WO1997011625A1

WO1997011625A1 - A support means with provision for fluid delivery

Info

Publication number: WO1997011625A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1996/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nigel Graeme Chesney Armstrong; Thomas Jamie Murdoch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-28
Filing date: 1996-09-30
Publication date: 1997-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 1998-03-28
Also published as: AU7100896A

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a support means (2) in the form of a pillow or mattress having a passageway (4) extending through its interior, the passageway (4) having an inlet end (5) and an outlet end (6), the outlet end (6) of the passageway (4) terminating in the exterior surface (8) of the pillow (2). Fluid is delivered preferably by an apparatus (3) which pumps fluid through the passageway (4) to a user adjacent the outlet end (6) of the passageway (4).

Description

A SUPPORT MEANS WITH PROVISION FOR FLUID DELIVERY

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a support means. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to an improved support means such as a pillow or mattress or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional pillows or mattresses are not ventilated and do not provide an optimal level of fresh air for breathing for a user. In many situations a user resting or sleeping on a pillow or mattress will be breathing stale air, that is, air which has previously been inhaled. The absence of a constant supply of fresh air can be particularly undesirable with infants as it is thought that an absence of a fresh air supply may be a factor which contributes to "cot death" or sudden infant death syndrome.

New Zealand Patent Specification No 147289 describes a pillow moulded with cavities in one section and ventilating holes connected to the cavities to another section of the pillow. When a person rests on the pillow they are able to breathe the air already trapped in the cavities which is breathed through the ventilation holes. A disadvantage with this design is that although the ventilating holes provide a supply of air, the supply is limited, and once the air in the cavities is used it becomes stale as there is no continuing supply of fresh air flowing through the cavities.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support means which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a support means having a passageway extending through its interior, the passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end of the passageway terminating at an outlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which outlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, deliver fluid passing through the passageway to a user adjacent the outlet aperture.

A "support means" is any means on which a person rests such as a pillow or mattress or the like. Preferably the support means is a pillow or mattress or the like.

Preferably a plurality of passageways are provided through the interior of the support means. Desirably the inlet end of each passageway is connected to a primary supply passageway, the primary supply passageway having an inlet end terminating at a primary inlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which primary inlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, receive a fluid supply.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a fluid supply to a user, the apparatus comprising a support means having a passageway extending through its interior, the passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end of the passageway terminating at an outlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which outlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, deliver fluid passing through the passageway to a user adjacent the outlet aperture and a fluid supply means to, in use, supply fluid to the inlet end of the supply passageway of the support means.

Preferably the apparatus comprises a plurality of passageways provided through the interior of the support means. Desirably in the apparatus of the alternative embodiment the inlet end of each passageway of the support means is conneαed to a primary supply passageway, the primary supply passageway having an inlet end terminating at a primary inlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which primary inlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, receive a fluid supply.

Preferably the fluid supply comprises a pump means for creating a forced fluid supply to the inlet end of the supply passageway.

Desirably a connecting means is provided in the inlet end of the supply passageway to detachably conneα the pump means.

Preferably the fluid supply means includes a filter to purify the fluid prior to it passing to the inlet end of the supply passageway. Preferably the fluid supply means includes a temperature regulator to ensure the fluid being, in use, supplied to the inlet end of the supply passageway is at a predetermined temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2: illustrates a plan view of a section of the support means of figure 1; and

Figure 3: illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to figures 1 and 2, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus 1 for supplying fluid to a user comprising a support means 2 and an apparatus 3 for supplying fluid to the support means 2.

In the embodiment described and illustrated the support means 2 is a pillow which is provided with a plurality of passageways 4 in its interior. Each passageway 4 has an inlet end 5 and an outlet end 6 terminating at an outlet aperture 7 in the exterior surface 8 of the pillow 2. Desirably the inlet end 5 of the passageways 4 are connected to a primary supply passageway 9. The inlet end 10 of the supply passageway 9 terminates at an inlet aperture 11 in the exterior surface 8 of the pillow 2. The supply passageway 9 supply fluid In this preferred embodiment the inlet end 11 of the supply passageway 9 of the pillow 2 is conneαed to the apparatus 3. The apparatus 3 comprises a forced air supply means 12 in the form of a pump which draws in air from an air inlet 13 and forces the air through a conveying means 14 in the form of an air line into the supply passageway 9 of the pillow 2. Preferably a conneαion means 15 in the form of a coupling conneαs the air line 14 to the supply passageway 9. The coupling 15 ensures the air line 14 and the inlet end 10 of the supply passageway 9 are attached properly. The coupling 15 is desirably a plastic tube.

Advantagously the volume of air being pumped through the air line 14 can be regulated by a control means 16 in the form of a controller which adjusts the speed at which the pump 12 rotates to regulate the volume of air being forced through the air line 14. The controller 16 can be controlled by a monitoring means (not shown) which constantly monitors air supply requirements.

The pump 12 is preferably powered by AC mains supply 17 which supplies power through a cable 18 to the pump 12. In some cases the pump 12 may be battery powered for portability purposes. Alternatively the pump 12 may be hydraulically or pneumatically driven.

Referring now to figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention showing an apparatus 3 supplying air from a remote location to the support means 2, is illustrated. In the description of the embodiment like components in the first embodiment have been like numbered.

A pillow 2 can be placed on a mattress 21 which is itself on a bed base 22. The pillow 2, mattress 21 and bed base 22 can be located remote from the pump 12 as the length of the air line 14 can vary depending on various factors such as the power supply to the pump 12 and the location of the air supply. As the length of the air line 14 may be varied, the placement of the air pump 12 may be in an environment which can supply clean or fresh air to pillow 2.

The apparatus 3 for supplying air can optionally include an oxygen bottle 23, the outlet 24 is connected to a tube 25. The tube 24 is connected to the air inlet 13 of the pump 12. A valve 26 on the oxygen bottle 23 can be used to regulate the volume of air being supplied to the supply passageway 9. Monitoring means (not shown) may be located near the pillow 2 to detect any breathing problems, of which can be alleviated by adjusting the volume of oxygen being supplied to a user. If more oxygen is required, a feedback signal (not shown) may be sent to open the valve 26 on the oxygen bottle 23, thus enriching the air supplied to the pillow 1 with a higher than normal oxygen level.

It is envisaged that in particular instances where a person using the pillow 2 requires drugs which may be administered through a person's respiratory system, such as with a preparation of salbutamol to treat asthma, the drug can be added to the air supply through tube 25.

The air temperature or air humidity can be regulated by a temperature regulator 26 conneαed in the tube 25 in cases where a person or patient requires a supply of air at a desirable temperature/humidity level. An air filter 27 may also be used if the air being supplied is desirably purified. It will be appreciated the temperature regulator 26 and air filter 27 may alternatively be downstream of the pump 12 in the air line 14, if desired.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the alternative embodiment, a tube 25 draws oxygen from the oxygen bottle 23 which can be filtered through air filter 27 and then drawn in through air inlet 13 to the pump 12.

In operation, a switch 28 is activated to run the pump 12 to commence supplying air through the air line 14 to the inlet end 10 of the supply passageway 9. This will ensure that only fresh or unused air is supplied to a person resting on the exterior surface 8 of the pillow 2. The amount of air supplied can be regulated by adjusting controller 16 so the required volume of air is forced through the supply passageway 9.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same principle can be applied to a pump and mattress arrangement. This is particularly the case when the invention is used with infants who do not normally have a pillow for sleeping. It will also be appreciated the mattress 21 may or may not be integral with a bed base 22. The fluid being forced through the passageway of the support means may be a gas, preferably air or water vapour or a combination thereof, and may also include a mixture of pharmaceutical chemicals to be inhaled by a user or patient resting on the pillow.

It will be also appreciated that users of the apparatus of the invention include infants and patients in hospital suffering from a range of complaints where an air supply is desirable. Alternatively the support means 2 may be a mattress to which is supplied air to alleviate or give relief to a person with a skin complaint on their body.

Wherein the foregoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support means having a passageway extending through its interior, the passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end of the passageway terminating at an outlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which outlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, deliver fluid passing through the passageway to a user adjacent the outlet aperture.

2. A support means according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of passageways are provided through the interior of the support means.

3. A support means according to claim 2 wherein the inlet end of each passageway is connected to a primary supply passageway, the primary supply passageway having an inlet end terminating at a primary inlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which primary inlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, receive a fluid supply.

4. A support means according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a pillow or mattress or the like.

5. An apparatus for providing a fluid supply to a user, the apparatus comprising a support means having a passageway extending through its interior, the passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end of the passageway terminating at an outlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which outlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, deliver fluid passing through the passageway to a user adjacent the outlet aperture and a fluid supply means to, in use, supply fluid to the inlet end of the supply passageway of the support means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of passageways are provided through the interior of the support means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the inlet end of each passageway of the support means is connected to a primary supply passageway, the primary supply passageway having an inlet end terminating at a primary inlet aperture in the exterior surface of the support means, which primary inlet aperture is configured and arranged to, in use, receive a fluid supply.

8. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the fluid supply comprises a pump means for creating a forced fluid supply to the inlet end of the supply passageway.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a connecting means is provided in the inlet end of the supply passageway to detachably conneα the pump means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the fluid supply means includes a filter to purify the fluid prior to it passing to the inlet end of the supply passageway.

1 1. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the fluid supply means includes a temperature regulator to ensure the fluid being, in use, supplied to the inlet end of the supply passageway is at a predetermined temperature.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 1 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an oxygen supply.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 12 wherein a controller means is provided to control the volume of fluid being supplied to the supply passageway.

14. A support means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.