EP4039241B1 - Method for feeding cold foam into shower booth, steam bath or other sanitary device suitable for this purpose, and device for such a method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another sanitary facility suitable for this purpose. The invention relates in particular to a method according to the preamble of claim 1. Other sanitary facilities suitable for this purpose are characterized in that the introduction of foam is permitted due to the materials used. For example, wash basins, basins for foot baths and plunge pools are such suitable sanitary facilities.

A method for introducing foam into a bathtub or similar is described in US 2 318 826 A , the WO 2004/040071 A1 and in the DE 30 39 969 A1 shown.

In order to differentiate oneself from competing products, there is a need in the wellness and hygiene sector for processes that offer users particularly pleasant and exceptional wellness and bathing experiences that differ from already known wellness experiences.

The object of the present invention is to provide such a method.

The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1.

Accordingly, the object is achieved according to the invention if the foam is introduced from a foam generator into the shower cubicle, steam bath or other suitable sanitary facility at a temperature of -15°C to 20°C. The temperature of the foam is preferably between 0°C and 18°C. The temperature is particularly preferably between 5°C and 15°C. The foam preferably has the temperature at an outlet of the foam generator.

The cold foam offers a special experience on the skin of the user of the shower cubicle, steam bath or other suitable sanitary facility. It also enables a particularly pleasant way of cooling down, as the cold foam has a very refreshing effect without cooling the skin too quickly or painfully. The inventive method therefore offers, among other things, a special way of cooling down after wellness treatments at elevated temperatures. The use of foam also makes the method resource-saving in terms of water usage.

Preferably, the foam is introduced into the shower cubicle or steam bath. This allows the foam to be applied to the entire body, which further improves the wellness experience.

According to the method according to the invention, the foam is produced in the foam generator by blowing air into a mixture of liquid water with a temperature of -18°C to 18°C and soap and the foam produced thereby exiting the foam generator through the outlet, whereby the freezing point of the liquid water, if the temperature of the water is to be below 0°C, is reduced accordingly by adding a component that lowers the freezing point. Foam production on the basis of cold water has the advantage that the foam temperature is directly in the desired range and no subsequent cooling of the foam has to be carried out before it is introduced into the respective sanitary facility. This makes the method more energy efficient and process steps can be saved. Likewise, cooling of the air is preferably not required. This usually results in a difference of 1°C to 5°C between the foam temperature at the outlet of the foam generator and the water temperature in the foam generator. Preferably, no component that lowers the freezing point is added if only foam is introduced at foam temperatures above 0°C.

According to the method according to the invention, the air exits from a bubble plate at the bottom of the foam generator. By using a bubble plate, air can be blown into the foam generator in a cost-effective and efficient manner. By making a suitable selection regarding the hole size, hole geometry and arrangement of the holes, the bubble size and general consistency of the foam can be influenced. Preferably, the air supply takes place via a fan. Furthermore, preferably, the fan sucks in air from outside the shower cubicle, steam bath or other suitable sanitary facility. This prevents the fan from sucking in moist air, which could possibly damage the fan. According to the method according to the invention, the liquid water is supplied to the foam generator via an inlet, with the soap either being supplied via an additional soap inlet or being mixed with the liquid water before it enters the foam generator. Such an inlet simplifies the supply of liquid water to the foam generator. Preferably, the inlet is equipped with a control valve so that the supply and the amount supplied can be regulated.

According to the method according to the invention, the supply of liquid water to the foam generator is fed from a cold water reservoir, wherein the cold water reservoir has a

Cooling that sets the water temperature. By using a cold water reservoir, a sufficient amount of liquid water can be kept at the desired temperature. Preferably, the cold water reservoir is designed in such a way that the one-time volume of the cold water reservoir has enough water for enough foam for one application of the process. In this way, foam can be produced at the set temperature without delay. By appropriately dimensioning the cold water reservoir, the cooling can also be made particularly efficient. Furthermore, the cold water reservoir is preferably connected to a cold water connection. In this way, the cold water reservoir can be refilled.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

In a particularly preferred method, a surface level of the mixture of liquid water and soap is controlled by a regulated supply of liquid water and soap. This ensures that there is always sufficient liquid water or a mixture of liquid water and soap in the foam generator and that foam can be generated continuously and under suitable conditions. Such control of the surface level can be based on different measuring devices. The supply can preferably be controlled via the position of a float. Sensors can also be used to determine the surface level. Such sensors can be based on light signals or electrical conductivity changes, among other things.

In another preferred embodiment, the liquid water is supplied to the foam generator from a flow cooler that is connected to a cold water connection. No reservoir is required here, which saves space, among other things.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the foam generator has a temperature sensor which is arranged in such a way that the temperature sensor is located in the mixture of water and soap. This allows the cooling in the cold water reservoir to be adjusted in order to achieve the desired water temperature in the foam generator as well. The freezing point lowering component is advantageously added to the liquid water in front of or in the cold water reservoir if the water temperature in the cold water reservoir is set to below 0°C. The water temperature in front of the cold water reservoir can therefore be above 0°C. In order to prevent changes in the state of aggregation of the water in the cold water reservoir, the freezing point lowering component must be present in the cold water reservoir, since the water temperature there is set to below 0°C.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method, a disinfectant, preferably hydrogen peroxide, and/or a fragrance is added to the water before the foam generator. By adding a disinfectant, hygiene standards can be maintained. By adding fragrances, the wellness experience can be further improved. The process can also be personalized by adding different fragrances.

Preferably, the disinfectant and/or fragrance is added after the cold water reservoir. This prevents the disinfectant and/or fragrance from settling in the cold water reservoir, which would result in an increased cleaning frequency of the cold water reservoir.

The present invention also provides a device for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another sanitary facility suitable for carrying out the inventive method according to claim 4.

In addition, the invention provides a shower cubicle with a device according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention provides a steam bath cubicle with a device according to the invention.

The device for generating foam, preferably for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another sanitary facility suitable for this purpose, in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention, in particular in one of the previously described embodiments, relates to a foam generator for supplying air into a mixture of water and soap, the device having a cold water supply for providing water at a temperature between -18°C and 20°C and a hot water supply for providing water at a temperature between 30° and 60°C, a control valve which regulates the temperature in the manner of a conventional mixer tap coupling the cold water supply and hot water supply in front of the foam generator. With such a device, the user of the shower cubicle, steam bath or other sanitary facility suitable for this purpose can adjust the foam temperature according to his needs. It is thus possible to supply cold foam, lukewarm foam and hot foam. Preferably, the control valve can also regulate the temperature of the mixture of water and soap in the foam generator in such a way that only water from either the cold water reservoir or the hot water reservoir is added and the temperature is adjusted by the mixture in the foam generator.

Preferably, the foam generator has a temperature sensor which is arranged such that the temperature sensor is located within the mixture of water and soap. The temperature sensor can be used to adjust the control valve in order to achieve the desired exact temperature of the water in the foam generator.

The foam generator also preferably has a surface level measuring device for the mixture of water and soap in the foam generator. Using this measuring device, the surface level of the mixture can be adjusted via the control valve.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, a control of the control valve is set such that measurement data from the temperature sensor and the surface level measuring device are used to adjust the temperature of the mixture in the foam generator.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the control valve has, in addition to the connection for the cold water supply and hot water supply, a connection for adding soap. The addition to the control valve ensures that there is no soap in the cold water supply or hot water supply that could settle there when this water supply is not being used.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the foam generator has a drain with a control that allows the foam generator to be quickly emptied and then filled with a mixture of water and soap at a different temperature. The desired foam temperature of the user of the device can thus be reached more quickly.

In a likewise preferred embodiment of the device, the drain is connected to a mixed water reservoir, wherein the mixed water reservoir is connected to the control valve in such a way that the mixture of water and soap from the mixed water reservoir can be fed back to the foam generator. This enables particularly resource-saving handling of the mixture of water and soap, since the mixture which is drained from the foam generator due to a desired temperature change in the foam can be reused. Preferably, the mixed water reservoir also has a temperature sensor and a surface level measuring device. The control of the control valve can thus feed the mixture in the mixed water reservoir to the foam generator in order to adjust the temperature of the mixture in the foam generator. Also preferably, the mixed water reservoir can have a heater and/or a cooler for adjusting the temperature of the mixture in the mixed water reservoir.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a second cold water reservoir with a second cooling system. Preferably, the second cold water reservoir and its cooling system are set in such a way that water is kept at a temperature above 0°C, whereby the cold water reservoir then keeps water at a temperature below 0°C. As a result, the device becomes more energy efficient because only a smaller proportion of the water needs to be kept for special applications with a temperature range below 0°C.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Kaltwasseranschluss zur Einleitung von Schaum in eine Duschkabine, ein Dampfbad oder eine andere hierzu geeignete Sanitäreinrichtung, und

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Kalt- und Warmwasseranschluss zur Einleitung von Schaum in eine Duschkabine, ein Dampfbad oder eine andere hierzu geeignete Sanitäreinrichtung, und

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer dritten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Kaltund Warmwasseranschluss und einem Mischwasserreservoir zur Einleitung von Schaum in eine Duschkabine, ein Dampfbad oder eine andere hierzu geeignete Sanitäreinrichtung.

Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of a first device according to the invention with a cold water connection for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another sanitary facility suitable for this purpose, and

Figure 2

a schematic representation of a second device according to the invention with cold and hot water connection for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another suitable sanitary facility, and

Figure 3

a schematic representation of a third device according to the invention with cold and hot water connection and a mixed water reservoir for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another suitable sanitary facility.

In the following explanations, identical parts are designated by identical reference symbols. If a figure contains reference symbols that are not discussed in detail in the associated figure description, reference is made to preceding or subsequent figure descriptions.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention with a cold water connection 2.

Figure 1 shows a foam generator 3 in which foam 1 is produced for introduction into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another suitable sanitary facility. The foam 1 in the foam generator 3 is produced by blowing air from a bubble plate 4 into a mixture 5 of water and soap. The foam 1 produced in this way exits the foam generator 3 through an outlet 6 into the shower cubicle, the steam bath or the other suitable sanitary facility. The air supply to the bubble plate 4 is via a fan 7. The air supply to the fan 7 is outside the shower cubicle, the steam bath or the other suitable sanitary facility. This means that no moist air gets into the fan 7, which could potentially damage it.

According to the method according to the invention, the foam 1 which is introduced into the shower cubicle, the steam bath or the other sanitary facility suitable for this purpose has a temperature of -5 °C to 20 °C. In order to achieve these foam temperatures, the mixture 5 of water and soap must be in the same temperature range or, if necessary, slightly below this temperature range. In order to supply the foam generator 3 with the mixture 5, the foam generator 3 has an inlet 8. The inlet 8 is connected to a cold water reservoir 9 which is fed from a cold water connection 2. In order to adjust the temperature of the mixture 5, the cold water reservoir 9 has a cooling system which brings the water from the cold water connection 2 to the desired or required temperature. Since, among other things, foam 1 is to be produced at negative temperatures, the liquid water must be able to be brought to temperatures below 0 °C in the cold water reservoir 9. For this purpose, a freezing point lowering component 10 can be added to the water from the cold water connection 2 before the cold water reservoir 9. If foam temperatures below 0 °C are not to be achieved, there is no need to add a freezing point lowering component 10. A connection to the connection between the cold water connection 2 and the cold water reservoir 9, which is required for this purpose, is also not required.

Between the cold water reservoir 9 and the inlet 8 to the foam generator 3, soap 11 is mixed into the cooled water to produce the mixture 5 for foam generation in the foam generator 3. This requires precise dosing, since the foam properties depend on the ratio between cooled water and soap 11.

Disinfectant 12 and/or fragrance 13 can also be added between the cold water reservoir 9 and the inlet 8 to the foam generator 3. In general, it is advantageous if additives, other than the freezing point lowering component 10, are added between the cold water reservoir 9 and the inlet 8 to the foam generator 3. This prevents deposits of the additives from forming in the cold water reservoir 9 &, which would lead to a required increased cleaning frequency of the cold water reservoir 9.

In order to make the foam production in the foam generator 3 as efficient and constant as possible, the surface level 14 of the mixture 5 of water and soap is measured by means of a measuring device 15 in order to regulate the surface level 14 via this measurement by controlling the inflow of the mixture 5 of water and soap via the inlet 8.

The foam generator 3 also has a temperature sensor 17, which is located in the mixture 5 of water and soap. The temperature sensor 17 can be used to measure the temperature of the mixture 5 in the foam generator 3. This measurement is used to adjust the cooling of the cold water reservoir 9 in order to be able to set the desired foam temperature even more precisely.

The foam generator 3 also has an outlet 16 with which the foam generator 3 can be emptied. This can be done to clean the foam generator 3 or when the user stops using the device of the first embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a device according to a second embodiment for carrying out the method according to the invention with a cold water connection 2 and a hot water connection 18.

In the Figure 2 The device shown can introduce foam 1 into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another suitable sanitary facility in a significantly larger temperature range. The device is nevertheless able to carry out the method according to the invention for introducing foam 1 between -15 °C and 20 °C.

The device of the second embodiment has, as in Figure 1 The device of the first embodiment shown has a foam generator 3 in which air can be blown into a mixture 5 of water and soap via a bubble plate 4 in order to generate foam 1 which is introduced into the shower cubicle, steam bath or other suitable sanitary facility via an outlet 6 from the foam generator 3. So that the foam temperature can lie within a larger temperature range, the device of the second embodiment has, in addition to the cold water reservoir 9 with the associated cold water connection 2 and the options for adding a freezing point lowering component 10, disinfectant 12 and/or fragrance 13, a hot water reservoir 19 which is fed from a hot water connection 18. The water from the cold water reservoir 9 and the hot water reservoir 19 can be mixed with a control valve 20 in front of the inlet 8 in the foam generator 3 so that the water temperature in the foam generator 3 can lie within a larger temperature range. The hot water reservoir 19 can have a heater to adjust the temperature in the hot water reservoir.

The soap 11 is added directly to the control valve 20. This means that soap only needs to be added at one point, even if only water from the cold water reservoir 9 or the hot water reservoir 19 is used. A disinfectant 12 and/or a fragrance 13 can also be added to the water from the hot water reservoir 19 between the hot water reservoir and the control valve 20. The soap 11, the disinfectant 12 and the fragrance can also be added after the mixer tap 20 and before the inlet 8 in embodiments not shown.

The foam generator 3 of the device has the same control of the surface level 14 of the mixture 5 as in Figure 1 shown device. Likewise, the foam generator 3 of the device according to the second embodiment has a temperature sensor 17 which is located in the mixture 5. The control valve 20 is adjusted via the temperature sensor 17 in order to be able to adjust the foam temperature better. In addition, the cooling in the cold water reservoir 9 or the heating in the hot water reservoir 19 can also be adjusted via the temperature sensor 17. The control valve 20 can also have a control that combines measurements of the surface level and the temperature in the foam generator 3. In this way, when the foam temperature changes, the current temperature and the current volume in the foam generator 3 can be determined in order to introduce the appropriate amount of the mixture of water and soap at the required temperature in order to obtain the desired temperature at the preferred surface level.

The device of the second embodiment also has an outlet 16, which in this embodiment is also used to discharge the mixture 5 of water and soap from the soap generator 3 when foam 1 is to be produced at a significantly different temperature. This allows the switching speed between introducing foam 1 at the upper end of the temperature range to introducing foam 1 at the lower end of the temperature range and vice versa to be implemented quickly and without long waiting times. The control of the outlet 16 is also linked to the control of the control valve 20.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a device according to a third embodiment for carrying out the method according to the invention with a cold water connection 2 and a hot water connection 18 and a mixed water reservoir 21.

In the Figure 3 The device shown can introduce foam 1 in a temperature range corresponding to the temperature range of the second embodiment into a shower cubicle, a steam bath or another sanitary facility suitable for this purpose. The device is also able to carry out the method according to the invention for introducing foam 1 between -15 °C and 20 °C.

In the Figure 3 The device shown has the same components as the second embodiment, wherein the device additionally has a mixed water reservoir 21 which is connected via a Outlet valve 22 is connected to the outlet 16 of the foam generator 3. The mixed water reservoir 21 is also connected to the control valve 20.

With the device of the third embodiment, the mixture 5 can be fed in whole or in part via the outlet 16 and the outlet valve 22 into the mixed water reservoir 21 and from there again via the control valve 20 into the foam generator 3. This allows the mixture 5 to be reused in the foam generator 3 and the process becomes more resource-efficient. If, for example, the user of the device wants foam at a different temperature, the mixture 5 can be fed in whole or in part into the mixed water reservoir 21 at the previous temperature and the control valve 20 supplies water from the corresponding cold water reservoir 9, hot water reservoir 19 and mixed water reservoir 21 in such a way that the desired foam temperature is set.

For this purpose, the mixed water reservoir 21 also has a temperature sensor and a surface level measuring unit so that the control of the control valve 20 in interaction with the drain valve 22 reaches the desired foam temperature as quickly as possible by changing the temperature of the mixture 5 in the foam generator 3.

Reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Cold water connection

3

Foam generator

4

Bubble plate

5

mixture

6

exit

7

fan

8th

inlet

9

Cold water reservoir

10

freezing point lowering component

11

Soap

12

Disinfectants

13

Fragrances

14

Surface level

15

Measuring device

16

Outlet

17

Temperature sensor

18

Hot water connection

19

Hot water reservoir

20

Control valve

21

Combined water reservoir

22

outlet valve

Claims (10)

1. Method for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a vapor bath, or another sanitary facility suited for this, wherein the foam is introduced, at a temperature of -15°C to 20°C, preferably of 0°C to 18°C, particularly preferred of 5°C to 15°C, from a foam generator (3) into the shower cubicle, the vapor bath, or the other sanitary facility suited for this, wherein the foam preferably has the temperature at an outlet (6) of the foam generator, wherein the foam is produced in the foam generator (3) by blowing air into a mixture (5) of liquid water at a temperature of -18°C to 20°C and soap (11), and the foam produced thereby exits from the foam generator (3) through the outlet (6), wherein the freezing point of the liquid water is, when the temperature of the water is to be below 0°C, correspondingly lowered by admixing a component that lowers the freezing point (10), wherein the liquid water is supplied to the foam generator (3) via an inlet (8), wherein the soap (11) is either supplied via an additional soap inlet or is admixed to the liquid water before it enters the foam generator (3), wherein the air exits from a bubble plate (4) at the bottom of the foam generator (3), wherein the air supply is preferably effected via a fan (7), characterized in that the supply of the liquid water into the foam generator (3) is fed from a cold water reservoir (9), wherein the cold water reservoir (9) includes a cooling that sets the water temperature.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that surface level (14) of the mixture (5) of liquid water and soap (11) is controlled by a controlled supply of liquid water and soap (11).
3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that downstream of the cold water reservoir (9) and upstream of the foam generator (3), a disinfectant (12), preferably hydrogen peroxide, and/or a scent (13) is added to the water.
4. Device (1) for introducing foam into a shower cubicle, a vapor bath, or another sanitary facility suited for this for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 3.
5. Shower cubicle having a device (1) according to claim 4.
6. Vapor bath cubicle having a device (1) according to claim 4.
7. Device (1) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the device (1) includes a cold water supply for providing water at a temperature between -18°C and 20°C, and a warm water supply for providing water at a temperature between 30°C and 60°C, wherein a control valve (20) that controls the temperature as a conventional mixer faucet couples the cold water supply and the warm water supply upstream of the foam generator (3).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the control valve (20) includes, in addition to the supply point of the cold water supply and the warm water supply, a supply point for admixing soap (11).
9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the foam generator (3) includes a drain with a control system permitting a quick draining of the foam generator (3) and a subsequent filling with a mixture of water and soap (11) at a different temperature.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the drain is connected to a mixed water reservoir (21), wherein the mixed water reservoir (21) is connected to the control valve (20) such that the mixture (5) of water and soap (11) can be supplied from the mixed water reservoir (21) again to the foam generator (3).

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