Toe spacers and methods for making them

Abstract

A toe spacer is provided that includes an elongate base and a plurality of spacer elements extending transversely from the base. One or more of the spacer elements has a shape corresponding to an aesthetic object, and a decorative pattern is applied to the spacer elements that depicts the aesthetic object. The decorative pattern may be printed directly on the spacer elements and/or may be provided on a film attached to the spacer elements. In addition or alternatively, the decorative pattern may include fabric, flocking, and the like attached to the spacer elements. The aesthetic objects may include flowers, a head of a character or other anatomical feature, and the like.

1 . A toe spacer, comprising: 
 an elongate base;    a plurality of spacer elements extending transversely from the base, thereby defining spaces between the spacer elements for receiving objects therein, one or more of the spacer elements having a shape corresponding to an aesthetic object; and    a decorative pattern on the one or more spacer elements that depicts the aesthetic object.    
   
   
       2 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative pattern is printed directly on the one or more spacer elements.  
   
   
       3 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative pattern is printed on a film attached to the one or more spacer elements.  
   
   
       4 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the base and spacer elements comprise a generally planar body, the spacer elements lying substantially within a plane defined by the planar body.  
   
   
       5 . The toe spacer of  claim 4 , wherein the planar body comprises upper and lower surfaces substantially parallel to the plane, the decorative pattern on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . The toe spacer of  claim 4 , wherein the planar body comprises foam.  
   
   
       7 . The toe spacer of  claim 4 , wherein the decorative pattern comprises fabric attached to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , the aesthetic object comprising a head of a character, the decorative pattern comprising one or more facial features of the character.  
   
   
       9 . The toe spacer of  claim 8 , the decorative pattern further comprising one or more facial features extending outwardly from a surface of the spacer elements.  
   
   
       10 . The toe spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more facial features comprise a pair of eyes.  
   
   
       11 . The toe spacer of  claim 8 , the decorative pattern further comprising hair extending from the one or more spacer elements.  
   
   
       12 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , the decorative pattern comprising flocking.  
   
   
       13 . The toe spacer of  claim 1 , the decorative pattern comprising a three-dimensional pattern of inks or dyes.  
   
   
       14 . A method for making a toe spacer, comprising: 
 providing a body comprising a base and a plurality of spacer elements extending transversely from the base, thereby defining spaces between the spacer elements for receiving digits therein, one or more of the spacer elements having a shape corresponding to an aesthetic object;    applying a decorative pattern to the one or more spacer elements that at least partially depicts the aesthetic object.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the body is provided by cutting a sheet of material to define the base and spacer elements, the base and spacer elements lying substantially within a plane defined by the sheet.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the decorative pattern is applied to a surface of the sheet before the sheet is cut.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the decorative pattern is applied to at least an upper surface of the one or more spacer elements.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the decorative pattern is applied by printing one or more colors on the one or more spacer elements.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the decorative pattern is applied by attaching a film or sheet to the one or more spacer elements, the film or sheet including the decorative pattern thereon.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the aesthetic object comprises a head of a character, and wherein the decorative pattern is at least partially applied by attaching one or facial features to the one or more spacer elements.