Ventilated padded foot undergarment and method of use

Abstract

A padded ventilated foot undergarment includes a stocking formed from a flexible, form-fitting material with an opening for receiving a wearer's foot, a toe area, an arch area, and a heel area in combination with a silicone pad featuring one or more perforations configured to provide localized cushioning and enable air exchange for enhanced breathability. Material, manufacturing, design, and construction considerations thereof and methods of manufacture, assembly, and use. The undergarment aids in the prevention and treatment of foot related injuries related to uncomfortable footwear without causing alternative discomfort and/or infection related to moisture buildup of the toes.

1 . A protective stocking for protecting a plurality of toes of a wearer foot, the protective stocking comprising:
 a stocking formed from a flexible form-fitting material, said stocking comprising at least an opening for receiving the wearer foot, a toe area, an arch area, and a heel area; and   a silicone pad surrounding a portion of said toe area, wherein said silicone pad includes an at least one perforation configured to enable an air exchange.   
     
     
         2 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said stocking comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, silk, bamboo, wool, acrylic, elastane, microfiber, and blended fabrics. 
     
     
         3 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone pad is fused into an interior surface of the stocking. 
     
     
         4 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone pad is fused into an exterior surface of the stocking. 
     
     
         5 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone pad is attached to said stocking by a permanent attachment means, the permanent attachment means selected from a group consisting of an adhesive bond, a heat seal, an ultrasonic welding, a plurality of stitches, a lamination, an overmold, and a thermal fusion. 
     
     
         6 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone pad is attached to said stocking by a detachable attachment means, the detachable attachment means selected from a group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener system, a self-adhesive, and a static cling. 
     
     
         7 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said stocking comprises a moisture-wicking material. 
     
     
         8 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one perforation is a plurality of perforations distributed across said silicone pad. 
     
     
         9 . The stocking of  claim 8 , wherein said portion of said toe area is a top portion. 
     
     
         10 . The stocking of  claim 9 , wherein said stocking further comprises an outer layer and an inner layer and said silicone pad is disposed therein. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing a foot pain of a foot of a wearer, the method comprising:
 providing a protective stocking comprising:
 a stocking component formed from a flexible form-fitting material with an at least an opening for receiving the wearer foot, a toe area, an arch area, and a heel area; and 
 a silicone pad component surrounding a portion of said toe area, wherein said silicone pad component includes an at least one perforation configured to enable an air exchange; 
   placing the foot of the wearer into the stocking via said opening; and   aligning a plurality of toes of the wearer corresponding to the foot with said silicone pad portion to align with the toe area.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said stocking component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, silk, bamboo, wool, acrylic, elastane, microfiber, and blended fabrics. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said silicone pad component is fused into an interior surface of the stocking. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said silicone pad component is fused into an exterior surface of the stocking. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said silicone pad component is attached to said stocking component by a permanent attachment means, the permanent attachment means selected from a group consisting of an adhesive bond, a heat seal, an ultrasonic welding, a plurality of stitches, a lamination, an overmold, and a thermal fusion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said stocking component comprises a moisture-wicking material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said silicone pad component is attached to said stocking component by a detachable attachment means, the detachable attachment means selected from a group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener system, a self-adhesive, and a static cling. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one perforation is a plurality of perforations distributed across said silicone pad component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said portion of said toe area is a top portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said stocking component further comprises an outer layer and an inner layer and said silicone pad component is disposed therein.