EP 1 378 193 Al
`
`Europaisches Patentamt
`European Patent Office
`Office europeen des brevets
`
`1111101111 llH HllH ~11111~111 II
`EP 1 378 193 A1
`
`c11)
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(43) Publication date:
`01.07.2004 Bulletin 2004/02
`
`(21) File number: 03366004.4
`
`(22) Filing date: 06-30-2003
`
`(51) Int Cl.7: A47G 9/00, A47G 9/02
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES Fl FR GB GR
`HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL LT LV MK
`
`(30) Priority: 07-01-2002 FR 0208188
`
`(71) Applicant: Le Monde des Marques
`89700 Tonnerre (FR)
`
`(72) Inventor: Vuiton, Catherine
`75005 Paris (FR)
`
`(74) Attorney: Poupon, Michel
`Law Office of Michel Poupon
`3 rue Ferdinand Brunot
`88026 Epinal Cedex (FR)
`
`(54)
`
`Article of bedding such as a pillow, comforter or the like
`
`The present invention relates to an
`(57)
`article of bedding such as a pillow, comforter or the
`like consisting of a cover or outer casing (2) made
`from an external woven natural cotton-like fabric
`stuffed with an inner filling (3), characterized in that
`the inner filling (3) is enclosed in an inner casing (4)
`consisting of at least two panels (4a, 4b; 4c) made of
`a non-woven fabric treated
`in
`the mass or by
`
`impregnation and in that each panel of said inner
`casing (4) is connected to the outer casing (2), the
`product or active
`ingredient having one or a
`combination of the following features: antibacterial,
`fireproof and anti-odor, aromatherapy
`anti-mite,
`product.
`
`FIG. 1
`
`1
`
`l
`
`4b
`
`3
`
`P,,..d by J<Nre. noo1 PARIS (l'R)
`
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`

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`EP 1 378 193 Al
`
`Specification
`
`to an
`(0001] The present invention relates
`article of bedding such as a pillow, comforter or
`the like.
`(0002] It more particularly relates to an article
`of bedding having anti-allergenic, hygienic and
`safety properties.
`(0003] Such an article of bedding is already
`known in the prior art, particularly from the
`French Certificate of Utility FR 2 763 928,
`specifically a pillow having a combined
`antibacterial and anti-mite action by combining
`an outer casing of natural fabric (cotton) with an
`anti-mite treatment and antibacterial filling
`(0004] Although tests have been performed on
`this type of article of bedding to determine the
`compatibility, especially in regards to irritation or
`sensitivity, of the treated outer casing when in
`contact with the skin of the user, it appears that
`some scientists confirm their doubts about the
`safety of this product, especially given the
`limited hindsight of studies carried out, causing
`thereby a disaffection on the part of some
`consumers who prefer not to use the product out
`of a measure of precaution.
`(0005] Furthermore, the design of such articles
`of bedding also raises the question of safety of
`manufacturers who have to inhale all day the
`effluents from the treatment products added into
`the fillings, particularly during the stage in which
`the
`filling
`is
`introduced
`into
`the article of
`bedding.
`(0006] The object of the invention is to provide
`an article of bedding such as a pillow, a
`comforter or the like which resolves part or all of
`the above disadvantages.
`invention
`[0007] To
`this end,
`the present
`relates to an article of bedding such as a pillow,
`a comforter or the like consisting of a cover or
`outer casing made from an external woven
`natural cotton-like fabric stuffed with an inner
`filling, characterized in that the inner filling is
`enclosed in an inner casing consisting of at least
`two panels made of a non-woven fabric treated
`in the mass or by impregnation and in that each
`panel of said inner casing is connected to the
`outer casing.
`advantageous
`an
`to
`[0008] According
`invention,
`characteristic of the present
`the
`panels of the
`inner casing are connected
`respectively to the panels constituting the outer
`casing by sewing their edges.
`(0009] Also according to the invention, the
`inner filling consists of an untreated filling, such
`as feathers, foam, fibers or the like.
`
`advantageous
`an
`to
`[0010] According
`invention,
`the
`characteristic of the present
`panels of the interior casing are treated with a
`product having one or a combination of the
`following characteristics: antibacterial, anti-mite,
`fireproof or anti-odor.
`invention
`[0011] The characteristics of the
`mentioned above, as well as others, will become
`more apparent upon
`reading
`the
`following
`description of an embodiment, referring to the
`accompanying drawings in which:
`
`Figure 1 is a sectional view of a pillow
`according to the present invention, and
`
`Figure 2 is a sectional view of a pillow
`according to an alternative embodiment.
`
`represents an article of
`[0012] Figure 1
`bedding, in this case a pillow 1 consisting of a
`cover 2 or outer casing made
`from a
`conventional external woven
`fabric such as
`natural cotton stuffed with an inner filling 3 that
`ensures the stuffing and comfort of the article.
`[0013] According to the present invention, the
`inner filling 3 is enclosed in an inner casing 4
`consisting of two panels 4a, 4b made from a
`non-woven fabric treated in the mass or by
`impregnation, particularly by an anti-allergen
`active ingredient and each panel 4a, 4b of said
`inner casing 4 is connected to the outer casing 2
`thereby providing a barrier against the migration
`of bacteria towards the inside of the pillow.
`[0014]
`It should be noted
`that the active
`ingredient is incorporated into the non-woven
`fabric
`forming
`the
`inner casing either by
`impregnation of the fabric and fixation of the
`rolling, or by
`ingredient by heating and
`incorporating the active ingredient at the output
`of
`the extrusion of
`the
`fibers
`that will
`subsequently form the fabric.
`[0015] It is understood that the panels 4a, 4b of
`the inner casing 4 are treated according to a
`variant embodiment with a product or active
`ingredient having one or a combination of the
`following
`features:
`antibacterial,
`anti-mite,
`fireproof or anti-odor depending on the desired
`result. The active
`ingredient may also be,
`without departing
`from
`the scope of
`the
`invention, a product of aromatherapy.
`[0016] According to an embodiment shown in
`Figure 1, the inner casing 4 consists of an upper
`panel 4a and of a lower panel 4b connected
`lower panels
`respectively to the upper and
`forming the outer casing 2 by sewing their edges
`B.
`
`2
`
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`
`EP 1 378 193 Al
`
`phase of these pillows, comforters or duvets
`thanks to the use of natural products.
`[0026] It should also be noted that such articles
`allow using a
`lesser quantity of treatment
`products
`thus
`promoting
`environmental
`protection.
`invention has been
`the
`[0027] Although
`described
`in connection with
`two particular
`embodiments,
`it encompasses all
`technical
`equivalents of the described means.
`
`Claims
`
`1. An article of bedding such as a pillow, a
`comforter or the like consisting of a cover or
`outer casing (2) made from an external
`woven natural fabric such as cotton stuffed
`with an inner filling (3), characterized in
`that the inner filling (3) is enclosed in an
`inner casing (4) consisting of at least two
`panels (4a, 4b; 4c) made of a non-woven
`fabric treated in the mass or by impregnation
`and in that each panel of said inner casing
`(4) is connected to the outer casing (2).
`
`2. The article of bedding such as a pillow, a
`comforter or the like according to Claim 1,
`characterized in that the panels (4a, 4b;
`4c) of the inner casing (4) are connected
`respectively to the panels constituting the
`outer casing (2) by sewing their edges (8).
`
`3. The article of bedding such as a pillow, a
`comforter or the like according to Claim 1 or
`2, characterized in that the inner filling (3)
`consists of an untreated filling such as
`feathers, foams, fibers or the like.
`
`4. The article of bedding such as a pillow, a
`comforter or the like according to any of the
`preceding claims, characterized in that the
`panels (4a, 4b; 4c) of the inner casing (4)
`are treated with a product or an active
`ingredient presenting one or a combination
`of the following features: antibacterial, anti(cid:173)
`mite, fireproof or anti-odor, aromatherapy
`product.
`
`[0017] Such a connection of the panels of the
`inner casing 4 with the panels of the outer
`casing 2 advantageously ensures the comfort of
`the article of bedding by avoiding any
`displacement of said inner casing particularly
`following a wash.
`[0018]
`It should be noted that the inner casing
`4 made of non-woven
`fabric
`treated or
`impregnated in the mass allows, on the one
`hand, maintaining the comfort of the article of
`bedding because of the light weight of said inner
`casing and, on the other hand, ensuring the
`longevity of the effectiveness of the treatment
`compared to conventional surface treatment with
`a low introduction of the treatment product.
`[0019]
`In addition, the use of such non-woven
`fabric panels treated according to the invention
`allows using all types of natural fillings including
`feathers or die-cut foam, the latter not finding a
`use in conventional solutions because of their
`inability to be treated against mites and bacteria.
`[0020] When using an untreated filling such as
`feathers, the inner casing helps prevent the
`migration of the filling outwards thus ensuring
`increased comfort for the user.
`[0021] Similarly, in the case of untreated filling
`such as foam which presents the drawback of
`quickly turning yellow over time, the inner casing
`of whitish appearance helps mask the yellowing
`of the filling thus ensuring a visual barrier and
`guaranteeing the aestheticism of the product.
`[0022] According
`to a variant embodiment
`shown in Figure 2, the inner casing consists of
`three panels, respectively upper 4a, central 4c
`and lower 4b in which the central panel is, for
`example, scented.
`[0023] Without departing from the scope of the
`invention, the upper and lower panels of the
`inner casing may, in the context of medical
`applications, be coated with a plastic layer on
`the outer surface.
`[0024] Similarly, it should be understood that a
`third panel may be superimposed on the lower
`or upper panel and impregnated or treated in the
`mass with a different active ingredient from the
`active ingredient of the lower and upper panels.
`[0025] Upon reading the above description, it is
`clear that the article of bedding according to the
`present
`invention
`advantageously
`allows
`guaranteeing the user contact with a natural
`product without a risk of exposure to the active
`ingredients
`integrated
`in
`the mass or by
`impregnation of the inner casing. Moreover,
`such
`an
`article
`eliminates
`issues
`for
`manufacturers because it prevents the release
`of effluent treatment products during the filling
`
`3
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`
`EP 1 378 193 Al
`EP 1 378 193 A1
`
`FIG. I
`
`1
`
`l
`
`2
`
`4
`
`4
`
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`

`
`EP 1 378 193 Al
`
`European Patent Office
`
`EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`
`Application Number:
`EP 03 36 6004
`
`y
`
`Category
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`Citation of document with indication, if necessary,
`of the relevant_Q_arts
`DE 196 54 798 A (KIRCHHOFF
`INTERNATIONAL GMBH M} July 2, 1998 (07-
`02-1998}
`* abridged; figures 1,2 *
`* column 7, line 3 -
`line 5 *
`line 64 *
`* column 6, line 47 -
`
`Relevant
`claim
`1-4
`
`Classification of the application
`jlnt. Cl. 71
`A47G9/00
`A47G9/02
`
`D, y
`
`FR 2 763 928 A (ABEIL}
`December 4, 1998 (12-04-1998)
`* the entire document *
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`FR 2 742 977 A (SOGILO NV}
`July 4, 1997 (07-04-1997)
`* Claims 1, 2, 5, 7 *
`
`EP 0 323 116 A (WOODCOCK}
`July 5, 1989 (07-05-1989)
`* column 3, line 22 -
`line 38; figure 2
`*
`
`US 4 969 869 A (BURGIN ET AL}
`November 13, 1990 (11-13-1990)
`* column 2, line 39 -
`line 64; figure 1
`*
`
`1-4
`
`1,4
`
`1,3
`
`1,3
`
`This report was prepared for all claims
`
`Search location
`THE HAGUE
`CATEGORY OF DOCUMENTS CITED
`
`l Date of completion of search
`
`September 30, 2003
`
`TECHNICAL RESEARCH
`AREAS J!nt.Cl.7)
`A47G
`
`Examiner
`van Overbeek, K
`
`X: particularly relevant in itself
`Y: particularly relevant if combined with another document of the same
`category
`k. technological background
`o: non-written disclosure
`P: intermediate document
`
`T: theory or principle at the basis of the invention
`E: anterior patent document, but published at the filing date or after
`that date
`D: cited in the application
`L: cited for other reasons
`
`&: Member of the same family, corresponding document
`
`5
`
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`

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`EP 1 378 193 Al
`
`EP 1 378193 A1
`
`APPENDIX TO THE EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT RELATING TO THE
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION NO.
`
`EP 03 36 6084
`
`The present appendix shows the members of the family of patents relating to patent documents cited in the European
`Search Report above.
`The members are as contained in the computer file of the European Patent Office on the date of
`The information is given as an indication and does not engage the responsibility of the European Patent Office.
`09-30-2003
`
`Patent document cited in
`Search Report
`A
`DE 19654798
`07-02-1998
`
`Publication date
`
`07-02-1998
`
`07-31-1998
`
`FR 2763928 A
`
`12-04-1998
`
`FR 2742977 A
`
`07-04-1997
`
`EP 0323116 A
`
`07-05-1989
`
`US 4969869 A
`
`11-13-1990
`
`Member(s) of the
`patent family
`
`29623759 Ul
`9829012 Al
`
`Publication date
`
`19654798 Al
`
`5860998 A
`
`11-04-1999
`07-09-1998
`
`2763928 Al
`
`12-04-1998
`
`1009900 AS
`1361897 A
`9724484 Al
`9702697 A3
`29622338 Ul
`0812372 Al
`2113328 Al
`2742977 A3
`11501246 T
`1004907 C2
`1004907 Al
`973939 A
`325161 A
`
`86451 T
`2768689 A
`3879149 Dl
`3879149 T2
`0323116 Al
`2038316 T3
`2213053 A
`3007375 T3
`11892 A
`227499 A
`99291 G
`5050256 A
`
`,B
`
`10-07-1997
`07-28-1997
`07-10-1997
`02-18-1998
`03-13-1997
`12-17-1997
`04-16-1998
`07-04-1997
`02-02-1999
`01-19-1999
`07-02-1997
`08-27-1997
`12-23-1998
`
`03-15-1993
`06-29-1989
`04-15-1993
`06-24-1993
`07-05-1989
`07-16-1993
`08-09-1989
`07-30-1993
`02-21-1992
`01-29-1992
`01-17-1992
`09-24-1991
`
`4826479 A
`
`05-02-1989
`
`DE
`
`AU
`
`DE
`WO
`
`FR
`
`BE
`AU
`WO
`CZ
`DE
`EP
`ES
`FR
`JP
`NL
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`
`AT
`AU
`DE
`DE
`EP
`ES
`GB
`GR
`HK
`NZ
`SG
`us
`
`us
`
`For information on this Appendix: see the Official Journal of the European Patent Office, No.12/82
`
`6
`
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