Patent Publication Number: US-2005120463-A1

Title: Disposable hygienic sock

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is related to and claims the benefit of priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/520,221, filed on Nov. 14, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to foot protection and more specifically to a disposable hygienic sock for protecting feet.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      There are many occasions wherein a person walks on a public surface. This may not be desirable in view of the fact that such public surfaces may accumulate germs and create a hygiene concern, which many times leads to developing skin conditions or skin diseases, such as athlete&#39;s foot ( tinea pedis ).  
      For example, people always try to avoid contacting their bare foot with the ground surface in showers and shower areas, locker rooms, training facilities, saunas, and public bathrooms. Some people deal with this problem by carrying with them, their sandals or slip-ons. This may be inconvenient, particularly if the sandals are wet from use. Moreover, transporting sandals in gym, plastic or other bags may promote growth of fungus, bacteria or other germs on the sandals, diminishing the protective value of using the sandals in the first place. It may also be unreliable, when the user forgets to carry their sandals or slip-ons. For these and other reasons, there is a need for an arrangement to protect a user&#39;s feet from contacting public surfaces.  
      Similar concerns may exist with respect to public or semi-public areas in hospitals, doctor&#39;s offices and other rooms used for medical examination or treatment, nursing or retirement homes, and hotels, motels, barracks, hostels, dormitories, airplanes and similar accommodations. Depending on the sensitivity of the user, this arrangement is also applicable to surfaces in private locations.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a disposable sock comprises a first lower layer made of a solid material and a second upper layer made of a mesh or otherwise perforated material. The first lower layer covers the bottom and lower portion of a person&#39;s foot and the upper layer is attached to the lower layer to allow the flow of water and air.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the disposable sock also comprises a packaged gel or liquid, or unpackaged powder lining, inside of the surface of the first lower layer containing anti-bacterial, fungicidal and/or other protective compounds or emollients to allow the user to apply to their feet before, during or after the use of the sock.  
      In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the second layer is formed of a solid portion around the toe area of the user and a mesh or otherwise perforated area in the remaining portion. A third layer including a heat sensing device is applied to the top portion of the second layer near the toe area. The heat sensing device indicates the approximate or relative temperature of the water, in a shower, before the user moves completely under the direct contact of water.  
      To this end the present invention provides for a disposable hygienic sock having an upper mesh layer, a lower solid layer, coupled to the upper mesh layer, and a plurality of friction surfaces, disposed on the bottom of the lower layer. The upper mesh layer allows the free flow of water into and out of the sock and the friction surfaces are configured to prevent a wearer from slipping on slick or wet surfaces.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A complete understanding of the present invention and the above advantages may be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the disposable hygienic sock in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the disposable hygienic sock illustrated in  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the disposable hygienic sock in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the disposable hygienic sock illustrated in  FIG. 3  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the disposable hygienic sock in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the disposable hygienic sock illustrated in  FIG. 5  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  illustrates another side view of the disposable socks illustrated in  FIG. 1  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the disposable socks in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a disposable sock  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Disposable sock  10  includes a first lower layer  12  formed a solid material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this solid material is made of latex or non-latex (hypoallergenic) material, although the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example, other materials, such as plastics or neoprene, may also be employed.  
      Sock  10  also includes an upper layer  14  made of a mesh or otherwise perforated material. Upper layer  14  extends along the lower layer  12  and is configured to cover the upper portion of the user&#39;s foot. The mesh or perforated material, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, is made of fabric, however, the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example, the mesh or perforated material may be made of a plastic material such as latex, or other similar materials such as polyurethane, neoprene, or non-latex material.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the back portion of sock  10  includes a solid portion  16  that may extend upwardly toward the area of the ball of the user&#39;s ankle. Solid portion  16 , which may be made of an elastic material, may stretch to provide a tighter fit on the user&#39;s foot.  
      The shape and fit of sock  10  would be similar to a cotton athletic sock, so as to allow the user to put it on and take it off easily.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates the bottom portion  20  of sock  10 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, bottom portion  20  includes friction surfaces  22 , which exhibit higher friction than that exhibited by the remainder surface of bottom portion  20 . Friction surfaces  22  are disposed to increase traction and to reduce the risk of slipping when sock  10  is worn by a user.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, friction surfaces  22  may be strategically located near the metatarsal region  26  of the foot and the ball region  28  of the foot.  
      In an alternative arrangement, illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a disposable hygienic sock  100  is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Disposable hygienic sock  100  includes a first main layer  102  constructed of a permeable or semi-permeable material such as cotton, linen, woven or non-woven fabrics, plastic mesh or other similar material. However, the invention is not limited in this respect. First main layer  102  can be constructed of any material suitable for low cost or disposable construction. For the purposes of illustration, first main layer  102  is discussed herein as being formed of a cotton fabric.  
      By using a permeable or semi-permeable material such as cotton, water is allowed to flow easily through the upper and side portions of sock  100 , allowing for soap to reach the covered area and so that disposable hygienic sock  100  does not fill up during certain activities such as showering. Also, the use of a permeable or semi-permeable material allows the foot to breathe in other prolonged situations.  
      An elastic ring  104  or other such tightening means is provided around an upper opening in first main layer  104  to allow for user&#39;s foot to enter disposable hygienic sock  100  while simultaneously preventing sock  100  from falling off.  
      Disposable hygienic sock  100 , further maintains a lower non-slip layer  106 , formed a semi-permeable or non-permeable material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this solid material is made of latex or non-latex (hypoallergenic) material, although the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example, other materials, such as plastics or neoprene, may also be employed.  
      Lower non-slip layer  106  is preferably constructed of a material that has a high coefficient of friction so as to prevent the wearer of disposable hygienic sock  100  from slipping on wet slippery surfaces. However, this is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, lower non-slip layer  106  may not necessary be constructed with a material of high coefficient of friction, but rather a frictional surface can be added to it after fabrication by a separate process such as sand blasting or other similar processes for creating a textured surface. In fact, it is possible to construct lower non-slip layer  106  with both a material of high coefficient of friction and to use an additional process of sandblasting, furthering the non-slip properties of layer  106 .  
      Lower non-slip layer  16  may be attached to first main layer  102  in a number of ways including but not limited to adhesives, heat activated adhesives, a combination of heat and pressure, stitching or any other low cost adhesive method. Preferable the method of attachment between first main layer  102  and non-slip layer  106  is both permanent and water proof so that the non-slip layer  106  does not separate during uses that involve contact with water.  
      In another alternative arrangement, illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a disposable hygienic sock  200  is provided, constructed of a semi-permeable or non-permeable material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, disposable hygienic sock  200  is made of latex or non-latex (hypoallergenic) material, although the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example, other materials, such as plastics or neoprene, may also be employed. Disposable hygienic sock  200  is preferably lightly coated with a desiccant powder to prevent multiple socks  200  from sticking to one another in their packaging boxes.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , disposable hygienic sock  200 , also maintains a non-slip region  202  on the bottom. Non-slip region  202  is preferably provided with a high coefficient of friction so as to prevent the wearer of disposable hygienic sock  200  from slipping on wet slippery surfaces. This can be achieved by thickening sock  200  in non-slip region  202  and adding ridges, ribs, bumps or other such textured styles. Additionally, a separate process such as sand blasting, or other such process for creating a textured surface can be used instead. It is understood that the various features disclosed in each of the three above described versions of disposable hygienic sock  10 ,  100 ,  200 , may be utilized in each of the other designs.  
      Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a disposable hygienic sock  40  may be provided with additional features. It is also under stood that any additional features disclosed in conjunction with disposable hygienic sock  40  may also be utilized in conjunction with the above described disposable hygienic socks  10 / 100 / 200  described above.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates sock  40  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Sock  40 , in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, includes a first lower layer  42  formed from a solid material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this solid material is made of latex or non-latex material, although the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example other materials such as plastics, synthetic rubber or neoprene may also be employed.  
      Sock  40  also includes an upper layer  44  made of a mesh or perforated material  46  and a solid material  48 . Upper layer  44  extends along the lower layer  42  and is configured to cover the upper portion of the user&#39;s foot. Mesh or perforated material  46 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is made of fabric, however, the invention is not limited in scope in that respect. For example, mesh material  46  may be made of a plastic material such as latex, or other similar materials such as polyurethane, neoprene or non-latex material. Similarly, solid material  48  may be made of a plastic material such as latex or other similar materials such as polyurethene, neoprene and other synthetic rubber and non-latex materials. Solid material  48  covers the top potion of the user&#39;s feet near the toe region.  
      Sock  40  also includes a heat sensing film  52 , which is configured to change its color based on its temperature. Heat sensing film  52  is disposed on solid material  48 , so as to allow the user to test the temperature of water, steam or other relevant media before moving under the shower head or other water body. Heat sensing film  52  is configured to indicate a specific color when the water temperature is around a range between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, although the invention is not limited in scope in that respect and other temperature ranges can be configured. For temperatures below this range heat sensing film  52  turns a second color and for temperatures above this range the heat sensing film turns a third color.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates the back portion  60  of sock  40  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Back portion  60  includes a label layer  64  that contains an advertising message or symbol.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, sock  40  includes a releasable pouch or package  72  that contains antibacterial, fungicidal and/or other protective gel or liquid. This protective gel or liquid may be constituted of any consistency for use with such products, including washable gels and liquids as well as gels or liquids that dry automatically by evaporation. Package  72  may be releasably attached to the inside bottom portion of the sock. For example, package  72  may be released by the user by pressing down on or otherwise applying pressure to the packet, although the invention is not limited in that respect. In a second example, where sock  40  instead is lined with a protective powder, the powder may be activated/spread when contacted with water, although again, the invention is not limited in that respect.  
      Disposable socks  10 / 100 / 200  and  40  may be packaged in boxes similar to those packaging containing disposable surgical gloves, or alternatively, may be packaged in individually sealed packets. During use, a pair of these socks can be worn, prior entering the relevant public or other area of concern, such as a gym shower.  
      Package  72  may be first released and opened, so as to apply the antibacterial, fungicidal and/or other protective gel to the foot for cleaning and sanitizing the portion that is covered by the sock. Once in the shower, the user can adjust the water temperature and check the color of the heat sensor to make sure that the water temperature is appropriate. The mesh or perforated layer of the sock allows for the water and soap to flow into the foot and as such wash the foot area, or in the case of sock  10  being lined with a powder, apply the protective mixture. After the use, the socks can be discarded in garbage or recycled for future use.  
      While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.