Method and apparatus for tanning or UV treatment

• US 4,469,951 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 09/04/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Louise Scott
• Original Assignee: Eugene E. Coco, Willie L. Scott
• Inventors: Scott, Willie L., Coco, Eugene E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Alfred E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berman, Jack I.
• Application Number:
  US06/431,628
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 250/494.1, 250/503.1, 250/504 R, 250/453.1, 250/454.1, 250/455.1, 128/371
• US Class Current: 250/494.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0615 using UV light sources having a specific spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0636 Irradiating the whole body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0655 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0614 Tanning

Abstract

A method of tanning or treatment with ultraviolet radiation consists of providing a source of artificial ultraviolet radiation; providing a motor powered turntable in juxtaposition to the source of artificial ultraviolet radiation; energizing the source of artificial ultraviolet radiation; positioning an individual or object to be irradiated on the turntable; and energizing the motor of the turntable to rotate it for a selected period of time. The sources of artificial ultraviolet radiation are preferably elongated fluorescent sun lamps which provide separate sources of UVA and UVB radiation. The turntable is rotated at least one complete revolution during the selected time that the individual or object is positioned thereon and more preferably at a rate of one revolution per minute. The sun lamps may be energized for the same selected period of time as the turntable, although when both UVA and UVB lamps are provided, the timers allow a lesser amount of time for the UVB radiation than for the UVA radiation. Preferably, the turntable and the UVA lamp are energized by the same timer controlled circuit and the UVB lamp is energized by a separate timer controlled circuit.

Claims

1. A method of tanning or treatment with ultraviolet radiation which comprises

providing a source of artificial ultraviolet radiation extending vertically for a distance of about the height of the person or object being irradiated and extending arcuately in closely spaced relation,

providing a motor powered turntable in juxtaposition to said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation and having its center positioned substantially equidistant from said radiation source and unobstructed on the side away from said radiation source for safe exit therefrom while in operation,

energizing said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation for a selected period of time,

positioning an individual or object to be irradiated on said turntable, and

energizing the motor of said turntable to rotate the same for a selected period of time.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a plurality of closely spaced elongated fluorescent sun lamps.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which

said turntable is rotated at least one complete revolution during the selected time that the individual or object is positioned thereon.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which

said turntable is rotated at least one revolution per minute during the selected time that the individual or object is positioned thereon.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which:

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation is energized for the same selected period of time as said turntable.

6. A method according to claim 1 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a source of predominantly UVA radiation.

7. A method according to claim 1 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a source producing a substantial amount of UVB radiation.

8. A method according to claim 1 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises separate sources of substantial amounts of UVA and UVB radiation.

9. A method according to claim 8 in which

said source of UVB radiation is separately energized for a lesser time than said source of UVA radiation.

10. A method according to claim 8 in which

said source of UVB radiation is energized for a lesser timer than said source of UVA radiation and said source of UVA radiation is energized for the same selected time as said turntable.

11. An apparatus for tanning or treatment with ultraviolet radiation which comprises

a source of artificial ultraviolet radiation extending vertically for a distance of about the height of the person or object being irradiated and extending arcuately in closely spaced relation,

a motor powered turntable in juxtaposition to said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation adapted to support an individual or object to be irradiated for rotation thereon and having its center positioned substantially equidistant from said radiation source and unobstructed on the side away from said radiation source for safe exit therefrom while in operation,

circuit means for energizing said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation for a selected period of time, and

circuit means for energizing the motor of said turntable to rotate the same for a selected period of time.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a plurality of closely spaced elongated fluorescent sun lamps.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 including

timing means operable to rotate said turntable at least one complete revolution during the selected time that an individual or object is positioned thereon.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which

the motor of said turntable rotates said turntable at least one revolution per minute during the selected time that an individual or object is positioned thereon.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 including

timing means operable to energize said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation for the same selected period of time as said turntable.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a source of predominantly UVA radiation.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises a source producing a substantial amount of UVB radiation.

18. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which

said source of artificial ultraviolet radiation comprises separate sources of substantial amounts of UVA and UVB radiation.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 including

separate timing means for said sources of UVA and UVB radiation operable to energize said UVB radiation for a lesser time than said source of UVA radiation.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 in which

said source of UVA radiation timing means comprises said turntable timing means, and

said source of UVB radiation timing means comprises a separate timer having a maximum time period substantially shorter than the maximum time period of said turntable timing means.