US20100175189A1

US20100175189A1 - Flatulence odor eliminating bedding/bedclothes

Info

Publication number: US20100175189A1
Application number: US12/152,208
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis Leonard Bibbo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-14
Filing date: 2008-07-14
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

A blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet, bed clothes or bedding of any kind that contains a layer of odor absorbing fabric or material. The layer of odor absorbing fabric has incorporated into it certain substances known to prevent the odors of flatulence. The invention promotes the well being of individuals by eliminating or reducing the odors of human flatus. Commercially available odor absorbing fabrics may be used.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to bedding articles, and more particularly, to odor absorbing bedding articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There currently are no bedding products that are designed to absorb odor such as odor caused by flatulence. There is a need for bedding products, such as a comforter, bed sheet, bottom bed sheet, top bed sheet, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt that absorb odors, especially odors caused by flatulence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bedding article for absorbing odors comprising at least one layer of odor absorbing material.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a bedding kit for absorbing odor comprising a duvet; and a duvet insert comprising at least one layer of odor absorbing material.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of absorbing odors emanating from a person in bed comprising providing a covering having at least one layer of odor absorbing material, and positioning the covering so that it covers at least part of the person.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a blanket for absorbing odors emanating from a person or animal comprising at least one layer of odor absorbing material.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a combination, comprising one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt; and at least one layer of odor absorbing material disposed within said one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt.
These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article in accordance with the present invention in the form of a comforter;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the bedding article of FIG. 1 shown in use covering a person lying in bed;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article in accordance with the present invention where the odor absorbing layer is sewn between to other layers and where a flap for tucking under a mattress is shown;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bed with bedding articles folded over, including a bed sheet, comforter and a bedding article in accordance with the present invention inserted between the sheet and comforter;

FIG. 5 a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of bedding articles, including a comforter and a bedding article in accordance with the present invention between the mattress and comforter where a flap of the bedding article is tucked under the mattress;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article which would be suitable for a duvet insert in accordance with the present invention where the odor absorbing layer is sewn between to other layers;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a duvet with a duvet insert in accordance with present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of a duvet with a bedding insert disposed within in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is bedding article in accordance with the present invention with a plurality of flaps for tucking under a mattress;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of the bedding article of FIG. 9 disposed on the mattress, with flaps tucked under the mattress and a person lying on the bedding article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a type of flatulence-odor-eliminating bedding or odor reducing bedding component such as a blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet or bedding that absorbs the gases and odors of flatulence and provides for the comfort of individuals by eliminating unpleasant smells of human intestinal gases or flatus comprising a layer of odor absorbing material in addition to any kind of material that could be used for construction of any kind of blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet or bedding.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the use of previously manufactured odor absorbing fabric or material to produce bedding for the purpose of eliminating, binding or reducing the substances and odors of flatulence.
The odor absorbing, eliminating, binding or reducing substances incorporated into fabric and used in bedding of the present invention to eliminate or reduce the odors of flatulence may include but are not limited to: activated carbon or charcoal or carbon of any kind, borax or boron compounds, zeolite, silver or therefore, any substance, chemical, compound, mixture, element or matter which is known to absorb, inhibit or physically or chemically bond with odors or any odor producing substance, chemical, compound, element or matter known to produce odors detectable or unpleasant to the human nose or sense of smell or harmful to individuals.
The present invention may employ the use of any such substances identified in the preceding paragraph in claim 2a in materials or fabric for eliminating the odors of flatulence in bedding.
Other layers of fabric or material may be used above and below the layer of odor absorbing material to enhance the quality of the final product and/or to provide for insulation, support, stability or the aesthetic quality of the product. This fabric or material can be any kind commonly used to construct a blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet or bedding. Examples are not limited to polyester, cotton, wool, polypropylene or any natural or synthetic fiber or combination or fibers.
The bedding articles of the present invention may contain a layer or layers of insulating material or insulation in addition to layers of odor absorbing material. Examples of useable insulation are not limited to: polyester, cotton, wool, fur, hair, down, feathers, beads, polypropylene, recycled water bottle fiber or any natural or synthetic insulating material or combination of materials.
Embodiments of the present invention may be used as a normal blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert or sheet. It can be used with other sheets or bedding of any kind but the closer to the body it is located, the more effective it will be in eliminating the odor associated with flatulence.
Embodiments of the present invention can be used to absorb the toxic volatile chemicals present in mattresses and box springs especially if the bedding is placed between individuals and the mattress. The use of the invention to absorb the toxic chemicals used to construct the mattress and or box spring may prevent human health concerns and promote a sense of well being.
Embodiments of the present invention can be used during the threat of chemical or biological attack or spill to prevent or reduce the threat of harm to individuals.
The bedding articles of the present invention can be comprised of one or more layers of odor absorbing fabric or material. Thicker odor absorbing fabric or the use of more of the odor absorbing substance can improve the effectiveness of an article of the present invention.
The articles of the present invention may_be used by room mates, airplane and train passengers, hospital patients, wheel chair occupants, campers and anyone who wishes to prevent the odors of flatulence from affecting others or themselves.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the normal arrangement is a typical comforter cross section but with an added layer, #1, which contains a substance as in claim 2. This layer # 1; when used in combination with bedding, is the essence of the invention. This layer is commercially available fabric made with activated carbon or other odor absorbing substance as noted in Claim 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b.
The outer layers; #2, may be any kind of fabric commonly used to make a comforter with typical thread counts, colors and stitching styles as in claim 2c. This would hold true for a quilt also. The inner layer, #3, is any kind of insulation commonly used in such bedding as in claim 2d. In the case of a blanket, layers # 2, may be substituted with any kind of blanketing material and the inner layer, #3, can be omitted. No stitching detail is shown except to refer to #7 in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. Stitching can be accomplished in any standard manner according to prior art in the area of making strong permanent seams in bedding or clothing construction.
FIG. 2 shows the bedding used in a typical situation intending to cover individuals on a bed. It should also be noted that other bedding; I.e.: a bed sheet, may be placed between the odor absorbing bedding and the individual and odor absorption will remain effective and that the closer the odor absorbing layer is to the individual(s) the more effective it will be.
The invention is intended to be used primarily as bedding but could be used with an individual in a sitting position as in an airplane, train, wheel chair, arm chair or other situation. The more completely a user is covered by the invention, the more effective will be the odor absorption, removal or reduction. In case of a toxic chemical spill or attack, the individual would simply wrap the bedding around the body, head and face.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 are cross sections which show variations of the product that are made as bedding inserts, #4 and #9, with the odor absorbing material, #1, sewn between two layers of thin bedding fabric, #2, with no insulation and used between layers of bedding as in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. #5 represents a typical bed sheet and #6 represents a typical comforter, blanket or quilt. The flap, #6, is 24 inches long or longer and as wide as the insert. It is intended to be tucked under the mattress to hold it in place as the cross section in FIG. 5 shows. FIG. 7 represents a typical Duvet, with the insert, #7, placed inside along with other bedding. FIG. 8 shows a cross section of how the insert, #9, is placed in the Duvet below other bedding, #8.
#7 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 show that the edges are stitched in such a way as to hold the odor absorbing layer in place. Any common stitching according to similar prior art, could be used as is typical in bedding products.
FIG. 9 shows another kind of bedding insert with the same composition as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 which can be used below individuals on a bed to absorb flatulence or volatile chemicals in mattresses and box springs. Flaps, #6, are incorporated in each end, as wide as the insert and 24″ long or longer to hold the insert in place as the cross section shows in FIG. 10.
It should be noted that all the bedding types represented here can be made to fit all different sizes of bedding; for example: King, Queen, Full, Twin and others using English and Metric sizes.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A bedding article for absorbing odor comprising:

at least one layer of odor absorbing material.

13. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein the at least one layer has predetermined thickness.

14. The bedding article of claim 12 further comprising at least one additional layer of material.

15. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein the layer of odor absorbing material is between a first additional layer of material and a second additional layer of material.

16. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein at least one of the at least one layers of odor absorbing material is sewn to at least one of the additional layers of material.

17. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein at least one of the additional layers of material comprises insulating material.

18. The bedding article of claim 12 further comprising:

insulating material disposed upon at least one of the two sides of the

at least one layer of odor absorbing material.

19. The bedding article of claim 18 wherein the insulating material is chosen from polyester, cotton, wool, fur, hair, down, feathers, beads, polypropylene, and recycled water bottle fiber.

20. The bedding article of claim 17 wherein the insulating material comprises at least one layer of fabric.

21. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein at least one of the additional layers of material comprises a layer of fabric.

22. The bedding article of claim 21 wherein the layer of fabric comprises material chosen from polyester, cotton, wool and polypropylene.

23. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbing material comprises a layer in the form of fabric.

24. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein at least one of the at least one layers of odor absorbing material comprises a plurality of layers wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises fabric.

25. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbing material comprises material chosen from activated carbon, charcoal, borax compounds, boron compounds, or zeolite.

26. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbing material comprises silver.

27. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein the article is one of a comforter, bed sheet, bottom bed sheet, top bed sheet, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt.

28. The bedding article of claim 12 further comprising at least one flap of material for tucking under a mattress.

29. A bedding kit for absorbing odor comprising:

a duvet; and

a duvet insert comprising at least one layer of odor absorbing material.

30. The bedding kit of claim 29 wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing material has predetermined thickness.

31. A method of absorbing odors emanating from a person in bed comprising:

providing a covering having at least one layer of odor absorbing material; and

positioning the covering so that it covers at least part of the person.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing material has predetermined thickness.

33. A blanket for absorbing odors emanating from a person or animal comprising:

at least one layer of odor absorbing material.

34. The blanket of claim 33 wherein the at least one layer has predetermined thickness.

35. A combination, comprising:

one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt; and

at least one layer of odor absorbing material disposed within said one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt.

36. The combination of claim 35 wherein the layer of odor absorbing material has predetermined thickness.

37. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing material absorbs odor of animal flatulence.

38. The bedding article of claim 37 wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing material absorbs odor of human flatulence.