US20110219561A1

US20110219561A1 - Foot Scrubber

Info

Publication number: US20110219561A1
Application number: US12/721,421
Authority: US
Inventors: Anh N. Tran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2011-09-15

Abstract

A foot scrubber for efficiently cleaning the underside of one's foot in a hands free manner. The foot scrubber generally includes a receptacle having a base, a pair of sidewalls having drainage openings, and a pair of end walls to form a receiving cavity therebetween, gripping means, such as a gripping pad, connected to a lower surface of the base for securing the receptacle to a solid surface such that the receptacle remains substantially stable and stationery during use, a sponge member removably positioned within the receiving cavity of the receptacle. The sponge member includes a projecting upper portion extending upwardly beyond the receptacle for massaging, scrubbing and washing an underside of a foot. A plurality of posts may extend upwardly from an upper surface of the base and received within receiver openings of the sponge member for further stabilizing the sponge member within the receptacle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a foot cleaning device and more specifically it relates to a foot scrubber for efficiently cleaning the underside of one's foot in a hands free manner
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Foot washing and cleaning devices have been in use for years. Typically, when cleaning the underside of one's foot, such as while in the shower or bathtub, the user must bend their knee to extend their foot upwards to directly access the underside of their foot with a cleaning device (e.g. soap, sponge, etc.). This can be dangerous to the user in that the floor of the shower or bathtub is often very slippery which can lead to the user slipping and potentially hurting themselves. Another problem with cleaning the underside of one's foot in this manner is that it may be difficult for some individuals not able to bend or stretch in such a manner.
Other foot cleaning devices which are typically placed upon the floor of the bathtub and engaged to clean the underside of the foot are also commonly utilized. However, one problem with these stationary foot cleaning devices is that they typically do not firmly grasp the floor of the bathtub, thus allowing the cleaning device to slip and potentially cause the individual to slip along with the cleaning device. Another common problem is that the cleaning devices do not allow for interchanging the sponge or scrubber, thus not allowing for different types or textures of sponges or scrubbers to be used on the foot and adding unnecessary expense for the user, wherein the user must replace the entire cleaning device once the sponge or scrubber becomes wore. Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved foot scrubber for efficiently cleaning the underside of one's foot in a hands free manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for efficiently cleaning the underside of one's foot in a hands free manner. The invention generally relates to a foot cleaning device which includes a receptacle having a base, a pair of sidewalls having drainage openings, and a pair of end walls to form a receiving cavity therebetween, gripping means, such as a gripping pad, connected to a lower surface of the base for securing the receptacle to a solid surface such that the receptacle remains substantially stable and stationery during use, a sponge member removably positioned within the receiving cavity of the receptacle. The sponge member includes a projecting upper portion extending upwardly beyond the receptacle for massaging, scrubbing and washing an underside of a foot. A plurality of posts may extend upwardly from an upper surface of the base and received within receiver openings of the sponge member for further stabilizing the sponge member within the receptacle.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the sponge member exploded from the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention secured to a floor surface.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the receptacle illustrating the film paper being peeled away from the lower adhesive of the gripper pad.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the sponge member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a foot scrubber 10, which comprises a receptacle 20 having a base 21, a pair of sidewalls 24 having drainage openings 25, and a pair of end walls 23 to form a receiving cavity 28 therebetween, gripping means 40, such as a gripping pad, connected to a lower surface of the base 21 for securing the receptacle 20 to a solid surface 12 such that the receptacle 20 remains substantially stable and stationery during use, a sponge member 50 removably positioned within the receiving cavity 28 of the receptacle 20. The sponge member 50 includes a projecting upper portion 55 extending upwardly beyond the receptacle 20 for massaging, scrubbing and washing an underside of a foot. A plurality of posts 30 may extend upwardly from an upper surface of the base 21 and received within receiver openings 53 of the sponge member 50 for further stabilizing the sponge member 50 within the receptacle 20.

B. Receptacle

The receptacle 20 is generally comprised of a substantially rigid structure and is used for supporting the sponge member 50 in a substantially fixed position relative the solid surface 12 (e.g. floor) and also allows for the removal of the sponge member 50 for replacement, interchanging, drying, or for various other reasons. The receptacle 20 is generally comprised of a plastic material; however other materials may be appreciated. The receptacle 20 is further generally box-like in shape; however other shapes may be appreciated all which conform to the sponge member 50 to allow for the sponge member 50 to be positioned partially within the receptacle 20 and stabilized therein.
In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle 20 includes a base 21 generally of a rectangular shape and having an upper surface and a lower surface. The receptacle 20 may be other shapes, such as circular, ovular, triangular, etc. The lower surface receives the gripper pad 40 or other connecting means for connecting the receptacle 20 to a solid surface 12, such as a floor 12 of a bathtub. One or more recessed portions 22 may also extend within the lower surface of the base 21 for receiving the gripper pad 40. The recessed portion 22 is generally centered with the base 21 and may be rectangular in shape or be comprised of other shapes. The recessed portion 22 preferably does not extend all the way through the base 21, such as to not extend within the cavity 28 defined by the receptacle 20 on the upper surface side of the base 21.
The receptacle 20 includes end walls 23 and sidewalls 24 extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of close proximity thereto of the base 21 to form a cavity 28 therebetween. The end walls 23 and the sidewalls 24 are generally rectangular in shape to form the box-like shaped receptacle 20. The sidewalls 24 preferably include a plurality of drainage openings 25 extending therethrough for allowing water and/or soap to drain from the cavity 28 of the receptacle 20. The end walls 23 may also include drainage openings in alternate embodiments.
The sidewalls 24 also each preferably includes a notch 26 extending within from an upper edge of the sidewalls 24 and generally centered along the length of the upper edge of the sidewalls 24. The notch 26 is preferably semi-circular in shape and is for allowing a user to grasp the sides of the sponge member 50 for removal from the cavity 28. The end walls 23 may also include notches in alternate embodiments.
The posts 30 may also be used to assist in stabilizing the sponge member 50 within the cavity 28. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of posts 30 extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base 21, wherein one post 30 is preferably located adjacent each of the corners of the base 21 to total four posts 30. The posts 30 extend upwardly from the base 21 but do not extend above the upper edge of the sidewalls 24 and end walls 23 and preferably terminate below the upper edge of the sidewalls 24 and the end walls 23. The posts 30 can be hollow or solid.
The posts 30 are each preferably comprised of a solid cylindrical shaped structure. The posts 30 are secured to the base 21 in a fixed manner and may be integral with the base 21. The user preferably does not engage the posts 30 when stepping upon the upper portion 55 of the sponge member 50, wherein the posts 30 are sufficiently below the upper portion 55 of the sponge member 50.

C. Gripper Pad

The gripper pad 40 fits within the recessed portion 22 and is secured therein, such as by an adhesive 43 or other means. The gripper pad 40 is preferably substantially flush with the lower surface of the base 21 or extends slightly below the lower surface of the base 21 when positioned within the recessed portion 22 so that the gripper pad 40 may comfortably engage and connect to the solid surface 12 below in a secure manner thus not allowing the receptacle 20 to move during use of the sponge member 50.
The gripper pad 40 is generally comprised of a resilient material 41, such as rubber or silicone rubber, having adhesive material 43 thereon for securing to the solid surface 12. The resilient material 41 helps the gripper pad 40 to conform to different textured and shaped solid surfaces 12. The adhesive 42, 43 ensures that the gripper pad 40 remains secured to both the receptacle 20 and the solid surface 12, wherein the gripper pad 40 may include an adhesive 42 along an upper surface to connect to the recessed portion 22 of the base 21 and also include an adhesive 43 along a lower surface to connect to the respective solid surface 12.
A removable film paper 45 may be used to cover any exposed adhesive 42, 43 prior to use, wherein the film paper 45 is simply removed when attaching to the receptacle 20 and/or solid surface 12. The adhesive 42, 43 may be integrally formed with the resilient material and may be of a type to allow for removal of the receptacle 20 from the floor 12 via vertically lifting the receptacle 20 from the floor 12 but prevent side-to-side movement of the receptacle 20 with respect to the floor 12 through a frictionally gripping force.

D. Sponge Member

The absorbent sponge member 50 is removably inserted within the cavity 28 and stabilized therein during use. The sponge member 50 may be comprised of a plurality of different textures and materials suitable to the desired use of the user. For example, the sponge member 50 may be comprised of a substantially resilient and soft texture, a substantially rigid and coarse texture, or various other textures. The sponge member 50 may further be comprised of a spongy material, may have bristles extending therefrom, or various combinations thereof. The sponge member 50 may also be a permastone structure.
The lower portion 51 of the sponge member 50 is preferably box-like in shape to be received within the cavity 28 of the receptacle 20 in a fitted manner. The bottom 52 of the lower portion 51 preferably includes a plurality of receiver openings 53 extending therein. The receiver openings 53 snugly receive the posts 30 of the receptacle 20 and are thus align with each of the respective posts 30. The receiver openings 53 generally do not extend completely through the sponge member 50 and terminate before protruding through the upper portion 55.
The upper portion 55 of the sponge member 50 extends above the receptacle 20 to be engaged by the underside of the foot of the user for massaging, scrubbing and washing the underside of the foot. The upper portion 55 may include various cleaning outer surfaces 56 thereon to engage the foot in various cleaning, massaging, scrubbing, or washing manners.
The upper portion 55 is also generally arched in a convex or outwardly curving manner relative the receptacle 20 to better conform to the arch of the underside of the foot. It is appreciated however that the upper portion 55 may take on various other shapes all which efficiently clean, massage, scrub, or wash the underside of the foot and extend above the receptacle 20 to prevent the underside of the foot from engaging the receptacle 20 when the sponge member 50 is stood upon or pressed down upon in a firm scrubbing, washing, or massaging manner. The upper portion 55 and the lower portion 51 are preferably integral in structure so that the water and/or soap is able to be evenly absorbed and released.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the present invention is generally used in a bathtub, tub, bath, shower, or any area in which a cleaning, scrubbing, massaging, or washing of the foot is desired. The gripper pad 40 is attached to the receptacle 20 within the recessed portion 22 and the gripper pad 40 is subsequently attached to the floor 12 of the bathtub or other solid surface. It is appreciated that the scrubber 10 may be sold with the gripper pad 40 already attached to the receptacle 20 or the user may perform this task after purchasing, such as when different types of gripper pads 40 may be utilized. It is also appreciated that any film paper 45 is removed from the adhesive 43 prior to adhering the gripper pad 40 to the floor 12.
The sponge member 50 is then inserted within the cavity 28 of the receptacle 20 so that the receiver openings 53 extending within the lower portion 51 of the sponge member 50 align with the posts 30 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base 21 of the receptacle 20. The sponge member 50 is extended downwardly until the bottom 52 of the sponge member 50 engages the upper surface of the base 21 and the sides and ends of the lower portion 51 of the sponge member 50 are positioned flushly against the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 24 and the end walls 23 of the receptacle 20.
The user may now utilize the scrubber 10 by sliding, rotating, or otherwise moving the underside of their foot against the upper portion 55 of the sponge member 50. Various cleaning solutions, such as soap, etc. or other liquids may be applied to the sponge member 50 as desired. During use, extra water and/or cleaning liquids are drained from the receptacle 20 through the drainage openings 25.
If the sponge member 50 is desired to be removed from the receptacle 20 for interchanging with a different type sponge member 50, replacement, etc. the sides of the lower portion 51 of the sponge member 50 are grasped via extending the user's fingers within each of the notches 26 and the sponge is simply lifted out of the cavity 28. The receptacle 20 may also be removed from the floor 12 as desired, wherein the adhesive 43 preferably allows for removal of the receptacle 20 from the floor 12 thus allowing storage of the scrubber 10 during non use.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

1. A foot scrubber for use in a bathtub or the like, comprising:

a receptacle having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls;

wherein said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls extend upwardly from a substantial peripheral edge of said bottom to form a receiving cavity therebetween;

gripping means connected to a lower surface of said base for securing said receptacle to a solid surface such that said receptacle remains substantially stable and stationery during use; and

a sponge member having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein said lower portion is removably positioned within said receiving cavity of said receptacle to be encased by said base, said pair of sidewalls, and said pair of end walls of said receptacle;

wherein said upper portion extends upwardly beyond said receptacle for massaging, scrubbing and washing an underside of a foot.

2. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein said gripping means is comprised of a gripping pad.

3. The foot scrubber of claim 2, wherein said gripping pad is comprised of an adhesive-rubber material.

4. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein a lower surface of said base has a recessed portion extending therein for receiving said gripping means.

5. The foot scrubber of claim 4, wherein a lower surface of said gripping means is substantially flush with said lower surface of said base.

6. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein said pair of sidewalls each include at least one drainage opening extending therethrough and in connection with said cavity.

7. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein said pair of sidewalls each include a notch extending within from an upper edge of a respective sidewall of said pair of sidewalls.

8. The foot scrubber of claim 7, wherein said notch is semi-circular in shape.

9. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein said sponge member is comprised of a resilient and absorbent material.

10. The foot scrubber of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a convex shaped structure.

11. The foot scrubber of claim 1, including a plurality of posts extending upwardly from an upper surface of said base.

12. The foot scrubber of claim 11, wherein said lower portion of said sponge includes a plurality of receiver openings for receiving said plurality of posts.

13. A foot scrubber for use in a bathtub or the like, comprising:

a receptacle having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls;

a gripping pad connected to a lower surface of said base for securing said receptacle to a solid surface such that said receptacle remains substantially stable and stationery during use;

a plurality of posts extending upwardly from an upper surface of said base; and

wherein said lower portion of said sponge includes a plurality of receiver openings extending upwardly from a bottom of said lower portion of said sponge for receiving said plurality of posts;

14. The foot scrubber of claim 13, wherein said gripping pad is comprised of an adhesive-rubber material.

15. The foot scrubber of claim 13, wherein a lower surface of said base has a recessed portion extending therein for receiving said gripping pad.

16. The foot scrubber of claim 15, wherein a lower surface of said gripping pad is substantially flush with said lower surface of said base.

17. The foot scrubber of claim 13, wherein said pair of sidewalls each include at least one drainage opening extending therethrough and in connection with said cavity.

18. The foot scrubber of claim 13, wherein said pair of sidewalls each include a notch extending within from an upper edge of a respective sidewall of said pair of sidewalls.

19. The foot scrubber of claim 13, wherein said upper portion is comprised of a convex shaped structure.

20. A foot scrubber for use in a bathtub or the like, comprising:

a box-shaped receptacle having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls;

wherein a lower surface of said base has a recessed portion extending therein;

a gripping pad connected to said base and positioned within said recessed portion of said base for securing said receptacle to a solid surface such that said receptacle remains substantially stable and stationery during use;

wherein a lower surface of said gripping pad is substantially flush with said lower surface of said base;

wherein said gripping pad is comprised of an adhesive-rubber material;

wherein said pair of sidewalls each include at least one drainage opening extending therethrough and in connection with said cavity;

wherein said pair of sidewalls each include a notch extending within from an upper edge of a respective sidewall of said pair of sidewalls;

wherein said notch is semi-circular in shape;

a plurality of posts extending upwardly from an upper surface of said base, wherein each of said plurality of posts is positioned adjacent a corner of said base; and

wherein said sponge member is comprised of a permastone structure;

wherein said upper portion is comprised of a convex shaped structure;