Abstract:
A spa capsule has a cabinet and a hinged lid forming an enclosed space for accommodating a person. Within the enclosed space an environment is simulated by stimulating the auditory, olfactory, optic and tactile senses of the person, in a temperature controlled environment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of physical therapy and in particular, to devices used to relieve stress and soothe the senses by applying desirable sensations to the body.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of aromatic oils, fragrances, baths and massage for personal well being is quite ancient. Further, the viewing of beautiful pictures and listening to music has long been recognized as beneficial to the mood of people.  
         [0003]     However, in the modern world, these past times have become less accessible to most of the people either because of the lack of artisans capable of performing the necessary acts or the expense and time required to attend such facilities. To combat these modern day societal shortcomings, machines have been employed in an attempt to relieve the stresses of the day. There are different mechanical devices for massage, for tanning and for simulated weightlessness.  
         [0004]     What is lacking in the art is a comprehensive approach to the overall benefits of using several different biological senses to ameliorate the effects of stress and trauma.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     Known prior art exists in the field of hydrotherapy including devices related to water massage.  
         [0006]     For example, expired U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,943 discloses the use of an enclosed bag having a pulsed flow of water into the bag. The device may be placed on the body at a desired treatment location for muscle injuries and the like.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,751,919, 4,908,016 and 5,158,076 disclose a water jet massage apparatus and method for its use which supports a supine person covered with a waterproof blanket. The water massage is carried out without the person becoming wet. The device has an elongated lid having top, front, rear and opposite side walls which cooperate with a water-proof flexible bottom wall to form a watertight chamber therebetween. A water supply manifold situated within the watertight chamber, and containing a plurality of spray heads, traverses a path along the supine/sitting body of the wearer. In order for the water which exits the manifold to run down to side gutters, both the lid and bench must be inclined, so that water returns by gravity to the lowermost portion of the chamber for return via a spent water return line to a holding tank.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,466, the contents of which is entirely incorporated by reference herein, patentably distinguishes over that which is disclosed in the &#39;919 and related patents (as listed supra). The &#39;466 patent discloses a spa capsule which contains a movable spray head enclosed within a water-proof covering. The cooperation of the spray head and water-proof covering result in a device which eliminates any need for an elongated watertight chamber, nor does the &#39;466 patent require that the chamber and bench be inclined for water runoff and discharge. Furthermore, since the water is not released onto the elongated surface of the waterproof fabric, as is required in the &#39;919 and related patents, heat dissipation into the surrounding environment is dramatically reduced, thereby substantially reducing heating requirements. Since the design of the &#39;466 device is so efficient, from a heat loss efficiency standpoint, the instant inventors have determined that it would be desirable to incorporate heat exchange means within the system to afford the user an ability to adjust the water temperature, as appropriate, in order to maximize their individual comfort requirements.  
         [0009]     Thus, the instant invention is directed toward an improved spa capsule constructed and arranged to maintain the water stream used for hydro-massage at a particular temperature.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In a preferred embodiment, a spa capsule is formed from a cabinet having a hinged lid forming an enclosed space for accommodating a person. Within the enclosed space an environment is simulated by stimulating the auditory, olfactory, optic and tactile senses of the person.  
         [0011]     The spa capsule partially encloses a person&#39;s body to provide a simulated environment by stimulating the olfactory senses by inducing certain aromatic substances to release odors within the enclosed space. The capsule includes a bed extending from the head of a person to the feet providing support in the prone or supine position. The inclination of this bed is completely adjustable subject to the desire of the user. The enclosure includes a means for stimulating the auditory senses by conveying certain sounds into the enclosed space and stimulating the optic senses by conveying visual images into the enclosed space either simultaneously, sequentially or in various sequences.  
         [0012]     The tactile senses are addressed by a massage with jets of water applying gentle pressure to the body of the prone or supine user. The jets are contained within a flexible enclosure to allow for a dry massage. The water jet enclosure closely contacts the body and is movable about the length of the spa to provide stimulation to most of the body. Means for heat exchange are provided for controllably adjusting the temperature of the water emanating from the jets.  
         [0013]     Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to teach the stimulation of several biological senses in an enclosed environment for therapeutic results.  
         [0014]     It is a further objective of the instant invention to teach the use of a cabinet enclosing a person in a selected environment which includes stimulation of the auditory, olfactory, optic and tactile senses.  
         [0015]     It is yet another objective of the instant invention to teach the application of selected aromas, sounds, pictures and physical contact to a person in a particular program.  
         [0016]     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective of the spa of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective with exterior portions and the lid removed;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows another perspective with the lid in phantom lines;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a side view with interior components in phantom lines;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the fluid array; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the fluid head. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The spa capsule  10  of  FIG. 1  has a cabinet  11  and a lid  12 . As shown, the cabinet and top are egg-shaped in the closed position defining an enclosed space. The peripheral edges  13  and  14  of the lid  12  and cabinet  11  contact each other and form a seal when the lid is closed. The smaller end of the egg-shaped spa accommodates the feet of a person lying inside the spa. The lid is somewhat shorter than the cabinet and the larger end of the lid is open. The opening  15  allows the person in the spa to communicate with the space outside the spa. The cabinet and lid may be molded from a high strength polymer or made from another lightweight material, such as aluminum or other metal.  
         [0024]     The cabinet and top are hinged together at  16  to allow a person to enter the spa when the lid is in the open or raised position. The hinge may have a spring loaded mechanism  61  such that the top will automatically raise when lifted from the cabinet. When raised it will remain so until force is applied to close the lid. The cabinet is mounted on swiveling casters  59  which permit maneuvering the spa in confined spaces.  
         [0025]     Inside the cabinet is a bed  17  for supporting a supine person. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the head end of the bed has an aperture  18  which accommodates the face of a person when lying in the prone position. On both sides of the aperture  18 , there are arm rests  23  and  24 . The support surfaces of the arm rests are positioned somewhat lower than the central portion of the bed containing the aperture  18  to permit a less stressful orientation for the shoulders in the prone position. The bed may include a pad  19  for comfort. The bed  17  and pad  19  may have an electrically powered vibratory function (not shown).  
         [0026]     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bed  17  is shown inclined from a lower foot end to a higher head end. The foot end of the bed is designed with a space  20  to receive the feet of a prone person below the end of the bed in a natural posture. The aperture  18  also provides a padded support surface around the face without placing stress on the neck and back.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , under the aperture  18  is a mirror  21  which has a hinge connection  22  to the arm rests  23  and  24 . The mirror  21  has a rotational adjustment  25  on either end of the hinge to change the angle of the mirror about the hinge  22 . Mounted on shelf  26  of the cabinet  11  is an electronic screen  27 . This device may be a conventional TV set or a CRT (cathode ray tube) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) connected to a tuner or VCR controlled inside the cabinet or outside or both. By adjusting the angle of the mirror different sized prone persons may view selected visual images.  
         [0028]     The cabinet  11  and lid  12  may have multiple audio speakers  28  or a headphone jack  29 . The speakers or headphones may be powered by components inside the spa (not shown) or may be connected to a sound system outside the spa. In any event, the person inside the spa may select the sounds to be transmitted to the spa. The selection may be done by a channel selector on the bed (not shown) or the sounds may be preselected before entry into the spa  10 .  
         [0029]     The lid  12  has a support system  30  extending throughout the major portion of it&#39;s length. An array  31  of nozzles  32  is suspended from this support system  30 . The array  31  moves back and forth along the length of the support system  30  by a motorized pulley  33  and endless flexible drive  34 . The control of the array and nozzles may be a simple timing device or a microprocessor  60 . As the array moves lengthwise, the nozzles  32  deliver pulses of fluid into the enclosed space. The nozzles may be opened and closed to deliver the pulses or the pulses may be delivered through open nozzles by a pressure pump  35 . The speed of the movement of the array and the timing of the pulses may be preselected to include a particular pattern or random application. Also, the operation of the nozzles, within the array, may be preselected.  
         [0030]     The fluid may be a liquid or gas and the fluid may be scented or contain aromatic ingredients. The spa may also have receptacles for vials of aromatic substances. The vials may emit various fragrances to simulate different natural environments or particular scents desired by the user.  
         [0031]     In the event the fluid is a liquid, the cabinet may have a thin fabric or film shroud  40  to be placed over the user. The longitudinal edges of the shroud may be attached to the sides of the bed  17  to seal the components of the spa.  
         [0032]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  5 , the massage liquid is separated from the user by a thin, flexible, impervious liner  61  continuously sealed to the outer ring  63  by intermediate retainer ring  62 . A rigid curved plastic plate  64  maintains the shape of the outer ring  63  and the retainer ring  62 . The plate  64  has large openings  65  and  66  to permit passage of the massage liquid therethrough. The plate  64  is sealed to the lower jet housing  67  and the nozzles  32  are exposed through the openings  65  and  66 . The lower jet housing  67  is connected to the upper jet housing  68  through a high pressure seal. The upper jet housing is connected to the liquid supply line  40 . The upper jet housing contains a distribution channel  71  connecting the liquid inlet to the nozzles in the lower jet housing  67 . The upper jet housing is slidably attached to the support system  30  by a cap  72 , as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0033]     The massage liquid is removed from the lower portions of the array  31  by drain lines  36  and  37  and returned to the holding tank  38  for recycling. If recycling is not desired, the holding tank  38  may be connected to a drain. Depending on the installation, the spa may be used, without the impervious liner  61 , in a manner that permits the fluid to impact directly on the skin of the user.  
         [0034]     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the array  31  has a set of inner nozzles  38  and outer nozzles  39 . The supply line  40  is connected to a fluid pump  42  which supplies pressure for the liquid jets. The pump  42  is connected to the holding tank  38  by a short connector  43 . The supply line and the drain lines each have a length to accommodate the greatest travel of the array  31 . In order to provide the user with a greater degree of control over the temperature of the water emanating from the liquid jets, a heat exchanger  80  is provided, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Heat exchanger  80  has an inlet  81  and an outlet  82 , to which are attached supply lines  83  and  84 , respectively. Line  84  is supplied with an in-line pump  86  of any suitable type for providing a flow of water from holding tank  38 , through heat exchanger  80 , and back to holding tank  38 . While any type of heat exchange means is contemplated for use in the invention, the illustration utilizes a gas/liquid contact heat exchanger, wherein an auxiliary fan  85  is provided for directing air over the surface of the heat exchanger  80 . The air, which in this illustration provides cooling, may be passively exchanged by means of one or more venting means provided within the lower portion of cabinet  11 , or may be actively exchanged by positioning the fan within a wall portion of the cabinet  11  or by providing auxiliary ducting to the exterior of the cabinet  11 . Liquid/liquid heat exchangers, with or without additional heating or chilling capacity are further contemplated, as equivalent means of temperature control. Via this incorporation of heat exchange means, the fluid temperature may be controllably adjusted at the direction of the user, so as to provide a heating and/or cooling effect. The flexible drive  34 , shown in  FIG. 6 , moves the array  31  along the support system  30  which is formed with rods  47  and  48  suspended from the interior of the lid  12 . The array slides along the rods on bearings  49  and  50 . The flexible fluid supply lines are not shown but the connection to the array is at the ports  51  and  52 . The upper section  53  of the array is sealed with the lower section  54  by O rings  55 . The upper and lower sections are fastened together by fasteners  56 . The inner nozzles  38  and outer nozzles  39  are shown as supplied by separate channels  57  and  58  formed in the array.  
         [0035]     The spa of this invention may be used in health clubs, hospitals, assisted care facilities, hotels, other places of business, and the home. The user would select among the different features of the machine to develop a favorite combination of sights, sounds, smells, and massage. Once inside the spa, the user would only need to relax.  
         [0036]     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.  
         [0037]     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.  
         [0038]     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.