Soaking basin and disposable liner

• US 20040003460A1
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vladimir Zolotnik
• Original Assignee: Vladimir Zolotnik
• Inventors: Zolotnik, Vladimir
• Granted Patent: US 6,886,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/622
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 19/06 in the form of bowls or similar open containers
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/00 Manicuring or pedicuring implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/006 for the feet

Abstract

A soaking apparatus utilizing a soaking basin and a disposable liner configured to fit within the basin cavity. The basin is comprised of a material layer formed to define an integral floor and a peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The basin floor and peripheral wall together define the boundary of a basin cavity. An elongate protrusion protrudes from the floor into the basin cavity between left and right foot areas. The liner is comprised of a thin (e.g., 3-12 mils) material layer formed to define an integral floor and peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The liner floor and peripheral wall are dimensioned to closely nest within the basin cavity. The liner floor also defines left and right foot areas spaced by a protrusion projecting into the liner cavity. The underside of the liner protrusion forms a concave recess for accommodating the basin floor protrusion.

Claims

1. A disposable liner configured for use with a soaking basin, said liner comprising:

a planar liquid impermeable material layer, said layer being formed to define a floor and a peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said floor to bound a cavity suitable fro containing a soaking liquid;

first and second distinct areas defined on said floor for respectively accommodating a user'"'"'s left foot and right foot; and

a protrusion formed on said floor between said first and second areas protruding into said cavity.

2. The liner of claim 1 wherein said material layer has a thickness within the range of 3-12 mils.

3. The liner of claim 1 wherein said floor defines an upper surface adjacent to said cavity and a lower surface remote from said cavity and wherein said protrusion protrudes from said upper surface into said cavity.

4. The liner of claim 3 wherein said protrusion is elongate and defines a concave recess in said floor lower surface.

5. The liner of claim 1 further including a plurality of bumps formed on said floor in said first and second areas protruding into said cavity.

6. The liner of claim 1 wherein said peripheral wall terminates in an outwardly extending peripheral lip remote from said floor.

7. The liner of claim 6 further including a tab extending from said peripheral lip to facilitate manual handling.

8. In combination:

a reusable basin; and

a single use liner;

said basin comprising

a substantially rigid material layer formed to define a basin floor and a basin peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said basin floor, said basin floor and peripheral wall forming a boundary around a basin cavity;

said liner comprising;

a planar, liquid impermeable, material layer formed to define a liner floor and a liner peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said liner floor, said liner floor and peripheral wall forming a boundary around a liner cavity;

said liner floor defining a left foot area and a right foot area; and

at least one protrusion formed on said liner floor protruding into said liner cavity;

said liner floor and peripheral wall being dimensioned to be slightly smaller than said basin floor and peripheral wall for enabling said liner to be removably accommodated in said basin cavity.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said protrusion on said liner floor comprises an elongate protrusion located between said left foot area and said right foot area.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said elongate protrusion protrudes from an upper surface of said liner floor and defines a concave recess in a lower surface of said liner floor.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said basin floor defines a protrusion protruding into said basin cavity;

and wherein

said basin protrusion is shaped and dimensioned to closely fit into said liner floor concave recess.

12. The combination of claim 8 wherein said protrusion on said floor comprises multiple bumps protruding into said liner cavity for engaging the soles of a user placed on said left and right foot areas.

13. The combination of claim 8 wherein said basin floor is apertured.

14. The combination of claim 8 wherein said basin peripheral wall has an outwardly turned lip at its upper end defining a peripheral recess;

and wherein

said liner peripheral wall has an outwardly turned lip at its upper end shaped and dimensioned to be accommodated in said basin lip peripheral recess.

15. The combination of claim 8 further including a tab extending outwardly from the upper edge of said liner peripheral wall to facilitate manual handling of said liner.

16. The combination of claim 8 further including a base unit for supporting said basin;

said base unit including means actuatable to vibrate said basin.

17. The combination of claim 8 further including a base unit for supporting said basin;

said base unit including means actuatable to heat said basin.

18. In combination:

a basin structure for containing a soaking liquid, said basin structure defining first and second floor areas for accommodating a user'"'"'s left foot and right foot;

a base unit having a platform and actuatable means for vibrating said platform;

said base structure being configured to be supported on said platform so that vibration of said platform agitates said soaking solution; and

wherein

said basin structure and base unit are readily detachable so that liquid contained in said basin structure can be readily discarded and replaced.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said basin structure is comprised of a reusable basin and a disposable basin liner.

20. The combination of claim 18 wherein said basin structure floor areas include a plurality of spaced bumps for contacting the soles of a user'"'"'s feet.