GB2519839A

GB2519839A - Glove dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2519839A
Application number: GB1414501.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Bains; Gurcharan Singh Sira
Original assignee: MEDICARE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: MEDICARE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-15
Filing date: 2014-08-15
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-15
Also published as: GB201414501D0; WO2016024113A1; GB2519839B

Abstract

A glove dispenser 100 comprises a container 102 and a cover 104, wherein separation of the cover 104 from the container 102 opens a dispensing aperture 116 therein. The cover 104 has an adhesive region 110 provided on its inwardly-facing surface, such that the first glove in a stack of interfolded gloves may be attached to the adhesive region 110, preferably by its cuff 114, such that separation of the cover 104 from the container 102 draws the glove through the dispensing aperture 116. The cover 104 may further be adhered to a frangibly 108 attached portion 106 of the container 102 such that removal of the cover 104 removes said portion 106 of the container 102 therewith. The frangibly attached portion 106 of the container may comprise an aperture 112 such that the adhesive of the adhesive cover 110 is exposed therethrough, and the glove to be dispensed is attached thereto. A biasing means for biasing the gloves toward the dispensing aperture 116 is also taught, and may be located between a surface of the container 102 and the base of a housing provided to house the dispenser 100. A method of manufacturing a dispenser 100 is also claimed.

Description

Glove Dispenser The present invention relates to a glove dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable gloves and a method of manufacturing a glove dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable gloves.

Disposable gloves are used by medical practitioners in a variety of medical applications where there is a need to protect the practitioner or the patient from exposure to pathogens. Depending on the particular application, disposable gloves either need to be sterile, for example when used in invasive surgical procedures, or at least need to be very clean, for example when carrying out non-invasive examination procedures. Sterile surgical gloves are usually provided as individual pairs inside single-use sealed packets so as to reduce the risk of contamination. Non-sterile examination gloves could also be packaged in this way. However, individually packaging pairs of examination gloves, which merely need to be very clean, can be wasteful in terms of materials and cost. These types of disposable gloves are therefore usually provided as a large stack of clean gloves within a glove dispenser. The stack of gloves is usually flat packed such that removal of each glove requires the practitioner to insert fingers inside the dispenser to draw that glove out of the dispenser. This can lead to cross-contamination between the practitioner, the inside of the glove dispenser, and the stack of gloves. Rather than flat packing the stack of gloves, interfolding the gloves with the cuff side up means that there is no need to insert fingers into the dispenser to draw out the next glove and also means that only the cuff of the next glove needs to be handled. The risk of cross-contamination between the practitioner and the fingers of the gloves in the clean stack of gloves, which are most likely to contact the patient, is therefore reduced. However, in order to extract the first glove from the dispenser, the practitioner still needs to insert fingers into the dispenser to draw the first glove out. This means that the inside of the dispenser may be cross-contaminated by the practitioner from the outset, and this in turn means that subsequently dispensed gloves may be contaminated by the inside of the dispenser despite those gloves having never been touched.

It is therefore a principal aim of this invention to provide a glove dispenser that reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a glove dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable gloves comprising: a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; and a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, the cover comprising an adhesive sheet having an inwardly-facing surface that is releasably attached to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; wherein an adhesive region is provided on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.

As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention can significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination when extracting the first glove from the glove dispenser. In particular, as the dispensing aperture is opened by removing the cover, the first glove is automatically drawn out through the dispensing aperture by the adhesive region on the cover and presented to the practitioner. Furthermore, since the cover comprises an adhesive sheet that is releasably attached to the outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container, when the cover is grasped by a practitioner for removal, the practitioner will only contact the adhesive sheet and possibly the outwardly- facing surface of the container. This significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination from the practitioner to the inner surfaces of the container when extracting the first glove.

As will be appreciated, the adhesive strength of the adhesive region should be such that the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture, preferably whilst also being such that the cover can later be detached from the presented first glove. As will also be appreciated, the adhesive strength of the adhesive sheet should be such that the adhesive sheet can readily be separated from the outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container, preferably without the adhesive sheet simply falling off the container.

The adhesive strength may of course be altered by varying the contact area and/or type of adhesive. In either case, the adhesive may be pressure sensitive and/or may be acrylic-based.

In preferred embodiments, the outwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet is not adhesive so as not to collect dirt, etc.. The adhesive sheet may be a flexible and/or peelable sheet and may comprise, for example, polymer material, cellulosic material, card, foil or combinations thereof, e.g. polymer-coated card. Polymer material is particularly preferred since it is non-porous, easily cleaned and does not tend to absorb and hold moisture. These properties can help to reduce the ability of microorganisms to thrive within the container, particularly when compared to dispensers made primarily of cardboard.

In some embodiments, the cover may consist substantially solely of the adhesive sheet, and the adhesive region may be provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the dispensing aperture. These arrangements are a simple but effective way to provide the adhesive region. However, in preferred embodiments, the cover further comprises a portion of the container, with the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet being attached to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container. These embodiments are particularly advantageous in that there is no need to cut and remove a substantial portion of the container so as to provide the dispensing aperture in advance. The portion of the container can also therefore provide an additional layer of protection to the gloves before the dispensing aperture is opened. In these embodiments, the portion of the container may be frangibly attached to the container by one or more lines of weakness. For example, the one or more lines of weakness may be one or more lines of perforations or one or more lines of reduced thickness in the material of the container. The one or more lines of weakness might not necessarily form a closed loop, such that the cover may not be fully separable from the container. However, in preferred embodiments, the one or more lines of weakness do form a closed loop, such that the cover is fully separable from the container. These embodiments are particularly advantageous in that the potentially contaminated cover can be fully removed and disposed of in its entirety if desired.

In some embodiments, the adhesive region may be a separate adhesive region provided on an inwardly-facing surface of the portion of the container.

However, in preferred embodiments, the portion of the container comprises an opening therethrough and the adhesive region may be provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container. These arrangements can provide a very efficient way to provide the adhesive region whilst still allowing a substantial portion of the container to remain present for protecting the gloves prior to the dispensing aperture being opened.

The glove dispenser may be provided as described above for later filling with a stack of interfolded disposable gloves. However, in preferred embodiments, the glove dispenser is provided with a stack of interfolded disposable gloves, with the adhesive region being attached to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves. In preferred embodiments, the portion of the first disposable glove that is attached to the adhesive region is the cuff portion of the first disposable glove such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, the cuff portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture. The stack of interfolded disposable gloves may be interfolded such that removal of a given disposable glove from the container draws a portion of the next disposable glove outwardly through the dispensing aperture. Again, the portion of the next disposable glove is preferably the cuff portion of the next disposable glove. For example, the gloves may be interfolded such that the fingers and/or hand portion of the given disposable glove are under (i.e. adjacent to and further from the dispensing aperture than) the cuff portion of the next disposable glove and/or such that the cuff portion of the given disposable glove overlies (i.e. superposes and is closer to the dispensing aperture than) the cuff portion and/or fingers and/or hand portion of the next disposable glove. These embodiments are advantageous in that touching of the fingers of the gloves can be avoided. This reduces cross-contamination of the fingers, which are most likely to contact the patient. In some embodiments, the cuffs may be folded back on themselves such that only the inner surface of the glove can be grasped when the glove is drawn through the dispensing aperture. These embodiments are particularly advantageous in that touching of the outside of the gloves can be avoided entirely. The thumbs of the gloves (or the thumbs of alternate gloves) in the stack of interfolded disposable gloves may be provided on the same side of the container such that a pair of gloves can easily be removed and placed on the hands without needing to rotate and excessively handle the gloves.

The stack of interfolded disposable gloves may comprise only two gloves. However in preferred embodiments, the stack of interfolded disposable gloves comprises more than two gloves, for example 10 or more gloves, 25 or more gloves, 50 or more gloves, or 100 or more gloves. The stack of interfolded disposable gloves may comprise latex, vinyl, PVC, polyethylene, nitrile rubber or combinations thereof, or other similar polymer gloves. The stack of interfolded disposable gloves may comprise ambidextral gloves. Alternatively, the stack of interfolded disposable gloves may alternate between right-hand gloves and left-hand gloves. Alternatively, the stack of interfolded disposable gloves may comprise only right-hand gloves or only left-hand gloves. In these alternative embodiments, a pair of (e.g. adjacent) glove dispensers as described herein may be provided, one having a stack of right-hand gloves and the other having a stack of left-hand gloves. Alternatively, the container may comprise a pair of (e.g. adjacent) stacks of disposable gloves, one being a stack of right-hand gloves and the other being a stack of left-hand gloves. In these embodiments, each stack may have its own cover, dispensing aperture, adhesive region, etc. as described above or may share one or more of these features with the other stack.

In preferred embodiments, the glove dispenser further comprises a biasing means for biasing a stack of interfolded disposable gloves towards the dispensing aperture. The biasing means may comprise one or more resilient structures. The one or more resilient structures may comprise one or more regions of compressible resilient bulk material (e.g. compressed foam) or one or more compressible resilient members (e.g. springs). Alternatively, the biasing means may comprise one or more tensionable elastic members.

The biasing means may be provided within the container between part of the container and the base of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves (as will be appreciated, the word "base" refers to features at or towards the opposite end of the container to the dispensing aperture). For example, the biasing means may be compressed between an inwardly-facing surface at or towards the base of the container and the base of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves. The base of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves may be supported on a movable plate, with the biasing means being compressed between the inwardly4acing surface and the plate. Alternatively, the biasing means may be provided in tension between a part (e.g. the wall) at or towards the top of the container and the base of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves. Again, the base of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves may be supported on a movable plate, with the biasing means being provided in tension between the part of the container and the plate.

Alternatively, the glove dispenser may further comprise a receptacle having the container provided therein. The biasing means may be provided between a part of the receptacle and the base of the container. For example, the biasing means may be compressed between an inwardly-facing surface at or towards the base of the receptacle and an outwardly-facing surface at the base of the container. Alternatively, the biasing means may be provided in tension between a part at or towards the top of the receptacle and the base of the container.

Alternatively, the container itself may be formed of a tensionable elastic material which is expanded when filled with gloves and contacts as gloves are removed.

In preferred embodiments, an anti-microbial coating is provided on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container. The glove dispenser may be hermetically sealed once a stack of interfolded disposable gloves are provided within the container. The stack of interfolded disposable gloves may be sterilised (e.g. by heat and/or radiation) before and/or after being provided within the container. The container may be a manually crushable packet and may comprise, for example, polymer material, cellulosic material, card, foil or combinations thereof, e.g. polymer-coated card. As mentioned above, polymer material is particularly preferred since it is non-porous, is easily cleaned and does not tend to absorb moisture. In less preferred embodiments, the container may be a substantially rigid container. However, in order to reduce the bulk of the container when being manufactured and disposed of, it is preferred that the container is a manually crushable packet. The packet is preferably formed from a substantially rectangular sheet of material. First and second opposite sides of the sheet are preferably folded around the stack of interfolded disposable gloves and sealed to one another. The third side of the sheet is then sealed to itself to close one end of the packet and the fourth side of the sheet is then sealed to itself to close the other end of the packet.

The above mentioned receptacle may also be a manually crushable packet, but is preferably a substantially rigid receptacle. The container may be insertable within the receptacle and/or removable from the receptacle, such that the container may form a replaceable and/or a disposable part of the dispenser in use. The receptacle preferably comprises an open section with which the dispensing aperture can be aligned for the dispensing of gloves therethrough.

Although preferred, in some embodiments having the receptacle, the above mentioned biasing means might not be provided.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a glove dispenser as described herein, the method comprising: providing a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; providing a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, wherein providing the cover comprises releasably attaching an inwardly-facing surface of an adhesive sheet to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; and providing an adhesive region on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.

As discussed above, the cover may consist substantially solely of the adhesive sheet such that the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the dispensing aperture. Thus, the method may comprise forming the dispensing aperture in the wall of the container prior to attaching the adhesive sheet.

However, as discussed above, in preferred embodiments, the cover further comprises a portion of the container, and providing the cover comprises attaching the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container. Providing the cover may also comprise forming one or more lines of weakness in the container such that the portion of the container is frangibly attached to the container.

As discussed above, providing the adhesive region on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover may comprise providing a separate adhesive region on an inwardly-facing surface of the portion of the container. However, in preferred embodiments, the method further comprises forming an opening in the portion of the container prior to attaching the adhesive sheet such that the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container.

Preferred embodiments further comprise providing a stack of interfolded disposable gloves in the container and attaching the adhesive region to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves, for example by applying pressure. The method may further comprise providing an anti-microbial coating on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container, sterilising the stack of interfolded disposable gloves before and/or after they are provided within the container, and/or hermetically sealing the container.

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a glove dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unopened state; Figure 2 shows the glove dispenser of Figure 1 in a partially opened state; and Figure 3 shows the glove dispenser of Figure 1 in a fully opened state.

Reference will initially be made to Figure 1, which shows a glove dispenser 100 in an unopened state. The glove dispenser 100 comprises a container 102 that holds a stack of disposable ambidextral latex gloves (not shown). In this embodiment, the container 102 is a substantially rigid polymer container, but in other more preferred embodiments the container 102 is a manually crushable polymer packet.

The glove dispenser 100 also comprises a cover 104, which is separable from the container 102. The cover 104 comprises a peelable transparent adhesive sheet 110 having an inwardly-facing adhesive surface that is releasably attached to an outwardly-facing surface of an upper wall 105 of the container 102. In this embodiment, the adhesive on the adhesive sheet 110 is an acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesive. Suitable examples of this type of adhesive include ROBONDTM P5-8120 HVand ROBONDTM P5-8061.

The cover 104 also comprises a removable portion of the container 106, which is frangibly attached to the upper wall 105 of the container 102 by a perforated line of weakness 108. The portion of the container 106 is also firmly attached to the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet 110. In this embodiment, the portion of the container 106 has an opening therethrough, and the area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet 110 that is exposed through the opening provides an adhesive region 112 which is attached to a first glove of the stack of disposable gloves within the container 102.

As is shown in Figure 2, to open the glove dispenser 100, the adhesive sheet 110 of the cover 104 is peeled back. This breaks the container 102 along the perforated line of weakness 108 and reveals a dispensing aperture 116 in the wall 105 of the container 102. As is shown in this figure, as the cover 104 is separated from the container 102, both the adhesive sheet 110 and the portion of the container 106 are separated from the container 102.

As is shown in Figure 3, as the cover 104 is fully separated from the container 102, a cuff portion of the first glove 114 is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture 116 so that the first glove 114 can be removed and used without the need to insert fingers into the container 102 to draw the first glove 114 out. The adhesive region 112 is detachable from the cuff portion of the first glove 114 so that the potentially contaminated cover 104 can be discarded.

In this embodiment, the disposable gloves in the dispenser 100 are interfolded such that the fingers and hand of each given disposable glove are under the cuff of the next disposable glove. This means that removal of the first glove 114 from the dispenser 100 draws a cuff portion of the second glove (not shown) outwardly through the dispensing aperture 116, and so on until the cuff portion of the last glove is presented.

Although not shown in the figures, the glove dispenser 100 may further comprise a biasing means in the form of a region of compressed resilient foam that is provided within the container 102 between a plate that supports the base of the stack of disposable gloves and the lower wall of the container 102. The biasing means assists dispensing of the gloves by urging the stack of disposable gloves towards the dispensing aperture 116.

In order to manufacture the glove dispenser 100 shown in the figures, the container 102 is provided as a substantially flat net. The perforated line of weakness 108 is formed in the net in order to define the removable portion of the container 106. The opening for the adhesive region 112 is also formed in the centre of the portion of the container 106. At this stage, an anti-microbial coating may be applied to the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container 102.

The stack of interfolded disposable gloves is then placed onto the net (together with the plate and/or biasing means if provided). The net is then folded to form the container 102 and the sides of the net are sealed together. The adhesive sheet 110 is then attached to the outward ly4acing surface of the wall 105 of the container 102 such that the container 102 is hermetically sealed and such that the adhesive region 112 is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container 102. The adhesive region 112 is then attached to the first glove 114 by applying pressure. Radiation is then applied to the dispenser 100 to sterilise the stack of disposable gloves therein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A glove dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable gloves comprising: a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; and a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, the cover comprising an adhesive sheet having an inwardly-facing surface that is releasably attached to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; wherein an adhesive region is provided on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.
2. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a portion of the container, the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet being attached to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container.
3. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion of the container is frangibly attached to the container by one or more lines of weakness.
4. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the portion of the container comprises an opening therethrough and the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container.
5. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stack of interfolded disposable gloves, the adhesive region being attached to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves.
6. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the portion of the first disposable glove is the cuff of the first disposable glove such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, the cuff of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.
7. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the stack of interfolded disposable gloves are interfolded such that removal of a given disposable glove from the container draws a portion of the next disposable glove outwardly through the dispensing aperture.
8. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the portion of the next disposable glove is the cuff of the next disposable glove such that removal of a given disposable glove from the container draws the cuff of the next disposable glove outwardly through the dispensing aperture.
9. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing means for biasing a stack of interfolded disposable gloves towards the dispensing aperture.
10. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biasing means comprises one or more resilient structures.
11. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more resilient structures comprises one or more regions of compressed resilient bulk material or one or more compressed resilient members.
12. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a receptacle having the container provided therein, the biasing means being provided between a surface of the receptacle and the base of the container.
13. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an anti-microbial coating is provided on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container.
14. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is a manually crushable packet.
15. A glove dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
16. A method of manufacturing a glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: providing a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; providing a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, wherein providing the cover comprises releasably attaching an inwardly-facing surface of an adhesive sheet to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; and providing an adhesive region on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cover further comprises a portion of the container, wherein providing the cover comprises attaching the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein providing the cover comprises forming one or more lines of weakness in the container such that the portion of the container is frangibly attached to the container.
19. A method as claimed in claim 17 or 18, further comprising forming an opening in the portion of the container prior to applying the adhesive sheet such that the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container.
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, further comprising providing a stack of interfolded disposable gloves in the container and attaching the adhesive region to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves.
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16-20, further comprising providing an anti-microbial coating on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container.
22. A method of manufacturing a glove dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAIMS1. A glove dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable gloves comprising: a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; and a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, the cover comprising an adhesive sheet having an inwardly-facing surface that is releasably attached to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; wherein an adhesive region is provided on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a LI') stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the 0 dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture, wherein the cover further comprises a portion of the container that is frangibly attached to the container by one or more lines of weakness, the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet being attached to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container, and wherein the portion of the container comprises an opening therethrough and the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is exposed through the opening in the portion of the container.2. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 1, the glove dispenser further comprising a stack of interfolded disposable gloves held within the container, the adhesive region being attached to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves.3. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion of the first disposable glove is the cuff of the first disposable glove such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, the cuff of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture.4. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the stack of interfolded disposable gloves are interfolded such that removal of a given IC) disposable glove from the container draws a portion of the next disposable glove outwardly through the dispensing aperture.0 5. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the portion of the next disposable glove is the cuff of the next disposable glove such that removal of a given disposable glove from the container draws the cuff of the next disposable glove outwardly through the dispensing aperture.6. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing means for biasing a stack of interfolded disposable gloves towards the dispensing aperture.7. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the biasing means comprises one or more resilient structures.8. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more resilient structures comprises one or more regions of compressed resilient bulk material or one or more compressed resilient members.9. A glove dispenser as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, further comprising a receptacle having the container provided therein, the biasing means being provided between a surface of the receptacle and the base of the container.10. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an anti-microbial coating is provided on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container.11. A glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is a manually crushable packet.12. A glove dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.IC) 13. A method of manufacturing a glove dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: 0 providing a container for holding a stack of interfolded disposable gloves; providing a cover that is at least partially separable from the container to thereby open a dispensing aperture in a wall of the container, wherein providing the cover comprises releasably attaching an inwardly-facing surface of an adhesive sheet to an outwardly-facing surface of the wall of the container; and providing an adhesive region on an inwardly-facing surface of the cover, the adhesive region being attachable to a first disposable glove of a stack of interfolded disposable gloves within the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container so as to open the dispensing aperture, a portion of the first glove is drawn outwardly through the dispensing aperture, wherein the cover further comprises a portion of the container, wherein providing the cover comprises forming one or more lines of weakness in the container such that the portion of the container is frangibly attached to the container and attaching the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet to the portion of the container such that, as the cover is at least partially separated from the container, both the adhesive sheet and the portion of the container are together at least partially separated from the container, the method further comprising forming an opening in the portion of the container prior to applying the adhesive sheet such that the adhesive region is provided by an area of the inwardly-facing surface of the adhesive sheet that is LI') exposed through the opening in the portion of the container.14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising providing a stack of 0 interfolded disposable gloves in the container and attaching the adhesive region to a portion of the first disposable glove of the stack of interfolded disposable gloves.15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, further comprising providing an anti-microbial coating on the inwardly-facing surfaces of the container.16. A method of manufacturing a glove dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.