GB2487744A - Hands-free podiatry device - Google Patents
Hands-free podiatry device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2487744A GB2487744A GB1101776.1A GB201101776A GB2487744A GB 2487744 A GB2487744 A GB 2487744A GB 201101776 A GB201101776 A GB 201101776A GB 2487744 A GB2487744 A GB 2487744A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- podiatry
- flexible
- polymer sheet
- adhesive
- slip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 229920005570 flexible polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 2
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alumina Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 12
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000005995 Aluminium silicate Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000012211 aluminium silicate Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229910001610 cryolite Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 2
- NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N kaolin Chemical compound O.O.O=[Al]O[Si](=O)O[Si](=O)O[Al]=O NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 2
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229920006254 polymer film Polymers 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000003491 skin Anatomy 0.000 description 12
- 210000004927 skin cell Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 5
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 206010020649 Hyperkeratosis Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000008589 Obesity Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000020824 obesity Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006267 polyester film Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methoxy-6-methylphenol Chemical compound [CH]OC1=CC=CC([CH])=C1O KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010006585 Bunion Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010056340 Diabetic ulcer Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010030113 Oedema Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000577 adipose tissue Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037396 body weight Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 but not limited to Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 206010012601 diabetes mellitus Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006210 lotion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000001119 neuropathy Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000007823 neuropathy Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008058 pain sensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000033808 peripheral neuropathy Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229920001568 phenolic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005011 phenolic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035935 pregnancy Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 208000001072 type 2 diabetes mellitus Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000004584 weight gain Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019786 weight gain Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K7/00—Body washing or cleaning implements
- A47K7/02—Bathing sponges, brushes, gloves, or similar cleaning or rubbing implements
- A47K7/026—Bathing sponges, brushes, gloves, or similar cleaning or rubbing implements for cleaning the feet or toes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/54—Chiropodists' instruments, e.g. pedicure
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/32—Surgical cutting instruments
- A61B2017/320004—Surgical cutting instruments abrasive
- A61B2017/320008—Scrapers
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
Abstract
A hands-free podiatry device comprising a non-slip layer 101 and an abrasive layer 103. The device is designed to be used on the floor to remove hard skin from a personâ s foot. The non-slip layer 101 may be a flexible polymer, cellular rubber or rubber sponge and may be natural or synthetic. The abrasive layer 103 may comprise aluminium oxide or silicon carbide, and may include kaolin, calcium carbonate or cryolite. The abrasive particles may be adhered to a polymer film or a textile cloth.
Description
Podiatry Device The present invention relates to a podiatry device for removing dead skin cells.
Hard skin is a very common occurrence on the foot and is present in almost all adults. The foot is put under enormous pressure everyday; carrying body weight, absorbing impact, managing weight change and transfer among other tasks, and so has to be durable and resistant to many external influences. Consequently, the skin on the feet is thicker than anywhere else on the body, and grows skin cells extremely quickly in response to the outside stimuli.
If hard skin is left untreated and permitted to worsen, it can lead to the development of calluses which can be painful, more difficult to treat and can recur over time. Heels can become cracked and painful, and can sometimes even bleed if they are left without treatment. Treatment of hard skin is of particular importance for diabetics where cracks in the skin may lead to diabetic ulcers.
Moreover, neuropathy, which may be associated with diabetes, may prevent normal pain sensations providing indication that the skin is damaged.
Many devices are known for treating hard skin, which typically remove the dead skin cells by means of abrasion. There is also a wide variety of creams, lotions and gels that can help soften the skin before using one of these devices.
However, it is a problem with known devices that a user must have a substantial range of movement to ensure that adequate contact occurs between the device and the foot to effect removal of dead skin cells, if the device is to be used without assistance. Devices are known with handles which aim to decrease the amount of bending required but they fail to provide significant access to the surface of the foot in many cases, particularly the sole.
People with a restricted range of movement may include, but are not limited to: the elderly; the obese; and pregnant women.
The amount of fatty tissue present on the foot typically reduces with age. Hence the elderly are more prone to hard skin and susceptible to calluses. Deformities in the foot such as bunions are also more common which further leads the formation of hard skin.
Obesity results in increased pressure being placed upon the foot, and formation of hard skin is more common. Moreover, obesity is often associated with type II diabetes. The importance of foot care for diabetics is discussed hereinabove.
The temporary weight gain, increased fluid volume and oedema often associated with pregnancy may also lead to the increased formation of hard skin.
The present invention provides a podiatry device comprising a non-slip, flexible polymer sheet directly bonded to a flexible abrasive layer.
In use, the present invention is placed with substantially the entire surface area of the non-slip flexible polymer sheet in contact with a planar surface, typically a floor. The user places his or her foot in contact with the abrasive layer and moves the foot whilst maintaining contact with the abrasive layer to effect removal of dead skin cells from the foot. The user may be in a sitting or standing position. The present invention enables the user to effect removal of dead skin cells from the foot without the need for the device to be simultaneously in contact with the user's hand and foot and so the device may be used by users with restricted range of movement without assistance from a third party.
The podiatry device of the present invention is washable for hygiene purposes.
For the reasons outlined hereinabove, users with restricted movement such as the elderly, the obese, and pregnant women, are in particular need of effective foot care.
For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the term "non-slip" means that when substantially the entire surface area of the non-slip flexible polymer sheet is in contact with a planar surface, application of force along any axis within the plane during use as described above, does not result in significant movement of the polymer sheet.
In one embodiment, the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet comprises flexible cellular rubber. In a further embodiment, the flexible cellular rubber is an open cell natural rubber sponge.
For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the term "rubber" includes natural rubber and synthetic elastomers whose properties resemble natural rubber.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the flexible polymer sheet includes a non-slip surface.
Thus, the polymer sheet may comprise a laminate including an outwardly facing non-slip surface.
The non-slip surface may form a continuous layer or it may be formed from a plurality of discrete non-slip areas formed on a surface of the polymer sheet. Thus, the non-slip surface may be formed from a rubberised laminate or from a plurality of discrete rubberised areas formed as part of the polymer sheet, for example, the polymer sheet may comprise a plurality of discrete outwardly facing rubberised dots.
In a further embodiment, the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet has a thickness of between 1mm and 100mm In a further embodiment, the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet has a thickness of between 2mm and 20mm In a further embodiment, the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet has a thickness of between 2mm and 10mm In one embodiment, the flexible abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles. In a further embodiment, the flexible abrasive optionally further comprises one or more fillers, such as, but not limited to, calcium carbonate, kaolin and cryolite.
In a further embodiment, the flexible abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles bonded to a flexible polymer film or textile cloth. In a further embodiment, the abrasive particles are bonded to the flexible polymer film or textile cloth with a resin. In a further embodiment, the flexible polymer film is a polyester film.
In a further embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise aluminium oxide or silicon carbide. In a yet further embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise 240 grit aluminium oxide.
In one embodiment, the flexible abrasive layer and the non-slip flexible polymer sheet may be bonded together to compose a laminate by means of an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied across substantially the entire surface area of non-slip flexible polymer sheet or, alternatively, in separate discrete areas. The adhesive may be of a conventional type such as a contact or cured adhesive (optionally with the application of heat) which is capable of withstanding the forces applied to the abrasive surface.
In one embodiment, the adhesive is a two part adhesive. In a further embodiment, the adhesive is the two part rubber adhesive. In a further embodiment, the two part adhesive is a solvent based system formulated on polychloroprene rubber.
For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the term "laminated" means composed of layers bonded together.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a podiatry device comprising a: i) Applying an adhesive to a non-slip, flexible polymer sheet; ii) Applying a flexible abrasive layer on top of the adhesive; and iii) Laminating the abrasive layer to the polymer sheet with optional application of pressure and/or heat.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is side elevational view of a podiatry device according to the invention.
For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "top", "bottom", etc. refer to the orientation of the invention in normal use as described hereinabove and as shown in the Figures.
A podiatry device 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1. The podiatry device 1 comprises a non-slip flexible polymer sheet 101, an adhesive layer 102, and a flexible abrasive layer 103.
The non slip flexible polymer sheet 101 is fabricated from open cell natural rubber sponge. Open cell natural rubber sponge is commercially available. The sheet has a thickness of 6mm.
The flexible abrasive layer 103 comprises 240 grit aluminium oxide and calcium carbonate filler bonded to a polyester film with a phenolic resin. Such abrasive films are commercially available.
The polymer sheet 101 is laminated to abrasive layer 103 by the adhesive layer which is a two solvent based adhesive system formulated on polychloroprene rubber. Such two part rubber adhesives are commercially available.
Claims (10)
- Claims 1. A podiatry device comprising a non-slip, flexible polymer sheet directly bonded to a flexible abrasive layer.
- 2. A podiatry device according to Claim 1, wherein the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet comprises flexible cellular rubber.
- 3. A podiatry device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the non-slip, flexible polymer sheet has a thickness of between 2mm and 10mm.
- 4. A podiatry device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles bonded to a flexible polymer film or textile cloth.
- 5. A podiatry device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible abrasive layer and the non-slip flexible polymer sheet are laminated together via an adhesive.
- 6. A podiatry device according to Claim 5, wherein the adhesive is an adhesive layer formed between the polymer sheet and the abrasive layer.
- 7. A podiatry device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the adhesive is the two part rubber adhesive.
- 8. A method of manufacturing a podiatry device according to any of Claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: i. applying an adhesive to a non-slip, flexible polymer sheet; ii. applying a flexible abrasive layer on top of the adhesive; and iii. laminating the abrasive layer to the polymer sheet with optional application of pressure and/or heat.
- 9. A podiatry device substantially as described anywhere herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 10. A method of forming a podiatry device substantially as described anywhere herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1101776.1A GB2487744A (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-02-02 | Hands-free podiatry device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1101776.1A GB2487744A (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-02-02 | Hands-free podiatry device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201101776D0 GB201101776D0 (en) | 2011-03-16 |
| GB2487744A true GB2487744A (en) | 2012-08-08 |
Family
ID=43824980
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1101776.1A Withdrawn GB2487744A (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-02-02 | Hands-free podiatry device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2487744A (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5293660A (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1994-03-15 | Park Jai H | Foot scrub mat |
| NL9301942A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-06-01 | Evert Hendrik Aalten | Device for treating the sole of a human foot |
| US6253407B1 (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2001-07-03 | Randy Bjelkevig | Foot scrubber |
| US6530096B1 (en) * | 2000-10-24 | 2003-03-11 | Kimberly K. Mayhew | Foot rejuvenation shower apparatus |
| US20060196520A1 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-07 | Anderson Paul M | Device for smoothing keratinous surfaces |
| US20070119470A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-05-31 | Zepeda Eliseo A | Skin abrasion device |
| DE202007014512U1 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2007-12-20 | Kofahl, Heinz-Dieter | Callus |
| US20090241978A1 (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-10-01 | Josephine Moretti | Exfoliating shower mat |
-
2011
- 2011-02-02 GB GB1101776.1A patent/GB2487744A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5293660A (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1994-03-15 | Park Jai H | Foot scrub mat |
| NL9301942A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-06-01 | Evert Hendrik Aalten | Device for treating the sole of a human foot |
| US6253407B1 (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2001-07-03 | Randy Bjelkevig | Foot scrubber |
| US6530096B1 (en) * | 2000-10-24 | 2003-03-11 | Kimberly K. Mayhew | Foot rejuvenation shower apparatus |
| US20060196520A1 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-07 | Anderson Paul M | Device for smoothing keratinous surfaces |
| US20070119470A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-05-31 | Zepeda Eliseo A | Skin abrasion device |
| DE202007014512U1 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2007-12-20 | Kofahl, Heinz-Dieter | Callus |
| US20090241978A1 (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-10-01 | Josephine Moretti | Exfoliating shower mat |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| Hands Free Foot File Rasp Hard Skin Remover Pedicure, suntekstore * |
| Personal Pedicure Hands Free Foot File, Home Product Sales * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201101776D0 (en) | 2011-03-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |