GB2487401A

GB2487401A - Steam generator with a heater and fan for a facial sauna

Info

Publication number: GB2487401A
Application number: GB1100994.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samson Duke-Obaigbena
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-21
Filing date: 2011-01-21
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Also published as: GB201100994D0

Abstract

A steam generating device 10 and a facial sauna 100 comprising said steam generating device comprises a chamber for holding water 16 and a heating element 17 for heating water disposed within the chamber 16 to produce steam. The device further comprises a passageway 19 which is arranged to communicate a flow of air from an inlet 18 of the device into the chamber 16, and means 21 for creating a flow of air along said passageway to cause the air to mix with the steam. The device further comprises an outlet through which the mixture of air and steam can exit the chamber. The device may have a mask 30 having a cavity for receiving the air and steam and a plurality of pores or holes 36 in an inner surface for the air and steam to pass out of the cavity.

Description

Steam Generating Device The present invention relates to a steam generating device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a steam generating device for a facial sauna.

It is well known that shaving the face and neck every day can irritate the skin leading to the so-called shaving rash. However, the shaving rash can be lessened by ensuring the skin and hair bristles are softened with warm water before shaving and subsequently washing the skin after shaving to open pores within the skin.

However, softening the skin and hair bristles is a time consuming process with the result that this process is often performed inadequately. Accordingly, shaving often commences prematurely. Moreover, after shaving, the skin can often feel tight and dry which can lead to further skin irritation and thus a more pronounced shaving rash.

Facial saunas are typically used to apply steam to portions of a users face to soften hair bristles and generally open the pores within the skin. However, it is often difficult to suitably control the temperature of the steam from the sauna and the hot water within the sauna presents a scalding hazard.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect there is provided a steam generating device, the device comprising a chamber for holding water and a heating element for heating water disposed within said chamber to produce steam, the device further comprising a passageway which is arranged to communicate a flow of air from an inlet of the device into the chamber, and means for creating a flow of air along said passageway to cause the air to mix with the steam, the device further comprising an outlet through which the mixture of air and steam can exit the chamber.

Advantageously, the means for creating a flow of air is arranged to cause cool ambient air to mix with the hot steam to cool the steam to a temperature which is suitable for application to a user's skin.

The passageway is preferably arranged to direct the air flow substantially toward a base of the chamber to mix the air with the steam.

Preferably, the passageway comprises a baffle which is arranged to deflect the air flow toward the base of the chamber.

The means for creating a flow of air comprises an impeller disposed within the inlet which is arranged to draw air into the chamber via the passageway and cause the mixture of air and steam within the chamber to pass out through the outlet.

The impeller is preferably arranged to draw air into the chamber to cool the steam within the chamber.

Preferably, the outlet comprises a sensor for sensing the temperature of the mixture of air and steam.

The device preferably further comprises a controller which is arranged to control the heating of the water via the heating element, in dependence of the sensed temperature of the mixture of air and steam. Preferably, the controller is arranged to prevent heating of the water, namely switch off the heating element, when the temperature of the mixture rises above a first threshold temperature, and is further arranged to apply heat to the water, namely switch on the heating element, when the temperature of the mixture falls below a second threshold temperature.

Preferably, the first threshold is 5000 and the second threshold is 40°C Preferably, the controller is further arranged to control the operation of the impeller. The controller is preferably arranged to power the impeller for a pre-determined time after the device has been switched off, to enable a forced cooling of any residual water within the chamber by the air flow.

The outlet is preferably arranged to receive a connection to a mask which is arranged to deliver the mixture of air and steam to the face and neck region of a user.

Preferably, the mask comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer and inner layer being arranged in a spaced relationship to define a cavity therebetween for receiving the mixture of air and steam from said device via said connection, said inner layer comprising a plurality of pores through which said mixture of air and steam can pass out from said cavity.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a facial sauna, the sauna comprising a steam generating device of the first aspect.

Further preferred features of the facial sauna may comprise one or more of the preferred features of the steam generating device of the first aspect.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the steam generating device illustrated in figure 1, taken along line A-A; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a facial sauna according to an embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 4 is a sectional view of the mask of the facial sauna illustrated in figure 3, taken along line B-B.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is illustrated a steam generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, for generating steam for use with a facial sauna 100, for example. The device 10 comprises a housing 11 having side walls 12 which converge from a base 13 of the housing 11 to an open periphery 14 of a neck 15 of the device 10. The device 10 further comprises a chamber 16 disposed within the housing 11 which is arranged to receive water (not shown), and a heating element 17 which extends through a base 16a of the chamber 16 from the underside thereof, in sealing relation with the chamber 16. The heating element 17 is arranged to heat water (not shown) within the chamber 16 such that the steam which develops therein can rise and pass out from the device through the neck 15 of the device 10.

The chamber 16 is substantially conical in shape and comprises side walls 16b which converge from the base 16a thereof to an open periphery 16c which is arranged to substantially seal with a lower portion of the neck 15 of the housing 11. The device 10 further comprises an inlet 18 disposed in a side wall 12 of the housing 11 and a passageway 19 which extends from the inlet 18 to an opening 20 disposed within a side wall 16b of the chamber 16. The inlet 18 comprises an impeller 21 which is arranged to draw ambient air in through the inlet 18 and cause the air to flow along the passageway 19 into the chamber 16. The portion of the passageway 19 arranged downstream of the impeller 21 comprises a deflector plate or baffle 22 which is arranged to direct the flow of air toward the base 16a of the chamber 16.

The heating element 17 and impeller 21 are arranged in electrical communication with a controller 23 mounted upon a printed circuit board 24, which is itself mounted upon the base 13 of the device 10. The controller 23 is arranged to receive power from a mains supply (not shown) for example, via an electrical cable 25 (not shown in figure 1) in dependence of the operational state of a user operated switch 26 disposed upon a side wall 12 of the device 10. The skilled reader will recognise however, that the element 17 may alternatively be powered from a battery supply (not shown). The controller 23 is arranged to control the operation of the heating element 17 and the impeller 21 in dependence of the operational state of the switch 26 and the output of a temperature sensor 27 disposed within the neck portion 15 of the device 10. In this respect, during use, a user first pours the desired volume of water (not shown) into the chamber 16 through the neck portion 15 of the device 10, using a volume scale provided upon a window 12a disposed within a side wall 12 of the housing 11 as a guide, and switches the device on using the switch 26. The controller 23 subsequently powers the heating element 17 to heat the water (not shown) and also powers the impeller 21 to draw air along the passageway 19 into the chamber 16. The air entering the chamber 16 is deflected toward the base of the chamber by the deflector plate 22 and is arranged to mix with the stream generated therein to cool the steam before passing out from the chamber 16 through the neck 15 of the device 10.

After a period of heating, it is found that the temperature of the steam/air mixture exiting the chamber 16 may increase above a first threshold temperature, such as 50°C.

This increase in temperature will manifest as a signal which is output from the sensor 27 to the controller 23, thereby causing the controller 23 to switch off the power to the heating element 17. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the controller 23 may increase the rotational rate of the blades 21a of the impeller 21 to increase the air flow into the chamber 16 to further cool the steam.

Conversely, after a period of cooling in which the element 17 is switched off and/or a period of increased air flow into the chamber 16, the temperature of the steam/air mixture exiting the chamber 16 may fall below a second threshold temperature, such as 40°C. This decrease in temperature will similarly manifest as a signal which is output from the sensor 17 to the controller 23, thereby causing the controller 23 to switch the heating element 17 on and/or reduce the rotational rate of the blades 21a of the impeller 21 to reduce the air flow into the chamber 16, and thus the cooling of the steam.

Following use of the device 10, the user switches the device off using the switch 26. This operation causes the controller to switch off the power supply to the heating element 17 to prevent further heating of the water (not shown). However, controller 23 is further arranged to continue powering the impeller 21 for pre-determined time, for example two minutes, to maintain the air flow into the chamber 16 and thus accelerate the cooling of any residual water within the chamber 16 to minimise any potential scalding from the residual water (not shown).

Referring to figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated facial sauna 100 comprising the steam generating device 10 of the above-described embodiment. The sauna 100 further comprises a mask 30 which is contoured to conform with at least a portion of a user's face and neck (not shown). The mask 30 comprises an outer protective layer 31 and an inner layer 32 of a rigid plastic material for example, which are sealed together along their periphery to form a cavity 33 therebetween. The mask 30 further comprises an aperture 34 formed within each layer 31, 32 which is arranged to extend substantially adjacent a user's mouth (not shown), so that the user can breathe comfortably when using the sauna 100.

The outer layer 31 and inner layer 32 are arranged to cover the shaved areas of a user's face and neck (not shown), however, in an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the mask 30 may be arranged to further cover the entire face of the user (not shown). At a lower portion of the mask 30, namely the portion which is arranged to extend proximate a user's chin (not shown), there is provided a connector 35 for coupling with the neck portion 15 of the steam generating device 10. The connector 35 is arranged to communicate the air/steam mixture from the device 10 into the cavity 33 of the mask 30.

The inner layer 32 of the mask 30 is formed with a plurality of small holes or pores 36, which extend through the inner layer 32 and which enable the air/steam mixture to pass out of the cavity 33 and circulate close to the skin. In this manner, sauna may be used to soften the skin and hair bristles before shaving for example, and/or after shaving to open pores in the skin and thus lessen the development of shaving rash.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that herbs and/or aromatherapy oils may be infused with the water within the chamber 16 of the device 10 to improve the emollient effect of the resulting steam. For example, liquorice root may be used since it is known to open the skin pores, soothe, cleanse, and lubricate the skin. Alternatively, tea tree oil may be used for example, since this is known to provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

From the foregoing therefore it is evident that the steam generating device of the present invention provides for a safe and controlled generation of steam for use in facial

saunas, for example.

Claims

Claims 1. A steam generating device, the device comprising a chamber for holding water and a heating element for heating water disposed within said chamber to produce steam, the device further comprising a passageway which is arranged to communicate a flow of air from an inlet of the device into the chamber, and means for creating a flow of air along said passageway to cause the air to mix with the steam, the device further comprising an outlet through which the mixture of air and steam can exit the chamber.
2. A device according to claim I wherein the passageway is arranged to direct the air flow substantially toward a base of the chamber to mix the air with the steam.
3. A device according to claim I or 2, wherein the passageway comprises a baffle which is arranged to deflect the air flow toward the base of the chamber.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for creating a flow of air comprises an impeller disposed within the inlet which is arranged to draw air into the chamber via the passageway and cause the mixture of air and steam within the chamber to pass out through the outlet.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for creating a flow of air is arranged to draw air into the chamber to cool the steam within the chamber.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sensor disposed within the outlet for sensing the temperature of the mixture of air and steam.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a controller which is arranged to control the heating of the water via the heating element, in dependence of the sensed temperature of the mixture of air and steam.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the controller is arranged to prevent heating of the water when the temperature of the mixture rises above a first threshold temperature and is further arranged to apply heat to the water, when the temperature of the mixture falls below a second threshold temperature.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the first threshold is 50°C and the second threshold is 40°C.
10. A device according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the controller is further arranged to control the operation of the impeller.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the controller is arranged to power the impeller for a pre-determined time after the device has been switched off, to enable a forced cooling of any residual water within the chamber by the air flow.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet is arranged to receive a connection to a mask, which is arranged to deliver the mixture of air and steam to the face and neck region of a user.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the mask comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer and inner layer being arranged in a spaced relationship to define a cavity therebetween for receiving the mixture of air and steam from the device via said connection, said inner layer comprising a plurality of pores through which said mixture of air and steam can pass out from said cavity.
14. A facial sauna, the sauna comprising a steam generating device according to any preceding claim.