EP1551354A1

EP1551354A1 - Automatic feet-cleaner with rotating brushes

Info

Publication number: EP1551354A1
Application number: EP03727965A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianfranco Ceccacci
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-11
Filing date: 2003-05-21
Publication date: 2005-07-13
Also published as: WO2003103562A1; AU2003234072A1

Abstract

Automatic device for feet-cleaning, bath and massaging by way of opposite rotating brushes (A, B, C), particularly useful for elderly or handicaped people as well as for people with physical impediments, with no need to bend nor use hands, featuring a basin for containing water and user's feet and two pairs of opposite rotating brushes (A, B, C), on both sides and in the front of the basin, made of soft massaging bristles, which rotate by means of one or more electrical motors or warm or cold water pressure produced by pressure-generating pipes, and a number of appropriately placed nozzles for correct feet-cleaning.

Description

Description of the invention entitled: 'Automatic feet-cleaner with rotating brushes'

• TECHNICAL FIELD END BACKGROUND ART

According to the present state of the art, everyday washing of lower limbs is necessarily manually made and requires bending on them. Feet-washing water can be put in a basin or a quite common apparatus (in some countries) for genitals cleaning can be used, namely the bidet. Thus there is no equal, similar or related application which allows accurate feet-cleaning without bending, without the use of the hands and using an appropriately designed device (in order to avoid not hygienic promiscuity coming from different usage, in case between fingers or under nails mycoses were found).

• DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention refers to a sanitary system, which allows feet cleaning with no bending nor any manual operation. With this device, which could also be combined to other sanitary ware (bidet), feet-washing is provided by means of electrically powered rotating brushes, offering two major advantages, i.e. easy and simple everyday cleaning for some people, but also great help for people with limiting physical problems, such as elderly or handicapped people. Another consideration should also be taken into account, relating to the person's emotional sphere, since it is known that a high percentage of people (up to 40%, in any country and culture) don't wash their feet only for a matter of laziness. Feet are therefore often forgotten, in the belief that they are tough and resistant parts of our bodies. On the contrary, foot's structure is quite fragile and its delicate equilibrium is not easily restored once broken. In brief, even western countries lack what could be called 'foot culture', forgetting that problems with feet reflect to the whole body, sometimes even modifying its structure.

This application will sure become very popular because it can be used as such or combined with other sanitary ware such as the bidet, and while easily providing the necessary cleaning of the feet it also allows for other uses relating to feet well-being ( foot-bath, massages, hydromassage, relaxing therapies....) and thus body well-being.

Moreover, separation of the two major uses of the bidet could be obtained, the traditional bidet being used for genitals cleaning while the new device would only be used for the hygiene of the foot, even if it could be placed in the bidet.

The invention for which a patent is requested has got all lawful requirements, novelty, originality, and industrial application.

• BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The appropriately shaped monobloc (see drawing 1) of variable size (max. 30 x 40 cm and 30 cm depth) is made of:

-two opposite rotating brushes (A and B), positioned in front of the foot, whose elements are smoothly but decisively inserted between fingers and under the sole, providing an accurate cleaning of the whole foot

-two rotating brushes (C), positioned on the left and right side of the foot, bigger in size than the previous ones but with the same functions

-a base (F) made of different material, preferably hard plastic, whose bottom part is vaguely foot- shaped, which supports the brushes, a shelter for water (if present), two rolls with rough surface which provide a harder brushing of heel and metatarsus and could also be used for massaging. The monobloc (see drawing 1) is placed in an appropriate fixed structure which also carries all necessary accessories: connection to water supply, soap (and/or other products dedicated to the care of the foot) dispenser, electricity supply and water drain, taps and other items mentioned below The' automatic feet-cleaner has got console and taps appropriately placed on a locker designed as its different functions (water and/or airflow, soap dispenser....) require.

Rotating brushes are powered by an electric motor connected to every single brush and built according to standard procedures.

Regarding its location, it can be:

-used as^' single entity, as a new piece of the usual set of sanitary ware next to WC, bidet, washing basin, and shower

- appropriately combined to the bidet (see drawings 2 and 3), giving the advantage of having one piece of sanitary ware for the two different functions

- combined to a foot hydromassage system, with water vortex and/or vibration.

To use it, after having placed the foot in the proper position in the monobloc, the rotating brushes and the water flow (at the chosen temperature) are activated via the console. The foot can stand still or move in order to put some pressure on the brushes, as required. Soap or perfume dispenser and airflow can then be activated as well via the console. In the end, disinfectants can be also released. The system will be provided with all the necessary safety devices according to CE procedures and in any case will automatically stop once in contact with any obstacle.

• BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION This automatic feet-cleaner as it is designed will fulfil different needs such as hygiene, health, well being, prevention and aesthetics for the foot.

It is expressly designed for places where elderly people or people with physical impediments (to upper or lower limbs) are hosted, but also in private houses with people having the same problems. Taking into account the continuously increasing number of elderly people and the need to develop a so called 'foot-health culture' in order to maintain the whole body health, it can be seen that this invention will be a first step towards these goals.

• INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The automatic cleaner in its basic configuration is a monobloc, which could be placed in an appropriate container or adapted to other sanitary ware such as the bidet. The invention consists of a number or rotating brushes, powered by one or more electrical appliances, with flowing water and manual or programmed liquid or granular soap dispenser; hot air stream could also be present as 'feet-dryer'. Claims

With this request the applicant intends to claim as his invention (automatic feet-cleaner) the principle and therefore the system of automatic washing of lower limbs, made of a number of rotating brushes placed on an appropriately designed monobloc connected to water and electricity supply; water drain and air flow.

Claims

1. Automatic device for feet-cleaning, bath and massaging by way of opposite rotating brushes, particularly useful for elderly or handicapped people as well as for people with physical impediments, with no need to bend nor use hands, featuring a basin for containing water and user's feet and two pairs of opposite rotating devices, on both sides and in the front of the basin, made of soft massaging bristles, which rotate by means of one or more electrical motors, or warm or cold water pressure produced by pressure-generating pipes, and a number of appropriately placed nozzles for correct and even feet-cleaning.

2. Device as in claim 1 in which an appropriate site for foot placing is present, a little higher than the bottom of the basin and leaning in such a way as to allow water draining.

3. Device as in claims 1 and 2 in which the massaging apparatus consists in at least one pair of appropriately made opposite rotating brushes, inserted on a water-tight bearing, placed inside the basin on both sides of the foot.

4. Device as in claims from 1 to 3 in which other pairs of brushes inside the basin are present.

5. Device as in claims from 1 to 4 in which at least two lateral and/or lower and/or upper rotating brushes inside the basin are present.

6. Device as in claims from 1 to 5 which could contain drying systems inside or outside the basin.

7. Device as in claims from 1 to 6 in which a manual and/or automatic switch for regulation of water supply and temperature is present.

8. Device as in claims from 1 to 7 in which the basin is provided with a removable water-shelter and openings for placing the foot.

9. Device as in claims from 1 to 8 where transmission of rotation movements to the bushes is obtained by means of a motor or of the pressure with which water is introduced.

10. Device as in claims from 1 to 9 in which the console is located in such a way as to be easily accessible for the user.

11. Device as in claims from 1 to 10 which is fixed onto a plastic or ceramic support in order to be permanently or temporary adapted in the appropriate way to any piece of sanitary ware and in which the basin is water-tight.

12. Device as in claims from 1 to 11 built as a portable structure which can be installed on the floor or wall with selective and water-tight connection to water supply, with respect to the water network.

13. Automatic device for feet-cleaning, bath and massaging particularly useful for elderly or handicapped people as well as for people with physical impediments, with no need to bend nor use hands, as in claims from 1 to 12.

14. Piece of sanitary ware consisting in the traditional bidet and another basin, as in claims from 1 to 13, built in one piece, in order to separate genitals- and feet-cleaning, as previously described and with the aims mentioned above.