EP2586419B1 - Vaporiser for applying steam to a part of the human body - Google Patents

Description

• ein Vorratsbehältnis zum Bevorraten einer Behandlungsflüssigkeit, insbesondere von Wasser,
• eine Pumpe, angeschlossen an das Vorratsbehältnis zum Fördern von Behandlungsflüssigkeit,
• einen Verdampfer zum Verdampfen von von der Pumpe geförderter Behandlungsflüssigkeit,
• eine dem Verdampfer nachgeschaltete Dampfleitung,
• eine Einrichtung zum Zuführen eines zum Kühlen des Dampfstroms dienenden Kühlgasstromes über eine Kühlgasleitung und
• ein Behandlungsgefäß, in das das zu behandelnde Körperteil eingeführt oder an welches dieses zur Anlage gebracht werden kann.

The invention relates to a vaporiser for applying steam to a human body part

• a storage container for storing a treatment liquid, in particular water,
• a pump connected to the storage container for conveying treatment liquid,
• an evaporator for vaporizing treatment fluid delivered by the pump,
• a vapor line downstream of the evaporator,
• a device for supplying a cooling gas flow serving for cooling the steam flow via a cooling gas line and
• a treatment vessel into which the body part to be treated can be introduced or to which it can be brought into contact.

For the external treatment of human body parts, for example the feet, the hands or the face of a person, baths are used, feet foot baths. Such footbaths have a tub which can be filled with the treatment liquid and sufficient space for a person's feet to be inserted therein. Typically, such a foot strap comprises a heater for heating the water. In most cases, such Fußbäder also have facilities with which a foot can be massaged. Depending on the desired massage activity, these devices are located inside the tub or in a middle bar separating the two foot areas of the tub above the liquid level. It is also known to inject air or water streams into the bath in order to achieve the effect of a whirlpool.

Even if different applications and treatments can be realized with a treatment device designed in this way, it would be desirable if treatment devices were also known with which human body parts, for example the feet, could be treated with moist steam. It should be noted that Naturally, such a treatment can not take place with superheated steam, which would lead to scalding.

Out EP 1 484 045 B1 a device for heat baths according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. This prior art device has a means for generating steam. Furthermore, this known device has an air intake duct, is withdrawn with the air from the treatment room and placed in a separate mixing chamber of this, in which this air is mixed with the also introduced therein superheated steam. The mixing chamber is tapered in the flow direction of the steam and the air. In this mixing room there is a fan for conveying the steam-air mixture into the treatment room. Through upper-side openings of an insert placed on the bottom of the treatment vessel, the vapor-air mixture exits and enters the treatment space. This in EP 1 484 045 B1 described device is designed as a foot bath. By mixing the hot steam with withdrawn from the treatment room air this is cooled and can then safely, promoted by the fan, are introduced into the treatment room.

Although it is possible to provide moisture-bearing low-temperature steam with this prior art device as a result of mixing the produced superheated steam with moisture withdrawn from the treatment room with relatively low superheated steam production, there are applications where recycle of air in the treatment vessel is not desired ,

Out WO 2009/049909 is a generic Vaporisator known.

Based on this need, the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vaporiser, with the technically simple means low-temperature steam with sufficient moisture content, even without preheated moisture-carrying air to withdraw from the treatment vessel and to supply the generated superheated steam, can be provided.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a vaporiser with the features of claim 1.

In this vaporizer treatment liquid is first evaporated on an evaporator. As treatment liquid typically water will be used. Depending on the desired treatment, it is also possible to evaporate other liquids, preferably aqueous liquids. For this purpose, treatment liquid is withdrawn from a storage container by means of a pump and fed continuously or pulsating to an evaporator. In this way, a hot steam flow is generated. For cooling this moist hot steam flow this is supplied to a cooling gas. This cooling gas is not saturated with moisture and is drawn or sucked from outside the treatment vessel. Typically, this is ambient air. The supplied and with respect to the temperature of the hot steam flow cooler gas mixes with the superheated steam and cools it to a temperature intended for the treatment within the mixing and distribution space. The vaporized treatment liquid in the form of the generated vapor stream and the cooling gas stream are combined in a mixing and distribution chamber assigned to the treatment vessel. In these open the steam line and the cooling gas line. Depending on the amount of cooling gas supplied or on the mixing ratio between the superheated steam flow and the supplied cooling gas, the temperature of the low-temperature steam for the treatment is typically adjustable in addition to another possibility. The thus cooled superheated steam flow, formed from the mixture of vaporized treatment liquid and supplied cooling gas flow, is addressed in the context of these statements as low-temperature steam. A special feature is that the supplied air flow on the one hand cools the superheated steam, but at the same time ensures by the amount of air supplied, that in the course of mixing steam fractions do not or not substantially condense. The supplied cooling air is not saturated for this purpose in terms of their water absorption capacity. This should be the case regularly when supplying ambient air. In this way, a low-temperature steam having a high moisture content can be produced by simple means, so that it can be readily applied for the treatment of a human body part. For the purpose of conveying the cooling gas flow, such as the supplied ambient air flow, is typically a fan with a fan. Preferably, the actuators of such a designed Vaporisators - the pump, the evaporator and the fan - with regard to their performance and / or their pumping frequency regulated. For this purpose, the actuators are connected to a control unit. Depending on the respective user-side setting of the desired steam, such as temperature, water content and amount, then a corresponding control of the participating in the generation of low-temperature steam actuators takes place.

The mixing and distribution space is by a wall and / or bottom side supported by baffles impact element, which is located within the treatment vessel. The baffle of the baffle is directed towards the mouth of the steam line and the cooling gas line. Against this baffle element flow the vapor stream and the cooling gas flow, so that there is a particularly effective turbulence and mixing of the two streams at this. At the same time, such a baffle element forms an effective covering of the pipe mouths and thus serves to distribute the low-temperature steam fed into the treatment vessel. The baffle element is supported by webs wall and / or bottom side. From the free spaces between the webs - the web gaps - the low energy vapor flows into the actual treatment room of the treatment vessel, in which a body part is inserted for its treatment or to which a body part is brought to bear. Since both the outlet-side mouth of the steam line and that of the cooling gas line are directed against the baffle element and open into the mixing and distribution space, the two streams mix, without making additional measures necessary. Is exploited in this concept, the fact that at least one of the two streams - steam flow and / or cooling gas flow - actively promoted entering the mixing and distribution space.

According to a preferred embodiment, the baffle element is curved concavely on its side facing the pipe mouths. This not only ensures a particularly intensive mixing of the two streams. At the same time, a baffle element shaped in this way can serve the purpose of arranging under the curvature a cartridge containing an additive or an additive mixture. For example, a fragrance be such an additive. As a cartridge is a cartridge made of sintered plastic material, in the cavity of fragrance oil is introduced. Instead of or in addition to such a perfume, such a cartridge can also contain a substance which supports the desired treatment, for example a substance which stimulates blood circulation. It is understood that in the mixing and distribution space and several such cartridges can be arranged or used.

The evaporator can be operated for example by means of a PTC heating element. Is exploited in this embodiment, the performance of such a heating element, since this can be adjusted in terms of its target temperature or executed in relation to a specific target temperature. In addition, the heating curve of such a PTC heating element is dependent on its current temperature. Therefore, such a heating element can be kept longer in a temperature range in which a steam with a particularly high moisture content can be generated. The temperature for such a steam is about 135 degrees Celsius. Due to the inertia of a PTC heating element, the supply of water to be evaporated can be controlled in dependence on the current temperature of the PTC heating element. In such an embodiment, water to be evaporated is supplied to the evaporator in a pulsating manner. In this mode, the evaporator between a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius and 140 degrees Celsius can be maintained by appropriate water supply. In this respect, the use of one or more PTC heating elements for generating the desired vapor is useful.

The actuators of the Vaporisators are typically connected to a control unit and are controlled by this. In this way, different temperatures, different water contents in the low-temperature steam or different treatment cycles can be performed.

Due to the parallel supply of superheated steam and a flow of cooling gas into the mixing and distribution space and due to the independent control of the feed pump and the evaporator and the blower can be caused with such a vaporiser and a particularly effective Wechselbadeffekt. This is achieved by alternately supplying moisture-carrying low-temperature steam or ambient air. The supplied air displaces the steam, which enhances the evaporation cold effect on the wet skin. A particularly effective alternating bath effect can be achieved if the mouth region of the cooling gas flow into the mixing and distribution chamber is larger in terms of its diameter than the typically provided impact element. In this embodiment, then cooling ambient air flows past the baffle element. If at the same time a hot steam supply for forming the low-temperature steam through the steam delivery line is supplied, the associated turbulence ensures that the supplied cooling gas flow (ambient air) is guided only conditionally past such an impact element directly. In a further development, it is provided that the aperture width of the cooling gas line in the mixing and distribution space can be adjusted by means of different diaphragms. It is then possible to allow the cooling gas flow to flow past the baffle element at least partially on the outside, namely with a larger aperture, or that this cooling gas flow is directed against the baffle element overall, with a smaller aperture.

Fig. 1:

eine schematisierte Darstellung eines Vaporisators zum Applizieren eines Niedrigtemperaturdampfes,

Fig. 2:

in einer schematisierten Darstellung einen Vaporisator gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 3a, 3b:

eine schematisierte Querschnittsdarstellung eines Vaporisators gemäß noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel in einer ersten Behandlungsstellung (Figur 3a) und in einer zweiten Behandlungsstellung (Figur 3b),

Fig. 4:

eine schematisierte Schnittdarstellung eines Verdampfers zur Verwendung in einem der Vaporisatoren der Figuren 1 bis 3 oder 5 und

Fig. 5:

eine schematisierte Darstellung eines Vaporisators gemäß noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a schematic representation of a Vaporisators for applying a low-temperature steam,

Fig. 2:

in a schematic representation of a vaporiser according to a further embodiment,

3a, 3b:

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vaporiser according to still another embodiment in a first treatment position (FIG. FIG. 3a ) and in a second treatment position ( FIG. 3b )

4:

a schematic sectional view of an evaporator for use in one of the vaporisers of the FIGS. 1 to 3 or 5 and

Fig. 5:

a schematic representation of a Vaporisators according to yet another embodiment.

A vaporiser 1 is for applying a low-temperature steam to a human body part. The vaporiser 1 comprises a storage container 2 for storing water, which is used in this embodiment as a treatment liquid. The outlet of the storage container 2 is connected to a steam line 3, via which water from the storage container 2 is fed to an evaporator 5 through a pump 4 driven by an electric motor in the illustrated embodiment. The pump 4 and the evaporator 5 are adjustable in terms of their power and connected for this purpose to a control unit 6. Thus, the power consumption of the pump 4 and the evaporator 5 is controlled via the control unit 6. Thus, the pump can also be controlled pulsating. In a manner not shown, an actuator is also connected to the control unit 6, with which a user can turn the vaporizer on and off and with which a user can set certain steam parameters, such as temperature and moisture content. Depending on the set parameters, the low-temperature steam generation is performed.

The outlet of the evaporator 5 is connected via a steam line 7 to a mixing and distribution chamber 8 as part of a treatment vessel 9. The interior of the treatment vessel represents the space in which the body part to be treated is inserted. The mixing and distribution room 8 is located within the treatment room. Thus, the superheated steam provided by the evaporator 5 is delivered as superheated steam flow via the steam line 7 into the mixing and distribution space 8. Furthermore, the outlet 10 of a fan 11, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a fan as a delivery member, opens into the mixing and distribution chamber 8. By means of the blower 11, ambient air at ambient temperature is introduced into the mixing and distribution space 8. The regarding Ambient air supplied to its temperature in the mixing and distribution chamber 8 mixes with the hot steam flow and cools it depending on the temperature difference between the superheated steam flow and the supplied ambient air flow and the mixing ratio with which these two flows are supplied and mixed with each other. The mixing ratio is adjusted to produce the desired low-temperature steam flow. The temperature corresponds to the treatment temperature. At the same time, the ratio of the mixture of superheated steam flow and supplied ambient air is adjusted so that the introduced by the superheated steam flow into the mixing and distribution space 8 moisture does not condense. Thus, the moisture content of the superheated steam is at least substantially maintained. Therefore, in contrast to the most extensive saturation of the hot steam flow in terms of its water absorption capacity of the supplied via the fan 11 cooling ambient air flow is unsaturated in terms of its water absorption capacity.

The mixing and distribution chamber 8 is located within the treatment vessel 9 shown in the figure in a longitudinal section parallel to the top view side and is enclosed by a baffle element 13 covering the mouths of the steam delivery line 7 and the cooling gas line 12. The baffle 13 is concavely arched in the direction of the pipe mouths and via webs 14 at the in FIG. 1 visible side wall 15 of the treatment vessel 9 supported. The low-temperature vapor formed within the mixing and distribution chamber 8 emerges from the web gaps S and is distributed within the treatment vessel 9.

Below the concave curvature of the impact element 13, a fragrance cartridge 16 is arranged. The perfume cartridge 16 is in the illustrated embodiment of a plastic sintered material with oil as a fragrance in the cavities. Thus, fragrance is taken up in the course of mixing and the turbulence of the two streams and introduced into the treatment vessel 9 together with the low-temperature steam as a fragrance carrier. At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the perfume cartridge 16 is at least partially directly from the steam emerging from the steam discharge line 7 superheated steam.

The storage container 2 has a fill level sensor 17, which can also be read out by the control unit 6. If the filling level inside the storage container 2 is too low or falls below a prescribed minimum quantity, the pump 4 and the evaporator 5 can be switched off for safety reasons. At the same time a signal is generated with which a user is signaled that water is to be refilled into the storage container 2.

The control unit 6 controls in response to a predetermined control algorithm and a user-side setting the operation of the Vaporisators 1 and its actuators - the pump 4, the evaporator 5 and the blower 11. About the power regulation of the pump 4 and the evaporator 5 are the amount of hot steam generated and the temperature of the generated superheated steam adjustable. The power controllability of the blower 11 allows the mixing ratio between the hot steam flow flowing via the delivery line 7 and the cooling ambient air flow supplied via the blower 11 to be adjusted. Similarly, this mixing ratio can also be influenced by appropriate control of the pump 4 and the evaporator 5.

In addition to the above-described elements, the vaporiser 1 in the illustrated embodiment has an electrically rechargeable metal ring 18, which encloses the mouth of the refrigerant gas line 10 in the mixing and distribution space 8. With suitable electrical charging of the metal ring 18, this ionization of the vapor and in turn a disinfection can be achieved.

Instead of such a metal ring 18 as an electrode or in addition, an electrode needle, typically arranged axially with respect to the cooling gas line 12, are used.

In one development, it may be provided to associate one or more attachments, typically designed as cover attachments, with the treatment vessel in order to allow treatment of different body parts depending on the particular attachment selected. Thus, for example, a face attachment may be provided, whose upper edge is adapted to the contour of the face of a person. Additionally, at Such a treatment of the vaporiser be placed on a pedestal with which this is inclined for an ergonomically favorable treatment.

FIG. 2 shows in a section of another vaporizer 1.1. The Vaporisator 1.1 is basically the same structure as the Vaporisator 1 of FIG. 1 , The vaporiser 1.1 differs from the vaporiser 1 in that the clear width of the outlet 10.1 of the cooling gas line 12.1 in the interior of the mixing and distribution chamber 8.1 in diameter is greater than the diameter of the baffle element 13.1. This allows an operation of the vaporiser 1.1, in which at least a portion of the conveyed through the cooling gas line 12.1 cooling gas, typically ambient air, flows past the baffle element 13.1 past directly to the body part to be treated. Through an alternating connection and disconnection of the superheated steam supply, this can be used to increase an alternating bath effect.

FIG. 3a shows a section of a further treatment vessel 9.2 in a cross-sectional view. In this treatment vessel 9.2 is located at the top of an openable flap 19, the in FIG. 1 is located in a first position for use of the treatment vessel 9.2. In FIG. 3a the flap 19 is closed. The flap 19 is a part of the upper wall 20 of the treatment vessel 9.2 and is located in a vertical alignment above the baffle element 13.2. The baffle element 13.2 of this embodiment of the treatment vessel 9.2 is open towards the top 19 and is located just as in the two previously described embodiments in front of the mouth of the steam supply line 7.2. The flap 19 serves the purpose that the treatment vessel 9.2 or the vaporiser can be used with the treatment vessel 9.2 for applying superheated steam for other parts of the human body, and that when the flap 19, as in FIG. 3b shown is open. For applying superheated steam, only superheated steam is conveyed through the delivery line 7.2. On the inside of the baffle element 13.2, the steam is deflected with respect to its flow direction and exits from the top-side treatment opening 21 of the treatment vessel 9.2. In this way, superheated steam can also be applied to those body parts which can not be inserted or inserted into the interior of a treatment vessel. Thus, hair can be treated in this way.

FIG. 4 shows an evaporator 22, the core of which is a PTC heating element 23. The PTC heater 23 is embedded in a flow block containing aluminum block. The aluminum block of the illustrated embodiment is composed of several parts, in the present case of four parts. Immediately surrounding the PTC heating element 23 are two block parts 24, 24.1. Between these, the PTC heating element 23 is held with its flat sides standing under a certain bias. This serves to provide a particularly good heat transfer from the PTC heating element 23 to the block parts 24, 24.1. The block part 24 has on the outside a meandering over the longitudinal extent of the block member 24 extending channel 25, which merges at its end located in the flow direction in a connecting channel 26. In principle, the block part 24.1 has the same structure, but in this case the fluid flows from the connection channel 26.1 into the flow channel 25.1 designed in the same way in a meandering manner. The flow cross section of the flow channels 25 and 25.1 is different. The flow cross section of the meandering flow channel 25.1 is smaller than the flow cross section of the meandering flow channel 25. The two connection channels 26, 26.1 are connected to each other by a sealing sleeve D. The sealing sleeve D is inserted into a corresponding sleeve recess in each case a block part 24 and 24.1. The flow channels 25, 25.1 are introduced by milling into the respective block parts 24, 24.1. These channels 25, 25.1 are each closed by a cover 27, 27.1. In the lid 27 is an inflow opening 28. In the lid 27.1 is the output 29. Through the inflow 28 water is fed to the evaporator 22. From the output 29 steam exits, as this schematized by the block arrows in FIG. 4 is shown.

Instead of forming the meandering flow channels by introducing them into the lid (s) by milling, it can also be introduced into the lid (s) by other means, for example by molding the same. It is also possible to introduce the Strömungswegsamkeit in the lid and adjacent thereto metal components, so that when added to the metal component lid, the introduced channels complement each other. It is too possible to introduce the Strömungswegsamkeit only in the metal component, which is then closed as a channel of the lid. The flow paths may also be formed in other ways in the respective metal block, for example when the metal part is built up by means of a sintering process.

During operation of the evaporator 22, water is introduced into the evaporator 22 through the inlet 28, evaporates at the appropriate temperature aluminum, exits through the outlet 29 and is then supplied, for example via the delivery line of the mixing chamber. In the course of evaporation, the aluminum block parts 24, 24.1 heat is removed. The same applies to the PTC heating element 23, which is also cooled with appropriate Wasserbeaufschlagung the flow paths 25, 25.1. Due to the inertia of the PTC heating element 23, this thus requires certain rest periods in which no water should be pumped through the aluminum block parts 24, 24.1 for steam generation, so that the PTC heating element 23 is heated again to the intended temperature. Therefore, it is provided to drive the evaporator 22 typically with a pulsed water supply, depending on the temperature of the PTC heating element.

For the purpose of providing a uniform flow of steam, the cross section of the fluid channels 25.1 is dimensioned slightly smaller than that of the flow channels 25. As a result, a certain dynamic pressure is generated with the result that the generated steam flows out of the outlet 29 uniformly. This allows an operation of the evaporator 22 with a pulsed impingement of water while still the output side of the generated steam flows evenly or at least sufficiently uniformly. Thus, in this evaporator 22, the inertia resulting from the use of a PTC heating element is used in a skilful manner in spite of periodically pressurizing the evaporator 22 with evaporation liquid through the design of providing a certain output side dynamic pressure, for example through the smaller flow cross-sectional geometry of the flow channel 25.1 on the output side Let steam escape evenly. As a result, the evaporation temperature is kept periodically low, so that fine, unevaporated drops of the heated liquid are produced or entrained, which keeps the escaping steam "particularly wet". In addition, it is advantageous that the pump for pumping the water to be evaporated does not have to be operated constantly.

FIG. 5 shows another vaporizer 1.2. This is in principle constructed like the Vaporisator of the FIG. 1 , From this differs the vaporizer 1.2 in the arrangement of his perfume cartridge 16.2. This is located in the vaporiser 1.2 not within the mixing and distribution room 8.2, but within the refrigerant gas line 12.2. The additive stored in the scent cartridge 16.2 or the additive mixture have a consistency so that the air flow conveyed by the blower 11.2 can absorb something of the substance or mixture of substances contained in the cartridge 16.2. In the case of the vaporiser 1.2, the introduction of a substance or substance mixture contained in such a cartridge 16.2 is thus coupled to the conveying activity of the blower 11.2.

The description of the invention makes it clear that, with the described concept of the vaporiser and the described method, such a vaporiser can also be realized with a low construction volume. For this reason, this concept is particularly suitable when a Vaporisatorfunktion in an existing device, such as a foot bath or the like should be additionally integrated. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 1, 1.1, 1.2 vaporiser 2 storage container 3 delivery line 4 pump 5 Evaporator 6 control unit 7, 7.1, 7.2 delivery line 8, 8.1, 8.2 Mixing and distribution room 9, 9.1, 9.2 treater 10, 10.1 output 11, 11.1, 11.2 fan 12, 12.1, 12.2 Cooling gas line 13, 13.1, 13.2 baffle 14, 14.1 web 15, 15.1 Side wall 16, 16.1, 16.2 scent cartridge 17 level sensor 18 metal ring 19 flap 20 wall 21 treatment opening 22 Evaporator 23 PTC heating element 24, 24.1 Aluminum block part 25, 25.1 fluid channel 26, 26.1 connecting channel 27, 27.1 cover 28 entrance 29 output S Bridge gap

Claims (14)

1. Vaporiser for applying steam to a part of the human body, comprising

   - a storage container (2) for storing a treatment liquid, particularly water,

   - a pump (4) connected to the storage container (2) for conveying treatment liquid,

   - an evaporator (5) for the evaporation of the treatment liquid conveyed by the pump (4),

   - a steam line (7, 7.1, 7.2) provided downstream to the evaporator (5),
   a treatment vessel (9, 9.1, 9.2), in which the body part to be treated is introduced or against which it can rest, and

   - a device for supplying a cooling gas stream that is utilised for cooling of the vapour stream via a cooling gas line (12, 12.1, 12.2) wherein the entrance of the cooling gas line (12, 12.1, 12.2) is arranged outside the treatment vessel (9, 9.1, 9.2) and is switched on for the conveying of gas flowing through the cooling gas line into this one blower (11, 11.1, 11.2),
   characterised by
   a mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1, 8.2), located in the treatment space of the treatment vessel (9, 9.1, 9.2), in which the steam line (7, 7.1, 7.2) and the cooling gas line (12, 12.1, 12.2) enter, wherein the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1, 8.2) comprises a baffle element (13), supported by webs (14) at the wall end and/or floor end of the treatment vessel (9, 9.1, 9.2), the baffle surface of said baffle element being oriented towards the mouth of the lines (7, 7.1, 7.2, 12, 12.1, 12.2), wherein the at least one web interspace forms the through-opening for introducing the steam/cooling gas mixture formed in the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1, 8.2) into the treatment space of the treatment vessel (9, 9.1, 9.2).
2. Vaporiser according to claim 1, characterised in that the steam line (7, 7.1, 7.2) and the cooling gas line (12, 12.1, 12.2) enter, parallel to each other, into the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1, 8.2).
3. Vaporiser according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the baffle element (13) is concavely curved on its side facing the line mouths.
4. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a cartridge (16, 16.1) containing an additive or an additive mixture is arranged or can be inserted in the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1), wherein the additive or the additive mixture has a consistency such that, of steam and/or cooling gas present in the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1), some of it can be received.
5. Vaporiser according to claim 4, characterised in that the additive contained in cartridge (16, 16.1) or the additive mixture contained therein is designed such that additive or additive mixture is released from the cartridge (16, 16.1) if, within the mixing- and distribution space (8, 8.1), there is a temperature which is clearly above the ambient temperature.
6. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, in the cooling gas line (11.2), a cartridge (16.2) containing an additive or an additive mixture is arranged or can be inserted, wherein the additive or the additive mixture has a consistency such as to be received by the cooling gas flowing past it.
7. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the cartridge (16, 16.1, 16.2) is made of a sintered plastic material in the pore cavity of which the additive or the additive mixture is contained in a carrier, particularly oil.
8. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that, in the area of the mouth of at least one of the two lines (7, 12) in the mixing- and distribution space (8) at least one ionisation electrode, for example designed as a metal ring (18, 18.1), is arranged.
9. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the evaporator (22) has a metal block (24, 24.1) having flow paths (25, 25.1) and a heating element (23) connected thereto in a heat-conducting manner, particularly a PTC heating element.
10. Vaporiser according to claim 9, characterised in that the metal block is composed of a plurality of parts (24, 27, 24.1, 27.1), wherein the heating element (23) is located between two parts of the metal block (24, 24.1) and contacts both metal parts (24, 24.1) in a heat-conducting manner.
11. Vaporiser according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the flow paths are designed within the evaporator (22) such that a back pressure is generated on the output side by the process of the evaporation of treatment liquid.
12. Vaporiser according to claim 11, characterised in that the output-side flow channel (25.1) of the evaporator (22) has, at least in sections, a smaller flow cross-section than the input-side flow channel (25).
13. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the treatment vessel (9) is designed to accommodate a hand, two hands, a foot or both feet.
14. Vaporiser according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the treatment vessel (9) is part of a foot bath.

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