Patent ID: 12201393

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the systems and methods disclosed. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the selected examples disclosed and described in detail with reference made to the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible.

It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices, systems, methods, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The systems and methods disclosed herein generally relate to the dispensing of disposable gloves. In accordance with various embodiments, the gloves can be suitably arranged as a stack in a hanging configuration. In an embodiment, both a left and right handed glove can be presented for dispensing. In an embodiment, the disposable gloves can be made of plastic, including nitrile, vinyl, latex, polyethylene, paper, wax-coated paper, bees-wax coated paper, or any other suitable material, including biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or starch-based plastics, recycled materials, or a variety of other materials that may be environmentally friendly or sustainably sourced.

Referring now toFIGS.1-2there is shown an example embodiment of a disposable glove dispensing apparatus100that can be utilized in a system and method for disbursing disposable gloves. The glove dispensing apparatus100includes a housing102which can include a bottom, sides, a back, a top, and other suitable structure for providing a substantially unit for disbursing disposable gloves. The unit can be self-contained and be provided as a counter-top device, or as a wall-mounting device.

In the embodiment shown, the housing102can have a generally open front portion in which the disposable gloves are presented for use. Representative sizes and dimensions for a housing of the type depicted inFIGS.1-2are shown in the diagrams ofFIGS.12-15. The housing shown can be modified dimensionally as desired for application-specific purposes.

Mounted to the housing in an operational configuration are various components useful for the system and method of providing disposable gloves to a user in a relatively convenient and sanitary manner. A power supply104can supply any electrical power requirements. The power supply104can be suitably configured to utilize, or convert, line voltage, such as 120 VAC to suitable power requirements for powered components such as lighting and gas inflation devices. The power supply can convert AC line voltage to DC voltage. The power supply can also be a replaceable and/or a rechargeable battery. The power supply can include a battery mount for insertion and removal of a lithium ion battery, for example. The power supply can be mounted anywhere on, off, or near the glove dispensing apparatus100and provide suitable electrical power to the various powered components. A counter158can be mounted in or on the housing102to provide a count of gloves mounted in a stacked configuration, as described below. The counter158can be wired or wirelessly connected to an indicator such as a light source or a computer device, such as a Smartphone. The counter158can provide a total count, and can be configured to signal a low count. A low level sensor134can indicate a predetermined low level of glove supply. The low level sensor134can be visual, audible, or signal to a remote device. The low level sensor134can be wired or wirelessly connected to an indicator such as a light source, sound source, or a computer device, such as a Smartphone.

A plurality of gloves108can be provided in a stacked configuration that can be referred to as a cartridge of gloves, as depicted in more detail inFIGS.9-13In general, gloves have a front side and a back side. The front side, which is the palm side, faces the user and is configured such that an entry portion110of each glove108for a user's hands is presented to the front of the housing102. In an embodiment, gloves108can be stacked in a hanging arrangement from an upper glove holder114, as discussed in detail below. In general, a right and a left hand glove108can be presented simultaneously. However, in an embodiment, only one of a right or left hand glove can be presented.

Lighting106can be suitably positioned for use to illuminate the area in which a user's hands enter the gloves. Lighting106can be mounted on a lighting panel112that can be configured to also function as a splash guard. Lighting106can be any suitable type, including LED lighting.

In some embodiments, the glove dispensing apparatus100may be equipped with a sterilization system to sanitize the gloves108, either before being dispensed or subsequent to being donned by a user. The sterilization system can be integrated into the glove dispensing apparatus100in various ways. In some embodiments, the lighting106is either augmented by, or replaced by, ultraviolet (UV) light sources, such as UV-C LEDs or UV lamps, which are known to have germicidal properties. The UV light can be positioned to irradiate the gloves108just before, during, or immediately after dispensing. Additionally, or alternatively, a sanitizing mist or spray system can be used that applies a fine mist of a sanitizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or other suitable disinfectants, to the gloves108and/or the user's hands prior to or during dispensing. The sterilization system can be activated automatically upon gloves108dispensing or be user-controlled via an interface on the machine.

Gloves108can be inflated for relatively easy and sanitary insertion of the user's hands. In an embodiment inflation is caused by a flow of gas, such as air, directed into the entry portion110of each glove108. As can be appreciated, for each of the left and right gloves, the entry portion110faces the user, that is, the entry portion for both the left and right gloves is on the palm side of the gloves. Air can be provided from any suitable source, including an air compressor, a tank of compressed air, or a blower that moves ambient air. The air can be directed to the entry portion110of each glove108by one or more tubes, nozzles, fittings, or other suitable fluid-flow components, as discussed below. In use, therefore, a user can put on gloves from the dispenser without ever touching the outside of the gloves. By not touching the outside of the gloves during donning, the chance of contamination from the user to the outside of the gloves is eliminated. In some embodiments, an air stream is also directed towards the user's hands as the user is inserting their hands into the gloves. This air stream can aid in drying the user's hands, which can increase the ease with which the user dons the gloves. This air stream can be sourced from the same suitable source supplying air into the entry portion110of the glove108or from a separate source.

Once a user's hands are inserted into the gloves108in a general downward motion to guide the fingers and thumb into the glove. Once the user's hands are inserted into the gloves the user can draw his/her hands away from the device to remove the gloves108from the device. In an embodiment, removal can be accomplished by tearing the gloves away from predetermined frangible portions thereof. In some embodiments, with the gloves108mounted in the glove dispensing apparatus100in a side-by-side arrangement in various embodiments, a user can place each of their hands into a respective glove108simultaneously and then tear both gloves away in a single motion.

The present disclosure is not limited to a side-by-side arrangement of gloves, as various glove arrangements can be employed within the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the gloves may be oriented in a stacked configuration, with gloves for left hands and right hands alternating within the stack. This stacked arrangement allows a user to place their hands in a stacked formation and then insert them into the gloves simultaneously. The stacked glove configuration can provide the advantage of a more compact form factor for the glove dispensing apparatus as compared to a side-by-side arrangement. Furthermore, while many of the described embodiments depict gloves hanging in a vertical orientation, alternative embodiments may include gloves stored horizontally in a stacked arrangement within the glove dispensing apparatus. In such embodiments, two horizontal stacks of gloves can be positioned side-by-side, with one stack containing gloves oriented for the left hand and the other stack containing gloves oriented for the right hand. To facilitate donning, an air stream can be directed into the entry portion of the top glove on each horizontal stack, causing the gloves to inflate and allowing the user to simultaneously don both left and right gloves.

In an embodiment, the system of the glove dispensing apparatus100can operate by the following method. The glove dispensing apparatus100is positioned to be conveniently accessed by a user and powered by line voltage or battery power. As a user approaches various sensors can be actuated. A first sensor can detect the proximity of a user's hands and actuate the lighting106, if necessary. A second sensor can detect the proximity of a user's hands and actuate the gas inflation to cause inflation of the gloves108. A third sensor can detect the position of the outermost glove and adjust the stack of gloves, if necessary. Thus, in a method of use, a user approaches the glove dispensing apparatus100, extends his/her hands near the stack of gloves108, upon inflation of the gloves108, the user puts his/her hands into the inflated gloves. The user then draws back his/her hands to remove the gloves108from the stack.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.3-6, a proximity sensor116that can also function as an LED holder can be mounted in a suitably operational position. In cooperation with the power supply104, a buck converter and sensor board or other electronics can be housed in an electronics unit118. Suitable switches for operation, such an on/off switch132can be positioned in convenient to use locations. A blower120can direct gas through ductwork122toward a location generally positioned to direct air into the entry portion110of gloves108. In an embodiment, as shown in the elevation view ofFIG.5, and the plan view (viewing upwardly relative toFIG.5), ductwork122can be generally tubular tubes128and fittings and/or rectangular ductwork126and fittings, though which the gas can flow through gas nozzles130mounted in the upper glove holders114and directed toward gloves108. The blower120can be a 12V blower or any suitable blower or air compressor. The moving and/or pressurized gas can be directed by gas nozzles130downwardly (as oriented inFIGS.1-2) in the direction of the entry portion110of each glove108. As the gas, e.g., air, is forced into the glove108, the glove108inflates, thereby providing for unobstructed entry of a user's hands.

Referring now toFIGS.3and7-8, there is shown representative views of the glove dispensing apparatus100showing representative components for managing a stack of gloves108. A bottom glove panel124can be positioned and configured to provide for substantially rigid support of the stack of gloves108when operationally positioned as a cartridge of gloves, as depicted inFIG.7. The bottom glove panel124can be slidably mounted onto generally horizontal top rails, such as left side (looking into the front of the glove dispensing apparatus100)140, right side rail142and center rail144, as depicted inFIGS.7-8. As gloves are removed by a user, springs136can urge the bottom glove panel toward the front of the glove dispensing apparatus100, as indicated by arrow138. The springs136can be constant force springs and can be sized and configured as desired for operational use.

Referring now toFIGS.9-13, there is shown a representative glove108configurations, including a representative glove cartridge146configurations. In general, a stack of gloves108can be mounted on a pair of parallel rods148from which they can be removed. Compression brackets152can be affixed on the rods148to hold the glove stack into a compact glove cartridge146. Referring toFIGS.12and13there is shown one representative configuration of a glove cartridge146. As shown mounting brackets154can be joined to the glove cartridge146and extend laterally to rest moveably on one of the support rails, such as right side rail as indicated by the dashed line156.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.9-13and referring toFIGS.14-17, representative configurations of a glove108are depicted. Apertures160(as depicted, e.g., inFIGS.14-17) can receive the rods148. Apertures160can be any suitable size and shape, including tear-drop shaped, as indicated in one embodiment in detail15ofFIG.15and detail17ofFIG.17. To aid in removing gloves108from the rods148the apertures can be configured as frangible portions for easy tearing. In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.14and15a notch162can be at a top edge of glove108and in the proximity of the aperture160. The notch162can create a stress point at which the glove can frangibly tear. Likewise, as shown inFIGS.16and17a perforation164can be at a top edge of glove108and in the proximity of the aperture160. The perforation164can create a stress point at which the glove can frangibly tear. In general, the entry portion110on the front gauntlet portion of gloves108can be a generally semi-circle, parabolic, arched, or other shape providing sufficient opening for air flow to enter into gloves108.

In some embodiments, the glove dispensing apparatus100can include a counting mechanism configured to keep track of the number of gloves108dispensed. The counting mechanism can be operatively connected to a display located on the apparatus itself, for example, which visually indicates the total count of gloves dispensed. This feature can allow users and managers to easily monitor glove usage directly on the glove dispensing apparatus100. In accordance with another embodiment, the glove dispensing apparatus100can further comprise a real-time clock in addition to the counting mechanism. The real-time clock can enable the glove dispensing apparatus100to track the number of gloves dispensed within predefined time frames, such as a business day, a specific shift, or other period of time. At the end of the predefined period, the glove dispensing apparatus100can communicate the total number of gloves108dispensed during that time frame to a designated recipient, such as an owner or manager of the establishment where the glove dispensing apparatus100is located. The communication of the glove usage data can be achieved through various means, including but not limited to sending a text message, an email, or transmitting the data to a cloud-based application. This communicated information can allow, for example, the owner or manager to compare the glove usage data with other relevant data, such as the number of sandwiches sold or other types of transactions during the same period, enabling them to determine compliance with hygiene protocols or other predetermined standards.

These and other embodiments of the systems and methods can be used as would be recognized by those skilled in the art. The above descriptions of various systems and methods are intended to illustrate specific examples and describe certain ways of making and using the systems disclosed and described here. These descriptions are neither intended to be nor should be taken as an exhaustive list of the possible ways in which these systems can be made and used. A number of modifications, including substitutions of systems between or among examples and variations among combinations can be made. Those modifications and variations should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this area after having read this disclosure.