Disposable flip-flop with exfoliating and moisturizing functions

Abstract

A disposable flip-flop, comprising an insole support, an insole, a strap having portions that are attached to the insole, a layer of exfoliating material attached to the insole so as to directly contact the plantar region of a user foot, and a predetermined amount of moisturizing agent on and in the layer of exfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of the user foot. In one embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a lotion. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a creme. In a further embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a gel. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is oil.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to flip flops.

2. Description of the Related Art

Footwear using loofah is known in the art and such footwear is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916 and Great Britain Patent Nos. 230887 and 15819. Disposable footwear is also known in the art and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,676.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable flip flop that provides both exfoliating and moisturizing functions.

The present invention is directed to a disposable flip-flop comprising an insole support having an insole, a strap having portions thereof attached to the insole, a layer of exfoliating material attached to the insole so as to directly contact the plantar region of a user foot, and a predetermined amount of moisturizing agent in and on the layer of exfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of the user foot. In one embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a lotion. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a creme. In a further embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a gel. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is oil.

In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for making a disposable flip-flop, comprising the steps of providing an insole support having an insole, providing a strap having portions adapted to be attached to the insole, attaching the portions of the strap to the insole, attaching a layer of exfoliating material to substantially the entire insole, and treating the layer of exfoliating material with a moisturizing agent.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and may be understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a flip flop, which is part of a pair of flip flops, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flip flop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a lengthwise, cross-sectional view of a flip-flop in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the disposable flip flop of the present invention. Flip flop 10 comprises insole support 14 and insole 16. Flip flop 10 further comprises strap 18 that has portions 20, 22 and 24 that are attached to insole 16. Insole support 14 and insole 16 are fabricated from any suitable materials including plastic, rubber, PVC, polyurethane, silicone, EVA, leather and foam. These are just examples and other suitable materials can be used. Similarly, strap 18 is fabricated from plastic, rubber, EVA, PVC, polyurethane, silicone, and leather, or other suitable materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, flip flop 10 further includes a layer of material 30 that is attached to insole 16. Layer of material 30 directly contacts the plantar region of the user foot and provides therapeutic benefits that include a slight massaging effect, slight exfoliation of the skin of the plantar region of a user foot, and increased blood flow. For purposes of brevity, layer of material 30 shall be referred to herein as “layer of exfoliating material 30”. In a preferred embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 30 is a layer of loofah. Loofah is known in the art and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916. However, it is to be understood that layer of exfoliating material 30 can be any suitable material that can provide the aforesaid therapeutic benefits. In an alternate embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 30 is loofah and is formed of separate loofah fibers bonded to each other or to a backing material.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, layer of exfoliating material 30 is of a substantial constant thickness and is attached to insole 16 via any suitable technique (e.g. adhesives, sewing, melting, or molding process). In a preferred embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 30 covers substantially the entire insole 16 except where portions 20, 22 and 24 of strap 18 are attached to insole 16. Portions 20, 22 and 24 are shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 30 has a thickness between about 1/16 inch and ¼ inch. However, layer of exfoliating material 30 may have other suitable thicknesses.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, layer of exfoliating material 30 is attached to insole 16 by any of the methods mentioned above. The peripheral edges of layer of exfoliating material 30 are further attached to insole 16 by strip of material 40 that extends about the peripheral region of insole 16. Strip of material 40 has a first portion 42 that is attached to the peripheral region of insole 16. In one embodiment, stitching is used to attach first portion 42 to insole 16. The edge 30A of layer of exfoliating material 30 is disposed over first portion 42. Strip of material 40 also includes a second portion 44 that is folded over on top of edge 30A. In one embodiment, stitching 46 is inserted through second portion 44, edge 30A, first portion 42 and into the peripheral region of insole 16. However, other suitable methods, techniques or configurations may be used to attach the edge 30A of layer of exfoliating material 30 to insole 16. In a preferred embodiment, strip of material 40 is fabricated from fabric. However, other suitable materials may be used.

In accordance with the invention, layer of exfoliating material 30 is treated with moisturizing agent 50 that moisturizes the plantar region of the user foot. FIGS. 1-3 show reference number 50 indicating some of the moisturizing agent. However, it is to be understood that moisturizing agent 50 extends substantially throughout the entire layer of exfoliating material 30. Specifically, moisturizing agent 50 is located on top of and within the layer of exfoliating material 30. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 30 is saturated with the moisturizing agent 50. This can be accomplished by spraying the moisturizing agent onto layer of exfoliating material 30. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is brushed onto the layer of exfoliating material 30. In another embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 30 is first soaked in the moisturizing agent and then attached to insole 16. The moisturizing agent can take many forms, e.g. cocoa butter, shea butter, lotions, oils, cremes, or gels. It is to be understood that these aforesaid moisturizing agents are just examples and that other suitable moisturizing agents may be used. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent includes an exfoliating agent.

As the user walks in flip flops 10, moisturizing agent 50 contacts the plantar regions of the user's feet to heal dry or cracked skin. The moisturizing agent 50 will most likely dry, wear out or dissipate within 10-14 days. Once that occurs, the user may dispose of the flip flops 10.

In a preferred embodiment, insole support 14, insole 16 and strap 18 are fabricated from inexpensive materials to allow the flip flops to be disposable. This is because in many instances, layer of exfoliating material 30 will be a porous material which, under certain circumstances, is conducive to growth of bacteria. Loofah is a porous material and is susceptible to bacteria growth. Therefore, if layer of exfoliating material 30 is fabricated from loofah, then flip flops 10 are preferably packaged in a vacuum sealed package to prevent the growth of bacteria in the loofah and to preserve the moisturizing agent and prevent it from drying out. When the user decides to wear the flip-flops for the first time, he or she breaks the vacuum sealed package and then removes the flip-flops therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown an alternate flip-flop of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view, and FIG. 5 is a widthwise cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. Flip-flop 100 comprises insole support 102 and insole 104. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, insole 104 is configured to have a recessed or sunken region 105 that extends for the substantially the entire length and width of flip-flop 100. This recessed or sunken region 105 provides sloping sides 106A, 106B, sloping toe section 108, and sloping heel section 110. Flip-flop 100 further includes layer of exfoliating material 112 that is attached to insole 104. The peripheral portions of layer of exfoliating material 112 follow or conform to the contours of sloping sides 106A, 106B, sloping toe section 108, and sloping heel section 110. Such a configuration facilitates contact between layer of exfoliating material 112 and the toes, sides and heel of a wearer's foot. In one embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 112 is fabricated from loofah. The layer of exfoliating material 112 can be attached to insole 104 by of any of the methods described in the foregoing description with respect to the attachment of layer of exfoliating material 30 to insole 16. Flip flop 100 also includes straps 118 that have portions thereof attached to insole 104. Insole support 102, insole 104 and straps 118 may be fabricated from plastic, rubber, EVA, PVC, polyurethane, silicone, and leather, or other suitable materials. For purposes of simplicity and to facilitate understanding of this embodiment of the invention, straps 118 are not shown in FIG. 5.

In accordance with the invention, layer of exfoliating material 112 is treated with moisturizing agent 120 that moisturizes the plantar region of the user foot in the same manner as moisturizing agent 50 described in the foregoing description. For purposes of simplicity, moisturizing agent 120 is only shown in FIG. 5. Moisturizing agent 120 extends substantially throughout the entire layer of exfoliating material 112. Specifically, moisturizing agent 120 is located on top of and within the layer of exfoliating material 112. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 112 is saturated with the moisturizing agent 120.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description should be considered as exemplary in nature and not limiting the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A disposable flip-flop, comprising:

an insole support having an insole;

a strap attached to the insole;

a layer of exfoliating material attached to the insole so as to directly contact the plantar of a user foot; and

a predetermined amount of moisturizing agent on and in the layer of exfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of the user foot.

2. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is a lotion.

3. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is a creme.

4. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is a gel.

5. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is oil.

6. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the insole is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, rubber, EVA, PVC, polyurethane and silicone.

7. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the layer of exfoliating material covers substantially the entire insole.

8. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the layer of exfoliating material has a thickness between about 1/16 inch and ¼ inch.

9. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein the layer of exfoliating material is a layer of loofah.

10. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein:

the layer of exfoliating material has a peripheral portion;

the insole defines a sunken portion and a sloped portion wherein the sloped portion surrounds the sunken portion;

the layer of exfoliating material is positioned within the sunken portion; and

the peripheral portion of the layer of exfoliating material conforms to the sloped portion surrounding the sunken portion so as to contact the toes, sides and heel of a user foot.

11. A method of making a disposable flip-flop, comprising:

providing an insole support having an insole;

providing a strap having portions adapted to be attached to the insole;

attaching the portions of the strap to the insole;

attaching a layer of exfoliating material to substantially the entire top surface of the insole; and

treating the layer of exfoliating material with a moisturizing agent.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of treating the layer of exfoliating material with a moisturizing agent comprises saturating the layer of exfoliating material with the moisturizing agent.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of saturating the layer of exfoliating material with a moisturizing agent comprises spraying the moisturizing agent onto the layer of exfoliating material.

14. The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of saturating the layer of exfoliating material with a moisturizing agent comprises brushing the moisturizing agent on the layer of exfoliating material.

15. The method according to claim 11 wherein the layer of exfoliating material is a layer of loofah.

16. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the steps of packaging the disposable flip flop in a package and vacuum sealing the package.

17. A disposable flip flop made according to the method of claim 11.