Foot Covers

Abstract

To provide a foot cover which suppresses discomfort of sensitive toe tips as much as possible.SOLUTION: A foot cover 100 covers a toe and a sole including a heel and exposes an ankle. The foot cover is formed of two stretchable knit fabrics and an opening for putting in and out the foot is provided on a vertically opposite side of a sole part 102D. At least a toe side (whole sole part 102D in the foot cover 100) of the sole part 102D and a toe part 102B are formed of one stretchable fabric (first stretchable fabric 102), rise up from the sole part 102D to the toe part 102B so as to wrap the toe, a joint line 106 following a shape of the sole is provided in a part other than a rise part of the sole part 102D and a joint line is not provided in the rise part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foot cover that is hidden inside the shoe when it is worn, such as pumps (shoes mainly for women that are wide open at the top of the shoe) or sneakers (sports shoes for both men and women), and becomes invisible (hiding includes becoming difficult to see), and in particular, to a foot cover that minimizes discomfort in the sensitive toes and (optionally) can suitably include a fabric in the toe area that is different from the stretchy fabric that forms the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover. [Background technology]

[0002] Wearing shoes such as pumps and sneakers on bare feet has become a common fashion. In this case, if the soles of the feet are in direct contact with the shoes such as pumps and sneakers, the inside of the shoes becomes steamy due to sweat generated on the feet, which causes discomfort. Therefore, a thin foot cover has been proposed that covers the sole including the toes and heels while exposing the instep and ankle (called shallow or extra shallow), or covers the sole including the toes and heels and the instep while exposing the ankle (called deep or extra deep), and has a cut opening so that the ankle is not exposed from the pumps or sneakers when worn. When wearing this foot cover and pumps or sneakers, it looks like wearing pumps or sneakers on bare feet, and since the foot cover is between the sole and the pumps or sneakers, it is possible to prevent the inside of the shoes from becoming steamy due to sweat.

[0003] In this specification, such foot wear items are referred to as foot covers, but may also be referred to as sock covers, inner socks, nude socks, cover socks, etc. In the case of such foot covers, the opening of which is cut wide so that the foot is not exposed from the pumps, and the cover is of a shallow or ultra-shallow type, the cover may shift out of position or come off due to friction while walking. On the other hand, if the opening is made narrow, the foot will be exposed from the pumps. Foot covers developed in consideration of such problems are disclosed in the following prior art documents.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 10-292206 (Patent Document 1) discloses a foot cover with a friction-imparting body attached to the inner surface of the heel contact portion to prevent the foot cover from coming off from bare feet due to friction between pumps and the foot cover when walking, or the foot cover from coming off or shifting out of position when putting on or taking off pumps. Utility Model Registration No. 3165733 (Patent Document 2) discloses a foot cover in which flat rubber is provided along the periphery of the opening of the foot cover disclosed in Patent Document 1, which has problems such as the rubber cord digging into the foot, imprinting the foot with the rubber cord, causing pain and making the foot uncomfortable to wear. In response to this problem, the patent publication No. 3165733 discloses a foot cover in which flat rubber is provided along the periphery of the opening to form a band-like elastic part with one side in contact with the foot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-292206 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3165733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in many foot covers, including those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, stretch fabric is cut and the main body is sewn into a three-dimensional shape, which means that there are sutures at the toes, and since such foot covers are (naturally) worn on bare feet, the sutures at the toes can cause discomfort in the toes, which have a fairly sensitive sensation.

[0007] Furthermore, in many foot covers, including those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the main body is made of an elastic fabric such as pantyhose (a fabric made of nylon and / or polyurethane), but in some cases, the main body may be made of a fabric other than pantyhose that is soft to the touch but has poor strength (for example, a fabric made of cotton and nylon or a fabric made of silk and nylon) in order to improve comfort. However, since such cotton and silk are weaker in strength than synthetic fibers such as nylon, there is a problem that the fabric may tear, especially at the toe area. In particular, the tips of the toes (which may be pointed) directly contact the foot cover at the toe area, so a fabric with weak strength may tear at that point. To address this problem, for example, a fabric other than the elastic fabric that forms the main body of the foot cover may be provided as a reinforcing fabric at the toe, but it may be difficult to provide the other fabric due to the stitching at the toe. That is, if the other fabric is bonded (joined by adhesion) to the skin-contacting side of the toe (not the front side but the back side for better appearance) including the seam (so that it protrudes), the other fabric will float at the seam and will easily peel off from the main body of the foot cover. Also, if the other fabric is sewn (joined by sewing) to the toe (separately from the joining (stitching, bonding) that forms the main body of the foot cover), it may cause further discomfort to the toes, which have a fairly sensitive sensation.

[0008] The present invention was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a foot cover that is hidden (hard to see) inside the shoe when the foot cover is worn and can suppress discomfort of the sensitive toes as much as possible. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a foot cover that can be provided with a fabric different from the stretch fabric that forms the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover, preferably (without peeling off and without causing discomfort) on the toe part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the foot cover according to the present invention employs the following technical measures. In other words, the foot cover of the present invention is a foot cover that covers the sole of the foot including the toes and heel and exposes the ankle, and is formed of one or more stretchable fabrics to form a sole portion, side portions, heel portion, and a toe portion covering at least the toes, with openings for inserting and removing the foot provided on opposite upper and lower sides of the sole portion, at least the toe side of the sole portion and the toe portion are formed of a single piece of stretchable fabric, rises from the sole portion to the toe portion so as to wrap around the toes, and has a seam line that follows the shape of the sole except in the rising portion of the sole portion, and has no seam line in the rising portion.

[0010] Preferably, a toe fabric, different from one or more stretch fabrics forming the foot cover, can be configured to wrap around the toes from the sole portion to the toe portion, including the portion not having the joining line. More preferably, the foot cover can be configured such that the sole portion, the toe side of the side portion and the toe portion are formed from a first elastic knitted fabric, and the heel side of the side portion and the heel portion are formed from a second elastic knitted fabric different from the first elastic knitted fabric, and the sole portion has a seam line of approximately the same shape as the sole of the foot other than the tip of the toe portion, and does not have a seam line at the tip.

[0011] More preferably, the toe separate material may be configured so as to encase the toe from the top-bottom and left-right directions. More preferably, the toe fabric is provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion, and when the foot cover is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the side of the foot cover can be observed, and then the foot cover placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate, the shape of the toe fabric can be configured to be quadrilateral and have an axisymmetric shape with the joining line that follows the shape of the sole of the foot as the center line of axis symmetry.

[0012] More preferably, the toe fabric is provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion, and when the foot cover is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the side of the foot cover can be observed, and then the foot cover placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate, the shape of the toe fabric can be configured to be a quadrilateral, with two opposing vertices of the quadrilateral on a joining line that follows the shape of the sole of the foot, and with the intersection of two straight lines connecting the vertices of the quadrilateral as the center point of point symmetry.

[0013] More preferably, the toe fabric can be configured to be at least one of a fabric that is stronger than the stretchable fabric, a fabric that is more slippery than the stretchable fabric, a fabric that has more insulating properties than the stretchable fabric, a fabric that has more cushioning properties than the stretchable fabric, a fabric that has more antibacterial properties than the stretchable fabric, and a fabric that has a better deodorizing effect than the stretchable fabric. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the foot cover of the present invention, when the foot cover is worn and shoes are put on, the toes are hidden inside the shoe and cannot be seen (are difficult to see), and discomfort in the sensitive toes can be suppressed as much as possible. Also, according to the foot cover of the present invention, a fabric different from the stretchable fabric forming the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover can be suitably provided on the toe part (without peeling off and without causing discomfort). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a foot cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention worn on a foot F. [Diagram 2] (A) is a right side view and (B) is a left side view of the garment worn inside out on foot F. [Diagram 3] (A) is a front view (viewed from the ventral side) and (B) is a rear view (viewed from the dorsal side) of the garment worn inside out on foot F. [Figure 4] 1 is a rear view of the foot cover 100 (viewed from the sole side). [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the foot cover 100 in a side view when placed on a flat surface and compressed, and is a diagram for explaining the shape of the toe fabric 112. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a foot cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an overall perspective view of the foot cover 100 worn on the foot F, Fig. 2(A) shows a right side view of the foot cover 100 worn inside out on the foot F, Fig. 2(B) shows a left side view, Fig. 3(A) shows a front view (viewed from the ventral side), and Fig. 3(B) shows a rear view (viewed from the back side). Fig. 4 shows a rear view (viewed from the sole of the foot) of the foot cover 100 when it is not actually worn on the foot F but is worn hypothetically. Furthermore, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the foot cover 100 pressed against a transparent flat plate in a state where it can be seen from the side (more specifically, a diagram showing the state where the foot cover 100, with the toe fabric 112 provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion 102B, is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the side of the foot cover 100 can be observed, and then the foot cover 100 placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate (a flat-surface-placed, compressed, side-view state described below)), and is a diagram for explaining the shape of the toe fabric 112.

[0017] Here, Figs. 1 to 3, other than Figs. 4 and 5, show a state in which the foot cover 100 is actually worn on the wearer's foot F. Fig. 4 assumes a state in which the foot cover 100 is temporarily worn on the wearer's foot F. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the foot cover 100 is placed on a flat surface and compressed as viewed from the side, rather than a state in which the foot cover 100 is worn on the wearer's foot F. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the symmetry of the foot cover 100, and Fig. 4 assumes a state in which the foot cover 100 is temporarily worn on the wearer's foot F because the foot cover 100 loses (strictly speaking) symmetry in the left-right and up-down directions to cover the foot according to the shape of the foot when worn (for example, the big toe and little toe are not the same length on one foot, and are not symmetrical in the left-right direction).

[0018] That is, the foot cover 100 according to the present embodiment is made of a stretchable fabric such as pantyhose, and therefore, if not illustrated (except for FIG. 5), it will be in a shrunken state, making it difficult to understand its shape, and is therefore represented as described above. In order to make the present invention easier to understand, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the foot cover 100 inside out and worn on the foot F, FIG. 4 shows the foot cover 100 inside out as viewed from the sole of the foot, showing a hypothetical state when worn (a state to explain the left-right symmetry that is lost when actually worn), and FIG. 5 shows the foot cover 100 inside out, not as worn, but as viewed from the side, placed on a flat surface and compressed.

[0019] In addition, there are various foot cover structures, and the present invention is not limited to a specific structure, and basically any foot cover structure, the type of fabric forming the foot cover, the pattern of the fabric, and the method of joining the fabric are acceptable as long as they have the characteristic configuration described below. Therefore, the structure of the foot cover 100 itself shown below is merely an example.

[0020] The preferred fabrics for the foot cover 100 include bare jersey (bare jersey: a flat knit fabric made by wrapping polyurethane yarn around covered yarn with yarns of other materials (cotton, wool, etc.)), tricot (a warp knit fabric made by a tricot machine, which is a type of warp knitting machine), and pantyhose fabric (knitted fabric containing polyurethane yarn and nylon yarn). Among these, bare jersey is particularly preferred for foot covers because it (1) has excellent elasticity, (2) has good shape stability and is less likely to change shape after washing, (3) is soft to the touch and fits well, (4) is less likely to wrinkle or crease, (5) is breathable due to its porous structure, and (6) has good texture and moisture absorption when it contains cotton. In the following, there may be no distinction between fabric and knitted fabric. In the following description, the foot cover itself and the foot cover main body refer to the parts that are capable of forming the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover, and do not include the toe fabric 112, which is an optional component of the present invention.

[0021] 1 to 5, the foot cover 100 according to the present embodiment is a foot cover that covers the sole of the foot including the toes and heels and exposes the ankles (the instep may or may not be covered), and is made of one or more pieces (two pieces in this embodiment, sole portion 102D, instep portion 102C, toe portion 102B, and toe-side side portion (toe side of side portion) 102A) made of a first stretchable fabric 102, and heel-side side portion (heel side of side portion) 104A and heel portion 104B made of a second stretchable fabric 104 different from the first stretchable fabric 102. By joining these two pieces of stretchable fabric (first stretchable fabric 102 and second stretchable fabric 104) at predetermined positions, foot cover 100 is formed with sole portion 102D, side portions (more specifically, toe side portion 102A and heel side portion 104A), heel portion 104B, and toe portion 102B that covers at least the toes (here, instep portion 102C that further covers the instep as an optional configuration), and openings for putting the foot in and out are provided on the upper and lower opposite sides of sole portion 102D.

[0022] In this foot cover 100, the instep part 102C described as an optional configuration is formed by extending the toe part 102B toward the ankle side to reduce the opening area of ​​the opening, and the instep is covered by this instep part 102C. Here, the foot cover 100 without the instep part 102C, which is an optional configuration, is a foot cover that covers the sole including the toe and heel of the wearer's foot F and exposes the instep and ankle, and is formed of a thin stretchable fabric with a large opening that is the opening of the foot cover 100 so that the foot cover 100 is not visible (is difficult to see) from pumps or the like when wearing the foot cover 100 (although the shape of the foot cover according to the present invention is not limited to such a shape with a large opening because the instep part 102C is an optional configuration). Such a foot cover is preferable because even if a foot cover (called shallow or extra shallow without the instep part 102C) is worn and shoes such as pumps (mainly women's shoes with a wide opening in the instep part that is the opening) are also worn, the foot cover is hidden inside the shoe and cannot be seen (including becoming difficult to see) and is also preferable because even if a foot cover (called deep or extra deep with the instep part 102C) is worn and shoes such as sneakers are also worn, the foot cover is hidden inside the shoe and cannot be seen (including becoming difficult to see). The foot cover 100 according to this embodiment is a foot cover called deep or extra deep with the instep part 102C.

[0023] The foot cover 100 described below is suitable for both left and right feet, which is preferable because it is suitable for both left and right feet and cannot be mistaken for left or right feet. The fact that it is suitable for both left and right feet means that, for example, in the back view (FIG. 4) of the foot cover 100 for one foot when not actually worn (a state where it is temporarily worn to explain the symmetry) and in the top view (a view in which the opening shape of the opening is seen from the back side of the paper to the front side of the paper in FIG. 4) of the foot cover 100 when not actually worn (a state where it is temporarily worn to explain the symmetry), the foot cover 100, including the toe fabric 112 described later, has a left-right symmetrical shape (only on one foot side) with the dashed dotted line shown in FIG. 4 as the center line of line symmetry (axis of symmetry).

[0024] In addition, when the foot cover is not common to both the left and right feet, the left and right foot covers have symmetrical shapes for both the left and right feet. Here, the number of pieces of elastic fabric forming the main body of the foot cover 100 (sole 102D, side edge (toe side edge 102A and heel side edge 104A)), heel 104B and toe 102B) is not limited as long as it is one or more (the number of pieces of fabric in this foot cover 100 is two). Furthermore, the method of joining the edges of the elastic fabric forming the main body of the foot cover 100 into a three-dimensional shape is not particularly limited, and may be adhesion with adhesive tape, sewing, or other methods (although the foot cover 100 is sewn, it will be described below as a joining line rather than a sewing line), and is not particularly limited. In the case of adhesion, it is preferable to use an adhesive tape with an adhesive applied to one side of a belt-shaped member, which is heated to melt the adhesive and heat-adhere the fabrics to join them together, and in this case, joining includes thermocompression, thermal welding, thermal fusion, etc. Furthermore, the elastic fabric (first elastic fabric 102 and second elastic fabric 104) forming this foot cover 100 is preferably a cut-off elastic fabric that does not require post-treatment to prevent fraying around the peripheral edge of the knitted fabric end.

[0025] What is distinctive is that at least the toe side of the sole portion 102D (in this foot cover 100, the entire sole portion 102D) and the toe portion 102B are formed from a single piece of stretchable fabric (first stretchable fabric 102), which rises from the sole portion 102D to the toe portion 102B to wrap around the toes, and which has a joint line 106 that follows the shape of the sole of the foot except for the rising portion of the sole portion 102D (the portion of length L shown in Figures 3(A) and 4), and which has no joint line on the rising portion.

[0026] Another characteristic feature of this foot cover 100 (partially described above) is that the sole portion 102D, toe side edge portion 102A and toe portion 102B (as well as the optional instep portion 102C) are formed from a first stretchable fabric 102, the heel side edge portion 104A and heel portion 104B are formed from a second stretchable fabric 104 different from the first stretchable fabric 102, and in the sole portion 102D, other than the tip of the toe portion 102B (the portion of length L shown in Figures 3(A) and 4), a seam 106 having a shape approximately equal to the shape of the sole of the foot as shown in Figure 4 is provided, and the tip (the portion of length L shown in Figures 3(A) and 4) does not have any seam lines, including the seam line 106.

[0027] In addition, in this foot cover 100, The sole portion 102D (approximately half of the toe side) is joined to the toe portion 102B and the toe side side portion 102A by a joining line 106 (on the toe side other than the portion indicated by the length L of the toe tip portion), which joins the first stretchable fabrics 102 together. The sole portion 102D (approximately half of the heel side) is joined to the heel side side portion 104A and the heel portion 104B by a joining line 106 (on the heel side), which joins the first stretchable fabric 102 and the second stretchable fabric 104. The toe side edge portion 102A and the heel side edge portion 104A, which join the first stretchable fabric 102 and the second stretchable fabric 104, are joined by a joining line 108; Thus, the foot cover 100 having a three-dimensional shape is formed.

[0028] Another characteristic is that a toe fabric 112, which is different from one or more stretch fabrics forming this foot cover 100 (two pieces in this foot cover 100, the first stretch fabric 102 and the second stretch fabric 104), is provided so as to wrap the toes from the sole portion 102D to the toe portion 102B, including the portion not having the joining line 106. Here, in this foot cover 100, this toe fabric 112 is provided on the skin contact surface of the toe portion 102B.

[0029] Here, the toe fabric 112 is adhered to the toe portion 102B with an adhesive. After the toe fabric 112 is adhered to the toe portion 102B with an adhesive (a high-performance adhesive for fabric is applied to the entire surface (the surface on the toe portion 102B side) of the back surface of the toe fabric 112, not in a line), the toe fabric 112 is joined (sewn) to the stretch fabric (the first stretch fabric 102 and the second stretch fabric 104) that forms the foot cover 100 itself, by a joining line 106 that is an optional configuration for forming the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover 100 itself. Even when this optional configuration is provided, there are no joining lines (neither sewing lines nor adhesive lines as lines (though they exist as a surface)) on the sole side or instep side of the toe fabric 112 of the foot cover 100, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Furthermore, if the optional configuration described above, in which the toe fabric 112 is joined (sewn) to the stretch fabric that forms the foot cover 100 itself by the joining line 106, is not provided, there will be no joining lines (neither sewing lines nor adhesive lines as lines (although they exist as a surface)) anywhere in the toe fabric 112 of this foot cover 100. Whether the optional configuration described above is provided or not, gluing the toe fabric 112 to the toe portion 102B (and even more so if the toe fabric 122 is made of cut-off fabric that does not require post-treatment to prevent fraying around the peripheral knitted fabric edge) is preferable in that the foot cover 100 has a very neat appearance because it is attached with a high-performance (strong) fabric adhesive.

[0030] Here, what is characteristic about this toe-specific fabric 112 is that, compared to the stretch fabrics (first stretch fabric 102 and second stretch fabric 104) (the comparison targets in the following (1) to (6) are the same first stretch fabric 102 and second stretch fabric 104), this toe-specific fabric 112 is at least one of the following: (1) a strong fabric, (2) a slippery fabric, (3) a thermal insulating fabric, (4) a cushioning fabric, (5) an antibacterial fabric, and (6) a deodorizing fabric.

[0031] Here, what is distinctive about this toe fabric 112 is that, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, this toe fabric 112 is provided so as to envelop the toe from the top-bottom and left-right directions. What is characteristic about this toe fabric 112 is that it is provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion 102B, and when the foot cover 100 is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the side of the foot cover 100 can be observed, and then the foot cover 100 placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate (hereinafter this state may be referred to as the flat surface-placed, compressed, side view state), the shape of the toe fabric 112 is quadrilateral, as shown in Figure 5(A), and has an axisymmetric shape with the joint line 106 that follows the shape of the sole of the foot as the center line of axis symmetry (axis of symmetry).

[0032] Here, the ability of the toe fabric 112 to have a shape as shown in FIG. 5(A) means that the foot cover 100 can be viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed, so that the toe fabric 112 has an axisymmetric shape with the joining line 106 as the center line of symmetry when viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed. A foot cover that cannot be formed such that the shape of the toe separate fabric 112 becomes line symmetrical about the joining line 106 when viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed is different from the foot cover according to the present invention. Conversely, as long as the shape of the toe separate fabric 112 can be formed such that the shape becomes line symmetrical about the joining line 106 when viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed, the foot cover is a foot cover according to the present invention.

[0033] What is distinctive about this toe-specific fabric 112 is that the shape of the toe-specific fabric 112 when viewed from the side after being placed on a flat surface and compressed, as shown in FIG. 5(B), is a quadrilateral, with two opposing vertices of the quadrilateral (here, points P(2) and P(4)) on joining line 106 which follows the shape of the sole of the foot, and the fabric can have a point-symmetrical shape with the intersection point P of two lines connecting the vertices of the quadrilateral (here, the line connecting points P(1) and P(3) and the line connecting points P(2) and P(4)) as the center point of the point symmetry.

[0034] Here, the ability of the toe fabric 112 to have a shape as shown in FIG. 5(B) means that the foot cover 100 can be viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed, so that the toe fabric 112 has a point-symmetric shape with point P as the center point of point symmetry when viewed from the side when placed on a flat surface and compressed. A foot cover that cannot be viewed in a planar, compressed side view such that the shape of the toe fabric 112 becomes point symmetrical with point P as the center point of point symmetry no matter what it is, is different from the foot cover of the present invention. Conversely, as long as the toe fabric 112 can be viewed in a planar, compressed side view such that the shape becomes point symmetrical with point P as the center point of point symmetry, then the foot cover is the foot cover of the present invention.

[0035] In this foot cover 100, a stretchable narrow fabric 118 (on the first stretchable fabric 102 side) and a stretchable narrow fabric 114 (on the second stretchable fabric 104 side) having a thickness of about 5 mm to 15 mm and having appropriate stretchability are provided (for example, thermally bonded to the inside (skin contact side) of the fabric with a thermoplastic adhesive) all around the periphery of the opening to prevent the foot cover 100 from slipping off or slipping off the foot F. However, the stretchable narrow fabric 118 and / or the stretchable narrow fabric 114 may be provided on at least a part of the opening. The reason why the stretchable narrow fabric 118 and the stretchable narrow fabric 114 are provided on the inside (skin contact side) is to make the stretchable narrow fabric 118 and the stretchable narrow fabric 114 less noticeable.

[0036] Here, a nylon tape can be mentioned as an example of the stretchable narrow fabric 118 and the stretchable narrow fabric 114. It is also preferable that the stretchable narrow fabric 118 and the stretchable narrow fabric 114 are made of the same fabric as the stretchable fabric constituting (at least a part of) this foot cover 100. Furthermore, it is also preferable to provide a heel slip prevention member 116 made of a thin transparent sheet such as silicone resin on the inner side of the foot cover 100 (the side that contacts the foot F: the skin side) at the upper edge of the heel portion 104B of the foot cover 100. This enhances the adhesion to the heel of the foot F, and further prevents the foot cover 100 from slipping off the heel of the foot F. Here, in order for the heel slip prevention member 116 to come into contact with the skin of the foot, the heel slip prevention member 116, the elastic narrow fabric 114, and the second elastic fabric 104 of the heel portion 104B are formed in this order from the skin side. Note that the heel slip prevention member 116 is not an essential component of the foot cover according to the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, it is also preferable to provide a sole slip prevention member made of a thin sheet of silicone resin or the like on the side of the sole 102D opposite to the side that the foot F comes into contact with (the side that comes into contact with the inner sole of a pump or sneaker, which is an example of a shoe, when the foot is worn). This enhances the adhesion with the inner sole of the pump or sneaker, and prevents the foot cover 100 from shifting out of position inside the pump or sneaker. Note that this sole slip prevention member is not an essential component of the foot cover according to the present invention.

[0038] These thin sheets of silicone resin or the like may come into direct contact with the wearer's skin, such as the heel slip-proof material 116. In such cases, in addition to silicone resin, it is also advantageous to use, for example, a non-silicone material such as a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (mesh) sheet or a sheet in which a knitted fabric is soaked in urethane resin, which is preferable for people who have poor resistance to silicone resin, a specific chemical substance.

[0039] The effects of the foot cover 100 will be described below. Regardless of whether or not the toe fabric 112 is provided, the toe side of the sole part 102D (the entire sole part 102D in this foot cover 100) and the toe part 102B are formed from a single piece of elastic fabric (first elastic fabric 102), which rises from the sole part 102D to the toe part 102B so as to wrap the toes, and has a joint line 106 that follows the shape of the sole except for the rising part of the sole part 102D (the part of length L shown in Fig. 3(A) and Fig. 4), and has no joint line on the rising part. In this way, since there is no joint line on the rising part of the sole part 102D where the toes come into contact, discomfort in the sensitive toes can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0040] When providing toe section 102B of foot cover 100 with toe fabric 112 separate from the stretch fabrics (here, first stretch fabric 102 and second stretch fabric 104) that form the three-dimensional shape of foot cover 100 to improve functionality such as toe reinforcement, since there is no join line in toe section 102B of foot cover 100 (more specifically, in the rising portion of sole section 102D (length L portion shown in Figures 3(A) and 4)), even if toe fabric 112 is adhered (adhered) to toe section 102B, the absence of a join line causes the toe fabric to float at the join line, which solves the problem that the toe fabric is likely to peel off from the main body of foot cover 100. This allows foot cover 100 to be suitably provided with toe fabric 112.

[0041] This foot cover 100 is for both the left and right foot, and the toe fabric 112 is symmetrical in the left-right direction (symmetrical shape (only on one foot) with the dashed line in FIG. 4 as the center line (axis of symmetry)), and is also symmetrical in the up-down direction as shown in FIG. 5(A) or point-symmetrical in the up-down direction as shown in FIG. 5(B). In the toe section 102B, the toe fabric 112 is provided on the skin contact side so as to wrap the toes from the up-down direction and the left-right direction from the sole section 102D to the toe section 102B. In this case, the toe fabric 112 has the same or approximately the same shape on the instep side and the sole side of the toes and on the big toe side and the little toe side of the toes due to the symmetry in the up-down direction (they have the same shape before wearing and are deformed according to the shape of the foot after wearing, so they have approximately the same shape, and these are collectively referred to as approximately the same shape), so that the toe can feel less uncomfortable even if the toe fabric 112 is provided on the skin contact side of the toe section 102B.

[0042] Furthermore, by using a fabric for the toe section 112 that is thicker than the stretch fabrics (the first stretch fabric 102 and the second stretch fabric 104) (toe reinforcement as well), the shape of the toes is not visible when the foot cover 100 is worn (when no shoes are being worn) (if the toe section fabric 112 is provided on the skin contact side, the toe section fabric 112 is not visible either), resulting in a neat and beautiful appearance.

[0043] Furthermore, when providing this toe separate fabric 112, in order to give the foot cover 100 a neat appearance, this toe separate fabric 112 is adhered rather than sewn to the stretch fabric (here, the first stretch fabric 102 forming the toe portion 102B). This solves the problem that the toe separate fabric 112 floats at the join line due to the absence of a join line, making the toe separate fabric 112 prone to peeling off from the main body of the foot cover 100, and also allows the foot cover 100 to have a neat appearance because the toe separate fabric 112 is not sewn.

[0044] As described above, according to the foot cover of this embodiment, when the foot cover is worn with shoes such as pumps (shoes mainly for women that are wide open at the top of the foot, which is the opening) or sneakers (sports shoes for both men and women), the foot cover becomes hidden inside the shoe and is not visible (is difficult to see), while minimizing discomfort in the sensitive toes as much as possible, and (optionally) a different fabric can be provided in the toe area from the stretchable fabric that forms the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover.

[0045] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The present invention is suitable for foot covers that become hidden or difficult to see inside the shoe when the foot cover is put on, and is particularly preferable in that it minimizes discomfort in the sensitive toes and (optionally) allows the toe area to be suitably provided with a fabric different from the stretchable fabric that forms the three-dimensional shape of the foot cover. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Foot Cover 102 First Elastic Fabric 102A Toe side edge 102B Toe 102C Instep 102D Sole 104 Secondary Elastic Fabric 104A Heel side 104B Heel 112 Toe fabric F foot

Claims

1. A foot cover that covers the sole of the foot including the toes and heels and exposes the ankles, The sole, side, heel and toe portions covering at least the toes are formed by one or more stretchable fabrics; An opening for inserting and removing the foot is provided on the upper and lower opposite sides of the sole of the foot, At least the toe side of the sole portion and the toe portion are formed of a single piece of stretchable fabric, and rise from the sole portion to the toe portion so as to wrap around the toe, A joining line is provided along the shape of the sole of the foot except for the rising portion of the sole, The rising portion does not have a joining line, This foot cover is characterized in that a toe separate fabric different from one or more stretch fabrics forming the foot cover is provided so as to wrap the toes from the top, bottom and left, right directions from the sole part to the toe part, including the part not having the joining line.

2. The foot cover is compatible with both left and right feet, The foot cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the toe fabric is provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion, and when the foot cover is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the side of the foot cover can be observed, and then the foot cover placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate, the shape of the toe fabric is quadrilateral and has an axisymmetric shape with a joint line that follows the shape of the sole of the foot as a center line of axis symmetry.

3. The foot cover is compatible with both left and right feet, The foot cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the toe fabric is provided on the skin-contacting surface of the toe portion, and when the foot cover is turned inside out and placed on a flat surface so that the sides of the foot cover can be observed, and then the foot cover placed on the flat surface is pressed against a transparent flat plate, the shape of the toe fabric is a quadrilateral, with two opposing vertices of the quadrilateral on joining lines that follow the shape of the sole of the foot, and the shape is point-symmetrical with the intersection of two lines connecting the vertices of the quadrilateral as the center point of point symmetry.

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