ABSORBENT FOOTWEAR LINER

Abstract

An absorbent footwear liner comprising an upper absorbent layer and a lower layer comprising an adhesive equal in size to the upper layer for adhering the liner to substantially the entire surface of a footbed for absorbing and dissipating moisture thereon and preventing foot slippage on a shoe footbed due to perspiration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/380,954 filed May 1, 2006, currently pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; which claims priority of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/686,666 filed Jun. 2, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to footwear liners, and more particularly to an absorbent footwear liner that substantially covers a footwear sole for absorbing and dissipating perspiration from a foot engaged therewith.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are over 250,000 sweat glands in a human foot. Unfortunately, shoes are not created with this in mind. Perspiration not only causes odor but also causes the surface of the foot to become moist. In fact the human foot has the capacity to produce at least % a cup of perspiration per day.

Typical footbeds of non-athletic shoes such as pumps, loafers, and sandals comprise a liner comprising a leather, plastic, or synthetic material which cannot absorb nor release foot produced perspiration. As a result, feet accumulating perspiration thereon slip on the footbeds causing the foot to shift inside the shoe and even slip completely out of the shoe in some cases. Further, persons with hyperhidrosis, commonly referred to as excessive sweating, have even more difficulties with typical footbeds such that simply keeping an open shoe on their feet is nearly impossible.

Heretofore shoe liners have been available for orthotic purposes, for overall cushioning, and as inserts for either the heel or ball of a foot to improve overall fit of the shoe. Existing shoe liners have not been designed to absorb moisture and prevent slippage due to perspiration. Further, existing shoe liners typically have adhesive tabs which do not secure the entire liner.

The present invention comprises an absorbent shoe liner which overcomes foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, an absorbent shoe liner comprises an upper footbed layer which absorbs and dissipates perspiration and a lower layer comprising an adhesive area equal in size to the upper footbed layer for adhering the liner to substantially the entire surface of the footbed of a shoe.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, an absorbent shoe liner comprises an upper layer comprising a fabric with moisture wicking capabilities and a lower layer comprising an adhesive material. Both the upper and lower layers extend across the entire footbed of a shoe covering the footbed from edge to edge and end to end. The fabric comprising the upper layer absorbs excess moisture from the foot thereby preventing the foot from slipping out of the shoe and further absorbing bacteria which prevents accumulation of odor inside the shoe. The adhesive lower layer keeps the shoe liner secure on the footbed of the shoe.

The fabric comprising the upper layer of absorbent shoe liner may comprise 100% hemp fibers. Alternatively, the upper layer of the absorbent shoe liner may comprise a blend of hemp fibers and wool fibers.

Regardless of the materials) utilized in the construction of the upper layer of the absorbent shoe liner, micro-encapsulated essential oils may be incorporated therein. When absorbent shoe liners having micro-encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein are installed in shoes and the shoes are worn, contact between the feet of the wearer and the upper layer of the absorbent shoe liner releases the essential oils thereby keeping the feet fragranced and feeling refreshed.

The upper layer may also include additional foam material substantially near where the ball or heel of the foot rests thereon for providing cushion for the foot. The foam material may be adhered either above or below the upper layer.

The shoe liner of the present invention is equally applicable to both open and close toed shoes for men, women, and children. The shoe liner can be fitted to nearly all shoe sizes by simply trimming the perimeter thereof. In addition to absorbing moisture and odor and preventing foot slippage, the shoe liner also provides a soft surface on which the foot rests contributing to the wearer's overall comfort. Further, the shoe liner may be also adhered to an orthotic that is placed inside a shoe, instead of directly onto the footbed of a shoe.

The shoe liner of the present invention may further include an additional layer comprising a gel material. The additional gel layer is placed beneath the lower adhesive layer. The gel layer adheres the shoe liner to a footbed of a shoe while providing additional cushioning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a shoe liner comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the adhesive layer of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A having a different adhesive pattern;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the adhesive layer of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A having yet another adhesive pattern;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the adhesive layer of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A having yet another adhesive pattern;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a shoe liner comprising a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a shoe liner comprising a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a an exploded perspective view of a shoe liner comprising the embodiment of FIG. 1 applied to an insertable shoe orthotic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1A, there is shown a footwear liner 10 comprising a first embodiment of the present invention. The footwear liner 10 comprises an upper layer 12 and a lower layer 14 adhered therebelow. The lower layer 14 comprises an adhesive material whereby the shoe liner covers and is adhered to an upper surface 16 of a footbed 18.

The upper layer 12 comprises a fabric material capable of absorbing and dissipating moisture such as an athletic-wool felt comprising 70% wool and 30% rayon or other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art, including suede or synthetic suede; open and closed-cell foam materials; woven, nonwoven, or knit textiles; and manmade or natural textile blends, including microfibers. The upper layer 12 may also comprise hemp or a blend comprising hemp and wool. Regardless of the materials utilized in its construction the upper layer 12 may be provided with encapsulated essential oils.

The lower layer 14 comprises a double-sided adhesive film such as double-faced acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive tape with release liner sold by AdChem Corporation under the Product Name Adchem 8311M-76G-54 or other suitable adhesive materials known to those skilled in the art, including those applied by pressure-sensitive tape equipment, spray, slot die, sheet, roller coating, continuous pour, and embossed patterns, to maintain the upper layer 12 in adhesive engagement with a leather, plastic or synthetic material while leaving no residue once removed from the upper surface 16 of the footbed 18. Both the upper layer 12 and lower layer 14 are formed such that the shoe liner 10 substantially covers the entire upper surface 16 of the footbed 18 and the entire shoe liner 10 is maintained in adhesive engagement therewith.

FIG. 1B illustrates an alternative lower layer 14 having an adhesive comprising a series of stripes extending longitudinally along substantially the entire layer 14. This series of stripes could also extend transversely across substantially the entire layer 14. FIG. 1C illustrates an alternative lower layer 14 having an adhesive comprising a series of circular applications positioned substantially across the entire length and width of layer 14. FIG. 1D illustrates yet another alternative lower layer 14 having an adhesive comprising a strip extending about the entire perimeter of the upper layer 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the shoe liner 10 having an additional lower layer 20 comprising a gel material. The gel layer 20 comprises a gel material which adheres the shoe liner 10 to the footbed 18 while providing additional cushioning and comfort to a foot resting thereon. The gel layer 20 may be fabricated from a biodegradable synthetic material or other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 illustrates the show liner 10 wherein the upper layer 12 comprises additional foam support 22 adhered to the upper layer 12 substantially near the location where the ball and the heal of the foot rest thereon.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shoe liner 10 adhered to the surface 24 of an orthotic 26 for insertion into a shoe. In FIG. 4 the shoe liner 10 is illustrated in accord with the embodiment of FIG. 1, but the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 can also be applied to the orthotic 26.

The shoe liner is illustrated in conjunction with a right foot configuration but is equally applicable to a left foot configuration. Further, the shoe liner of the present invention is equally applicable to both open and close toed shoes for men, women, and children. The shoe liner is fitted to nearly all shoe sizes by simply trimming the perimeter thereof.

When the upper layers 12 of shoe liners comprising the present invention are provided with encapsulated essential oils and absorbent shoe liners 10 comprising such upper layers are installed in shoes, contact between the feet of a person wearing the shoes with the upper layers 12 of the absorbent shoe liners installed in the shoes releases essential oils which keep the feet fragranced and feeling refreshed.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A liner for placement upon an upper surface of a footbed of an article of footwear to absorb and dissipate moisture, comprising:

a layer of moisture absorbing material having a top and a bottom surface;

the layer of moisture absorbing material extending across substantially the entire upper surface of the footbed when placed thereon;

The layer of moisture absorbing material having encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein;

an adhesive removably adhering the bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material to the upper surface of the footbed; and

the adhesive covering substantially the entire bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material.

2. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive comprises a series of stripes extending longitudinally along substantially the entire bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material.

3. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive comprises a series of circular applications positioned substantially across the entire length and width of the bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material.

4. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive comprises a strip extending about the perimeter of the entire bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material.

5. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises felt.

6. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises an open-cell foam material.

7. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises suede.

8. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material further comprises additional material to cushion the ball and heal of a foot resting thereon.

9. The liner according to claim 1 wherein the encapsulated essential oils are released by contact between a foot of a person wearing the article of footwear and the layer of moisture absorbing material having the encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein.

10. A liner for placement upon an upper surface of a footbed of an article of footwear to absorb and dissipate moisture, comprising:

an upper layer of moisture absorbing material;

a lower layer providing cushioning and support;

the upper layer and lower layer shaped so that they extend across substantially the entire upper surface of the footbed when placed thereon; and

an adhesive for removably adhering the bottom surface of the upper layer to the lower layer;

the upper layer having encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein.

11. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the lower layer comprises a gel material.

12. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the lower layer comprises a moisture absorbing material.

13. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises felt.

14. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises an open-cell foam material.

15. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the layer of moisture absorbing material comprises suede.

16. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the lawyer of moisture absorbing material further comprises additional material to cushion the ball and heal of a foot resting thereon.

17. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the encapsulated essential oils are released by contact between a foot of a person wearing the article of footwear and the layer of moisture absorbing material having the encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein.

18. The liner according to claim 10 wherein the moisture absorbing material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of hemp and hemp/wool blends.

19. A liner for placement upon an upper surface of a footwear orthotic to absorb and dissipate moisture, comprising:

a layer of moisture absorbing material having a top and a bottom surface;

the layer of moisture absorbing material extending across substantially the entire upper surface of the footbed when placed thereon;

the layer of moisture absorbing material having micro-encapsulated essential oils incorporated therein;

an adhesive removably adhering the bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material to the upper surface of the footwear orthotic; and

the adhesive covering substantially the entire bottom surface of the layer of moisture absorbing material.

20. The liner according to claim 19 wherein the moisture absorbing material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of hemp and hemp/wool blends.