ITAR20090037A1 - STONE BED FOR MASSAGES HEATED ELECTRICALLY AND THERMOREGULATED. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INDUSTRIAL INVENTION

Description of the industrial invention entitled:

Stone bed for massages, electrically heated and thermoregulated.

Description of the scope

The invention refers to a bed for massages, electrically heated and thermoregulated, to be used mainly in wellness centers, beauty centers, beauty salons and in all wellness areas present in structures such as hotels, gyms, spas, resorts. and beauty farm. The features that make it innovative and unique in its kind are:

S Reaching the operating temperature in a very short time (less than 15 minutes).

S Possibility of devising new massage techniques

S Stiffness of the worktop mimics its heating

S Impact resistance and practically total absence of wear

S Very simple use and maintenance, excellent hygienic characteristics.

S High level of security.

Description of the state of the art

Various types of massage beds are available on the market. The classic product par excellence consists of a rigid padded top covered with imitation leather material. In recent years, water mattresses have found widespread use. Hard surfaces are rarely used and never marble due to the coldness of the support.

The main advantage of a massage performed on a rigid bed compared to a soft bed, is that on the hard surface the pressures made by the operator on the client's muscles are directly received by the body and are not cushioned and sometimes nullified by the softness of the support. Hence the idea of heating the stone and offering a tool that meets the operator's expectations (rigid bed surface) and that gives a new and functional feeling of well-being to the user (warmth of the top). With some types of stone or marble (such as Travertine), the heat tends to "deceive" the tactile ends of the body, restoring an unusual perception of softness. The KI ON <®> massage bed is proposed as a new high quality product with a modern design that takes us back in time thanks to the use of stone and heat, fundamental elements of the planet.

With reference to heated massage beds, the market tends to offer beds with water mattresses. In more rare cases with traditional type mattresses. However, these products are made with materials sensitive to high temperatures, therefore the resistances used are regulated at very low temperatures and the heating times of the supports are inevitably long (frequently in the order of several hours). Considering the characteristics of stones in general (including marble and granite), a heating system has been studied which, despite the power involved, does not create thermal shock and consequently break the top. In our case the stone is brought from an ambient temperature of about 20 ° C to an operating temperature of about 37 ° C in less than 15 minutes. The average increase is about one two degrees per minute, very far from the thermal excursions that can generate thermal shock and breakage of the top.

The great advantage of the heated stone bed, which comes into operation in less than 15 minutes, guarantees the customer a service without a reservation with virtually no waiting times. The bed warms up as the user prepares for the massage.

Generally, the centers that use water-heated beds tend to always leave them on (in some cases even at night), in order not to be unprepared for impromptu requests. All this creates a waste of electricity and a low level of safety. The alternatives are the use of electric blankets or beds equipped with special covers (see steam beds) which only allow installation treatments, where the operator cannot intervene on the customer, drastically limiting the possible applications.

Beds heated with water mattresses have limited capacity limits (rarely more than 150 Kg.). As for the stone bed, the universal characteristics regarding the breaking loads place stones, marbles and granites in general at the top for hardness, strength and compression, just to mention one parameter, Walnut Travertine has a superior compressive strength. to 1000 Kg./cm <2>.

Another important novelty is represented by the characteristics of the stone surface which, with the suitably oiled top, opens the doors to a whole series of new massage techniques based on the user's sliding without particular effort on the part of the operator. The masseurs who had the privilege of experimenting with the invention are creating new working techniques to complement traditional massage practices. As for safety, the parts with which the apparatus is composed are not conductors of electricity and have no fire risk, the stone does not burn and the other elements that make it up are fireproof. As for daily management, it is hygienic and easy to clean. The simplicity of the electrical panel makes it versatile and easy to use.

Description of the invention

1 - Experimental phase

Before creating the aforementioned prototype, a first experimental bed in heated Travertine was created for massages with slightly different characteristics. The purpose was

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to understand the behavior of the materials used and gain experience for subsequent uses. The idea of the heated stone massage bed was born in March 2006 (see photo2 experimental model). In August 2007, the heating elements are applied and the experimental phase of the project begins, which led us to the final realization of the prototype in September 2009. The experimental bed was created with a 5 cm travertine surface. . thick, two resistors of 1600W / 230V and a layer of rock wool, all closed by a plasterboard panel. 2 - Realization of the prototype

The prototype (photo 1 prototype) was made with a top in Walnut Travertine measuring cm. 220x100 cm thick. 4, the shape is eight, two circles with a diameter of 100 cm. 20 cm apart. between them, and joined by two curves that narrow it from 100 to 90 cm. The surface is brushed, in stone jargon the brushing makes the surface smooth but wavy. See drawings and photos attached to Al, A2, A3.

In the lower part there are two flat adhesive silicone electric resistors measuring cm. 40x160 1200W / 230V (lower power than the first experiment) CE certified. Compared to the experimental model, the thickness of the marble and the power of the resistances have decreased, which have been applied side by side, centered with respect to the width of the top but asymmetrical with respect to the length, about 40 cm. away from the top (head) and about 20 cm. from below (feet). This position was chosen to prevent the user's head from coming into contact with the heated part of the top. Two holes have been provided in the resistances which, after being applied to the travertine, are used to identify the point where to drill the top to a depth of about 3 cm. on which four dowels are placed for fixing the fireproof MDF (medium density fibreboard) panel. Compared to the experimental model, the plasterboard was eliminated, which tended to break during the movement phases of the apparatus.

The thermal insulation of the resistances is guaranteed by thermal insulation sheets in pressed rock wool, measuring cm. 82x170 and about 3 cm thick. put in contact with the resistance so as to cover it entirely.

The aforementioned panels are perimeter with a 4 cm section of travertine strip. L.

2.5 cm. octagonal shape fixed symmetrically to the top. Considering that the position of the resistances and the insulation is asymmetrical, an "empty" area is formed inside the frame that will be used for the passage of electrical cables. In this area, the housing of the electrical panel is planned for future models.

Everything is closed by a fireproof mdf panel with a thickness of cm. 1.5, embedded in the frame and fixed to the top with 4 70 mm screws; a hole is made on the panel for the exit of the electrical cables.

Inside the Travertine top, two probes (one for each resistance) have been inserted to detect the temperature of the top. The positioning took place by making holes with a diameter of 6 mm. and a depth of 35 mm. The holes are on the resistance near the edge in such a position as not to damage the electrical circuit. The choice of positioning the probes near the edge rather than in the center is due to the fact that as the temperature increases, the central and lateral zones increase uniformly, but when the temperature drops, the lateral zones have a greater thermal excursion which allows a more precise calibration of the thermoregulation. The silicone cables of the probes and resistors cross the insulation perpendicularly and pass between the insulation and the MDF panel.

These probes are connected to an electrical panel which, thanks to adjustable digital thermoregulators, guarantees temperature control. The panel has the CE mark and all the equipment is CE certified.

3 - Operation of the prototype

The tests were carried out in a closed environment at a temperature of about 23 ° C.

By turning on the panel, the bed begins to heat up, and reaches operating temperature (about 37 ° C) in about 12-13 minutes. The thermoregulators indicate the temperature detected by the probes and according to the programmed settings, they switch off when the desired level is reached. In the tests carried out, the on / off cycle lasts about 20 minutes, on for about 2 and a half minutes and off for about 17 and a half minutes.

Obviously the data are indicative, and based on standard use. However, the ease of programming digital thermometers allows the operator to choose shorter or longer cycles and lower or higher temperatures.

Since each probe is connected to a specific resistance and to a specific thermoregulator, it has been found that the switching on and off are not simultaneous due to the difference of one / two decimal degrees detected by digital thermometers. Therefore, the two resistors do not work in unison but may alternate, creating imperceptible differences in temperature in the areas of the hob (we speak of a maximum of 1-2 decimals of a degree). To avoid this, it is possible to change the layout of the panel by inserting a diverter that alternately connects each individual probe to both temperature controllers. In this way it is possible to reset the digital indicators on two different parameters (e.g. soft massage at low temperature and strong massage at higher temperature) and make them work alternately according to personal needs and avoid the operator the burden of programming. .

Claims (1)

Claims 1 - Work plan Heated and thermoregulated stone massage bed. The top can be made with any type of stone, marble, granite or similar material, of natural and / or artificial origin. Different types of materials can be mixed to create mosaic-like chromatic effects. The surface of the top can be smooth, satin, lapped, glossy, opaque or rough. The measurements, shape and thickness of the stone may vary according to the properties of the material used and / or the user's needs. The surface can be flat, concave or convex. On the surface, channels are incised for the recovery of liquids deriving from the products used for the massage. The concave surface combined with the heat creates a sort of heated tub ideal for traditional baths and / or treatments with more or less dense products (water, ice, mud, chocolate, wine, foam, sea salt, etc.). The convex surface creates soothing and relaxing effects on the tendon, muscle and vertebral apparatus and gives the user a healthy and pleasant well-being. The use of several smaller heated surfaces is envisaged to be applied in special mobile frames to create inclined surfaces (backrest, leg raiser, etc.), controlled manually or electrically, using patents already on the market 2 - Electric heaters Heated and thermoregulated stone massage bed, as per previous claim. The measurements, the power and the number of electrical resistances may vary according to the type of material to be heated; the size of the plan and / or the user's needs 3 - Insulation and coverage of the resistances Heated and thermoregulated stone massage bed, as per previous claim. The thermal insulation material to be used may vary in size and type of material used. The function of this element is to ensure the thermal insulation of the resistance. The panel used for the closure has a containing and aesthetic function and can be made with any type of material of natural and / or artificial origin. The panel and the insulation can be replaced by a single product, consisting of several superimposed materials glued and / or interlocked, having the characteristics of heat insulation. The frame made of travertine has an aesthetic function, it serves to cover the resistance and the insulating material laterally. It can be made with any type of material and in any shape. In place of the frame and the closing panel, one or more travertine floors (or other type of material) can be superimposed, joined together to create a multilayer containing resistances and insulation. 4 - Probes and thermoregulators Heated and thermo regulated stone massage bed, as per previous claim. The number of probes and temperature controllers can vary to obtain greater system safety and / or to have different temperature zones on the same level. There is no limit to the number of probes and temperature controllers to be used that can be connected as needed, (multiple probes to a single temperature controller, or multiple temperature controllers to a single probe). The probes and thermoregulators can work simultaneously or alternatively, consequently also the resistances can be activated together or at different times depending on the needs of the treatment. Each resistance can be connected to multiple probes and multiple temperature controllers, each of which is adjusted differently, to obtain different temperature gradations and different levels of safety. Each resistance can have a safety probe that blocks the power supply when a certain temperature is reached. The probes can be inserted into the top even with inclined holes or they can be inserted by drilling holes on the edge of the top. They can also be placed, fixed and / or drowned on the surface of the top. 5 - Electrical panel The electrical panel can have different layouts depending on the number of probes, the number of temperature controllers and the number of resistors used. The electrical panel can be controlled with a touch-screen LCD video or connected to a personal computer. The connection can be via cable and / or wireless technology (wireless). The panel can be operated manually, locally or with a remote control. 6 - Using the Timer Heated and thermoregulated stone massage bed, as per previous claim. Instead of using probes and thermoregulators, temperature control can be done through the use of a clock that provides for the heating elements to be switched on and off at regular intervals. The probes can be combined with the timer. 7 - Ecology Heated and thermoregulated stone massage bed, as in the previous claim All the parts that make up the apparatus can be replaced by similar material of natural origin, with a low environmental impact.