Apparatus and methods for donning and removing gloves

An apparatus for donning and removing gloves comprising:

• a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein, said vacuum chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an outstretched hand and having an opening sufficiently large to pass a hand therethrough, and said vacuum pump chamber in gaseous communication with said vacuum chamber, wherein a top portion of the housing is clear to enable viewing of the interior of the vacuum chamber;
• an electrically operated vacuum pump within said vacuum pump chamber for creating a vacuum within the vacuum chamber;
• means for positioning an elastomeric glove through the vacuum chamber opening such that the hand portion of the glove is within the vacuum chamber and such that the wrist portion of the glove is outside the vacuum chamber, said elastomeric glove having a stiffening ring about the wrist portion of the glove, said stiffening ring having a diameter greater than the diameter of said opening;
• an electrical control knob for manually adjusting the vacuum pump speed such that the vacuum pressure created within the vacuum chamber can be adjusted to both higher and lower settings;
• a baffle located within the vacuum chamber for directing airflow to the vacuum pump, said baffle being removable;
• and,
• an electrical switch for controlling the operation of the vacuum pump.

An apparatus for donning and removing gloves comprising:

• a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein, said vacuum chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an outstretched hand and having an opening sufficiently large to pass a hand therethrough, said vacuum pump chamber in gaseous communication with said vacuum chamber, and said housing having a top portion constructed of clear material;
• an electrically operated vacuum pump within said vacuum pump chamber for creating a vacuum within the vacuum chamber:
• means for positioning an elastomeric glove through the vacuum chamber opening such that the hand portion of the glove is inside the vacuum chamber and such that the wrist portion of the glove is outside the vacuum chamber, said elastomeric glove having a plastic stiffening ring about the wrist portion of the glove, said stiffening ring having a diameter greater than the diameter of said opening;
• an electrical control knob for manually adjusting the vacuum pump speed such that the vacuum pressure created within the vacuum chamber can be adjusted to both higher and lower settings;
• a baffle located within the vacuum chamber for directing airflow to the vacuum pump, said baffle being removable;
• a foot-operated electrical switch for controlling the operation of the vacuum pump;
• and
• a mirror positioned against the rear wall of the vacuum chamber.