U.S. patent application number 11/830892 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for allergy barrier for bedding.
Invention is credited to John Atwood.
Application Number | 20080028522 11/830892 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027681 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080028522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atwood; John |
February 7, 2008 |
ALLERGY BARRIER FOR BEDDING
Abstract
An allergy barrier for bedding comprised of a sheet adapted to
fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all
sides, and a portion of the bottom of a mattress. A pull string
inserted within an outer hem of the sheet where the pull string is
adapted to secure the sheet to the mattress. The pull string
terminates outside of the outer hem. The sheet is made of a
material having a mean average pore size of less than ten (10)
microns.
Inventors: |
Atwood; John; (Bristol,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMMER & HANF, PC
3125 SPRINGBANK LANE, SUITE G
CHARLOTTE
NC
28226
US
|
Family ID: |
39027681 |
Appl. No.: |
11/830892 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60835833 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/496 ;
5/497 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0246 20130101;
A47G 2009/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/496 ;
5/497 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/04 20060101
A47G009/04 |
Claims
1. An allergy barrier for bedding comprising: a sheet adapted to
fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all
sides, and a portion of the bottom of a mattress; a pull string
inserted within an outer hem of said sheet; said pull string being
adapted to secure said sheet to said mattress; said pull string
terminating outside of said outer hem; and said sheet being made of
a material having a mean average pore size of less than ten (10)
microns.
2. The allergy barrier of claim 1 where said sheet having no
exposed enclosure means on said top and all sides.
3. The allergy barrier of claim 1 where enclosure means consists of
the group of zippers, snaps, hook and loop type closure means,
buttons, fasteners, connectors, latches, hooks or combinations
thereof.
4. The allergy barrier of claim 1 where said sheet being adapted to
easily be applied or removed by a single person.
5. The allergy barrier of claim 1 further comprising a locking
device for said pull string.
6. The allergy barrier of claim 1 where said outer hem of said
sheet forms substantially a rectangle on the under side of said
mattress, said rectangle having four corners, and four sides and
further comprising eight pull string ends, two in each corner
adapted for securely gathering material of said sheet in each
corner, where pull string ends terminate outside said outer
hem.
7. The allergy barrier of claim 6 further comprising a locking
device for each pair of pull string ends.
8. The allergy barrier of claim 6 further comprising a tack point
located about center of each side of said outer hem.
9. The allergy barrier of claim 6 further comprising a reinforced
orifice in each corner adapted to journal said pull string
ends.
10. The allergy barrier of claim 1 where said material is selected
from the group consisting of: a microporous film; a tightly woven
fabric; a nonwoven fabric; a woven fabric; or a laminate of one or
more of the above listed fabrics or films.
11. An allergy barrier for bedding comprising: a sheet adapted to
fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all
sides, and a portion of the bottom of a mattress; said sheet being
made of a material having a mean average pore size of less than ten
(10) microns; said material being selected from the group
consisting of: a microporous film; a tightly woven fabric; a
nonwoven fabric; a woven fabric; or a laminate of one or more of
the above listed fabrics or films; where said sheet has no exposed
enclosure means on said top and all sides; a plurality of pull
strings inserted within an outer hem of said sheet; said pull
strings being adapted to secure said sheet to said mattress; where
said outer hem of said sheet forms substantially a rectangle on an
under side of said mattress, said rectangle having four corners,
and four sides and further comprising eight pull string ends, two
in each corner adapted for securely gathering material of said
sheet in each corner; where pull string ends terminate outside said
outer hem; and a reinforced orifice in each corner adapted to
journal said pull string ends.
12. The allergy barrier of claim 11 where said sheet having no
exposed enclosure means on said top and all sides.
13. The allergy barrier of claim 11 further comprising a tack point
located about center of each side of said outer hem.
14. The allergy barrier of claim 11 where said sheet being adapted
to easily be applied or removed by a single person.
15. The allergy barrier of claim 11 further comprising a locking
device for said pull string.
16. The allergy barrier of claim 11 where said sheet is made of a
tightly knit synthetic fabric.
17. The allergy barrier of claim 11 where said reinforced orifice
is selected from the group consisting of: plastic, metal, fiber
stitched reinforcing or a combination thereof.
18. An allergy barrier for bedding comprising: a sheet adapted to
fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all
sides, and a portion of the bottom of a standard mattress; a pull
string inserted within an outer hem of said sheet; said pull string
being adapted to secure said sheet to said mattress; and said sheet
being made of a material that is not porous.
19. The allergy barrier of claim 9 where said sheet having no
exposed enclosure means on said top and all sides.
20. The allergy barrier of claim 9 where said sheet being adapted
to easily be applied or removed by a single person.
Description
RELATED CASES
[0001] This application claims the priority of the provisional
application Ser. No. 60/835,833 filed Aug. 4, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention provides an allergy barrier for
bedding that is air permeable and comfortable. This allergy barrier
fits a wide variety of mattresses, yet can be easily fitted over
the mattress by one person. The allergy barrier prevents the
passage of dust mites or their fecal particles from the mattress
through the allergy barrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The principal generator of indoor allergens, are microscopic
creatures. These creatures are called dust mites. A dust mite
ranges from 100 to 300 microns in size and cannot be seen with the
naked eye. Dust mite excrement, which is a key component that
causes allergic reactions, is even smaller. Dust mite excrement
ranges in size down to 10 microns. Therefore, in order to provide
an effective barrier to dust, dust mites, and their allergy-causing
particles, a fabric or material must be capable of limiting the
transmission of 10 micron particles through its surface.
[0004] Fabrics having a beneficial pore structure are discussed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,747 and more recently fabrics with a consistent
pore structure are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,770.
[0005] The dust mites found in the home generally have high
concentrations in the bedroom. This is due in part to the favorably
conditions found in bedding. Dust mites prefer warm, moist
surroundings such as a mattress with someone laying on it. An
average mattress is capable of supporting a colony of 2 million
dust mites. Pillows also provide an excellent habitat for dust
mites. Ten percent of the weight of a two-year old pillow can be
comprised of dust mites and their feces. Sofa cushions, chair
cushions, carpets, and other foam or fiber filled articles also
provide a suitable habitat for dust mites. In effect, every home
contains many areas where dust mites can thrive.
[0006] The presence of allergens from dust mites is a problem that
increases as mattresses become older. During its lifetime, a
typical dust mite produces up to 200 times its net body weight in
excrement. This excrement contains the allergen that triggers
asthma attacks and allergic reactions, including congestion, red
eyes, sneezing, and headaches. This problem is exacerbated by the
fact that it is difficult to remove dust mites from the materials
in which they thrive. Mattresses are usually never washed.
[0007] Protective covers which encapsulated the mattress or pillow
have been suggested, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,861 and US Publication
number 2002/0148047. These protective covers usually have two
problems. First, they are difficult for one person to put on or
take off of a mattress alone. Second, they usually have an
ineffective closure that may allow mites or their fecal particle
through. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,861 advises covering the
zipper attachment means with adhesive tape to block allergen
pass-through.
[0008] There is a need for an improved mattress encasement which is
an effective shield against dust mites and their fecal
particulates, but it also needs to be easy to apply to a mattress
by one person. The zippered encasement systems which have been
offered so far are difficult to get on or off a mattress especially
with larger and heavier mattress sizes. This might induce people to
launder them less often or never, which lessens the effectiveness
of the encasement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An allergy barrier for bedding comprised of a sheet adapted
to fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all
sides, and a portion of the bottom of a mattress. A pull string
inserted within an outer hem of the sheet where the pull string is
adapted to secure the sheet to the mattress. The pull string
terminates outside of the outer hem. The sheet is made of a
material having a mean average pore size of less than ten (10)
microns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing will become more readily apparent by referring
to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the allergy barrier;
[0012] FIG. 2 is another bottom view of the allergy barrier showing
the details of the hem;
[0013] FIG. 2A shows the detail of the outer hem, drawstring ends
and locking device;
[0014] FIG. 2B shows the detail of the tack point;
[0015] FIG. 2C shows an exposed view of the drawstring within the
outer hem and the tack point;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an alternative allergy
barrier;
[0017] FIG. 4 is another bottom view of the alternative allergy
barrier showing the details of the hem;
[0018] FIG. 4A shows the detail of the outer hem, drawstring ends
and locking device;
[0019] FIG. 4B shows the detail of the tack point; and
[0020] FIG. 4C shows an exposed view of the drawstring within the
outer hem and the tack point.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] An allergy barrier 10, FIG. 1, for bedding comprised of a
sheet 20 adapted to fit a wide variety of mattress depths by
enclosing a top, all sides, and a portion of the bottom of a
mattress. A pull string 30, FIG. 2C, inserted within an outer hem
40 of the sheet where the pull string 30 is adapted to secure the
sheet 20 to the mattress. The pull string 30 terminates outside of
the outer hem 40 of the sheet 20, as shown in FIG. 2A. The sheet 20
is made of a material having a mean average pore size of less than
ten (10) microns. This material is selected from the group of a
microporous film, a tightly woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a
non-porous fabric or a laminate of one or more of these types of
fabrics.
[0022] This allergy barrier in one embodiment uses a sheet 20
having no exposed enclosure means on the top and all sides of the
allergy barrier. The enclosure means consists of the group of:
zippers, snaps, hook and loop type closure means, buttons,
fasteners, connectors, latches, hooks or combinations thereof.
[0023] The allergy barrier in one embodiment has no elastic band
fitted to the sheet 20, or in the outer hem 40.
[0024] The sheet 20, of the allergy barrier 10, comes in four basic
types used for mattress encasings: plastic film, plastic laminates,
nonwovens and tightly woven fabrics. Each of these materials are
capable of providing a barrier which has a mean pore size of less
than 10 microns.
[0025] Plastic film sheets use a non-porous plastic film. Examples
of such a film include but are not limited to vinyl, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polybutylene, polyurethane, polyethylene
terephthalate and combinations thereof. These are the oldest type,
and one of the first things that come to mind when most people
think of an allergy encasing. They are inexpensive, and effective,
yet uncomfortable--stiff, noisy and they do not breathe. Vinyl is a
film which is not porous, which has been used as a mattress cover.
As a result, many people will remove these vinyl encasings after a
few days of use.
[0026] Laminate sheets are the next generation of encasings. These
are still widely used, and are the type generally available at
places like allergy supply companies. When these laminates were
first developed, they represented a great advance over the plastic
film barriers. They are made by laminating (fusing) a plastic-type
microporous membrane to a fabric. These microporous plastics are
selected from the group of: polyurethane, polyethylene,
polybutylene, polypropylene and combinations thereof. The membrane
side is against the pillow or mattress, and the fabric side is
exposed, beneath the bed linens. The person is therefore not
sleeping on the plastic directly, making a laminate sheet slightly
more comfortable than a plastic film barrier.
[0027] Laminates have several problems, however, that have
prevented a broader acceptance. The first problem with laminates is
that, although less rigid than vinyl, they do have some stiffness
to them. This is especially noticeable on the pillow. Second, they
are not only allergen-proof--they are airtight. Although some
laminates have been advertised as being "breathable", this refers
only to the fact that in some of the better quality laminates a
minute amount of water vapor can pass through the membrane.
Although this represents an advance over vinyl, the fact is that no
laminate is truly breathable; that is, none of them allow the
passage of air. Once an encasing of this type is zipped closed
around a pillow, the pillow becomes like a balloon, with air
trapped in the encasing. And if you force the air out by pressing
on the pillow, the air--and probably dust mite allergens along with
it--escapes through the zipper.
[0028] The third and perhaps biggest problem with some of the older
laminate encasings is that they often de-laminate, that is, with
repeated washing and drying a plastic membrane may separate from
the fabric onto which it had been coated, making the encasing
unusable.
[0029] Non-woven sheets are another type of encasing material. An
older example of a non-woven fabric is felt. This is made by gluing
short pieces of yarn to each other to form a mass. This material is
in contrast to a woven fabric where the long warp and weft yarns
are alternately woven above and below each other on a loom. Newer
non-woven microfiber fabrics are effective and inexpensive allergen
barriers, but some are not made to withstand machine washing, and
generally they do not have the strength or durability of a tightly
woven encasings.
[0030] Tightly woven materials made of synthetic or a combination
of synthetic and natural fibers are found to be very effective as
an allergy barrier. With the proper tight weave it is possible to
produce a polyester fabric which has a mean pore size of less than
10 microns and in one embodiment even less than 8 micron mean pore
size.
[0031] Microfiber woven sheets are a type of allergen-barrier
encasing which belong to the group of tightly woven materials. They
are constructed from microfiber fabrics: new high-tech fabrics made
of fibers so thin and yarns so tightly woven that there is no space
between the weave of the yarns large enough to allow the passage of
allergen molecules. Since the microfiber fabric is itself acting as
a filter that prevents allergen escape, encasings made from a true
microfiber do not need the membrane. Without the membrane they are
truly breathable, that is, both air and water vapor can pass freely
through the fabric, even though allergen cannot. They are therefore
extremely comfortable, actually imperceptible in use. The
microfibers may be synthetic or a blend of synthetic and natural
fibers. Through the use of microfibers it is possible to obtain a
fabric with a mean pore size of less than 10 microns. In one
embodiment it is possible to achieve a mean pore size of less than
6 microns and in another embodiment a mean pore size of less than 4
microns.
[0032] The allergy barrier of the invention is adapted to easily be
applied or removed by a single person. It is surprising that one
cover for each of the mattress sizes can be easily handled by a
single person. With the advent of pillow top mattresses and
overstuffed mattresses it is often difficult for a single person to
put a fitted sheet on these types of mattresses. The standard
mattress sizes are usually referred to as: twin, long twin, double,
full, queen, king, and California king. The problem with most
mattress encasements currently being offered is that they are
difficult to be handled by a single person, and therefore they tend
not to be laundered regularly. If the mattress encasements are not
laundered at regular intervals dust might colonies can grow on the
surface of the mattress encasement.
[0033] The allergy barrier in another embodiment may further
comprise a locking device 50 for the pull string, as shown in FIG.
2A. The locking device may be a spring loaded catch.
[0034] The allergy barrier in one of the embodiments of the
invention has an outer hem 40 of the sheet 20 that forms
substantially a rectangle on the under side of the mattress. It
will be noted that because the invention uses fabric that the sides
of the rectangle may not be straight or the corners formed at right
angles, in fact the corners will probably appear rounded, FIG. 2,
but here we are speaking of the shape in general. The rectangle has
four corners and four sides and further has eight pull string ends,
two in each corner, FIG. 2A. The two pull string ends 35 in each
corner are adapted for securely gathering material of the sheet in
each corner, where pull string ends terminate outside said outer
hem.
[0035] The allergy barrier 10 in one embodiment has two pull string
ends 35, FIG. 2A. In another embodiment the allergy barrier 10 has
two pull string ends 35 in each corner FIG. 2. In one embodiment a
locking device 50 for each pair of pull string ends 35, FIG. 2, is
provided. The locking device 50 may be a spring loaded catch of
conventional design. The allergy barrier having two pull string
ends in each corner may further comprising a tack point 60, FIG.
2B, located about center of each side of said outer hem. The tack
point keeps the pull string 30 in a predetermined position, FIG. 2,
so that it cannot be pulled completely through the channel of the
outer hem 40.
[0036] In one embodiment of the invention the allergy barrier 100,
FIG. 3, is further fitted with a reinforced orifice 70 adapted to
journal the pull string ends 35 as shown in greater detail in FIG.
4A. The reinforced orifice can be plastic, metal, fiber stitched
reinforcing or a combination thereof. With metal reinforcement it
is important to choose a metal which will not rust or oxidize when
subjected to repeated launderings. It is possible to use a metal
which is coated to avoid this problem. If stitched it is possible
to use multiple stitches for strength or a higher strength thread
or yarn. In this embodiment it is also possible to include a tack
point 60, FIGS. 4B and 4C, on the outer hem 40, to keep the pull
string 30 in place. In addition a locking device 50, FIG. 4A can
also be fitted to the pull string ends 35, so that the pull string
can be cinched without tying.
[0037] In another embodiment of the invention the allergy barrier
10, FIG. 1, for bedding comprised of a sheet 20 adapted to fit a
wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all sides, and
a portion of the bottom of a mattress. A pull string 30 inserted
within an outer hem 40, FIG. 2C, of the sheet where the pull string
30 is adapted to secure the sheet 20 to the mattress. The pull
string 30 terminates outside of the outer hem 40 of the sheet 20,
FIG. 2A. The sheet 20 is made of a non-porous material. This
non-porous material is a plastic film made of either polyethylene,
polypropylene or co polymers thereof or vinyl.
[0038] This allergy barrier of the non-porous material in one
embodiment uses a sheet 20 having no exposed enclosure means on the
top and all sides of the allergy barrier. The enclosure means
consists of the group of: zippers, snaps, hook and loop type
closure means, buttons, fasteners, connectors, latches, hooks or
combinations thereof.
* * * * *