Cabin for Self-Service Adjustment of Skin Complexion

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the application of skin care products to the human body, and more exactly to bronzing, whitening, moistening and sun protecting with application of watery lotions to the whole body in a kind of self-service.

Technically it is a surround spray system using low air pressure and wide Venturi nozzles that provide fine droplets, but avoids producing finer aerosols, the noxious effect of which cannot not be definitely excluded.

Moreover it provides quick application, that allows the applicant to hold his breath so long (max. 10 seconds) for safely avoiding their respiration,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Caucasian type people prefer tanned skin, indicating their ability to afford vacations in preferred locations, whereas most Asians, Africans and Southerners, naturally having a tanned skin, mostly prefer to show utmost light complexion - for to demonstrate that they belong to the upper classes and do not have to work in the fields.

So whereever these groups meet on vacations, in Resorts, on beaches or on cruising ships, there is almost always an aim at acquiring the demanded skin color, only with opposite tendencies. And there is a strong demand of realizing this quickly and without too much effort.

Furthermore the negative impacts of too much exposition to UV-radiation -which might hardly be avoided on vacations- are to be overcome without the embarrassing need to ask others to lotion one's back.

PRIOR ART

For the case of bronzing, there are quite a few methods and systems proposed in patent applications, mostly of US origin:

First US 5.664.593 proposed a system for "Applying Suntanning Lotion Mist" in an enclosure, where the head sticks out and the body is sprayed on with different moving nozzles.

This seems to be a quite safe system, however difficult to apply an even spray from very close distance. And of course with this method head and face stay white while the body is tanned, what does not really appear to be in demand.

US 6.302.122 B1 pertains too another spraying system in a cabin with moving nozzle groups, avoiding opposed spray patterns. This however is not meant to avoid the buildup of aerosols, but just to concentrate the agents on the body since the aerosol respiration problem possibly had not yet been obvious at is application in the year of 2000. US 6.881417 B1 pertains to the application of different active agents and how to apply them in variant coats or a mixture in a particular set of nozzles. But it does neither disclose applicable agents nor particle sizes to be anticipated.

US 6.387.081 B1 , defined as a misting system providing active ingredients as aerosols and is as well not aware of the problem of inhaling aerosols (which has, in fact come into professional discussion after its date of 2002). Moreover it relies on the effect of electrostatically loading the applicant, what may rule out respiration of fine particles.

However, electrostatic loading of people for to put spray on, has proved to be quite awkward and displeasing, so that this system had not been successful anyway.

US 6.554.208 B1 again refers to the spray chamber and its ventilation, obviously well aware of possibly hazardous effects of the applied agents in case of respiration. However, the system clearly refers to spraying a "mist", but then makes efforts to draw it away by substantial efforts for drying and extracting air, as well as periodical cleaning.

However, this would not prevent applicants of inhaling aerosolized agents; and even so the system today is distributed with reduced concentrations of problematic ingredients, there is no formal approval of it in most countries and it is mostly considered to operate in a "gray zone".

On another level, US 8.069.812 B2 relates to sunscreen coating in a cabin as described in quite a few propositions before for application of tanning agents.

However, the sun protection means are not specified therein. But particularly sun protection compositions, which mostly comprise nano titania particles as UV radiation repellents (others require visible screening pigments) are particularly scary in terms of breathing it in.

Therefore it seems questionable, wether this kind of application might be recommended.

None of the automated application systems found in research refer to skin whitening, even though this is an even more requested application by a growing number of persons, particularly in Asia, Africa, Middle- and South America an the Middle East.

However these countries mostly have a growing number of affluent middle-class people -which are the prevailing customers- only in recent times, whereas the business with bronzing is common in Europe and the US since the 1950s.

TASK OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With respect to the mixed demand, particularly in internationally frequented resorts, on beaches and cruising ships, one novel approach is the combination of bronzing, whitening and sun protection application - as to individual demand - in one automated system with easy access and quick operation.

However, it is even more demanding to solve the problem of possibly hazardous respiration of pertaining agents in aerosols. INVENTIVE STEPS

There are four novel approaches within this Patent: One of it is an embodiment with nozzles and air supplying device where the required watery lotions are not atomized in a floating mist, as mostly indicated in prevailing intellectual property, but only dispersed in small integral droplets of a diameter between 0.05 and 0.5 millimeter diameter - far from 10 nanometer, below which the danger of unrestricted respirability is considered to be given.

This is achieved with adapting in the throughput of enlarged Venturi nozzles, that inject the agents into a low to medium speed, but high volume air flow.

A further embodiment should rule out any risk: Circumferring the applicant with a multitude of fixed -or a plurality of moving- nozzles from at least 3 directions and the application of not more than 30 ml per cycle allows an application within 10 seconds or even less.

It seems reasonable for applicants, to hold their breath for this short time or a little longer, and since droplets of given size use to sink down quickly, this results in a double safeguarding the application. Another embodiment pertains to the stand-alone application, particularly on beaches and at the edge of resorts. Since compressors, which otherwise would furnish the required air pressure require much electrical energy, therefore sufficient supply by solar cells -as projected- will hardly be feasible. Furthermore compressors tend to be loud with a particularly nasty shut-off-sound when releasing excess air from the piping at reaching the required pressure level. This would not be compatible with the recreational effect sought for by visitors.

The solution here is the application of pressured air in bottles -as for diving- since very short application time relates to low consumption of air volume. Therefore a 10 liter bottle, filled at 200 bar, might be sufficient for a few days at medium user frequency before needing a refill. Moreover, for application on remote places without fresh water supply (as well as on boats and in airplanes) showering even with very canny water application may be a highly appreciated option. The technique for effectively spraying small amounts of liquid without producing aerosoles of less 0.05 mm being installed already, a refreshing fine shower can be realized from an amount of approximately two liters of water.

Preferably the tank used for it will contain a LED-UV-sterilisation unit for to avoid contamination with legionellae or similar causative organisms, whereas research has proved, that risk is quite low, if the volume of the liquid and that of the driving pressure air are quite similar, so that said aerosoles are avoided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main embodiment of the here disclosed invention comprises a cabin -preferably, but not necessarily, of a hexagonal ground plot- wherein at least three edges or columns are equipped with vertical rows of spray nozzles. There are either 4 or 5 nozzles of radial or 60 x 40° dispersion perpendicularly mounted on one column, or preferably only 2 of it with a mechanism tiling it up and down and optionally in horizontal direction for to provide a consistent spray on a human corpse standing in the middle. Moving nozzles can be actuated electrically or pneumatically with respect to air pressure already available.

For to provide good ventilation, the roof needs to have some clearance from the side walls, which also have some distance to the base.

Moreover, the walls should allow some air transmission and therefore are preferably made of doubled (and therefore optically impenetrable) plastic rattan meshwork.

The floor must easily be cleaned under conditions of a sandy environment and must be agreeable for barefoot walking on it. Therefore it should be a grating of preferably 6 x 10 mm raster size, that can easily be cleaned with pressurized water.

Since that must be adequately drained -as well from residues of the treatments- a bowl with partly inclined bottom and a sink on the lower edge must be provided.

Since the system should be autarkic as a stand alone device on beaches and in natural environment, the power supply will preferably be provided from solar cells on its roof.

For intermittent short-time use, but substantial power consumption while in action, buffering with batteries is mandatory.

A daily consumption at maximum use was rated at 2.6 kWh, provided by a set of solar cells of 650 Wp, which may cover up to 8 sqm of the roof, that is projected to 11 sqm on its inclination. The batteries therefore must be rated to 2 kWh total, preferably on two 12V units at 84 Ah each.

Of course the construction here may vary quite a bit due to individual requirements, type of the solar control module provided and conditions of the site.

For smooth operation all operating resources are combined within one enclosure of preferably 800 x 300 x 1800 mm size, that would replace one wall of the cabin.

This cubicle contains:

> Two led-type batteries of each 12V/80 Ah - as long as newer types, like Lithium batteries with smaller size may not replace these at reasonable cost.

> three diving-type air pressure bottles of at least 10 liters and 200 bar with control valves

> one easily detachable water tank of 36 liters fits into this unit, whereas a bigger one should be applied, if there is more space.

> Three containers of possibly 1.5 liters for solutions and suspensions of active agents, preferably positioned under the appendant pumps and connected to it by short pieces of hoses. > a set of three pumps for to supply the spraying system with the active media.

Since the spraying pressure must not be generated by these pumps, but is delivered with air pressure and only a very low volume is to be supplied, peristaltic pumps like those for medical application are sufficient, which offer the advantage to be reversible, so to return the media if deposits within the pipework need to be avoided. Moreover, their blocking capacity might be used instead of applying control valves.

> one bigger pump for water supply is to be installed preferably above said other pumps.

> For protection of the user's clothes a locker of standard size may be integrated. Since normally there will only be swimwear to be locked in, it might as well be made quite a bit smaller, so to give more room to the water tank.

> Electronics for managing the power supply from the photovoltaic cells are preferably installed under the top plate of said enclosure.

> Thermal insulation should be applied on the inside of said enclosure, if the chosen location is in tropical climate, and particularly if this equipment locker is made of metal.

A 25 millimeter lining of polyurethane foam of 2000 grams per cubic meter will do, since the expansion of the air from the pressure bottles provide some refrigeration, when in use.

> An electronic box for overall controlling and timing is preferably mounted within the left door, so that its outer surface may be used for positioning the controlling touchscreen device.

> Payment systems may be installed below in the door as to requirement.

Since different locations need to encounter quite different coins, credit and debit systems -as well as legal requirements- this preferably is outsourced in a separate cash point or teller machine due to local standards and possibly in cooperation with a local bank.

Payment then is preferably executed through RFID tokens acquired there (or at a local kiosk) and inserted into a coin slot with evaluation electronics just below the touchscreeen.

Media to be sprayed on: For Tanning

For tanning mainly a solution of 5% dihydroxyazetone and erythrulose are applied in a watery consistency

For Whitening

For whitening or long-term achieving a clair complexion a mixture of 5% coji acid and 2% hydrochinone is offered in another watery solution.

For UV-protection

For sun protection of the skin a nanoscalle preparation of titania is suspended in 97% water, which is not visible, but is known to repel UVB+C radiation up to 60%. All of these media is limited to 40 ml to be sprayed on a body with well-dryed skin to avoid running tracks, in case of very slim and/or small persons, or oily skin (that has to be avoided anyway) it is less than 30 ml.

But the procedure can be repeated after the media was drying off. For cooling shower

2 liters of sterilized water can be applied in fine droplets, avoiding aerosols. This cannot be used to shower off shampoo, but it refreshes quite a bit. In case of fresh water available, it can be enlarged for real showering to rinse off salt and shampoos.

CONTROL SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE

Whereas the operational details are selected on the touchscreen, integrated software controls all aspects of the BoW-cab system. Administrators, maintenance personnel and users communicate via pre-defined dialogs (GUI) on the touchscreen with the system.

The dialogues control the operating software preferably via scripts independently of the location. By default, dialogues will be in German, English, French, Italian and Spanish.

The operator, owner, service technicians or maintenance personnel can have access to the system directly at the touch screen or on remotely by data transfer.

Access to the log on the touch screen (via login and authentication with RFID token) may not be accessible for users. In case of failure of the touch screen access might be possible with a notebook via USB or LAN / WLAN communication.

MODES OF OPERATION

The software has three operating modes: operating mode, maintenance mode and administration mode.

OPERATING MODE

The operating mode pertains to users of the system.

With pre-programmed RFID Tokens it offers following options:

• Select your language

• Insert the token (when prompted on the touch screen)

• Start the application via a button on the touch screen

• interruption of treatment (via a button on the touch screen or the emergency stop switch)

• Continuation of treatment after an interruption (via a button on the touch screen)

• Complaints to be made via touch screen (optional)

The operating mode is only available via touch screen. MAINTENANCE MODE

The maintenance mode is provided for the operator in addition to the capabilities of the operating mode. Following entries are possible:

• Check-in and -out

• Registration of exchange of hardware modules

• Starting and shutting down the system

• Restart the system manually

• Reset to basic configuration

• Set stand-by interval

• Configure lighting on time or conditions

• Filling status of the containers (if level meters are defect)

• Change user language of the GUI

• (de) activation of sensors

• (de) activation of treatment options

• Settings for minimum stock of operating supplies

• retrieval and output (e.g. on a USB stick), as well as reset of operating and error messages

Maintenance mode is only available through the touch screen via login.

ADMINISTRATION MODE

In addition to the capabilities of the operating mode and maintenance mode, the following entries are possible:

• Commissioning the system

• Change all configurations and values

• Creating new / additional configurations

• Calibration of level measurement

• Calibration of sensors

• Software Install / Update

• Definition of allowable IP addresses for remote access

• Creating users for maintenance mode

• (de) activation of Payment Methods

• Re-validation of RFID Tokens

The administration mode is accessible locally on the touch screen and is

encrypted for remote service via a local network or the Internet.

The access must be possible for security reasons of both fixed and variable, adjustable or IP addresses to be determined on the device by the operators on a case by case decision. In case of a fixed IP the system remains silent on requests from an unknown IP address to make unauthorized access more difficult. The system is capable of establishing an integrated LAN / WLAN or mobile radio module connected to the Internet (or intranet).

PAYMENT SYSTEM BASED ON RFID TOKENS

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Payment systems via RFID token offer many advantages. Firstly, the tokens can be sold in a kiosk or a vending machine (which allows for regional payment systems), rented or purchased from a local supplier.

Otherwise it is possible to hand them out as part of the entrance fee to a resort.

i o A token module communicates the value of the inserted token to the operating software and the submitted value associated program is selected automatically according to the token value .

CONTROL OF THE SENSORS

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All installed sensors / actuators are controlled via I / O or TCP / IP, The latter enables remote service and direct access to obtained data and therefore facilitates troubleshooting.

20 STATUS CHECKS

Cabin status (free / busy) : As soon as the sensor detects movement in the cabin, it wakes up the system from standby to welcome the user.

With a sensor / actuator in the door lock, integrated into the control system, the cabin can 25 optionally be locked and unlocked.

Emergency Stop

Upon activation, the emergency stop system stops treatment, freezes the process and reports this to the operator, if necessary (immediately or after an adjustable time period).

0 Using a button on the touch screen, either the treatment can be continued or emergency alarm be activated

Energy Supply

The operating software evaluates the status of the battery and power supply and proceeds a 5 status message to the operator. In case, services can be reduced or made inaccessible after warnings posted on the touchscreen. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a horizontal cut through the interior of the cabin in a top view:

The hexagonal wall enclosure 1 , complemented with the equipment cabinet 2 contains three columns 3, 4 and 5 with a vertical row of spray nozzles, each dispersing their spray 6, 7 and 8 horizontally in an 45° angle onto the user 9 in the middle.

Fig. 2 demonstrates, in a vertical cut and perspective view of the cabin 10, with its roof 11 , stanchions 12 - 15 and enclosure walls 16 -18 how a plurality of spray nozzles 19 and 20 can be arranged vertically to provide an even spray on the user's body 21.

Fig. 3 uses the same cabin display, demonstrating the spraying of each two vertically tiltable nozzles 22 + 23 and 24 + 25 on each 3 vertical columns 26 and 27 (the third column not to be seen).

Fig. 4 shows the principal elements interior of the equipment cabinet as blocs:

There are the batteries 30 and 31 , the water reservoir 32, and the locker for the user's clothing 33 on the right side.

The left side is insulated with a PU-liner 34 and contains the air pressure bottles 35 - 37 on the bottom, above it the containers for the active mediae 38 - 40 and thereon the pumps 41 - 43 for them, and a stronger pump for water 44 above these. Under the top of the cubicle a smaller case 45 for the solar electronics, and on the inside of the door the control electronics 46 with the touchscreen on the outside and the receptacle for RFID Tokens 47, with its slot at the outside (not visible).

Fig. 5 demonstrates the system of air pressure, pumps and nozzles:

A pressure bottle 50 with max.200 bar of air pressure leads to a fist pressure reduction valve 51 which reduces the pressure to ten bar, and a second one 52 for further reduction to ap proximately two bar, then the air pressure is led through an electrical control valve 53, to be then diverted (not shown) into three lines to blow through tiltable double venturi nozzles 54, 55 and 56, which are integrated in each one column (the second one and the columns not shown).A four-way manifold 57, 58, 59 is attached to the suction port of each venturi nozzle to inject the active agents 60, 61 , 62, delivered and controlled by peristaltic hose pumps 63, 64 and 65, as well as water from the canister 66 supplied by a 3-Membrane DC pump 67.