Patent Application
20240389684
Embodiments of the invention relate to articles of clothing and more particularly to socks having absorbent materials.
A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or a portion of the lower leg. A main function of socks is to absorb perspiration, as the foot is a main region of the body where sweat is produced. In cold environments, socks help keep the feet warm and prevent frostbite. In general, socks are constructed from various materials depending on their purpose. Common materials include cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, and olefins (e.g., polypropylene).
It is known that socks can harbor bacteria, especially when they become soiled. It is important that socks stay dry to minimize bacterial growth which can cause odor, damage, and disease to the foot. Toddlers, the elderly, and individuals with incontinence may find it difficult to keep their socks dry throughout the course of the day. This causes parents are OR a caretaker to clean the socks, feet, and shoes each day.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is disclosed further in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The embodiments provided herein relate to a sock having absorbent properties is disclosed. The sock includes a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion constructed at least partially of a waterproof material and the bottom portion constructed of a second material. The top portion is comprised of a top edge constructed at least partially of an absorbent material. The waterproof material and the absorbent material prevent a fluid from contacting the skin the foot of a user and a shoe worn by the user.
The sock may be worn by persons with incontinence such as the elderly or infants who have not completed potty training to prevent fluids from entering between the sock and the user's skin, as well as to prevent the fluids from entering a shoe or similar footwear worn by the user.
In one aspect, the bottom portion is comprised of a sock portion, a reinforced heel, and a reinforced toe.
In one aspect, the top portion is comprised of an absorbent material ring.
In one aspect, the absorbent material ring is integrally connected to the bottom portion.
In one aspect, the absorbent material ring includes an outer surface defining an outer circumference, and wherein the absorbent material ring includes in inner surface defining an inner circumference.
In one aspect, the inner surface is positioned to contact the skin of the user.
In one aspect, an elastic component provides biased tension to a leg of the user.
In one aspect, the elastic component is positioned at the top portion of the sock.
In one aspect, the elastic component is attached to the outer surface of the absorbent material ring or the inner surface of the absorbent material ring.
Other objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will become obvious and intuitive to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In general, the embodiments provided here relate to a washable and reusable sock configured to absorb moisture via absorbent materials used to construct the sock. The absorbent material(s) prevent the entry of liquid into the user's foot. In one example, the sock may be worn by an infant undergoing potty training. The sock includes an absorbent material positioned at the top of the sock (such as near the ankle) to prevent fluids from leaking underneath the sock to the user's foot or into a shoe. In another example, the sock may also be worn by an elderly person who has incontinence.
In some embodiments, the sock 100 is constructed to withstand repeated use and washing/drying cycles. In such, the sock 100 is reusable until the integrity of the waterproof and/or absorbent materials is compromised.
The sock 100 may be constructed of various materials including, but not limited to cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefins (e.g., polypropylene), silk, bamboo, linen, cashmere, mohair, etc. as well as material blends. Portions of the sock 100 may be constructed of different materials to provide advantageous properties. For example, the bottom portion 111 of the sock 100 may be constructed of a soft material to enhance comfort during use, while the top portion 101 is constructed of an absorbent material 103 and/or waterproof material 107 to prevent fluid from entering the user's shoe or contacting the user's skin.
In some embodiments, the inner surface 313 and/or top edge 105 may include the waterproof material 107. The waterproof material 107 may also include a coating or a texture to aid in keeping the top portion 101 of the sock in a suitable position on the leg of the user, such as by increasing the force of friction between the leg and the sock.
While
In some embodiments, the sock 100 material which may include cotton, polyester, nylon, spandex, and other similar material. The elastic component 203 may include any known elastic known in the textile arts.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/452,817 filed Mar. 17, 2023, titled “SOCK WITH ABSORBENT PROPERTIES” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63452817 | Mar 2023 | US |
