HYGIENIC GLOVE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A hygienic glove system features a glove and an absorbent pad. The absorbent pad begins at the palm of the hand and extends over one or more fingers. The absorbent pad features a first layer that is fluid permeable and a second layer underneath the first layer that is super absorbent. The hygienic glove system also features a storage pouch having a first pocket to store unused gloves and a second pocket to store used gloves. A method of use for the hygienic glove system includes the user inserting their hand into the glove, absorbing bodily fluids with the absorbent pad, pulling a base of the glove over the absorbent pad until the glove is folded inside out, and storing the glove in the storage pouch. The hygienic glove system facilitates relieving oneself in a sanitary manner while outdoors.

Claims

1. A hygienic glove system, comprising: a plurality of gloves; a plurality of absorbent pads, wherein each absorbent pad is coupled to at least a portion of a first side of respective glove of the plurality of gloves; a pouch comprising: a first pocket for storing one or more unused gloves of the plurality of gloves, and a second pocket for storing one or more used gloves of the plurality of gloves.

2. The hygienic glove system of claim 1, wherein the pouch is foldable to a closed configuration and comprises a closure mechanism to selectively maintain the pouch in the closed configuration.

3. The hygienic glove system of claim 2, wherein the pouch further comprises a third pocket on an exterior surface opposite the first and second pockets, the third pocket remaining accessible when the pouch is in the closed configuration.

4. The hygienic glove system of claim 1, wherein each pocket comprises a seal.

5. The hygienic glove system of claim 1, further comprising a refill bag.

6. A hygienic glove system, comprising: a refill bag comprising a plurality of unused gloves, wherein each unused glove comprises a respective absorbent pad coupled thereto; a pouch comprising: a first pocket for storing one or more unused gloves of the plurality of gloves from the refill bag, and a second pocket for storing one or more used gloves of the plurality of gloves.

7. The hygienic glove system of claim 6, wherein the pouch is foldable to a closed configuration and comprises a closure mechanism to selectively maintain the pouch in the closed configuration.

8. The hygienic glove system of claim 7, wherein the pouch further comprises a third pocket on an exterior surface opposite the first and second pockets, the third pocket remaining accessible when the pouch is in the closed configuration.

9. The hygienic glove system of claim 6, wherein each pocket comprises a seal.

10. A method of using a hygienic glove system, the method comprising: opening a pouch and withdrawing an unused glove from a first pocket, the glove comprising an absorbent pad coupled thereto; placing the glove on a desired hand, with the absorbent pad upright on a palm side of the hand; cleaning oneself using the absorbent pad; removing the glove by inverting it so as to enclose the absorbent pad therein; folding the glove; placing the used glove in second pocket of the pouch; and closing the pouch.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a refill bag to store additional unused gloves.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein unused gloves are taken from the refill bag and placed into the first pocket of the pouch as desired.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket each comprise a seal.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising actuating a closure mechanism to secure the pouch in the closed position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the closure mechanism comprises one or more magnets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a hygienic glove system;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of a hygienic glove system;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system in use;

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system being turned inside out;

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system being turned inside out;

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system being turned inside out;

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system being folded;

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of a hygienic glove system being folded;

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevation view of a refill package of gloves and a clean, folded glove;

[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevation view of a storage pouch in an open configuration;

[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a rear elevation view of a storage pouch in an open configuration;

[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a front elevation view of a storage pouch in a closed configuration; and

[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates a front elevation view of a storage pouch with a single configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to the invention is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to one embodiment, an embodiment, various embodiments, and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase in one embodiment, or in an embodiment, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

[0023] Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.

[0024] Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article a is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0025] It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] The term coupled may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, coupled may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0027] The terms comprising, including, having, and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including, but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes, but is not limited to, etc.).

[0028] As previously discussed, there is a need for a hygienic system that maintains the user's hand sanitary during use and conveniently stores any used hygiene paper afterwards, separating the used hygiene paper from unused hygiene paper and prevent any odors and messes during storage. The hygienic glove system disclosed herein solves these problems and others.

[0029] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a hygienic glove system 100 comprises a glove 102 and an absorbent pad 104 coupled to the glove 102. The glove 102 may be manufactured from latex, vinyl, nitrile, rubber, or other lightweight, impermeable materials. It will be appreciated that impermeable materials shield the user's hand from bodily fluids during use, thereby removing a need to clean or sanitize the hand afterwards. In some embodiments, the glove 102 may comprise five fingers or, alternatively, comprise a mitt, wherein the glove 102 comprises two separate sections, a first section for a thumb and a second section for other fingers. The glove 102 may be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate varying sizes of hands from children to adults. In some embodiments, the glove 102 may comprise an elastic member or twist tie coupled to a base of the glove 102, configured to ensure that an opening of the glove 102 is closed during storage or disposal.

[0030] The absorbent pad 104 may be coupled to a palm of the glove 102 and extend over one or more fingers of the glove 102. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the absorbent pad 104 may completely cover a middle finger and a ring finger while only partially covering an index finger and a pinky finger. However, it will be appreciated that the absorbent pad 104 may cover all fingers or fewer than all. The absorbent pad 104 may further extend to a back of the glove 102 corresponding to a back of the fingers and the hand, as shown in FIG. 2; however, the absorbent pad 104 is not required to extend to the back of the hand. In some embodiments, the absorbent pad 104 may be coupled to the glove 102, wherein both the absorbent pad 104 and the glove 102 are either disposed of or cleaned after use. Alternatively, the absorbent pad 104 may be removably couplable to the glove 102 wherein a first absorbent pad 104 is disposed of after use and replaced by a second absorbent pad 104.

[0031] In some embodiments, the absorbent pad 104 may comprise a first layer 106 on a surface of the absorbent pad 104, and a second layer 108 disposed beneath the first layer 106, as described herein. For example, the first layer 106 may be fluid permeable and comprise antimicrobial materials. The second layer 108 may be located directly beneath the first layer 106 and in direct contact with the first layer 106, or adhered to the first layer 106 by means of one or more intervening layers, for example an adhesive layer and/or a spacer layer.

[0032] The second layer 108 may comprise fibers, including non-limiting examples such as cellulose, wooden fibers, plant fibers, field crop fibers, fluff pulp fibers, cotton, polyester, any other material, whether synthetic or natural, or combinations thereof. The second layer 108 may further comprise an absorbent polymer, for example any super-absorbent polymer known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable super-absorbent polymers include, for example, polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and salts thereof, carboxyl-methyl-celluloses, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, or polyvinyl alcohol copolymers. The super-absorbent polymers may be cross-linked to a suitable degree.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the second layer 108 absorbs substantially all of the fluids penetrating through from the first layer 106, and has a fluid holding capacity sufficient to retain fluids without releasing the fluids through the first layer 106. The glove 102 may act as a base layer in contact with the second layer 108 to similarly prevent fluid release from the second layer 108 in an opposite direction of the first layer 106. While multiple layers are described, they are not required, and one or more layers may be used.

[0034] The glove 102 and/or the absorbent pad 104 may comprise deodorizers configured to bind to bodily fluids, such as urine, blood, or feces, and absorb or neutralize any associated unpleasant odors. The glove 102 and the absorbent pad 104 may also comprise fragrances to mask the odors and provide pleasant scents. The glove 102 and the absorbent pad 104 may comprise biodegradable materials whereby the hygienic glove system 100 generates minimal waste. In some embodiments, the glove 102 and the absorbent pad 104 may comprise antimicrobial agents configured to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae.

[0035] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, a method of use comprises a user inserting a hand into the glove 102 (FIG. 3), absorbing bodily fluids using the absorbent pad 104, balling the hand into a first (FIG. 4), pulling the base of the glove 102 over the absorbent pad 104 until the glove 102 is folded inside out (FIGS. 5-6), and folding (FIGS. 7-8) and storing or disposing the inverted glove 102. It will be appreciated that the disclosed method of use wraps an inside of the glove 102 over an outside of the glove 102 after use, thereby concealing and enclosing the absorbent pad 104 and maintaining the user's hand sanitary. As noted earlier, a base of the glove 102 may comprise elastics, drawstrings, twist-ties, or other mechanisms to effectively seal the glove 102 in its inverted form, securing the absorbent pad 104 therein. However, the glove 102 may also be simply folded to secure the absorbent pad 104 therein.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, a refill bag 109 may contain a plurality of folded, sanitary gloves 102 ready for use. The refill bag 109 may comprise seal 111, such as an interlocking groove and ridge that form a seal when pressed (e.g., Ziploc). A user may retrieve one or more gloves 102 for use while away from plumbing facilities.

[0037] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, a hygienic glove system 100 further comprises a storage pouch 110 having a first pocket 112, a second pocket 114, and a closure mechanism 116. The storage pouch 110 may be substantially rectangular in shape and comprise an impermeable or waterproof material having antimicrobial properties that is machine washable. The storage pouch 110 may comprise a trifold or bifold construction wherein the storage pouch 110 collapses in on itself at one more folds; for example, a first fold 118 and a second fold 120, along a transverse axis of the storage pouch 110 allows the storage pouch to be in a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, for easy transport and storage. The first pocket 112 may comprise a compartment wherein clean, unused gloves are stored. The second pocket 114 may comprise a compartment wherein unclean, used gloves are stored, or vice versa. In some embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 11, the storage pouch 110 may further comprise a third pocket 115 on the exterior side 117 so as to be accessible when the storage pouch 110 is in a folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 12. The third pocket 115 may be used to store other items, such as cleanser, sanitizer, or other personal items.

[0038] The pockets 112, 114, 115 may respectively be fastened close by magnets, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, clasps, elastics, or other fastening mechanisms known in the art. Likewise, the closure mechanism 116 may comprise magnets, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, clasps, or other fastening mechanisms known in the art. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10-12, the closure mechanism may comprise a first magnet 122 on a first end couplable to a second magnet (or magnetic material) 124 on a second end of the storage pouch 110. It will be appreciated that the storage pouch 110 separates the glove 102 and the absorbent pad 104 from other belongings and items within the user's bag or pockets.

[0039] FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of a storage pouch 126. As shown, the storage pouch 126 may not comprise folds, but still maintains two separate pockets: a first pocket 128 for containing unused gloves 102 and absorbent pads 104 thereon; and a second pocket 130 for containing used gloves 102 and absorbent pads 104. Each pocket 128, 130 may comprise a seal 132, 134, respectively, such as an interlocking groove and ridge that form a seal when pressed (e.g., Ziploc). As a result, a user is able to easily store and transport unused and used gloves 102 and pads 104 while away from restroom facilities, such as while in the mountains.

[0040] Accordingly, the hygienic glove system 100 and method of used described herein maintains the user's hand sanitary and provides an additional barrier to contain odors and messes when relieving oneself outdoors. Further, the hygienic glove system 100 disclosed herein aids in reducing litter in the wilderness.

[0041] It will be appreciated that systems and methods according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties or features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment unless so stated. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.

[0043] Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.