WO2001097867A3 - Perspiration absorbing items - Google Patents

Abstract

A perspiration-absorbing and fungus-inhibiting item may be constructed from three layers. A semi-permeable upper layer permits moisture to pass downwardly through the layer and air to pass both upwardly and downwardly through the layer to an absorbent center layer that has a perimeter slightly smaller than the perimeter of the upper layer. The center layer absorbs any moisture passing through the upper layer. An absorbent powder, such as baking soda, is infused into the absorbent layer. A non-permeable lower layer has a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the upper layer and prevents moisture from leaving the item. Means such as thermoelectric welding, cold compression forming or crimping are provided for joining the upper layer to the lower layer along their perimeters. Typically, the item is sized and shaped to fit on and attach removably to an upper surface of an insole of a shoe using an adhesive strip affixed to an underside of the lower layer. In other variants of the invention, the item is sized and shaped to serve as a headband, neckband, wristband or hospital gown. In still another variant, the item is sized and shaped to serve as a bed pad and further includes means for attaching the pad to a bed sheet such as reversibly separable loop and hook pads affixed to an upper surface of the bed sheet and a lower surface of the bed pad or a strip of adhesive tape, the tape being affixed adjacent the perimeter of the upper layer.