1992-12-18
1994-06-21
Grosz, Alexander
Beds
Bedclothing
5470, 5490, 5501, A47C 2700, A47G 900
Patent
active
053218612
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a protective cover more particularly but not exclusively for enclosing an upholstered or padded article.
Many people suffer from allergies caused by airborne fine particulate matter such as pollen, dust, house dust mite, flour mite in bakeries, feathers, bird faeces, molds and inorganic dust. It has been found that asthma sufferers are allergic to house dust and the house dust mite that lives in the dust.
The house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus is a member of the spider family, it measures 0.3 mm across and is indistinguishable from a speck of dust. It accounts for 74% of the mite population in samples taken from London homes, and is concentrated, in highest numbers in and around beds and bedding.
It has been found that although the mite per se, due to its relatively large size, cannot cause an allergic reaction, part of the mite faecal pellet, measuring 20 microns (20/1000 mm) in diameter is the cause of the allergic reaction. This allergic portion has been named Der p1, is small, becomes airborne and is easily inhaled and deposited on the inner lining of the respiratory tract.
Present treatments of the above mentioned allergies is by means of drugs to suppress the allergic response or to protect the target organ.
Various prior art proposals have been made to provide a cover as a barrier material for allergic fragments.
British Patent No. 1596158 relates to a mattress cover of free-water proof but is chemically physicochemically porous to permit the transmission of water vapour from one side of the cover to the other. However it is only intended to partially cover the mattress and is provided with means to hold the cover to the mattress.
Another prior art UK patent application No. 2213053A uses a material having a pore size of less than 10 microns to act as a mite barrier However, recent research has shown that the allergenic fragment Der P1 can pass easily through fabrics having a pore size down to a single micron (one thousandth of a millimeter). Other microporous fabrics such as those mentioned in UK application No. 2213053A are available but these consist of coated fabrics or laminated fabrics which use various chemicals in their production and which could provoke an allergic reaction in certain individuals. It is therfore essential to use an inert material which has no known chemical reaction.
An aim of the present invention is to minimise the discomfort and treatment of the above mentioned allergies by providing a preventative protective cover acting as a barrier to isolate the cause of the allergy.
According to the present invention there is provided a protective cover for upholstered and padded articles comprising a removable cover shaped to fit the article, the cover being made of air and moisture permeable microporous ultrafilter material seamed at the joins, wherein the micropores are less than half a thousandth of a millimeter (0.0005 mm) in outside dimension and the seams are welded.
Conveniently, the protective cover is made by securing the seams by high-frequency welding in such a way that the barrier protection is not lost.
Preferably, the protective cover is made of a washable material.
In a preferred construction the protective cover has an opening for the article which is closed by a zipfastener which is covered and sealed by a single-sided adhesive tape.
Embodiments of the present invention will now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a protective cover for enclosing a pillow/cushion;
FIG. 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1 of a protective cover for enclosing a duvet,
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a protective cover for enclosing a mattress, and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an easy chair fitted with a protective cover according to the invention.
Allergy to house dust is common as will be apparent when, for example, clearing out old cupboards causes one to sneeze. However, some people react to much smaller concentration of house dust than that found in old cupboards. H
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patent: 4695484 (1987-09-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 4803116 (1989-02-01), Amano et al.
patent: 5050256 (1991-09-01), Woodcock
"Allergy Control Products"-Brochure from ACPCO 89 Danbury Rd., P.O. Box 793 Ridgefield, Conn. 06877-1984.
Dancey Elizabeth
Dancey Ernest J.
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