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EP-4741003-A2 - RED LIGHT THERAPY SYSTEMS FOR ABLUTIONARY ENVIRONMENTS

EP4741003A2EP 4741003 A2EP4741003 A2EP 4741003A2EP-4741003-A2

Abstract

Provided herein is a red light therapy (RLT) system including at least one of an RLT light bulb and an RLT panel. The RLT light bulb and the RLT panel may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) for providing at least one of red and infrared light. When the LEDs are activated, the LEDs may provide light therapy to a user. As one example, the RLT system may be used in a shower, bath, and/or sauna.

Inventors

  • BYUN, SUJUNG
  • FURCOIU, Aurelian
  • JAYAKUMAR, Prasanth
  • Kwacz, Jason
  • LEE, DONGHA
  • ZHANG, WEIMIN

Assignees

  • Kohler Co.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251031

Claims (15)

  1. A red light therapy (RLT) system for use in a shower system comprising at least one of: an RLT light bulb comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) for providing at least one of red and infrared light; and an RLT panel comprising at least one LED for providing at least one of red and infrared light; wherein, when the at least one LED is activated, the at least one LED provides light therapy to a user.
  2. The RLT system of claim 1, further comprising one of: a shower, wherein the RLT panel is positioned on a shower wall of the shower; or a bench having a slatted wall, wherein the RLT panel is placed behind the slatted wall such that light from the at least one LED emits through a plurality of slats on the slatted wall.
  3. The RLT system of claim 1, further comprising one of: a bathtub, wherein at least one RLT light bulb is positioned in the bathtub; a floating blanket, and wherein the RLT panel is positioned on an underside of the floating blanket; a floating accessory, and wherein the RLT panel is positioned on an underside of the floating accessory; or a bath caddy having a moveable panel, wherein the RLT panel is positioned on the moveable panel such that the at least one LED on the RLT panel is directed in a direction selected by the user.
  4. The RLT system of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the RLT panel comprises: a front portion comprising: an LED panel including the at least one LED; and an outer panel; a back portion comprising at least one heat sink.
  5. The RLT system of claim 4, wherein the LED panel and outer panel are encased in an enclosure and/or wherein the front portion is substantially waterproof.
  6. The RLT system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the RLT panel comprises a plurality of vents configured to deliver at least one of air and water to the RLT panel and/or wherein the RLT panel has a thickness of at least 2 inches.
  7. A red light therapy (RLT) system for use in a shower system comprising: an RLT panel comprising: at least one light emitting diode (LED) for providing at least one of red and infrared light; and at least one heat sink; a shower, wherein the RLT panel is positioned on a shower wall of the shower; wherein, when the at least one LED is activated, the at least one LED provides light therapy to a user.
  8. The RLT system of claim 7, wherein the RLT panel comprises: a front portion comprising: an LED panel including the at least one LED; and an outer panel; a back portion comprising the at least one heat sink.
  9. The RLT system of claim 8, wherein the LED panel and outer panel are encased in an enclosure and/or wherein the front portion is substantially waterproof.
  10. The RLT system of claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the RLT panel comprises a plurality of vents configured to deliver at least one of air and water to the RLT panel and/or wherein the RLT panel has a thickness of at least 2 inches.
  11. A red light therapy (RLT) bench comprising: a seat portion; and an RLT wall comprising: at least one light emitting diode (LED) for providing at least one of red and infrared light; and at least one heat sink; wherein, when the at least one LED is activated, the at least one LED provides light therapy to a user.
  12. The RLT bench of claim 11, wherein the RLT wall comprises: a front portion comprising: a vertical pillar; and a plurality of slats positioned on the vertical pillar; a back portion comprising an RLT panel including the at least one LED.
  13. The RLT bench of claim 12, wherein, when the at least one LED is activated, light from the at least one LED extends through slots formed by spaces between the plurality of slats.
  14. The RLT bench of claim 13, wherein an angle of light extending from the at least one LED is 22 degrees and/or wherein the light from the at least one LED extends no less than 2 inches from the front portion of the RLT wall.
  15. The RLT bench of claim 12, claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the RLT panel has a thickness of at least 0.5 inches.

Description

Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/717,219, filed November 6, 2024, and U.S. Patent Application No. 19/363,251, filed October 20, 2025, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Background Red light therapy (RLT) incorporates the use of specific wavelengths of red light to provide certain health and/or therapeutic benefits. RLT may be used to improve skin condition, relieve pain, heal wounds, and/or improve blood flow. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of example RLT panels in a shower.Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an example RLT panel.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example RLT panel.Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an example RLT panel.Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example RLT panel.Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an example RLT bench.Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example RLT bench.Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example RLT bench.Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an example RLT bathtub.Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an example floating RLT accessory.Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an example floating RLT accessory.Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an example floating RLT blanket.Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an example floating RLT blanket.Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an example RLT bath caddy.Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an example RLT bath caddy.Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an example RLT bath caddy. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Description The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. Turning first to Fig. 1, a shower 1 may include several RLT panels 5 which may be used to provide certain health and/or therapeutic benefits to a user while the user is showering. The RLT panels 5 may be any suitable shape and/or size and may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 10 capable of emitting red light. The LEDs 10 may be dual chip LEDs with various wavelengths (including 660 nm and 850 nm wavelengths). The LEDs 10 may be used for a specified duration and wavelength intensity. As one example, when using 660 nm and 850 nm wavelengths, the 660 nm LEDs may be used for 70-80% of the total intensity, while the 850 nm LEDs may be used for 20-30% of the total intensity. The RLT panels 5 may be positioned in the shower 1 in any suitable manner. As illustrated, the RLT panels 5 are positioned on a side of the shower 1 near showerheads 15. However, it should be understood that the RLT panels 5 may be positioned in any manner or configuration as desired by a user. As set forth in Fig. 2, the RLT panel 5 may be placed on a bathroom wall or in any other suitable position or configuration as desired by a user. A user using a bathroom vanity or otherwise near the RLT panel 5 may use the RLT panel 5 for its health and/or therapeutic benefits. As illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 3, a front portion 15 of the RLT panel 5 may include an LED panel 20 with several LEDs 10 organized in any suitable fashion. As one example, the front portion 15 may include an outer panel 25, which may be a glass diffuser and may be made of tempered glass. As illustrated, the RLT panel 5 includes 252 LEDs 10, but other configurations may include more or fewer LEDs 10. The RLT panel 5 may be any suitable thickness, and a satisfactory thickness (e.g., 2 inches) may be selected to aid in evacuating and/or dissipating heat created by the LEDs 10. The LED panel 20 may be enclosed such that it may be substantially waterproof and may be used in wet settings (e.g., in a shower). The outer panel 25 and LED panel 20 may be encased in an enclosure, which may be made of any suitable material including aluminum. Turning to Fig. 4, a back portion 30 of the RLT panel 5 may include brackets 35 which may be used to attach the RLT panel 5 to a desired location. The brackets 35 may be any suitable bracket now known or hereafter developed. The back portion 30 of the RLT panel 5 may include several heat sinks 40, which may be used to dissipate the heat created by the LEDs 10. The heat sinks 40 may be useful to aid in ensuring that the LEDs 10 do not overheat and t