Disposable Sock with Adhesive Ankle Closure for Easy Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of reusable socks or footies in healthcare and other facilities poses challenges in ensuring hygiene and sterility, requires significant effort in putting them on and off, and lacks slip resistance for walking without additional shoes.

Innovation Solution

A disposable sock or footlet designed with a sole part, toe part, instep part, and heel part, featuring a form-fitting design with elastic stretch material and adhesive closure parts for easy application, and optional inserts for comfort and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If reusable socks or footies are used in healthcare facilities, then cost savings are achieved through reuse, but hygiene and sterility cannot be ensured and significant effort is required for putting them on and off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost savingsVSAvoidhygiene and sterility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a sock made of paper or nonwoven material that is intended for single use. This eliminates hygiene concerns associated with reusable socks while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of inexpensive materials. The disposable nature ensures reliability in terms of hygiene and sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of substance

If reusable socks are used, then cost is reduced, but the effort of putting them on and taking them off increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoideffort of application

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sock is divided into multiple pre-cut sections (toe section, foot section, ankle section, leg section) that are connected by fold lines. This segmentation allows the sock to be easily opened and put on without significant effort, as each section can be independently positioned and attached, reducing the complexity of the application process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sock incorporates elastic bands that provide dynamic stretching and contracting capabilities. This elasticity allows the sock to be easily stretched during application and then contract to fit snugly, significantly reducing the effort required to put the sock on and take it off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If traditional socks are used for walking without additional shoes, then convenience is improved, but slip resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidslip resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sock incorporates specific structural features at critical locations: a reinforced heel portion with increased material layers and an ankle closure portion with elastic bands. These local enhancements provide targeted slip resistance and secure fit where needed most, while maintaining overall convenience for walking without additional shoes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Shape

If disposable paper socks are made from a single-piece flat paper blank with glued or sewn cut edges, then a custom fit is achieved, but the application process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom fitVSAvoidapplication process

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sock is divided into multiple pre-cut sections (toe section, foot section, ankle section, leg section) that are connected by fold lines rather than permanent seams. This segmentation simplifies the application process by allowing each section to be independently positioned and attached, reducing the complexity compared to traditional single-piece construction with glued or sewn edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures hygiene through disposability, reduces application effort, and provides slip resistance and comfort with a precise fit, enhancing user experience in healthcare and other settings.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive closure part (600), adapted to releasably close the disposable footlet at the ankle of the foot (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

featuring a form-fitting design with elastic stretch material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

provides slip resistance and comfort with a precise fit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3838037B1Sock

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 PEDILAY CARE GMBH

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Figure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a sock (10). The sock (10) has a sole section (100) adapted to cover the sole of a foot (1) when the sock (10) is worn. Furthermore, a toe section (200) of the sock (10) is adapted to completely enclose the toe area of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is worn, together with the sole section (100). The sock (10) also includes an instep section (300) adapted to at least partially cover the instep of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is worn. A heel section (400) of the sock (10) is adapted to cover the heel of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is worn. The sock (10) includes an ankle closure part (600) which is adapted to allow the sock (10) to be detachably closed at the ankle of the foot (1) when the sock (10) is being worn.