Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Sandals
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-05-08
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Sandals
C036S094000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226893
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly to a disposable pedicure sandal wherein the structure of the sandal maintains the toes in a separated position and also prevents the foot from engaging the ground or other surface over which the wearer walks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During the performance of a pedicure it is necessary to maintain the toes of the pedicure recipient in a spaced apart relation to provide easy access by the person performing the pedicure, as well as to prevent damage to any of the beautification treatment performed on the toes. Furthermore, toe separation is preferred for a period of time following the pedicure to prevent damage to the beautification treatment due to inadvertent contact between adjacent toes. Historically, the separation of toes during pedicure treatments has been achieved using wads of tissue, cotton and like random articles. In addition, various toe spacing devices specifically designed for use during the performance of a pedicure are commercially available. More recently, various pedicure sandals and sandal systems have been developed in an effort to enable individuals to walk around after a pedicure without damaging the treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,987 discloses a pedicure sandal assembly to be worn following a pedicure, including a base portion having a foot connecting strap and spacers mounted thereon. The sandal disclosed in the '987 patent has significant limitations. First, because the sandal is for use after a pedicure it does not address the issue of providing toe separation during the pedicure. Second, the disclosed sandal has a relatively complicated structure, requiring the assembly of a plurality of individual components during manufacture. Consequently, employing the disclosed assembly as a disposable sandal would be cost prohibitive.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,880 discloses a pedicure aid incorporating individually attachable toe separator subassemblies for separating the toes during and after a pedicure, and wearable as a sandal to protect the toes from damage after a pedicure. However, like the sandal disclosed in the '987 patent, the multi-component sandal assembly disclosed in the '880 patent would be impractical for use as a disposable pedicure sandal.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,870,837 and 5,946,823 disclose further pedicure sandal designs wearable during and after the pedicure procedure. However, each of the disclosed assemblies suffer from one or more of the aforementioned limitations.
Accordingly, there is a well established need for a comfortable pedicure sandal wearable both during and after the performance of a pedicure, wherein the construction of the sandal is conducive to its manufacture as a cost-effective disposable article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pedicure sandal designed for maintaining separation of the wearer's toes during and after a pedicure treatment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pedicure sandal designed for effectively preventing damage to the treated toes while enabling the wearer to walk about comfortably following a pedicure treatment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pedicure sandal having a construction conducive to its cost-effective manufacture as a disposable article.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a pedicure sandal having foot supporting and toe separating means constructed from a contiguous area of material.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a disposable pedicure sandal having a means for being easily removed without contacting the treated toe nails of the wearer.
These and other objects are achieved by the pedicure sandal of the present invention which includes a base portion
12
for supporting a human foot, and an integral toe separating portion
18
for engaging the toes and maintaining a desired toe spacing. In particular, integral toe separating portion
18
is selectively attached to the upper surface
14
of base portion
12
at strategically located attachment regions
20
to form individual toe-receiving loops
18
(
a-e
).
Each sandal is fabricated from a planar foot form
26
constructed from a spongy sheet of material for cushioning the foot of the wearer. Preferably, foot form
26
is provided with a single continuous cut along dotted line
23
to enable the partial detachment of a toe separating portion
18
from the base portion
12
. Alternatively, foot form
26
can be manufactured partially detached along dotted line
23
to enable the toe separating portion
18
to be easily detached at a later time without requiring a cutting or shearing apparatus.
The toe separating portion
18
is preferably sewn, or stitched, to upper surface
14
of base portion
12
. Alternatively, attachment can be achieved using mechanical fasteners, chemical adhesives, hook and pile attachments and heat seal means. Regardless of the attachment means employed, toe separating portion
18
is strategically secured to surface
14
to form individual toe receiving loops
18
(
a-e
) sized for comfortably engaging the individual toes
40
-
44
of the wearer's foot, and positioned for maintaining adequate separation of said toes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1867679 (1932-07-01), Riehle et al.
patent: 1943829 (1934-01-01), Koomruian
patent: 2096500 (1937-10-01), McCahan et al.
patent: 2390685 (1945-12-01), Benson
patent: 3099884 (1963-08-01), Kixmiller et al.
patent: 4017987 (1977-04-01), Perez, Jr. et al.
patent: 4030212 (1977-06-01), Ito
patent: 5615496 (1997-04-01), Sharpstein
patent: 6116253 (2000-09-01), Armstrong
Schlamp Lori A.
Schlamp Steven K.
Gold Glenn E.
Patterson M. D.
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