720170SAFEDON Automation - Glove Packaging MachineryClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKTraditional methods of dispensing disposable gloves from boxes in a range of healthcare settings can lead to significant cross contamination issues, as gloves are generally dispensed ‘Hand 1st’. In response to this issue, SafeDon™ Ltd has already patented & developed the SafeDon™ glove dispensing process, an innovative method of packaging and dispensing disposable Gloves from the box, which delivers up to a 94% saving in contamination due to hands (as gloves are dispensed Cuff 1st™ from the box). Whilst the market has responded well to the introduction of the SafeDon™ glove dispensing process (with sales currently standing at 10m per month & forecast to rise to 40m per month by the end of 2012) the higher costs & human resource challenges of packaging gloves in this way has generally limited the widespread adoption of this important healthcare innovation worldwide. Traditional processes for packaging disposable gloves still largely rely on fairly labour intensive, manual processes, with factory operatives packing gloves into dispensing boxes by hand. However, faced with increased competitive pressures & rising costs, many glove manufacturers are now looking to automate their production processes. In response to these issues, SafeDon™ Ltd & Aylesbury Automation Ltd have spent the last 2 years researching the market & developed a proof of concept for a Glove Packaging Machine, which would enable glove manufacturers worldwide to automate their packaging process & adopt the more hygienic SafeDon™ dispensing method. Aylesbury Automation Ltd and SafeDon™ Ltd are now applying for a SMART Award to develop a prototype of their innovative, patented Glove Packaging Machinery, which utilises a range of innovative glove handling techniques. Once we have developed the final working prototype of the SafeDon™ Glove Packaging Machine, we intend to use it to demonstrate the technology and secure orders from, international customers (principally in Malaysia & C