US20060101577A1

US20060101577A1 - Bed ventilator

Info

Publication number: US20060101577A1
Application number: US11/271,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Lussier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-13
Filing date: 2005-11-14
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: GB0425089D0

Abstract

A bed ventilator for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounded air drawn thereinto with a selected air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed, the bed including a mattress and a mattress support supporting the mattress. The bed ventilator includes: a casing including an inlet, an outlet and a passageway extending therebetween for fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the casing being configured and sized so that the outlet is positionable under the bed covering; an air circulator located between the inlet and the outlet for drawing the surrounding air through the inlet and blowing the treated air outwardly from the outlet; and a treatment component support mechanically coupled to the casing for removably supporting the air treatment component within said casing.

Description

This Application claims priority from UK Patent Application Serial Number 0425089.0 filed on Nov. 13, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of bed accessories, and is particularly concerned with a bed ventilator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The therapeutic value resulting from bed rest is largely dependant on the quality of sleep which, in turn, is largely dependant upon the degree of comfort afforded to the sleeper by the environment. One important factor directly affecting the quality of bed rest is the maintenance of temperature in the immediate environment of the sleeper within an optimal temperature range.
Indeed, it is well known that if the temperature adjacent the sleeper becomes uncomfortable, not only may the sleeper wake up, but the sleeping pattern may be altered resulting in a less efficient sleep. Various methods have been used in the prior art to provide a relatively comfortable sleeping environment temperature. For example, in instances wherein the surrounding temperature is relatively warm or high, it has become relatively common to use so-called air conditioning units to cool the air in the room occupied by the sleeper. Although somewhat efficient at maintaining a comfortable ambient temperature, such units require a relatively large amount of energy to function appropriately. Furthermore, they typically require that the entire room be cooled, sometimes leading to a considerable waste of energy. Hence, both the purchase and maintenance of such air conditioning units may prove to be unduly costly.
On the other hand, in situations wherein the ambient temperature is relatively low or cold, it is common practice to provide the sleeper with various layers of sheets and blankets. Indeed, it is well known that the body of the average sleeper releases a substantial amount of heat through skin loss and moisture due to perspiration to the surrounding air. The usual practice of covering the body during sleeping has the effect of insulating the body from the surrounding room air and, hence, retains the released heat and moisture in the air surrounding the body.
When the temperature falls below a comfortable range, more blankets or sheets are typically added in an effort to increase the insulation.
While somewhat efficient, the method consisting in using numerous sheets and blankets nevertheless suffers from some drawbacks. Indeed, the use of numerous layers or even of a single relatively heavy layer for the maintenance of a desired temperature creates an undue weight of overlying insulating material on the body of the sleeper. This undue weight is not only uncomfortable but also sometimes interferes with the natural body movements occurring during sleep. Hence, again, there exists a risk of altering the architecture of sleep and, hence, of a less efficient sleep.
Also, in instances wherein heavy insulating is used, a person or sleeper will often throw off the covering while they sleep which will then result in chilling. Furthermore, regardless of the number of insulating layers, the moisture which results from perspiration is still retain about the body by the insulating covering sometimes causing personal discomfort and again potentially resulting in poor rest.
Some devices have been designed to partially solve these problems. For example, many devices exist which draw surrounding air, cool or warm the drawn air, and blow warmed or cooled air under bed coverings. However, these devices are typically positioned on a floor in the room wherein the bed stands and connected to the bed through tubes. This arrangement is somewhat unaesthetic and cumbersome to use. Furthermore, these devices typically include a heating element or an air conditioning unit and are as such relatively expensive and consume a relatively large amount of energy while operating. Yet furthermore, air conditioning units are typically relatively noisy and as such may also disturb a sleeper.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved bed ventilator. It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a bed ventilator for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounded air drawn thereinto with a selected air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed, the bed including a mattress and a mattress support supporting the mattress. The bed ventilator includes:
a casing including an inlet, an outlet and a passageway extending therebetween for fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the casing being configured and sized so that the outlet is positionable under the bed covering;
an air circulator located between the inlet and the outlet for drawing the surrounding air through the inlet and blowing the treated air outwardly from the outlet; and
a treatment component support mechanically coupled to the casing for removably supporting the air treatment component within said casing.
For example, the air treatment component is an air treatment component having a high thermal inertia. In this example, the air treatment component is cooled or heated prior to being inserted into the casing. The air treatment component may then exchange heat with the drawn air to cool or heat this drawn air.
The thermal inertia may be caused in part by a relatively large mass of the air treatment component, a relatively large heat capacity of the air treatment component, a passage from a first phase to a second phase of at least a portion of the air treatment component, or a combination of these factors, among other possibilities.
In some embodiments of the invention, the bed ventilator filters the surrounding air or adds a fragrance to the surrounding air prior to blowing the treated air under the bed covering.
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as maintain a controlled temperature environment adjacent a bed occupant regardless of whether the temperature in the room is too warm or too cold. Indeed, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be able to provide warm, lukewarm or cold air to the sleeper depending on the need.
Also, the proposed bed ventilator is adapted to provide a comfortable flow of air to the sleeper so as to reduce the risks of altering the sleep architecture by micro-awakenings, or the like.
Also, the proposed bed ventilator is adapted to regulate the humidity of the air about the body of the bed occupants.
Still furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be efficient and to operate with a relatively low noise and vibration level.
Furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be readily installable at various strategic locations on numerous types of beds without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity and without altering the functionality of the bed.
Still furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be relatively easily handled, installed and removed again through a set of quick and ergonomic steps without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity.
Yet still furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be relatively economical in use. Also, the proposed bed ventilator is designed so as to be manufacturable using conventional forms of manufacturing so as to provide a bed ventilator that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
Yet still furthermore, the proposed bed ventilator is provided with a mounting system allowing for the mounting of the ventilator and adjustment thereof to mattresses and box springs or other mattress supports of various shapes and sizes.
In another broad aspect, the invention provides a combination bed ventilator and air treatment component for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounded air drawn thereinto with the air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed. The combination includes:
a casing including an inlet, an outlet and a passageway extending therebetween for fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet, the casing being configured and sized so that the outlet is positionable under the bed covering;
an air circulator located between the inlet and the outlet for drawing the surrounding air through the inlet and blowing the treated air outwardly from the outlet; and
an air treatment component removably supported within the casing.
In yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a method for treating surrounding air having a surrounding air temperature, the method including:
providing a high thermal inertia air treatment component, the high thermal inertia air treatment component having a treatment component temperature differing from the surrounding air temperature;
creating a flow of air and directing the flow of air under a bed covering of a bed;
positioning the high thermal inertia air treatment component so that the high thermal inertia air treatment component extends at least in part across the flow of air.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:
FIG. 1: in a partial perspective view with sections taken out, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bed ventilator being shown mounted adjacent to the base of a conventional bed;
FIG. 2: in a perspective view, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bed ventilator being shown mounted on the side of a conventional bed, the bed having both a foot and a head plate;
FIG. 3: in a partial side elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention about to be mounted to a bed including a mattress and a box spring;
FIG. 4: in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a bed;
FIG. 5: in a partial side view with sections taken out, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bed ventilator being shown mounted to a bed and blowing air underneath a bed covering in the form of a bed sheet;
FIG. 6: in a side view, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7: in an elevational view, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8: in an elevational view, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ventilator using a rechargeable battery as a power source;
FIG. 9: in a rear view, illustrates a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10: in a longitudinal cross sectional view, illustrates some of the internal components part of a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 11: in an elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the internal components part of a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a bed ventilator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bed ventilator being generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The bed ventilator 10 is shown mounted adjacent to the base of a conventional bed 12. The conventional bed 12 is shown including a substantially parallelepiped-shaped mattress 14 resting on a substantially similarly shaped box spring 16. The bed 12 is also shown including bed legs 18 extending from the box spring 16.
Although the bed 12 includes a mattress 14 resting on a box spring 16, it is within the scope of the invention to use the bed ventilator 10 with a bed including any other type of mattress support supporting the mattress 14. For example, the mattress 14 could be supported by a wood board, among other possibilities
It should be understood that the bed ventilator 10 could be used in other contexts such as with other types of beds, or even other types of furniture, or even as a stand alone unit without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the situation wherein the bed ventilator 10 is mounted to the side of a bed 12′. This set up may be useful in situations wherein, for example, the bed 12′ includes head and foot plates acting as bed legs.
Referring to FIG. 5, the bed ventilator 10 draws surrounding air thereinto, treats the surrounded air drawn thereinto with a selected air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blows the treated air under a bed covering 19 of the bed 12. For example, the bed covering 19 includes sheets.
As shown more specifically in FIGS. 10 and 11, the bed ventilator 10 includes a casing 20. The casing 20 typically has a modified substantially parallelepiped-shaped configuration. The casing 20 typically includes a front wall 22, a substantially opposed rear wall 24 and a pair of opposed side walls 26 extending therebetween.
The casing 20 defines an inlet 28 located adjacent to the bottom of the casing 20 and an outlet 30 located adjacent to the upper portion of the casing 20. Both the inlet 28 and the outlet 30 are in fluid communication with an inner volume defined by the casing 20. More specifically, a passageway 21 extends between the inlet 28 and the outlet 30 for fluidly coupling the inlet 28 and the outlet 30. The casing 20 is configured and sized so that the outlet 30 is positionable under the bed covering 19.
The present document refers to directions such as “up” and “down”, and uses qualifiers such as “top” and “bottom”. However, this terminology is used only for clarity purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless explicitly claimed.
In some embodiments of the invention, the casing 20 is substantially elongated and defines a casing longitudinal axis 34. Typically, the casing 20 includes a first casing end portion 23, a second casing end portion 25 substantially longitudinally opposed to the first casing end portion 23 and a casing intermediate portion 27 located between the first and second casing end portions 23 and 25.
Typically, the second casing end portion 25 defines an inlet channel 32, the inlet 28 leading into the inlet channel 32. The inlet channel 32 is part of the inner volume. Preferably, the inlet channel 32 extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 34 of the casing 12. Typically, although by no means exclusively, the inlet channel 32 extends along an inlet channel axis 36 forming an angle 38 relative to the longitudinal axis 34. The inlet channel-to-longitudinal axis angle 38 typically has a value of approximately 135 degrees. It should however be understood that the value of the angle 38 could vary without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Similarly, the outlet 30 is typically in direct fluid communication with an outlet channel 40 part of the inner volume and defined by the first casing end portion 23. The outlet channel 40 typically extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34. It should however be understood that the outlet channel 40 could extend in other directions without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The bed ventilator 10 is provided with an air circulator for drawing air from the inlet aperture 28 across the inner volume defined by the casing 12 and for blowing the air through the outlet aperture 30 at a predetermined flow rate. The air circulator may take any suitable form. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the air circulator includes a centrifugal-type fan 42 driven by suitable driving means such as an electrical motor 44. Typically, although by no means exclusively, the centrifugal-type fan 42 is located substantially adjacent to the inlet aperture 28.
The inner volume defines an air treatment section 46. The air treatment section 46 is typically located downstream relative to the fan 42. It should however be understood that the air treatment section 46 could be otherwise located without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The air treatment section 46 is adapted to protectively house an air treatment component such as a temperature regulating component and to put the latter in contact with the air flowing within the inner volume. Typically, the air treatment section 46 includes at least one supporting bracket 48 for supporting a temperature regulating component 50. For example, the supporting bracket 48 is substantially U-shaped. The temperature regulating component 50 may take any suitable form such as that of a block of material having a relatively high thermal inertia. The thermal regulating component 50 may be either cold or heated, or warmed, depending on the need. Alternatively, or in addition, the component 50 may be provided with a fragrant perfume, or have antiseptic or antibacterial properties for otherwise treating the air flowing nearby or thereacross.
In some embodiments of the invention, the air treatment section 46 includes a baffle 47 extending at least in part across the passageway 21. The baffle 47 directs the air blown by the fan 42 so that contact between the blown air and the component 50 is optimized.
In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the component 50 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and defines a treatment component first end 51 and an opposed treatment component second end 53. The component 50 is removably supported by a treatment component support mechanically coupled to the casing 20.
The treatment component support shown in the drawings includes a pair of lower brackets 48 extending from the casing 20 into the passageway 21 for receiving at least in part the treatment component first end 51 thereinto. The treatment component support also includes a tongue 52 extending from the casing 20 into the passageway 21 for spacing the treatment component second end 53 from the casing 21. Typically, the treatment component support is located downstream from the fan 42. The reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the treatment component support may take any other suitable form in alternative embodiments of the invention.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the outer surface of the component 50 is in a spaced apart relationship relative to the inner surface of the casing 20. The outer surface of the component 50 is is positioned so that a relatively large portion thereof exchanges heat with the air blown by the fan 42. Also, the rotation speed of the fan 42 and other characteristics of the bed ventilator 10 are selected so that thermal transfers between the component 50 and the drawn surrounding air is optimized.
Typically, although by no means exclusively, the component 50 is of the type commercially known under the trade name “Freezie Pac” or “Hot Pac”. Alternatively, the component 50 may be an electrically heated component.
In order to allow easy access, installation, removal and/or replacement of the component 50, the front wall 24 is typically provided with an access aperture 54. The access aperture 54 is, in turn, provided with an access door 56 typically hinged by a hinge 58 or otherwise attached thereto for movement between opened and closed configurations so as to respectively allow and prevent access to the inner volume. Typically, but not necessarily in all embodiments of the invention, the access aperture is located substantially in register with the treatment component support.
As shown in FIG. 11, the inlet 28 is typically provided with a filter 60 extending thereacross for filtering the drawn surrounded air. The filter 60 may take any suitable form such as that of a conventional filtering plate including a peripheral frame having a meshed screen extending thereacross. Typically, the peripheral frame is provided with Brazilian locking tongues for easy mounting and removal to and from the inlet 28. Optionally, the filter 60 may be provided with a fragrance delivering means.
Typically, the motor 44 is powered by an electrical connection including a conventional electrical wire 62 leading to a conventional male plug 64, such as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the motor 44 may be driven by a rechargeable power source, such as rechargeable battery 66.
The operational parameters of the bed ventilator 10, such as the rotational speed of the centrifugal-type fans 42, may be controlled in various ways by a controller. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, the controller includes a manual control knob 68 mounted on the front wall 24. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not shown), the operational parameters may be controlled by a remote control unit as a stand-alone unit, or that may even be incorporated in the bed structure such as in the bed head panel.
As illustrated more specifically in FIG. 3, the bed ventilator 10 is adapted to be mounted to a bed 12 using a mounting assembly mechanically coupled to the casing 20.
The mounting assembly includes a mounting plate 70 insertable between the mattress 14 and the box spring 16. The mounting plate 70 is mechanically coupled to a plate-to-casing coupling portion including attachment clips 72 extending substantially perpendicularly to the mounting plate 70.
As shown in FIG. 9, the rear wall 22 is provided with plate attachment slots 74 formed therein. The plate attachment slots 74 are configured and sized for receiving an insertable section 76 of the attachment clips 72 for mounting the plate 70 to the casing 12.
The use of numerous slots 74 spaced along the longitudinal axis 34 allows for customization of the mounting of the bed ventilator 10 depending on the thickness of the mattress 14 and other parameters of the bed 12 so as to allow for an optimal flow of air. In other words, the coupling receiving portion includes at least two coupling portion attachment each positioned at a respective attachment-to-inlet distance relatively to the inlet. The ventilator mounting component is selectively removably attachable to each of the coupling portion attachments.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, the bed ventilator includes any other suitable a plate-to-casing coupling portion mechanically coupled to the mounting plate 70, and the casing 20 includes any other suitable coupling receiving portion for receiving the plate-to-casing coupling portion. Typically, the coupling receiving portion allows to position the plate-to-casing coupling portion at a variable position between the inlet 28 and said outlet 30. For example, and non-limitingly, the plate-to-casing coupling portion may be slidably mounted to the casing 20 so as to be movable substantially longitudinally. The reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the term mechanically coupled should be given a broad interpretation and may include any suitable coupling means for coupling the mounting assembly to the casing 20. For example, and non-limitingly, the mounting assembly may extend integrally from the casing 20 or may engage a cavity formed by the casing 20.
The mounting plate 70 is adapted to be slightly displaced outwardly in use in order to facilitate installation of the bed sheets. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting plate may be inserted either at the foot or at the side of the bed 12, depending on the need. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the bed ventilator 10 may be incorporated into a foot structure of the bed such as into the foot plate 20.
In use, the component 50 is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and inserted into the casing through the access aperture 54. The bed ventilator 10 is mounted to the bed 12 and the fan 42 is powered to circulate the air as described hereinabove. The angle between the outlet channel 40 and the longitudinal axis 34 insures that the blown air is directed optimally under the bed covering 19. The angle between the inlet channel 38 and the longitudinal axis 34 decreases performance reducing aerodynamic forces exerted by the casing 20 on the drawn surrounding air, while ensuring that the filter 60 does not become clogged with dust too rapidly.
When the component 50 serves both to control air temperature and to deliver a fragrance or to treat the drawn air in any other manner, a synergetic effect is achieved.
When the rotation speed of the fan 42 is adjustable, the rate of heat transfer between the component 50 and the surrounding drawn air is controllable to achieve a desired air temperature at the outlet 30. Also, the rotation speed of the fan 42 is typically adjusted so that the component 50 stays cold, cool, warm or hot over a sufficient period of time. Indeed, a fan rotating and an excessive speed will cause the temperature of the component 50 to reach the ambient air temperature relatively rapidly. In this case, there would be a need to replace the component 50 relatively often.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bed ventilator for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounding air drawn thereinto with a selected air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed, the bed including a mattress and a mattress support supporting the mattress, said bed ventilator comprising:

a casing including an inlet, an outlet and a passageway extending therebetween for fluidly coupling said inlet and outlet, said casing being configured and sized so that said outlet is positionable under the bed covering;

an air circulator located between said inlet and said outlet for drawing the surrounding air through said inlet and blowing the treated air outwardly from said outlet; and

a treatment component support mechanically coupled to said casing for removably supporting the air treatment component within said casing.

2. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, further comprising a ventilator mounting assembly mechanically coupled to said casing for mounting said bed ventilator to said bed.

3. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 2, wherein said ventilator mounting assembly includes a mounting plate insertable between the mattress support and the mattress.

4. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 3, wherein said mounting plate extends outwardly from said casing over a distance sufficient for supporting said bed ventilator in a substantially horizontally spaced apart relationship relative to said mattress when said mounting plate is inserted between the mattress support and the mattress.

5. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 3, wherein

said ventilator mounting assembly includes a plate-to-casing coupling portion mechanically coupled to said mounting plate;

said casing includes a coupling receiving portion for receiving said plate-to-casing coupling portion; and

the relative position between said ventilator mounting assembly and said inlet is customizable.

6. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 5, wherein said coupling receiving portion includes a first and a second coupling portion attachment positioned respectively at a first and a second attachment-to-inlet distance relatively to said inlet, said ventilator mounting component being selectively removably attachable to said first and second coupling portion attachments.

7. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second coupling portion attachments include respectively first and second attachment slots and said plate-to-casing coupling portion includes a clip selectively removably attachable to said first and second attachment slots.

8. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein said air circulator includes a fan rotatable at a rotation speed and a motor driving said fan.

9. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 8, further comprising a controller for controlling the rotation speed of said fan.

10. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein

said casing is substantially elongated and defines a casing longitudinal axis;

said casing includes a first casing end portion, a second casing end portion substantially longitudinally opposed to said first casing end portion and a casing intermediate portion located between said first and second casing end portions;

said first casing end portion defines an outlet channel leading to said outlet; and

said second casing end portion defines an inlet channel, said inlet leading into said inlet channel;

whereby said casing is mountable to said bed such that said casing longitudinal axis extends in a substantially vertical direction.

11. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 10, wherein said outlet channel extends substantially perpendicularly to said casing longitudinal axis.

12. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 10, wherein said inlet channel extends at an angle of about 135 degrees relatively to said casing longitudinal axis.

13. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein said treatment component support is configured and sized for supporting an air treatment component having a high thermal inertia.

14. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein said treatment component support is configured and sized for supporting an air treatment component having a high thermal inertia and including a fragrance delivering treatment component.

15. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein

said air treatment component defines a treatment component first end and an opposed treatment component second end; and

said treatment component support includes a substantially U-shaped bracket extending from said casing into said passageway for receiving at least in part the treatment component first end thereinto.

16. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 15, wherein said treatment component support includes a tongue extending from said casing into said passageway for spacing said treatment component second end from said casing.

17. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, wherein said treatment component support is located downstream from said air circulator.

18. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, further comprising an access aperture extending into said casing for allowing the insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of the air treatment component.

19. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 18, wherein said access aperture is located substantially in register with said treatment component support.

20. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 18, further comprising an access door movable between an open position and a closed position so as to respectively allow and prevent access to said treatment component support.

21. A bed ventilator as defined in claim 1, further comprising a filter extending across said inlet for filtering the surrounding air drawn thereinto.

22. A combination bed ventilator and air treatment component for drawing surrounding air thereinto, treating the surrounding air drawn thereinto with said air treatment component so as to produce treated air and blowing the treated air under a bed covering of a bed, said combination comprising:

an air treatment component removably supported within said casing.

23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said casing defines a casing inner surface and said air treatment component defines a treatment component outer surface, said treatment component outer surface being in a spaced apart relationship relative to said casing inner surface.