Patent Application
20190116923
This invention relates to sandals with toe separators and particularly to sandals with multiple toe separators.
A new category of footwear has been developed, based on the venerable “flip-flop” sandal design. These sandals have additional toe separation elements in addition to the flip-flop strap worn between a big toe and a first adjacent toe. Because of the tendency of adjacent toes to naturally be close to each other, if not if not actually touching, insertion of physical separators therebetween can provide a measure of discomfort not normally associated with “flip-flop” sandals having a single separator between a big toe and an adjacent toe where spacing therebetween is more pronounced and discomfort is minimized. Nevertheless, discomfort is occasioned in any common sandal having a toe separator with the toe separation and slipper wearing holding being effected between a relatively hard rubber or plastic between the toes and bearing against the foot at the base of the toes. The toe separation element in the common flip-flop sandal is unitary with and of a one piece construction of the upper holding strap. The hard nature of the strap for structural holding is thus carried through with the portion thereof, which effects the toe separation and pressing against the foot at the base of the toes with significant discomfort or irritation.
In addition, the area between the toes is subject to retention of moisture and fungus and bacteria build up resulting in conditions such as athlete's foot with the condition with increased irritation being exacerbated as a result of the toe separation of the flip flop type of slippers or sandals.
Issues of comfort and aesthetic design remain to be resolved and improved upon with single toe separated flip-flop sandals and particularly with the use of the multiple toe separator sandals being used for active foot care.
It is an object of the present invention to provide sandal footwear with one or more toe separators of an aesthetic appearance, which provides an increased level of comfort and which actively provides or promotes foot care.
Generally the present invention comprises sandals, defined herein as footwear having at least one toe separator element (preferably one or four toe separators) configured for placement between adjacent foot toes, the at least one toe separator extending between an upper footwear element and a bottom base or sole wherein the toe separator element or elements, particularly between the small toes, are comprised of a material which provides an external soft or cushioned sensation to the toes of a wearer. The soft or cushioned material is configured to provide a compressive reaction or “give” to lateral forces exerted by the adjacent toes and foot at the base of the toes with reduced or minimal pressure or binding such as exerted with hard rubber, hard plastic and even fabrics alone (which would be susceptible to a cutting sensation) or fabrics on a relatively hard support.
Preferably the toe separator elements are elements separate from and of different compositions than the compositions of the uppers (usually straps in sandals) and soles or bases of the sandals, which, for structural integrity in use, are usually made of harder materials, These separator elements are integrated with the uppers and soles such as by being sewn or anchored therewith or by other attachment expedients. It is also highly preferred that the cushioning compositions of the toe separators be able to resist wear and degradation, as a result of cushioning compressions, and that they are wearably reusable, i.e., effectively maintain their structural configuration with continued wearing use. Non-limiting examples of cushioning elements included foam, memory foam, air filled tubes, gels, etc.
A highly preferred material, for use as a cushioned toe separator or separators, is the material commonly known as “memory foam” or gel, which is able to provide cushioning comfort and retains such comfort and aesthetic appearance with a “memory” resilience to substantially an original dimension, even with continued wearing and use. In a preferred embodiment the memory foam or gel is encased in a material tube such as (lycra, jersey, etc) backed with the memory foam material. If desired, central hard cores may be utilized to provide structural integrity for the separators but with the separators being configured to minimize or eliminate any external hard sensations by such hard cores
Memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as “visco-elastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam. Higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a warm body in a few minutes. A lower density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and molds quickly to the shape of a body pressing against it, returning to its original shape once the pressure is removed. The speed with which a foam returns to its original shape, after a weight or pressure is removed, is often part of the marketing message among memory-foam mattress producers, many of whom tout “newer generation” foams with “faster recovery.” Memory foam has been used in shoes and footwear but generally only in a pressure-cushioning weight bearing manner, such as in or as an insole.
Other types of memory foam include synthetic memory sponge of man-made cellulose derived from sodium sulphate as well as a variety of other materials.
Memory foam separators as utilized in the present invention between the toes have been found to provide meaningful separation in a comfortable way to give the benefits of toe separation, such as better circulation in the feet; which often provides added benefits for people with circulation problems, diabetics, etc. Better balance is also provided, by allowing for a broader foundation. In addition, a body is better able to respond to subtle shifts in weight and react appropriately and a better grip can be had while walking. The toe separators can also keep toes separated sufficiently and comfortably for healing after foot surgery, as needed. Additional benefits include helping keep toes flexible, which improves gait especially with toes used to wearing shoes that keep toes stiff which can cause knee problems, tendinitis, and bunion formation. The toe separators also help regain a more natural line in feet and helps redistribute weight to the outside edges of feet, as opposed to middle of feet. This better distribution of weight contributes to healthy alignment.
In preferred embodiments, based on typical toe comfort considerations, the thickness of the memory foam is between 2 and 5 mm and is more preferably about 3 or 4 mm. The width of the material preferably used in forming the toe tube separator is about 28-35 mm (in an initial sheet form) with a preferred average width of about 30 mm. For aesthetic considerations and to reduce wear, the memory foam is provided or produced as an integral backing for a decorative fabric material.
A planar element of appropriate size with the fabric and foam backing is folded and stitched to provide the respective toe separator elements. Preferably the tube is of circular, elliptical, or oval cross section, without edges, though other cross sectional configurations are possible, with the compression or cushioning minimizing the effect of any edges of the foam material. Preferably, the formed tube is provided with a reinforcement or stiffening material core, such as a thin rubber core rod therewithin of typically about 2 mm in width. The stitching is preferably positioned between 2-5 mm from the edge in order to minimize toe irritation. This tubing is then used as toe separators for sandals or shoes. The toe separators can also be made from encapsulated gel or silicone or latex. Preferably stitching seams are positioned, with connection to the sandal, away from contact with adjacent toes to minimize irritation and facing toward the foot at the base of the toes, for aesthetic appearance. The memory foam and surface material as well as core reinforcement materials are preferably all slightly stretchable to provide a degree of give for the wearer's toes. Modifications in this regard of degree of stretchability are a function of different styles
During the tubing preparation procedure, seam irritation may be further minimized by skiving or tapering the ends before formation of the tube. Alternatively, the memory foam can be seamlessly extruded with a fully enclosing fabric cover, without a seam.
In addition to memory foam as the base material of the tube or with any other base material, the present invention further comprises the use of an enclosing fabric or any other fabric used in toe separation of anti-fungal and anti-bacterial and therapeutic materials within or on the fabric. This can benefit the between toes areas subject to “athlete's foot” and can serves to prevent deterioration of fabrics used in the toe separator material subject to fungus and bacterial growth in a moist area between the toes. These fabrics are well known and are commonly used in hospital bedding and patient gowns. Examples of sources for the fabrics or antimicrobials for use in fabrics include X-STATIC® fabrics, Silvadur® antimicrobials from the Dow Corporation and antimicrobials for fabrics from Belton Industries.
Antimicrobial textile products increase the comfort and hygiene factor making them more pleasant to wear with odors being neutralized and skin problems, caused by microbial growth reduced. Comfort in sandals as well as overall well being is enhanced by the direct application of antimicrobials in the toe separators to areas subject to fungus and microbial growth.
Microbes fall into three categories; bacteria, fungi and algae, although only the first two are generally applicable to textiles or to skin. Bacteria and fungi can cause deterioration in a range of textiles including sports textiles, leading to loss of performance and aging, as well as unsightly staining, unpleasant odors and potential skin infections caused by fungal growth. The use of antimicrobial finishes and treatments within textiles can help to avoid or control cross infection, and by stopping microbial growth, can extend the lifetime of the sandal and control problems.
Antimicrobial treatments can be added in a number of ways including as a coating to the finished fabric or fiber or by incorporating the antimicrobial agent within the fiber during the spinning process, as in the manufacturing of polyester and nylon.
Antimicrobial agents used to treat textiles fall into two categories, known as “static” and “cidalff and the table below outlines the main differences. Many traditional treatments fall into the “cidal” category and because of their leaching action need to be evaluated for their health and environmental effects. New development tends to favor the “Static” type agents as these are of lower risk.
Antimicrobial fabrics can deter microbial growth in one of two ways. Either “passively”, by inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms through inherent surface structure without the use of agents linen for example displays such characteristics, as well as lambs wool, or “actively”, using antimicrobial agents to either kill or inhibit the growth of any microbes present such as in treated cotton/denim fabrics.
Examples of commonly used standard tests for assessing antimicrobial function are given below including that of training shoes.
In a further embodiment of enhancing the comfort level of the sandals of present invention, the fabric surface used in the toe separators may have bumps or other texture irregularities to stimulate blood flow in between the toes and effect a massaging function for additional comfort and foot care, Alternatively, or in addition, the toe separators may include vibrating coils to effect a similar or massaging function.
The actual positioning of the toe separation tubular elements may also determine a greater or lesser degree of comfort because of the physiology or anatomical configuration of a typical foot. Thus, many sandals with multiple toe separators have such separators arrange regularly in a straight, albeit angle line. However, for increased comfort the toe separator between the big toe and the first digit is preferably offset from the straight line to either be horizontal (relative to the long axis of the sandal) with respect to the next toe separator or with the latter being slightly forward of the big toe separator.
The above objects features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the following drawings in which:
A typical human foot 10 is shown in
In
It is understood that the antimicrobials may be added to any or all of the fabric layers or to any fabric or similar outer layers of toe separators in order to enhance comfort and well being of a wear of sandals with toe separation.
It is understood that the above description and drawings are only illustrative of the present invention and that changes in structure, components and compositions may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61639410 | Apr 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13870452 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Child | 16139054 | US |
