US2311899A - Therapeutic art - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 23, 194-3.

H. J. MARLOW THERAPEUTIC AR Filed Nov 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 INVENTOR Harald J Mar/01118 ATTORNEY S ,Feb. 23, 1943.. J. MARLOWE 2,311,899

THERAPEUTIC ART Filed Nov. 6, 1941 Z5 SheetsS'neet 2 INVENTQR Haroi JMafi/owe 50 ATTORNEYS Feb. 23, 1943. H, J MARLOWE 2,311,899

THERAPEUTIC ART Filed Nov. 6, 19-41 5 Sheets-Sheet s v F Q6 25 g 15 INVENTOR liar'oid JMa/"Zowe ATTORN EY5 Patented Feb. 23, 1943 THERAPEUTIC ART Harold J. Marlowe, New York,

N. Y., assignor to Reduc-O-Matic Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Applicaticn November 6, 1941, Serial No. 417,983

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to the therapeutic art, more especially to equipment and methods designed to induce perspiration for promoting health and reducing weight and if desired also for applying oil or medicament to the open pores for the purpose of alleviating or curing certain ailments.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide the therapeutic effect of a steam bath in the home without resort to steam cabinets or the like, but with the use of convenient portable equipment of low cost and small bulk that assures a gradual increase in the heating effect from room temperature to the required high temperature of 120 to 140 degrees F., or more, and the consequent elimination of the shock commonly incurred in stepping from the room into a hot steam chamber.

Another object is to provide equipment of the above type that affords a continuous rapid flow of heated air over the body of the user at the desired temperature and humidity, while leaving the person free to stand, sit or recline with the head exposed to room temperature and with free use of the hands, likewise so exposed.

Another object is to provide equipment of the above type which may be safely used by any person and readily controlled by the user for varying effects, and which is substantially proof against hazards resulting from carelessness or inattention.

In general, the invention involves the use of a unit in the form of a portable case, operated from an ordinary electric outlet, and effective to blow heated air into an ample flexible bag enclosing the body of the user.

The portable case desirably encloses air heating, moistening and propelling equipment, including a motor-driven air blower, in the air duct of which is enclosed an electric heater. Water spray in desired amount may be forcefully injected into the air stream, desirably from a jar of water in the case, having an associated atomizer, a pump driven from the motor actuating the atomizer for the purpose.

The flexible bag for enclosing the person to be treated is sufficiently vented either through the mesh of the fabric or through vent-holes near the collar, or, if desired, by loose fit at the collar, to permit escape of air through the inflated walls thereof in the continued operation of the device. scorching of the body at localized regions is avoided by the absence of bafiies, traps, pockets or restrictions and by resort to a fish-tail flaring inlet near the foot of the bag.

The present application is a continuation in part of my prior applictaion, Serial No. 376,744, filed January 31, 1941.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the equipment in use,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale, through the casing taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig 3 is a view in longitudinal cross-section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus,

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the bag,

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 7-1 of Fig. 6,

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are cross-sectional details on .a larger scale taken respectively on lines 88,

99 and Ill-l0 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the connection between the portable case and the bag.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the equipment comprises a portable case, resembling a small suit case l2, having a flexible hose [3, connected to an end wall thereof which communicates with a bag l4, encompassing the body of the user. The unit is operated from an ordinary electric outlet zox and that operation may be controlled from a suitable switch l5.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the portable case desirably encloses a rotary blower of any of a wide variety of constructions. The blower is shown with an annular rotor l6 enclosed in an involute casing I! cast as a unit with support legs i8 that may be bolted as at 19 to the floor of the case. The rotor shell desirably has a unitary duct 20 extending horizontally lengthwise of the case and enclosing a suitable electric heater 2|, which may be resiliently pressed against shoulder 22 therein by an insulating bushing 23 at the mouth of said duct, and reacting against coil spring 24 that encircles the end of the heater base. The heater desirably has two coils 25, 26 (Fig. 5) connected respectively to contacts 25' and 26' of a conventional three-way switch IS, the forked arm 2'! of which may be thrown into any of three possible operative positions, using either coil or both in parallel.

An electric motor 28 is supported upon legs 29 afiixed to the base of the case, and its shaft 30 is drivingly connected to the rotor l6 of the blower.

Desirably, a fan 3! is mounted upon the extremity of the motor shaft 39 for cooling during operation. 7

Usually it is important that the hot air pro pelled into the bag hereinafter described, have a substantial water vapor content, for were the air nearly dry, the perspirationwould be entrained fromthe body so that the skin would remain dry, the person would not be aware of the effect of such perspiration and the action might yet be too intense for comfort and health.

The mere passing of air over pan in the case l2 would exposetoo, small'a .surface of water to the flow of air to result in entraining sufficient moisture and the operation would be substantially the sameasif dry air were used. According to the present invention, an adequate amount of water spray is forcefully injected into thehot streamof air. The hot air should not, however, carry so. much moisture as as quickly as it is formed,

an open water to besaturated, for it is the-deficiencylwith re.-

spect-to the-saturationpoint that. determines the effectiveness with Which-moisture is carried from the skin of the user;

For-humidifying-the air; water may be forcefully supplied from an ordinary Masonjar, restinguponthe floor of the'casea' The jar maybe threaded intotheskir-t 3fi-at the base-ofa hoodelement 33 affixed as by screwstfi to the outlet endof-the air duct-2th The hood element has a unitary outlet collar -34 exposedthrough anaperture-SE-inthe end wall 0f-thecase, and of .the

same diameter as and axially=aligned-with the.

heaterduct =29: Usuallysufficient-water will be introduced in -j ar 31 for one treatment only and this ordinarilyis about'three-fourths ofa pint.

The level of water in the jarmay" be seenthrough windowopening tilin the contiguous I wallof the case.

Afflxed in the hood- 33- skirt 36is an air-duct 39 -which-leads-into-and immediately above the supports a substantially conventional vacuum a type atomizer head. The atomizer head -may involve a papthreaded upon a bushing fil concentric therewith; which has a nozzle -42 protruding through the 'headand aligned with a drop pipe i i'threaded-intothe bushing and ending-- I near -the bott0m' of; the jar.

through the duct-'fiii escapesthrough; annularjet 43, between nozzle -42 and cap w and-therebyentrains ,water spraythrough nozzle J32.-

Air pumping means actuatesthe atomizer-and is desirably operated'from the electric motor. In one illustrative embodiment;- a pumping unit of the flexible diaphragm type is employed. It comprises a flexible diaphragm 45 secured at its peripheryby screws 6 to a housing 1 attached to the floor of the case l2." Inhousing 41 is enclosed a check-valve til-normally held against-its seat 49 by a coil spring 59: A wad-of felt 5! over the valve port acts as an'air filter and assures the admission of clean air'theretoand so protects the jet from clogging with dust. The pump discharges through a duct duct 39: The protruding end of the motor shaft 3iihas an. eccentric for driving the pump diaphragm through a connecting rod 55.

The hood '33has a gable-shaped roof -33 the peak of which communicates with a neck 55 extending :througha corresponding aperture 56 in the top wall ofthe case.

35 which are axially aligned in the, line of air Air propelled 52 byway of flexible hose 53 Which communicates with the inlet of- The hood'33 is also providedwith circular, inwardly extending lips blast, and serve a purpose set forth hereinafter. A gasket 51 about the lip 58 of the neck is interposed between the neck and wall of the case. The neck preferably tapers downward as shown, so that a wad 59 of cotton or other absorbent, soaked with suitable essential oils or medicaments may be retained therein.v Alremovable plug 59 closes the neck and is retained by suitable bayonet slot connection 6%, and may be readily removed for refilling jar 31 with water, or replacing or recharging plug 59.

Theicase is desirably provided with adequate louvers 62 in the side wall adjacent the blower throughfiwhichair is drawn from the exterior, and other louvers 63iare provided to avoid overheating.

The bag desirablycomprises a front panel 65, a back panel and a bottom strip 6'! of suitable textile such as duck, which are stitched together at lateralcseams desirablyi with an. interposed welt 6%:for added strength. Therfront panel dc.-

sirably has a longitudinalihookless :fastener 69'; extending downward :from the neck, which'xmay;

be closed use with .desiredfle'gree ofxsnugness. or looseness about. the neck/0f the wearer; The

sleeve openings 10 desirably .embrace thei-arms below the .elbow of the. wearer; Toithisend, an armband selvagejll aisistitched :asxatr. 12 about the sleeve openings andshasanwelastic of peripheralwdimensions considerably. greater than .even a large.- person somthat it will :bulge or billow outward considerablylin.inflatedicom ditiorn 'Hacross the lower end of the frontpanelfid the reduced forwardhextremityuof said-.fishetail presenting-an inlet :openingflB :hemmed inward as at Desirably, the lowerhalf of :.the fish.-.tail iinlet.. 15 is notv stitchedstohthe lower. edge of the :front of the bag but. toctheredgeili'lv'z of a .correspond.-

ingnotchi in the forward edge of the bottom strip 61. Accordingly there -;is .no dangerzofathe.

fish-tail inlet offer-ingundue obstruction .to the entry coftair if the user iszin. reclining position. I

when starting the motor;

In general, it is preferred to use airbag; thew fabric-of-which-is of .pervious mesh, for instance,

of duck,,and theescapeof hot airtherethrough;

would render its exterior.warmwtomthe. touch; However, a nonporous bag will' operateandwill have the advantages of. permitting the vaporzofi essential oils,-or-othermedicament-,1 tobe directed over-the face oftheuser, if venting-is effected. about the necklof the wearer; either through small apertures thereat orhlooseness. .of closure at the neck.- The .bag is :offlwidth considerably greater than the averagelhuman body,v so that in inflated conditiomas shownirr Fig; 1; it .bulges outward considerably.

Connection between the .airsupply unit and the bagis desirably by meansoofs'at flexible. wirebound hose 13 of conventional construction, the inlet end of which 'may be inserted into thecollar t l-accessible through. the. endxwall .of the case and theoutlet end. of which". maybe introe duced' into the -inlet .18. 015 the. fish-tail. element l5 of-the bag.-

The 7 operation proceedse-asw follows: The'desired amount of, water being-introduced into the jar 31 throughunecki 55,1. theusersteps,

into the garment and closes the hookless fasband 13., in a. suitablyshirred enclosure 14: The bag is.

tener about the neck, the sleeve-bands resiliently embracing the arms. The outlet plug is introduced into an ordinary outlet box, whereby the electric motor 28 will be set into operation to blow air into the bag. Upon closing the switch l the heater 2| is set into operation, and the blower l6 driven by the motor 28 propels air through the duct 20 about the heater 2| and thence across the hood 33 and through hose [3 into the bag, which accordingly becomes gradually inflated about the body of the user. The atomizer being at a substantial distance from the course of air flow, the droplets issuing therefrom will be further subdivided by the time they reach the path of air flow, and the atomized water will be subdivided substantially to a vapor as it enters and is entrained by the hot air stream. The hot humidified air passes at relatively low pressure, but at high speed through the small diameter duct 20 and hose IS without material heat loss. The linear speed of flow is gradually reduced as it passes into the flaring fish tail of the bag. Nowhere is the hot air trapped or pocketed, so that there is no scorchmg.

The air in the inflated bag becomes progressively hotter as it is passed over the heater 20, until a static temperature is reached, which depends upon the size of the heater used, and the setting of the switch 15, so that the air passing through the inflated bag about the wearer will be gradually elevated to a temperature in the order of 120 degrees F., 130 degrees or warmer, and said temperature will be maintained fairly uniform throughout the bag during operation. The bag is vented to such extent as to impose sufficient back pressure to maintain its condition of inflation, that is, after it has once become inflated, air escapes from the bag at substantially the rate at which air is forced into the bag by the operation of the rotor. At no time will air stagnate in the bag, but the fish-tail inlet directs the air over and along the body of the user, so that the spent air is deflected to the wall of the inflated bag and is expelled through the meshes thereof or through the neck passage or openings.

The operation is so effective that the equipment may be used on the ordinary house lighting circuit.

Simultaneously with the heating and propulsion of the air, the atomizer operated from the diaphragm pump 457 injects a spray of water transversely across the air stream into the hood 33. The effectiveness of the atomizer is such that the spray will be projected clear to the roof 33' of the hood and thereby moisten the medicament in the absorbent plug 59. By reason of the oblique wall of the gable-shaped hood, there will be no return drip of water or medicament from the plug across the air blast from duct to outlet collar 34. The moisture will flow down along the oblique side wall and about the rims 35' of the end walls of the hood back into the water jar. Thus, where the case is used without the bag, to blow the heated, humidified air directly into the room (as is desirable in certain applications) no discrete drops of moisture will be blown out, since any excess water returning by gravity along the walls of the hood to the jar is kept out of the path of the direct blast of air from duct 28 to outlet collar 34. The wall or the furniture in the room will, therefore, not be drenched.

As contrasted with the conventional steam bath in which the person is confined in a closed chamber with stagnant hot water vapor laden air, the present invention effects active motion of ar about the body, involving an effective air massage, the body being placed in a hot, moist Windstorm as it were, uniformly effective from head to foot of the user. The air entering at the foot region applies adequate treatment thereat, as contrasted with the deficiency in this regard, of the ordinary steam room. The hot air applied to the body, carrying considerable humidity but short of saturation, the air remains sufficiently avid for moisture to carry off perspiration from the pores at the desired rate. Preferably, the atomizer head and operating pump and its drive are so adjusted as to humidify the hot air to from 20 to 25 per cent at degrees F. The treatment is exhilarating rather than enervating in effect, since moisture is effectively evaporated from the body in the moving air stream, thereby to promote further perspiration and such evaporation tends to cool the body and accordingly permits the application of hotter and more effective vapors without discomfort than would be possible in a chamber with stagnant air.

It will also be seen that since the air is passed directly over the red hot electric heater 2|, sterilization and some other therapeutic benefits due to infra red rays occur.

It will be understood that the heater switch may be set for a lower heat as the treatment is about to end, and when the jar 37. is empty at the conclusion of the treatment, the switch may be shut off entirely, with only the blower operating, thereby gradually to cool down the air current, while the body dries, so that the user suffers no chill in stepping out of the bag. Usually a complete treatment takes from 20 minutes to one half hour.

In some applications, the heater may be kept out of operation entirely, and in other applications the rotor may draw upon a source of chilled air.

In coping with certain ailments as for instance, rheumatism or malaria, where especially rapid excretion through the pores is to be promoted, or in the case of persons so constituted as to perspire with difliculty, it may be desirable to eliminate the water from the jar 31 and to apply the air in dry or nearly dry condition.

As many changes could be made in the above method and equipment, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter con tained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. The method of therapeutic treatment which consists in blowing a continuous blast of heated air, while positively injecting into the heated air stream a spray of water and directing the con tinuous stream of the water vapor laden heated air into a vented but otherwise confined path gradually expanding about the feet of the person to be treated thereby passing the hot water vapor-laden air in active motion about the body.

2. Equipment of the character described com-v prising a vented bag adapted to enclose the person to be treated and means for blowing hot water vapor laden air through said bag, said means comprising a unit having an air blowei l therein, a heater in the path of air 'blow'n therethrough, a conduit delivering the 7 hot air "into 1! said bag and positively driven means in said unit" for spraying water into the heated 'air streami 3. Therapeutic equipment/comprising the com r bination of a portable case having therein an electrically driven blower, anair conduitior con veying discharge oi said blower throughsaid case, an electric heater in said case and in heat conductive relation with said conduit, a bagio'r T enclosing the person to be treated, a fi'exible hose connecting the outlet of said conduit to said-bag;

saidbag having a fish-tail shaped'inlet duct nearabout the body of the user and throughthewall of the bag.

i. In therapeutic equipment of the type comprising a vented bag adapted to enclose a person to be treated, and means for blowing hot vapors through said bag; thecombination in which said means comprises a portable case, saidcase containing a blower, an electric motor for driving the same, an outlet leading to the bag, a duct across said case blowing the discharge of said blower to said outlet, an electric heater contained in said duct, a water container in said case, opening to said duct and a pumping device operated from said motor for blowing a spray of water from said container into said duct.

5. In a therapeutic equipment of the type com-' prising a vented bag adapted to enclose the per son to be treated, and means for blowing hot vapors through said bag; the combination in which said means comprises aportable case having therein a rotary blower, a motor driving the same, an outlet in one of the walls thereof for connection to-the vented bag, a ductconnecting said blower to said outlet, an electric heater in' said duct, a water container below said duct, a pneumatic injector in said container and com municating with said duct, and an air'pump driven from said motor for ejecting a water spray into said air duct for entrainment thereof by the heated air stream, said duct having an enlarged hood in the length'thereof along which excess water will flow'back to the Water containert 6. In a therapeutic equipment of the type comprising a vented bag adapted to enclose the person to be treated, and means for blowingihot vapors through said bag; the combination in which said means comprises a portable case having therein a rotary blower, a motor driving the a same, an outiet in one of the walls thereof for connection to the vented bag, a duct connecting said blower to said outlet, an electric heater in said duct, a water container below said duct, a pneumatic municating with said duct, and an air pump driven from said motor for ejecting water spray into said air duct for entrainment thereof by the heated air, said duct having a hood in the length thereof above said injector, along the wall of which excess water will flow back to the con tainer, the upper end of said hood having a fi3-.l' ing opening accessible through the topof "the case.

injector in'said container and com l. A therapeutic equipment comprising a case 7 having therein a rotary blower, an eleotricmotor driving the same, a horizontal air duct discharging through an-end wall of said case, an electric heater in said duct, a jar resting on the floor of a s-rnsoo said casa a-hoodcapping said jar and communi cating -with sai'd duct,-afillingopening thi'oug the tdp- 0f Said caSe communicatin With th ,from said motor and an injector within-saidjar for positivelyinje'cting water spray into the path of now of the heated air stream.

8. A therapeutic equipment comprising a portable case, a rotay blower having a frame mount 'ed upo'n the floor of the case, and having a honzontal discharge duct, an electric motor mounted 1! upon the floor ofsaid case and drivingly con nected to said blower, an electric heater in saidduct, a-hoo'd unit in'saidcase affixed at oneside' :to 'the end of said duct'and havingan outlet extension aligned with-said duct and accessible through the end wall of said casega jar afiix'ed-to the lower end of said hoodga pumping device onthe floor of said case, means drivingly connecting said motor to said pumping device, an injector in said jar and a duct connectingsaid pumping device to said injector.

9A therapeutic equipment comprising a portable case, a rotary blower'casing mounted upon the floor thereof, and having a horizontal 1 discharge duct, an electric motor mounted upon the floor of said case and drivingly connected-to said blower, an electric heater in said duct; a hood unit in said case affixed at one side tothe end of said duct and having an outlet extension" aligned with said duct and accessible through the end wall of said case, a jar ailiXed to the lower end of said hood, a pumping device on the" floor of said case, means drivingly connecting :said motor to said pumping device, an injector in said *jar and a duct connecting said pumping devic'eto said injector, said dome having a neck communicating with an aperture in thetop ofsaid case, servingfor charging said-jar and for housing medicament retaining absorbent;

10: Therapeutic equipment l comprising 1 a portable rectangular case, a blower having a" casingshell with feet secured to the floor of the case, louvers in the side wall of said-case through whichsaid blower draws air, said shell including "a horizontal duct longitudinally ofthe case-an electric heater in said duct, a hood unit-laterally mounte'dupon the end of saiddu'ctjsaid unit havingan outlet collar aligned withsaid duct an'd' discharging through an end wall of said-case, a-* jar afiixed to the lower end of said hood; and

resting .upon the floor of saidcase, an electric" motor for'driving-said blower-and axially aligned therewith, means supporting said motor on-*the* -floor of said case, an eccentric on the shaft of" said motor, a pump uponthe fioo-r of said case driven from said eccentric, a water injector-m said jar and a conduit leading from said pump'to said injector.

11. Ina therapeutic equipme'ntof the type comprising a unit for heating and-iblowing airinto a-fie'xible bag about the body of the user, the combination in which the bag isvexited' fo'r escape of air therefrom,- is of dimensions considerably larger than the human body, has'an inlet attachment near its lower end and openings with means for snugly embracing the arms of the user, and in which said inlet attachment has a fish-tail shaped duct with its widen'ed outlet I extending transversely of said bag near the bot-I lower end thereof with an inlet adapted for connection with an air conduit and its flaring outlet stitched to the bag, the bag having a longitudinal hookless fastener for aflixing the same about the neck and having armholes with resilient armbands.

13. In therapeutic equipment, a flexible bag of dimensions considerably larger than the human body, having a front and a back panel and defining neck and arm apertures, a fish-tail shaped flexible inlet attachment having a flared mouth attached to the lower end of the front panel of said has, and having a small inlet aperture at its reduced end for admission of a stream of air, a hookless fastener extending longitudinally of the front panel from the neck, the armholes having elastic bands for resiliently embracing the arms.

14. In therapeutic equipment, a flexible bag of dimensions to encompass the human body with ample clearance, said bag including a bottom piece, an inlet unit of flexible fabric at the lower end of said bag, said inlet unit being fish-tail shaped, the wider end thereof being secured in place to the front of said bag and to the indented forward edge of said bottom piece.

15. A therapeutic equipment comprising a case having therein a rotary blower, an electric motor driving the same, a horizontal air duct discharging through an end wall of said case, an electric heater in said duct, a jar resting on the floor of said case, a hood capping said jar and communicating with said duct and the outlet of said duct through the end wall, means for injecting water spray from said jar into said hood, said hood having oblique side walls, and having inwardly extending rims at the end walls thereof in the line of said duct, whereby excess water from said jar, returning by gravity along the walls of said hood, will be kept out of the air stream.

HAROLD J. MARLOWE.

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