U.S. patent application number 12/765497 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for moisturizing footwear and soles.
Invention is credited to Stormy Van Dyck.
Application Number | 20110099850 12/765497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43923863 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110099850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Dyck; Stormy |
May 5, 2011 |
Moisturizing Footwear and Soles
Abstract
Footwear for moisturizing a user's feet comprising a
multilayered sole and an upper portion coupled to the sole. The
sole includes a top layer, an intermediate layer, a bottom layer
and two refillable pouches containing a moisturizing lotion
situated between the intermediate and bottom layers at the heel and
ball of the foot location. The top, intermediate layers and top
surfaces of the pouches include a plurality of aligned apertures
allowing the moisturizing lotion to pass through and contact a
user's feet. The individual soles of the present invention comprise
a top layer, a bottom layer, an adhesive layer for sticking the
soles to regular footwear and two refillable pouches situated
between the top and bottom layers. The top layer and top surfaces
of the pouches include a plurality of apertures for the
moisturizing lotion to pass through.
Inventors: |
Van Dyck; Stormy; (Rancho
Santa Margarita, CA) |
Family ID: |
43923863 |
Appl. No.: |
12/765497 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11501281 |
Aug 9, 2006 |
7765717 |
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12765497 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 ; 36/11.5;
36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1455 20130101;
A43B 17/00 20130101; A43B 7/00 20130101; A43B 3/0031 20130101; A43B
3/108 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 ; 36/30.R;
36/11.5 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12; A43B 3/12 20060101
A43B003/12; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04 |
Claims
1. A footwear moisturizing system comprising: a. a sole; b. an
upper portion designed to hold a user's foot; and c. wherein the
sole comprises; i. a top layer including a plurality of apertures;
ii. an intermediate layer with a plurality of apertures; iii. a
bottom layer; and iv. at least one refillable pouch adapted to
contain an emulsion, the pouch located between the intermediate
layer and bottom layer, whereby the emulsion passes from the pouch,
through the apertures, to contact a user's foot.
2. The footwear of claim 1 wherein apertures are located under the
heel area and under the ball area of a user's foot.
3. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the bottom layer includes at
least one receiving area to accommodate said at least one
pouch.
4. The footwear of claim 1 wherein said at least one pouch includes
an opening accessible from the exterior of the footwear and through
which said pouch can be refilled with the emulsion.
5. The footwear of claim 4 wherein a removable plug-like member
seals said opening.
6. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises a type of
footwear chosen from the list of flip-flops, slippers, sandals,
clogs, training shoes, and boots.
7. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the upper portion comprises a
soft, cloth-like material.
8. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the top layer comprises a soft,
cloth-like material.
9. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the intermediate layer is made
of rubber.
10. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the bottom layer is made of
rubber.
11. A sole for applying an emulsion to the feet, comprising: a top
layer including a plurality of apertures; a bottom layer; an
adhesive layer at the bottom of the sole for adhering the sole to
an article of footwear; a plurality of refillable pouches including
a plurality of apertures on their top surfaces and containing an
emulsion, the plurality of pouches being situated between the top
and bottom layers; and the plurality of apertures on the top layer
and the pouches being in alignment whereby the emulsion passes
through the apertures and contacts the user's feet.
12. The sole of claim 11 wherein the adhesive layer is covered with
a backing layer, which is peeled off to attach the sole to another
article of footwear.
13. The sole of claim 11 wherein the top layer is made of a soft,
cloth-like material.
14. The sole of claim 11 wherein the bottom layer is made of a
rubber-like material.
15. A footwear moisturizing system comprising: a. a sole; b. an
upper portion designed to hold a user's foot; c. wherein the sole
comprises; i. a top layer including a plurality of apertures; ii.
an intermediate layer with a plurality of apertures; iii. a bottom
layer; and iv. at least one refillable pouch adapted to contain an
emulsion, the pouch located between the intermediate layer and
bottom layer, the pouch having apertures whereby the emulsion
passes from the pouch, through the apertures, to contact a user's
foot; and d. wherein the upper portion comprises at least one area
adapted to contain at least one pouch, corresponding with apertures
connecting the inside of the upper portion to the pouch.
16. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the at least one area is
chosen from the list of atop the toe, on the side, and at the
tongue area of the upper portion.
17. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the emulsion comprises a
trans-dermal medication
18. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the at least one pouch
associated with the upper portion is removable from the upper
portion.
19. The footwear of claim 18 wherein said removable at least one
pouch associated with said upper portion comprises a re-sealable
opening.
20. The footwear of claim 15, wherein said at least one area is
adapted to receive a trans-dermal patch, and hold said patch
adjacent a user's foot.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application
Ser. No. 11/501,281, filed on Aug. 9, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates in general to footwear and
footwear components, and more particularly to footwear with soles
containing moisturizing lotions for moisturizing the feet.
[0003] Generally, features such as a good grip, breathability, and
appropriate cushioning are built into footwear. Additional or
in-built components such as odor absorbing pads and soles with
therapeutic properties are also used in conjunction with footwear
designs. A variety of designs and materials are used to fabricate
footwear in the art.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20030009138 to Freeman discloses
insole pads, inserts and liners containing plant-derived essential
oils and/or dried plant products applied to or constructed within
the footwear and footwear components to deliver the comfort,
disinfectant and/or therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy through
direct contact with the wearer's feet with the volatile components
of the plant derived oils and/or plant products.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,167 to Valenzuela disclose
odor-absorbing pads for shoes, including a flexible housing with
breathing apertures formed in its top and bottom surfaces. The
bottom layer of the housing is also equipped with an adhesive
surface to anchor the pad to the bottom of the interior of a shoe.
Each flexible housing is disk shaped, and houses charcoal particles
to absorb foot odor, and medicated powder to prevent bacterial and
fungal growth.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,803 to Levy, an adjustable support
insole system for use in a shoe is disclosed. The system includes a
bottom inside layer including a plurality of segments attached to a
bottom surface of an insole layer, e.g. the top layer. At least one
of the sections may be removed to create an empty space directly
beneath corresponding painful area of the foot. A means is provided
for attaching the removable sections.
[0007] The above-mentioned references differ from the present
invention in that none of them are intended to dispense lotions or
oils for a pedicure function. Levy and Valenzuela disclose devices
that are structurally as well as functionally distinct from the
present invention. Although the structural components of Freeman's
footwear appear to be similar, the smaller dispenser pattern and
the refilling technology of the present invention distinguish it in
the art.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide footwear with individual moisturizing soles to moisturize
the feet of a user.
[0009] A further object is to provide moisturizing footwear and
soles, which can be easily manufactured.
[0010] A further object is to provide moisturizing footwear and
soles that comprise several designs.
[0011] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide
moisturizing footwear and soles, which include refillable pouches
for holding moisturizing lotions. These and other objects of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present invention comprises of moisturizing footwear
with individual moisturizing soles. The soles of the moisturizing
footwear are multi-layered in structure and comprise a top a layer,
an intermediate layer, a bottom layer and two refillable pouches
containing a moisturizing lotion. The pouches are situated between
the intermediate and bottom layers, and located at the heel and
ball of the foot. The intermediate and bottom layers and top
surfaces of the pouches include a plurality of apertures through
which the moisturizing lotion dispenses to contact the feet of a
user. Employing the above structure of the soles, different types
of footwear, such as flip flops, slippers or shoes, can be
designed.
[0013] The individual soles are similar to the soles of
thesmoisturizing footwear. They comprise a top layer, a bottom
layer, an adhesive layer below the bottom layer, a backing layer
for covering the adhesive layer and two refillable pouches situated
between the top and bottom layers at the heel and ball of the foot
location. The top layer and the top surfaces of the ouches include
a plurality of apertures for the moisturizing lotion to pass
through. The backing layer is peeled off to stick the soles to
regular footwear such as shoes, sandals and the like. An alternate
embodiment comprises two separate soles, one for the heel and the
other for the ball of the foot. Suitable materials can be used for
different layers of the individual soles of the moisturizing
footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the moisturizing flip flops in
their disassembled condition showing multiple layers and refillable
pouches in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the moisturizing flip flops in
their assembled condition.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the
moisturizing footwear.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the single piece moisturizing
sole in its disassembled condition showing multiple layers and
refillable pouches in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the single piece moisturizing
sole in its assembled condition.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of separate moisturizing soles,
one for the heel and the other for the ball of the foot.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the footwear of the present
invention showing multiple locations of moisturizing patches.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removable pouch for
containing an emulsion.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a removable pouch for
containing an emulsion, including a porous lower surface and a
covered opening.
FIGURES--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0023] 10 . . . Footwear with Moisturizing Sole [0024] 11 . . .
Strap-like Member [0025] 12 . . . Top Layer of the Footwear Sole
[0026] 13 . . . Intermediate Layer of the Footwear Sole [0027] 14 .
. . Bottom Layer of the Footwear Sole [0028] 15 . . . Pouch [0029]
16 . . . Aperture [0030] 17 . . . Indented Surface [0031] 18 . . .
Tubular Opening [0032] 19 . . . Plug-like Member [0033] 20 . . .
Hole [0034] 21 . . . Alternate Embodiment of the Footwear with
Moisturizing Sole [0035] 22 . . . Enclosure [0036] 23 . . .
Moisturizing Sole [0037] 24 . . . Top Layer of the Moisturizing
Sole [0038] 25 . . . Bottom Layer of the Moisturizing Sole [0039]
26 . . . . Adhesive Layer [0040] 27 . . . Backing Layer [0041] 28 .
. . Alternate Embodiment of the Moisturizing Sole [0042] 29 . . .
Slit
DESCRIPTION
[0043] Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of
footwear and footwear soles with moisturizing features are
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. The present invention is
comprised of a plurality of designs for footwear with moisturizing
soles and individual moisturizing soles for use in conjunction with
regular footwear.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the embodiments of the
footwear with moisturizing soles 10 is shown. This embodiment is
similar to flip flops with strap-like members 11 for holding the
foot of a user. The footwear 10 mainly comprises a top layer 12, an
intermediate layer 13, a bottom layer 14 and two refillable pouches
15 containing a moisturizing lotion. Both the top and intermediate
layers include a plurality of apertures 16 at the heel and ball of
the foot location. The bottom layer includes indented surfaces 17
at the heel and ball of the foot location for receiving the pouches
15.
[0045] The pouches 15 also include a plurality of apertures 16 on
their top surfaces through which the moisturizing lotion can pass
through. The pouches 15 further include a tubular opening 18 and a
plug-like member 19 to cover the opening 18. Once the moisturizing
lotion is depleted, the plug-like member 19 is removed to refill
the pouch 15, as seen in FIG. 2. The bottom layer 14 includes holes
20 on its side surface to receive the tubular opening 18 of the
pouch. All the layers are assembled after aligning the plurality of
apertures 16 on the top layer 12, the intermediate layer 13, and
the pouches 15, thereby facilitating the moisturizing lotion to
ooze to contact the feet of the user.
[0046] The layers are made of suitable materials, for example, the
top layer 12 comprises faux suede material, and the intermediate
layer 13 comprises rubber or another resilient material. The bottom
layer 14 is the base of the footwear 10 and is made of rubber or a
similar durable material for providing a good grip and other
desired features.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the footwear
21 with moisturizing soles is shown. This embodiment is similar to
the previous one except that the straps 11 are replaced with an
enclosure 22, which can be made of soft suede, terry cloth, or
other similar materials. Alternatively, the multi-layered structure
along with the moisturizing pouches of the present invention can be
employed on other types of footwear such as sandals, shoes, and the
like. Also, additional layers can be selected to provide added
comfort and cushioning.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, singles piece and individual
moisturizing soles 23 for use in conjunction with regular footwear
also comprise a multilayer's structure. Two refillable pouches 15,
a top layer 24, a bottom layer 25, an adhesive layer 26 and a
backing layer 27 covering the adhesive layer 26 are the components
of the soles 23. The top layer 24 includes a plurality of apertures
16 at the heel and ball of the foot location. The bottom layer 25
includes holes 20 and indented surfaces 17 at the heel and ball of
the foot location for receiving the pouches. The pouches 15 used in
this embodiment 23 are similar to those used for the embodiments of
the footwear with moisturizing soles 10 and 21, which can be
refilled with a moisturizing lotion. The components are assembled
after aligning the plurality of apertures 16 on the top layer 24
and the pouches 15, thereby facilitating the moisturizing lotion to
ooze out to contact the feet of the user.
[0049] The backing layer 27 is peeled off to expose the adhesive
layer 26, which is then used to adhere the soles 23 to footwear
such as a flip flop, sandal, shoe, or the like. The plug-like
members 19 on the pouches 15 are removed for refilling. The top
layer 24 is made of soft faux suede material and the bottom layer
25 is made of durable material, such as rubber foam. The soles 23
include a slit 29 in top portion, preferable after the thumb
portion, for receiving the meeting portion of the straps of the
flip flops.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the moisturizing
soles 28 is comprised of two separate soles, one for the heel 28A
and the other for the ball of the foot 28B. The construction of
these soles 28A and 28B is similar to the single piece soles.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the invention is
shown and described, wherein refillable pouches are provided on the
shoe for trans-dermal patches. In this embodiment, the footwear 10
comprises a series of refillable pouches 15 on the top of the toe
portion 30, side portion 32, and tongue 34 of the shoe 10. In this
manner, materials in the pouches may be transferred to the dermal
surface of a user's foot. It is anticipated that these pouches,
located on the sides and atop a user's foot, may be used to hold
trans-dermal medications, detoxification remedies, and other
materials typically delivered by a skin patch.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, a removable pouch 40 is shown. While
the moisturizing footwear may include pouches permanently
incorporated into the footwear, an alternate embodiment is
anticipated wherein the refillable pouches are removable, and slide
into position at the pouch 15 locations of the shoe 10 as shown in
FIG. 7. In this manner, the footwear may be able to hold a pouch 40
filled with moisturizer, and at the user's option, the pouch 40 may
be removed and another inserted containing medications. The
removable pouches 40 will also be refillable through an aperture
42.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of a removable pouch
40 is shown and described. The removable pouch 40 comprises a
smooth top portion 44 facing away from a user's foot, and a porous
bottom portion 46 facing toward a user's foot, and preferably in
contact therewith. The porous bottom portion 46 releases material
into contact with a user's skin. It is anticipated that each pouch
40 will include an opening 48, which is closable, preferably by a
sealable flap 50, associated with the opening 48.
[0054] All features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0055] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means
for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a
specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step"
clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6. In
particular, the use of "step of" in the claims herein is not
intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.122, paragraph
6.
[0056] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions
may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present
invention has been described by way of illustration and not
limitation.
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