GB2182850A - Inhibition of foot odours - Google Patents

Abstract

The inhibition of foot odours by the means of attacking the problem by a hitherto unknown source. That is to treat the footwear in a solution of the salts of zinc, zirconium and/or aluminium. This method allows the feet to carry out their normal function of perspiration.

Description

SPECIFICATION Inhibition of foot odours This invention relates to the inhibition offoot odours.

Foot odours are a constant embarrassment and a problem to many people and has hitherto been treated bythefollowing methods.

A. Personal hygiene.

B. The control of anxiety and stress.

C. The wearing of footwear made from natural materials.

D. The frequent use of powders on the feet.

E. The use of deodorants.

F. Thesoaking ofthefeetinformalin, potassium permanganate and Burrows solution.

G. The use of insoles impregnated with carbon.

H. The severance of the sympathetic nerve to the affected area.

I. The use of anti-perspirants which contain the salts of aluminium, zinc and zirconium.

The drawbacks to the aforementioned methods are that they are unreliable or uncomfortable. In the case of H this is rather a drastic step to take.

According to the present invention a method is provided, and described, which attacks the problem from a different angle but makes use of the products quoted in the aforementioned.

In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a method oftreatment offootwear, that is socks, stockings, of any mixture or blend of yarns, and boots and shoes.

The described method inhibits the problem of foot odours by two methods.

1) By impregnating the interior of leather shoes or boots, or,those madefrom fibres, our a mixtureof both with a dilute of the aforementioned salts.

2) By impregnating socks or stockings with a dilute solution ofthe aforementioned salts, afterthey have been laundered.

In either case the effect may be applied by rinsing or spraying.

It has been found that the odours arising around the feet are not attributed to the feet alone buttothe bacteria which accumulates inside the shoes or boots due to the fact that they are never cleaned on the inside. Since these salts are present in the normal processoftanning or dyeing of leather, they are subsequently present in a new pair of shoes or boots manufactured from leather. It has been noticed that for a while after purchasing a new pair of shoes or boots, made from leather the problem of foot odour does not occur. After a while the aforementioned salts are depleted due to the natural dilution with perspiration produced by the feet and transferred to socks or stockings, which are then laundered away.

The concentration ofthe dilution is not critical but depends upon the noxious effect ofthe individuals feet. The effect is noticed immediately and does not in anyway prevent the feet from perspiring.The socks or stockings may be treated as a batch leaving the laundry basket free from odours.

The method of the invention will be further illustrated bythefollowing examples which are purely illustrative.

Example 1 An aqueous bath was made up containing: 30 mls of aluminium sulphate 30% solution and 100 mis of water.

This was used to impregnate a pairofworkmans boots which had been worn continuouslyforsome months and gave rise to strong odours. After allowing the boots to dry out they were then worn by the owner for a period of one month before any detectable re-occurrence of foot odour.

Example 2 An aqueous solution was made up using:- 20 mls of aluminium sulphate 30% solution and 500 mls of water.

This solution was used to treat one pair of polyamide sea boot stockings which the wearer used inside gumboots. There was no noticeable foot odourafterone day.

ExampleS A pair of polyamide socks were treated as in example 2 but using aluminium chloride and worn for one day inside a plastic pair of shoes. There was no noticeable effect of foot odour.

Example 4 A selection of socks, stockings and tights were treated as in example 2. The selection offootwear consisted of wool, wool/polyamide, cotton, cotton/polyamide, cotton/acrylic, wool/mixed fibres and polyamide. All the owners, who previously suffered from foot odours had no indications offoot odou rs after wearing the aforementioned footwear.

1. A method oftreatmentof socks orstockings, comprising any blend of fibres, which, after laundering will inhibitthe occurrence of foot odours.

2. A method of treatment of shoes or boots manufactured from leather, canvas or a mixture of thetwo,which will inhibit foot odours.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Inhibition of foot odours This invention relates to the inhibition offoot odours. Foot odours are a constant embarrassment and a problem to many people and has hitherto been treated bythefollowing methods. A. Personal hygiene. B. The control of anxiety and stress. C. The wearing of footwear made from natural materials. D. The frequent use of powders on the feet. E. The use of deodorants. F. Thesoaking ofthefeetinformalin, potassium permanganate and Burrows solution. G. The use of insoles impregnated with carbon. H. The severance of the sympathetic nerve to the affected area. I. The use of anti-perspirants which contain the salts of aluminium, zinc and zirconium. The drawbacks to the aforementioned methods are that they are unreliable or uncomfortable. In the case of H this is rather a drastic step to take. According to the present invention a method is provided, and described, which attacks the problem from a different angle but makes use of the products quoted in the aforementioned. In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a method oftreatment offootwear, that is socks, stockings, of any mixture or blend of yarns, and boots and shoes. The described method inhibits the problem of foot odours by two methods.

1) By impregnating the interior of leather shoes or boots, or,those madefrom fibres, our a mixtureof both with a dilute of the aforementioned salts.

2. A method of treatment of shoes or boots manufactured from leather, canvas or a mixture of thetwo,which will inhibit foot odours.

2) By impregnating socks or stockings with a dilute solution ofthe aforementioned salts, afterthey have been laundered.

In either case the effect may be applied by rinsing or spraying.

It has been found that the odours arising around the feet are not attributed to the feet alone buttothe bacteria which accumulates inside the shoes or boots due to the fact that they are never cleaned on the inside. Since these salts are present in the normal processoftanning or dyeing of leather, they are subsequently present in a new pair of shoes or boots manufactured from leather. It has been noticed that for a while after purchasing a new pair of shoes or boots, made from leather the problem of foot odour does not occur. After a while the aforementioned salts are depleted due to the natural dilution with perspiration produced by the feet and transferred to socks or stockings, which are then laundered away.

The concentration ofthe dilution is not critical but depends upon the noxious effect ofthe individuals feet. The effect is noticed immediately and does not in anyway prevent the feet from perspiring.The socks or stockings may be treated as a batch leaving the laundry basket free from odours.

The method of the invention will be further illustrated bythefollowing examples which are purely illustrative.

Example 1 An aqueous bath was made up containing: 30 mls of aluminium sulphate 30% solution and 100 mis of water.

This was used to impregnate a pairofworkmans boots which had been worn continuouslyforsome months and gave rise to strong odours. After allowing the boots to dry out they were then worn by the owner for a period of one month before any detectable re-occurrence of foot odour.

Example 2 An aqueous solution was made up using:- 20 mls of aluminium sulphate 30% solution and 500 mls of water.

This solution was used to treat one pair of polyamide sea boot stockings which the wearer used inside gumboots. There was no noticeable foot odourafterone day.

ExampleS A pair of polyamide socks were treated as in example 2 but using aluminium chloride and worn for one day inside a plastic pair of shoes. There was no noticeable effect of foot odour.

Example 4 A selection of socks, stockings and tights were treated as in example 2. The selection offootwear consisted of wool, wool/polyamide, cotton, cotton/polyamide, cotton/acrylic, wool/mixed fibres and polyamide. All the owners, who previously suffered from foot odours had no indications offoot odou rs after wearing the aforementioned footwear.

1. A method oftreatmentof socks orstockings, comprising any blend of fibres, which, after laundering will inhibitthe occurrence of foot odours.