Foot Protection

Abstract

Apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising a laminated sheet having an edge, a substantially water-proof material for floor-contact, and a substantially water absorbent material for foot-contact. The laminated sheet is foldable in half to a folded configuration, and the edge has a securing mechanism configured to connect together different parts of the edge when the laminated sheet is in the folded configuration to create an enclosure with the water-proof surface inner-most. The securing mechanism is configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the enclosure when said securing mechanism is fastened.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising a laminated sheet having an edge, a substantially water-proof material for floor-contact, and a substantially water absorbent material for foot-contact, wherein:
 said laminated sheet is foldable in half to a folded configuration, and   said edge has a securing mechanism configured to connect together different parts of said edge when said laminated sheet is in said folded configuration to create an enclosure with said water-proof surface inner-most, said securing mechanism being configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the enclosure when said securing mechanism is fastened.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said securing mechanism comprises a mechanism selected from the group: a zip; a hook and loop fastener; a ridge and groove arrangement; a zip lock fastener with a slider; a zip lock fastener without a slider. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a handle, such that said apparatus is supportable by said handle while said securing mechanism is fastened. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a handle, such that said apparatus is supportable by said handle while said securing mechanism is fastened. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said securing mechanism is a zip and said handle comprises a tab at the end of said zip. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said securing mechanism is configured to bring said different parts of said edge together while said securing mechanism is fastened. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is of a sufficient size to contain footwear. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said enclosure contains footwear and said footwear is water-proof. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said water-proof footwear are flip-flops or bathing shoes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially water absorbent material is an absorbent micro-fibre. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially water-proof material is a latex rubber material or material having a similar coefficient of friction to latex rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claims 1 , wherein said laminated sheet comprises a third layer between said substantially waterproof material and said substantially water absorbent material. 
     
     
         13 . A method of protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of:
 placing a laminated sheet on a contaminated floor, in which a substantially water-proof material is placed in contact with said floor and a substantially water-absorbent material is presented upper-most for foot-contact;   receiving wet feet upon said water absorbent surface while a user performs a drying operation, thereby allowing a user to apply outdoor footwear before contacting said contaminated floor directly;   facilitating a folding operation to create an enclosure with the contaminated surface innermost; and   responding to a securing operation by the use of a securing mechanism so as to resist escape of contaminated liquid from said enclosure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein transfer shoes are introduced into an enclose defined by said folding operation and held therein after said securing operation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said securing operation comprises fastening a zip. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a tab extends from an end of said zip and said folding operation is initiated by removing the laminated sheet from said floor by holding said tab. 
     
     
         17 . A method of constructing apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of:
 forming a laminated material having a substantially water-proof surface for floor contact and a substantially water absorbent material for foot contact;   cutting said laminated material into a shape of sufficient size to allow a person to stand on the apparatus exclusively and unaided, said shape having an edge and a line of reflective symmetry; and   applying a securing device to said edge, such that the apparatus may be folded with said water-proof surface innermost and secured.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said forming step comprises bonding a substantially water-proof material to a substantially water absorbent material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said bonding step is performed by applying said substantially water-proof material in a liquid or semi-liquid state. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a pair of transfer shoes are located upon said water-proof surface and said securing device is secured with said transfer shoes retained in place as if in a bag.