Shoe having photoreactive components

Abstract

A shoe having photoreactive components, such as a sole, a heel, and/or a series of straps. Each photoreactive component is made from a mixture of a base material, such as rubber, plastic, or polymer, and a photoreactive composition, such as a spiropyran compound or a spirooxazine compound. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the photoreactive components of the shoe reversibly change color.

1 . An article of footwear, wherein a sole of said article of footwear comprises a base material mixed with a photoreactive composition, so that said sole reversibly changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said photoreactive composition is selected from the group consisting of spiropyran and spirooxazine compounds.  
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said photoreactive composition comprises between 10% and 90% of the total weight of the mixture of said base material and said photoreactive compound.  
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said base material is rubber.  
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said base material is plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said base material is a polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said sole further comprises a means for extending the useful life of said photoreactive composition.  
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening strap which comprises a second base material and a second photoreactive composition, so that said strap reversibly changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein said second photoreactive composition is selected from the group consisting of spiropyran and spirooxazine compounds.  
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein said second photoreactive composition comprises between 10% and 90% of the total weight of the mixture of said second base material and said second photoreactive compound.  
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein said strap further comprises a means for extending the useful life of said second photoreactive composition.  
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a heel which comprises a second base material and a second photoreactive composition, so that said heel reversibly changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein said second photoreactive composition is selected from the group consisting of spiropyran and spirooxazine compounds.  
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein said second photoreactive composition comprises between 10% and 90% of the total weight of the mixture of said second base material and said second photoreactive compound.  
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein said heel further comprises a means for extending the useful life of said second photoreactive composition.  
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear having at least one fastening strap, wherein said strap comprises a base material mixed with a photoreactive composition, so that said strap reversibly changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein said photoreactive composition is selected from the group consisting of spiropyran and spirooxazine compounds.  
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein said photoreactive composition comprises between 10% and 90% of the total weight of the mixture of said base material and said photoreactive compound.  
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein said strap further comprises a means for extending the useful life of said photoreactive composition.