Footwear cover with scent-suppressing carbon additive

Abstract

A stretchable protective cover for footwear, formed from a natural rubber or elastomeric material. Small particles of activated carbon are interspersed in the material making up the cover, in order to suppress the scent of a wearer. The footwear cover may have a textured bottom surface to resist slippage. The cover is configured to completely cover and surround at least a portion of the footwear below the ankle area thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a non-provisional application, which claims priority from a pending provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 755,162 filed Dec. 30, 2005. The subject matter of the priority document is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a footwear cover apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a footwear cover apparatus formed from a resiliently flexible rubber or elastomeric material, in which particles of activated carbon are interspersed through the material of the cover, to provide scent-dampening (scent-suppressing) properties thereto. [0004] 2. Description of the Background Art [0005] Various materials containing activated carbon are known for the purpose of dampening or suppressing scent. The ability to dampen scent is particularly important to hunters in wildlife because of the strong sense of smell...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Accordingly, in an illustrative embodiment hereof, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for placing a water-resistant overshoe over the shoes or boots of a hunter or naturalist, in order to dampen or suppress scent which would otherwise be emanating from a person's feet.

[0012] Footwear is available in many designs and shapes. Accordingly, the footwear covering according to the invention is made stretchable to accommodate numerous different designs and shapes of footwear. Such a generic shape reduces or eliminates the need to match the shape of the footwear cover to any specific shoe or boot design.

[0013] Given that the present invention is worn on one's feet, the footwear coverings may be exposed to significant wear and tear. Accordingly, the footwear covering according to the invention may be made inexpensive and easily replaceable. A simple construction where two symmetric boot-like cutouts are bonded together allows for inexpensive production of the present invention. Moreover, as this construction employs flat sheet material, the present invention is thin and compact, and can be efficiently packaged, stored, and transported.

[0014] Footwear, especially the type adapted for natural or rustic terrain, normally includes a thick sole with many grooves and cutouts to provide traction. While it is unlikely that the present invention will be worn for long distances or durations, it would be advantageous to provide a frictional surface on a bottom surface of the footwear covers according to the present invention, to maintain sole traction and minimize slippage when used, for example, in climbing a ladder or tree stand. Accordingly, a rough or high-friction surface may be provided over a bottom part of the covering.

Problems solved by technology

Hunters are likely to already possess boots or shoes, however many footwear choices lack scent-dampening properties.

Moreover, it may be that certain footwear that is particularly adapted to certain conditions or terrain, but that such footwear lacks scent-dampening properties.

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