US20140263263A1

US20140263263A1 - Foot soaking slipper

Info

Publication number: US20140263263A1
Application number: US14/029,875
Authority: US
Inventors: Angelo Decapua
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-09-18
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: AU2014201520A1

Abstract

A device for soaking a single foot includes a container member made of a light weight and durable waterproof material and a removable insert having a sloped top surface for directing the flow of liquid to a targeted and isolated region of the user's foot, such as the toes. A flared lip allows the interior cavity of the container member to be filled with liquid through the top opening of the container member while the user's foot is received within the interior cavity. The removable insert is structured to cause pooling of the liquid in a targeted region of the user's foot. In one embodiment, the foot soaking device includes a heat insert for controllably heating the container member. For soaking the entire foot, the insert is removed to expose the bottom surface of the interior cavity. The container is sized and configured to receive a user's left or right foot.

Description

This patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/793,017 filed on Mar. 15, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to foot soaking apparatuses and, more particularly, a foot soaking slipper configured for directing a flow of liquid to a targeted region of a wearer's foot.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A number of foot-related medical conditions are commonly treated by soaking the ailing foot in a medicated liquid or water. Generally, an individual soaks his or her foot in an open-top, rectangular plastic container or pan, which can be cumbersome to transport after being filled with the medicated liquid or water and can easily result in spillage. Moreover, the use of a plastic container does not permit a user to direct the liquid towards a targeted region of the user's foot. Certain foot-related medical conditions may only affect a particular region of the foot, such as the toes, and it is desirable to only soak the affected region of the foot in the medicated liquid or water.
The present invention seeks to address the shortcomings of presently available foot soaking apparatuses by providing an easily operable foot soaking slipper that reduces the need to soak the entire foot and limits spillage. Specifically, the present invention uses a slipper made from a waterproof material and a removable insert having a sloped top surface for directing the flow of liquid to a targeted region of the user's foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foot soaking slipper of the present invention includes a boot member made from a light weight and durable waterproof material and a removable insert having a sloped top surface for directing the flow of liquid to a targeted region of the user's foot, such as the toes. The interior cavity of the boot member is filled with liquid through the liquid drainage lip at the opening of the boot member. The sloped top surface of the removable insert allows for pooling of the liquid in a targeted region of the user's foot. In one embodiment, the foot soaking slipper includes a heat insert for controllably heating the boot member. Different sized boots may be manufactured for use to accommodate different sizes of feet. For soaking the entire foot, the insert is removed to expose the top sole surface of the interior cavity of the boot member and the boot member is filled with medicated liquid or water. The boot member is sized and configured to accommodate a user's left or right foot.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foot soaking slipper that permits soaking of a targeted region of the user's foot.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a foot soaking slipper that permits soaking of user's entire foot.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a foot soaking slipper that limits spillage of the liquid used for soaking the user's foot.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foot soaking slipper of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the foot soaking slipper of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the foot soaking slipper of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, shown in partial cross-section, of the foot soaking slipper of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the foot soaking slipper of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an isolated perspective view of the heat insert.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the foot soaking slipper of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, the foot soaking slipper 10 includes a boot member 12 that is made from a liquid impervious and non-liquid absorbent material, such as rubber, and is sized to receive a user's foot and, in one embodiment, the ankle and at least a portion of the user's leg into interior cavity 14 through an opening 16. A removable insert 18 is sized for engaged receipt within the boot 12 through opening 16 and is made from a liquid impervious and non-liquid absorbent material, such as rubber. Interior sidewalls 20 extending from opening 16 surround the interior cavity 14 which is sized and configured for engaged receipt of a user's foot and at least a portion of a user's ankle. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 20 at opening 16 include a water drainage lip 22 extending outwards and providing space between the user's ankle region and the sidewalls 20 for receiving water or medicated liquid while the user is wearing the boot member 12 on his or her foot. A strap 24 on boot member 12 is provided for tightening the foot soaking slipper 10 to the user's foot when fully inserted in internal cavity 14 of boot member 12. A fastener 26, such as a hook and loop fastener, is provided for securing the strap 24 in the tightened position around a user's foot.
Referring to FIG. 4, the removable insert 18 has a bottom surface 28 configured for congruently fitting against the top sole surface 30 of sole member 31. The top surface 32 of the removable insert 18 is sloped, as shown in FIG. 4, for directing the flow of liquid in a targeted direction for permitting a user to soak a specific portion of his or her feet, such as the toe or heel region of the user's foot. In one embodiment, the removable insert 18 is made from a liquid impervious and non-liquid absorbent material.
To soak at least a portion of a user's foot, the user inserts his or her foot into opening 16 and rests the bottom of the foot against the sloped top surface 32 of the removable insert 18. A liquid, such as water, salt water or other medicated liquid, may be directly poured into the interior cavity 14 of the boot member 12 through water drainage lip 22 and between the user's leg and sidewalls 20. Upon entering the interior cavity 14, the liquid flows onto the sloped top surface 32 of the insert 18 and is directed to the targeted area where the liquid settles, i.e. pools, around the targeted region of the foot, such as the user's toes. In one embodiment, the removable insert 18 may be reversed and inserted into the interior cavity in the opposite direction to allow for pooling of liquid at an opposite facing region of the user's foot, such as the heel region of the user's foot. The boot member 12 may be used to soak a user's foot without a removable insert 18, which allows for even distribution of liquid around the user's foot within the interior cavity of the boot member 12.
In order to soak the user's entire foot, the insert 18 is removed, thereby exposing the top sole surface 30 of the boot member 12, and the user inserts his or her foot into the interior cavity 14 through opening 16 and rests the bottom surface of the foot against the top sole surface 30. The medicated liquid or water is then poured into the interior cavity 14 through water drainage lip 22 for allowing the liquid to spread evenly around the user's foot. In one embodiment, the top sole surface 30 of boot member 12 is sloped for directing the flow of liquid in a targeted direction.
Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a preferred embodiment of the foot soaking slipper 10 includes a heat insert 34 for controllably heating the boot member 12. The heat insert 34 is embedded in the boot member 12 beneath top sole surface 30 and includes a heating pad 36, a control system 38 and an electrically conductive wire 40 connecting the heating pad 36 to the control system 38. The control system 38 includes a battery 42, a printed circuit board (PCB) 44, a USB charger port 46, and an ON/OFF button 48. The ON/OFF button 48 extends outwards from the sole 31 of boot member 12 for easy access by the user for activating and deactivating the heating pad 36. The USB charger port 46 extends outwards from the sole 31 of boot member 12 and is accessible for recharging battery 42. In one embodiment, the heat insert 34 is embedded in sole member 31, with the USB charger port 46 and ON/OFF button 48 being accessible from the outer surface of the boot member 12.
In one embodiment of the foot soaking slipper, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the foot soaking slipper 10 includes a faux fur bottom component 50 and a faux fur top component 52 on boot member 12. While the faux fur components 50 and 52 are effective for insulating the boot member 12 and adding to the structural integrity of the boot member 12, other materials may be used in place of the faux fur for each of the bottom and top components 50 and 52.
While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which are not to be limited except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A foot soaking device for soaking a single foot of a user in a liquid, said foot soaking device comprising:

a container member having a sidewall extending from a base and surrounding an interior cavity that is sized and configured to surround the user's foot, and said container member having a top opening surrounded by a top edge of said sidewall and said top opening being sized for passage of the user's foot therethrough and into the interior cavity, and said container member further including an outwardly flared lip extending from said top edge and away from said top opening and defining an open spout that is structured and disposed to allow the liquid to be poured therethrough and into the interior cavity while the user's foot is received in the interior cavity;

a removable insert having a bottom surface sized and configured for congruently fitting against the base of said container member and said removable insert having a sloped top surface that is structured and disposed for directing the flow of liquid towards the toe region of the user's foot, and said removable insert being structured and configured to cause the liquid to pool in the toe region; and

said removable insert being sized and configured for passage through the opening of said container member and into the interior cavity.

2. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 1 wherein the base of said container member is sloped for directing the flow of liquid towards a targeted and isolated region of the user's foot.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container member is made from a liquid impervious material.

6. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container member is made from a non-liquid absorbent material.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container member further comprises a heat insert, and said heat insert comprising:

a heating pad;

a heating control system including a rechargeable battery, a circuit board, an ON/OFF button on said container member for actuating said heating pad, a charging port, and an electrically conductive wire in connection with said heating pad; and

said heating pad being activated and deactivated by pressing the ON/OFF button on said container member.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container member is sized and configured to receive either the left or right foot of a user.

16. A foot soaking device for soaking a single foot of a user in a liquid, said foot soaking device comprising:

a heating system for heating the liquid in the interior cavity of the container member, and said heating system being selectively operable by the user;

a removable insert having a bottom surface sized and configured for fitting against the base of said container member and said removable insert having a sloped top surface that is structured and disposed for directing the flow of liquid towards the toe region of the user's foot, and said removable insert being structured and configured to cause the liquid to pool in the toe region; and

17. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 16 wherein the base of said container member is sloped for directing the flow of liquid towards a targeted and isolated region of the user's foot.

18. (canceled)

19. The foot soaking device as recited in claim 16 wherein said heating system comprises:

a heating pad;

20. (canceled)