Multifeature foot spa

• US 20050097669A1
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Original Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Inventors: Tobin, Richard Neil, Medivinsky, Joseph, Fung, Kam Fai, Prehodka, Barry V., Leung, Anthony Kit Lun, Carlucci, Vito James
• Application Number:
  US10/661,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20050097669A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/622
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5025 Activation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/02 Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths A61H33/6026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6021 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6089 Specific construction features for further massaging means, i.e. not for the nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/006 for the feet

Abstract

A foot spa and a method for controlling the foot spa is provided. The foot spa has a housing defining a reservoir for retaining a volume of fluid, and a lid selectively covering a portion of the reservoir. The foot spa can have any combination of a remote control unit for generating a signal for controlling a plurality of functions of the foot spa, a receiver for receiving the control signal, a retractable cord, an infrared heater, an in-line fluid heater, adjustable fluid jets, a spinning massage attachment function, and a control assembly operable by the foot of the user.

Claims

1. A foot spa comprising:

a housing having a foot supporting bottom wall with sidwalls extending upwardly therefrom to form a reservoir for receiving and retaining a fluid;

a fluid transport assembly disposed in said housing and being operatively connected to a fluid inlet disposed in said reservoir and a fluid outlet spaced a distance from said bottom wall of said reservoir, whereby fluid exiting said fluid outlet flows into said reservoir; and

one or more heaters associated with said housing.

2. The foot spa of claim 1, wherein said one or more heaters include a first heater cooperative with said fluid transport assembly to heat said fluid.

3. The foot spa of claim 1, wherein said one or more heaters include a second heater for warming at least a portion of said housing.

4. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a vibrating actuator cooperative with said bottom wall and/or said sidewalls to provide a therapeutic vibratory effect.

5. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a remote control.

6. The foot spa of claim 5, wherein said remote control generates a signal for controlling any of a variety of different functions associated with the foot spa.

7. The foot spa of claim 12, wherein said housing has a receiver for receiving said control signal.

8. The foot spa of claim 1, wherein said fluid transport assembly is operatively connected to one or more fluid inlets.

9. The foot spa of claim 8, wherein said fluid transport assembly is operatively connected to one or more fluid outlets disposed in spaced relation to said bottom wall.

10. The foot spa of claim 9, wherein at least one of said one or more fluid outlets have one or more adjustable nozzles for providing any of a variety of different therapeutic jetting effects.

11. The foot spa of claim 1, said fluid transport assembly has a pump that is operatively connected with said heater.

12. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a top wall with a control panel thereon.

13. The foot spa of claim 12, wherein said control panel is suitable to be operated via a user'"'"'s foot or toes.

14. The foot spa of claim 1, wherein said housing has a raised surface with an infrared heater thereon.

15. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a removable cover for covering at least a portion of said reservoir.

16. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a retractable cord to facilitate efficient transport and storage of the foot spa.

17. The foot spa of claim 1, further comprising a raised portion dividing said reservoir into two substantially symmetric ergonomic foot receiving areas.

18. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said raised portion accommodates a temperature controller, an attachment receptor for separably receiving and rotatably retaining one or more stimulus attachments to provide, at the user'"'"'s option, therapeutic stimulus to a foot placed thereon, an infrared surface heater, and/or one or more aeration and/or drainage apertures therein.

20. The foot spa of claim 17, further comprising a removable cover for covering at least a portion of said reservoir.

21. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said controller is remote from the foot spa.

23. The foot spa of claim 17, further comprising a retractable power cord for safe efficient transport and/or storage of the foot spa.

24. The foot spa of claim 17, further comprising an infrared heater disposed on said housing.

25. The foot spa of claim 17, further comprising an ion and/or ozone emitter for emitting ions into said fluid.

26. The foot spa of claim 17, further comprising an aerator for aerating said fluid.

27. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said first heater is an in-line heater and is cooperative with said fluid transport assembly.

28. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said second heater is a wire in thermal contact with said housing.

29. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said housing is cooperative with a variety of different stimulus attachments.

30. The foot spa of claim 27, wherein said stimulus attachments can be selected from a group consisting of a pumice stone, a roller, a bristle brush, a loofah, and any combination thereof.

31. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said variety of operative functions can be selected from a group consisting of a heating action, a jetting action, a vibratory action, and any combination thereof.

32. The foot spa of claim 29, wherein said operative functions can operate independently.

33. The foot spa of claim 17, wherein said housing has a bottom wall with sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom.

34. The foot spa of claim 31, wherein at least a portion of said bottom wall is removable.

36. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein said operation modes may vary the number and combination of features.

37. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein at least one of said operation modes is a fluid jetting mode.

38. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein at least one of said operation modes is a heating mode.

39. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein at least one of said operation modes is an aeration mode.

40. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein said roller controller is covered in a soft elastic material.

41. The foot spa of claim 33, wherein said roller controller is suitable to be manipulated by a user'"'"'s foot.

19. A foot spa comprising:

a housing forming a reservoir for retaining a fluid;

a first heater for heating said fluid;

a second heater for warming said housing;

a fluid transport assembly for recycling said fluid;

a vibrating actuator for vibrating at least a portion of said housing; and

a controller for controlling any of a variety of operative functions associated with the foot spa.

22. The foot spa of claim 19, further comprising a receiver for receiving a signal generated by said remote control.

35. A foot spa comprising:

a housing forming a reservoir for retaining a fluid; and

a roller controller for controlling the operation of the foot spa among different operation modes.

42. A foot spa comprising:

a housing forming a reservoir for retaining a fluid;

a heater for heating said fluid;

a fluid transport assembly for recycling said fluid;

an aerator for aerating said fluid;

a vibrating actuator for vibrating at least a portion of said housing; and

a remote control for controlling any of a variety of operative functions associated with the foot spa.