U.S. patent application number 16/881826 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-26 for foot cover and method for manufacturing foot cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is OKAMOTO Corporation. Invention is credited to Yuji OBAYASHI.
Application Number | 20200367599 16/881826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004869598 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200367599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OBAYASHI; Yuji |
November 26, 2020 |
FOOT COVER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FOOT COVER
Abstract
The present invention provides the foot cover which inhibits
deterioration in comfort in wearing and decrease in flexibility
which would be caused by an adhesive member provided at a heel
part. The foot cover includes a plantar part which is to cover a
sole of a foot, and a side part which is to cover a toe and a heel
of the foot and to cover both sides of the foot which extend from
the toe to the heel. The side part is made of seamless annular
flexible cloth having a foot insertion opening part, and the
plantar part is joined to the side part with a joining process
excluding sewing.
Inventors: |
OBAYASHI; Yuji; (Nara,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OKAMOTO Corporation |
Nara |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004869598 |
Appl. No.: |
16/881826 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/101 20130101;
A43D 43/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/10 20060101
A43B003/10; A43D 43/06 20060101 A43D043/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2019 |
JP |
2019-097765 |
Apr 9, 2020 |
JP |
2020-070595 |
Claims
1. A foot cover, comprising: a plantar part which is to cover a
sole of a foot; and a side part which is to cover a toe and a heel
of the foot and to cover both sides of the foot which extend from
the toe to the heel, the side part being made of annular flexible
cloth having an opening which serves as a foot insertion opening,
the plantar part being joined to the side part with a joining
process excluding sewing, the annular flexible cloth of which the
side part is made being seamless or being constituted by pieces of
flexible cloth which are joined to each other at a seam with a
joining process excluding sewing, the seam being provided at a
location excluding a heel rear part which corresponds to a rear end
of the heel.
2. The foot cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the annular
flexible cloth has a substantially planar shape.
3. The foot cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein the plantar part
is joined to the side part such that the foot cover as a whole has
a substantially planar shape when seen in a side view.
4. The foot cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plantar part
includes (i) an inner cloth which is to make contact with the foot
and (ii) an outer cloth which covers the inner cloth.
5. The foot cover as set forth in claim 4, wherein the inner cloth
and the outer cloth are made of different materials.
6. The foot cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein a joint part
between the plantar part and the side part is located on a sole
side of the foot.
7. The foot cover as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a
joining member which joins an outer peripheral part of the plantar
part to an outer peripheral part of the side part in an unsewn
joining manner.
8. The foot cover as set forth in claim 7, wherein the plantar part
is joined to the side part with the joining member in an
arrangement in which the plantar part and the side part do not
overlap with each other.
9. The foot cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible
cloth is free cut cloth.
10. A method for manufacturing a foot cover, said method
comprising: a plantar part forming step of forming a plantar part
which is to cover a sole of a foot; a side part forming step of
forming a side part which is to cover a toe and a heel of the foot
and to cover both sides of the foot which extend from the toe to
the heel; and a joining step of joining the plantar part to the
side part with a joining process excluding sewing, in the side part
forming step, (i) the side part being formed by cutting flexible
cloth such that the side part has an opening serving as a foot
insertion opening and has a substantially planar shape and a
seamless annular shape, or (ii) the side part being formed by
joining pieces of flexible cloth with a joining process excluding
sewing such that the side part has an opening serving as a foot
insertion opening and has a substantially planar shape and an
annular shape having a seam provided at a location excluding a heel
rear part which corresponds to a rear end of the heel.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the plantar part
is joined to the side part with a belt-shaped joining member in the
joining step such that the plantar part and the side part do not
overlap with each other.
12. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the plantar part
is joined to the side part with heat seal in the joining step such
that an outer peripheral part of the plantar part and an outer
peripheral part of the side part overlap with each other.
13. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the plantar part
is joined to the side part with an adhesive agent in the joining
step such that an outer peripheral part of the plantar part and an
outer peripheral part of the side part overlap with each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 on Patent Application No. 2019-097765 filed in
Japan on May 24, 2019 and on Patent Application No. 2020-070595
filed in Japan on Apr. 9, 2020, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a foot cover. Specifically,
the present invention relates to a foot cover in which pieces of
cloth thereof are joined together with a method other than
sewing.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, shoes such as pumps or sneakers are widely
worn as if bare feet are directly wearing the shoes. In a case
where bare feet directly wear shoes, the inside of the shoes gets
sweaty due to sweat and the like. In order to deal with this, foot
covers are usually worn. However, if the foot cover has a sewn
(seam) part, the sewn part digs into the skin due to compression by
pumps or the like or the sewn part makes contact with the skin and
thus comfort in wearing is deteriorated.
[0004] Under the circumstances, foot covers having no sewn parts
have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent
Literature 2 disclose foot covers each of which is formed to have a
three-dimensional shape having no sewn part by joining knit fabrics
together with an adhesive tape. In Patent Literature 1, a first
flexible knit fabric constituting a lateral side part, a heel part,
and a toe part is joined to a second flexible knit fabric
constituting a plantar part with an adhesive member such as an
adhesive tape. Thus, the foot cover is formed into a
three-dimensional shape without a seam part. In Patent Literature
2, edges of one sheet of flexible knit fabric are joined together
with use of an adhesive tape. Thus, a foot cover is formed into a
three-dimensional shape without a sewn part.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] [Patent Literature 1]
[0006] Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No.
2018-95996 (Publication date: Jun. 21, 2018)
[0007] [Patent Literature 2]
[0008] Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No.
2017-14669 (Publication date: Jan. 19, 2017)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] However, according to the techniques disclosed in Patent
Literatures 1 and 2, the foot cover has the configuration in which
the adhesive tape is attached on a heel part (heel rear part) at
which the foot cover tends to come off. The foot cover is typically
formed such that an area of a part covering the foot becomes small
so that the foot cover is hardly seen when being worn. Therefore,
the foot cover has a structure with which the foot cover easily
comes off. In most cases, when the foot cover comes off, the heel
part of the foot cover first slips off, and then the plantar part
and the side part on the heel side also come off together so as to
follow the heel part. As such, in a case where the adhesive tape is
attached on the heel part (heel rear part) at which the foot cover
easily comes off, a problem occurs in which flexibility of cloth is
deteriorated and this makes the foot cover come off more easily due
to displacement of a wearing position. Further, in the heel part,
the cloth strongly fits to the foot. Therefore, in a case where the
adhesive tape is attached to the heel part (heel rear part), a
problem of deterioration in comfort in wearing also occurs.
[0010] An aspect of the present invention is accomplished in view
of the problems, and its object is to provide a foot cover which
inhibits deterioration in comfort in wearing and which is less
likely to be displaced and less likely to come off.
Solution to Problem
[0011] In order to attain the object, a foot cover in accordance
with an aspect of the present invention includes: a plantar part
which is to cover a sole of a foot; and a side part which is to
cover a toe and a heel of the foot and to cover both sides of the
foot which extend from the toe to the heel, the side part being
made of annular flexible cloth having an opening which serves as a
foot insertion opening, the plantar part being joined to the side
part with a joining process excluding sewing, the annular flexible
cloth of which the side part is made being seamless or being
constituted by pieces of flexible cloth which are joined to each
other at a seam with a joining process excluding sewing, the seam
being provided at a location excluding a heel rear part which
corresponds to a rear end of the heel.
[0012] In order to attain the object, a method for manufacturing a
foot cover in accordance with an aspect of the present invention
includes: a plantar part forming step of forming a plantar part
which is to cover a sole of a foot; a side part forming step of
forming a side part which is to cover a toe and a heel of the foot
and to cover both sides of the foot which extend from the toe to
the heel; and a joining step of joining the plantar part to the
side part with a joining process excluding sewing, in the side part
forming step, (i) the side part being formed by cutting flexible
cloth such that the side part has an opening serving as a foot
insertion opening and has a substantially planar shape and a
seamless annular shape, or (ii) the side part being formed by
joining pieces of flexible cloth with a joining process excluding
sewing such that the side part has an opening serving as a foot
insertion opening and has a substantially planar shape and an
annular shape having a seam provided at a location excluding a heel
rear part which corresponds to a rear end of the heel.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is
possible to provide the foot cover which inhibits deterioration in
comfort in wearing and which is less likely to be displaced and
less likely to come off.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a
foot is wearing a foot cover in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the foot cover.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating the foot cover
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the foot cover
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a left side view illustrating the foot cover
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the foot
cover illustrated in FIG. 2 is turned inside out so that a joining
member is exposed.
[0020] FIG. 7 is an end view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a foot cover in
accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0022] The following description will discuss an embodiment of the
present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6. In
Embodiment 1, a foot cover 1 will be described which can be used
for both a right foot and a left foot so that a case of putting a
foot cover on the wrong foot will not occur. Note, however, that
Embodiment 1 is not limited to this and it is possible to provide
foot covers for a left foot and a right foot, respectively. For
example, the foot cover 1 can have a shape of tabi sock (two-toed
sock) or have a shape of five-toed sock.
[0023] (Overview of Foot Cover)
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a
foot F is wearing a foot cover 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of
the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the foot cover 1
includes (i) a plantar part 2 which covers a sole 10 of the foot F
and (ii) a side part 3 which covers a toe 11 and a heel 12 of the
foot F and covers both sides 13 of the foot F which extend from the
toe 11 to the heel 12. The foot cover 1 is formed by joining outer
peripheral parts of two sheets of substantially planar cloth, which
constitute the plantar part 2 and the side part 3, respectively,
with a joining process excluding sewing (unsewn joining process).
The term "sewing" used herein refers to a general process of
stitching a piece of cloth and another piece of cloth with use of a
separate thread-like material, and the term "sewing" is not limited
to a particular stitching process (i.e., way of stitching) and a
particular type of thread.
[0025] The side part 3 is made of flexible cloth. The side part 3
has, in its substantially center part, an opening which has a
substantially elliptical shape and serves as a foot insertion
opening part (foot insertion opening) 3b through which the foot F
is inserted into the foot cover 1 and goes out from the foot cover
1. The foot insertion opening part 3b is formed largely such that
an instep and an ankle of the foot F are exposed. According to the
configuration, the foot cover 1 can be worn so that, when a shoe is
worn, the foot cover 1 entirely hides in the shoe and cannot be
seen.
[0026] The plantar part 2 and the side part 3 are constituted by
synthetic fibers made of a material such as nylon or polyester so
that, for example, the plantar part 2 and the side part 3 are
joined to each other by ultrasonic welding (later described) or the
like. It is preferable to use knit fabrics because knit fabrics
have higher flexibility, but woven fabrics can also be used.
[0027] (Configuration of Foot Cover)
[0028] The following description will discuss a specific
configuration of the foot cover 1 with reference to FIGS. 2 through
6. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the foot cover 1 in
accordance with Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating
the foot cover 1. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the foot
cover 1. FIG. 5 is a rear view illustrating the foot cover 1. FIG.
6 illustrates a state in which the foot cover 1 is turned inside
out to expose a joining member 4.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the side part 3 has a shape
corresponding to an outer peripheral shape of the plantar part 2.
The side part 3 is formed by cutting one sheet of seamless flexible
cloth such that the side part 3 becomes slightly larger in size
than the plantar part 2. Moreover, the foot insertion opening part
3b is formed in the side part 3 by cutting out a substantially
center part of the side part 3. From this, the side part 3 is
formed into an annular shape surrounding the foot insertion opening
part 3b. Further, the side part 3 is formed to be seamless and
substantially planar.
[0030] Note that the side part 3 is not limited to the seamless
structure. The side part 3 can have a seam which is provided at a
location excluding a heel rear part (see the reference numeral
"32a" in FIG. 8) that corresponds to a rear end of the heel 12.
That is, the side part 3 only needs to have a configuration in
which a seam is not provided in the heel rear part. In a case where
no seam is provided in the heel rear part, it is possible to
inhibit deterioration in comfort in wearing at the heel part of the
foot cover 1. In this specification, the rear end of the heel 12
refers to a rear surface region of the heel 12 (calcaneus) located
at the rear end of the foot F. Moreover, the heel rear part of the
side part 3 refers to a rear end region of the heel part of the
side part 3 corresponding to the rear end of the heel 12. In
particular, the heel rear part of the side part 3 refers to a
vertical-strip-like region which divides the heel part of the side
part 3 (or the rear surface of the heel 12 (calcaneus)) into right
and left parts (i.e., divides into two substantially equal parts)
in a rear view of the foot cover 1 which is being worn. Note that
an example configuration of a foot cover in which a side part has a
seam will be described later in another embodiment.
[0031] The side part 3 is made of flexible cloth. Therefore, in a
case where the foot cover 1 is worn, the side part 3 can fit along
a three-dimensional shape of the foot F, and this makes it possible
to prevent the foot cover 1 from coming off or prevent displacement
of a wearing position.
[0032] An area by which the instep of the foot F is covered can be
adjusted by changing the shape of the foot insertion opening part
3b. In a case where a length of the foot insertion opening part 3b
in a longitudinal direction is set to be longer, it is possible to
obtain a foot cover 1 for so-called "shallow wearing". In contrast,
in a case where the length of the foot insertion opening part 3b in
the longitudinal direction is set to be shorter, it is possible to
obtain a foot cover 1 for "deep wearing".
[0033] Note that, in a case where a diameter of an arc 3c of the
foot insertion opening part 3b on a heel 12 side is set to be
greater than that of an arc 3d of an outer periphery of the foot
cover 1 on the heel 12 side, a covered area of the heel 12 of the
foot F becomes large when the foot cover 1 is worn. This makes it
possible to prevent the foot cover 1 from coming off.
[0034] In a case where the side part 3 is made of free cut cloth
(which is cloth whose edge does not need to be settled), it is not
necessary to (i) carry out a hemming process with respect to an
edge of the foot insertion opening part 3b for prevention of a
frayed spot or (ii) provide flexible thin cloth or a resin along a
peripheral edge of the foot insertion opening part 3b. Further, in
such a case, comfort in wearing is improved.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plantar part 2 has a toe part
2d and a heel part 2e which are arc-shaped in accordance with a
shape of the sole 10 of the foot F. A diameter of the arc of the
toe part 2d is set to be slightly larger than a diameter of the
heel part 2e. Moreover, lateral parts 2f each of which extends from
the toe part 2d to the heel part 2e and corresponds to the arch of
foot are arc-shaped (i.e., gently concaved) so as to come closer to
each other. Note that the plantar part 2 is not limited to this
shape and can be changed to have another shape in accordance with a
shape of the foot F.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 4, an appearance shape of the foot
cover 1 is a substantially planar shape in the side view. That is,
the foot cover 1 is formed by joining outer peripheral parts 2a and
3a of two sheets of substantially planar cloth, which constitute
the plantar part 2 and the side part 3, respectively, with an
unsewn joining process such that the foot cover 1 has the
substantially planar shape as a whole.
[0037] Specifically, the heel part in the side part 3 of the foot
cover 1 is not subjected to processing, stitching, sewing for
joining, or the like by which the side part 3 would stand in a
direction (e.g., a substantially vertical direction) other than the
plane direction in a state where the foot cover 1 is not worn.
Thus, the side part 3 has the shape which is substantially planar
and is seamless. The outer peripheral part 3a of the side part 3 is
joined to the outer peripheral part 2a of the plantar part 2, which
has a substantially planar shape as with the side part 3, such that
the foot cover 1 is formed to have a substantially planar shape.
From this, the foot cover 1 as a whole has the substantially planar
shape in the side view, front view, and the like as illustrated in
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. That is, the foot cover 1 has a
non-three-dimensional shape which does not constitute a substantial
height except for thicknesses of the cloth and the joining member
and for wrinkles or strains that naturally occur. From this, in a
case where the foot cover 1 is mounted on a display pasteboard
which imitates a sole and the cloth is slightly stretched along a
pasteboard surface, cloth surfaces cling to pasteboard surfaces on
both sides (i.e., the side part 3 and the plantar part 2) of the
foot cover 1.
[0038] From this, in a case where the foot cover 1 is packaged
while being mounted on a piece of pasteboard, no wrinkles or no
creases are caused, and it is therefore possible to display the
foot cover 1 at a selling area or the like without impairing a
shape of a product. Moreover, the foot cover 1 can save a storage
area because the foot cover 1 is not bulky, and thus can be
efficiently transported. Further, it is possible to omit a
procedure of joining at a seam.
[0039] The foot cover 1 as a whole has the substantially planar
shape. From this, when the foot cover 1 is worn, cloth of the side
part 3 at a portion corresponding to the heel 12 stands along a
shape of the heel. Accordingly, force for causing the cloth to fit
to the heel 12 tends to occur. Further, the outer peripheral parts
2a and 3a of respective of the plantar part 2 and the side part 3
are formed by an unsewn joining process. From this, no protruding
part is generated by sewing, and therefore the foot cover 1 is more
likely to fit to the shape of heel. According to the configuration,
it is possible to heighten a fit with respect to the whole heel 12,
and it is possible to inhibit the foot cover 1 from being displaced
or from coming off.
[0040] (Ultrasonic Welding)
[0041] The plantar part 2 and the side part 3 are joined to each
other by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The ultrasonic welding
is a process of instantly melting and joining two sheets of cloth
with frictional heat that is generated by applying ultrasonic
vibration and pressure to joining surfaces of the cloth. By the
ultrasonic welding, joining can be carried out in an arrangement in
which the joining surfaces of cloth face and contact with each
other. From this, the two sheets of cloth do not need to overlap
with each other for joining, and it is thus possible to form a
substantially flat joint part 5 that does not convexly protrude.
This makes it possible to improve comfort in wearing.
[0042] (Joining Member)
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the joint part 5 is preferably
located in the vicinity of an edge of the sole 10 of the foot F.
However, the joint part 5 can be located closer to the center. In
Embodiment 1, for example, a joining member 4 such as an adhesive
tape is attached onto the joint part 5 inside the foot cover 1. The
adhesive tape is made of an adhesive material such as an acrylic
resin or a silicon-based resin or of a synthetic rubber. The
adhesive tape is used in a process in which the adhesive tape is
fused by heat for joining pieces of cloth.
[0044] The joining member 4 having a belt-like shape is attached to
an inner side part of the side part 3 such that a line of the joint
part 5 extends on the middle in width of the joining member 4, and
it is thus possible to enhance strength of the joint part 5.
[0045] Note that, in a state in which the foot cover 1 is worn on
the foot F, the side part 3 stretches in accordance with the shape
of the foot F because the side part 3 is made of flexible cloth.
From this, the foot cover 1 can fit the foot F. Here, if the
plantar part 2 is joined to the side part 3 by sewing, the joint
part 5 is to have a convexly protruding thin line shape. Therefore,
when a wearer walks, the joint part 5 may also move concomitantly
with the motion of walking. If the joint part 5 clings to the toe
11 or the wearer steps on the convexly protruding joint part 5,
comfort in wearing is deteriorated. Moreover, the joint part 5
convexly protrudes, and therefore it is difficult to form the foot
cover into the substantially planar shape as a whole. In
particular, in a case where cloth of the side part 3 is thin, an
appearance in display tends to be impaired by, for example, a
convex appearing on the front surface.
[0046] In contrast, according to the foot cover 1 in accordance
with Embodiment 1, the substantially planar plantar part 2 is
joined to the substantially planar side part 3 by an unsewn joining
process. This makes it possible to suitably form the foot cover 1
into a substantially planar shape as a whole, as well as to prevent
deterioration in comfort in wearing and to prevent the foot cover 1
from easily coming off.
[0047] (Method for Manufacturing Foot Cover)
[0048] The following description will discuss a method for
manufacturing the foot cover 1. The method for manufacturing the
foot cover 1 includes a plantar part forming step of forming a
plantar part 2, a side part forming step of forming a side part 3,
and a joining step of joining the plantar part 2 to the side part 3
with an unsewn joining process.
[0049] In the method for manufacturing the foot cover 1, flexible
cloth is cut in accordance with an intended pattern so as to form a
side part 3 which (i) has an opening serving as a foot insertion
opening part 3b and (ii) has a substantially planar shape and a
seamless annular shape in the side part forming step. According to
the configuration, outer peripheral parts of two sheets of
substantially planar cloth respectively constituting the plantar
part 2 and the side part 3 are joined together with an unsewn
joining process in the joining step, and it is thus possible to
manufacture the foot cover 1 which can inhibit deterioration in
comfort in wearing and decrease in flexibility.
[0050] Note that, in the joining step, it is possible (i) to carry
out ultrasonic welding of the plantar part 2 and the side part 3
such that the plantar part 2 and the side part 3 do not overlap
with each other and (ii) further to join the plantar part 2 to the
side part 3 with a belt-shaped joining member 4. This makes it
possible to reduce a thickness of the joint part 5, and thus
comfort in wearing is improved.
[0051] Alternatively, in the joining step, it is possible to join
the plantar part 2 to the side part 3 with heat seal or an adhesive
agent such that an outer peripheral part of the plantar part 2 and
an outer peripheral part the side part 3 overlap with each other.
This makes it possible to easily join the plantar part 2 to the
side part 3. Note that it is possible to attach a joining member 4
such as an adhesive tape to a joint part 5 at which the plantar
part 2 is joined to the side part 3 with heat seal or an adhesive
agent. This makes it possible to enhance strength of the joint part
5.
Embodiment 2
[0052] The following description will discuss another embodiment of
the present invention with reference to FIG. 7. For convenience of
explanation, the same reference numerals are given to constituent
members having functions identical with those of the constituent
members described in the foregoing embodiment, and descriptions of
such constituent members are not repeated here.
[0053] (Double-Layered Bottom)
[0054] FIG. 7 is an end view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2.
Note that, although the foot cover 1 is configured to have a
substantially planar shape, the foot cover 1 is three-dimensionally
illustrated in FIG. 7 for convenience of explanation. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the plantar part 2 can be configured to
include an inner cloth 2b which is to make contact with the foot F
and an outer cloth 2c which covers the inner cloth 2b from the
outer side. According to the configuration, it is possible to use
different materials for the inner cloth 2b and the outer cloth 2c.
For example, it is possible that (i) natural fiber cloth which is
kind to the skin and has good breathability is used for the inner
cloth 2b and (ii) synthetic fiber cloth which has higher strength
and can be subjected to ultrasonic welding is used for the outer
cloth 2c.
[0055] In this case, the outer cloth 2c of the plantar part 2 and
the side part 3 are joined to each other by, for example,
ultrasonic welding. A joining member 4a such as an adhesive tape is
attached onto a joint part 5, which has been obtained by ultrasonic
welding, so as to reinforce the joint part 5. Further, the inner
cloth 2b is placed on the outer cloth 2c and the joining member 4a,
and the joining member 4b such as an adhesive tape is attached to
join the joining member 4a to the inner cloth 2b.
[0056] By thus carrying out joining by ultrasonic welding and then
further carrying out joining with use of the joining member 4 such
as an adhesive tape, it is possible to make the joint part 5 flat,
prevent deterioration in comfort in wearing, and maintain
sufficient joint strength.
Embodiment 3
[0057] The following description will discuss still another
embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 8. For
convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given
to constituent members having functions identical with those of the
constituent members described in the foregoing embodiments, and
descriptions of such constituent members are not repeated here.
[0058] (Configuration of Foot Cover)
[0059] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a foot cover 1a in
accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 8
illustrates a state in which the foot cover 1a is turned inside
out.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the foot cover 1a includes a
plantar part 2 and a side part 30. The side part 30 includes a
first side part 31 (side part) and a second side part (side part,
heel part) 32. The first side part 31 is made of flexible cloth
which covers the toe 11 and the both sides 13 of the foot F. The
second side part 32 is made of flexible cloth which covers the heel
12 of the foot F. The first side part 31 and the second side part
32 are joined together with a joining process excluding sewing at
heel side parts of the side part 30 which correspond to both sides
(i.e., right and left) of the heel 12 of the foot F. As such, the
side part 30 made of annular flexible cloth is formed.
[0061] In each of the heel side parts of the side part 30, a seam 6
is provided which is a joint part between the first side part 31
and the second side part 32. The first side part 31 is joined to
the second side part 32 at the seam 6, and thus a foot insertion
opening part 3b having a substantially rectangular shape is formed
in a substantially center part of the side part 30. In the foot
cover 1a, an area of the side part 30 which covers the instep of
the foot F is larger than that of the foot cover 1 described above.
That is, the foot cover 1a is a "deep wearing" type foot cover in
which a length of the foot insertion opening part 3b in the
longitudinal direction is shorter than that of the foot cover
1.
[0062] Here, in the foot cover 1a, the seam 6 is provided at a
location excluding the heel rear part 32a of the second side part
32 so that the seam 6 does not exist in the heel rear part 32a
which corresponds to the rear end of the heel 12. That is, in a
rear view of the foot cover 1a which is being worn, the seam 6 is
provided at the location excluding the heel rear part 32a which is
a vertical-strip-like region that longitudinally extends through a
middle part of the second side part 32 so as to divide the second
side part 32 into right and left parts (i.e., divide into two
substantially equal parts). In a case where the seam 6 is provided
at the location excluding the heel rear part 32a, the seam 6 does
not exist in the rear end of the heel 12 which tends to feel a fit.
Thus, the deterioration in comfort in wearing is inhibited. From
this, it is possible to inhibit deterioration in comfort in wearing
at the heel part (second side part 32) of the foot cover 1a.
[0063] Note that the seam 6 only needs to be provided at a location
other than the heel rear part 32a. Therefore, seams 6 can be
provided in both heel side parts of the side part 30 as in
Embodiment 3, as long as the seams 6 are provided at the location
excluding the heel rear part 32a. Alternatively, it is possible to
provide the seam 6 at a location different from the heel side
parts.
[0064] (Method for Manufacturing Foot Cover)
[0065] The method for manufacturing the foot cover 1a includes a
plantar part forming step of forming a plantar part 2, a side part
forming step of forming a side part 30, and a joining step of
joining the plantar part 2 to the side part 30 with an unsewn
joining process. Among those steps, the plantar part forming step
and the joining step are substantially the same as those in the
above described method for manufacturing the foot cover 1 and are
therefore not described here.
[0066] In the side part forming step, flexible cloth is cut in
accordance with a pattern of the first side part 31 and with a
pattern of the second side part 32. Then, the flexible cloth of the
first side part 31 thus cut is joined, with an unsewn joining
process, to the flexible cloth of the second side part 32 thus cut.
In this case, the first side part 31 is joined to the second side
part 32 such that the seam 6 is located at a location excluding the
heel rear part 32a. Thus, the annular side part 30 is formed which
has an opening serving as a foot insertion opening part 3b, has a
substantially planar shape, and has the seam 6 that is provided at
a location excluding the heel rear part 32a. Then, outer peripheral
parts of two sheets of substantially planar cloth which
respectively constitute the plantar part 2 and the side part 30 are
joined together with an unsewn joining process in the joining step,
and it is thus possible to manufacture the foot cover 1a.
[0067] (Effect of Foot Cover)
[0068] The foot cover 1a in accordance with Embodiment 3 includes
(i) the plantar part 2 which is to cover the sole 10 of the foot F
and (ii) the side part 30 which is to cover the toe 11 and the heel
12 of the foot F and to cover both sides 13 of the foot F which
extend from the toe 11 to the heel 12. In the side part 30, the
seam 6 is provided at a location excluding the heel rear part 32a
which corresponds to the rear end of the heel 12, and the side part
30 is made of annular flexible cloth in which flexible cloth of the
first side part 31 is joined to flexible cloth of the second side
part 32 at the seam 6 with a joining process excluding sewing.
[0069] According to the foot cover 1a, the side part 30 is made of
annular flexible cloth having a joint at the location (seam 6)
excluding the heel rear part 32a. This makes it possible to inhibit
deterioration in comfort in wearing and inhibit the foot cover 1a
from being displaced and from coming off.
Modification Example
[0070] The examples described in the above embodiments can be
altered as appropriate. For example, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment
2, the joining process has been described in which the ultrasonic
welding and the adhesive tape are used in combination.
Alternatively, it is possible to employ, for example, the following
joining processes, provided that the process is not sewing.
[0071] (Heat Seal)
[0072] The plantar part 2 can be joined to the side part 3 with,
for example, heat seal. The outer peripheral part 2a of the plantar
part 2 is overlapped with the outer peripheral part 3a of the side
part 3, and the overlapping part is heated so as to be sealed by
fusion. According to this process, it is possible to carry out
bonding without impairing flexibility of cloth of the joint
part.
[0073] (Adhesive Agent)
[0074] The plantar part 2 can be joined to the side part 3 with,
for example, an adhesive agent. The outer peripheral part 2a of the
plantar part 2 is overlapped with the outer peripheral part 3a of
the side part 3, then an adhesive agent such as an adhesive polymer
is applied to the overlapping part, and then the outer peripheral
part 2a and the outer peripheral part 3a are joined together with
heat seal. Alternatively, it is possible to carry out the joining
by applying an adhesive agent which can achieve joining without
heating.
[0075] (Non-Slip Structure)
[0076] The example has been described in which the adhesive tape is
attached to the joint part 5 inside the foot cover 1 for
reinforcing the joint part 5. Alternatively, it is possible to
attach an adhesive tape which has a friction coefficient higher
than that of the plantar part 2 to the joint part 5 from the
outside of the foot cover 1 such that the adhesive tape serves also
as a non-slip structure.
[0077] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but
can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of
the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its
technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical
means disclosed in differing embodiments.
[0078] Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as
follows:
[0079] The foot cover in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention includes: a plantar part which is to cover a sole of a
foot; and a side part which is to cover a toe and a heel of the
foot and to cover both sides of the foot which extend from the toe
to the heel, the side part being made of annular flexible cloth
having an opening which serves as a foot insertion opening, the
plantar part being joined to the side part with a joining process
excluding sewing, the annular flexible cloth of which the side part
is made being seamless or being constituted by pieces of flexible
cloth which are joined to each other at a seam with a joining
process excluding sewing, the seam being provided at a location
excluding a heel rear part which corresponds to a rear end of the
heel.
[0080] According to the configuration, the side part is made of
seamless annular flexible cloth or of annular flexible cloth having
a joint obtained by an unsewn joining process at a location
excluding the heel rear part. This makes it possible to provide the
foot cover which inhibits deterioration in comfort in wearing and
is less likely to be displaced and less likely to come off.
[0081] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the annular flexible cloth can have a
substantially planar shape.
[0082] According to the configuration, the annular flexible cloth
of which the side part is made has the substantially planar shape.
From this, it is possible to reduce a height of the foot cover as a
whole in a state in which the foot cover is not worn.
[0083] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the plantar part can be joined to the side
part such that the foot cover as a whole has a substantially planar
shape when seen in a side view.
[0084] According to the configuration, the foot cover as a whole
has the substantially planar shape. From this, in a case where the
foot cover is packaged while being mounted on a piece of
pasteboard, no wrinkles or no creases are caused, and it is
therefore possible to display the foot cover at a selling area or
the like without impairing a shape of a product. Moreover, the foot
cover can save a storage area because the foot cover is not bulky,
and thus can be efficiently transported.
[0085] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the plantar part can include (i) an inner
cloth which is to make contact with the foot and (ii) an outer
cloth which covers the inner cloth.
[0086] According to the configuration, the plantar part has a
two-layered structure. This makes it possible to improve strength
of the plantar part.
[0087] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the inner cloth and the outer cloth can be
made of different materials.
[0088] According to the configuration, for example, the inner cloth
which is to make contact with the skin can be made of natural
fibers having good breathability and the outer cloth can be made of
synthetic fibers having higher strength, and it is thus possible to
concurrently achieve comfort in wearing and strength.
[0089] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, a joint part between the plantar part and
the side part can be located on a sole side of the foot.
[0090] According to the configuration, the joint part is located on
the sole side of the foot and is not located at the toe of the foot
which tends to feel a fit of the joint part. This makes it possible
to improve comfort in wearing.
[0091] The foot cover in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention can further includes a joining member which joins an
outer peripheral part of the plantar part to an outer peripheral
part of the side part in an unsewn joining manner.
[0092] According to the configuration, for example, the outer
peripheral part of the plantar part is joined to the outer
peripheral part of the side part with the joining member such as an
adhesive tape. This makes it possible to improve strength of the
joint part.
[0093] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the plantar part can be joined to the side
part with the joining member in an arrangement in which the plantar
part and the side part do not overlap with each other.
[0094] According to the configuration, the plantar part and the
side part do not overlap with each other at the joint part. This
makes it possible to reduce a thickness of the joint part and to
improve comfort in wearing.
[0095] According to the foot cover in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention, the flexible cloth can be free cut
cloth.
[0096] According to the configuration, it is not necessary to carry
out a hemming process on a peripheral edge of the opening or to
attach flexible thin cloth along the peripheral edge of the opening
in order to prevent a frayed spot or the like to be generated in
the opening which is the foot insertion opening. This makes it
possible to improve comfort in wearing.
[0097] The method for manufacturing a foot cover in accordance with
an aspect of the present invention includes: a plantar part forming
step of forming a plantar part which is to cover a sole of a foot;
a side part forming step of forming a side part which is to cover a
toe and a heel of the foot and to cover both sides of the foot
which extend from the toe to the heel; and a joining step of
joining the plantar part to the side part with a joining process
excluding sewing, in the side part forming step, (i) the side part
being formed by cutting flexible cloth such that the side part has
an opening serving as a foot insertion opening and has a
substantially planar shape and a seamless annular shape, or (ii)
the side part being formed by joining pieces of flexible cloth with
a joining process excluding sewing such that the side part has an
opening serving as a foot insertion opening and has a substantially
planar shape and an annular shape having a seam provided at a
location excluding a heel rear part which corresponds to a rear end
of the heel.
[0098] According to the method, in the side part forming step, the
side part which has a substantially planar shape and a seamless
annular shape is formed or the side part which has a substantially
planar shape and an annular shape having a seam provided at a
location excluding a heel rear part is formed. This makes it
possible to manufacture the foot cover which can inhibit
deterioration in comfort in wearing and decrease in
flexibility.
[0099] According to the method for manufacturing a foot cover in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the plantar
part can be joined to the side part with a belt-shaped joining
member in the joining step such that the plantar part and the side
part do not overlap with each other.
[0100] According to the method, the plantar part is joined to the
side part with a belt-shaped joining member such that the plantar
part and the side part do not overlap with each other. This makes
it possible to reduce a thickness of the joint part and to improve
comfort in wearing.
[0101] According to the method for manufacturing a foot cover in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the plantar
part can be joined to the side part with heat seal in the joining
step such that an outer peripheral part of the plantar part and an
outer peripheral part of the side part overlap with each other.
[0102] According to the method, the plantar part can be easily
joined to the side part with the heat seal without using a separate
member.
[0103] According to the method for manufacturing a foot cover in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the plantar
part can be joined to the side part with an adhesive agent in the
joining step such that an outer peripheral part of the plantar part
and an outer peripheral part of the side part overlap with each
other.
[0104] According to the method, the plantar part can be easily
joined to the side part with the adhesive agent.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0105] 1: Foot cover [0106] 1a: Foot cover [0107] 2: Plantar part
[0108] 2a: Outer peripheral part [0109] 2b: Inner cloth [0110] 2c:
Outer cloth [0111] 3: Side part [0112] 3a: Outer peripheral part
[0113] 3b: Foot insertion opening part (foot insertion opening)
[0114] 4: Joining member [0115] 5: Joint part [0116] 6: Seam [0117]
10: Sole [0118] 11: Toe [0119] 12: Heel [0120] 13: Both sides
[0121] 30: Side part [0122] 31: First side part (side part) [0123]
32: Second side part (side part, heel part) [0124] 32a: Heel rear
part [0125] F: Foot
* * * * *