EP2672868A1

EP2672868A1 - Foot care device

Info

Publication number: EP2672868A1
Application number: EP12744989.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars TELL
Original assignee: Secure Syringes and Medical Equipment Europe AB
Current assignee: Secure Syringes and Medical Equipment Europe AB
Priority date: 2011-02-08
Filing date: 2012-02-06
Publication date: 2013-12-18
Also published as: WO2012108822A1; EP2672868A4; US20140014128A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a foot care device (1), comprising a base device (2) having skin care means (3) arranged thereto and wherein said skin care means (3) are arranged on at least one area on an upper side (5) and said base device (2) is arranged with attachment means (4) enabling fixation to a floor drain (7) wherein said skin care means (3) comprises an abrasive surface.

Description

FOOT CARE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foot care device, comprising a base device having skin care means arranged thereto wherein said skin care means are arranged on at least one area on an upper side and said base device is arranged with attachment means enabling fixation to a floor drain. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The health situation of the feet is of constant importance to people's well-being all through life. The value of good foot care increases with age and correlates with a person's general health. Furthermore, healthy feet are of great importance to people suffering from illnesses like type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, high blood pressure and certain forms of cancer.

WHO estimates that there are about 300.000.000 diabetics in the world today and expects an increase to 400.000.000 within the next 10 years (2020). People with diabetes often suffer from problems with their feet and as a result need constant foot care in order to avoid more serious problems.

Obesity and other types of handicaps which restrict mobility are examples of ways in which personal foot care can be constrained and why people may fail to prevent the deterioration of their feet and thus worsen their general health situation. Such a development could have serious consequences and even lead to the amputation of a foot or a leg.

Globally, according to the WHO, there are more than 1 billion (1.000.000.000) overweight adults and at least 300 million (300.000.000 ) of them are judged to be obese and as a result of that have problems taking care of their feet by themselves.

A bad health situation of the feet affects and can prohibit physical activity, which is especially problematic to people suffering from diabetes and obesity, who ought to be active. WHO is mounting a clinical response to the existing burden of obesity and associated conditions, handicaps and illnesses through several clinical programmes and staff training to ensure effective support for those affected. From the United States Patent Application No US 2009/0159092 Al is known a fixed scrubbing device, limited for scrubbing of the rear half of the foot only. The scrubbing of the foot, here the heel can only be done in one direction. The devise is fixed to the floor via adhesive, which makes both removal, e.g. when cleaning, and an eventual re- application difficult.

The United States Patent No 5729858 reveals a foot scrubbing system including a box attached with a plurality of suction cups for fastening on the floor. Inside the box there are a number of bristles intended to brush the foot. The frame of the box limits the treatment and brushing of the foot and only works in one direction and angle of the foot. The brushes are not effective for treatment of harder callosities, chaps bunions and the like.

The United States Patent No 4,617,917 introduces a foot hygiene device comprising a base member with brushes applied on the ventral surface of the foot upon movement of the foot. The creation of the device with a fixed frame restricts the movement of the foot, which means that only a superficial treatment with the brushes is possible and only works in one direction and angle of the foot. From WO 2010/088734 Al is known a drain inlet assembly with a closure mechanism to selectively allow fluid to pass into the pipe, the assembly also comprises a brush head on which a person may clean the soles of her feet.

Thus, there is clearly a need for a new and improved device and method for taking care of all parts of the foot, especially for persons suffering from obese or other types of handicaps which restrict mobility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimize one of the drawbacks and disadvantages mentioned above. This can be obtained by a foot care device in accordance with claim 1.

Thanks to this invention, a unique, hygienic and flexible foot care device is provided, which can improve the comfort and health of many people, especially handicapped and/or ill people by improving their foot care and thereby their health and life conditions. The invention is also an easy way to improve foot care awareness and facilitates an easily accessible personal foot service which may reduce and/or eliminate typical foot problems like indurations, callosities, chaps, corns and bunions.

According to one aspect of the invention, the foot care device is arranged with attachment means enabling an easy fixation to a floor drain, e.g. in a shower where the water from the shower constantly cleans the foot care device while in use and where only a minimal additional service is needed after installation.

According to another aspect, the foot care device has an upwardly protruding part arranged with skin care means. The upwardly protruding part has the shape of a semi sphere which is ergonomically designed according to the foot and the foot valve and gives the possibility to exfoliate different parts of the foot e.g. the arch, heel and the toes. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the lower edge of the upwardly protruding part is fixed to an annular perforated portion surrounding the edge and enhances the outflow of water.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the foot care device is very hygienic since the skin care means is perforated in order to let skin flakes rinse through together with water and not accumulate in the device.

According to yet an aspect of the invention, the skin care means comprises an abrasive surface which may treat foot problems like callosities and chaps.

According to still a further aspect of the invention, the abrasive surface may have areas with differing levels of roughness in order to suit several persons or for one person to choose roughness area after desire. According to another aspect of the invention, the foot care device comprises a base device with portions arranged at different levels to enhance the outflow of water.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the foot care device has at least one cleaning hole, allowing detergents to be sprayed or brushes to be applied to clean the lower side of the foot care device. According to still another aspect of the invention, the foot care device serves as an ordinary shower-drain device with extraordinary functions and a high serviceability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section side view of a foot care device according to the invention and a conventional floor drain,

Fig. 2 shows a cross section view from the side of the foot care device attached to the floor drain according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a cross section side view of an alternative embodiment of a foot care device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a cross section side view of still an alternative embodiment of a foot care device according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows a cross section side view of a further alternative embodiment of the foot care device according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows a cross section view of still an alternative embodiment of the foot care device according to the invention,

Fig. 7 shows a cross section view of further an alternative embodiment of the foot care device according to the invention, and

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a further alternative embodiment of the foot care device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description, and the examples contained therein, are provided for the purpose of describing and illustrating certain embodiments of the invention only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Fig. 1 is a cross section side view of a preferred embodiment of foot care device 1 according to the invention in combination with an already installed conventional floor drain 7. The foot care device 1 forms an integral part of a floor drain strainer of snap-in type to the already installed floor drain 7. The foot care device 1 comprises a base device 2 that in a preferred embodiment forms an integral part with skin care means 3, for instance in the form of skin removing means 3. The skin removing means 3 are arranged on at least one area, on an upper side 5 of an upwardly protruding part 50 of said base device 2. The base device 2 comprises a horizontally extending, peripheral annulus 8. In the central portion of the base device 2 the upwardly protruding part 50 is arranged, preferably in the form of a semi sphere. In between the peripheral annulus 8 and the protruding semi sphere 50 there may be an intermediate annular portion 20 with perforations 200. The intermediate annular portion 20 is joined to the peripheral annulus 8 by a substantially vertical circular wall 21, which positions the intermediate annular portion 20 at a lower level LI in respect to the level L2 of the peripheral annulus 8 and situated beneath floor the level L3 to enhance the outflow of water. At the inner edge of the intermediate annular portion 20, the lower edge 52 of the protruding part 50 is fixed. As shown in the figure, preferably, the semi sphere 50 protrudes to a level L4 above the level L2 of the peripheral annulus 8, however, it may also be positioned at a lower level. Preferably the semi sphere 50 protrudes at least substantially to the level L2 of the peripheral annulus part 8, and more preferred above that e.g. approximately 10-100 mm above the level L2 of the peripheral annulus 8, which makes it easy and ergonomically to rub the foot against it. The diameter D of the outer periphery is in the interval 8-25 cm, more preferably 13-17 cm, and the diameter Dl of the semi sphere 50, at the level L2, is about 0,2-0,5 D, i.e. substantially smaller, thereby allowing the arrangement of a ring shaped gap between the sphere 50 and the wall 21, that facilitates more easy accessibility to rub the foot on the semi sphere 50, also in a situation when the top level L4 is about the same as the floor level L3, thanks to the annular gap which is limited by the annular portion 20 below the floor level L3.

Skin removing means 3 are arranged on at least one area on an upper side 5 of the semi sphere 50, preferably on the whole upper side 5. The skin removing means 3 are preferably in the form of an abrasive surface. The semi sphere 50 may be perforated with through holes 500 in order to let water and skin flakes rinse through. At the lower part of the semi sphere 50 a larger through hole 6 may be positioned to ease detergents to be sprayed or brushes to be applied for cleaning of the inner side 51 of the semi sphere 50. The through hole 6 may have a diameter d in the interval 0,5 - 3 cm, preferably between 1-2 cm.

Beneath the annular portion 20 there is a vertically extending lowermost annular wall 23 as an elongation of the wall 21. The lowermost wall 23 comprises on its outer side attachment means 4, preferably in the form of snap-in type, for easy fixation of the device 1 in the floor drain 7. Hence, the foot care device 1 is easily attached to a floor drain 7 by pressing the foot care device 1 downwardly into the floor drain 7 until the snap-in attachment means 4 has snapped into to corresponding member of the floor drain 7. When a device 1 according to the invention is installed at a floor drain 7, a person may rub her feet on the semi sphere 50 as a daily use removing ordinary dead or dried skin particles. Thanks to the shaping as a semi sphere 50, the foot care device 1 is

ergonomical and gives the possibility to exfoliate different parts of the foot e.g. the arch, heel and the toes. The foot care device 1 is an easy accessible aid and cost-efficient tool for application in a floor drain or similar outlets, as an effective, hygienic and ergonomic designed foot care device 1. It may be installed world-wide in the location of private homes as well as in public areas like sport arenas, spas or hotels.

The foot care device 1 is constantly being cleaned by means of the water from e.g. the shower, and needs a minimal additional service after installation. The semi sphere 50 has an ergonomic shaping which eases the rubbing of a persons arch that contributes to a better blood circulation. Persons with an incapability to bend down may with the foot care device 1 just lift one foot and rub it against the semi sphere 50. The perforation 200,500 enables water and skin debris to constantly be rinsed out in the floor drain 7 under the treatment. The abrasive surface 3 may be a part of or the whole upper surface 5, it may also be divided into different areas where the areas have different roughness. Such areas may make it easy to personally apply and control the right treatment, especially important and comfortable for a handicapped or disabled person. Moreover, the skin care area 3 may also (or merely) be provided with foot massage devices.

Fig. 2 shows the foot care device 1 attached to the floor drain 7 according to the invention. When pressing down the foot care device 1 into an existing floor drain 7 the fastening means 4 snaps in under e.g. a small protruding edge 9 in the floor drain 7. When attached to the floor drain 7, the peripheral annulus 8 is on a level L2 that is substantially the same level L3 as the floor 10. The semi sphere 50 protrudes to a level L4 above the floor 10 making it easy to rub the foot against it. The annular portion 20 is situated beneath the floor 10 which enhances the outflow of water and prevents overflow. Fig. 3 shows a cross section side view of an alternative embodiment of a foot care device 1. Here the upwardly protruding part 50 has a rounded five sided rhomboidal shaping. Inclined sidewalls 52, 53 are interconnected to a light bulging horizontal top surface 54. This embodiment has the advantages that the arch of the foot may be rubbed at the top surface 54 and the heel, toes and other parts of the foot may be rubbed at the different sidewalls 52, 53. The top surface 54 and the sidewalls 52, 53 may all have different skin care arrangements, e.g. different roughness on the abrasive surfaces 3 allowing different treatments on the different parts of the foot. The heel often suffers of callosities and chaps while the arch just need a soft rubbing to enhance the blood circulation.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section side view of still an alternative embodiment of a foot care device 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment the base device 2 comprises a horizontally extending, peripheral annulus 8 as described above, From the inner edge of the peripheral annulus 8 there is an upwardly protruding part 50, here in the form of a semi sphere. Accordingly the semi sphere 50 begins on the same level L2 as the peripheral annulus 8. The circular wall 21, the lowermost wall 23 and the attachment means 4 are the same as described above. Also in this embodiment the perforations 500 enable water and skin debris to constantly be rinsed out in the floor drain 7 under the treatment. The abrasive surface 3 may be a part of or the whole upper surface 5, it may also be divided into different areas there the areas have different roughness. These areas makes it easy to personally apply and control the right treatment, especially important and comfortable for a handicapped or disabled person.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section side view of a further embodiment of a foot care device 1 according to the invention. The embodiment is the same as described in figure 4 except of the upwardly protruding part 50 that in this embodiment has a rounded five sided rhomboidal shaping with inclined sidewalls 55, 56 that are interconnected to a light bulging horizontal top surface 57. This embodiment has the advantages that the arch of the foot may be rubbed at the top surface 57 and the heel, toes and other parts of the foot may be rubbed at the different sidewalls 55, 56. The top surface 57 and the sidewalls 55, 56 may all have different roughness on the abrasive surface 3 allowing different treatments on the different parts of the foot. The heel often suffers of callosities and chaps while the arch just need a soft rubbing to enhance the blood circulation.

Fig. 6 shows a cross section view of still an alternative embodiment of the foot care device 1 according to the invention. Here the upwardly protruding part 50 comprises a detachable unit with the shape of a semi sphere. A lower edge 52 of the semi sphere 50 comprises fastening means 53 e.g. in the form of snap-in members that are inserted through the holes 200 in a conventional floor drain strain (forming the base device 2) and keep the semi sphere 50 in place. The diameter Dl of the semi sphere 50, is about 0,2-0,5 D leaving a free annular portion 20 on the floor drain strain that enhances the outflow of water. Fig. 7 shows a cross sectional view of further an alternative embodiment of the foot care device 1 according to the invention. The foot care device 1 is the same as described in figure 1 besides that the semi sphere 50 protrudes to a level L4 that is in level with the level L2 of the peripheral annulus part 8. Thanks to having the diameter Dl of the semi sphere 50 in the range 0,2-0,5 D i.e. substantially smaller, there is provided a ring shaped gap between the semi sphere 50 and the wall 21, which makes it possible to rub different parts of the foot against the semi sphere 50. This embodiment may minimize the risk of persons tumbling on the semi sphere 50.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a further alternative embodiment of the foot care device 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment there is no horizontally extending peripheral annulus 8. The upwardly protruding part 50, here in the form of a semi sphere, constitutes the outer periphery. Inside the outer periphery a lowermost annular wall 23 is arranged. Between the lowermost annular wall 23 and the outer periphery there are arranged distance elements 24. When the foot care device 1 is installed in the floor drain 7 the distance elements 24 abuts at the floor level L₃ creating spaces 25 between themselves and between the floor and the upwardly protruding part 50 for an outflow of water. The distance elements 24 also act like strengthening of the foot care device 1. Adjacent the lowermost annular wall 23 there are arranged attachment means 4, preferably a fast and easy snap-in type, e.g. comprising two opposing members 4A, 4B, each one having a hook shaped retainer portion 27 at the end of a resilient leg 26. At installation in the floor drain 7 the resilient hook is feathered when pressing down the foot care device 1 in the floor drain 7 and, at place, the hook 27 snaps out under an edge in the floor drain 7. By pressing inwardly on one of the legs 26 the foot care device 1 is easily demounted. Also in this embodiment the perforations 500 in the upwardly protruding part 50 enable water and skin debris to constantly be rinsed out in the floor drain 7 under the treatment. The abrasive surface 3 may be a part of or the whole upper surface 5, it may also be divided into different areas there the areas have different roughness. These areas make it easy to personally apply and control the right treatment, especially important and comfortable for a handicapped or disabled person.

The foot care device 1 may be made of e.g. plastics, carbon fibre, stainless steel or a combination of these, preferably in a material that is dish-washer safe. Regarding the production of the foot care device 1 there exist numerous possible methods, depending on what kind of material that is being used.

Whether the foot care device is produced as an "add-on" product to an existing floor drain 7 or produced as an integrated part of (shower) floor drain installation may have a significance importance for the production.

If the foot care device 1 is produced in a plastic material a preferred method for the production is injection moulding, e.g. multi component/multi shot moulding whereby two (two component) of two different materials may be integrated in the process, i.e. one for the construction plastic and one for the grains or the grinding function. The foot care device 1 may also be made in one or more colours. Two-component injection moulds comprises two stations. In the first process step, a pre-moulded part is initially created in a first cavity, and then transferred to a second working position in a second cavity. For this step, the mould is opened, and the necessary change in position is completed, e.g. by a rotary motion of 180°. After the mould is closed, the mould is located in the second position for final injection of the graining material/mesh with the second component. Simultaneous to this second step, the next mould is already being created in the first mould cavity. During the next opening of the mould, the mould cavities are turned back, e.g. by an alternating rotary motion. The finished foot care device 1 is now "remoulded" from the second cavity, while a new mould is placed into position from the first cavity.

Hence, multiple components/shots also are available if a more complex design is needed.

The grinding/slip material may preferably be a Thermoplastic Elastomere, TPE, which is a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

As is evident, a meshed surface may be either directly engraved in the foot care device 1 or separately applied in a second stage process.

In the case of production in steel - the meshed surface may be either directly engraved or applied in a second stage process. The foot care device 1 may also be colour coded in plastic - as well as in steel - as per request or desire, to interface with a particular design of the surroundings.

This is especially easy achieved when using multi component/shot injection moulding, since different colour pigments may easily be added to the different shots, thereby enabling a very large variety of colour coding in a flexible manner, i.e. also including the grinding material slip device/s as a part of the colour coding.

As will be understood by those skilled in the present field of art, numerous changes and modifications may be made to the above described and other embodiments of the present invention, without departing from its scope as defined in the appending claims. For example the fastening means 4 may be of other kinds than described above e.g. a rubber strip may be attached to a lower part of the base device 2 so the foot care device 1 stays in place when pressed into the floor drain 7

The skilled person also realize that the protruding part 50 may have other shapes than described here e.g. as a pyramid, the main point is that the protruding part 50 does not has sharp edges and/or corners. The invention may in its simplest embodiment be a conventional substantially flat floor drain strainer with skin care means 3 on its upper side, forming some kind of protruding member having a kind of spherical shape. It is to be understood that the expression spherical may be given a broad interpretation, also encompassing generally spherical shapes, e.g. a plurality of flat upwardly extending curved surfaces which, transversally are planar, and which when joined together form a spherical device having edge portions at the joints. What matters is that the shape is such that no sharp corners or edges exist, that otherwise could lead to injuries and/or make people get hurt.

The skin care means 3 may comprise of other than an abrasive surface e.g. adhesive means may be sprayed onto the protruding part and after that sand is powdered on creating an abrasive surface. Further, the foot care device 1 is not limited to skin removing, but may be used to any kind of foot care, e.g. massage wherein instead of skin removing means there are arranged massage friendly members on the outer surface and of course an combination of skin removing means and massage friendly members is possible.

Claims

Foot care device (1), comprising a base device (2) having skin care means (3) arranged thereto wherein said skin care means (3) are arranged on at least one area on an upper side (5) and said base device (2) is arranged with attachment means (4) enabling fixation to a floor drain (7), characterized in that said skin care means (3) comprises an abrasive surface.

Foot care device according to claim 1, characterized in that said skin care means (3) is arranged on an upwardly protruding part (50), which is preferably spherically shaped.

Foot care device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower edge (52) of said upwardly protruding part (50) is fixed to an annular perforated portion (20) surrounding said edge (52).

Foot care device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that said skin care means (3) is perforated in order to let water and skin flakes rinse through.

Foot care device according to any of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that said abrasive surface (3) may have different roughness in different areas.

Foot care device according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that said skin care means (3) are arranged on at least 50 % of the upper side (5).

Foot care device according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that said base device (2) forms an integral part with said upwardly protruding part (50).

Foot care device according to claim 7, characterized in that said base device (2) comprises portions (8,20) arranged at different levels (L1,L2) and that said upwardly protruding part (50) protrudes from an annular portion (20), preferably perforated, arranged at a lower level (LI) than a peripheral annular portion (8).

Foot care device according to claim 8, characterized in that said upwardly protruding part (50) protrudes to an upper level (L4) at least substantially to the level (L2) of said peripheral annular portion (8).

10. Foot care device according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that said upwardly protruding part (50) forms a separate, detachable unit.

11. Foot care device according to claim 10, characterized in that said upwardly protruding part (50) is arranged with fastening means (53) arranged to interact with the holes (200) in a base device (2) in the form of a floor drain strainer.

12. Foot care device according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that said upwardly protruding part (50) comprises at least one cleaning hole (6).

13. Foot care device according to any of claims 1 - 12, characterized in that said attachment means (4) comprises a quick snap-in attachment device.