Spa including thermoelectric module for providing localized cooling

Abstract

The present invention provides a spa comprising a spa area for a spa user and a thermoelectric module providing localized cooling for the spa user in the spa area, wherein the spa includes a spa wall and the thermoelectric module is substantially in contact with an outside surface of the spa wall adjacent to the spa area. The thermoelectric module is disposed substantially behind the back of the user when the user is in the spa area such that the thermoelectric module is maintains the spa user's torso at a lower temperature than that of the user's extremities.

1 . A spa, comprising: 
 a spa area for a spa user; and    a thermoelectric module providing localized cooling for the spa user located in the spa area.    
   
   
       2 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the spa includes a spa wall; and    the thermoelectric module is substantially in contact with an outside surface of the spa wall adjacent to the spa area.    
   
   
       3 . The spa of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoelectric module is contoured to substantially match a contour the outside surface of the spa wall.  
   
   
       4 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module is disposed substantially behind a back of the user when the user is in the spa area.  
   
   
       5 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module is employed to cool the spa user's forearm, wrist, foot or leg when the user is in the spa area.  
   
   
       6 . The spa of  claim 5 , wherein the thermoelectric module is designed to maintain the spa user's torso at a lower temperature than that of the spa user's extremities.  
   
   
       7 . The spa of  claim 6 , wherein a difference in temperature between the user's torso and the user's extremities is between 2 degrees Fahrenheit and 6 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       8 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module also provides localized heating for the spa user in the spa area.  
   
   
       9 . The spa of  claim 8 , wherein the spa area is provided with one or more buttons for activating the thermoelectric module and for switching thermoelectric module between heating and cooling modes.  
   
   
       10 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module comprises a Peltier device.  
   
   
       11 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module comprises: 
 a thermally conductive plate for contacting the spa;    a thermally conductive block for housing an electrical switch;    a Peltier device in thermal communication with the thermally conductive block and the thermally conductive plate;    a heatsink; and    a ventilation device.    
   
   
       12 . The spa of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical switch is designed to switch the Peltier device between a cooling device and a heating device by reversing the current in the device.  
   
   
       13 . The spa of  claim 11 , wherein the thermoelectric module is employed to cool a water bladder containing water such that cooled water is delivered to the spa area.  
   
   
       14 . The spa of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoelectric module includes a thermally conductive plate substantially in contact with the water bladder.  
   
   
       15 . The spa of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoelectric module includes an external coil in thermal communication with the water within the water bladder.  
   
   
       16 . The spa of  claim 13 , further comprising a pump for moving the cooled water through a hose to a predetermined area within the spa.  
   
   
       17 . The spa of  claim 16 , wherein a distal end of the hose is provided with a nozzle for controlling the direction and intensity of the water flow out of the hose.  
   
   
       18 . A spa, comprising: 
 a spa wall;    a plurality of spa areas for spa users within the spa wall; and    a plurality of thermoelectric modules that provide localized cooling for spa users in the spa areas, such that each spa area includes a corresponding thermoelectric module.    
   
   
       19 . The spa of  claim 18 , wherein each thermoelectric module is substantially in contact with an outside surface of the spa wall adjacent to a spa area.  
   
   
       20 . The spa of  claim 19 , wherein each spa area is provided with one or more buttons for activating the corresponding thermoelectric module and for switching between heating and cooling modes.  
   
   
       21 . The spa of  claim 19 , wherein each thermoelectric module comprises: 
 a thermally conductive plate for contacting the spa;    a thermally conductive block for housing an electrical switch;    a Peltier device in thermal communication with the thermally conductive block and the thermally conductive plate;    a heatsink; and    a ventilation device.