CN115666305A - Excreta disposal gloves and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A waste disposal glove (10) for sanitarily disposing of and containing waste such as human or animal waste or dog faeces contained in a soiled diaper. The excrement disposal glove (10) comprises: a glove portion (12) shaped to fit a user's hand; and a bag member (14) engaged with the glove part (12) and having a bag body (32). The glove part (12) has a glove body (20) with a glove opening (30) for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body (20). The glove part (12) is reversibly receivable around the faeces and the bag body (32) is receivable around the glove part (12). This allows double bagging to prevent or inhibit leakage and smoke emission from the waste.

Description

Excreta disposal gloves and method of use thereof

technical field

The present invention relates to a glove for the hygienic handling and disposal of excreta, especially soiled diapers. The invention also relates to a method of use of such a glove for achieving a faster and more hygienic diaper change.

Background technique

Changing diapers is an unpleasant but unavoidable action when caring for an infant or an elderly relative who may be incontinent. Diaper changing involves removing the soiled diaper from the baby and disposing of it, cleaning up the mess with a wipe, and putting on a new diaper. Caregivers may have urine and/or feces on their hands that must be thoroughly removed before placing a clean diaper on the baby. This is time consuming and requires water and soap, which are not readily available. Additionally, frequent hand washing can dry out and damage the caregiver's skin.

Disposal of soiled diapers, wipes, and when using gloves often involves throwing the soiled item directly into the bin or bagging it first, requiring finding a separate, poorly biodegradable bag for each diaper change . Neither solution is particularly effective in addressing the problem of leaks and/or fumes emanating from dirty items.

Contents of the invention

The present invention attempts to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste disposal glove for hygienically handling and containing human or animal waste, the waste disposal glove comprising a glove portion shaped to fit the user's a hand, the glove part comprising a glove body having a glove opening for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body; a bag element connected to the glove part and having a bag body, The bag body is receivable around the glove part when the glove part is in an inverted position around the excrement; and at least one sealing element for sealing the bag body and/or in the inverted position The glove part.

As used herein and throughout, the term "excreta" is understood to refer to waste from animals or humans, and may include either or both urine and feces.

Gloves provide a barrier that enables users to change soiled diapers and dispose of waste without soiling their hands. The glove also incorporates or is capable of sealing exudate within the glove to prevent or contain any odor or leakage after handling the sealed glove. The user may not be required to wash his hands since the risk of contamination is reduced. In the event of illness in either or both the caregiver and the infant or patient, gloves prevent or inhibit the spread of disease in any direction. Therefore, gloves can also provide a preventive barrier.

Preferably, the faecal disposal glove comprises deformable material such that the bag element and/or the glove portion is expandable. Furthermore, the deformable material of the glove portion may be malleable and/or elastic such that the glove portion can be turned around the waste containing diaper, the diaper being fully contained within the turned glove portion. The glove portion and/or the bag element can be stretched or pulled around the waste and/or any other items to provide a better seal. The risk of tearing is reduced.

Advantageously, the at least one sealing element may be associated with the bag element. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one further sealing element may be associated with the glove opening. The sealing element may be associated with the bag element or the glove, either of which provide an external barrier to improve easy access to the sealing element and increase the sealing efficiency of the glove. Multiple seal elements provide seal redundancy in case of seal element failure.

Preferably, the at least one sealing element comprises a cord. Alternatively, the at least one further sealing element may comprise a zipper. The cord is cost-effective and simple to make, while the zipper provides a more secure seal.

Optionally, the waste disposal glove may also include a comfort-enhancing substance that may be located within the glove portion. Advantageously, the comfort-enhancing substance may be a lubricant that facilitates entry of the hand into the glove portion.

Lubricant helps to put on or take off gloves. Lubricants can also reduce the risk of the glove tearing when a portion of the glove is pulled around waste by preventing or inhibiting the glove from sticking to the user's hand.

Alternatively, the comfort-enhancing substance may be a humectant for moisturizing the user's hands. Additionally, the comfort-enhancing substance may be a sanitizer for sanitizing the user's hands. The moisturizing substance has a soothing effect on the user's skin. This may be particularly advantageous since frequent hand washing may be required when caring for an infant, and the caregiver's hands may often be dry or chapped like this. Disinfectants can further eliminate the need to wash hands after handling excreta.

Optionally, the glove body may be formed as a mitten. Alternatively, the glove body may have at least two finger-receiving sections, each finger-receiving section configured to receive a finger. Mittens may be easier to manufacture and may have a lower risk of failure. Having at least two, and preferably as many as five, finger receiving sections, each receiving a finger, increases flexibility.

Preferably, the bag element is attached to the inner surface of the glove portion. The bag element is protected by the glove body. The risk of accidentally soiling the bag element when handling waste is reduced because the bag element is only revealed, exposed or accessible after the glove body has been turned around the waste.

Alternatively, the pocket element may be attached to the outer surface of the glove portion. This eliminates the need to turn over the glove body. The glove body may not need to be stretchable or elastically deformable to accommodate larger items, such as diapers. This may especially apply to adult diapers.

Preferably, the pocket element is connected to the backside section of the glove part, in other words to the upper or back side of the glove. A pocket element is associated with the back of the hand. The bag element is less likely to get in the way of the user when disposing of waste and/or cleaning the baby. This location also reduces the risk of accidental soiling of the exterior of the bag element where the bag element is attached to the outer surface of the glove. Furthermore, if the bag element is by default inside the unused glove, this reduces the risk of unsupervised children touching and playing with the bag element which could constitute a choking hazard.

Alternatively, the pocket element may be connected to the ventral section of the glove part, in other words to the palm or the underside of the glove. The second layer, in addition to the glove body, provides an additional barrier between the user's hand and the waste. This may be useful where the outer glove body has a tear due to stretching or a defect.

Additionally, the pocket element may be integrally formed with the glove portion. Improved ease of manufacture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of hygienically handling and containing human or animal waste using a waste disposal glove, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a waste disposal glove (10); b] using The glove portion retains the exudate; and c] wrapping the bag element around the glove portion to enclose or substantially enclose the glove portion. This method enables the handling and disposal of excrement such as in soiled diapers or dog waste without soiling the user's hands. The bag element further prevents or inhibits leaks and odors after wrapping around the waste.

Advantageously, the method may further comprise, after step b] and before step c], a step b2] of inverting the glove portion such that the glove portion can be reversibly received around the excrement. Excreta may be contained within two barriers or layers. In other words, the excrement may be or is actually double bagged.

Furthermore, the method may further comprise a step d] of sealing the waste disposal glove via the or each of the at least one sealing element. The or each sealing element further prevents or inhibits leakage and/or escape of malodorous fumes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of double wrapping waste, the method comprising the steps of: inverting a glove part around the waste, and placing a bag element connected to the glove part around the inverted glove part pack. Leakage or odor is reduced or eliminated or substantially reduced or eliminated.

In addition, the excrement is contained within the diaper, and the glove is partially turned around the diaper. This method is specially designed for cleaning babies and is suitable for large and bulky items such as diapers.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste disposal glove for hygienically handling and containing human or animal waste, the waste disposal glove comprising a glove portion shaped to fit the user's a hand, the glove part comprising a glove body having a glove opening for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body; a bag element connected to the glove part and having a bag body, The bag body is receivable around the glove portion and waste; and at least one sealing element for sealing the bag body and/or the glove portion. A portion of the glove may not necessarily be inverted or reversible in order for the glove to contain, seal, or substantially seal waste.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste disposal glove for hygienically handling and containing human or animal waste, the waste disposal glove comprising a glove portion shaped to fit the user's a hand, the glove part comprising a glove body having a glove opening for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body; the glove part being able to invert around the exudate; and at least one sealing element, The at least one sealing element is used to seal the glove part in an inverted state. The glove can be used to contain, seal, or substantially seal waste without a bag element.

Description of drawings

The invention will now be described more particularly, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a partial cutaway plan view of a first embodiment of a faecal disposal glove according to the first aspect of the invention with the inner bag element visible;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the waste disposal glove of Figure 1 with the location of the inner bag element indicated by dashed lines;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the waste disposal glove of Figure 1 in use according to a second aspect of the present invention, wherein the waste disposal glove in use is in a non-inverted state for holding waste with the bag The position of the element and the portion of the user's arm received in the waste disposal glove is indicated by dashed lines;

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the waste disposal glove of Fig. 3, wherein the waste disposal glove is at least partially inverted about the waste, with the portion of the user's arm and the portion of the inverted waste disposal glove indicated by dashed lines;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the waste disposal glove of Figure 4 with the glove portion of the waste disposal glove sealed by two sealing elements;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the waste disposal glove of FIG. 5 with the bag element in an expanded state around the inverted glove portion and waste, shown in dashed lines, and the bag element in a sealed state; and

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a faecal disposal glove according to a fifth aspect of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a glove generally indicated at 10, the first function of which is to enable the hygienic handling of human or animal waste. More specifically, the glove 10 enables holding, handling, or grasping of waste without requiring any direct contact between the wearer of the glove and the waste. The glove 10 also has a secondary function of receiving, containing, surrounding, enclosing, sealing or substantially sealing exudates while preventing or inhibiting the escape and/or leakage of malodors. Glove 10 may be referred to as a diaper receiving glove set, a sanitary diaper disposal set, a waste disposal glove, or a waste disposal glove. Glove 10 includes glove portion 12 and pocket element 14 . Pocket element 14 is associated with, engageable, engaged, connected or preferably integrally formed with glove portion 12 .

When worn by a user, glove portion 12 provides a barrier between the user's hand and waste. In other words, the glove portion 12 enables the user to grasp or hold the waste without any direct contact between his skin and the waste. The glove portion 12 may optionally have a secondary function of sealing, containing or receiving waste when the glove portion 12 is at least partially turned inside out or turned over, but this function may be omitted. In other words, glove portion 12 is reversibly received around waste. The glove portion 12, or a portion thereof, may provide a partial or complete primary or internal barrier between waste and the surrounding environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, glove portion 12 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 when worn by a wearer in a normal, non-inverted or non-inside-out configuration. Inner surface 16 may be referred to as an inwardly facing, hand-facing or hand-contacting surface or face or cleaning surface. The outer surface 18 may be referred to as an outward-facing surface, a waste-contacting surface, a waste-facing surface, a diaper-contacting surface or face, a diaper-facing surface, or a soiled or soilable surface. For clarity, the terms inner surface and outer surface will always be used to refer to the related surfaces 16, 18, even when the glove 10 is turned inside out, that is, when the inner surface 16, or a portion thereof, faces outward and the outer surface 18, or a portion thereof, faces outward. Inside time. The glove portion 12 includes a glove body 20 as shown in FIG. 2 .

The glove body 20 defines a cavity 22 suitably shaped to receive a hand therein, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . In other words, glove portion 12 is shaped to fit the user's hand. Cavity 22 may optionally be shaped and/or sized to ensure a snug fitting glove portion 12 . The glove portion 12 may even be configured as a left glove portion 12 for receiving only the left hand, or as a right glove portion 12 for receiving only the right hand. Although these glove portions 12 may be more difficult to put on due to their tighter fit than larger or looser glove portions, the wearer can better grasp waste. The glove portion 12, or a portion thereof, is formed to individually accommodate fingers. In other words, the glove body 20 has at least one, and more preferably at least two finger-receiving sections 24 . Each finger-receiving section 24 is configured to receive a finger or digits. Each finger-receiving section 24 may also be referred to as a finger, glove finger, or glove finger. Most preferably, the glove body 20 has five finger receiving sections 24 to accommodate four fingers and a thumb.

The glove body 20 has a ventral portion, side or section 26a and a dorsal portion, side or section 26b which, in use, face, are associated with, contact, are located on or are located adjacent to the palm and back of the hand of the wearer, respectively. The glove body 20 has an end portion 28 that defines a glove opening 30 , as shown in FIG. 4 , for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body 20 .

The in-use end portion 28 preferably encloses or surrounds at least the wrist when the glove 10 is in the non-inverted condition. The end portion 28 could even be extended to also enclose a portion of the user's arm for additional protection. End portion 28 may be referred to as a rim, brim, gauntlet, cuff, wrist support, arm support, arm section, or wrist section. In this embodiment, the end portion 28 is integrally formed with the glove body 20, but could alternatively be attached or attachable to the glove body. The end portion 28 is more preferably continuous or forms a closed or continuous loop, but discontinuous end portions are also conceivable. Similar to the glove body 20, the end portion 28 has, in use, a ventral section, side or portion 27a and a dorsal section, side or portion 27b, as shown in Figure 2, although each feature may be omitted. The end portion 28 is preferably loose or loose to facilitate insertion of a hand and/or to facilitate inversion of the glove portion 12, but alternatively the end portion may at least partially fit snugly.

The glove opening 30 is defined, formed or surrounded by the end portion 28 . The glove opening 30 is an opening, pocket, entry or entry hole that enables a wearer to insert his hand into the glove body 20 .

In this embodiment, glove portion 12 also includes a comfort-enhancing substance, not shown, although this feature could be omitted. The comfort-enhancing substance is preferably within glove portion 12 . More preferably, the inner surface or face 16 of the glove body 20 and/or end portion 28 is lined or coated with a comfort-enhancing substance. The comfort-enhancing substance can be a solid, a fluid, or both, such as a liquid in which a solid can be suspended. More preferably, the comfort enhancing substance may be a liquid, oil, cream or gel applied or impregnated directly or indirectly to the glove body. The comfort-enhancing substance may be any one or any combination of the following: a humectant for moisturizing the user's hands, a lubricant for facilitating entry of the hand into the glove portion 12, and a lubricant for the user. Disinfectant for hand disinfection. More preferably, the comfort enhancing substance comprises aloe vera extract, although any other suitable extract or chemical may be desirable. In this example, the comfort-enhancing substance is aloe vera oil, but any alternative form of comfort-enhancing substance is contemplated.

Glove 10 is formed from at least one layer of material. Said material preferably comprises a deformable material. Accordingly, glove 10 may be at least one of: deformable, bendable, and foldable. More preferably, the deformable material renders glove 10, or a portion thereof, expandable in use. More preferably, the deformable material of the glove 10, or a portion thereof, is malleable and/or elastic, such that the glove 10, or a portion thereof, is invertable around waste during use. The material properties of glove 10 enable glove 10 to enclose bulky or bulky items, such as diapers, without tearing.

More preferably, at least one, and here each, of glove portion 12 and bag element 14 are formed from said at least one layer of material. Accordingly, glove portion 12 and/or bag member 14 includes a deformable material such that glove portion 12 and/or bag member 14 is expandable. In addition, the deformable material of the glove portion 12 is malleable and/or elastic such that the glove portion 12 is reversible about the waste-containing diaper, although this feature may be omitted. Preferably, the diaper is partially or fully receivable within the inverted glove portion 12 .

Similarly, the deformable material of the bag element 14 is malleable and/or elastic such that the bag element 14 is wrappable, stretchable, pullable, receivable or reversible around the waste-containing diaper , although this feature can be omitted. Preferably, the diaper is fully receivable within the bag element 14, although only partially receivable is conceivable. Excreta and/or objects 11 are thus preferably completely receivable or contained within the inverted glove portion 12 and/or bag element 14 .

Furthermore, the material of the or at least one layer of material has liquid-proof, liquid-tight or fluid-tight properties. In particular, the material may be elastic or elastomeric. Preferably, the material may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a biodegradable material. The biodegradable material may be polylactic acid or PLA.

Bag element 14 may also be referred to as a bag, bag portion, cover, wrap, or wrapping element. The bag element 14 in use forms a recess or cavity within which waste and the glove portion 12 can be received. The cavity may be provided by deforming the bag element 14 . Alternatively or additionally, the cavity may have a preformed shape that is at least partially curved or arcuate in cross-section. The bag element 14 provides a barrier against leaks and/or odors in use. In particular, if the glove portion 12 is reversible to provide the first barrier, the pocket element 14 in use completes or reinforces the first barrier provided by the glove portion 12 and/or provides a second or outer barrier.

Preferably, as shown, the pocket element 14 engages, touches, connects, or extends from the glove portion 12 at or adjacent to the glove body 20, although the pocket element may be considered to engage, touch, connect in place of, or in addition to, the glove body. The end portion outside the body or extends from the end portion. The bag element 14 is preferably spaced apart from the glove opening 30 . Furthermore, the pocket element 14 connects or engages the dorsal section 26b of the glove portion 12, although a connection to the ventral section may additionally or alternatively be envisioned. The pocket element 14 may touch, engage, or extend from one or both of the inner surface 16 and the outer surface 18 of the glove portion 12 . Preferably, pocket element 14 is attached to or engages inner surface 16 of glove portion 12 . This is advantageous because the bag element 14 is accommodated or receivable within the glove portion 10 prior to use and when the glove portion 12 is not in an inverted position, e.g. or otherwise compress the bag element to the correct dimensional state. This prevents the bag element 14 from being accidentally detached from or torn from the glove portion 12 . Alternatively or additionally, the bag element 14, while within the glove portion 12, is protected from soiling and/or tearing prior to use.

Pouch member 14 is formed from one or more materials similar or identical to glove portion 12, and thus a detailed description of common features is omitted for brevity. Bag element 14 is preferably foldable and/or bendable. The bag element 14 has at least: a storage state and a usable state.

When in the stored state, the bag element 14 cannot receive, surround or enclose waste. The bag element 14 may be in a stored state due to, for example, being rolled, folded, collapsed, only partially unfolded, or only partially expanded. In FIG. 1 , the internally retained bag element 14 is shown through a section through the glove portion 12 . Preferably, the bag element 14 is folded and/or gathered when in the stored condition. As shown, the pleats may be or substantially aligned with each other. In other words, the bag element 14 in the stored state may have an accordion-like configuration. Furthermore, the accordion-like structure is oriented in the longitudinal direction or direction from the end portion 28 towards the glove body 20 of the glove 10, but is oriented in a transverse or lateral direction, in a direction at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction, and/or towards the user's palm. Direction can be optional. The pleats may be curved or not curved in the transverse direction. The stored state may be referred to as a folded strip or configuration, a non-received state, or an unexpanded state.

When in the usable condition, the bag element 14 expands and provides or forms a cavity or recess to receive, surround or enclose any of: excrement, and at least a portion of the glove portion 12 . The usable state may also be referred to as a deployed state or configuration, a received state, or an expanded state.

The bag element 14 has a bag body 32 . The bag body 32 is receivable about the glove portion 12, preferably when the glove portion 12 is in an inverted position about waste, although the glove portion need not necessarily be in an inverted position. The bag body 32 preferably has a preformed shape that is at least partially curved or arcuate in cross-section, although this feature may be omitted. In other words, the bag body 32 may be or be substantially domed or dome-shaped, a spherical sector, cap, shroud, or shroud-like element. Most preferably, the bag body 32 is a bag or bag-like element. The bag body 32 has a not shown bag edge.

The bag edge is preferably integrally formed with the bag body 32, although detachably attachable or attached thereto is contemplated. The bag edge is the edge or portion of the bag element 14 and may have a bag edge.

Glove 10 also includes at least one sealing element 34, although this feature may be omitted. Each sealing element 34 may be referred to as a sealing means for sealing the glove 10, or alternatively as a securing means, seal, sealing mechanism, sealing means, closure element or coupling means. The or each sealing element 34 enables the sealing of exudate within the glove 10 in use. The or each sealing element 34 may also be referred to as a sealing device or closure element. The, each or at least one of said sealing elements 34 preferably comprises at least one cord, string, drawstring or strap to enable the glove 10 to be sealable, sealed or at least more securely closed. This reduces the likelihood of feces and/or fumes escaping, leaking, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the, each or at least one of said sealing elements 34 is associated with the bag element 14 . Furthermore, the, each or at least one said sealing element 34 is most preferably associated with a bag edge for sealing the bag body 32 . As shown, there are preferably two sealing elements 34 associated with the bag element 14 .

Additionally or alternatively, the, each or at least one sealing element 34 may be associated with the glove part 12 for sealing the glove part 12, which may or may not be in an inverted position. More preferably, the, each or at least one sealing element 34 may be associated with the end portion 28 . For example, the or the sealing element 34 may be positioned at or adjacent to the end portion 28, or extend from the end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two sealing elements 34 associated with each of the glove portion 12 and bag element 14, but there are no sealing elements associated with either or both of the glove portion and bag element. Any or all of the sealing elements may be omitted, or additional sealing elements may be envisioned. Since each sealing element 34 is most preferably a cord, this embodiment includes four cords. The or each sealing element 34 may be connectable, attached, engaged or integrally formed with the glove portion 12 . The or each sealing element 34 is preferably connected to at least a portion of the dorsal portion of the end portion 28, but may additionally or alternatively be connected to at least a portion of the ventral portion and/or either or both sides. The or each sealing element may even be attached to the glove portion around the entire arm or wrist or along a minor or major extension of the arm or wrist. The or each sealing element 34 may optionally be formed from the same material as the glove portion 12 .

In use, once it is determined that a diaper change is required, a caregiver (also referred to as a user or wearer) may access the glove 10 to hygienically dispose and contain human waste. More preferably, waste is in, on or contained within at least one article 36, as shown in FIG. 3, but this need not be the case. Item 36 preferably comprises a diaper, diaper or incontinence brief. More preferably, item 36 is a soiled diaper. Additionally or alternatively, the or at least one item 36 may be any of the following: dry wipes; wet wipes; pads, such as but not limited to cotton pads; cotton swabs; one or more gloves; any other cleaning equipment; and excrement. The user can also obtain a clean diaper and any cleaning implements required in this particular embodiment, although this may not necessarily be necessary, such as in the case of picking up dog feces or other animal waste.

The user inserts his hand into the glove body 20 through the glove opening 30 . This may be facilitated by comfort-enhancing substances within glove portion 12 .

The bag element 14 is preferably in a stored state. In this embodiment, bag element 14 is received within glove portion 12 . In addition to reducing the risk of tearing or tearing, this internal positioning also reduces the risk of injury to the infant from the bag element 14 and/or its associated sealing element 34 when the wearer cleans the infant. The dorsal positioning of the bag element 14 also enables the wearer to properly grasp waste with little or no interference.

After donning the glove 10, the wearer uses the glove portion 12 to hold or grasp waste. In particular, the wearer removes the soiled diaper with his gloved hands without direct contact of the soiled diaper with the hand. The wearer can also use and manipulate or dispose of cleaning implements, such as wet wipes, without soiling their hands.

Once the relevant body part is clean, and preferably dry, the wearer can hygienically dispose of the excrement and/or any items 36, such as soiled diapers and/or soiled cleaning equipment.

To do this, the wearer grasps the waste and/or item or items 36 to be disposed of with his gloved hand, as shown in FIG. 3 . The wearer grasps the end portion 28 with his other hand and pulls the glove portion 12 at least partially from the inside out by pulling the end portion 28 toward the glove body 20 . This inverts at least a portion of glove portion 12 such that glove portion 12 or at least a portion thereof is inverted, turned inside out, or reversible to be received around waste and/or any item 36 as shown in FIG. 4 . Excreta and/or any items 36 are at least partially contained, surrounded or enclosed by the end portion 28 and/or the glove body 20 . This may entail deforming the glove portion 12 and/or the end portion 28 by pulling and/or stretching the end portion 28 at least partially around the excrement and/or the item or items 36 .

Preferably, glove portion 12 has sufficient deformability such that it can be stretched to encompass at least a diaper-sized volume without tearing or tearing. Additionally, glove portion 12, or a portion thereof, may be elastically deformable such that it can be stretched and then return or substantially return to its original or unstretched state without hindrance. This is advantageous because these contents prevent or inhibit the glove 10 from fully returning to the unstretched state upon release of the elastically deformable glove 10 that has been stretched around excrement and/or any item 36 . Accordingly, glove portion 12 fits snugly around at least a portion of one or more articles 36 . This reduces or greatly reduces or suppresses leaks and/or odors. If at least one sealing element 34 is provided, the user seals the glove part 10 by the, each or at least one of said sealing elements 34, as shown in Fig. 5, but this step can be omitted.

Alternatively or preferably additionally, if the glove 10 is provided with a pocket element 14, in order to further prevent leaks and/or odours, the pocket element 14 is preferably used. Flipping of the glove portion 12 reveals the internally stored pocket element 14, as shown by comparing FIGS. 3 and 4 . The bag element 14 in FIG. 3 is in the storage state. After the glove portion 12 is turned over, the bag element 14 can remain in the stored condition. Alternatively, inversion of the glove portion 12 may cause the bag element 14 to automatically transition or open into the usable condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag element 14 may be in an intermediate state after the glove portion 12 has been inverted. In the intermediate state, the bag element 14 is partially open or expanded and/or the lumen is partially formed, but the bag element 14 is not fully usable and/or may not be receivable around waste. There may be multiple intermediate states and/or intermediate states may be omitted entirely.

In order to provide or form a cavity, a user may need to change the state of the bag element 14 from a storage or intermediate state to a serviceable state. The bag element 14 may need to undergo any number of the following: being unfolded, stretched, pulled, wrapped around the glove portion 12, and spaced apart from the fabric of the pre-formed bag body 32 to provide a cavity.

In this embodiment, the wearer grasps the bag edge and pulls the bag edge across and/or around the waste and glove portion 12 . Excreta and/or the item(s) 36 are received, contained or retained within the cavity defined by the bag body 32 . In other words, the user wraps the bag element 14 around the glove portion 12 to enclose or substantially enclose the glove portion 12 and waste, as shown in FIG. 6 . Optionally, similar to glove portion 12, pocket member 14 may be elastically deformable by stretching to provide a tighter fit. For brevity, detailed descriptions of common features are omitted.

If the bag element 14 includes the or at least one of said sealing elements 34 , the, each or at least one sealing element 34 may optionally be actuated, bound or closed to seal or substantially seal or close the glove 10 . In other words, the bag element 14 and in particular its bag body 32 may be sealed or substantially sealed. This is also illustrated in Figure 6, which shows that the two sealing elements 34 associated with the bag element 14 are bound together. This reduces, prevents or further reduces or prevents any leakage and/or odor from escaping. The resulting sealed or substantially sealed glove 10 is or is substantially odorless, leak-proof and packaged for safe disposal.

This provides a method of double wrapping waste which includes the steps of inverting the glove portion 12 around the waste and wrapping the bag element 14 engaged or connected to the glove portion 12 around the inverted glove portion 12 . Excreta is preferably contained within the diaper, and the glove portion 12 is turned around the diaper. However, the partial inverting step of the glove may be omitted, in which case the user may simply hold the waste and/or one or more items without inverting the glove. This results in single bagged instead of double bagged excrement.

Caregivers can then change to a new diaper without the need to wash their hands between removing a soiled diaper and putting on a clean one. As a result, diaper changes are more hygienic, faster and optionally more skin-friendly for the caregiver.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of a glove 110 is shown. The glove 110 of the second embodiment is similar to the glove 10 of the first embodiment, having similar glove portion 112, glove body 120, end portion 128, glove opening, outer surface 118, inner surface, sealing element 134, at least one Finger receiving section 124, dorsal portion 126b, ventral portion, cavities, material properties and optional comfort enhancing substances. For brevity, detailed descriptions of common features are omitted. In the second embodiment, however, the bag element is completely omitted. Accordingly, the at least one sealing element 134 is associated with, connectable, attached or integrally formed with the glove portion 134 .

The use of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. A user dons the waste disposal glove 110 to grasp or dispose of waste, whether in, on, or contained within an article such as, but not limited to, a diaper. Once the waste is grasped, the wearer grasps the end portion 128 with his other hand and pulls the end portion 128 toward the glove body 120 to turn the glove portion 112 around the waste and/or any items. The user then closes, seals, or substantially seals the glove 10 using the at least one sealing element 134 . This may involve tying together the sealing elements 134, which in the second embodiment are cords. For brevity, detailed descriptions of common features are omitted.

Preferably, since the bag element is omitted in the second embodiment, any steps related to the bag element are omitted. In the absence of the bag element, inverting the glove portion 112 in the second embodiment is necessary to contain or enclose and seal waste.

The above-mentioned gloves are mainly used for handling human waste produced by infants. However, non-infants are also contemplated, such as any stage of life, including children, adolescents or adults. For example, gloves can be used to care for elderly people who need help cleaning themselves. Gloves can be used by the incapacitated, disabled or handicapped of any age.

Although in this example the glove is used to dispose of human waste or waste, it is also possible to dispose of non-human waste or waste, eg, animal waste. By way of example only, this may include dog feces. Similar or identical steps can be taken for the sanitary handling and containment of animal waste. For brevity, detailed descriptions of common features are omitted. Items such as diapers may not be involved when handling and disposing of animal waste.

While gloves are primarily used for handling fecal matter, it is contemplated that gloves may also be used for handling non-excremental matter. Gloves, for example, can be used to handle items that the user does not want to come into direct contact with. These items may include vomit or chemicals and/or items used to hold, contain, or spread chemicals, such as wraps, rags, wipes, or brushes. Gloves can be used to contain and seal for safe handling of items.

While the cavity is preferably shaped and/or sized to receive the appropriate hand therein, alternatively, the cavity may be suitably shaped and/or sized to receive either hand, for example by becoming larger so that the left hand Or the right hand can be accommodated in it. This simplifies the manufacture and installation of the glove device. However, this may also result in a reduced efficiency of the comfort-enhancing substance and/or an increase in the amount of comfort-enhancing substance required to achieve the same effect and/or coat the increased interior surface.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the glove has different fingers for receiving each finger. However, it is contemplated that the glove body could be formed as a mitten instead. In other words, the glove may have sections for receiving multiple fingers. A glove may have only one finger receiving section. For example, the only finger receiving section may receive the thumb separately from the other fingers. The glove may be completely devoid of finger receiving sections. The thumb portion can be omitted entirely so that multiple or all fingers are accommodated in one or more segments.

While preferably elastic or elastomeric, the glove may comprise or consist of a non-elastomeric or non-elastomeric material. Gloves may be non-degradable. While polylactic acid is preferably included herein, additional or alternative suitable materials such as latex are contemplated for the glove or a portion thereof. Although in this embodiment the glove and/or the glove part are preferably elastically deformable, the glove means and/or the glove part may be at least partially or completely plastically deformable. In other words, the glove does not necessarily return to its original, starting, or unstretched state. Gloves and/or glove parts may be non-deformable. In other words, the or at least one layer of material may be non-deformable.

While the bag body preferably has a pre-formed shape, it is contemplated that the bag body is or is substantially a planar or loose layer of material that can be deformed and/or stretched (whether elastically and/or plastically) by the user and wrap around one or more items. The preformed bag body may alternatively be at least partially stretchable. Thus, the cavity may simply be formed by the volume of the excrement and/or the item, thereby preventing or inhibiting the bag body from returning to its unstretched state.

While the bag element in this embodiment is spaced from the glove opening, the bag element may not be spaced from the glove opening. For example, the bag element may be integrally formed with, attached to, extend from, or attachable to the end portion or a portion thereof. The end portions may be discontinuous rather than continuous.

While the bag element and glove portion are preferably integrally formed with each other, the bag element and glove portion may be non-integrally formed with each other. For example, they may be connectable or connected, fastenable or fastened, attachable to each other or fused together, whether permanently or separably. To this end, the glove device may also comprise at least one connection device, also called connector, connection mechanism, fastening device, fastener or attachment device. The attachment means may comprise at least one of: one or more buttons; hooks; hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro (RTM); one or more drawstrings, cord locks; adhesive , such as, but not limited to, glue; an adhesive tongue or strip; one or more straps or strings; and one or more flip buttons.

Although the glove portion and the bag element touch, bond or connect to each other on the inner surface at the back section of the glove portion, the glove portion and the bag element may alternatively touch, bond or connect to each other at any combination of the following: The dorsal section, the ventral section, the dorsal and ventral sections, the inner surface, the outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces, the glove body, the end portion, and the glove body and the end portion. There can even be multiple bag elements per glove. The plurality of bag elements may or may not be spaced apart from each other. The bag elements can overlap each other. They can even form a common cavity.

Although in these embodiments the bag element in the stored state is loosely contained and/or folded within the glove portion, in alternative embodiments the glove assembly may also include a restraint, restraint mechanism, restraint, storage means , means or fasteners to prevent or inhibit accidental opening or deployment of a bag element from a storage condition to a serviceable or intermediate condition, whether the bag element is associated with an interior or exterior surface. Furthermore, in this embodiment each sealing element comprises a cord. In alternative embodiments, the restraint means and/or at least one sealing element may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one of, for example, one or more straps, a pocket, a flip button, one or more straps , one or more cords, self-closing, buttons, zippers, hooks, one or more drawcords, cord locks, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, adhesive strips or tongues, snap buttons, or any Other suitable sealing means and/or restraint means.

In this embodiment, the user wears a glove. However, it is conceivable that a second glove could be placed on the other hand if the user so desires, so that both hands are protected. However, once the second glove is soiled, any surface or object it touches may become soiled. This may include touching the other arm while turning the first glove inside out, or vice versa.

Accordingly, a waste disposal glove for faster and more hygienic diaper changing can be provided. The glove arrangement enables the caregiver to avoid direct contact with urine and/or feces, eliminating the need for hand washing, thereby reducing the time required for diaper changes. The glove device also eliminates the need to individually find the bag while effectively handling odors and/or spills. If biodegradable, the environmental impact of the glove device is reduced. Glove devices can even be lined with comfort-enhancing substances on the inside, which can aid in donning and doffing gloves, moisturize chapped hands, sanitize hands, especially when on the go and when there is no running water or any combination of the above . It may also provide a faster and more hygienic method of changing diapers.

The word "comprises/comprising" and the word "has/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to designate the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not exclude one or Presence or addition of multiple other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (24)

1. A waste disposal glove (10) for sanitarily disposing of and containing human or animal waste, the waste disposal glove (10) comprising:

a glove part (12) shaped to fit a user's hand, the glove part (12) comprising a glove body (20) having a glove opening (30) for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body (20);

a bag element (14) connected to the glove part (12) and having a bag body (32), the bag body (32) being receivable around the glove part (12) when the glove part (12) is in an inverted state around the excreta; and

at least one sealing element (34) for sealing the bag body (32) and/or the glove part (12) in the inverted state.

2. A waste disposal glove (10) according to claim 1, wherein the waste disposal glove (10) comprises a deformable material such that the bag element (14) and/or the glove part (12) is expandable.

3. A waste disposal glove (10) according to claim 2, wherein the deformable material of the glove part (12) is of a plasticity and/or elasticity such that the glove part (12) can be inverted around a diaper containing the waste, which diaper can be completely contained within the inverted glove part (12).

4. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each sealing element (34) is associated with the bag element (14).

5. A fecal disposal glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each or at least one further sealing element (34) is associated with the glove opening (30).

6. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each sealing element (34, 34) comprises a string.

7. A fecal disposal glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each or at least one further sealing element (34) comprises a zipper.

8. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a comfort enhancing substance located within the glove part (12).

9. A waste disposal glove (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the comfort enhancing substance is a moisturizer for moisturizing the user's hand.

10. A fecal disposal glove (10) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the comfort enhancing substance is a lubricant facilitating entry of the hand into the glove part (12).

11. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the comfort enhancing substance is a disinfectant for disinfecting the user's hand.

12. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said glove body (20) is formed as a mitt.

13. A waste disposal glove (10) according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the glove body (20) has at least two finger receiving sections (24), each finger receiving section (24) being configured to receive a finger.

14. A faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag member (14) is attached to the inner surface of the glove part (12).

15. A waste disposal glove (10) according to any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the bag element (14) is attached to the outer surface of the glove part (12).

16. A waste disposal glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag element (14) is connected to a dorsal section of the glove part (12).

17. A waste disposal glove (10) according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the bag element (14) is connected to a ventral section of the glove part (12).

18. A waste disposal glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag element (14) is integrally formed with the glove part (12).

19. A method of sanitarily treating and containing human or animal faeces using a faecal management glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:

a ] providing a fecal disposal glove (10) according to any of the preceding claims;

b ] retaining the excreta using the glove part (12); and

c ] wrapping the bag member (14) around the glove part (12) to envelope or substantially envelope the glove part (12).

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a step b2] after step b ] and before step c ]: -turning over the glove part (12) such that the glove part (12) is received reversible around the excreta.

21. The method according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the method further comprises step d ]: sealing the waste disposal glove (10) via the or each of the at least one sealing element (34).

22. A method of double wrapping fecal material, the method comprising the steps of: the glove part (12) is turned around the excreta and a bag member (14) connected to the glove part (12) is wrapped around the turned glove part (12).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the waste is contained within a diaper and the glove portion (12) is inverted around the diaper.

24. A waste disposal glove (10) for sanitarily disposing of and containing human or animal waste, the waste disposal glove (10) comprising: a glove part (12) shaped to fit a user's hand, the glove part (12) comprising a glove body (20) having a glove opening (30) for enabling a user to insert his hand into the glove body (20); a bag element (14) connected to the glove part (12) and having a bag body (32), the bag body (32) being receivable around the glove part (12) and faeces; and at least one sealing element (34) for sealing the bag body (32) and/or the glove part (12).

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