DISPOSABLE FOOT SHIELD SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for disposable foot shields comprising: a flexible container, where the flexible container includes a means to open and in one embodiment reseal one end thereof; at least one pair of foot shields, where the at least one pair of foot shields are stored in the flexible container; and a breakable seam, where the seam adjoins the foot shields within the flexible container prior to use. In one particular embodiment, each foot shield includes: a base; a pair of straps extending from the forward section of the base; and a rear strap for attaching the base to the foot of the user. The means to open may include a resealable seal around the perimeter of the flexible container or other suitable means to open and reseal the flexible container. Preferably, the foot shields are stored in the flexible container in a folded position about the seam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/444,859 filed on Feb. 21, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The field of invention relates to a foot shield that is disposable for temporary use to protect an individual's feet from exposure to an underlying surface.

2. Description of Related Art

One important hygiene concern of many individuals is the avoidance of any type of foot or toenail fungus that can breed in various environments. Some individuals are more susceptible to foot fungus infections than others and many require various techniques to avoid contracting athlete's foot or foot fungus infections. One of the more important ways to avoid contracting the fungus is wearing shower shoes in the bathroom and shower. Many individuals avoid infection by wearing shoes in the form of flip-flops that slip on user's feet for use during a shower. The shoes are normally lightweight, snug in appearance and made of rubber or some type of plastic. Typically the shoes allow the feet to be exposed through open air to allow the free flow of water over feet but the feet avoid direct contact with the floor surface of the shower. Shower shoes are used commonly in many public showers, in and around pool areas and other wet environments to avoid and reduce the likelihood of contracting foot infections.

To aid in the reduction of foot infections it would be advantageous to have a disposable foot shield that may be used by user to prevent and avoid foot infections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for disposable foot shields comprising: a flexible container, where this flexible container includes a means to open one end thereof; at least one pair of foot shields, where the at least one pair of foot shields are stored in the container; and a breakable seam, where the seam adjoins the foot shields within the bag prior to use. In one particular embodiment, each foot shield includes: a base; a pair of straps extending from the forward section of the base to the outer edges of the base, with one of each strap going to opposite edges; and a rear strap for attaching the base to the foot of the user by securing around the heel of the user. The means to open the container may include a perforation around the perimeter of the bag or other suitable means to open the bag. Preferably, the foot shields are stored in the bag in a folded position about the seam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flexible container for use with at least one pair of foot shields in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the interior of the flexible container used with the foot shields according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a disposable foot shield in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A depicts the pair of foot shields in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B depicts a front side view of the pair of foot shields in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the foot shields contained within the flexible container in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system for providing a disposable pair or multiple pairs of foot shields for temporary use on an individual's feet in wet environments such as showers or pools to avoid contracting foot infection. The system according to the present invention includes a pair or multiple pairs of foot shields contained within a flexible type container. The container may be made of plastic in one particular embodiment, although other suitable materials may be implemented to create the flexible container for the foot shields, the flexible container, in one embodiment, may be resealable to protect and house remaining pairs of foot shields for future use. The foot shields may be stored by folding the shields and compressing the pair or pairs into the bag container for storage. When the user desires to use one pair of the foot shields, the flexible container may be opened, one pair of the shields removed, the flexible container may then be resealed, the one pair of the foot shields having been removed can then be detached from one another, and then worn by the user. Use of the foot shields in accordance with the present invention allows the user to have clean, sanitary foot shields for one time use in such areas as a shower, near a swimming pool or other wet or moist environments where the user may normally have direct contact with the wet surface. The shields are particularly advantageous in public shower facilities such as a gym or a sauna and provide the user with a disposable device for one time use to effectively avoid contact or contraction of a foot infection.

In reference to FIG. 1, a disposable flexible container 30 used in accordance with the foot shields of the present invention is depicted. The flexible container 30 is shown in FIG. 1 that includes a resealable opening means 32. The flexible container 30 may be opened at the resealable opening 32 to open the flexible container 30 and expose the foot shields stored within the flexible container 30. A side view of the interior of the flexible container 30 is depicted in FIG. 2. Within the interior of the flexible container 30 one pair of foot shields 20a, 20b, are shown. The foot shields 20a, 20b are shown in a vertical position enclosed within the flexible container 30. As shown, the foot shields 20a, 20b abut each other and are in a closed position within the flexible container 30.

In reference to FIG. 3, a foot shield 10 in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The foot shield 10 includes straps 14 that attach to a base 16. The straps come together at a point 12 and are attached to the opposite outer sides of the base 16. At the rear of the base 16 is a strap 18 that is designed to snugly place the foot shield 10 onto the foot of the user. During use the straps 14 are placed over an individual's foot and the point 12 is placed between toes of the user's foot. The rear strap 18 is placed around the heel portion of the user's foot. The base 16 may be made of a rubber gripping type material to avoid any type of slipping on the surface coming in contact with the foot shield. The shield 10 protects the foot from potential bacteria that may exist on the underlying surface, especially wet areas that may be the source of potential foot infections. The foot shield 10 is further a low cost device that is easily disposable and in one particular embodiment may be made of biodegradable materials.

FIG. 4A shows a pair of foot shields 20a, 20b adjoined at a seam 22. The adjoining seam 22 adjoins the foot shields prior to use. The foot shields 20a, 20b may be torn from this adjoining seam 22 for use by the user. Each foot shield depicts the overall design of the foot shield shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B shows how the foot shields 20a, 20b are unfolded after removal from the flexible container 30. The foot shields 20a, 20b may then be released and torn from the adjoining seam 22 for use by the user. FIG. 5 depicts a top view of an open flexible container 30. The top view of the flexible container 30 shows one pair of foot shields 20a, 20b enclosed within the flexible container 30 within an interior opening 33. The opening 33 allows for the user to remove one pair of the foot shields 20a, 20b from flexible container 30 to allow for a single use.

The pair of foot shields 20a, 20b remain within the flexible container 30 until use by the user. This ensures the user is provided with a pair of clean and sanitary foot shields for use in a shower, sauna, or other area wherein the individual's feet may be exposed to bacteria. Use of the foot shields allows the user to protect their feet and prevent the user from exposing their feet to bacteria. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system for disposable foot shields comprising:

a. a flexible container container, where the flexible container includes a means to open one end thereof;

b. at least one pair of foot shields, where the at least one pair of foot shields are stored in the flexible container; and

c. a breakable seam, where the seam adjoins the foot shields within the bag prior to use.

2. The system for disposable foot shields according to claim 1, where each foot shield includes:

a. a base;

b. a pair of straps extending from the forward section of the base; and

c. a rear strap for attaching the base to the foot of the user.

3. The system according to claim 1, where the means to open includes a seal around the perimeter of the flexible container, where the seal is resealable.

4. The system according to claim 1, where the foot shields are stored in the flexible container in a folded position about the seam.