Paraffin bath

• US 20020175161A1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Homedics (Lifetime Brands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Homedics (Lifetime Brands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Glucksman, Dov
• Granted Patent: US 6,573,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/432
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/047 Paraffin or wax baths
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/04 Appliances for sand, mud , wax or foam baths; Appliances for metal baths, e.g. using metal salt solutions

Abstract

A paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin used in therapeutic applications is disclosed. The paraffin bath apparatus comprises a housing having a base, a sidewall and upper opening. An inner tub is formed of a temperature resistant polymeric material is a generally cup shaped member having a bottom wall, an upstanding wall and an open top. The inner tub is received within the upper opening of the housing with the bottom wall of the inner tub overlying the base of the housing. The heating element is located between the inner tub and the housing for providing heat to the inner tub sufficient to melt the paraffin but below the temperature that would adversely affect the polymeric material forming inner tub. A thermostatic sensor is disposed between the inner tub and the housing and is electrically connected to the heating element to control the heat provided to the inner tub. A temperature indicating element may be provided in the inner tub and placed in contact with paraffin melted in the inner tub. The temperature indicating element provides a visual indication that the paraffin in the tub is within a predetermined temperature range and is visible through the melted paraffin.

Claims

1. A paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin comprising:

a housing being generally cup shaped and having a base and an upper opening;

an inner tub being generally cup shaped and having a bottom wall and an open top, the inner tub being received within upper opening of the housing with the bottom wall overlying the base, wherein paraffin is supplied in the inner tub;

a heating element disposed between the inner tub and the housing; and

a temperature indicating element disposed in the inner tub and placed in contact with paraffin in the inner tub, the temperature indicating element providing a visual indication that the paraffin in the inner tub is within a predetermined temperature range, the visual indication being visible through the paraffin after it is melted.

2. The paraffin bath apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a strainer disposed within the inner tub on the bottom wall, the temperature indicating element being secured to the strainer.

3. The paraffin bath apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the temperature indicating element being secured to the inside of the inner tub.

4. The paraffin bath apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the temperature indicating element being a color changing strip that includes a chemical that changes color to indicate that the paraffin is within the predetermined temperature range.

5. A paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin for use in therapeutic treatment of a body part immersed in the melted paraffin, the apparatus comprising:

a housing being generally cup shaped and having a base and an upper opening;

a tub for retaining paraffin, the tub being generally cup shaped and having an open top and an interior cavity defined by a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewalls;

a heating element cooperating with an outer exterior surface of the tub and located between the tub outer exterior surface and the housing, the heating element being capable of providing sufficient heat to melt the paraffin with the tub; and

a strainer sized to freely fit within the tub interior cavity and rest upon the bottom wall, the strainer having an upper portion provided with a plurality of slots extending there through and a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from the upper portion to rest upon the tub bottom wall to space the strainer upper portion above the bottom wall to permit liquid paraffin to circulate through the slots and to enable dirt and debris in the paraffin to fall through the slots to the bottom of the tub.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the strainer has an outer peripheral shape which generally conforms to the shape of the tub bottom wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tub and the strainer are formed of a high temperature resistant polymeric material.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tub is formed of a high temperature resistant polypropylene.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upper surface of the strainer is spaced from and generally parallel to the tub bottom wall to prevent direct contact of the user'"'"'s skin with the bottom wall.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the strainer is provided with a temperature indicating portion formed of a polymeric material which changes color when a predetermined paraffin temperature is reached.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the heating element does not cooperate with the outer peripheral surface of the tub in the region immediately adjacent to the temperature indicating element so that the heat radiated by the heating element will not distort the temperature indication.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the strainer has an outer peripheral shape which generally conforms to the shape of the tub bottom wall.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tub is formed of a high temperature resistant polypropylene.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the strainer is provided with a temperature indicating portion formed of a polymeric material which changes color when a predetermined paraffin temperature is reached.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the heating element does not cooperate with the outer peripheral surface of the tub in the region immediately adjacent to the temperature indicating element so that the heat radiated by the heating element will not distort the temperature indication.

12. A paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin for use in therapeutic treatment of a body part immersed in the melted paraffin, the apparatus comprising:

a housing being generally cup shaped and having a base and an upper opening;

a tub formed of a high temperature resistant polymeric material for retaining paraffin, the tub being generally cup shaped and having an open top and an interior cavity defined by a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewalls;

a heating element cooperating with an outer exterior surface of the tub and located between the tub outer exterior surface and the housing, the heating element being capable of providing sufficient heat to melt the paraffin with the tub; and

a strainer sized to freely fit within the tub interior cavity and rest upon the bottom wall, the strainer having an upper portion provided with a plurality of slots extending there through and a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from the upper portion to rest upon the tub bottom wall to space the strainer upper portion spaced from and generally parallel to the bottom wall to permit liquid paraffin to circulate through the slots and to enable dirt and debris in the paraffin to fall through the slots to the bottom of the tub.