Patent Publication Number: US-2009235433-A1

Title: Disposable Sock with Liquid Impermeable Inner Sole

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/038,445 filed Mar. 21, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a disposable sock with an inner liquid impermeable layer on the portion that covers the sole of the foot, and a breathable outer layer that encases the liquid impermeable layer and encases the remaining portion of the foot. The characteristics of the present invention increase circulation in the foot, aid in the absorption of a multitude of compounds, including lotions, ointments, or therapeutics to the foot, while minimizing bacterial growth, are cost efficient, lightweight and easy to use. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     A multitude of socks have been patented to address various maladies of the foot. For instance, some patents are directed to improving the circulation of the foot only, which is has healthful benefit to those with certain conditions such as diabetes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,207,961 and 6,606,750). Meanwhile, other prior art describe articles that increase absorption of therapeutics through the skin (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,664,087, 6,792,701 and 5,682,617; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/590,444). Specifically, the &#39;444 application describes an article to be worn on the skin that has a liquid-impermeable layer with an outer fibrous layer. While this document describes use as a way to exacerbate the absorption compounds to the skin, the article does not discuss the added benefit, and need for some users to increase circulation at the same time. 
     Presently, no sock has been developed that is disposable, cost effective, breathable, lightweight, increases circulation, and aids in the absorption of compounds to the foot. As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiment of the present invention overcomes these and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various issues associated with the skin or tissue of the foot may diminish the health and or hygiene of a person. For example, dryness of the foot is a common problem, especially where the skin is exposed to cold or dry conditions. This may be especially true for older individuals. There are many compounds designed to alleviate this problem. Many of these compounds require a substantial period of time to become effective. Additionally, many compounds only give the user benefit for a short period of time after application. The present invention enhances absorption of such compounds to the sole of the foot. 
     Other therapeutic compounds may be prescribed to persons for a variety of reasons, including wound healing. By maintaining direct contact with the therapeutic and the skin, the beneficial effects can become apparent in a shorter period of time. The present invention allows the wearer to easily maintain this direct contact between therapeutics and other compounds (including oils, ointments, lotions, etc.) applied and the skin of the sole of the foot, so that the full benefit of such compounds can be realized. 
     Additionally, maintaining adequate circulation in the extremities is difficult for certain groups of people such as those with diabetes or those that are elderly. Poor circulation can have many ramifications such as the feet feeling cold, or going to “sleep”, or numbness that can make the person unaware of injury to the foot. Increasing circulation in the foot is advantageous to many persons. 
     Moreover, as compounds are applied to the foot, or as any sock is worn, bacteria may grow and cause further issues for the wearer. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by being low cost, and disposable. Because the sock of the present invention is to be worn only one time for a limited period, bacterial build up is not an issue. Moreover, one time usage increases ease of use, as the wearer does not have to wash or reuse the sock. 
     Consequently, the disposable sock of the present invention addresses these concerns and others. The liquid impermeable layer that may be made of polyethylene is in contact with the sole of the foot increases circulation in the foot, increases absorption of compounds applied to the foot, and serves as a liquid-impermeable layer so that any compounds applied will not seep out of the sock. Polyethylene, as well as other modern day materials that provide the liquid impermeable layer accomplishes an effect that could not be realized by earlier socks (such as Lewis in U.S. Pat. No. 2,664,087). The outer breathable layer maintains the positioning of the inner polyethylene layer, cools the foot, is lightweight and comforts the wearer. The disposable nature of the sock decreases bacterial build up, and increases ease of use for the wearer. 
     As stated above, the present invention is inexpensive, disposable, lightweight and easy to manufacture. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of prior products as it is advantageous to circulation, the application of compounds, and is cost effective. Still other modifications and positions of these elements may be implemented, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive disposable sock to increase circulation in the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that comforts and supports the applications of a variety of compounds including, creams, oils, ointments, lotions, moisturizing agents, conditioners, botanicals and therapeutics that the wearer may apply. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that provides for increased circulation, application of compounds to the sole of the foot while providing a breathable upper portion for the comfort of the wearer. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that is more effective and efficient to use than known products and allows the wearer to discard after a brief, one-time, or limited use. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that can be manufactured without contain latex and has a breathable portion that is comfortable and stretchable. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that does not suffer from high bacterial growth before it is disposed, and thus reduces the chance of infection. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that is appropriate for use in both domestic and institutional environments. 
     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that is produced economically and appeals to a variety of market segments. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that can be worn comfortably alone, with footwear, or under a sock as the wearer chooses. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a disposable sock that offers a sanitary foot product alternative for wearers. 
     Still other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the accompanying advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rendering of the disposable sock from a vertical cross-section, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional rendering of the disposable sock from the sole of the foot, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed explanation of the present invention is described below. The described preferred embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustration and description; they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, modifications to described elements below may be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the disposable sock in a vertical cross-sectional view, according to one embodiment of the invention. Similarly,  FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional rendering where the bottom, or sole, of the foot is highlighted. The reference numerals to the elements of the invention remain constant in both figures. 
     The wearer&#39;s sole of their foot is in contact with a liquid impermeable layer  10 , which is adhered to the outer breathable portion  11  of the sock. The liquid impermeable layer  10  holds the application of a variety of compounds including: creams, oils, ointments, lotions, moisturizing agents, conditioners, botanicals, and therapeutic compositions, in direct contact with the skin surface of the wearer when applied to the sole of the foot. This direct contact allows for concentrated treatment of the skin by any such applied compounds. When used in this manner, according to one embodiment, the liquid impermeable layer  10 , provides for increased absorption relative to breathable material. 
     Moreover, the liquid impermeable layer  10  increases circulation to the foot by stimulating the skin of the wearer. The liquid impermeable layer  10  also improves skin condition, aids toxin removal, and improves the overall health of the foot. The liquid impermeable layer  10  can be manufactured from a variety of materials including: polyethylene, plastics, or other film material such as a thermoplastic elastomeric polyolefin polymer, as is known by those skilled in the art. The liquid impermeable layer  10  is attached to the breathable layer  11  by an adhesive, thermal bonding, radio frequency bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or the like. The liquid impermeable layer  10  is attached to the breathable layer  11  by an adhesive in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The liquid impermeable layer  10  can be in many shapes including oval, rectangular, or as the shape of the sole of the foot. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid impermeable layer  10  is the shape of the underside of the foot and provides for a snug fit when worn by the user. 
     The breathable layer  11  provides comfort to the wearer and allows excess heat to diffuse from the foot to limit excess stimulation of the sweat glands. The breathable layer  11  is manufactured from stretchable, breathable material that allows moisture to exit from the skin of the wearer. The material of the breathable layer  11  can be made from a variety of materials including, natural fabrics (i.e., cotton and the like) or synthetic breathable materials such as nylon, nylon blends, and the like. The breathable layer  11  encases the liquid impermeable layer  10  and is designed to fit the contours of the foot without wrinkling or bunching around the area covered by the present invention. In one embodiment, the material of the breathable layer  11  does not contain latex, which can be problematic for many users. The breathable layer  11  has the ability to stretch to accommodate a variety of foot sizes, while still supporting the liquid impermeable layer  10 . 
     The present invention also contains an upper elastic portion  12  that secures the upper portion of the sock to the wearer and is continuous with the breathable layer  11 . The elastic portion  12  may be manufactured with the same material as the breathable layer  11 , or contain added elastic materials such as synthetic or natural rubbers or tacky materials that secure the disposable sock on the foot, without causing discomfort. 
     The length of the disposable sock of the present invention may be varied according to the preference of the wearer or contingent on the reason for use (i.e., therapeutic considerations). For instance the sock may stop at the ankle or be manufactured to the specifications of a crew style, mid-calf style, over-the-calf style, and the like. The stretchable material of the breathable layer  11  provides added flexibility to accommodate different leg sizes. Moreover, color selections are not limited and may include white, black, orange, navy, green, light blue, pink, red, and beige. 
     The present invention can be worn on each foot, can be worn with or without shoes or other footwear (such as sandals or slippers), and can be worn comfortably under socks or other materials the wearer may employ (such as foot braces, etc.). The wearer, or someone assisting the wearer, may apply a compound such as those described, to the bottom of the feet of the wearer before placing the disposable sock on each foot. The characteristics of the present invention will allow for increased absorbency of any compounds applied to the bottom of the foot, and can increase circulation of the foot, leading to overall improved health of the user. After one use, the wearer removes the disposable sock and discards them to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and other infectious materials.