Disposable, biodegradable, insole sock

Abstract

The Disposable Insole Sock functions as a flat, soft, absorbent sock. Used for daily wear, it is disposable and biodegradable. It goes between the bottom of the bare foot and the insole of the shoe. It lightly and temporarily adheres to the insole of the shoe. The purpose is to provide flat socks that cover or partially cover only the insole of the shoe. The objective is to aesthetically and ornamentally provide the comfort and cleanliness of a sock worn on shoes with exposed insoles and to provide the comfort and cleanliness of a sock worn on shoes with unexposed insoles. The main components are 1) the soft, durable, absorbent paper; 2) the adhesive; and 3) the protecting peel away paper used only with packaging.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/137,266 filed 2008 Jul. 29 by the present inventor.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to shoe insoles, specifically to disposable inserts (Disposable Insole Socks) made of soft, absorbent paper which provides the means for biodegradability upon disposal.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Shoes or sandals worn without socks can cause feet to become dirty and develop an unpleasant odor. One solution to this problem has been shoe insole coverings, ornamental and otherwise. These coverings have been of a variety of shapes and materials including inexpensive, disposable inserts for more frequent use to enhance foot cleanliness and comfort. While many address the stated problems, none have the advantages of the present art that includes the combination of simplicity, ease of use, and biodegradability. Disposable, soft insoles (Disposable Insole Socks) can provide cleanliness and comfort.

The Disposable Insole Sock is a soft, durable, absorbent paper that covers the insole of a shoe or sandal. It is shaped similar to the insole of the shoe. It has on the bottom side a light adhesive to enable it to temporarily adhere to the insole of the shoe. In addition, it may be made in a variety of colors to blend aesthetically with the insole. The adhesive is to hold the Disposable Insole Sock in place on the shoe insole while it is being worn. This insole may be constructed with perforations to allow for ease in adjusting the size to fit the individual foot or shoe.

Several inventions include disposable inserts and insoles, but do not address environmental concerns and are structured of materials that are not biodegradable:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,671 by Steed;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,844 by Janzen;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,667 b Klavano;

U.S. Patent Application 20070261274 by Fox;

U.S. Patent Application 20030084594 by Korn.

U.S. Patent Application 20050257398 by Blackmer contains biodegradable material, cotton cloth, but does not have the low cost advantage of paper as with the present art.

U.S. Patent Application 0040261294 by Kawata is for another insert that is made of paper or nonwoven cloth but has a synthetic resin sheet carrying designs and is positioned on top of the paper insert. The present art would use paper already color dyed or pigmented without a layer that is not biodegradable.

• • Other disposable shoe inserts are structured with fastening appendages attached to the simple insole shape.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,671 by Lhuillier

U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,055 by Connor

U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,643 B2 by Geer et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,734 B1 by Ou

U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916 by Connor

No prior art was found that offers perforations for size adaptability as is offered with the present art.

Already on the market is a product called Summer Soles made from felt. This product is made of nonwoven material or felt and does not have the cost advantages of cellulose or plant based material. The pricing of the Summer Soles does not encourage changing the insert often as would an economical cellulose or paper based material of the present invention.

What is lacking is a fashionable insert made of biodegradable materials that would not cause environmental problems when disposed of and that would encourage frequent exchange of foot inserts to enhance foot comfort and cleanliness for those who do not wear socks. Ease of use is facilitated through perforations outlining different shoe sizes allowing ease in tearing or cutting the insert to the desired size. The bottom of the insert is temporarily adhered to the shoe insole and allows for ease in exchanging inserts.

Accordingly, objects and advantages of the present invention relate to environmental friendliness, user comfort and cleanliness, and to user convenience. The fact that the materials of the layers are biodegradable answers any environmental concerns of a disposable product. The foot is kept cleaner if the insole coverings are changed often. The present art, made of disposable, biodegradable material encourages this exchange. The perforations that outline the different sizes allow the wearer to conveniently tear or cut the insert to the correct size.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a biodegradable, disposable shoe insert comprises an insole-shaped layer of cellulosic material to go against the wearer's foot. Repositionable adhesive on the bottom would ensure the insole sock remains in place while being worn. The Disposable Insole Sock is cut from soft, absorbent, paper that is durable enough for wear and yet is biodegradable. It is temporarily worn between the foot and the insole of a shoe. It is held in place with low tack adhesive, repositionable adhesive, or wax. Because of the adhesive, a thin paper protects the adhesive before the insole sock is worn. When the insole sock is cut, all three layers (the soft, durable paper comprising the insole sock, the adhesive, and the protective paper) are all cut at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is the paper layer placed on a sandal with an exposed insole.

FIG. 2 is the paper layer showing where perforations may be placed. In FIG. 2 the insole sock is placed on a sandal with an exposed insole.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a single layer insole sock as it is sold with protective paper over adhesive.

FIG. 4 is the bottom view of the protective paper over the adhesive without perforations.

FIG. 5 is also the bottom view of the protective paper over the adhesive. However, the item in FIG. 5 is the bottom view showing where perforations may be placed.

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

10	paper layer	12	sandal with exposed insole
14	paper layer with perforations	16	adhesive
18	protective paper	20	protective paper with
			perforations

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Disposable Insole Sock 10 is made by either cutting soft, durable, absorbent paper in the shape of an insole or by casting. The cutting may be done by hand held scissors or by a die cutting machine. The adhesive 16 may be sprayed on or applied by machine to the soft, durable, absorbent paper 10 before a protective paper 18 is added and before the insole socks are cut.

Ellmer's Craft Bond Multi-Purpose spray Adhesive serves as a temporary bond. Saturation paper S-20 sold by Buckeye Technologies in Memphis, Tenn. is an example of a soft absorbent paper.

The physical structure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Soft, durable, absorbent paper is cut in the shape of shoe insole 10. One side will have a light adhesive 16 on it to stick enough to be held in place and yet be removed easily. It will be sold with a throw away paper backing 18, protecting the adhesive side of the Disposable Insole Sock.

The ability of paper to be printed with or dyed to different colors and designs would make the Disposable Insole Sock aesthetically pleasing when worn on shoes with exposed insoles. Paper can be made both soft for comfort and durable enough to easily position the insole socks in shoes with unexposed insoles.

The Disposable Insole Socks' construction material, soft durable paper, is made of plant material. Flax, linen, cotton, bamboo, and wood name a few of the plants that may be used. These plant sources of the paper material can be easily attained and are a renewable resource. Because of this, the construction costs can be kept low. Since the sources of the material are plants, biodegradability will be naturally attained. This is an important environmental benefit.

The insole sock may be perforated 14 to allow for ease in tearing or cutting it to the correct size. Most insoles have guiding size-lines on the back for manual cutting to size. The perforations may be positioned where some of the cutting lines, showing size, are normally placed. This would allow for tearing to the correct size when the use of scissors is not convenient. The paper backing 20 could also be perforated so sizing could be done before the paper backing is removed.

Claims

1. A disposable, biodegradable insole covering for daily wear in shoes comprising:

a. a first layer of soft durable material made of organic papermaking fibers;

b. a repositionable adhesive applied to the bottom of said first layer;

c. a removable paper protecting the adhesive during packaging.