Body Treating Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for body treatment, comprising a movable casing member which is divisible into two parts and is shaped to enclose most parts of a person's body to be treated, such as by massaging, bathing or cleaning, and other hydrokinetic procedures, including the application of solutions or substances such as disinfectants, body lotions, sun-tan oils and the like, one or more solutions storing containers or tubs, fluid ducts to convey the solution from the container, compressed-gas ducts which convey and discharge the pressurized solution, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies from which the solution is sprayed vigorously against designated areas of the person's body, preferably with a spraying duration of a few seconds (5 to 10) at a time.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part application of the inventor's earlier patent application, now abandoned, Ser. No. 183,116 filed September 23, 1971 for "Medical Treating Apparatus Using Garlic Solution."

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating a person's body, or parts thereof, using an externally applied medium, such as hot or cold water, solutions or substances, e.g. disinfectants, body lotions, sun-tan oil and the like, namely for massaging, bathing or cleaning and other hydrokinetic procedures.

It should be noted that in the present application, the words "treating" and "treatment" do not intend to relate to the medical meaning of this word, such as in the sense of "caring for a patient" or a part of his or her body, or of "seeking cure or relief of a disease," but they relate to "handling, managing, dealing with" (namely the body of a person or parts thereof), or to "subjecting the same to some action" or "to some process for improvement," such as appearance, well-being, cleanliness, etc.

The present invention consequently relates to an apparatus for treating persons, such as by spraying a solution against members or parts thereof. The apparatus comprises a movable casing member which is preferably divisible into the parts and which is designed to enclose the most part of the person's body to be treated, at least one container for storing a solution, provided preferably above the casing member, fluid ducts for feeding the solution to the person's body, compressed-gas ducts to keep the solution pressurized, a plurality of nozzle assemblies strategically laid out in the casing member in such a manner as to join the fluid ducts and the compressed-gas ducts and to spray the solution vigorously against the parts of the person, preferably with short spraying times of about 5 to 10 seconds, with rest intervals therebetween.

The material and the concentration of the solution for use in the apparatus of the present invention varies according to the specific purpose. Thus, for example, a slightly oily solution might be used for massaging or skin stimulation; a weak soap solution could be used for cleaning purposes; known disinfectants may be diluted for use; also hot and cold water may be sprayed, when necessary; body lotions, sun-tan oil, and the like may be applied with the apparatus according to the invention.

For the sake of simpler expression, "solution" is being used throughout the application, although it will be understood, mains water may be applied that does not contain any substance dissolved therein.

By its structure and operational facilities, the inventive apparatus also lends itself to the application, when medically indicated, of special therapeutic treating solutions to patients, e.g. to promote the subjective well-being of persons who are favorably disposed. Examples of such solutions, known by therapists but not further described and not claimed herein, may be saline solutions, garlic solutions, and the like, in appropriate concentrations, and with the medically prescribed durations of spray application to specific parts of the patient's body.

Compressed gas or air which is usually fed to the compressed-gas ducts ranges from 2 to 7 atmospheres, preferably 4 or 5 atmospheres.

The duration of time for spraying solutions from the nozzle assemblies is to be varied depending on the particular purpose, but generally it is for 5 to 10 seconds, preferably 6 seconds, for one treatment. However, the spraying time may be divided into several parts, 1 or 2 seconds for each, with a fairly long interval of time therebetween, particularly if a highly active ingredient or a relatively strong concentration is used. A sun-tan oil application may however consist of a single short-duration application or treatment. The same may apply to the use of a disinfectant, a bug-repellant lotion, etc.

With solutions that are intended to penetrate the pores of the person being treated, and in order to enhance the effect obtained by the use of the inventive apparatus still further, it may be desirable that the person takes a hot wash, bath or shower before using the apparatus, to open the pores of the body. Upon finishing the spraying of the solution, it is also desirable for the person to take a cold wash, bath or shower in order to close the pores, thereby keeping the sprayed solution in the body and maintaining the disinfectant, stimulative or other property inherent in the particular solution for as long as possible in the body. These preliminary and subsequent ablutions can also be performed by the aid of the inventive apparatus.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a front view of one of the exemplary, preferred embodiments of the body treating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the same apparatus (a hose portion being omitted);

FIG. 4 is a side elevation in vertical section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 to 7 are side elevations in vertical section of other embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a nozzle assembly constituting a portion of the apparatus, and the state in which it is applied to the present invention, FIG. 8 being a side view, and FIG. 9 a vertical section, FIG. 8 schematically also showing means for selectively regulating and stopping flow in at least one of the fluid and gas ducts.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the apparatus comprises a casing member formed of two movable parts, i.e., a front part 1 and a rear part 2, clamped together by catches or interlocking members 6 (see FIG. 3), to define a chamber shaped as shown in the respective figures (and also in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) to receive a person's body. These parts may be made of plastic material, aluminum, plaster, paper or clay. Casing parts 1, 2 are secured to base plates 3, 4 respectively, and these base plates are supported by castors 5, for movement over a surface (e.g. the floor). Support members 7 extend upwardly from base plates 3, 4 and support a plurality of rods 8, each of which carries one or more nozzle assemblies 9.

While the illustrations show two-part casing members, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that more than two mating parts may be provided, e.g. for the convenience of a person when entering the apparatus. Also, a single tub-like casing can be used, without detachable parts, if only part of the person's body should be treated (see also the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and described somewhat later).

A solution supply tank 10 is preferably mounted on the top of each casing part 1, 2 (see FIG. 3) or is supported by respective member 7 at a level above the casing. A main hose 11 depends from an outlet in the base of each tank 10 and is connected via T-shaped joints 12 to a plurality of diverging hose members 13, each of which is connected to one of the nozzle assemblies (see FIGS. 8, 9 inside case members 1, 2).

Each of the nozzle assemblies is connected also to a hose member 14 for supplying compressed gas (or air). These hose members, associated with each casing part 1, 2, are connected to a main hose (not shown) for that casing part, and these main hoses are in turn connected to a source of compressed gas or air via a control valve.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an apparatus embodiment wherein the casing receives a person in a standing position and encloses the person's body except for his or her head. In this case, nozzle assemblies 9 are provided, in the required number, at both ankle regions a, at both knee regions b, at the abdominal region c, and at the chest region d of front casing part 1, and at both arm regions e, at the waist region f, at the back region g and at both shoulder regions h of rear casing part 2.

The number and locations of the nozzle assemblies are of course not limited to those described and shown for the just described and following exemplary apparatus embodiments. More details of the nozzle assemblies will follow in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus wherein the casing receives a person in a seated position. The casing encloses the person's body except for his or her head. This type of apparatus is used where a sitting position is preferable. Nozzle assemblies 9 should be fixed in this apparatus in locations substantially as shown in FIG. 4, in a manner similar to that of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment wherein the casing receives a person in a seated position with his or her legs stretched out, and encloses the lower part of the body. In this case, nozzle assemblies 9 are provided at both knee regions b, at the lower back or waist region f, at the popliteal region i and at the sole region j.

FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment, as compared to FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein the casing covers the person's head. In this case, the most important nozzle assemblies are provided at the forehead region k and at the back neck region l of the casing. Other nozzle assemblies are also shown in this illustration, partly described before, and which do not require further clarification.

Parts in the various views have been designated by identical numerals, for the sake of easier correlation, although there are minor structural differences in the shapes and other details of these parts.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the detailed construction of nozzle assemblies 9 used in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4, 5, 6 and 7. Assembly 9 comprises a nozzle body n having a first inlet connected to solution hose member 13 and a second inlet connected to compressed-gas hose member 14. The first inlet communicates with a solution storage chamber 15 formed in one end of nozzle body n, and said chamber 15 is linked to a nozzle head 16 which is tapered towards its end.

Nozzle head 16 is secured to said one end (i.e. the fornt end) of body n and has a main bore therein communicating with chamber 15. The main bore is reduced in cross-section at its free end by an insert member which slidably receives the sharp end of a needle 17. The insert member is tapered inwardly at its front end needle 17 extends rearwardly through nozzle body n to a regulating valve 18 secured to the rear of said body. The front end of nozzle head 16 is secured in a bore extending through the wall of appropriate casing part 1, 2 so that solution flows under gravity from the container, via main bore 11, and can be sprayed at a rate determined by the spacing of the tip of needle 17 from the front end of the insert member, into the casing.

The second inlet communicates with a chamber 19 formed in the rear end of nozzle body n. A bore 20 extends from chamber 19 through body n and nozzle head 16 to a gas-distributing chamber 21 formed in the nozzle head. A plurality of fine bores 22 extend forwardly from chamber 21 to direct gas into the stream of solution discharged from the nozzle head, thereby to entrain the solution in the gas stream. The solution is pulverized and made to emerge or debouch from a spraying hole 23 by the gushing power of the compressed gas introduced from duct 14.

The nozzle assembly is secured to respective supporting rod 8 by passage of the latter through a hole 25 in a bracket portion 24 of nozzle body n and clamping the latter to rod 8 by means of a screw 26.

Somewhat schematically, FIG. 8 (but not FIG. 9) illustrates means designated by numeral 27 for selectively regulating and stopping flow in at least hose member 13 and the associated ducts (such as storage chamber 15, distributing chamber 21, bores 22 and eventually spraying hole 23), including means for limiting the duration of the spraying with the solution to between 5 and 10 seconds at a time. Such a mechanism may be hydraulic, mechanical, electromechanical, or a combination thereof, and is well known in the art, so that it need not be described herein in detail.

In operation of the apparatus illustrated in any one of FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7, the casing is assembled about the person by clamping together or locking parts 1, 2 by means of catches 6. Compressed gas (which may be air, as mentioned before) is then supplied to nozzle assemblies 9 via hose members 14 whilst the solution from tanks 10 flows via main hose 11, joints 12 and hose members 13 to the nozzle assemblies. The solution supplied to each assembly passes into chamber 15 and thence through the main bore of nozzle head 16 at a rate controlled by the position of the tip of needle 17 as set by operation of regulating valve 18.

The compressed gas passes via chamber 19, lateral bore 20 and chamber 21 to be discharged through bores 22 into the stream of the solution. This causes the latter to be vigorously sprayed into the casing in the form of a mist against the appropriate part or parts of the person's body.

It is preferable to spray the solutions at 4 to 5 atmospheres for a period of about 6 seconds. A suitable concentration of the solutions should be varied according to its composition and the treatment to be performed (such as massaging, bathing, cleansing, hydrokinetic action, disinfection, and/or applying some other solution. Furthermore, waste of the solution can be prevented by selective use of the casing shape (as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7) according to the part of the person's body to be treated, and by selective use of one or more nozzle assemblies, by actuating appropriate regulating valves and/or setting the regulating means to the desired spraying duration. The latter can also be used for setting the desired time intervals between the spraying periods.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 5, 6 and 7 are effective in spraying any solution or substance evenly against the whole of the desired parts of the person's body at a pressure which not only stimulates the surface or skin of the body (such as for massaging) but also makes the solution penetrate into the body (e.g. for disinfection or other effects, not excluding medical treatment, such as with a garlic solution).

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

what I claim is:

1. A body treating apparatus for massaging, bathing, cleaning, hydrokinetic procedures, and the application of solutions or substances, comprising: a casing member shaped to enclose at least parts of a person's body; at least one container for storing a solution; a plurality of nozzle assemblies for discharging the solution, provided in said casing member at designated areas of the person's body when positioned in said casing; fluid ducts to convey the solution from said container to said nozzle assemblies; and compressed-gas ducts linked to said nozzle assemblies for expelling the solution therefrom, whereby the latter is vigorously sprayed against the designated areas of the person's body; wherein said nozzle assemblies include each a discharge head, a member for regulating the amount of the solution being discharged, and at least one distribution chamber linked to one of said fluid and said gas ducts.

2. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively regulating and stopping flow in at least said fluid ducts, including means for limiting the duration of the solution spraying to between 5 and 10 seconds at a time.

3. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said casing member has the general configuration of a standing human body for accommodating a person therein.

4. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said casing member has the general configuration of a sitting human body for accommodating a person therein.

5. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said casing member is shaped to enclose a portion of the person's body for treating localized areas thereof.

6. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said casing is constituted by at least two interconnectable, substantially mating parts, and further comprising means for interlocking said mating parts.

7. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said nozzle assemblies each include two distribution chambers, one each associated with the respective fluid duct and respective gas duct, said regulating member passing through said chambers, and manual means for individually adjusting the setting of said regulating member.

8. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for delivering the solution under gravity into a gas stream emitted from said nozzle assemblies under between 2 and 7 atmospheres pressure.

9. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said container is disposed above said casing member when the appraratus is set up for operation.

10. The body treating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said nozzle assemblies each include a central outlet for the solution and a plurality of outlets for the compressed gas, arranged about said central outlet, so that a stream of the gas discharged under pressure sprays the solution debouching from said central outlet into said casing member.