Bed ventilator

Abstract

A bed ventilator for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounded air drawn thereinto with a selected air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed, the bed including a mattress and a mattress support supporting the mattress. The bed ventilator includes: a casing including an inlet, an outlet and a passageway extending therebetween for fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the casing being configured and sized so that the outlet is positionable under the bed covering; an air circulator located between the inlet and the outlet for drawing the surrounding air through the inlet and blowing the treated air outwardly from the outlet; and a treatment component support mechanically coupled to the casing for removably supporting the air treatment component within said casing.

Description

[0001] This Application claims priority from UK Patent Application Serial Number 0425089.0 filed on Nov. 13, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the general field of bed accessories, and is particularly concerned with a bed ventilator. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The therapeutic value resulting from bed rest is largely dependant on the quality of sleep which, in turn, is largely dependant upon the degree of comfort afforded to the sleeper by the environment. One important factor directly affecting the quality of bed rest is the maintenance of temperature in the immediate environment of the sleeper within an optimal temperature range. [0004] Indeed, it is well known that if the temperature adjacent the sleeper becomes uncomfortable, not only may the sleeper wake up, but the sleeping pattern may be altered resulting in a less efficient sleep. Various methods have been used in the prior art to provide a relatively comfortable sleeping environment...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] a treatment component support mechanically coupled to the casing for removably supporting the air treatment component within said casing.

[0024] Yet still furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be relatively economical in use. Also, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be manufacturable using conventional forms of manufacturing so as to provide a bed ventilator that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, it is well known that if the temperature adjacent the sleeper becomes uncomfortable, not only may the sleeper wake up, but the sleeping pattern may be altered resulting in a less efficient sleep.

Although somewhat efficient at maintaining a comfortable ambient temperature, such units require a relatively large amount of energy to function appropriately.

Furthermore, they typically require that the entire room be cooled, sometimes leading to a considerable waste of energy.

Hence, both the purchase and maintenance of such air conditioning units may prove to be unduly costly.

Indeed, it is well known that the body of the average sleeper releases a substantial amount of heat through skin loss and moisture due to perspiration to the surrounding air.

While somewhat efficient, the method consisting in using numerous sheets and blankets nevertheless suffers from some drawbacks.

Indeed, the use of numerous layers or even of a single relatively heavy layer for the maintenance of a desired temperature creates an undue weight of overlying insulating material on the body of the sleeper.

This undue weight is not only uncomfortable but also sometimes interferes with the natural body movements occurring during sleep.

Hence, again, there exists a risk of altering the architecture of sleep and, hence, of a less efficient sleep.

Also, in instances wherein heavy insulating is used, a person or sleeper will often throw off the covering while they sleep which will then result in chilling.

Furthermore, regardless of the number of insulating layers, the moisture which results from perspiration is still retain about the body by the insulating covering sometimes causing personal discomfort and again potentially resulting in poor rest.

This arrangement is somewhat unaesthetic and cumbersome to use.

Furthermore, these devices typically include a heating element or an air conditioning unit and are as such relatively expensive and consume a relatively large amount of energy while operating.

Yet furthermore, air conditioning units are typically relatively noisy and as such may also disturb a sleeper.

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