U.S. patent application number 10/622056 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for disposable slipper.
Invention is credited to Stephenson, Cynthia.
Application Number | 20050011084 10/622056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34063135 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephenson, Cynthia |
January 20, 2005 |
Disposable slipper
Abstract
A disposable slipper and associated method are provided. The
slipper is structured to be adhered to a human foot to protect the
foot, for example, during salon and spa procedures such as
pedicures. The slipper includes a flexible base layer with a
peripheral edge that generally defines an outline of a human foot.
A releasable hypoallergenic adhesive is disposed on a first side of
the base layer so that the slipper can be adhered to a bottom of
the foot. A second side of the base layer, opposite the first side,
is directed away from the foot and defines a sole of the
slipper.
Inventors: |
Stephenson, Cynthia;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Family ID: |
34063135 |
Appl. No.: |
10/622056 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/15 ; 36/25R;
36/30R; 36/42; 36/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/226 20130101;
A43B 3/106 20130101; A43B 1/0045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/015 ;
036/042; 036/025.00R; 036/030.00R; 036/073 |
International
Class: |
A43C 013/00; A43B
013/00; A43B 021/36 |
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. A disposable slipper structured to be adhered to the bottom of a
human foot so that the slipper protects the foot, the slipper
comprising: a flexible base layer having first and second sides and
a peripheral edge generally defining an outline of a human foot;
and a releasable hypoallergenic adhesive at least partially
disposed on the first side of said base layer and structured to
adhere the slipper to the bottom of the foot such that the second
side of said base layer is directed away from the foot thereby
protecting the foot.
2. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer is formed
of foam.
3. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer is formed
of at least one of the group consisting of foam rubber and a blown
polymer.
4. A slipper according to claim 1 further comprising a releasable
backing layer disposed on said adhesive opposite said base layer
and structured to be removed from said adhesive so that said
adhesive and said base layer can be adhered to the foot.
5. A slipper according to claim 4 wherein said backing layer is
formed of paper with a release coating.
6. A slipper according to claim 1 wherein said base layer has a
thickness of between about 0.1 inch and about 1 inch.
7. A pair of disposable slippers for adhering to a pair of left and
right human feet and protecting the feet during a beauty procedure,
each slipper of the pair comprising: a flexible base layer having
first and second sides, said base layer having a peripheral edge
that defines an outline generally corresponding to a respective one
of the left and right human feet; a releasable hypoallergenic
adhesive disposed on the first side of said base layer and
structured to adhere the corresponding slipper to the bottom of the
respective foot such that the second side of said base layer is
directed away from the respective foot thereby protecting the foot;
and a releasable backing layer disposed on said adhesive opposite
said base layer, said releasable backing layer being structured to
be removed from said adhesive so that said adhesive and said base
layer can be adhered to the respective foot.
8. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said
base layers is formed of foam.
9. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said
base layers is formed of at least one of the group consisting of
foam rubber and a blown polymer.
10. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said
base layers has a thickness of between about 0.1 inch and about 1
inch.
11. A pair of slippers according to claim 7 wherein each of said
backing layers is formed of paper with a release coating.
12. A method of making a slipper for protecting a foot, the method
comprising: forming a flexible base layer having first and second
opposite sides and a peripheral edge generally defining an outline
of the foot; and disposing an adhesive on the first side of the
base layer.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step
comprises forming the base layer of foam.
14. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step
comprises forming the base layer of at least one of the group
consisting of foam rubber and a blown polymer.
15. A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step
comprises forming a pair of the slippers, the pair including left
and right slippers having peripheral edges that correspond to left
and right human feet, respectively.
16. A method according to claim 12 further comprising disposing a
releasable backing layer on the adhesive opposite the base
layer.
17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising providing the
releasable backing layer by disposing a release coating on a paper
layer.
18. A method according to claim 12 further comprising packaging at
least two of the slippers in a container.
19. A method of using a slipper having a flexible base layer with
an adhesive on a first side thereof for protecting a foot, the
method comprising: pressing the first side of the base layer
against a bottom of the foot and thereby adhering the base layer to
the foot; and peeling the base layer from the foot.
20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising removing a
releasable backing layer from the slipper before said pressing
step.
21. A method according to claim 19 further comprising applying
polish on toenails of the foot before said peeling step such that
the polish is wet at least partially while the slipper is adhered
to the foot.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to beauty and/or spa products
and, in particular, to a disposable slipper that can be worn, for
example, in conjunction with a beauty procedure, such as a
pedicure.
[0003] 2) Description of Related Art
[0004] A pedicure is a typical spa or salon procedure in which the
skin on a patron's feet is treated with various moisturizing and
exfoliating procedures, often followed by a massage. Typically, the
final step in a pedicure is to paint the toenails of the patron's
feet with nail polish or lacquer. Often the patron is provided with
a pair of disposable foam pedicure slippers, or flip-flops, to wear
until the nail polish dries. Each slipper typically has a foam sole
and one or more straps that hold the slipper onto the foot. The
straps can have various configurations. For example, a strap formed
of a single strip of material can be attached to the left and right
side of the slipper so that the strap forms a loop that extends
above the slipper and across the width of the slipper. The toes of
the patron's foot can be inserted through the loop so that the
strap holds the foot between the strap and the sole. Alternatively,
two foam straps can form loops that extend upward from the top of
the sole at a position between the patron's toes to a respective
side of the slipper. Such slippers are inexpensive and can
therefore be used once and then discarded.
[0005] One problem with existing disposable slippers is that the
footwear is often offered in only one size for all patrons and
therefore rarely provides an exact fit. The slippers can shift
around on the patron's feet, particularly when the patron walks,
sometimes causing the straps to touch the wet toenail polish,
possibly smudging the polish and requiring repainting. In addition,
walking in foam pedicure slippers can be uncomfortable to the
patron, especially if the size of the slippers does not closely
match the size of the patron's feet.
[0006] Thus, there exists a need for improved footwear for use in
conjunction with salon and spa procedures such as pedicures. The
footwear should not interfere with wet polish that is on the
patron's toenails. Preferably, the footwear should be comfortable,
even when the patron walks. Further, the footwear should not be
expensive to manufacture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a disposable slipper for
adhering to a human foot and protecting the foot. The slipper
includes a flexible base layer that can be formed of foam rubber,
foam polymers, and the like. The base layer has first and second
opposite sides and a peripheral edge that generally defines an
outline of a human foot. A releasable hypoallergenic adhesive is
disposed on the first side of the base layer so that the adhesive
can be used to adhere the slipper to a bottom of the foot with the
second side of the base layer defining a sole directed away from
the foot. A releasable backing layer can be disposed on the
adhesive opposite the base layer and structured to be removed from
the adhesive so that the backing layer covers the adhesive until
the slipper is worn. Slippers according to the present invention
can be provided in pairs, each one corresponding to the shape of a
right or left foot, respectively.
[0008] The present invention also provides a method of making and
using a slipper for protecting a foot. The method includes forming
a flexible base layer with a peripheral edge that generally defines
an outline of a foot. An adhesive is disposed on the first side of
the base layer, which is structured to be pressed against the
bottom of the foot so that the slipper is adhered to the foot. A
releasable backing layer can be disposed on the adhesive opposite
the base layer. The backing layer is structured to be removed
before the slipper is worn.
[0009] The slipper according to the present invention can be used
in conjunction with salon and spa procedures such as pedicures.
Polish can be applied on toenails of the foot so that the slipper
protects the foot while the polish is wet. Thereafter, the base
layer is peeled from the foot. The slipper adheres to the bottom of
the user's foot and does not interfere with wet polish that is on
the user's toenails. Thus, the slipper provides footwear that can
be worn during or after the user's toenails are painted. Further,
the footwear is comfortable, even when the patron walks, and is
inexpensive to manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and other advantages and features of the
invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will
become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following
detail description of the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary
embodiments and which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pair of slippers
according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a section view in elevation illustrating one of
the slippers of FIG. 1, shown with a releasable backing layer
disposed thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0014] Referring now to the figures and, in particular, FIG. 1,
there is shown a pair of slippers 10, each slipper of the pair
being individually and collectively referred to herein by the
reference numeral 10. The slippers 10 can be worn by a user during
a variety of activities including beauty procedures such as a
pedicure at a salon or spa. The slippers 10 can similarly be worn
for other purposes, for example, to protect the user's feet in
public or in shared bathing facilities, hospitals, and the
like.
[0015] The slippers 10 are foot-shaped, i.e., are formed so that
the peripheral edge 12 of each slipper 10 corresponds generally to
the outline of a human foot. In particular, each slipper 10 extends
between a heel portion 14 and a toe portion 16, and the width of
each slipper 10 can vary therebetween according to the typical
shape of a foot. Each pair of slippers 10 includes a left slipper
10a and a right slipper 10b that correspond to the respective feet
of a user, such as a patron of a beauty salon or spa. The slippers
10 can define a variety of shapes other than that shown in FIG. 1.
For example, the toe portion 16 of each slipper 10 can define five
elongate portions (not shown) that extend individually from the
respective slipper 10 corresponding to the individual toes of the
user. Further, the slippers 10 can be manufactured in one or more
sizes that correspond approximately to the size of the feet of the
users.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a slipper
according to the present invention, such as either of the slippers
10a, 10b of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, each slipper 10 is formed
of a base layer 18 with an adhesive 20 at least partially disposed
thereon. The base layer 18 can be formed of any flexible material
that bends to the shape of the bottom of the user's foot and flexes
with the user's foot as the user walks. For example, the base layer
18 can be formed of foam rubber, foam polymers, and the like. In
particular, the base layer 18 can be a foam formed of blown
polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or other
blown polymers.
[0017] Each base layer 18 defines first and second sides 22, 24.
The adhesive 20, which is at least partially disposed on the first
side 22 of each base layer 18, adheres each slipper 10 to one of
the feet of the user so that the second side 24 of the slipper 10
is directed away from the foot and defines a sole that contacts a
floor surface when the user stands or walks, thereby protecting the
user's foot. Thus, the slipper 10 provides a barrier or protective
shield between the user's foot and the floor surface. By preventing
contact between the user's foot and the floor surface, the slipper
10 helps to prevent the transfer of debris, germs, water, or other
substances between the floor surface and the user's foot, thereby
keeping the user's foot clean. Further, the base layer 18 can
provide padding that increases the comfort of the user's feet when
standing or walking in the slippers 10. The base layer 18 can have
any desired thickness, but preferably has a thickness of between
about 0.05 inch and about 1 inch.
[0018] The adhesive 20 can be disposed on the entire area of the
first side 22 of each base layer 18 or on only part of the first
side 22 of each base layer 18. For example, the adhesive 20 can be
disposed randomly or in a predetermined pattern of lines, dots, or
other shapes. In one embodiment (not shown), the adhesive 20 is
disposed generally where the first side 22 of the base layer 18
will contact the foot of the user, i.e., where the first side 22
would contact the heel, ball, and toes of the foot but not where
the first side 22 would be directed toward the arch of the foot.
The adhesive 20 provides sufficient adhesion between the slipper 10
and the foot to hold the slipper 10 against the foot.
[0019] Straps are not required for retaining the slippers 10 on the
feet, and the lack of straps reduces the likelihood that the
slippers 10 will interfere with the tops of the user's feet. Thus,
the slippers 10 can be worn during or after a pedicure in which the
user's toenails are painted and pose little risk of smudging or
otherwise interfering with the wet paint on the user's
toenails.
[0020] Preferably, the adhesive 20 is hypoallergenic, i.e., is
unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in the user. Such adhesives
include Avery Dennison.TM. MED8311 and 3M.TM., 1772, each available
from the respective manufacture. The adhesive 20 can be provided as
a fluid adhesive or an adhesive film. The adhesive 20 preferably
provides a sufficiently strong bond between the slipper 10 and the
foot so that the user can walk without the slipper 10 becoming
detached. However, the bond between the adhesive 20 and the user's
foot is not so strong that the user cannot overcome the bond to
remove the slipper 10 from the foot. For example, the user should
be able to grasp an edge of the slipper 10 and peel the slipper 10
from the foot. In some embodiments, the adhesive 20 can be
sensitive to and activated by pressure and/or heat so that the
weight of the user's body and/or the thermal energy from the user's
foot causes the adhesive to bond the slipper 10 thereto. In
addition, the adhesive can include a moisturizer, fragrance,
antibacterial substance, or other substances for increasing the
comfort, aesthetic appeal, or hygienic properties of the slipper
10.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a releasable backing layer 28 can be
disposed on the adhesive 20 of the slipper 10 opposite the base
layer 18 so that the adhesive 20 is shielded from the ambient
environment by the releasable backing layer 28 until the backing
layer 28 is removed and the slipper 10 is worn. The releasable
backing layer 28 can be a laminar film formed of a polymer such as
polyethylene (PE) or polyester (PET). Alternatively, the backing
layer 28 can be a paper layer. In any case, the backing layer 28
can be coated with a release material, such as silicone, to
facilitate the removal of the backing layer 28 from the adhesive
20.
[0022] The base layer 18, adhesive 20, and backing layer 28 can be
obtained as a pre-manufactured product such as 3M.TM. White
{fraction (1/16)} inch Polyethylene Foam Tape 1772, 83# Liner.
[0023] The operations for making and using a temporary-use,
disposable slipper according to one embodiment of the present
invention will now be described. It is understood that one or more
of the operations can be omitted and additional operations can be
included without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The flexible base layer 18 is provided, and the adhesive 20 is
disposed on the first side 22 of the base layer 18. For example,
the adhesive 20 can be disposed by rolling, brushing, or spraying
the adhesive 20 onto the base layer 18, which can be foam rubber or
blown polymer. The adhesive 20 and/or the base layer 18 can be
electrostatically charged so that the adhesive is deposited evenly
on the base layer 18. Alternatively, the adhesive 20 can be
disposed as a film onto the base layer 18. The releasable backing
layer 28 can be disposed over the adhesive 20, opposite the base
layer 18. The sheet of the base layer 18 is then cut into one or
more foot-shaped portions, for example, using a die. Alternatively,
the foot-shaped portions can be cut before the adhesive is applied.
In some embodiments, a single shape that is cut from the base layer
18 can be used to form either of the left or right slipper 10,
depending on the side 22, 24 to which the adhesive 20 is applied.
The slippers 10 can then be packaged in pairs in a container such
as a paper or plastic bag or the like for use in a salon or spa in
conjunction with pedicure procedures. In another embodiment, the
user of the slipper 10 or an employee of the salon where the
slippers 10 are used could cut or otherwise shape the slipper 10
after removing the slipper 10 from its package.
[0024] In use, the releasable backing layer 28 is peeled from the
adhesive 20, exposing the adhesive 20 as shown in FIG. 1, and the
adhesive 20 and first side 22 of the base layer 18 are pressed
against the bottom of the foot so that the base layer 18 is adhered
thereto. Polish, i.e., paint or other lacquer, can be applied on
the toenails of the foot before or after the slipper 10 is adhered
so that the slipper 10 provides a protective barrier to the bottom
of the foot while the polish is wet. When the polish is dry, the
slipper 10 can then be peeled from the foot and discarded.
[0025] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *