Between Toes Drying Slipper

Abstract

A slipper for drying between the toes of the user. The slipper includes a fan and warming element to dry the foot. The fan blows through air channels in the foot bed to dry between the toes. Separators and contours on the slipper separate the toes of the user to allow air to blow on the skin between the toes, drying the skin. The slipper includes a power switch to active the slipper. The slipper includes a power supply.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear. The present invention relates more specifically foot dryers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moisture between the toes can cause health problems. Persons with limited mobility may have difficulty fully drying the skin between the toes. Traditional slippers or house shoes trap moisture inside the shoe, preventing evaporation and complete drying between the toes. Wet skin enclosed within a shoe can lead to increased potential for infection. Seniors, persons with excess weight, little children, and persons with mobility restrictions struggle to sufficiently dry the skin between the toes.

The present invention provides an apparatus to fully dry the skin between the toes of the feet without requiring the user to bend down or contort his body or position his body in any way to reach his toes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a between-the-toes foot dryer that is worn as a slipper. The dryer includes a heating element and a fan. The fan blows air through channels in the footbed to dry between the toes. The footbed is contoured to separate the toes, allowing the skin to fully dry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is left side elevation view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a slipper 100 to be worn on the foot. The slipper 100 comprises a footbed 101, a sole 108, and an upper 102. The footbed 101 connects to the top surface of the sole 108. For example, the footbed 101 may be adhered to the sole 108 with adhesive. The footbed 101 comprises a soft, durable, waterproof material. The sole 108 comprises a durable, slip-resistant material. For example, the sole 108 may be constructed from rubber, thermos-plastic rubber (TPR), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), raw cord cotton, or raw cord linen.

The top surface of the footbed 101 is covered by a contact layer 103. The contact layer 103 provides a comfortable surface for the foot of the user to contact the footbed 101. The top of the footbed 101 has contours to help separate the toes of the user. The upper 102 is attached to the toe section of the sole 108.

The upper 102 surrounds a volume above the sole 108, forming the toe box 109. A micro fan 110 is mounted inside the toe box 109. The fan 110 directs air towards the toes of the user, drying the skin of the foot. The interior of the toe box 109 contains a series of toe separators 111. The toe separators 111 are small walls that help spread the toes, allowing airflow to dry the skin between the toes. The upper 102 includes a series of openings that form air intake channels 104. Air is drawn through the air channels 104 and into the toe box 109 by the fan 110. A warming element 112 is embedded within the sole 108. The combination of heat from the warming element 112 and air flow from the micro fan 110 enhance the drying effectiveness of the slipper 100.

In Embodiment 2, the upper has an open toe. The micro fan 110 is embedded in the sole 108, and the micro fan 110 blows air through air channels 104 leading to openings in the top of the footbed 101. The openings are positioned to direct air between the toes of the user.

A power switch 106 is activated to turn on the micro fan 110 and warming element 112. The power switch 106 is mounted to the side of the sole 108. In Embodiment 3, the power switch 106 is a pressure switch embedded within the footbed 101, and the pressure switch is activated when the user presses down on the footbed 101. A power indicator light 107 illuminates when the slipper 100 is in use. The user deactivates the power switch 106 to turn off the slipper 100. In Embodiment 4, the slipper 100 powers off after a pre-defined time limit, and the slipper may have multiple time limit setting. For example, the slipper 100 may have a shorter duration warm-dry function, which includes powering the warming element 112 and the micro fan 110, and the slipper 100 may have a longer air-dry function, which includes powering only the micro fan 110.

A power supply 105 is connected to the footbed 101. The power supply 105 may be embedded within the footbed 101. The power supply 105 supplies electricity to the components of the slipper 100, including the micro fan 110 and warming element 112. In Embodiment 1, the power supply 105 comprises a rechargeable battery. In Embodiment 5, the power supply 105 comprises a rechargeable battery that is removably mounted on top of the footbed 101. In Embodiment 6, the power supply 105 comprises a rechargeable battery that is removably mounted on the bottom of the sole 108. In Embodiments 5 and 6, the rechargeable battery is removed and charged away from the slipper 100, avoiding any moisture remaining on the slipper 100 from contacting the battery.

The slipper includes wires (not shown) and circuitry (not shown) necessary to power and control the various electronic components, including the micro fan 110, warming element 112, power switch 106, and power indicator light 107. In Embodiment 1, the wires and circuitry are embedded within the footbed 101 and sole 108.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A drying slipper, comprising: a footbed;a solean upper;a fan;a warming element;the footbed connected to the sole;the upper connected to the sole;the fan enclosed by the upper; andthe warming element disposed within the footbed.

2. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a toe box; andthe toe box comprising an interior volume of the upper.

3. The drying slipper of claim 2, further comprising: the fan being disposed within the toe box.

4. The drying slipper of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of toe separators; andthe plurality of toe separators disposed within the toe box.

5. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a battery; andthe battery being removeably coupled to the sole.

6. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a battery; andthe battery being removeably coupled to the footbed.

7. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a contact layer; andthe contact layer connected to a top surface of the footbed.

8. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of air channels; andthe plurality of air channels traversing the upper.

9. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a power switch; andthe power switch disposed on a lateral surface of the sole.

10. The drying slipper of claim 1, further comprising: a power indicator light; andthe power indicator light being disposed on a lateral surface of the sole.

11. A drying slipper comprising: a footbed;a sole;an upper;a toe box;a warming element;a fan;a battery;the footbed connected to the sole;the upper connected to the sole;the toe box being formed by an interior volume of the upper;the fan being disposed within the toe box; andthe warming element disposed within the footbed.

12. The drying slipper of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of toe separators; andthe plurality of toe separators being disposed within the toe box.

13. The drying slipper of claim 11, further comprising: a contact layer; andthe contact layer connected to a top surface of the footbed.

14. The drying slipper of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of air channels; andthe plurality of air channels traversing the upper.

15. The drying slipper of claim 11, further comprising: a power switch; andthe power switch disposed on a lateral surface of the sole.

16. The drying slipper of claim 11, further comprising: a power indicator light; andthe power indicator light being disposed on a lateral surface of the sole.

17. A drying slipper comprising: a footbed;a contact layer;a sole;an upper;a toe box;a warming element;a fan;a plurality of air channels;a battery;a power switch;the footbed connected to the sole;the contact layer connected to a top surface of the footbed;the upper connected to the sole;the toe box being formed by an interior volume of the upper;the warming element disposed within the footbed;the fan being disposed within the toe box;the plurality of air channels traversing the upper;the battery being removably coupled to the footbed; andthe power switch disposed on a lateral surface of the sole.

18. The drying slipper of claim 17, further comprising: a power indicator light; andthe power indicator light being disposed on the lateral surface of the sole.

19. The drying slipper of claim 17, further comprising: a plurality of toe separators; andthe plurality of toe separators being disposed within the toe box.