DE102015114021A1 - Device for inflating a body with air - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for inflating a body with air, comprising a device for generating an air flow and a contour for receiving the air flow, wherein the contour has an inlet, to which the device for generating an air flow is connectable, and wherein the contour at least Having a nozzle through which air can escape from the contour, the contour is predominantly made of a flexible material and inflates upon exposure to the air flow.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for inflating a body with air, comprising a device for generating an air flow and a contour for receiving the air flow, the contour having an inlet, to which the device for generating an air flow is connectable, and wherein the contour Has at least one nozzle through which air can escape from the contour.

From the prior art, it is widely known to provide facilities that are intended for drying not only the hair, but also the entire body of man. The drying of the body can be done without human movements. Almost all are associated with sometimes considerable construction effort, sometimes designed very large and often provided within the shower.

In the US 7 900 371 B1 For example, a person-drying system is described, which is designed as a closed cabin, similar to the US 6 148 539 A in which it is a body drying systems, especially in the field of swimming pools.

In the US 5 099 587 A serves an attached element for supplying hot air in the cabin area is used. A combination of shower cubicle and body dryer or module for insertion into a shower cubicle is in the GB 2 249 263 A disclosed. Here, a body dryer can be grown in a corner of an existing shower cubicle. From the DE 198 24 764 A1 discloses a whole-body dryer in which a shower cubicle is welded from hollow tubes as a frame body, which are connected to a hot air blower. In the tube housing slots are arranged over which the human body is provided with air.

The DE 20 2011 004 723 U1 In contrast, discloses a body drying cell in which a circumferential ventilation nozzle assembly generates a vortex around a person. The air is supplied from below and sucked at the top of the cabin ceiling by a fan. From the US Pat. No. 6,962,005 B1 is a combination of a shower and a drying system is known, which has a stele-like arrangement of a Luftbedüsung, which is integrated into a shower cubicle.

One of the few portable hot air drying for the human body is in the DE 39 41 220 A1 disclosed. The device can be used as a bathtub attachment or in combination with splashback walls. A specially designed fan provides the air supply.

The WO002014208875A1 describes another approach to hot air drying for the human body. The device resembles the appearance and size of the structure of a household standard body scales. The user stands on the "balance" and is overflowed from below via a high-speed fan with air. Inevitably, therefore, not the entire body, especially not the important torso area, be supplied with air.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device for inflating a body with air, which is inexpensive, efficient and flexible to handle and which can be stored to save space especially when not in use.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, the present invention relates to a device for inflating a body with air, comprising a device for generating an air flow and a contour for receiving the air flow, the contour having an inlet, to which the device for generating an air flow is connectable, and wherein the contour has at least one nozzle, through which air can escape from the contour, wherein the contour consists predominantly of a flexible material and inflates upon exposure to the air flow.

A contour is understood here and below to mean a cavity-like body which is closed except for the inlet and the nozzles and which is suitable for receiving an air flow. It may be e.g. to act a tubular or balloon-like body, but the contour can also be formed as thin and flat in the manner of an air cushion or an air mattress.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for influx of a human body with air. However, the body to be inflicted may also be an animal body, for example that of a dog or a cat, and quite generally an arbitrary, inanimate body or object.

According to one embodiment of the invention can be used as a device for generating the air flow, a commercial hair dryer.

The flexible material of the contour may be a plastic film, which may be made for example based on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and / or polyethylene terephthalate. However, the flexible material can also be, for example, a suitable textile fabric made of natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers. Flexible in this context means that the contour as such is not dimensionally stable. When not in use, ie in the absence of an airflow guided into the contour, this can be folded or folded to a small outer dimension, while it inflates when exposed to an air flow. In principle, the flexible material can have a certain elasticity, but it can also be completely inelastic.

Preferably, the contour of the invention has a plurality of nozzles through which air can escape from the contour. The nozzles can be evenly distributed over the contour or arranged primarily in certain areas of the contour. The nozzles may also be adjustable in terms of their size and / or orientation, so that, for example, an adaptation to the body size or individual preferences of the user can be made.

The inlet, via which the device for generating the air flow to the contour can be connected, can be configured adjustable in size according to one aspect of the invention, so that, for example when using a hair dryer to adapt to different nozzles or attachments of the hair dryer is possible.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the device for generating an air flow via a supply hose to the inlet of the contour can be connected. In this way, for example, the hair dryer can also be positioned at some distance from the contour, in particular it can be located in a suitable holder.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention can also have at least one valve, via which the air outlet can be calibrated by the at least one nozzle. Depending on the hair dryer used and the contour used, the pressure build-up within the contour may become too high so that pressure compensation is possible via the additional valves.

The contour may be formed according to an embodiment of the invention as a curtain or shower curtain. As a curtain, for example, it can be positioned to save space in front of a window or in front of a door leaf. As a shower curtain, it can be arranged directly on the shower.

The contour of the invention can assume the shape of a hollow cylinder in the inflated state, the nozzles are then directed into the interior of the hollow cylinder, so that a user can put in the interior of the cylinder, set or put. For ease of handling because of the hollow cylinder for this purpose on an entrance slit for the user.

Finally, the contour can also be modeled on the shape of a human or animal body with a head, torso area and limbs.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the contour of several individual elements is assembled. In this way, an adaptation to different body sizes of the user can be realized in particular.

The contour may be provided at least in sections with a coating and / or a print in order to produce an appealing appearance of the device.

To stiffen individual areas, the contour stiffening elements, for example, from a suitable plastic or metal.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the device comprises a perfume-containing, air-permeable reservoir. This can be arranged in particular between the contour and the device for generating the air flow, so that the air flow generated flows through the reservoir and can absorb fragrances and these are distributed via the nozzles in the room.

In other words, the present invention relates to a body warmer which, by a simple construction, warms and dries a body at essential locations. For this purpose, a household hair dryer is used in particular, which optimally distributes the air to different parts of the body by means of the device. A hair dryer or hair dryer, hair dryer (or hot air shower) or hair dryer is an electrical device for drying damp hair, such as after shampooing, swimming or bathing.

The device is characterized in particular by the fact that it is flexible and universally applicable and, moreover, can be stored to save space. It also makes sensible use of devices that are widely used.

By maintaining a constant through the hair dryer in the interior of the contour air flow, the body size of the contour is kept constant and the air to the relevant points of the Distributed user. The device can be used both for heating / drying and for cooling.

In some variants, the shape of the contour contour can be produced or supported by reinforcing seams and / or air chambers and / or stiffening elements. Preferably, the device will be used in the bath.

Frequently, foehning also produces electrostatic charges, which may need to be taken into account by suitable choice of material, ionization or arrester, so that the user is not constantly exposed to electric shocks.

As a contour, all forms are conceivable that allow to transport the air to the user of relevant parts of the body.

Essential body parts are especially the torso as well as head and limbs. The device will preferably be used standing up, and in some embodiments may also be used sitting or partially lying down. Usually, there is no direct contact between the user and the contour, but this may be desirable in some variants. If the contour has a suitable stability or is fixed so that behind a correspondingly stable wall or device is positioned, it may be in the sense of well-being of a user to lean against the contour or even "put" in the contour.

The size and shape of the body nozzles depends very much on both the size of the contour and the total number of body nozzles on the contour. For example. 10 body nozzles with a size of 5cm will not be able to guarantee a sufficient stability of the contour due to air flow and thus also insufficient supply of body nozzles located farther away to the hair dryer nozzle.

Preferably, the body nozzles will have a size between 1mm and 4cm, more preferably between 2mm and 2cm, and most preferably between 3mm and 8mm.

Important point is the inlet, where the hair dryer provides the contour with air. The inlet must be designed to accommodate as many different nozzle shapes and attachments as possible. Usually hair dryer nozzles are round shaped and offer attachment options for various adapters such as styling, diffuser or ondulier adapter. In some devices, the aforementioned adapter nozzles are provided from the outset as the essential, unalterable nozzle shape of the hair dryer. In order to provide a suitable inlet into the contour for this variety, the inlet can be made adjustable in size. An oversized hole for the nozzle shapes described represents the inlet through which the hair dryer nozzle is brought into or onto the contour.

By narrowing mechanisms such as buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc., the inlet of the contour is tightly closed around the hair dryer nozzle.

In the simplest embodiment, the device is a single, arbitrarily shaped cavity having an inlet for the hair dryer and nozzle openings for the exit of the air. In a preferred embodiment, the contour is similar to the structure of a human body. With regard to the level of detail this can be from a roughly schematic image of a uniform material to highly detailed contours of various materials, including all external human body features and contours (for example also skin replicas, gender-specific features, etc.).

Since there are certainly households in which no hair dryer is available, it may be useful to provide at least a variant with a built-in hair dryer. In terms of space and weight savings, no conventional Fönformat used, but a specially adapted device, which has the essential features and functionality of a hair dryer.

Another preferred embodiment is a cylinder in ring shape, which is open at the front (similar to the Landoltring used in eye tests). At rest, the contour hangs down the wall. In use, the user approaches from the "open" front of the "floppy" cylinder, which turns out after switching on the air flow to its actual shape and thus almost completely encloses the person standing therein or seated.

The attachment of the device can be done via different principles. There are no restrictions here, as long as contour and hair dryer are kept stable at the desired location. Preferably, it is released via hooks or eyes at the top of the contour, which in turn can be attached to door, towel rails, towel dryers or the wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the contour is primarily fastened to previously described positions and, in turn, the hair dryer is attached to the contour. For safety reasons, in this embodiment, the hair dryer may be secured by at least one other strap to be mounted around the handle.

In another embodiment, the hair dryer is attached and the contour.

In a further embodiment, for example, a Velcro tape is fixed in advance on the hair dryer, between the air outlet nozzle and the handle, whose counterpart is fastened around the edge of the inlet of the contour.

In a further embodiment, the inlet is pronounced directly like an adapter piece for common Föndüsenmaße, so that the user must attach the adapter only to the nozzle of his hair dryer.

In a further variant, the contour consists of a kind of modular system. In this case, individual elements or limbs can be separated, for example, by zippers from the main body or attached thereto. Upon separation of an element, a lid is attached to the resulting hole, for example, by zipper.

By means of buckles, straps or braces also individual limbs can be temporarily "separated" from the torso, if the user wants to prevent an air supply in places.

In a further embodiment, the contour is used as a shower curtain. The previous shower curtain can be replaced by a contour that now fulfills both functions. On the one hand the shower curtain and on the other hand, the device of the invention. Optionally, the air flowing out of the contour can be blown into the interior of the shower and / or outside of the shower. For this variant, it may be useful to provide the contour with hooks, eyes or the like in order to raise them to the appropriate rod or rail on the shower / bath. In addition, small weights attached to the bottom of the curtain can serve to increase the stability of the device.

Also, the inlet of the hair dryer can be ensured in the contour via a "supply hose", so that the hair dryer can be mounted stationary elsewhere. This serves the better handling and possibly also the higher safety of the device.

In a further variant, this "shower curtain version" slightly modified as a throw for a normal shower cubicle can be used. For example, via hooks, the curtain can be attached to the top of the shower door and flows over the contour of the inside of the shower. A supply hose supplies the contour with air from outside the shower.

In a further preferred embodiment, the contour has a valve via which the air outlet of the nozzles can be regulated. To optimize the well-being of the user, it may be necessary not to distribute the entire air from the hair dryer over the nozzles. This can have several reasons. On the one hand, commercial hair dryers have quite different performances in terms of heat output (watts) and air flow (l / s), on the other hand, most hair dryers can not be adjusted continuously. Most of them have between 1-3 stages, often also separated in fan and temperature switch.

Therefore, it may be the case with many devices that some of the compressed air has to escape elsewhere. For this purpose, one or more valves are provided. In the simplest form by an overpressure valve, which lets the air over a large area (seen in comparison to the nozzles) escape from a certain value. In more sophisticated versions, it may be useful to provide valves with infinitely variable adjustment so that the user also has the option of fine-tuning the air supply via the valve.

In a further variant, a fragrance container is introduced into the contour. Preferably, this container is mounted between the outlet of the hair dryer and inlet in the contour. After exiting the dryer, the air absorbs fragrance particles from the container and distributes them over the contour to the outside. Specially installed in the bathroom, this can neutralize unwanted odors from the toilet.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 : Simple contour with nozzles;

2 : Contour in human form with limbs and valve;

3 : Contour in the form of an open cylinder;

4 : Contour with fragrance container and feed tube;

5 : Flat contour for attachment to door with hair dryer halter;

6 : Contour in the form of a shower curtain with feed tube and weights;

7 : Inlet with tape as a holder for the hair dryer;

8th : Representation of the separation of an element from a contour.

1 shows the simplest and most rudimentary structure of the device, where a hair dryer 1 over an inlet 3 Air in a round contour in this case 2 blows. The injected air is via body nozzles 4 that are at the contour 2 distributed, distributed.

The shape of the contour 2 can vary depending on the application. In 2 is the contour 2 modeled on a schematic structure of the human body with torso, head, arms and legs. In addition to the body nozzles 4 is also a valve in this setup 6 contain, over which the air stream from the body nozzles 4 finer and can be adjusted and possibly also the air distribution within the contour 2 can be optimized. The valve 6 can be infinitely or stepwise adjustable.

The in the 1 and 2 described contours 2 are structurally very thin. This means that a user will stand in front of it during the application and let the desired parts of his body overflow by turning his own body. At the in 3 illustrated embodiment of the drying device is not necessary. The contour 2 forms through the air flow of the hair dryer 1 and / or by the help of stiffening elements 7 (not in 3 shown) to a cylinder which encloses a body almost completely. Only the entrance gap 9 prevents the complete flow around. If necessary, this could also be closed in another variant in use.

In all variants, it is possible to distribute targeted fragrances on the device. In 4 is for this purpose a fragrance container 8th shown in this illustration between the hair dryer 1 and a delivery tube 5 is appropriate. Basically, the fragrance container 8th also at another place on or within the contour 2 be attached. However, the uniform distribution of the fragrance in the chosen representation is most likely. About the supply hose shown in the figure 5 can hair dryer 1 and contour 2 be mounted further apart, which may be useful in some variants in terms of space savings and safety.

In the embodiment according to 5 becomes the hair dryer 1 against a "halter" 10 at the contour 2 attached. This is very thin in this case and forms a rectangular shape in the approximate size of a standard door. Only the door handle is omitted by a semicircular recess. The contour is attached 2 through several tension hooks 11 (thin hooks on a rubber band), which are attached to the top and bottom of the door. This variant can be stored behind the door to save space and can also be used in small bathrooms.

If the shower device allows it, a variant in a double function can also be used as a shower curtain. 6 shows an expression, the above with eyelets 12 and below with weights 13 is provided to thread them on a shower rod. Via a supply hose 5 becomes the contour 2 supplied with air that blows either inside the shower and / or the outside of the shower. Thus, can be started directly after completion of the showering process with the Luftbeströmung. In this variant, air chambers may be provided, so that the contour 2 does not inflate when used balloon-like but remains relatively thin (up to 5cm approximately). The air supply takes place in this variant again by a supply hose 5 ,

7 illustrates a variant of the attachment of the hair dryer 1 at the contour 2 , This is a gap 14 opened, in which the nozzle 15 the hair dryer 1 is pushed. After that, the gap becomes 14 For example, by a zipper or a Velcro strip so far reduced until he the nozzle 15 completely encloses. A band 16 at the handle of the hair dryer 1 is attached, ensures that the hair dryer 1 when switching on the air pressure is not ejected again. This allows different types of hair dryer to be taken into account, as these often differ in shape and size.

In order to increase flexibility for the user in the application, it is possible to use individual elements 21 . 22 from the contour 2 separate and / or add. This is exemplary in 8th by separating an "arm" 22 from the torso 21 in a human-like contour 2 shown. Through a zipper 17 can the "arm" 22 , in this variant with a stiffening element 7 pronounced, from the torso 21 split off. To the uncontrolled outflow of air from the location of the separated element 22 counteract, in this variant, a lid with the help of the zipper 17 added again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hairdryer

2

contour

3

inlet

4

jet

5

feeding tube

6

Valve

7

stiffener

8th

reservoir

9

entrance slit

10

 holster

11

 tenterhook

12

 eyelet

13

 Weight

14

 gap

15

 jet

16

 tape

17

 zipper

21

 element

22

 element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7900371 B1 [0003]
• US 6148539 A [0003]
• US Pat. No. 5,099,587 A [0004]
• GB 2249263 A [0004]
• DE 19824764 A1 [0004]
• DE 202011004723 U1 [0005]
• US 6962005 B1 [0005]
• DE 3941220 A1 [0006]
• WO 002014208875 A1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Device for inflating a body with air, comprising a device ( 1 ) for generating an air flow and a contour ( 2 ) for receiving the air flow, wherein the contour ( 2 ) an inlet ( 3 ) to which the device ( 1 ) is connectable to generate an air flow, and wherein the contour ( 2 ) at least one nozzle ( 4 ), through which air from the contour ( 2 ), characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) consists mainly of a flexible material and inflates upon exposure to the air flow. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that as device ( 1 ) is used to generate an air flow, a hair dryer. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible material is a plastic film. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the plastic film is made on the basis of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and / or polyethylene terephthalate. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) a plurality of nozzles ( 4 ), through which air from the contour ( 2 ) can escape. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one nozzle ( 4 ) Is designed to be adjustable in size and / or orientation. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) at least one valve ( 6 ), via which the air outlet through the at least one nozzle ( 4 ) can be calibrated. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) is designed as a curtain or shower curtain. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) in the inflated state has a cylindrical shape. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) is modeled on the shape of a human body. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) of several individual elements ( 21 . 22 ) is composable. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contour ( 2 ) Stiffening elements ( 7 ) having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the device comprises a fragrance-containing, air-permeable reservoir ( 8th ) having.

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