GB2225939A - Automatic water delivery system for saunas - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall-mounted system for the automatic delivery of water onto the hot stones in the sauna. A removeable, self- sealing and reuseable plastic reservoir 4 locates onto the system. A variable, electronic timer control 6 activates an electromechanical valve 5. This delivers a measure of water from the reservoir at a pro-selected time interval. The outflowing water is piped down at 2 to discharge over the stones. A push-button control permits the user to bypass the timer. This control will deliver an instant stream of water for as long as the button is depressed. The system utilises low voltage micro<hip technology as battery power is considered the safest and most practical for use in the sauna environment. With its own water reservoir and powered by battery, the system is self-contained. With no connection to mains services the system can be installed and in use in minutes. <IMAGE>

Description

Automatic water delivery system for saunas This invention relates to a self-contained system for automatically delivering water to the hot stones in a sauna.

Saunas are not a Scandinavian invention. They were common all over Europe in the Middle Ages, but it is only in Scandinavia that the tradition has continued unbroken for centuries. The beneficial effects of a sauna are that it relaxes the muscles, tones the skin, stimulates blood circulation and, because of the conviviality that goes with it, soothes the stressed mind as well.

The hot, humid atmosphere in a sauna is produced by pouring water over hot stones.

The task of pouring water must be periodically repeated in order to maintain the degree of humidity required by the occupants of the sauna. This is normally done by taking water from a wooden tub with a ladle and pouring it by hand onto the hot stones.

The need to repeat the task of pouring water can carry with it an inherent risk. Scalds caused by the sudden rise of steam from the hot stones do occur.

Another hazard lies with the wooden tub and ladle. They are in constant use and are usually placed on the floor or on the benches of the sauna. Accidents have occurred as a result of dropping, tripping over or overturning these items.

According to the present invention, there is a system which relieves the sauna user of the task of delivering water, maintains a preferred humidity level, keeps the user at a safe operating distance form the heater and, being wall-mounted for safety and convenience in use, it leaves tne floor and bench areas free. It is an automatic water delivery system with a removeable, self-sealing and reuseable plastic water reservoir. Plumbing and wiring are eliminated as the system is self-contained. External controls are kept to a minimum for simplicity and ease of use. On/off/autotimer functions are operated by one control. A push-button control bypasses the timer. This allows the user to instantly deliver a stream of water from the system for as long as the button is depressed.

n specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates the correct positions for the wall mounted system.

Figures 2 and 3 are annotated perspective drawings referred to in the following text.

Referring to Figure 1 it can be seen that the correct position for the main body 1 of the system is off-set from the heat source. Rnyone using the system is thereby kept at a safe working distance from the heat source. The outflow pipe 2 can be turned through 180 degrees allowing the main body of the system to be positioned right or left of the heater.

Figure 2. The system is fixed to the sauna wall using mounting brackets 3.

To operate the system the reservoir bottle 4 is filled with water and placed onto the inlet 5. The main control 6 switched on and the required water delivery interval set using a scale in minutes printed on the facia. Rt the end of the timed period an electromechanical valve inside the system opens allowing a measure of water to flow from the reservoir.

The water then flows down through the system and out of the outflow pipe 2.

Figure 3. The self-sealing valve 7 fits inside the bottle cap 8. This valve allows the bottle to be filled through the hole in the cap but closes to prevent spillage when the bottle is inverted for positioning onto the system.

The main control 8 in Figure 3 performs the on/off/autotimer functions. The push-button control 9 bypasses the timer for manually controlled water delivery. hn l.e.d. 10 indicates the functions on/offZwater delivery/ battery level. The power supply battery fits in the compartment 11.

The base support bracket 12 ensures that the system cannot be lifted off the wall brackets once installed.

Claims (9)

1 n wall-mounted water supply system for use in saunas for the automatic delivery of water of water onto the hot stones.

2 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the operator is kept at a safe distance from the hot stones.

3 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 whereby the operator can select the elecronically timed interval between the automatic delivery of water.

4 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein an electronically timed measure of water is delivered at the end of a timed interval.

5 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 wherein a bypass control allows the user to instantly deliver a stream of water for as long as the control is depressed.

6 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a reuseable plastic reservoir bottle is used.

7 A wall-mounted water supply system as in Claims 1 and 6 wherein a self-sealing valve and filler cap are provided.

8 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claims 1, 6 and 7 wherein an electromechanical valve controls the water flow.

9 A wall-mounted water supply system as claimed in Claims 1, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the power is provided by a low voltage battery supply.