US3711967A

US3711967A - Footwear for foot treatment or maintenance

Info

Publication number: US3711967A
Application number: US00137500A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Sundstrom; C Candelius
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-04-30
Filing date: 1971-04-26
Publication date: 1973-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-23
Also published as: DE2121374A1; SE341446B

Abstract

A footwear for foot treatment or maintenance comprises a liquid absorbing inner portion of a material having substantially the same characteristics as polyeter foam plastics shaped to enclose a foot and a liquid proof outer portion or layer. A liquid such as a foot-salt dissolved in water is contained in the inner portion. When the footwear is put on a walking person the inner portion is periodically compressed and allowed to expand. The contained liquid will then circulate around the foot which is thereby subjected to an advantageous and effective medical treatment. The footwear, thus, replaces earlier foot treatment by using a bowl filled with a liquid. It can be designed as a simple article for non-recurring use.

Description

United States Patent 91 Candelius et al.

[4 1 Jan. 23, 1973 FOOTWEAR FOR FOOT TREATMENT OR MAINTENANCE [22] Filed: April 26, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 137,500

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 30, 1970 Sweden ..6005/70 [52] 11.8. C1. ..36/4 [51] Int. Cl. ..A43b l/l0 [58] Field of Search ..36/2.5 R, 10, 9 R, 8.1, 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,052,046 9/1962 Kramer ..36/9 R 1,742,176 12/1929 Hebig ..36/8.1

Servin ..36/9 R Scholl ..36/8.1

Primary Examiner--Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT A footwear for foot treatment or maintenance comprises a liquid absorbing inner portion of a material having substantially the same characteristics as polyeter foam plastics shaped to enclose a foot and a liquid proof outer portion or layer. A liquid such as a foot-salt dissolved in water is contained in the inner portion. When the footwear is put on a walking person the inner portion is periodically compressed and allowed to expand. The contained liquid will then circulate around the foot which is thereby subjected to an advantageous and effective medical treatment. The footwear, thus, replaces earlier foot treatment by using a bowl filled with a liquid. It can be designed as a simple article for non-recurring use.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FOOTWEAR FOR FOOT TREATMENT OR MAINTENANCE The present invention relates to footwears, particularly footwears for medical foot treatment or maintenance.

The main object of the invention is to replace the heretofore common but rather unpractical method of foot treatment by using a bowl filled with a liquid.

According to the invention a footwear for foot treatment or maintenance comprises a liquid absorbing inner portion shaped to enclose a foot and an outer liquid proof outer portion or layer, said inner portion being made of an elastic and porous material such as a foam plastic so that it by compression emits a liquid contained therein and when resuming its original shape again absorbes or soaks up the liquid.

Thus, if the footwear is used by a walking person the liquid will circulate around the foot when the inner portion periodically will be compressed and allowed to expand which brings about an advantageous medical treatment of the foot superior to the result obtained by a conventional foot-bath. In addition a footwear according to the invention will permit the user to move freely and occupy himself with other duties when simultaneously being subjected to the medical treatment.

The invention will be more fully described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a footwear according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 a footwear having substantially the shape of a slipper comprises an inner portion a of an elastic and porous material such as a foam plastic, for instance polyeter or polyurethane foam plastic. A waterproof separate outer layer b surrounds and is bound to the inner portion and serves as a waterproof envelope or cover therefore. It may be made of a plastic foil such as a polyethylene foil. In the footwear there is a foot receiving opening c.

The footwear is conveniently so shaped that its heel portion extends above the heel of the inserted foot and it may also have a downwards directed recess for the ankle joint.

After having saturated the inner portion a with a suitable treatment agent, for instance a foot-salt dissolved in water, the footwear is put on the foot. When the wearer then walks the liquid will circulate around the foot during the periodical compression and expansion of the inner portion, then subjecting the foot to an effective and advantageous medical treatment.

In the modified embodiment according to FIG. 2 the separate thin outer portion or layer b for instance made of a polyethylene foil is not bound to the inner portion but held tightly thereagainst and against the foot-ankle by means of a crimped upper part containing a rubber band d.

In the footwear according to FIG. 3 which is shaped substantially as the one in FIG. 1 the outer waterproof layer b is integral with the porous and elastic inner portion a and comprises an impregnated outer part thereof.

It is important that the inner portion a Is made of a material having good skin protecting characteristics. Some foam plastics have a tendency to hurt the skin and are therefore not suitable. Most foam plastics such as the above mentioned, however, are convenient for the foot and may therefore be utilized. Other types of porous and elastic materials than foam plastics such as sponge materials may also be used.

A footwear according to the invention is cheap to manufacture in large series and may be designed as a throw-away article for use for instance in hospitals or the like.

What we claim is:

1. A footwear for foot treatment or maintenance comprising a liquid absorbing inner portion shaped to at least partly enclose a foot and a liquid proof outer portion or layer, said inner portion being made of an elastic and porous material and in direct contact with a users foot, and a therapeutic liquid absorbently contained in said porous inner portion, wherein said inner portion by compression emits said liquid contained therein and when resuming its original shape again absorbes the liquid.

2. A footwear as set forth in claim 1, said elastic and porous inner portion comprising a foam plastic materia] having good skin protecting properties such as polyeter foam plastic, the outer portion or layer comprising a plastic foil.

Claims

2. A footwear as set forth in claim 1, said elastic and porous inner portion comprising a foam plastic material having good skin protecting properties such as polyeter foam plastic, the outer portion or layer comprising a plastic foil.