US20010020613A1 - Method of making an injection molded paraffin bath and apparatus made thereby - Google Patents
Method of making an injection molded paraffin bath and apparatus made thereby Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010020613A1 US20010020613A1 US09/776,796 US77679601A US2001020613A1 US 20010020613 A1 US20010020613 A1 US 20010020613A1 US 77679601 A US77679601 A US 77679601A US 2001020613 A1 US2001020613 A1 US 2001020613A1
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- Prior art keywords
- wire
- inner tub
- housing
- wall
- base
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/04—Appliances for sand, mud, wax or foam baths; Appliances for metal baths, e.g. using metal salt solutions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/04—Appliances for sand, mud, wax or foam baths; Appliances for metal baths, e.g. using metal salt solutions
- A61H2033/047—Paraffin or wax baths
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of making a paraffin bath and to a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the method.
- a paraffin bath is an appliance that is used to melt paraffin for therapeutic purposes. Warm paraffin wax melted in the bath is used to treat dry, chapped hands and may provide pain relief for stiff or aching joints that may be caused by bursitis and arthritis.
- Paraffin baths are known that include a metal inner tub in which the paraffin wax is melted. Paraffin baths made of metal are relatively expensive to manufacture and can be dented if improperly handled.
- Applicants' assignees' prior paraffin bath of application Ser. No. 09/523,506 discloses a method of making a paraffin bath having a plastic inner tub and having heating elements that comprise braided wire sandwiched between layers of foil that are assembled to the side walls of the inner tub and base wall of the inner tub.
- the prior art also includes devices such as foot baths that have a rope heater attached to integrally formed flanges on a base wall.
- An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/631,643, filed Aug. 2, 2000 that is assigned to the assignee of this application.
- the prior art foot baths do not have side wall mounted heating elements and are intended to heat water or at least prevent previously heated water from cooling down.
- paraffin bath in which all major structural components are formed by a simple, reliable and inexpensive process.
- a paraffin bath manufactured from structural parts that are injection molded of a temperature resistant plastic such as polypropylene.
- a manufacturing process utilizing injection molded parts that are assembled with a heating element and controller in an efficient and cost effective manner.
- a simple, durable paraffin bath appliance that is inexpensive to manufacture.
- a paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin has a housing having a base wall, side wall and an upper opening.
- a polymeric inner tub is received within the housing and is a generally cup-shaped member having a bottom wall, an upstanding wall and an open top.
- the inner tub is received within the upper opening of the housing with the bottom wall overlying the base wall of the housing.
- a heating element is mounted on an outer wall of the inner tub between the inner tub and the housing. The heating element provides heat through the inner tub that is sufficient to melt the paraffin but is limited to a temperature that is below the temperature that would adversely effect the polymeric material of the inner tub.
- the heating element comprises a wire that is at least partially retained in a series of loops between paired flanges that are integrally molded of the same polymeric material forming the inner tub walls.
- the paired flanges are spaced apart to receive the wire.
- a thermostat is electrically connected to the heating element to control the heat provided to the inner tub.
- the heating element includes a base heating element that is located between the base wall of the housing and the bottom wall of the inner tub.
- a side heating element is located between the side wall of the housing and the upstanding wall of the inner tub.
- the base heating element is received by flanges formed on the bottom wall of the inner tub.
- a thermostatic sensor is remotely mounted on the inner tub and is connected to a thermally conductive element that is coated with a refractive sealant that provides a heat conduction path between the thermally conductive element and the base wall of the inner tub.
- At least one metal wire guide is provided on the upstanding wall of the inner tub that has projections extending outwardly from the upstanding wall.
- the heating element is wrapped around the upstanding wall and retained by the projections.
- At least one layer of adhesive coated foil is wrapped around the wire after the wire is wrapped around the upstanding wall and the metal wire guide.
- the major structural parts of the paraffin bath are all formed of polypropylene.
- the housing, a control panel, base and removable lid all may be formed of polypropylene.
- a thermostat or other electronic temperature control circuit is assembled to one or both of the inner tub and the control panel.
- the control panel is attached to an opening formed in part by the inner tub and in part by the housing.
- a method of making a molded polymeric paraffin bath appliance is provided.
- a housing is provided that has a base wall and a side wall defining an upper opening.
- An inner tub is injection molded and includes a base having inner and outer sides and a wall extending from the base to an upper opening.
- a plurality of wire retainer flanges are simultaneously molded on the outer side of the base of the inner tub.
- a wire is assembled to the wire retainer flanges.
- the wires are connected to a voltage source and the voltage source is connected to a controller for controlling the current provided to the voltage source and thereby control the heat generated by the wire.
- the inner tub is assembled to the housing to provide an enclosed space between the inner tub and the outer tub for containing the wire heating element.
- At least some of the flanges are deformed by partially melting the flanges after the wire is assembled to the flanges to retain the wire within the flanges.
- the housing is injection molded of a polymeric material.
- the base is also injection molded and assembled to the housing.
- the control panel is molded of polymeric material.
- a temperature controller is attached to a heat transfer element that is mounted on the inner tub before the control panel is attached to the housing.
- a removable lid is also injection molded of polymeric material and is adapted to be removably placed on the upper opening of the housing.
- At least one wire guide is assembled to the outer surface of the wall of the inner tub.
- a wire is wrapped around the inner tub a plurality of times with the wire guide retaining the wire.
- Foil having an adhesive coating is wrapped around the inner tub over the wire and wire retainer so that it adheres to portions of the wire and the inner tub to hold the wire on the inner tub.
- the foil also functions to disperse heat from the wire about the sides of the inner tub.
- the wire is connected to the voltage source as previously described.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of an inner tub and heating element thereof
- FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a process flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for manufacturing a paraffin bath apparatus according to the present invention.
- a paraffin bath apparatus 10 is illustrated in exploded perspective.
- the paraffin bath apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 and an inner tub 14 .
- a heating element 16 is assembled to the inner tub 14 .
- Heating element 16 is connected to a thermostat 18 that controls the current provided to the heating element 16 .
- the thermostat 18 may be a bimetal strip, thermistor, solid-state temperature control circuit, or the like.
- a control panel 20 is assembled to the housing 12 and inner tub 14 .
- a lid 22 is provided to cover paraffin contained in the paraffin bath apparatus 10 .
- a base 24 is secured to the housing 12 to stabilize the paraffin bath apparatus 10 .
- the housing 12 includes a base wall 30 from which a generally oval side wall 32 extends upwardly.
- the side wall 32 defines on its upper end an upper opening 34 .
- the inner tub 14 includes a bottom wall 38 and an upstanding wall 40 .
- the upstanding wall 40 is generally oval shaped and extends substantially vertically upwardly from the bottom wall 38 .
- the upstanding wall 40 defines a rim 42 at its uppermost portion that is reversely turned and extends outwardly and downwardly from the rim 42 and terminates in a downwardly facing edge 43 that is adapted to be joined to the upper opening 34 of the housing 12 .
- an oval, cup-shaped vessel 44 is defined in which solid paraffin is placed to be melted in the paraffin bath apparatus 10 .
- a face plate 46 forms part of the control panel 20 .
- a knob 48 forms part of the control panel 20 as well as indicator lights 50 .
- the indicator lights 50 may be used to indicate whether or not the power is on and whether or not the heater element is on or off.
- the knob 48 is connected to a shaft 52 that extends from the thermostat 18 .
- the knob 48 is provided to allow the temperature of the paraffin to be controlled through the thermostat within a range of potentially desirable temperatures.
- the thermostat 18 is remote from the inner tub and is connected to a thermally conductive element 53 .
- the components of the paraffin bath apparatus 10 are assembled by means of fasteners 54 , such as screws, that are received in receptacle 56 formed at corresponding locations on the various components of the paraffin bath apparatus.
- Receptacles may be threaded or, if the fasteners 54 are self-tapping fasteners, receptacles 56 may be molded members having holes sized to accept the fasteners 54 .
- a power cord 58 is provided to allow the unit to be plugged into a wall receptacle.
- the heating element 16 includes a base heating wire 60 that is secured to the bottom wall 38 of the inner tub 14 .
- the base heating wire 60 extends in a serpentine path and is retained between sets of paired flanges 62 that are integrally formed on the bottom side of the bottom wall 38 .
- the base heating wire 60 is inserted between the paired flanges 62 and is permanently retained therein by means of deformations 64 that are formed by partially melting the flanges 62 at spaced locations.
- the deformations 64 may be formed by contacting the paired flanges 62 with a heated member.
- a plurality of wire guides 68 are provided at spaced locations on the outside of the upstanding wall 40 of the inner tub 14 .
- the wire guides 68 have teeth 70 that extend outwardly from the wire guides 68 .
- a side heating wire 72 is wrapped around the upstanding wall 40 and is retained by the teeth 70 of the wire guides 68 .
- a metallic foil sheet 74 is wrapped around the outside thereof.
- the foil 74 may be coated on one side with a pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive 86 that causes the foil 74 to adhere to the wire guides 68 and retain the side heating wire 72 in place on the upstanding wall 40 .
- the foil 74 also functions to disperse heat generated in the side heating wire 72 .
- the wire guides 68 are received in one or more integrally formed clips 78 .
- the rim 42 of the inner tub 14 preferably defines integrally formed handles 80 that are used to grip or carry the paraffin bath apparatus 10 .
- the handles 80 may take various forms.
- a pair of handles 80 are provided on opposite lateral sides of the paraffin bath apparatus 10 to provide a convenient way to carry the paraffin bath apparatus 10 .
- the control panel 20 is preferably received between the edge of upper opening 34 of the housing 12 and the downwardly facing edge 43 of the inner tub 14 .
- An opening 81 formed partially in the edge 43 and partially in the side wall 32 of the housing receives the control panel 20 .
- FIG. 4 an exemplary process illustrating one potential combination of steps in the method of manufacturing a paraffin bath apparatus 10 is illustrated. It should be understood that additional steps may be added, some steps omitted, or changes in the order of the steps may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- the inner tub is injection molded at 82 .
- wire retainer flanges are formed on the bottom wall 38 . If desired, wire retainer flanges could also be provided on the upstanding wall 40 .
- the housing 12 is injection molded at 84 and the base 24 is injection molded at 86 .
- a control panel 20 is injection molded at 88 and the lid 22 is injection molded at 90 . It is one feature of the method of the invention that all of the large structural components of the paraffin bath apparatus 10 are injection molded thereby providing a durable product and a cost-effective manufacturing process.
- one or more wire guides 68 are assembled to the outer surface of the upstanding wall 40 of the inner tub 14 at reference numeral 92 .
- the base heating wire 60 is then assembled to the retainer flanges, or wire guide 68 and paired flanges 62 on the bottom wall 38 at 94 .
- the retainer flanges may then be deformed by partially melting the flanges 62 to retain the base heating wire 60 at 96 .
- Adhesive 76 coated foil 74 is wrapped at 98 around the wires 72 and outer surface of the upstanding wall 40 of the inner tub 14 .
- the foil 74 may have adhesive applied to it as a separate step or it may be provided in a tape-like form with pressure sensitive adhesive being pre-applied.
- the thermostat 18 is mounted on the inner tub 14 and is connected to the thermally conductive element 53 that is in turn secured to the bottom wall 38 of the inner tub 14 at reference numeral 100 .
- the wire heating element is connected to a voltage source and controller at reference numeral 102 .
- the control panel is injection molded at 88 and may be further processed in subassembly operations such as attaching a portion of the controller, wiring LEDs, or other indicator lights as a preliminary step to final assembly at 104 .
- Final assembly occurs at reference numeral 106 wherein the base 24 is assembled to the housing 12 in inner tub 14 and the control panel 20 .
- the inner tub 14 subassembly is assembled to the housing 12 thereby enclosing the space containing the heating element 16 between the inner tub 14 and the housing 12 .
- the removable lid 22 is assembled to the paraffin bath apparatus 10 for distribution.
- the controller may be assembled to either the control panel, inner tub, or housing depending upon the desired manufacturing process to be selected.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/523,506, filed Mar. 10, 2000 which is incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates to a method of making a paraffin bath and to a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the method.
- A paraffin bath is an appliance that is used to melt paraffin for therapeutic purposes. Warm paraffin wax melted in the bath is used to treat dry, chapped hands and may provide pain relief for stiff or aching joints that may be caused by bursitis and arthritis.
- Paraffin baths are known that include a metal inner tub in which the paraffin wax is melted. Paraffin baths made of metal are relatively expensive to manufacture and can be dented if improperly handled.
- Applicants' assignees' prior paraffin bath of application Ser. No. 09/523,506 discloses a method of making a paraffin bath having a plastic inner tub and having heating elements that comprise braided wire sandwiched between layers of foil that are assembled to the side walls of the inner tub and base wall of the inner tub.
- The prior art also includes devices such as foot baths that have a rope heater attached to integrally formed flanges on a base wall. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/631,643, filed Aug. 2, 2000 that is assigned to the assignee of this application. The prior art foot baths do not have side wall mounted heating elements and are intended to heat water or at least prevent previously heated water from cooling down.
- There is a need for a paraffin bath in which all major structural components are formed by a simple, reliable and inexpensive process. For example, there is a need for a paraffin bath manufactured from structural parts that are injection molded of a temperature resistant plastic such as polypropylene. There is also a need for a manufacturing process utilizing injection molded parts that are assembled with a heating element and controller in an efficient and cost effective manner. There is also a need for a simple, durable paraffin bath appliance that is inexpensive to manufacture.
- These and other problems and objectives are addressed by applicant's invention as will be summarized below.
- According to the present invention, a paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin is disclosed that has a housing having a base wall, side wall and an upper opening. A polymeric inner tub is received within the housing and is a generally cup-shaped member having a bottom wall, an upstanding wall and an open top. The inner tub is received within the upper opening of the housing with the bottom wall overlying the base wall of the housing. A heating element is mounted on an outer wall of the inner tub between the inner tub and the housing. The heating element provides heat through the inner tub that is sufficient to melt the paraffin but is limited to a temperature that is below the temperature that would adversely effect the polymeric material of the inner tub. The heating element comprises a wire that is at least partially retained in a series of loops between paired flanges that are integrally molded of the same polymeric material forming the inner tub walls. The paired flanges are spaced apart to receive the wire. A thermostat is electrically connected to the heating element to control the heat provided to the inner tub.
- According to another aspect of the invention, the heating element includes a base heating element that is located between the base wall of the housing and the bottom wall of the inner tub. A side heating element is located between the side wall of the housing and the upstanding wall of the inner tub. The base heating element is received by flanges formed on the bottom wall of the inner tub.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, a thermostatic sensor is remotely mounted on the inner tub and is connected to a thermally conductive element that is coated with a refractive sealant that provides a heat conduction path between the thermally conductive element and the base wall of the inner tub.
- According to yet another aspect of the invention, at least one metal wire guide is provided on the upstanding wall of the inner tub that has projections extending outwardly from the upstanding wall. The heating element is wrapped around the upstanding wall and retained by the projections. At least one layer of adhesive coated foil is wrapped around the wire after the wire is wrapped around the upstanding wall and the metal wire guide.
- According to another aspect of the invention the major structural parts of the paraffin bath are all formed of polypropylene. The housing, a control panel, base and removable lid all may be formed of polypropylene.
- A thermostat or other electronic temperature control circuit is assembled to one or both of the inner tub and the control panel. The control panel is attached to an opening formed in part by the inner tub and in part by the housing.
- According to the method of the present invention, a method of making a molded polymeric paraffin bath appliance is provided. A housing is provided that has a base wall and a side wall defining an upper opening. An inner tub is injection molded and includes a base having inner and outer sides and a wall extending from the base to an upper opening. A plurality of wire retainer flanges are simultaneously molded on the outer side of the base of the inner tub. A wire is assembled to the wire retainer flanges. The wires are connected to a voltage source and the voltage source is connected to a controller for controlling the current provided to the voltage source and thereby control the heat generated by the wire. The inner tub is assembled to the housing to provide an enclosed space between the inner tub and the outer tub for containing the wire heating element.
- According to another aspect of the method of the present invention, at least some of the flanges are deformed by partially melting the flanges after the wire is assembled to the flanges to retain the wire within the flanges.
- According to a further aspect of the method of the invention, the housing is injection molded of a polymeric material. The base is also injection molded and assembled to the housing. The control panel is molded of polymeric material. A temperature controller is attached to a heat transfer element that is mounted on the inner tub before the control panel is attached to the housing. A removable lid is also injection molded of polymeric material and is adapted to be removably placed on the upper opening of the housing.
- According to yet another aspect of the method of the invention, at least one wire guide is assembled to the outer surface of the wall of the inner tub. A wire is wrapped around the inner tub a plurality of times with the wire guide retaining the wire. Foil having an adhesive coating is wrapped around the inner tub over the wire and wire retainer so that it adheres to portions of the wire and the inner tub to hold the wire on the inner tub. The foil also functions to disperse heat from the wire about the sides of the inner tub. The wire is connected to the voltage source as previously described.
- These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of an inner tub and heating element thereof;
- FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a paraffin bath apparatus made according to the present invention; and
- FIG. 4 is a process flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for manufacturing a paraffin bath apparatus according to the present invention.
- Referring to FIG. 1, a
paraffin bath apparatus 10 is illustrated in exploded perspective. Theparaffin bath apparatus 10 includes ahousing 12 and aninner tub 14. Aheating element 16 is assembled to theinner tub 14.Heating element 16 is connected to athermostat 18 that controls the current provided to theheating element 16. Thethermostat 18 may be a bimetal strip, thermistor, solid-state temperature control circuit, or the like. Acontrol panel 20 is assembled to thehousing 12 andinner tub 14. Alid 22 is provided to cover paraffin contained in theparaffin bath apparatus 10. Abase 24 is secured to thehousing 12 to stabilize theparaffin bath apparatus 10. - The
housing 12 includes abase wall 30 from which a generallyoval side wall 32 extends upwardly. Theside wall 32 defines on its upper end anupper opening 34. - Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
inner tub 14 includes abottom wall 38 and anupstanding wall 40. Theupstanding wall 40 is generally oval shaped and extends substantially vertically upwardly from thebottom wall 38. Theupstanding wall 40 defines arim 42 at its uppermost portion that is reversely turned and extends outwardly and downwardly from therim 42 and terminates in a downwardly facingedge 43 that is adapted to be joined to theupper opening 34 of thehousing 12. Within the rim, an oval, cup-shapedvessel 44 is defined in which solid paraffin is placed to be melted in theparaffin bath apparatus 10. - Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a
face plate 46 forms part of thecontrol panel 20. Aknob 48 forms part of thecontrol panel 20 as well as indicator lights 50. The indicator lights 50 may be used to indicate whether or not the power is on and whether or not the heater element is on or off. Theknob 48 is connected to ashaft 52 that extends from thethermostat 18. Theknob 48 is provided to allow the temperature of the paraffin to be controlled through the thermostat within a range of potentially desirable temperatures. Thethermostat 18 is remote from the inner tub and is connected to a thermallyconductive element 53. - The components of the
paraffin bath apparatus 10 are assembled by means offasteners 54, such as screws, that are received inreceptacle 56 formed at corresponding locations on the various components of the paraffin bath apparatus. Receptacles may be threaded or, if thefasteners 54 are self-tapping fasteners,receptacles 56 may be molded members having holes sized to accept thefasteners 54. Apower cord 58 is provided to allow the unit to be plugged into a wall receptacle. - Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating system of the
paraffin bath apparatus 10 will be described in greater detail. Theheating element 16 includes abase heating wire 60 that is secured to thebottom wall 38 of theinner tub 14. Thebase heating wire 60 extends in a serpentine path and is retained between sets of paired flanges 62 that are integrally formed on the bottom side of thebottom wall 38. Thebase heating wire 60 is inserted between the paired flanges 62 and is permanently retained therein by means of deformations 64 that are formed by partially melting the flanges 62 at spaced locations. The deformations 64 may be formed by contacting the paired flanges 62 with a heated member. - Referring now to FIG. 2, a plurality of wire guides68 are provided at spaced locations on the outside of the
upstanding wall 40 of theinner tub 14. The wire guides 68 haveteeth 70 that extend outwardly from the wire guides 68. Aside heating wire 72 is wrapped around theupstanding wall 40 and is retained by theteeth 70 of the wire guides 68. After theside heating wire 72 has been wound around the wire guides 68 andupstanding wall 40, a metallic foil sheet 74 is wrapped around the outside thereof. The foil 74 may be coated on one side with a pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive 86 that causes the foil 74 to adhere to the wire guides 68 and retain theside heating wire 72 in place on theupstanding wall 40. The foil 74 also functions to disperse heat generated in theside heating wire 72. The wire guides 68 are received in one or more integrally formed clips 78. - The
rim 42 of theinner tub 14 preferably defines integrally formed handles 80 that are used to grip or carry theparaffin bath apparatus 10. Thehandles 80 may take various forms. Preferably, a pair ofhandles 80 are provided on opposite lateral sides of theparaffin bath apparatus 10 to provide a convenient way to carry theparaffin bath apparatus 10. - The
control panel 20 is preferably received between the edge ofupper opening 34 of thehousing 12 and the downwardly facingedge 43 of theinner tub 14. Anopening 81 formed partially in theedge 43 and partially in theside wall 32 of the housing receives thecontrol panel 20. - Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary process illustrating one potential combination of steps in the method of manufacturing a
paraffin bath apparatus 10 is illustrated. It should be understood that additional steps may be added, some steps omitted, or changes in the order of the steps may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. - Referring now to FIG. 4, the inner tub is injection molded at82. During the molding step, wire retainer flanges are formed on the
bottom wall 38. If desired, wire retainer flanges could also be provided on theupstanding wall 40. Thehousing 12 is injection molded at 84 and thebase 24 is injection molded at 86. Acontrol panel 20 is injection molded at 88 and thelid 22 is injection molded at 90. It is one feature of the method of the invention that all of the large structural components of theparaffin bath apparatus 10 are injection molded thereby providing a durable product and a cost-effective manufacturing process. - After the inner tub is injection molded at82, one or more wire guides 68 are assembled to the outer surface of the
upstanding wall 40 of theinner tub 14 atreference numeral 92. Thebase heating wire 60 is then assembled to the retainer flanges, orwire guide 68 and paired flanges 62 on thebottom wall 38 at 94. The retainer flanges may then be deformed by partially melting the flanges 62 to retain thebase heating wire 60 at 96.Adhesive 76 coated foil 74 is wrapped at 98 around thewires 72 and outer surface of theupstanding wall 40 of theinner tub 14. The foil 74 may have adhesive applied to it as a separate step or it may be provided in a tape-like form with pressure sensitive adhesive being pre-applied. Thethermostat 18 is mounted on theinner tub 14 and is connected to the thermallyconductive element 53 that is in turn secured to thebottom wall 38 of theinner tub 14 atreference numeral 100. The wire heating element is connected to a voltage source and controller atreference numeral 102. - The control panel is injection molded at88 and may be further processed in subassembly operations such as attaching a portion of the controller, wiring LEDs, or other indicator lights as a preliminary step to final assembly at 104. Final assembly occurs at
reference numeral 106 wherein thebase 24 is assembled to thehousing 12 ininner tub 14 and thecontrol panel 20. Theinner tub 14 subassembly is assembled to thehousing 12 thereby enclosing the space containing theheating element 16 between theinner tub 14 and thehousing 12. Finally at 108, theremovable lid 22 is assembled to theparaffin bath apparatus 10 for distribution. - The controller may be assembled to either the control panel, inner tub, or housing depending upon the desired manufacturing process to be selected.
- While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/776,796 US6303910B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-02-05 | Method of making an injection molded paraffin bath and apparatus made thereby |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/523,506 US6184500B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-03-10 | Paraffin bath |
US09/776,796 US6303910B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-02-05 | Method of making an injection molded paraffin bath and apparatus made thereby |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/523,506 Continuation-In-Part US6184500B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-03-10 | Paraffin bath |
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US20010020613A1 true US20010020613A1 (en) | 2001-09-13 |
US6303910B2 US6303910B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 |
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Family Applications (6)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/523,506 Expired - Fee Related US6184500B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-03-10 | Paraffin bath |
US09/710,117 Expired - Fee Related US6417495B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-11-08 | Paraffin bath |
US09/776,796 Expired - Fee Related US6303910B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-02-05 | Method of making an injection molded paraffin bath and apparatus made thereby |
US09/892,165 Expired - Fee Related US6407369B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-06-26 | Paraffin bath |
US10/191,356 Expired - Fee Related US6573481B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2002-07-08 | Paraffin bath |
US10/452,296 Abandoned US20030192871A1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2003-06-02 | Paraffin bath |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/523,506 Expired - Fee Related US6184500B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-03-10 | Paraffin bath |
US09/710,117 Expired - Fee Related US6417495B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-11-08 | Paraffin bath |
Family Applications After (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/892,165 Expired - Fee Related US6407369B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-06-26 | Paraffin bath |
US10/191,356 Expired - Fee Related US6573481B2 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2002-07-08 | Paraffin bath |
US10/452,296 Abandoned US20030192871A1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2003-06-02 | Paraffin bath |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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US (6) | US6184500B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001243535A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001068014A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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KR20030028636A (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-04-10 | (주)젠텍인터내셔날 | Paraffin bath apparatus |
US8084718B1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2011-12-27 | Taymac Corporation | Wax melting system |
US8901461B1 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2014-12-02 | Marcus J. Shotey | Wax melting system |
CN109909499A (en) * | 2019-03-15 | 2019-06-21 | 厦门金鹭硬质合金有限公司 | A kind of forming agent automatic recipe maker |
Families Citing this family (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6184500B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-02-06 | Homedics, Inc. | Paraffin bath |
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- 2000-11-08 US US09/710,117 patent/US6417495B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-02-05 US US09/776,796 patent/US6303910B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-03-09 WO PCT/US2001/007581 patent/WO2001068014A1/en active Application Filing
- 2001-03-09 AU AU2001243535A patent/AU2001243535A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-26 US US09/892,165 patent/US6407369B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-07-08 US US10/191,356 patent/US6573481B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-06-02 US US10/452,296 patent/US20030192871A1/en not_active Abandoned
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KR20030028636A (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-04-10 | (주)젠텍인터내셔날 | Paraffin bath apparatus |
US8084718B1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2011-12-27 | Taymac Corporation | Wax melting system |
US8901461B1 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2014-12-02 | Marcus J. Shotey | Wax melting system |
CN109909499A (en) * | 2019-03-15 | 2019-06-21 | 厦门金鹭硬质合金有限公司 | A kind of forming agent automatic recipe maker |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6417495B1 (en) | 2002-07-09 |
US6573481B2 (en) | 2003-06-03 |
US20030192871A1 (en) | 2003-10-16 |
WO2001068014A1 (en) | 2001-09-20 |
US6407369B2 (en) | 2002-06-18 |
US20020175161A1 (en) | 2002-11-28 |
US6184500B1 (en) | 2001-02-06 |
AU2001243535A1 (en) | 2001-09-24 |
US6303910B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 |
US20010038003A1 (en) | 2001-11-08 |
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