EP2626054B1 - Hot air and/or steam bath device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hot air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung according to the preamble of claim 1.

Already in ancient times, man sought physical well-being by staying in saunas, steam and vapor baths.

In the mentioned treatments, a guest usually goes into a specially designed room, in which he exposes himself in a sitting or lying position of prevailing in the room more or less moist and hot air.

Alternatively, by infusions, the air can be sheared mixed with steam, which is desired to increase the sweating is caused.

These forms of treatment, especially in saunas, are carried out as a group treatment as well as a single treatment.

In addition, so-called hay baths and hay applications have always been known. The aim of such hay applications is to digest the hay by heat and steam treatment so that the active ingredients contained therein and essential oils (coumarins) as well as other active ingredients can be absorbed through the skin and the respiratory tract.

To carry out such hay applications, the hay substances can be provided in pack-like application units, similar to moor or fango packs.

From the DE 37 25 318 C2 In this case, for example, a process for producing a hay, grass and / or herbal bath application is known, in which the hay, grass or herbs to be used are sprayed with water, sprinkled, steamed, etc., around the active ingredients dissolved therefrom catch. The thus pretreated hay, grass or herbs are then placed on an air- or vapor-permeable, preferably reticulated lying surface and supplied to the pretreatment agents below the bed in a device for evaporation, evaporation or spraying.

A separate vaporization device for inhaling air with appropriate active ingredients, which can also be obtained from hay or herbs, passing air is for example from the DE 39 13 280 C2 known.

In addition, so-called "Kraxenöfen" have become known, as they are offered and provided for example under the label "Haslauer Kraxenofen ^® ". These are single-seat application places, the back area a slatted-like design have, wherein the individual slats of a semi-cylindrical shape following in vertical alignment are arranged side by side in parallel. Behind these for the air and the vapor permeable slatted backrests are - optionally protected by a fleece and separated - arranged hay packs through which hot air is blown. This makes it possible that herbal vapor is targeted in the back and neck area. The guest performing the application is covered with a kind of "cloak" at the front.

By using the film as a "cape", the herbal steam accumulates in the area of the body and leads to overheating. Since steam has a temperature of over 100 ° C, care must be taken to avoid burns. Therefore, in this prior art application, the evaporator is turned off after about one minute. If this ultimately leads to excessive cooling effect, the evaporator is switched on again. As naturally haze rises, it is sucked from above with a blower and fed back into the lower area.

A hot air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung is from the EP 0 779 067 B1 known. It is a hot air steam bath cabin with a bench-like application area, on which several guests can sit next to each other. The backrest is also air and vapor permeable. Behind the backrest, a device for generating hot air (hot air) is preferably provided on the bottom side, which may be interspersed with more or less steam. This hot or hot air can then through the backrest in the back of a Application of performing guest flock.

Furthermore, however, a preferably mounted on the ceiling in the treatment room air circulation device is provided, which detects the rising example of a heating and steam device hot air and / or steam and deflects with radial and downward component so to the treatment stations that optionally with Steam-permeated warm air with downwardly directed flow component from the rear side passes to the treatment stations.

A generic hot air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung in terms of a single treatment center is for example from the U.S. 4,671,284 known. This known device comprises an application space with a backrest area and a support area. Due to the backrest or supporting area, an application site located at the front is separated from a feed and distribution space located at the rear. The backrest or support area is not permeable to air and vapor. Furthermore, a tempering device is provided, which is accommodated in the supply and distribution space, via which tempered and possibly vapor-permeated air can reach the actual application site via laterally provided slot-shaped channels, which is preferably covered by a hood. The supply and distribution space is divided into two, ie it comprises two chambers, which in turn sucked air from the application site via lateral openings and again passed through a fan device through the supply and distribution space to be heated there again by the intended heater.

This is ultimately a classic device for the application of a seat-steam bath, this arrangement comprises a separate from the application warm-up zone, laterally from the air reaches the application site and is sucked from the side again to be reheated accordingly.

An example of the individual application of packages (for example, of peloid packs or hay packs, etc.) is also from the WO 2007/031177 A2 known. Here, a funnel-shaped treatment head 3 is used, in which a package 5 is used interchangeably. By way of example, a fleece can be laid over the interchangeable pack 5, via which the pack is held in the corresponding bowl-shaped receptacle of the treatment head. The treatment head itself is provided via a hose connection with a temperature control device, via which a gaseous or vaporous medium of desired temperature can be supplied to the treatment head, which then flows through the pack to release the active ingredients therein and deliver it via the web. An operator may then, in a single application, carry this treatment head over the body of a guest to be treated and apply the heat with varying contact between the pack and the skin of a bather, including the active ingredients present in the package on the skin of the guest performing the bath application to be effective. The incompatible reaction arises mainly because when entering a very warm room, first the high temperatures are perceived above in the head area. But especially in the head area, overheating is very badly tolerated by humans. The consequence of this is that the Situation and the overheated room is rejected. As a result, anxiety may even develop due to overheating. In the case of entering an overheated room but also from the legs this overheating can be perceived as unpleasant signals that are intuitively classified and evaluated by the body as a dangerous situation.

There are a number of issues and issues to consider in such heat applications using packages or when using heat or steam cabins. If a corresponding application is to be carried out, for example, in a larger room, it requires a considerable amount of time and energy in order to bring the room to a level satisfactory to the guest. A perceived pleasant temperature level is usually reached only when the entire environment including the room, the walls and the ceiling has the same temperature as the room air. If the walls are cooler, for example, then the guest feels an unpleasant radiant cold. This therefore requires an often several hours long preheating. At WellnessHotels, the steam baths also need to be kept constantly "on temperature", which also contributes to a considerable energy consumption.

On the other hand, such, always preheated to a sufficient temperature level application rooms are often perceived by the guests entering the room as very unpleasant, because first felt the first time entering the room, the sensed temperature too high and / or the degree of humidity as well too high and thus uncomfortable becomes. This solves rather discomfort states if not anxiety states, as the guest thinks that he will not be able to endure the application at these high temperatures and high humidity level. It is also known that the heat affects the body quite differently and triggers very different consequences.

It should also be noted that the head usually does not tolerate overheating at all.

Especially older guests often complain of varicose veins, especially in the leg area (varices). Therefore, overheating of the legs is always a risk.

In the chest a slight overheating is well tolerated, but not a strong overheating.

Especially in the back area, overheating is perceived as pleasant and pleasant. Over-heating from the back has a relaxing effect on the internal organs and the entire musculoskeletal system.

Therefore, there is basically a desire to realize a single-part body steam bath which requires less energy, and this at a lower preheating time or possibly even without preheating time. In addition, it should be ensured that a mild overheating in the chest area and an intensive overheating in the back and shoulder area with simultaneous recess of the head and leg area is possible.

Object of the present invention is therefore therefore to provide an improved hot air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung.

The object is achieved according to the invention specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The device according to the invention is characterized, inter alia, by the fact that only comparatively little air has to be heated or preheated by the overall construction, and that the air to be heated and vapor to be passed through is ultimately completely used and it is not absolutely necessary to use large spaces or Total common rooms to bring to a desired temperature level.

The invention - if this should be desired for cost reasons - can also be used without the use of packs, in particular without the use of hay or other substances, although this is preferred due to the active ingredients present in the hay. According to the invention, provision is made for the device to have a backrest or support region which separates an application site located at the front thereof (on which a guest performing the application can sit) from a recirculation and distribution chamber located at the back.

About this recirculation and distribution space, for example, warmed up and optionally with steam interspersed air through the air and / or vapor permeable Rückenlehnen- and / or support area supplied to the application site, so that the tempered and usually moist air targeted the back and neck area a guest can be supplied to the application place.

The overall structure of the device is such that heated or superheated air can not be supplied to the head or leg area. In other words, the device is designed such that the heated and superheated and vapor-permeated air is preferably supplied to the back region, in particular the shoulder or pelvic region.

Decision-relevant in the context of the invention, however, is that appropriately tempered and usually overheated and especially provided with moisture air from the aforementioned, located behind the Rückenlehnen- and / or support area circulation and distribution space initially at least partially removed and circulated. In this case, during the circulation phase, the heated air passing through the circulation and distribution space is preferably subjected to further temperature equalization and / or temperature adjustment before being returned to the recirculation and distribution space and to the fresh one external heated and vapor-supplied heated air is mixed before it then, as mentioned, in particular on the back and pelvic area of a sitting in the seating bathers can flow.

Preferably, a heated plate is used as a further tempering during the Umwälzphase, that is preferably a rear boundary wall, which is part of Umwälzkanales on which circulates the originating from the supply and distribution space Tempered air and ultimately fed to the supply and distribution space again.

This design ensures that an unobstructed jet of heated vapor-permeated air coming from the first tempering device, and possibly too hot, can not directly impact the back of a bather, which could result in burns. Therefore, it is provided in the context of the invention, the aforementioned heated and permeated with moisture air, so preferably to suck the mist upwards and preferably fed again from below the circulating and distribution space. This circulation channel preferably runs behind the feed and distribution space. As a result, the air recirculated in the circulation channel is dry-heated via the mentioned secondary heating device and distributed as needed.

Figur 1:

eine schematische vertikale Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Anwendungsplatz; und

Figur 2:

eine schematische horizontale Schnittdarstellung unter Draufsicht auf die Sitzfläche eines anhand der Figur 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiels für einen erfindungsgemäßen Anwendungsplatz.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. In detail:

FIG. 1:

a schematic vertical cross-sectional view through an application space; and

FIG. 2:

a schematic horizontal sectional view under plan view of the seat of a based on the FIG. 1 shown inventive embodiment of an application space according to the invention.

The warm air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung invention is preferably designed in the manner of a single cabin. But it is also possible that in the context of the invention, the hot air and / or Dampfbadvorrichtung can also be configured as a double or multi-person cabin, of the Basic design forth comparable to beach baskets, which may also be designed, for example, as a single-seat or multi-space beach baskets.

The device according to the invention, which will also be briefly referred to below as a cabin or application cabin, basically comprises an application site 1 with a backrest and / or rest area 3. If the cabin is designed for a seated application, the backrest and / or rest area 3 comprises also a seating area 5. Should the application booth be designed more for a reclining application, the cabin would in this case comprise instead of a seating area 5 a pool area which, for the sake of simplicity, will also be referred to as pool area 5 for short.

At least the backrest and / or support region 3 is made air-permeable to air or steam by, for example, a slatted or lattice-shaped design is used. It is also possible that the back and / or support portion 3, for example, has a fabric-like structure, which preferably consists of a plastic material, which can be easily cleaned. Such an air- or vapor-permeable fabric structure for the backrest or support region 3 can be anchored and held in the lower or upper anchoring region or in a left or right rather vertically extending side region 9 on a support structure 11, preferably replaceable.

The entire apparatus or cabin preferably has side walls 13 ( FIG. 2 ), which are transversely, for example, approximately perpendicular or, for example, as in FIG. 2 can be slightly differentiated from the rearward area towards the front. Preferably, a wall portion 16 and a canopy or ceiling 17 is also provided in the neck and head area 15, these measures are all not absolutely necessary, but here in many areas modifications are possible. In general, the device with the feeding region for supplying warm and moist air, which will be discussed below, can be designed so that the upper edge, at which air is still being supplied to a bather, lies below the neck and thus the head region, in front of which the head and neck regions are located to protect against overheating. In this case, therefore, the height H would be to a seat 5 to the upper portion 6 of the device dimensioned so that it corresponds to the usual length of a back-pelvic region of a bather. Otherwise, additional guide surfaces and / or covers could also be provided in order to be able to make a corresponding adaptation to the height of a bather here.

By thus designed device or cabin located in front of the Rückenlehnen- or support area 3 application space 1 is created.

In the context of the invention, a supply and distribution space 21 is provided on the rear side of the backrest and supporting area 3 opposite to the application space 1, in which ultimately the heated, usually moisture and active substances, air which is required for the application prevails over that in the backrest 3 provided perforation or provided in the back area passages 23 the application site 1 when performing the application is supplied. The above-mentioned supply and distribution space 21 is hereinafter also referred to as feed, mixing space and distribution space 21 in part, since here the heated and moist air used is mixed to achieve an optimum temperature level.

It can be seen from the drawings that the device according to the invention further comprises a tempering device 27, which is also referred to in part as a primary tempering device 27, and which serves to heat air. If necessary, refrigerated air could also be produced at least in the short term, should this be desired in a specific application. This temperature device can preferably heat air, if necessary, but at the same time vaporize moisture, so that air heated to a desired temperature level with a corresponding desired degree of moisture is present. For this purpose, the tempering device 27 in the second exemplary embodiment also comprises an evaporator device 27a with a heating device 27b in order to be able to evaporate water present in a liquid container 27c (to which certain active substances may also be added if required). The steam generated above 27d can be mixed with the heated or heated by the heater 27, if necessary, even superheated air and in the following yet another discussed supply and distribution device 33, 39 are supplied to the application site 1. For this purpose, a corresponding air flow generating and propelling device 28 is provided, which may be formed in the embodiment shown as a fan device or compressor 28 or the like.

For the entire control of the plant and the production and supply of heated air and the generation of a corresponding amount of moisture (steam 27d), a control and adjustment device 29 is provided, which in FIG. 1 is schematically indicated by showing an "electric flash" to ultimately make the entire control accordingly for the operation of the system. This is usually controlled by a microprocessor and includes a number of setting and control options.

By means of this tempering device 27 and belonging to the tempering device 27 evaporator 27a thus a correspondingly tempered and interspersed with a desired degree of moisture air flow L can be generated and finally supplied via a feeder 33 with one or more lines or hoses 33a the supply and distribution space 21.

In order to be able to use desired active ingredients as well, insertion nozzles or the like may be provided in the region of the feed device 33 or in the region of the tempering device 27 or else in the area of the feed and distribution space 21 in order to introduce suitable and desired active substances here for the application. This is not shown in detail in the embodiment shown.

In the context of the invention, packs 37 are preferably used, in particular hay packs 37, in order to be able to carry out an application which is as efficient as possible. The packs 37 are, for example, in a certain width and height in the distributing space 21, in particular on the rear side of the distributing space 21, opposite the backrest area 3 arranged as shown in the vertical cross-sectional view according to FIG. 1 and in the horizontal cross-sectional view according to FIG FIG. 2 can be seen. As a result, a packing field 137 is created, which is flowed over the entire surface of the heated and permeable air flow L as possible. For this purpose, an air distribution device 39 is provided, which is connected to the line 33, 33a, about which the air flow L fans out accordingly and flows through as possible all areas of the arranged packages 37 according to the variety of arrow representations of these packs 37, from the rear area in the direction to the front lying supply, circulation or distribution space 21. From the point of view, this may be a device as they are in principle from the WO 2007/031177 A2 is known. In this prior publication, a treatment head with packages is shown, which can be placed directly in this prior art to various parts of the body, wherein the packages are held in treatment heads, on the rear sides of an air distribution device is provided. This can ensure that the coming of a tempering and possibly interspersed with steam air is distributed correspondingly comprehensive and different sections of the packs is supplied so that this air flow can flow through the packs optimally. This construction ensures that water-soluble active substances present in the packs are very effectively removed from the packs and preferably taken in small droplets, which can thus ultimately be applied to the human skin. In the context of the present invention, therefore, a similarly constructed air distribution device 39 in conjunction with the mentioned Packs 37 ensures that the corresponding active ingredients can be released from the packs and ultimately, after flowing through the circulating and distributing space 21, can be fed via the perforation 23 of a person seated on the seat 3.

Particularly economical, the entire arrangement in the invention is also because the packs 37 are not only used for one, but for several guests, since the corresponding packs 37 are not applied and applied directly on the skin of a bather, but at a distance A. to be used within the scope of the invention. Because the packs 37 are separated by the aforementioned supply and distribution space 21 and optionally the certain thickness and provided with a perforation or passage opening 23 backrest and support area 3, so that this pack 37 with the human skin of a bather not in contact can occur.

Upon activation of the device according to the invention and connection of the tempering device 27, 27a, the generated, heated and moist air can flow through the distributing devices 39 and the packs 37 well and uniformly and thus reach the supply and distribution space 21.

The aforementioned supply, mixing and / or distribution space 21 can be designed arbitrarily by the size and shape. It can be enclosed on all sides by walls. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this mixing and / or feeding or distribution space 21 has a depth A1 and a height A2 and a width A3, wherein the height should correspond approximately to the height H, in the context of which the treatment in the back region to be carried out. The width A3 corresponds approximately to the back width of a human or slightly wider. The depth A1 is rather technical, in order to carry out a sufficient mixing of the air - as discussed below - can.

In practical operation, it should be noted, however, that condensed water will soon increase in some areas of the packs 37, and the herbs contained in the packs 37, especially if hay packs are used, can cake together, thus hindering further air flow at these points is. It is therefore within the scope of the invention in the field of temperature control device 27 or in the region of the feed device 33, that is, the line 33a also in FIG. 1 only schematically indicated compressor 28 is provided, which ensures even with changing air resistance that a uniform air flow L is coming from the tempering 27 coming through the herbs or packs 37 in the supply and distribution space 21 is pressed. A uniform air flow L is also achievable because the caking of parts of the packs and herbs in some places, the air flow is lower and at other points rather "larger" holes through which more air can flow through it. However, this can have the consequence that overheated air penetrates too quickly and easily into the supply and distribution space 21 and thus can reach too early and too hot on the back of a bather when performing an application.

Therefore, in the context of the invention, an additional air circulation device 45 is provided which has a preferred overhead, so above the packing field 137 with The feed device or opening 47a arranged in the packs 37, from which an air circulation passage 147 begins. From the mentioned feed device of the feed opening 47a, an air circulation channel 147 begins, which at its end opposite the feed or inlet opening 47a has an exit opening 47b which preferably lies below the distributing device 39 and thus of the packing field 137. This outlet opening 47b may be slit-shaped, ie rectangular in principle, by which the air circulated via this air circulation path is in turn pressed into the supply and distribution space 21. In the case of rotating air circulation device 45, the heated and vapor-permeated air present in the supply and distribution chamber 21 can be sucked out at least partially, that is to say above all, very hot rising air is supplied to the rearward circulation channel 147 via the preferably overhead feed or inlet opening 47a via the lower outlet opening 47b the circulating and distribution space 21 are again added new.

The withdrawal or removal device 47 here in the form of a feed opening 47a for the air circulation channel 147 may consist of one or more lines which extend more or far into the supply and distribution space 21 and which are provided there at different locations, for example with suction 47a. Ultimately, however, can also be applied to such an embodiment as in the embodiment shown FIG. 1 and 2 be omitted, if in the upper region of the supply and distribution space 21 in the direction of air circulation device 45 correspondingly mixed with moisture air is removed or sucked. As is apparent from the vertical sectional view according to FIG. 1 can be seen, the extracted from the circulation and distribution space 21 strongly heated and vapor-permeated air via overhead opening 47a to the rear circulation section or channel 147 on, via the mentioned lying in this recirculation Umwälzinrichtung 45, the in the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also rather located above, that is, above the packing field 137. The air is then moved downwards from top to bottom in accordance with the arrow representations 48, and then finally conveyed forward again in front of the plane of the packing field 137, via a feed opening 47b (feed slot) which preferably extends over the entire width of the pack field 137 to be, in which case the vapor-permeated air according to the arrow 53 rises again upwards and flows into the supply and circulation or distribution space 21.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the packing field 137 and the air distribution device 39 facing away from the backrest 3 are separated by a wall 51a. This wall 51a is heated by the air distribution device 39 and the packing 37 which is close to the front, so that this wall 51a can also be referred to as a secondary tempering device 51. This tempering device or tempering wall 51, 51a thus also serves to equalize the temperature, that is generally to a temperature compensation of along this wall from top to bottom in the respective air circulation channel 147 recirculated and circulated steam-air mixture.

If this along the thus formed tempering 51 and tempering wall 51a to an optimum temperature-leveled air-vapor mixture is again fed along the arrow representations 53 in the feed circulation or distribution chamber 21, it mixes there again with the freshly generated and very strongly heated air-vapor mixture L, which over the supply line 33 and a corresponding feed opening in the wall 51a can flow through the packs 37 into the distribution space 21 via the air distribution device 39.

The mentioned secondary tempering device 51 may be configured as an active tempering device, which is, for example, electrically heatable (or coolable). It is therefore a dry temperature, since no new moisture is supplied here. In the context of the invention, as a particularly simple embodiment, the secondary tempering device 51 is preferably operated such that the energy and heating provided therefrom ultimately takes place via the primary tempering device, namely via the heated and moisture-permeated air stream L. generated by the primary tempering device Air flow is in the flow through mainly via the distributor 39, corresponding heat to the channel wall 51a, which acts here as a heating plate 51a, so that forms the secondary temperature control. Because the distributing device 139 is also fanned out in a planar shape, which is intended to flow through the packed field 137 as far as possible over the entire surface of the heated air flowed through with vapor here. Thus, therefore, a portion of this energy of the supplied and permeated with air stream of air used to heat the corresponding channel or heating wall 51 a, which then as part of the Luftumwälzweges the The air circulating through the air circulation channel 147 can accordingly heat, homogenize or cool easily.

This construction ensures that in the supply and distribution chamber 21 of the freshly supplied and vapor-permeated superheated portion of the air-vapor mixture, which is supplied from the primary temperature control 27, 27a the supply and distribution space 21, now with that proportion of the air-vapor mixture can be mixed, which is removed from the supply and distribution chamber 21 and circulated through the circulation channel 147, tempered there and discharged through an exit port 47 b again in the supply and distribution space 21. This mixing ensures that not too hot, d. H. above all haze droplets, in which active ingredients have been precipitated from the packs, reach the back and pelvic area of a person taking a seat here through the perforation 23 in the backrest region 3 and thereby trigger burns, but the total temperature level is correspondingly buffered and optimized Temperature level can level.

If required, it would otherwise be possible, instead of the secondary tempering device or in addition to the primary and secondary tempering device, to provide a further tempering device by means of which a specific heated air mixture or air / vapor mixture can be fed into the circulation channel 47, 147 in order to improve the temperature Temperature compensation of the entire air-vapor mixture contribute. However, this is not necessarily possible within the scope of the invention but can only represent an additional measure.

The mentioned air circulation device 45 may be formed in any suitable form. In the embodiment shown, a rather tubular distributor fan 45 'is provided, whose axis of rotation 45a and thus its cylinder arrangement extends at least approximately horizontally and parallel to the backrest and preferably extends parallel to the seat width of the seat 5. Here, via several intake pipes from the supply and distribution space 21 originating, moisture mixed and heated air sucked and mixed the originating from the second source of dry air and returned to the supply and distribution space again. In that regard, as already mentioned, the supply and distribution space 21 is also referred to as the mixing and supply space 21.

The air-vapor mixture (the heated air-vapor mixture in the supply, mixing or distribution space 21) now originating from the heating device 27, 27a, which to a large extent is supplied via the distributor 39 and the packs 37 to the feed, mixing and the distribution chamber 21 has been supplied, as well as the above mentioned air circulation device 45 from the supply, mixing and distribution chamber 21 extracted or extracted air-vapor mixture, which in turn was supplied to the mixing and distribution chamber 21 after passing through the tempering 147, then in the corresponding mixed configuration on the in the form of a perforation or passages 23 ausgestaltetem backrest region 3 in the direction of the front side of the application place continue. If a bather has taken a seat there, this air-vapor mixture, which is at an optimum temperature level, strikes the back directly, where overheating is perceived as very positive. The actual neck and head area is protected by the cover wall 16 located above the backrest region. Preferably, however, an embodiment is provided in which the perforation for the outflow of the highly corrosive air-vapor mixture is limited to a height that the head and neck area of a seat occupant bathers above the Ausströmbereiches of the air-vapor mixture comes to rest so that no separate cover walls to protect the head and neck area from overheating are necessary. In the lower back and buttocks area may optionally also be provided an additionally provided or insertable or adjustable in their effective height aperture or cover.

The solution according to the invention thus ensures that the possibly superheated steam - which should also have very high temperatures, so that as much as possible contained in the herbs active substances can be optimally solved and taken - not easily meet especially on the back of a bather, which Burns can be triggered. For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that a part of the air-vapor mixture removed from the supply and distribution space, as described tempered and thus at least usually slightly cooled and fed again in this slightly cooled state the supply and distribution space to The desired air mixing with the fresh superheated air-vapor mixture to produce and only this accordingly after the air blending with respect to the temperature level optimized air-vapor mixture is then led out of the Zuführ- distribution and can in particular reach the back and or pelvic area of a bather.

The leg and foot area is already protected in the illustrated embodiment from overheating anyway, because below the seat no or if only much lower tempered air and / or an air-vapor mixture should escape.

In the embodiment shown, a total of heat treatment has been dispensed with in this area.

If the above-mentioned film cover fits properly, excess (warm and moist) air escapes down the legs. This air is cooler and drier because vapor droplets contained in the airflow have already deposited on the body. In addition, water vapor is preferably pressed through the packings used in the circulation and distribution space by the mentioned compressor. The heat and the humidity in the interior increases cumulatively, whereby the increased humidity (through the water saturation) is felt even warmer. This continues, so to speak, so that ultimately by the device according to the invention an increasing in this sense, d. H. increasing effect (ascending effect) becomes effective, which distinguishes the device according to the invention.

In order to carry out the treatment as efficiently as possible, a bather taking space on the place of application 1 covers himself from the front with a film 71 which may have a head passage opening in the upper area. As a film 71, for example, a nonwoven can be used, which is disposed of after treatment. As a result, more or less of the entire application space 1 is forward through this film 71 with the exception of the projecting through a foil cutout upwards and outwards head and neck of a bather additionally covered, so that the outflowing air and the outflowing vapors and moisture can flow around the body optimally.

Claims (12)

1. Hot air and/or steam bath device having the following features:

   - at least one usage space (1),

   - the at least one usage space (1) comprises a backrest region or support region (3),

   - the usage space (1) located in front of the backrest region or support region (3) is separated from a supply and distribution chamber (21) to the rear of the backrest region or support region by said region,

   - a primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) for generating temperature-controlled air which is optionally interspersed with steam, the primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) being designed in such a way that the correspondingly heated air interspersed with steam is supplied to the supply and distribution chamber (21),

   - an air circulating apparatus (45) for circulating the temperature-controlled air which is generated by the primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) and optionally interspersed with steam,

   - an air circulation channel (147) is also provided,

   - the air circulation channel (147) is connected to the supply and distribution chamber (21) by means of a supply opening (47a),

   characterised by the following additional features

   - the backrest region or support region (3) is permeable to air and steam,

   - at least one additional secondary temperature control apparatus (51) is provided,

   - the at least one secondary temperature control apparatus (51) is provided in the region of the air circulation channel (147),

   - the air circulation channel (147) is provided with an outlet opening (47b) at the end thereof which is opposite the supply opening (47a), by means of which outlet opening the air circulation channel (147) is in turn connected to the supply and distribution chamber (21), and

   - the air circulation apparatus (45) is designed in such a way that temperature-controlled air which is located in the supply and distribution chamber (21) and interspersed with steam is circulated by said apparatus into the air circulation channel (147) via the supply opening (47a) and circulated back into the supply and distribution chamber (21) via said channel and the downstream outlet opening (47b).
2. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to claim 1, characterised in that the secondary temperature control apparatus (51) consists of or comprises a wall (51 a) which delimits the circulation channel (147) and can be heated.
3. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the supply and distribution chamber (21) has a depth relative to the backrest or the support region (3) such that packs (37) can be positioned at a distance (A) relative to the backrest and/or support region (3), through which packs the air originating from the primary temperature device (27, 27a) can be conducted.
4. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to claim 3, characterised in that a distribution apparatus (39) for generating an air flow passing through the packs is provided upstream of the packs (37) in the flow direction.
5. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) comprises a compressor (28), by means of which a uniform air flow through the packs (37) into the supply and distribution chamber (21) can be generated.
6. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the air circulation apparatus (45) is provided in the region of the air circulation channel (147).
7. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the supply opening (47a) for the air circulation channel (147) is provided above the supply and distribution chamber (21).
8. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the outlet opening (47b) of the air circulation channel (147) is located beneath the supply and distribution chamber (21).
9. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a plurality of supply and/or suction lines leading to the at least one circulation channel (147) are provided, by means of which lines temperature-controlled air which is located in the supply and distribution chamber (21) and is interspersed with steam can be conveyed into the air circulation channel (147), and/or in that a plurality of supply lines are provided, via which air circulated by means of the air circulation channel (147) and interspersed with steam can be returned to the supply and distribution chamber (21).
10. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the secondary temperature control apparatus (51) comprising the preferably at least one heatable channel wall (51a) is designed such that it can be heated by the air which is heated by the primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) and interspersed with steam.
11. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the distribution apparatus (39) is designed such that air which is supplied and controlled in temperature by the primary temperature control apparatus (27, 27a) and interspersed with steam can be supplied to the side regions of the usage space (1) via the distribution apparatus preferably before passing through the packs (37) and preferably past the sides of the supply and distribution chamber (21).
12. Hot air and/or steam bath device according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that one or more temperature measuring stations (151) are provided in the supply and distribution chamber (21), by means of which the temperature control apparatuses (27, 27a, 51) can be controlled.

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