Footcover and methods for producing and using the same

Abstract

An ornamental and useful footcover and methods for producing and using the same. The footcover includes a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of a foot, a second pocket adapted to contain at least one of the remaining toes of the foot, and a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot. The first and second toe pockets and the third pocket are connected to form an integral enclosure to contain a medication and prevent the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is made from a material for forming a barrier that does not permit passage of the medication. In another preferred embodiment, the sole and toe pockets have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges. In use, the medication is placed in the footcover, which is then placed on the foot by inserting the toes into the toe pocket and then pulling the third pocket over the sole of the foot.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to footcovers, and more specifically, to a footcover for enclosing the toes and the sole of a foot and to methods for producing and using such a footcover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well-known in the prior art to apply medication to the toes and/or sole of a foot by applying the medication directly to the toes and/or sole and then covering the toes and sole with bandaging. One difficulty with this prior art is that the medication can leak out from the bandaging, causing the medication to pass onto surrounding surfaces. Leakage of the medication, of course, requires that the medication be replaced or that an oversupply of the medication be applied originally. Any surfaces that become covered by the medication must also be cleaned. Furthermore, bandaging will typically immobilize the user.

[0003] Other prior art includes footwear that is intended to promote healing of the foot. However, the footwear is not designed to contain any medication.

[0004] The known prior art does not include footwear that containing medication without allowing the medication to leak out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to a first aspect, the invention is an enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel. The portion of the foot includes the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes. The enclosure includes a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of the foot, a second toe pocket adapted to contain at least some of the toes other than the particular toe, and a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot. The first and second toe pockets and the third pocket are connected to form an integral enclosure that contains a medication for application to the particular toe and prevents the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the invention is a method for making an enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes. The method includes the steps of: a) forming a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of the foot, b) forming a second toe pocket adapted to contain at least some of the toes other than the particular toe, c) forming a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot, and d) connecting the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket to form an integral enclosure to contain a medication for application to the particular toe and prevent the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

[0007] According to a third aspect, the invention is an enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes. The enclosure includes first means for containing a particular one of the toes of the foot, second means for containing at least some of the toes other than the particular toe, and third means for containing the sole of the foot. The first, second and third means are connected to form an integral enclosure for containing a medication for application to the portion of the foot and preventing the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The footwear 10 is intended to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel. The portion of a foot intended to be enclosed includes at least one or more of the toe(s) and the sole of the foot. The footwear 10 includes a first toe pocket 12, a second toe pocket 14 and a third pocket 16. The first toe pocket 12 is adapted to contain a specific one of the toes of the foot, such as the big toe. The second toe pocket 14 is adapted to contain a specific ones of the remaining toes of the foot. The second toe pocket 14 of the invention encloses all of the specific ones of the toes together, much as the fingers of a hand (other than the thumb) are enclosed together in a mitten.

[0011] The third pocket 16 is adapted to contain the sole of the foot. It can also include the heel of the foot. The first and second toe pockets 12 and 14 and the third pocket 16 are connected to form an integral enclosure 18.

[0012] As an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first toe pocket 12 can be designed to enclose the toe next to the big toe and the second toe pocket 14 can enclose the remaining toes.

[0013] It is envisioned that the primary application of the invention will allow medication to be applied to the specific one of the toes while the remaining toes and the remainder of the foot are segregated from the medication. However, there are other applications as well. For example, the specific one of the toes can be treated with a first medication, the specific ones of the remaining toes can be treated with a second medication, and the sole can be treated with a third medication.

[0014] In general, each of the pockets can contain a particular medication for application to the portion of the foot it is intended to contain while also preventing the medication from being transported out of the pocket, as well as out of the integral enclosure.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the respective edges 20, 22 and 24 of the first and second toe pockets 12 and 14 and the third pocket 16 are designed to prevent the medication from transporting out of the integral enclosure 16 by passing around any of the edges 20, 22 and 24. The edges 20, 22 and 24 can alternatively take the form of a thickened bead or an inwardly-turning flap that forms a barrier to contain the medication within the integral enclosure 18.

[0016] The integral enclosure 18 is preferably made from a plastic material that will not allow the medication to pass through, yet can be stretched over the foot and comfortably enclose the foot when in place. Such plastic materials are well-known to those skilled in the relevant arts.

[0017] While the foregoing includes detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are many alternative embodiments of the invention that would occur to those skilled in the art and which are within the scope of the present invention. For example, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts that the invention includes a mirror image of the embodiment shown in the drawings. Accordingly, the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes, comprising:

a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of the foot;

a second toe pocket adapted to contain at least some of the toes other than the particular toe; and

a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot,

the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket being connected to form an integral enclosure that contains a medication for application to the particular toe and prevents the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket are made from a material that forms a barrier that does not permit passage of the medication.

3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the third pocket encloses the heel of the foot.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the third pocket and the first and second toe pockets have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges.

5. A method for making an enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes, the method comprising the steps of:

a) forming a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of the foot;

b) forming a second toe pocket adapted to contain at least some of the toes other than the particular toe;

c) forming a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot; and

d) connecting the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket to form an integral enclosure to contain a medication for application to the particular toe and prevent the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein steps a), b) and c) respectively form the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket from a material that forms a barrier that does not permit passage of the medication.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein step c) includes forming the third pocket to enclose the heel of the foot.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein steps a), b) and c) respectively include forming the sole and toe pockets to have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges.

9. A method for forming an enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes, the method comprising the steps of:

a) forming a first toe pocket adapted to contain a particular one of the toes of the foot;

b) forming a second toe pocket adapted to contain at least some of the toes other than the particular toe; and

c) forming a third pocket adapted to contain the sole of the foot,

the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket being connected to form an integral enclosure to contain a medication for application to the portion of the foot and prevent the passage of the medication through the integral enclosure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step c) includes forming the third pocket to enclose the heel of the foot.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein steps a), b) and c) respectively include forming the first and second toe pockets and the third pocket to have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges.

12. An enclosure to enclose a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the sole of the foot and at least some of the toes, comprising:

first means for containing a particular one of the toes of the foot;

second means for containing at least some of the toes other than the particular toe; and

third means for containing the sole of the foot,

the first, second and third means being connected to form an integral enclosure for containing a medication for application to the portion of the foot and preventing the medication from being transported out of the integral enclosure.

13. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the first, second and third means are made from a material that forms a barrier that does not permit passage of the medication.

14. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the means for containing the sole of the foot includes means for enclosing the heel of the foot.

15. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the first, second and third means have edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges.

16. An enclosure for enclosing a portion of a foot having one or more toes, a sole and a heel, the portion of the foot including the toes and the sole of the foot, comprising:

first means for containing a particular one of the toes of the foot;

second means for containing at least some of the toes other than the particular toe; and

third means for containing the sole of the foot,

the first, second and third means being connected to form an integral means for containing a medication for application to the portion of the foot and for preventing the passage of the medication through the enclosure.

17. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein the third means includes means for enclosing the heel of the foot.

18. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein the first, second and third means include edges that prevent the passage of the medication out of the enclosure past the edges.

19. The ornamental design for a footcover, as shown and described.