Pocket slipper

Abstract

A foot covering in the form of a pocket or lodge slipper that allows outer footwear, e.g., shoes or boots to be removed and, with the covering in place, the conventional sock and/or foot will be protected from dirt, moisture, and other elements of nature such as thorns, rocks, splinters, etc. The slipper may be formed at least in part from elastic material which is stretchable to fit over a conventional sock. The slipper may also be formed at least in part from a rubberized material. The slipper may be flexible and foldable into a small package to be carried in a pant or coat pocket, for example. Alternatively, the slipper may be tightly rolled and carried in a small package such as a pouch or nylon bag.

1 . A slipper for use in shielding an individual's foot from moisture and other elements when the individual is not wearing outer footwear, the slipper comprising: 
 a body having a lower portion, a side portion, and an upper portion; and    a flexible sole, said sole attached to said body proximate said lower portion, said sole attached to and covering at least a portion of said side portion, said sole extending at least partially up said side portion towards said upper portion, said sole including a varying thickness.    
   
   
       2 . The slipper of  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh portion, said mesh portion connected to said body in said upper portion.  
   
   
       3 . The slipper of  claim 2 , further comprising a cover, said cover attached to said body in said upper portion proximate said mesh portion, said cover selectively covering said mesh portion.  
   
   
       4 . The slipper of  claim 1 , wherein said sole is waterproof.  
   
   
       5 . The slipper of  claim 1 , wherein said sole is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, and plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The slipper of  claim 1 , wherein said thickness tapers as said sole extends up said side portion.  
   
   
       7 . The slipper of  claim 1 , wherein said sole substantially, continuously contacts said lower portion of said body.  
   
   
       8 . A method of shielding an individual's foot from moisture and other elements when the individual is not wearing outer footwear, comprising: 
 providing a slipper comprising: 
 a body having a lower portion, a side portion, and an upper portion; and  
 a flexible sole, the sole attached to the body proximate the lower portion, the sole attached to and covering at least a portion of the side portion, the sole extending at least partially up the side portion towards the upper portion, the sole including a varying thickness;  
   placing the foot into the slipper; and    placing an exterior surface of the sole on a moisture contaminated or debris-encumbered surface.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the slipper further comprises a mesh portion, the mesh portion connected to the body in the upper portion.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slipper further comprises a cover, the cover attached to the body in the upper portion proximate the mesh portion, the cover selectively covering the mesh portion.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sole is waterproof.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sole is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, and plastic.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness tapers as the sole extends up the side portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sole substantially, continuously contacts the lower portion of the body.  
   
   
       15 . A method of protecting a skier's foot from moisture and other elements in a ski lodge, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a slipper comprising: 
 a body having a lower portion, a side portion, and an upper portion; and  
 a flexible sole separate from the body, the sole attached to the body proximate the lower portion;  
   providing a receptacle for holding the slipper;    inserting the slipper into the receptacle;    storing the slipper in the receptacle while skiing;    removing the slipper from the receptacle;    placing the individual's foot into the slipper; and    moving about the ski lodge with the slipper positioned on the skier's foot.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said storing step comprises one of rolling or folding the slipper into a relatively small volume; and inserting the rolled or folded slipper into the receptacle.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the slipper further comprises a mesh portion, the mesh portion connected to the body in the upper portion.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the slipper further comprises a cover, the cover attached to the body in the upper portion proximate the mesh portion, the cover selectively covering the mesh portion.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sole is waterproof.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sole is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, and plastic.