Naturally absorbent footpad

Abstract

A moisture and shock absorbing footpad is disclosed which wicks moisture away from the feet while reducing the friction produced by any additional footwear that is worn in conjunction with the footpad. The footpad is especially beneficial when used with skimmers, ballet flats and other stylish footwear trends. The footpad also proves beneficial when worn with open-toed shoes due to its minimalist appearance. In order to achieve environmental consciousness, its fabrication is simple enough to be hand-stitched and constructed from one hundred percent natural cotton fiber. The footpad also acts to line the bottom of shoes that often get filled with debris and possibly grow mold spores or fungi. In this manner, it can protect the feet from calluses, blisters, and infection, but generally serves to keep the user clean and comfortable. In one embodiment, the footpad comprises a pull tab in the form of a loop of material that is sewn onto the heel portion, which provides stability when inserting one's foot.

1 . A woven footpad comprising:
 a naturally absorbent material that is sewn from at least one piece to form a comprehensive surface with a top portion and a bottom portion, said surface containing a plurality of stitches that extend slightly below said bottom portion, and said surface containing edges that fold inward; and   a pull-tab attached to said bottom portion and in close proximity to a heel portion of said footpad.   
     
     
         2 . The footpad of  claim 1 , wherein said footpad fits snugly within any sized footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The footpad of  claim 2 , wherein said stitches extend below said bottom portion less than one millimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The footpad of  claim 3 , wherein said top portion is located less than five millimeters from said bottom portion. 
     
     
         5 . The footpad of  claim 4 , wherein said material comprises one or more of the group consisting of cotton, wool, suede and silk. 
     
     
         6 . The footpad of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one piece comprises terrycloth. 
     
     
         7 . The footpad of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one piece comprises felt. 
     
     
         8 . The footpad of  claim 6  further comprising a nonabsorbent material, said nonabsorbent material comprising one or more of the group consisting of polyester, rayon and nylon. 
     
     
         9 . The footpad of  claim 6 , wherein said footpad is capable of being sewn by hand. 
     
     
         10 . The footpad of  claim 6 , wherein said footpad is durable enough to withstand the forces of a washing-machine without said material deteriorating. 
     
     
         11 . The footpad of  claim 6 , further comprising a means for keeping a set position while in use. 
     
     
         12 . The footpad of  claim 1 , wherein said pull-tab is contiguously sewn from said bottom portion and forms a loop large enough to encompass a human digit. 
     
     
         13 . The footpad of  claim 1 , wherein said pull-tab is constructed from a separate piece of material and forms a loop large enough to encompass a human digit. 
     
     
         14 . A cotton footpad comprising:
 a surface in the shape of a shoe insole, said surface sewn from two pieces of material with a top portion and a bottom portion, said surface containing a plurality of stitches that extend slightly below said bottom portion, and said surface containing edges that fold inward; and   a pull-tab attached to said bottom portion and in close proximity to a heel portion of said footpad.   
     
     
         15 . The footpad of  claim 14 , wherein said pull-tab is contiguously sewn from said bottom portion and forms a loop large enough to encompass a human digit. 
     
     
         16 . The footpad of  claim 14 , wherein said pull-tab is constructed from a third piece of material and forms a loop large enough to encompass a human digit. 
     
     
         17 . The footpad of  claim 14 , wherein said footpad fits snugly within any sized footwear. 
     
     
         18 . The footpad of  claim 17 , wherein said footpad is capable of being sewn by hand. 
     
     
         19 . The footpad of  claim 18 , wherein said footpad is durable enough to withstand the forces of a washing-machine without said strand deteriorating. 
     
     
         20 . The footpad of  claim 19 , further comprising a means for keeping a set position while in use.