UNIVERSAL GLOVE DISPENSER

Abstract

A universal glove dispenser that includes a front surface opposite a back surface, the front surface further comprising a slotted aperture and a large aperture; a left surface opposite a right surface; and a top surface opposite a bottom surface; wherein the front surface, the back surface, the left surface, the right surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface define an interior chamber capable of housing a plurality of gloves, and wherein the plurality of gloves can be removed from at least one of the large aperture or a three dimensional glove aperture and the plurality of gloves can be replaced in the interior chamber from at least one of the large aperture, the slotted aperture, or the three dimensional glove aperture whether the universal glove dispenser is oriented vertically or horizontally.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Appl. 62/136,109, filed Mar. 20, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments according to the present invention generally relate to packaging and, more particularly, to a glove dispenser having a plurality of openings for ingress and egress of gloves whether the glove dispenser is oriented vertically or horizontally.

2. Description of the Related Art

Gloves have become commonplace in modern industry, and particularly in health care and/or food processing sectors. Workers in these industries are commonly required to wear gloves while performing work duties. Workers often use vinyl, polyethylene, polychloroprene, synthetic polyisoprene or natural rubber gloves, for only a few moments, which are often removed and discarded, leading to the consumption of a large number of gloves in a single work shift by a single user.

Gloves are often packaged in boxes, which are placed into box containers mounted on walls. However, the gloves may then be in fewer and/or remote locations rather than where needed. Furthermore, the boxes mounted on walls must be customized to specific sized containers, which are often of different sizes and have differently sized openings. Moreover, gloves are longer than they are wide and are often packaged as such, further limiting the size of containers into which they are placed, creating a situation in which many different sized boxes must be accommodated, for example, in the inventories of suppliers and purchasers.

Therefore, a glove dispenser that is versatile and space saving, allowing gloves of different sizes, which are optionally folded and packaged in separate packaging, to be removed and replaced while the glove dispenser is oriented in one of multiple orientations, optionally, stacked with other glove dispensers, is a useful advance in the art.

SUMMARY

A universal glove dispenser, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims, are disclosed. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an exemplary embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be in other embodiments without further recitation and that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of a flattened glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a front plan view of an assembled glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts a right plan view of an assembled glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2C depicts a back plan view of an assembled glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2D depicts a left plan view of an assembled glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2E depicts a top plan view of an assembled glove dispenser, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2F depicts an elevated right perspective view of an assembled glove dispenser in a vertical orientation, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2G depicts a left elevated perspective view of an assembled glove dispenser in a horizontal orientation, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A depicts a packaging for use with the glove dispenser of FIGS. 2A-2G; according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of a glove, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a front plan view of an assembled first glove dispenser on top of a second glove dispenser in a vertical orientation, according to embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts a left elevated perspective view of an assembled first glove dispenser on top of a second glove dispenser in a horizontal orientation, according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a universal glove dispenser. Furthermore, the dispenser, according to some embodiments of the invention, comprises at least two apertures, for removal and replenishment of packaged articles, such as gloves, stored therein. In at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the glove dispenser comprises three apertures for permitting access to packaged gloves contained within the glove dispenser. Furthermore, the glove dispenser is universal in that it can be oriented along a longer longitudinal edge, i.e., a horizontal orientation and along a relatively shorter lateral edge, i.e., a vertical orientation, a versatile configuration allowing the glove dispensers, according to embodiments of the invention, to more easily accommodate the work spaces of various users. The gloves may be packaged individually or in pairs within plastic or paper packs for dispensation. Furthermore, because the articles can be folded before individual packaging, the articles can always assume a square configuration within the packaging, allowing articles of variable sizes to be stored in the same dispenser. Also, in either the horizontal or vertical orientation, the gloves may be removed and/or returned to the glove dispenser without opening, for example, a lid of the glove dispenser or otherwise tearing the glove dispenser. It is further contemplated that the universal glove dispenser may be a disposable dispenser or a permanent dispenser that can be cleaned (e.g., autoclavable) and re-used.

FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of a flattened glove dispenser 10, according to embodiments of the present invention. The flattened glove dispenser 10 comprises one piece of, for example, cardboard, paperboard, plastic coated paper and/or the like. The flattened glove dispenser 10 further comprises many cuts, perforations, tabs, and/or fold lines so that the flattened glove dispenser 10 may be assembled into an assembled glove dispenser as discussed below.

The flattened glove dispenser 10 comprises a front surface 104, a back surface 116, a right surface 114, a left surface 132, and a bottom surface 101. The front surface 104 further comprises a lower large aperture tab 108a, which extends into the right surface 114 and the left surface 132 when the flattened box 10 is assembled, via a first perforation 50. The front surface 104 also comprises a slotted aperture tab 106a, disposed higher than the larger aperture tab 108a, which extends into the right surface 114 and the left surface 132 when the flattened box 10 is assembled, via a second perforation 52. Disposed between the front surface 104 and the left surface 132 is a first fold line 12. Disposed between the left surface 132 and the back surface 116 is a second fold line 14. Disposed between the back surface 116 and the right surface 114 is a third fold line 16. The right surface 114 further comprises a side flange 115 laterally extending from the right surface 114. A fourth fold line 18 is disposed between the right surface 114 and the side flange 115. The side flange 115 may have a glue, epoxy, adhesive or other adherent applied thereto to engage and secure an interior side of the front surface 104 when assembled.

The flattened glove dispenser 10 further comprises a front-bottom flange 40, a left-bottom flange 42, a back-bottom flange 44, and a right-bottom flange 46. Bottom fold lines 30, 28, 26, and 24 are disposed between the front surface 104, the left surface 132, the back surface 116, and the right surface 114 respectively. The left-bottom flange 42 comprises a first diagonal fold line 32 and the right-bottom flange 46 comprises a second diagonal fold line 34. The front-bottom flange 40 and the back-bottom flange 44 may have a glue, epoxy, adhesive or other adherent applied thereto to engage and secure the left-bottom flange 42 and the right-bottom flange 46 respectively when assembled. The front-bottom flange 40, the left-bottom flange 42, the back-bottom flange 44, and the right-bottom flange 46, when assembled, form a bottom surface (not shown) discussed further below.

The flattened glove dispenser 10 further comprises a front-top flange 54, a left-top tab 62, a back-top flange 64, and a right-top flange 72. A top fold line 20 is disposed between the front-top flange 54 and the front surface 104. A second top fold line 22 is disposed between the back surface 116 and the back-top flange 64. A third top fold line 76 is disposed between the right surface 114 and the right-top flange 72.

The left-top tab 62 on extends outward from the left surface 132 (capable of engaging a slot, discussed below) and further comprises two cut lines 62 opposite each other and a tab fold line 58 disposed therebetween. The right-top flange 72 further comprises two large push tabs 146a, opposite each other and a top pull tab 144a disposed therebetween. The two large push tabs 146a and the top pull tab 144a each comprise a tab fold line 70 and non-linear cuts 68, which are optionally perforated and allow the two large push tabs 146a and the top pull tab 144a to be pushed in or pulled out of the glove dispenser box (when assembled, as discussed below) easily. The right-top flange 72 further comprises slot cut 74, which, when the flattened box 10 is assembled, is capable of engaging the left-top tab 62 to releasably close the flattened box 10. The flattened box 10 further comprises a multi-dimensional perforation 66. The multi-dimensional perforation 66 traverses diagonally from an edge 80 of the left surface 132 to the back surface 116, diagonally to the right surface 114 into the right-top flange 72 and diagonally across a flange fold line 82 to a second edge 84 of the right-top flange 72. The multi-dimensional perforation 66 forms a glove opening tab 126a along a top surface (not shown) of an assembled glove dispenser as is discussed further below.

FIGS. 2A-2G depict several views and orientations of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 2A-2G are cut from flat cardboard, paperboard, plastic coated paper, etc., such as the flattened box 10 discussed above and assembled with a folded top and bottom, and a flange and/or tab glued thereto to close the sides to form an enclosed volume or interior chamber (described further below) capable of housing packaged articles, such as gloves or a plurality of gloves.

FIG. 2A depicts a front plan view 102 of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. The glove dispenser 100, shown in a vertical orientation, comprises a front surface 104, a top portion 112, and a base portion 110 above a bottom surface 101. A slotted aperture 106 (as is formed when the slotted aperture pull tab 106a, discussed above, is removed) and a large aperture 108 (as is formed when the slotted aperture pull tab 106a, as discussed above, is removed) are defined between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110 on the front surface 104. In some embodiments, the slotted aperture 106 is higher than the large aperture 108 and in some embodiments, the slotted aperture 106 is lower than the large aperture 108. FIG. 2B depicts a right plan view 120 of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. The glove dispenser 100 comprises the front surface 104, a back surface 116, a top surface 122, the bottom surface 101 (opposite the top surface 122), and a right surface 114. The glove dispenser 100 further comprises the slotted aperture 106 and a large aperture 108, each of which extends from the front surface 104 to the left surface 132. The glove dispenser 100 also comprises a three dimensional glove aperture (described below), which is defined at the top surface 122, the right surface 114, the back surface 116, and an inflection point 124 defined by an inclined side 118.

FIG. 2C depicts a back plan view 130 of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the invention. The glove dispenser 100 comprises the bottom surface 101, the back surface 116 and inclined sides 118, leading to the top surface 122, wherein a three dimensional glove aperture 126 is defined. FIG. 2D depicts a left plan view 140 of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the invention. The inclined side 118 is defined between the back surface 116 at inflection point 124 and the top surface 122. The glove dispenser 100 comprises the slotted aperture 106 near the top portion 112 and the large aperture 108 near the base portion 110 adjacent to the bottom surface 101, the large aperture 108 comprising a pull tab 128 (discussed further below), which optionally comprises an oblong shape, as shown, defined in a left surface 132.

FIG. 2E depicts a top plan view 150 of an assembled glove dispenser 100, according to embodiments of the invention. The top plan view 150 shows the glove dispenser 100 comprising the top portion 112 and the three dimensional glove aperture 126, further comprising a cutout 152, which is a result of a tear tab (discussed below) being removed. The cutout 152 can also be by a user to pull packaged gloves from the glove dispenser 100 when the glove dispenser 100 is, for example, oriented horizontally, as is discussed more fully below.

FIG. 2F depicts an elevated right perspective view 160 of an assembled glove dispenser 100 in a vertical orientation, according to embodiments of the invention. The glove dispenser 100 is placed on the bottom surface 101 if in the vertical orientation. Also depicted, by peering at the front surface 104 and through the large aperture 108 is an internal chamber 162 having a volume, which is defined by the front surface 104 opposite the back surface 116, the top surface 122, which is opposite the bottom surface 101, and is capable of housing articles, such as gloves. As discussed more fully below, the glove dispenser 100 optionally contains a plurality of individually packaged gloves, which are placed therein allowing the removal of the gloves from the three dimensional glove opening 126 from the back surface 116 or from the large aperture 108 on the front surface 104, i.e., an opposing side of the glove dispenser 100. Furthermore, if a user removes too many gloves from the glove dispenser 100, the gloves can be easily inserted into the glove dispenser 100 via the slotted aperture 106. When a glove (or a pair of gloves) in individual packaging, shown below, is placed in a flat configuration, i.e., thin side is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 101, they are gravity fed to the large aperture 108 for easy removal thereafter.

FIG. 2G depicts a left elevated perspective view 170 of an assembled glove dispenser 100 in a horizontal orientation, according to embodiments of the invention. The glove dispenser 100, in a horizontal orientation, is placed on, for example, a table, along its longitudinal edge, e.g., along the front surface 104. As shown, the left surface 132 comprises the slotted aperture 106 and the large aperture 108, which cannot be used to remove gloves in the horizontal orientation. Gloves can be removed from the three dimensional glove aperture 126 (as is formed wherein the glove opening tab 126a, discussed above, is removed), which is made particularly easy by gripping a glove (not shown) via the cutout 152 defined in the top surface 122. Also, as discussed more fully below, a plurality of the glove dispensers 100 can be stacked in the horizontal orientation, for example, by placing a second glove dispenser 100 on the back surface 116.

FIG. 3A depicts an individual packaging 200 for use with the glove dispenser 100 of FIGS. 2A-2G; according to embodiments of the invention. Medical examination and/or surgical gloves are often packaged individually or in pairs in paper or blister packaging, so that they remain anti-septic. The packaging 200 is substantially square-shaped for housing one or more gloves, and comprises a polymeric material, for example, polyethylene, and at least one exemplary embodiment comprises high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a suitable material because it is easily recycled. Also, square shapes allow for a small packaging 200 and a reduced surface area, leading to less waste of the packaging 200 as well as more volume inside the internal chamber of the glove dispenser (as discussed above). The gloves, folded into a substantially square shape and placed into the packaging 200, therefore, can be removed from various openings or apertures from different orientations, unlike when gloves are unfolded. In other words, a square packaging can be housed in the glove dispenser 100 and be removed easily from the large aperture discussed above, and placed back into the slotted aperture, as described above, while gravity allows gloves replaced therein to fall into position for removal again when the glove dispenser (not shown) is in the vertical orientation, which would not be true of longer rectangular packaging, i.e., longer than a lateral width. Furthermore, gloves inside the packaging 200 can be stored and/or oriented in the same direction at all times and a user can still remove the gloves even if the glove dispenser was oriented in the horizontal orientation, as described above.

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of a glove 210, according to embodiments of the invention. The glove 210 has a length L and a width W and is folded, so that the interior 216 (for receiving a hand) of the glove 210 of an inside surface 214 of a cuff 212 is turned inside out, which allows the wearer to don the glove easier and maintain a sterile glove, i.e., because a cuff of the glove is inside out, a user grips or contacts only the surface of the glove that will contact the user's own skin when worn (and not an exterior surface of a glove), leading to a more anti-septic condition. Furthermore, when folded, the length L and the width W of the glove 210 are approximately equal, allowing the glove 210 to be packed in the square packaging discussed above. Alternatively, the glove 210 may be folded without turning it inside-out.

FIG. 4 depicts a front plan view 300 of an assembled first glove dispenser 302 on top of a second glove dispenser 304 in a vertical orientation, according to embodiments of the invention. Many glove dispensers may be stacked, for example, to provide a single location for glove dispensers containing differently sized gloves, different types of gloves, and the like. Furthermore, the glove dispensers may have different coloring to indicate the different sized or different types of gloves.

As shown, a first glove dispenser 302 is placed atop a second glove dispenser 304, the bottom surface 101 of the first glove dispenser 302 contacting the top surface 122 of the second glove dispenser 304. Also, the first glove dispenser 302 comprises a slotted aperture pull tab 106a, which is a perforated portion of the front surface 104, disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110. The first glove dispenser 302 further comprises a large aperture pull tab 108a, which is a perforated portion of the front surface 104, disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110. If the slotted aperture pull tab 106a and/or the large aperture pull tab 108a are pulled and removed, the slotted aperture 106 and/or the large aperture 108 are created, allowing the ingress and/or egress of the packaging 200 housed therein. The second glove dispenser 304 comprises a front surface 104 disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110 and further comprising the slotted aperture 106 and the large aperture 108. Also shown is a plurality of packaging 200 in the large aperture 108.

FIG. 5 depicts a left elevated perspective view 400 of an assembled first glove dispenser 402 on top of a second glove dispenser 404 in a horizontal orientation, according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, a first glove dispenser 402 is placed atop a second glove dispenser 404, the front surface 104 of the first glove dispenser 402 contacting the back surface 116 of the second glove dispenser 304. Also, the first glove dispenser 402 comprises a slotted aperture pull tab 106a, which is a perforated portion of the front surface 104, disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110. The first glove dispenser 402 further comprises a large aperture pull tab 108a, which is a perforated portion of the front surface 104, disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110. Also, the first glove dispenser 402 comprises a glove opening tab 126a, further comprising the two large push tabs 146a and the top pull tab 144a. If the slotted aperture pull tab 106a, the large aperture pull tab 108a, and/or the glove opening tab 126a are removed, the slotted aperture 106, the large aperture 108, and/or the three dimensional glove aperture 126 are created (as shown below with respect to the second glove dispenser 404), allowing the ingress and/or egress of the packaging 200 housed therein. The second glove dispenser 404 comprises a front surface 104 disposed between the top portion 112 and the base portion 110 and further comprising the slotted aperture 106, the large aperture 108, and the three dimensional glove aperture 126. Also shown are a plurality of packaging 200 in the three dimensional glove opening 126 as well as through the slotted aperture 106 and the large aperture 108. In this horizontal orientation, the packaging 200, for example, holding a glove or a plurality of gloves, can be removed and/or replaced in the three dimensional glove opening 126. Because the glove dispensers 102, 302, 304, 402, and/or 404 are capable of having gloves removed and replaced therefrom whether in a vertical or a horizontal orientation through the slotted aperture 106, the large aperture 108, and/or the three dimensional glove opening 126, a universal glove dispenser capable of dispensing gloves from permanent boxes (not shown) or in any desired area is formed.

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

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A universal glove dispenser, comprising:

a front surface opposite a back surface, the front surface further comprising a slotted perforation and a large perforation;

a left surface opposite a right surface;

a top surface opposite a bottom surface; and

a three dimensional perforation formed within the top surface, the back surface, the left surface and the right surface,

wherein the front surface, the back surface, the left surface, the right surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface define an interior chamber capable of housing a plurality of gloves whether oriented vertically or horizontally, wherein the glove dispenser can selectably dispense gloves from at least one of the slotted perforation, the large perforation or the three dimensional perforation.

2. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1 wherein the front surface comprises a perforated slotted aperture pull tab and/or a perforated large aperture pull tab capable of forming the slotted aperture for removal or replenishment of the plurality of gloves and the large aperture for allowing removal or replenishment of the plurality of gloves.

3. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1 wherein the top surface comprises a perforated pull tab capable of forming the three dimensional glove opening for allowing ingress or egress of the plurality of gloves.

4. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1 wherein the plurality of gloves can be can be replaced in the interior chamber from at least one of the large aperture, the slotted aperture, or the three dimensional glove opening whether the universal glove dispenser is oriented vertically or horizontally.

5. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gloves can be dispensed from either or both of a large aperture or a slotted aperture when the glove dispenser is oriented vertically.

6. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gloves can be dispensed from a three dimensional aperture when the glove dispenser is oriented horizontally.

7. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gloves can be replenished into the glove dispenser via at least one of the slotted aperture and the three dimensional aperture when the glove dispenser is oriented vertically.

8. The universal glove dispenser of claim 1 wherein the interior chamber is capable of housing the plurality of gloves packaged individually in a substantially square packaging.

9. A method of dispensing gloves from a dispenser box, comprising:

orienting a dispenser box having an interior chamber in a vertical orientation;

removing at least one of a perforated slotted aperture pull tab and/or a perforated large aperture pull tab, wherein at least one of a slotted aperture or a large aperture is formed; and

removing a glove from the interior chamber from at least one of the slotted aperture or the larger aperture.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a glove is replaced into the dispenser box through at least one of the slotted aperture or the larger aperture.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising removing a three dimensional aperture tab, wherein a three dimensional aperture is formed.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a glove is replaced into the three dimensional aperture.

13. The method of dispensing gloves from a dispenser box, comprising:

orienting a dispenser box in a horizontal orientation;

removing a three dimensional aperture tab, wherein a three dimensional aperture is formed; and

removing a glove from at least one of the slotted aperture or the larger aperture.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a glove is replaced into the dispenser box via the three dimensional aperture.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the glove is packaged individually in a substantially square packaging.