Successive SPA pathway and method therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for spa treatment pathway comprising a path that leads from one room to another room and so on successively. Each room is comprised of a variety of electromechanical components that interact with one another to create a desired spa effect, such that each room has a theme associated with the spa effects. A method is also provided to arrange a spa pathway, by providing a pathway that leads from one room to another room, each room having electromechanical components to create different spa effects. Another method is also provided to detect a user within a room, and based on such detection, begin an automation schedule to activate electromechanical components and deliver a spa effect based on the theme of the room.

Description

[0001] SUCCESSIVE SPA PATHWAY AND METHOD THEREFOR

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to the field of spas , and more speci fically to a system and method for providing successive spa rooms within a pathway .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Spa treatments have grown heavily in the last few decades . However, success ful spa environments have been heavily dependent on spa practitioners , which is a large portion of the cost of service . With labour shortages and increased labour costs , it has become increasingly di f ficult to run a profitable spa .

[0006] The present disclosure utili zes minimal low wage labour and is comprised of a variety of electromechanical components to provide varied and successive spa ef fects . The present disclosure therefore maximi zes spa profitability and when combined with an existing accommodation establishment , acts as a draw to attract guests to the spa, resort or any other underutili zed space . It also utili zes low rent floor space ratio as it can be underground, and does not require ground level access , windows or other expensive real estate .

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] In an aspect , the present disclosure provides a spa treatment pathway comprising : at least two rooms connected to one another, each room of the at least two rooms having a di f ferent combination of spa ef fects ; and, a l inear path connecting each room of the at least two rooms , wherein the linear path successively leads from one room to another room of the at least two rooms , for a user to experience the di f ferent combination of spa ef fects .

[0009] In another aspect , the present disclosure provides a method to deliver a combination of spa ef fects within at least one room, the steps comprising : detecting a presence of a user within the at least one room; actuating a plurality of electromechanical components to begin an automation schedule ; and, deactivating the plurality of electromechanical components to end the automation schedule ; wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is located in the at least one room, the plurality of electromechanical components working in conj unction with one another to deliver a pre-determined combination of spa ef fects to the user within the at least one room .

[0010] In yet another aspect , the present disclosure provides a method of arranging a spa treatment pathway, the steps comprising : providing at least two rooms , each room of the at least two rooms having a di f ferent combination of spa ef fects ; connecting each room of the at least two rooms by a linear path, wherein the linear path successively leads from one room to another room of the at least two rooms , for a user to experience the di f ferent combination of spa ef fects . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments of features of the disclosure . These figures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting .

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram view of a successive spa pathway, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram view of the pathway of Figure 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0014] Figure 3A is an enlarged diagram view of the first room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0015] Figure 3B is a partial 3D rendering view of the first room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0016] Figure 4A is an enlarged diagram view of the second room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0017] Figure 4B is a partial 3D rendering view of the second room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0018] Figure 5A is an enlarged diagram view of the third room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0019] Figure 5B is a partial 3D rendering view of the third room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ; Figure 6A is an enlarged diagram view of the fourth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0020] Figure 6B is a partial 3D rendering view of the fourth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0021] Figure 7A is an enlarged diagram view of the fi fth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0022] Figure 7B is a partial 3D rendering view of the fi fth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0023] Figure 8A is an enlarged diagram view of the sixth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0024] Figure 8B is a partial 3D rendering view of the sixth room of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0025] Figure 9 is an enlarged diagram view of the change rooms of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ; and,

[0026] Figure 10 is a block diagram of a system to activate and deactivate various electromechanical components in a room to optimi ze user experience of the pathway of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting . It will be appreciated that various modi fications and / or alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the disclosure and any modi fications and / or alterations are within the scope of the contemplated disclosure .

[0028] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a spa treatment pathway 10 is shown . Although the pathway 10 may be comprised of any number of rooms , the present embodiment describes six rooms 15 . Each room 15 is connected to one another by a path 20 in a linear fashion, such that a user of the pathway 10 would take the path 20 and be guided to each one of the rooms 15 successively . Put another way, the user follows the path 20 to visit a first room, then a second room, then a third room, until the n-th room is reached and the path 20 is over . Alternatively, the path 20 may be circular such that after the n-th room the path 20 leads back to the beginning . It is understood that in one embodiment , the pathway leads from one room 15 to another room 15 as shown in Figure 2 speci fically ( the rooms 15 have one door to enter and exit back to the pathway 20 ) , and in another embodiment , the rooms 15 are adj oined such that existing the first room 15 leads directly into the next room 15 ( the rooms 15 have two doors , one to enter and one to exit directly to the other room 15 ) . In that alternate embodiment , the path 20 would be considered the section between adj acent rooms 15 , leading one into the other . A purpose of the pathway 10 is to provide a user with a variety of spa e f fects in a successive manner . Each room 15 is comprised of a different theme, having a different combination of spa effects, and the user can experience these different themes and combined spa effects successively through the path 20 and by stopping into each room 15. A method of arranging a spa treatment pathway 10 is also provided. To arrange the pathway 10, in a first step, at least two rooms 15 are provided, whereby each room 15 is comprised of a variety of electromechanical components to create a desired combination spa effects. In a second step, a path 20 is utilized to connect each room 15 to one another in a successive manner, such that a user can follow the path 20 and go from a first room 15 to a second room 15 and so on until the n-th room 15. In doing so, the user can experience a variety of spa effects in a successive manner, as determined by the spa pathway 10 provider. Arranging the spa pathway 10 in such a manner also provides for optimized energy savings, as the electromechanical components are activated and deactivated based on room occupancy. Due to the combination of electromechanical components in the pathway 10, minimal labour is utilized to run the pathway, therefore contributing to maximize spa profitability. When the pathway 10 is combined with an existing accommodation establishment (e.g. hotel, resort) , the pathway 10 acts as a draw to attract guests to the space. The pathway 10 is intended to utilize low rent floor space and can be located underground. The pathway 10 does not require ground level access, windows or other expensive real estate. In a preferred embodiment, the pathway 10 leads from a room 15 having a theme with warmer temperatures to a room 15 having a theme with cooler temperatures, or vice versa. The change from warm to cold is known to be effective in therapeutics. The electromechanical components may include, but are not limited to: multimedia systems ( e . g. audiovisual theater system) , lighting, HVAC systems and aromatherapy devices .

[0029] With reference to Figures 3A and 3B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a first room 25 is shown in greater detail . Although the first room 25 has a desert theme , any theme could be utili zed without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The first room 25 is further comprised of a seating area 30 , a multimedia system (not shown) preferably comprised of a combination of audio speakers (not shown) , a screen 35 for visual display and inset ambient lighting 40 . The first room 25 is also comprised of a heating means (not shown) . In a preferred embodiment , the heating means (not shown) is further comprised of an electric heater and ceiling-mounted infrared sauna panels , although other heating means may be utili zed . The first room 25 preferably has uneven three-dimensional walls made of sandstone to mimic a desert atmosphere , such that a user within the first room 25 can experience the sounds and sights of a desert , along with warmer temperatures from the heating means (not shown) and smells and sensations of rock and sand .

[0030] With reference to Figures 4A and 4B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a second room 45 is shown in greater detail . Although the second room 45 has a cavernous j ungle theme , any theme could be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The second room 45 is comprised of a seating area 50 , audio speakers (not shown) to generate music or other sounds , inset ambient lighting 55 as well as an aromatherapy device (not shown) . The second room 45 is also comprised of a heating means (not shown) . In a preferred embodiment , the heating means (not shown) is further comprised of an electric heater, although other heating means may be utili zed . The second room 45 preferably has uneven three-dimensional " living" walls comprising plants , a waterfall 60 and other miscellaneous rock formations , such that a user within the second room 45 can experience the sounds and sights of a cavernous j ungle , along with warmer temperatures from the heating means (not shown) and smells from the aromatherapy device .

[0031] With reference to Figures 5A and 5B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a third room 65 is shown in greater detail . Although the third room 65 has an ice cave theme , any theme could be utili zed without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The third room 65 is comprised of a seating area 70 , audio speakers (not shown) to generate music or other sounds and inset ambient lighting (not shown) . The third room 65 is also comprised of a cooling means (not shown) . In a preferred embodiment , the cooling means (not shown) is further comprised of an air conditioning device , although other cooling means may be utili zed . The third room 65 preferably has uneven three-dimensional glacial walls comprising rock, snow and ice , such that a user within the third room 65 can experience the sounds and sights of an ice cave , along with cold temperatures from the cooling means (not shown) .

[0032] With reference to Figures 6A and 6B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a fourth room 75 is shown in greater detail . Although the fourth room 75 has an aurora borealis theme , any theme could be utili zed without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The fourth room 75 is comprised of a seating area (not shown) , a multimedia system (not shown) preferably comprised of a combination of audio speakers (not shown) , a screen (not shown) for visually simulating northern lights and other aurora ef fects and inset ambient lighting 80 . The fourth room 75 is also comprised of infrared and red light therapy lighting (not shown) . The fourth room 75 preferably has uneven three-dimensional walls 82 comprising rock and trees , such that a user within the fourth room 75 can experience the sounds and sights of an aurora borealis . The fourth room 75 is also comprised of an optionally domed ceiling to better receive a proj ection from a proj ector (not shown) and more ef fectively recreate an aurora borealis ef fect .

[0033] With reference to Figures 7A and 7B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a fi fth room 85 is shown in greater detail . Although the fi fth room 85 has a Himalayan salt cave theme , any theme could be utili zed without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The fi fth room 85 is further comprised of a seating area (not shown) , a multimedia system (not shown) preferably comprised of a combination of audio speakers (not shown) , a screen 90 for visual display and inset ambient lighting 95 . The fi fth room 85 preferably has uneven three-dimensional walls 97 made of rock and salt bricks , such that a user within the fi fth room 85 can experience the smells and feeling of a Himalayan salt cave . The walls 97 have openings (not shown) through which crushed salt particles can flow .

[0034] With reference to Figures 8A and 8B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a sixth room 105 is shown in greater detail . Although the sixth room 105 has a storm cave theme , any theme could be utili zed without departing from the scope of the disclosure . The sixth room 105 is further comprised of a seating area 110 , a multimedia system (not shown) preferably comprised of a combination of audio speakers (not shown) , a screen 115 for visual display and inset ambient lighting 120 . The sixth room 105 preferably has uneven three-dimensional walls 125 made of stone having water fixtures (not shown) and running water , such that a user within the sixth room 105 can experience the feeling of being in a storm cave . Indeed, the sixth room 105 is comprised of additional lighting fixtures (not shown) to mimic lightning and fans (not shown) to mimic wind . One or more water faucets (not shown) are optionally present , positioned in or near the ceiling of the sixth room 105 to create a rain-like sensations and atmosphere .

[0035] With reference to Figure 9 , the pathway 10 is further comprised of changing rooms 130 having lockers 135 , in which a user can change for entering and exiting the pathway (not shown) . Preferably, the pathway (not shown) leads into and out of the change rooms 130 .

[0036] With further reference to Figures 1 and 10 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , the various rooms 15 are comprised of a variety of electromechanical instruments to help engender sensations ( e . g. audiovisual , ol factory, somatosensory) in a user and create or maintain the various themes of each room . These various electromechanical instruments may cooperate with the user' s senses in ways that are expected to provide health benefits . The rooms 15 are comprised of an audiovisual system 140 , a motion sensor 145 , smart lighting 150 , energy meter (not shown) and other sensors 155 such as temperature , humidity CO2 , smoke , gas , flood, light . These devices work in conj unction with a remote server 160 and controller 170 such as a computer , which can remotely actuate and monitor the devices of each room 15 . In a preferred embodiment , many of the devices are turned of f when the room 15 is not occupied . At step 500 , the system monitors room occupancy whether a user has entered the room by actuation of the motion sensor 145 . I f so , a user is detected at step 510 and a signal may be sent to the controller 170 to enable the automation schedule . I f not , the system continues its motion detection at step 500 . In step 515 , the automation schedule is activated after the detection of an occupier of the room . By way of example not intended to be limiting, the automation schedule may involve various electromechanical sensors and machines , such that the system may dim the lighting 150 to the desired lux, actuate a machine (not shown) such as a fog or mist-generating machine or aromatherapy system (not shown) , activate an energy meter and / or the audiovisual system 140 . Once the room automation schedule is activated, the system will wait a pre-established period of time At at step 520 . Indeed, the automation schedule is preferably calibrated to be activated for a speci fied period At , deemed to be the appropriate amount of time for a user to be suf ficiently immersed in the theme of the room 15 and benefit from the sensations that are created by the various devices . Once the desired time At has lapsed, the controller 170 may send a signal wirelessly to deactivate the automation schedule at step 525 . At this time , the various lighting 150 , machines and other audiovisual system 140 can begin to turn of f , which will alert the user that the time spent in the room 15 is over and it is time to leave and go to the following room 15 . The controller 170 is customi zable by an operator of the pathway 10 such that the precise timing At , as well as other parameters ( e . g. sensor calibration, sensitivity, colour calibration and optimi zation) , which together help improve energy ef ficiency of the pathway 10 . In an optional step 530 , instead of waiting a pre-determined time At , the system monitors whether a user is still occupying the room . I f so , the room automation schedule is continued until the user is no longer detected, at which point the system will deactivate the automation schedule at step 525 . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that steps 520 and 530 could also be done in sequence , whereby a predetermined time At lapses before the system then actuates the room occupancy monitor of step 500 . It would al so be appreciated that in another embodiment , step 510 may be manually operated such that the room automation schedule at step 515 is actuated manually instead of by motion sensor or other controller .

[0037] Many modi fications of the embodiments described herein as well as other embodiments may be evident to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings . It is understood that these modi fications and additional embodiments are captured within the scope of the contemplated disclosure which is not to be limited to the speci fic embodiment disclosed .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A spa treatment pathway comprising : at least two rooms connected to one another, each room of the at least two rooms having a di f ferent combination of spa ef fects ; and, a linear path connecting each room of the at least two rooms , wherein the linear path successively leads from one room to another room of the at least two rooms , for a user to experience the di f ferent combination of spa ef fects .2 . The pathway of Claim 1 wherein each one of the at least two rooms is further comprised of a plurality of electromechanical components to provide the combination of spa ef fects .3 . The pathway of Claim 2 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is further comprised of at least one of : an audiovisual system, smart lighting, HVAC system and sensing devices .4 . The pathway of Claim 2 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is remotely connected to at least one of : a remote server and a controller, to actuate and monitor the plurality of electromechanical components of each one of the at least two rooms to change the combination of spa ef fects .5 . The pathway of Claim 2 wherein each one of the at least two rooms is further comprised of a motion detector, the motion detector connected to the electromechanicalcomponents for each one of the at least two rooms , the motion detector configured to actuate the electromechanical components to provide the di f ferent combination of spa ef fects upon detection of an occupier .6 . The pathway of Claim 5 wherein the motion detector deactivates the electromechanical components upon sensing that the occupier has exited the at least two rooms .7 . A method to deliver a combination of spa ef fects within at least one room, the steps comprising : detecting a presence of a user within the at least one room; actuating a plurality of electromechanical components to begin an automation schedule ; and, deactivating the plurality of electromechanical components to end the automation schedule ; wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is located in the at least one room, the plurality of electromechanical components working in conj unction with one another to deliver a pre-determined combination of spa ef fects to the user within the at least one room .8 . The method of Claim 7 further comprising one of : waiting a pre-determined time At after the actuation of the plurality of electromechanical components before deactivating the plurality of electromechanical components ; and, detecting a departure of the user from the at least one room after the actuation of the plurality of electromechanical components before deactivating the plurality of electromechanical components .9 . The method of Claim 7 further comprising at least two rooms and a linear path connecting the at least two rooms , wherein the linear path successively leads from one room to another room of the at least two rooms , for the user to experience the pre-determined combination of spa ef fects .10 . The method of Claim 7 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is further comprised of at least one of : an audiovisual system, smart lighting, HVAC system and sensing devices .11 . The method of Claim 7 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is remotely connected to at least one of : a remote server and a controller, to actuate and monitor the plurality of electromechanical components of the at least one room to change the pre-determined combination of spa ef fects .12 . The method of Claim 7 wherein the at least one room is further comprised of a motion detector, the motion detector connected to the electromechanical components , the motion detector configured to actuate the electromechanical components to provide the pre-determined combination of spa ef fects upon detection of the user .13 . The method of Claim 12 wherein the motion detector deactivates the electromechanical components upon sensing that the user has exited the at least one room .14 . A method of arranging a spa treatment pathway, the steps comprising :providing at least two rooms, each room of the at least two rooms having a different combination of spa effects; connecting each room of the at least two rooms by a linear path, wherein the linear path successively leads from one room to another room of the at least two rooms, for a user to experience the different combination of spa effects.

15. The method of Claim 14 wherein each one of the at least two rooms is further comprised of a plurality of electromechanical components to provide the different combination of spa effects.

16. The method of Claim 15 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is further comprised of at least one of: an audiovisual system, smart lighting, HVAC system and sensing devices.

17. The method of Claim 15 wherein the plurality of electromechanical components is remotely connected to at least one of: a remote server and a controller, to actuate and monitor the plurality of electromechanical components of each one of the at least two rooms to change the different combination of spa effects.

18. The method of Claim 15 wherein each one of the at least two rooms is further comprised of a motion detector, the motion detector connected to the electromechanical components for each one of the at least two rooms, the motion detector configured to actuate the electromechanical components to provide the different combination of spa effects upon detection of the user.19 . The method of Claim 18 wherein the motion detector deactivates the electromechanical components upon sensing that the user has exited the at least two rooms .

Images