WO2011159152A1

WO2011159152A1 - Device and method for tanning the skin

Info

Publication number: WO2011159152A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Jean Guillaume Van Ewijk
Original assignee: Marcel Jean Guillaume Van Ewijk
Priority date: 2010-06-14
Filing date: 2011-06-14
Publication date: 2011-12-22
Also published as: NL2004881C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for tanning the skin of a person, comprising: radiation sources which can be connected to a source of electrical energy for the purpose of emitting ultraviolet radiation for tanning the skin, electrical conductors for connecting the radiation sources to the source of electrical energy, at least one carrier for the radiation sources and at least one holder for the carrier, wherein the radiation sources and the at least one carrier are adapted to support the radiation sources at variable mutual distance. The invention also relates to a method for tanning the skin making use of the device according to the present invention.

Description

Device and method for tanning the skin

The present invention relates to a device for tanning the skin. The invention also relates to a method for tanning the skin.

Tanning of the skin can for instance take place by lying in the sun for a desired period of time, and is not only perceived by many people as pleasant but can also be healthy in that vitamin D can be produced by the body through the skin being exposed to sunlight, in some regions, such as northern Europe, the number of hours of sunshine per day is however limited and not readily predictable. In order to nevertheless be able to achieve a desired tan. use can be made of a sunbed. A known sunbed comprises electrical radiation sources embodied as fluorescent lamps for emitting ultraviolet radiation for the purpose of tanning the skin, a frame to which the fluorescent tubes are connected and wherein the sunbed is provided with at least one electrical conductor for connecting the fluorescent lamps to a source of electrical energy, and a support surface which is directed toward the fluorescent lamps and on which a person can lie and is tanned under the inlluence of radiation emitted by the fluorescent lamps. A drawback of the known device for tanning the skin is that it takes up a relatively large amount of space, such as for instance a room. In the case of a small home the presence of a sunbed is therefore inconvenient. Alternatively, there are businesses which possess one or more sunbeds, but making use of this service is time-consuming and expensive.

There is therefore a need for such a device, which tans the skin uniformly in a desired manner and which takes up relatively little space when the device is not in use.

This object is achieved by a device for tanning the skin of a person, comprising radiation sources which can be connected to a source of electrical energy for the purpose of emitting ultraviolet radiation for tanning the skin, electrical conductors for connecting the radiation sources to the source of electrical energy, at least one carrier for the radiation sources and at least one holder for the carrier, wherein the radiation sources and the at least one carrier are adapted to support the radiation sources at variable mutual distance. The device according to the invention enables desirable uniform tanning of the skin while the device takes up relatively little space when not in use.

In a first embodiment a first end of the carrier is connected to the holder and the radiation sources and the at least one carrier are displaceable between the operating position for emitting ultraviolet radiation over a projected surface of a human body and a storage position in which the distance between the radiation sources and the distance between a second end of the carrier and the holder is relatively small. During tanning the at least one carrier does after all extend over a great length, wherein ultraviolet radiation can be emitted over the projected surface of the human body, or at least a considerable part of the human body. During storage the at least one flexible carrier is brought to a more compact form, whereby it takes up a space of relatively small dimensions. It is hereby no longer necessary for the device to occupy (a substantial part of) a room. The device for tanning the skin can thus be used easily at home. The holder can be embodied such that, if the holder rests on a ground surface, the distance of the radiation sources from the support surface in the operating position is sufficiently great that a person can take up position on the support surface and tan as desired. The holder can also be connected to a frame; in particular a frame wherein the height of the radiation sources from the support surface is adjustable.

Although the radiation sources can take diverse forms, the radiation sources preferably comprise a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), particularly organic LEDs, arranged distributed over a first side of the carrier. Not only are LEDs small and durable, they also use relatively little energy, are strong and not fragile.

The LEDs can be embodied and placed on the carrier such that they emit the ultraviolet radiation directly in the direction of a body to be tanned. In an embodiment the device comprises at least one reflector and/or lens for respectively reflecting and or scattering the ultraviolet radiation beam emitted by the radiation sources. The ultraviolet radiation is hereby emitted homogeneously, i.e. in better distributed manner, in the direction of the body to be tanned. The body is hereby tanned evenly as desired. During operation the LEDs can here be directed at the body to be tanned, wherein a reflector and/or a lens is placed between the LEDs and the body to be tanned. The LEDs can also be placed such that they emit an ultraviolet radiation beam in a direction varying from the body to be tanned, wherein the reflector and/or the lens respectively reflects and deflects and/or scatters the emitted ultraviolet radiation beam in the direction of the body to be tanned. The reflector can be embodied as a compact reflecting body, wherein the reflecting body is placed close to the LEDs. The reflector can also be embodied as a reflective layer applied to the first side of the carrier. Such a layer is easy to apply and can ensure that the ultraviolet radiation beam emitted by the LEDs is reflected uniformly.

The device can be embodied in diverse ways. The device can thus comprise a single flexible carrier which is connected to the holder. In the operating position the carrier then extends on a side of the holder. In an embodiment two carriers can be connected at their first end to the holder and in the operating position the carriers extend on opposite sides of the holder. Depending on the space in which the device is placed, such an embodiment can be placed more efficiently. Another advantage is that the force required to hold the carrier in one plane is smaller. This is because this required force is also determined by the distance from the carrier and the radiation sources arranged on the carrier to the holder.

For uniform emission of ultraviolet radiation the device comprises at least one tensioning element, wherein the tensioning element comprises at least one coupling element located close to the second end of the at least one carrier for tensioning the carrier in the operating position with a counter-coupling element located at a pre-known distance from the holder. This is a very simple method of holding the at least one carrier in one plane in the operating position, whereby the emitted radiation beam can be directed more effectively. Although the counter-coupling element can be connected to the holder, it is advantageous to embody the counter-coupling element as a counter- coupling element located at a fixed position relative to the surrounding area. A counter- coupling element can thus be connected to a wall. The holder can be placed here at a known distance from the wall, wherein the at least one carrier is held in one plane in the operating position through coupling of the coupling element to the counter-coupling element. It is also possible to connect the holder to a first wall, wherein the counter- coupling element is connected to a second wall opposite the first wall. Merely carrying the at least one carrier in the direction of the second wall and coupling the coupling element to the counter-coupling element are sufficient to place the at least one carrier in the operating position. The tensioning element can also comprise at least one arm, which arm is connected to the holder at a first end and connected to the at least one carrier at a second end close to the second end of the carrier. The carrier here absorbs bending forces resulting from the gravitational force acting on the at least one flexible carrier. The arm can have a constant section, which is easy to construct and inexpensive. In another embodiment the arm has a moment of inertia decreasing in the direction of the second end of the carrier. This makes the device lighter in weight, and therefore more user-friendly. The bending moment to be absorbed by the arm decreases in the direction of the end of the second carrier.

In yet another embodiment the arm takes a telescopic form. Not only can the arm hereby be displaced easily between the operating position and the storage position, a telescopic arm also has a moment of inertia decreasing in the direction of the second end of the carrier. LED holders of concave form are particularly connected here to telescopic segments of the telescopic arm, wherein the concave side of the LED holders is provided with a reflective layer, wherein the LEDs are connected to the LED holders on the concave side and wherein the telescopic segments are rotatable relative to each other. Not only can a homogeneously emitted radiation beam hereby be obtained in the operating position, but because the telescopic segments are relatively rotatable the LED holders of concave form can be placed adjacently of each other in the storage position. The device hereby acquires a more compact form in the storage position.

Although the carrier can be displaced manually between the operating position and the storage position, it is advantageous if the device here comprises an electric motor and a gear rack connected to the electric motor, wherein the free end of the gear rack is connected to the second end of the telescopic arm for the purpose of displacing the telescopic arm between the storage position and the operating position. The carrier and the LEDs can hereby be displaced in a more automatic manner between the operating position and the storage position. The gear rack particularly takes a flexible form here, whereby the gear rack fits into a relatively small space in the storage position. This further increases the user-friendliness of the device. In another embodiment the at least one carrier comprises a fabric and the holder comprises at least one cylinder for holding the fabric rolled up in the storage position. A fabric is flexible and can be displaced easily between the operating position and a storage position. This provides a device which is simple to operate. The carrier can be moved between the storage position and the operating position merely by respectively rolling up and unrolling the fabric. Via a spring, in particular a torsion spring, the cylinder can be connected here to a component of the holder, such as a housing, positioned at a fixed position relative to the cylinder. The LEDs can be arranged in diverse ways on the at least one carrier, for instance with an adhesive connection. In an embodiment a plurality of strips manufactured substantially from plastic and/or metal are incorporated into the fabric, wherein the strips are provided with electrically conductive LEDs at a distance from each other, and in the operating position the strips extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fabric. Arranging of the LEDs is hereby facilitated and the LEDs can be arranged distributed uniformly over the carrier. Such strips, also referred to as LED ribbons, can take a thin form, whereby the risk of the strip breaking due to the repeated bending is zero, or at least very small. The device can hereby continue to function reliably despite the carrier being repeatedly displaced between the storage position and operating position.

When the carrier comprises a fabric it is advantageous to provide the device with an electric motor for displacing the carrier between the storage position and the operating position by rotating the cylinder. This further enhances the user-friendliness of the device. Guiding of the fabric may be all that is necessary to wind the fabric round the cylinder.

The at least one carrier can also comprise slats arranged adjacently of each other, which slats are held at mutually displaceable distance by at least two cords extending through openings arranged in the slats, which cords are mutually connected between the slats and wherein first free ends of the cords are connected to the holder, and wherein second free ends are connected to the slat located at the second end of the carrier for the purpose of varying the mutual spacing between the LEDs by operating the cords. Slats are easy to operate and take up only little space in the storage position. Because the cords between the slats extending through the openings are mutually connected, the slats can be held at a mutual distance in operating position, while the slats are urged in the direction of the holder and the mutual distance between the adjacent slats is reduced by pulling on the cords in the direction of the holder. In an embodiment the slats are connected pivotally to each other. This is a reliable method of mutually connecting the slats. The slats can be pivotally connected here such that adjacent hinges are movable in opposite rotation directions. The slats can in this way be folded away in simple manner. Adjacent hinges can also be movable in the same rotation direction. The slats can in this way be rolled up or guided along a housing forming part of the holder.

In another embodiment the slats are formed as a tubular profile with a section which is not completely closed and the radiation sources are situated in the interior of the tubular profile for emitting ultraviolet radiation outside the tube from the interior of the tube for the purpose of tanning the skin. A homogeneously distributed radiation beam is hereby obtained, whereby the skin is tanned evenly as desired.

In order to increase the efficiency of the device, which in this context relates to the amount of energy for tanning the skin, it is advantageous for the at least one carrier to be provided with a reflective layer for reflecting radiation emitted by the radiation sources. The reflector will reflect at least a part of the radiation beam emitted in the direction of the reflector in the direction of the skin to be tanned. The holder is connected via a resilient element to a frame forming part of the device and/or that the carrier is connected via a resilient element to the tensioning element for the purpose of holding the carrier under bias in the operating position and/or the storage position.

In another embodiment the holder is connected via a resilient element to a frame forming part of the device and/or the carrier is connected via a resilient element to the tensioning element for holding the carrier under bias in the operating position and or the storage position. The plane in which the at least one carrier extends is hereby better defined and the device being disturbed, such as by bumping against the device, will not result in a change in the orientation of the at least one carrier, or will only do so to limited extent. Holding the at least one carrier under bias in the storage position reduces the risk of undesired displacement of the carrier in the direction of the operating position, whereby the risk of damage to the device is reduced. The at least one cylinder is particularly connected via a torsion spring to the frame forming part of the device. The length of the carrier can vary. The only requirement is that at least a part of the body can be tanned by the emission of ultraviolet radiation. It is however advantageous for the length of the carrier to be such that the emitted ultraviolet radiation beam reaches substantially the whole body of the person. In an embodiment the overall length of the carrier in the operating position therefore lies between 1 and 3 metres, preferably between 1.3 and 2.5 metres and most preferably between 1.6 and 2 metres. Such lengths of the carrier combine a relatively large surface area to be radiated with a relatively simple construction and relatively small dimensions in the storage position.

The invention also provides a method for tanning the skin making use of the device according to the present invention, comprising of: displacing the at least one carrier from the storage position to the operating position, emitting ultraviolet radiation with the radiation sources by connecting the radiation sources to a source of electrical energy, and allowing the radiation emitted by the radiation sources to act for a desired period of time. For the advantages of this method for tanning the skin reference is made to the advantages of the device for tanning the skin as described above.

A first embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises of placing the at least one carrier substantially in one plane in the operating position. The radiation beam can hereby be directed more effectively.

The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non- limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: figure 1 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention; figure 3a is a schematic view of another embodiment of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention, wherein the radiation sources are placed in the operating position;

figure 3b is a front view of the device of figure 3a, wherein the radiation sources are placed in the storage position;

figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device of figure 3

figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device of figure 3;

figure 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention;

figure 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention;

figure 8 is a cross-sectional detail view of the device for tanning the skin according to figure 6;

figure 9 is a top view of another embodiment of a device for tanning the skin according to the present invention; and

figure 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device of figure 1.

Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a device, designated as a whole with 1 , for tanning the skin of a person, which is placed in a space. Device 1 comprises a housing 2 in which a cylindrical holder 3 is received for pivoting about a shaft 4. Shaft 4 is connected via a torsion spring 5 to housing 2. Housing 2 comprises an elongate first opening 6 through which extends a flexible carrier 7 formed as a fabric. Carrier 7 is connected at a first end 7a to holder 3. At a second end 7b carrier 7 is connected to a wall 8. Carrier 7 comprises for this purpose coupling elements formed as three holes 9 at second end 7b. Connected to wall 8 are counter-coupling elements embodied as pins

10 which in the situation shown here extend through holes 9. Housing 2 is connected to a wall (not shown), wherein in the wall are placed screws which extend partially out of the wall and are received in second openings 16 arranged in the housing. Housing 2 is hereby connected to the wall and can be detached in simple manner by lifting and removing the housing from the wall (not shown). Because torsion spring 5 exerts a force on fabric 7 in the situation shown here, fabric 7 is under bias and is held in one plane. A plurality of strips 1 1 manufactured from plastic and extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of fabric 7 are connected at a first side 7c to fabric 7. Strips

1 1 comprise ultra-violet radiation sources which are embodied as organic LEDs 12 and connected at mutual distances to fabric 7. LEDs 12 are connected in series to each other in electrically conductive manner. Fabric 7 also comprises an electrical conductor 13 extending on an edge 7d of fabric 7 between the first end 7a and second end 7b of fabric 7. Electrical conductor 13 is connected close to the first end 7a of fabric 7 to a power cable 14 via a switch (not shown) and can thus be connected to the mains electricity. Placed in the space is a bed 15 which in the situation shown here extends below fabric 7. The length L of fabric 7 is 2.0 metres. Fabric 7 is tensioned above bed 15 such that the skin of a person who has taken up position on bed 15 is tanned uniformly and as desired under the influence of radiation emitted as according to arrows 23 by LEDs 12.

An embodiment of device 1 according to the invention is shown with reference to figure 2. In the embodiment shown here holder 3 comprises four cylinders, wherein a carrier 7 embodied as fabric is connected to each cylinder in similar manner as in the

embodiment shown in figure 1. Housing 2 and holder 3 are connected to a frame (not shown), which frame rests on a ground surface (not shown). Device I is hereby held at a desired distance from the ground surface. Edges 7d of fabrics 7 are connected to a telescopic arm 17, wherein the arm extends up to the second ends 7c of fabrics 7. Arm 17 has a moment of inertia whereby the gravitational force exerted on fabric 7 is taken up by the arm and in the situation shown here holds fabrics 7 in one plane. Extending in this manner on opposite sides of holder 3 are four fabrics 7 which are provided in similar manner as described in figure 1 with a plurality of LEDs. Because four fabrics 7 extend on opposite sides of holder 3, arm 17 can take a lighter form because the moment to be absorbed is reduced. This is because the distance from second end 7c to holder 3 is shorter. Device 1 here comprises a locking (not shown) for holding fabrics 7 in the operating position shown here. By releasing the lock the fabrics 7 will be displaced to the storage position under the influence of torsion spring 5. Device 1 hereby becomes very compact and can be easily stored in a small space.

A variant of the embodiment of device 1 according to the present invention in figure 1 is shown with reference to figure 3a. In the embodiment shown here device 1 comprises two carriers embodied as telescopic arms 17, wherein dome lights 18 are connected at mutual distances to arms 17. Dome lights 18 have a concave side 18a provided with a reflective layer 19. Connected to dome lights 18 on the concave side are LEDs which all emit ultraviolet radiation in the same direction. Arms 17 can be displaced into respectively the operating position and the storage position by simply sliding out and pushing in the arms 17. The telescopic segments of telescopic arms 17 are rotatable relative to each other, whereby in the storage position dome lights 18 fit next to each other in housing 2 at a relative angular displacement to each other, see also figure 3b.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of device 1 of figure 3, wherein each of the telescopic segments of telescopic arms 17 are provided with an elongate opening 22. LEDs are placed in the interior of the telescopic segments for emitting ultraviolet radiation from the interior of the telescopic segments of telescopic arms 17 to a position outside the telescopic segments. The telescopic segments are also provided in the interior thereof with a reflective layer (not shown). The ultraviolet radiation beam emitted by the LEDs placed in the interior of the telescopic segments is hereby reflected, whereby the efficiency of the device increases and a homogeneous radiation beam is obtained as according to arrows 23.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the device of figure 3, wherein carrier 17 is embodied as arms segments slidable relative to each other. This figure shows the carrier in the operating position. The arm segments can be pushed easily into the storage position. The arm segments take a hollow form, wherein each of the arm segments is provided with an elongate opening 22. The arm segments are provided with a LED and a reflective layer (not shown) in the interior of the arm segments. The ultraviolet radiation beam emitted by the LEDs is hereby reflected, whereby the efficiency of the device increases and a homogeneous radiation beam is obtained as according to the arrows.

Another embodiment of device 1 according to the invention is shown with reference to figure 6. The device 1 for tanning the skin is connected to a frame 24. The carrier, embodied as slats 20 arranged adjacently of each other and connected for displacement relative to each other, is connected to housing 2, which slats 20 are connected for pivoting relative to each other. Hinges 21 extend for this purpose along edges of adjacent slats 20. Adjacent hinges 21 are in each case pivotable here in an opposite direction. The carrier embodied as slats 20 arranged adjacently of each other and connected for displacement relative to each other can hereby be moved into the storage position by folding the slats as shown here. Slats 20 are provided on their first side 20a with a plurality of LEDs 12 which are mutually connected in electrically conductive manner and adhered to slats 20.

Referring to figure 7, an embodiment is shown similar to the embodiment of device 1 in figure 6, wherein hinges 21 are however all pivotable in the same direction. The carrier embodied as slats 20 arranged adjacently of each other and connected for displacement relative to each other can hereby be moved into the storage position by rolling up the slats 20 as shown here. A cross-sectional detail view of device 1 of figure 4 is shown with reference to figure 8. Slats 20 are formed as a tubular profile with a section which is not completely closed because an elongate opening 22 extends in the longitudinal direction. LEDs 12 are situated in the interior of the tubular profile for emitting ultraviolet radiation outside the tube from the interior of the tube. The tube is also provided in the interior thereof with a reflective layer 19. Ultraviolet radiation emitted by the LEDs is hereby reflected, whereby the efficiency of the device increases and a homogeneous radiation beam is obtained (not shown).

A top view of an embodiment of device 1 of figure 8 is shown with reference to figure 9. In this embodiment slats 20 are connected pivotally to each other, wherein adjacent hinges 21 are in each case pivotable here in an opposite direction. In this figure the carrier is shown in the operating position. Slats 20 can be easily displaced to the storage position by folding the slats as according to figure 6. Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the device of figure 1. Carrier 7 is connected

(not shown) at a first end 7a to the holder. At a second end 7b carrier 7 is connected (not shown) to wall 8 as according to figure 1. Connected at first end 7a to fabric 7 is a strip 24 along which LEDs 12 are arranged in distributed manner. The LEDs emit a radiation beam as according to arrows 25. This radiation beam emitted by the LEDs is reflected by reflective layer 19 as according to arrows 23 in the direction of the skin of a person to be tanned. Although a reflective layer 19 is applied here, one or more lenses can also be connected to fabric 7. The use of lenses is not limited to the embodiment shown here, but can also be applied in embodiments in which the carrier is embodied in a different way, such as for instance in the case that the carrier is embodied telescopically or as mutually slidable arm segments, and so on.

Claims

1. Device for tanning the skin of a person, comprising:

- electrical radiation sources for emitting ultraviolet radiation for tanning the skin; - electrical conductors for connecting the radiation sources to a source of electrical energy;

- at least one carrier for the radiation sources; and

- at least one holder for the carrier,

characterized in that the radiation sources and the at least one carrier are adapted to support the radiation sources at variable mutual distance.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a first end of the carrier is connected to the holder and that the radiation sources and the at least one carrier are displaceable between the operating position for emitting ultraviolet radiation over a projected surface of a human body and a storage position in which the distance between the radiation sources and the distance between a second end of the carrier and the holder is relatively small.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radiation sources comprise a plurality of LEDs, particularly organic LEDs, arranged distributed over a first side of the carrier.

4. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one reflector and/or lens for respectively reflecting and/or scattering the ultraviolet radiation beam emitted by the radiation sources.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises two carriers which are connected at their first end to the holder and that in the operating position the two carriers extend on opposite sides of the holder.

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one tensioning element, wherein the tensioning element comprises at least one coupling element located close to the second end of the at least one carrier for tensioning the carrier in the operating position with a counter-coupling element located at a pre-known distance from the holder.

7. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the device comprises at least one tensioning element, wherein the tensioning element comprises at least one arm, which arm is connected to the holder at a first end and connected to the at least one carrier at a second end close to the second end of the carrier.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the arm takes a telescopic form.

9. Device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that LED holders of concave form are connected to telescopic segments of the telescopic arm, that the concave side of the LED holders is provided with a reflective layer, that the LEDs are connected to the LED holders on the concave side and that the telescopic segments are rotatable relative to each other.

10. Device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the device comprises an electric motor and a gear rack connected to the electric motor, wherein the free end of the gear rack is connected to the second end of the telescopic arm for the purpose of displacing the telescopic arm between the storage position and the operating position.

1 1 . Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one carrier comprises a fabric and that the holder comprises at least one cylinder for holding the fabric rolled up in the storage position.

12. Device as claimed in claim 1 1 , characterized in that a plurality of strips manufactured substantially from plastic and/or metal are incorporated into the fabric, wherein the strips are provided with electrically conductive LEDs at a mutual distance from each other, and that in the operating position the strips extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fabric.

13. Device as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the device comprises an electric motor for displacing the carrier between the storage position and the operating position by rotating the cylinder.

14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the at least one carrier comprises slats arranged adjacently of each other, which slats are held at mutually displaceable distance by at least two cords extending through openings arranged in the slats, which cords are mutually connected between the slats and wherein first free ends of the cords are connected to the holder, and wherein second free ends are connected to the slat located at the second end of the carrier for the purpose of varying the mutual spacing between the LEDs by operating the cords.

15. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the at least one carrier comprises slats arranged adjacently of each other, wherein the slats are connected pivotally to each other.

16. Device as claimed in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the slats are formed as a tubular profile with a section which is not completely closed, and that the radiation sources are situated in the interior of the tubular profile for emitting ultraviolet radiation outside the tube from the interior of the tube for the purpose of tanning the skin.

17. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one carrier is provided with a reflective layer for reflecting radiation emitted by the radiation sources.

18. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the holder is connected via a resilient element to a frame forming part of the device and/or that the carrier. is connected via a resilient element to the tensioning element for the purpose of holding the carrier under bias in the operating position and/or the storage position.

19. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the overall length of the carrier in the operating position lies between 1 and 3 metres, preferably between 1.3 and 2.5 metres and most preferably between 1.6 and 2 metres.

20- Method for tanning the skin making use of the device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising of:

- displacing the at least one carrier from the storage position to the operating position;

- emitting ultraviolet radiation with the radiation sources by connecting the radiation sources to a source of electrical energy; and

- allowing the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the radiation sources to act for a desired period of time.

21. Method as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the method also comprises of placing the at least one carrier substantially in one plane in the operating position.