Abstract:
A form-fitting foot covering ( 10, 34, 44 ) is provided including a sole portion ( 14, 36, 46 ) and a corresponding uppers portion ( 16, 38, 48 ) which is designed to be worn in a tightly fitting manner over a user&#39;s foot to provide protection and comfort. The inner surface ( 20 ) of the foot covering ( 16, 34, 44 ) may carry a medicament ( 22 ). The foot covering ( 10, 34, 44 ) may be integrally formed using a thin, resilient, stretchable resin material such as latex, vinyl or nitrile, and they may be equipped with a laminated resilient gel padding layer ( 30 ). Alternately, the uppers portion ( 38 ) may be formed of a woven cloth material ( 40 ) or a perforate synthetic resin material presenting air holes ( 52 ). An optional adhesive ( 60 ) may be used to hold the foot covering in place and create a watertight seal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/839,413 filed May 5, 2004, the teachings and content of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is broadly concerned with form-fitting foot socks adapted to be worn as comfortable and protective coverings over the feet, lower leg, and/or upper leg of users. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such foot coverings used to create a protective barrier over the foot that may be watertight and may be used to apply medicaments to the skin of the user. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The use of latex or other synthetic resin gloves by medical or food service personnel is well-established. It is known that these glove products inhibit the spread of potentially harmful microorganisms, in order to protect both the wearer and others. 
         [0006]    However, there are many other vectors for infection other than through the hands. For example, it is quite common that Athlete&#39;s Foot can be spread in locker and shower rooms, owing to the fact that users generally are in their bare feet. This is particularly troublesome if a particular person has extant foot problems or bandages on his feet or ankles. 
         [0007]    Protective coverings have previously been provided for leg or arm casts, in order to allow the wearer to shower and bathe. However, these prior products are typically of bag-like construction, meaning that they do not form fit and simply hold a limb within the confines of a loosely fitting waterproof enclosure. Such products are marketed under the designation ShowerSafe waterproof cast protectors. Non-medicated stretch latex socks have also been provided as bandage protectors in order to keep the feet dry (DRI-Foot protectors). These are constructed to be reusable coverings for special circumstances rather than ultra thin disposable coverings for routine use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides improved form-fitting disposable foot coverings which are usable in a wide variety of contexts for foot protection and the delivery of medicaments. Broadly, the foot coverings of the invention comprise a tubular body presenting a sole portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an uppers portion, where the body is configured to tightly fit over a person&#39;s foot with the inner surface of the sole region proximal to the person&#39;s sole and the uppers region extending upwardly and engaging the person&#39;s leg above the ankle. At a point of engagement an adhesive may be used to seal the foot covering against the person&#39;s body creating a watertight barrier to keep a desired portion of the user&#39;s body dry. At least the sole region of the covering (and preferably the entirety thereof) is formed of a thin, resilient, stretchable resin material. Also, medicament can be provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the body, typically in patch or layer form on the inner surface of the sole portion. However, the medicament may be applied anywhere along the inner surface of the foot covering. 
         [0009]    The foot coverings of the invention may be used for the protection of bare feet by preventing direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as those found in locker rooms, shower rooms, airports, hospitals and nursing homes. An additional important use would be covering and protecting dressings or bandages on the foot or ankle of the wearer. The presence of medicament, and especially transdermal medicaments or topical ointments, assists in the administration thereof. Versions of the foot coverings can be essentially airtight, aiding in the elimination of dry feet; alternately, breathable versions having woven cloth or perforate uppers may be provided for extended wearing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view with parts broken away of a foot covering in accordance with the invention, applied to a user&#39;s foot; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but depicting another foot covering pursuant to the invention, disposed over a foot and ankle cast; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view illustrating another foot covering embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  and depicting the cross section of the  FIG. 1  foot covering; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but illustrating an embodiment including a padded, laminate sole portion; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an embodiment in accordance with the invention, illustrating a foot covering having a perforate upper; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a foot covering in accordance with the invention, applied to a user&#39;s foot. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a foot covering in accordance with the invention, applied to a user&#39;s foot. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Turning now to the drawings, a foot covering  10  in accordance with the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Broadly speaking, the covering  10  is in the form of a tubular body  12  presenting a sole portion  14  and an uppers region  16 ; at least this uppers region of this embodiment is formed of a thin, resilient, stretchable synthetic or natural resin material. As shown, the cover  10  is designed to form-fit and closely conform to a person&#39;s foot, in the manner of a conventional sock. 
         [0020]    In more detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the sole portion  14  which is proximal to the person&#39;s sole, presents an outer surface  18  and an opposed inner surface  20  (see  FIG. 4 ). In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the inner surface of the covering  10  is medicament coated or infused, e.g., the inner surface  20  supports a layer or patch of medicament  22 . In order to improve traction, the outer surface  18  is fully or partially textured or treaded as at  26 . The uppers region  16  is integral with the sole portion, and is of a length to extend over the person&#39;s ankle and terminates in an uppermost watertight bead  24 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , in addition to watertight bead  24 , or as an alternative to watertight bead  24 , an adhesive  60  may be applied to the inner surface of the foot covering. The adhesive will ordinarily be applied in a band along the entire inner surface circumference of the foot covering. The adhesive is of a type that will adhere the foot covering to the body and create a watertight seal thereby keeping the foot covering in place and preventing water from entering beneath the foot covering. The exterior surface region  62  may have an adhesive resistant coating applied so that the user may roll down the foot covering from the top without the adhesive sticking to the exterior surface of the foot covering. Suitable adhesives are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may include but are not limited to medical grade hypo-allergenic pressure sensitive adhesives and medical grade acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives (collectively referred to as “PSAs”). When employed, the presence of the adhesive further enhances the water barrier properties of the foot covering. 
         [0022]    When used in conjunction with a medicament that is coated onto the inner surface or infused into the material, the sock and medicament can be used to treat any and all cutaneous or systemic conditions. It is possible to use any medication that can be transmitted transdermally. For example, the medicament in conjunction with the sock may aid in the treatment of dermatitis by impregnating the sock with Lamisil or similar anti-fungal medicaments. It may also be used in the hydration of feet for those on dialysis. The present invention may also be used in the administration of antibiotics, hypertensive medications, to treat hypo-hydrosis with lanolin, to treat hyper-hydrosis with formaldehyde, to treat ulcerations on the feet which may occur as a result of complications caused by diabetes. Additionally, anti-yeast, vassal activators, medication used to control migraine headaches, and arthritis treatments may also be administered through use of the present invention. Free radicals of the foot cover can be used to bond the medications. 
         [0023]    These and other topically and transdermally administered medications may all be employed as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art without the departing from the scope of the invention. The foot covering of the present invention can be manufactured with medications pre-infused into the sock. Thus, doctors could prescribe a medicament coated or infused sock that a user could then purchase from a pharmacy thereby avoiding the necessity of applying the medicament themselves. Medicament pre-coated or pre-infused socks would also be useful with non-prescription drugs. 
         [0024]    The preferred resin materials useful in the invention are selected from the group consisting of latex, vinyl, polyurethane, polymer gel, and nitrile materials. Although the materials can have a variety of physical properties, generally the materials should have a tensile strength of from about 14 to 21 MPa and an ultimate elongation of from about 600 to 750% and a stress at 300% of from about 2 to 5 MPa. The material typically would have a relaxed thickness (i.e., when not worn) in the uppers region thereof of from about 0.001-0.010 inches, or preferably from about 0.002-0.005 inches. The materials contemplated for use in the present invention will have an elasticity and thickness such that they can be comfortably worn for long periods of time beneath the regular sock and shoe of the user or by themselves. 
         [0025]    Again referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , it will be seen that the integrally formed covering  10  presents a sole portion  14  which is thicker than the upper region  16 . This is to provide a more comfortable fit and padding for the user during walking. Such enhanced sole portion thickness should be from about 0.005 to 0.02 inches, more preferably from about 0.010 to 0.0175 inches. In addition, it is also within the ambit of the invention to provide a covering as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , having a sole portion  14   a  made up of two laminated resin materials, namely inner layer  28  and bottom layer  30 . In this instance the layer  30  may be a soft, resilient synthetic resin gel to form the desired padding. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  also depicts a standard bandage  31  applied to the user&#39;s foot. Of course, given the stretchability and resilience of the body  10 , such irregularities can readily be accommodated, i.e., the body  10  tightly fits over and form-fits around the bandage  31 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates the application of the cover  10  over a cast  32  applied to the ankle and foot of the user, The inherent stretchability and form-fit characteristics of the cover  10  allow the cover to adapt to various cast designs or large bandages. 
         [0028]    The invention may be utilized in other forms as depicted for example in  FIG. 3 . Here, a covering  34  is provided having a synthetic resin sole portion  36  and an upper  38  formed of woven cloth-like material  40 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inner surface  42  of the sole portion  36  is lined with the woven material  40  and the latter is preferably secured to the inner surface  42 . In this instance the medicament may be absorbed into the cloth lining. The sole portion  36  may be formed of any of the aforementioned resins and would have thicknesses similar to those described in connection with sole portion  14 . 
         [0029]    A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Here, the covering  44  is entirely formed of resin material (i.e., either integrally from a single material or from separate materials) and has a sole portion  46  and an upper region  48 . Here, the upper region  48  terminates in a bead  50  but is shorter in length than the region  16  described previously. However, in order to provide a cooler and more comfortable fit, the upper portion  48  is provided with a series of perforations or air holes  52 . In embodiments where the foot covering does not extend above the user&#39;s ankle, water is more likely to get into the foot covering and perforations  52  or weep holes for drainage may be provided at different locations on the foot covering and in varying numbers and diameters as may be desired. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates the foot covering in a low rising form. Shown here, the covering  70  is entirely formed of resin material (i.e., either integrally from a single material or from separate materials) and has a sole portion  71  and upper portion  72 . Here, the upper region rises, generally, mid-way up the instep  73  and rests below the ankle  74 . Weep holes  75  may be placed in various locations for drainage, when used in a wet environment. 
         [0031]    The various embodiments are of course suited for different uses or environments, as dictated by their specific design features. Additionally, the invention may be realized in a number of ways not specifically discussed herein, but within the spirit and scope of the invention.