GB2613302A

GB2613302A - Wearable protective layer to protect sole of foot, socks when worn or sole of a shoe

Info

Publication number: GB2613302A
Application number: GB2303236.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Siragusa Paul
Original assignee: Wearable Shoe Tree LLC
Current assignee: Wearable Shoe Tree LLC
Priority date: 2020-09-05
Filing date: 2021-09-06
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Also published as: GB202303236D0; WO2022051697A1

Abstract

A system and method arid apparatus are provided which includes a sole-shaped anti-microbial sheet made up of at least one layer having at least one adhesive backing for attaching to the sole of a toot, socks or booties, or the sole of a shoe, protected with a peel-away protective layer. The sheet may advantageously include at least one tab which is not adhesively backed to facilitate removal of the sheet by gripping using the thumb and a huger and pulling away from the sole of a foot, socks or booties, or the sole of a shoe. A wearer using the sheet to protect a sole front contact with a floor surface is able to prevent dirt, genus, bacteria, etc. from being nicked-up by the sole of a foot, socks, or the sole of a shoe. When the user has completed their trajectory along a potentially unsanitary path, such as through the security hue at an airport, they peel the sheet away, optionally returning to a bag provided with the packaging. The bag may optionally be the same bag, such as a ZIPLOK™ haggle, that the protective sheet of the invention was contained in at the time of purchase.

Claims

1. A Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) device (104, 204, 304) comprising a sheet, optionally formed on a roll so as to be dispensable therefrom, cut or adapted to be cut or torn to a desired length approximately that of a shoe, sock, foot or bootie on which it is to be applied, the device made up of at least one layer (112) having at least one adhesive backing (212) optionally protected with a peel-away protective film and optionally having a pre-cut or pre-perforated slitting line (120) in between a wearer's big toe and pointer toe; the device adapted for attaching to the sole and side periphery of a foot, socks, booties, or a shoe after the optional peel-away protective fiim (106) is removed, the device being impregnated or treated in substantial part with an anti- microbial agent.

2. The PPE device of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer (112) Is made of a material selected from the group of plastic materials consisting of polyethelyne (PE), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), General purpose polystyrene (GPPS), High impact polystyrene (HIPS), Melamine formaldehyde (MF), Polycaprolactam/Nylon (PA6), Polyaryiamide (PARA), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), Polyethermide (PEI), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polystyrene (PS), Polysulfone (PSU), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), Polystyrene butadiene styrene (SBS), Urea formaldehyde (UF) , Epoxy, Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), High-density polyethylene (HOPE), Low- density polyethylene (LDPE), Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), Medium- density polyethylene (MDPE), Poiuchioroprene/Neoprene (PCP), Polypropylene (PP), Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), Silicone, and Rubber.

3. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the entire thickness of the at least one layer (112) is impregnated with agents delivering anti-microbial properties.

4. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the entire thickness of the at least one adhesive backing is impregnated with agents delivering anti-microbial properties. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

5. The PPE device of any one of the above two claims, wherein the anti-microbial agent is selected from one or more of the group of anti-microbial agents consisting of Zinc, ZnO, ZnOc, Silver, Silver Oxide, Ag2O, Silver Ions, Cooper and organic materials.

6. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the at least one layer (112) is coated on both sides with adhesive or tacky backing.

7. The PPE device of claim 6, wherein the adhesive backing is selected from the group of adhesive backings consisting of Pressure Sensitive Acrylates (PSA) such as 2-Ethyl hexyl acrylate, n-Butyl acrylate, or Iso-octyl acrylate, 3M 350 Series (3M 9485, 3M 9675, 3M 9731), 3M 200 Series (3M 467, 3M 468), 3M 300LSE Series (3M 9472LE, 3M 9490LE), 3M 300 Series (3M 6038, 3M 9472), 3M VHB, 100 series (3M 9473), Adchem Double Coat (254M, 256M) and Stockwell DP-1001 (Silicone double coat on poiyimide film).

8. The PPE device of the above claim, wherein the adhesive backings have different levels of tackiness and may be applied to the at least one layer in the form of a double stick tape.

9. The PPE device of claim 6, wherein one adhesive backing, the backing facing outwardly when the device is properly installed on the shoe, sock, bootie or foot, includes a lower tackiness than the other adhesive backing facing the shoe, sock, bootie or foot, the device thereby being adapted to pick up germs on the floor when the user walks around with the device properly adhered to his shoe, sock, bootie, or foot so as to both protect the user and clean the floor of germs.

10. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the bottom of the layer is textured via a tacky texture layer for example, of a tread or zig-zag pattern for nonslip, wherein the texture layer is applied to the at least one layer after the at least one layer is manufactured or formed on or in the layer at the same time the layer is manufactured by molding or via a secondary application step.

11. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the device comprises an extended length (332) in a front area (334) to allow a wearer to pull the device over a front of the toe SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) box of the shoe, sock , bootie, or foot as well as over or against sidewalls thereof such as the "laces area".

12. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the at least one layer is perforated transverse to its length to facilitate tearing transverse to its longitudinal length.

13. The PPE device of the above claim wherein perforations are perforated at certain lengths to adapt to small , medium and large shoes, socks, booties or feet or at a set length for a one size fits all feature and benefit.

14. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the device is scented in the at least one adhesive backing for a fresh and clean smell at time of application to the shoe, sock, bootie or foot, the smell being unlocked upon removal of the peel-away protective film, exposing the adhesive layer.

15. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein at least one adhesive backing is comprised of a semi-permanent and waterproof adhesive in order to provide longer service life

16. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the device advantageously includes at least one tab which is not adhesively backed to facilitate removal of the sheet from the shoe, sock, bootie, or foot of the user by the user gripping using the thumb and a finger and pulling away from the sole of the shoe, sock, bootie, or foot.

17. A PPE device comprised of a plastic film and having anti-microbial agents built in the film and/or built in to at least one adhesive backing applied thereon, wherein the device's protective film has a pre-cut formed by a die so as to enable the installation of the device first at the center of the shoe, sock, bootie, or foot and then toward a toe region and heel.

18. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein , the device comprises at least one tab, preferably at the outer lateral edges of the device, and an adhesive backing applied thereon, which, when applied to the peripheral aera around the shoe, sock, bootie or foot, helps prevent particles, such as dirt, germs and bacteria, some of which may fall from above, from being picked-up by the shoe, sock, bootie or foot,. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

19. The PPE device of the above claim, wherein the pre-cut is marked by printing on the at least one layer or the adhesive backing or the peel-away protective film to facilitate the user's understanding on how the product is installed finding tabs or areas which a user can access to more easily remove an at least one protective layer.

20. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein the at least one layer is perforated in order to provide breathability and airflow through the device.

21. The PPE device of claim 17, wherein the at least one adhesive backing covers only a portion of the at least one layer so as to facilitate removal.

22. The PPE device of claim 17, wherein the at least one tab is formed to have a structure on one or on both sides to facilitate grip and removal.

23. The PPE device of claim 17, wherein the device is formed to be narrower in a rearward portion than the forward portion so as to resembie a foot- or V-shape.

24. The PPE device of claim 17, wherein the at least one layer is made of a special plastic that is extremely strong, stretchy, durable, and optionally impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

25. A PPE device constructed in a bootie form of at least one layer having at least one adhesive backing protected with a peel-away protective film, the device adapted for attaching over a foot, socks, or shoes, after the peel-away protective film is removed, the device being impregnated or treated at least in part with an anti-microbial agent.

26. The PPE device of the above claim, wherein the device has a non-slip film and/or an elastic band integrated therein, the elastic band being affixed to the device (104, 204, 304) such that a portion of the device elastically encloses the wearer's foot, sock or shoe around the ankle of a wearer when the device is installed.

27. The PPE device of any one of the above claims, wherein an adhesive with a higher adhesiveness is applied to bands near the edges of the at least one layer, wherein further an adhesive with a lower adhesiveness is applied to a central area of the at least one layer, to facilitate removal of the device after use. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

28. Use of an anti-microbial agent selected from one or more of the group of antimicrobial agents consisting of Zinc, ZnO, ZnOc, Silver, Silver Oxide, Ag20, Silver Ions, Cooper and organic materials in combination with a layer made of a material selected from the group of plastic materials consisting of polyethelyne (PE), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), General purpose polystyrene (GPRS), High impact polystyrene (HIPS), Melamine formaldehyde (MF), Polycaprolactam/Nylon (PA6), Polyaryiamide (PARA), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), Polyethermide (PEI), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polystyrene (PS), Polysulfone (PSU), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), Polystyrene butadiene styrene (SBS), Urea formaldehyde (UF) , Epoxy, Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), High-density polyethylene (HOPE), Low- density polyethylene (LDPE), Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), Medium- density polyethylene (MDPE), Poluchloroprene/Neoprene (PCP), Polypropylene (PP), Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), Silicone, and Rubber, the combination being attached to a wearer's foot, sock, bootie or shoe, the use for protecting the wearer from contamination as he or she walks on a floor.

29. A method for installation of the PPE device (104) of any one of claims 1-27, the method including the following steps: a) holding the front tab (110) by its non-stick portion and peeling around and off half of the backing and securing a front portion thereof to a top of the toe area; b) lining up the device (104) substantially in the middle of the foot or shoe on which it is to be installed and pulling the removable foil or film part or all the way down the foot and up the heel and securing it to the foot or shoe.

30. A method for installation of the PPE device (104) of any one of claims 1-27 when wearing Sandal shoe types, the method including the following steps: a) holding the front tab (110) by its non-stick portion and peeling around and off half of the backing and securing a front portion thereof to a top of the toe area; b) lining up the device (104), substantially in the middle of the foot on which it is to be installed and pulling the removable foil or film part or all the way down the foot and up the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) heel; and c) sticking the at least one layer directly to the bottom of the foot and tearing precut or pre-perforated slitting line (120) in between big toe and pointer toe.

31. A method for installation of the PPE device of any one of claims 1-27 around a portion of a naked foot (102) or a foot wearing a sock, the method including the following steps: a) holding the front tab (210) by its non-stick portion and peeling approximately half of the protective film off and securing a front portion to a top of the toe area; b) lining up the device (204) substantially in the middle of the foot and pulling the protective film all the way down the foot and up the heel and then securing it to the foot.

32. A method of packaging the device of claim 1, wherein the device is contained in a resealable, preferably transparent baggie at the point of sale, such baggie being reusable to dispose of the device after use, the baggie comprising optionally a ZIPLOKâ ¢ type or peel and seal re-closable seal

33. A method for installation of the device of any one of claims 1-27 for installing the device around a portion of a naked foot (102) or a foot wearing a sock, the method including the following steps: a) peeling the center of the protective film (254) off of the adhesive backing (212); b) placing the user's foot (202) in the center of the now exposed adhesive backing (212) of the at least one layer (206), whereby the removable protective film (254â ) remains on the edges of the at least one layer (206) and acts as borders that keep the at least one layer (206) straight and prevents it from folding against itself and sticking to itself; c) removing the protective film (254') by peeling the film off; d) sticking the so laid open areas of the adhesive backing (212) to the sides of a foot (202) and top of toes and up the heal of the foot (202); wherein, now, if the wearer prefers, he or she may place his foot into a shoe.

34. The system(s) and/or method(s) as described in the instant specification, dependent claims, abstract (herein incorporated by reference), and/or drawing figures. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)