Abstract:
A shoe with ultraviolet LEDs embedded in a UV transmissive photocatalyst coated sole or positioned inside the upper to irradiate photocatalyst coated surfaces. Whereby the electrons released by the photocatalyst or the surface recombination effects present have efficacy in surface sanitization or in odor control.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11830161 filed 30, Jul. 2007 
     
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  Shows shoe upper overlaid on sole. 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  Shows shoe side. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Shoe Upper 
           11  Shoe Sole 
           12  LED 
           13  Battery 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1  and  2   
       [0008]      FIG. 1  shows the shoe upper  10  overlaid on the shoe sole  11 . In this embodiment the shoe upper  10  holds the battery  13  in an internal compartment at the rear of the shoe. In this embodiment the battery  13  is sealed in the shoe and is a rechargeable battery which is recharged by induction, a non contact battery charging technology common to other consumer products. The shoe sole  11  is shown with a plurality of embedded LEDs  12 . In one embodiment of this shoe product the sole  11  is made from a UV transmissive flexible polymer material and the LEDs  12  are dies embedded in it. These LEDs can be oriented to irradiate the inside surface of the sole, the outside surface of the sole, or both. The surfaces of the sole and the surfaces inside of the upper can be coated or nanocoated with a photocatalyst. The sole  11  itself can also be made from a photocatalyst composite. In this embodiment the embedded LEDs  12  would irradiated the photocatalyst in order to cause a surface photocatalytic effect. 
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows the side of the shoe with the upper  10  attached to the sole  11 . The battery  13  is shown at the rear of the shoe and is shown sealed within the shoe. In this embodiment the battery is again recharged by induction. The sole  11  is shown with the LEDs  12  embedded within it. 
       ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    There are various possibilities with regard to the placement of the LEDs as well as the powering options and control circuitry options.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the LEDs embedded in the sole. An alternative embodiment would be to locate LED lamps within the upper that irradiate photocatalyst coated surfaces inside the upper directly. LED lamps could also be mounted in crevices on the inside or outside surface of the sole in order to irradiate a photocatalyst coating in the crevices. Alternative embodiments for the powering options include powering the LED circuit with a solar cell, making the battery  13  a replaceable battery or recharging a rechargeable battery through a plug in connection. In the case of the solar powered embodiment the solar cell may be a flexible one that is sewn into the upper preferably at the top of the tip. Control circuit options include the use of a foot presence sensor or switch, a built in timer circuit, or remote control activation means. Since direct exposure of the foot to UV may be undesirable, a foot presence sensor may be utilized to prevent this. This sensor may be a contact switch or an optical sensor. A built in timer circuit can be used to control irradiation time and frequency. A moisture sensor can also be integrated in order to use the technology for automatically drying the shoe. 
       Operation 
       [0011]    The threshold wavelength for titanium dioxide photocatalyst is 388 nm. At wavelengths below that the outer valence electron in the TiO2 molecule simply needs to absorb enough photons to have the energy to escape. It is this electron that is the catalyst for pathogen inactivation. This shoe invention uses this sanitizing technology in order to sanitize surfaces inside or outside the shoe. The sanitizing properties are useful in preventing foot fungus as well as in odor control and overall shoe cleanliness. Various embodiments of the shoe involve differing powering options and control circuits. A rechargeable battery embodiment version can be recharged by the consumer utilizing an induction recharging cradle. The consumer would place the shoe when not in use on the cradle in order to recharge the batteries. A solar cell version would have a solar cell sewn into the upper and the shoe would be completely self powered. A combination battery and solar cell version is also feasible. Sanitizing cycles can be initiated automatically or manually. Automatic cycles can be initiated be a sensor or switch or by a built in timer. Automatic cycles can also be initiated while the shoe is being recharged. Manual sanitizing cycles can be initiated by a push button on the shoe or by a remote control option. Consumers interested in a self sanitizing shoe would purchase the shoes as a set. This set would include either an induction recharging cradle or a recharging power adapter.