Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of gloves. The apparatus comprises a vacuum system wherein a vacuum pump evacuates air from a vacuum chamber, such that a glove positioned over an opening into the vacuum chamber is inflated. The glove is positioned over the opening by a stiffening ring attached to the wrist portion of the glove which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening. The apparatus includes a device for controlling the vacuum pump operation speed such that the amount of vacuum pressure used and the amount of glove inflation obtained may be adjusted to both higher and lower settings. Thus, the apparatus is particularly adapted for use in various geographical locations and elevations. The device is also ambidextrous in its use such that right and left hands can be gloved by the same device. One handed application is facilitated by an electrical foot switch operating the vacuum pump.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.