Abstract:
A cover for a pedicure spa containing an automatic sanitation apparatus is disclosed. When activated, the cover automatically sprays disinfectant in a circular motion from a nozzle on the bottom of the cover. The interior surfaces of the pedicure basin are treated with the disinfectant solution. The pedicure basin is thereby efficiently and thoroughly sanitized.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/177,251, filed May 11, 2009 and titled “Automatic Sanitation System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Spas are well known for use in facilitating comfort and relaxation. Pedicure spas specifically allow for treatment and comfort of the feet of a person in addition to receiving other incorporated services. Spa basins must be thoroughly cleaned after every use to eliminate bacteria build up. The construction of a pedicure spa requires that a spa professional complete a pedicure and allow a client to leave before cleaning the basin of the spa. The client typically receives a pedicure at the pedicure spa and then moves to a different station for another service. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automatically cleaning a pedicure spa between users. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One embodiment on the invention relates to an apparatus for sanitizing a foot basin, comprising a cover adapted to engage a pedicure foot basin, a liquid reservoir, a nozzle assembly disposed on the bottom surface of the cover and connectively coupled to the first liquid reservoir, a controller, and an activation button. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sanitizing a foot basin. The method comprises the steps of providing pedicure basin having an interior surface and an open top end, draining the foot basin upon completion of a first user&#39;s pedicure bath, providing a first liquid reservoir containing a first disinfectant solution, and providing a cover having a nozzle assembly connectively coupled to the liquid reservoir, engaging the cover to the open top end of the pedicure basin, pressing an activation button to initiate a cleaning routine, thereby causing the nozzle assembly to spray an interior surface of the foot basin, and disengaging the cover prior to a second user&#39;s pedicure bath. 
         [0005]    How these and other advantages and features of the present invention are accomplished (individually, collectively, or in various subcombinations) will be described in the following detailed description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a pedicure spa having a cover comprising an automatic sanitation apparatus, with the cover retracted. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing of a pedicure spa, with the cover positioned atop a foot basin. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of the underside of the cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Referring generally to the FIGURES, spa  10  is intended to seat a person in order to facilitate administering services to that person. For example, a person may receive services such as a pedicure, manicure or haircut while sitting in the seat. Spa  10  generally includes a base portion  12  and a seat  30 . Base portion  12  supports and houses the individual components of the spa apparatus. Base portion  12  generally has a front end  16  and a rear end  17 . Base portion  12  may be formed of metal, plastic, fiberglass, ceramic, glass, or a combination of any of these materials. 
         [0010]    Base portion  12  is intended to be stationary, and is typically placed in a position where it can be connected to the plumbing and electrical components of a building. Referring to  FIG. 1 , base portion  12  generally includes a supporting frame  20 , one or more base shroud panels, a foot basin  40 , one or more plumbing and drain components, one or more faucets, and a cover  60 . 
         [0011]    Supporting frame  20  structurally supports seat  30 , foot basin  40 , and cover  60 . In one embodiment, supporting frame  20  is a rigid metal frame comprising side arch members  24  and transverse members  28 . Side arch members  24  provide support for foot basin  40 , seat  30 , and the weight of a person sitting thereon. In various example embodiments, supporting frame  20  may be composed of any metal (e.g. steel, iron, aluminum, titanium), plastic, fiberglass, or any other suitable material or combination thereof. Alternatively, supporting frame  20  may be integrally formed into base portion  12 , without a separate internal frame. 
         [0012]    Each bottom end of side arch members  24  may be provided with a foot pad  26 , thereby reducing the risk of damage to floor surfaces and preventing base portion  12  from sliding during use. Foot pads  26  may be adjustable in order to vary the height of base portion  12 , or to level base portion  12  of spa  10  if it is resting on an uneven surface. In one embodiment, foot pads  26  may be composed of a polymer (e.g., plastic, rubber) disc, or composed of another material. In another embodiment, one or more foot pads  26  may be wheels or casters that facilitate the movement of base portion  12 . 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , foot basin  40  is a concave, liquid-retaining basin defined by a generally horizontal bottom wall  42 , a generally vertical peripheral wall  44 , and an open top end  46 . Foot basin  40  is sized to enable a user to accommodate both feet in the basin while receiving a foot soak and air bubble massage. During operation, the interior of foot basin  40  is filled with and retains a liquid pedicure solution. The pedicure solution may be water alone, water combined with soaps, oils, surfactants, salts, or other materials, or another liquid composition. The foot basin may be pipe-free, substantially free of obstructions, or both. In other embodiments, the foot basin may include propellers, impellors, or pump-driven water jets to provide the user with a pleasing foot massage. 
         [0014]    As used herein, the term “pipe-free” refers to a foot basin that is substantially free of fluid piping other than one or more fresh water faucets and a drainage connection. By reducing or eliminating water piping within the spa system, a corresponding reduction in difficult-to-clean cavities and void spaces is achieved. 
         [0015]    As used herein, the term “substantially free of obstructions” refers to a foot basin that is substantially free of internal obstacles such as propellers or impellors used to effect water movement, thereby reducing or eliminating the presence of difficult-to-clean cavities and void spaces. 
         [0016]    Peripheral wall  44  may be circular, ellipsoid, or any other shaped sized to fit the user&#39;s feet. In a preferred embodiment, peripheral wall  44  is generally smooth to facilitate effective cleaning and sanitation. Similarly, the transition between peripheral wall  44  and bottom wall  42  is also generally smooth to minimize areas where bacteria may be concealed and promote effective sanitation. The bottom wall  42  of foot basin  40  may be further provided with a pair of surface features contoured to provide complimentary support to the foot arches of the user. Surface features may be either a contoured depression in bottom wall  42 , or a foot support raised above bottom wall  42 . The bottom wall  42  and peripheral wall  44 , and any surface features inside the foot basin, together comprise the interior surfaces of the foot basin. 
         [0017]    Foot basin  40  may be formed from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) backing or interior. In other embodiments, foot basin  40  may be formed from another plastic, fiberglass, metal, ceramic, glass, or a combination of any of these materials. Foot basin  40  may be integrally molded into base portion  12 , or may be separately formed and affixed to supporting frame  20 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cover  60  is adapted to removably engage with the open top end  46  of foot basin  40 . Cover  60  may cover a portion, substantially all, or the entire open top end  46  of foot basin  40 . Cover  60  is generally planar, having a top surface  62  and a bottom surface  63 , and a left edge  64  and a right edge  65 . Cover  60  is provided with a nozzle assembly  70  disposed on bottom surface  63 . Cover  60  may also be provided with a seal or gasket to prevent the escape of water or any other liquid from the foot basin  40 . Cover  60  may also be provided with an activation button  68  disposed on top surface  62 , or, alternatively, anywhere on spa  10 . In other embodiments, activation button  68  may be replaced by a remote wired or wireless activation signal. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, cover  60  is formed from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) material. In other embodiments, cover  60  may be formed from another plastic, fiberglass, metal, ceramic, glass, or a combination of any of these materials. In another embodiment, cover  60  may include one or more areas of increased flexibility to allow the cover to negotiate bends in slide rails  58 . In other embodiments, cover  60  may be formed of a flexible material such as rubber or a soft plastic. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, supporting frame  20  is provided with slide rails  58  adapted to receive the left edge  64  and right edge  65  of cover  60 . Left edge  64  and right edge  65  may optionally be provided with a low-friction material, guide wheels, or guide pins to slideably engage slide rails  58 . Slide rails  58  may be a linear track permitting cover  60  to be retracted towards the rear end  17  of base portion  12 . In other embodiments, slide rails  58  may be arcuate, or another shape. Cover  60  may thereby be slideably retracted to the rear of base unit  12  while the foot basin is in use. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, cover  60  may be hingedly attached to base portion  12  or foot basin  40 , thereby permitting the cover to be rotated away from foot basin  40 . A hinge may be disposed along an edge of cover  60  and substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of cover  60 . Alternatively, the hinge may be a pin that is substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of cover  60 , thereby permitting rotational refraction in a plane substantially parallel to the cover. In yet another embodiment, cover  60  may be unattached to base portion  12 , and stowed in a recess provided in base portion  12  when not in use. Embodiments where cover  60  is not affixed to base portion  12  may be provided with flexible electrical and liquid connections, or may be provided with quick-release connectors for electrical and liquid connections, or may not be provided with any electrical and fluid connections. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a liquid reservoir  72  may be disposed within cover  60  configured to store and dispense liquids. Alternatively, liquid reservoir  72  may be disposed within base portion  12 . In other embodiments, liquid reservoir  72  may be located externally to spa  10 . Spa  10  may also be provided with additional liquid reservoirs as necessary to contain different liquids, such as one or more surfactants, rinse solutions, and disinfectant solutions. 
         [0023]    A nozzle assembly  70  is disposed on the bottom surface  63  of cover  60 . Nozzle assembly  70  may be directly coupled to liquid reservoir  72 , or a liquid line  74  may communicatively couple nozzle assembly  70  to liquid reservoir  72 . Additionally, nozzle assembly  70  may be communicatively coupled to additional liquid reservoirs, or to plumbing connections, e.g., a cold water line, a hot water line, or a constant temperature water line. An electric motor may be used to rotate the nozzle assembly in a plane substantially parallel to bottom surface  63  of cover  60 . Operation of nozzle assembly  70  is generally controlled by a controller  76 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, nozzle assembly  70  contains a single spray orifice shaped to deliver a fan of liquid to the interior surfaces of the foot basin. Liquid dispensed in a fan may be oriented vertically, horizontally, or in another orientation. In other embodiments, a single orifice may deliver a linear stream, a spray, or an atomized mist of liquid to the interior surfaces of the foot basin. Nozzle assembly  70  may be rotated while dispensing a liquid, thereby delivering the liquid to substantially all the interior surfaces of foot basin  40  in one revolution of nozzle assembly  70 . In some embodiments, nozzle assembly  70  may deliver liquid directly to only a portion of the interior surfaces of foot basin  40 . 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, nozzle assembly  70  may be provided with a plurality of individual orifices to simultaneously spray multiple locations on the interior surfaces of foot basin  40 . In some embodiments, nozzle assembly  70  may be configured to spray substantially all the interior surfaces of foot basin  40  simultaneously. In other embodiments, nozzle assembly  70  may include a plurality of orifices spaced apart at regular intervals, thereby delivering disinfectant to substantially all the interior surfaces of foot basin  40  in less than one full revolution of nozzle assembly  70 . Nozzle assembly  70  may also be configured to deliver a high-pressure stream of liquid to provide a mechanical cleaning action to some or all the interior surfaces of foot basin  40 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the automatic operation of the sanitation system is controlled by a controller  76 . Controller  76  may be a microprocessor controller as is known in the art. Such a microprocessor controller may be located within cover  60  or elsewhere within base portion  12 . Pressing activation button  68  generates an activation signal. The microprocessor controller may commence a cleaning routine when an activation signal is received and cover  60  is engaged to foot basin  40 . The controller may also activate a visual or audio signal upon completion of a cleaning routine, such as a light, bell, whistle, or beep. 
         [0027]    A cleaning routine may be composed of one or more cycles. A microprocessor controller may be programmed to direct nozzle assembly  70  to deliver a surfactant solution to the foot basin, deliver a disinfectant spray to the foot basin, deliver a rinse solution to the foot basin, and control the duration and timing of surfactant, disinfectant, and rinse cycles, and the like. The microprocessor controller may also be programmed to store the number of times the cleaning routine has been activated, dates of use, and other relevant usage information. The microprocessor controller may be further programmed with a plurality of different cleaning routines in compliance with varying manufacturer guidelines, health board regulations, national requirements, and so forth. 
         [0028]    A microprocessor controller may be further coupled to a user interface allowing an operator to select modes of operation, choose different cleaning routines, change the duration and quantity of disinfection and rinse cycles, and the like. A user interface may comprise a display screen, such as an LCD display, and one or more user input buttons or keys. Such a user interface may be disposed on the base portion  12 , elsewhere on spa apparatus  10 , or at another location. 
         [0029]    In other embodiments, controller  76  may be an on/off timer activated by pressing activation button  68 . When activation button  68  is pressed, nozzle assembly  70  rotates and sprays one or more solutions for a pre-determined interval. In another embodiment, activation button  68  is a mechanical pump which simultaneously sprays a liquid and causes nozzle assembly  70  to be rotated. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , base portion  12  can be substantially enclosed by a plurality of base shroud panels defining an interior volume. Base shroud panels may provide an aesthetically pleasing design. The base shroud panels also protect the interior volume of base portion  12 . In one embodiment, base shroud panels are removably coupled to base portion  12  to allow for quick removal and greater access to the interior of base portion  12  for tasks such as repairs, cleaning, or to change the color or style of the shrouds. In another embodiment, one or more base shroud panels are hingedly connected to base portion  12  to permit access to the interior volume of base portion  12 . In other embodiments, one or more base shroud panels are permanently coupled to base portion  12 . Base shroud panels may also be integrally formed as part of base portion  12 . Base shroud panels may be composed of a plastic, fiberglass, metal, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0031]    A seat  30  is configured to be coupled to supporting frame  20  and to provide a comfortable surface and sitting position for a person receiving services on spa  10 . Seat  30  generally includes a cushion  32 , a seat back  34 , a splash guard  36 , and one or two arm rests  38 . Seat  30  can be configured in any manner known in the art. Seat  30  can also include additional functions known in the art, such as heating and massage, reclining capabilities, integrated sound or entertainment systems, and the like. 
         [0032]    Base portion  12  may be provided with one or more plumbing components and drain components  88 . Plumbing components may include cold water line, hot water line, or constant temperature water line. Alternatively, base portion  12  may be provided with a constant-temperature mixing valve to prevent scalding a user&#39;s feet. Plumbing components may be connected to one or more external fresh water supplies with custom quick disconnect fittings, or any other plumbing connection methods known in the art. 
         [0033]    Drain components  88  may include a drain pipe that fits snuggly into a drain cowling to allow for seal and flexibility, or can be connected with other methods known in the art. Drain components  88  may be connectively coupled to a sanitary sewer or other drainage line in any manner known in the art. Alternatively, drain components  88  may be coupled to a wastewater holding tank provided in base portion  12 . Such a wastewater holding tank may be emptied or drained at operator-determined intervals. 
         [0034]    Base portion  12  may be provided with one or more faucets  90 . Faucets may be configured to fill foot basin  40  with fresh water or another pedicure solution. Faucets may include a pull-out spray faucet, a cold water faucet, a hot water faucet, or a constant temperature faucet. Faucets may be used to fill the foot basin, rinse off the user&#39;s feet at the completion of the foot soak, and/or clean the foot basin. 
         [0035]    Base portion  12  may also include foot rests  18 . Foot rests may be located on any upper edge of foot basin  40 . Foot rests  18  can be adjustable to accommodate users of different sizes. Foot rests  18  may be made of any material such as plastic or metal and the top of foot rests  18  may be cushioned or substantially hard. Alternatively, base portion  12  and foot basin  40  can be void of foot rests  18 . 
         [0036]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a certain number of embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.