Sauna and method for performing an automatic infusion of a sauna

The sauna system addresses high personnel costs by using targeted air blasts and an automatic infusion device to enhance air distribution and automate infusion ceremonies, reducing costs and maintaining a high-quality experience.

EP4477205A1Pending Publication Date: 2024-12-18KLAFS GMBH & CO KG
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023179723
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-16
Publication Date
2024-12-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Commercial saunas face high personnel costs due to the need for sauna masters to perform infusion ceremonies in high-temperature environments, and existing automatic solutions do not adequately improve air distribution or reduce workload.

Method used

A sauna system with strategically placed nozzles and a compressed air supply that allows for targeted air blasts, similar to those created by a sauna master, combined with an automatic infusion device to reduce personnel costs without compromising the sauna experience.

Benefits of technology

The system reduces personnel costs while maintaining a comparable sauna experience by providing efficient and adjustable air distribution and automating infusion ceremonies, allowing for increased frequency without the need for sauna masters to enter the sauna.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a sauna comprising a sauna cabin and a sauna heater, the heater having at least one nozzle on or in a wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin and a compressed air supply, wherein the nozzle and the compressed air supply are configured such that compressed air from the compressed air supply can be blown into the sauna cabin via the at least one nozzle. The invention further relates to a method for performing an automatic sauna infusion ceremony for such a sauna.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna according to claim 1 and to a method for carrying out an automatic infusion ceremony for a sauna according to claim 13.

[0002] One of the biggest cost factors in operating commercial saunas is providing a sufficient number of sauna masters to perform the infusion ceremonies requested by customers. The problem is that the special working conditions, given the high temperatures prevailing in saunas, require special working hours, which require very high personnel costs.

[0003] To ease the burden on sauna attendants, there are state-of-the-art automatic infusion devices, as shown in DE 10 2011 120 925 A1, which automatically distribute infusion liquid over a stone bed of a sauna heater. There are also humid sauna air distributors that distribute the air throughout the sauna cabin after an infusion via fans or fans, as shown in DE 10 2013 019 244 A1.

[0004] However, the known solutions, especially for air distribution after a sauna infusion, are not satisfactory for commercially operated saunas in terms of the sauna experience and therefore cannot reduce the workload of the sauna masters.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sauna that improves the necessary air distribution in a commercially used sauna in such a way that infusion ceremonies can be carried out with reduced personnel costs and a similar or even improved sauna experience.

[0006] The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, in a sauna, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the sauna with a sauna cabin and a sauna heater has at least one nozzle on or in a wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin and a compressed air supply, wherein the nozzle and the compressed air supply are configured such that compressed air from the compressed air supply can be blown into the sauna cabin via the at least one nozzle.

[0007] The inventive solution allows highly targeted air blasts or air currents to be introduced into the sauna cabin, providing a sauna experience comparable to the air manipulation by a sauna master. Thus, the inventive sauna can reduce personnel costs for commercially used saunas without diminishing the sauna experience for customers.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one nozzle is a pivoting nozzle, wherein the sauna comprises a device which has the at least one pivoting nozzle and which is arranged on or in a wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin, wherein the device and the compressed air supply are configured such that a back-and-forth pivoting movement of the pivoting nozzle about a pivot axis can be carried out. Thus, several seats can be reached by one device with an air flow and the air exposure to the individual seats is not constant, but similar to that created by a sauna master when manipulating the air using, for example, a towel. Accordingly, a particularly good sauna experience results.

[0010] Preferably, the device is mounted on a wall of the sauna cabin. This makes the air exposure more similar to the air manipulation performed by a sauna master.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the device comprises a receptacle with at least two pivoting nozzles connected to the compressed air supply. The receptacle is mounted on a bracket on or in the wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin in such a way that the reciprocating pivoting movement can be performed by the receptacle, with a longitudinal axis of the receptacle preferably being parallel or congruent with the pivot axis. By using at least two pivoting nozzles, the device can blow air over a larger area of ​​the sauna cabin.

[0012] The nozzles are preferably arranged one above the other, with the pivot axis positioned vertically. This allows the device to be positioned parallel to or within the wall, and the area covered by the nozzles can be precisely adjusted by adjusting the blowing direction of the individual nozzles.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle is connected to the compressed air supply via the holder, wherein the holder has an air flow drive designed to cause the reciprocating pivoting movement of the receptacle when the holder is supplied with compressed air. Thus, the compressed air supply simultaneously provides the pivoting movement, and no additional power or other supply line to the device is required to cause the reciprocating pivoting movement. Preferably, the air flow drive is temperature-resistant. This allows the device to be designed without special insulation against the elevated temperature in the sauna cabin. According to one embodiment of the air flow drive, it has a gear and a turbine wheel.The turbine wheel is driven by the compressed air and this in turn drives the gear, which then causes the back and forth pivoting movement of the holder.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment, the reciprocating pivoting movement of the receptacle can be performed by an electric motor on the mount. The use of an electric motor is an alternative to airflow drive. This allows complex reciprocating movement patterns to be generated, which can be easily adjusted by controlling the electric motor.

[0015] Preferably, the bracket is mounted in the wall, and the electric motor is thermally insulated. This protects the electric motor from excessive temperatures, simplifying the selection of a suitable electric motor.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pivot angle of the reciprocating pivoting movement around the pivot axis is adjustable. This can be implemented equally by the airflow drive or the electric motor. By adjusting the pivot angle, the overblown area can be adjusted and precisely set even after the device has been installed.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the volume flow of compressed air per swivel nozzle is between 10 l / min and 50 l / min. This volume flow results in a particularly pleasant sauna experience with efficient use of the compressed air. The volume flow is preferably adjustable within this range, allowing for different intensities of special experiences.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the orientation of the pivoting nozzle relative to the mount is adjustable, at least in the direction of the pivot axis. This allows the area over which the device blows air can be adjusted and precisely adjusted after assembly.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the sauna has such a number of devices, and these are distributed on or in the wall or ceiling in such a way that an area above each seat in the sauna is hit at least once by the compressed air blown in from at least one swivel nozzle during the back-and-forth pivoting movement of the devices. This provides an improved sauna experience for every seat in the sauna cabin.

[0020] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle is a ceiling nozzle, wherein the sauna has at least two ceiling nozzles which are connected to the compressed air supply, are arranged on the ceiling of the sauna and whose fixed blowing directions are designed such that they have an adjustable angle to the ceiling of 0 to 45° and a circular rotation of the air on the ceiling forms when compressed air is blown through the at least two ceiling nozzles. By using such ceiling nozzles, a high air turbulence of the air layer on the sauna cabin ceiling can be achieved, which has an extremely positive effect on the sauna experience, particularly during and after the introduction of fresh air which has a higher oxygen content than the air currently in the sauna cabin.This is also a type of air manipulation that is carried out by the sauna master in commercial saunas, and which therefore no longer needs to be carried out by the sauna master thanks to this design of the sauna.

[0021] The sauna should preferably have at least three ceiling jets arranged in a circle. This can further improve air circulation.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the sauna comprises at least one device with at least one swivel nozzle according to one of the embodiments described above and at least two ceiling nozzles according to one of the embodiments described above. By providing the sauna with at least one device with at least one swivel nozzle and at least two ceiling nozzles, a particularly pleasant sauna experience can be achieved without requiring air manipulation by a sauna attendant.

[0023] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the sauna features an automatic infusion device that distributes liquid onto a stone bed of the sauna heater. Using an automatic infusion device eliminates the need for a sauna master for this step of a infusion ceremony, which, without the infusion device, would have required the sauna master to enter the sauna. The automatic infusion device can preferably be integrated into the sauna heater, the ceiling, or the wall of the sauna.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the sauna has a control system configured such that the automatic infusion device first distributes liquid onto a stone bed of the sauna heater, and the at least one nozzle then blows air into the sauna cabin. With such a sauna, an infusion ceremony can be performed in a commercially used sauna without the need for a sauna master.

[0025] Preferably, the control system is configured to first activate at least two ceiling jets, then the automatic infusion device, and then the device. This can further enhance the sauna experience of an infusion ceremony that takes place without a sauna master entering the sauna.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the control system can be controlled from outside the sauna and / or is configured such that the control system includes a timer, via which the automatic infusion device and the at least one nozzle can be controlled. This is advantageous for commercially used saunas, as the sauna master can then conduct an infusion ceremony without entering the sauna. When using a timer as part of the control system, the sauna master does not even have to operate the control system to conduct regular infusion ceremonies.

[0027] In another embodiment, the control system can be operated via voice control. This allows for particularly easy control of the sauna.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for carrying out an automatic infusion ceremony for a sauna according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments, which comprises the following steps: a) Ventilating the sauna with fresh air having a higher oxygen content than the air currently in the sauna cabin; b) Pouring infusion liquid onto a stone bed of a sauna heater using the automatic infusion device; c) Distributing the humidified air rising above the sauna heater using at least one nozzle.

[0029] With this type of process, the personnel costs for commercially used saunas can be significantly reduced while users can still be offered equivalent infusion ceremonies. Because there is no need for a sauna master to enter the sauna, the frequency of infusion ceremonies can also be increased. Ventilating the sauna with fresh air can, for example, be done manually by a sauna master. The sauna master opens the door and uses a manual to draw fresh air from outside the sauna into the sauna. The sauna master does not have to enter the sauna, meaning he or she is not exposed to the sauna's high temperatures. Fresh air can also be supplied via an additional access to the sauna cabin using a fan device or via the compressed air supply.

[0030] Preferably, the humidified air rising above the sauna heater is distributed using a device according to one of the device versions described above. Using this device ensures a particularly pleasant sauna experience.

[0031] Furthermore, during the sauna's ventilation or between ventilation and pouring, the air is preferably distributed across the ceiling using at least two ceiling nozzles according to one of the ceiling nozzle designs. This ensures a particularly efficient distribution of fresh air within the sauna cabin, resulting in a particularly pleasant sauna experience.

[0032] An embodiment of the sauna according to the invention and a method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0033] The drawings show: Figure 1: a schematic view obliquely from above of an embodiment of the sauna, Figure 2: a side view of the front side wall of the embodiment of the sauna without the front side wall, Figure 3: a side view of the right side wall of the embodiment of the sauna without the right side wall, Figure 4: schematic representation of the device of the embodiment of the sauna and the compressed air supply, Figure 5: a view of the ceiling of the sauna cabin of the embodiment of the sauna, and Figure 6: flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

[0034] In the following illustrations, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols. If a figure contains reference symbols that are not explicitly mentioned in the corresponding figure description, reference is made to previous or subsequent figure descriptions.

[0035] The embodiment of the sauna 1 according to the invention comprises a sauna cabin 2 with a sauna heater 3 and two sauna benches 4 arranged one above the other and a compressed air supply 5.

[0036] The compressed air supply 5 is connected to three ceiling nozzles 6 arranged on the ceiling of the sauna cabin 2 and to two devices 7 which are attached to a side wall of the sauna cabin 2 and each have four swivel nozzles 8.

[0037] The devices 7 have two brackets 9 that are attached to the side wall of the sauna cabin 2 and between which a receptacle 10 is arranged, on which the pivoting nozzles 8 are arranged. The device 7 is connected to the compressed air supply 5 via one of the brackets 9, wherein this bracket 9 contains an air flow drive that allows the receptacle 10 to perform a back-and-forth pivoting movement 12 about a pivot axis 11. The individual pivoting nozzles 8 arranged on the receptacle 10 are each aligned at a different and adjustable angle to the pivot axis 11, so that compressed air, which is fed from the compressed air supply 5 to the devices, is blown in a back-and-forth pivoting movement over areas above the sauna benches 4. By using the two devices 7, the entire area above the benches 4 can be blown over.

[0038] The three ceiling nozzles 6 arranged on the ceiling of the sauna cabin are aligned and connected to the compressed air supply 5 in such a way that their blowing direction, see Figure 5 , forming an airflow circuit on the ceiling. The angle of the blowing direction of the ceiling nozzles 6 to the ceiling can be adjusted between 0 and 45°.

[0039] In addition, the sauna 1 has an automatic infusion device 13, which is arranged above a stone bed 14 of the sauna heater 3 and can distribute infusion liquid over the stone bed 14.

[0040] With such a sauna 1, an embodiment of the method according to the invention can be carried out according to Figure 6carry out, wherein the sauna 1 has a corresponding control system for this purpose, which in particular carries out steps two to four automatically. When carrying out the method according to the invention, the first step is to ventilate the sauna cabin with fresh air, wherein fresh air has a higher oxygen content than the air currently in the sauna cabin 2. For this purpose, for example, the door 15 of the sauna cabin 2 can be opened and air can be introduced into the sauna cabin 2 by means of a manual. In the second step, the fresh air is moved via the ceiling nozzles 6 and distributed in the sauna cabin. Then, as a third step, the infusion is carried out by means of the automatic infusion device 13 and finally, as a fourth step, the heated, moist air is distributed by the devices 7 to the areas above the sauna benches 4.

[0041] In the method, the individual steps, in particular steps two to four, can be adjusted via the control system, allowing, for example, a more intensive swirling with the ceiling nozzles 6, an infusion with more infusion liquid, or a higher volume flow through the swivel nozzles 8 of the devices 7 to be set. Accordingly, different infusion ceremonies can be carried out automatically by the embodiment of the sauna 1 according to the invention, without a sauna master having to enter the interior of the sauna cabin 2. List of reference symbols

[0042] 1Sauna 2Sauna cabin 3Sauna heater 4Sauna bench 5Compressed air supply 6Ceiling nozzle 7Device 8Swivel nozzle 9Holder 10Receptacle 11Swivel axis 12Reciprocating swivel movement 13Automatic infusion device 14Stone bed 15Door

Claims

1. Sauna with a sauna cabin and a sauna heater, which has at least one nozzle on or in a wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin and a compressed air supply, wherein the nozzle and the compressed air supply are arranged such that compressed air from the compressed air supply can be blown into the sauna cabin via the at least one nozzle.

2. Sauna according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one nozzle is a pivoting nozzle, wherein the sauna has a device which has the at least one pivoting nozzle and which is arranged on or in a wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin, wherein the device and the compressed air supply are arranged such that a back and forth pivoting movement of the pivoting nozzle about a pivot axis can be carried out.

3. Sauna according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe device has a receptacle with at least two pivoting nozzles which are connected to the compressed air supply, wherein the receptacle is attached to a holder on or in the wall or ceiling of the sauna cabin in such a way that the reciprocating pivoting movement can be carried out by the receptacle, wherein preferably a longitudinal axis of the receptacle is parallel or congruent with the pivot axis.

4. Sauna according to claim 3, characterized in that the holder is connected to the compressed air supply via the holder, wherein the holder has an air flow drive which is designed such that it causes the reciprocating pivoting movement of the holder when the holder is supplied with compressed air.

5. Sauna according to claim 3, characterized in that the back and forth pivoting movement of the holder can be carried out by an electric motor on the holder.

6. Sauna according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in thatthe volume flow of compressed air per swivel nozzle is between 10 l / min and 50 l / min.

7. Sauna according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the orientation of the swivel nozzle relative to the holder can be changed at least in the direction of the swivel axis.

8. Sauna according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one nozzle is a ceiling nozzle, wherein the sauna has at least two ceiling nozzles which are connected to the compressed air supply, are arranged on the ceiling of the sauna and whose fixed blowing directions are designed such that they have an adjustable angle to the ceiling of 0 to 45° and a circular rotation of the air on the ceiling is formed when compressed air is blown through the at least two ceiling nozzles.

9. Sauna according to one of claims 2 to 7 and according to claim 8, characterized in thatthe sauna has at least one device with at least one swivel nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 7 and at least two ceiling nozzles according to claim 8.

10. Sauna according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sauna has an automatic infusion device that distributes liquid onto a stone bed in the sauna heater.

11. Sauna according to claim 10, characterized in that the sauna has a control system which is arranged in such a way that the automatic infusion device first distributes liquid on a stone bed of the sauna heater and then the at least one nozzle blows air into the sauna cabin.

12. Sauna according to claims 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the control is designed to first operate at least two ceiling nozzles, then the automatic infusion device and then the device.

13. A method for conducting an automatic infusion ceremony for a sauna according to one of claims 10 to 12, comprising the following steps: a) ventilating the sauna with fresh air having a higher oxygen content than the air currently present in the sauna cabin; b) pouring infusion liquid onto a stone bed of a sauna heater by means of the automatic infusion device; c) distributing the humidified air rising above the sauna heater by means of the at least one nozzle.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the distribution of the humidified air rising above the sauna heater is carried out by means of the device according to one of claims 2 to 7.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that During the ventilation of the sauna or between ventilation and pouring, the air is distributed on the ceiling by means of the at least two ceiling nozzles according to claim 8.

Citation Information

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