“Product or semi-finished product for its manufacture comprising titanium dioxide and thermo-activator”

DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a finished product or a semi-finished product for its manufacture comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic, where said finished product is preferably a mattress, a pillow, an armchair, a sofa, a chair, a seat of a vehicle (automobile, truck, bus, camper, trailer, and so forth), a seat or a berth of a train, an airplane chair, a theater or cinema chair, an animal bed, an article of clothing, or an outer covering thereof.

In particular, the present invention relates to a finished product, preferably a mattress or a pillow, or a semi-finished product for its manufacture, comprising a layer made of polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane- and latex-based foams, where said layer comprises a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a finished product, preferably a mattress or pillow cover, or a semi-finished product for its manufacture, comprising a textile layer, preferably made of woven or non-woven fabric, where said textile layer comprises a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

STATE OF THE ART

Mattresses and pillows made of polymeric material are known, which are used for providing a support surface for the body of a user and typically comprise one or more layers made of latex and/or polyurethane foams.

Outer covers for mattresses and pillows are also known which are adapted to protect mattresses and pillows, to which they are applied in order to protect the inner layers from stains and wear; these usually constitute the interfacing surface between the mattress or the pillow and the outside environment.

In home applications, mattresses and pillows are usually used by a same user, while in other environments, such as hotels, hospitals, residences, hostels, agriturismi (holiday farms), rest homes and hospices, a same mattress or pillow may be used over time by a plurality of different users. The diverse, continuous and extended use of a mattress or pillow can sometimes lead to the proliferation of germs, bacteria and viral agents at the outer covers and within the mattresses and pillows. In the case of subsequent use by multiple users of a same pillow or mattress, the process of proliferation of germs, bacteria and viral agents can be particularly accentuated due in fact to the varied use. In order to overcome such drawbacks, generally there is the cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization of the mattresses, pillows and the outer covers thereof, which is often planned at regular time intervals (e.g. at the start of each tourist season).

Covers are easier to clean than mattresses and pillows since they can be easily removed and washed, for example by hand or in a washing machine, also in industrial processes. With regard to the pillows, sometimes these too can be washed by hand or in the washing machine; in the latter case, though, due to their volumetric size (greater than that of the above-described covers), it may be necessary to use a washing machine with greater size. Simple washing by hand or in a washing machine, however might not be effective in the complete elimination of germs and bacteria; in order to optimize the sanitization process for sanitizing pillows and covers, alternative methods are used such as the use of known washing machines which provide for dedicated cycles of disinfection and/or sterilization.

With regard to mattresses, the operations of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization are more complex due to their considerable size; mattresses are therefore usually sanitized by means of suitable apparatuses and specific methods.

In accordance with a known cleaning method, the mattress is treated with a bactericide cleaning solution, which is usually applied to the outer covering of the mattress and introduced into the padding of the mattress by means of a dedicated apparatus. The cleaning solution can be applied and subsequently removed by means of an injection and extraction system; the application of the solution provides that it is sprayed on the surface of the mattress and/or injection therein by means of a nozzle and subsequently suctioned together with the removed dirt.

After the above-described steps, other operations can be carried out such as rubbing the liner, manually removing the stains from the mattress, at least partially drying the mattress and operating an antibacterial and anti-mite treatment.

The apparatuses and the methods for the washing, the disinfection and/or the sterilization of mattresses, pillows or covers of mattresses and pillows have some considerable drawbacks, however. The disinfection and/or the sterilization of pillows and covers of mattresses or pillows is hard to carry out, since a specific machine is required, such as a washing machine adapted to implement suitable dedicated disinfection and/or sterilization cycles. The washing of pillows in washing machines also involves the risk of damaging the pillow itself.

With regard to mattresses, the disinfection and the sterilization according to the known methods require long times, on the order of several hours; in particular, in accordance with known methods, the disinfection of the mattress can require from 5 to 9 hours. Such duration comprises the treatment of the mattress by means of the suitable apparatus (from 1 to 4 hours) and the subsequent 4 or 5 hours in order to complete the full drying of the mattress, necessary for completely removing the moisture from the mattress, so as to prevent creating an atmosphere favorable for the proliferation of bacteria. The considerable duration of the disinfection process and its complexity for mattresses is particularly inconvenient in environments where it is necessary to disinfect and/or sterilize a high number of mattresses or pillows, such as hotels, hospitals, residences, hostels, agriturismi (holiday farms), rest homes and hospices. In this environment type, where the disinfection and the sterilization of the mattresses and the pillows may be necessary every month or even every week, it would be particularly desired to have a brief, but still effective, duration of the process of disinfection and/or sterilization.

The known apparatuses for carrying out the disinfection and/or the sterilization of the mattresses are also not easy to use and are costly. The main object of the present invention is that of resolving one or more of the problems encountered in the prior art.

One object of the present invention is to implement a finished product, such as for example a mattress and/or a pillow and/or a cover thereof, or a semi-finished product for their manufacture, capable of self-sanitizing during the use by a subject who is laid down and/or rested on them.

One object of the present invention is that of proposing a mattress, a pillow and a cover for mattresses or pillows, or a semi-finished product for their manufacture, capable of self-sanitizing and/or self-sterilizing during use by means of heat generated by a subject who is laid down and/or rested thereon. Another object of the present invention is to propose a mattress, a pillow and a cover for mattresses or pillows that is simple and inexpensive to attain.

These and still other objects, which will be clearer from the following description, are substantially achieved by a mattress, a pillow and a cover for mattresses or pillows, or a semi-finished product for their manufacture, in accordance with that expressed in one or more of the enclosed claims, taken on their own or in combination with each other, or in combination with one of the further aspects or characteristics described hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a finished product or a semi finished product for its manufacture comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

In a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, said finished product is a mattress or a pillow. In said first embodiment, said semi-finished product is a layer of polymeric material.

In said first embodiment, said mattress or pillow comprises at least one layer of polymeric material.

In said first embodiment, said mattress or pillow is of multilayer type. In said first embodiment, said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane- and latex-based foams.

In said first embodiment, said at least one layer of polymeric material comprises said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

In said first embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is homogeneously distributed in said layer of polymeric material.

In said first embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said layer of polymeric material in an amount at least equal to 1 phr or php.

In said first embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said layer of polymeric material in an amount comprised between 2 and 40 phr or php.

In said first embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said layer of polymeric material in an amount comprised between 3 and 30 phr or php. In a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, said finished product is a mattress or pillow cover.

In said second embodiment, said cover is a mattress cover, a sheet, a pillow cover or a pillowcase. In said second embodiment, said finished product comprises at least one textile layer, preferably of woven or non-woven fabric.

In said second embodiment, said semi-finished product is a textile layer, preferably of woven or non-woven fabric.

In said second embodiment, said textile layer comprises said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

In said second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is homogeneously distributed in said textile layer.

In said second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said textile layer in an amount at least equal to 1 % by weight with respect to the weight of said textile layer.

In said second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said textile layer in an amount comprised between 2% and 30% by weight with respect to the weight of said textile layer.

In said second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in said textile layer in an amount comprised between 3% and 20% by weight, preferably between 3% and 15% by weight, more preferably between 3% and 10% by weight with respect to the weight of said textile layer.

In a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present, said finished product is selected from the group which comprises an armchair, a sofa, a chair, a seat of a vehicle, a seat or a berth of a train, an airplane chair, a theater or cinema chair, an animal bed, an article of clothing, and an outer covering thereof.

In said first and second embodiment, said titanium dioxide is in anatase crystalline form.

In said first and second embodiment, said bioceramic comprises a mixture of metal oxides, preferably aluminum, zirconium, iron and magnesium oxides, and non-metal oxides, preferably silicon and boron oxides.

In said first and second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in the form of a powder having micrometric size. In said first and second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic consists of microparticles, preferably characterized by a diameter substantially comprised in the interval from 2 to 200 pm.

In said first and second embodiment, said mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic shows a weight ratio between the titanium dioxide and the bioceramic comprised between 10:1 and 1 :10, preferably comprised between 5:1 and 1 :5, and more preferably comprised between 2:1 and 1 :2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reported now, as a non-limiting example, is the detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention, in which: figure 1 shows a layer of a mattress in accordance with the present invention; figure 2 shows a layer of a mattress comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a first distribution; figure 3 shows a layer of a mattress comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a second distribution; figure 4 shows a layer of a mattress comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a third distribution; figure 5 shows a layer of a mattress comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a fourth distribution; figure 6 shows a layer of a mattress comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a first distribution; figure 7 shows a multilayer mattress in accordance with the present invention; figure 8 shows a mattress in accordance with the present invention comprising two layers; figure 9 shows a pillow in accordance with the present invention; figure 10 shows a pillow comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a first distribution; figure 11 shows a pillow comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a second distribution; figure 12 shows a pillow comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with a first distribution; figure 13 shows a cover for mattresses in accordance with the present invention partially applied outside a mattress; figure 14 shows a cover for pillows in accordance with the present invention partially applied outside a pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, reference number 1 overall indicates a mattress or pillow. From a structural standpoint, the mattress 1 can comprise at least one layer 2; in particular the mattress 1 can be made of a single layer 2 (single-layer mattress - figure 1 ), or of multiple layers (multi-layer mattress), as illustrated in figure 7 and in figure 8, in particular at least two layers.

In the case of single-layer mattress 1 , the only layer 2 of the mattress 1 substantially coincides with the mattress 1 ; figures 1 to 6, illustrating a layer 2 of a mattress 1 , are therefore to be intended as also illustrating a single-layer mattress 1.

With regard to the materials constituting the mattress 1 , at least one layer 2 of the mattress 1 can be made of polymeric material, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyurethane- and latex-based foams.

The mattress 1 can comprise at least one additional layer 3, which can also be made of polymeric material, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyurethane- and latex-based foams.

In a mattress 1 comprising two or more layers, at least the layer 2 can be made of a polyurethane-based foam and at least the additional layer 3 can be made of latex, or vice versa, and/or at least two layers 2, 3 can be made of a polyurethane- based foam and of a latex-based foam; in the latter case, in particular, each of the two layers 2, 3 made of a same material can differ from the other layer 3, 2 by a different material density value.

Of course the mattress 1 can comprise any number of layers, not necessarily all made of polymeric material and with different geometries and combinations, as currently known.

Nevertheless, the overall shape of the internal structure comprising the abovementioned layers 2, 3 will be parallelepiped (with thickness of size smaller than the longitudinal and transverse extension) with flat upper and lower surfaces of the structure, respectively adapted to receive and support a user and to abut against the frame of the bed.

From a structural standpoint, the layers 2, 3 of the mattress 1 have an upper surface 4 and a lower surface 5. At least one between the upper and lower surfaces 4, 5 of at least one layer 2 can be substantially flat, as illustrated in figures 1 to 7; preferably, the upper surface 4 and the lower surface 5 of a same layer 2 are flat, as illustrated in figures 1 to 7. In accordance with an alternative geometric shape of the layers of the mattress, at least one between the upper and lower surface 4, 5 of at least one layer 2 can have an at least partially curvilinear geometry; in particular a layer 2 of the mattress 1 can have one between the substantially flat upper and lower surfaces 4, 5 and the respective opposite lower or upper surface 5, 4 (opposite the substantially flat upper or lower surface 4, 5) that is at least partially curvilinear.

In particular at least two layers 2, 3 can be characterized by such geometry, as illustrated in figure 8, in a manner such that the partially curvilinear surface of a layer 2, 3 is mutually couplable with the partially curvilinear surface of the other layer 3, 2. Preferably a layer 2 can have an at least partially curvilinear geometry at its upper surface 4 and an additional layer 3 can have an at least partially curvilinear geometry at its lower surface 5 adapted to be coupled (being moved) to the upper surface 4 of the layer 2, as illustrated in figure 8.

In particular, as illustrated in figure 8, the surfaces of the opposite layers 2, 3 with respect to the at least partially curvilinear surfaces can be substantially flat.

With regard to the pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 9, this can consist of a single layer made of polymeric material; as an alternative to the single-layer structure, it is not excluded that the pillow 1 may be made of a structure comprising two or more layers made of polymeric material or not, whose characteristics can be in accordance with that described above for the layers 2, 3 of the mattress 1 .

The polymeric material with which it is at least partially attained, in particular completely, the pillow 1 is preferably selected from the group of the polyurethane- and latex-based foams.

From a structural standpoint the mattress and the pillow 1 have several common characteristics.

The mattresses and the pillows 1 in accordance with the present invention are provided with an upper portion 6 and a lower portion 7, which are defined with reference to the use conditions of the mattress or pillow 1 ; in a mattress 1 , the upper portion 6 and the lower portion 7 are usually substantially flat and parallel to each other. For use conditions of the mattress 1 , it is intended the condition in which the upper portion 6 of the mattress 1 at least partly sustains the weight of a user and the lower portion 7 of the mattress 1 lies on the frame of a bed or similar device; in particular the upper portion 6 and/or the lower portion 7 can be elastically deformed in order to allow the mattresses 1 to be adapted, under the weight of the user, to his/her appearance, in a manner such to constitute a comfortable support. By use conditions of the pillow 1 it is instead intended the condition in which the upper portion 6 of the pillow 1 at least partly sustains the weight of a user and the lower portion 7 of the pillow 1 lies at the upper portion 6 of the mattress 1 .

With regard to a mattress 1 of single-layer type, the upper surface 4 of the layer 2 can substantially coincide with the upper portion 6 of the mattress 1 and the lower surface 5 of the layer 2 can substantially coincide with the lower portion 7 of the mattress 1 , as illustrated in figure 1 .

As illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the present invention also relates to an outer cover 8 for mattresses or pillows 1 ; preferably, the cover 8 can be a mattress cover or a pillowcase for pillows 1 .

In the course of the present description, with the term cover it is intended a cover adapted to be applied outside mattresses or pillows 1 .

With regard to geometry, the mattress and the pillow 1 are extended for a length L, for a height H and for a width J. Due to the size differences that usually occur between the mattresses and the pillows, the values of the length L, of the height H and of the width J of the mattress 1 can be different with respect to the values of the length L, of the height H and of the width J of the pillow 1 .

The length L, the height H and the width J of the mattress or pillow 1 are calculated with reference to a rest condition of the mattress or pillow 1 . By rest condition of the mattress or pillow 1 it is intended the non-deformed condition, in which the mattress or the pillow 1 is not in contact with the user. In the rest condition of the mattress 1 , since the upper and lower portions 6, 7 of the mattress 1 are substantially flat and parallel to each other, the height H of the mattress 1 is usually constant along the length L, while in the rest condition of the pillow 1 the height H of the pillow 1 can vary along the length L.

Still with regard to geometry, the mattress and the pillow 1 comprise a first end portion 9 and a second end portion 10 opposite the first end portion 9. The first and the second end portions 9, 10 are characterized by a height substantially equal to the height H of the mattress or pillow 1 , by a depth substantially equal to the width J of the mattress or pillow 1 and they are extended for a first fraction L’ of the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 ; in particular the extension of the first and of the second end portion 9, 10 is equal to or lower than a value equal to half the length L, as is visible in figure 4 with regard to a mattress 1 . The first and the second end portion 9, 10 can be defined with reference to a plane of symmetry that vertically traverses the mattress or pillow 1 at half the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 ; the first and the second end portion 9, 10 represent the two portions into which the mattress or pillow 1 is divided by the vertical symmetry plane.

The mattress 1 , the pillow 1 and the cover 8 advantageously comprise a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in correspondence to at least one portion 11 ; in particular, in a mattress or pillow 1 , the portion 11 comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can belong to at least one layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1.

Titanium dioxide is chemical compound characterized by the chemical formula T1O2 and is present in nature in three different crystalline forms: rutile, anatase and brookite. Rutile is the most common form, in whose anatomic structure each titanium atom is surrounded by six atoms of oxygen in a manner such to form an octahedron structure. A second polymorph of titanium dioxide consists of brookite, which is rare and is characterized by an orthorhombic crystalline structure. A third crystalline form of titanium dioxide is represented by anatase, characterized by a tetragonal atomic structure and with optimal photocatalytic properties. The preferred crystalline form of titanium dioxide for the purpose of its use in a mattress 1 , in a pillow 1 and/or in a cover 8 according to the present invention is constituted, indeed due to its photocatalytic properties, by anatase; nevertheless, also rutile can be used for such purpose since - even if to a smaller extent with respect to anatase - it denotes photocatalytic properties.

Due to its characteristics, titanium dioxide, when subjected to a radiation of suitable frequency, absorbing it, generates an electron-hole pair. The generation of the electron-hole pair is due to the fact that, since titanium dioxide is a semiconductor characterized by a gap energy comprised between 3 eV (gap energy of rutile) and 3.2 eV (gap energy of anatase), when it absorbs photons with sufficient energy (at least equal to the gap energy), there is the passage of the electrons from the valence band to the conduction band; in this manner, a positive charged hole is left in the valence band.

Bioceramic is an inorganic material capable of emitting radiations in the far infrared due to the heat that can be attained with a variety of inorganic compounds. Bioceramic is generally obtained by a mixture of metal and non-metal oxides, and for example comprises aluminum oxides, silicon oxides, zirconium oxides, iron oxides, magnesium oxides, boron oxides in various shapes and combinations with lower quantities of other elements such as sodium, calcium, lithium, iron and chromium. The bioceramics used most are obtained from quartz, kaolin, tourmaline, mullite, alumina, hydroxyapatite, zirconia, and mixtures thereof.

The Applicant has found that the radiations emitted by the bioceramic due to the heat are capable of activating the photocatalytic properties of the titanium dioxide.

In particular, the Applicant has found that the radiations emitted by the bioceramic due to the heat developed by a human body lying on a mattress 1 , a pillow 1 and/or a cover 8 were capable of activating the photocatalytic properties of the titanium dioxide, also and above all at night while the human body is at rest.

By activation of the photocatalytic properties of the titanium dioxide it is intended the triggering of the photocatalysis reactions following the absorption by the titanium dioxide of radiations having an energy sufficient for activating the reaction. By radiations in the far infrared it is intended radiations having wavelength comprised between 1 and 100 pm, preferably between 2 and 50 pm, and still more preferably between 3 and 15 pm.

Therefore, under the effect of the radiations emitted by the bioceramic, the electrons of the titanium dioxide are free to migrate within the conduction band, while the holes can be filled by the migration of an electron from an adjacent molecule, leaving a new hole; the process can repeat itself. Electrons and holes can be recombined or generate, when they reach the surface, reactive oxygen species (ROS) which carry out their own action respectively in proximity to and at a distance from the portion 11 characterized by the presence of titanium dioxide. When germs, bacteria and/or viral agents presents in the mattress 1 are in direct contact with the catalyst (the titanium dioxide), there can be a direct oxidation of their cellular components.

The titanium dioxide activated by the bioceramic is therefore capable of degrading, via oxidation, numerous organic compounds, disinfecting and/or sterilizing the surfaces on which they are nested. In other words the titanium dioxide, acting as photocatalyst, is capable of exploiting the energy of the radiations emitted by the bioceramic in order to facilitate chemical reactions in other molecules that are situated in contact or in proximity to its surface. The disinfecting and/or sterilizing action of the titanium dioxide is therefore two-fold since it takes place both on germs, bacteria and/or viral agents in direct contact with the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic, and on those in proximity thereto.

The mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be distributed in a manner such to optimize the process of disinfection and/or sterilization of the mattress 1 , of the pillow 1 or of the cover 8 on which it is applied, as will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.

In a mattress or pillow 1 , in particular, at least one layer 2 can comprise, in correspondence to at least one portion 11 thereof, a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic; preferably the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be homogeneously distributed in correspondence to at least one portion 11 of at least one layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1. In particular, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is homogeneously distributed within at least one portion 11 of at least one layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1. The portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can substantially coincide with the entire mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 1 with regard to a mattress 1 and in figure 9 with regard to a pillow 1 , or be extended for a portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 with dimensions smaller than those characterizing the mattress or pillow 1 (height H, length L and width J). Preferably, in the event in which the portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic substantially coincides with the entire mattress or pillow 1 , the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is homogeneously distributed within the volume of the internal structure of the mattress or pillow 1 and/or at the outer surfaces of the mattress or pillow 1. The portion 11 can be extended along a substantially vertical direction for a first fraction H’ of the height H of the mattress or pillow 1 ; the substantially vertical direction can be substantially parallel to the height H. The first fraction H’ of the height H can be substantially equal to the height H; in other words, the height of the portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 characterized by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can take on a value substantially equal to the height H of the mattress 1. With regard to the longitudinal extension of the portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic, this can be extended along a first substantially horizontal direction for a first fraction L’ of the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 ; the first substantially horizontal direction can be parallel to the length L. In particular the first fraction L’ of the length L can be substantially equal to the length L of the mattress or pillow 1. The portion of the mattress or pillow 1 characterized by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can also be extended along a second substantially horizontal direction for a first fraction J’ of the width J of the mattress or pillow 1 ; the second substantially horizontal direction can be parallel to the width J. In particular, the first fraction J’ can be substantially equal to the width J; in other words, the width of the portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 characterized by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can take on a value substantially equal to the width J of the mattress or pillow 1.

The portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 characterized by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be characterized by any one distribution at the upper portion 6, at the lower portion 7, at the lateral surfaces and/or at the layers of the mattress or pillow 1. In particular, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can characterize at least one entire layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1 ; preferably the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is homogeneously distributed within the volume of the inner structure of the mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 1 for a mattress 1 and in figure 9 for a pillow 1.

In accordance with a first distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be arranged at the upper portion 6; in other words, in accordance with the first distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is not present within the mattress or pillow 1 , but only at the upper portion 6, which, being in use conditions of the mattress or pillow 1 in contact with the body of the user, represents one of the surfaces of the mattress or pillow 1 more greatly subjected to the proliferation of germs and bacteria. In accordance with the first distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be arranged at the entire upper portion 6 of the mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 2 for a mattress 1 and in figure 10 for a pillow 1 , or at a portion 11 thereof, as illustrated in figure 6 for a mattress 1 and in figure 12 for a pillow 1. In accordance with the first distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be arranged at the upper portion and/or of the lower portion of the mattress or pillow 1.

In accordance with a second distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is distributed at a surface layer of the mattress or pillow 1 , so as to carry out its disinfecting and/or sterilizing function at and in proximity to at least one surface of the mattress or pillow 1 . Preferably, the surface layer is directed above in use conditions of the mattress or pillow.

The surface layer characterized by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be arranged at least at the upper portion 6 of the mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 3 for a mattress 1 and in figure 11 for a pillow 1 , and/or at the lower portion of the mattress and/or pillow 1 . In particular the surface layer can be extended along a substantially vertical direction parallel to the height H for a first fraction H’ of the height H of the mattress or pillow 1 at least equal to 1 mm. Preferably, the surface layer is extended for a first fraction H’ of the height H of the mattress or pillow 1 comprised between 1 mm and 5 cm. With regard to the longitudinal extension, the surface layer comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be extended along a first substantially horizontal direction for a first fraction L’ of the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 ; in particular, the first fraction L’ can be substantially equal to the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 . In other words, the surface layer can be extended for a length substantially equal to the length of the mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 3 for a mattress 1 and in figure 11 for a pillow 1 .

In accordance with a third distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is distributed in correspondence to at least one between the first end portion 9 and the second end portion 10 of the mattress or pillow 1 , as illustrated in figure 4 for a mattress 1 .

In accordance with a fourth distribution, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic present in at least one portion 11 of at least one layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1 follows a distribution in accordance with any one regular geometric pattern or scheme, as illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in figure 5 for a mattress 1 . In particular, figure 5 shows a mattress 1 comprising three portions 11 characterized by the presence of a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic; each portion 11 is spaced from the adjacent portion(s) 11 by a distance M and is extended along a first substantially horizontal direction for a first fraction L’ of the length L of the mattress or pillow 1 .

The types of distributions described above can coexist in any one combination in a mattress or pillow 1 ; for example a mattress or pillow 1 in accordance with the present invention can have a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic at its upper portion 6 in accordance with the first distribution and a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic distributed on a surface layer placed at the lower portion 7 thereof in accordance with the second distribution.

According to the present inventive concept, further types of distributions of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can also be provided inside and/or outside the mattress or pillow 1 .

With regard to a mattress or pillow 1 of multilayer type, in particular comprising at least two layers 2, 3, each layer can be characterized by one or more characteristics described above with reference to a single layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1 , such as the materials with which it can be made, its geometry and the possible placements of the portion 11 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic. Preferably, at least one additional layer 3 of the mattress or pillow 1 can be characterized by a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic. In particular a layer 2 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising a distribution of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic and an additional layer 3 of the mattress or pillow 1 comprising a distribution of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be contiguous; in other words, the two layers 2, 3 comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be in direct contact, in particular superimposed, since there are no layers of the mattress or pillow 1 interposed which lack a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

In particular, in a mattress 1 comprising two layers 2, 3, a layer 2 can be arranged at the lower portion 7 of the mattress or pillow 1 and an additional layer 3 can be arranged at the upper portion 6 of the mattress or pillow 1 .

Returning to the description of the characteristics of the present invention common to all possible variations thereof, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be present in specific percentages by weight, calculated with reference to the weight of the polymeric material with which the mattress or pillow 1 is attained, in particular expressed as parts by weight per 100 parts of polymeric material (commonly known as “phr” “parts per hundred rubber” referred to latex, and “php” “parts per hundred polyol” referred to polyurethane).

The amount of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in the polymeric material can be at least equal to 1 phr or php, preferably it can be comprised between 2 and 40 phr or php, and more preferably can be comprised between 3 and 30 phr or php. The mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic shows a weight ratio between the titanium dioxide and the bioceramic comprised between 10:1 and 1 :10, preferably comprised between 5:1 and 1 :5, and more preferably comprised between 2:1 and 1 :2. Advantageously, the weight ratio between the titanium dioxide and the bioceramic is comprised between 1 .5:1 and 1 :1 .5.

Useful examples of amounts (in phr or php) of titanium dioxide present in mixture in the polymeric material in accordance with the present invention are 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5,

6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Useful examples of amounts (in phr or php) of bioceramic present in mixture in the polymeric material in accordance with the present invention are 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Experimental data has demonstrated that an amount of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic (with weight ratio from 1 :1 to 1 :1 .5) from about 18 to 25 phr in latex or from about 7 to 12.5 php in polyurethane provides optimal results regarding disinfection and/or sterilization of the surface on which the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is applied, succeeded in removing over 90%, preferably over 95%, and more preferably over 99% of the microorganisms nested therein.

With the decrease of the amount of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic, the disinfecting and/or sterilizing effect considerably decreases; when the amount of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic is present in a percentage lower than 1 phr, the disinfecting and/or sterilizing effect is rather limited.

Of course amounts higher than 25-30 phr or 15-20 php complete the functions of disinfection, but increase weights and costs of the product and/or of the semi finished product.

The present invention also regards a cover 8 adapted to be applied outside mattresses or pillows 1 comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in correspondence to at least one portion 11 thereof; preferably, the cover 8 can be a mattress cover or a pillowcase for pillows 1. A cover 8 for mattresses 1 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in figure 13 in a configuration in which it is partially applied to a mattress 1 , while a cover 8 for pillows 1 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in figure 14 in a configuration in which it is partially applied outside a pillow 1. Illustrated in figures 13 and 14 are respectively a mattress and a pillow not comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic; nevertheless, the cover 8 can also be applied to a mattress or pillow 1 comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with the present invention. In other words, a mattress or pillow 1 comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be lined with a cover 8 comprising a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic according to the present invention; in this manner, by means of the exposure to electromagnetic waves of suitable frequency, the disinfecting and/or sterilizing action exerted by the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can simultaneously regard both the mattress or pillow 1 and the outer cover 8 applied thereto. The cover 8 can be at least partially made of woven or non-woven fabric; preferably the woven or non-woven fabric can be of elastic type.

The woven or non-woven fabric can be attained with any natural, artificial or synthetic textile fiber, such as for example natural fibers of cotton, wool, flax, silk, and hemp, artificial fibers of acetate, lyocell, modal, triacetate and viscose or rayon, and synthetic acrylic, aramid fibers (Kevlar and Nomex), chlorovinyl, modacrylic (acrylic modified for flame resistance), neoprene, polyamide (Nylon), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) and polyurethane (Elastam).

The mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be homogeneously distributed in correspondence to at least one portion 11 of the cover 8. In particular, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be homogeneously distributed within the cover 8; in other words, the cover 8 can be entirely characterized by a homogeneously distributed mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic.

The cover 8 can comprise a mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in specific percentages by weight, calculated with reference to the weight of the material with which the cover 8 is made. The percentage by weight of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be at least equal to 1 % of the weight of the material with which the cover 8 is attained; advantageously, it can be comprised between 2% and 30%. In particular, the percentage by weight of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be comprised between 3% and 20%, preferably between 3% and 15%, more preferably between 3% and 10% of the weight of the material with which the cover 8 is made.

The mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic characterizing at least one portion 11 of the cover 8 can have any one distribution inside and/or outside the cover 8. In particular the portion 11 can comprise a distribution of the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic in accordance with the distributions described and illustrated above, with reference to a mattress, in figures 1 to 6.

With regard to characteristics of the mixture of common titanium dioxide and bioceramic to a mattress 1 , to a pillow 1 and to a cover 8 in accordance with the present invention, this can be present in the form of a white or colorless crystalline powder. With regard to grain size, the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic can be present in the mattress or pillow 1 or in the cover 8 in accordance with the present invention in the form of a powder having micrometric size; in particular, the mixture can be constitute by microparticles of titanium dioxide and bioceramic. The microparticles can be characterized by a diameter substantially comprised between 2 and 200 pm; advantageously, the micrometric dimensions of the particles increase (with respect to particles of greater dimensions) the reaction surface of the titanium dioxide with the radiation adapted to activate the photocatalytic properties thereof, consequently increasing the disinfecting and/or sterilizing effect.

The titanium dioxide comprised in the mattress or pillow 1 or in the cover 8, preferably in its anatase and/or rutile form, can be preliminarily subjected to a doping process so as to modulate the electronic properties thereof (and consequently the photocatalytic properties thereof) by means of the addition of the elements suitable for such purpose. The titanium dioxide can for example be doped with: metal ions, in particular transition metal ions, rare earth ions, anions, aluminum and/or silicon. The effect of the doping consists in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the titanium dioxide, varying the absorption region and therefore the frequency and wavelength intervals responsible for activating the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide. In particular anatase can be doped with metal ions, in particular transition metals or rare earth metals.

The present invention allows obtaining one or more of the following advantages. First of all, the invention allows resolving one or more of the problems encountered in the prior art. The present finding allows combating the proliferation of germs, bacteria and/or viral agents in mattresses, pillows and/or covers; this results particularly advantageous in settings where there is a high diversity of use of the mattresses and/or of the pillows.

The present inventions allow sterilizing and/or disinfecting mattresses, pillows and/or covers without having to use dedicated and costly apparatuses, during the rest of the user, exploiting the heat emitted by the body of the same user; the invention is therefore easy to use and actuate, simplifying the disinfection and/or sterilization of mattresses, pillows and/or covers.

The invention in fact allows operating the disinfection and/or sterilization of mattresses, pillows and/or covers during use without intervention of any operator and/or the use of complex and costly equipment. The invention is therefore simple and inexpensive to make and use.

Even if the present invention was described with particular reference to mattresses, pillows, their covers and semi-finished products for their manufacture, the invention is not intended as limited to such products, but is extended to any finished or semi-finished product for its manufacture which can receive or cover or protect a human subject or animal, such as for example an armchair, a sofa, a chair, a seat of a vehicle (automobile, truck, bus, camper, trailer, and so forth), a seat or a berth of a train, an airplane chair, a theater or cinema chair, an animal bed, an article of clothing, and so forth.

In the context of clothing articles, the present invention can be applied in the context of commercial products intended for the public such as clothes, jackets, pants, shirts, sweaters and pullovers, socks, underwear, T-shirts, polo shirts, and so forth, or professional products intended for operators, such as work clothes, protective clothes, aprons, uniforms, sanitary protective material (masks, gloves, coveralls, shirts), and so forth.

EXPERIMENTAL PART

Two types of substrates were used, one with natural latex base (series LN) and one with polyurethane base (series PU) having the formulation as reported in the following tables A and B.

Table A Serie LN

Table B Series PU

( ^* ) quartz/mullite - 80% silicon dioxide 20% alumina

The bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, the fungus Candida albicans ATCC 10231 , the virus Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1 strain F, ATCC VR-733), and SARS-CoV-2 (clinical isolate) were maintained in conditions of standard growth. At the time of the assay, a suspension was set up containing 2x106 colony-forming units (UFC)/ml or plaque forming units (UFP)/ml. SARS-CoV-2 was diluted with TCID50.

The microbial preparations thus obtained were distributed on substrate samples placed within sterile test tubes. Specifically, 1 cm ³ of each substrate was incubated with 1 ml_ of microbial suspension. The samples will be incubated for 8 hours in the dark at the controlled temperature of 37°C.

At the end of incubation, the microbial culture volume was recovered by means of wringing the substrate, suitably diluted and seeded under standard conditions so as to evaluate the vitality of the microorganisms. In particular, the bacteria and the fungus were seeded on agar plates and incubated at 37°C (bacteria) or at 30°C (fungus). The presence of microbial colonies was monitored every 24 hours up to a maximum of 72 hours. The microbial colonies were counted and the results are reported below as percentage of reduction of microbial vitality with respect to microorganism cultures set up as described above but not incubated with the substrate. Similarly, the suspensions of HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 were recovered and incubated with a single-layer of VERO or VERO E6 cells, respectively. The cultures were incubated at 37°C and the appearance of cytopathic effect on the single-layer of cells was evaluated every 24 hours up to a maximum of 72 hours. The plaques that were possibly formed were counted and the results are reported as percentage of reduction of infectious viral particles with respect to samples set up as described above but not incubated with the substrates.

The results are reported as average ± standard error. The experiments were executed in triplicate; each repetition was conducted in an independent manner. The statistical significance was calculated by means of One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post test.

As reported in Table 1 , the substrate LNO (lacking the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic) reports a poor antimicrobial effect. Indeed, this substrate inhibits the grown of S. aureus only by 29.28±6.35% and that of E. Coli by 12.89±3.04%. The effect on HSV-1 is likewise not considerable (reduction of 26.96±7.99%) while the lowest antimicrobial effect is found with respect to C. albicans. The substrates LN1 and LN2 (respectively comprising 18 and 25 phr of mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic) reported a discrete antifungal activity and an optimal antibacterial and antiviral activity. In particular, LN1 completely deactivated the virus HSV-1 and SARS-CoV2. Table 1

Antimicrobial effect of the substrates, series LN (Natural latex)

^* denotes a statistical significance <0.05 versus LNO for the same microorganism As reported in Table 2, the substrates PU1 and PU2 (respectively comprising 7 and 12.5 phr of mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic) have a significant antibacterial activity with respect to S. aureus and E. coli and to the virus HSV-1. In addition, unlike PU1 , PU2 inhibits 63.61 ±3.20% C. albicans. The substrate PU2 was also tested with respect to the virus SARS-CoV2, reporting an optimal antiviral activity (>96%), opposite the substrate PUO (lacking the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic) which showed a very poor effect.

Table 2

Antimicrobial effect of the substrates, series PU (PolyUrethane) + denotes a statistical significance <0.05 versus PU1 for the same microorganism

^* denotes a statistical significance <0.05 versus PUO for the same microorganism

The tested different substrates comprising the mixture of titanium dioxide and bioceramic all have the capacity of inhibiting the growth of tested microorganisms Independent of the substrate, such capacity gradually increases with the increase of the amounts in formulations 1 and 2 with respect to the formulation 0.

Overall, the samples LN1 and PU2 resulted the most effective, completely preventing the infectiousness of the viruses HSV-1 and SARS-CoV2, optimally limiting the growth of the bacterium E. coli and significantly reducing that of the bacterium S. aureus and of the fungus C. albicans.