Coated footwear and methods for making and using the same

Abstract

Coated footwear and methods for making and using the same. An outer surface of a fabric layer conforming closely to the top, sides, bottom and individual toes of a foot is coated with a material in the areas where the fabric layer conforms closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot. The fabric layer can be elastic, breathable, ultraviolet light inhibiting, and/or chosen from the class of materials including supplex, spandex, nylon, and nylon/cotton blend. The coating can be textured, chosen from one or more of the class of materials including latex, nitrile, and polyurethane and/or including a chemical agent to insure adhesion of the coating to the outer surface of the fabric layer. The footwear can be made by immersing the fabric layer in a container filled with the coating material. Also, if desired, a second coating can be adhered over the first coating.

1 . Footwear for a foot on a human leg having an ankle, comprising: 
 a fabric layer having an inner surface and a corresponding outer surface, the inner surface conforming closely to the top, sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot; and    a coating adhered to portions of the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot.    
   
   
       2 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the fabric layer is elastic.  
   
   
       3 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the fabric layer is breathable.  
   
   
       4 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the fabric layer is made from one or more materials chosen from the class of materials including supplex, spandex, nylon, and nylon/cotton blend.  
   
   
       5 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the fabric layer extends above the ankle.  
   
   
       6 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the fabric layer includes an ultraviolet light inhibitor for protection against sun exposure.  
   
   
       7 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the coating is made from one or more of the form-fitting materials chosen from the class of materials including latex, nitrile, and polyurethane.  
   
   
       8 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein the coating has a textured surface.  
   
   
       9 . A method for making a footwear for a foot on a human leg having an ankle, comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming a fabric layer having an inner surface and a corresponding outer surface, the inner surface conforming closely to the top, sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot; and    b) adhering a first coating to portions of the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein step b) includes immersing the portions of the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot in a container filled with the material composing the first coating.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step b) further includes adding a chemical agent to the material composing the first coating to insure adhesion of the first coating to the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot in a container filled with the material composing the first coating.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further including the step of: 
 c) adhering a second coating over the first coating.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein step c) includes causing the second coating to have a textured surface.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein step b) includes suffusing the first coating through the fabric layer.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein step b) includes drying the first coating.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for making a footwear for a foot on a human leg having an ankle, comprising: 
 means for forming a fabric layer having an inner surface and a corresponding outer surface, the inner surface conforming closely to the top, sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot; and    means for adhering a first coating to portions of the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for adhering includes means for immersing the portions of the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot in a container filled with the material composing the first coating.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the means for adhering further includes means for adding a chemical agent to the material composing the coating to insure adhesion of the first coating to the outer surface of the fabric layer corresponding to the portions of the inner surface of the fabric layer that conform closely to the sides, bottom and individual toes of the foot in a container filled with the material composing the first coating.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further including means for adhering a second coating over the first coating.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for adhering includes means for suffusing the first coating through the fabric layer.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for adhering includes means for drying the first coating.