Foot membrane

Abstract

The present invention is a non-woven, transparent, foot membrane that helps provide comfort and support for the foot during high-heel shoe wear. The device comprises a self-supporting membrane that flexes, stretches and conforms to the shape of the foot, or the portion of the foot in contact with the membrane, when worn. The device has different thicknesses throughout its structure. Preferably, the parts of the invention at and around the major points of contact on a foot when in a high-heeled shoe, e.g., the mid-foot plantar surface, the toes (except the big toe) and the upper foot / ankle, are thicker than the other portions of the device. The device around the forefoot, the big toe, and the heel, is comprised of a plurality of layers of membrane material and gel-like material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This non-provisional utility patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 626,541, filed on Sep. 28, 2011 which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to the field of foot orthotics, shoe inserts, foot insoles, cushioning pads, and protective garments for the foot in the form of hosiery, socks, self-adhering membranes, and shoe inserts. The invention relates to foot care products that improve shoe comfort, skin protection, and provide performance enhancement, including improved posture. The invention also relates to gels and high performance polymer-based textiles / materials and the processes used to fabricate such materials. The invention further relates to nanotechnology and nano-structured three-dimensional self-supporting membranes and items made by processes and methods utilizing nanofiber technology, including e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a special shoe pad made of a non-woven material that helps give comfort and support to the foot. It is especially useful for high-heeled shoes, but can also be used with other footwear like regular shoes and sneakers.

Problems solved by technology

Adverse effects of high-heel shoe wear is commonly experienced by people, typically women, in the form of general pain and discomfort and more prevalent foot problems.

Regular high-heeled shoe wear is a known cause to common foot problems such as, for example, skin irritation, blisters, skin stiffening, calluses, plantar forefoot pain at the forefoot, and metatarsalgia.

The Ko et. al. study concludes that the force that the ST endures at a state of maximum compressibility cannot be properly distributed by the natural plantar ST cushioning systems of the foot and can possibly lead to internal, plantar ST strain and damage.

Thus, the shear displacement of the plantar ST between the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads may lead to the callused skin typically found at a women's lateral forefoot and while the reduction of pressure forces are the main concern for the comfort of the medial forefoot, the lateral forefoot at the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads could be more vulnerable to increased shear forces.

Generally, the lower the denier, the sheerer the appearance and the more fragile the woven makeup of the product.

Athletic socks provide performance features not found in hosiery but are too bulky, thick, and opaque to be a viable, functional solution for use with a form-fitting high-heeled shoe.

While there are some commercial uses of polymer-based membrane / film products existing for transparent medical wound dressings, none of those products are utilized for footwear products nor are they readily adaptable for use as footwear products.

Production of nanofibers in a basic laboratory setting with a single nozzle / needle is slow and the materials / membranes made are often non-uniform.

The current technologies, machines, and processes for making nanofibers are unproven and significantly, none have yet to be applied to the commercial textile industry in a cost-efficient, time-effective manner.

None of the existing technologies provide for a durable, light-weight, non-woven nanofiber textile for wide spread use as a stand-alone, three dimensional, nanofiber textile material and / or as a protective three dimensional coating on an existing woven fabric or fiber.

None of the existing technologies are proven for use in making nanofiber materials / membranes in 3D form.

Similarly, none of the existing technologies for polymer-based membranes provide for a durable, light-weight, non-woven textile for use as a stand-alone, three-dimensional, self-supporting membrane.

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