WO1997048356A1

WO1997048356A1 - Device for treating the human body with heat

Info

Publication number: WO1997048356A1
Application number: PCT/AT1997/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Severin Striednig
Original assignee: Severin Striednig
Priority date: 1996-06-18
Filing date: 1997-06-16
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: AT1359U1; DE19780559D2; AU3159297A

Abstract

A seat (1) with a cavity (3) is disclosed for applying a thermal therapeutic treatment to the bottom part of the human body. The cavity (3) in the seat (1) is open at the top. The person to be treated sits on the edge (2) of the opening of the cavity (3). A heating device (6) is associated with the cavity (3) in the seat (1) to treat with heat the bottom part of a person sitting on the device (1). The heat treatment may be supplemented by the introduction or direct release of volatile active substances in this cavity (3). The heating device (6) may be arranged inside or outside the device (1). The volatile active substances may be liberated inside or outside the device (1). This device enables the human body to be treated with heat and if desired also with volatile active substances while the person to be treated is sitting.

Description

Device for treating the human body by the action of heat "

The invention relates to a device with the features of the introductory part of claim 1.

Treatment with heat is particularly helpful for diseases in the area of the lower abdomen or lower end of the trunk of the human body.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a device of the type mentioned at the beginning with which this heat treatment can be carried out while the person to be treated can sit on the device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

With the device according to the invention, heat can easily be supplied to a human body while the person to be treated is sitting, in particular in the area of the lower end of the trunk, that is to say in the area of the buttocks and hips, and also the front abdomen (belly) and the lower back area become.

Preferably, but not exclusively, in the context of the invention, the device is designed in the manner of a toilet bowl or bidet, with the seat designed in this way being associated with a heating device, the heat emission of which on the lower part of the fuselage is associated with a seated seat Person is directed.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the heating device can be regulated so that the amount of heat and the temperature during the treatment are each at the optimum value can be adjusted. It is also possible to assign a time switching device to the heating device in order to regulate the duration of the treatment without this having to be particularly observed by the user of the device or by an operator.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the effect of the heat treatment can be supported by the action of volatile active substances, it being preferred that substances which release volatile active substances under the action of heat are brought into the cavity of the seat. This can be done by associating the heating device with a bowl or another vessel in which the substances giving off volatile active substances under the influence of heat are accommodated and heated by the heating device so that the volatile active substances are released.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that in the area below the seat surface, but above the heating device, a cover, e.g. a protective grille or a plate made of metal, glass, ceramic, stone or the like. is provided, which can also be designed as a perforated plate in order to prevent the heating device from being undesirably touched.

The invention also extends to an additional device for existing toilet or bidet bowls, which can be arranged in the area under the seat glasses and has, for example, a nozzle for supplying heated air. This additional device is supplied, for example, by a device which is connected to the additional device via a flexible connecting line, warm air, optionally humidified warm air and, if appropriate, with active ingredients. From the, for example horseshoe-shaped, additional part, hot air, which may be humidified and / or mixed with active substances, exits into the cavity of the toilet bowl or bidet, so that the desired treatment effect is achieved while a person is on the Toilet bowl or the bidet sits.

The heating device, which is of any design and arrangement, can, as in the context of the invention in one embodiment. Example proposed to be an externally heated heat storage body that is inserted into the device designed as a seat according to the invention.

Further details and features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which reference is made to the attached drawings.

It shows:

Fig. 1 largely schematic and in side view of a device according to the invention in a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 also in a schematic representation a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

3 and 4 show two further embodiments of the device according to the invention;

5 shows an item of clothing in the manner of trousers;

6 to 10 show further embodiments of the device according to the invention;

11 shows a device designed as an additional device for toilet bowls or bidets;

Fig. 12 shows a detail of Fig. 11;

Figures 13 and 14 show a variant of the device shown in Figures 11 and 12;

15 and 16 two further embodiments; and

17 and 18 show two designs designed as toilet bowls.

The device shown in Fig. 1 consists of a seat 1, which is designed in the manner of a toilet bowl or a bidet and which is equipped at the edge of the upwardly open opening of the cavity 3 in the seat 1 with a pair of seat glasses 2, which can be anatomically shaped. The opening can be closed with the aid of a hinged cover 8, for example.

In the cavity 3 of the device, a grid 4 is arranged, which can be removed and which has a mesh size of 1 to 5, preferably 2 to 4 mm. A shell 5 which is open at the top and in which substances which give off volatile substances under the influence of heat can be attached to the grid 4 in order to improve the effect of the heat by the action of such volatile active substances.

A heating device 6 is provided in the area of the lower end of the cavity 3 in the seat 1. In the simplest case, the heating device 6 is an electrical resistance heater, which can be designed as a heating wire, heating coil, heating foil, heating plate, heating elements, heating rods or as a heating grid. An electric heating lamp can also be used as a heating device. It goes without saying that gas-powered radiant heaters can also be used. Electric heating devices can also be operated with low voltage.

To regulate the heating device 6, an on and off switch 7 is arranged on the device in the upper or lower area, preferably on the side, which can also effect a stepless temperature control and / or a time preselection.

In the case of a temperature control which can be controlled via the switch 7, a thermostat is used, as is customary in such cases. In the case of time preselection, a timer (mechanical or electrical) can be provided.

In order to avoid overheating of the heating device 6 and thus excessive exposure to heat, an overheating protection switch, which can also be equipped with a temperature sensor, can be used.

As can be seen, the seat 1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is designed like a toilet bowl or as a bidet. forms and the seat glasses 2 is shaped similar to the known toilet glasses, and can also consist of comparable materials (wood or plastic).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has a similar structure, the same parts being provided with the same reference numerals. The arrangement of the switch 7, which is arranged here at the lower end of the seat, is different. Furthermore, the cover plate 4 is arranged directly above the heater 6. The vessel 5 stands on the cover 4.

The embodiment of the device according to the invention (seat 1) shown in FIG. 3 has a prismatic or cylindrical outer shape, the heater 6 associated with the cavity 3 located in the seat 1 being provided both laterally and below, in the bottom region of the cavity 3 can.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, at the upper end of the seat 1 around the opening of the cavity 3 there is provided a seat ring 2 (seat glasses) shaped in a corresponding outline shape of the housing. In the cavity 3, an insert 5 is provided for receiving the substances which give off volatile active substances under the action of heat. This insert 5 stands on the cover 4 described above, under which the heating device 6 provided in the region of the bottom of the device is located. The switch 7 for controlling the operation of the device is provided on the lower side area of the device, which switch is designed as an on / off switch and is optionally combined with a temperature control (thermostat).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3, but no inner vessel is provided, the heater 6 being installed laterally on the inside.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the heating device 6 is annular and is provided in the region of the side wall of the device. In the side wall of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 there is also schematically a switch panel 10 for the control of the device according to the invention intended. This control panel can contain the necessary display devices, signal lamps and the like and, if desired, also the on / off switch and the temperature control.

Fig. 5 shows a pant, e.g. Garment 13 made of plastic, which has an opening 11, which is circular in the exemplary embodiment shown, in the region of the bottom of the pants. The edge of the (circular) opening 11 is equipped with an elastic insert 12 (e.g. a rubber band). The size of the opening 11 in the bottom of the pants of the pants 13 shown in FIG. 5 is selected so that it corresponds approximately to the size of the opening of the device designed as a seat according to the invention. The effect of the device according to the invention can be improved by the trousers 13 shown in FIG. 5.

When using the trousers 13 shown in FIG. 5, it is preferred that the elastically formed edge of the opening 11 in the trousers 13 is pulled over the seat glasses 2 of the device according to the invention, so that neither heat nor any active ingredients present are unused can escape outdoors. The hos © 13 according to the invention can also be so large that it does not lie against the body but surrounds the part of the user's body to be treated at a distance.

The device 1 according to the invention shown in a side view in FIG. 6 and a top view in FIG. 6a is a variant in which the heat is given off by an externally heated heat-storing body 15 which can be inserted through an opening in the side wall of the device, after it has been heated up and can be removed from the device 1 again for heating up again. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is intended in particular for short heat treatments.

In the device 1 shown in FIG. 7, the heater 6 is installed on the outside of the side wall of the seat and acts through openings 16 provided in the side wall in the interior 3 of the seat in order to develop the heat. The embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 8 is additionally equipped with an optionally upholstered backrest 20, so that the person to be treated can sit as relaxed as possible. This embodiment with backrest 20 is also conceivable for all other disclosed embodiments. Likewise, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the heating devices described in connection with the other embodiments are conceivable. The backrest 20 can also serve to close the opening of the cavity 3 when the device 1 is not in use.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, it is again shown that the insert 5 for the uptake of the substances giving off volatile active substances is placed on the cover 4 above the heater 6 in the cavity 3 of the device according to the invention. Thus, the volatile active ingredients can escape from the pot-shaped insert 5, for example, directed towards the opening of the cavity 3 in the device 1 according to the invention.

Like the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 8, all embodiments of the device according to the invention can be made from wood or plastic, but also from ceramic or metal, which is optionally powder-coated or enamelled in lacquer. Combinations of the materials mentioned are also possible. It is only essential that the materials used withstand the influences (heat, moisture and / or active substances) occurring when the device according to the invention is used.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the device according to the invention can also be designed as an armchair equipped with optionally padded armrests, which, as shown in FIG. 10, can have a footrest 21. This embodiment allows the user of the device according to the invention to assume a relaxed sitting position during the treatment. The backrest 20, the footrest 21 and / or the seat 2 can also be upholstered. An additional device is provided in FIG. 11 and in a detail in FIG. 12, with which it is possible to convert conventional toilet bowls or bidet bowls into a device according to the invention. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a heating device 6, which is connected via a line 23 to an evaporation device 24 (evaporator) for volatile active substances. A further line 25, for example a flexible hose, leads from the evaporation device to a hollow, essentially horseshoe-like device 30 which can be arranged under the seat glasses of the toilet bowl or bidet. The heating device 6 and the evaporation device 24 can be combined to form one unit.

It is also conceivable to design this device directly as seat glasses if it is provided with a heat-protecting cover on its upper side. The device 30 shown in FIG. 11 is provided on its web 31 with hinge tabs 32 which can be fixed on the toilet bowl or bidet bowl with the aid of the screws fixing the toilet or bidet glasses. !

It should be noted that the supply of heated air, optionally humidified and with active ingredients, via the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as well as the embodiment according to FIGS. 13 and 14 also in the other embodiments of the device according to the invention, if appropriate combined with the heating device 6 assigned to these embodiments can be used.

As shown in FIG. 12, outlet openings 34 for warm air (optionally with active substances and / or moistened) are provided on the concavely curved inner wall 33 of the legs of the horseshoe-like device 30.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a variant of the device of FIGS. 11 and 12, the heated air for the heat treatment, which, as mentioned, may be moistened and / or mixed with active substances, not horseshoe-like but preferably in the 3idet or toilet bowl facing cavity Nozzle 40 (see FIGS. 14a and 14b) is formed. This nozzle can also be attached to the bidet or toilet bowl via hinge tabs 41.

The devices shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 can also be used in the other embodiments of the invention.

15 and 16 show that in the other embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention for heating and for carrying out the treatment with volatile active substances, a heating device which generates warm air and an evaporation unit for releasing volatile active substances, as described in FIG Principle shown in Fig. 11 can be assigned. It is possible to connect the (flexible) hose 25 coming from the heating device and the evaporation unit laterally (FIG. 15) or above (FIG. 16) in the region of the seat 2 (seat glasses) to the device 1 according to the invention.

17 and 18 show embodiments of the device according to the invention, which can optionally be used as device 1 for treating parts of the human body by the action of heat or as a conventional toilet or bidet. It can be seen that in these embodiments, a heater 6 is combined in one piece with the toilet or bidet bowl 44 (FIG. 17). The heating device 6 can also be formed from a separate unit which is fastened in the region of the rear of the toilet or bidet bowl (FIG. 18), it being preferred that the air heated by the heating device and possibly containing volatile active substances is provided by the openings flow into the cavity of the toilet or bidet bowl, through which actuation of the flush flows in water.

It is essential for the invention that a cavity 3 located in a seat, which is designed for example in the manner of a toilet bowl or a bidet, or which is a toilet bowl or a bidet, is supplied by a heating device 6. In this case, externally or internally heated air can be supplied, which may be humidified by adding water vapor and possibly volatile active substances contains. In principle, any heating device can be used within the scope of the invention. Heated, heat-storing bodies can also be inserted into the device according to the invention in order to cause the heat to be released. The heating device 6 can be provided in the interior of the device 1 according to the invention or can be attached to the side or can be separate from the seat 1 and can be connected to the device 1 via a line 25. It should also be pointed out that the heating and humidification and enrichment of the air with water vapor and with volatile substances that support the treatment are possible from all sides of the cavity 3 in the device according to the invention.

In summary, a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention can be described as follows:

In order to be able to treat the lower part of the human body with heat, a seat 1, which has a cavity 3, is proposed. The cavity 3 in the seat 1 is open at the top. The person to be treated sits on the edge 2 of the opening of the cavity 3. A heater 6 is assigned to the cavity 3 in the seat 1 in order to heat the lower part of a person sitting on the device 1. The heat treatment can be supplemented by introducing volatile active substances into the cavity 3 or by directly releasing them in this cavity 3. The heating device 6 can be arranged inside the device 1 or outside it. The volatile active substances can be released inside or outside the device 1.

With the device according to the invention, the human body can be treated by heat and, if desired, additionally by volatile active substances while the person to be treated is sitting.

Claims

Claims:

1. Device for treating the human body by the action of heat, characterized in that an upwardly open cavity (3) is provided in a seat (1) and that the cavity (3) is associated with a heating device (6).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat emission of the heating device (6) is directed towards the upward opening of the cavity (3) in the seat (1).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seat (1) in the manner of a toilet bowl or one

Bidet (44) is formed.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating device (6) is arranged in the region of the bottom of the cavity (3) of the opening of the same opposite.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating device (6) in the region of the side wall of the seat (1) which the cavity (3) is arranged limited to the side.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized ge indicates that the heating device (6) is arranged within the seat (1).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heating device (6) is arranged outside the seat (1).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the heating device (6) is arranged outside the side wall of the cavity (3) and via openings (16) provided in the side wall with the cavity (3) in the seat (1 ) is connected.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heating device is a heat-storing body (15) which can be inserted into and removed from a receiving space (3) in the seat (1).

10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the heating device (6) outside the seat (1) is angeord¬ net and communicates with the cavity (3) of the seat (1) via a line (25).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the line (25) is a flexible hose.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heating device (6) is an electrical resistance heater.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrical resistance heating is designed as a heating device (6) with at least one heating wire, a heating coil, a heating wool, a heating plate, heating fins, heating rods or heating grids.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the electric heating device is designed as a heating lamp.

15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heater (6) is a gas heater.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the gas heating is formed as a heater emitting heat rays.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in the region below the opening of the cavity (3) in the seat (1) an optionally broken cover (4) is provided.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the cover (4) is a grid or a perforated plate or an optionally perforated plate.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the cavity (3) in the seat (1) one

Device (5) in which is volatile under the influence of heat

Active ingredients, such as essential oils, herbs or liquids releasing substances, are assigned.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the device (5) is a container for receiving the substance.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the container (5) is arranged below the cover (4).

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the container (5) on the cover (4) is arranged.

23. The device according to claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the seat surface is formed by glasses (2) surrounding the opening of the seat (1) in the manner of toilet glasses.

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized ge indicates that the heating device (6) is associated with an overheating protection switch.

25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the heat output of the heating device (6) is infinitely variable.

26. Device according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the heating device (6) is assigned a Zeit¬ time switch.

27. The device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the heating device is a heater operated with fuel gas.

28. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that a stepless temperature controller is provided for the regulation of the heating power.

29. The device according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the heating device is assigned a Temperaturreg¬ ler (thermostat).

30. Device according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the seat (1) made of heat-resistant

Plastic, possibly enamelled metal made of ceramic or wood.

31. The device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the seat is anatomically shaped.

32. Device according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the seat (1) is assigned a backrest (20).

33. Device according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the seat (l) ^{'is assigned} a footrest (21).

34. Apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the backrest (20) and / or the footrest (21) are adjustable.

35. Device according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the seat is designed in the manner of a toilet bowl (44) or a bidet and that the line (25) coming from a heating device (6) in a nozzle (30 , 40) opens out, which is arranged in the area of the seat glasses (2) of the toilet bowl or the bidet (44).

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the nozzle (30) is substantially U-shaped and in its concave wall (33) has outlet openings (44) for warm air.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the nozzle (40) is arranged in the region of the hinge joint of the seat glasses (2) and has an outlet opening directed into the cavity (3) of the toilet bowl or bidet (44) .

38. Device according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the nozzle (30, 40) has hinges (32, 41), via which they can be fixed together with the seat glasses on the base body of the toilet bowl (44) or the bidet is.

39. Device according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that after the externally arranged heating device (6) a device (24) for evaporating volatile active substances is arranged, which is connected to the heating device (6) via a line ( 23) communicates.

40. Device according to one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the heating device (6) is associated with a device for evaporating water.

41. Device according to one of claims 1 to 40, characterized in that the heating device (6) is assigned a device (5, 24) for vaporizing volatile active substances.