IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO HYGIENIC BEDDING INCLUDING MICROBIAL DETECTION VALVES AND INFECTION CONTROL CUSHIONING AND/OR BEDDING DEVICES COMPRISING SAID MICROBIAL DETECTION VALVES

摘要

The present invention relates to microbial detection valves and particularly, unidirectional valves which include means for detecting the presence of microbes. The present invention also relates to infection control cushioning and/or bedding devices including said microbial detection valves. In another aspect, the present invention concerns improvements in and relating to hygienic bedding and particularly in and relating to hygienic bedding covers. The present invention has the advantage that it provides a one-way valve incorporated into the pillow cover as well as a microbial filter membrane, to allow air to exhaust quickly from the pillow through the valve, bypassing the membrane. Air re-entering the pillow may only pass through the microbial filter membrane. Thus, air re-entering the pillow does so at slower speed, but has the advantage that forcing the re-entering air to pass through the micorbial filter allows only sterile air to enter the pillow. The present invention also provides a means for sealing hygienic bedding such as a mattress in a waterproof covering while enabling visual inspection.