CA1060519A

CA1060519A - Portable steam sauna

Info

Publication number: CA1060519A
Application number: CA263,529A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Maurice C. Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-10-15
Filing date: 1976-10-15
Publication date: 1979-08-14

Abstract

A B S T R A C T

A portable steam sauna comprises a water tank having two sections, both of which are open on one side and include a flange at their respective open sides. The sections are releasably secured to one another at their flanges to form the water tank. The portable steam sauna also includes reusable securing means for releasably securing the sections; a water and vapour cavity within the sections; a water inlet through which water flows into the cavity; means for controlling the amount of water flowing through the inlet; a heater for vaporizing the water in the cavity; a steam outlet for releasing steam from the cavity and a resilient sealing member between the flanges of the sections for preventing the escape of steam between the sections. The flanges abut one another along their periphery at the edge of the cavity and essentially isolate the resilient sealing member from exposure to water and steam in the cavity.

Description

- 10605:~9 Field of Invention This invention relates to a portable steam sauna provided with a novel and improved sealing arrangement.
sackqround of the Invention Presently existing portable steam saunas include a -water tank having a plurallty of sections housing the internal elements of the sauna. In order to perform any maintenance work on the internal elements, the two sections must be separable from one another and must be sealed at the point of separation.
In the past it has been very difficult to reseal these sections with respect to one another after the initial seal has been broken. The sealing member which is usually constructed from gasket material is either damaged during separation of the sections or improperly aligned along the edges of the sections when resecuring the sections to one another so that a proper , seal is not obtained. Both of the above situations undesirably result in the escape of water and steam from the water tank at the improperly or non-sealed area between the sections. ~
To further complicate the situation, present portable , steam saunas are provided with sealing members which have a very limited life because they are continuously exposed to the steam and extreme temperatures within the water tank causing deterioration and break-down of the sealing members.
It is there~ore an object of the present invention to provide a portable steam sauna having a novel and improved sealing arrangement. `
It is another object of the present invention to provide 1060Sl9 a portable steam sauna having a sealing member which is isolated from steam within the steam cavity.
It is yet a ~rther object of the present invention to provide a portable steam sauna having a barrier between the ~ -seal and the steam within the cavity to essentially isolate the sealing member from the cavity.
srief SummarY of the Invention The portable steam sauna according to this invention comprises a water tank having two sections both of which have an open side and are provided with a flange at their respective open sides. The sections are releasably secured to one another along their flanges by reusable securing means to form the water tank. The sauna includes a water and vapour cavity within the sections, a water inlet through which water flows into the cavity; a means for controlling the amount of water flowing through the inlet; a heater for vaporizing the water in the cavity; a steam outlet for releasing steam from the cavity and a resilient sealing member between the flanges of the sections for preventing the escape of steam between the sections.
The sealing arrangement is one in which the flanges on the two sections abut one another along their periphery directly adjacent the water and steam cavity. The resilient sealing member is therefore essentially isolated from the cavity because of this a~utting relationship between the flanges and therefore is not directly exposed to the steam in the cavity as would be the case if the sealing member were directly adjacent the cavity. ;~
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106~)5~9 DescriPtion of the Drawinqs The aforementioned and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent in the follow-ing detailed discussion of the preferred embodiments according to this invention as shown in the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of the portable steam sauna according to the invention;
Figure 2 i~ a sectional view taking along line 2-2 of Figure 1. ., Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The portable steam sauna includes a water tank generally indicated at 1 having an upper section 3 and a lower section 5. Upper section 3 is p~ovided with annular flange 11 around open side 7 of that section. Lower section 5 is provided with annular flange 13 extending outwardly from open side 9 of the lower section. Flange 11 is provided with groove 15 and flange 13 is provided with groove 170 0 ring 23 fits in grooves 15 and 17.
The water inlet generally indicated at 25 comprises a hollow tubular portion 27~ elbow joint 28 and hollow pipe 29 fitted in aperture 30 provided in lower section 50 The means for controlling the amount of water flowing through the water inlet 25 consists of movable float 31 provided with arm 33 pivotally mounted in aperture 30.
The heater for vaporizing the water in the water tank is shown in ~he form of coiled resistance element 35 having a pair of terminals electrical 36.

:~060519 Provided at the closed upper side of upper section 3 is a hollow tube 37 which releases the steam formed in cavity 38 as a result of the vaporization of water in the water tank by resistant element 35. Also provided on upper section 3 is a pressure relief valve 39.
Upper section 3 and lower section 5 are releasably secured to one another by means of reusable securing means 41 to form the water tank. The securing means includes apertures 43 and 44 provided on flanges 11 and 13 respectively, bolts 45, upper washers 47 lower washers 49 and nuts 51 which threadably engage bolts 45~ According to another aspect of this invention r.a flange on one of the sections is provided with threaded apertures for threadably engaging the bolts to releasably secure the two sections to one another thereby eliminating the need for the threaded nuts.
Upper section 3 and lower section 5 of water tank 1 are preferably constructed of cast alumlnum alloy 135 with a -minimum thickness of approximately 3/16"o Each section is a maximum of approximately 7 1/4" in width, 10 1/4" in length and 3 1/8" in depthO Both of the flanges extend outwardly from their respective sections approximately 3/4"~
Grooves 15 and 17 are positioned on flanges 11 and 13 such that they are spaced from cavity 38 by approximately 1/8" ', -so that portion 19 of flange 11 and portion 21 of flange 13 are located between the grooves and the cavityO When the grooves are combined a channel is provided which is approximately 7/32" ;~wide and 3/32" deep. O ring 23 which is fitted in the grooves -~when the sections are releasably secured to one another is .~ ;.

~060519 preferably constructed of heioprene or rubber. o ring 23 is slightly larger than the channel formed by combining grooves 15 and 17 when the sections are releasabl~ secured to one anotherO
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 there are 14 nuts and bolts spaced along the flanges to ensure a good `;
clamping action at the periphery of the water tank. When the portable steam sauna is assembled and ready for use as shown in Figure 2, upper section 3 is placed on top of lower section 5 with O ring 23 fitted in grooves 15 and 17 of flanges 11 and 13. Bolts 45 which are fitted through apertures 43 and 44 on the respective flanges and nuts 51 are threadably engaged to releasably secure the sections to one anotherO As the securing means are adjusted, O ring 23 which is resilient is compressed until portions 19 and 21 of flanges 13 and 15 abut one another thereby providing an aluminum to aluminum contact at the edge of the flange directly adjacent water and steam cavity 38.
This furface to sufface contact of the flange provides a barrier which essentially isolates O ring 23 from direct exposure to the steam generated in cavity 38. However) some vapour will pass through the ~arrier and O ring 23 and prevents this vapour -from escaping between the two sections. As mentioned above the diameter of the O ring is slightly greater than the channel formed by combining the grooves. However, because the O ring is resilient and due to the fact that it is compressed during the securing of the sections, the O ring is secured such that it cannot move in the grooves. Furthermore as a result of the tightness of the fit, there is provided a highly efficient seal which prevents the escape of steam around the outer surface of the 0 ring.

~060S~9 ., As can ~e seen from Figure 2 when the two sections are releasably secured to one ~nother with the reusable securing means adjusted to the point that there is a surface to surface contact between the flanges at the edge of the steam cavity o ring 23 is protected from direct exposure to the steam generated in cavity 38.
As can also be appreciated from the drawings O ring 23 -can be secured in either one of grooves 15 or 17 by means of any suitable adhesiveO When the O ring is thusly secured maintenance and repair of the unit is very easyO The sections~
are simply separated from one another to gain access to the internal components and with the O ring secured in place the sections are fitted together by placing the groove in which the O ring is not secured over the O ring and adjusting bolts 45 ;
and nuts 51 accordingly. The resealing of the sections is insured because all of the components are easily fitted together and the O ring is not damaged by either the steam in the steam cavity or the operation of separating and resealing ~-the two sections.
When a person desires to have a steam sauna, the sauna is activated by a switch which is not shown in the drawings and which does not constitute part of this invention.
Preferably the switch is some type of a control timer. The portable sauna is usually installed in the bathroom with a control -timer located remotely of the sauna so that the sauna can be , turned on prior to entering the sauna area.
', When the sauna is in operation water flows through ~ hollow tube 27, elbow joint 28 and pipe 29 into the lower half :~ :

; 30 ` 106051~
of water and steam cavity 38. Current is supplied to electrical resistance element 35 by means of electrical leads 36. The electrical resistance element is thermostatically controlled to operate at a maximum temperature of 250F. As the water level in cavity 38 rises, resistance element 35 is submerged in the water, however, as it is submerged it begins to vaporize the water around it and generate steam within cavity 38. Float 31 rises with the level of water in the tank and arm 33 pivots in aperture 30 through which water is flowing into the tank.
Arm 33 controls a conventional valve (not shown) for opening and closing aperture 30. As the arm rises with the float it closes the valve and either slows down or cuts off the flow of water through the aperture. As electrical resistance element 35 evaporates the water in the cavity, float 31 will fall with the water level in the tank thereby pivoting arm 33 to open the valve and allow more water to enter the water tank.
As steam is generated in cavity 38 and the pressure inside the cavity rises, the steam will escape from the cavity by means of tube 37. The tube can have any desired length and can be guided to any desired location, i.e. to a sauna area in a bathroom as earlier mentioned. In the event that hollow tube 37 becomes blocked, pressure release valve 39 is pre-set to open at approximately 10 pounds of pressure and to allow the escape of steam which is trapped in the cavity.

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As earlier described o ring 23 is not directly exposed to the steam in the sauna due to the surface to surface contact of portions 19 and 21 of flanges 11 and 13. Obviously this contact does not prevent all moisture from escaping from the cavity but it does provide a barrier between the O ring and .

~(~60519 the steam in the cavity. Any moisture which does pass this initial barrier is in the form of vapour at a lower temperature than the steam in the cavity. Therefore the O ring is not directly exposed to the detrimental effects of the steam in the cavity.
It is understood that this invention is not restricted to the above mentioned shapes and materials of construction.
Furthermore, as can be appreciated from the drawings, the sections need not be upper and lower sections but could also be side by side sections with a water drain valve positioned on the water tank to permit the draining of any excess water from the cavity when servicing the portable steam sauna. The various components need not be located on the structure as indicated above, for example, when employing side by side sections the electrical resistance element could extend between the two sections with the steam outlet and pressure release valve being located on either section above the water level in the water tank.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described here and in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the arts that variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A portable steam sauna comprising a tank formed of two metallic sections, a water and vapour cavity within said tank, a water inlet through which water flows into said cavity, a float provided with an arm for opening and closing a valve to control the amount of water flowing through said water inlet, a coiled resistance element for vapourizing water in said cavity, a steam outlet for releasing steam from said cavity, a rubber O-ring sealing member and reusable securing means, each of said sections having an open side and being provided with a flange extending outwardly from the open side with the sections secured to one another at the flanges, each flange being provided with an essentially semi-circular groove spaced from said cavity, which form an essentially round channel in the secured flanges with said O-ring sealing member being slightly larger than the channel and being compressed in the channel isolated from direct exposure to steam in the cavity by the metal to metal contact of abutting portions of said flanges extending at least 1/8 of an inch between the cavity and the O-ring sealing member, said reusable securing means being located in said flanges outwardly of said rubber O-ring sealing member and remote from said cavity.

2. A portable steam sauna as claimed in claim 1, further including a pressure relief valve for permitting the escape of steam and relieving pressure in said water tank in the event that said steam outlet becomes blocked.

3. A portable steam sauna as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said reusable securing means includes a number of threaded ?pertures spaced from one another along said flanges and a corresponding number of bolts for threading engagement with said apertures and for releasably securing said sections to one another, the spacing arrangement being such that a good clamping action between the flanges of said sections is obtained.