may be configured or programmed to allow the glove cartridge  50  to drop below once the glove  20  has been removed from the glove cartridge  52 . 
     The sealing plate  158  may have a sealing plate aperture  182 , and the sealing plate  158  and sealing plate aperture  182  may have any shapes, such as elliptical, oval, circular, or polygonal. Possible polygonal shapes may include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or dodecagonal. The shapes do not have to correspond; however, the perimeter of the sealing plate  158  will be greater than the perimeter of the sealing plate aperture  182 . 
     The sealing plate aperture  182  may have a major aperture dimension along a major aperture axis that is greater than or equal to the major aperture dimension  80  of the cartridge  52  so that the sealing plate does impede a hand  190  ( FIG. 18B ) from reaching into the glove  20 . However, one will appreciate that if the major aperture dimension  80  is sufficiently large, then the major aperture dimension of the sealing plate aperture  182  may be smaller than the major aperture dimension  80 . The major axis of the sealing plate aperture  182  may be aligned to that of the cartridge aperture  58 , or they may have different alignments. 
     Similarly, the glove portal face  178  and the glove portal  150  may have any shapes, such as elliptical, oval, circular, or polygonal. Possible polygonal shapes may include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or dodecagonal. The shapes do not have to correspond; however, the perimeter of the glove portal face  178  will be greater than the perimeter of the glove portal  150 . The glove portal face  178  may employ a transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material, or may include one or more windows of such materials. Such embodiments would permit a user to see the gloves  20  beyond the glove portal face  178 . Visual confirmation that the gloves are in a spread out or hand-receiving configuration, as later discussed, may be useful. 
     The glove portal  150  may have a major aperture dimension  192  along a major aperture axis  194  and a minor aperture axis  196 , wherein the major aperture axis  194  is greater than or equal to the major aperture dimension of the sealing plate  158  so that the glove portal face  178  cannot impede a hand  190  from reaching through the sealing plate  158 . However, one will appreciate that the major aperture dimension  192  of the glove portal  150  may be smaller than the major aperture dimension of the sealing plate  158 . The major axis  194  of the sealing plate aperture  182  may be aligned to that of sealing plate aperture  182 , or they may have different alignments. 
     In many embodiments, the cartridge aperture  58  is smaller than or equal to the glove portal  150  and smaller than or equal to the sealing plate  158 . In particular, the major aperture dimension  80  of the cartridge aperture  58  may be smaller than or equal to the major aperture dimension  192  of the glove portal  150  and smaller than or equal to the major aperture dimension sealing plate  158 . 
     Based on its selected orientation in the holding chamber  122 , the glove cartridge  50  may be conveyed step by step to the sealing plate  158  in a known desirable orientation. Alternatively, edge or boundary configurations or features on the glove cartridge  50  can be physically or optically analyzed so that the orientation of the glove cartridge  50  can be manipulated or corrected at or before reaching the sealing plate  158 . In some embodiments, the glove cartridge  50  may be oriented so that the thumb is toward the top of the glove portal  150  such as aligned with vertical axis. For example, as previously mentioned, the major opening axis  44  of the glove  20  may be aligned with the major aperture axis of the cartridge  52 . However, the glove cartridge  50  may be oriented so that the thumb of the glove is offset from the vertical axis, in which case either or both of the major opening axis  44  of the glove  20  and the major aperture axis of the cartridge  52  may be offset with respect to the vertical axis (and may be offset with respect to each other at a glove-orientation angle as previously described). 
     After the glove cartridge  50  is moved from the holding chamber  122  and seated on the sealing plate  158 , a sealing plate actuator  200  may be employed to press the glove cartridge  50  against a front surface (such as the back surface  176  of the glove portal face) of a vacuum chamber  202  that may be, or include part of, the lower housing portion  138 . 
     In one embodiment, the sealing plate actuator  200  employs a sealing plate actuator motor  198  that utilizes a ball-screw assembly. In particular, the sealing plate actuator motor  198  may have a ball screw  206  attached to it which, when spun, causes a ball nut  208  to move along the ball screw  206 . The ball nut  208  may be connected to a drive arm  210  that may be connected to the sealing plate  158  such that spinning of the motor  198  causes movement of the sealing plate. The drive arm  210  may be straight, bent, or curved and the connections may be immobile or pivoted such as through one or more pivot assemblies  212 . One will appreciate, however, that the sealing plate actuator  200  could be a cam-operated system, mechanical-path system, or any type of other actuation system. 
     The seal established by the force of the sealing plate actuator  200  between the glove cartridge  50  and the back surface  176  may be substantially airtight and/or hermetic. An O-ring seal may be used, such as with an O-ring on each side of the cartridge. Alternatively or additionally, O-ring gaskets may be positioned around on one or more of the sealing plate aperture  182  on the sealing plate  158  and the glove portal  150  on the back surface  176  of the glove portal face  178 . A flexible sealing membrane that seals between the cartridge sealing plate  158  and vacuum chamber  202  may alternatively or additionally be employed. Such a flexible membrane would allow the sealing plate  158  to move relative to the vacuum chamber  202  during cartridge loading. In other embodiments, the flat major surface  48  of the cartridge  52  may directly contact the back surface  176  of the glove portal face  178  without a gasket. 
     The aperture ridge  62  of the cartridge  52  generally has a height that is greater than the thickness of the cartridge  52 . So, if the aperture ridge  62  of the cartridge  52  faces away from the sealing plate  158 , then the aperture ridge  62  may protrude through the glove portal  150 . If the aperture ridge  62  of the cartridge  52  faces toward the sealing plate  158 , then the aperture ridge  62  may protrude through the sealing plate aperture  182 . 
     One will appreciate that a glove-dispensing system  130  employing two glove-dispensing machines  120  may provide the glove portal faces  178  of both machines  120  so that they lie along the same plane. However, the planes of the glove portal faces  178  of the two machines  120  may be angled with respect to each other. Moreover, these angles may lie along two axes or three axes. One will also appreciate that the cartridges  52  may be positioned over the two glove portals so that the major opening axes  44  of the gloves  20  are substantially parallel. However, the cartridges  52  may be positioned over the two glove portals so that the major opening axes  44  of the gloves  20  are at an angle. In such embodiments, selected side edges of the two cartridge frame boundaries  56  may be parallel with the major opening axes  44  at angles with respect to the major aperture axes  82  of the cartridges  52  and with respect to each other. However, the major opening axes  44  may be parallel or colinear with the major aperture axes  82  of the cartridges  52 , and the selected side edges of the two cartridge frame boundaries  56  may be positioned at an angle to each other. 
     The vacuum chamber  202  may be connected directly or indirectly to a vacuum source  204  to create a vacuum pressure within the vacuum chamber  202 . The vacuum source  204  may be automated to turn on after the vacuum chamber  202  is sealed. The vacuum pressure is set at a level sufficient to pull the upper region  22 , the middle region  24 , and the lower region  26  of the glove  20  away from the glove portal  150 , effectively spreading open the tubes of the finger parts  28 , palm part  30 , thumb part  34 , and wrist part  36  without disconnecting the glove base  38  from the aperture ridge  62 . The vacuum pressure effectively causes the glove  20  to assume a spread out or hand-receiving configuration that facilitates placement of a hand  190  into the glove  20  as later described. One will appreciate that the vacuum pressure may also be sufficient to break any tear lines  112  that would otherwise prevent the glove  20  from expanding. 
     One will also appreciate that the vacuum chamber  202  may be capable of containing positive pressure as well as vacuum pressure. The vacuum source  204  may have a reversible capability to provide the vacuum chamber  202  with positive pressure, or the glove-dispensing machine may include a separate positive pressure source as well as a vacuum source  204 . 
     Once the hand  190  is inserted into the glove  22 , the pressure in the vacuum chamber  202  may be changed from a vacuum pressure to positive pressure. Positive pressure may help force the glove  20  onto the inserted hand  190  and may also help disconnect (“pop”) the glove base  38  off of the aperture ridge  62 . A pressure sensor may be used to regulate the chamber vacuum/pressure. Pressure employed in the vacuum chamber  202  may depend on a variety of variables including, but not limited to, the sizes (or relative sizes) of the cartridge aperture  58  and the glove portal  150  and the material and elasticity of the gloves  20 . Pressure may be in the range of +/−14 kPa (2 psi), +/−7 kPa (1 psi), +/−3.5 kPa (0.5 psi), or +/−1.7 kPa (0.25 psi). Many embodiments utilize the +/−3.5 kPa (0.5 psi) range. 
     After the glove  20  has been removed from the glove cartridge  50 , the empty cartridge  52  can be discarded through a bottom of the vacuum chamber  202  and collected in a bin that may be positioned in the base  140  beneath and/or in front of the lower housing portion  138 . One or more sensors may establish that the glove  20  has been removed from the cartridge  52  and communicate directly or indirectly (such as through a central controller) with a vacuum controller to turn off the vacuum source  204  or reverse the flow to create positive pressure in the vacuum chamber to reduce or prevent outside air from coming into the vacuum chamber  202 . 
     After removal of the vacuum pressure or the creation of positive pressure, the sealing plate actuator  200  may be instructed to eliminate force against the empty cartridge  52  and return to a relaxed, receiving configuration. Then, the retaining device  180  may be instructed to permit the empty cartridge  52  to pass through the gateway and fall into the bin. The cartridge disposal bin may be integrated into the glove-dispensing system  130  or be a separate standard bin. Finally, the retaining device  180  closes the gateway, and the sealing plate  158  is ready to receive a new glove cartridge  50 , when a glove size is selected. One will appreciate that the cartridge removal steps can be conducted after a glove size is selected; however, to improve throughput, one will appreciate that it may be preferable to have the sealing plate  158  in a ready to receive state as the standby state. 
       FIGS. 18A-18C  are right front isometric views of a glove-dispensing region of a glove-dispensing system  130 , showing an example of part of a sequence for placing a glove  20  onto a hand  190 , including positioning the hand  190  through a glove portal  150  and through a cartridge aperture  58  of a glove cartridge  50  to receive the glove  20 , and  FIG. 19  is an image of a hand  190  covered by the glove  20  that has been dispensed by the glove-dispensing system  130  of  FIG. 8 . One will appreciate that the same sequence would work in connection with the glove-dispensing machine  120 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 18A-18C and 19 , a hand  190  can be easily inserted into a flexible glove  20  of the correct size after the vacuum pressure has been supplied from the vacuum source  204 . The glove parts, particularly the finger parts  28 , are spread wide by the vacuum pressure, and the hand  190  can readily enter the glove  20 , even if the hand  190  is recently washed and not completely dry. 
     After the hand  190  is inserted into the glove  20  to the depth and fit of a user&#39;s satisfaction, the user can use a twist of the hand or arm to release the glove base  38  from the aperture ridge  62 , which consequently releases the glove  20  from the glove cartridge  50 . With respect to hand movements, an easy movement is to go from a thumb-up direction and rotating the hands inward (anatomical internal rotation) so the thumbs are pointing at each other. Then pulling the hands outward (away from the system  130 ). Accordingly, the glove-dispensing system  130  may be configured to orient the glove cartridge  50  at the back surface  176  of the glove portal face  178  (or on the sealing plate  158 ) so that the thumb is toward the top. 
     One or more sensors, as previously described, can shut the vacuum (and supply positive pressure) so that the hand  190  bearing the glove  20  can be extracted from the glove-dispensing system  130 . Alternatively, as previously discussed, positive pressure may be employed earlier to help force the glove  22  onto the inserted hand  190  and help disconnect the glove base  38  from of the aperture ridge  62 . In some embodiments, a slight twist of the hand  190 , combined with the positive pressure in the chamber, allows for the glove  20  to be removed from the cartridge  52  with ease. One will also appreciate that positive pressure may be employed to disconnect the glove base  38  from of the aperture ridge  62  without any assistance from the hand  190 . One will appreciate that two glove-dispensing machines  120  can operate to provide gloves  20  to two hands simultaneously or sequentially. One will appreciate that a single glove-dispensing machine  120  can operate to provide gloves  20  to two hands sequentially, or that two adjacent single glove-dispensing machines  120  can operate to provide gloves  20  to two hands sequentially simultaneously or sequentially. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the glove-dispensing machine  120  or the glove-dispensing system  130  may be configured to be wall mounted. Such machine  120  or system  130  may be configured with or without a base  140 . However, it may have any of the features previously described. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 7-19 , in some embodiments, a glove-dispensing system  130  that includes two glove-dispensing machines  120  that share common components, such as previously described with respect to certain components, to store, select, and convey a selected set of gloves  20  (individually or as a pair) to the respective glove portals  150 . Common components may include, but are not limited to, one or more of: the size selector panel  128 , the size selector mechanism(s)  126 , the cartridge pathway chamber  146 , the cartridge deck actuators  152 , the sealing plate actuator  200 , the vacuum chamber  202 , and the vacuum source  204 . Some or all of these shared common components may be centrally located, such as vertically and/or horizontally between or partly between the glove portals  150 . 
     In some embodiments, a glove-dispensing machine  120  may be configured with two glove portals  150  that are spaced close to each other, and any of the previously described components can be configured to store and convey glove cartridges  50  that have two cartridge apertures  58 , each supporting a glove  20 . Alternatively, the glove-dispensing machine  120  may be configured with single larger glove portal  150  that is large enough to accommodate two hands  190 . 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of example circuitry  236  that can be employed to facilitate operation of a glove-dispensing machine  120  or a glove-dispensing system  130 . The entire system  130  (or machine  120 ) may be powered by directly plugging it into a standard wall outlet. One will appreciate that the system  130  or machine  120  can be readily adapted through conventional converters to run off of solar or low-voltage systems if the need arises. 
     With reference to  FIG. 20 , the circuitry  236  may employ a microprocessor controller  238 . The circuitry  236  may be employed to control and/or respond to embodiments of the size selector mechanisms  126 , such as non-contact size selection buttons. In one embodiment, multi-color status LEDs may be arranged in a circle around each size selection button to indicate which button is being pressed, including a “progression ring” system. When the hand  190  is placed near the size selection, the LED&#39;s light up in a progression fashion around the selection, until they make a complete circle, indicating that size selection has been detected. The LED ring may also indicate whether the machine is low on glove cartridges or out of glove cartridges or whether there is a jam in the machine, by changing colors and/or blinking in deterministic patterns. 
     The cartridge deck actuators  152  may also be controlled by the circuitry  236 . Proximity sensors, such as, limit switches  250 , may be employed at the end of travel for each control motor, such as the cartridge deck actuator motors  148 , to detect when desired movement, such as distance of travel, has been completed. Sensors may also be employed to detect that the actuation of cartridge through the glove-dispensing machine  120  has been completed successfully, including loading and unloading from in front of the vacuum chamber  202 . 
     A detection mechanism may be employed to make sure that the correct size glove cartridge  50  has been loaded in front of the vacuum chamber  202  to warn the user and/or eject the cartridge  50  if it is not the size selected. As noted earlier, the glove cartridges  50  may include indicia, such as RFID tags, that can easily convey size and other information about the gloves  20  or cartridges  50 . 
     Other motors, such as for the vacuum source  204 , may also be controlled by the circuitry  236 . The vacuum source  204 , such as a blower motor  244 , used to generate vacuum may be variable speed and may be controlled using a closed-loop system with a pressure sensor  242  mounted inside the vacuum chamber  202  for the feedback. 
     A detection method may be employed for safety purposes to determine whether a hand  190  has been inserted, so the glove-dispensing machine  120  does not actuate in an unsafe way while the hand  190  is inside it. Moreover, sensors may also be employed to detect when the user has inserted their hand(s)  190  into the glove(s)  20 , either independently or collectively, which may trigger an automatic reversal of vacuum into pressure to help remove the glove base(s)  38  from the aperture ridges(s)  62 . Moreover, an air switch, such as a valve motor  246 , may be employed to change the direction of airflow, to either build up vacuum in the vacuum chamber  202  to inflate the glove(s)  20 , or to reverse the blower motor  244  and/or release the pressure to force the glove base(s)  38  from the aperture ridges(s)  62  of the glove cartridge(s)  50  once the hand or hands  190  are inserted. 
       FIGS. 21A and 21B  are top right front isometric views of additional embodiments of glove-dispensing machines  120  that include an additional manual-feed cartridge slot  216  that may replace an automated cartridge feeding system (and may optionally exclude cartridge storage chambers). The manual-feed cartridge slot  216  may be positioned above and behind the glove portal face  178  and above and in front of the sealing plate  158  so that gravity may cause a glove cartridge  50  placed in the slot  216  to slide between the glove portal face  178  and the sealing plate  158 . Employing a manual-feed cartridge slot  216  instead of an automated systems could substantially reduce the cost and size of the glove-dispensing machines  120 . 
     The manual-feed cartridge slot  216  may be optionally included in a machine  120  or system  130  that includes the automated feeding mechanism and/or storage chambers  122 . The manual-feed cartridge slot  216  may permit a user to insert atypical sizes or specialized gloves  20  that are not dispersed by from the storage chambers  122  by the automated cartridge-feeding system. Sensors could be employed to indicate to the automated cartridge-feeding system that a glove cartridge  50  is already loaded so that the system does not try to provide an extra cartridge  50 . The manual-feed cartridge slot  216  could also be employed if any of the cartridge deck actuators  152  are malfunctioning. 
       FIG. 22A  is a front right isometric view of an example of a stand-alone cartridge storage system  220  that includes a bottom-dispensing frame  222 , and  FIG. 22B  is a front right isometric view of an example of the bottom-dispensing frame  222 . With reference to  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the bottom-dispensing frame  222  may include one or more cartridge box receptacles  224  having receptacle walls  226  with length dimensions that match dimensions of box walls  228  of cartridge boxes  230  that each contain multiple glove cartridges  50 , such as 50, 100, or 200 glove cartridges  50 . 
     The bottom-dispensing frame  222  may include one or more bottom-dispensing cartridge slots  232 . The glove cartridges  50  may be manually dispensed through the slots  232 . In some embodiments, the glove cartridges  50  are spring loaded into cartridge boxes  230  to deliver the cartridges downward and/or outward such as via a manual switch or button. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom-dispensing frame  222  may be spring loaded to deliver the glove cartridges  50  outwardly in response to a manual button or switch. The bottom-dispensing frame  222  may be configured for wall mounting, for mounting on the machine  120  or system  130 , or for resting on a surface. 
       FIG. 23  is a front right isometric view of a portion of an example glove-dispensing machine  120  having a slot-insertion storage chamber  122   a  that may be employed with or without a chamber door  124 . The slot-insertion storage chamber  122  may include a slot storage cavity that is dimensioned to confine multiple stacked cartridges  50 . A cartridge-insertion slot  234  may be positioned at the top of the cavity to permit glove cartridges  50  to be inserted manually. 
       FIG. 24  is top right front isometric view of an example glove-dispensing machine  120  configured for receiving cartridge boxes  230  having multiple glove cartridges  50  that can be fed directly from the boxes  230  by one or more actuators  152  into a cartridge pathway chamber  146 . The cartridge boxes  230  may be angle downwardly as shown, or they may be positioned vertically or horizontally. Alternatively, high-capacity holding chambers  122  could be integrated into the example glove-dispensing machine  120 . Either of these embodiments could eliminate on-site manual transfer and handling of the glove cartridges  50  from the cartridge boxes  230  to the holding chambers  122 , eliminating a possible source of contamination. 
       FIG. 25A  is a top, left, and front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a glove-dispensing system  130  including a discard storage chamber  270  for empty cartridges  52 , and  FIG. 25B  is a left side view of an alternative embodiment of a glove-dispensing system  130  including a discard storage chamber  270  for empty cartridges  52 . With reference to  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the base  140  of the glove-dispensing system  130  may be enlarged to provide a discard storage chamber  270  which may include a sloped bottom surface  272  to permit discarded cartridges  52  to slide to a collection area  274  away from where they are permitted to fall by release of the retaining device  180 . A door (not shown) may be provided to provide easy access to the collection area  244 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     One will appreciate that the subject matter of any sentence or paragraph can be combined with subject matter of some or all of the other sentences or paragraphs, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. 
     The terms and descriptions used above are set forth by way of illustration and example only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations, enhancements, and modifications of the concepts described herein are possible without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. 
     The scope of the invention should therefore be determined only by the following claims, claims presented in a continuation patent application, and equivalents to the foregoing claims.