Edward Hicklin Jordan

US Patent:

6435388, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Jul 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/916413

Inventors:

Kurwin J. Binder - Sun City AZ 85373
Leon E. McCrary - Scituate MA 02066
Edward Jordan - Rockland MA 02370

International Classification:

A47G 2580

US Classification:

223111

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to glove inflation apparatuses and methods for donning sterile gloves. The apparatuses includes at least one vacuum chamber that has an opening sized and shaped for receiving a glove and for establishing a fluid-tight seal between the glove and the vacuum chamber. The apparatuses further includes a vacuum pump which is connected to the chamber and a source of compressed gas which is in fluid communication with the glove. The apparatuses further includes a switch that is connected to the pump and the source of compressed gas. The switch has two states. In the first state, the switch permits the pump to evacuate the chamber. In the second state, the switch permits the source of compressed gas to expel the glove from the opening of the chamber. The methods for donning a sterile glove include the steps of securing a cuff portion of a glove onto an opening of a vacuum chamber to establish a fluid-tight seal between the glove and the vacuum chamber, creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber so as to inflate the glove, placing a hand in the inflated glove, and applying positive pressure to the cuff portion of the glove to release the glove from the opening of the vacuum chamber.