ITPN20110056A1 - "MULTIFUNCTIONAL PORTABLE SANITARY EQUIPMENT" - Google Patents

Description

"MULTIFUNCTIONAL PORTABLE SANITARY EQUIPMENT"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention refers to a sanitary type apparatus for domestic use, hotel, wellness centers, spas or the like. In particular, the invention relates to a very versatile portable hydromassage equipment as it is designed to perform different integrated functions for the care and beauty of the body.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[002] Hydromassage devices and equipment have been known and widespread for many years now. There are, in fact, more or less complex structures such as shower cubicles, tubs, as well as portable appliances that are connected to mats that can be placed on the bottom of tubs and equipped with holes for the escape of air for hydromassage.

[003] In particular, as regards the type of portable hydromassage appliances, they currently generally consist of a machine body, a connecting tube and a mat to be spread on the bottom of a tub. The machine body is a small-sized plastic shell designed to enclose a pump for sucking air from the external environment through a special inlet and introducing said pressurized air into said connection pipe through an outlet. dedicated. This pump is normally constituted by an axial type pump controlled by mechanical and electronic devices that allow the regulation of the outgoing air flow both in terms of pressure / flow rate and delivery time.

[004] Although such types of apparatus are widely used for their practicality, they suffer from some drawbacks and limitations.

[005] Firstly, they are very noisy devices due to the portable structure which cannot guarantee good soundproofing.

[006] Furthermore, they have limited functions and powers, always due to limits imposed by the portable structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] The technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of proposing a portable sanitary equipment that is as silent as possible, compact and equipped with several different functions not only for the well-being treatment of a person, but also for other types treatment such as that of environmental or local.

[008] This problem is solved by a sanitary appliance equipped with a machine body designed in such a way as to allow good soundproofing and at the same time include different multifunction devices integrated together in a compact and efficient portable structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[009] Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the following description of an embodiment given purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the following figures in which:

- figure 1 represents an exploded axonometric view of the machine body object of the invention;

figure 2A represents an axonometric view of a first half-shell of the machine body without functional devices;

figure 2B represents an axonometric view of a second half-shell of the machine body without functional devices;

Figure 3A represents an axonometric view from a first side of a pump of the machine body of Figure 1 with exploded air filters;

figure 3B represents an axonometric view from a second side of the pump of figure 3A;

- figure 4 represents an axonometric view in longitudinal section and exploded view of an ozone generator of the machine body;

figures 5A and 5B show two different axonometric views of a portion of the machine body with an open shell;

Figure 6 is an exploded axonometric view of the front portion of the machine body shell;

- figure 7 represents an axonometric view of the apparatus of the invention in different conditions of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The idea behind the present invention is to provide a multipurpose equipment that is easy to use, reliable, efficient and economical. To develop this idea, conflicting problems arise as, for example, if you want to reduce noise it is necessary to prepare a rather complex structure with low-powered pumps. However, this is to the detriment of a convenient device that must be portable and of the efficiency and versatility of use. Therefore, in order to satisfy all needs, a way has been studied to integrate different devices in an optimal way both from a functional, constructive and economic point of view.

[0011] In general, with reference to Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates a portable sanitary appliance comprising an external containment shell formed by a first 2 and a second 3 half-shell, an air suction and blowing pump 4, air heating means 5, an ozone generator device 6 and lighting means 7.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the first 2 and second 3 half-shells have a general box-like shape with rounded edges. The internal cavities 20 and 30 respectively of each first 2 and second 3 half-shell advantageously comprise corresponding half-chambers, preferably positioned along the perimeter of the cavities themselves, which are divided into first 21A and 31A, and second 21B and 31B half-chambers. In particular, the first half-chambers 31A and second 31B of the second half-shell 3 are open towards the outside by means of corresponding slots 30A and 30B which allow the entry of external air. Each half-chamber 21A and 21B of the first half-shell 2 is also shaped so as to couple to the corresponding half-chamber 31A and 31B of the second half-shell. In other words, when the first 2 and second 3 half-shells are closed together, each first and second half-chamber of a half-shell closes on the corresponding first and second half-chamber of the other half-shell. This conformation allows the creation of two independent chambers for the intake of external air: a first chamber for the intake of cooling air for the motor of the pump 4 and a second chamber for the intake of primary air for the pump 4 for supplying the pump 4. whirlpool, as explained below.

[0013] In particular, the first half-chamber 21A of the first half-shell 2 closes with the first half-chamber 31A of the second half-shell creating said second suction chamber. Similarly, the second half-chamber 21B of the first half-shell 2 closes with the second half-chamber 31B of the second shell 3 creating said first suction chamber. Each first half-chamber 21A, 31A and second 21B, 31B is advantageously delimited by respective side walls 22A, 32A and 22B, 32B which connect with the external wall of the corresponding half-shell 2, 3. In other words, the side walls 22A, 32A and 22B, 32B circumscribe the half chambers 21A, 31A and 21B and 31B of the cavity 20, 30, respectively. Furthermore, said side walls are provided with side openings 23A, 23B and 33A, 33B. The side openings 23A and 33A communicate with the cavity 20, while the side openings 23B and 33B communicate with a further respective half-chamber 24B and 34B of the cavity 30 of the second half-shell 3 delimited by a corresponding further wall 25, 35. This further wall 25, 35 is also equipped with an arched groove for sealing a gasket on the casing of the pump motor cooling fan. In fact, these further half-chambers 24B and 34B together with the corresponding second half-chambers 21B and 31B form an aeriferous circuit dedicated to the cooling air of the pump 4 motor.

[0014] Advantageously, each of the first 21A, 31A and second 21B, 31B semi-chambers comprise partitions 26, 36 suitable for creating a path for the cooling air and primary air for the hydromassage designed to limit turbulence and resonances of the incoming air. Furthermore, they cooperate with the walls described above to strengthen the supporting structure of the half-shells 2 and 3.

[0015] Preferably, then, in correspondence with the slots 30A and 30B, on the external surface of the half-shell 3, seats can be provided for receiving completely conventional air filters 37 (in figure 1 one is shown) .

[0016] Consequently, the structure of the two half-shells just described was created in such a way as to separate the functional circuit of the pump 4, that is the one responsible for creating the air to create the hydromassage, from the inlet circuit of the € ™ cooling air of the pump itself. In this way, the efficiency of the whirlpool machine is optimized, as explained in detail below.

[0017] In addition, each half-shell 2, 3 comprises a respective semicircular groove 27, 38 adapted to cooperate to create a circular hole for engaging the air outlet duct of the ozonator device, as described below.

[0018] The bottom of the half-shell 3 is also advantageously provided with seats 39 for anchoring the ozonator device 6, when connected to the pump 4, so as to dampen the vibrations, as explained below.

[0019] The half-shells 2, 3 then show both perimeter and internal contact edges provided with a sealing gasket 12 made of plastic material such as natural rubber, for example rubber, or synthetic, for example silicone.

[0020] The pump 4, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, is represented by a pump of the centrifugal type with blades bent in the forward direction of the air. This pump has been selected among the different types of pumps available on the market as it has been possible to exploit its technical characteristics of power and efficiency by adapting them to the purpose of the present invention. In particular, the pump 4 comprises a motor body 40, first filters 41 coupled to the pump air inlet and second filters 42 coupled to the cooling air inlet.

[0021] The motor body 40 in turn comprises an electric motor 44 having an axis of rotation X-X along which on one side an impeller 43 is connected (seen from the outside) and on the opposite side an impeller 43 is connected cooling fan 45 (seen from outside). An outlet pipe 46 for the intake air for the whirlpool is in a tangential position with respect to the impeller 43. The first filters 41 are applied to the impeller 43 side (figure 3A), while the first filters 41 are applied to the fan 45 side. second filters 42 (Figure 3B).

[0022] In particular, the first 41 and second 42 filters are constituted by an expanded polyurethane resin with an open cellular structure having a porosity between 45 and 65 PPI (pores per inch). This type of material and structure has been selected to guarantee minimum resistance to the passage of air, and therefore noise reduction, while maintaining the filtering capacity necessary for the main function.

[0023] The motor body 40 also comprises a plurality of slots 47 arranged along its outer circumference. Preferably, the slots 47 are three and are arranged equidistant, two of which are used for fastening to the first half-shell 2 and one for fastening to the ozonator device 6.

Further, openings 48 are provided on the outer wall of the electric motor 44 for venting the cooling air of the motor.

[0025] Figures 1 and 4 show the heating means 5 positioned respectively externally or internally to the ozonator device 6.

[0026] In particular, the heating means 5 are preferably represented by an electric resistance mounted inside the ozonator device 6 (Figure 4).

[0027] The ozonator device 6 comprises a predominantly cylindrical portion 61 provided with a first end 62 for connection with the aforementioned duct 46 for the outlet of the air from the pump 4 and a second end 63 for connection with a delivery pipe of the air exiting from the apparatus 1. Furthermore, the ozonator device 6 comprises a second box-like portion 64 for creating an electric discharge for the formation of ozone. Said portion 64 communicates with said first portion 61 and preferably contains a conventional electric plate device 65 for the creation of the electric discharge necessary to originate the ozone.

[0028] The device 6 is then equipped with open slots 66 (shown in Figures 1 and 5A and 5B) suitable for receiving fixing means to the pump 4. Preferably, these slots 66 are two and extend close and parallel from the free end 62 of the cylindrical portion 61 radially. Two further closed slots 67 (shown in Figure 5A) are arranged diametrically opposite and are such as to receive anchoring means to the second half-shell 3, as described below.

[0029] Advantageously, the ozonator device 6 also comprises an electronic card 68 on which a program for managing the electric discharge for the formation of ozone is loaded. The program has been developed to allow you to adjust the intensity of the electric discharge according to specific needs or preferences of health treatment with ozone. In practice, the program is able to regulate the amount of electricity to be supplied to the electric plates to create the necessary discharge according to the type of treatment selected through a conventional selector.

[0030] As shown in figures 5A and 5B, the pump 4 and the ozonator device 6 with the heating means inside are anchored to the second half-shell 3 in a particularly advantageous manner. In fact, the slots 67 of the ozonator device 6 are connected to the seats 39 of the second shell 3 by means of shock absorbers 8, preferably of the elastic type. More preferably, these shock absorbers are vibration dampers comprising a cylindrical body in natural or synthetic rubber to whose axial ends a corresponding washer carrying a screw projecting axially towards the outside is fixed. These anti-vibration mounts are secured to the slots by means of conventional nuts and washers. Similarly, the open slots 66 of the ozonator device 6 receive one of the three slots 47 of the pump 4 together and the whole is secured with identical or similar shock absorbers.

[0031] In this way, the vibrations caused by the pump 4 are strongly dampened by the shock absorbers so that no substantial vibration is transferred at the junctions between the pump and half-shells. As a result, noises are significantly reduced.

[0032] Advantageously, moreover, as previously mentioned, once the pump 4 and the ozonator 6 have been mounted, the division of the two aeriferous circuits for the suction of the main air of the whirlpool and the suction of the air is understood cooling. In fact, as shown in Figure 5A, the cooling air of the motor of the pump 4 enters through the slots 30B in the half-chamber 31B, passes into the further half-chamber 34B to enter the casing of the cooling fan 45. It should be noted that the respective half chambers 21B and 24B isolate the cooling air forcing it to enter the fan 45. In other words, they enclose the fan separating it from the rest of the body shell. After cooling the motor, the air escapes from the pump motor through the slots 48 to go into the cavity 20 of the half-shell 2. This pre-heated air is sucked in by the impeller 43 which, at the same time, sucks air from the through the slots 30A and the half-chamber 31A. Consequently, cooler air coming from the outside mixes with said pre-heated air coming from the pump motor 4. It is therefore evident that pre-heated and not cold air reaches the ozonator device 6. It follows that this air can be used without the need to operate the heater 5 as well. The heater 5 will be activated if you want to increase the temperature of the whirlpool air or if you want to use equipment 1 of the whirlpool. Invention as an environmental heater or hairdryer or as a dryer for linen, possibly in association with the ozonator function to purify the ambient air and / or the laundry.

[0033] Figure 6 shows the first half-shell 2 in which a transparent or opaque lid 24 (shown in Figure 1) has been removed to cover a housing 25 for housing the lighting means 7. Preferably, the means of lighting 7 comprise an electronic card 70 on which a plurality of LEDs are anchored. In particular, these LEDs are of the RGB type.

[0034] The lighting means are controlled by said card so as to turn on to provide generic lighting, that is a courtesy light or a light for simple lighting of an environment, or to provide single colored lights, in combination or sequence in order to to create a pleasant chromatic play of lights in association with the hydromassage.

[0035] Preferably, the apparatus of the invention can be controlled by means of a remote control 8 (figure 7) capable of controlling the switching on, switching off and adjustment of the different functions.

[0036] As shown in figure 7, the apparatus is very versatile as it can be connected by means of a suitable tube 10 to a mat 9 to be spread on the bottom of a tub and / or to a further mat 14 for a basin 13 for foot bath. In particular, the mats 9, 14 are represented by a modular mat by means of single tiles connected together with suitable joints, such as the one described in the patent application for utility model No. PN2010U000024 to which reference is made. Furthermore, the aforesaid tube 10 can be used to connect the appliance 1 to a union 11 for a hairdryer. In this way, the appliance can only be used as a hairdryer by activating the pump 4 and the heating means.

[0037] From what has been described up to now, it is evident that the apparatus 1 of the invention advantageously performs numerous functions both individually and in an integrated manner while maintaining a compact structure and with good soundproofing. In fact, the equipment is portable and ideal especially in the home environment for the care and well-being of a person's body or environmental treatment thanks to a series of functions activated individually or simultaneously such as:

- simple or ozonated hydromassage with automatic programs or programs set by the user according to particular needs or preferences;

- simple or ozonated foot bath, also programmable as before;

- simple or ozonated hairdryer;

- sanitizer for environments using ozonated air;

- environmental heater;

- dryer with sanitizing function by means of hot ozonated air; - simple or chromatic ambient lighting.

[0038] Further variants of the containment and support shell of the invention are within the reach of the person skilled in the art, however without departing from the protective practice defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

"MULTIFUNCTIONAL PORTABLE SANITARY EQUIPMENT" CLAIMS 1. Sanitary equipment (1) comprising an external containment shell formed by a first (2) and a second (3) half-shell which enclose a pump (4) for creating a flow of pressurized air, a device (6 ) ozone generator in said air flow connected to said pump (4) through a first end (62) inside which heater means (5) are housed for said air flow before the outlet towards the outside of the shell, in which said first (2) and second (3) half-shells each comprise a first half-chamber (21A, 31A) and a second half-chamber (21B, 31B) designed to create corresponding entry areas of the independent external air to feed respectively the pump (4) and the cooling means (45) of the pump itself. 2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, said pump (4) and said ozonator device (6) are anchored to said first half-shell (2) and / or said second half-shell (3) and to each other by means of shock absorbers (8). 3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first half-chamber (21A) of the first half-shell (2) closes with the first half-chamber (3A) of the second half-shell (3) creating a second suction chamber for the € ™ direct feeding of the pump (4), while the second half-chamber (21B) of the first half-shell (2) closes with the second half-chamber (31B) of the second half-shell (3) creating a first suction chamber for the pump cooling. 4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, in which each first (21A, 31A) and second (21B, 31B) half chamber is delimited by respective side walls (22A, 32A; 22B, 32B) which connect with the wall external part of the corresponding half-shell (2, 3) and said side walls are equipped with first lateral openings (23A, 33A) communicating with the cavity (20) of the first half-shell (2), and second lateral openings (23B and 33B) communicating with a further respective half-chamber (24B and 34B) of the cavity (30) of the second half-shell (3) delimited by a corresponding further wall (25, 35). 5. Apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein said further wall (25, 35) is also provided with an arched groove for sealing a gasket of the casing of a cooling fan (45 ) of the pump motor (4). 6. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said first (21A, 31A) and second (21B, 31B) half chambers comprise septa (26, 36) suitable for creating a path of the cooling and primary air for the pump (4) to limit turbulence and resonance of the incoming air and to strengthen the supporting structure of the half-shells (2, 3). 7. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said pump (4) is represented by a centrifugal type pump with blades bent in the direction of advancement of the air. 8. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pump (4) comprises a motor body (40), first filters (41) coupled to the primary air inlet of the pump and second filters (42) coupled to the inlet of the cooling air, said first and second filters being made of an expanded polyurethane resin with an open cellular structure with a porosity between 45 and 65 PPI (pores per inch). 9. Apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein said motor body (40) comprises slots (48) to allow the cooling air to escape from the pump motor (4), to pass into the cavity (20) of the first half-shell (2), be sucked by the impeller (43) of the pump (4) mixing it with the primary air from the outside always sucked by said pump through the pump's suction chamber. 10. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising lighting means (7), preferably with RGB LEDs controlled by an electronic board (70), a mat (9) to be spread on the bottom of a tank ( 15) or a further mat (14) for foot bath to be placed in a basin (13), a pipe (10) for connecting said equipment to said mat and / or further mat, and a connector (11) for hairdryer function.