Bathing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a bathing device (10) with a tub (12) having a tub body (14) open at the top, defining a receiving space (16) for water and having a lying or sitting surface (20) on its tub floor (18), with a cooling device (30) for cooling the water below the ambient temperature, with a chlorination device (32) for adding chlorine to the water, with a piping system (34) for draining the water from the tub (12), for supplying the water to the cooling device (30) and to the chlorination device (32) and for returning the water to the tub (12) and with a pump (36) for conveying the water through the piping system (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bathing device with which cold water baths can be performed.

[0002] Such bathing devices are used, for example, in sauna areas. Bathers who come out of the sauna warmed up should then cool down to achieve the desired effect of strengthening their immune system. This is regularly done with a cold shower or a cold plunge bath. With plunge baths taken in special cold-water tubs, a common problem is that the water in the tub becomes contaminated with germs. Although bathers are advised to shower before using the cold-water tub to rinse off sweat, this rule is often ignored. The problem of contamination in well-known cold-water tubs is addressed by draining the water from the tub, disinfecting it with UV light, and then returning it to the tub. There, it is immediately mixed with already contaminated water, so the sterilization is not effective.Furthermore, germs can spread into the pipe through which the water is returned from the UV disinfection unit to the tub.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to design a bathing device of the type mentioned above in such a way that the bacterial contamination of the water is reduced. This object is achieved according to the invention by a bathing device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​creating a chlorine reservoir in the water through chlorination, which continues to have a sterilizing effect even when the chlorinated water is mixed with contaminated water already in the tub. In this way, it is possible to continuously replenish the chlorine reservoir in the tub water, thus reliably limiting bacterial growth.

[0005] Preferably, the water is drained from the upper part of the tank body, expediently at the water surface, and reintroduced from the lower part, through the tank bottom or just above it. By circulating the water in a loop that includes inflow at the tank bottom and outflow at the water surface, dead spaces where no flow occurs are largely reduced. This is achieved by expediently providing the tank with at least one outlet opening for draining the water into the piping system and at least one inlet opening for reintroducing the water from the piping system into the receiving space, and by positioning each outlet opening at a greater height above the tank bottom than each inlet opening.

[0006] It is preferred that the piping system comprises a discharge branching off from the at least one discharge opening, which at a first junction splits into a first line leading to the cooling unit and a second line leading to the chlorination unit, and a supply line running from a second junction, where the first and second lines are joined, to the at least one inlet opening. The water discharged from the tank is then separated into two streams, one of which is cooled and the other chlorinated. Both streams are rejoined at the second junction and introduced into the tank. The water flowing through the second line is then treated in the chlorination unit with a sufficient amount of chlorine to also disinfect the water from the first line.However, it is also possible for the piping system to have a line that directs the water sequentially to the cooling unit and the chlorination unit. The entire flow of water through the piping system is then either cooled first and then chlorinated, or vice versa. In both cases, it is preferred that the pump be arranged upstream of the cooling unit and the chlorination unit in the direction of flow.

[0007] The chlorination unit conveniently includes a measuring unit for measuring the pH value of the water after the addition of chlorine and a pH reduction unit for lowering the pH value of the water. The addition of chlorine raises the pH value, and by adding a pH reducer in the pH reduction unit, the pH value can be adjusted back to a desired value.

[0008] Advantageously, a fitting for introducing tap water is arranged on the bathtub. This fitting is regularly used for the initial filling of the bathtub and for topping up water lost through evaporation or from the bathers as they get out of the tub. Advantageously, at least one temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature is arranged in the bathtub, and the cooling unit has a control unit for adjusting the water temperature based on the readings of the at least one temperature sensor. In this way, the water temperature can be set to a desired value. It is preferred that the bathtub body and / or the piping system are at least partially thermally insulated so that the heating of the water in the tub's reservoir is slowed down. The cooling unit is advantageously housed in a casing that serves as a step next to the bathtub.It can then be used as an entry aid for bathers. The chlorination system can also be integrated into the housing. A lighting system is recommended to illuminate the bathing area, featuring several light sources arranged within the tub. Cool colors such as blue or light green are preferred, as they visually indicate a low water temperature. The tub can also be equipped with handles. Ideally, the tub should have an armrest on each side of the reclining or seating area, with the armrests extending diagonally upwards from the tub floor along the length of the tub. This not only provides comfortable arm support but also creates an optical illusion that makes the water surface appear larger when the armrest is completely submerged.

[0009] The bathtub body expediently features a non-slip coating on the lying or seating surface. This coating is preferably produced by coating an acrylic glass surface with a layer of acrylic-based adhesive, embedding particles of a water-soluble material such as sugar into the adhesive layer before it hardens, and dissolving the water-soluble material from the adhesive layer in water after the adhesive layer has hardened. Such a surface is significantly rougher than a surface made of acrylic glass (PMMA) and is therefore non-slip. However, cavities in the lying or seating surface, which would be detrimental to disinfection, are avoided.

[0010] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows... Fig. 1 shows a bathing device in perspective view and Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the bathing device according to Fig. 1 .

[0011] The bathing device 10 shown in the drawing comprises a tub 12 with a tub body 14, which defines an upwardly open receiving chamber 16 for water. The tub body 14 has a reclining or seating surface 20 for a bather on its base 18. At one foot end 22 of the tub body 14, the tub 12 has a fitting 24 for introducing tap water. To the left and right of the reclining or seating surface 20, an armrest surface 26 extends longitudinally from one head end 28 of the tub body 14 to the foot end 22, inclined relative to the reclining or seating surface 20 and rising from the head end 28 to the foot end 22. The lying or sitting surface 20 has a non-slip coating, which is produced by applying an acrylic-based adhesive to the tub floor 18 made of acrylic glass (PMMA), which is sprinkled with sugar particles before it hardens.After the adhesive has hardened, the sugar particles are dissolved from the adhesive layer using water and rinsed away, leaving a rough surface.

[0012] The bathing device 10 also includes a cooling unit 30 and a chlorination unit 32, to which water from the receiving chamber 16 is supplied via a pipe system 34, and from which the water is returned to the receiving chamber 16 via the pipe system 34. A pump 36 pumps the water through the pipe system 34. The water is discharged from the receiving chamber 16 at at least one discharge opening 38 of the tub 12, and the water is returned from the pipe system 34 to the receiving chamber 16 at at least one inlet opening 40 of the tub 12. Each of the discharge openings 38 is located at a greater height above the tub floor 18 or above the reclining or seating surface 20 than each of the inlet openings 40.

[0013] The piping system 34 has a discharge 42 leading from at least one discharge opening 38 to the pump 36. Downstream of the pump 36, a first branching point 44 is arranged, where a branch divides into a first line 46 leading to the cooling unit 30 and a second line 48 leading to the chlorination unit 32. The first line 46 and the second line 48 are joined again at a second branching point 50, from which a supply line 52 runs to the at least one inlet opening 40. Several shut-off valves 54 are also arranged in the piping system 34, for example, to allow water to flow from the receiving chamber 16 into a wastewater line 56. The cooling device 30 and the chlorination device 32 are housed in a casing 58, which is firmly but detachably connected to the tub 12 and can be used by bathers as a step or entry aid into the tub 12.The chlorination unit 32 includes a pH measuring unit (not shown in the drawing) and a pH reduction unit, which allows the pH value to be lowered by adding an acidic medium if it has risen too high due to chlorination. Furthermore, the cooling unit 30 includes a temperature sensor (not shown in the drawing) and a control unit that regulates the cooling of the water based on the temperature sensor readings. Finally, a lighting unit (also not shown in the drawing) is provided, which includes light sources that illuminate the receiving chamber 16.

[0014] The design of bathing equipment 10 is based on the specifications of DIN 19643 Part 1. However, since it has a water depth of less than 1.10 m, it does not fall within the scope of the standard. The design of bathing equipment 10 includes chlorination of the water; however, the drainage of water displaced by a bather and its replacement with fill water is not mandatory, although it should also be possible for bathing equipment 10 to fulfill this aspect of the standard.

[0015] In summary, the following can be stated: The invention relates to a bathing device 10 with a tub 12, which has a tub body 14 open at the top, defining a receiving space 16 for water and having a lying or sitting surface 20 on its tub bottom 18, with a cooling device 30 for cooling the water below the ambient temperature, with a chlorination device 32 for adding chlorine to the water, with a piping system 34 for draining the water from the tub 12, for supplying the water to the cooling device 30 and to the chlorination device 32 and for reintroducing the water into the tub 12 and with a pump 36 for conveying the water through the piping system 34.

Claims

1. Bathing device with a tub (12) having a tub body (14) open at the top, defining a receiving space (16) for water and having a reclining or seating area (20) on its tub floor (18), with a cooling device (30) for cooling the water below the ambient temperature, with a chlorination device (32) for adding chlorine to the water, with a piping system (34) for draining the water from the tub (12), for supplying the water to the cooling device (30) and to the chlorination device (32) and for returning the water to the tub (12) and with a pump (36) for conveying the water through the piping system (34).

2. Bathing device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe tub (12) has at least one drainage opening (38) for draining the water into the piping system (34) and at least one inlet opening (40) for reintroducing the water from the piping system (34) into the receiving space (16), and each of the drainage openings (38) is arranged at a greater height above the tub floor (18) than each of the inlet openings (40).

3. Bathing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the piping system (34) has a discharge (42) branching off from the at least one discharge opening (38), branching at a first junction (44) into a first line (46) leading to the cooling device (30) and a second line (48) leading to the chlorination device (32), and a supply line (52) leading from a second junction (50), where the first and the second lines (46, 48) are joined, to which there is at least one inlet opening (40).

4. Bathing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the piping system (34) has a pipe which directs the water successively to the cooling device (30) and the chlorination device (32).

5. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the pump (36) is arranged in the direction of flow upstream of the cooling device (30) and the chlorination device (32).

6. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The chlorination unit (30) has a measuring unit for measuring the pH value of the water after the addition of chlorine and a pH lowering unit for lowering the pH value of the water.

7. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that A fitting (24) for introducing tap water is arranged on the tub (12).

8. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatin the tub (12) at least one temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature is arranged and that the cooling device has a control unit for adjusting the temperature of the water depending on the measured values ​​of the at least one temperature sensor.

9. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the tub body (14) and / or the piping system (34) are at least partially thermally insulated.

10. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the cooling device is housed in a casing (58) which is arranged as a step next to the tub (12) and is preferably firmly connected to it.

11. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lighting device for illuminating the receiving room (16), which has several light sources arranged in the tub body (14).

12. Bathing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the tub body (14) has an armrest surface (26) on each side of the lying or sitting surface (20), wherein the armrest surfaces (26) extend obliquely upwards in a longitudinal direction of the tub body (14) from the tub floor (18) and / or that the tub body (14) has a non-slip coating on the lying or sitting surface (20).

13. Bathing device according to claim 12, wherein the tub body (14) has a non-slip coating on the reclining or seating surface (20), characterized by the fact that the lying or sitting surface (20) is formed by coating a surface made of acrylic glass with a layer of an acrylic-based adhesive, embedding particles of a water-soluble material, in particular sugar, into the adhesive layer before it hardens and dissolving the water-soluble material from the adhesive layer by means of water after the adhesive layer has hardened.

14. Method for operating a bathing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber (16) of the tub (12) is filled with tap water, wherein water from the receiving chamber (16) is supplied by means of the pump (36) via the piping system (34) to the cooling device (30) and the chlorination device (32) and is cooled by the cooling device (30) to a temperature below the ambient temperature, and is treated with chlorine by the chlorination device (32), and wherein the cooled and chlorinated water is reintroduced into the receiving chamber (16).

15. Method for manufacturing a tub, in particular a tub (12) for a bathing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a tub body (14) is provided with an upwardly open receiving space (16) for water and a tub bottom (18) having a lying or sitting surface (20) made of acrylic glass, wherein the lying or sitting surface (20) is coated with an acrylic-based adhesive to form an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is sprinkled with particles of a water-soluble material, in particular sugar, before hardening, and wherein the water-soluble material is dissolved and removed after the adhesive layer has hardened by exposure to water.

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