(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0083908 A1
`
` Fry (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 2, 2009
`
`
`US 20090083908Al
`
`(54) ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-DUSTMITE
`PILLOWS AND PILLOW ENCASINGS
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(
`
`)
`
`.
`JhF DlthGAUS
`t.
`751
`0 " ry’
`u u ’
`(
`) men or
`Correspondence Address:
`MCHALE & SLAVIN, RA.
`2855 PGA BLVD
`PALM BEACH GARDENS FL 33410 US
`)
`’
`(
`National Allergy Supply, Inc.;
`Duluth, GA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/619,829
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 4, 2007
`
`1 00
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A47G 9/02
`(2006.01)
`A47G 9/00
`(52) US. Cl. .......................... 5/636; 5/490; 5/939; 5/699
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Hygienic, antibacterial, and anti-allergenic pillows or pillow
`encasings with a covering are disclosed. The covering com-
`prises a fabric coated with a monolithic coating and a filter.
`The monolithic coating prevents moisture from entering the
`pillow and allergens from leaving the pillow or pillow encas-
`ing. The filter is operative to allow air to egress and ingress the
`pillow covering.
`
`
`
`0001
`
`Bedgear2015
`
`Fredman v. Bedgear
`IPR2017-00351
`
`0001
`
`Bedgear 2015
`Fredman v. Bedgear
`IPR2017-00351
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 2, 2009 Sheet 1 0f 4
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`US 2009/0083908 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 2, 2009 Sheet 2 of4
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`US 2009/0083908 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 2, 2009 Sheet 3 0f 4
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`US 2009/0083908 A1
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`206
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`204
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`202
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 2, 2009 Sheet 4 of4
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`US 2009/0083908 A1
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`

`US 2009/0083908 A1
`
`Apr. 2, 2009
`
`ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-DUSTMITE
`PILLOWS AND PILLOW ENCASINGS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] This disclosure relates to technology, materials, and
`methods for hypoallergenic bedding products, particularly,
`bed pillows and methods for covering and protecting pillows
`from organic contamination.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Formal and informal laboratory testing of pillows
`[0002]
`has shown that over years of use they can become a source of
`not only house dust mites and their allergens, but also various
`species of fungi and bacteria. These organic contaminates
`contribute to pathologies such as allergies, asthma, and
`chronic sinusitis. It has been established that using allergen
`avoidance measures, such as pillow and mattress encasings,
`can effectively control these conditions.
`[0003] Bed pillows are usually constructed of a fabric cov-
`ering, which comprises pieces of fabric made of natural
`fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of natural and syn-
`thetic fibers. Sewing the fabric along a seam that runs along
`the circumference of the pillow forms a covering. A filler of
`either synthetic fiberfill, down (feathers), latex foam, or vis-
`coelastic foam inside the covering creates a pillow.
`[0004]
`In addition to pillows constructed of two pieces of
`fabric joined at a center-sewn seam, some pillows are con-
`structed with side gussets of varying widths. These gussets
`are created by adding a strip of fabric approximately one inch
`wide on each of the four sides of a pillow between the top and
`bottom covers of the pillow. The gussets allow the pillow
`filling to spread out, creating an area of support for a user’s
`neck along the edges of the pillow.
`[0005] A traditional pillow covering made of porous,
`woven materials allows moisture from the ambient air, the
`user’s breath, or the user’s saliva to enter the filling of the
`pillow. This moisture contributes in creating a warm, damp
`environment, which promotes the growth of dust mites, mold
`(fungus), and bacteria. Only coverings made from coated
`fabrics are able to stop moisture from entering the filling of a
`pillow.
`[0006] Allergen-proof covers that prevent allergen egress
`are used in bedding (e.g., pillows, mattresses, box springs,
`duvets, and bed upholstery) to block dust mites and their fecal
`allergens so that a user does not breathe them in during sleep
`or use of a bed. Even though a pillow that has a coated fabric
`can prevent the entry of moisture into the pillow and stop the
`egress of allergens, the outside coated fabric can still become
`contaminated with allergens.
`[0007] Typically, the coated fabrics used in pillows are
`coated on the inside surfaces ofthe pillow covering so that the
`user does not feel the coating while using the pillow. Thus, the
`outside surfaces of the covering fabric are untreated. The
`outside ofthe covering can collect moisture that promotes the
`growth of fungal spores, bacteria, and endotoxins on the
`outside of the pillow covering.
`[0008] Therefore, to effectively prevent contamination, a
`pillow covering should not allow moisture to enter the pillow,
`should prevent the egress of allergens, and so resist the sur-
`face growth of bacteria, fungus, and dust mites on the outside
`of the covering.
`[0009] Additionally, because pillow coverings come into
`direct or indirect (e.g., through a pillowcase) contact with the
`
`human body, it is desired that they be pleasing to the touch and
`quiet during sleep. For aesthetic as well as for reasons of
`comfort, the outer fabric of the pillow must drape properly,
`not feel stiff, and not trap air.
`[0010] A monolithic coating the fabric of an entire pillow
`results in a pillow that traps air. If a pillow traps air, it becomes
`uncomfortable because it gives a user the feeling that they are
`resting on a balloon filled with air as opposed to a traditional
`pillow that allows air to egress through the pillow covering.
`Therefore, simply coating an entire pillow covering to make
`it hypoallergenic results in an uncomfortable pillow.
`[0011] Thus, there is a need for a pillow that has properties
`that resist the surface growth of bacteria, fungus, and dust
`mites on the outside of the covering, prevents moisture from
`entering the pillow, and allows for an exchange of air between
`the inside of the pillow and the ambient air.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0012]
`use.
`
`FIG. 1A is a drawing of a hypoallergenic pillow in
`
`FIG. 1B is a partial cross-section drawing of a
`[0013]
`hypoallergenic pillow.
`[0014]
`FIG. 2 is a drawing of a gusseted hypoallergenic
`pillow.
`FIG. 3 is a drawing of a hypoallergenic pillow cov-
`[0015]
`ering with a Zipper closure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In addition to the drawings discussed above, this
`[0016]
`description describes one or more embodiments as illustrated
`in the above-referenced drawings. However, there is no intent
`to limit this disclosure to a single embodiment or embodi-
`ments that are disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is
`to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
`included within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and as
`defined by the appended claims.
`[0017]
`FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pillow 100 and
`user 108. The pillow 100 comprises a filling material (not
`shown), and a covering 102 that includes a fabric 101 and a
`filter 104.
`
`[0018] The pillow 100 is constructed by sewing two pieces
`of fabric together around the circumference of the fabric,
`allowing an opening for filling the resulting cover with a
`filling material, filling the cover with filling material, and
`closing the cover by sewing all of the remaining open edges
`together.
`[0019] The filling material can include synthetic fiberfill,
`down (feathers), latex foam, viscoelastic foam, or any other
`material known in the art suitable for filling a pillow.
`[0020] The cover 102 is constructed of the fabric 101 that
`may be, but is not limited to a knit fabric, a woven fabric, a
`non-woven fabric, a needle-punched fabric, or a stitch-
`bonded fabric. It may be made ofnatural fibers such as cotton,
`synthetic fibers such as polyester, or a combination ofnatural
`fibers and synthetic fibers.
`[0021]
`In one embodiment, the fabric 101 can also include
`an agent or compound that has antimicrobial properties. Such
`fabrics are known in the art to provide antimicrobial activity.
`An antimicrobial agent includes, but is not limited to, an
`antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antifungal agent, and an anti-
`viral agent. Some metals are useful as antimicrobial agents in
`the fabric 101. They include, but are not limited to, silver,
`platinum, gold, Zinc, copper, cerium, gallium, osmium, and
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`

`US 2009/0083908 Al
`
`Apr. 2, 2009
`
`the like. The preferred metal is silver. The antimicrobial agent
`can be impregnated within the fabric 101, e.g., Via wearing or
`knitting fibers or material including the antimicrobial agent
`into the fabric 101 or applying a coating of material including
`the antimicrobial agent to the fabric 101.
`[0022] As discussed above, the use of a monolithic or other
`airtight coating on the entire covering will result in an uncom-
`fortable pillow that traps air. Therefore, the pillow includes a
`filter 104 sewn into the covering 102. The filter 104 allows the
`ingress and egress of air 106 to and from the inside of the
`pillow 100. The filter 104 is constructed of a material that has
`a high degree of filtration pathogens, such as that used in
`surgical masks or other very tightly woven material. In one
`embodiment, the filter 104 is made of a material with at least
`an N—95 rating. The N—95 rating, established by the US.
`National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, means
`that the material will stop 95% of all particles that are 0.3
`microns or larger from passing through, with the “N” signi-
`fying that the filtration efficiency does not apply to oil. The
`filter 104 is sewn to the pillow covering fabric 101 using
`stitching 110.
`[0023]
`FIG. 1B shows a partial cross section ofpillow 100
`with the covering 102 and filler material 112. The fabric 101
`is coated with a monolithic or microporous material 103 on
`the inside of the covering 102 that prevents moisture and
`allergens such as dust mites, mold (fungus), andbacteria from
`entering or exiting the pillow 100 through the fabric 101.
`[0024] A number of procedures known in the art including
`but not limited to lamination, coating, or calendaring may
`bond the monolithic material 103 to the fabric 101.
`
`[0025] The monolithic material 103 may be, but is not
`limited to any blown polyurethane-based film, cast polyure-
`thane-based film, blown polyethylene-based film, cast poly-
`ethylene-based film, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based film,
`polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based film, or any other
`material with similar properties.
`[0026] The filter 104 is a portion of the covering 102 that
`does not include the monolithic material 103. The filter 104
`
`includes a fabric 105. The fabric 105 may be the same type as
`fabric 101, but without a monolithic coating, to give the cover
`102 a uniform feel while still allowing for the ingress and
`egress of air 106. Alternatively, the filter 104 can be of a
`different material. Since the filter 104 allows air 106 to
`
`ingress and egress the pillow 100, the pillow 100 functions
`like a traditional pillow while remaining hygienic. Fabric 105
`may be a different fabric or can have different colors or
`markings from fabric 101.
`[0027]
`In FIG. 1A, the filter 104 is positioned at one end of
`the face of the pillow. In this manner, any allergens or
`microbes egressing from the pillow 100 will not be directly
`breathed in by the user. However, the filter 104 can be posi-
`tioned anywhere in the pillow covering 102 and can be of any
`shape so long as the filter 104 allows the ingress and egress of
`air 106 in and out ofthe pillow 100. For example, the filter 104
`can be of a circular or other shape instead of the rectangular
`strip depicted in FIG. 1A.
`[0028]
`FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the disclosed pil-
`low, depicting a pillow 200 with side gussets 207. The side
`gussets 207 are strips of fabric 201 that are sewn between the
`top and bottom faces of the pillow 200. They allow the filler
`material (not shown) to spread out under a user’s neck (not
`shown).
`[0029] A covering fabric 201 is coated with a monolithic or
`microporous coating (not shown) on the inside of a cover 202.
`
`A filter 204 is incorporated into one of the side gussets 203
`thereby allowing the ingress and egress of air 206 in and out
`ofthe pillow 200.
`[0030]
`In this non-limiting example of the gussetted pillow
`200 shown in FIG. 2, the filter 204 is incorporated into a side
`gusset 207; the filter 206 may be positioned anywhere in the
`pillow covering 202 and may be any shape so long as the filter
`204 allows the ingress and egress of air 206 in and out of the
`pillow 200.
`[0031]
`FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a pillow encasing
`300. The pillow encasing 300 has a covering 302 with all of
`the elements of the previous embodiments including, a fabric
`301 coated with a monolithic or microporous coating (not
`shown) on either the inside or outside of the fabric 301 and a
`filter 304 that allows the ingress and egress of air 306. How-
`ever, the pillow encasing 300 also has a closure assembly 307
`that allows the pillow encasing 300 to encase a pillow.
`[0032] A traditional pillow (not shown) can be disposed
`within or placed into the pillow encasing 300. The closure
`assembly 307, which is depicted as a Zipper in this embodi-
`ment, secures the pillow inside the pillow encasing 300. The
`closure assembly 307 can be a different mechanism in other
`embodiments, such as, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, a
`releasable seal, a flap of material, etc. Thus, with the pillow
`encasing 300, a wide variety ofpillows may be used inside the
`encasing 300 while maintaining the hygienic benefits of the
`present invention. In addition, the pillow encasing 300 is
`preferably removable for cleaning.
`1. (canceled)
`2. The pillow claim 19, wherein said fabric comprises:
`natural fibers;
`synthetic fibers; or
`a combination of natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
`3. (canceled)
`4. The pillow of claim 19, wherein said fabric is bonded to
`a monolithic film.
`
`5. The pillow of claim 4, wherein the film is selected from
`the group consisting of:
`a blown polyurethane-based film;
`a cast polyurethane-based film;
`a blown polyethylene-based film;
`a cast polyethylene-based film;
`a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based film; and
`a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based film.
`6. The pillow of claim 19, wherein said filter is a
`microporous material.
`7. The pillow of claim 6, wherein said microporous mate-
`rial has a filtration efficiency of an N—95 rating.
`8. (canceled)
`9. The pillow encasing of claim 20, wherein said closure
`assembly is a Zipper.
`10. The pillow encasing of claim 20, wherein said fabric
`comprises:
`natural fibers
`
`synthetic fibers; or
`a combination of natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
`11. (canceled)
`12. The pillow encasing of claim 20, wherein said fabric is
`bonded to a monolithic film.
`
`13. The pillow encasing of claim 12, wherein the film is
`selected from the group consisting of:
`a blown polyurethane-based film;
`a cast polyurethane-based film;
`a blown polyethylene-based film;
`
`0007
`
`0007
`
`

`

`US 2009/0083908 A1
`
`Apr. 2, 2009
`
`a cast polyethylene-based film;
`a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based film; and
`a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based film.
`14. The pillow encasing of claim 20, wherein said filter is
`a microporous material.
`15. The pillow encasing of claim 14, wherein said
`microporous material has a filtration efficiency of an N—95
`rating.
`16. The pillow of claim 19, wherein said fabric is bonded to
`a microporous film.
`17. The pillow encasing of claim 20, wherein said fabric is
`bonded to a microporous film.
`18. (canceled)
`19. A pillow comprising:
`a filler;
`an airtight cover completely enclosing said filler, said air-
`tight cover comprises a fabric;
`said airtight cover including a filter, said filter composed of
`a material having passages of a size sufficient to permit
`the ingress and egress of air under pressure, above atmo-
`spheric pressure, and restrain the passage of allergy pro-
`ducing particles through said filter, said filter being the
`sole passage for the ingress and egress of air under
`pressure, above atmospheric pressure, into and out of
`said pillow;
`said pillow is substantially rectangular having at least two
`longitudinal sides and at least two lateral ends;
`said filter extending substantially between said at least two
`longitudinal sides, said filter being positioned adjacent
`to and spaced from one of said at least two lateral ends.
`
`20. A pillow encasing for use with a pillow comprising:
`said pillow encasing being a substantially rectangular hol-
`low enclosure having a top, a bottom, at least two lon-
`gitudinal sides and at least two lateral ends;
`said at least two longitudinal sides extending between said
`top and said bottom;
`said at least two lateral ends extending between said top
`and said bottom;
`said pillow encasing comprises a fabric composed of an
`airtight material;
`said pillow encasing including a filter, said filter composed
`of a material having passages of a size sufficient to
`permit the ingress and egress of air under pressure,
`above atmospheric pressure, and restrain the passage of
`allergy producing particles through said filter;
`said filter extending substantially between said at least two
`longitudinal sides, said filter being positioned adjacent
`to and spaced from one of said at least two lateral ends;
`said filter being the sole passage for the ingress and egress
`of air under pressure, above atmospheric pressure, into
`and out of said pillow encasing;
`one of said at least two lateral ends of said pillow encasing
`providing an opening to an interior of said substantially
`rectangular hollow enclosure;
`a closure assembly secured to said lateral end of saidpillow
`encasing which includes said opening, said closure
`assembly operatively opening and closing said lateral
`end of said pillow encasing whereby a pillow can be
`inserted into said pillow encasing.
`*
`>X<
`*
`>X<
`
`*
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`