GB2618577A

GB2618577A - A slipper device

Info

Publication number: GB2618577A
Application number: GB2206868.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gdabedo Sandra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2023-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-11
Also published as: GB2618577B; WO2023218395A1; GB2618577A8

Abstract

A heated shoe in the form of a slipper, comprising a sole portion with a fluid reservoir 2 between a cover 3 and a base 1, wherein at least part of the reservoir extends on an instep portion (21, fig.3) in a band above the front of the cover and is separated therefrom so as to allow entrance of a foot between an upper part of the reservoir and a lower part of the reservoir, wherein a heating element heats the fluid in the reservoir, and wherein the sole portion is open at the rear of the cover. The fluid reservoir may locate in a tray of the base. The heating element may be in the upper part of the reservoir and may be a socket or plug (42, fig.4) with a displaceable cap (41, fig.4). The cover may be perforated for passage of heat. A heating controller, rechargeable battery and a fluid driving means may be included.

Description

A SLIPPER DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slipper device, in particular a heated slipper device.

Background

Many people across many societies are increasingly living into old age. This can bring problems for the people as well as the societies.

For example many older people may struggle to stay warm enough in colder climates, having thinner blood and being less likely to spend their time moving. Often 15 such struggles may be focussed on extremities, where warmth is consequently less likely to reach.

There are many aids to keeping warm for such people, which range from blankets, which may be heated, to slippers and warmer clothes.

However often such aids may be inconvenient, bulky, difficult to manipulate, costly to operate or hard to target the heat to where it is needed.

Prior Art

CN 106 723 635 (CHENG) discloses an inner shoe body and an outer shoe body, wherein a cavity is formed between the inner shoe body and the outer shoe body. A heating element is installed on the tail portion of the outer layer shoe body and placed in the cavity. A water adding opening is formed in the outer shoe body and is communicated with the cavity. A stiffener is installed between the inner shoe body and a shoe sole of the outer shoe body.

CN 105 661 744 (SHI et al) discloses a foot warming shoe comprises a shoe body and is characterized in that: the heat-insulating layer is a liquid storage cavity layer 35 and basically surrounds the shoe body, so that the shoe body is basically divided into an inner layer and an outer layer, the heat-insulating layer extends along the bottom.

CN 104 138 097 (GUO) discloses a pair of energy-saving water heating warm shoes. Each warm shoe comprises a warm-keeping shoe outsole, a water storage layer, a shoe insole, a warm keeping upper and a water injection hole, wherein the water 5 storage layer, the shoe insole and the warm keeping upper are arranged above the warm-keeping shoe outsole sequentially; thermal insulation layers are arranged on the periphery of the water storage layer which is communicated with the water injection hole; and an electrical heating appliance is arranged in the water storage layer of each water heating warm shoe and provided with a temperature controlling 10 and adjusting device.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a heated slipper device comprising a resiliently deformable base, a fluid reservoir, a heating element, and a resiliently deformable cover; wherein on a sole portion of the device the reservoir is located between the rear of the cover and the base, and on an instep portion of the device at least part of the reservoir is extended above the front of the cover and separated therefrom so as allow entrance of a foot between an upper part of the reservoir and a lower part of the reservoir; and wherein the heating element is adapted to heat the fluid in the reservoir, and the sole portion of the of the device is open at the rear of the cover.

In this way a user may place their foot into the device easily, sliding their foot between the upper part of the reservoir and the sole portion, so as to quickly and effectively provide a warming sensation to their foot, which is lasting and pleasurable 30 as heat is contained in the front part of the device.

Being enabled to slide their foot in aids users with limited mobility.

In some embodiments the heating element located in the upper part of the reservoir, 35 whereby the heating element heats fluid that passes from the upper part of the reservoir to the lower part during circulation. It may be envisaged that the heating element may include a fluid movement means so as to aid in dispersal of the fluid. Such fluid movement means may comprise a fan, turbine and/or Venturi.

In some embodiments the reservoir extends above the cover in a band, such that the 5 front of the sole portion may be open and/or the reservoir may be discontinuous.

This may enable the toes of the user's foot to be free and/or unheated, so as to prevent overheating.

In some such embodiments a control means for the heating element located on the band, or upper part of the reservoir, for example, so as to allow for easier usage particularly for those with limited mobility.

In some embodiments the cover is perforated for passage of heat from the fluid 15 reservoir, such that the heat may travel both trough the perforations and slower through the cover material.

In some embodiments the base provides a tray for the fluid reservoir, containing the reservoir and providing damage protection around it.

In some embodiments heating element comprises an electrical socket or plug, thereby advantageously allowing for simple charging or direct heating when connected to an electrical network.

In other embodiments the heating element comprises a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments heating element comprises a displaceable cover, so as to cover the control means, socket, battery or other parts that may be susceptible to damage. The displaceable cover may be easily displaceable for those with limited mobility for example pivoting, or clip-over with a tether. The cover may enable the heating element to be conveniently located.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown 10 in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with the cap removed from the socket.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a heated slipper device generally comprising a resiliently deformable base, a fluid reservoir, a heating element, and a resiliently deformable cover; wherein the reservoir is located between the cover and the base, and the heating element is adapted to heat the fluid in the reservoir.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a base 30 1 which provides a basal part 11 providing a flat lower surface for contact with the ground. The upper surface is also flat but has an upstanding lip 12 around the rear of the basal part 11.

The rear lip 12 is U shaped and discontinuous, wherein there is space between the 35 rear lip 12 and a shallower U shaped front lip 13, which extends perimetrically on the front edge of the basal part 11.

The reservoir 2, sits into the base 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a planar basal section 22, which is sized to fit into the lips 12,13.

The reservoir further includes a band 21 extending upwards from one side of the basal section 22 to the other side. The band comprises an arch with internal space for fluid, arranged so as to warm the top and sides of a users instep when wearing the device The top of the arch of the band 21 there is located a heating element socket 42.

The heating element may be located at the socket or may be distributed about the reservoir, for example in the basal section 22 so as to warm the sole of the user's foot and/or permit better flow through the reservoir of heated fluid.

The socket 42 is covered by a displaceable cap 41 so as to prevent damage or water ingress when not in use. The cap is arranged to spin into and out of place, on a pivot.

A resiliently deformable cover 3 is located on top of the reservoir 2, having a basal portion 33 which is planar and arranged to sit on top of the basal section of the reservoir 22.

The basal portion of the cover 33 comprises a plurality of vertical through holes 34, 25 so as to allow for passage of heat. These holes are arranged to face front or back so as to better distribute the heat.

The basal portion 33 sits on top of the lip 12 of the base, whereby such lip has an upper surface that is flat and wide.

The basal portion has a lip 31 that extends around the rear of the cover, and is discontinuous at the band 21.

The cover has a resilient top cap 32, which is fit under and through the band 21 of 35 the reservoir in use, so as to hold the cover, base and reservoir parts in relative form longitudinally.

It may be envisaged that the parts are otherwise adhered to one another on the flat faces.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A heated slipper device comprising a resiliently deformable base, a fluid reservoir, a heating element, and a resiliently deformable cover; wherein on a sole portion of the device the reservoir is located between the rear of the cover and the base, and on an instep portion of the device at least part of the reservoir is extended above the front of the cover and separated therefrom so as allow entrance of a foot between an upper part of the reservoir and a lower part of the reservoir; and wherein the heating element is adapted to heat the fluid in the reservoir, and the sole portion of the of the device is open at the rear of the cover.
2. A heated slipper device according to claim 1 wherein the upper part of the reservoir is extended above a lower part of the reservoir.
3. A heated slipper device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the heating element is located in the upper part of the reservoir.
4. A heated slipper device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the reservoir extends above the cover in a band.
5. A heated slipper device according to claim 4 wherein a control means for the heating element is located on the band.
6. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim comprising a driven fluid movement means.
7. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the cover is perforated for passage of heat from the fluid reservoir.
8. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the base provides a tray for the fluid reservoir.
9. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the heating element comprises an electrical socket or plug.
10. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the heating element comprises a rechargeable battery.
11. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the heating element comprises a displaceable cover.
12. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim wherein the instep portion of the reservoir is displaceable.
13. A heated slipper device according to claim 10 wherein the instep portion of the reservoir is displaceably connected at one end.
14. A heated slipper device according to any preceding claim comprising a strap around the rear of the cover.