Patent Application
20090313852
The present invention is directed to a disposable shoe insole strip which includes top and bottom layers, each layer having outer edge portions and may include a deodorizing and/or antiperspirant agent impregnated within. The top layer is preferably formed into a thin, transparent strip in the shape of at least a portion of a foot sole with a non-slippery, sweat absorbent surface for providing protection from sweat, dust, dirt and/or other stains e.g. spilt liquids, colored juices, etc., which discolor a shoe's insoles. The bottom layer includes a transparent layer of adhesive for removably attaching the shoe insole strip to the corresponding portion of the footwear's insole and/or the easy removal of the shoe insole strip from the footwear once the shoe insole strip is worn and/or ready to be discarded after use.
Invariably shoe insoles reflect the environment in which they have been worn. For example, if the sandals and/or shoes (collectively “footwear”) are being worn in a dusty environment, depending on the texture of the insoles, it may gather dust or dirt and may stain and/or discolor very easily. This is a common problem with low heeled shoes and/or open-toed sandals which are low to the ground where they attract and accumulate dirt and/or dust with each wear. The problem is exacerbated if the footwear's insoles are light colored. In that event, it is not uncommon to notice that the footwear's insoles appear dirty, discolored and/or dingy, prematurely aging the footwear disproportional to the amount of wear. This discoloration detracts from the footwear's appearance and desirability for use. Accordingly, men and women may own several pairs of footwear with light colored insoles from which they receive limited use because of discoloration of the insoles. Thus, there exists a need to be able to protect footwear's insoles from discoloration due to dirt, dust and/or other stains.
On occasion, an individual may attempt to obtain relief by washing, brushing or scrubbing the insoles. However, this methodology isn't very effective because that solution is merely temporary, since as soon as the individual wears the footwear in another dusty environment, the insoles will once again accumulate dust and/or dirt and may become even more discolored. Moreover, not all footwear is capable of surviving even partial submersion in water, as water may unglue the adhesives used to hold the footwear together, destroying it. As a result, generally speaking once footwear's insoles become discolored the insoles cannot be replaced or repaired without negatively impacting the footwear's construction and wearability. As such, there exists a need for a long term solution to continually protect footwear with the insoles being repeatedly refreshed, without damaging the footwear when insole discoloration occurs.
There are several different types of insoles that are currently available on the market, e.g. Dr. Scholl's® insoles, for varied foot maladies, e.g. cushioning, support, etc. However, these insoles cannot be worn with sandals as the construction of sandals, particularly open-toed sandals, does not provide sufficient containment for the insoles, rendering the task impossible. Additionally, these insoles do not address the problem of insole discoloration as they are often designed with a specific health purpose in mind without much regard for fashion or style. Thus, when an individual wearing one of these insoles takes off their shoes in public, e.g. at security checkpoints at an airport, their insoles are visible and not always clean or attractive. Further, these insoles are often bulky requiring the wearer to add at least an extra half size to the shoe being retrofitted with the insoles just to be able to wear them. Accordingly, retrofitting new insoles to an old shoe is often impossible as the retrofitted shoe doesn't fit. Thus, there exists a need for comfortable wearing insoles that can protect a shoe's insoles from dirt and discoloration and also be retrofitted to both sandals and/or shoes alike that will not affect the current fit. Such solution should also be attractive, affordable and relatively inexpensive.
Foot odor is a common malady that plagues males and females, adults and children alike, especially if they are involved in sporting activities where the individual's feet perspire. It is also not uncommon for dirt and dust to accumulate and grind into the footwear's insoles during sporting activities causing discoloration. The combination of foot odor, perspiration and dirt is generally unpleasant and unsightly. Many deodorize their footwear during intervals of non-use to alleviate the malodor. However, deodorizing does not prevent the insoles from getting discolored. Moreover, that solution is only partially effective because as soon as the individual wears the footwear again and perspires, the malodor returns. Accordingly, there exists a need to be able to deodorize footwear during use while protecting the footwear's insoles from discoloration during active wear.
Thus, there is a need for a shoe insole strip that overcomes the limitations of the known prior art.
The present invention is directed to solving the various problems enumerated above, in a new, novel and useful manner.
In view of the foregoing background of the invention, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a disposable shoe insole strip with a non-aggressive adhesive layer that is removably attached to footwear's insole, without damaging the footwear's construction with repeated removals and affixation to the footwear's insoles.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a disposable shoe insole strip that can be used to protect footwear from discoloration from sweat, dirt, dust and/or other stains.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a shoe insole strip that deodorizes the footwear while it is being worn.
Another objective of the invention is to provide for insoles that may be retrofitted equally to both sandals and/or shoes that will not compromise the fit.
Another objective of the invention is to provide an affordable and relatively inexpensive solution to the foregoing problems that have not been solved by the prior art.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are provided by a thin, relatively transparent shoe insole strip including a top layer in mating engagement with the wearer's feet and a bottom layer coated with a non-aggressive or light conventional adhesive for removable attachment to a footwear's insole. Both the top and bottom layers, each having an outer edge portion disposed substantially irregularly therein. In one embodiment of the invention, the shoe insole strip is clear and transparent, barely visible when inserted which is quite unlike the prior art with visible bulky insoles. The shoe insole strip may be configured in the shape of the entire foot sole, or in alternate embodiments of the invention the shoe insole strip may be configured to form the front portion of a foot sole, the middle portion of the sole, or alternatively a foot heel.
In alternate embodiments of the invention, the disposable shoe insole strip is colored yet transparent providing a hint of color, e.g. red, yellow, purple, and blue, etc., when inserted in the footwear. In other embodiments, visible designs, drawings, pastings, etc. are made a part of the disposable shoe insole strip, e.g. polka dots, stripes, geometric designs, prints, cartoon characters, etc., and any other like designs as are well known and used in the arts. As such, when inserted, the colored shoe insole strip with a design lends a certain fashion flare enhancing the footwear. In some instances, the designs are transformative converting a plain drab shoe or sandal to trendy footwear, a feature that is generally appealing to women and children.
To accomplish the various objectives of the invention, the structure and arrangement of the various components will be evident from the description below, the within specification, drawings and the following claims.
For a further and more fully detailed understanding of the present invention, various objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures.
The present invention is now described in more detail by reference to the exemplary drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the various views. This is for convenience only and is not intended to limit the application of the present invention. In fact, after reading the following description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the following invention in alternate embodiments.
The shoe insole strip 10 is a thin, relatively transparent strip formed in the shape of at least a portion of a foot sole with a top layer and a bottom layer, where the shoe insole strip 10 is adapted to fit the corresponding portion of footwear's insole to protect it from an accumulation of stains. The top layer 12 is in mating engagement with the wearer's foot. Both the top layer 12 and the bottom layer 14 are substantially planar and include an outer edge portion 18. In one embodiment of the invention, the shoe insole strip 10 may be scented and/or deodorized and is substantially planar.
In alternate embodiments of the invention the shoe insole strip 10 comprises of raised pockets 20 (not shown) filled with fragrance and/or an antiperspirant, which are randomly and/or ergonomically displaced throughout the shoe insole strip 10. The outer edge portion 18 generally defines the width and length of the shoe insole strip 10 and directly corresponds to the inner perimeter of the footwear for which it is in mating engagement. As seen in
As seen in
In certain embodiments of the invention, the top layer 12 of the shoe insole strip 10 is preferably formed from polymers into a thin, clear and transparent strip which is barely visible when inserted in footwear. Such polymers include but are not limited to plastics, or other polymers that are readily known and used in the arts. Because of its transparency, the shoe insole strip 10 is relatively unnoticeable and does not detract from the fashionable appearance of the footwear when the wearer slips off their footwear in public. In other embodiments of the invention, the shoe insole strip 10 retains its transparency with the top layer 12 being treated with a chemical solution making it non-slippery with a sweat absorbent surface. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the shoe insole strip 10 is colored and transparent adding a touch of color to the footwear. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the shoe insole strip 10 further includes visible colored designs, pictures, and/or drawings, etc. e.g. polka dots, stripes, geometric patterns, prints, cartoon characters, etc. Additional color may be added to the shoe insole strip 10 in certain embodiments where it is desirable that the shoe insole strip 10 remains thin but not transparent.
The shoe insole strip 10 includes fragrance and/or an antiperspirant impregnated within used to minimize foot odor and perspiration. In one embodiment of the invention, as the body heat from the wearer warms the shoe insole strip 10 during use, the fragrance and/or antiperspirant is released. Such fragrances and/or antiperspirants may include scents and foot deodorizers that are readily known and used in the arts.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the shoe insole strip 10 has an intermediate layer 40 (not shown) that is disposed throughout, and interconnected to the top 12 and bottom layers 14 and is further defined by the outer edge portions 18 of the shoe insole strip 10. In that embodiment, the shoe insole strip 10 has raised pockets 20 (not shown) of fragrance and/or an antiperspirant housed within the intermediate layer 40 (not shown), which is substantially randomly and/or ergonomically displaced throughout the shoe insole strip 10 between the top layer 12, the bottom layer 14 and within the confines of the outer edge portions 18.
The shoe insole strip 10 is very thin to meet the specific needs for its intended use. As such, the thickness may vary depending on the size of the shoe insole strip 10. For example, the shoe insole strip 10 may have increased thickness for larger sizes to support greater body weight such that the shoe insole strip 10 may be used effectively without tearing during use. Otherwise, the shoe insole strip 10 is preferably thin, easily peeled from the non-adhesive layer 22 such that the shoe insole strip 10 can be affixed to the corresponding part of the footwear's sole without damaging the footwear during insertion or removal.
Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the invention is to be defined not only by the preceding illustrative description but also by the following claims.
