Socks with excellent cold-weather protection

Abstract

To provide a sock which achieves high cold protection and can easily care toes or toe nails while suppressing stuffiness of a foot and the like.SOLUTION: A sock 10 excellent in a cold protection function, worn by inserting a foot F from a wearing opening 130 includes: a leg part 120 which covers from the wearing opening 130 to an upper part of the heel; an instep part 110 for covering the instep from the heel and a sole part 112 for covering the sole; and a toe covering part 100 for covering the toes. The sock 10 has a cut 140 on an instep side (instep side of instep part 110). The toes can be exposed through the cut 140 from the toe covering part 100 which covers the toes on a toe side from the cut 140 and is closed by being joined to the sole part 112 in which the toe side covers the sole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to socks with excellent cold-proof function. In particular, in winter, when worn indoors or at bedtime, it can achieve high cold-proof performance, suppress foot sweating, etc., and can easily care for toes or toenails. The socks according to the present invention include those called socks, room socks, room shoes, foot warmers, leg warmers, slippers, etc. <000​​​​​​​​​​​​​These socks feature toe compartments that separate and house each toe individually. Therefore, even if you have athlete's foot or other fungal infections on a toe, it will not spread to other toes. The covering portion that visually obscures the toe compartments is removable, allowing you to cover or uncover the toe compartments. In warm weather, you can uncover the covering portion, leaving only the toe compartment as a single layer, preventing your toes from becoming sweaty and smelly. In cold weather, you can cover the covering portion to create a double layer for added warmth. Moreover, when the covering portion is covered, the toe compartments are visually obscured, making them look like regular socks and not causing any discomfort to those around you. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-077203 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the socks disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above may not adequately relieve foot stuffiness because, even when the covering is rolled up in warm weather, the toe area is still covered by a single layer of toe-covering material, and the skin of the foot is not exposed. Furthermore, even if the single layer of toe-covering material were removed from the toe area, the skin of the foot would be exposed when the covering is rolled up in warm weather, making it easier to relieve foot stuffiness. However, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 of Patent Document 1, the covering is rolled up towards the top of the foot, which presents a problem as it can get in the way, for example, when caring for the toes and toenails before going to bed. To address this problem, it is conceivable to expose the entire foot from the ankle down (from the toes to the ankle), but this would reduce the cold-weather protection function.

[0006] The present invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide socks that can be worn indoors or while sleeping, that provide high levels of warmth, suppress foot stuffiness, and allow for easy care of the toes or toenails. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the socks with superior cold-weather protection according to the present invention employ the following technical means. In other words, the cold-weather-protecting sock according to the present invention is a tubular sock that covers from the opening through the heel to the instep, sole, and toes, and is characterized by having a slit on the instep side, and a toe covering portion that covers the toes on the toe side of the slit, and the toe covering portion that is closed by being joined to the sole portion that covers the sole of the foot, and the toes can be exposed through the slit.

[0008] Preferably, the sole portion can be configured to have a highly hygroscopic moisture-absorbing section in the part that comes into contact with the skin of the sole of the foot. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention provides socks with excellent cold-weather protection that can be worn indoors or while sleeping, providing high levels of cold protection while suppressing foot stuffiness and allowing for easy care of toes or toenails. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic top view of a sock 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) showing the front side (outside) and (B) showing the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic bottom view of the sock 10 (a view showing the side that touches the floor), with (A) being the front side (outside) and (B) being the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the sock 10, with (A) the front side (outside) and (B) the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. [Figure 4] Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views of the sock 10. [Figure 5] Figures 1 to 3 show a person wearing socks 10 sitting in a chair (toes not exposed). [Figure 6] Figures 1 to 3 show a person wearing socks 10 lying in bed (toes exposed). [Figure 7] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the function of the sock 10 in exposing the toes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, a sock 10 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "sock 10") with excellent cold-weather protection according to an embodiment of the present invention. There are various structures and manufacturing methods for socks, and the present invention is not limited to a specific structure and manufacturing method. That is, any sock is acceptable as long as it has the features described later (a slit on the instep side, a toe covering portion that covers the toes on the toe side of the slit, and the toe covering portion is formed so that the toes can be exposed through the slit from the closed toe covering portion which is joined to the sole portion that covers the sole of the foot). For example, the type of fabric that makes up the sock can be anything. Therefore, the general structure of the sock shown below is merely an example. In order to provide excellent cold-weather protection, as shown in Figure 4, for example, this sock 10 is made of a fluffy fabric with long fibers on both the inside and outside (both the side that touches the skin and the opposite side), and this fabric gently wraps the foot, providing exceptional warmth and achieving high cold-weather protection when worn indoors or while sleeping. As the fabric forming the socks 10 is thick, they are soft and warm. In particular, fabrics (materials) with long fibers create and trap a layer of warm air, so you can feel the warmth immediately after putting them on. On the other hand, these socks 10 have the special effect of allowing easy care of the toes or toenails while effectively suppressing discomfort caused by stuffiness, poor blood circulation due to restricted toe movement, and the inability to induce sleep due to a lack of core body temperature reduction.

[0012] Furthermore, the socks with excellent cold-weather protection according to the present invention include socks, room socks, room shoes, foot warmers, leg warmers, slippers, and other indoor footwear (socks). Also, although not limited thereto, the socks 10 shown below are preferable because they are reversible and prevent the wearer from putting them on the wrong foot. Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the sock 10 according to this embodiment, showing (A) the front side (outside) and (B) the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. Figure 2 is a schematic bottom view of the sock 10 (showing the side that contacts the floor), showing (A) the front side (outside) and (B) the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the sock 10, showing (A) the front side (outside) and (B) the inside side (skin side) when turned inside out. Figure 4 also schematically shows the long-pile fabric (material) described above. Figures 1 to 3 show the sock 10 in a state where it is placed on a flat surface.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the sock 10 is a sock that is worn by inserting the foot F from the opening 130, and is a sock with excellent cold-weather protection function, comprising a leg portion 120 that covers from the opening 130 to around the heel, an instep portion 110 that covers from the heel to the top of the foot, a sole portion 112 that covers the sole of the foot, and a toe covering portion 100 that covers the toes FS. More specifically, the sock 10 is characterized by having a slit 140 on the instep side (the instep side of the instep portion 110), and a toe covering portion 100 that covers the toes FS on the toe side of the slit 140, and the toe covering portion 100 that is joined to the sole portion 112 that covers the sole of the foot and closed at the toe side, from which the toes FS can be exposed through the slit 140 (as shown in Figures 6 and 7(B)). Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the sole portion 112 with a highly hygroscopic moisture-absorbing portion 114 in the area that comes into contact with the skin of the sole of the foot.

[0014] The sock 10 with such features can firmly warm up to the toes in the room and suppress, for example, the toes from getting stuffy when going to bed. That is, since the toe FS can be exposed through the cut 140 from the toe covering part 100 (the toes can be opened and closed), it is possible to care for (clean) the toes or toenails while warming up to the toenail and the sole of the foot. Further, (there is no cut on the sole side) when walking indoors, there is a cut 140 on the toenail side, so there is no resistance on the sole and it is easy to walk. Also, when sleeping face down, (there is no cut on the sole side) there is a cut 140 on the toenail side, and the toe covering part 100 that covers the toes turns to the sole side, so there is no discomfort on the toenail side and it is not difficult to fall asleep.

[0015] Also, since the moisture-absorbing part 114 with high moisture absorption (for example, formed of a cotton pile fabric with a good texture and high moisture absorption) is provided at the part that contacts the sole muscle on the bottom part 112 of the foot, even if sweating when wearing the sock with the toe covering part 100 closed and the toes FS not exposed (the toes closed), it is possible to spend comfortably. Hereinafter, the sock 10 will be described in more detail.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 5 showing the state where the wearer of this sock 10 is sitting on a chair (toes not exposed), FIG. 6 showing the state where the wearer of this sock 10 is going to bed on a bed (toes exposed), and FIG. 7 for explaining the function of exposing the toes in this sock 10, the function of this sock 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the wearer wearing this sock 10, for example, except when going to bed and when caring for the toes (including toenails), will spend time sitting on a chair, for example, indoors without exposing the toes FS from the toe covering part 100 (toes not exposed). Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the wearer wearing this sock 10, for example, when going to bed (or when feeling stuffy during sleep), will expose the toes FS from the toe covering part 100 (toes exposed) and go to bed (sleep) in bed.

[0017] The change from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG. 6 is such that, as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 7(A), the toe covering portion 100 is turned toward the sole side, and the toe FS is exposed from the toe covering portion 100 through the cut 140. In FIGS. 6 and 7(B), the wearer has placed the sole on the toe covering portion 100. Thus, by using the cut 140 on the toenail side (the toenail side of the toenail portion 110), the sock 10 can be switched between an exposed state where the toes are exposed and a non-exposed state where the toes are not exposed, and has the following effects.

[0018] (1) When in the room, except during bedtime and when caring for the toes (including toenails), wear it in the non-exposed state and keep the area from the toes to below the knees (in the socks of the present invention, the length is not limited and it can even be above the knees) warm, so that the whole body gets warm. (2) Whether in the exposed state or the non-exposed state, the long, fluffy fabric with hair-like texture gently wraps the feet (like a blanket) and is extremely warm, protecting from the cold immediately after going to bed. It can be extremely warm and protect from the cold immediately after going to bed. (3) Since the feet can be exposed even without taking it off (when rolling up to the ankle in the exposed state), it is possible to wear slippers, so it is possible to move directly to the toilet or kitchen. (4) Because of the thick, long, fluffy fabric with hair-like texture, it creates a warm air layer and confines the air layer, so that the warmth can be felt immediately after wearing. (5) By adopting a specification without providing a mouth rubber at the wearing opening portion 130, there is no excessive tightening, and it is possible to relax indoors. (6) When feeling stuffy, etc. (or at the start of bedtime before feeling it), by setting it to the exposed state, it is possible to preferably suppress the discomfort due to stuffiness, the deterioration of blood circulation due to the inability to freely move the toes, and the failure to induce sleep due to the non-decrease of deep body temperature. (7) In particular, because the slit 140 is provided on the instep side, the toes FS can be exposed through the slit 140 from the toe covering portion 100 (the toes can be opened and closed), and the toes or toenails can be cared for while the ankle is warmed. Furthermore, because the slit 140 is on the instep side (there is no slit on the sole side) when walking indoors, there is no resistance on the sole of the foot and it is easy to walk. Also, when sleeping face down, because the slit 140 is on the instep side (there is no slit on the sole side) and the toe covering portion 100 that covers the toes moves towards the sole side, there is no discomfort on the instep and it is easy to sleep. (8) If the part of the sole 112 that comes into contact with the skin on the sole of the foot is equipped with a highly moisture-absorbing part 114, then the wearer can stay comfortable even when sweating, whether the toe covering part 100 is closed and the toes are exposed through the slit 140 from the toe covering part 100.

[0019] As described above, the socks 10 according to this embodiment have the special effect of allowing easy care of the toes or toenails while effectively suppressing discomfort caused by stuffiness, poor blood circulation due to restricted movement of the toes, and the inability to induce sleep due to a failure to lower core body temperature. It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Industrial applicability]

[0020] The present invention is suitable for socks with excellent cold-weather protection, and is particularly preferable in that it can be worn indoors or while sleeping during winter to provide high levels of cold protection, suppress foot stuffiness, and easily care for the toes or toenails. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0021] 10 (Socks with excellent cold-weather protection) 110 Instep 112 Sole of the foot 120 Legs 130 Opening of the shoe 140 cuts

Claims

1. These socks are constructed in a tubular shape that covers the foot from the opening through the heel to the instep, sole, and toes, and offer excellent cold protection. The toe covering portion has a slit on the instep side, and the toe covering portion covers the toes on the toe side of the slit, and the toe side is joined to the sole portion that covers the sole of the foot, and the toe covering portion is closed, and the toes can be exposed through the slit. When the toes are exposed through the aforementioned slit, the toe covering portion is configured to allow the exposed toes to be placed on the instep side surface. The aforementioned socks are made of long-pile fabric on both the inside and outside (both the side that touches the skin and the opposite side), and the long-pile fabric creates and traps a layer of warm air, so you can feel the warmth immediately when you put them on, achieving high cold protection. A sock with excellent cold-weather protection features that, when the wearer feels stuffiness or other discomfort (or before going to sleep), exposes the toes, thereby effectively suppressing discomfort caused by stuffiness, poor blood circulation due to restricted toe movement, and failure to induce sleep due to a lack of core body temperature decrease.

2. The sock with excellent cold-weather protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole portion has a highly moisture-absorbing part that comes into contact with the skin on the sole of the foot.

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