EP3569215B1 - Cabin for sauna - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cabin for steam bathing people, into which fresh air is let in and exhaust air is discharged during operation and in the process steam and simultaneously or alternately foam are let in so that the people in it are bathed in steam and foam at the same time. Bathing people in steam and foam at the same time serves to relax the body and cleanse the skin. A method for operating the cabin is also claimed. The foam is let into the lower part of the cabin and the steam into the upper part of the cabin. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the foam is let into the cabin at a height such that the people on the seat of the cabin sit in a foam carpet.

Steam baths for steam bathing people are known in the prior art. Steam baths are often used in cabins in which the people to be steamed are staying, with the internal temperature of the cabin being increased at the same time by the steam introduced or by an additional independent heat source. Cabins, in which people are bathed in steam when the interior temperature is elevated, are also very common in everyday life and are commonly known as saunas. Saunas are used to relax the body, cleanse the skin, stimulate blood circulation and improve wellbeing.

The document US20120233765A1 describes a steam bath system, which reacts to acoustic calls and is controllable thereby, the control via an acoustic receiving unit, which is located inside the steam bath system, and a control unit, which is located outside the steam bath system, sprinkling with water, the water temperature of the sprinkling water , the steam shower rate, the relative humidity in the steam bath and further any optical effects, a music shower, a fragrance supply, a radio system, a television system, a DVD player or a CD player operated. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic Receiving unit a touch-sensitive screen is used for control, and the information transmission from the acoustic receiving unit and the touch-sensitive screen from the steam bath system to the control unit is carried out with the aid of radio transmission.

The document EP0252163B1 describes a steam bath cabin which comprises at least three cabin walls and a cabin roof, with at least the cabin walls being formed from individual, juxtaposed profile tub elements each with a profile floor and at least two longitudinal walls, each with a profile base and at least two longitudinal walls, and with openings for the steam inlet and exhaust air and a door The profile tub elements are made of metal and are attached to one another via tongue and groove connections, in that one longitudinal wall of one of the profile tub elements has a groove and the adjoining longitudinal wall of the adjacent profile tub element has a tongue extension, and both the groove and the tongue extension that fits into the groove are each formed by two spaced-apart web extensions of the longitudinal walls that are parallel to one another and to the profile base.

The steam baths from the prior art are limited to sprinkling with steam or water, which is carried out again from the steam bath cabin within relatively short periods of time, so that active substances contained in the steam or water do not remain in the cabin for long . However, it is often desirable to bring physiologically active ingredients into the cabin of a steam bath, which remain in the cabin longer and thus develop a lasting beneficial, stimulating or even medicinal effect. Examples are products that care for the skin or that stimulate the respiratory tract, which only develop the desired effect when you stay in the cabin for a long time.

The object is therefore to provide a steam bath into which a physiologically active active ingredient can also be introduced over a longer period of time compared to the steam baths from the prior art. The present invention achieves this object by a steam bath, in which steam is let into the upper part in a conventional manner, and foam is let into the lower part, the foam being in the for a longer period of time Cabin remains and can be filled into the cabin up to any filling level. The filling level is only limited by the height of the other inlets and outlets. In practical operation, however, the filling height of the foam is usually selected so that the occupants of the cabin are covered with foam up to stomach height when they are seated on the seat device.

A steam bath is discussed within the scope of this patent application, but the patent application and the underlying facts apply to the same extent and in the same application to a sauna. The sauna differs from a steam bath only in that the sauna is heated by an additional independent heat source. The present invention can thus also be carried out in the same way with an additional independent heat source.

The booth of the present invention may be referred to by the term "fostarium". This term is made up of the words "foam" (English for: foam), "steam" (English for: steam) and the word part "arium" for containers.

The term "foam" defined in this patent application refers in particular to soap foam which is produced from water and commercially available soap by adding them together and mixing them. For the definition of the foam for the present invention, however, “foam” is understood to mean any collection of bubbles in a liquid medium which is formed by admixing surfactants into the liquid medium. The term "steam" defined in this patent application refers in particular to water vapor. However, the definition "steam" for the present invention includes water vapor that is pure and also water vapor that contains impurities. In particular, it is possible that the water vapor contains admixtures that increase the comfort of staying in the cabin or that have a physiological effect.

• die Kabine eine Zufuhröffnung für Wasserdampf, eine Zufuhröffnung für Frischluft, einen Ablauf und einen Abluftauslass umfasst, und
• in der Kabine eine Sitzeinrichtung zur Sitzeinnahme von Kabineninsassen vorhanden ist, und
• die Oberflächenmaterialien der Kabine aus einem wasserresistenten Material bestehen, und
• die Kabine über Steuer- und Regeleinrichtungen verfügt, mit denen sich der Dampfgehalt in der Kabine genau regulieren lässt, und die in ihrer Leistung an die Kabinengröße angepasst sind, und
• die Kabine über einen Potentialausgleich zum Ausgleich elektrischer und elektrostatischer Aufladungen verfügt,
  und welche dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass
• in der Kabine ein weiterer Einlass für Schaum vorhanden ist, der unterhalb der Zufuhröffnung für Wasserdampf, der Zufuhröffnung für Frischluft und unterhalb des Abluftauslasses angeordnet ist, und
• die Kabine über Steuer- und Regeleinrichtungen verfügt, mit denen sich Schaum erzeugen und in definierter Menge in die Kabine zuführen lässt.

What is claimed is a cabin for steam bathing people, comprising at least two outer walls, an access door, a cabin floor and a cabin ceiling, wherein

• the cabin comprises a supply opening for water vapor, a supply opening for fresh air, a drain and an exhaust air outlet, and
• in the cabin there is a seating device for occupants to take their seats, and
• the surface materials of the cabin consist of a water-resistant material, and
• the cabin has control and regulating devices with which the steam content in the cabin can be precisely regulated and the performance of which is adapted to the cabin size, and
• the cabin has equipotential bonding to compensate for electrical and electrostatic charges,
  and which is characterized in that
• in the cabin there is a further inlet for foam, which is arranged below the supply opening for water vapor, the supply opening for fresh air and below the exhaust air outlet, and
• the cabin has control and regulation devices with which foam can be generated and fed into the cabin in a defined quantity.

In a preferred embodiment, the cabin of the present invention has four cabin walls. However, it is also possible to implement the invention to provide only three or two cabin walls if the cabin is installed, for example, against the wall or in the corner of a room. In this case the wall against which the car is installed or the corner against which the car is installed form the car walls. The cabin is preferably designed to be rectangular in plan, but can also include any other geometric shapes. The cabin can also include a roof. In this case, a pressure equalization must be provided. This can be of any type, but is preferably formed by the exhaust air outlet. The cabin also contains a device for equipotential bonding. In a common design, these are metal cables that form part of the cabin, for example the door and the technical Facilities to connect to the earth conductor. This avoids that the occupants or passers-by suffer electrical current surges when touching the cabin, which are caused by electrical or electrostatic charges.

The cabin is designed so that it is suitable as a steam bath or sauna. This means that this is closed in a conventional embodiment in order to keep the heat loss low. However, within the scope of the invention it is also possible for the cabin not to include a roof. This is the case in particular with cabins in rooms that are specially heated and ventilated for this purpose. The cabin usually also contains a door through which the people using the cabin can enter or leave the cabin. Doors for steam baths and saunas are known in the prior art.

In a common embodiment, the cabin also contains an independent device for heating and a thermostat for controlling the internal temperature. This also allows the internal temperature to be set precisely.

In one embodiment of the invention, the control device for controlling the water vapor content is an evaporator unit for water by means of heat, which is connected to the cabin via lines and the supply opening for steam. Evaporator units for water by heat, with which steam baths are supplied with steam, are known in the prior art. Examples of such evaporator units are given in WO2005036055A2 or in the DE19606346C2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the evaporator unit can be a container with heating rods and a discharge line for the water vapor generated.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the control device for the foam is a foam generator, which comprises a mixer for foam-forming surfactants in a water supply, a mixing device and a discharge line for the foam produced, the discharge line having the inlet opening for foam in the Cabin is connected. Examples of foam generators can be found in EP1270828A1 or in the US5842645A . The foam generated can be diverted and fed into the cabin. For this purpose, in an advantageous embodiment, a valve is arranged in the foam generator, downstream of the foam generator in the direction of flow, or a pump in the discharge line, with which the foam can be conveyed into the cabin. In a further advantageous embodiment, the foam in the foam generator is pressurized so that the foam is passed into the cabin by opening the valve.

To supply the foam, a key switch can be located in the cabin for carrying out the invention, which actuates the control device for the foam, the valve behind the foam generator or the pump in the discharge line for the foam produced, and thus for a certain period of time foam into the cabin promotes.

In one embodiment of the invention it is possible to use the steam to carry fragrances into the cabin. For this purpose, a control device for adding fragrances to the water vapor is located on or in the feed line for the steam into the cabin. In an exemplary embodiment, these can be a container for fragrances and a pump for the fragrances, which feeds the fragrance from the fragrance container into the line to the supply opening for steam in the cabin. For example, an atomizer can be arranged behind the pump. The fragrances are added, for example, as an aerosol by atomization or as vapor by simple evaporation in the correct dosage. The fragrances can also be fed into the foam. By adding fragrances, the interior of the cabin can be provided with a pleasant smell during the steam bath. This increases the well-being of the occupants of the cabin. Fragrances for steam baths and saunas are known in the prior art.

It is also possible within the scope of the invention to add physiologically active components to the water vapor instead of or in addition to the fragrances. These physiologically active components can, for example, analogously to the fragrances, the water vapor as an aerosol to be added. A medical effect that is advantageous for the occupants can thereby be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the cabin, the water-resistant surface materials in the interior of the cabin consist of fine stone material, glass, plastics or acrylic plastics. These materials are water-resistant and enable the cabin to have a long service life, even if the steam room is used for a longer period of time.

Sensors are also arranged in the cabin with which the data required to control the regulating devices are collected in the cabin. These are connected via suitable transmission devices to the control devices for the parameters, which are controlled via the collected data. Suitable transmission devices are, for example, cables. Suitable transmission devices can also be wireless transmission devices.

To accommodate the technical auxiliary units, there is a technical room outside the cabin, in which the control device for the steam and the control device for the foam are arranged. The technical room allows the auxiliary units to be better protected against mechanical influences, but also against physical influences such as the steam produced, water and the heat generated. The auxiliary units primarily include the control device for the water vapor and the control device for the foam. The auxiliary units can also include, for example, valves, thermostats, sensors, electrical auxiliary devices, fans, pumps and heating devices. These facilities can be well protected from mechanical and physical influences by being arranged in the technical room.

The device according to the invention also includes Installation items and auxiliary units that are essential for the operation of steam baths and saunas. These are, for example, valves, thermostats, sensors, electrical auxiliary devices, fans, cables, pumps, pipes, hoses and heating devices. These auxiliary devices are known in the prior art.

What is also claimed is a method of operating the cabin of the present invention. What is claimed is a method for operating this cabin, which is characterized in that fresh air is let in and exhaust air is released into the cabin, while steam and foam are introduced at least temporarily at the same time or alternately. The cabin can be used both commercially and privately.

As a rule, when the cabin is in operation, steam and foam are simultaneously let into the cabin for the period of time determined for operation. For carrying out the method of the present invention, it is readily possible to alternately admit steam and foam into the cabin for the period of time determined for operation. In this context, alternating is also understood to mean an operation through which rest pauses take place without introduction between the introduction of steam and foam, the rest pauses being dimensioned such that the foam does not lose its effect.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the cabin is operated with an internal temperature of 40 to 50 ° C. In the context of the present invention, both the introduced steam and independent heating devices can be used for heating to this temperature. The exact setting is made by a thermostat and a control device for the steam or the independent heater. Operation of the cabin without temperature control is conceivable, but generally not desirable. In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the cabin is operated at a relative humidity of 100%.

This air humidity is advantageously set by means of the introduced steam. The air humidity can also be provided by independent air humidifiers in order not to cause excessive heating by the introduced steam. The exact setting of the air humidity is done by a humidity measuring device and the control devices for the control device for the steam or for the independent air humidifier.

The amount and fill level of the foam are also achieved by the control device for adding foam. In a simple embodiment, the control device for adding foam is a foam generating device. The amount of foam is controlled by a control device which controls the foam generation device, a pump behind the foam generation device or a valve in the direction of flow behind the foam generation device. The exact amount of foam and also the foam height can be controlled in the cabin by a foam detector based, for example, on optical detection. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the foam is introduced into the cabin in such an amount that it is above the height of the seat device in the cabin, so that the people in the cabin sit in a foam carpet. As a result, the occupants of the cabin are covered with foam up to stomach height when they take their seats on the seat device. However, higher or lower foam heights are also covered by the invention. The foam can be fed into the cabin, for example, by means of a key switch which is arranged in the cabin and which, when actuated, controls the foam generating device, the pump for the foam or the valve behind the foam generating device.

In one embodiment of the method for operating the cabin, fragrances are added to the steam or to the foam. These are preferably added in the form of a fragrance emulsion. In an advantageous embodiment, the fragrance is added through a fragrance container which is connected to a fragrance pump. The fragrance pump in turn is connected to a feed line in the steam feed line in the cabin. In the A valve can be arranged for the supply line for the fragrance into the steam supply line in the cabin. The fragrance is added by actuating the fragrance pump or the valve. In the same way, physiologically active substances can be added to the steam or the foam. The addition of the physiologically active substances can also be carried out in a mixture with the fragrances.

The cabin according to the invention and the method according to the invention for operating the cabin have the advantage of providing a steam bath into which both steam and foam are introduced. This is very beneficial for physical relaxation and for cleansing the skin. By adding physiologically active substances to the steam or the foam, excellent medicinal effects can also be achieved.

The invention is further described with reference to a drawing, the drawing representing only one embodiment of the invention and the invention not being restricted to this.

The drawing FIG.1 shows a cabin ( 1 ) falling under the claim of the present invention, in a front view. You can see the cabin ( 1 ) with an entrance door ( 2 ). The entrance door ( 2 ) is held in a frame ( 2a ) made of metal and is equipped with a door handle ( 2b ). The cabin ( 1 ) itself is made up of four outer walls ( 3a-d ), a cabin roof ( 4 ) and a cabin floor ( 5 ). In the cabin ( 1 ) there is a seating device ( 6 ) on which people who want to take a steam bath or a sauna session can take a seat. An inlet ( 7 ) for the foam is arranged in the seat device ( 6 ). An inlet ( 8 ) for steam is arranged above the seat device ( 6 ). To implement the invention, the inlet ( 7 ) for the foam can also be arranged above or below the seat device ( 6 ). However, this is below the inlet ( 8 ) for the steam and below the other inlets and outlets, with the exception of the outlet ( 9 ). In the cabin floor ( 5 ), a drain ( 9 ) is arranged, which is used to drain liquid, for example from condensed water vapor or demulsified foam, is provided. Illumination ( 10 ) is arranged in the car roof ( 4 ). To implement the invention, the lighting ( 10 ) can also be arranged on the outer walls ( 3a-d ) or in the cabin floor ( 5 ). A supply opening ( 11 ) for fresh air and an exhaust air outlet ( 12 ) are also arranged in the cabin ( 1 ). The exhaust air outlet ( 12 ) opens into an exhaust air system ( 12a ) which leads the exhaust air from the cabin ( 1 ) and from the room in which the cabin ( 1 ) is operated to the outside. The exhaust air system ( 12a ) contains devices that convey the exhaust air into the open air, for example an exhaust air fan. In the cabin ( 1 ) there are also sensors ( 13 ) for control, with which the data provided for the control and regulation are collected in the cabin ( 1 ). The sensors ( 13 ) are connected to the corresponding control devices ( 14 , 15 ). These are an evaporator unit ( 14 ) for generating steam and a foam generator ( 15 ) for providing foam. The evaporator unit ( 14 ) and the foam generator ( 15 ) provide the steam and the foam under pressure, so that in this case no pump is required to convey the steam and foam into the cabin ( 1 ). The evaporator unit ( 14 ) and the foam generator ( 15 ) are connected via lines ( 16a ) for steam or lines ( 16b ) for foam with the inlet ( 7 ) for steam and with the inlet ( 8 ) for the foam in the cabin ( 1 ) connected. The foam generator ( 15 ) is connected to a container ( 17 ) for a foam concentrate. This doses the foam concentrate into the foam generator ( 15 ) when requested. The foam is provided under pressure in the foam generator. By opening a valve ( 15a ) this is conveyed into the cabin ( 1 ). A fragrance container ( 18 ) is also provided to apply a fragrance to the cabin ( 1 ). The fragrance container ( 18 ) is connected to a fragrance pump ( 19 ) which, when requested, conveys the fragrance from the fragrance container ( 18 ) into the line ( 16a ) for the steam. Furthermore, the evaporator unit ( 14 ) and the foam generator ( 15 ) are connected to a connection ( 20 ) for water and waste water. The evaporator unit ( 14 ), the foam generator ( 15 ), the fragrance pump ( 19 ) and possibly also the fragrance container ( 18 ) are equipped with a power supply device ( 21 ). The evaporator unit ( 14 ), the foam generator ( 15 ), the fragrance pump ( 19 ) and the fragrance container ( 18 ) are all housed in a technical room ( 22 ). This allows these devices ( 14 , 15 , 18 , 19 ) to be protected from mechanical and physical influences. These devices ( 14 , 15 , 18 , 19 ) are connected to the cabin ( 1 ) via lines ( 16a , 16b ) and to the sensors ( 13 ) in the cabin ( 1 ) via suitable transmission devices ( 23 ). The door frame ( 2a ) in the cabin ( 1 ), which is made of metal here, is connected to the walls ( 14a , 15b ) of the evaporator unit ( 14 ) and the foam generator ( 15 ), which are also made of metal, via grounding lines ( 24 ) are connected for equipotential bonding. The ground lines ( 24 ) can be connected to a potential distributor ( 25 ), which in turn is connected to a ground conductor ( 26 ). The zone ( 27 ) for the steam and the zone ( 28 ) for the foam are shown here. The zone ( 27 ) for the steam is due to the arrangement of the corresponding inlets ( 7 , 8 ) above the zone ( 28 ) for the foam.

List of reference symbols

1

cabin

2

entrance

2a

Door frame

2 B

Door handle

3a-d

Exterior walls of the cabin

4th

Canopy

5

Cabin floor

6th

Seating arrangement

7th

Inlet for foam

8th

Inlet for steam

9

procedure

10

lighting

11

Inlet opening for fresh air

12

Exhaust air outlet

12a

Exhaust system

13

Sensors

14th

Evaporator aggregate

14a

Wall of the evaporator unit

15th

Foam generator

15a

Valve behind foam generator

15b

Foam generator wall

16a

Line for steam

16b

Line for foam

17th

Container for foam concentrate

18th

Fragrance container

19th

Fragrance pump

20th

Water supply and sanitation

21st

Power supply

22nd

Technical room

23

Transmission facility

24

Grounding lines

25th

Potential distributor

26th

Earth conductor

27

Zone for steam

28

Foam zone

Claims (14)

1. A cabin (1) enabling steam bathes to individuals and including at least two exterior walls (3a, 3b), one access door (2), one cabin floor (5) and one cabin roof (4),

   • the cabin (1) containing a vapour feed aperture (8), a fresh air aperture (11), a discharge (9), and an exhaust-air discharge (12), and

   • a seat unit (6) enabling cabin occupants to sit in the cabin (1), and

   • the surface materials of the cabin (1) being made of water-resistant material, and

   • the cabin (1) being equipped with steering and control systems (13, 14) enabling to precisely control vapour content in the cabin (1) and the yield of which is adapted to the cabin dimensions, and

   • the cabin (1) being equipped with equipotential bonding (25) equalising electric and electrostatic charges,
   characterised in that

   • the cabin (1) includes another foam entry (7) arranged downstream said vapour feed aperture (8), said fresh air feed aperture (11), and downstream said exhaust air discharge (12), and

   • the cabin (1) is equipped with steering and control systems (13, 15) enabling generation of foam to be introduced into the cabin (1) in defined quantities.
2. The cabin (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said cabin (1) comprises an independent heating unit and thermostats enabling control of internal temperature.
3. The cabin (1) according to anyone of patent claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said control system (14) controlling vapour content is a heat-operated water vaporisation aggregate connected to said cabin (1) via conducts (16a) and said vapour feed aperture (8).
4. The cabin (1) according to patent claim 3, characterised in that said vaporisation aggregate (14) is a container having heating rods and an exhaust conduct (16a) for said vapour generated.
5. The cabin (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said foam control system (15) is a foam generator, comprising an admixer for foam constituting detergents in a water tank, a mixer unit and an exhaust conduct (16b) for the foam generated, such exhaust conduct (16b) being connected to said foam entry (7) in said cabin (1).
6. The cabin (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that a pump is arranged in said exhaust conduct (16b) adapted to deliver said foam into the cabin (1).
7. The cabin (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a push-button switch actuating said foam control system (15) or actuating said pump in the exhaust conduct (16b) for said foam generated and thereby delivering foam to said cabin (1) for a determined period is arranged in said cabin (1).
8. The cabin (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a control system (19) adapted to feed flavours into said vapour is positioned at or in said foam feed conduct (16a) in the cabin (1).
9. The cabin (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said water resistant surface materials in the inside space of the cabin (1) are made of fines material, glass, plastic materials or acrylic plastic materials.
10. The cabin (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that an engineering room (22) where said vapour control system (14) und said foam control system (15) are positioned, is arranged outside said cabin (1).
11. A method for operating a cabin according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that fresh air is fed into and exhaust air is evacuated from said cabin (1) while at least on an intermittent basis concomitantly or alternately vapour and foam are fed in.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterised in that said cabin (1) is operated at an internal temperature between 40° and 50°C.
13. The method according to anyone of claims 11 or 12, characterised in that said cabin (1) is operated with relative air humidity of 100%.
14. The method according to anyone of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that said foam is fed into the cabin (1) in such a quantity that it exceeds the height of said seat unit such that the individuals in the cabin (1) sit in a foam carpet.

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