Abstract:
The present invention relates to an item of footwear comprising a liner made of a flexible impermeable material and an outer layer. The liner is arranged to contact a foot and the liner and the outer layer are connected only at a cuff. In some aspects, the flexible impermeable material is sufficiently elastic to squeezingly conform to contours of the foot. The outer layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fiber materials, synthetic materials, and natural fiber and synthetic material blends. In some aspects, the item of footwear is a slipper or a bootie.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more particularly, to a slipper or bootie having a liner in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot and made of a flexible impermeable material and an outer layer made of a cloth material.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A common treatment for foot conditions, such as dry skin, is to apply oil, unguent, or other medication to the affected area of the foot. To maximize the curative affect of the treatment, the medication should remain in contact with the foot for an extended period of time, for example, overnight. It is known to apply the medication and then cover the treated foot with a sock or slipper made of an absorbent material such as cotton. Unfortunately, the medication soaks into the material, lessening the curative affects of the treatment and causing possible staining of the sock or slipper or other items in contact with the sock or slipper.  
         [0003]     It is known to wrap a treated foot with an impermeable material and then place a sock over the wrapping. This method keeps the medication in contact with the foot and prevents the medication from migrating. Unfortunately, the wrapping process can be awkward, may be difficult for some patients to perform, and results in the wrapped foot being completely encased in an impermeable layer that traps heat and prevents air movement around any part of the foot. As a result, the wrapped foot can be sweaty and uncomfortably hot.  
         [0004]     Udugama (U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0145491) discloses a footcover for use with medications applied to a user&#39;s foot. Unfortunately, Udugama&#39;s footcover includes two separate toe pockets, which may not be necessary for most users, and which may be uncomfortable for many users. Also, Udugama&#39;s footcover does not provide an outer layer that is desirable for comfort when walking in the footcover, warmth when the foot is in a cool area, aesthetic appearance, or to protect other parts of the user&#39;s body from contact with the plastic material of the footcover.  
         [0005]     Tumas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,617) discloses a latex-stocking bandage. Unfortunately, many people have severe latex allergies. Also, the bandage lacks an outer layer for warmth, aesthetic value, or comfort.  
         [0006]     Therefore, what is needed is an item of footwear to keep a therapeutic compound in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot in a more comfortable manner, using safe materials.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to an item of footwear comprising a liner made of a flexible impermeable material and an outer layer. The liner is arranged to contact a foot and the liner and the outer layer are connected only at a cuff. In some aspects, the flexible impermeable material is sufficiently elastic to squeezingly conform to contours of the foot. The outer layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fiber materials, synthetic materials, and natural fiber and synthetic material blends. In some aspects, the item of footwear is a slipper or a bootie.  
         [0008]     The invention also broadly comprises a method for keeping a therapeutic compound in contact with a foot, comprising: surrounding at least a portion of a foot with a liner made of a flexible impermeable material, surrounding the liner with an outer layer made of a flexible material, and connecting the liner to the outer layer only at a cuff.  
         [0009]     A general object of the present invention is to provide an item of footwear and method to comfortably keep a therapeutic compound in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot, using safe materials.  
         [0010]     This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from a reading and study of the following detailed description of the invention, in view of the drawing and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a present invention footwear having an amorphous shape;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the slipper shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a present invention slipper having a defined shape;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the slipper shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 - 4 ; and,  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a present invention slipper with a toe opening. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of present invention footwear  10  having an amorphous shape. Hereinafter, footwear  10  is referred to as slipper  10 . However, it should be understood that footwear  10  is not limited to a slipper and that other types of footwear, for example, booties, are included in the spirit and scope of the claims. Slipper  10  includes liner  12  made of a flexible, impermeable material and outer layer  14  made of a flexible material. By impermeable, we mean the material forming liner  12  does not allow liquids to pass. In particular, liner  12  does not allow therapeutic compounds, which are described further below, to pass. The material for layer  14  can have different degrees of flexibility as described below. In some aspects, the materials for liner  12  and layer  14  are not particularly elastic or stretchy. As a result, liner  12  rests against portions of a user&#39;s foot, but is not stretched over or pressed against the user&#39;s foot by an elasticity of liner  12  or layer  14 . Thus, the foot is less encased by the liner and the foot may feel less constricted to the user. In some aspects, the material of liner  12  or layer  14  is more elastic That is, liner  12  is stretched over or pressed against the user&#39;s foot due to a greater elasticity of the liner or outer layer. Alternately stated, the liner or outer layer squeezes the foot and conforms the liner to contours of the foot. The aspects with a more elastic liner or outer layer are useful for situations in which it is desirable to maintain a closer contact between a user&#39;s foot and the liner.  
         [0018]     Layers  12  and  14  are joined together at cuff  16 . In some aspects, cuff  16  is elastic. Cuff  16  can be made elastic by any means known in the art, including the use of an elastic band (not shown) within the cuff.  
         [0019]     In general, slipper  10  is used in conjunction with a therapeutic compound or compounds applied to a user&#39;s foot. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to just use with a therapeutic compound. By therapeutic compound we mean any compound know in the art having soothing, healing, and/or generally medicinal properties. Therapeutic compounds include, but are not limited to, lotions, oils, creams, and unguents. Liner  12  is impermeable, therefore, the compound is not absorbed by liner  12 , and the compound advantageously remains in contact with the user&#39;s feet. Further, liner  12  prevents the compound from touching other objects in contact with slipper  10 . For example, if the user applies the compound and dons slipper  10  for an overnight treatment, liner  12  prevents the compound from staining the user&#39;s bedding. Layer  14  provides protection for liner  12 , enabling liner  12  to be made as thin, lightweight, and inexpensive as possible, thus increasing the comfort and cost-effectiveness of slipper  10 . As described below, layer  14  also can provide padding, insulation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance for slipper  10 .  
         [0020]     In some aspects, slipper  10  is disposable and in some aspects, slipper  10  is substantially reusable. By disposable, we mean slipper  10  is designed and constructed for a limited number of uses. By substantially reusable we mean slipper  10  is designed and constructed for a larger number of uses. Typically, a disposable slipper  10  is made of thinner or less durable materials to minimize a cost associated with the slipper. On the other hand, a substantially reusable slipper  10  is typically made of heavier or more durable materials to enable the slipper to be used a greater number of times and in some cases to allow the slipper to be washed and reused.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the slipper  10  shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 . In  FIG. 2 , cuff  16  includes elastic band  18 . In some aspects, liner  12  and layer  14  are connected only at cuff  16 . That is, except for at cuff  16 , liner  12  and layer  14  are free to be moved with respect to one another. In particular, liner  12  is free to be moved with respect to layer  14 . This arrangement allows liner  12  and the user&#39;s foot to “float” within layer  14 . The “floating” arrangement reduces binding of the user&#39;s foot, thus increasing the comfort of the user. Connecting liner  12  and layer  14  only at cuff  16  also enables liner  12  to be pulled out and away from layer  14 . This can be useful, for example, in cleaning inner surface  20  of liner  12 . In some aspects (not shown), liner  12  and layer  14  also are joined at other points besides the cuff. For example, the layers can be joined at cuff  16  and at a toe or heel segment of slipper  10 .  
         [0022]     Liner  12  and layer  14  can be joined at cuff  16  using any method known in the art. For example, in  FIG. 2 , layer  14  is folded over elastic band  18  and liner  12  to form cuff  16 . Then, liner  12  and layer  14  and band  18  are stitched together at points  22 . It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular stitching arrangement and other stitching arrangements are included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Other methods of joining liner  12  and layer  14  include, but are not limited to, gluing and heat treatment. In some aspects, band  18  is connected to liner  12  and/or layer  14 . In some aspects band  18  is not connected to liner  12  and/or layer  14 . The method of joining liner  12  and layer  14  can be selected according to the materials used for liner  12  and layer  14  or the intended use of slipper  10 , for example, whether the slipper is disposable or reusable.  
         [0023]     Liner  12  can be made of any flexible impermeable material known in the art that is suitable for contact with human flesh. Another criterion for selecting a material for liner  12  is the desired degree of elasticity for liner  12 . Examples of materials suitable for making liner  12  include, but are not limited to: cellulose acetate, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoro ethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and vinylchloride acetate. The thickness of liner  12  can be determined according to the material used for liner  12  or the intended use of slipper  10 . For example, certain materials are more durable than other materials and can therefore be used in thinner layers to provide a same degree of durability. For a disposable slipper, thinner or less durable materials may be acceptable, since a disposable slipper  10  is subjected to a limited number of uses.  
         [0024]     Layer  14  can be made of any flexible material known in the art. Typically, layer  14  is made of a woven or cloth material. For example, layer  14  can be made of natural materials such as cotton or wool, synthetic materials such as polyester, or natural/synthetic blends such as cotton and polyester. It should be understood that layer  14  is not limited to any particular material. As with liner  12 , the material for layer  14  can be chosen according to the intended use of slipper  10 . For example, a more durable and/or washable material for layer  14  may be preferable for a reusable slipper  10 . There are additional considerations regarding layer  14 . Layer  14  can provide padding or cushioning; therefore, a thicker material may be preferable. Layer  14  can provide an insulating layer; therefore, a “warmer” material, such as synthetic fleece, may be preferable. Also, layer  14  can provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance; therefore, a brightly colored or patterned material may be preferable. The relative costs for materials suitable for liner  12  and layer  14  also are a factor in selecting these materials.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a present invention slipper  10  having a defined shape.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the slipper shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 - 4 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Slipper  10  is not limited to any particular shape. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some aspects, layer  14  is made of a firmer material to substantially maintain a specific, predetermined shape for slipper  10 , for example, a more traditional slipper/shoe shape. In these aspects, area  24  is configured to accept a user&#39;s heel and area  26  is configured to accept the main portion and toes of the user&#39;s feet. In some aspects, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , layer  14  is made of a more flexible material and slipper  10  can take a plurality of amorphous or “baggy” shapes. That is, layer  14  is too flexible to maintain a single, specific shape.  
         [0027]     Slipper  10  can be configured to cover different amounts of a user&#39;s foot. This can be facilitated by varying the size of opening  28  and areas  30 , for example. In some aspects, to cover more of a user&#39;s foot, opening  28  is made smaller and areas  30  are made relatively larger to accommodate more of the user&#39;s foot. For example, opening  28  can be sized to substantially engage the user&#39;s ankle. In some aspects, to cover less of a user&#39;s foot, the size of opening  28  is increased and the sizes of areas  30  are decreased. For example, this configuration can expose most of the top of a user&#39;s foot. The variations in the size of opening  28  and areas  30  described above increase the efficacy, user comfort, and cost-effectiveness associated with slipper  10 . For example, for those users only needing treatment for the bottom of their feet, the aspects including the larger opening  28  and smaller areas  30  may be more comfortable to wear. Also, these aspects of the slipper may be less expensive to produce and therefore more inexpensive for the user to purchase.  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 2 , areas  30  are relatively equal in size. However, it should be understood that areas  30  can be of different sizes and that such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. For example, one of the areas  30  can be larger to accommodate the bulk of a user&#39;s foot and the user&#39;s toes, while the other area  30  can be made smaller to accommodate the user&#39;s heel. This arrangement is somewhat analogous to the configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0029]     The materials used for layer  14  may have a relatively low coefficient of friction with respect to surface upon which a user is walking. Thus, to improve the traction for slipper  10 , in some aspects, slipper  10  include at least one gripping member  30  on sole  32 . Sole  32  is understood to be that portion of slipper  10  in contact with a floor or the ground when the user is wearing slipper  10  and ambulating on the floor or ground. In particular, sole  32  has a side  34 , not in contact with liner  12 . Grippers  30  can be made of any material known in the art, such as rubber. The grippers can be attached to side  34  using any means known in the art, such as adhesives. Grippers  30  are shown on the slipper in  FIG. 4 , however, it should be understood that grippers  30  are generally applicable to any aspect of slipper  10 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a present invention slipper  10  with a toe opening. In some aspects, slipper  10  includes opening  36  in toe area  38 . Toe area  38  is understood to be that portion of slipper  10  in the proximity of a user&#39;s toes. That is, the “front” end of slipper  10 . Liner  12  and layer  14  are connected at circumference  40  of area  38 . The description for  FIG. 1  regarding the joining of liner  12  and layer  14  is applicable to liner  12 , layer  14 , and circumference  40 . In general, opening  36  can be included in any aspect of slipper  10 . Opening  36  is not limited to any particular size or shape. It should be understood that openings can be located in other parts of slipper  10  (not shown).  
         [0031]     Slipper  10  is not limited to any particular size. In some aspects, slipper  10  can be configured as a “one size fits all.” For example, returning to  FIG. 1 , this can be accomplished by using a more flexible material for liner  12  and layer  14 , providing generous amounts of liner  12  and layer  14 , and/or providing generous sizing for areas  30  and a sufficiently elastic cuff  16 . In some aspects, slipper  10  can be configured to correspond to traditional shoe sizes or ranges of shoe sizes. Slipper  10  is not limited to any particular appearance. Layer  14  can be made of materials having various colors and/or patterns. Appendages (not shown) can be added to slipper  10  to make create a desired appearance. For example, playful colors, patterns, or appendages make slipper  10  more attractive to children and increase their compliance with treatment involving slipper  10   
         [0032]     Although the present invention has been shown with respect to an item of footwear, it should be understood that the present invention also is applicable to other items of wear (not shown), for example, gloves or bands for knees or elbows. Such items would be constructed in a manner similar to that described for  FIGS. 1-5 . For example, gloves or mittens could consist of a liner, designed to be in contact with a user&#39;s hands, and an outer layer connected to the liner at a wrist cuff. A band could consist of a liner and an outer layer joined together at two cuffs to form a tubular shape.  
         [0033]     Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
        What we claim is: