Security Screening Protective Foot Liner

Abstract

A thin, low profile, one time use, disposable non-padded and non-metallic material of ornamental shape, thickness, and flexibility with a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive side to adhere to the bottom of the foot, that protects a passenger's clean/healthy feet from contaminated floor surfaces, while keeping other passengers with dirty/unhealthy feet from transferring their own personal foot disorders onto the floor surfaces of security screening lines. The foot liner is used when passengers are required to remove their shoes during the security screening process before boarding their flight. The foot liner needs to be cost effective due to the large volume of passengers (1.7 million worldwide daily) throughout airports and has a built-in removal tab that can be any size, shape, or length, and can either be non-adhesive or have low tack pressure sensitive adhesive qualities (to stick to the heel to ensure no floor contact) for quick removal of the foot liner, so the wearer's fingers are not exposed to germs during the removal process.

Claims

1: A foot liner with a fold up tab for easy removal after use, comprising of a thin non-padded, non-slip protective liner made of flexible or rigid material with a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive surface on one side, for adhering to the bottom of the foot, for use in a dry/low moisture environment to protect the user's feet during use and user's hands after use (removal) from contaminated floor surfaces while participating in the security screening process at airports.

2: The foot liner of claim 1 further having a folding, non-adhesive or low tack pressure sensitive adhesive removal tab that can be any size, shape, or length and may or may not have a perforation line used for folding upward whereas to eliminate contact with the floor when worn properly and can be anywhere on the foot liner, preferably located on the heel, which is used for easy removal helping to protect the wearer's fingers from possible germ contact.

3: The foot liner of claim 1 in which the liner has an ornamental shape designed to, but not limited to, covering just the sole of the foot to allow the security screeners a non-obstructive view of the complete foot.

4: The foot liner of claim 1 constructed of materials suitable to be a one-time use disposable product.

5: The foot liner of claim 1 with a low tack, pressure sensitive adhesive so not to damage socks, hosiery, or irritate the wearer's feet and is removed easily.

6: The foot liner of claim 1 which can be any color and can be used to display advertising, usage instructions, or other messages.

7: The foot liner of claim 1 which can be treated with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-odor, or other treatments.

8: The foot liner of claim 1 which can be treated with anti-slip qualities on the bottom.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] A thin, on-time use, protective foot liner (FIG. 3) of, but not limited to, paper, cloth, plastic, cardboard or any flexible or rigid material. One side of the liner (7) will have low tack pressure sensitive adhesive qualities to allow the foot liner to adhere to the bottom of a foot after application.

[0014] Application of the foot liner can be by hand, machine, or mechanical system. Simply choose the foot liner, fold the removal tab (8) up and peel off the back-liner (6), after folding the removal tab, and applying the foot liner to the bottom of the foot (FIG. 4), the removal tab is designed to eliminate contact with the contaminated floor when worn (FIG. 5).

[0015] After using the foot liner, the wearer's hands are protected from the bottom of the contaminated foot liner by using the removal tab. Simply peel off the foot liner by using the removal tab (FIG. 6). Using the removal tab (11), it can be easily unpeeled and removed, eliminating any contact between the contaminated bottom surface of the foot liner and the user's fingers.

[0016] Both the foot liner and the back-liner can be discarded into any trash receptacle for possible recycling.

[0017] The foot liner can also be treated, if necessary, with a substance/chemical that resists/kills germs with disinfectant abilities/qualities for even more protection. The foot liner will adhere to bare feet, socks, or hosiery. The foot liner is designed to, but not limited to, just covering the sole of the foot e.g. the removal tab which can be stuck to the back of the foot if low tack pressure sensitive adhesive is applied during production to the foot liner. The foot liner has no particular shape or color as long as it protects the bottom of the foot completely. When worn properly, the foot liner will provide a barrier between one's feet and any surface that has human or animal traffic. It allows a traveler to go through airport security screening lines with confidence knowing they are eliminating personal contact with the contaminated floor.

[0018] The foot liner can also provide a space for advertisement e.g. airport amenities, public awareness messages, application instructions etc. As passengers enter the security screening line and before they apply the foot liner, they will be able to read any message or advertisement on the foot liner's surface, both top and bottom.

[0019] The foot liner can be distributed at airline ticket counters, kiosks, vending machines, entry into the security screening lines, handed out by flight attendants, found in the back of airline seats, online, TV, or travel leisure stores prior to a traveler's trip/vacation.