Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, for any purpose, the entire disclosures of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/541,337, filed Sep. 30, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to shoe covers with foam cushions therein. 
       HISTORY OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Many industries such as, for example, the medical industry and semiconductor manufacturing require sterile working environments. Sterile working environments often require that outside shoes be covered by shoe covers to prevent infiltration of contaminants into the sterile working environment. In addition, many non-sterile working environments also frequently use shoe covers. For example, shoe coverings are frequently used in janitorial and contractor professions as a way to protect a worker&#39;s shoes. Shoe covers often include a thin layer of flexible material such as, for example, vinyl or plastic that forms an envelope into which an outside shoe is inserted. The outside shoe is substantially covered by the shoe cover. The shoe cover is typically held in place by an elastic band disposed near an ankle region of a wearer. 
         [0004]    Of particular concern in many working environments where shoe coverings are typically worn is that workers are often standing for many hours. Prolonged standing has been shown to cause discomfort in a worker&#39;s feet, legs, and back. Such discomfort can lead to compromised concentration and a loss of accuracy or productivity. This can be of particular importance in, for example, operating-room environments where total concentration and accuracy of a surgeon is critical to successful completion of a procedure. In many working environments, a common solution is to place cushioned pads in work areas and other regions with large amounts of foot traffic. However, cushioned pads are often difficult to move making them ineffective in environments where a worker is not confined to a specific location. This is frequently the case in the janitorial and contractor industries. Furthermore, cushioned pads often absorb and hold contaminants and are often difficult to clean making them impractical for many working environments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect, the present invention relates to a shoe-cover system. The shoe-cover system includes a flexible shoe cover sized to substantially envelope an outside shoe and a cushion member disposed within, and along a bottom aspect of the shoe cover. The cushion member is sized to receive the outside shoe. The shoe cover secures the cusion member to the outside shoe and the cushion member is isolated from contaminants by the shoe cover. The cushion member reduces discomfort in a wearer&#39;s feet. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the present invention relates to a cushion member for use with an outside shoe. The cushion member includes a raised lip disposed about a perimeter. The raised lip defines an internal cavity and the internal cavity is sized to receive the outside shoe. A first knurled surface is disposed along a bottom surface of the internal cavity. The first knurled surface provides frictional engagement between the cushion member and the outside shoe. A second knurled surface is disposed along a bottom of the cushion member. The cushion member is generally symmetrical about a medial axis. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of increasing comfort while standing. The method includes providing a shoe cover and forming a cushion member with a raised lip that defines an internal cavity. A first knurled surface is disposed on a bottom surface of the internal cavity and a second knurled surface is disposed along a bottom of the cushion member. The cushion member is generally symmetrical about a medial axis. The method further includes inserting the cushion member into the shoe cover such that the cushion member is completely contained within the shoe cover and inserting an outside shoe into the shoe cover such that the outside shoe engages the cushion member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A more complete understanding of the method and system of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a photographic perspective view of a shoe-cover system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a cushion member according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of a cushion member according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a cushion member according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a process for using a cushion member with a shoe cover according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a cushion system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cushion system of  FIG. 6  according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a cushion system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a photographic perspective view of a shoe-cover system according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the broadest terms, a shoe-cover system  100  includes a cushion member  102  received within a shoe cover  104 . The shoe cover  104  may be constructed of a thin flexible material such as, for example, vinyl, nylon, plastic, non-woven fabric, or other appropriate material. In a typical embodiment, the shoe cover  104  includes a non-skid coating (not shown) applied to an underside thereof. In a typical embodiment, the shoe cover  104  is disposable. The cushion member  102  is constructed of a foam-like material such as, for example, closed cell foam, high-density foam, latex-rubber foam, poly-vinyl chloride, urethane, cross-link poly-ethylene, polyethylene, rubber, or other appropriate material. In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  102  is disposable or recyclable. The cushion member  102  is received within, and is disposed along a bottom surface of, the shoe cover  104 . An outside shoe  106  is received within the shoe cover  104  and rests upon the cushion member  102 . In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  102  is sized to accommodate a variety of sizes of the outside shoe  106 . An elastic cord  108  is connected to the shoe cover  104  near an opening  120 . The elastic cord  108  binds the shoe cover  104  around an ankle region of a wearer. In a typical embodiment, the elastic cord  108  binds the shoe cover  104  sufficiently tight so as to prevent the wearer from stepping out of the shoe cover  104  during use. In a typical embodiment, the shoe cover  104  substantially encloses the outside shoe  106  and the cushion member  102 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the cushion member  102  according to an exemplary embodiment. The cushion member  102  is generally symmetrical about a medial axis  202 . Such symmetry allows the cushion member  102  to accommodate the outside shoe  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of a wearer&#39;s right foot or left foot. A raised lip  204  is disposed about a perimeter of the cushion member  102 . The raised lip  204  defines an interior cavity  206  for receiving the outside shoe  106 . In a typical embodiment, the raised lip  204  keeps the outside shoe  106  approximately centered on the cushion member  102  and prevents the outside shoe  106  from becoming disengaged from the cushion member  102 . A first knurled surface  208  is disposed on a bottom surface  203  of the interior cavity  206 . The first knurled surface  208  provides frictional engagement between the outside shoe  106  and the cushion member  102  thus preventing slippage of the outside shoe  106 . In a typical embodiment, the first knurled surface  208  is formed by a plurality of score lines  205  etched in the bottom surface  203 ; however, in other embodiments, the first knurled surface  208  may be formed through other methods. In other embodiments, cushion members utilizing principles of the invention may omit the raised lip  204  or the first knurled surface  208 . In embodiments omitting the raised lip  204 , the first knurled surface may be disposed along a top face of the cushion member  102 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the cushion member  102  according to an embodiment. A second knurled surface  300  is disposed along an underside  301  of the cushion member  102 . The second knurled surface  300  provides frictional engagement between the cushion member  102  and the shoe cover  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) thus preventing slippage of the cushion member  102 . In a typical embodiment, the second knurled surface  300  is formed by a plurality of score lines  302  etched in the underside  301  of the cushion member  102 ; however, in other embodiments, the second knurled surface  300  may be formed through other methods. In other embodiments, cushion members utilizing principles of the invention may omit the second knurled surface  300 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , in various alternative embodiments, the cushion member  102  may omit one or more of the raised lip  204 , the first knurled surface  208 , and the second knurled surface  300 . Further, in various alternative embodiments, the cushion member  102  may not be generally symmetrical about the medial axis  202 . In this particular embodiment, individual right and left cushion members  102  would be necessary to accommodate a right foot and a left foot of the wearer. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the cushion member  102  according to an exemplary embodiment. The raised lip  204  captures the outside shoe  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and prevents the outside shoe  106  from becoming disengaged with the cushion member  102 . The second knurled surface  300  provides increased frictional engagement between the cushion member  102  and the shoe cover  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) thus preventing slippage of the cushion member  102 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a process for using a cushion member with a shoe cover according to an exemplary embodiment. A process  500  begins at step  502 . At step  504 , a shoe cover  104  is provided. At step  506 , a cushion member  102  is formed. At step  508 , the cushion member  102  is inserted into the shoe cover  104 . In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  102  is substantially contained within the shoe cover  104 . At step  510 , an outside shoe  106  is inserted into the shoe cover  104  such that the outside shoe  106  engages the cushion member  102 . In a typical embodiment, the outside shoe  106  is substantially contained by the shoe cover  104 . The process  500  ends at step  512 . 
         [0024]    Advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. First, the cushion member  102  provides a cushion for use by workers in many working environments. Second, the cushion member  102  is contained within the shoe cover  104  thereby reducing the possibility that the cushion member  102  will be exposed to or absorb contaminants. Third, the cushion member  102  may be discarded after a single use along with the shoe cover  104  thereby eliminating the need for cleaning. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a cushion system according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cushion system of  FIG. 6  according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7 , a cushion system  600  includes a cushion member  602 , a toe strap  604 , and an ankle strap  606 . In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  602  is constructed of a similar material as the cushion member  102  discussed above. In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  602  is disposable or recyclable. A first pair of generally-parallel slots  608  is formed in the cushion member  602  near a toe region  603  of the cushion member  602 . A first groove  610  is formed in a bottom surface  607  of the cushion member  602 . The first groove  610  extends between the first pair of generally parallel slots  608 . The toe strap  604  is threaded through the first pair of generally parallel slots  608  and the first groove  610 . The toe strap  604  rests in the first groove  604  thereby improving comfort for a wearer and preventing the toe strap  604  from disrupting engagement of the bottom surface  607  with a ground. In a typical embodiment, the toe strap  604  is of sufficient length to encompass an outside shoe of a wearer such as, for example, the outside shoe  106  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIGS. 6-7 , a second pair of generally parallel slots  612  are formed in the cushion member  602  near a heel region  605  of the cushion member  602 . A second groove  614  is formed in the bottom surface  607  of the cushion member  602 . The second groove  614  extends between the second pair of generally parallel slots  612 . The ankle strap  606  is threaded through the second pair of generally parallel slots  612  and the second groove  614 . The ankle strap  606  rests in the second groove  614  thereby improving comfort for a wearer and preventing the ankle strap from disrupting engagement of the bottom surface  607  with the ground. In a typical embodiment, the ankle strap  606  is of sufficient length to encompass an outside shoe of a wearer such as, for example, the outside shoe  106 . 
         [0027]    Still referring to  FIGS. 6-7 , during operation, a wearer&#39;s shoe such as, for example, the outside shoe  106  is positioned on the cushion member  602 . The toe strap  604  is tightened around a toe region of the outside shoe  106  and the ankle strap  606  is tightened around an ankle region of the outside shoe  106 . In other embodiments, the ankle strap may be tightened about an ankle region of the wearer above the outside shoe. The cushion system  600  allows the cushion member  602  to be attached to the outside shoe to allow added comfort to the wearer. In various embodiments, after the cushion system  600  is attached to the outside shoe, the shoe cover  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be placed over the cushion system  600  and the outside shoe. Such an arrangement is suitable for use in clean or sterile environments. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a cushion system  800  according to an exemplary embodiment. The cushion system  800  includes a cushion member  802 . In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  802  is of similar construction to the cushion member  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) discussed above. In a typical embodiment, the cushion member  802  is disposable or recyclable. An adhesive  804  such as, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, is applied to a top surface of the cushion member  802 . A release layer (not shown) is applied to the adhesive. During operation, the release layer is removed to expose the adhesive  804 . The adhesive  804  is then pressed against a bottom surface of an outside shoe such as, for example, the outside shoe  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) discussed above. The adhesive  804  secures the cushion member  802  to the outside shoe  106 . In various embodiments, after the cushion system  800  is attached to the outside shoe, the shoe cover  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be placed over the cushion system  800  and the outside shoe. Such an arrangement is suitable for use in clean and sterile environments. 
         [0029]    Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is cable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

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