High efficiency tanning apparatus

• US 20060041290A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David James Benoit
• Original Assignee: David James Benoit
• Inventors: Benoit, David James
• Granted Patent: US 7,285,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/94
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0628 including a radiation sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0614 Tanning

Abstract

Tanning apparatuses and methods of operating tanning apparatuses for high efficiency use. In an embodiment, a tanning apparatus including a tanning lamp is operated by delivering a first input voltage to the tanning lamp to generate an ultraviolet radiation output. When the output from the tanning lamp has sufficiently decreased over time due to use, the first input voltage is increased to increase the output to an effective level. Preferably, a variable voltage transformer is used to increase input voltage.

Claims

1. A method of operating a tanning apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a tanning apparatus comprising a tanning lamp;

delivering a first input voltage at a first time point to said tanning lamp to generate an ultraviolet radiation output from said tanning lamp;

monitoring said ultraviolet radiation output over time; and

increasing said first input voltage to a second input voltage at a second time point in response to a decrease in said ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp, said second time point occurring after said first time point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of delivering a first input voltage generates a first ultraviolet radiation output, and said step of increasing said first input voltage to a second input voltage generates an ultraviolet radiation output that is substantially equivalent to said first ultraviolet radiation output.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of increasing said second input voltage to a third input voltage at a third time point in response to a decrease in said ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp, said third time point occurring after said second time point.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of increasing said second input voltage to said third input voltage generates an ultraviolet radiation output that is substantially equivalent to said first ultraviolet radiation output.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of increasing said first input voltage comprises the step of using a variable voltage transformer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said variable voltage transformer is a motorized variable voltage transformer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said motorized variable voltage transformer is in electrical connection to a voltmeter used to monitor said first input voltage.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of increasing said first input voltage to a second input voltage is automatically triggered by a decrease in said ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp to a predetermined second ultraviolet radiation output.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said tanning apparatus is a tanning bed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said tanning bed comprises a bench portion and a canopy portion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said canopy portion comprises multiple said tanning lamps in electrical connection to a first variable voltage transformer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said bench portion comprises multiple said tanning lamps in electrical connection to a second variable voltage transformer.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said tanning apparatus is a tanning booth.

14. A method of operating a tanning apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a tanning apparatus comprising a tanning lamp;

delivering a first input voltage to said tanning lamp;

measuring said first input voltage at a first time point;

decreasing said first input voltage to a second input voltage at substantially said first time point, said second input voltage being sufficient for said tanning lamp to generate an ultraviolet radiation output sufficient to effectively tan the skin of a user of said tanning apparatus;

monitoring said ultraviolet radiation output over time; and

increasing said second input voltage to a third input voltage at a second time point in response to a decrease in said ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp, said second time point occurring after said first time point.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of increasing the second input voltage comprises the step of using a variable voltage transformer.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of delivering a first generates a first ultraviolet radiation output, and said step of increasing said second input voltage to a third input voltage generates an ultraviolet radiation output that is substantially equivalent to said first ultraviolet radiation output.

17. A tanning apparatus, comprising:

a voltage supply;

a tanning lamp electrically connected to said voltage supply;

a sensor to measure an ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp over time;

a variable voltage transformer electrically connected to said voltage supply and said tanning lamp.

18. The tanning apparatus of claim 17, wherein said variable voltage transformer is a motorized variable voltage transformer.

19. The tanning apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a voltmeter in electrical connection to said voltage supply and said motorized variable voltage transformer.

20. The tanning apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a means for controlling the output of said variable voltage transformer in response to the ultraviolet radiation output of said tanning lamp.