The invention relates to a method for the protection of parts of footwear against damage. The method is particular¬ ly intended for the protection of narrow heels such as the stiletto heels of ladies' footwear which, as is known, can damage very easily through walking on uneven surfaces, such as brick paving. The method according to the invention can however also be used for the protection of for example the toes of children's shoes.

For the protection of stiletto heels and similar narrow heels it is well known to apply a plastic protective layer in the form of a sleeve which is shrunk onto the lower end of the heel. Such sleeves are clearly visible and detract from the appearance of the footwear as a result.

The method according to the invention is distin- guished by the application in liquid form of a curable trans¬ parent plastic to the parts of the footwear to be protected, which plastic is allowed to cure. The protective layer thus acquired is practically invisible, certainly from a distance. The application of the liquid plastic preferably takes place by coating with a brush or the like. Application by spraying or immersion is also possible. As the curable plastic a semi-hard vinyl polymer in a solvent is preferably used. Curing thereby takes place through the evaporation of the solvent. It has been found that a semi-hard polyvinyl chloride dissolved in acetone forms a suitable material. The cured plastic possesses a flexibility which corresponds, ap¬ proximately with that of the material to which it is applied. It has in addition a toughness such that it is not susceptible to damage. This material moreover adheres well to painted or unpainted natural leather and synthetic leather.

Another suitable plastic for application of the method according to the invention is cellulose nitrate dis¬ solved in acetone. The mixture has a viscosity such that it brushes on well. Instead of plastics which are curable through the evaporation of a solvent, plastics which cure as a result of a chemical reaction can also be used. An example of such a plastic is polyurethane. The choice of alternative plastics with suitable properties is within the competence of one skilled in the art of plastics.

For the protection of footwear with a matt surface such as suede footwear a plastic is preferably used which cures in a matt state.

The invention also relates to and provides a package for the performing of the method according to the invention. This package comprises a holder with a curable transparent plastic in liquid form, means for the application from the holder of the plastic in liquid form to a surface and instruc¬ tions for carrying out the method according to the invention. The package can for example be a blister pack whereby the instructions are printed on the base card thereof and the holder is joined to the card by an enveloping film.

The holder with the curable transparent plastic can be a bottle with a screw top bearing a brush on the in- side. The plastic can then be applied with the brush.

The package can further comprise material for the cleaning and/or roughening of the parts of the footwear for treating.

The invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to the annexed figures.

Figure 1 shows schematically the performing of the method according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows in perspective view an embodiment of a package according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a ladys shoe 1 provided with a sti¬ letto heel 2. As is known the lowest part 3 of the stiletto heel 2 is very susceptible to damage.

In order to protect against damage a curable trans- parent plastic in liquid form is applied to this part 3. In the embodiment of the method according to the invention the curable transparent plastic is held in a bottle 5 and is applied therefrom to the heel using a brush 4 arranged on the inside of the screw top 6 of the bottle 5. Instead of this, the plastic in liquid form can be applied by spraying, for example using an aerosol. The lowest part 3 of the heel 2 can also be immersed in a holder with liquid transparent plastic.

The thickness of the protective plastic layer can be increased by repeating the process a number of times.

As already remarked the plastic is preferably of a type and composition such that in cured state it possesses a flexibility corresponding with that of the material to which the layer is applied. In addition the plastic must preferably adhere well to this base material. A semi-hard vinyl polymer such as a polyvinyl chloride dissolved in an approximately equal amount of acetone suffices well for the performing of the method according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a package 10 for carrying out the method according to the invention. This package 10, which is assembled as a per se known blister pack, comprises a con¬ tainer 11 holding a suitable curable transparent plastic in liquid form. The holder 11 is closed off by a cap 12 which in the manner shown in figure 1 can bear an application brush on its inside. The application means can also be included in the package separate from the holder 11. The package 10 further comprises instructions for the performing of the method. These instructions can be written instructions 13 and/or comprise instructions 14 in the form of figures. The instruc- tions 13, 14 indicate the various steps to be carried out for a specific embodiment of the method according to the inven¬ tion.

As shown in figure 2 the package 10 can comprise extra aids, for example a cleaning sponge 15 for cleaning of the base material prior to the application of the plastic.

Apart from the protection of stiletto heels as described, the method according to the invention can also be used for the protection of the noses of children's shoes or the heels of shoes of car drivers. Sports shoes can for ex¬ ample also be protected in places exposed to damage with the method according to the invention.

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