Antibacterial and anti-dustmite pillows and pillow encasings

This disclosure relates to technology, materials, and methods for hypoallergenic bedding products, particularly, bed pillows and methods for covering and protecting pillows from organic contamination.

Formal and informal laboratory testing of pillows has shown that over years of use they can become a source of not only house dust mites and their allergens, but also various species of fungi and bacteria. These organic contaminates contribute to pathologies such as allergies, asthma, and chronic sinusitis. It has been established that using allergen avoidance measures, such as pillow and mattress encasings, can effectively control these conditions.

Bed pillows are usually constructed of a fabric covering, which comprises pieces of fabric made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Sewing the fabric along a seam that runs along the circumference of the pillow forms a covering. A filler of either synthetic fiberfill, down (feathers), latex foam, or viscoelastic foam inside the covering creates a pillow.

In addition to pillows constructed of two pieces of fabric joined at a center-sewn seam, some pillows are constructed with side gussets of varying widths. These gussets are created by adding a strip of fabric approximately one inch wide on each of the four sides of a pillow between the top and bottom covers of the pillow. The gussets allow the pillow filling to spread out, creating an area of support for a user\'s neck along the edges of the pillow.

A traditional pillow covering made of porous, woven materials allows moisture from the ambient air, the user\'s breath, or the user\'s saliva to enter the filling of the pillow. This moisture contributes in creating a warm, damp environment, which promotes the growth of dust mites, mold (fungus), and bacteria. Only coverings made from coated fabrics are able to stop moisture from entering the filling of a pillow.

Allergen-proof covers that prevent allergen egress are used in bedding (e.g., pillows, mattresses, box springs, duvets, and bed upholstery) to block dust mites and their fecal allergens so that a user does not breathe them in during sleep or use of a bed. Even though a pillow that has a coated fabric can prevent the entry of moisture into the pillow and stop the egress of allergens, the outside coated fabric can still become contaminated with allergens.

Typically, the coated fabrics used in pillows are coated on the inside surfaces of the pillow covering so that the user does not feel the coating while using the pillow. Thus, the outside surfaces of the covering fabric are untreated. The outside of the covering can collect moisture that promotes the growth of fungal spores, bacteria, and endotoxins on the outside of the pillow covering.

Therefore, to effectively prevent contamination, a pillow covering should not allow moisture to enter the pillow, should prevent the egress of allergens, and so resist the surface growth of bacteria, fungus, and dust mites on the outside of the covering.

Additionally, because pillow coverings come into direct or indirect (e.g., through a pillowcase) contact with the human body, it is desired that they be pleasing to the touch and quiet during sleep. For aesthetic as well as for reasons of comfort, the outer fabric of the pillow must drape properly, not feel stiff, and not trap air.

A monolithic coating the fabric of an entire pillow results in a pillow that traps air. If a pillow traps air, it becomes uncomfortable because it gives a user the feeling that they are resting on a balloon filled with air as opposed to a traditional pillow that allows air to egress through the pillow covering. Therefore, simply coating an entire pillow covering to make it hypoallergenic results in an uncomfortable pillow.

Thus, there is a need for a pillow that has properties that resist the surface growth of bacteria, fungus, and dust mites on the outside of the covering, prevents moisture from entering the pillow, and allows for an exchange of air between the inside of the pillow and the ambient air.