Patent Application
20240225169
The present invention relates generally to a scentless boot cover, and, more particularly, to a scentless and odorless boot cover to block foreign scents from depositing on the ground.
When hunting, it can be important that the animals being hunted do not detect foreign odors, for example, inter alia, the scent of a human. Just like a human will notice the scent of a new candle burning in his or her house, an animal will notice a foreign odor to its area. If an animal detects a foreign odor, it may avoid the area altogether.
Foreign odors can be caused by a variety of things, including, for example, human odor or bacteria or particles on a hunter's boot. For example, a hunter's boot may have picked up dust particles, food particles, gasoline, or dirt from different areas. As the hunter walks to his or her hunting site, he or she creates a scent trail of these odors, bacteria, and particles. Just like a human can notice the scent of a new candle right away, so can an animal notice a hunter's scent trail.
Certain animals, like the whitetail deer, have a very strong sense of smell. For example, the whitetail deer's nose has hundreds of millions of olfactory receptors, which is one-third greater than a canine drug dog. With such a strong sense of smell, it can be difficult or impossible to cover up a scent so the animal, such as a whitetail deer, cannot smell it. Further, the process of covering up the scent itself can worsen the situation because the animal may be able to detect the hunter's odors left in the hunting area while the hunter is covering up the scent. Even more, the cover scent itself can be a foreign odor that deters animals in the area or calls attention to the human odor that it attempts to cover up.
Conventional solutions temporarily block an animal's ability to distinguish or identify foreign smells by flooding an animal's nose with a high intensity scent sprayed onto a hunter's boots. However, the effect of such sprays can dissipate or become temporary in effectiveness. When the animal's ability to smell is restored, it may revert to its instincts for breaking down surrounding smells.
Other conventional solutions include minimizing or eliminating the scents on a hunter's boot. This can be done, for example, by washing the boots with antiseptic bacterial soaps and storing the boots in a scent-free container. However, this is a time-consuming process that requires advanced planning and is only as effective as the hunter's ability to ensure the cleaning is effective and the boots remain stored in a scent-free container until a hunt begins. Further, even if this method is completed diligently, there is no guarantee it will work, and it often does not eliminate all scents that can be detected by the animal. Yet another conventional solution includes strategically choosing where to walk so that the animal does not cross the hunter's scent trail.
The effectiveness of the above-described conventional solutions can depend on the animal being hunted. For example, they may be effective in avoiding detection of an animal with a poor sense of smell. However, they may not be effective in avoiding detection of an animal with a good sense of smell.
A more effective solution is needed. An ideal solution would block foreign scents from depositing on the ground without the need for the application of temporary scents, an exhaustive pre-cleaning process that is not guaranteed to work, or strategically choosing walking paths.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming these and other problems of the prior art.
Embodiments of the present disclosure address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, by providing a single-use scentless boot cover for placing over a user's hunting boot to prevent scent from the hunting boot from being left on the ground as the user walks.
In an exemplary embodiment, a single-use scentless and odorless boot cover for placing over a user's boot to prevent scent from the boot from being left on the ground as the user walks is provided. The boot cover includes a tubular body having an open entrance end and a closed toe end. The tubular body is comprised of a material that is scentless and odorless and is configured such that it can receive the boot and sized such that it can completely cover the boot's shaft.
In some embodiments, the tubular body further includes a foot section having the closed toe end and a shaft section having the open entrance end. The shaft section is connected to and at an angle with respect to the foot section. In some embodiments, the tubular body further has an ankle section between and connected to each of the foot section and the shaft section. The ankle section provides additional internal space. In some embodiments, the closed toe end is domed.
In some embodiments, the material is elastic and the tubular body is sized to be tight against the boot such that, when installed on the boot, the tubular body maintains its position on the boot.
In some embodiments, a length of a shaft section of the tubular body is greater than a length of the boot's shaft such that the shaft section can cover an outer surface of the boot's shaft in its entirety and fold over and inside of the boot's shaft and the boot cover further includes at least one clip to clip the shaft section where the shaft section folds over the boot's shaft. In some embodiments, the boot cover further includes a drawstring proximate the open entrance end of the tubular body to tighten the tubular body such that the tubular body maintains its position on the boot and a drawstring clip through which the drawstring extends.
In some embodiments, the material is thin enough such that the boot's tread can be felt through the material. In some embodiments the material comprises areas of varying thicknesses. For example, in some embodiments, the material is thicker proximate an area of the tubular body that, when installed on the boot, is proximate either or both of a sole area and a heel area of the boot to provide improved resistance to tearing. For another example, in some embodiments, the areas of varying thicknesses comprise thicker dimples proximate an area of the tubular body that, when installed on the boot, is proximate either or both of a sole area and a heel area of the boot to provide improved traction. For yet another example, in some embodiments, the areas of varying thicknesses comprise thicker ridges proximate an area of the tubular body that, when installed on the boot, is proximate either or both of a sole area and a heel area of the boot to provide improved traction.
In some embodiments, the tubular body is configured to be round such that the tubular body can easily receive the boot. In some embodiments, the material is flexible enough such that the tubular body can easily receive the boot. In some embodiments, the material is sterilized. In some embodiments, the material is inelastic and the tubular body is sized such that, when installed on the boot, the tubular body is loose around the boot. In some embodiments, the material comprises one or more of plastic, latex, and rubber.
In another exemplary embodiment, a single-use scentless boot cover kit for preventing scent from a user's boot from being left on the ground as the user walks is provided. The kit includes an individually packaged scentless and odorless boot cover. The boot cover includes a tubular body having an open entrance end and a closed toe end. The tubular body is comprised of a material that is scentless and odorless and is configured such that it can receive the boot and sized such that it can completely cover the boot's shaft.
In some embodiments, the material comprises areas of varying thicknesses to provide one or more of improved resistance to tearing and improved traction. In some embodiments, the kit further includes a rubber band configured to be placed on an outer surface of the boot cover at one of a top portion of the boot and the user's leg.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:
The present disclosure describes a single-use scentless boot cover. In some embodiments, the scentless boot cover can be placed overs a user's boot and prevents the odor from the boot from depositing on the ground. Because the boot cover prevents odor from depositing on the ground, there is no scent trail to cover up, and there is no need to wash the boots between hunting trips.
Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other examples, embodiments, and implementations of the disclosed technology are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology can be implemented in a variety of examples and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter is described in the context of being a scentless boot cover that can leave no scent trail while hunting. The present disclosure, however, is not so limited, and can be applicable to other technologies. The present disclosure, for example and not limitation, can be used in any application where it can be desirable to traverse an area without leaving a scent trail and over any type of show. Such implementations and applications are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is described in the context of being used over boots during hunting, it will be understood that other implementations can take the place of those referred to.
The boot cover 100 can be formed of a tubular body 110 having a foot section 120 and a shaft section 130. The foot section 120 and the shaft section 130 can be at an angle, e.g., 90° or similar, with respect to each other. The foot section 120 can have a closed toe end 121. In some embodiments, the closed toe end 121 can be domed to accommodate the toe of a user's boot 500. The shaft section 130 can have an open entrance end 131 into which a user can insert a boot 500. The shaft section 130 can be sized such that it completely covers the outer surface area of the shaft of the boot 500.
In some embodiments, a boot 500 can be easily inserted into the boot cover 100. In some embodiments the boot cover 100 can be sufficiently large or elastic or flexible to easily receive a boot 500 in it. In other embodiments, the boot cover 100 may be sufficiently round. In yet other embodiments, the tubular body 110 can have an ankle section 140 providing additional material between the foot section 120 and shaft section 130. This extra material at the ankle section 140 can provide additional internal space so a user can more easily insert a boot 500 into the boot cover 100, especially as the foot of the boot 500 moves from the shaft section 130 into the foot section 120.
In some embodiments, the boot cover 100 can be used as follows: The user can drive to a location and walk to a hunting area. Once in the hunting area, the user can remove the boot cover 100 from its individual packaging 200, being careful to touch only the top of the boot cover 100 so as to minimize the amount of odor from the user's hands on the boot cover 100. The user can then cover his or her boot 500 with the boot cover 100 and secure the boot cover 100 to the top of the boot 500.
For another example, referring to
For yet another example, referring to
For yet another example, referring to
Tucking the top 501 of the boot cover 100 into the boot 500, using a clip 132, rubber band 313, or drawstring 311 all have the same effectiveness. However, clips 132, rubber bands 313, compression clamps, and tucking the boot cover 100 into the boot 500 are easy to use and less expensive than drawstring 311.
In some embodiments, the boot cover 100 is made of material that can comprise plastic, latex, rubber, or any combination of the foregoing. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the subject matter disclosed herein is not so limited. Instead, the boot cover 100 may be made from any material that does not leave an odor and can prevent the scent from a user's boot 500 from being left on the ground. Further, the boot cover 100 can be made of material that is stretchy or not stretchy, i.e., elastic or inelastic. Even more, the boot cover 100 can be sterilized, but it can also not be sterilized.
In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a scentless boot cover 100 is provided. In some embodiments, the method can include manufacturing and packaging a scentless boot cover 100. In some embodiments, human hands do not directly touch the material that becomes the scentless boot cover 100 or the scentless boot cover 100 itself during the method.
While various illustrative embodiments incorporating the principles of the present teachings have been disclosed, the present teachings are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present teachings and use its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure that are within known or customary practice in the art to which these teachings pertain.
In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the present disclosure are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that various features of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
A second action can be said to be “in response to” a first action independent of whether the second action results directly or indirectly from the first action. The second action can occur at a substantially later time than the first action and still be in response to the first action. Similarly, the second action can be said to be in response to the first action even if intervening actions take place between the first action and the second action, and even if one or more of the intervening actions directly cause the second action to be performed. For example, a second action can be in response to a first action if the first action sets a flag and a third action later initiates the second action whenever the flag is set.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various features. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” et cetera). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups.
As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
In addition, even if a specific number is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, sample embodiments, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/437,509, filed on Jan. 6, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63437509 | Jan 2023 | US |
