Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHOE COVER APPLICATOR DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protective disposable garments such as gowns, drapes, caps and shoe covers
have been used for many years to minimize contamination in "cleanrooms" such
as
laboratories and medical operating rooms. Disposable shoe covers, in
particular, are of
great importance in these environments, as shoes are in constant contact with
the
"clean" area. In settings such as these, the shoe covers serve to protect the
sterile
atmosphere from dust and any other contaminates human traffic may introduce.
to Shoe covers also serve to protect the wearer from hazards already present
in
these environments. The shoe covers prevent the wearer from being exposed to
hazards
such as electricity, chemicals, metals, microbiological agents, disease and
tools. It is
thus desirable to design a disposable shoe cover that prevents the
transmission of
contaminates to and from a shoe.
The use of disposable shoe covers is not limited to the aforementioned
environments. Each environment requires a shoe cover made of a material having
specific characteristics. As a result, disposable shoe covers may need to be
fabricated
from a wide array of materials including polyethylene or polypropylene sheet
materials,
non-woven fabrics or other disposable materials. It is therefore also
desirable to design
a disposable shoe cover that can be manufactured out of varied materials.
Furthermore,
the assortment of shoe shapes and sizes necessitate disposable shoe covers of
various
shapes and sizes.
Finally, it is necessary to design a disposable shoe cover that can be applied
onto the wearer's shoe without the handling of the disposable shoe cover
itself. If not,
the purpose of maintaining a sterile preparation routine before entering to
the .clean
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room area may be defeated. Manual handling of the shoe covers may spoil the
sanitary
nature of the shoe covers. Most disposable shoe covers available today require
manual
application.
Nonetheless, attempts to address this concern have been made. An example of
an automated shoe cover application device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,694,939
which discloses an operation wherein the wearer's shoe is wrapped in heat-
shrinkable
material upon the insertion of the wearer's foot into a shrink-wrap device.
While this
type of device may do away with the need to manually handle the shoe cover
during is
application upon a shoe, it is not adaptable to be used with a wide range of
disposable
l0 shoe covers made of the varying materials needed for various types of
sanitary
environments.
Additionally, such a device is expensive, complicated and could be dangerous.
A heat-shrinking operation, such as the one disclosed in the aforementioned
patent,
requires multiple motors, a heating unit, heating elements, a blower and
extensive
15 wiring and electrical controllers. These elements are not only expensive
but also form
an intricate system that is difficult to maintain and repair. Furthermore,
such an
extensive electrical heating system increases the risk of injury to the user
who must set
his or her foot into the device to have it shrink-wrapped.
As described above, many approaches for applying shoe covers to a wearer's
2o shoe have been proposes. Yet, there remains a need for a simple,
inexpensive and safe
means for applying shoe covers to a wearer's shoe without the handling of the
shoe
cover itself. Further, there is a need for an automatic shoe cover applicator
compatible
with shoe covers of varied materials, shapes and sizes.
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SU1VIMARY OF THE INVENTION
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follow, an in part will be apparent from the description, or
may be
learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of
the
invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus particularly pointed
out in the
written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of
the invention, as embodies and broadly described, the invention consists of
shoe cover
application device having a holding arrangement to hold a shoe cover open in a
receiving position for the insertion of a user's shoe. There is also a
separation member
operable to separate the shoe cover from the holding arrangement allowing the
shoe
cover to constrict around the user's shoe that was inserted into the shoe
cover while the
shoe cover was in the receiving position:
An embodiment of the present invention also includes a guiding system utilized
to guide the shoe covers from a storage bin to the holding arrangement, a
retaining
member responsible, while in a retaining position, for preventing the guiding
of the
shoe covers from the storage bin to the holding arrangement, and an actuator
to both
initiate the operation of the separation member and control the position of
the retaining
member.
2o It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe cover
application
device that applies a shoe cover to a user's shoe with the manual handing of
the shoe
cover itself.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic shoe
cover
application device that is simple, inexpensive and safe to use.
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It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automatic shoe
cover application device compatible with shoe covers of varied materials,
shapes and
sizes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent
upon further review of the following specification and drawings. It is
understood that
both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description
are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the
invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of
the
invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,
illustrate
several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve
to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a shoe cover application
device
according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the device according to figure 1.
Fig. 3 is an exploded side view of a portion of the device according to figure
1.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another portion of the device according to
figure 1.
2o Fig. 5 is a close-up perspective view of the retaining member of present
invention.
Fig. 6 is a close-up top view of the guide members of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a close-up perspective view of the application portion of the
present invention.
Fig. ~ is a close-up perspective view of the linkage system of the present
invention.
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the device according to
figure 1.
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Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a continuous type shoe cover lineal used with
the
device according to figure 1.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figures 1-8 show the preferred embodiment of a shoe cover applicator device
100. As shown specifically in Figure 1, the shoe cover applicator device 100
has a
body 10, base 20, and bin 30. The bin 30 is configured to receive a package
200 of
shoe covers. In one embodiment, the package 200 consists of continuous
disposable
shoe covers in a sealed package, as described in U.S. Patent Application ,
filed herewith. An example of the continuous type disposable shoe cover 310 is
shown
in Figure 10.
The continuous type disposable shoe cover 310 of the preferred embodiment as
shown in Figure 10 will now be described in detail. As seen in the figure,
multiple
continuous type disposable shoe covers 310 are joined in a lineal 300 of shoe
covers
310. Each shoe cover 310 may be separated from the adjoining shoe covers 310
using
perforated edges 380. Each individual shoe cover 310 comprises a pair of side
walls
320, a heel portion 340 and a toe portion 350. Together the side walls 320,
the heel
portion 340, and the toe portion 350 define an opening for receiving a shoe.
The shoe covers 310 include tubes 330 formed along the longitudinal edges of
the shoe covers 310. The tubes 330 are separated from the side walls 320 along
cut
lines 360 to form the heel portion 340 and toe portion 350. The tubes 330
allow the
shoe cover 310 to be conveyed through device 100. The shoe covers 310 are also
provided with at least one elastic member 370 disposed below the tubes 330 and
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between the heel portion 340 and toe portion 350. The elastic member 370
permits the
shoe cover 310 to contract around a shoe inserted into the shoe cover 310 and
thereby
substantially surround the shoe. It should be understood to one skilled in the
art that
multiple elastic member 370 or other means known in the art may be used to
contract
the shoe cover 310 about a shoe.
Generally, during operation, the shoe covers 310 are delivered from the
package
200, through the device 100, to an application portion 80. In the application
portion 80,
the shoe cover 310 is positioned to accommodate entry of the user's foot. The
user
inserts his or her foot into the opened shoe cover 310 and then pulls his or
her foot
away from the device 100. As the user's foot is pulled away from the device
100, the
shoe cover 310 is separated from the device 100 and another shoe cover 310 is
delivered to the application portion 80 awaiting the next user. The operation
of the
device 100 will be described in more detail below.
Turning now specifically to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the communication
between the package 200 of shoe covers 310 and the device 100. Specifically,
the
package 200 has an opening 201 that may be aligned with an opening 35 in bin
30. The
shoe covers 310 are manually or automatically fed from package 200 to the
device 100
through openings 201 and 35, respectively. Automatic feed of the shoe covers
310 may
be triggered by sensing the entry of the foot into the device 100 or the
user's actuation
of a button, lever, trigger or other means known in the art.
Figure 2 also illustrates the guiding system 40 of the preferred embodiment.
The guiding system 40 functions to guide the shoe cover 310 through the device
100
and deliver the shoe covers 310 to the application portion 80.
In the preferred embodiment, the guiding system 40 includes a funnel 44 and
guide members 45. The funnel 44 comprises a pair of sloped arms 44a and 44b
and
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neck 44c. The shoe covers 310 are drawn from package 200, through the funnel
44 and
neck 44c, and onto the guide members 45. The sloped arms 44a and 44b of the
funnel
44 are mounted on the interior of body 10. One or both of the arms 44a and 44b
may
be biased so as slightly "give" as the shoe covers 310 are drawn though device
100 to
prevent tearing or separation of the shoe covers 310. The "give" may be
provided by a
spring 47 or other means known in the art.
Preferably, arm 44a is pivotally mounted on body 10 using a hinge 46 or the
like. As shown in Figure 2, spring 47 provides the bias to arm 44a. Hinge 46
is set to
limit the movement of arm 44a in the upward direction. Spring 47 biases arm
44a
to upwards against the natural tendency of arm 44a to rotate downward about
hinge 46.
Although arm 44a is shown in Figure 2 as being pivotally mounted on body 10,
it is to be understood that funnel 44 merely needs to yield sufficiently to
prevent the
tearing or separation of the shoe covers 310. For instance, it is not
necessary that only
one of arms 44a and 44b may be mounted on body 10 in the fashion described
above.
15 Both arms 44a and 44b may be spring mounted on body 10. Moreover, either of
arms
44a and 44b could be manufactured of naturally resilient material providing
the "give"
required of funnel 44 and not requiring the spring and hinge-mount arrangement
of the
preferred embodiment.
From the funnel 44, the shoe covers 310 are fed, again either manually or
2o automatically, to guide members 45. As shown in Figure 3, the guide members
45
extend through body 10 to application portion 80. The guide members 45 are
shaped,
contoured and spaced apart to not only complete the conveyance of the shoe
covers 310
to the application portion 80 but to also hold the shoe cover 310 at least
substantially
open in the application portion 80 facilitating the insertion of a user's foot
into the shoe
25 cover 310. The guide members 45 also preferably include mounting portions
45b to
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mount the guide members 45 to the base 20 using mounting members 22 as shown
in
Figure 2.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 employs
the continuous type disposable shoe cover 310 shown in Figure 10. Accordingly,
each
guide member 45 is designed to fit into each tube 330 of shoe cover 310. It is
important that the tubes 330 of the shoe covers 310 slide along guide members
45 with
minimal resistance to avoid the tearing or separation of the shoe covers 310.
Thus,
although any elongated shape may be suitable for guide members 45, it is
preferred that
the guide members 45 be shafts having cylindrical cross-sections.
Additionally, it is
preferable that the guide members 45 are made of low-friction materials, such
as teflom,
or coated with such a material to minimize the risk of tearing or separating
the shoe
covers 310.
As mentioned above, the guide members 45 are spaced apart, at least in the
application portion 80 of device 100, to.hold open the shoe covers 310 so that
the user
may insert his or her foot into the shoe cover 310. In particular, the ends,
or holding
portions, 45a of the guide members 45 are spaced to hold open the shoe covers
310
within the application portion 80 of the device 100.
In the preferred embodiment using the shoe cover 310 of Figure 10, the spacing
of the holding portions 45a is sufficient to pull the tube 330 of the shoe
cover 310 apart.
2o Yet, since the tubes 330 are separated from the body of the shoe cover 310
along the
cut lines 360, the heel portion 340 and toe portion 350 of the shoe covers 310
are not
forced apart by the holding portions 45a. The spacing of the holding portions
45a pulls
apart only the opposing tubes 330 and opposing side walls 320 of the shoe
cover 310,
providing the user with an adequate opening in which to insert his foot.
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Although the preferred arrangement of the guiding system 40 is described
above, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a more
intricate or
simpler guiding system 40 could be incorporated into the shoe cover 310
applicator
device 100. For instance, the shoe covers 310 could be drawn out of package
200 and
delivered to application portion 80 via vacuum power or other mechanically or
electrically powered conveying means. Additionally, the funnel guide 44 may be
eliminated altogether. And, other suitable conveying means known in the art
could be
incorporated into the shoe application device in lieu of the guide members 45.
By way
of example, as an alternative to guide members 45, a clamping device could
hold the
to shoe cover 310 in place as it is conveyed through device 100.
As described above, through the guiding system 40 of the preferred
embodiment, the shoe covers 310 are delivered from package 200 to application
portion
80. At application portion 80, the shoe covers 310 are ready to accommodate
the
insertion of the user's foot. After the user inserts his or her foot into the
shoe cover 310,
the shoe cover 310 is separated or released from the device 100 so that the
user may
remove the shoe with the shoe cover 310 on. Following the separation or
release of the
shoe cover 310, the process starts over (i.e. a new receiving shoe cover 310
is delivered
to a receiving position at application portion 80). This new receiving shoe
cover 310 is
now ready for the next user to insert his or her foot therein.
2o To carry out the aforementioned separation, release and delivery
operations, the
device 100 preferably includes a separation member 85 and a retaining member
75
along with an actuator 70 for actuating each. It is to be understood by one
skilled in the
art, however, that a single component within the device 100 could replace the
separation member 85 and the retaining member 75 to perform their respective
functions. Nonetheless, in the preferred embodiment, the retaining member 75
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cooperates with the guiding system 40 to selectively restrict or permit the
advance of
the shoe covers 310 throughout the device 100 and delivery of the shoe covers
310 to
application portion 80. The separation member 85 acts to separate the shoe
cover 310
from the device once the shoe cover 310 is on the user's foot.
More specifically with respect to the preferred embodiment, the user may
activate an actuator 70, which in turn triggers the release of a retaining
member 75 and
activates the separation member 85. The release of retaining member 75 permits
the
transport of the shoe cover 310 through the device 100. In the same way, the
release or
deactivation of actuator 70 returns retaining member 75 to an active state and
deactivates the separation member 85. While in their active states, retaining
member
75 inhibits the movement of the shoe covers 310 through device 100 and
separation
member 85 separates the shoe cover 310 from device 100.
Referring now to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows actuator 70, retaining member 75,
separation members 85 and how each of these elements cooperates with guide
members
45 of the preferred embodiment. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
the actuator 70 consists of a foot pedal activated when a user's foot
depresses the foot
pedal. Although actuator 70 is shown as a foot pedal, actuator 70 may be a
push
button, knob, switch, lever or the like. Additionally, the actuator 70 may be
triggered
manually, via sensing means (e.g. an optical sensor) or even voice activated.
Actuator
70 is employed to release the retaining member 75 and initiate the operation
of
separation member 85.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, both the actuator 70 and
guide members 45 extend into the application portion 80 of the device 100.
There, the
guide members 45 are spaced apart so as to hold the shoe cover 3I0 open within
the
application portion 80. The application portion 80 includes a foot tray 81.
The guide
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members 45 preferably run along the longitudinal edges of the foot tray 81
while the
actuator 70 extends over the foot tray 81 between the guide members 45.
The foot tray 81 may be configured to receive shoe types of various shapes and
sizes. Figure 7 shows a close-up of the preferred embodiment of foot tray 81.
As can
be seen in the Figure, the foot tray Sl may comprise a channel 83 for
receiving the sole
of a shoe and channel 84 within channel 83 for receiving a high-heel portion
of a shoe.
Alternatively, the foot tray 81 could include interchangeable platforms of
varying
configurations to accept a wide assortment of different shoe sole shapes
according to
the footwear requirements of the environment within which the device 100 is
used.
~ Additionally, the preferred embodiment, a toe guide 82 is positioned in
application portion 80. The toe guide 82 is generally configured to receive
the front
(toe) portion of the user's shoe. Preferably, the toe guide 82 is coupled to
retaining
member 75, as shown in Figure 5.
With the guide members 45 holding the shoe cover 310 open in the receiving
position within the application portion 80, the shoe cover 310 overlies both
the actuator
70 and the foot tray 81. Thus, upon insertion of a shoe into the receiving
shoe cover
310, actuator 70 is depressed (activated) and the shoe rests upon the foot
tray 81
substantially surrounded by the receiving shoe cover 310. The activation of
the
actuator 70 releases the retaining member 75 and initiates the operation of
the
2o separation member 85. The release of retaining member 75 along with the
activation of
separation member 85 permits the withdrawal of the user's foot from the foot
tray 81
with the shoe cover 310 substantially surrounding the shoe.
In the preferred embodiment, separation member 85 includes of a pair of
cutting
blades positioned at the mounting portions 45b of the guide members 45, as
shown in
Figure 6. As the user slides his or her foot off the foot tray 81, the
separation member
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85 separates the shoe cover 310 from device 100. Particularly, the cutting
blades slice
open the tubes 330 of the shoe cover 310 that hold the shoe cover 310 on guide
members 45 as the shoe cover 310 passes the cutting blades on the mounting
portions
45b of guide members 45. Thus, the shoe cover 310 is separated from the device
100
and is free to contract around the wearer's shoe.
Although the preferred embodiment describes the separation member 85 as a
pair of cutting blades, it is to be understood that any appropriate means
known in the art
of separating the shoe cover 310 from the device 100 may be utilized. It
should be
evident to one skilled in the art that various separating members are
available to
cooperate with any suitable means known in the art for delivering the shoe
covers 310
to the application portion 80, including the guide members 45 of the preferred
embodiment.
As mentioned above, actuator 70 operates to release retaining member 75. The
preferred linkage system is illustrated in detail in Figure 9. However, it is
to be
understood by one skilled in the art that any mechanical or electrical
connection may be
used to translate the activation of actuator 70 into the release of retaining
member 75.
Turning now to preferred embodiment shown in Figure 9, body 10 houses a
linkage system 50 and actuator 70. The linkage system 50 preferably includes a
rectangular tray 51 with folded-up edges 51a and 51b, a pair of intermediate
links 52
2o having apertures 52a and 52b at each end and a retaining member 75 having a
pair of
mounting members 54 extending from each end, as shown in Figure 5. Apertures
51c,
51d, 51e and 51f are provided in the folded-up edges 51a and 51b of
rectangular tray
51. Each of the mounting members 54 includes a pair of apertures 55a, 55b,
55c, and
55d. The actuator 70 is coupled to the rectangular tray 51, which in turn is
coupled to
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an end of the intermediate link 52. The opposite end of the intermediate link
52 is
coupled to retaining member 75.
The preferred linkage system 50 also comprises a U-shaped mounting bracket
61, mounting rods 62 and 67, connecting rods 63 and 64, limiting rod 65 and
biasing
member 66. Mounting bracket 61 is fixed to the inside of body 10. Mounting rod
62
passes through apertures 55c and 55d to couple retaining member 75 to mounting
bracket 61 so that the retaining, member 75 may rotate about mounting rod 62.
Mounting rod 67 passes through apertures 51e and 51f of rectangular tray 51 to
couple
the rectangular tray 51 to the mounting bracket 61. Thusly, one longitudinal
edge of
the rectangular tray 5lmay rotate about mounting rod 67. Connecting rod 63
passes
through apertures 52b of each intermediate links 52 and through apertures 55a
and 55b
of the mounting members 54 to pivotally couple the intermediate links 52 and
the
retaining member 75. Thus, intermediate links 52 rotate relative to the
retaining
member 75. Finally, connecting rod 64 passes through apertures 52a of
intermediate
links 52 and apertures 51c and 51d in the rectangular tray 51, coupling each
of the
intermediate links 52 to the folded-up edges 51a and 51b of the rectangular
tray 51.
The actuator 70, may be coupled, or fixed, at one end, to the rectangular tray
51
so that the motion imparted to the actuator 70 is transferred to rectangular
tray 51. The
other end of actuator 70 extends out of body 10 and is freestanding. The range
of
motion of both rectangular tray 51 and actuator 70 is limited by biasing
member 66 and
limiting rod 65. Biasing member 66, shown in Figure 3, is preferably but not
limited
to, a spring, and is mounted to both the mounting bracket 61 and the
rectangular tray
51. The spring 66 is set to restrain the upward movement of rectangular tray
51. The
limiting rod 65 is mounted at each end to mounting bracket 61 above the
linkage
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system 50 to limit the upward movement of linkage system 50 and in turn the
upward
movement of the actuator 70.
The body 10 and base 20 of the shoe cover application device include a
removable exterior casing 90. Casing 90 serves as a protective cover to
minimize
contamination of the shoe covers 310 within the shoe cover application device
100.
Optionally, a retractable cover (not shown) conceals the application portion
80 of the
shoe cover application device 100. Such a cover could comprise manually
activated or
automated sliding or pivoting panels, or a removable cap or casing. With such
a cover,
the shoe covers 310 are not exposed to contaminants when they.are situated in
the
to application portion 80.
The operation of the preferred embodiment will now be described. The
continuous type shoe cover 310 is loaded into the shoe cover application
device 100 as
each fresh package 200 is inserted into bin 30. The package 200 is opened at
opening
201 and set into bin 30 so that opening 201 aligns with opening 35 in bin 30.
15 Removable casing 90 is removed and the first continuous disposable shoe
cover 310 in
the lineal 300 is manually, or by other means, pulled from package 200. The
continuous shoe cover lineal 300 is then fed through the neck 45 of funnel
guide 44.
While retaining member 75 is raised to a non-retaining position, each tube 330
of the
shoe cover 310 is then set on the each guide pipe 45 and drawn through the
shoe
20 application device 100. The shoe cover 310 is fed along guide pipe 45 until
the shoe
cover 310 overlays the application portion 80 and actuator 70. The spacing of
the guide
members 45 at holding portions 45a hold open the shoe cover 310 against the
bias of
the elastic member 370 so that the user may place his or her foot inside it.
Although the
guide members 45 are illustrated at a particular spacing, it is to be
understood by one
25 skilled in the art that the spacing of the guide members 45 may be
adjusted, or
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adjustable, to accommodate.shoes of various widths. Once the shoe cover 310 is
in
position to be applied to a shoe within the application portion 80, the
retaining member
75 is released and allowed to return to its natural retaining position;
precluding the shoe
cover lineal 300 from advancing through the shoe application device 100. The
casing
90 may then be reattached to the shoe application device 100.
Alternatively, the shoe covers 310 may be automatically drawn out of the
package 200 using vacuum power or other means known in the art and positioned
on
guiding system 40 to be fed through the device 100. Moreover, shoe covers 310
within
package 200 may alternatively be interlocked so that as one is removed from
the
1o package 200 and positioned on guiding system 40, the next shoe cover 310 is
drawn out
of the package 200 ready for placement upon the guiding system 40.
Once the user is ready to wear the shoe cover 310, he actuates the
freestanding
end of the actuator 70. Preferably, the user steps on a pedal located below
the receiving
shoe cover 310 within the application portion 80; depressing the pedal or
freestanding
15 end of the actuator 70 into channel 83 so that the user's foot is within
the receiving
shoe cover 310. The pressing of the pedal causes the front longitudinal edge
of the
rectangular tray 51 to move downward as the rear longitudinal edge of the
rectangular
tray 51 rotates about mounting rod 67. Connecting rod 64 does not permit
intermediate
links 52 from rotating relative to rectangular tray 51. Thus, the downward
motion of
2o rectangular tray 51 is transmitted to intermediate links 52. As the
intermediate links 52
move downward, retaining member 75 pivots about the longitudinal axis mounting
rod
62 since mounting rod 62 is fixed to mounting bracket 61. However, connecting
rod 63
is not fixed to the mounting bracket 61. Therefore, as retaining member 75
pivots
about the longitudinal axis of mounting rod 62, mounting members 54 of the
retaining
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member 75 rotate relative to intermediate links 52. Through this rotation,
retaining
member 75 is moved to a non-retaining position as actuator 70 is depressed.
At this point, the user's foot is in the receiving shoe cover 310 and the
retaining
member 75 is in a non-retaining position. As long as the retaining member 75
is in a
non-retaining position, the continuous shoe cover lineal 300 is free to
advance along the
guide members 45. The user then pulls his or her foot, enclosed by the shoe
cover 310,
off of the foot tray 81 allowing the elastic member 370 to contract and
substantially
enclose the user's shoe. Upon the user's action, the actuator 70 is released
which,
through linkage system 50 and mounting system 60, causes the retaining member
75 to
l0 rotate to a retaining position. As the user pulls his or her shoe off of
foot tray 81 with
the shoe cover 310 on the shoe, separation member 85 cut away the tubes 330 of
the
receiving shoe cover 310 from the holding portions 45a of the guide members
45.
Simultaneously, the receiving shoe cover 310 is torn away from the shoe cover
lineal
300 at the perforation 380; leaving the subsequent shoe cover 310 in a
receiving
15 position upon the holding portions 45a of the guide members 45.
As an alternative to guide members 45, the shoe cover 310 could be held in
place as it is conveyed through the shoe application device 100 by a clamping
device.
A clamp releasing mechanism or the like positioned at application portion 80
would be
used instead of separation member 85 operating in conjunction with retaining
member
20 75 as a separating system.
The preferred embodiment has been described above. However, it is to be
understood that various modifications and additional features are available to
one of
ordinary skill in the art. For example, although a mechanically driven shoe
cover
applicator device has been described in detail, the continuous shoe cover
lineal could be
25 loaded, fed and driven through the device using any apt mechanical or
electronic means
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including vacuum or hydraulic power. The device may coin operated, actuated
via a
push-button, hand lever, infrared sensors or any other suitable means of
actuation.
Additionally, handrails may be provided to help the user maintain his or her
balance as
they use the device.
It should also be understood that various changes and substitutes and
alterations
could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope
of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
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