WASTE COLLECTION GLOVE

Abstract

An eversible waste collection glove for collecting animal solid waste or excrement. The glove has a dimpled palm-side surface, so that the tactile sensation and thermal sensation of collecting animal solid waste or excrement is substantially diminished. The invention can be made with both a left- and right-handed thumb on the same glove, so that either hand may be used to collect animal solid waste. The glove may be constructed with a heavy ply on the palm-facing surface, so as to further reduce both tactile and thermal sensation.

Claims

1. A waste collection glove comprised of a first planar material forming a thin, flexible palm surface and a second planar material forming a thin, flexible top surface; both the top and palm surfaces having a plurality of finger regions, a left thumb region, and a right thumb region; the thin, flexible palm surface and thin, flexible top surface are durably bonded together so that the finger regions and thumb regions of the respective surfaces line up, creating a glove suitable for a user to wear, having sealed finger regions and sealed thumb regions, with an open end in which to insert a user's hand; wherein the first planar material is at least twice the thickness as the second planar material; wherein the thin, flexible palm surface is dimpled with protrusions that extend away from the palm of the user; wherein the waste collection glove is eversible, exposing an inner surface of both the palm surface and top surface, with an antimicrobial agent on the inner surface; and wherein a continuous draw string is embedded in the inner surface of the open end and is accessible to the user when the glove is everted.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The waste collection glove described in claim 1, wherein the first planar material forming the thin, flexible palm surface is at least one of LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene.

5. (canceled)

6. The waste collection glove described in claim 4, wherein the first planar material forming the thin, flexible palm surface is constructed from 5-7 mil material.

7. The waste collection glove described in claim 6, wherein the dimples are created by vacuum forming the palm surface material.

8. The waste collection glove described in claim 4, wherein the thin, flexible palm surface is constructed from a two-ply material.

9. The waste collection glove described in claim 8, where one ply is 5-6 mil and the other ply is 0.5-2 mil.

10. The waste collection glove described in claim 9, wherein the 5-6 mil ply is dimpled, prior to being bonded to the 0.5-2 mil ply.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The waste collection glove described in claim 1, wherein the second planar material forming the thin, flexible top surface is at least one of LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene.

15. The waste collection glove described claim in 14, wherein the second planar material forming the thin, flexible top surface is constructed from 1-2 mil material.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] There are seven relevant drawings. FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the top side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove.

[0021] FIG. 3A is an isometric view of the palm side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the palm-side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. FIG. 4 is an isolation view of the top side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove.

[0022] FIG. 5A is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 5B is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. standard guitar pick. FIG. 3 is a back view of a standard guitar pick. FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove.

[0023] FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with user's hand inserted, while the user begins removing the waste collection glove with the user's other hand. FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the waste collection glove, everted, so as to hold solid dog waste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The following description represents the inventors' current preferred embodiments. The description is not meant to limit the invention, but rather to illustrate its general principles and utility. Examples are illustrated with the accompanying drawings. A variety of drawings are offered, showing multiple views and multiple embodiments of the present invention, both with a user's hand inserted, and without a user's hand inserted.

[0025] FIG. 1A shows the palm side 6 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 1B shows the palm side 6 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100, with a user's hand inserted 20. FIG. 2 shows the top side 9 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 5A shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 5B shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove 100, with a user's hand inserted 20. The right-handed waste collection glove 100 has a palm surface 6 and a top surface 9 joined at a seam 11. Both the top surface 9 and the palm surface 6 have a plurality of finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15.

[0026] The palm surface 6 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface 6 is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface 9 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface 9 is approximately 1-2 mil thick.

[0027] The top surface 9 and the palm surface 6 are joined at a seam 11, using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15 can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces 6, 9 together and to form the plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15. Once formed and joined, the right-handed waste collection glove 100 has a plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15, into which a user's hand 20 can be placed. The waste collection glove 100 has a rim or flange 10 through which the hand is placed 20. An optional drawstring 1 can be fabricated and joined to the glove. The drawstring 1 is formed so that it is accessible on the inner surface of the rim or flange 10. In this way, the drawstring 1 is accessible when the waste collection glove is everted.

[0028] The palm-surface 6 is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps 60 that protrude away from the top surface 9. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 reduce the tactile sensation of the user's hand 20. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 also improve gripping with the right-handed waste collection glove 100.

[0029] FIG. 3A shows the palm side 6 of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200. FIG. 3B shows the palm side 6 of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200, with a user's hand inserted 20. FIG. 4 shows the top side 19 of a second embodiment of a waste collection glove 200. FIG. 6 shows the side of the second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200. The waste collection glove 200 has a palm surface 16 and a top surface 19 joined at a seam 21. Both the top surface 19 and the palm surface 16 have a plurality of finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, a right thumb region 15, and a left thumb region 7.

[0030] The palm surface 16 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface 16 is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface 19 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface 19 is approximately 1-2 mil thick.

[0031] The top surface 19 and the palm surface 16 are joined at a seam 21, using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and the thumb regions 15, 7 can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces 16, 19 together and to form the plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and the thumb region 15, 7. Once formed and joined, the second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200 has a plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and thumb regions 15, 7, into which a user's hand 20 can be placed. The waste collection glove 200 has a rim or flange 10 through which the hand is placed 20. An optional tie 1 can be fabricated and joined to the glove.

[0032] The palm-surface 16 is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps 60 that protrude away from the top surface 19. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 16 reduce the tactile sensation of the user's hand 20. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 also improve gripping with the waste collection glove 200.

[0033] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show that the waste collection glove 100 can be everted. The typical features are notable: plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5; a thumb regions 15; and a rim or flange 10. The user grasps the rim or flange 10 using their free hand 30, to remove their right hand 20. By everting the waste collection glove 100, any solid dog waste is bagged. The inner surface 50 is now on the outside. The inner surface of the glove can be treated with an antimicrobial agent. The string tie 1 can be tightened to seal the waste.