Cabin for cryoscopic treatments

Abstract

A cabin for cryotherapy treatment, comprising: i) a chamber (2) for accommodating a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment; ii) a first cooling system (111) for cooling air present in the chamber (2), in turn comprising: - air recirculating means (3) which draw air from the chamber (2) and reintroduce it into the chamber (2); - cooling means (4) for cooling the air processed by the recirculating means (3); iii) movement means (5) for moving the air present in the chamber.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Cabin for cryoscopic treatments

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a cabin for cryotherapy.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] Cryotherapy treatments are well known. They include subjecting the user to low temperatures (even below -20°C). Cryotherapy is used, for example, to improve athletic performance, accelerate muscle recovery and treat conditions such as arthritis.

[0007] Cryotherapy cabins are known comprising a chamber for housing the torso and legs of a user to be subjected to the treatment. These cabins usually have cooling means for cooling air which is drawn from the chamber and recirculated therein. Thereby, very low temperatures can be obtained. Refrigeration cabins are also known with entry doors which reach very low temperatures, inside which there is no active air movement and which operate as real refrigerators.

[0008] Object of the invention

[0009] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a cabin for cryotherapy which allows as comfortable and effective a treatment as possible.

[0010] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a cabin for cryotherapy comprising the technical features disclosed in one or more of the appended claims.

[0011] Brief description of the drawings

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a cabin for cryotherapy, as schematically illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0013] - Figures 1 , 2, 3 show examples of cabins according to the present invention; - Figures 4 and 5 show a cabin according to the present invention in two different configurations;

[0014] - Figure 6 highlights a cooling circuit in a cabin according to the present invention;

[0015] - Figure 7 shows some accessory elements associated with the cooling circuit;

[0016] - Figure 8 shows a portion of the fluid-dynamic air inlet circuit in the cabin 1 ;

[0017] - Figures 9-14 and 17-21 show further details of the cabin according to the present invention;

[0018] - Figures 15-16 show a pre-assembly configuration and an assembled configuration of a cabin according to the present invention.

[0019] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0020] In the appended drawings, reference number 1 denotes a cabin for cryotherapy treatment (also known as a cold sauna). Cryotherapy treatment is intended as a treatment which involves hitting the human body with a cold fluid; typically such cold fluid can be at temperatures below 0°C, preferably at temperatures below -20°C. The cabin 1 for cryotherapy treatment can alternatively be referred to as a cryocabin.

[0021] The cabin 1 comprises a chamber 2 for accommodating a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment.

[0022] Such a chamber 2 extends predominantly upwards. It typically has a predominant vertical extension. It is intended to accommodate the user in an upright posture (an adult). The chamber 2 is laterally delimited by a wall. Such a wall has an (openable and closable) access door to the chamber 2. The wall completely surrounds the chamber 2.

[0023] The cabin 1 comprises a first cooling system 111 for cooling air, which air is present in the chamber 2. The cabin 1 further comprises a second cooling system 112 for cooling air present in the chamber 2. The first cooling system 111 will be described below, but one or more of the features described with reference to the first cooling system 111 can be repeated for the second cooling system 112. In particular, the first and the second system 111 , 112 are identical.

[0024] Preferably the first and the second cooling system 111 , 112 are arranged on the side of the chamber 2, preferably in two opposite zones relative to the chamber 2.

[0025] The first cooling system 111 comprises air recirculating means 3 which draw the air from the chamber 2 and reintroduce it into the chamber 2. Suitably, the first cooling system 111 also comprises an inlet 9 for air from outside the cabin 1 ; the air entering from outside the cabin 1 is mixed with the recirculated air, typically along the recirculating means 3 (Figure 6). Suitably, there is an anti-humidity filter 90 which filters the air coming from outside the cabin 1 . Typically, such a filter is placed at or downstream of the inlet 9. Suitably the cabin 1 comprises means 91 for pre-cooling the air coming from outside the cabin 1 before the same mixes with the recirculated air (from the means 3).

[0026] The first cooling system 111 comprises cooling means 4 for cooling the air processed by the recirculating means 3. Any air coming from outside the cabin is mixed with the recirculated air (suitably this occurs upstream of the cooling means 4) and therefore is also cooled by the cooling means 4. The cooling means 4 suitably comprise a cooling system; such a cooling system comprises for example a cooling circuit in turn comprising: a condenser, a compressor, expansion means, an evaporator 40. An operating fluid circulates in such a cooling circuit. Such operating fluid is not introduced into the chamber 2. The air passing through the recirculating means 3 and any outside air coming from the inlet 9 pass at the evaporator 40 to be cooled.

[0027] The recirculating means 3 comprise at least a first delivery nozzle 31 of air into the chamber 2. The first nozzle 31 can be fixed or adjustable.

[0028] Suitably, the first cooling system 111 also comprises a first compartment 115. Suitably, in such a first compartment 115 the air to be recirculated coming from the chamber 2 and the air coming from outside the cabin 1 (which enters through the inlet 9) are mixed. Suitably, the evaporator 40 is placed in the first compartment 115. Suitably, the areas 34 for drawing air from the chamber 2 and the nozzles 300 (described below) respectively allow the entry and exit (preferably direct) into / from said first compartment 115.

[0029] The cabin 1 comprises movement means 5 for moving the air present in the chamber 2. The movement means 5 comprise a fan 50; it preferably directs the air upwards in the chamber 2. Suitably, the fan 50 is placed in a lower area of the cabin 1 . Suitably, the fan 50 is placed in a lower area of the chamber 2. In particular, the fan 50 is located in a first area which affects only the lower quarter of the height of the cabin 1 .

[0030] The cold air tends to naturally move downwards. The fan 50 allows greater operational homogeneity and a more effective treatment.

[0031] Suitably, the fan 50 is not part of the recirculating means 3. Suitably, the fan 50 is not part of the means which introduce the air into the cabin 2 from the first compartment 115.

[0032] The cabin 1 also comprises a foot platform 6 for the user interested in the cryotherapy treatment. The user stands on the foot platform 6 during the treatment. The foot platform 6 is placed in the chamber 2.

[0033] The foot platform 6 is adjustable. In particular, the foot platform 6 is adjustable in height. It can therefore be raised / lowered. In this regard, the cabin 1 comprises a kinematic lifting / lowering mechanism of the foot platform 6 which can be manual or electric or fluid-dynamic.

[0034] The fan 50 is placed in proximity to the foot platform 6. The fan 50 can be placed to the side of the foot platform 6. In an alternative solution, the fan 50 is placed on board the foot platform 6. For example, in this case the fan 50 can move together with the foot platform 6. The fan 50 suitably has a rotation axis 51 which is inclined relative to the vertical by an angle of between 30° and 60°. If necessary, there could be more than one fan present. In particular, there could be at least a second fan 52 oriented upwards and advantageously placed in the lower part of the cabin 1 . The second fan 52 can advantageously have one or more of the features described with reference to the fan 50.

[0035] Suitably, the foot platform 6 could have holes to facilitate air circulation (as for example in the solution of Figure 10).

[0036] Suitably, the movement means 5 can comprise a first moving device 53. The first moving device 53 is preferably placed in an upper area of the cabin 1 , in particular in an upper area of the chamber 2. The first moving device 53 can be applied at the ceiling of the chamber 2 (see for example Figure 9). Suitably it is oriented downwards or towards the face of a user.

[0037] In the solution exemplified in Figure 10, the first moving device 53 is placed at an area from which the dome of the chamber 1 extends. Suitably, it directs the air towards / inside the dome. Suitably, in this case it directs the air upwards.

[0038] Suitably, the first moving device 53 is placed above all the air recirculation nozzles 300 in the chamber 2 (described below); optionally, the first moving device 53 can also be put below one or more of the nozzles 300. The first moving device 53 allows to perform a treatment on the user's head and face with adjustable intensity and / or to reduce the cold air arriving at the user's head and face, conveying it partly and / or totally only to the body (even in a closed cabin).

[0039] The movement means 5 also comprise a second moving device 54. Suitably, what has been described for the first moving device 53 can also be repeated for the second moving device 54.

[0040] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises auxiliary means 7 for generating cold and / or dehumidified air. Suitably, these allow to increase the number of total daily treatments. Suitably, the auxiliary means 7 are independent from the first cooling system 111 of the chamber 2 and from the second cooling system 112 of the chamber 2. The auxiliary means 7 for generating cold air could for example comprise a vortex tube 71 that separates an incoming flow of pressurized fluid into a first and a second flow. The second flow having a lower temperature than the first flow and the incoming flow. The second flow is introduced into the chamber 2. The vortex tube 71 is well known in the technical field, and therefore not further described. The fluid flow entering the tube 71 could be a fluid flow drawn from the outside or a fluid flow drawn from the chamber 2.

[0041] In an alternative solution, the auxiliary means 7 could comprise an additional refrigeration system based on a refrigeration or electrical cycle. The auxiliary means 7 (in particular the tube 71 or the additional refrigeration system) could be placed in an internal area (see Figure 12) or in an external area (see Figure 13) of the cabin 1 .

[0042] Therefore, the auxiliary means 7 for generating cold and / or dehumidified air is an additional air conditioner and / or dehumidifier and allows the number of total daily treatments to be increased.

[0043] Suitably, the cabin 1 can comprise an overpressure valve that allows the evacuation of pressurized air from the chamber 2 when a predetermined pressure threshold is exceeded. Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises a duct that conveys the air evacuated through the overpressure valve towards the cooling means 4 (for example towards the compressor or evaporator 40) to cool them.

[0044] The recirculating means 3 comprise one or more areas 34 for withdrawing the air from the chamber 2 (see Figure 6). These are typically slots in communication with the chamber 2. Suitably, the air drawn from the withdrawing areas 34 converges into a duct which is cooled by the cooling means 4.

[0045] The recirculating means 3 comprise (suitably downstream of the cooling means 4) a plurality of delivery nozzles 300 for delivering air into the chamber 2. The delivery nozzles 300 comprise the first nozzle 31. If necessary, the delivery nozzles 300 are associated with corresponding branches that depart from a common area (downstream of the cooling means 4).

[0046] At least some of said nozzles 300 are at different heights in order to act upon different areas of the body of a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment.

[0047] At least one of said nozzles 300 (for example the first nozzle 31 ) is located at the head of a user. Suitably, but not necessarily, one or more withdrawing areas are located below all (or at least a part) of the air delivery nozzles 300. Suitably, the evaporator 40 overlaps the nozzles 300 (preferably all the nozzles 300).

[0048] Corresponding ventilating means 33 are associated with each (or in any case a plurality) of said nozzles 300. The ventilating means 33 comprise, for example, first and second ventilating means 331 , 332 respectively associated with a first and a second of said branches. The first ventilating means 331 are operationally independent from said second ventilating means 332. In operation, the ventilating means 33 placed to feed one of said nozzles 300 are independent of the ventilating means that feed another of said nozzles 300. This is to optimize operational flexibility. The ventilating means 33 allow the movement of air along the recirculating means 3. In fact, they create a depression that draws air from the chamber 2 and push the air back into the chamber 2. The movement means 5 are distinct from the ventilating means 33.

[0049] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises a system for selecting a plurality of cooling programs. Depending on the selected program, a control unit activates the ventilating means involved. Specific ventilating means can therefore be operated for the entire cryogenic treatment cycle or only for a part depending on the selected program. In particular, the ventilating means can be operated in groups and / or individually; for example, to intensify the action only on a part of the user's body.

[0050] Suitably, the ventilating means are operated by an electronic control unit that allows to pre-set (before the start of the treatment) the operating parameters of the cabin 1 necessary to reach a set level of epidermal cold at the end of the treatment. Such parameters can be: speed of the ventilating means, operating parameters of the refrigeration cycle, necessary power, etc. The cabin 1 also comprises an assemblable structure comprising three main bodies:

[0051] - a first body 11 comprising the chamber 2;

[0052] - a second body 12 comprising said first cooling system 111 for cooling the chamber 2 (and suitably the first compartment 115);

[0053] - a third body 13 comprising a second cooling system 112 for cooling the chamber 2.

[0054] Advantageously, the components of the first body 11 are pre-assembled with each other. Advantageously, the components of the second body 12 are pre-assembled with each other. Advantageously, the components of the third body 13 are suitably pre-assembled with each other. The first body 11 , the second body 12 and the third body 13 are assembled together on site to facilitate transport and passage through doors, stairs, lifts. Suitably, the first body 11 and the second body 12 are connected by threaded connections or bayonet connections or snap connections. Similarly, the first body 11 and the third body 13 are connected by threaded connections or bayonet connections or snap connections. In this regard, see Figures 15 and 16 which respectively show a solution before assembly and an assembled solution.

[0055] Preferably the chamber 2 is a closed chamber intended to completely accommodate the body of a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment. Suitably, the cabin 1 also comprises an upper portion 23 that surmounts and laterally surrounds the head of a user (see Figures 1 and 3). Thereby, the treatment of the head can also be optimised. Such an upper portion can be a dome, as shown in Figure 3.

[0056] In an alternative solution (see Figure 2), the chamber 2 defines a hole 21 at the top, intended for the passage of a head of a user interested in the cryogenic treatment. The hole 21 is partly occluded by a flexible membrane 22 intended to allow the passage of the user's head and to reduce the passage cross-section area to prevent undesirable escapes of air from the chamber 2. Such a solution allows to avoid the feeling of claustrophobia to which some people may be sensitive.

[0057] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises light means 24 for chromotherapy treatments. For example, the colour and possibly the intensity of the lights can be modified. The light means 24 can be arranged on the top of the chamber 2 or laterally. Suitably, the light means 24 are distributed in height. Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises an audio and / or video reproduction system. In particular, it is an entertainment and / or music system (for meditation, ambient, etc.). It can comprise wireless headphones that can be worn by the user or at least one speaker placed inside the chamber 2.

[0058] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises a means for generating a light that promotes epidermal vasodilation (this makes the effects of the cryogenic treatment more effective).

[0059] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises emitting means 25 for emitting infrared radiation, in particular NIR (acronym for "Near Infra Red" with a wavelength in particular ranging from 0.75 pm to 1.4 pm) and / or FIR rays (acronym for "Far Infra Red" with a wavelength in particular ranging from 15 pm to 1000 pm). For example, they are used to combat the loss of skin elasticity. Suitably, the means for emitting infrared radiation can be arranged on the top of the chamber 2 or laterally. Suitably, the light means 24 are distributed in height. Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises means for emitting 26 ultraviolet light. They are used for example for a sanitization of the chamber 2 after treatment (therefore they are emitting means 26 for emitting ultraviolet light in the chamber 2; see Figure 17 in which they are shown together with the light means 24, but they could also be present independently of each other). If necessary, the emitting means 26 can be placed in the second body 12; thereby, they can sanitize at least part of the first cooling system 111 (see Figure 7).

[0060] Suitably, the cabin 1 can comprise a scale for BMI analysis (BMI is an acronym for Body Mass Index; this scale is not further described as known). The scale can be with or without an impedance meter. In the appended drawings, it is indicated with reference number 28. Such a BMI scale 28 can be at least in part integrated in the foot platform 6. In an alternative solution, it could be an appendage outside the chamber 2 (see Figures 20 or 21 ). The BMI scale 28 could be connected or disconnected relative to the remaining parts of the cabin 1 . Suitably, such a scale 28 can be of assistance to the user for the manual choice of the most suitable treatment program.

[0061] Suitably, the cabin 1 comprises one or more thermal cameras 27 facing towards the inside of the chamber 2. It / they is / are typically operable only at the beginning and at the end of treatment. It allows for example to perform pre- and post-treatment comparison images (see for example Figures 19). Suitably, the thermal cameras can be arranged at several heights of the chamber 2.

[0062] Suitably, as shown in Figure 14, the cabin 1 can comprise at least one openable partition wall 29 intended to place the interior of the chamber 2 in fluid communication with the first compartment 115. Such a partition wall 29 is intended to be opened at the end of treatment or towards the end of treatment. Thereby, taking advantage of the slight overpressure present in the chamber 2, the cold air is pushed into the first compartment 115. Suitably, the partition wall 29 is then intended to be reclosed before the user exits the chamber 2. This allows to optimise the energy consumption. When the user exits the chamber 2, the cold air present in the chamber 2 in fact tends to spontaneously dissipate into the environment outside the cabin 1 .

[0063] The present invention achieves important advantages.

[0064] Firstly, it allows to make the treatment more homogeneous. In particular, the system can involve directing the cold air that spontaneously concentrates in the lower part of the cabin 1 upwards to also affect the other areas of the body.

[0065] It also allows to reach lower system temperatures, reducing the stratification of the air and consequently a more effective treatment. It also allows treatments to be carried out on the user's head with highspeed active air flows.

[0066] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept that characterises it. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. All the materials used, as well the dimensions, may in practice be any whatsoever, according to needs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cabin for cryotherapy treatment, comprising: i) a chamber (2) for accommodating a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment; ii) a first cooling system (111 ) for cooling air drawn from the chamber (2), in turn comprising:- air recirculating means (3) which draw air from the chamber (2) and reintroduce it into the chamber (2);- cooling means (4) for cooling the air processed by the recirculating means (3); iii) movement means (5) for moving the air present in the chamber and distinct from the recirculating means (3).

2. The cabin according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a fan (50) placed in a lower area of the cabin (1) or chamber (2) and which directs the air upwards.

3. The cabin according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a foot platform (6) for the user interested in the cryotherapy treatment; said foot platform (6) being placed in the chamber (2); said fan (50) being placed in proximity to said foot platform (6).

4. The cabin according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said fan (50) has a rotation axis (51 ) that is inclined relative to the vertical by an angle of between 30° and 60°.

5. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement means (5) comprise a first moving device (53) intended to perform a treatment on the user’s head and face with an adjustable intensity and / or to reduce the cold air arriving at the user’s head and face, conveying it partly and / or totally to other areas of a user’s body.

6. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises auxiliary means (7) for generating cold and / or dehumidified air.

7. The cabin according to claim 6, characterised in that said auxiliarymeans (7) for generating cold air comprise a vortex tube (71 ) that separates an incoming flow of fluid under pressure into a first and a second flow; said second flow being introduced into the chamber (2) and having a lower temperature than the first flow and the incoming flow.

8. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the recirculating means (3) comprise, downstream of the cooling means (4), a plurality of delivery nozzles (300) for delivering air into the chamber (2).

9. The cabin according to claim 8, characterised in that at least some of said nozzles (300) are at different heights in order to act upon different areas of the body of a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment.

10. The cabin according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that associated with each of said nozzles (300) there are corresponding ventilating means (33); said ventilating means (33) comprising first and second ventilating means (331 , 332) associated respectively with a first and a second of said nozzles (300); the first ventilating means (331 ) being operatively independent of said second ventilating means (332).

11. The cabin according to claim 10, characterised in that the ventilating means (33) can be activated individually and / or in groups to obtain treatments in only some areas of the user.

12. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an assemblable structure comprising three main bodies:-a first body (11 ) comprising said chamber (2);-a second body (12) comprising said first cooling system (111 ) for cooling the chamber (2);-a third body (13) comprising a second cooling system (112) for cooling the chamber (2).

13. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said chamber (2) is a closed chamber intended to completely accommodate the body of a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment.

14. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said chamber (2) defines a hole (21 ) at the top, intended for the passage of a head of a user interested in the cryotherapy treatment; said hole (21 ) being in part occluded by a flexible membrane (22) intended to allow the passage of the user’s head and to reduce the passage crosssection area to prevent undesirable escapes of air from the chamber (2).

15. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an emitting means (25) for emitting infrared radiation into the chamber (2).

16. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises audio and / or video reproduction means (92) comprising headphones to be worn or speakers.

17. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that comprises a scale (28) for analysing the Body Mass Index and as an aid to the user for the manual selection of the most suitable treatment programme.

18. The cabin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that comprises an inlet (9) for air from outside the cabin (1 ); the air entering from outside the cabin (1 ) being mixed with the air recirculated along the recirculating means (3); the cabin (1 ) comprising an antihumidity filter (90) filtering air coming from outside the cabin (1 ).

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