ANTIMICROBIAL SHOE SOLES AND SHOE COVERINGS

Wheels, tires, wheel coverings, foot coverings and method for forming a wheel and/or foot covering that is defined by a body that is shaped to extend along the floor contacting surface under the wheel and/or sole of a foot of a wearer and includes an antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into the body and inseparable therefrom. The antimicrobial agent is selected and supported by the body of the wheel, wheel assembly, wheel covering, and/or foot covering to render microbial matter contacted by the body nonviable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to mitigating the transfer of viable biologic matter, such as viral and bacterial matter, from one location to another. The present invention is directed to footwear; such as sandals, flip-flips, shoes, boots, etc.; footwear coverings, such as removeable or disposable shoe covers or the like, and translatable support structures, such as wheels, casters, and the like, that are constructed to mitigate the transfer of viable microbial organisms or microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, between environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floor surfaces, such as those found in care facilities and hospitals, can become contaminated with large numbers of microbial organisms such as bacteria and/or viruses such as MRSA, Staph, C-Diff, Covid, for example, and variants and strains thereof, every day. Various sources report that daily disinfection contributes little to nothing to the microbial cleanliness of facility or ward floors. Additionally, even when recently cleaned, newly cleaned floors become rapidly re-contaminated from microorganisms that can be transferred from patients, equipment, and personnel.

Once contaminated, transmission of these pathogens from room to room, work station to work station, cubicle to cubicle in emergency rooms, surgery suites, intensive care units (ICU's), etc. can be conveniently transmitted away from origin locations on the shoes or footwear of medical personnel, visitors, staff, and ancillary support personnel such as security agents, cleaning personnel etc. Physical transport of the microbial pathogens contributes considerably to cross contamination creating an increased risk for potential nosocorniai or health care associated infection (HCAI). Floors are commonly discussed as an underappreciated reservoir for pathogen transmission.

It is furthermore conceivable that due to the existence of microbiological pathogens on shoe soles, that the rapid spread of these organisms in the healthcare environment can be directly related to the presence of organisms on floors getting picked up and carried by shoe soles and transferred to floors in other areas of a facility at well as locations extraneous to the healthcare environments. Although various efforts have been made to mitigate transmission of pathogens beyond facility confines or origin locations via physical transport upon the shoes or footwear of persons working or passing therethrough, such efforts are commonly shown empirically to provide little efficacy.

One such approach relies on the providing of shoe coverings to facility staff and visitors. Even when provided in a reusable or washable methodology, such approaches act to mitigate the transmission of pathogens to the underlying foot covering of the wearer but such approaches do not mitigate the transmission of the pathogens throughout the environment in which the foot coverings are worn. That is, current shoe coverings protect the wearer from acquiring microbial bio matter on their footwear, but do not mitigate against the transmission of the microbial activity from the bottom or sole of shoe or shoe covering. That is, as soon as personnel touch the floor with shoes (covered or non-covered), microbial matter on the floor is transported through corridors and from room to room along the travel path of the wearer. Literature on the subject includes various empirical examples of cross contamination of microbial matter being transported in a viable form between environments.

Such transmission further complicates patient medical treatment objectives. Staff or personnel travelling room to room transport the microbial biologic matter therebetween and risk exposure of patients and visitors in one room to the microbial matter acquired in other locations. It has been shown to be problematic that patients walking in their rooms or within the hallways of medical facilities, commonly only in socked or bare feet and with or without assistance, acquire the pathogens on their slipper socks or bare feet. Returning to their room or beds with contaminated soles results in contamination of the quarters associated with their stay as well as their clothing and bed linens. Touching of the contaminated linens by the patient or their visitors with their hands and then using those hands to touch their food and eat it, or touch their eyes, or inside their nostrils, substantially increases the risk of infection acquisition.

Accordingly, there is a need for transport structures such as wheels or the like as well as foot and/or shoe coverings that adversely affect and preferably destroy the viability of microbial organism that come in contact with the respective wheel and/or foot and/or shoe coverings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention discloses a foot covering that resolves one or more of the shortcomings disclosed above. One aspect of the present application discloses a foot covering and method for forming a foot covering that destroys the viability of at least a portion of biologic pathogens that come in contact with the foot covering. The foot covering is defined by a body that is shaped to extend under the sole of a foot or footwear of a wearer and includes an antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into the body and inseparable therefrom. The antimicrobial agent is selected and supported by the body of the foot covering to render microbial matter contacted by the body nonviable.

Another aspect of the present application that is combinable or useable with one or more of the aspects or features disclosed above includes a foot covering that is defined by a body having a foot facing surface and a floor facing surface. An antimicrobial material is incorporated into the body and operable to terminate the viability of microbial matter.

A further aspect of the present application that is useable or combinable with one or more of the aspects and features disclosed above discloses a method of forming a foot covering. A body is formed to extend continuously under a foot, whether shoed or bare. An antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the body and inseparable therefrom and is operable to exsanguinate the viability of at least a portion of the microbial matter that comes in contact with the body of the foot covering.

Another aspect of the present application discloses a wheel, such as a caster or the like suitable for use with medical equipment such as gurneys, meters, scopes, instrument carts, etc., that includes a floor contacting surface that includes antimicrobial properties. In one aspect, the wheel includes a tire portion that is constructed of the antimicrobial material as disclosed further below. In a further aspect of the present application, the antimicrobial structure associated with the wheel is provided as a low-profile tire or an energy responsive tape or wrap that can be disposed about an existing wheel assembly and, when applied thereabout, demonstrates antimicrobial viability performance when secured about a respective wheel and/or tire thereof.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The various features and advantageous details of the subject matter disclosed herein are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

FIG. 1is a side elevation view of a foot covering or shoe10constructed in accordance with the present invention. Although foot covering10is shown in a form factor commonly referred to as a shoe or tennis shoe, it is appreciated that foot covering10may be provided in various form factors such as boots, sandals, flip flops, substantially rubber or other waterproof material bodied foot wear, etc. to name but a few. That being said, it is appreciated that shoe10may be provided in virtually any form factor of a body constructed to be worn upon a foot of a wearer. It is also appreciated that, regardless of the form factor, shoe10is commonly provided in matching pairs of a left foot shoe and a right foot shoe that are generally mirror images of one another.

As shown inFIG. 1, shoe10is generally defined by a sole12having an upper14connected thereto. Sole12and upper14are generally extend between a toe portion16and a heel portion18that are oriented at generally opposite longitudinal ends of shoe10. An opening20is generally defined by upper14and is shaped to accommodate the passage of the user's foot therethrough. In many embodiments, a tongue22extends from a location proximate toe portion16toward opening20and generally along a selectively tensionable closure mechanism24. The closure mechanism24, such as a lace or hook and loop closure or the like, is commonly provided to allow tensioning of the opposing lateral sides of upper14about the foot of a wearer.

Sole12generally includes one or more ridges28or traction features30that are formed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length thereof and constructed to provide a desired degree of traction relative to an underlying floor surface32. Upper14can be constructed of various materials such as leather, pleather, rubber, silicone, polyurethane or like to provide a desired degree of ventilation, water resistance, flexibility, and rigidity thereto. It should be appreciated that, depending upon the preferences of the user, each of the respective comfort considerations discussed above can be provided in various relative degrees to satisfy the discrete demands or preferences of discrete users.

Regardless of the form factor in which shoe10is provided, sole12, or at least an exterior surface thereof50, is preferably formed of one or more of a rubber, silicone, and/or a polyurethane lightweight material, or a mixture thereof, and an antimicrobial agent that extends along at least a floor contacting surface defined by sole12. Exterior surface50is defined by a body of a homogeneous material that includes an antimicrobial agent incorporated therein. When fully incorporated therein, the antimicrobial homogeneous agent material associated with at least surface50of sole12are temperature and moisture stable and do not adversely affect the frictional performance and customary rigidity associated with sole12when engaged with surfaces such as floor32. The homogeneous nature associated with exterior surface50can extend entirely through sole12toward the interior surface of shoe10and is homogeneous throughout the thickness thereof such that the antimicrobial agent remains active and operable to render microbial matter no longer viable upon coming into contact therewith. Preferably, the antimicrobial agent is selected and integrated into the homogenous construction of sole12to require minimal dwell time associated with contact between exterior surface50and microbial agents engaged therewith so as to destroy the viability of microbial material that comes into contact shoe10. As such, as shoe10travels throughout areas traversed by the wearer, shoe10acts to destroy the viability of microbial matter that comes in contact with exterior surface50as well as antimicrobial material that remains on floor32thereafter.

Although exterior surface50of shoe10is shown as extending in a principally downward oriented direction relative to shoe10, is appreciated that exterior surface50, and the homogeneous antimicrobial agent associated therewith, can extend in an generally upward direction about respective portions of the side of shoe10as may be desired for both function and/or esthetics. That is, when provided in more of a rubberized open shoe construction, it is appreciated that the entirety of such a shoe10may being constructed of silicone and/or polyurethane antimicrobial materials from various degrees to the entirety of toe16to heal18and from sole12upward and about a portion of or the entire upper14of a show10constructed in such a manner Such considerations further mitigate transference of microbial matter imparted toward the upper surfaces of shoe10from being transferred should the upper surface of shoe10subsequently come into contact if previous viable microbial matter was contacted thereupon.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bshow respective embodiments of a foot or shoe cover100,100′ constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Covers100,100′ are defined by a body102,102′ that is generally provided in a more flexible form factor than shoe10and only loosely resembles footwear until engaged therewith. Once engaged with a foot or footwear such as shoe10, cover100,100′ takes the shape thereof and limits exposure of the structure disposed therein to the environment. When engaged with a foot or shoe, body102,102′ of cover100,100′ generally defines the outward facing sole portion104,104′ and an upwardly directed upper portion106,106′. An upwardly directed surface108,108′ of sole104,104′ and an inwardly directed portion110,110′ of upper106,106′ are shaped to receive a foot or shoe of a wearer and to remain engaged therewith when so oriented until removed by the user. Although the inner and outer directed surfaces of soles104,104′ of covers100,100′ may be contoured to mitigate slippage between the outer surface and a floor and the inner surface and a sole of a shoe placed in the respective covering100,100′, soles104,104′ preferably provide a continuous unperforated surface within the area bounded by uppers106,106′ to mitigate contamination of footwear placed therein. It is further appreciated that although uppers106′ is shown as including one or more optional perforations to encourage cooling of a foot associated therewith, it is further appreciated that uppers106′ may also have a continuous uninterrupted or unperforated construction.

An opening112,112′ is generally defined by upper portion106,106′ of cover100,100′ and is shaped to accommodate slideable cooperation of a foot or shoe therewith. An upwardly directed portion of upper portion106,106′ is preferably bounded by a flexible member114,114; such as elastic or the like and/or a flexible construction thereof; and is shaped to secure cover100,100′ about a foot or shoe disposed therein. It should be appreciated that cover100,100′ can be provided in various sizes and may be provided in a ambidextrous form factor or a form factor associated with designate left and right anatomy of the user.

At least sole portion104,104′ and preferably the entirety of cover100,100′ aside from elastic member114,114′ is constructed of a homogeneous material comprised of a mixture of one or more of silicone and/or polyurethane material and an antimicrobial agent homogeneously incorporated therein during formation of cover100,100′. Like shoe10, shoe cover100,100′ is constructed to mitigate the transference of viable microbial matter between environments. Like sole50of shoe10, body102,102′ of cover100,100′ is constructed of a flexible or otherwise pliable member that does not unduly adversely affect the user's anticipated traction performance and in a manner which is constructed of a continuous homogeneous material of silicone or polyurethane and/or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial agent integrated therewith and which is operable to destroy the viability of microorganisms coming into contact therewith. Preferably, each of cover100,100′ are constructed to as to be stretchable to allow the discrete covers100,100′ to be engaged with shoes of user's having various foot sizes.

Each of shoe10and cover100,100′ provide a flexible, reusable, non-slip antimicrobial foot covering that eliminates and/or mitigates viability of microbial matter, such as bacteria and viruses, found in various environments and can be common to floors or other surfaces. Each of shoe10and cover100,100′ are constructed to prevent cross contamination associated with the soles of shoes or the footwear of medical personnel traveling from room to room, station to station, in various environments including long-term care settings, healthcare settings, food preparation, veterinarians, meatpacking and food packing industries etc. Under the category of personal protective equipment (PPE), shoe10and covers100,100′ can be used in the daily environment by medical personnel, ancillary staff, emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, etc. various other environments such as food preparation and meatpacking environments, where infection and/or cross-contamination of surfaces associated therewith is intended for the desired sanitary treatment of personnel and materials handled therein.

When applied in a medical environment, shoe10and covers100,100′ mitigate the risk associated with nosocomial infection. As disclosed above, each of shoe10and cover100,100′ are constructed or include a sole portion that includes an antimicrobial material embedded in a homogenous manner throughout the substance of at least the sole portion thereof. Antimicrobial substances incorporated into shoe10and/or cover100,100′ are preferably constructed and selected to kill microbial matter, such as bacteria and viruses, upon contact therewith. When deployed, each of shoe10and covers100,100′ significantly reduce the transmission of pathogens that are commonly found on the bottoms of shoes as well as current types of disposable shoe coverings when deployed in various environments and across various industries. At least the sole of shoe10and the sole portion of covers100,100′ are preferably constructed of a generally homogeneous material that includes an antimicrobial reactant contained therein.

Shoe10and covers100,100′ provide a nonslip/non-skid surface that preferably includes one or more ridges or contours associated with providing a desired degree of traction engagement for the user with an underlying floor surface. Covers100,100′ are preferably configured to fit snugly over soles of shoes and around the heel and respective toe portions thereof to maintain the desired operational association of the respective cover100with the underlying foot or shoe.

Preferably, the antimicrobial agent associated with shoe10and covers100,100′ are configured in a homogeneous orientation relative to the thickness of at least the sole of the respective shoe10or shoe covering100,100′ so as to maintain the desired efficacy of the sole to terminate microbial matter throughout the usable life thereof. The reusable and cleanable nature of each of shoes10and covers100,100′ reduces facility as well as user costs by reducing hazardous waste disposal and incineration costs as well as reducing waste generated associated with disposal and/or replacement of other commercially available single use shoe covers. The reusability of shoe10and foot coverings100,100′ further mitigate facility costs by reducing patient and visitor single use personal protective equipment supply costs. Preferably, each of shoe10and/or covers100,100′ are constructed to be rinsed and/or hand or machine washed after use and economically replaceable should the tread pattern of a respective shoe10or cover100,100′ become thin or should the body of foot cover100,100′ become torn. Additionally, it is further appreciated that each of shoe10or cover100,100′ may be laundered in conjunction with a disinfection system to further enhance the reusability and maintenance of the sanitary condition thereof.

Each of shoe10and covering100,100′ present various advantages over known systems associated with mitigation of foot traffic cross-contamination in various environments and industries. That is, as the wearers traverse the respective floor surfaces and environments wearing shoes10and/or covers100,100′, the areas traversed are both decontaminated and transference of viable microbial matter is mitigated thereby mitigating the transference of pathogens from room to room, station to station, environment to environment, and personnel to personnel and/or other structures. Although disclosed above as being applicable to shoes and foot or foot wear coverings, it is appreciated that the homogenous robust antibacterial material of the body of soles of shoes10and/or covers100,100′ as disclosed above may be incorporated into other structures, such as wheels or tires, or covering suitable for use with such wheels or tires as disclosed further below, of equipment and/or carts commonly employed in such environments.

FIG. 3shows one such castor or wheel assembly130constructed in accordance with the present invention. Wheel assembly130includes a frame132that is secured to a leg134of an overlying piece of equipment. Frame132may be positionally fixed relative to a base136or rotatable relative thereto via a stem137extending therebetween. Frame132supports an axle138associated with securing a wheel140relative thereto. A stopper break142may be supported by frame132and constructed to interact with wheel140so as to limit rotation thereof about axle138and/or rotation of frame132about stem137. Wheel140is rotatable relative to axle138generally opposite rotational directions, indicated by arrow144, relative to frame132and rotatable relative to base136about stem137, as indicated by arrow146.

Wheel140can be constructed as a generally uniform body and/or constructed to include a hub152generally associated with axle138and a tread or tire154positioned thereabout. Regardless of the relative construction, an outer radial surface156of wheel140is constructed to engage a ground or floor surface158during translation of wheel140relative thereto. At least in outer radial surface156of wheel140is constructed of a body160formed of a uniform and homogeneous material having antimicrobial properties as disclosed further above. When constructed to define a hub152and a tire154, higher154defines body160having a uniform construction when formed of a homogeneous antimicrobial material. Such consideration accommodates the antimicrobial performance associated with mitigating transferring of viable biological material during motion of wheel assembly130.

FIG. 4shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in the form of a wheel covering170constructed in accordance with the present invention. Covering170is defined by a body172that is formed of a homogeneous and antimicrobial material. Body172is further constructed to be energy responsive so as to reduce the cross-sectional shape and/or available outer radial dimension associated therewith. Subjecting covering172an energy signal such as a thermal and/or an infrared energy signal manipulates the shape of the material without detrimentally impacting the antimicrobial performance thereof and in a manner that allows the selective application and/or securing of covering172an underlying wheel or tire. In a preferred aspect, once placed about the outer circumference of an underlying wheel and subjected to the respective energy signal, covering170is secured/and/or permanently adhered about the outer surface of the underlying wheel. It is further appreciated, that covering170may be provided so as to be replaceable, interchangeable and or re-serviceable with subsequent coverings should the thickness and/or continuity of covering170be degraded after use thereof.

Referring toFIG. 5, whether provided as a tire154, a covering170secured about a tire and/or wheel or hub, and/or a wheel or tire having a uniform cross-sectional composition, wheel180defines an outward radial surface182having a thickness, anywhere within a dimension, indicated by arrow184, defined by a body186having uniform homogeneous construction and which has an antimicrobial performance such that at least an outer radial surface188thereof detrimentally affects the viability of microbial matter that comes into contact therewith and mitigates the transference of viable microbial matter. It should be appreciated, that a wheel180having a uniform composition from the radially outer edge to the radially inboard edge thereof can have an appreciably longer service life than a wheel180having a hub and tire Association and/or a wheel180equipped with cover170. It should be appreciated that implementation of wheel covering170provides an economical and expedient alternative solution as compared to full replacement of discrete wheels140, rotational wheel assemblies130, and/or wheel assemblies that are already in service but do not provide mitigation of transference of viable microbial matter between environments when deployed. That is, service personnel, facilities, and wheel assembly providers can economically adapt current stock and/or currently deployed wheeled equipment to exhibit the antimicrobial performance as disclosed in the present application.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.