Shoe Cover System With Internal Cushioning Member

Abstract

A shoe cover system includes a flexible shoe cover that is configured to substantially surround a shoe of a user of the shoe cover system. A resilient cushioning member inside the shoe cover is non-removably attached to the interior bottom of the shoe cover to receive and support the bottom of the user's shoe. Over-molding the resilient cushioning member to the interior bottom of the shoe cover may provide a permanent and direct attachment of the resilient cushioning member to the shoe cover. An adhesive layer between the resilient cushioning member and the interior bottom of the shoe cover may provide a permanent and indirect attachment of the resilient cushioning member to the shoe cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe cover system, comprising:
 a flexible shoe cover exhibiting a first geometry suitable to substantially surround a shoe; and   a resilient cushioning member situated inside the shoe cover and exhibiting a second geometry suitable to contact and support a bottom of the shoe, the resilient cushioning member being non-removably attached to the interior of the flexible shoe cover.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient cushioning member is molded to an interior bottom of the shoe cover to attach the resilient cushioning member to the shoe cover. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient cushioning member is flame bonded to an interior bottom of the shoe cover to attach the resilient cushioning member to the shoe cover. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient cushioning member is adhesively attached to an interior bottom of the shoe cover to hold the resilient cushioning member to the shoe cover. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , further comprising stitching that attaches the resilient cushioning member to an interior bottom of the shoe cover. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient cushioning comprises first and second layer that exhibit first and second durometers, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe cover system of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer comprises gel and the second layer comprises foam. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe cover includes an upper portion that provides an aperture for receiving the foot of a user therethrough, the upper portion including an elastic portion that forms a ring around the aperture to hold the upper portion to a leg of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient cushioning member includes an upper surface that is covered with a layer of adhesive with a release liner thereon, to hold the shoe bottom to the resilient cushioning member when the release liner is removed from the layer of adhesive and the shoe bottom contacts the layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe cover system of  claim 9 , wherein the layer of adhesive includes a heel portion and a toe portion that exhibit higher stickiness than a remaining portion between the heel portion and the toes portion. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shoe cover comprises a stretch fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe cover system of  claim 11 , wherein the stretch fabric is a two-way stretch fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe cover system of  claim 11 , wherein the stretch fabric is a four-way stretch fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shoe cover comprises a puncture resistant fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shoe cover comprises an electrostatic discharge (ESD) fabric.