Device for removing dirty shoe covers

Abstract

A device provides for safely and hygienically removing and temporarily storing dirty shoe covers, and includes a container which has first and second sides, a top, and a bottom. A handle is provided as a help for a user to balance themselves while using the container. At least one opening is provided in one of the sides, to accept a foot of a user having a shoe and shoe cover. A lower end of the opening includes an internally facing protruding member or peg which is inclined inwardly and downwardly, and is used to pry off a dirty shoe cover which, when removed, then drops down into a trash bag located in the bottom of the container.

1 . A device for removing shoe covers, comprising:
 a container having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of walls bounding an interior region;   an opening formed in one of walls, the opening having a lowermost edge portion;   a protruding member disposed adjacent the lowermost edge portion of the opening;   whereby in use a foot having a shoe and shoe cover is disposed passing through the opening into the interior region of the container abutting the protruding member, so that upon withdrawal of the foot and shoe from the interior region the shoe cover is retained by the protruding member such that the shoe cover is removed.   
   
   
       2 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the opening is rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       3 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a waste tray disposed in the interior region at the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       4 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is a peg which is generally shaped as a right rectangular solid. 
   
   
       5 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is formed of a resilient material. 
   
   
       6 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is formed of rubber. 
   
   
       7 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container has four upstanding walls. 
   
   
       8 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container has more than four upstanding walls. 
   
   
       9 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a detecting device disposed adjacent the protruding member for detecting a shoe cover which is stuck to the protruding member. 
   
   
       10 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising an indicating device for indicating actuation of the detecting device. 
   
   
       11 . A device for removing shoe covers as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a bottom compartment having an air circulation path in communication with the interior region of the container; a fan; and a filter for filtering air moved by the fan out of the bottom compartment.