Blanket Apparatus for Distributing Conditioned Air Into Zones of a Bed

Abstract

A blanket apparatus for accepting and distributing a pressurized flow of conditioned air into a zone around the body of a bed occupant. The apparatus includes an upper layer and lower layer of differing air permeability, joined to form a flow cavity between them for the pressurized air. A plurality of joining methods between the upper and lower layer is provided within the flow area to prevent the blanket from ballooning under the pressurized air flow. The blanket apparatus contains means to cover an entire bed while directing pressurized conditioned air to specific zones of the bed. The invention also contemplates connection of two independent supplies of conditioned air into a single top layer of bedding under which multiple bed occupants sleep, to evenly distribute such independent supplies into specific dual zone areas. The apparatus achieves its function by utilizing materials that are ordinarily used in existing bed linens and comforters.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of Use[0002]This invention relates to a blanket apparatus for distribution of a flow of pressurized conditioned air into a zone around the body of a bed occupant. More specifically, the invention relates to an engineered layer of bedding that connects to a supply of pressurized conditioned air that evenly distributes such conditioned air to a single specific zone of the bed. The invention additionally contemplates connection of two independent supplies of conditioned air into the single layer of engineered bedding to evenly distribute such independent supplies into specific dual zone areas about the multiple bed occupants, thus providing independently conditioned zones within the bed for each occupant. The invention further avoids the feeling of foreign and unnatural apparatus in the bed to the occupants by providing for a bedding texture against the skin of ordinary cotton linens and comforters.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art (Background)[0004]The body of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033]Yet another object of the invention is to not introduce foreign textures or surfaces in contact with the bed occupants other than those that are already commonly used in existing residential bedding such as cotton, cotton blends, and synthetic microfiber materials.

[0034]A final object of the invention is to allow for sufficiently pressurized air flow into the blanket apparatus to evenly distribute air without a large ballooning effect of the blanket or bedding.

[0035]In accordance with one embodiment of the invention is a lower layer sheet comprised of a cotton, cotton blend, or synthetic microfiber, or other similar material commonly used in residential bedding that has some permeability to air, that is joined to an upper layer sheet of similar material but of tighter weave with a lower natural permeability to air, the joining of the two layers thus creating an interior space for the flow of air. Said upper layer being arranged in major surface area co

Problems solved by technology

In such instances a person will often throw off the covering while asleep, which will then result in chilling.

In warm weather when the room temperature is above 70 F., a lighter covering is usually employed but the moisture which results from perspiration is still retained about the body by the insulating covering, causing personal discomfort and results in poor rest.

The obese and the bedridden are particularly troubled by these conditions of the air environment about the body.

Room air conditioners which have heretofore been provided for regulating the room air temperature and humidity conditions have the disadvantages of handling large volumes of air, requiring special electrical power, and are relatively expensive for installation, operation and maintenance costs.

Even with room air conditioners, the person usually employs some form of covering which insulates the body from the surrounding air so there remains no suitable means of exchanging the air between the body and the covering of the occupant's bed.

Of these causes the physical comfort of the person attempting to sleep or rest is paramount, for if a person's ambient surroundings are not conducive to their personal comfort, sleep can become extremely difficult to achieve, if at all.

If the temperature of the surroundings of a person is either too hot or too cold, restful sleep may be impossible.

Of particular concern is the case where the surroundings are too hot, because in such cases the body's ability to control its internal temperature may be effected to the point where the body begins to sweat, and it is nearly impossible to achieve restful sleep while sweating.

While air conditioners are highly effective at coarsely controlling the temperature in a room, the customary preference for persons to sleep bene

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