WO2022020875A1

WO2022020875A1 - Foot file

Info

Publication number: WO2022020875A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/050782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ozlem GENCEL
Original assignee: Gencel Ozlem
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foot file (100) comprising: an abrasive layer (101) have an abrasive surface on one area, an adhesive layer (104) affixed to the abrasive layer (101), and having an adhesive surface on opposing surface area, characterized in that the adhesive surface mounted onto a wall facing upright, at an elevated position of at least below a knee portion of a user, such that a moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface drained to dry for engaging at least one foot of the user to perform scrubbing action by rubbing against the abrasive surface.

Description

FOOT FILE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a foot care tool and more particularly pertains to a foot file for removing dead skin from feet.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Foot care tools such as Heel or feet softeners, exfoliators, or dead, dry, rough, hard, cracked skin, callus removers, utensils, devices, gadgets, peelers are made in such a way that to use any of these a person needs to bend, or lift the leg, or bend the leg in order to reach his/her heels or feet to use one of the devices as mentioned above by hand to remove the dead, dry, rough, cracked skin from his/her heels or feet. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,034 discloses a foot cleaning and massaging shower mat that is comprised of an upper planar surface and a parallel lower planar surface. The upper and lower surfaces are both formed in a rectangular configuration and are coupled around their periphery. A plurality of upstanding bristle-like members extends upwardly from the upper surface of the mat between the aperture and the periphery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,078 to Hogan, Sr. works a shower foot washer, including a base platform with suction cups on a lower surface and a plurality of bores between the bottom and top surfaces of the platform allowing water and soap to drain into the shower stall. A casement at one end extends upwardly from the platform and includes vertical partitions with protruding brush extensions for receiving toes. The bottom of the foot is cleansed by sliding along the platform.

While these prior art devices show foot scrubbers with bristles of various types, none of prior art discusses foot scrubbers or foot file affixed or adhered on a wall in the shower or wall surface, that able to keep the foot file dry or liquid-resistant, in which it will help the user just by rubbing his or her heels or feet on the foot file, in a dry condition, and effectively. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a foot file comprising: an abrasive layer have an abrasive surface on one area, an adhesive layer affixed to the abrasive layer, and having an adhesive surface on opposing surface area, characterized in that the adhesive surface mounted onto a wall facing upright, at an elevated position of at least below a knee portion of a user, such that a moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface drained to dry for engaging at least one foot of the user to perform scrubbing action by rubbing against the abrasive surface.

Preferably, the abrasive surface repels the moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface to retain the abrasive surface in a dry condition.

Preferably, the abrasive surface is made of 60 grit size to remove unwanted skin of the user foot, and 120 grit size to smoothen the user foot.

Preferably, the abrasive surface is made of a super-hydrophobic coating or layer to repels water and having a lotus effect or self-cleaning characteristic. Further, the foot file comprising a Flexible Plastic, Polyethylene Terephthalate, or Vinyl between the adhesive layer and the abrasive surface to act as a water proof layer for the foot file.

Preferably, the user performs scrubbing action by rubbing against the abrasive surface.

Preferably, the wall is an indoor shower’s wall.

Preferably, the foot file is shaped according to at least one shape of tile attached to the wall. Further, the foot file comprising an adjustable mechanism affixed to the wall with the adhesive layer, to manoeuvre the abrasive surface at desired angle for the user. Further, the foot file comprising a magnetic device or layer affixed to the foot file for holding materials made of metal.

Further, the foot file comprising a bubble wrap layer or cushioning layer in between the adhesive layer and the abrasive surface, wherein the layer is scented or contains scented liquid.

Preferably, the scented or scented liquid is dispensed when the abrasive surface is pressured against the adhesive layer. The present invention consists of features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof. It is appreciated that these examples depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 illustrates embodiments of a Foot File layers.

Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of use of a Foot File Tool.

Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of use of a Foot File Tool having a mounting mechanism to mount onto the wall in the shower.

Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of use of a Foot File Tool having a magnetic device embedded within the layers.

Figure 5 illustrates one embodiment of use of a Foot File Tool mount or stick the on a desired surface such as a wall in a shower or bathroom

Figure 6 illustrates one embodiment of use for rubbing or scrubbing the user heels or feet on surface of the foot file.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The foot file relates to a foot care tool is designed to provide a much more improved and facilitate dead, dry, rough, hard, cracked skin, callus removal of simple, cheap, effective, time saving, hygienic, easy to use, easy to clean, easy to install, and re-usable construction by merely sticking the product on the wall or on the floor of the bathroom in the shower area, or in the bathtub.

The foot file is ideally to be affixed on indoor shower’s wall or floor, but also possibly mounted onto any area desired, as the foot file essentially used in indoors and outdoors.

The user may use the foot file in the shower after have taken his/her bath, which will help her/his heels or feet skin soften, just by rubbing his/her heels or feet on the foot file as long as he/she thinks would be enough. Alternatively, the user may apply or pour warm water on their feet (for example in a tub) to soften the skin on the feet/heels.

The foot file has an abrasive surface on at least one surface area. This particular abrasive surface makes a foot file to achieve the desired result as heels or feet softener. The foot file comprising of an adhesive surface or sticker on the other side, to mount or stick the foot file on the desired surface such as a wall in a shower or bathroom.

The foot file could be made of multiple layers. One embodiment as illustrated in figure 1 are as below;

I. 1 st layer (surface area or top layer): Aluminium Oxide which is a near diamond-hard material secured for a long life by a flexible polymeric binder or bonded with resin or silicon carbide (101 ).

II. 2nd layer (middle layer): Flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), vinyl or plastic material (102). Additionally, a flexible magnet layer or mechanism can be enclosed or embedded. III. 3rd layer: Pressure sensitive adhesive/acrylic adhesive (allows the foot file to adjust on even irregular surfaces) (103).

IV. 4th layer (bottom layer): Paper disposable release linear, which is a siliconized treated release paper. The Paper protects the pressure sensitive adhesive. This paper needs to be removed in order stick the foot file on the wall (104).

Another embodiment as illustrated in figure 1 are as below;

I. 1st layer (surface area or top layer): Aluminium Oxide which is a near- diamond-hard material secured for a long life by a flexible polymeric binder or bonded with resin or silicon carbide (111).

II. 2nd layer (middle layer): Flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), vinyl or plastic material (112). Additionally, a flexible magnet layer or mechanism can be enclosed or embedded. III. 3rd layer: Pressure sensitive adhesive/acrylic adhesive (allows the foot file to adjust on even irregular surfaces) (113).

IV. 4th layer (bottom layer): Suction pad or Suction cup having adsorption and strong stance which can be install or mounted on to wall on one side and having an adhesive to the other side to be affixed to the 3^rd layer. Suction cups can securely attach to the smooth floor or wall surface

(114).

Another embodiment as illustrated in figure 1 are as below;

I. 1st layer (surface area or top layer): Aluminium Oxide which is a near- diamond-hard material secured for a long life by a flexible polymeric binder or bonded with resin or silicon carbide (121). The surface layer may have holes.

II. 2nd layer: Bubble wrap with holes, having scents embedded or infused within the bubble. When the user’s feet rubs against the foot file, the bubble diffuses or dispense scent from the holes of the surface layer. The layer also could be a scented pad or paper (122). Alternatively, a flexible magnet layer or mechanism can be enclosed or embedded. III. 3rd layer (middle layer): Flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), vinyl or plastic material (123).

IV. 4th layer: Pressure sensitive adhesive/acrylic adhesive (allows the foot file to adjust on even irregular surfaces) (124). V. 5th layer (bottom layer): Paper disposable release linear, which is a siliconized treated release paper. The Paper protects the pressure sensitive adhesive. This paper needs to be removed in order stick the foot file on the wall (125). The abrasive surfaced of the foot file is manufactured with several or different combinations of these materials suitable for foot file, such as;

The Abrasive Surfaces archived by using different combinations and percentages of the Materials mentioned above for the foot file archive different strengths and looks.

The Foot File could further include a scented layer or a bubble warp, preferably a smaller version having a tiny hole on each bubble. Each of the bubble warp contains liquid or dried scent is contained inside each bubble, which comes out from tiny holes on surface layer with every stroke or pressure is put against the Abrasive Surfaces.

One embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2, the foot file (201) is ideally to be affixed on indoor shower’s wall surface are, where the user (202) may use the foot file (201 ) in the shower after taken his/her bath, which will help her/his heels or feet skin soften, just by rubbing his/her heels or feet on the foot file (201 ) as long as he/she thinks would be enough, The foot file (201 ) is positioned or affixed on to a wall at an elevated level from the floor or user foot, and below the user (202) knee level, this to ensure the user (202) foot able to rub against the foot file (201) at a comfortable position, while standing. The Foot File (211) further may include an adjustable mounting mechanism to manoeuvre the abrasive surface at the desired angle for the user (212). The Foot File (211) having adjustable mounting mechanism affixed to the wall with the adhesive layer, to manoeuvre the abrasive surface at desired angle for the user (212). The mounting mechanism could be a hinge or foldable panel. One embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3, the Foot File could further include a mounting mechanism (301 ), to mount onto the wall (302) in the shower. The mounting mechanism (301 ) is adjustable, moves forward and backwards to arrange perfect foot rubbing by the user. The adjustable mounting mechanism (301 ) affixed to the wall (302) with the adhesive layer, to manoeuvre the abrasive surface at desired angle for the user. The mounting mechanism (301 ) could be a hinge or foldable panel. Mounting mechanism (301 ) be made of stainless steel, or made of durable plastic, or any other material which makes it very durable to resist water. Also, mounting mechanism (301 ) can be mounted to wall by its’ adhesive layer at the back or by screwing it to the wall.

One embodiment as illustrated in Figure 4, the Foot File (401 ) could further include a magnetic device (402), magnet layer, or magnet shaped in coin form positioned to at least one corner of the foot file (401 ). The magnetic device (402) able to hold a soap or soap container having magnetic element (403), or nail brush or nail clipper, or sponge having magnetic element (403) or it could be used to mount the foot file onto any surface having magnetic element (403).

One embodiment of the Foot File (501 ) attached to a wall (502) of the bathroom in a shower area is illustrated in Figure 5. The Foot File (501 ) comprising of an adhesive surface or sticker on the other side, to mount or stick the Foot File (501 ) on a desired surface such as a wall (502) in a shower or bathroom. The Foot File (501 ) can be mounted on most of the surfaces such as ceramics, stones, tiles, plastics, timbers, woods, marbles, glass, metal. The Foot File (501 ) is possibly mounted on irregular surfaces, and the Foot File (501 ) can be shaped according to at least one shape of tile attached to the wall (502).

Figure 6 illustrates the use of the Foot File (601 ) attached to a wall by the user. The user ideally may use the foot file (601 ) in the shower by rubbing the user heels or feet on surface of the foot file (601 ), The foot file (601 ) is affixed on to a wall at elevated level above the floor or user foot, and below the user (202) knee level for best posture, this to ensure the user (601 ) foot able to rub against the foot file (601 ) at comfortable position, while standing. The Foot File (601 ) Easy to clean by using water and the foot file is resistant to most of the chemicals, including bleach and all sort of soaps and detergents. The moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface drained to dry for engaging at least one foot of the user to perform scrubbing action by rubbing against the abrasive surface.

One embodiment of the foot file having the abrasive surface is made of a super hydrophobic coating or layer to repels water and having a lotus effect or self cleaning characteristic.

The lotus effect is self-cleaning properties archived based result of ultra hydrophobic as demonstrated by the leaves of Nelumbo or "lotus flower", where a dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to the micro- and nano-scopic architecture on the surface, which minimizes the droplet's adhesion to that surface. While the super-hydrophobic coating is a thin surface layer which has the ability to repels water or any liquid, formed based on a super-hydrophobic materials. Typically, super-hydrophobic surfaces are highly hydrophobic, i.e., extremely difficult to wet. The contact angles of a water droplet on an ultra hydrophobic material exceed 150°, also known as the lotus effect, after the super-hydrophobic leaves of the lotus plant.

Strengths:

Abrasive Surfaces strengths are described by the word “GRIT”. The size of the mineral (or other materials) applied to the foot file base, from very fine grit size to a very coarse grit size determinate its’ strength. The foot file is made from 30 grit size to 150 grit size. More the grit size number is low more the foot file’s abrasive surface is coarse. 30 grit size is very coarse and is used for very rough/cracked heels or feet vs 100 grit size is fine and is used just for dry heels or feet.

Designs:

The appearance or design of the foot file: the foot file is manufactured with a single colour, or multicolour, or different designs, or transparent, or translucent, or with different logos, or with quotes written on it, or specific signs printed on it (or printed from behind it if it is a transparent or translucent one) or with different pictures on it, or all of at the same time. The foot file is custom designed as well.

The size and shape of the foot file is manufactured with every possible shape, format and size depending on the needs of the customers and demand of the market.

One embodiment of the foot file is made as a square from 5 cm x 5 cm to 50 cm x 50 cm and all sizes in between the given numbers.

Another embodiment of the foot file is made as a rectangle from 5 cm x 6 cm to 50 cm x 60 cm and all sizes in between the given numbers.

Another embodiment of the foot file is made as a circle from 5 cm diameter to 50 cm diameter and all sizes in between the given numbers.

Another embodiment of the foot file is made as all sorts of geometric shapes including; the shortest side being 1 cm to 100 cm and all sizes in between the given numbers, such as Rhombus, Parallelogram, Trapezoid (US and UK), Trapezium (US and UK), Kite, Convex hexagon, Concave hexagon, Convex pentagon, Concave pentagon, Convex octagon, Concave octagon, Equilateral Triangle, All types of triangle, Irregular quadrilateral, Pentagon, Irregular pentagon, Hexagon, Irregular hexagon, Heptagon, Irregular Heptagon, Octagon, Irregular Octagon, Nonagon, Irregular Nonagon, Decagon, Irregular, Ellipse, Crescent, Cube, Cuboid, Sphere, Ellipsoid, Cylinder, Cone, Triangular Prism, Hexagonal Prism, Triangular-based prism, square-based prism, hexagonal pyramid, star.

Another embodiment of the foot file having height (thickness) from 0.1 mm to 5 cm and all heights in between the given numbers, depending on used material to produce and depending on which the foot file version is produced. Types:

Typically, there are 3 types of foot file. All these 3 types of the foot files is made with different strengths and designs based on the different type of adhesives as mentioned below;

Home foot file: The foot file is made of durable materials and layers. The user may stick the foot file in on their bathroom wall and use it for many years. The foot file is made of self-adhesive materials. Travel foot file: This the foot file is made with suctions, re-usable stickers, re usable adhesive, double sided re-usable adhesive gel pads behind it or any other similar materials. The user may stick the foot file on a bathroom wall, or any wall that user prefer to use. User may bring it with user anywhere, as the foot file is portable and able to accommodate or affixed to any types of wall, glass, mirror or bathtubs.

Temporary or Disposable foot file: The foot file is made with a semi permanent adhesive on one surface or bottom surface. The foot file is made to easily remove from any type of walls. User may use this type of the foot file at home or for travel. This type of foot file could be used for 5 to 10 times, thereafter user may remove and dispose it away, then user may stick a new foot file tool on the required wall or any surface area which is suitable.

Benefits of The foot file Easy to use: There is no need to bend, or no need to put their feet in warm water beforehand using the foot file.

Efficient: The foot file delivers efficient results of foot filing, where the foot file effortlessly removes the unwanted skin from any area of the foot.

Easy to install: The foot file has a easy “peel and stick” Installation. Alternatively, “stick it and take it off” with suctions behind it, or with a semi-permanent adhesive. All the foot file types are easy to stick on the wall (it must be mounted somewhere from 5 cm to 50 cm above from floor level depending on the person’s height), or on the floor, or in the bathtub. Moreover, because of the materials used in it, the foot file will be perfectly mounted on most of the surfaces (ceramics, stones, tiles, plastics, timbers, woods, marbles, glass, metal). The foot file is possibly mounted on irregular surfaces too.

Time-saving: User may soften their heels or feet in minutes (from 30 seconds to 20 minutes depending on their needs and how much time user like to spend) Easy to clean: The foot file is easily cleaned by water and resistant to most of the chemicals, including bleach and all sort of soaps and detergents. User may also use a broom, or brush, or cleaning gadgets to scrub away debris from the foot file. The foot file has a self-cleaning properties archived based result of ultrahydrophobic as demonstrated by the leaves of Nelumbo or "lotus flower", Water-resistant: The foot file is made to use while showering or after when the feet are softened with warm water.

Waterproof: The foot file may be used while showering and has a water-repellent feature. The foot file has a micro- and nanoscopic architecture on the surface, which minimizes the droplet's adhesion to that surface. The foot file has a super hydrophobic coating is a thin surface layer which has the ability to repels water or any liquid.

Heat resistant: from -1 C to 80C (and all numbers in between these given numbers).

Hygiene: The foot file is cleaned easily and efficiently without the need of using hand for holding the tool.

Oil and cream resistant: If user have any oils or cream or these sorts of cosmetic products on their feet and the user still likes to use The foot file, user may use without any problem.

Antibacterial: The foot file is made antibacterial by using some of the material combinations.

An example of how a coarse (60 grit size) the home foot file is made: Preferably, the abrasive material having construction is similar to sandpaper, however with additional advanced manufacturing technologies applied to the foot file surface, the foot file able to achieve maximum manufacturing quality and performance during usage. The most popular grit size choice for this foot file is aluminium oxide. It is a diamond-hard like substance that is crushed and applied to the foot file, and bonded to the reverse side with resin, then by using a static bar to ensure the sharpest ends point face upwards or toward the surface area, thereafter another lighter coat of resin is applied to affix them in place, for preventing grit size shedding and increase durability. The aluminium oxide substance used for the foot file is a great substance that has prolonged degradation, where the material able to last for years if the installation and construction of the foot file has been made correctly, and measures required to be put in place to ensure the installation and construction are in compliance. The home foot file further has a unique feature of a reverse side from aluminium material. It will literally conform to any irregular surface, such as metal diamond tread. The foot file is manufactured with a reverse side that may resist the temperatures. With a chemical resistant backing and resin, of which bonds the aluminium oxide grit size granules to the backing, the foot file is resistant to most chemicals.

Another example of how a coarse (60 grit size) the home foot file is made:

The foot file consist of large abrasive particles bonded by a tough, durable polymer to a dimensionally stable plastic film (or to aluminium foil). The reverse side is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective liner to stretch and conform to irregular surfaces.

An example of how a less coarse (80 grit size) the home foot file is possibly made:

The foot file consists of dimensionally stable plastic film coated with a textured resilient surface. The reverse side is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive covered by a removable protective liner to stretch and conform to irregular surfaces.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or integer or group of steps or elements or elements or integers, but not the exclusion of any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements or integers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning “including principally, but not necessarily solely”.

Claims

1. A foot file (100) comprising: an abrasive layer (101) having an abrasive surface on one area, an adhesive layer (104) affixed to the abrasive layer (101), and having an adhesive surface on opposing surface area, characterized in that the adhesive surface mounted onto a wall facing upright, at an elevated position of at least below a knee portion of a user, such that a moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface drained to dry for engaging at least one foot of the user to perform scrubbing action by rubbing against the abrasive surface.

2. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the abrasive surface repels the moisture or fluid on the abrasive surface to retain the abrasive surface in a dry condition.

3. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the abrasive surface is made of 60 grit size to remove unwanted skin of the user foot, and 120 grit size to smoothen the user foot.

4. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the abrasive surface is made of a super-hydrophobic coating or layer to repels water and having a lotus effect or self-cleaning characteristic.

5. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a

Flexible Plastic, Polyethylene Terephthalate, or Vinyl (102) between the adhesive layer (104) and the abrasive surface to act as a water-proof layer for the foot file (100).

6. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the foot file (100) is shaped according to at least one shape of tile attached to the wall.

7. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable mechanism affixed to the wall with the adhesive layer (104), to manoeuvre the abrasive surface at desired angle for the user.

8. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic device or layer affixed to the foot file (100) for holding materials made of metal.

9. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bubble wrap layer or cushioning layer in between the adhesive layer (104) and the abrasive surface, wherein the layer is scented or contains scented liquid.

10. The foot file (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the scented or scented liquid is dispensed when the abrasive surface is pressured against the adhesive layer (104).