Docket No. 33378.001
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`UNITED STATES NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
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`For
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`PRESSURE ACTIVATED RECHARGING COOLING PLATFORM
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`Inventor:
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`Gerard Prendergast
`4853 North Springfield
`Chicago,Illinois 60625
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`Prepared By:
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`Reid Eric Dammann,Esq.
`MUSICK PEELER LLP
`One Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2000
`Los Angeles, California 90017
`(213) 629-7611
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`942135.1 1
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`
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`UNITED STATES NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
`
`For
`
`PRESSURE ACTIVATED RECHARGING COOLING PLATFORM
`
`Inventor:
`
`Gerard Prendergast
`4853 North Springfield
`Chicago,Illinois 60625
`
`Prepared By:
`
`Reid Eric Dammann,Esq.
`MUSICK PEELER LLP
`One Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2000
`Los Angeles, California 90017
`(213) 629-7611
`
`942135.1 1
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`
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`PRESSURE ACTIVATED RECHARGING COOLING PLATFORM
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application is a continuation of United States
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`Application No. 14/226,393 entitled “Pressure Activated Recharging Cooling Platform,”filed on
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`March 26, 2014, whichis a continuation of United States Application No. 12/760,045 entitled
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`“Pressure Activated Recharging Cooling Platform,” filed on April 14, 2010, claiming priority
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`under 35 U.S.C. §120, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreferencein its entirety
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`as if fully set forth within.
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`BACKGROUND
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`1) Field of the Invention
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`The invention relates to temperature controlled platforms, particularly, cooling platforms
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`for animals.
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`2) Discussion of the Related Art
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`Pet beds serveas a place to rest or sleep, for pets such as cats and dogs. Manytimes,
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`dependingonthe application, these pet beds are directed towards cooling or heating pets. These
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`beds can be used during post-surgery recovery, dysplasia, or post-chemotherapy. Generally,
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`these pet beds aid in the comfort andsafety ofthe pet.
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`Manypet beds are knownto have cooling mechanisms. Somepet bedsprovide a
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`centralized cooling plate with no mechanism to circulate. These pet beds areelectrically
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`connected to a power source. Powersources often times fail, negating the "portable" aspectof a
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`product. Further, such systems require heavy and complex equipment, andarenot typically
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`portable or user friendly.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`There are other pet beds available which use alternative or "non-electric" means to cool a
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`pet. These pet beds generally use ice packs. However, these ice packs eventually melt and need
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`to be replaced. Accordingly,it is desirable to provide an improved cooling bedforpets.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Theinvention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
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`drawings wherein:
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`Figure | illustrates a top angled perspective of a cooling platform.
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`Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a temperature regulation layer of the cooling platform.
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`Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view ofthe cooling platform.
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`Figure 4 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the cooling platform.
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`Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a channeled covering layerofthe cooling
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`platform.
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`Figure6illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 7 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodimentof the
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 8 illustrates a top angled perspective of an alternative embodiment ofthe cooling
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`platform.
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`Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of the alternative embodimentof the
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of an alternative embodimentof the
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 11 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective ofan alternative embodimentofthe
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`cooling platform.
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`Figure 13 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodimentofthe
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`cooling platform.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention is now described with referenceto figures where like reference
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`numbersindicate identical or functionally similar elements. While specific configurations and
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`arrangements are discussed, it should be understoodthatthis is done forillustrative purposes
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`only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and
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`arrangements can be used without departing form the spirit and scope ofthe invention.
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`The invention described herein is multilayered. Each layer, in an embodiment, is bonded
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`to the next layer in some fashion,in that, each layeris comprised ofa first and a second side and
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`is bondedto the respective side accordingly. As such, the term "bonded"refers to the joining,
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`adhering, affixing, connecting, attaching, threading orthelike, through chemical, mechanical or
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`electrical avenues, ofat least two elements of a cooling platform, such that the elements tendto
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`be and remain bonded during normaluse conditionsof the cooling platform.
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`FIG.1 illustrates a cooling platform 100. The cooling platform 100 is comprised of a
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`temperature regulation layer 110 (illustrated in FIG. 2), a support layer 140(illustrated in FIG.
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`3), and a channeled covering layer 150.
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`FIG.2 illustrates the temperature regulation layer 110 in moredetail. The temperature
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`regulation layer 110 is adapted to hold a composition 110A(illustrated in FIG. 3) and provides
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`temperature regulation to the cooling platform 100. The temperature regulation layer 110 has an
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`angled segment 120, which includesa top side and a bottom side(illustrated FIG. 8 and FIG 9),
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`The angled segment 120 is formed by channels 130 and includesa sealed perimeter.
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`In an embodiment, andasillustrated in FIG. 2, the temperature regulation layer 110
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`includesa plurality of angled segments 120 formed bya plurality of channels 130. The channels
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`130 effectively space the top and bottom sides of each angled segment 120 at a predefined
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`distance.
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`In an embodiment, the predefined distance can equal zero, thus completely forming
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`each angled segment 120 and cutting off any interconnection or communication therein.
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`Tn another embodiment, that predefined distance can be measured depending on the
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`object using the cooling platform 100.
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`In this embodiment, the predefined distance allows for
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`interconnection between the angled segments 120 of the composition 110A (including pressure
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`portions 110B as seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the interconnection would
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`apply to those angled segments 120 within the perimeter of the temperature regulation layer 110,
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`as the perimeteris sealed.
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`The cooling platform 100 is adapted to provide cooling to a wide variety of objects. As
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`used herein, the term "object" can mean a variety ofthings including but not limited to domestic
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`animals, such as cats and dogs. The use of the cooling platform 100 can extend to humanuse in
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`vehicles or similar circumstancescalling for such regulation. Generally, the cooling platform
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`100 can be used for anything that needs or requires either heat, cool or temperature regulation.
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`FIG, 3 and FIG.4 illustrate a cross-section of the cooling platform 100, which includes
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`the support layer 140. The support layer 140 is substantially bonded to the bottom side of the
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`temperature regulation layer 110. The support layer 140 comprised of material sufficiently
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`pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the weight of the
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`object.
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`In an embodiment, the support layer 140 can be made from polyurethane foam, elastomer
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`foam, memory foam,orother suitable material.
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`In another embodiment, the support layer 140is
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`madeof an orthopedic foam, of a consistency designed to protect joints and provide appropriate
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`support to the skeletal system.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`In an embodiment, the support layer 140 can includesoft, pliable, and removable stuffing
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`material to provide cushioning, allowing a user to establish the firmnessor softnessdesired.
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`Such material can include synthetic pillow stuffing such as polyesterfilling, or can include
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`feathers such as goose or duck down. Asa further embodiment, the support layer 140 can
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`include a combination of dense foam andsofter pillow stuffing. It is contemplated that different
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`types of cushioningcan beutilized for different types, sizes, and weight of objects.
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`FIG.3 and FIG. 4 furtherillustrate the composition 110A within the temperature
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`regulation layer 110. The composition 110A serves to control the temperature of the cooling
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`platform 100. The cooling platform 100 can handle a range ofdifferent temperatures depending
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`on the object in use. This can mean that the composition 110A can encompassa variety of
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`cooling and heating compounds.
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`In an embodiment, the composition 110A can be activated by a wide variety of means,
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`e.g. the addition of water.
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`In this embodiment, the composition 110A can include ammonium
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`nitrate and distilled water.
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`In another embodiment, the composition 110A can be activated by pressure, wherein the
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`pressure of a object sitting on the cooling platform 100 activates the composition 110A,
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`triggering an endothermic process and subsequent cooling. Upon therelease ofthat pressure, the
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`composition 110A undergoes a subsequent recharge, essentially the reverseofthe initial
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`reaction. The above is consistent with Le Chatelier's principle, in that, the reaction reverses upon
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`the application or absenceof pressure. In this embodiment, the composition 110A is comprised
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`of: thirty percent carboxmethyl cellulose; twenty percent water; thirty-five percent
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`polyacrylamide; andatleast fifteen percent alginic acid. The aforementioned composition 110A
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`also providesa cooling effect for an increased duration over other known compositions.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`FIG.5 illustrates a cross-section of the channeled covering layer 150. The channeled
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`covering layer 150 can encompassboth the support 140 and temperature regulation layers 110.
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`The channeled covering layer 150 can comprise a piece offabric or netting, which can include,
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`butis not limited to, plastic, nylon or cloth netting, or a micro-fiber material with a waterproof
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`layer.
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`The fabric or netting can allow circulated air to penetrate and escapeto the surface,
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`effectuating the cooling process. The fabric or netting can beair tight or resistant to air
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`penetration, to provide indirect cooling. In another embodiment, the channeled covering layer
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`150 can be madeofa firm material, such as plastic, which retains its shape whensat upon by an
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`object. Additionally, the channeled covering layer 150 can include paddingto provide a
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`comfortable seating surface.
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`In an embodiment, the channeled covering layer 150 can be easily removed via a bottom
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`and/or zipper or any other similar means attached thereto. The channeled covering layer 150 can
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`be madeof material such thatit can be easily replaced with a different top portion made of
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`another material (and/or having different thickness) as desired. Further, in an embodiment, the
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`channeled covering layer 150 can contain antibacterial, stain resistant, chew resistant, and/or anti
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`flea materials.
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`FIG.6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an alternative embodimentofthe invention. In this
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`embodiment, the temperature regulation layer 110 includes a pressure portion 110B. The
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`pressure portion 110B allowsforthe ability to increase or decrease the firmness of the
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`temperature regulation layer 110 and thus the cooling platform 100 by the addition of gases such
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`as oxygen. This feature can be predeterminedorvariedas set forth below.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`In an embodiment, the pressure portion 110B can include a meansforinflating or
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`deflating 115 the pressure portion 110B andthe temperature regulation layer 110. The meansfor
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`inflating and deflating 115 can includea variety ofstructures designed forair intake and out
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`take. Often, the structures involved in such meansinclude a protruding valve stem and a cap.
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`The valve stem can be connected or coupled with a threaded portion for attachmentto a
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`mechanicalor electrical pump, or can be comprisedofa plastic valve allowing for human
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`pressure inflation.
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`In an embodiment, the meansfor inflating or deflating can interconnect the pressure
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`portions 110B held within the plurality of angled segments 120.
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`In another embodiment, each
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`pressure portion 110B can be provided for individually within each angled segment120at either
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`a fixed pressureor established using the above mentioned interconnected means.
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`FIG.8 and FIG.9 illustrate an alternative embodimentofthe invention. In this
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`embodiment, the temperature regulation layer 110 is adapted to hold a composition 110A ina
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`single angled segment 120. Therefore, the temperature regulation layer 110 becomesthe single
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`angled segment 120. The perimeter ofthe angled segment 120, which includes a top side and a
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`bottom side, is sealed preventing the composition 110A from leaking.
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`FIG. 10 and 11 illustrate another alternative embodimentofthe invention.In this
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`particular embodiment, the temperature regulation layer 110/120 is adapted to hold the
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`composition 110A.In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer 110/120 has an angled
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`segment 120 formed as described herein. However, this embodiment doesnot include the
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`channeled covering layer 150 as well as support layer 140.
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`FIG, 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment ofthe invention.In this embodiment, the
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`temperature regulation layer 110 adapted to hold the composition 110A, has a plurality of angled
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`segments 120. And asalready described herein, the angled segments 120 are formed by a top
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`side and a bottom side at a predefined distance, and by channels 130. In an embodiment, the
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`channels 130 may completely segmentthe plurality of angled segments 120.
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`As mentioned in conjunction with the channeled covering layer 150, the temperature
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`regulation layer 110 may be comprised of similar materials making up the channeled covering
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`layer 150. The temperature regulation layer 110, in an embodiment, mayalso beplastic or of
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`similar material, and in another embodiment be such that the composition 110A is viewable
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`through clear material.
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`In use, the cooling platform 100 is able to regulate the temperate of an object. The object
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`contacts the channeled covering layer 150 exerting pressure overthe cooling platform 100. The
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`support layer 140 is designed to be sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to
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`withstandcollapse in response to the weight of the object. Asstated herein, the support layer
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`140 can be comprised of a wide variety of components.
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`Depending on the composition 110A used, the temperature regulation layer 110 transfers
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`heat from the object. In further effectuating heat transfer, the channels 130 have atleast two
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`advantages. First, the channels 130 are designed to mix air with the cooling process betweenthe
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`object and the channeled covering layer 150. Second, the channels 130 substantially prevent or
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`minimize the composition 110A from being pushed out of the angled segment 120. Obviously,
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`in other embodimentspresented herein, the angled segments 120 can be completely segmented,
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`fully preventing such an issue. The channeled covering layer 150 also aidsin effectuating heat
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`transfer from the object by its composition of channels. Of course, the degree of such aid
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`dependsin large part on the type of material used with the cooling platform 100.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`In adjusting to accommodatethe object, the pressure portions 110B are used. Asstated
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`above, the pressure portions 110B can be individual and predeterminedor variable and
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`interconnected. Thus, the interconnected pressure portions 110B can bevaried through the means
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`for inflating and deflating 115. Also, as stated herein, the channeled covering layer 150 can
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`provide a degree of comfort and firmness depending on the material used, lending to the overall
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`versatility of the cooling platform 100.
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`The invention containsa large amount of advantages. An advantage of the inventionis
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`the composition 110A. The composition 110A is able to be re-used without the need for
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`electricity, refrigeration, additional treatments, or extraneous equipment. The advantage stems
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`from the components within the composition 110A, which effectively keep a temperature of 3-4
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`degrees Fahrenheit lower than body temperature. This particular composition 110A is able to
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`recharge after the alleviation of pressure (after the object moves). This particular advantage
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`further allows for low-cost and eco-friendly solutions to temperature regulating and aids in the
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`"mobility" aspectof the invention by not requiring input from other sources and by virtue of
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`being a non-toxic substance.
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`Another advantage ofthe invention is the unique design. The design enhances and
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`optimizes the cooling performance. The channels 130 allow for a mixture ofair flow between
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`the object and the cooling platform 100,effectively cooling the object at a quickerrate.
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`Furthermore, the presence ofthe predefined distance from the top and bottom ofthe angled
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`segment 120, essentially prevents the dispersion of the composition 110A from the pressure the
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`object exerts on the cooling platform 100. The overall effect increases the rate of cooling on the
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`targeted object.
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`Docket No. 33378.001
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`Another advantageof the inventionis the interconnectedpressureportions 110B. The
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`pressure portions 110B providethe ability to increase or decrease the overall pressure of the
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`cooling platform 100. This feature is particularly advantageous given the large variation in
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`object weight.
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`While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shownin the
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`accompanying drawings,it is to be understood that such embodiments are merelyillustrative and
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`notrestrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific
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`constructions and arrangements shownand described since modification can occurto those
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`ordinarily skilled in the art.
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`942135.1 13
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