Object retrieval device

Abstract

An object retrieval device, and having a bag for containing retrieved material, a retrieval opening along one edge of the bag through which material can be retrieved into the bag, a holding zone inwardly of the retrieval opening, closure for the opening, a glove and cuff contained within the bag, an arm opening in the bag adjacent to the retrieval opening, attachments attaching the cuff securely around the arm opening, so that the hand and arm may be slid through the arm opening into the glove, and the retrieval opening may then be opened up, and the glove portion containing the hand may then be deployed through the retrieval opening outside the bag, with the bag remaining open around the extended cuff for retrieving an object directly into holding zone of the bag, after which the glove is retracted within the bag, and the closure for closing the retrieval opening can be closed so as to retain the object and the glove within the bag.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a object collection device, for the hand collection of objects such as specimens, evidence, waste, food, fruit picking, and the like, in a safe sanitary non-contaminating manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many situations in which it is desirable to provide for the collection of objects such as specimens or other articles, evidence, waste, and like by hand. In these situations it is essential to avoid soiling the hands with waste or contaminant. In the particular case of for example retrieval of evidence samples, it is essential to avoid contamination of the evidence sample, with the hands, as well as to avoid to soiling the hands with any material on the evidence sample.

The use of rubber or synthetic gloves for this purpose is obvious. The collection of such samples in plastic bags is also obvious. Such collection avoid soiling the hands, and enables the samples or specimens or waste or food or like material to be retrieved and secured safely in the plastic bag. In the case of waste this can then be disposed of. In the case of specimens or samples, the bags can be tagged and labeled and retrieved and examined later in the laboratory. In the case of food, the gloves will keep the fruit uncontaminated, and prevent staining of the hands. These collection systems are often put together on and ad hoc basis. A supply of gloves may be purchased in one place, collection bags may be secured from another place. There is often no control on the sanitary condition of the gloves before use, and maybe very little control on the condition of the interior of the storage bags. For example, if at a crime scene, a law enforcement person puts on protective gloves, before collecting evidence, and where several pieces of evidence are picked up and put in separate bags one after the other, one piece of evidence may become contaminated with matter from the previous piece of evidence and so on, which may have adhered to the gloves of the wearer. In the case of retrieval of waste materials for example from domestic animals, the plastic bags used are often shopping bags, from shopping at the local store. The gloves may be simple thin plastic gloves of the type used in restaurants services for example. Obviously the gloves become soiled when such animal waste is collected. The placing of such waste in receptacles such as shopping bags may involve soiling the exterior of the bag, and may be highly inconvenient.

Clearly, it is desirable to provide a comprehensive sanitary collection device in which both the bag and the glove are produced as a single unit. Such a packaged collection device may then be carried on the person, or supplied to law enforcement personnel. In use, such a collection device would be deployed, as a package, with a glove attached to the bag. The glove would be use to retrieve the sample or waste in a sanitary manner and deposited straight into the bag. The hand could then be withdrawn from the glove with the glove remaining in the bag so that the glove with its contaminated exterior along with the retrieved sample or waste would all be contained in the single bag.

Where such a device is used for the retrieval of evidence, this would ensure that a fresh glove is used for the retrieval of each piece of evidence. This would avoid contamination of one piece of evidence with material from another. Where such a packaged device was used for collecting waste, or picking fruit, the glove could be reused several times, and after each reuse the bag would again be used to contain the soiled glove, so that soil would all be retained and contained within the one bag, until it could be disposed of, or the bag filled with fruit, at which point a fresh bag and glove would be used.

In the past there have been various proposals for this type of system. One such proposal is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,668 dated Sep. 12, 2000 inventor N. Carpol. In this patent, there is disclosed a glove and bag system for retrieving animal waste. In this case however once the glove is deployed, the bag fits over the arm of the wearer. After the collection of refuse the bag is then turned inside out over the glove, so that it contains both the waste and also the glove. This system would be unsuitable for repeated collections of waste, since it could only be used once. A more practical proposal is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,549 dated Apr. 1, 2003 inventor G. A. Peters. In this system, the intention is to provide a self contained glove, impregnated with some material to be applied to the skin. The system is essentially similar to that described in the previous patent. Several other proposals are based on the same principle namely turning a bag inside out, to deploy a glove and then reversing the bag to retract the glove inside the bag. These systems are suitable only for one time use. In addition, the use of such a system, involving turning a bag inside out, and then reversing it again, does not lend itself ideally to the collection of samples or specimens particularly for example at a crime site. The turning of the bag inside exposes the interior of the bag to outside contaminants, before any specimen or sample can be picked up. In the end result the specimen or sample which is retrieved may be in fact contaminated simply by the act of turning the bag right side out again around the sample.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore seeks to provide a combined object retrieval device, and having a bag for containing retrieved material, and retrieval opening along one edge of the bag, and a closure for such opening, through which material can be retrieved into the bag, a glove and cuff contained within the bag, and an arm opening adjacent to the retrieval opening, the cuff of the glove being attached securely around the arm opening, so that the hand and arm may be slid through the arm opening into the glove, and the retrieval opening may then be opened up, and the glove portion containing the hand may then be deployed outside the bag, for retrieving a specimen, after which the specimen and the glove can be retracted within the bag, and the closure for closing the retrieval opening can be closed so as to retain the material and the glove within the bag.

Preferably, the bag will have at least two side edges, meeting at a corner, and the retrieval opening being located along one such side edge, and the arm opening located along adjacent side edge.

Preferably, the invention will further provide such a retrieval device, in which a seam is provided around the cuff portion of the glove, connecting it around the arm opening of the bag and hermetically sealing it against entry or exit of material into or from the bag, through such arm opening.

Preferably, there will be marginal portions of such a bag folded inwardly, to provide a junction collar, with the cuff being securely bonded to such junction collar.

In a particularly preferred form, there will be a scoop member bonded to one side of the retrieval opening, and being normally located within the bag, the scoop portion being adapted to be deployed out of such retrieval opening, for scooping materials into the bag. If desired a separate pusher portion may be provided which can be grasped by the hand while in the glove, so as to scrape or push material from the ground into the bag.

Preferably, the glove and the cuff will be of one piece construction, with the glove and cuff making an angle bend, so as to facilitate deployment of the hand through the retrieval opening.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration, partially shown in the phantom illustrating the invention in the form of a combined bag and captive glove with glove shown deployed from the bag, and also a strap with snap fasteners attached to the bag, for carrying the bag;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates the feature of the scoop, with optional scraper, shown deployed from the bag

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention will be seen to be illustrated in the form of a object retrieval bag indicated general as (10). Such bags are typically made of flexible synthetic plastic material. Objects such as samples of evidence, samples of various other materials for medical purposes, and waste materials such as pet waste and the like, or fruit may all be retrieved in such a bag from time to time, as is well known.

However, the retrieval of the material usual is made by hand. In order to facilitate this in one combined retrieval device the invention further provides a bag (10), having generally rectangular configuration defining four sides. Along one side there is a retrieval opening (12). The retrieval opening is provided with a fastening device, typically for example a slide closure (14) or the like, for closing the retrieval opening.

Alongside and closely adjacent to the retrieval opening (12), there is an arm opening (16). The arm opening (16) is located preferably along a side immediately adjacent to the retrieval opening (12). Typically in the bag illustrated, the retrieval opening (12) and the arm opening (16) will be on two adjacent sides which meet at a corner. The corner in this case is rectangular, but this feature however is not critical, but is convenient and typical.

Within the bag, around the arm opening (16), there is a marginal portion in turned and forming an internal fastening flange (18) extending inwardly into the bag.

In order to provide for non-contaminating or sanitary retrieval of an object by hand, a synthetic plastic glove (20) is provided. The glove has an extended cuff (22).

The cuff (22) of the glove (20) is secured for example by heat sealing or the like to the securing flange (18). The cuff (22) and glove (20) preferably define an angle between them for reasons described below.

The remaining sides of the bag (10) are sealed closed. The glove and cuff are located adjacent to the retrieval opening (12) and the remainder of the bag defines a holding or collection zone (24).

In use, when it is desired to pick up and retrieve an object, the retrieval opening (12) is opened. The hand and wrist of the user will then be inserted through the arm opening (16), through the cuff (22) and into the glove (20). The glove (20) will then be extended or deployed out of the bag through the retrieval opening (FIG. 3). The holding zone (24) remains undisturbed, leaving it available to the accumulation of objects or material. The bag is not turned inside out in the process of collecting material. Any such material will remain secure in the holding zone (24) of the bag, even when the glove may be used to collect further samples or material. With the glove, containing the hand, extending out through the opening the object or sample of whatever material that is to be retrieved is picked up. The material is then withdrawn back into the bag. The material is then released in the holding zone (24). The fastening device (14) is re-fastened to close the retrieval opening. The hand is then withdrawn from the glove, leaving the glove, cuff and object or material inside the bag.

If it becomes necessary to retrieve more objects or samples into the same bag, the same procedure may be repeated several times.

In a further embodiment, in order to facilitate the retrieval of a certain object, a scoop (30) may be secured within the bag, along side the retrieval opening. The scoop (30) will be a semi-rigid piece of material, such as cardboard or plastic. The scoop (30) is attached an inside flap (32) which is an extended interior marginal portion, FIG. 3, of the plastic material of the bag itself. It may be deployed out from the bag, FIG. 4, when retrieving a sample to assist in scooping up loose material.

In order to further assist in retrieval, a separate retrieval scraper (34) may be included in the bag. The scraper (34) has an adhesive strip (36) to secure it temporarily within the bag (10). Such a scraper will be a semi-rigid piece of plastic separate from the bag but retained within it for sanitary purposes. When material is to be retrieved, the scraper may assist in removing lose material from for example the ground. A hanger strap or carrying loop (38) is conveniently provided. Preferably the strap (38) can be attached by snap fasteners (40) to the bag, located adjacent to the retrieval opening (12). A supply of bags (10) may be carried from such straps (38). Bags may be removed one by one as needed for use.

The strap (38) may carry details of the supplier of the bags, so that more may be reordered when required.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An object retrieval device, and comprising;

a bag for containing retrieved material;

a retrieval opening along one edge of the bag through which material can be retrieved into the bag;

a holding zone defined by said bag inwardly of said retrieval opening;

a closure for said opening;

a glove and cuff contained within the bag;

an arm opening in the bag adjacent to the retrieval opening;

attachments attaching the cuff securely around the arm opening, whereby the hand and arm may be slid through the arm opening into the glove, and the retrieval opening may then be opened up, and the glove portion containing the hand may then be deployed through said retrieval opening outside the bag, with said bag remaining open around said cuff for retrieving an object directly into the bag, after which the glove can be retracted within the bag, and the closure for closing the retrieval opening can be closed so as to retain the object and the glove within the bag.

2. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bag has at least two side edges adjacent to one another and meeting at a corner, and wherein said retrieval opening is located along one such side edge, and the arm opening being located along said adjacent side edge, at substantially a right angle to said retrieval opening, whereby to facilitate deployment and retraction of said glove through said retrieval opening without turning said bag inside out.

3. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 in which a seam is provided around the cuff portion of the glove, connecting it around the arm opening of the bag and hermetically sealing it against entry or exit of material into or from the bag, through such arm opening.

4. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 3 including marginal portions of said bag folded inwardly, to provide a junction collar, with the cuff being securely bonded to such junction collar.

5. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 including a scoop member bonded to said bag along one side of the retrieval opening, and being normally located within the bag, the scoop portion being adapted to be deployed out of such retrieval opening, for scooping materials into the bag.

6. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said the glove and the cuff are of one piece construction, with the glove and cuff making an angle bend, so as to facilitate deployment of the hand through the retrieval opening.

7. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 including a pusher portion normally located within said bag which can be grasped by the hand while in the glove, so as to scrape or push material from the ground into the bag.

8. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 7 including a bag hanger adapted to carry a plurality of bags, from which said bags may be removed one by one.

9. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said scraper is temporarily adhered to the interior of the bag.

10. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 9 including a strip of adhesive on said scraper.

11. An object retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 including a holding zone defined by an inner region of said bag remote from said retrieval opening, and said glove and cuff.