U.S. patent application number 10/595928 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for washing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Innovationen Zur Verbrennungstechnik GMBH. Invention is credited to Helmut Ucke, Gisela Ucke-Krueger.
Application Number | 20080282488 10/595928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38050406 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080282488 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ucke; Helmut ; et
al. |
November 20, 2008 |
Washing Device
Abstract
A washing device (18) designed for at least partial cleaning
and/or care and/or disinfection of a human foot is presented and
described. According to the invention, the washing device (18) has
at least one plate-shaped base body (17) and at least one cleaning
body (25) connected to the base body (17), the cleaning body (25)
being designed for cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of at
least parts of the human foot, and the base body (17) being
arranged on the ground.
Inventors: |
Ucke; Helmut; (Velpke,
DE) ; Ucke-Krueger; Gisela; (Velpke, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERTS MLOTKOWSKI SAFRAN & COLE, P.C.;Intellectual Property Department
P.O. Box 10064
MCLEAN
VA
22102-8064
US
|
Assignee: |
Innovationen Zur
Verbrennungstechnik GMBH
Velpke
DE
|
Family ID: |
38050406 |
Appl. No.: |
10/595928 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 9, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/002169 |
371 Date: |
July 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 7/026 20130101;
A61H 7/002 20130101; A61H 2201/0115 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/160 |
International
Class: |
A46B 15/00 20060101
A46B015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 013 881.9 |
Sep 29, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 015 395.8 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
EP |
PCT/EP2006/001557 |
Claims
1. Washing device (18) designed for at least partial cleaning
and/or care and/or disinfection of a human foot, with at least one
plate-shaped base body (17) and at least one cleaning body (25)
connected to the base body (17), the cleaning body (25) being
designed for cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of at least
parts of the human foot, and the base body being arranged on the
ground.
2. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) and the cleaning body (25) are connected to one
another in a releasable manner.
3. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) can be connected to the ground in a releasable
manner and has a substantially non-slip underside.
4. Washing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the
underside of the base body (17) is provided with a large number of
securing means for securing the base body (17) to the ground and/or
in that the underside has a contour allowing it to be placed on the
ground in a manner secure against slipping.
5. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) and/or the cleaning body (25) is elastic or
foldable, and in that, preferably, the base body (17) can be folded
up together with the cleaning body (25).
6. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) has at least one opening (21) for draining off
liquid.
7. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) has at least one insertion area for the cleaning
body (25), the cleaning body (25) being able to be at least
partially inserted into the base body (17).
8. Washing device according to claim 1 one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the top face of the base body (17) and/or the
underside of the cleaning body (25) has a securing surface and/or
at least one securing means for securing the base body (17) to the
cleaning body (25) in a releasable manner.
9. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base body (17) and the cleaning body (25) are connected to one
another by a catch and/or clip and/or velcro connection and/or in
that a securing tape is provided for the connection.
10. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
cleaning body (25) has at least one cleaning means (29) on its top
face.
11. Washing device according to claim 10, characterized in that a
preferably compressed synthetic netting is provided as cleaning
means (29).
12. Washing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
cleaning means (29) is compressed to a length of 1:4 to 1:20, in
particular 1:5 to 1:18, and, in the compressed state, is connected
fixedly to the cleaning body (25).
13. Washing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the
cleaning means (29) and the cleaning body (25) are designed
integrally or in one piece, and in that the cleaning means (29) is
connected directly to the base body (17).
14. Washing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the
top face of the cleaning body-(25) is covered only partially with
one or more identical and/or different cleaning means and/or in
that an indent for at least a part of the foot is formed between
two adjacent cleaning bodies (25).
15. Washing device according to claim 10, characterized in that a
deep-pile fibre material is provided as cleaning means (29).
16. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that a
washing strap is provided for cleaning the instep.
17. Washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that a
lifting means designed for lifting the washing device (18) from the
ground is provided.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a washing device designed for at
least partial cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of a human
foot.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Many elderly, ill, disabled or overweight individuals
experience considerable problems in cleaning their own feet. The
cleaning often has to be done by a second person, since the
mobility or stability of these individuals is limited and in some
cases this makes cleaning their own feet quite impossible. In
addition, younger healthy individuals also find cleaning their own
feet generally unpleasant. The same problems arise in connection
with pedicure, which also requires sufficient mobility and
stability of the individual.
[0005] In addition, Muslims pray five times a day and, if possible,
are meant to wash their head, face, arms and feet before praying.
This ritual washing is for purification. The problem here is that,
especially in Arab or African countries, the traditional clothing
worn by worshippers makes cleaning their own feet difficult and
sometimes quite impossible. In this connection, female worshippers
are also not allowed to show bare feet in the presence of males,
which makes cleaning their feet still more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to make available a
washing device of the aforementioned type with which an individual
can easily and safely clean and care for his or her own feet,
without having to bend down or use their hands for cleaning the
feet.
[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved, in a
washing device of the aforementioned type, by the fact that at
least one plate-shaped base body and at least one cleaning body
connected to the base body are provided, the cleaning body being
designed for cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of at least
parts of the human foot, and the base body being arranged on the
ground. The washing device according to the invention makes it
possible easily to clean and/or care for and/or disinfect a foot by
moving it to and fro relative to the cleaning body, after the foot
has been placed on the washing device according to the invention.
In this way it is easy for individuals to wash their own feet
without using their hands. All that is required is for an
individual to place at least one foot on the washing device,
thereby setting the base body firmly against the ground, and then
to move the foot over the cleaning body so that cleaning and/or
care and/or disinfection of the foot takes place. This is of
advantage for sick and elderly individuals and facilitates the
ritual washing of feet in observing the conditions prescribed by
Islam. The base body and/or the cleaning body can in principle have
any shape and/or colour.
[0008] The cleaning body can be connected directly or indirectly to
the base body. In addition to simple cleaning, the cleaning body
also permits other functions in connection with the cleaning of the
feet, including, in addition to care and/or disinfection, also
drying the feet with the aid of the cleaning body. The washing
device according to the invention can additionally be provided as a
means of helping get into or out of a shower or a bath. The size of
the base body is in principle arbitrary, the base body can
preferably have a width of 150 mm to 250 mm and a length of 250 mm
to 400 mm. Likewise, the basic shape of the washing device is
arbitrary, for example the base body can have a foot shape.
[0009] To be able to replace a cleaning body after use or after
repeated use in order to wash it for hygiene reasons, it is
possible for the base body and the cleaning body to be connected to
one another in a releasable manner. In principle, it is of course
also possible to design the base body and the cleaning body in one
piece. The base body can be connected releasably to a support
structure and have a substantially non-slip underside. This makes
it possible to use the washing device irrespective of location. The
base body can preferably be designed for placing on the ground, but
in principle the washing device can also be secured with the base
body on a side wall of a bath tub, shower or the like. In this
case, the washing device according to the invention can be used not
just to clean the feet but also to clean other parts of the body,
for example for washing the back in a shower cubicle. The non-slip
underside of the base body ensures that the user has a stable
stance, in particular if the support surface is wet. In principle,
the base body can also be arranged fixedly in location and be
connected to a collecting vessel for wash water, so that during and
after washing of the feet the wash water runs from the washing
device via a suitable outlet into a collecting vessel or into the
sewage system. If the base body is arranged in a fixed position,
the cleaning body is preferably connected to the base body in a
detachable manner in order to be able to replace the cleaning body
on a regular basis for washing purposes and to be able to guarantee
a high level of hygiene.
[0010] For securing to the support surface, a large number of
securing means can be provided on the underside of the base body.
It is likewise possible for the underside to have a contour
allowing it to be positioned on the support surface in a manner
secure against slipping. In the simplest case, the securing means
can be provided in the form of suction cups which permit firm
suction, for example in suitable vessels, such as bath tubs or the
like. It is also possible to place the washing device on the
surface of a tub insert or a shower trough or the like. To use the
washing device in Muslim countries, a flat trough can be provided
in which one or more washing devices of the described type can be
fitted. Here, the washing device can be at least partially gold or
silver-coloured and have suitable ornamentation which is
aesthetically pleasing. The trough itself can have an inlet and
outlet for wash water. The wash water accumulating during washing
of the feet can then be collected directly and then disposed of,
which facilitates using the washing device according to the
invention in any desired location. In this connection, it is also
possible that the base plate as such is designed as a trough shape
or has a surrounding edge which extends above the cleaning body and
is provided for collecting the wash water.
[0011] The base body and/or the cleaning body can be elastic or
foldable. In principle, the base body can of course also be
designed as a rigid plate, the elastic design permitting adaptation
of the base body to a non-level support surface. The foldable
design of base body and/or cleaning body allows it to be easily
stowed away after use.
[0012] The base body can have an opening for draining off liquid, a
large number of openings preferably being provided. In addition,
the base body can be connected to an outlet for wash water, as has
already been mentioned.
[0013] The base body can have at least one insertion area for the
cleaning body, the cleaning body in this case being able to be
fitted at least partially or completely into the base body. For
example, the base body can have an insertion area for a sponge part
and/or a brush part. The cleaning body can be fitted with its
surface flush, in which case a frameless insertion area for the
cleaning body is preferably provided in the base body. This ensures
that when cleaning the foot it is not possible to injure the body
of the foot. The cleaning body can be pressed onto or into the base
body. In addition, it is possible for the cleaning body to be sewn,
welded or bonded to the base body.
[0014] For releasable securing of the base body to the cleaning
body, the top face of the base body and/or the underside of the
cleaning body can have a securing surface and/or at least one
securing means. For example, the top face of the base body and/or
the underside of the cleaning body can be ribbed, knurled, smoothed
or contoured in places, in order to connect the base body to the
cleaning body in a manner secure against slipping. Other
interacting securing means can also be provided. The underside of
the cleaning body can preferably be provided with a netting part
which interacts with knobs of the base body and thus avoids lateral
slipping of the cleaning body away from the base body during the
cleaning process. Other securing means arranged in opposite
directions on the base body and the cleaning body can also interact
in order to fix the cleaning body relative to the base body. It is
also possible for a plurality of cleaning bodies to be connected to
a common securing means, in which case the securing means as such
can in turn be connected to the base body. If, for example, the
securing means is provided in the form of a plastic netting that
hooks onto knobs on the base body during the washing process, a
large number of cleaning bodies can be fixedly connected to the
plastic netting. In this way, it is easily possible to release the
cleaning body or cleaning bodies from the base body after a
cleaning process and to clean and/or dry said cleaning body or
cleaning bodies. In addition, the cleaning body and the securing
means can be designed in one piece, in which case, for example, a
quick-drying synthetic textile is provided for securing to the base
body, for example via knobs of the base body, and, during the
washing process, serves as a cleaning means for the feet.
Otherwise, the securing means itself can be used for cleaning
and/or care of the foot. In this case, the securing means can be
provided in the form of a woven fabric and/or a synthetic netting
that permits cleaning of the feet.
[0015] It is also possible for the base body and the cleaning body
to be connected to one another by a catch and/or clip and/or velcro
connection. Form-fit and force-fit connections are possible here.
For example, the base body can be connected to the cleaning body
via press studs, a velcro tape fastener, corner straps, bands,
interacting edge beads of the base body and of the cleaning body,
or combinations of these. The important thing is that the cleaning
body does not change position relative to the base body during the
washing process, such that a secure stance of a user on the
cleaning body or the cleaning bodies is guaranteed.
[0016] For cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of the feet,
the top face of the cleaning body has at least one cleaning means.
The cleaning means can be provided in the form of sponges, brushes,
synthetic fibres, microfibres, or textiles, in particular synthetic
nets. The surface of the cleaning body can have a woven fabric or
fibrous coating and/or cleaning brushes, if appropriate of
different lengths and/or stiffness. Different cleaning means can
have a different hardness and/or a different water absorption
capacity. The cleaning means as such can be connected to the
cleaning body in a releasable manner. In principle, however, it is
also possible for the cleaning means to be connected fixedly to the
cleaning body. Here, an integral or one-piece design of the
cleaning body and cleaning means is conceivable. In the latter
case, the cleaning body as such represents a suitable cleaning
means, it being possible for the cleaning bodies to be provided in
the form of sponges, brushes, synthetic fibres, textiles, in
particular synthetic nettings, which are connected on the underside
to the base body. Furthermore, different cleaning means can be
arranged alongside one another in order to satisfy different
purposes. For example, massage sponges or the like can be provided
along the edges on the base body, whereas, in the inner area of the
cleaning body, cleaning means for washing the feet are provided.
The cleaning means can be sewn, knotted, bonded, welded or pressed
onto the cleaning body. The cleaning means and if appropriate the
cleaning body are preferably fully washable, quick-drying and
easily replaceable. Different designs of cleaning means can be used
for different applications of the washing device according to the
invention, in which case the cleaning means can be connected to the
cleaning body in such a way as to be exchangeable. For example, the
cleaning means can have a different hardness and/or a different
water absorption or storage capacity. For example, cleaning means
can be provided for cleaning the feet with water, and other
cleaning means can be provided for treating the feet with a cream
or the like. If the cleaning body has a large number of cleaning
means, these can be arranged over one another and/or alongside one
another. For example, decorations or patterns can be formed by
arrangement of the cleaning means on a cleaning body, in which case
the cleaning means can have different colours. The cleaning means
should be soft enough to allow a user to find the cleaning process
a pleasant one. Moreover, the cleaning means must ensure a secure
tread, thereby reducing the risk of accidents during the washing
process.
[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a preferably
compressed synthetic netting is provided as the cleaning means. The
synthetic netting can be secured, preferably sewn, onto the
cleaning body in a gathered, folded or twisted form in a
longitudinal, transverse, diagonal, circular or zigzag shape. A
plurality of adjacent synthetic nettings can also be connected to
the cleaning body. In this context, it is also possible for one
respective cleaning body to be fixedly connected to one cleaning
netting and for a plurality of cleaning means to be connected to a
common securing means in order to connect the cleaning bodies to
the base body. Compressed synthetic nettings have the advantage
that they offer a large surface area for substance exchange, which
contributes to particularly intensive and thorough cleaning of the
feet in the cleaning process.
[0018] In the last-mentioned embodiment, the compressed synthetic
netting can have a compression ratio of from 1:4 to 1:20 with
respect to the original length. The synthetic netting can be
fixedly connected in the compressed state to the cleaning body. In
this way, a particularly large surface area for substance exchange
is made available for the cleaning process.
[0019] To permit cleaning of the feet that provides even more sense
of well-being, the top face of the cleaning body can be covered
only partially with one or more cleaning means, in which case,
preferably, an indent area for at least a part of the foot is
formed between two adjacent cleaning means. It is of course
likewise possible for a plurality of cleaning bodies to be
connected to the base body in such a way that an indent area for at
least a part of the foot is formed between the cleaning bodies. In
principle, the cleaning means can of course also be distributed
across the entire surface of the cleaning body.
[0020] A deep-pile fibre material can be provided as the cleaning
means. This makes it possible, for example, to also use the washing
device as a foot drier. In this connection, it is possible for the
cleaning body to be made larger than the base body, which permits
easy drying of the feet. The base body can be folded up together
with the cleaning body and with the cleaning means in order to save
space and for easier storage.
[0021] In addition, the washing device according to the invention
can have a washing strap for cleaning the instep. This strap can be
made of textile and preferably elastic woven fabric and be secured
to the base body and/or to the cleaning body by eyelets, hooks,
velcro tapes, press studs or fabric tapes. The washing strap can be
designed in one or more pieces. The inside of the washing strap can
have at least one cleaning means, preferably a cleaning means of
the type already described, for cleaning and/or care and/or
disinfection of the instep. In addition, the washing strap and the
one or more cleaning means can be made of the same material and if
appropriate can be designed in one piece. In every case, the
washing strap must not adversely affect the secure stance of a user
on the washing device.
[0022] To lift the base body and/or cleaning body from the support
surface, a lifting means is preferably provided which can be
connected fixedly or releasably to the washing device. For example,
after the cleaning process, the washing device can be lifted from
the ground with a band or with a cord or with a rod-shaped lifting
means. This makes it easier to take hold of the washing device
without a user of the washing device having to bend down after the
washing process. The rod-shaped lifting means can additionally be
used as a support during the washing process. To permit stable
holding of the washing device during the cleaning process, securing
arrangements for at least one lifting means can be provided on
opposite and on other sides. For example, a cord can be secured on
three of four sides of a quadrilateral base body in order to be
able to hold the washing device during the cleaning process and
secure it in a fixed position. The washing device can additionally
have securing means which, after the washing device has been lifted
from the ground, allow it to be secured on a side wall, for example
in the inside of a shower cubicle.
[0023] The washing device according to the invention can also be
used in public swimming baths or the like as a disinfection device,
in which case the cleaning means can be impregnated with a
disinfectant. For example, an impregnated sponge or woven fabric
can be provided as the cleaning means. The washing device should in
this case preferably have such large dimensions that it is not
possible for people in the swimming baths to bypass the washing
device. For example the washing device can be arranged on the floor
in the area of a door of a public swimming pool, so that persons
entering or leaving the swimming pool area necessarily have their
feet disinfected on walking through the washing device.
[0024] There are in fact many possible ways of embodying and
developing the washing device according to the invention, reference
being made in this connection to the following detailed description
of a preferred illustrative embodiment shown in the drawing, in
which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a base body of a
washing device according to the invention, and
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a washing
device according to the invention, with the base body represented
in FIG. 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0027] In FIG. 1, a base body 17 is shown that forms part of a
washing device 18 represented in FIG. 2, which washing device 18
can be provided for cleaning and/or care and/or disinfection of the
human foot. The base body 17 shown in FIG. 1 has knobs 19 on the
top face, suction cups 20 on the underside, and otherwise a large
number of openings 21. In addition, a band 22 is secured to the
base body, with which band 22 the base body 17 can be lifted from
the ground and hung on a wall. For this purpose, the band 22 has
two loops 23, 24, the loop 23 being provided at the end of the band
22 and the loop 24 being provided more or less at the middle of the
band 22. The loops 23, 24 are secured to the band 22 and allow the
band 22 to be hung at two positions on a hook, which is secured for
example on a wall of a shower cubicle.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the washing device 18 in the operating state.
In the present case, three cleaning bodies 25 are connected to the
base body 17, said cleaning bodies 25 being sewn onto a netting 26.
The netting 26 has at each of the corners an insertion area 27 into
which the corners of the base body 17 engage when the netting 26 is
drawn onto the base body 17. The netting 26 has a honeycomb
structure, such that when the washing device 18 is being used the
knobs 19 of the base body 17 engage in the honeycombs of the
netting 26. This rules out any possibility of the netting 26, and
thus of the cleaning bodies 25 connected to the netting 26,
shifting relative to the base body 17 during the washing
process.
[0029] Although the washing device 18 in FIG. 2 has three cleaning
bodies 25, it is also possible to provide more or fewer and/or
different cleaning bodies 25. For example, mesh, brush and fibre
materials can be arranged alongside one another in order to perform
different types of cleaning and foot care functions. The cleaning
body 25 has two reinforcement areas 28, which can be provided for
sewing the cleaning body 25 to the netting 26. The reinforcement
areas 28 also ensure a greater stability of the cleaning body 25.
In principle, a cleaning body 25 can also have more than two
reinforcement areas 28 or have no reinforcement areas 28 at
all.
[0030] In the present embodiment, each cleaning body 25 is sewn
onto a cleaning means 29, said cleaning means 29 being a tube of a
synthetic netting which, in a multiply compressed state, is sewn
fixedly onto the cleaning body 25. It will be understood that the
synthetic netting extends over the entire length of the cleaning
body in the embodiment shown. A textile mix of netting and
microfibres, bristles and sponges can also be used as cleaning
bodies 25. The cleaning bodies 25 are arranged relative to one
another in such a way that, between two adjacent cleaning bodies
25, an indent for at least a part of a foot (not shown) is formed
which, during the washing process, reaches at least partially into
the area between the adjacent cleaning bodies 25 and between
adjacent cleaning means 29. The cleaning means 29 and the
particular type of arrangement of the cleaning bodies 25 on the
base body 17 guarantees a high degree of cleaning when washing the
feet. The cleaning process is additionally improved by the very
high specific surface area of the compressed synthetic netting.
Moreover, it will be noted that for the sake of simplicity the
cleaning body 25 and the band 22 provided for lifting the base body
17 up can be designed identically. The cleaning body 25 and the
band 22 can be synthetic lattices in which the reinforcement areas
28 can contribute to greater stiffness of the synthetic
lattice.
[0031] In addition, instead of a tubular synthetic netting, the
cleaning means 29 can also be a synthetic netting that has been
folded up several times. The base body 17 can be a flexible
synthetic mat having sufficient elasticity to allow it to be placed
secure against slipping on a support surface or on the ground, even
an undulating support surface. Moreover, provision can be made to
secure the cleaning means 29 directly to the base body.
[0032] The result is that the whole of the washing device 18
depicted here can be stepped onto and ensures complete safety, thus
minimizing the risk of accidents. The figures do not show how the
washing device 18 can be connected to a washing strap for washing
the instep. The washing strap can be made of textile fabric and be
secured with eyelets, hooks, velcro tapes, press studs, buttons or
fabric tapes to the washing device 18. Direct connection to the
washing device 18 is also possible. The washing strap can be made
at least partially of an elastic material and, if appropriate, can
be produced from one continuous section. On the inside, the washing
strap can have the cleaning means already described. The washing
strap is secured to the washing device 18 in such a way as not to
compromise a non-slip stance on the washing device 18.
* * * * *