# US 10,863,869 B2 · Foot spa > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,869 B2 - Document ID: US10863869B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/213,573 - Filed: 2018-12-07 - Published: 2019-04-11 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-02 - Assignees: Gulfstream Inc. - Applicants: Gulfstream Inc. - Inventors: Minh Sang Tran; Chris Alexander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863869B2 ## CPC - A47K 3/001: {Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation} - A47K 3/022: specially adapted for particular use, e.g. for washing the feet, for bathing in sitting position (collapsible baths specially adapted for particular use A47K3/062) - A61H 33/005: {Electrical circuits therefor} - A61H 33/02: Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths {(A61H33/6026 takes precedence)} - A61H 33/028: {Means for producing a flow of gas, e.g. blowers, compressors} - A61H 35/006: {for the feet} - A61H 2033/141: {with ionised gas, e.g. ozone} - A61H 2201/0228: heated by an electric resistance element - A61H 2201/1207: with electric or magnetic drive - A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal - A61H 2201/1688: disposable - A61H 2201/50: Control means thereof - A61H 2205/12: Feet - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract Disclosed is a disposable for use with a surface that defines a basin for receiving liquid. The disposable has a pair of surfaces spaced apart from one another by a tubular sidewall. One of the pair of surfaces is positioned, in use, against the basin-defining surface. In use, gas issues through the sidewall in the form of bubbles. The disposable is useful in association with foot spas and the like. A mechanism for puncturing a liner is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for use with a liner and a drain, the apparatus comprising: a body having an outlet, the body being sized and shaped such that, in use of the liner: the liner occludes the outlet and defines a basin; and the outlet is positioned such that, if the liner were punctured, the basin would drain therethrough; a conduit extending from the outlet of the body; a discharge pump having an inlet to which the conduit extends and further having an outlet; and a second pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the second pump being coupled to the conduit, the discharge pump and second pump having: a puncturing configuration wherein the high pressure second pump draws fluid out of the conduit to cause the liner to rupture, to permit a drainage operation; and a draining configuration wherein the discharge pump ejects fluid to the drain in the drainage operation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an upstream valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the upstream valve being in fluid communication with the discharge pump; and wherein, in the puncturing configuration, the upstream valve is closed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upstream valve is a backflow valve, the outlet of the second pump is in fluid communication with the upstream valve and, in the puncturing configuration, the upstream valve is configured to be closed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a downstream valve having an inlet which is in fluid communication with the outlet of the upstream valve and the outlet of the second pump and an outlet which is in fluid communication with the drain. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control system which causes a solenoid valve to open when the discharge pump is running. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control system includes a momentary switch to which the second pump responds and which further triggers a timer switch to which the solenoid valve and discharge pump respond for a predetermined time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined time is 2 minutes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plug which is adapted to be received in tight-fitting relation by the outlet of the basin to secure the liner against movement to facilitate rupture of the liner and which has a screen to restrain debris in the basis from entering the conduit in the drainage operation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A disposable for use with a surface that defines a basin for receiving liquid in an apparatus of claim 1, the disposable comprising: a pad of having a pair of surfaces spaced apart from one another by a tubular sidewall, one of the pair of surface being positioned, in use, against the surface; and wherein, in use, gas is introduced into the pad and issues through the sidewall in the form of bubbles. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The disposable according to claim 9, wherein the one of the pair of surfaces is a self-adhesive surface adapted to hold the disposable against the basin-defining surface in use. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The disposable according to claim 10, further comprising a release film overlying the self-adhesive surface; and wherein the self-adhesive surface and the release film are adapted such that the release film can be removed by hand to expose the self-adhesive surface for use. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The disposable according to claim 9, wherein the disposable defines a central void; and further comprising a tube that extends into the void. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The disposable according to claim 9, wherein the disposable comprises a foam pad, the foam having about 60 pores per inch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The disposable according to claim 13, wherein the pad is about ¼″ thick. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The disposable according to claim 14, wherein the foam has properties of about: density 40 kg/m3 tensile strength 108 kpa elongation 184% resilience 45% tearing strength 6.19 N/cm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A system for use with a structure having a surface that defines a basin for receiving water, the system comprising: a plurality of disposables, each of said plurality of disposables comprising: a pad of having a pair of surfaces spaced apart from one another by a tubular sidewall, one of the pair of surface being positioned, in use, against the surface; and wherein, in use, gas is introduced into the pad and issues through the sidewall in the form of bubbles; and apparatus according to claim 1 adapted to produce a flow of heated air and to couple to a disposable such that, in use, a flow of heated air issues through the sidewalls into the water contained in the bowl to produce heated, roiling water in the basin.