Patent Publication Number: US-6904624-B2

Title: Sauna

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is related to and claims priority in, co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/389,547, filed Jun. 18, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to saunas. In particular, the present invention relates to saunas that can apply a vapor to a user and/or a user&#39;s face. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A sauna is a personal care device that allows a user to receive a vapor. The sauna can apply the vapor to various parts of the body, and, in particular, apply the vapor to the face of the user. These devices suffer from the drawback of requiring extended heat up times where hot steam is to be applied to the user&#39;s face. 
   The present invention relates to an improved sauna that can provide vapors of different temperatures to a user and, in particular, to the user&#39;s face. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a sauna. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a facial sauna. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a sauna that provides vapors of different temperatures to the user at the same time. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a sauna that generates a vapor from vibration of the substance. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a sauna that generates vapor in reduced time. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a sauna device for vaporizing a substance, which has a body having an exhaust area and a vapor apparatus. The vapor apparatus generates a first vapor having a first temperature from the substance, and also generates a second vapor having a second temperature from the substance. The vapor apparatus can provide the first and second vapors to the exhaust area at substantially the same time. 
   In another aspect, a sauna device for use with a substance is provided, which comprises a first vapor apparatus and an exhaust area. The first vapor apparatus has a heater, a first chamber with a first volume, and a second chamber with a second volume. The exhaust area is in fluid communication with the first vapor apparatus. The first volume is substantially smaller than the second volume. The heater is in thermal communication with the first volume for heating the substance thereby generating a first vapor from the substance. The heater is in substantial thermal isolation from the second volume. The first and second volumes are in fluid communication. 
   In another aspect, a method of providing vapor to a user is provided, which comprises generating a first vapor having a first temperature from a substance; generating a second vapor having a second temperature from the substance; and providing the first and second vapors to the user at substantially the same time. 
   The vapor apparatus may also have the ability to individually provide the first vapor and the second vapor to the exhaust area. The first temperature can be above a boiling point of the substance and the second temperature can be below the boiling point of the substance. The second temperature can also be at or below room temperature. 
   The vapor apparatus can be a first apparatus and a second apparatus. The first apparatus can have a heater that heats the substance to generate the first vapor and the second apparatus can have a transducer that vibrates the substance to generate the second vapor. The first apparatus can have a first chamber with a first volume and a second chamber with a second volume. The first volume can be substantially smaller than the second volume. The heater is in thermal communication with the first volume, and is in substantial thermal isolation from the second volume. The first and second volumes and the exhaust area are in fluid communication. 
   The device can also have a hood that substantially surrounds the exhaust area thereby forming an exhaust volume. The exhaust volume can be sized for a user&#39;s face. The exhaust area can have a first opening for exhausting the first vapor and a second opening for exhausting the second vapor. The first opening can have an adjustable valve movable into a plurality of positions to adjust a direction of flow of the first vapor. 
   The first vapor apparatus can have a thermally conductive plate partially defining the first volume. The first volume has a thin rectangular shape. The heater is in thermal communication with the thermally conductive plate. The first vapor apparatus can have a heat sink in thermal communication with the heater and the thermally conductive plate. The device can also have a water chamber for storing the substance. The first vapor apparatus and the second vapor apparatus are in fluid communication with the water chamber. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sauna of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the sauna of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the sauna of  FIG. 1  with the top and hood removed; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a duct usable with the sauna of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the sauna of  FIG. 1  with the duct of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the sauna of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the steam device of the sauna of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of another embodiment of a sauna of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the sauna of FIG.  8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is provided a sauna generally represented by reference numeral  1 . The sauna  1  has a housing  8 , a base  9 , a top  10  and a hood  22 . Top  10  is pivotally fastened at its rear to housing  8 . Any known securing method can be used, such as, for example, bolts or a snap fit. 
   Sauna  1  can generate at least a first vapor at a first temperature and a second vapor at a second temperature from a substance. In the preferred embodiment, sauna  1  uses water as the substance being vaporized. The present disclosure contemplates the use of other liquids, combinations of liquids, combinations of liquids and meltable solids to be vaporized, and any other substances capable of being vaporized such as, for example, water combined with a medicine. As described herein, the vaporization of the liquid includes both vaporizing by raising the temperature of the liquid at or above its boiling point and atomizing or mechanically subdividing the liquid, such as by misting or nebulizing. The preferred embodiment generates steam by raising the temperature of a portion of the water above its boiling point and generates mist by vibrating water and mixing it with flowing air. The mist is at or below room temperature so that the user feels the sensation of application of both hot steam and cold mist simultaneously. However, the present invention contemplates the generation of first and second vapors at first and second temperatures of varying degrees. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , top  10  has a face  100  with a steam nozzle  15  secured thereto and a mist hole  110  therein. Preferably, steam nozzle  15  is pivotally secured to face  100  of top  10  such that the steam nozzle can pivot in a direction along the centerline of the face as shown in  FIG. 5 , with the steam nozzle represented in broken lines. Alternatively, steam nozzle  15  can be movably secured to face  100  so that the steam nozzle can pivot and rotate in any direction. Steam nozzle  15  has an intake  120  and an exhaust  130 . The exhaust  130  of steam nozzle  15  has a number of slits  140  through which the first vapor or steam is exhausted. 
   Alternative exhausts  130  can also be used for emitting the steam. Exhaust  130  preferably is a swivel head rotatably mounted in the steam nozzle  15 , which provides for a 360 degree rotation of the exhaust and thus rotation of the exhaust slits  140 . The exhaust  130  can be cylindrical in shape with a top cap and two exhaust slits  140  positioned on opposing sides such that the direction of flow of the steam can be adjusted. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , housing  8  has a mist device  150 , a steam device  160  and an electronic circuit  170 . Mist device  150  has an air pump  180 , a water chamber  190  and an atomizer, nebulizer or transducer  91 . Air pump  180  has a fan  7  disposed in an air pump housing  6  that is partially defined by base  9 . Fan  7  is rotated by a motor  97 . Air pump housing  6  is in fluid communication with ambient air through intake holes or slots  200  in base  9 . Air pump  180  also has an exhaust  210  that is in fluid communication with water chamber  190  through an air pump channel  220 . Air pump channel  220  extends vertically from air pump housing  6  and has a rectangular shape. Air pump  180  causes ambient air to flow from underneath base  9  through intake holes  200 , into air pump housing  6 , through air pump exhaust  210 , through air pump channel  220 , into water chamber  190  and out through mist hole  110  in face  100  of top  10 . 
   Transducer  91  is positioned at the base of water chamber  190  and is in fluid communication with the liquid, such as, for example, water, contained therein. The rapid vibration of transducer  91  mechanically subdivides the water causing mist to rise and mix with the air-flow from air pump  180  as it enters water chamber  190  through air pump channel  220 . The mixture of mist and air passes through mist hole  110  in face  100  of top  10  and into hood  22 . 
   Steam device  160  has a hot water chamber  2 , a heating chamber  230  and a heater  99 . Hot water chamber  2  is substantially cylindrical in shape. The base of hot water chamber  2  is in fluid communication with the base of water chamber  190  through a fill tube  27 . Hot water chamber  2  and heating chamber  230  are adjacent to one another and are in fluid communication through first and second openings  231 ,  232 . The first opening  231  is located near the bottom of hot water chamber  2  and the bottom of heating chamber  230 . The second opening  232  is located near the middle of hot water chamber  2  and the top of heating chamber  230 . In this embodiment, the second opening  232  is a pair of slots separated by a portion of the curved side-wall of hot water chamber  2 . 
   Heating chamber  230  is a thin rectangular shaped volume having a flat, metal plate  41  on one of its sides, opposite to hot water chamber  2 . In this embodiment, one side of heating chamber  230  is integrally formed with hot water chamber  2 . However, heating chamber  230  and hot water chamber  2  can be separately formed and in fluid communication. Heating chamber  230  has a volume that is substantially smaller than the volume of hot water chamber  2  to decrease the time required for generating the first vapor or steam. By providing a substantially smaller volume in heating chamber  230 , heater  99  is only required to heat a significantly smaller amount of the water to its boiling point. Heating chamber  230  further includes a number of ribs  233  that partially separate the heating chamber into a number of smaller portions, which can be more rapidly heated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , heater  99  heats metal plate  41 , which transfers the heat to the water in heating chamber  230 . Preferably, metal plate  41  is made of a material having high thermal conductivity to further facilitate rapid heating of the water. As the water is heated above its boiling point, steam flows through the higher second opening  232  and back into hot water chamber  2  near the top of the hot water chamber. To maximize the efficiency of heater  99  and further facilitate rapid heating of the water, the heater is substantially surrounded by a heat sink  235  as shown in  FIG. 7 , which facilitates distribution of the heat along metal plate  41  and throughout heating chamber  230 . Alternatively, other arrangements of the heater  99  with the heating chamber  230  and hot water chamber  2  can be used to facilitate rapid heating of the water by heating only small portions of the water at a time. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , hot water chamber  2  also has a sub-boiler  4  having a substantially tubular shape, with first and second ends  240 ,  250 . Sub-boiler  4  is adjacent to hot water chamber  2  on the opposite side from heating chamber  230 . First end  240  of sub-boiler  4  is in fluid communication with hot water chamber  2  through a first passage  260  and a second passage  270 . First passage  260  is located near the base of sub-boiler  4  and allows flow of water between hot water chamber  2  and the sub-boiler. Second passage  270  is located near the middle of sub-boiler  4  and is substantially aligned with the second opening of heating chamber  230 . First and second ends  240 ,  250  of sub-boiler  4  are separated by a tapered flange  251  that extends inwardly from the inner sidewalls of the sub-boiler to form a sub-boiler hole  252  therethrough. The flange is located between first and second passages  260 ,  270  of sub-boiler  4 . The sub-boiler  4  has a hole that has a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the sub-boiler. 
   Second end  250  of sub-boiler  4  is connected to a flexible steam spout  29 . Steam spout  29  is curved toward the front of housing  8  and is aligned with and positioned under intake  120  of steam nozzle  15  such that sub-boiler  4 , hot water chamber  2  and heating chamber  230  are in fluid communication with the steam nozzle. The steam flows from heating chamber  230 , through hot water chamber  2 , through sub-boiler  4 , through steam spout  29 , and out through steam nozzle  15  into hood  22 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , mist device  150  and steam device  160  are powered and controlled by an electronic circuit  170 . Electronic circuit  170  contains electrical components, which provide for rapid heating of the water by steam device  160  and simultaneous supplying of mist from mist device  150  and steam from steam device  160 . Electronic circuit  170  can also allow for adjustments by the user, such as, for example, temperature, flow and time. In this embodiment, sauna  1  is controllable through controllers  171 ,  172 . However, alternative user interfaces can also be employed, such as, for example, pushbutton controls. Also, the present disclosure contemplates the use of indicator devices, such as, for example, signal lights or displays, which provide information regarding the status of the sauna  1  to the user. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 , hood  22  is substantially frusto-conical in shape having a first open end  280  and a second open end  290  formed by a circumferential sidewall  300 . First open end  280  can engage a user&#39;s face. Second open end  290  can engage face  100  of top  10  and be secured thereto. As shown in  FIG. 6 , second open end  290  preferably has a flange  310  extending inwardly from sidewall  300  of hood  22 . Flange  310  preferably has two semi-circular indentions  320  formed therein. Face  100  of top  10  preferably has a flat surface  330  surrounding steam nozzle  15  and mist hole  110 , with two semi-circular projections  340  extending from the flat surface. Hood  22  is preferably secured to top  10  by engaging semi-circular projections  340  with semi-circular indentions  320 , and resting hood flange  310  against flat surface  330  of top  10 . However, alternative structures can be used to secure hood  22  to top  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , first open end  280  of hood  22  is larger than second open end  290 . Hood  22  has an outer rim  350  with a shape that can fittingly engage a user&#39;s face, allowing the cold mist and/or steam to flow directly onto the user&#39;s face. 
   Sauna  1  further has a duct  23  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Duct  23  has an upper portion  360  having an open end  370 . Upper portion  360  has a substantially frusto-conical shape. Duct  23  also has a lower portion  380  having an open end  390 . Open end  390  of lower portion  380  is larger than open end  370  of upper portion  360 . Mist and/or steam flow through open end  390  and lower portion  380  into upper portion  360  and out through upper portion open end  370 . The open end  390  of lower portion  380  preferably fittingly engages with a rim  400  formed on face  100  of top  10  that surrounds flat surface  330 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another embodiment of the sauna of the present invention is provided and generally represented by reference numeral  500 . Sauna  500  has two wells  510 ,  520  that exhaust cold mist and hot steam, respectively. Wells  510 ,  520  are positioned adjacent to each other. Hood  22  is engageable with either well  510 ,  520  preferably in the same manner as described above. Sauna  500  can generate hot steam, cold mist or both at the same time. 
   While the instant invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.