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Description

The present invention relates to a resilient, anthropo orphically- shaped, sealed container, adapted to enclose a human body immersed in a fluid, for therapeutical and aesthetical-sporting purposes. As existing means having the same purpose, we may mention the usual or rigid single-seater sauna, the pressure-therapy equipment, and bath tubs for hydro-massage. In the instance of the usual or rigid single-seater sauna, said means comprises a container made, most of times, of plastics -or wood, having a round or oval shape, with sealed closure, where the head of a person is outside while suitable outer controlled devices admit warm air, vapors, atomized water, oxigen and ozone thereinto. Use is made of said means in the aesthetical-sporting and therapeutical field to enhance the elimination of excess liquid and toxins. The equipment which is used in pressure-therapy consists of hollow, cylindrical housings, with outer rigid walls and inner deformable walls, whereinto the limbs are introduced; the admission of jets of air causes the constriction of the space around the limbs, thus effecting pressing and massaging actions. Said equipment is widely used in the post-fracture rehabilitation of movements and in order to enhance the blood circulation.

Bath tubs for hydro-massage are, usually, open tubs containing water and whereinto pressurized air is injected by nozzles connected to one or more compressors, thus causing strong movements of the water. The above for aesthetical and rehabilitation purposes.

All the devices described above are used for a specific purpose, and it is apparent that the various functions cannot be carried out by the same device, because this is not permitted by the specific construction. Since many of the mentioned treatments are complementary to each other, those who wish or are obliged to avail thereof, must address to various institutes which are equipped with the specific types of

devices, as it is inconceivable that, both for cost and space reasons, all devices may be installed at a single institute.

The main object of this invention is to provide a single industrial¬ ly-constructed container adapted to carry out all said functions, of moderate cost and having m-mimum overall dimensions.

For this purpose, we provide an anthropomorphically-shaped, sealed container, with high thermal insulation, extremely resilient, with inlet and outlet valves at the limbs to permit, via a connection with suitable machines, the admission and forced circulation of various fluids therein.

It is also to be noted that the high resilience of the material which is used, mostly neoprene or the like, in combination with the artifice to apply adjustable annular reinforcements on the surfaces of the container, ensure the formation of turbolences in the fluid surrounding the human body, thus permitting to achieve the objects for which the container has been designed, even in the absence of connections to devices for forced circulation.

Some embodiments of the container according to the invention are shown diagrammatically and as non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings; in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the basic embodiment of the container according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a container provided with openings at the hands and feet. Fig. 3 shows a trousers-shaped embodiment of the container. Fig. 4 shows a vest-shaped embodiment of the container. Fig. 5 shows a modified embodiment provided with a single valve for the admission of fluids, through four distribution ducts, and with a single outlet valve. Fig. 6 shows a modified embodiment having a double container, with no watertight or gastight collar.

As a basic embodiment, as from Fig. 1 , we provide an anthropomor- phically-shaped container 1 , made of resilient, heat-sealed material, lined with a fabric 2 of good insulating capability, not liable to be damaged by the liquids or vapors, comprising integral foot-enclosing portions and gloves, and provided with a back or a front zip fastener (not shown) and with a rubber-latex collar 3 which is folded over inwards and is adapted to sealingly surround the neck.

Two inlet valves 4 and outlet valves 4a are arranged at the ends of the limbs, so as to permit, after being connected to suitable devices, the circulation of a large number of fluids, such as water or muds, or gases such as oxigen, ozone, vapor and air, which are pumped at the desired pressure and temperature.

It is to be noted that the use of the container according to the invention induces an increase in the drag or resistance to the movement, which is compensated, however, by the "buoyancy" in said liquid.

In order to increase the structural resistance, according to the invention, the container is provided with suitable resilient reinforcements, indicated at 5 in the Figures, which are adjustable as a belt, positioned at the waist and limbs. Said reinforcements have the purpose of increasing or reducing the resiliency of the container, so that, once the container has been filled with a liquid, a substantial circulation of said liquid is obtained as a result of any movement of the user. The user, by moving, displaces masses of fluid which press against the walls of the container and deform them, but due to their resiliency said walls recover the original shape and push the liquid inwardly, thus causing a strong circulation thereof. This particular feature, therefore, permits the container according to the present invention to be used, in addition to said purposes (such as the elimination of liquids and toxins, rehabilitation of movements, slenderizing, and improvement of blood circulation), also as a help

in various sporting activities in that it enhances muscular power, reduces the duration of training and, due to the action of the water flow on the body, it enhances relaxation and blood circulation. The basic embodiment of the container, depending upon the requirements of the user, may be modified, such as that which is shown, for example, in Fig. 2 wherein the sleeves are not provided with the hand-enclosing portions and, therefore, they terminate in sealed cuffs 6 made of rubber latex and folded over inwardly like the collar 3 mentioned above. The same is true as well for the legs, in that they may not be provided with the foot-enclosing portions.

A urther modi ication is formed as an embodiment which is reduced to a simple trousers shape or, vice versa, to a simple vest shape, as shown in Figs.3 and 4, with a frusto conical belt portion 7 which sealing engages the waist, which is made of latex and is folded over like said cuffs, the inlet and outlet valves being, obviously, positioned otherwise so as to ensure anyway the circulation of a fluid interiorly, said condition being the main characteristic of the article according to the invention.

A further embodiment, shown in Fig. 5, comprises only one outlet valve and one inlet valve provided with distributing conduits 8 for the incoming fluids which flow out at the ends of the four limbs, said distributing conduits being thermally welded on the outer surface of the container to avoid any friction against the human body.

A final, important modification comprises a container having a dual "sheath", i.e. a double-walled container. In fact, the container according to the invention could be liable to have its field of application reduced because, in certain cases, the direct contact of the skin with the fluid could not be permitted due to medical reasons. Conversely, by constructing a dual "sheath container", i.e. by inserting a second anthropomorphically-shaped container into the outer container and by sealingly joining them so as to form one or even more

interspace chambers with respective valve sets, it is constructionally possible to eliminate both the sealed engagement around the neck and the special fluid-tight zip fasteners along the openings required to put on the container. By this arrangement it will be possible to avoid said contact between the skin of a user and the fluid being used.

In order to better illustrate this modified embodiment, shown in Fig. 6, we point out that the container 1 comprises, in order to be put on, an opening 10 which can be closed by means of a zip fastener, and is attached thereat to the inner container 9. Thus, between the outer and inner containers, a single interspace chamber is formed which is accessible through the usual fluid inlet and outlet valves.

Internal partitions (not shown) are also possible and are positioned at said resilient reinforcements 5. By means of said partitions, a plurality of sealed compartments may be formed; in this instance, each compartment should be provided with the required valves (not shown). Ey this arrangement, in case of particular therapeutical and rehabilitation requirements, the container with said internal compartments may be used with different pressures and temperatures exerted on the different parts of the body. By virtue of said internal compartmenting, it is possible as well to arrange interiorly valves having differentiated opening load, which valves connect various compartments with each other and permit to obtain a pressing action on the body in sequential steps.

Further changes and improvements may be made to the invention as disclosed and shown herein, without departing from the basic principle of the invention.