Hygienic Glove System and Method of Use

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/651,188, filed on May 23, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to toiletries and hygiene paper. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hygienic glove system and method of use when a toilet is not available.

Millions of persons participate each day in outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and off-roading. During prolonged periods outdoors, however, people invariably must relieve themselves. Removed from modern plumbing and toilets, people may turn, when available, to portable toilets and trailer systems, or, alternatively, relieve themselves directly in nature. Subsequently, people need to clean or sanitize their hands, and dispose of any hygienic products to leave no trace behind.

The use of hygiene paper and wet wipes creates a common problem for sanitary disposal. Currently, used hygiene paper is either irresponsibly left in the outdoors or packed away with clean items in one's bag or pocket. In the former scenario, used hygiene paper can pollute water supplies, cause disease to spread, and attract unwanted wildlife. In the latter scenario, the storage of used hygiene paper creates secondary problems with odors, messes, and the potential for bacterial growth.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hygienic system that maintains the user's hand sanitary during use and conveniently stores the used hygiene paper afterwards. The present disclosure solves these and other problems.

In some embodiments, a hygienic glove system comprises a glove and an absorbent pad. The absorbent pad begins at or near the palm of the hand and extends over one or more fingers. In some embodiments, the absorbent pad may extend to the back of the hand. The absorbent pad comprises a first layer that is fluid permeable and a second layer underneath the first layer that is absorbent. The glove and the absorbent pad may comprise odor neutralizers and fragrances configured to eliminate unwanted odors.

In some embodiments, the hygienic glove system further comprises a storage pouch having a first pocket to store unused gloves and a second pocket to store used gloves. The storage pouch may comprise a trifold or bifold construction wherein the storage pouch collapses in on itself at one or more folds along the storage pouch. The storage pouch may comprise a fastening mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a first magnet couplable to a second magnet.

In some embodiments, a method of use for the hygienic glove system comprises 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 inverted glove in the storage pouch.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.).

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.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in, a hygienic glove systemcomprises a gloveand an absorbent padcoupled to the glove. The glovemay 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 glovemay comprise five fingers or, alternatively, comprise a mitt, wherein the glovecomprises two separate sections, a first section for a thumb and a second section for other fingers. The glovemay be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate varying sizes of hands from children to adults. In some embodiments, the glovemay comprise an elastic member or twist tie coupled to a base of the glove, configured to ensure that an opening of the gloveis closed during storage or disposal.

The absorbent padmay be coupled to a palm of the gloveand extend over one or more fingers of the glove. For example, as shown in, the absorbent padmay 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 padmay cover all fingers or fewer than all. The absorbent padmay further extend to a back of the glovecorresponding to a back of the fingers and the hand, as shown in; however, the absorbent padis not required to extend to the back of the hand. In some embodiments, the absorbent padmay be coupled to the glove, wherein both the absorbent padand the gloveare either disposed of or cleaned after use. Alternatively, the absorbent padmay be removably couplable to the glovewherein a first absorbent padis disposed of after use and replaced by a second absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the absorbent padmay comprise a first layeron a surface of the absorbent pad, and a second layerdisposed beneath the first layer, as described herein. For example, the first layermay be fluid permeable and comprise antimicrobial materials. The second layermay be located directly beneath the first layerand in direct contact with the first layer, or adhered to the first layerby means of one or more intervening layers, for example an adhesive layer and/or a spacer layer.

The second layermay 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 layermay 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.

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

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

In some embodiments, as illustrated in, a method of use comprises a user inserting a hand into the glove(), absorbing bodily fluids using the absorbent pad, balling the hand into a first (), pulling the base of the gloveover the absorbent paduntil the gloveis folded inside out (), and folding () and storing or disposing the inverted glove. It will be appreciated that the disclosed method of use wraps an inside of the gloveover an outside of the gloveafter use, thereby concealing and enclosing the absorbent padand maintaining the user's hand sanitary. As noted earlier, a base of the glovemay comprise elastics, drawstrings, twist-ties, or other mechanisms to effectively seal the glovein its inverted form, securing the absorbent padtherein. However, the glovemay also be simply folded to secure the absorbent padtherein.

As shown in, in some embodiments, a refill bagmay contain a plurality of folded, sanitary glovesready for use. The refill bagmay comprise seal, such as an interlocking groove and ridge that form a seal when pressed (e.g., Ziploc®). A user may retrieve one or more glovesfor use while away from plumbing facilities.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in, a hygienic glove systemfurther comprises a storage pouchhaving a first pocket, a second pocket, and a closure mechanism. The storage pouchmay be substantially rectangular in shape and comprise an impermeable or waterproof material having antimicrobial properties that is machine washable. The storage pouchmay comprise a trifold or bifold construction wherein the storage pouchcollapses in on itself at one more folds; for example, a first foldand a second fold, along a transverse axis of the storage pouchallows the storage pouch to be in a closed configuration, as shown in, for easy transport and storage. The first pocketmay comprise a compartment wherein clean, unused gloves are stored. The second pocketmay comprise a compartment wherein unclean, used gloves are stored, or vice versa. In some embodiments, as best shown in, the storage pouchmay further comprise a third pocketon the exterior sideso as to be accessible when the storage pouchis in a folded configuration, as shown in. The third pocketmay be used to store other items, such as cleanser, sanitizer, or other personal items.

The pockets,,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 mechanismmay comprise magnets, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, clasps, or other fastening mechanisms known in the art. In some embodiments, as shown in, the closure mechanism may comprise a first magneton a first end couplable to a second magnet (or magnetic material)on a second end of the storage pouch. It will be appreciated that the storage pouchseparates the gloveand the absorbent padfrom other belongings and items within the user's bag or pockets.

shows an alternate embodiment of a storage pouch. As shown, the storage pouchmay not comprise folds, but still maintains two separate pockets: a first pocketfor containing unused glovesand absorbent padsthereon; and a second pocketfor containing used glovesand absorbent pads. Each pocket,may comprise a seal,, 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 glovesand padswhile away from restroom facilities, such as while in the mountains.

Accordingly, the hygienic glove systemand 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 systemdisclosed herein aids in reducing litter in the wilderness.

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.

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.

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.