U.S. patent application number 14/592374 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for high heel hydrogel grip pads.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kimberly Anna O'NEILL. Invention is credited to Kimberly Anna O'NEILL.
Application Number | 20160198800 14/592374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56366548 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160198800 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'NEILL; Kimberly Anna |
July 14, 2016 |
HIGH HEEL HYDROGEL GRIP PADS
Abstract
A thin, flexible grip pad for placement on a person's foot and
prevent movement of the foot within a shoe, particularly a high
heel shoe. The grip pad is made up of a hydrogel adhesive layer
securing the pad to the foot on one surface and a frictional layer
on the other. On attachment of the pad to the foot, the frictional
layer comes into contact with the surface of the shoe.
Inventors: |
O'NEILL; Kimberly Anna;
(Somerville, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O'NEILL; Kimberly Anna |
Somerville |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56366548 |
Appl. No.: |
14/592374 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/58.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 21/00 20130101;
A43B 23/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/28 20060101
A43B023/28; A43B 21/00 20060101 A43B021/00 |
Claims
1. A flexible pad for attachment to a foot of a person to decrease
the movement of the foot in a shoe comprising: (a) a frictional
layer with an interior and exterior surface and (b) a hydrogel
adhesive layer on the interior surface of the frictional layer,
wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer is adapted to secures the pad
to the foot and the exterior surface of the frictional layer
engages a surface of the shoe.
2. (canceled)
3. The pad of claim 1, wherein the frictional layer comprises a
stretchable fabric comprising a film coating on the exterior
surface of the fabric.
4. The pad of claim 3, wherein the film comprises silicone.
5. The pad of claim 4, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises a
woven fabric.
6. The pad of claim 5, wherein the woven fabric comprises
polyester.
7. The pad of claim 6, wherein the silicone comprises 75%
dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide.
8. The pad of claim 4, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises a
nonwoven fabric.
9. The pad of claim 1, wherein the frictional layer comprises a
stretchable fabric comprising patterned protrusions on the exterior
surface of the fabric.
10. The pad of claim 8, wherein the protrusions form a dot
pattern.
11. The pad of claim 9, wherein the protrusions comprise
silicone.
12. The pad of claim 11, wherein the silicone comprises 75%
dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide.
13. The pad of claim 6, wherein a portion of the perimeter of the
interior surface of the frictional layer is free of the hydrogel
adhesive layer.
14. The pad of claim 6, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer covers
the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional
layer.
15. The pad of claim 13, wherein the pad is oval in shape.
16. The pad of claim 14, wherein the pad is hourglass in shape.
17. The pad of claim 11, wherein a portion of the perimeter of the
interior surface of the frictional layer is free of the hydrogel
adhesive layer.
18. The pad of claim 11, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer covers
the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional
layer.
19. The pad of claim 17, wherein the pad is oval in shape.
20. The pad of claim 18, wherein the pad is hourglass in shape.
Description
SPECIFICATION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates
generally to flexible grip pads for decreasing the movement of a
person's foot in a shoe, particularly a high heel shoe.
[0002] 2. Background of Invention
[0003] Repetitive movement of the foot in a shoe can cause pain,
discomfort and injury to the wearer. The forward sliding motion of
the foot in a shoe, or slipping, may occur for a variety of
reasons, such as: the material of the insole, the angle of the
shoe, the forward walking motion of the wearer and or the general
ill-fit of the shoe. On walking, the heel of the foot may also slip
into and out of the shoe. Toes cramming in the front of the shoe,
chafing or abrasions can result from the repetitive movement of the
foot as it comes into contact with the shoe material within the
confines of the shoe. This is particularly the case with high heel
shoes, where extensive pressure on areas of the foot from the angle
of the shoe further contributes to discomfort or injury.
[0004] Friction between the interior surfaces of a shoe and a
person's foot help prevent movement of a foot within a shoe. Some
of the current pads for decreasing movement of the foot in a shoe
require thick padding that can take up significant room within a
shoe. Thick padding can decrease the interior space of the shoe,
leading to foot chafing and abrasions in other areas of the foot.
Other pads are multi-layered and hard, further contributing to pain
and discomfort on walking.
[0005] Some of the current pads also require attachment of a
frictional material to the shoe. In these cases, the frictional
material comes into contact with the wearer's skin. Often times,
the contact of the frictional material with the wearer's skin leads
to the same injuries that the pads try to prevent. Sweat from the
foot may also decrease the function of the frictional
materials.
[0006] Another disadvantage of pads that attach to the shoe is
microbe growth on the material in contact with the wearer's skin
with repeated use. The adhesive used in these cases make it hard to
remove the pad after attachment, leading to damage to the shoe on
removal.
[0007] Yet another disadvantage is aesthetic. Often, particularly
for wearers of high heel shoes, appearance may be just as important
function. Attachment of a pad to the shoe is unattractively
apparent and ruins the design aesthetic of the high heel shoe.
[0008] For pads that attach to a person's foot, the shape or the
adhesive used often leads to the pad rubbing off or rolling off
with movement of the foot in the shoe. This often occurs,
particularly, over time with sweating of the foot. These pads also
often snag on a part of the shoe as the foot slides into the shoe,
particularly in the area of the heel of the foot.
[0009] Thus, for all the reasons above, there remains a need for a
pad that overcomes the above disadvantages.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages with
a pad comprising a hydrogel adhesive layer securing the pad to the
foot and a frictional layer in contact with the surface of a
shoe.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the present invention is a flexible
pad for attachment to the foot of a person to decrease the movement
of the foot in a shoe comprising: (a) a frictional layer with an
interior and exterior surface and (b) a hydrogel adhesive layer on
the interior surface of the frictional layer, wherein the hydrogel
adhesive layer secures the pad to the foot and the exterior surface
of the frictional layer engages a surface of the shoe.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the present invention further
comprises a release backing material on the side of the hydrogel
adhesive layer opposite from the interior surface of the frictional
layer.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the frictional layer of the present
invention comprises a stretchable fabric comprising a film coating
on the exterior surface of the fabric. In certain embodiments, the
film of the present invention comprises silicone. In certain
embodiments, the silicone of the present invention comprises 75%
dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide. In certain
embodiments, the stretchable fabric of the present invention
comprises a woven fabric. In certain embodiments, the stretchable
fabric of the present invention comprises a nonwoven fabric. In
certain embodiments, the woven fabric of the present invention
comprises polyester.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the frictional layer of the present
invention comprises a stretchable fabric comprising patterned
protrusions on the exterior surface of the fabric. In certain
embodiments, the protrusions of the present invention form a dot
pattern. In certain embodiments, the protrusions of the present
invention comprise silicone. In certain embodiments, the silicone
of the present invention comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25%
silicone dioxide.
[0015] In certain embodiments, a portion of the perimeter of the
interior surface of the frictional layer of the present invention
is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. In certain embodiments, the
hydrogel adhesive of the present invention covers the entire region
of the interior surface of the frictional layer.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the present invention is oval in
shape. In certain embodiments, the present invention is hourglass
in shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A depicts a preferred embodiment of the present
invention with dot pattern protrusions on the exterior surface of
the frictional layer of an oval shape pad.
[0018] FIG. 1B depicts a preferred embodiment of the present
invention with a hydrogel adhesive free boarder and a hydrogel
adhesive in the diagonally shaded region of the interior surface of
an oval shape pad.
[0019] FIG. 2A depicts a preferred embodiment of the present
invention with a smooth coated exterior surface of the frictional
layer of an hourglass shape pad.
[0020] FIG. 2B depicts a preferred embodiment of the present
invention with a hydrogel adhesive in the diagonally shaded region
of the interior surface of an hourglass shape pad.
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts the preferred placement on a person's foot
for different embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B and in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention relates to a pad for attachment to a
person's foot that is thin, flexible and conforms to the shape of
the foot providing for: cushioning to relieve pressure on the foot,
strong adhesion to secure the pad in place and friction to decrease
movement of the foot in a shoe. The pad of the present invention
comprises a hydrogel adhesive layer on one surface and a frictional
layer on the other.
[0023] The hydrogel adhesive layer of the present invention
comprises a hydrogel adhesive. The hydrogel adhesive provides for
adhesion securing the pad to the skin of a person's foot, sock or
stockings. The hydrogel adhesive provides strong pressure sensitive
adhesion without the risk of skin injury of traditional adhesive
tapes and leaves little or no residue on removal. The hydrogel
adhesive advantageously allows for the pad of the present invention
to stay in place so that it does not, particularly, for example,
over time with walking or sweating. After removal, the hydrogel
adhesive may also be rewetted to reapply the pad for repeated use.
The hydrogel adhesive is further preferably non-irritating,
non-sensitizing and hypoallergenic.
[0024] The hydrogel adhesive conforms to the shape of the foot and
follows the movement of the foot on walking This allows for better
adhesion of the pad of the present invention to the foot,
preventing the pad from rubbing or rolling off the foot or snagging
off on a portion of the shoe. Surprisingly, the hydrogel adhesive
also provides cushioning of the foot to relieve pressure on the
foot, particularly, for example, in the case of the wearer of high
heel shoes. The thickness and consistency of the hydrogel adhesive
provides adequate cushioning while being unnoticeable to the wearer
when walking
[0025] The hydrogel adhesive ranges from a thickness of about 1.2
to 2.5 mm and preferably about 1.7 to 1.9 mm. The hydrogel adhesive
may comprise crosslinked hydrophilic polymers, with polymers such
as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, quaternised polyvinyl
pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, methylvinyl ether and maleic
anhydride. The hydrogel adhesive may particularly comprise
polyacrylamide and poly(acrylamidehydroxyethyl methacrylate) or
K-90 polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. FIGS. 1B and 2B
depict preferred embodiments of the present invention and show the
hydrogel adhesive in the diagonally shaded region of the interior
surface of the pad.
[0026] The frictional layer of the present invention provides
traction to decrease the movement of the foot in the shoe. On
attachment of the pad of the present invention, the frictional
layer is on the exterior surface of the foot and makes contact with
the surface of the shoe when the foot is within the shoe. The
frictional layer may comprise a material increasing the friction or
traction of the pad of the present invention with the surface of
the shoe.
[0027] The frictional layer preferably comprises a stretchable
fabric for flexibility. The stretchable fabric may be a woven or
nonwoven fabric and preferably comprises polyester. The thickness
of the stretchable fabric is about 0.5 to 2 mm and more preferably
about 0.5 to 0.75 mm.
[0028] In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the frictional
layer may further comprise a film coating to increase friction and
traction with the surface of a shoe. The film may comprise
materials such as PVC or silicone. The film preferably comprises
silicone and more preferably comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and
25% silicon dioxide. The thickness of the film is about 0.5 to 2
mm, preferably about 0.5 to 1 mm and more preferably about 1 mm.
FIG. 2A depicts the film coated embodiment in a preferred hourglass
shape embodiment of the present invention. The film coated exterior
surface of the frictional layer of the pad is preferably smooth,
while increasing the friction between the pad and the surface of a
shoe.
[0029] In another embodiment, the exterior surface of the
frictional layer may further comprise a pattern of protrusions on
and extending from the surface of the stretchable fabric. The
patterned protrusions may be any pattern that increases the
friction and traction with the surface of a shoe. The patterned
protrusions may, for example, comprise of dots or lines of ridges.
The patterned protrusions preferably cover the entire surface of
the stretchable fabric. The patterned protrusions may comprise
materials such as PVC or silicone. The patterned protrusions
preferably comprise silicone and more preferably comprise 75%
dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicon dioxide. The protrusions
extend from the stretchable fabric about 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably
about 0.5 to 1 mm and more preferably about 1 mm. FIG. 1A depicts
the dot patterned protrusions embodiment in a preferred oval shape
embodiment of the present invention. The dots of patterned
protrusions may be any size but are preferably uniform in size.
[0030] The hydrogel adhesive layer of the present invention is
located on the interior surface of the frictional layer by any
means securing the two layers in place, such as, for example, by
bonding. Preferably, the two layers are secured together through
pressure. In one embodiment, the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the
entire region of the interior surface of the frictional layer.
FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the exterior and interior surfaces of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A depicts the
exterior fictional layer surface of the preferred embodiment. FIG.
2B depicts the interior surface of the preferred embodiment with
diagonally shaded lines representing the hydrogel adhesive layer,
where the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the entire interior
surface of a pad of the present invention.
[0031] In another embodiment, a portion of the interior surface of
the frictional layer along the perimeter of the pad of the present
invention is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. The size of this
perimeter portion is just large enough to catch the hydrogel
adhesive as it expands on attachment of the pad or as the hydrogel
expends from the pressure of the foot on walking. FIGS. 1A and 1B
depict the exterior and interior surfaces of a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 1A depicts the exterior fictional
layer surface of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 1B depicts the
interior surface of the preferred embodiment with diagonally shaded
lines representing the hydrogel adhesive layer. FIG. 1B depicts an
outer perimeter region of the embodiment free of the hydrogel
adhesive layer; this shade-free perimeter region represents the
interior surface of the frictional layer.
[0032] In one embodiment, the pad of the present invention is oval
in shape, longer along one dimension than the other and curves
along one or both dimensions. Preferably, the oval shape comprises
a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the frictional layer
free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. The size of the oval shape pad
may be as large as necessary to cover the ball of the foot. For
example, for women's shoe sizes 4-9 the oval shape pad may be about
63.5 mm by 38.1 mm along its largest horizontal and vertical
dimensions. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the exterior and interior
surfaces of an oval shape embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
3 depicts the oval shape pad of FIGS. 1A and 1B embodiment,
preferably, attached to and covering the ball of a person's foot
with dot patterned protrusions on the exterior surface for contact
with a shoe.
[0033] In another embodiment, the pad of the present invention is
hourglass in shape, curving inwards along one edge of one dimension
to a center area and then outwards to the other edge of the same
dimension. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the exterior and interior
surfaces of an hourglass shape embodiment of the present invention.
The curvature preferably starts on a portion of the pad to create
flap like projection at the four corners of the pad. Preferably,
the hydrogel adhesive layer of the hourglass shape pad extends to
the edge of the interior surface of the frictional layer (FIG. 2B).
This prevents the pad of the present invention from snagging on a
portion of the shoe when sliding the foot into a shoe, particularly
when the pad is applied to the heel of the foot. FIG. 3 depicts the
hourglass shape pad of FIGS. 2A and 2B embodiment, preferably,
attached to and covering the heel of a person's foot with a smooth
exterior surface for contact with a shoe. FIG. 3 also depicts the
preferred placement of the hourglass shape pad around the heel of a
person's foot with the curvature of the pad located on the sides of
a person's foot. The flaps on the four corners of the hourglass
shape pad project horizontally from the pad to secure the pad to
the foot.
[0034] The size of the hourglass shape pad may be as large as
necessary to cover the heel of the foot without feeling unnatural
or uncomfortable to the wearer. The size of the hourglass shape pad
may also be as large as necessary to wrap around a person's heel to
further prevent the pad from snagging on a portion of the shoe when
sliding the foot into a shoe. For example, for women's shoe sizes
4-9 the hourglass shape pad may be about 63.5 mm by 63.5 mm along
its largest horizontal and vertical dimensions.
[0035] The pad of the present invention is preferably skin tone in
color, in a color commonly seen in hosiery, such as, white, tan,
black and navy or any color that would decrease noticeability of
the pad of the present invention. The pad further comprises a
release backing material on the surface of the hydrogel adhesive
layer to protect the pad of the present invention before use. The
release backing material is peeled off and disposed to expose the
hydrogel adhesive layer such that the pad of the present invention
may be attached to a person's foot.
[0036] The description and drawings herein focuses on one or more
embodiments of the present invention. The description and drawings
are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications
and alternatives as also within the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *