Article for transportation and/or storage of shoes

Abstract

A shoe case comprising right and left shoe containers connected via a tether. The shoe containers comprise base portions, top portions, hinges connecting the base and top portions, and latches to secure the top portions in a closed position on the bottom portions. The top portions have lace reliefs with vent apertures disposed therethrough and disguised to give the appearance of lace holes of a shoe. A recess is included on the top portions of the containers to receive a label. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention can include a replaceable deodorizer compound.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to shoe cases, and more specifically to an article for transportation and / or storage of athletic shoes, wherein the present invention comprises a pair of hingedly-openable, latchedly-closable, vented hard-shell cases tethered together, and wherein each case of the pair is dimensioned to receive an athletic shoe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Shoes provide an image as part of the couture of an individual and, as such, must be retained in good appearance and guarded against damage and / or soiling when not worn. Additionally, athletic shoes often acquire moisture from the foot of the wearer, which can lead to degradation of the footwear and / or undesirable odors emanating therefrom. Accordingly, in addition to protecting the shoe from wear, it is further desirable to provide a means for evaporation of moisture from shoes after they have been utilized to prevent the detrimental effects of mildew, fungus and other environm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to maintain a pair of shoes in an unsoiled condition.

[0013] Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent separation of a pair of shoes.

[0014] Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to permit removal of moisture while the shoes are in storage.

[0015] Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to deodorize shoes via ventilation and an added deodorizer.

[0016] Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent mildew.

[0017] A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent damage to the shoes contained therewithin.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, athletic shoes often acquire moisture from the foot of the wearer, which can lead to degradation of the footwear and / or undesirable odors emanating therefrom.

However, such attempts have proven disadvantageous.

However, the foregoing device does not provide the durability of a hard-shell case, or a hingedly-openable case with latch closure, nor are the ventilation holes capable of air drying the upper part of the shoe contained within the cloth cases.

Furthermore, the use of cloth does not protect the shoes from the environmental elements, but rather absorbs moisture and odors.

Thus, shoes contained in such devices will be unprotected from damage, and are actually at a greater risk of becoming mildewed and / or odoriferous.

However, such devices do not facilitate drying of the upper portion of the shoe, which is particularly disadvantageous for athletic shoes, as most athletic shoes comprise fabric upper portions that absorb moisture and, thus, will not dry without airflow.

However, such devices shield the upper portion of the shoe from airflow or other ventilation surfaces that might otherwise reduce mildew and odors.

Further, such devices contribute to rubbing or scuffing of the shoes against one another, unless otherwise restrained.

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