Beds – Bedclothing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-26
2001-07-10
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedclothing
C005S699000, C005S490000, C005S932000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256816
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a method of forming a textile article and more particularly to a method of forming a textile article comprising a cover which encloses a filling material. The invention also relates to a textile article made according to the method.
Conventionally when forming textile articles, especially those which have filling material with an external cover, it is usual for the material from which the article is to be made to be cut to size, folded or otherwise arranged whereby adjacent edges can be secured together by stitching to form a complete enclosure. Conventionally, if filling material is to be included in the enclosure, this is either introduced into the article prior to the securing of at least one of the edges or alternatively a zip fastener or other releasable fastener can be introduced into one edge of the article to allow the filling to be inserted after the edges have been secured together.
Whilst such methods are acceptable for the production of textile articles, the introduction of stitching or other means of securing the edges together can produce an article in which the edges are not adequately sealed insofar as the stitching or other means of securing may not be capable or preventing the passage of matter, for example allergens, through the edges into The body of the article. A particular problem of this kind exists if the passage of dust mite material through the edges is permitted as such material can give rise to allergic symptoms in some people.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimise the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art arrangement.
Thus, and in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention therefore, there is provided a method of forming a textile article comprising the steps of:
forming from an air permeable material a cover having top and bottom cover parts which overlie each other such that at least the edges thereof are adjacent each other;
securing all but one, or at least a part thereof, of said edges together by welding;
introducing a filling material into said article through said one edge, or said part thereof; and
sealing said one edge, or part thereof, together by welding to form a textile article in which said sealed edges are not penetrable by allergens,
With this method it is possible to produce in a simple and efficient manner textile articles which are sealed at edges thereof.
The present invention has arisen due to the long felt need for a textile article which is both sealed effectively to any allergens but which is nevertheless breathable insofar as it is air permeable to allow articles made using the method to expand or contract as pressure is applied to them Of course, whilst the material from which the article is made is required to be air permeable, it must be ensured that the pore size of the material is not such that unwanted allergens of a size down to 0.6 &mgr;m can pass through the material pores, Hitherto it has not been thought possible to provide an article of this type which is totally sealed around its edges since it was not believed possible to provide such an article which could be sufficiently air permeable whilst still providing a barrier to allergens.
Preferably the material is a thermoplastic material and preferably comprises a polyolefin. Most preferably the material is formed from polypropylene or polyethylene.
Preferably the material is permeable to both air and moisture.
Preferably sealing of the edges is carried out utilising a welding operation preferably using high frequency radiation, for example ultrasonic radiation. Alternatively any other suitable frequency of wave can be used as desired or as appropriate. Alternatively a secure adhesive can be used.
Thus, and in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention therefore, there is provided a textile article comprising a cover is formed from an air permeable material, said cover enclosing a filling material, wherein outer edges of said cover are sealed whereby the article is rendered impenetrable to allergens.
With such an article it will be appreciated that sealing of the edges provides a non-penetrable barrier to the passage of allergens, whilst the air permeable nature of the material allows the sealing to be undertaken without the article being prone to “bursting” if pressure is applied.
The second aspect of the invention may include some or all of the features of the first aspect of the invention.
Preferably the material has a pore size of between 1-1.5 &mgr;m.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5050256 (1991-09-01), Woodcock
patent: 5321861 (1994-06-01), Dancey et al.
patent: 667196 (1988-09-01), None
patent: 2737756 (1979-03-01), None
patent: 0352802A3 (1990-01-01), None
patent: 2 262 034 (1993-06-01), None
patent: 1002184 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO 91/19443 (1991-12-01), None
patent: WO 93/14929 (1993-08-01), None
Richard Hudson and Sons Limited
Towsend and Towsend and Crew LLP
Trettel Michael F.
LandOfFree
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