Antimicrobial protective foot cover

Abstract

A foot cover according to various embodiments can be configured to fit and completely enclose a foot of a wearer. An opening is formed within the foot cover for receiving the foot of the wearer. At least one rip seam is formed in the foot cover. A rip cord is disposed within the at least rip seam.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A foot cover comprising:
 a foot cover configured to fit and completely enclose a foot of a wearer;   an opening formed within the foot cover for receiving the foot of the wearer;   at least one rip seam formed in the foot cover; and   a rip cord disposed within the at least rip seam.   
     
     
         2 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover comprises a foot prophylactic to prevent transmission of at least one of diseases and bioagents. 
     
     
         3 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         4 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover comprises bioactive fibers with antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         5 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover comprises fibers integrated with silver ion to impart antimicrobial properties to the fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover comprises a disposable material. 
     
     
         8 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one characteristic of a material of the foot cover is selected from at least one of recyclable, lightweight, woven, and poly cotton. 
     
     
         9 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is water proof or water repellent. 
     
     
         10 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         11 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is x-ray proof to enable x-ray inspection. 
     
     
         12 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rip seam is configured to be sufficiently strong to sustain normal walking movements, and is sufficiently weak to permit the at least one rip seam to split when placed under tension. 
     
     
         13 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein an elastic material is provided around at least a first portion of the opening and excluding at least a second portion of the opening where the at least one rip seam extends through the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the rip cord is formed within the fabric extending upwardly and uniting with the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , further comprises a ring attached to an end of the rip cord to enable removal of the foot from the foot cover without touching a sole or base of the foot cover. 
     
     
         16 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the rip cord is configured such that, when the rip cord is pulled, tension is placed on the at least one rip seam splitting and opening along the at least one rip seam to permit removal of the foot from the foot cover. 
     
     
         17 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is configured to split open along the at least one rip seam with a single pulling motion of the rip cord. 
     
     
         18 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening further comprising an ankle-receiving portion of the foot cover for directly contacting a wearer's ankle. 
     
     
         19 . The foot cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot cover is configured for use in a security-screening checkpoint for preventing transmission of diseases and bioagents.