PRE
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`RE ACTIVATED RECHARGI
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`LI
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`PLATFORM
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 15/850,700, filed on December
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`21, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 14/695,909, filed on April 24,
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`2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 14/226,393, filed on March 26,
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`2014, now U.S. Patent No. 9,226,474, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No.
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`12/760,045, filed on April 14, 2010, now U.S. Patent No. 8,720,218. The contents ofall
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`related applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
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`BACKGROUND
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`1. Field of the Invention
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`[0002] The invention relates to temperature controlled platforms, particularly, cooling
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`platforms for animals.
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`2. Di
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`ion of
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`the Rel
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`Ar
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`[0003] Pet beds serve as a place to rest or sleep, for pets such as cats and dogs. Many
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`times, depending on the application, these pet beds are directed towards cooling or
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`heating pets. These beds can be used during post-surgery recovery, dysplasia, or post-
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`chemotherapy. Generally, these pet beds aid in the comfort and safety of the pet.
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`[0004] Many pet beds are knownto have cooling mechanisms. Somepet beds provide a
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`centralized cooling plate with no mechanism to circulate. These pet beds are electrically
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`connected to a power source. Power sources often times fail, negating the "portable"
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`aspect of a product. Further, such systems require heavy and complex equipment, and
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`are not typically portable or user friendly.
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`[0005] There are other pet beds available which use alternative or "non-electric" means
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`to cool a pet. These pet beds generally use ice packs. However, these ice packs eventually
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`melt and need to be replaced. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved cooling
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`bedfor pets.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0006] The invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
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`drawings wherein:
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`[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a top angled perspective of a cooling platform.
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`[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a temperature regulation layer of the cooling
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`platform.
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`[0009] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cooling platform.
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`[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the cooling platform.
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`[0011] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a channeled covering layer of the
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`cooling platform.
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`[0012] Figure 6 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
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`the cooling platform.
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`[0013] Figure 7 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of
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`the cooling platform.
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`[0014] Figure 8 illustrates a top angled perspective of an alternative embodiment of the
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`cooling platform.
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`[0015] Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of the alternative embodimentof the
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`cooling platform.
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`[0016] Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of
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`the cooling platform.
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`[0017] Figure 11 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of
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`the cooling platform.
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`[0018] Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of
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`the cooling platform.
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`[0019] Figure 13 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodimentof
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`the cooling platform.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0020] The present invention is now described with reference to figures wherelike 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 understood that this is done for illustrative 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 of the invention.
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`[0021] The invention described herein is multilayered. Each layer, in an embodiment, is
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`bonded to the next layer in somefashion, in that, each layer is comprised of a first and a
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`second side and is bonded to the respective side accordingly. As such, the term "bonded"
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`refers to the joining, adhering, affixing, connecting, attaching, threading orthe like, through
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`chemical, mechanical or electrical avenues, of at least two elements of a cooling platform,
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`such that the elements tend to be and remain bonded during normal use conditions of the
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`cooling platform.
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`[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a cooling platform 100. The cooling platform 100 is comprised of
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`a temperature regulation layer 110 (illustrated in FIG. 2), a support layer 140 (illustrated in
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`FIG. 3), and a channeled covering layer 150.
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`[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates the temperature regulation layer 110 in more detail. The
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`temperature regulation layer 110 is adapted to hold a composition 110A (illustrated in FIG.
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`3) and provides temperature regulation to the cooling platform 100. The temperature
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`regulation layer 110 has an angled segment 120, which includes atop side and a bottom side
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`(illustrated FIG. 8 and FIG 9). The angled segment 120 is formed by channels 130 and
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`includes a sealed perimeter.
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`[0024]
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`In an embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the temperature regulation layer 110
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`includes a plurality of angled segments 120 formed by a plurality of channels 130. The
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`channels 130 effectively space the top and bottom sides of each angled segment 120 at a
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`predefined distance.
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`In an embodiment,
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`the predefined distance can equal zero,
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`thus
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`completely forming each angled segment 120 and cutting off any interconnection or
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`communication therein.
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`[0025]
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`In another embodiment, that predefined distance can be measured depending on the
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`object using the cooling platform 100. In this embodiment, the predefined distance allows
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`for interconnection between the angled segments 120 of the composition 110A (including
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`pressure portions 1 10B as seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the interconnection
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`would apply to those angled segments 120 within the perimeter of the temperature regulation
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`layer 110, as the perimeter is sealed.
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`[0026] The cooling platform 100 is adapted to provide cooling to a wide variety of objects.
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`As used herein, the term "object" can mean a variety of things including but not limited to
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`domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. The use of the cooling platform 100 can extend to
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`human use in vehicles or similar circumstances calling for such regulation. Generally, the
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`cooling platform 100 can be used for anything that needs or requires either heat, cool or
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`temperature regulation.
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`[0027] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a cross-section of the cooling platform 100, which
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`includes the support layer 140. The support layer 140 is substantially bonded to the bottom
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`side of the temperature regulation layer 110. The support layer 140 comprised of material
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`sufficiently pliable to deform andsufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the
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`weight of the object.
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`[0028]
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`In an embodiment,
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`the support layer 140 can be made from polyurethane foam,
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`elastomer foam, memory foam, or other suitable material. In another embodiment,
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`the
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`support layer 140 is made of an orthopedic foam, of a consistency designed to protect joints
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`and provide appropriate support to the skeletal system.
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`[0029]
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`In an embodiment, the support layer 140 can include soft, pliable, and removable
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`stuffing material to provide cushioning, allowing a user to establish the firmness or softness
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`desired. Such material can include synthetic pillow stuffing such as polyesterfilling, or can
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`include feathers such as goose or duck down. As a further embodiment, the support layer 140
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`can include a combination of dense foam andsofter pillow stuffing. It is contemplated that
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`different types of cushioning can be utilized for different types, sizes, and weight of objects.
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`[0030] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 further illustrate 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 of different temperatures
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`depending on the object in use. This can mean that the composition 110A can encompass a
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`variety of cooling and heating compounds.
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`[0031]
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`In an embodiment, the composition 110A can be activated by a wide variety of
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`means, e.g., the addition of water. In this embodiment, the composition 110A can include
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`ammonium nitrate and distilled water.
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`[0032]
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`In another embodiment, the composition 110A can be activated by pressure, wherein
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`the pressure of an object sitting on the cooling platform 100 activates the composition 110A,
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`triggering an endothermic process and subsequentcooling. Uponthe release of that pressure,
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`the composition 110A undergoes a subsequent recharge, essentially the reverse of the initial
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`reaction. The aboveis consistent with Le Chatelier's principle, in that, the reaction reverses
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`upon the application or absence of pressure. In this embodiment, the composition 110A is
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`comprised of: thirty percent carboxmethy] cellulose; twenty percent water; thirty-five percent
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`polyacrylamide; and at least fifteen percent alginic acid. The aforementioned composition
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`110A also provides a cooling effect
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`for an increased duration over other known
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`compositions.
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`[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the channeled covering layer 150. The channeled
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`covering layer 150 can encompass both the support 140 and temperature regulation layers
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`110. The channeled covering layer 150 can comprise a piece of fabric or netting, which can
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`include, but is not limited to, plastic, nylon or cloth netting, or a micro-fiber material with a
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`waterproof layer.
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`[0034] The fabric or netting can allow circulated air to penetrate and escape to the surface,
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`effectuating the cooling process. The fabric or netting can be air tight or resistant to air
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`penetration, to provide indirect cooling. In another embodiment, the channeled covering
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`layer 150 can be made of a firm material, such as plastic, which retains its shape when sat
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`upon by an object. Additionally, the channeled covering layer 150 can include padding to
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`provide a comfortable seating surface.
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`[0035]
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`In an embodiment, the channeled covering layer 150 can be easily removed via a
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`bottom and/or zipper or any other similar means attached thereto. The channeled covering
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`layer 150 can be made of material such that it can be easily replaced with a different top
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`portion made of another material (and/or having different thickness) as desired. Further, in
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`an embodiment, the channeled covering layer 150 can contain antibacterial, stain resistant,
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`chew resistant, and/or anti flea materials.
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`[0036] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the 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 allows for the 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
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`such as oxygen. This feature can be predetermined or varied as set forthbelow.
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`[0037]
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`In an embodiment, the pressure portion 110B can include a meansfor inflating or
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`deflating 115 the pressure portion 110B and the temperature regulation layer 110. The means
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`for inflating and deflating 115 can include a variety of structures designed for air intake and
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`out take. Often, the structures involved in such meansinclude a protruding valve stem and a
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`cap. The valve stem can be connected or coupled with a threaded portion for attachment to
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`a mechanical or electrical pump, or can be comprised of a plastic valve allowing for human
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`pressure inflation.
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`[0038]
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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. In another embodiment, each
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`pressure portion 110B can be provided for individually within each angled segment 120 at
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`either a fixed pressure or established using the above mentioned interconnected means.
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`[0039] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this
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`embodiment, the temperature regulation layer 110 is adapted to hold a composition 110A in
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`a single angled segment 120. Therefore, the temperature regulation layer 110 becomes the
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`single angled segment 120. The perimeter of the angled segment 120, which includes a top
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`side and a bottom side, is sealed preventing the composition 110A from leaking.
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`[0040] FIG. 10 and 11 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention.
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`In this
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`particular embodiment,
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`the temperature regulation layer //0/120 is adapted to hold the
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`composition 110A. In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer //0//20 has an angled
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`segment 120 formed as described herein. However,
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`this embodiment does not include the
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`channeled covering layer 150 as well as support layer 140.
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`[0041] FIG. 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment,
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`the temperature regulation layer 110 adapted to hold the composition 110A,hasaplurality of
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`angled segments 120. And as already described herein, the angled segments 120 are formed
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`by a top side and a bottom side at a predefined distance, and by channels 130. In an
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`embodiment, the channels 130 may completely segment the plurality of angled segments
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`120.
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`[0042] 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, may also beplastic or of
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`similar material, and in another embodimentbe such that the composition I10A is viewable
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`through clear material.
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`[0043]
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`In use, the cooling platform 100 is able to regulate the temperate of an object. The
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`object contacts the channeled covering layer 150 exerting pressure over the cooling platform
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`100. The support layer 140 is designed to be sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently
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`rigid to withstand collapse in responseto the weightof the object. As stated herein, the support
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`layer 140 can be comprised of a wide variety of components.
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`[0044] Depending on the composition 110A used, the temperature regulation layer 110
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`transfers heat from the object. In further effectuating heat transfer, the channels 130 have at
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`least two advantages. First, the channels 130 are designed to mix air with the cooling process
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`between the object and the channeled covering layer 150. Second,
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`the channels 130
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`substantially prevent or minimize the composition 110A from being pushed out of the angled
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`segment 120. Obviously, in other embodiments presented herein, the angled segments 120
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`can be completely segmented, fully preventing such an issue. The channeled covering layer
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`150 also aids in effectuating heat transfer from the object by its composition of channels. Of
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`course, the degree of such aid depends in large part on the type of material used with the
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`cooling platform 100.
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`[0045]
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`In adjusting to accommodate the object, the pressure portions 110B are used. As
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`stated above, the pressure portions 110B can be individual and predetermined or variable and
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`interconnected. Thus, the interconnected pressure portions 110B can be varied through the
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`meansfor inflating and deflating 115. Also, as stated herein, the channeled covering layer
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`150 can provide a degree of comfort and firmness depending on the material used, lending
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`to the overall versatility of the cooling platform 100.
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`[0046] The invention contains a large amount of advantages. An advantage of the invention
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`is 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
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`stems from the components within the composition 110A, which effectively keep a
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`temperature of 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit
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`lower than body temperature. This particular
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`composition 110A is able to recharge after the alleviation of pressure (after the object
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`moves). This particular advantage further allows for low-cost and eco-friendly solutions to
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`temperature regulating and aids in the "mobility" aspect of the invention by not requiring
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`input from other sources and by virtue of being a non-toxic substance.
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`[0047] Another advantage of the invention is the unique design. The design enhances and
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`optimizes the cooling performance. The channels 130 allow for a mixture of air 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 of the predefined distance from the top and bottom of the angled
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`segment 120, essentially prevents the dispersion of the composition 110A from the pressure
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`the object exerts on the cooling platform 100. The overall effect increases the rate of cooling
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`on the targeted object.
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`[0048] Another advantage of the invention is the interconnected pressure portions 110B.
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`The pressure portions 110B providethe ability to increase or decrease the overall pressure of
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`the cooling platform 100. This feature is particularly advantageous given the large variation
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`in object weight.
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`[0049] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the
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`accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative
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`and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the
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`specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modification can occur
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`to those ordinarily skilled in theart.
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