Abstract: In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a tanning system with first and second units mounted to define a gap for a person to be tanned. The gap defines a head area to be adjacent the person's head and defines first and second shoulder areas oriented to be over the shoulders of a person. The first and second shoulder areas provide ultraviolet illumination, with a reduced amount of illumination provided in the head area. In one embodiment, the system includes a row of ultraviolet lamps mounted to the tanning device. Preferably the row includes two shoulder series, where the first shoulder series is over the first shoulder of the person to be tanned, and the second shoulder series is over the second shoulder of the person to be tanned. In preferred embodiments, the tanning system uses at least one quad lamp. In certain embodiments, the quad lamps are mounted vertically. In another preferred embodiment, the quad lamp includes four elongate portions. The elongate portions are connected in pairs.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides flat panel or planar lamps suitable to be placed in a body illuminating device and emitting fluorescent, ultraviolet radiation such that a person or user may be exposed to electromagnetic radiation suitable for tanning. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes a tanning device or system comprising at least one fluorescent, ultraviolet emitting planar lamp, and in certain embodiments the system uses an array of fluorescent, ultraviolet emitting planar lamps. In certain preferred embodiments, the lamp comprises at least one planar surface made of a material substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation. A fluorescent or phosphor material is applied to the planar surface. An envelop is hermetically sealed over the planar surface to define a sealed volume containing the fluorescent material. A gas is dispersed within the volume, wherein the gas interacts with the fluorescent material when electrically excited to emit ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a tanning system with first and second units mounted to define a gap for a person to be tanned. The gap defines a head area to be adjacent the person's head and defines first and second shoulder areas oriented to be over the shoulders of a person. The first and second shoulder areas provide ultraviolet illumination, with a reduced amount of illumination provided in the head area. In one embodiment, the system includes a row of ultraviolet lamps mounted to the tanning device. Preferably the row includes two shoulder series, where the first shoulder series is over the first shoulder of the person to be tanned, and the second shoulder series is over the second shoulder of the person to be tanned. In preferred embodiments, the tanning system uses at least one quad lamp. In certain embodiments, the quad lamps are mounted vertically. In another preferred embodiment, the quad lamp includes four elongate portions. The elongate portions are connected in pairs.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides flat panel or planar lamps suitable to be placed in a body illuminating device and emitting fluorescent, ultraviolet radiation such that a person or user may be exposed to electromagnetic radiation suitable for tanning. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes a tanning device or system comprising at least one fluorescent, ultraviolet emitting planar lamp, and in certain embodiments the system uses an array of fluorescent, ultraviolet emitting planar lamps. In certain preferred embodiments, the lamp comprises at least one planar surface made of a material substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation. A fluorescent or phosphor material is applied to the planar surface. An envelop is hermetically sealed over the planar surface to define a sealed volume containing the fluorescent material. A gas is dispersed within the volume, wherein the gas interacts with the fluorescent material when electrically excited to emit ultraviolet radiation.