EP0943308A2 - Process and apparatus for applying thermal and/or mechanical stimuli - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooling and/or freezing device produces and/or prepares or maintains a cooled component of granular medium (19). The granular medium is produced and/or prepared with a lower temperature than that ambient of less than +15 degrees Celsium and/or with an average particle size of less than 8mm, preferably less than 5mm. The production and/or issue station (1) for the granular medium is formed like a slide (2), under which is an issue position (23).

Description

The invention relates to a method for generating and / or for the administration of temperature and / or mechanical Stimulation and an associated device.

It has always been known that the administration of packs or baths, for example peat, mud or hay packs or baths, including the use of Hay flower baths, but also sauna or steam bath applications serve the general well-being. this applies on the one hand in physical terms, on the other hand also psychologically.

It is particularly so in sauna or Kneipp treatments known to strengthen the body in a short period of time Expose temperature differences. This will make the desired, serving well-being and health Temperature and / or mechanical stimuli triggered.

The object of the present invention is to this extent improved method and an improved device with which it is possible to create temperature and / or to generate mechanical stimuli.

The invention is corresponding in terms of the method accordingly in claim 1 and with respect to the device solved the features specified in claim 16. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the Subclaims specified.

The invention is an interesting and quite surprising further development proposed.

So it was previously known, for example at Kneipp applications alternating baths, e.g. for the feet, too administer, the water temperature marked differences having. Is also known, especially at Sauna and steam bath facilities, alternating stimuli between hot and cold, i.e. so especially after the hot one Sauna or steam bath application with a cold shower to take. Finally, it is also known to use chillers in isolated chambers low temperatures and produce or introduce artificial snow, whereby Bathers, for example after using a sauna or a steam bath with a warm or overheated body go into this hypothermic room, immediately after a cleaning shower after a sauna or steam bath. Through the skin moisture and also through the relatively high body temperature on the feet partially melts the artificial snow, whereby the artificial snow through the Body weight is still compacted and thereby ice forms. Ultimately, this increases the insecurity and so that the risk of slipping increases undesirably.

In contrast, the invention proposes a completely new Way forward.

According to the invention it is provided that a granular Medium is prepared or made available and for example like a sprinkler, shower or shower spray or in the form of a gush or hail fan or the like. The granular medium is preferably at a comparatively low temperature, especially cooled below 0 ° or with a correspondingly lower one Temperature provided. Ice cream is preferred used, which has been crushed so that it is a suitable Has particle size.

This ice shower, freezing rain, hail fans, or ice stream Ice particle flow then dissolves on the body, in particular the desired after a sauna or steam bath Temperature and mechanical stimuli.

It has proven particularly favorable if the granular Medium, which, as mentioned, preferably from a large number of pieces of ice, with a liquid Medium, such as water, mixed or at least is partially mixed. This makes it possible to bring a surge of water or shower to the body, whereby extremely pleasant temperature and mechanical stimuli are triggered on the body because the ice particles as hard Particles are dominantly noticeable in relation to water, but at the same time a significantly lower temperature exhibit than the gush of water.

So it is possible, for example, to be a fan Hot water film can be metered down to small grains to supply large-grain ice particles. The access angle both material flows (namely water on the one hand and the ice particle to the other) decides whether the Particles are carried away by the water film or penetrate it. Especially with such an arrangement so-called heat of fusion especially to wear. If ice cream melts, i.e. changes from solid to liquid, comes close to the surface, i.e. close to the skin increased heat withdrawal symptoms. With the same The effect of hot water causes an unusual stimulus. The result is a strong increase in peripheral blood flow with subsequently increased feeling of warmth.

The invention enables numerous modifications.

The granulate or in particular ice-shaped particles existing solid media component, preferably with a liquid media component at a higher temperature is mixed, for example a sprinkler or shower system or one Gushing or generating a shower or hail fan Facility provided and this application performing person.

The large number of supercooled ice particles is also possible one in a pool of water or in a bathtub to supply bath water. Especially at Ice floats as a supercooled, granular medium this on the surface, which is another advantage that a subcooled in the pool Medium through only at the top of the water surface planned (possibly floating) barrier or Limitation to a smaller area of the entire water surface can be held together. The one described Device can be in a swimming pool, in a Hall or outside of the building. Thereby it is possible to have an appropriate application in the warm Standing or lying water, floating or floating perform. In the same way, for example, in a current in a basin, for example a circulating one Flow, generated in a suitable manner (for example by pumping), this flow then being the granular one Medium can be added, for example also in ice form. Due to the relative speed generated then between a bather and the current the beneficial effects are generated.

The desired sufficient particle size can be, for example can be achieved by using a shredder. All types of shredding devices are suitable, for example in a simple form consisting of two interacting and larger ice cubes and amounts shredding rollers.

But it is also possible that the pieces of ice, if necessary after a certain size reduction in a shower head or brought into a screening plant, whereby liquid medium is used at the same time. Since that liquid medium prefers a higher temperature (i.e. has above 0 °), the meltable, preferably particles consisting of ice at least melted, and until the diameter of the desired one Particle size is reduced and then the ice cubes according to the passage or sieve opening can. This facility is particularly suitable also for use in a home shower. One can Shower head enclosing the outside or applied as a segment Container used, a serving of ice particles is entered, for which purpose in the household in the refrigerator manufacturable ice cubes can be used, if necessary be crushed beforehand with a mixer. If the water temperature is sufficiently high, it will cause Melt crushing a pushing through one of the ice particles receiving retention sieve.

Just for the sake of completeness it is mentioned that it is fundamental is also possible, the preferably cooled and made Particles of ice do not exist with a liquid Medium, but for example with a gaseous medium to the body, for example in an air surge or in an air flow. It is just as possible but also, the particulate, which preferably consists of ice Particles of a bather like a sprinkler and / or shower device without simultaneous supply liquid medium.

Figur 1 : ein erstes schematisches Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Verabreichung eines unterkühlten granulatförmigen Mediums;

Figur 2 : eine entsprechende Darstellung zu Figur 1 im Falle einer liegenden Verabreichung;

Figur 3 : ein zu Figur 1 und 2 abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel im Falle der Verabreichung und der zusätzlichen Anwendung eines flüssigen Mediums;

Figur 4 : eine weitere Abwandlung zum Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 3;

Figur 5 : ein abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Vorrichtung zur Verabreichung eines granulatförmigen Mediums zusammen mit einem flüssigen Medium;

Figur 6 : eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung aus Figur 5;

Figur 7 : ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel im Zusammenhang mit einem Schwimmbecken, gezeigt in einem schematischen Vertikalquerschnitt;

Figur 8 : eine entsprechende ausschnittsweise schematische Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 7; und

Figur 9 : ein Diagramm zur Verdeutlichung, wie die insbesondere eisförmigen Partikel zusammen oder abwechselnd mit einem Wasserstrahl verabreicht werden können.

The invention is explained in more detail below for various exemplary embodiments with reference to drawings. The individual shows:

Figure 1: a first schematic embodiment of a device according to the invention for the administration of a supercooled granular medium;

Figure 2: a corresponding representation to Figure 1 in the case of a horizontal administration;

FIG. 3: an exemplary embodiment modified to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the case of administration and the additional use of a liquid medium;

Figure 4: a further modification to the embodiment of Figure 3;

Figure 5: a modified embodiment of a device for administering a granular medium together with a liquid medium;

FIG. 6: an enlarged detailed illustration from FIG. 5;

FIG. 7: a further exemplary embodiment in connection with a swimming pool, shown in a schematic vertical cross section;

Figure 8: a corresponding partial schematic plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7; and

FIG. 9: a diagram to clarify how the ice-shaped particles in particular can be administered together or alternately with a water jet.

In Figure 1 is a first schematic embodiment shown the invention.

The device for generation and / or administration of temperature and / or mechanical stimuli includes one Generation and / or delivery station 1, which is shown in the Embodiment in schematic side view as Slide 2 can be formed. This slide can for example consist of a plastic or metal sheet, run straight or curved in side view, and has a suitable width, for example can vary from 20 cm to 1 m, preferably in about 40 cm to 60 cm wide and body-wide is matched when used for an individual Bather is determined.

The overhead feed side 3 of the generation and / or Dispensing station 1 is preceded by a shredding device 5, the two shown in the embodiment shown two axes of rotation running perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 9 reduction rollers rotating in opposite directions 5 '.

This shredding station 5 is again a preparation and generation chamber 12 upstream.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the one described is used Device for administering granular, i.e. pieces of ice present in particle form.

These pieces of ice can also be larger in size mentioned generation chamber 13 by appropriate measures made or made elsewhere and in a supply chamber 14 with appropriate cooling to be provided. The indicated in Figure 1 The preparation and / or generation chamber 12 is divided into two and includes the actual generation chamber 13 for the ice making. The ice produced is above one below the actual transfer duct located in the chamber Delivery chamber 14 supplied. It is already largely filled, excess generated, i.e. instantly too much ice cubes created over one Discharge nozzle 14 'delivered from the supply chamber 14 become.

Preferably automatically (i.e. via a motor or other dosing device) can then the pieces of ice 17, in the embodiment shown in the form of ice cubes, the comminution device 5 are fed to crushed into small pieces of ice or particles 19 there to be through the two shredding rollers 5 'down to the mentioned generation and / or Dispensing station 1 in the form of a slide 2 of the overhead Feed side 3 are fed.

The crushed pieces of ice 19, the following general as granular and compared to the ambient temperature cooled media stream 21 are referred to are then on the slide 2 in the form of one of the below Delivery side 23 in the manner of a free-falling Gushed into the application area 25, in which for example - comparable to a shower or Shower - a bather is located.

About a horizontal pivot axis in the exemplary embodiment shown 2 'can slide 2 if necessary swings back and forth according to the arrow representation 4 to determine the direction of the surge and the to change the free fall of the granular media stream 21, to optimize or according to your own needs adapt.

If necessary, a grate or a grate-like one can be on the bottom 27 Bottom surface 28 can be seen through which the Ice particles, especially as the melting process increases can fall through in a bottom grate or drain basin 29 for example with the help of there introduced and flushed cleaning water 31, washed away to become. By using the grate counteracts the risk of slipping. Nevertheless, the The soles of the feet also generate a cold stimulus. For that are the Ice grain size and the passage cross section of the floor grate coordinated. A small remnant of the ice grains remains on the grate. The rest is trodden down and washed away under the grate. The bather stops first Legs, then back, etc. in the ice particle compartment 29, the individually adjusted by changing the slide can be.

The particle size can be chosen in a wide range become. It preferably differs from a fraction one millimeter, for example 0.2 mm, up to Millimeter size, for example 5 mm. Preferred sizes are between 0.5 mm to 2 mm, being through the crushing station the granular media stream 21 is preferred in the form of ice not just a smooth spherical Surface, but also a serrated angular surface can have. In some cases, the granular Medium, especially if ice is already being used, at least on its surface, in the dew phase are located.

This is preferred, for example, in the form of pieces of ice present granular medium to a temperature range cooled significantly below 0 ° or exhibits one of these low temperature, which for example below -5 °, for example even below -10 °.

The device according to FIG. 1 can be used, for example, for a single application in a shower or shower-like Cabin be trained.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, it is only indicated that that a same shower or gush-like administration of granular, preferably ice particles existing medium even with a person lying down can be applied. This is in the exemplary embodiment According to Figure 2, a couch 32 is provided on its surface designed with holes or in the manner of a slatted frame can be around the side drain from the body, optionally melted or already melted or Medium still in granular form downwards to expire. In this embodiment, between the head 33 of a person performing the application and the generation and / or delivery station 1, if necessary clear protective shield 35 is provided to prevent the granular, preferably ice existing particles during use in the facial and especially get into the eye area. In this embodiment, the fan or the Slide 2 adjusted or even permanently be movably guided not only over the gush of ice individual parts of the body, but larger over several To distribute body parts. Cause needlestick the relatively sharp edges of the fragments of granular ice has a strong mechanical Charm. Due to the relatively short contact time on the skin the thermal stimulus is mild to strong.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 it is shown that the generation and / or delivery station 1 in the form of a Wave slide 2 has another inlet on the feed side 39 for a liquid medium 37 preferably in the form of Water (which may include other additives, salt additives or fragrance components etc. can be added) includes.

For this purpose, an inlet 39 for a fluid, e.g. Hot water provided, whereby a, over the surge slide 2nd distributing, at least slightly warmed, water jet Slide 2 is fed. Then fall a bit downstream in this aqueous, a so-called second media component representing water flow the crushed ice particles 19 as the first media component 21 over the water stream gushing over the one below Delivery point 23 in a free gush 24 to one in figure 3 and 4 only indicated person 20.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the alternative is to Figure 3 only provided that the primary media component 21 in the form of the granulate stream downstream to the delivery point 23 of the slide 22 in the gushing water flow 37 falls, with smaller ice particles with the water flow, i.e. taken with the gush of water and larger ones Particles may fall through the surge of water 41. But also this second one, through the flood of water 41 passing particle stream of ice particles falls preferentially on the body of this application performing person 20, thereby additional and to the surge of ice mixed with 41 different particles Temperature and mechanical stimuli are triggered.

In other words, that shown in Figure 4 Fan or surge 41, which consists essentially of one Hot water film exists, flat (also in one subjects that extend transversely to the drawing plane) Ice particles supplied small to large grains. Of the Access angle of the ice particle stream 21 with respect to the Flow and gush direction of the water gush or film 41 also decides whether the ice particles from the water be taken along or penetrate it and depending of which can go straight to the body or not, taking into account the heat of fusion an unusual attraction due to the entrained ice particles is caused.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the primary granular media component preferably from Ice added to a distribution head 45, which has a shower-like design and a sieve or perforated cover 47 with a Has a large number of passage openings. Internally this distributor head 45 can, for example via a Shredding device, individual particles on the inside the sieve or perforated cover 47 are supplied. Are the Individual particles too large or only partially too large, so can via an inlet 39 with a subsequent shower head 39 'water, at least slightly warmed water causing the ice particles to slowly melt kick off. As soon as the diameter and thus the ice particle shape has decreased accordingly, the medium in Dependence of the hole diameter of the screen or hole cover 47 then taken along with the liquid shower jet become. This application can then be used under this shower jet performing person stand like a shower or use a couch shown in Figure 2 to lie in a couch Position to perform the application. The last one mentioned embodiment is also particularly suitable for home use. That in the sieve and perforated cover 47 Ice to be brought in can usually also be stored in a refrigerator made in the form of ice cubes and by a Mixer crushed, at least pre-crushed.

7 and 8 is another concluding one Embodiment shown. A generation and / or delivery station 1 is as it is in the other exemplary embodiments, using a slide 2 and with a Crushing device 5 is described, on the edge of a Swimming pool 49 or above. Is possible but also the use of only one feed device for the supply of ice particles without hot water surge and Slide.

The entire swimming pool shown in top view in FIG has a limitation with respect to a partial surface or barrier 51 which, for example - like itself from the sectional view according to FIG. 7 results - floating can be designed and thus only in the amount of Water surface is effective. This can make the floating granular supercooled material, preferably in the form of ice cubes, on a smaller section of the Water surface are held together.

Especially when using the slide shown a person stand directly in the surge 24 or 41, so that it is directly interspersed with a warmer surge of water is poured over with ice particles. So it is possible the application standing, floating, lying in the water etc. to perform.

The beneficial effects are as above mentioned, also achieved when a person, for example standing or floating in the water and the corresponding particles, especially ice particles themselves in the water. In other words, advantageous effects even at a relative speed between one person in the water and one Medium flow, i.e. Water flow, with in the medium, i.e. particles in the water, especially ice particles, achieve. Especially with ice particles dissolve them over time, so that here too Delivery or feed station is useful to keep going introduce new ice particles into the medium. A corresponding Medium flow can, for example, in circulating basins generated by pumping, for example in a Basin a circulating water flow is achieved so that constant water with particles, especially ice particles, stream along and a person standing in the water explained positive effects when the particles hit Body will realize. Especially when none particles dissolving in the medium are used it is also not necessary to permanently add new particles to the medium feed. However, the particles should become clear The process can have been heated for a long time in the medium interrupted, the particles are skimmed off, i.e. generally of the liquid medium in full and appropriate Way to be cooled again and in a next step to the process again become.

With reference to FIG. 9 it is only shown how that is preferred particles of ice and the surge of water be administered as another medium component can.

In Figure 9, the time axis t is shown as the X axis. The intensity is shown on the Y axis.

It indicates schematically that, for example, a Water surge A, usually a warm water surge A more or less set with continuous intensity and / or used to carry out the application becomes. Not for the entire time sequence, but in time intervals B is additionally the preferably ice-shaped Granules added.

It is also possible, alternatively or additionally, with a time delay, to abruptly interrupt the flood of water A and instead of which the preferred ice-shaped granulate (i.e. without Water). This is shown with reference number C.

Of course, even if ice crystals were added the temperature of the flood of water, for example be changed, as well as the intensity over the Time axis selected differently in phases and preset can be.

Claims (27)

Process for the generation and / or administration of temperature and / or mechanical stimuli, with the following features a medium flow (21) is generated, which comprises granular material (19), the granular material (19) provided in the medium flow (21) has a low temperature compared to the ambient temperature, and the granular material (19) has a temperature of less than + 5 ° C, in particular of 0 ° C and less. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the granular medium (19) consists of ice particles or comprises ice particles. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the particle or grain size of the particles of the granular medium (19) emitted, in particular in the form of pieces of ice, are less than 5 mm, in particular less than 3 mm. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the temperature of the granular medium (19) is at least in the core less than -2 °, preferably less than -5 °, in particular less than -8 °. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for the granular medium (19) particles, in particular in the form of ice, are used which have a rather round or rather angular surface structure. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the medium flow (21) is delivered at a delivery point (23) in the manner of a surge, a shower jet, in the form of a sprinkler or a cup-shaped distribution and the like. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an ambient temperature of at least + 5 °, preferably more than + 10 °, in particular more than + 15 ° is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in addition to the granular medium (19) as the first component, a second medium component is provided, which consists of an aqueous medium (37), in particular water. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the component made of granular medium (19) is mixed with the component made of liquid medium (37) and is released as a common surge, shower jet, as a fan or in the form of a sprinkler and / or in the form of a the granular medium (19) offset water flow. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the component made of granular medium (19) is placed on or in a production and / or delivery station (1) and mixed there together with the second component made of liquid medium (37) is delivered. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the component made of liquid medium (37) and the component made of granular medium (19) are dispensed with different flow directions in such a way that both mass flows (41, 21) intersect and thereby at least A part of the component made of granular medium (19) is carried away by the component made of liquid medium (37), whereas another part of the component made of granular medium (19) falls through the water surge or water fan or the sprinkler stream (41). Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the component made of granular medium (19) is conveyed at least indirectly into a water basin (49) or a tub. Method according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that a gas or air flow is used as a further component. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the granular component and / or the second medium component is preferably used in the form of water or hot water over the time axis with different intensities. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the preferably ice-shaped medium (19) is only temporarily discharged at spaced-apart time intervals, in addition to the further preferably liquid medium component or alternatively. Device for generating and / or administering temperature and / or mechanical stimuli, in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by the following features a generation and / or delivery station (1) is provided for generating and / or delivering a medium flow (21) comprising granular material (19), there is also provided a cooling and / or freezing device for generating and / or providing or maintaining a cooled component made of granular medium (19), and the device for generating and / or providing or maintaining a cooled component made of granular medium (19) is designed so that the granular medium (19) with a lower temperature than the ambient temperature of less than + 5 ° C and / or with a average particle size smaller than 8 mm, preferably smaller than 5 mm, can be produced and / or provided. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that a shower, sprinkler, gush and / or jet or cup-shaped or similar generation and / or dispensing station (1) for dispensing the granular medium (19) and / or for production a medium flow comprising the granular medium (19) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the cooling and / or provision device is followed by a comminution device (5), by means of which the component can be produced from granular medium (19) in the desired average size. Device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the generation and / or discharge station (1) for the discharge of the granular medium (19) is designed in the manner of a slide (2) with a discharge point (23) below. Device according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the generation and / or delivery station (1) further comprises a water inlet (39) for supplying a further component from liquid medium (37), such that both mass flows, ie the Mix granular and liquid medium components at least partially with each other and at least partially transportable and / or dispensable. Device according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the inlet device (39) for supplying the liquid medium (37) and a corresponding supply device, preferably in the form of a comminution device (5) for the granular medium (19), so are arranged so that both medium components can be mixed. Device according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the device is arranged and designed such that the granular media stream crosses the liquid media stream with different flight components. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the generation and / or delivery station (1) is constructed such that at least a part of the granular media stream passes through this liquid media stream after it meets the freely discharged gush, shower or jet-shaped liquid media components . Device according to one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that the generation and / or dispensing station (1) is designed like a shower head or sieve and can be acted upon from the rear with a spray of spray, water or sprinkling of the liquid media components. Device according to one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that the generation and / or delivery station (1) is preferably arranged on or above a water basin with the associated slide (2). Device according to one of claims 16 to 25, characterized in that a floor grate (27) is provided below the production and / or delivery station (1) and thus below the preferably associated slide (2). Apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that a bottom grate or drain basin (29) is provided below the bottom grate (27) and can be flushed through a water connection (31).

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