IE87267B1 - Bed warming apparatus, and a method for warming a bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A bed warming apparatus (1) comprises a bladder (3) for placing on a mattress (5) between the mattress (5) and a bed sheet (6). The bladder (3) comprises a top major panel (15) and a bottom major panel (16) which are secured together around a peripheral edge (18). The top major panel (15) is perforated with a plurality of air accommodating openings (24) for accommodating heated air from the bladder (3) for heating the bed and the bedclothes. A heater housing (7) comprising an electrically powered heating element (8) and an air blower (14) delivers air through a connecting conduit (12) to the bladder (3) for heating the bed. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to bed warming apparatus, and to a method for warming a bed. The invention also relates to a mattress comprising the bed 5 warming apparatus, and to a bed comprising a mattress with the apparatus.

In cold weather, and in particular, in cold, damp weather it is important to heat a bed prior to a person getting into the bed. The heating of the bed is required typically for two reasons, firstly, to heat the bedclothes of the bed, and secondly, in a damp to atmosphere, to air the bedclothes of the bed. It is also desirable in many instances to continuously heat the bed while a person is in the bed, either resting or asleep, Bed warming devices are known. The most commoniy used bed warming devices are a hot water bottle and an electric blanket. Hot water bottles may be of a rigid ceramics material, or may be of a flexible rubber or plastics material. The hot water bottle is charged with heated water through an inlet port, which is then sealably closed by a suitable plug. However, one problem with hot water bottles is that due to their size they only heat a localised area of the bed, A second problem with hot water bottles is that over time the water in the hot water bottle cools, and in general, by morning, or indeed after a few hours, the water may have cooled to room temperature, and thus has little or no warming effect on the bed. Additionally, hot water bottles are prone to leaking, resulting in wetting of the bed, the mattress and the bedclothes.

Electric blankets are available in two types, one of which is commonly referred to as an under-blanket, and the other is referred to as an over-blanket. In general, underblankets are placed on the mattress with a sheet placed over the under-blanket and the mattress with the under-blanket located therebetween. However, for safety reasons under-blankets should not be powered up when a person is in the bed, and are therefore only suitable for warming a bed prior to a person using the bed, and must thus be powered down prior to a person using the bed. Over-blankets, on the other hand, are generally placed over the bedclothes of a bed, and may be used both prior to and during the period while a person is in the bed. However, there are 27/04/2021 risks of electrocution associated with using an over-blanket when a person is in a bed, and ideally, should only be used prior to a person using the bed.

Other bed warming devices include water and air heaters of the type whereby a 5 continuous supply of hot water or warm air is delivered through the bed warmer.

However, such bed warmers, in general, are of the size and shape of a conventional hot water bottle, and thus are suitable for heating a localised area of the bed, as in the case of a hot water bottle, however, due to the fact that air or water is circulated through the bed warmer, the bed warmers remain warm for so long as heated water io or air is circulated through the bed warmer.

Accordingly, it will be understood that all such known bed warmers suffer from various disadvantages.

There is therefore a need for bed warming apparatus which addresses at least some of the problems of known bed warmers.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a bed warming apparatus, and the invention is also directed towards a mattress comprising the bed warming 20 apparatus, and to a bed comprising a mattress and the bed warming apparatus. The invention is also directed towards a method for warming a bed.

According to the invention there is provided a bed warming apparatus comprising a biadder comprising a pair of major panels joined around their peripheral edges and 25 defining a hollow interior region therebetween, an inlet port to the hollow interior region for accommodating heated air thereto, and one of the major panels being perforated for accommodating heated air from the hollow interior region therethrough, a heating means comprising an electrically powered heating element for heating air, a communicating means communicates the heating element with the 30 inlet port of the bladder for accommodating heated air from the heating element to the bladder, an air urging means comprising an air blower for urging air through the heating element for heating thereof and for urging the air through the communicating means to the bladder, a temperature sensor for locating between bedclothes and for 97/Π4/9Π21 Z. f lUMrf i monitoring the temperature of the bedclothes, and a logic controller or a microcontroller for controlling fan speed of the air blower or heat output of the heating element in response to signals read from the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the bedclothes.

In one aspect of the invention one of the major panels defines a top surface of the bladder, and the other one of the major panels defines a bottom surface of the bladder. Preferably, the major panel defining the top surface of the bladder is the perforated panel. Advantageously, the major panels of the bladder are of a flexible to material, Ideally, the major panels of the bladder are of an electrically nonconductive material.

In another aspect of the invention the major panels of the bladder are of a plastics material. Preferably, the major panels of the bladder comprise a silicone material. 15 In another aspect of the invention the major panels of the bladder are sealably secured together around their respective peripheral edges. Preferably, the major panels of the bladder are sealably secured together around their respective peripheral edges by one of heat welding, an adhesive material, stitching, and a 20 combination of stitching and an adhesive.

In another aspect of the invention the perforated major panel of the bladder comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings extending through the major panel communicating the hollow interior region thereof with the exterior of the bladder.

In another aspect of the invention the air inlet port is located between the major panels of the bladder adjacent the peripheral edges thereof. Preferably, the air inlet port comprises an inlet tubular element sealably secured between the major panels of the bladder adjacent the peripheral edges thereof and communicating with the 30 hollow interior region of the bladder.

Preferably, the air blower is located upstream of the heating element, relative to the direction of flow of air through the heating element. 27/04/2021 In another aspect of the invention a timer is provided for controlling the operation of the heating element and the air blower.

In a further aspect of the invention a housing is provided, the housing defining an air accommodating passageway extending therethrough, and the heating element and the air blower are located in the air accommodating passageway.

Preferably, the air accommodating passageway extends between an air inlet, to through which air is drawn into the air accommodating passageway, and an air outlet through which heated air is delivered from the air accommodating passageway.

Advantageously, the communicating means extends between the air accommodating passageway and the bladder, and is connected to the air outlet from is the air accommodating passageway in the housing, and is connected to the air inlet port of the bladder for communicating the air inlet port of the bladder with the air outlet of the air accommodating passageway.

Advantageously, the communicating means comprises a flexible conduit, ideally, 20 the communicating conduit comprises an electrically non-conductive material.

In one aspect of the invention the communicating conduit comprises a plastics material. Preferably, the communicating conduit comprises a silicone material.

In another aspect of the invention the bladder is configured to substantially follow the contour of a surface on which the bladder is placed. Preferably, the bladder is adapted for placing on a mattress of a bed. Advantageously, the bladder is adapted for placing on a mattress of a bed between the mattress and a sheet placed over the mattress. Preferably, the bladder is of area of at least one-eighth of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

In one aspect of the invention the bladder is of area of at least a quarter of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed. Preferably, the bladder is of 27/04/2021 area of at least a half of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed. Advantageously, the bladder is of area of at least three-quarters of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

In another aspect of the invention the bladder is of area substantially similar to the area of the top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

In one aspect of the invention a securing means is provided for securing the bladder in place on the mattress. Preferably, the securing means comprises at least one io ligature coupled to the bladder adjacent the peripheral edge of the bladder, and adapted for coupling to one of the peripheral edge of the bladder adjacent an opposite side of the bladder to that from which the ligature is coupled to the bladder and a ligature coupled to the peripheral edge of the bladder adjacent an opposite side of the bladder. Advantageously, a pair of ligatures are provided spaced apart 15 along the respective opposite side edges of the bladder. Ideally, at least two of the ligatures are coupled to one of the side edges of the peripheral edge of the bladder, one of the two ligatures being located towards one each edge of the peripheral edge of the bladder, and the other one of the two ligatures being located towards an opposite end thereof.

In an alternative aspect of the invention the bladder is located in an envelope comprising a pair of major panels secured together around the peripheral edges thereof and defining a hollow interior region within which the bladder is located.

In another aspect of the invention a bladder accommodating opening is provided for accommodating the bladder into the hollow Interior region of the envelope.

The invention also provides a mattress comprising a bed warming apparatus according to the invention with the bladder located on the mattress, and a bed sheet, 30 the bed sheet being located over the bladder and the mattress with the bladder located between the bed sheet and the mattress. 27/04/2021 Further the invention provides a bed comprising the mattress according to the invention.

The invention also provides a method for warming a bed, the method comprising 5 providing a biadder comprising a pair of major panels joined around their peripheral edges and defining a hollow interior region therebetween and having an iniet port to the hoiiow interior region, one of the panels being perforated for accommodating heated air from the hoiiow interior region, placing the bladder on a mattress of the bed between the mattress and a bed sheet placed over the mattress, urging a io heated air supply through a communicating means from a heating element to the hollow interior region of the bladder by an air blower for delivery through the perforated panel of the bladder for warming the bed, monitoring the temperature of bedclothes of the bed by a temperature sensor located between the bedclothes, and controlling fan speed of the air blower or heat output of the heating element in response to signals read from the temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the bedclothes.

Preferably, the communicating means comprises a communicating conduit.

Advantageously, the communicating conduit comprises a flexible communicating 20 conduit.

The advantages of the invention are many. By virtue of the fact that the bed is heated by heated air from the heater which is located remotely of the bladder, the bed warming apparatus is safe to use without any danger of electrocution of a 25 person in the bed, which in general, is a risk where electrically powered underblankets or over-blankets are used. Additionally, by virtue of the fact that there is no danger of electrocution of a person in the bed in which the bed 'warming apparatus is being used, the bed warming apparatus may be operated to deliver heated air to the bed even while the person is in the bed.

A major advantage of the bed warming apparatus is that heated air from the bladder is free to percolate through the bedclothes, and thus the bedclothes are heated throughout, thereby keeping the person in the bed warm. 27/04/2021 The advantage of providing the bed warming apparatus with a timer is that it allows a person to set the bed warming apparatus to power up at a predefined time, typically at a time prior to the person using the bed, typically fifteen minutes prior to use of the 5 bed, and allows the apparatus to be powered while the person is in the bed, and powered down at a predefined time, which may be at a time when the person is ready to rise from the bed, or at a time while the person is asleep. The provision of the timer has the additional advantage that it allows the apparatus to be powered up and deactivated at predefined times, in order to avoid over-heating of the bed or of io over-heating of a person in the bed.

The invention will be more dearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, 'which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of bed warming apparatus according to the invention for warming a bed, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the bed warming apparatus of Fig. 20 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side eievationai view of another portion of the bed warming apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the portion of Fig. 2 of the bed warming apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the portion of Fig. 2 of the bed warming apparatus of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional end eievationai view of the portion of Fig. 2 of the bed warming apparatus of Fig. 1 in use, 27/04/2021 Fig. 7 is a plan view of bed warming apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of the bed 5 warming apparatus of Fig. 7, in use.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, there is illustrated bed warming apparatus according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for warming a bed (not shown). The bed warming apparatus 1 comprises to a partly perforated bladder 3 adapted for mounting on a mattress 5, which is also according to the invention, between the mattress 5 and a bed sheet 6 placed over the mattress for delivering heated air to percolate upwardly through the bed sheet 6 and other bedclothes (not shown) on the bed. A heater housing 7, within which a heating means comprising an electrically powered heating element 8, and an air 15 urging means comprising an electrically powered air blower 14 for urging air across the heating element 8 are located, for providing a supply of heated air to the bladder 3. A communicating means, in this embodiment of the invention a flexible communicating conduit 12 connects the bladder 3 to the heater housing 7 for delivering heated air to the bladder 3 for heating the bed (not shown). The heater 20 housing 7 and the communicating conduit 12 will be described in more detail below.

The bladder 3 comprises a pair of major panels, namely, a top panel 15 defining a top surface 17 and a bottom panel 16 defining a bottom surface 19. The top and bottom panels 15 and 16 are of substantially rectangular shape defining respective 25 peripheral edges 18, namely, respective pairs of opposite spaced apart side edges , joined by respective pairs of opposite spaced apart end edges 21. The top and bottom panels 15 and 16 are of a flexible material, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises an electrically non-conductive silicone based film material, and are sealably secured together along their peripheral edges 18 by a suitable sealing 30 means, for example, by heat welding, by an adhesive or other suitable sealing means. The top and bottom panels 15 and 16 define a hollow interior region 23 therebetween for accommodating heated air therein for delivery to the bed. 27/04/2021 An inlet port 10 for accommodating heated air into the hollow interior region 23 comprises a tubular element 22 located in one of the side edges 20 of the respective top and bottom panels 15 and 16 adjacent one of the respective end edges 21 thereof. The tubular element 22 is sealably secured between the top and bottom 5 panels 15 and 16 by heat welding or a suitable adhesive when the top and bottom panels 15 and 16 are being sealably secured together around the peripheral edge 18 thereof.

The top panel 15 is perforated by a plurality of spaced apart openings 24 which 10 accommodate heated air from the hollow interior region 23 to percolate through the bed sheet 6 and other bedclothes with which the bed is made for heating thereof. In this embodiment of the invention no perforations are provided in the bottom panel 16S although in some embodiments of the invention both the top and bottom panels 15 and 16 may be perforated.

A securing means for securing the bladder 3 on the mattress 5 comprises two pairs of ligatures, namely, two pairs of securing tapes 25 of fabric material, one securing tape 25 of each pair of the securing tapes 25 is secured to the bladder 3 along one of the side edges 20 thereof, and the other securing tape of each pair of the securing 20 tapes 25 is secured to the opposite one of the side edges 20 of the bladder 3. The securing tapes 25 are secured to the respective side edges 20 of the bladder 3 towards the corresponding respective opposite end edges 21 thereof. One of the securing tapes 25 of each pair of the securing tapes 25 is of sufficient length to extend beneath the mattress 5 to the opposite side thereof for tying to the corresponding securing tape 25 of the bladder 3 for in turn securing the bladder 3 on the mattress 5 between the mattress 5 and the bed sheet 6. However, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention only two securing tapes 25 will be provided, and both of which securing tapes would be secured to one of the side edges 20 of the bladder 3 spaced apart from each other, and the securing tapes would each terminate in a corresponding clasp or other suitable releasable securing means for securing to the opposite one of the side edges 20 of the bladder 3.

The heater housing 7 defines an air accommodating passageway 27 which extends 27/04/2021 through the heater housing 7 from an air inlet 30 to an air outlet 31. Air is admitted into the air accommodating passageway 27 through the air inlet 30 through an air inlet grill 33. The air outlet 31 terminates in an air outlet port 34 which is adapted for releasably connecting to the communicating conduit 12. The electrically powered 5 heating element 8 is located in the air accommodating passageway 27 towards a downstream end 35 thereof towards the air outlet 31, and the air blower 14 is located in the air accommodating passageway 27 upstream of the heating element 8. In this embodiment of the invention the air blower 14 comprises a fan 36 which is powered by an electrically powered motor 37. both of which are located in the air io accommodating passageway 27. The heater housing 7 may be of any suitable material, a metal material, a plastics material or the like, Electrical power from an AC electrical power supply is provided to the heater element 7 and the electrically powered motor 37 of the air blower 14 through an 15 isolating switch 40 which is operated under the control of an electrically powered timer 41 for timing on and off periods of the heating element 8 and the electrically powered motor 37. Such isolating switches of the type of the isolating switch 40 which are operable under the control of a timer will be well known to those skilled in the art, although in certain cases the timer may be a mechanical type timer.

An electrically powered speed controller 48 is also provided for controlling the operating speed of the motor 37 for in turn controlling the speed of the fan 36 of the air blower 14 in order to vary the delivery rate of air from the heater housing 7 to the bladder 3. The controller 48 typically would be set to operate the motor 37 at a 25 relatively high speed for driving the fan 36 at a relatively high speed in order to initially heat up the bed, and once the bed had been heated, the speed controller 48 would be operated to reduce the speed of the motor 37 for in turn reducing the speed of the fan 36 to in turn reduce the delivery rate of air to the bladder 3. it is envisaged that the speed controller 48 could also be operated under the control of 30 the timer 41.

The communicating conduit 12 in this embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible tubular conduit of an electrically non-conductive silicone based material, and 27/04/2021 terminates at an upstream end 42 in an upstream connector 43 and at a downstream end 44 in a downstream connector 45. The upstream connector 42 is adapted for releasabiy coupling to the air outlet port 34 of the heater housing 7, while the downstream connector 45 is adapted for releasabiy coupling to the inlet ροή 10 of 5 the bladder 3.

In this embodiment of the invention the bladder 3 is of size suitable for a single bed, and is of area which is approximately three-quarters of the area of the top surface of the mattress 5, and in this embodiment of the invention the bladder 3 is typically of width W of approximately 750mm and of length L of approximately 1200mm. in use, with the bedclothes and the bed sheet 6 removed from the mattress 5, the bladder 3 is located in place on the top surface of the mattress 5 towards the foot end 47 thereof, with the top panel 15 of the bladder 3 facing upwardly and the is bottom panel 16 thereof resting on the top surface of the mattress 5. The securing tapes 25 which are secured along one of the side edges 20 of the bladder 3 are passed under the mattress 5, and are tied to the securing tapes 25 which extend from the opposite side edge 20 of the bladder 3 for securing the bladder 3 on the top surface of the mattress 5. The bed sheet 6 is then placed over the bladder 3 and the mattress 5 and in general is tucked in beneath the mattress 5 between the mattress 5 and a bed base (not shown). Thereafter the remainder of the bed is made up, and the communicating conduit 12 is connected to the inlet ροή 10 of the bladder 3 and to the outlet port 34 of the heater housing 7. With the timer 41 set to power up the heater element 8 and the motor 37 of the air blower 14 at the desired time, and to power down the heating element 8 and the motor 37 of the air blower 14 at the desired time, and the speed controller 48 set to operate the motor 37 of the air blower 14 at the desired speed, the apparatus 1 is ready for use for warming the bed (not shown).

On powering up of the heating element 8 and the motor 37 of the air blower 14, the air blower 14 draws air into the air accommodating passageway 27 and urges the air through the air accommodating passageway 27 across the heating element 8 where the air is heated, and in turn through the communicating conduit 12 and into the 27/04/2021 hollow interior region 23 of the bladder 3, The heated air then percolates from the hollow interior region 24 of the bladder 3 through the air accommodating openings 24 in the top panel 15, and from the air accommodating openings 24 the heated air percolates through the bed sheet 6 and in turn through the remainder of the 5 bedclothes, thereby heating and airing the bed sheet 6 and the bedclothes.

Typically, the timer 41 of the apparatus 1 would be set to power up the apparatus 1 approximately fifteen minutes prior to use of the bed, and the timer 41 would be set to retain the apparatus powered up for as long as a person wishes the heated air to to be delivered to the bed. This period may be for the entire length of time the person remains in the bed, or may be for a period of fifteen minutes to one hour after the person has got into the bed. It is also envisaged that the timer may be set so that during the period whiie the person is in the bed, the timer would periodically power up the apparatus 1 at predefined times for predefined durations during the period 15 while the person remains in the bed.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is illustrated bed warming apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The bed warming apparatus 50 is substantially similar to the bed 20 warming apparatus 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. However, in this embodiment of the invention the bladder 3 is of a relatively small size, and typically, is of size of approximately 400mm by 400mm.

However, in this embodiment of the invention the bladder 3 is located in an envelope 52 of a textile material which is permeable to air. The envelope 52 in this embodiment of the invention comprises a top major panel 54 and a bottom major panel 55 which are stitched together around the peripheral edges 56 to define a hollow interior region 57 within which the bladder 3 Is located. An opening (not shown) is provided along one side edge 58 of the envelope 58 for accommodating the bladder 3 into the hollow interior region 57 of the envelope 52. In this embodiment of the invention the envelope 52 is of width and length dimensions substantially similar to the width and length dimensions of the bladder 3 of the apparatus 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, and is suitable for a single bed. In this embodiment of the invention the pairs of securing tapes 25 extend from 97/Π4/9Π91 opposite side edges 58 of the envelope 52 for securing the envelope 52 to the top surface of a mattress (not shown). in use, with the bladder 3 located in the envelope 52 and connected by the 5 connecting conduit 12 to the heater housing 7, the envelope 52 is secured to the mattress 5 by the securing tapes 25 between the mattress 5 and the bed sheet 6 as already described with reference to the apparatus 1.

Otherwise the apparatus 50 and its use is similar to the apparatus 1 and its use as io described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. it is also envisaged that a temperature sensor may be provided for locating between the bedclothes for monitoring the temperature of the bedclothes, and a logic controller or a microcontroller would be provided which would operate the speed 15 controller 48 in response to signals read from the temperature sensor for altering the speed of the motor 37 for maintaining the temperature of the bedclothes within upper and lower predefined temperature values. The microcontroller or the logic controller may also be configured to control the heating element for in turn controlling the heat output of the heater element in order to control the temperature of the bedclothes in 20 the bed. Further, it is envisaged that a thermal cut-out may be provided for controlling the power supply to the heating element and the motor 37 of the air blower 14 in the event of over-heating of either the heating element 8 or the air blower 14. The power supply to the heating element and/or the motor 37 of the air blower 14 would be restored on cooling of the heating element or the motor 37 as 25 the case may be to a predefined safe working temperature.

While the bladders 3 of the bed warming apparatus 1 and the envelope 52 of the bed warming apparatus 50 have been described as being suitable for use in a single bed, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that both the bladders 3 and 30 the envelope 52 may be sized to be suitable for use in a double bed. Typically, the length dimension of the bladders 3 and the envelope 52 would be substantially similar to the length dimension of the bladder 3 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, while the width dimension would be wider, and typically, would be of width 27/04/2021 approximately 300mm less than the width of the double bed.

While the heating means has been described as comprising an electrically powered heating element, any suitable heating element may be provided. It will also be 5 appreciated that any suitable air blower may be provided, and the fan part of the air blower may be of any suitable construction, be it an axial fan or an axial to radial fan or a radial to axial fan, or a backwardly curved radial fan.

It will also be appreciated that while the apparatus has been described as io comprising a timer, while this is advantageous, it is not essential, and the isolating switch, instead of being timer controlled may be provided as a simple manually operated on/off switch.

While the bladder has been described as being of a specific material, the bladder is may be of any other suitable material, and indeed, in certain cases, may be of a textile material. Needless to say, the communicating means may be provided by any suitable communicating conduit or duct.

It will also be appreciated that while the bladders and the envelope of the apparatus 20 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and Figs. 7 and 8 have been described as being of a specific size, the bladders and the envelope may be of greater or lesser size than that described. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the bladders and/or the envelope may be of substantially similar size to that of the mattress, and in certain cases may be of length not more than half the length of the mattress, and in 25 certain cases, not more than a quarter of the length of the mattress.

It is also envisaged that the electrically powered heating element may be a low wattage heating element, which could be operated at its maximum output, in order to avoid over-heating of the bed.

Claims (38)

Claims

1. A bed warming apparatus comprising a bladder comprising a pair of major panels joined around their peripheral edges and defining a hollow interior region therebetween, an inlet port to the hollow interior region for accommodating heated 5 air thereto, and one of the major panels being perforated for accommodating heated air from the hoiiow interior region therethrough, a heating means comprising an electrically powered heating element for heating air, a communicating means communicates the heating element with the inlet port of the bladder for accommodating heated air from the heating element to the bladder, an air urging 10 means comprising an air blower for urging air through the heating element for heating thereof and for urging the air through the communicating means to the bladder, a temperature sensor for locating between bedclothes and for monitoring the temperature of the bedclothes, and a logic controller or a microcontroller for controlling fan speed of the air blower or heat output of the heating element in 15 response to signals read from the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the bedclothes.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which one of the major panels defines a top surface of the bladder, and the other one of the major panels defines a bottom 20 surface of the bladder.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the major panel defining the top surface of the bladder is the perforated panel. 25 4, Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the bladder are of a flexible material.

4. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the bladder are of an electrically non-conductive material.

5. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the bladder are of a plastics material. 27/04/2021

6. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the bladder comprise a silicone material.

7. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the 5 bladder are sealably secured together around their respective peripheral edges.

8. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the major panels of the bladder are sealably secured together around their respective peripheral edges by one of heat welding, an adhesive material, stitching, and a combination of stitching 10 and an adhesive.

9. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the perforated major panel of the bladder comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings extending through the major panel communicating the hollow interior region thereof with the 15 exterior of the bladder.

10. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air inlet port is located between the major panels of the bladder adjacent the peripheral edges thereof,

11. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air inlet port comprises an inlet tubular element sealably secured between the major panels of the bladder adjacent the peripheral edges thereof and communicating with the hollow interior region of the bladder.

12. 13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air blower is located upstream of the heating element, relative to the direction of flow of air through the heating element. 30

13. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a timer is provided for controlling the operation of the heating element and the air blower. 27/04/2021

14. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a housing is provided, the housing defining an air accommodating passageway extending therethrough, and the heating element and the air blower are located in the air accommodating passageway.

15. 16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the air accommodating passageway extends between an air inlet, through which air is drawn into the air accommodating passageway, and an air outlet through which heated air is delivered from the air accommodating passageway. to

16. 17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the communicating means extends between the air accommodating passageway and the bladder, and is connected to the air outlet from the air accommodating passageway In the housing, and is connected to the air inlet port of the bladder for communicating the air inlet 15 port of the bladder with the air outlet of the air accommodating passageway.

17. 18. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the communicating means comprises a flexible conduit. 20 19, Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the communicating conduit comprises an electrically non-conductive material.

18. 20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 or 19 in which the communicating conduit comprises a plastics material.

19. 21. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 20 In which the communicating conduit comprises a silicone material.

20. 22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the bladder is 30 configured to substantially follow the contour of a surface on which the bladder is placed.

21. 23. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim In which the bladder is adapted 27/04/2021 for placing on a mattress of a bed.

22. 24. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 in which the bladder is adapted for placing on a mattress of a bed between the mattress and a sheet placed over the mattress.

23. 25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 or 24 in which the bladder is of area of at least one-eighth of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

24. 26. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 25 In which the bladder is of 10 area of at least a quarter of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

25. 27. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 26 in which the bladder is of area of at least a half of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed, 15

26. 28. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 27 in which the bladder is of area of at least three-quarters of a top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed. 20

27. 29. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 28 in which the bladder is of area substantially similar to the area of the top surface of the mattress on which the bladder is placed.

28. 30. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 29 in which a securing means is 25 provided for securing the bladder in place on the mattress.

29. 31. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 30 in which the securing means comprises at least one ligature coupled to the bladder adjacent the peripheral edge of the bladder, and adapted for coupling to one of the peripheral edge of the bladder adjacent an 30 opposite side of the bladder to that from which the ligature is coupled to the bladder and a ligature coupled to the peripheral edge of the bladder adjacent an opposite side of the bladder. 27/04/2021

30. 32. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 31 in which a pair of ligatures are provided spaced apart along the respective opposite side edges of the bladder.

31. 33. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 31 or 32 in which at least two of the ligatures 5 are coupled to one of the side edges of the peripheral edge of the bladder, one of the two ligatures being located towards one each edge of the peripheral edge of the bladder, and the other one of the two ligatures being located towards an opposite end thereof. io

32. 34. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the bladder is located in an envelope comprising a pair of major panels secured together around the peripheral edges thereof and defining a hollow interior region within which the bladder is located. 15

33. 35. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 34 in which a bladder accommodating opening is provided for accommodating the bladder into the hollow interior region of the envelope.

34. 36. A mattress comprising bed warming apparatus as claimed in any preceding 20 claim with the bladder located on the mattress, and a bed sheet, the bed sheet being located over the bladder and the mattress with the bladder located between the bed sheet and the mattress.

35. 37. A bed comprising the mattress as claimed in Claim 36.

36. 38. A method for warming a bed, the method comprising providing a bladder comprising a pair of major panels joined around their peripheral edges and defining a hollow interior region therebetween and having an inlet port to the hollow interior region, one of the panels being perforated for accommodating heated air from the 30 hollow Interior region, placing the bladder on a mattress of the bed between the mattress and a bed sheet placed over the mattress, urging a heated air supply through a communicating means from a heating element to the hollow interior region of the bladder by an air blower for delivery through the perforated panel of the bladder for warming the bed, monitoring the temperature of bedclothes of the bed by a temperature sensor located between the bedclothes, and controlling fan speed of the air blower or heat output of the heating element in response to signals read from the temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the bedclothes,

37. 39. A method as claimed in Claim 38 in which the communicating means comprises a communicating conduit.

38. 40. A method as claimed in Claim 39 in which the communicating conduit to comprises a flexible communicating conduit.