US20090159092A1

US20090159092A1 - Scrubbing device

Info

Publication number: US20090159092A1
Application number: US11/702,042
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilfredo R. Munoz; Eugenio Perez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-05
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2009-06-25

Abstract

A scrubbing device that includes a heel-shaped, plastic box that is attached to the floor within a bathtub or shower stall by the use of adhesive backing, and furthermore, includes an area available through the top surface of the box on which the individual could scrub and exfoliate a portion of their foot. The scrubbing area has an ovaloid shape to accommodate approximately the rear half of an individual's foot. An abrasive scrubbing material, pumice stone, or file-like material covers the surface of the scrubbing area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns that of a new and improved scrubbing device that includes a heel-shaped, plastic box that is attached to the floor within a bathtub or shower stall by the use of adhesive backing, and furthermore, includes an area available through the top surface of the box on which the individual could scrub and exfoliate a portion of their foot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 2,591,331, issued to Baumbach, discloses a foot brush which is attached to a surface by suction cups.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,917, issued to Miller, discloses a foot hygiene device which provides a scrubbing force to a ventral surface of the foot upon movement of the foot.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,829, issued to Simpson, teaches a personal hygiene device used for cleaning the hands or feet of a user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,490, issued to Dyas, teaches a foot brush for cleaning or scrubbing a user's feet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,858, issued to Riffel, teaches a foot-scrubbing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns that of a new and improved scrubbing device that includes a heel-shaped, plastic box that is attached to the floor within a bathtub or shower stall by the use of adhesive backing, and furthermore, includes an area available through the top surface of the box on which the individual could scrub and exfoliate a portion of their foot. The scrubbing area has an ovaloid shape to accommodate approximately the rear half of an individual's foot. An abrasive scrubbing material, pumice stone, or file-like material covers the surface of the scrubbing area.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of a scrubbing device that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the scrubbing device that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the scrubbing device in detail, it is to be understood that the scrubbing device is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The scrubbing device is capable of other embodiments and 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 descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present scrubbing device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a scrubbing device which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a scrubbing device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a scrubbing device which is of durable and reliable construction.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a scrubbing device which is economically affordable and available for relevant market segment of the purchasing public.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the scrubbing device.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing device.

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the scrubbing device.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the scrubbing device as it would appear in use.

FIG. 5 shows a rear end view of the scrubbing device as it would appear in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new scrubbing device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 2 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the scrubbing device 2 comprises a box 4 that has two surfaces comprising an upper surface 6 and a lower surface 8. The box 4 has four upper corners 10, which are rounded, and four lower corners 12, which are not rounded and remain pointed. The box 4 can be made from a variety of materials but preferably is manufactured from plastic 5.
The upper surface 6 of the box 4 has an ovaloid cutout 14 that travels into the box 4. The cutout 14 also has rounded edges 16 and includes a scrubbing surface 18 on it. The cutout 14 has an ovaloid shape to more closely approximate the actual shape of the rear half of an individuals' foot. The scrubbing surface 18 can be fabricated from a wide variety of scrubbing materials, but preferably is fabricated from either pumice stone 20 or a file-like material 22.
The lower surface of the box has an adhesive backing 24 on it. This adhesive backing 24 is normally covered up by a cover 26 prior to using the scrubbing device 2. However, once it is desired to use the scrubbing device 2, an individual would then remove the cover 26 and placed the adhesive backing 24 against a floor surface 28, with the floor surface 28 preferably being in a shower or bathtub.
In use, an individual would first pour an amount of soap onto the scrubbing surface 18 on the cutout 14. Then, the individual would place his or her heel onto the scrubbing surface 18 and twist their heel from side to side. The scrubbing surface 18 present would help to scrub the bottom of the person's inserted heel, to remove any unwanted calluses from the inserted heel, and to smooth out the inserted heel.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A scrubbing device comprising:

(a) a container, the container having two surfaces comprising an upper surface and a lower surface,

(b) means for allowing an individual to scrub their heel on the container, and

(c) means for attaching the lower surface of the container to a floor surface.

2. A scrubbing device according to claim 1 wherein the container further comprises

(a) a box,

(b) wherein the box has four upper corners, and

(c) further wherein the box has four lower corners.

3. A scrubbing device according to claim 2 wherein the upper corners on the box are rounded.

4. A scrubbing device according to claim 3 wherein the means for allowing an individual to scrub their heel on the container further comprises

(a) a cutout located on the upper surface of the box, and

(b) a scrubbing surface located on the cutout.

5. A scrubbing device according to claim 4 wherein the cutout located on the upper surface of the box has an ovaloid shape.

6. A scrubbing device according to claim 5 wherein the ovaloid cutout further comprises rounded edges.

7. A scrubbing device according to claim 6 wherein the means for attaching the lower surface of the container to a floor surface further comprises

(a) an adhesive backing attached to the lower surface of the container,

(b) a cover covering the adhesive backing,

(c) a floor surface,

(d) wherein the cover is removed from the adhesive backing and the adhesive backing is placed against the floor surface.

8. A scrubbing device according to claim 7 wherein the box is fabricated from plastic.

9. A scrubbing device according to claim 7 wherein the scrubbing material is a pumice stone.

10. A scrubbing device according to claim 7 wherein the scrubbing material is a file-like material.