Antibacterial and anti-dustmite pillows and pillow encasings

Abstract

Hygienic, antibacterial, and anti-allergenic pillows or pillow encasings with a covering are disclosed. The covering comprises a fabric coated with a monolithic coating and a filter. The monolithic coating prevents moisture from entering the pillow and allergens from leaving the pillow or pillow encasing. The filter is operative to allow air to egress and ingress the pillow covering.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . The pillow  claim 19 , wherein said fabric comprises:
 natural fibers;   synthetic fibers; or   a combination of natural fibers and synthetic fibers.   
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The pillow of  claim 19 , wherein said fabric is bonded to a monolithic film. 
   
   
       5 . The pillow of  claim 4 , wherein the film is selected from the group consisting of:
 a blown polyurethane-based film;   a cast polyurethane-based film;   a blown polyethylene-based film;   a cast polyethylene-based film;   a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based film; and   a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based film.   
   
   
       6 . The pillow of  claim 19 , wherein said filter is a microporous material. 
   
   
       7 . The pillow of  claim 6 , wherein said microporous material has a filtration efficiency of an N-95 rating. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . The pillow encasing of  claim 20 , wherein said closure assembly is a zipper. 
   
   
       10 . The pillow encasing of  claim 20 , wherein said fabric comprises:
 natural fibers   synthetic fibers; or   a combination of natural fibers and synthetic fibers.   
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . The pillow encasing of  claim 20 , wherein said fabric is bonded to a monolithic film. 
   
   
       13 . The pillow encasing of  claim 12 , wherein the film is selected from the group consisting of:
 a blown polyurethane-based film;   a cast polyurethane-based film;   a blown polyethylene-based film;   a cast polyethylene-based film;   a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based film; and   a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based film.   
   
   
       14 . The pillow encasing of  claim 20 , wherein said filter is a microporous material. 
   
   
       15 . The pillow encasing of  claim 14 , wherein said microporous material has a filtration efficiency of an N-95 rating. 
   
   
       16 . The pillow of  claim 19 , wherein said fabric is bonded to a microporous film. 
   
   
       17 . The pillow encasing of  claim 20 , wherein said fabric is bonded to a microporous film. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A pillow comprising:
 a filler;   an airtight cover completely enclosing said filler, said airtight cover comprises a fabric;   said airtight cover including a filter, said filter composed of a material having passages of a size sufficient to permit the ingress and egress of air under pressure, above atmospheric pressure, and restrain the passage of allergy producing particles through said filter, said filter being the sole passage for the ingress and egress of air under pressure, above atmospheric pressure, into and out of said pillow;   said pillow is substantially rectangular having at least two longitudinal sides and at least two lateral ends;   said filter extending substantially between said at least two longitudinal sides, said filter being positioned adjacent to and spaced from one of said at least two lateral ends.   
   
   
       20 . A pillow encasing for use with a pillow comprising:
 said pillow encasing being a substantially rectangular hollow enclosure having a top, a bottom, at least two longitudinal sides and at least two lateral ends;   said at least two longitudinal sides extending between said top and said bottom;   said at least two lateral ends extending between said top and said bottom;   said pillow encasing comprises a fabric composed of an airtight material;   said pillow encasing including a filter, said filter composed of a material having passages of a size sufficient to permit the ingress and egress of air under pressure, above atmospheric pressure, and restrain the passage of allergy producing particles through said filter;   said filter extending substantially between said at least two longitudinal sides, said filter being positioned adjacent to and spaced from one of said at least two lateral ends;   said filter being the sole passage for the ingress and egress of air under pressure, above atmospheric pressure, into and out of said pillow encasing;   one of said at least two lateral ends of said pillow encasing providing an opening to an interior of said substantially rectangular hollow enclosure;   a closure assembly secured to said lateral end of said pillow encasing which includes said opening, said closure assembly operatively opening and closing said lateral end of said pillow encasing whereby a pillow can be inserted into said pillow encasing.