EP0957727B1 - Verfahren und vorrichtung zur bekämpfung von milben in betten - Google Patents

Verfahren und vorrichtung zur bekämpfung von milben in betten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0957727B1
EP0957727B1 EP96940209A EP96940209A EP0957727B1 EP 0957727 B1 EP0957727 B1 EP 0957727B1 EP 96940209 A EP96940209 A EP 96940209A EP 96940209 A EP96940209 A EP 96940209A EP 0957727 B1 EP0957727 B1 EP 0957727B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
bed
lying surface
mattress
humidity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96940209A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0957727A1 (de
Inventor
Bengt Freij
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bengt Freij Arkitektkontor AB
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Bengt Freij Arkitektkontor AB
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Publication of EP0957727A1 publication Critical patent/EP0957727A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders or bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
    • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
    • A47C21/048—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders or bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
    • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
    • A47C21/042—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling
    • A47C21/044—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/002—Mattress or cushion tickings or covers
    • A47C27/007—Mattress or cushion tickings or covers permeable to liquid or air in a special way
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/007—Anti-mite, anti-allergen or anti-bacterial means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of controlling house dust mites in beds in accordance with the preamble of the independent method Claim, and bed mite controlling apparatus according to the preamble of the independent apparatus Claim.
  • JP-A-62097597 reveals an air distributor by which hot air is blown toward the surface of a bed mattress, for example, on which the distributor has been laid, so as to kill ticks.
  • GB-A-2 283 174 reveals enclosing a bed in a cover and heating and blowing the air within the cover, so that mites in the bed will be killed by the heat.
  • House dust mites thrive in the dwellings of warm-blooded animals.
  • the mites live on epithelium, from human beings, among others.
  • the mites therefore thrive and propagate best in bedding and in mattresses.
  • the excretion from house dust mites is highly allergenic.
  • This allergen is one of the most common of the allergens, parallel with pollen and animal epithelium , to which human beings are subjected.
  • the allergy frequency is directly associated with the amount of mites in the environment. Recent reports have shown that the occurrence of mites in dwellings in Sweden is increasing.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for controlling bed mites and therewith the production of allergenic substances.
  • the invention is based on the realization that the growth of mites can be effectively prevented at humidities beneath about 7 g water per kilo air, which corresponds approximately to a 50% relative humidity at +21°C.
  • Astigmata mites (house dust mites, storeroom mites, itch-mites) have no lungs and breathe through their skin. The mites are unable to drink and therefore obtain liquid through their skin and also through solid food. The mites therefore depend on a high humidity. Mites, which are microscopic arachnids , have a life span of about twenty-one days. Mites thrive best in temperatures in the range of +25°C to +30°C, and at a relative humidity of 65-80%. However, the growth of mites is inhibited effectively at humidities beneath 7 g per kilo (50% relative humidity at +21°C).
  • a lowly active person discharges about 40 g water per hour, this water discharge constituting an important bed moisture source. According to the invention, it is important, above all else, to remove bed moisture deriving from the moisture discharged by said person, for instance, during the time in which the bed is not used.
  • the occurrence of mites in beds/bedding is reduced or eliminated by removing the primary survival conditions for mites, i.e. the moisture.
  • This is achieved in accordance with the invention by passing through the lying surface of the bed/the mattress an air flow that has a moisture content of less than 7 g/kg, so as to take up moisture therefrom.
  • the injection of air through the bed/mattress can be terminated when the humidity of the exhaust air from said bed/mattress is beneath 7 g/kg air.
  • the moisture content of the lying surface can be measured directly with known methods, so as to obtain an indication that the air blown through the bed/mattress has removed the mite life supporting conditions.
  • the air is conveniently blown in a direction normal to the lying surface of the mattress or pillow, for instance from without and inwards or from within and outwards.
  • the bed, or bedstead may be fitted with an individual air blower for blowing air through the lying surface of the bed.
  • This blower may conveniently be provided with an air filter.
  • the blower may also serve several beds.
  • the moisture content of the air will be lowered before the air is blown through the mattress or pillows. This reduction in moisture content can be achieved in a conventional manner, by demoisturizing the supply air.
  • a bed need not necessarily be provided with its own fan, since air can be caused to pass through the lying surface of the mattress/bed by connecting the mattress or pillows to a source of subpressure (a central vacuum cleaner), or to a compressed air outlet (often provided in hospital wards).
  • a source of subpressure a central vacuum cleaner
  • a compressed air outlet often provided in hospital wards
  • blowing of air through the lying surface is controlled by a timer, so that the air will be blown through the lying surface during those times at which the bed is not used for sleeping purposes. This ensures that the person using the bed will not be disturbed by draughts, fan noise, etc., associated with mite control.
  • This control of the air blown through said lying surface may also include a sensor which detects bed moisture content and activates the blower solely when the need arises.
  • sensor means that detect the moisture level of the exhaust air and which cuts-off the air supply when the moisture content of the exhaust air falls beneath a predetermined value.
  • the bed/mattress are permeable to air over the whole of their effective lying surface, and for this reason the outer bed covering comprises a generally air-permeable material so as to allow air to pass therethrough.
  • the mattress may include an air distributing system, for instance an air distributing chamber or a distributing chamber system, so as to provide uniform distribution of through-passing air across the lying surface.
  • the spring accommodating space can be used as an air distributing chamber.
  • the uppermost layer of the mattress may be formed from foam that has open air-permeable cells, wherein an air distributing system, for instance a perforated hose, may be laid in a loop between the uppermost mattress layer and the mattress layer immediately therebeneath.
  • an air distributing system for instance a perforated hose
  • mites can be controlled by demoisturized air injection or that mites can be controlled by blowing demoisturized air through bedding surfaces that have come into contact with a person, such as to dry these surfaces to a moisture content at which mites are no longer able to survive.
  • the known technique requires air to be blown through the mattress while the bed is occupied.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates inventive apparatus comprising a blower device and a mattress served thereby schematically and from above.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic section view taken on the line II-II in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view corresponding to Fig. 2 and illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows from above a mattress 6 which has beneath its outer layer an air distribution conduit 7 having perforations 8 and being positioned to provide a generally uniform flow of air upwardly through the lying surface of the mattress.
  • Air is supplied to the conduit 7 by means of an electric air pump 3.
  • the supply air is first fed through an air filter 5 upstream of the pump 3.
  • a sensor G2 is provided for sensing the humidity of the air leaving the air pump 3.
  • G2 activates an air heater 4.
  • the air entering the conduit 7 has a humidity of less than 7 g/kg air.
  • the air passing through the outer layer 62 of the mattress 6 (for instance, a foamed plastic layer) is capable of drying the lying surface of said outer layer 62 to an extent at which mite survival conditions no longer exist.
  • a moisture sensor G1 may be arranged to sense the humidity in the outer layer 62.
  • the sensor G1 may be adapted to stop the air pump 3 and its associated devices (e.g.
  • a timer 2 may be connected in the current supply circuit to the pump 3 and the heater 4, such as to activate the pump and heater during those times when the mattress 6 is not used as a bed, for instance during the day when the owner of the bed is at work.
  • the invention does not necessarily require a specially constructed mattress/bed.
  • an air distribution device that comprises two textile sheets 71, 72 for instance, having a size corresponding to the size of the bed sheets for instance, these textile sheets 71, 72 being joined mutually around a region that corresponds to the lying surface of the mattress/bed 6 so as to establish between the sheets 71, 72 an air distribution chamber 73 which is connected to an air supply conduit corresponding to the conduit 7 in Fig. 1.
  • the desired air distribution and drying of said surfaces can be achieved by suitable selection of the air-permeability of the sheets 71, 72.
  • An air distribution device may also be provided in a pillow, this device comprising, for instance, perforated conduits that are connected to an air pump (suction or pressure) similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Bed moisture is concentrated generally on the pillow and mattress, which thus need to be dried by blowing demoisturized air through those surfaces thereof that come into contact with the person lying in the bed.
  • the bed clothes such as duvet, blankets and the like may, of course, be dried in a corresponding manner, although when the demoisturized air flow is directed vertically upwards, the exhaust flow from the mattress will also act on the undersurfaces of the bed clothes and therewith dry the bed clothes to a suitable extent.

Landscapes

  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Verfahren zur Bekämpfung von Bettmilben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass durch eine Liegeoberfläche auf der Bettenmatratze ein Fluss von Luft durchgeleitet wird, dessen Feuchtigkeit durch Entfeuchten auf ein Niveau von unter 7 g/kg Luft verringert wird, bis dass der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Liegeoberfläche der Matratze, welcher mit der die Liegeoberfläche verlassenden Abluft korrespondiert, einen Feuchtigkeitsgehalt von weniger als 7 g/kg Luft aufweist.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Zufuhrluft, die durch die Liegeoberfläche durchtreten soll, erfasst wird und, wenn notwendig, der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Zufuhrluft auf ein Niveau unterhalb 7 g/kg Luft vor dem Durchleiten der Luft durch die Liegeoberfläche verringert wird.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zufuhrluft erwärmt wird.
  4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftstrom durch die Liegeoberflächen der Matratze geleitet wird, während das Bett nicht als Bett benutzt wird.
  5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Liegeoberfläche der Matratze oder die Feuchtigkeit der die Liegeoberfläche der Matratze verlassenden Abluft sensorisch erfasst. wird und das Einblasen von Luft durch die Liegeoberfläche gestoppt wird, wenn die erfasste Feuchtigkeit einen Wert korrespondierend mit höchstens 7 g Wasser je Kilo Luft in der Abluft aufweist.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zufuhrluft vor der Durchleitung der Luft durch die Matratze gefiltert wird.
  7. Vorrichtung zur Bekämpfung von Bettmilben, dadurch h gekennzeichnet, dass die Liegeoberfläche des Bettes/der Matratze luftdurchlässig (8, 62; 71, 72) ist und dass Mittel (1-5, 7) bereitgestellt sind, die dazu angepasst sind, einen entfeuchteten Luftstrom mit einer Feuchtigkeit unterhalb von 7 g/kg Luft durch die Liegeoberfläche durchzuleiten.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung einen Feuchtigkeitssensor (G1) aufweist, welcher angepasst ist, das Einblasen von Luft durch die Liegeoberfläche zu stoppen, wenn der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Liegeoberfläche nicht länger Überlebensbedingungen von Milben bereitstellt, wobei die Abluft aus der Liegeoberfläche einen Feuchtigkeitsgehalt von höchstens 7 g/kg Luft aufweist.
  9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lufteinblasmittel durch einen Zeitgeber geführt sind, welcher den Lufteinblasmitteln gestattet, zu arbeiten, wenn das Bett nicht als Bett benutzt wird.
  10. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung einen Sensor (G2) zur sensorischen Ermittlung der Feuchtigkeit der Zufuhrluft aufweist, wobei der Sensor dazu angepasst ist, Mittel zur Verringerung der Feuchtigkeit der Zufuhrluft vor der Durchleitung der Zufuhrluft in das Bett/die Matratze zu aktivieren, so dass die zu der Liegeoberfläche des Bettes gelieferte Luft eine Feuchtigkeit unterhalb 7 g/kg Luft haben wird.
EP96940209A 1995-11-20 1996-11-20 Verfahren und vorrichtung zur bekämpfung von milben in betten Expired - Lifetime EP0957727B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9504129 1995-11-20
SE9504129A SE510120C2 (sv) 1995-11-20 1995-11-20 Sätt och anordning för bekämpning av kvalster i sängen
PCT/SE1996/001509 WO1997018738A1 (en) 1995-11-20 1996-11-20 Method and device for control of mite in beds

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0957727A1 EP0957727A1 (de) 1999-11-24
EP0957727B1 true EP0957727B1 (de) 2002-03-20

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ID=20400285

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96940209A Expired - Lifetime EP0957727B1 (de) 1995-11-20 1996-11-20 Verfahren und vorrichtung zur bekämpfung von milben in betten

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0957727B1 (de)
AU (1) AU7715196A (de)
DE (1) DE69620039D1 (de)
SE (1) SE510120C2 (de)
WO (1) WO1997018738A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11678748B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-06-20 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Upholstery support arrangement, including airflow arrays for conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US11744378B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-09-05 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Support construction for conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US11779127B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-10-10 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Air handling unit for environmentally conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US12022955B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2024-07-02 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Environmentally conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2893826B1 (fr) * 2005-11-25 2011-05-06 Oniris Lit climatise comprenant un matelas ayant une couche permeable a l'air
DE102010006034A1 (de) * 2010-01-27 2011-07-28 Paterok, Peter, Dr., 41061 Matratze oder matratzenähnliches Kissen für Allergiker, welche durch eine Vorrichtung belüftet werden
GB201113359D0 (en) * 2011-08-03 2011-09-21 Deighan Lawrence Apparatus and method for controlling humidity within a mattress
KR20140116513A (ko) 2012-01-20 2014-10-02 헌트레이 테크놀로지 리미티드 지지 및 열 제어를 위한 시스템
EP2649910B1 (de) * 2012-04-11 2015-01-21 Gerd Gundersheimer Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Entfernen von Milben aus gepolsterten Gegenständen und aus mit Füllgut versehenen Bettwaren
EP2838745A1 (de) 2012-04-17 2015-02-25 Climazleeper Holding ApS Transportmittel mit batteriebetriebener kühlung eines schlafenden fahrers
GB201220311D0 (en) * 2012-11-12 2012-12-26 Deighan Lawrence Apparatus and method for controlling humidity within a mattress
JP6759581B2 (ja) * 2015-12-24 2020-09-23 三菱電機株式会社 布団乾燥機
NL2018012B1 (en) * 2016-12-16 2018-06-26 Pure Dev 1 B V bed
FR3098698A1 (fr) * 2019-07-16 2021-01-22 Nicolas GRENIER Dispositif électrique de chauffage apte à assainir un matelas par contrôle du taux d’hygrométrie

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6297597A (ja) * 1985-10-23 1987-05-07 浅野　勤 乾燥用マツト

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2283174A (en) * 1993-10-27 1995-05-03 Colin Edmund Durant Environmentally friendly pest control system

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6297597A (ja) * 1985-10-23 1987-05-07 浅野　勤 乾燥用マツト

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11678748B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-06-20 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Upholstery support arrangement, including airflow arrays for conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US11744378B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-09-05 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Support construction for conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US11779127B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2023-10-10 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Air handling unit for environmentally conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods
US12022955B2 (en) 2021-03-10 2024-07-02 Pure-Development 1 B.V. Environmentally conditioned furniture, and associated systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69620039D1 (de) 2002-04-25
SE9504129L (sv) 1997-05-21
EP0957727A1 (de) 1999-11-24
AU7715196A (en) 1997-06-11
WO1997018738A1 (en) 1997-05-29
SE510120C2 (sv) 1999-04-19
SE9504129D0 (sv) 1995-11-20

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