FOOT DRYING AND / OR DISINFECTION DEVICE
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023000986
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-02
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR DRYING AND / OR DISINFECTING FEET TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hygiene and more particularly concerns foot hygiene.
[0002] Foot hygiene can be particularly critical in humid and / or hot areas, for example in collective facilities such as swimming pools or spas, or in the context of nautical activities in which users are often asked to walk barefoot on the deck of the sailboat or yacht.
[0003] The heat in a person's shoes and the possible perspiration of their feet cause the presence of bacteria and germs that are not desirable to spread on the floors after the user has taken off their shoes.
[0004] Various devices for drying and / or disinfecting feet are known, generally comprising a frame extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end, the frame comprising: - laying means defining a laying plane (generally horizontal) to rest on the ground, - an internal cavity extending in the longitudinal direction from the rear end of the frame and towards the front end of the frame, and open at the rear end of the frame, - in the internal cavity, support means intended to receive the lower face of at least one foot of a user, - drying means and / or disinfection means.
[0005] The support means generally consist of a support plane parallel to the laying plane, i.e. horizontal. The user climbs onto the support plane and stands upright.
[0006] When the user places both feet on the support surface or transfers all of his weight to his single foot placed on the support surface (standing on one foot), the support means take up the entire weight of the user. It is then necessary to size the support means (and consequently the frame and the entire foot drying and / or disinfection device) to support without degradation the maximum weight that a user can have. The foot drying and / or disinfection device is then significantly heavier, to the point where it cannot be easily transported by hand. However, it is important to have a foot drying and / or disinfection device foot infection with reduced size and weight so that it can be easily transported for use in multiple locations. This is the case, for example, in the context of nautical activities, where a drying and / or disinfection device must be able to be quickly and easily placed on a quay before being removed in the evening and / or on the day when the boat leaves the quay. Statement of the invention
[0007] A problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a drying and / or disinfection device designed to limit the risks of being damaged by the weight of a user, while comfortably accommodating the feet of a user to dry and / or disinfect them.
[0008] At the same time, the invention aims to provide such a drying and / or disinfection device which is easily transportable by hand.
[0009] To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a device for drying and / or disinfecting feet, comprising a frame extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end, the frame comprising: - laying means defining a laying plane to rest on the ground, - an internal cavity extending in the longitudinal direction from the rear end of the frame and towards the front end of the frame, and open at the rear end of the frame, - in the internal cavity, support means intended to receive the lower face of at least one foot of a user, - drying means and / or disinfection means; according to the invention, the support means define an ascending support plane in the direction of the front end of the frame, forming with the laying plane an angle of between 10 and 40 degrees, and preferably between 15 and 30 degrees.
[0010] With such support means, a user tends to move a single foot to be treated forward to place it on the support plane, while keeping his other leg vertical and backward. In this way, the other vertical leg supports the majority of his weight. And if the support plane has a sufficient width to accommodate two feet, the user does not engage both feet on the support plane unless seated, and the majority of his weight then rests on the seat on which he is seated. The foot drying and / or disinfecting device thus has a lower risk of being damaged by the weight of a user, while comfortably accommodating the feet of a user to dry and / or disinfect them thanks to an ergonomically acceptable placement angle.
[0011] The user can only apply a reduced part of his weight on the plane of support, the foot drying and / or disinfection device can be sized to be less mechanically resistant, therefore lighter and more easily transportable.
[0012] Preferably, the foot drying and / or disinfecting device may comprise an upper front stop, offset away from the resting plane so as to limit the advance of the leg towards the front end. Such an upper front stop forces the user to tilt his leg backwards, which effectively limits the risks of the user transferring the majority of his weight onto the foot which is placed on the support means.
[0013] In practice, to limit the weight that the user can transfer to the support means, it can be provided that: - the support means extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end, the first end being closer to the rear end of the frame, - the upper front stop and the first end of the support means are substantially located in the same transverse plane perpendicular to the laying plane.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the internal cavity may have, in the vicinity of the rear end of the frame, a maximum width of between 160 mm and 200 mm. Such a width makes it possible to effectively limit the risks of a user simultaneously inserting both feet into the internal cavity.
[0015] Preferably, the drying means may comprise first ventilation means, arranged at an anterior end of the internal cavity and oriented so as to generate and direct a first air flow mainly towards the posterior end of the frame. The drying means thus direct the first air flow firstly onto the user's toe region, the region which is the most important to be treated.
[0016] Advantageously, the first ventilation means may comprise at least one first fan oriented so as to generate and direct the first air flow towards the rear end of the frame and the laying plane, preferably in a first flow direction forming an angle of between 5 and 20 degrees with the laying plane. Such an orientation of the first fan makes it possible to effectively limit the risks of fouling the first fan, in particular by possible runoff into the internal cavity. And such an orientation makes it possible to arrange the first fan so that the first air flow simultaneously treats the bottom and the top of the foot: a part of the first air flow is directed below the support means (to dry the bottom of the foot) while another part of the first air flow is directed above the support means (to dry the top of the foot).
[0017] Preferably, the drying means may comprise second ventilation means, arranged in the upper part of the internal cavity and oriented so as to generate and direct a second air flow mainly in the direction of the laying plane of the frame. The second ventilation means make it possible to dry the top of the foot even better. Furthermore, in the case where a disinfectant product is sprayed into the internal cavity, the second air flow makes it possible to prevent said disinfectant product from being too easily ejected from the internal cavity, and makes it possible to fold it back in the direction of the foot.
[0018] Advantageously, the second ventilation means may comprise at least one second fan oriented so as to generate and direct the second air flow towards the laying plane of the frame and the rear end of the frame, preferably in a second flow direction forming with the laying plane an angle of between 70 and 85 degrees.
[0019] Preferably, the internal cavity may be delimited in its lower part by a lower plate arranged between the support means and the laying means, and preferably inclined towards the rear end of the frame. Such a lower plate makes it possible to prevent the air flows generated by the drying means from carrying dirt on the floor into suspension in the internal cavity. And when a disinfectant product is sprayed into the internal cavity, the lower plate makes it possible to collect any excess disinfectant product to prevent it from ending up in the floor.
[0020] Advantageously, the air sucked in by the first and / or second ventilation means can be sucked in from the front end and / or from the sides of the frame. This effectively limits the risk that the air sucked in and then projected onto the user's foot by the first and / or second ventilation means carries polluting particles sucked in from the ground in the immediate environment of the device.
[0021] Preferably, the disinfection means may comprise means for spraying a disinfectant solution, preferably a hydroalcoholic disinfectant solution.
[0022] Advantageously, the spraying means may comprise at least one spray nozzle spraying the disinfectant solution primarily towards the rear end of the frame, and preferably from the front end of the internal cavity. The spraying means thus direct the sprayed disinfectant solution first onto the user's toe region, which is the most important region to be treated.
[0023] Preferably, it can be provided that: - the support means extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end, the first end being closer to the rear end of the frame, - the foot drying and / or disinfection device comprises proximity sensor detection means located in the vicinity of the second end of the support means, capable of generating a presence signal when a foot is engaged in the internal cavity and at a distance from the proximity sensor which is less than a predetermined distance, - control means are arranged so as to control the operation of the drying means and / or the disinfection means upon receipt of a presence signal emitted by the detection means.
[0024] Advantageously, the proximity sensor may be an infrared radiation sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Such a sensor is robust and reliable despite possible spraying of disinfectant solution into the internal cavity.
[0025] Preferably, the support means may have an openwork structure, preferably comprising a plurality of transverse bars. An openwork structure promotes good air circulation all around the foot, and good accessibility to the foot (including underneath) for better treatment.
[0026] Advantageously, the device for drying and / or disinfecting feet may comprise drying means and disinfection means, and during its operation, a disinfection step is carried out before a drying step. This allows time for the disinfectant solution to settle on the user's foot before drying.
[0027] Preferably, the foot drying and / or disinfection device may include an on-board electric battery for supplying energy to the drying means and / or the disinfection means. The device can thus easily be used anywhere, without having to be connected to an electrical outlet.
[0028] Advantageously, to increase its autonomy, the foot drying and / or disinfection device may include a photovoltaic panel and means for recharging the electric battery. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:
[0030] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a drying and / or de-drying device foot infection according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
[0031] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the device of [Fig.l];
[0032] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a top view of the device of [Fig.l];
[0033] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a front view of the device of [Fig.l];
[0034] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal and side sectional view of the device of [Fig.l]. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] When identical reference numerals are used in several figures, embodiments or variants of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the figures, embodiments or variants.
[0036] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a device 1 for drying and disinfecting feet according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
[0037] This device 1 for drying and disinfecting feet comprises a frame 2 extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction II between a front end 2a and a rear end 2b. The frame 2 also comprises laying means 3 (figures 2, 4 and 5) defining a laying plane P for resting on the ground. Here, the laying means 3 comprise four pads 3a to 3d.
[0038] The frame 2 comprises an internal cavity 4, extending in the longitudinal direction II from the rear end 2b of the frame 2 and towards the front end 2a of the frame 2, and open at the rear end 2b of the frame 2.
[0039] In the internal cavity 4, there are support means 5 intended to receive the lower face of at least one foot 6 of a user as support ([Fig.5]).
[0040] The frame 2 comprises both drying means 7 and disinfection means 8, so that the device 1 is a device for drying and disinfecting feet. Alternatively, the frame 2 could comprise only drying means 7 (it would then be a drying device 1), or could comprise only disinfection means 8 (it would then be a disinfection device 1).
[0041] It can be seen more particularly in [Fig. 5] that the support means 5 define a support plane PS ascending in the direction of the front end 2a of the frame 2, forming with the laying plane P an angle Al of between 10 and 40 degrees, and preferably between 15 and 30 degrees.
[0042] An upper front stop 9, offset away from (above) the resting plane P, limits the advance of the leg 10 towards the front end 2a, and forces the user to tilt his leg 10 backwards. The upper front stop 9 thus effectively limits the risks of the user transferring the majority of his weight onto the foot 6 which is placed on the support means 5. The upper front stop 9 is also slightly offset away from the rear end 2b.
[0043] In [Fig.5], we observe that the upper front stop 9 forces the user to maintain an angle of approximately 90 degrees between his foot 6 and his leg 10.
[0044] More specifically: - the support means 5 extend longitudinally between a first end 5a and a second end 5b, the first end 5a being closer to the rear end 2b of the frame 2, - the upper front stop 9 and the first end 5a of the support means 5 are substantially located in the same transverse plane PT perpendicular to the laying plane P.
[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the internal cavity 4 has a slight taper with a cross-section that decreases slightly towards the front end 2a of the frame 2. The internal cavity 4 has, in the vicinity of the rear end 2b of the frame 2, a maximum width L of between 160 mm and 200 mm in order to effectively limit the risks of a user inserting two feet into the internal cavity.
[0046] The drying means 7 comprise first ventilation means 11, arranged at a front end 4a of the internal cavity 4 and oriented so as to generate and direct a first air flow mainly towards the rear end 2b of the frame 2. The drying means 7 thus direct the first air flow firstly onto the user's toe region, the region which is the most important to treat.
[0047] More precisely, it can be seen in [Fig. 5] that the first ventilation means 11 comprise a first fan 12 oriented so as to generate and direct a first air flow towards the rear end 2b of the frame 2 and the laying plane P, preferably in a first flow direction ILII forming with the laying plane P an angle A2 of between 5 and 20 degrees.
[0048] The angle A2 makes it possible to effectively limit the risks of fouling of the first fan 12, in particular by possible runoff of liquids present in the internal cavity 4. Such an orientation also makes it possible to arrange the first fan 12 in such a way that a part of the first air flow is directed below the support means (to dry the underside of the foot) while another part of the first air flow is directed above the support means (to dry the top of the foot). For this, the first fan 12 is placed in such a way that its axis of rotation (merged with the average direction II-II of the first air flow) passes in the vicinity of the second end 5b of the support means.
[0049] The drying means 7 further comprise second ventilation means 13, arranged in the upper part of the internal cavity 4 and oriented so as to generate and direct a second air flow mainly in the direction of the laying plane P of the frame 2. The second ventilation means 13 make it possible to dry the top of the foot 6 even better.
[0050] More precisely, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the second ventilation means 13 comprise at least one second fan 14 oriented so as to generate and direct a second air flow towards the laying plane P of the frame 2 and from the rear end 2b of the frame 2, preferably according to a second flow direction III-III forming with the laying plane P an angle A3 of between 70 and 85 degrees.
[0051] It can be seen more particularly in [Fig. 5] that the internal cavity 4 is delimited in its lower part by a lower plate 15 arranged between the support means 5 and the laying means 3. The lower plate 15 is inclined towards the rear end 2b of the frame 2. The lower plate 15 makes it possible to prevent the air flows generated by the drying means 7 from carrying dirt on the floor into suspension in the internal cavity 4. The lower plate 15 also makes it possible to collect any runoff of liquids that may be found in the internal cavity 4.
[0052] As is more particularly illustrated in [Fig. 3] using flow lines 16a to 16c, the air sucked in by the first 11 and / or second 13 ventilation means is sucked in from the front end 2b (flow 16a) and / or from the sides of the frame 2 (flows 16b and 16c). This effectively limits the risk that the air sucked in and then projected onto the user's foot 6 by the first 11 and / or second 13 ventilation means carries polluting particles sucked in from the ground in the immediate environment of the device 1.
[0053] The disinfection means 8 comprise means 17 for spraying a disinfectant solution stored in a reservoir 18. Preferably, the disinfectant solution is a hydro-alcoholic disinfectant solution.
[0054] The spraying means 17 comprise in this case four spray nozzles 19 ([Fig.4]) supplied from the reservoir 18 by a pump 18a to spray the disinfectant solution mainly towards the rear end 2b of the frame 2, and preferably from the front end 4a of the internal cavity 4. The spraying means 17 thus direct the sprayed disinfectant solution first onto the user's toe region, the region which is the most important to be treated.
[0055] In [Fig.5], we see more particularly that: - the device 1 comprises detection means 20 with proximity sensor 21 located in the vicinity of the second end 5b of the support means 5, capable of generating a presence signal when a foot 6 is engaged in the internal cavity 4 and at a distance from the proximity sensor 21 which is less than a predetermined distance, - control means 22 are arranged so as to control the operation of the drying means 7 and / or the disinfection means 8 upon receipt of a presence signal emitted by the detection means 20.
[0056] The proximity sensor 21 is here an infrared radiation sensor, or a ultrasonic sensor, therefore not very sensitive to variations in the humidity of the air contained in the internal cavity 4, humidity induced by the spraying of the disinfectant solution.
[0057] As more particularly visible in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the support means 5 have an openwork structure, preferably comprising a plurality of transverse bars 23. The openwork structure promotes good circulation of air all around the foot, and good accessibility to the foot (including underneath) for better treatment.
[0058] As explained above, the device 1 simultaneously comprises drying means 7 and disinfection means 8 and is therefore a device 1 for drying and disinfecting feet. During its operation, a disinfection step is carried out before a drying step.
[0059] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the device 1 comprises an on-board electric battery 24 making it possible to supply energy to the drying means 7 and the disinfection means 8.
[0060] A photovoltaic panel 25 and recharging means make it possible to recharge the electric battery 24, or to complete its recharging from the energy captured by the photovoltaic panel 25.
[0061] When using the device 1, a user engages a foot 6 in the internal cavity 4 from the rear end 2b of the frame 2 by directing it towards the front end 2a of the frame 2. The relatively reduced maximum width L of the internal cavity 4 in the vicinity of the rear end 2b of the frame 2 dissuades the user from engaging both feet simultaneously (in any case for an adult having a weight which would be likely to damage the device 1 if it were applied mainly or entirely on the support means 5).
[0062] When his foot 6 enters the internal cavity 4, the leg 10 (and more particularly the tibia) of the user comes to bear against the upper front stop 9 which limits the advance of the leg 10 in the direction of the front end 2a. The user then places his foot 6 on the support means 5 and cannot tilt his leg 10 in the direction of the front end 2a: the angle A1, preferably combined with the upper front stop 9, then forces the user to transfer the majority of his weight onto his other leg.
[0063] Once the foot 6 is placed on the support means 5, it is detected by the proximity sensor 21 of the detection means 20 which generates a presence signal. The control means 22 receive the presence signal emitted by the detection means 20, and control the operation of the drying means 7 and the disinfection means 8 upon receipt of a presence signal emitted by the detection means 20.
[0064] In this case, firstly, the operation of the disinfection means 8 is first controlled: the four spray nozzles 19 ([Fig.4]) of the spray means 17 spray the disinfectant solution onto the foot 6, and firstly onto the user's toe region.
[0065] In a second stage, after a first predetermined time interval deemed adequate to allow the disinfectant solution to spread over the foot 6 and to carry out its disinfectant action, the control means 22 stop the operation of the disinfection means 8 then control the operation of the drying means 7.
[0066] The first fan 12 generates a first air flow in the first flow direction II-II, and the orientation and relative arrangement of the first fan 12 with respect to the support means 5 are such that a portion of the first air flow is directed below the support means 5 (to dry the underside of the foot 6) while another portion of the first air flow is directed above the support means 5 (to dry the top of the foot 6). Drying the underside of the foot 6 is made more efficient by the openwork structure of the support means 5 (with transverse bars 23).
[0067] The second fan 14 generates a second air flow in the second flow direction III-III. The second air flow makes it possible to dry the top of the foot 6 even better, and also makes it possible to push the first air flow downwards, which creates turbulence enveloping the foot 6 in the internal cavity 4 and makes it possible to prevent the disinfectant product (suspended in the air contained in the internal cavity 4) from being too easily ejected from the internal cavity 4.
[0068] The lower plate 15 makes it possible to prevent the air flows generated by the drying means 7 from carrying dirt on the floor into suspension in the internal cavity 4. The lower plate 15 also makes it possible to collect any runoff of liquids that may be in the internal cavity 4, in particular droplets of disinfectant solution that have not reached the foot 6.
[0069] After a second predetermined time interval deemed adequate to allow the drying means 7 to properly dry the foot 6, the control means 22 stop the operation of the drying means 7. The user can then remove his treated foot 6.
[0070] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
Claims
1. Device (1) for drying feet (6), and optionally for disinfecting feet (6), comprising a frame (2) extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction (II) between a front end (2a) and a rear end (2b), the frame (2) comprising: - laying means (3) defining a laying plane (P) for resting on the ground, - an internal cavity (4) extending in the longitudinal direction (II) from the rear end (2b) of the frame (2) and towards the front end (2a) of the frame (2), and open at the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), - in the internal cavity (4), support means (5) intended to receive in support the lower face of at least one foot (6) of a user, - drying means (7), and optionally disinfection means (8),said drying means (7) comprising first ventilation means (11) arranged at a front end (4a) of the internal cavity (4) and oriented so as to generate and direct a first air flow mainly in the direction of the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), characterized in that: - the support means (5) define a support plane (PS) ascending in the direction of the front end (2a) of the frame (2) by forming with the laying plane (P) an angle (Al) of between 10 and 40 degrees, and preferably between 15 and 30 degrees,- the first ventilation means (11) comprise at least one first fan (12) oriented so as to generate and direct the first air flow towards the rear end (2b) of the frame (2) and the laying plane (P) so that a part of the first air flow is directed below the support plane (PS) of the support means (5) while another part of the first air flow is directed above the support plane (PS) of the support means (5).,
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an upper front stop (9), offset away from the laying plane (P) so as to limit the advance of the leg (10) in the direction of the front end (2a).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: - the support means (5) extend longitudinally between a first end (5a) and a second end (5b), the first end (5a) being closer to the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), - the upper front stop (9) and the first end (5a) of the support means (5) are substantially located in the same transverse plane (PT) perpendicular to the laying plane (P).
4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal cavity (4) has, in the vicinity of the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), a maximum width (L) of between 160 mm and 200 mm.
5. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one first fan (12) is oriented so as to generate and direct the first air flow towards the rear end (2b) of the frame (2) and the laying plane (P) according to a first flow direction (II-II) forming with the laying plane (P) an angle (A2) of between 5 and 20 degrees.
6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drying means (7) comprise second ventilation means (13), arranged in the upper part of the internal cavity (4) and oriented so as to generate and direct a second air flow mainly in the direction of the laying plane (P) of the frame (2).
7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second ventilation means (13) comprise at least one second fan (14) oriented so as to generate and direct the second air flow towards the laying plane (P) of the frame (2) and the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), preferably in a second flow direction (III-III) forming with the laying plane (P) an angle (A3) of between 70 and 85 degrees.
8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the internal cavity (4) is delimited in its lower part by a lower plate (15) arranged between the support means (5) and the laying means (3), and preferably inclined towards the rear end (2b) of the frame (2).
9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the air sucked in by the first (11) and / or second (13) ventilation means is sucked in from the front end (2a) and / or from the sides of the frame (2).
10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the disinfection means (8) comprise means (17) for spraying a disinfectant solution, preferably a hydro-alcoholic disinfectant solution.
11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the spraying means (17) comprise at least one spraying nozzle (19) spraying the disinfectant solution mainly towards the rear end (2b) of the frame (2), and preferably from the front end (4a) of the internal cavity (4).
12. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: - the support means (5) extend longitudinally between a first end (5a) and a second end (5b), the first end (5a) being closer to the rear end (5b) of the frame (2), - the device (1) for drying and / or disinfecting feet comprises detection means (20) with a proximity sensor (21) located in the vicinity of the second end (5b) of the support means (5), capable of generating a presence signal when a foot (6) is engaged in the internal cavity (4) and at a distance from the proximity sensor (21) which is less than a predetermined distance, - control means (22) are arranged so as to control the operation of the drying means (7) and / or the disinfection means (8) upon receipt of a presence signal emitted by the detection means (20).
13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the proximity sensor (21) is an infrared radiation sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.
14. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the support means (5) have an openwork structure, preferably comprising a plurality of transverse bars (23).
15. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises drying means (7) and disinfection means (8), and in that, during its operation, a disinfection step is carried out before a drying step.
16. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an on-board electric battery (24) allowing the drying means (7) and / or the disinfection means (8) to be supplied.
17. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a photovoltaic panel (25) and means for recharging the electric battery (24).