WO1999017643A2

WO1999017643A2 - Lining sheets for beds

Info

Publication number: WO1999017643A2
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002968
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Cyril Essex
Original assignee: Michael Cyril Essex
Priority date: 1997-10-02
Filing date: 1998-10-02
Publication date: 1999-04-15
Also published as: GB9720868D0; AU9275598A; WO1999017643A3; GB2329834A

Abstract

A lining sheet for a mattress or pillow comprises a sheet of a fibrous substrate material having coated thereon or impregnated therein at least one material selected from perfumes, insecticides, deodorants, moisture absorbents, volatile therapeutic materials, micro-porous barrier materials, and aromatic oils.

Description

LINING SHEETS FOR BEDS Field of the Invention

This invention relates to lining sheets for beds and bedding for improving comfort and/or hygiene. Background to the Invention

It is known to provide covers to protect mattresses and pillows during use. Typically, these will comprise a sheet or a protective envelope of an impermeable material such as plastics or rubber and will be used for babies or older children with incontinence problems, or indeed for adults with similar problems. Covers for sheets and pillows have recently been developed which form a barrier to the house dust mite while still allowing moisture to pass. Such covers are useful for those people suffering from allergies to the mites and their by-products.

All these products are generally difficult to install and to clean, and can be costly to purchase. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a lining sheet for a mattress or pillow, comprising a sheet of a fibrous substrate material having coated thereon or impregnated therein at least one material selected from perfumes, insecticides, deodorants, moisture absorbents, volatile therapeutic materials, microporous barrier materials, and aromatic oils.

The fibrous substrate material is preferably paper or a like material which is inexpensive to manufacture and which can be recycled economically after use. The material may be formed of multiple layers and may, if desired, be quilted to increase comfort. The insecticides are materials which will be effective against creatures such as bed bugs, fleas and dust mites, whilst being harmless to humans.

Moisture absorbent materials which may be incorporated include silica gel and hydrophilic materials of the type used in babies' disposable diapers or nappies. Larger concentrations of such absorbent materials may be incorporated where the lining sheets are intended for use with incontinents and babies, and a water-impermeable layer may also be included. Lower concentrations may be incorporated where the lining sheet is simply to be used to absorb perspiration in hot conditions.

Volatile therapeutic materials include materials which assist in keeping nasal passages clear of congestion in cold or allergy sufferers, for example menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil and similar oils, as well as other materials which can benefit a patient by absorption through the nasal passages and the lungs as a result of prolonged exposure. The therapeutic materials may include extracts of herbs and the like which help the user to relax or to sleep. Aromatic oils, such as those referred to as 'aromatherapy oils", may also be impregnated into the substrate. The microporous barrier materials may be plastics films adapted to include pores through the film large enough to allow the passage of water vapour but small enough to prevent the passage therethrough of house dust mites or their faecal byproducts.

The lining sheet may comprise a simple sheet, which may be provided with attachment means, such as adhesive or a hook-and-eye type of fastener such as "Vecro" (Registered Trade Mark) strip, to secure it to the mattress or pillow surface, or it may be shaped to fit on to the mattress or over the pillow. In the case of a cover for a pillow, a sleeve may be provided, closed at one end and with means for closing the other end after the cover has been fitted on to the pillow. The sleeve may be formed from a flat sheet by seaming at the edges. The seams may be formed by adhesive, by sewing, or, where a plastics film is incorporated, by welding the film.

Different materials may be coated on to or impregnated into the substrate at different regions thereon. For example, those materials which are intended to be inhaled by the sleeper may be confined to one end of the sheet where it is intended to cover a mattress. A colour or other marking may be included to indicate the region containing the particular coating or impregnating materials.

The lining sheet of the invention will be useful, when impregnated with insecticides, for travellers wishing to be assured of freedom from bed bugs and the like. A lining sheet can be quickly spread over the mattress and pillow before the conventional top sheet or pillow case are fitted. It is envisaged that the lining sheets of the invention can be packaged small enough to permit them to be carried in luggage, for example, and to be readily disposed of after a single use or after a number of nights. For example, where simple sheets are used, these could be provided in the form of a roll having perforations at predetermined intervals to permit suitably-sized sheets to be separated.

The sheets may comprise multiple layers, and the outermost layer may be formed of a translucent or transparent material to enable printed indicia on inner layers to be viewed. Alternatively, inner layers may incorporate heat-activated materials to give a colour change, thereby confirming that active ingredients have been released. The outermost layer may be porous, either over its whole surface or in selected parts of the surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the lining sheets are provided with a thicker underlayer incorporating the active materials, and the mattress or pillow is adapted to receive the thicker layer, for example by having a region which is recessed to correspond with the thicker underlayer.

The regular use of the sheets in the home or in a hotel or hospital will extend the life of the mattresses, and give a fresher-smelling bed, where perfumes are incorporated.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lining for a pillow;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mattress having a lining sheet in accordance with the invention fitted thereto; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a lining sheet in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 , the lining for the pillow comprises a sleeve 1 of a paper material closed at one end 2 and having around the opening 3 at the other end an adhesive strip 4 with a peel-off protective cover. The paper is impregnated with perfume and may also include an insecticide. In use, the sleeve 1 is pulled on to the pillow in conventional manner, the protective cover is peeled off the adhesive strip 4, and the edges are pressed together to seal the pillow within the lining. A conventional fabric pillowcase may then be fitted over the lining. To remove the lining after use, it may be simply torn off and discarded, for example for recycling as waste paper. Figure 2 illustrates the use of the lining for a mattress 5. The lining is in the form of a rectangular sheet 6, which is just smaller than the top area of the mattress, or of the same size. A plurality of fastening tapes 7, in the illustrated example four, are attached to the edge of the sheet 6 and may be passed under the mattress 5 and secured together to hold the sheet 6 in place. Again, the sheet 6 may be impregnated and/or coated with materials in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a quilted lining material in accordance with one embodiment. The lining comprises two sheets 8 and 9 of a strong absorbent paper, the lower layer 9 (relative to use on the bed) having on its underside a coating 10 of a plastics material which is preferably microporous to allow passage of water vapour but to prevent passage of larger particles. Between the paper sheets 8 and 9 a layer 1 1 of absorbent fibrous material is provided, the layer 1 1 containing absorbent gel particles to retain moisture therein. The paper sheets are compressed and adhesively bonded together along a grid of lines 12, compressing the layer 1 1 at the line and providing a quilting effect, whilst holding the fibrous material in place. The effect is thus of additional padding on the mattress, while providing moisture absorption, for example from perspiration, keeping the sleeper warm without stickiness. The lining may incorporate fragrance and other materials, according to the user's wishes.

Claims

1. A lining sheet for a mattress or pillow, comprising a sheet of a fibrous substrate material having coated thereon or impregnated therein at least one material selected from perfumes, insecticides, deodorants, moisture absorbents, volatile therapeutic materials, micro-porous barrier materials, and aromatic oils.

2. A lining sheet according to Claim 1 , wherein the fibrous substrate material is paper.

3. A lining sheet according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate material is formed of multiple layers.

4. A lining sheet according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the substrate material is quilted.

5. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating or impregnating material comprises an insecticide effective against creatures such as bed bugs, fleas and dust mites, whilst being harmless to humans.

6. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, comprising a layer of a water-impermeable material.

7. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating or impregnating materials comprise materials which assist in keeping nasal passages clear of congestion in cold or allergy sufferers.

8. A lining sheet according to Claim 7, wherein the coating or impregnating materials comprise menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil or similar oils.

9. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating or impregnating materials comprise extracts of herbs and the like which help the user to relax or to sleep.

10. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating or impregnating materials comprise aromatic oils.

11. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, comprising a plastics film adapted to include pores through the film large enough to allow the passage of water vapour but small enough to prevent the passage therethrough of house dust mites or their faecal by-products.

12. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, provided with attachment means to secure it to a mattress or pillow surface.

1 3. A lining sheet according to any of Claims 1 to 1 1 , shaped to fit on to a mattress or over a pillow.

14. A lining sheet according to Claim 1 3, which is a cover for a pillow comprising a sleeve closed at one end and with means for closing the other end after the cover has been fitted on to the pillow.

15. A lining sheet according to any preceding claim, having different materials coated on to or impregnated into the substrate at different regions thereon.

16. A lining sheet according to Claim 15, wherein a colour or other marking may be included to indicate the region containing the particular coating or impregnating materials.