US20040016147A1

US20040016147A1 - Hygienic footwear, incorporating material or composites containing silver metal

Info

Publication number: US20040016147A1
Application number: US10/201,850
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Cole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-25
Filing date: 2002-07-25
Publication date: 2004-01-29

Abstract

Disclosed are footwear products incorporating the use of the hyper allergenic properties of metallic silver materials therein, and more particularly, disclosed are insoles, liners, and footwear incorporating metallic silver material arranged so as to provide total contact or proximity with a user foot or footwear itself in order to avail the user foot the antifungal and antimicrobial benefits of clean smelling feet, deodorization of footwear and the wearability benefits of silver's heat distribution capabilities. Elemental silver (Ag) preventing fungal and bacterial growth which can be used on or near a person's body. There is a need for a long-lasting and durable method to prevent the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungus in footwear products. The problem of odors from bacteria can be especially noticed in footwear.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to footwear the antifungal and antibacterial properties of silver mental compositions and composites in the form of a material which is applied to footwear resulting in a more hygienic footwear possessing long-lasting deodorant properties with improved thermal characteristics.

Therefore the invention relates to footwear and specifications for creation of said footwear. Subject of this document is not limited by the classifications noted in below list of classifications.

Class 36 especially involving subclasses 18.1+, 9R,

69, 9+,93,96,98,103,104,113,115,154

Class 12 especially involving subclasses IG,128B,133M,142W,142T,142S,142J,142G,146M

Class 442 especially involving subclasses 52

Class 420 especially involving subclasses 566

Class 106 especially involving subclasses 286.7,202

Class 607 especially involving subclasses 144 for footwear combined with means for applying to the body any one or combination of light or analogous rays, electricity, or thermo treatments which are limited by structure to therapeutic use.

Class 2, Apparel, appropriate subclasses for devices such as socks and stoclings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward satisfying the aforementioned need with respect to providing further footwear products in general, and with respect to providing further footwear products incorporating the use of Silver materials therein in particular.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention is to utilize properties of silver material to provide insole, liner, sandal, shoe and boot products having therapeutic advantages of the antifungal and antimicrobial benefits qualities of comfort of the walking elements such as socks, stockings, or tights, due in particular to the accumulation of odor, more or less restricting treatments dispensed on broken skin, blisters, and fungal infections, emanation of an offensive odor relating to foot and footwear, fungal and bacterial growth within the medium of footwear. Thereby providing wearer clean smelling feet.

A second object of the present invention is to provide insole, liner, boot, sandal, shoe and socks products incorporating the use of silver materials therein.

An even more particular object of the present invention to provide further footwear products incorporating the use of silver materials meaning fabrics containing elemental silver.

An even more particular object of the present invention is to provide insole, liner, sandal, shoe and boot products incorporating the use of silver material therein.

A further particular object of the present invention is to utilize natural properties of silver material to provide insole, liner, sandal, shoe and boot products having wearability and comfort advantages the wear of silver's heat distribution capabilities. Elemental silver (Ag) preventing fungal and bacterial growth which can be used on or near a person's body.

Also, a further particular object of the present invention is to utilize natural properties of silver material to provide insole, liner, boot, sandal, shoe and socks products having aesthetic advantages.

Still an even further [0018]
Applicant accomplishes the foregoing objects through the provision of a unique and novel combination invention, which in a broad sense, is directed to a footwear insert at least partially formed of silver material. More particularly, the footwear insert can be in the form of an insole and is constructed such that silver material thereof is arranged for direct contact with a user foot. Further, the insole can be totally formed of silver material, or can be constructed of a first insole layer formed of silver material and a second insole layer providing support for the silver material. At least one of the insole or the first insole layer and the second insole layer has a varying thickness such that a surface of the footwear insert has depressions and ridges conforming to a non-planar shape (i.e., contour) of a bottom of a user foot. The insole is removably insertable into footwear. The first insole layer is integrated with said second insole layer through at least one of an adhesive, sewing, melting and molding process. Finally, the footwear insert can include both an insole at least partially formed of silver material, and a liner at least partially formed of silver material. [0019]
In an intermediate sense, Applicant's invention is directed to a footwear at least partially formed of silver material. More particularly, the footwear is constructed such that silver material thereof is arranged for direct contact with a user foot. Further, the insole can be at least partially formed of silver material, wherein the footwear can be in the form of a sandal footwear having the insole formed of silver material integrated therewith, or one of a shoe or boot footwear having said insole formed of silver material integrated therewith. The insole can have a varying thickness such that a surface of the insole has depressions and ridges conforming to a non-planar shape of a bottom of a user foot. Alternatively, the insole can be constructed such that the insole comprises a first insole layer formed of silver material, and a second insole layer providing support for the silver material, wherein the first insole layer is integrated with the second insole layer through at least one of an electroplating, vapor deposition, adhesive, sewing, melting and molding process. [0020]
Finally, in a narrower sense, Applicant's invention is directed to a footwear in the form of one of a boot or a shoe, the footwear comprising an insole layer at least partially formed of silver material and a sole providing support for said silver material, wherein at least one of the insole layer and the sole has a varying thickness such that a surface of the insole layer has depressions and ridges conforming to a non-planar shape of a bottom of a user foot, and wherein the first insole layer is integrated with the sole through a variety of methods possible including vapor deposition, electroplating, adhesive bonding, electrostatic welding process and a molding process. [0021]

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICIONS

PAT. NO. Title [0022]
1 U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,734 Adjustable and disposable foot care article [0023]
2 U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,447 Methods of using odor eliminating items for hunting [0024]
3 U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,703 Strong, soft, tear resistant insulating compositions and composites for extreme cold weather use [0025]
4 U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,279 Cosmetic preparations containing vertebrate proteins and having antibacterial, antimycotical and antiviral action [0026]
5 U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,645 Enzymatic modification of the surface of a polyester fiber or article [0027]
6 U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,324 Footwear system for hunting [0028]
7 U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,240 Shock-absorbing cushion [0029]
8 U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,196 Storage system with ambience conditioning facilities [0030]
9 U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,055 Insoles, liners and footwear incorporating sisal material [0031]
10 U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,321 Acid neutralization of skin [0032]
11 U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,671 Sole-shaped sweat-absorbing disposable hygienic insert [0033]
12 U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916 Insoles liners and footwear incorporating loofah material [0034]
13 U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,003 Shoe with replaceable hygienic cartridge [0035]
14 U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,161 Shock-absorbing cushion [0036]
15 U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,006 Antimicrobial complexes [0037]
16 U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,866 Athletic footwear with hinged entry and fastening system [0038]
17 U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,034 Composition containing a polymer resin and undecylenic acid or derivatives thereof [0039]
18 U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,865 Method of recycling a discarded polyurethane foam article [0040]
19 U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,735 Weighted insert for footwear [0041]
20 U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,735 Liquid crystal deodorant [0042]
21 U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,642 Portable dryer [0043]
22 U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,169 System and method for deodorant delivery in footwear [0044]
23 U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,277 Footwear sole providing ventilation, shock absorption and fashion [0045]
24 U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,722 Multi-layer scent emitting article and device adapted to employ same [0046]
25 U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,068 Shoe and removable shoe insole system [0047]
26 U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,273 Anti-perspirative remedy for treatment of sweaty feet and other skin areas [0048]
27 U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,014 Molded articles of nonwoven fabric containing synthetic fiber and process for producing the same [0049]
28 U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,351 Foam rubber insoles containing Ottacide-P [0050]
29 U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,677 Shoe cleaner [0051]
30 U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,183 Deodorizing methods and articles using ion exchange manufacture [0052]
31 U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,189 Wear-resistant flexible sheet material and a method for its manufacture [0053]
32 U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,123 Deodorizing manufacture for the foot using ion exchange material [0054]
33 U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,131 Insoles for footwear [0055]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A footwear comprising silver (Ag) incorporated within material of footwear in a quantity to reduce growth of odor causing bacteria and fungus that produce unpleasant odor incorporated in any and all parts of said footwear including boot, shoe, sandal, inner liner, sock, insert and cushion.

2. A footwear comprising of at least partially formed of silver material, having contouring of the silver material to give the insole a varying thickness, with an upper surface having depressions and ridges to accommodate the bottom of a user foot, the depressions and ridges providing increased comfort of the user foot.

3. A footwear comprising silver imbedded material arranged so as to provide total contact or proximity with a user foot or footwear itself in order to avail the Hygienic antifungal and antimicrobial properties of said silver (Ag) to the wearer of said footwear with the wearability benefits of silver's heat distribution capabilities.

4. A footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footwear, preventing the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungus.

5. A footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footwear comprises silver (Ag) incorporated within material.

6. A footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein footwear comprises a said quantity silver (Ag) to reduce growth said odor causing bacteria and fungus that produce unpleasant odor.

7. A footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Silver incorporated within material comprises in any and all parts of said footwear including boot, shoe, sandal, inner liner, sock, insert and cushion.

8. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, wherein said footwear comprises a insert.

9. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, wherein said footwear comprises a cushion.

10. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, A footwear comprising least partially of said (Ag) silver material.

11. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, the silver material to give the insole a varying thickness

12. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, with an upper surface having depressions and ridges to accommodate the bottom of a user foot.

13. A footwear as claimed in claim 2, the depressions and ridges providing increased comfort of the user foot.

14. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, silver material is arranged so as to provide total contact with a user foot or footwear.

15. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, silver material is arranged so as to provide proximity with a user foot or footwear.

16. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a insert.

17. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a cushion.

18. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a boot.

19. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a shoe.

20. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a sandal.

21. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a sock.

22. A footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footwear comprises a inner liner.