SOCK WITH ABSORBENT PROPERTIES

Abstract

A sock having absorbent properties is disclosed. The sock includes a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion constructed at least partially of a waterproof material and the bottom portion constructed of a second material. The top portion is comprised of a top edge constructed at least partially of an absorbent material. The the waterproof material and the absorbent material prevent a fluid from contacting the skin of a user and a shoe worn by the user.

Claims

1. A sock having absorbent properties, comprising: a sock including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion constructed at least partially of a waterproof material, the bottom portion constructed of a second material, the top portion comprised of a top edge constructed at least partially of an absorbent material, wherein the waterproof material and the absorbent material prevents a fluid from contacting the skin foot of a user and a shoe worn by the user.

2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is comprised of a sock portion, a reinforced heel, and a reinforced toe.

3. The sock of claim 1, wherein the top portion is comprised of an absorbent material ring.

4. The sock of claim 3, wherein the absorbent material ring is integrally connected to the bottom portion.

5. The sock of claim 4, wherein the absorbent material ring includes an outer surface defining an outer circumference, and wherein the absorbent material ring includes in inner surface defining an inner circumference.

6. The sock of claim 5, wherein the inner surface is positioned to contact the skin of the user.

7. The sock of claim 1, further comprising an elastic component to provide biased tension to a leg of the user.

8. The sock of claim 4, wherein the elastic component is positioned at the top portion of the sock.

9. The sock of claim 8, wherein the elastic component is attached to the outer surface of the absorbent material ring.Not certain on this one. The elastic might be contained with in the absorbent material ring

10. The sock of claim 8, wherein the elastic component is attached to the inner surface of the absorbent material ring.Maybe this takes care of the call out above

11. The sock of claim 8, wherein the elastic component is a ribbed knit.the elastic could be a ribbed knit or could be woven

12. The sock of claim 8, wherein the elastic component includes a coating or a texture to increase friction between the leg of the user and the sock.

13. The sock of claim 1, wherein the second material is at least one of the following: cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefins, silk, bamboo, linen, cashmere, mohair.

14. A sock having absorbent properties, comprising: a sock including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion constructed at least partially of a waterproof material, the top defined as an absorbent portion to absorb liquid and prevent the liquid front contacting the bottom portion and a user's skin; an elastic component to provide biased tension to maintain the sock in a suitable position, wherein the elastic component is positioned at the top portion of the sock, and wherein the biased tension aids in the retention of liquid above the bottom portion of the sock.

15. The sock of claim 14, wherein the bottom portion is comprised of a sock portion, a reinforced heel, and a reinforced toe.

16. The sock of claim 14, wherein the top portion is comprised of an absorbent material ring.

17. The sock of claim 16, wherein the absorbent material ring is integrally connected to the bottom portion.

18. The sock of claim 17, wherein the absorbent material ring includes an outer surface defining an outer circumference, and wherein the absorbent material ring includes in inner surface defining an inner circumference.

19. The sock of claim 18, wherein the inner surface is positioned to contact the skin of the user.

20. A sock having absorbent properties, comprising: a sock including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion constructed at least partially of a waterproof material, the top defined as an absorbent portion to absorb liquid and prevent the liquid front contacting the bottom portion and a user's skin; an elastic component to provide biased tension to maintain the sock in a suitable position, wherein the elastic component is positioned at the top portion of the sock, and wherein the biased tension aids in the retention of liquid above the bottom portion of the sock; and a reinforced heel and a reinforced toe, wherein the top portion is integrally connected to the bottom portion, and wherein the top portion is constructed of a ribbed knit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of the sock having absorbent properties, according to some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the sock having absorbent properties, according to some embodiments; and

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the sock having absorbent properties, wherein the absorbent portion is shown separated from the sock portion for clarity, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.

[0022] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0023] In general, the embodiments provided here relate to a washable and reusable sock configured to absorb moisture via absorbent materials used to construct the sock. The absorbent material(s) prevent the entry of liquid into the user's foot. In one example, the sock may be worn by an infant undergoing potty training. The sock includes an absorbent material positioned at the top of the sock (such as near the ankle) to prevent fluids from leaking underneath the sock to the user's foot or into a shoe. In another example, the sock may also be worn by an elderly person who has incontinence.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates the sock 100 configured to absorb or otherwise divert fluid prior to the fluid contacting a shoe or the user's skin foot. An absorbent material and/or waterproof material may be positioned at the top portion 101 of the sock 100. In the illustrated example, an absorbent material 103 is positioned at the top edge 105 of the sock. A waterproof material 107 may be positioned below the absorbent material 103 and extends downward from the top portion 101 of the sock 100. The sock 100 is constructed to fit the user's ankle or leg to form a sufficient seal to prevent fluid from entering between the sock and the user's skin. The waterproof material 107 and absorbent material 103 stop the flow of liquid before the liquid reaches the bottom portion 111 of the sock 100. The top portion 101 may be defined as an absorbent portion 113 and the bottom portion 111 may be defined as the sock portion 115.

[0025] In some embodiments, the sock 100 is constructed to withstand repeated use and washing/drying cycles. In such, the sock 100 is reusable until the integrity of the waterproof and/or absorbent materials is compromised.

[0026] The sock 100 may be constructed of various materials including, but not limited to cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefins (e.g., polypropylene), silk, bamboo, linen, cashmere, mohair, etc. as well as material blends. Portions of the sock 100 may be constructed of different materials to provide advantageous properties. For example, the bottom portion 111 of the sock 100 may be constructed of a soft material to enhance comfort during use, while the top portion 101 is constructed of an absorbent material 103 and/or waterproof material 107 to prevent fluid from entering the user's shoe or contacting the user's skin.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates user 200 wearing the sock 100 having absorbent properties. The sock 100 is worn as one would wear a typical sock, wherein the top portion 101 is positioned such that it encircles the leg 201 of the user 200. The embodiments illustrate a tube sock construction. However, it is to be understood that the sock may be constructed as an ankle sock or other common iteration of a sock, as is known in the arts. The top portion 101 of the sock 100 may include an elastic component 203 which provides biased tension onto the leg 201 to keep the sock in a suitable position and provide comfort throughout use. The elastic component 203 may be woven into the fabric 205 of the top portion 101 of the sock or may be connected to the internal surface (not shown) or external surface 207 of the sock 100. In some embodiments, the elastic component is constructed of a two-tone ribbed knit, or single-tone ribbed knit.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrate an exploded view of the sock 100 having absorbent properties according to an embodiment. The absorbent portion 113 of the sock 100 may configured as a built-in absorbent material ring 300 which is positioned near the calf of the user when worn (as shown in FIG. 2). A reinforced heel 301, a reinforced toe 303 and two tone ribbed knit 306 (or single-tone ribbed knit) are also provided. The ribbed knit 306 may provide aesthetic benefits and or may be a means for providing the elastic component 203. The bottom portion 111 includes an exterior surface 305 and an interior surface 307. The interior surface 307 defines the sidewalls of a cavity 309 wherein the user's foot is positioned during use. The absorbent portion 113 includes an outer surface 311 and an inner surface 313, wherein the outer surface 311 defines an outer circumference 315 and the inner surface 313 defines an inner circumference 317.

[0029] In some embodiments, the inner surface 313 and/or top edge 105 may include the waterproof material 107. The waterproof material 107 may also include a coating or a texture to aid in keeping the top portion 101 of the sock in a suitable position on the leg of the user, such as by increasing the force of friction between the leg and the sock.

[0030] While FIG. 3 illustrates the absorbent portion 113 being detached from the bottom portion 111, it is to be understood that these components are integrally connected during manufacturing such that each sock is provided as a single-piece construction.

[0031] In some embodiments, the sock 100 material which may include cotton, polyester, nylon, spandex, and other similar material. The elastic component 203 may include any known elastic known in the textile arts.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

[0033] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0034] The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

[0035] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms coupled and connected (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

[0039] An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0040] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.