Abstract:
A system for storing footwear comprises a footwear cover configured to substantially contact a majority of an exterior surface area of the footwear.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Footwear may have limited use because the footwear may degrade in function and/or appearance over time. This may result in the expenditure of time and money by consumers who try to replace or restore the degraded footwear. Therefore, there exists a need for systems and/or methods for addressing these and/or other problems associated with footwear. For example, there exists a need for systems and methods for reducing degradation in function and/or appearance of footwear.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     Systems and methods for storing footwear are provided. A system of storing footwear comprises a footwear cover configured to substantially contact a majority of an exterior surface area of the footwear. The footwear cover may comprise one or more chemicals (natural and/or synthetic) to be applied to the footwear. A method for storing footwear comprises inserting footwear into a footwear cover comprising one or more chemicals to be applied to the footwear.  
         [0003]     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  depicts a footwear cover that is configured to fit around a footwear.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1B  depicts footwear that may be covered by the footwear cover.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1C  depicts a footwear cover that is wrapped around the footwear.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1D  depicts a box configured to store footwear.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  depicts a footwear cover that is configured to fit around a footwear.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2B  depicts footwear that may be covered by the footwear cover.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2C  depicts a footwear cover that is wrapped around the footwear.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3A  depicts a footwear cover that is configured to fit around a footwear.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3B  depicts a footwear cover that includes a zipper configured to enable a user to partially close the opening after a footwear is inserted in the footwear cover.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3C  depicts a footwear cover that includes snaps configured to enable a user to partially close the opening after a footwear is inserted in the footwear cover.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3D  depicts a footwear cover that includes Velcro configured to enable a user to partially close the opening after a footwear is inserted in the footwear cover.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3E  depicts a footwear cover that includes a button configured to enable a user to partially close the opening after a footwear is inserted in the footwear cover.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3F  depicts a footwear cover that includes a string configured to enable a user to partially close the opening after a footwear is inserted in the footwear cover.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4A-4C  depict respective views of a footwear cover that is configured to substantially contact a footwear  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a table listing materials that may be applied to a footwear cover. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1A  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 1  that is configured to fit around a footwear  12 - 1  ( FIG. 1B ). Footwear cover  10 - 1  comprises a fabric  19  that defines an opening  11 . In one embodiment, the fabric  19  comprises an elastic material that enables the fabric  19  to be stretched (e.g., so that it may fit around footwear  12 - 1 ). The fabric  19  may comprise one or more types of material, including, but not limited to, cotton, polyester, rubber, spandex, nylon, silk, rayon, wool, and/or linen, among others, depending on a desired implementation. Furthermore, the fabric  19  is preferably configured to enable air to flow through it (e.g., to allow air to flow to footwear  12 - 1  after it is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 1 ). The fabric  19  may have, for example, a density of 1-100,000 Denier depending on a desired implementation. The footwear cover  10 - 1  may comprise one or more layers of material (e.g., fabric) of similar or different composition.  
         [0026]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabric  19  is used as an applicator of (e.g., is impregnated with) one or more of the following materials:  
                         TABLE 1                           Materials that may be included in/on the footwear cover fabric            MATERIAL           TYPE   EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE MATERIALS               Cleaning   Mink oil, Neat&#39;s foot oil, Glycerin Soap, Ammonia,           oxalic acid, wood alcohol       Conditioning   Lanolin, Cetyl-allylether, Oleyl alcohol,           Carnauba wax, Mink Oil, Oils       Moisture   Bentonite clay, Silica gel, Polyester, Benzoyl,       Absorbing   Sulphur hexafluoride, Alumina, Anthracite, Garnet       Odor   Carbon, Sodium Bicarbonate       Neutralizing       Polishing   Trichloroethylene, Methylene chloride, Nitrobenzene,           Oleyl-ethyl, Carnauba wax, Wax, Turpentine, Dye,           Citric Acid       Anti Microbial   Triclosan, Microban, benzalkonium chloride                  
 
         [0027]     A footwear cover  10 - 1  may also include one or more release agents configured to enable one or more of the chemicals listed in Table 1 to be gradually applied to a footwear over an extended period of time (e.g., several days). The release agent(s) may comprise, for example, silicone and/or some other material that is suitable for releasing the chemical(s) included in the footwear cover  10 .  
         [0028]     The footwear cover  10 - 1  may be configured to fit tightly around a specific type and size of footwear  12 - 1  ( FIG. 1B ) or may be configured to fit a wide range of types and sizes of footwear. Therefore the footwear cover  10 - 1  (and other footwear covers described herein) may have a different shape than that shown in the figures. The fabric  19  may be stretched in order to expand the opening  11  such that the footwear  12 - 1  may be inserted into the opening  11 .  FIG. 1C  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 1  that is wrapped around the footwear  12 - 1 . The footwear  12 - 1  along with the surrounding footwear cover  10 - 1  may then be inserted in a storage container  14  ( FIG. 1D ) (e.g., along with a matching footwear that is covered by a footwear cover  10 - 1 ). The storage container  14  may comprise, for example, a cardboard box.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 2  that is configured to fit around a footwear  12 - 2  ( FIG. 2B ). The footwear cover  10 - 2  comprises a fabric  19  that defines openings  11  and  13 . As discussed above, the fabric  19  may comprise an elastic material that enables the fabric  19  to be stretched, and may be configured to enable air to flow through it. The fabric  19  may be used as an applicator of (e.g., is impregnated with) one or more of the materials listed in Table 1. The fabric  19  may be stretched in order to expand the opening  11  such that the footwear  12 - 2  ( FIG. 2B ) may be inserted into the opening  11 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 2C  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 2  that is wrapped around the footwear  12 - 2  ( FIG. 2B ). As shown if  FIG. 2C , the footwear  12 - 2 &#39;s heel extends through the opening  13  ( FIG. 2A ). The footwear  12 - 2  along with the surrounding footwear cover  10 - 2  may then be inserted in a storage container  14  ( FIG. 1D ) (e.g., along with a matching footwear that is covered by a footwear cover  10 - 2 ).  
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 3  that is configured to fit around a footwear (e.g., footwear  12 - 1  ( FIG. 1B )). The footwear cover  10 - 3  comprises a fabric  19  that defines an opening  31 . The opening  31  may be partially closed after the footwear  12 - 1  is inserted inside the footwear cover  10 - 3 . The opening  31  may be partially or completely closed and re-opened by using one or more fastening devices such as, for example, Velcro, button(s), snap(s), string(s), and/or zipper(s).  
         [0032]     As discussed above, the fabric  19  may comprise an elastic material that enables the fabric  19  to be stretched, and may be configured to enable air to flow through it. The fabric  19  may be used as an applicator of (e.g., is impregnated with) one or more of the materials listed in Table 1.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3B  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 4  that includes a zipper  32  configured to enable a user to partially close the opening  31  after a footwear  12  is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 4 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3C  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 5  that includes snaps  33  configured to enable a user to partially close the opening  31  after a footwear  12  is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 5 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 3D  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 6  that includes Velcro (not shown) configured to enable a user to partially close the opening  31  after a footwear  12  is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 6 . The Velcro may be located behind, for example, portion  34  of the fabric  19 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 3E  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 7  that includes a button  35  configured to enable a user to partially close the opening  31  after a footwear  12  is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 7 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3F  depicts a footwear cover  10 - 8  that includes a string  36  configured to enable a user to partially close the opening  31  after a footwear  12  is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 8 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 4A-4C  depict respective views of a footwear cover  10 - 4  that is configured to fit around a footwear. Footwear cover  10 - 4  comprises a fabric  19  that defines an opening  11 , and that is attached to a sole  41 . In one embodiment, the fabric  19  comprises an elastic material that enables the fabric  19  to be stretched (e.g., so that it may fit around a footwear). The sole  41  is preferably less flexible than the fabric  19 .  
         [0039]     The fabric  19  may comprise one or more types of material, including, but not limited to, cotton, polyester, rubber, spandex, nylon, silk, rayon, wool, and/or linen, among others, depending on a desired implementation. Furthermore, the fabric  19  is preferably configured to enable air to flow through it (e.g., to allow air to flow to a footwear after the footwear is inserted in the footwear cover  10 - 4 ). The sole  41  may comprise, for example, rubber, leather, or plastic.  
         [0040]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabric  19  is used as an applicator of (e.g., is impregnated with) one or more of the types of chemicals listed in Table 1. On the other hand the sole  41  is preferably not impregnated with any of the types chemicals listed in Table 1. In an alternative embodiment, the sole  41  comprises a much smaller amount (e.g., less than 50%) of a type of chemical listed in Table 1 than does the fabric  19 .  
         [0041]     The footwear cover  10 - 4  may be configured to fit tightly around a specific type and size of footwear or may be configured to fit a wide range of types and sizes of footwear. Therefore the footwear cover  10 - 4  (and other footwear covers described herein) may have a different shape than that shown in the figures.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting a method  500  according to an embodiment of the invention. The steps in method  500  include providing a footwear cover (e.g., footwear cover  10 - 1 ,  10 - 2 ,  10 - 3 ,  10 - 5 ,  10 - 6 ,  10 - 7 ,  10 - 8 , and/or  10 - 10  ( FIGS. 1A, 2A ,  3 A- 3 F)), as indicated in step  501 . The footwear cover is then impregnated with one or more of the materials listed in  FIG. 10 , as indicated in step  502 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting a method  600  according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  600  may be implemented by, for example, a footwear manufacturer. The steps in method  600  include manufacturing footwear  12  (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots), as indicated in step  601 . Each individual piece of footwear  12  is then inserted into a footwear cover  10  (e.g., footwear cover  10 - 1 ,  10 - 2 ,  10 - 3 ,  10 - 5 ,  10 - 6 ,  10 - 7 ,  10 - 8 , or  10 - 10  ( FIGS. 1A, 2A ,  3 A- 3 F)), as indicated in step  602 . The footwear  12  (and footwear cover  10 ) are then inserted inside a storage container (e.g., a shoe box) as indicated in step  603 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting a method  700  according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  700  may be implemented by, for example, a footwear user. The steps in method  700  include removing footwear  12  from a footwear container (step  701 ), removing footwear from a footwear cover  10  surrounding each individual footwear (step  702 ), and wearing the footwear (step  703 ).  
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart depicting a method  800  according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  800  may be implemented by, for example, a footwear user. The steps in method  800  include removing a foot from footwear (step  801 ) and inserting the footwear inside a footwear cover  10  (step  802 ).  
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting a method  900  according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  900  may be implemented by, for example, a footwear user. The steps in method  900  include removing a foot from footwear (step  901 ), wiping the footwear with a cloth (e.g., a soft cloth) (step  902 ), and inserting the footwear inside a footwear cover  10  (step  903 ).  
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a table  1000  listing materials that may be applied to a footwear cover  10 , such as, for example, footwear cover  10 - 1 ,  10 - 2 ,  10 - 3 ,  10 - 5 ,  10 - 6 ,  10 - 7 ,  10 - 8 , or  10 - 10  ( FIGS. 1A, 2A ,  3 A- 3 F). Each footwear cover  10  may include one of more of the materials listed in  FIG. 10 . These materials are applied to a footwear  12  over an extended period of time during which a footwear cover  10  surrounds the footwear  12 . As a result, the footwear  12  may be cleaned, conditioned, preserved, deodorized, polished, and/or disinfected by the footwear cover  10 .  
         [0048]     A footwear cover  10  may also include one or more release agents configured to enable one or more of the chemicals listed in  FIG. 10  to be gradually applied to a footwear over an extended period of time (e.g., several days). The release agent(s) may comprise, for example, silicone and/or some other material that is suitable for releasing the chemical(s) included in the footwear cover  10 .  
         [0049]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention and protected by the following claims.