Shoe protection article

Abstract

A shoe protection article made with a deformable textile that contains an antimicrobial agent. The shoe protection article is placed over a shoe tree, and the shoe tree is inserted into a shoe so that the shoe protection article comes into contact with a substantial portion of the interior surface of the shoe, thereby providing antimicrobial benefits to the shoe. The shoe protection article may cover a toe portion of the shoe tree or also the heel portion depending on the amount of contact desired. Various antimicrobial agents may be used such as silver dihydrogen citrate, and various textiles may be selected based on compatibility with the antimicrobial agent. A moisture-proof container protects the shoe protection articles before use to preserve the effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent.

1 . An article intended for protecting the interior of a shoe, comprising:
 a textile formed into a shape approximating essentially a cup; and   an active antimicrobial agent carried by the textile.   
     
     
         2 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the active antimicrobial agent is silver dihydrogen citrate. 
     
     
         3 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a rim portion of the cup is gathered. 
     
     
         4 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the textile is formed into a shape approximating a toe portion of a shoe tree. 
     
     
         5 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the textile is formed into a shape approximating essentially an elongated cup. 
     
     
         6 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the textile is formed into a shape approximating a toe portion and a heel portion of a shoe tree. 
     
     
         7 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the textile is synthetic. 
     
     
         8 . The article as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the textile is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The article as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the textile is nylon. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming an article for protecting the interior of a shoe, comprising:
 a step for providing a textile with an active antimicrobial agent; and   forming the textile into a shape approximating essentially a cup.   
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the active antimicrobial agent is silver dihydrogen citrate. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising forming a gathered rim portion of the cup. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising forming the textile into a shape approximating a toe portion of a shoe tree. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising forming the textile into a shape approximating essentially an elongated cup. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising forming the textile into a shape approximating a toe portion and a heel portion of a shoe tree. 
     
     
         16 . The article as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the textile comprises a synthetic textile. 
     
     
         17 . The article as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the textile comprises an elastic textile. 
     
     
         18 . The article as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the textile comprises a nylon textile.