Soaking basin and disposable liner

• US 6,886,191 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vladimir Zolotnik
• Original Assignee: Vladimir Zolotnik
• Inventors: Zolotnik, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIEKER, AMANDA FLYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/421,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20040003460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 462/2, 465/5, 461/9, 462/1, 463/9, 464/1, 464/3, 4DI/G 1.8, 132/75, 132/73, 132/73.6, 132/74.5, D28/56
• 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. In combination:

a base member defining a supporting platform and including means actuatable to vibrate said platform;

a basin member including a basin floor and a basin peripheral wall forming a basin cavity suitable for containing a soaking solution, said basin member being comprised of substantially rigid material to allow said basin member to be readily carried with said soaking solution contained in said cavity;

means for coupling said basin member to said platform without screw fasteners for transferring platform vibratory motion to said basin member and for allowing only said basin member and its contents to be quickly removed from said platform for discarding said soaking solution; and

wherein

said means for coupling includes a concave recess formed on one of said members and a protrusion formed on the other of said members where said protrusion is shaped and dimensioned to nest in said recess for coupling said platform and said basin member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for coupling comprises:

a protrusion extending upwardly from said base member platform; and

a concave recess formed on the underside of said basin member floor for accommodating said protrusion.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said base member further includes means actuatable to produce heat for transfer through said platform and said basin member floor to said soaking solution.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said basin member is comprised of a reusable basin and a removable liner shaped and dimensioned to nest in said basin.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said liner is formed of a planar, liquid impermeable material layer formed to define a liner floor and a liner peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said liner floor to form a boundary defining a liner cavity for containing said soaking solution;

and

a plurality of spaced bumps formed in said liner floor projecting into said liner cavity for contacting and massaging a users skin.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said liner is comprised of a planar, liquid impermeable material layer formed to define a liner floor and a liner peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said liner floor to form a boundary defining a liner cavity;

and wherein

said basin is comprised of a substantially rigid material layer formed to define a basin floor and a basin peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said basin floor and wherein said basin floor includes at least one aperture to prevent said basin from holding liquid in the absence of said liner nested therein.

7. In combination:

a base member defining a supporting platform and including means actuatable to heat said platform;

a basin member including a basin floor and a basin peripheral wall forming a basin cavity suitable for containing a soaking solution, said basin member being comprised of substantially rigid material to enable the basin member to be readily carried with a soaking solution pool contained in said cavity;

means for coupling said basin member to said platform without screw fasteners for transferring platform heat to said basin member and for allowing only said basin member and its contents to be quickly removed from said platform for discarding said soaking solution; and

wherein

said means for coupling includes a concave recess formed on one of said members and a protrusion formed on the other of said members where said protrusion is shaped and dimensioned to nest in said recess for coupling said platform and said basin member.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for coupling comprises:

a protrusion extending upwardly from said base base member platform; and

a concave recess formed on the underside of said basin member floor for accommodating said protrusion.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said base member further includes means actuatable to vibrate said base unit platform and said basin member to agitate said soaking solution.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said basin member is comprised of a reusable basin and a removable liner shaped and dimensioned to nest in said basin.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said liner is formed of a planar, liquid impermeable material layer formed to define a liner floor and a liner peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said liner floor to form a boundary defining a liner cavity for containing said soaking solution;

and

a plurality of spaced bumps formed in said liner floor projecting into said liner cavity for contacting and massaging a user'"'"'s skin.

12. The combination of claim 7 wherein said liner is comprised of a planar, liquid impermeable material layer formed to define a liner floor and a liner peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said liner floor to form a boundary defining a liner cavity;

and wherein

said basin is comprised of a substantially rigid material layer formed to define a basin floor and a basin peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said basin floor and wherein said basin floor includes at least one aperture to prevent said basin from holding liquid in the absence of said liner nested therein.