Patent Publication Number: US-11375685-B1

Title: Pressure activated recharging cooling platform

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/540,395, filed Dec. 2, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/850,700, filed on Dec. 21, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,191, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/695,909, filed on Apr. 24, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/226,393, filed on Mar. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,474, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/760,045, filed on Apr. 14, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,218. The contents of all related applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to temperature controlled platforms, particularly, cooling platforms for animals. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Pet beds serve as a place to rest or sleep, for pets such as cats and dogs. Many times, depending on the application, these pet beds are directed towards cooling or heating pets. These beds can be used during post-surgery recovery, dysplasia, or post-chemotherapy. Generally, these pet beds aid in the comfort and safety of the pet. 
     Many pet beds are known to have cooling mechanisms. Some pet beds provide a centralized cooling plate with no mechanism to circulate. These pet beds are electrically connected to a power source. Power sources often times fail, negating the “portable” aspect of a product. Further, such systems require heavy and complex equipment, and are not typically portable or user friendly. 
     There are other pet beds available which use alternative or “non-electric” means to cool a pet. These pet beds generally use ice packs. However, these ice packs eventually melt and need to be replaced. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved cooling bed for pets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top angled perspective of a cooling platform. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a temperature regulation layer of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a channeled covering layer of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top angled perspective of an alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of the alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the cooling platform. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is now described with reference to figures where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The invention described herein is multilayered. Each layer, in an embodiment, is bonded to the next layer in some fashion, in that, each layer is comprised of a first and a second side and is bonded to the respective side accordingly. As such, the term “bonded” refers to the joining, adhering, affixing, connecting, attaching, threading or the like, through chemical, mechanical or electrical avenues, of at least two elements of a cooling platform, such that the elements tend to be and remain bonded during normal use conditions of the cooling platform. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cooling platform  100 . The cooling platform  100  is comprised of a temperature regulation layer  110  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), a support layer  140  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), and a channeled covering layer  150 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the temperature regulation layer  110  in more detail. The temperature regulation layer  110  is adapted to hold a composition  110 A (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) and provides temperature regulation to the cooling platform  100 . The temperature regulation layer  110  has an angled segment  120 , which includes a top side and a bottom side (illustrated  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ). The angled segment  120  is formed by channels  130  and includes a sealed perimeter. 
     In an embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the temperature regulation layer  110  includes a plurality of angled segments  120  formed by a plurality of channels  130 . The channels  130  effectively space the top and bottom sides of each angled segment  120  at a predefined distance. In an embodiment, the predefined distance can equal zero, thus completely forming each angled segment  120  and cutting off any interconnection or communication therein. 
     In another embodiment, that predefined distance can be measured depending on the object using the cooling platform  100 . In this embodiment, the predefined distance allows for interconnection between the angled segments  120  of the composition  110 A (including pressure portions  110 B as seen in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). In this embodiment, the interconnection would apply to those angled segments  120  within the perimeter of the temperature regulation layer  110 , as the perimeter is sealed. 
     The cooling platform  100  is adapted to provide cooling to a wide variety of objects. As used herein, the term “object” can mean a variety of things including but not limited to domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. The use of the cooling platform  100  can extend to human use in vehicles or similar circumstances calling for such regulation. Generally, the cooling platform  100  can be used for anything that needs or requires either heat, cool or temperature regulation. 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate a cross-section of the cooling platform  100 , which includes the support layer  140 . The support layer  140  is substantially bonded to the bottom side of the temperature regulation layer  110 . The support layer  140  comprised of material sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the weight of the object. 
     In an embodiment, the support layer  140  can be made from polyurethane foam, elastomer foam, memory foam, or other suitable material. In another embodiment, the support layer  140  is made of an orthopedic foam, of a consistency designed to protect joints and provide appropriate support to the skeletal system. 
     In an embodiment, the support layer  140  can include soft, pliable, and removable stuffing material to provide cushioning, allowing a user to establish the firmness or softness desired. Such material can include synthetic pillow stuffing such as polyester filling, or can include feathers such as goose or duck down. As a further embodiment, the support layer  140  can include a combination of dense foam and softer pillow stuffing. It is contemplated that different types of cushioning can be utilized for different types, sizes, and weight of objects. 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  further illustrate the composition  110 A within the temperature regulation layer  110 . The composition  110 A serves to control the temperature of the cooling platform  100 . The cooling platform  100  can handle a range of different temperatures depending on the object in use. This can mean that the composition  110 A can encompass a variety of cooling and heating compounds. 
     In an embodiment, the composition  110 A can be activated by a wide variety of means, e.g., the addition of water. In this embodiment, the composition  110 A can include ammonium nitrate and distilled water. 
     In another embodiment, the composition  110 A can be activated by pressure, wherein the pressure of an object sitting on the cooling platform  100  activates the composition  110 A, triggering an endothermic process and subsequent cooling. Upon the release of that pressure, the composition  110 A undergoes a subsequent recharge, essentially the reverse of the initial reaction. The above is consistent with Le Chatelier&#39;s principle, in that, the reaction reverses upon the application or absence of pressure. In this embodiment, the composition  110 A is comprised of: thirty percent carboxmethyl cellulose; twenty percent water; thirty-five percent polyacrylamide; and at least fifteen percent alginic acid. The aforementioned composition  110 A also provides a cooling effect for an increased duration over other known compositions. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section of the channeled covering layer  150 . The channeled covering layer  150  can encompass both the support  140  and temperature regulation layers  110 . The channeled covering layer  150  can comprise a piece of fabric or netting, which can include, but is not limited to, plastic, nylon or cloth netting, or a micro-fiber material with a waterproof layer. 
     The fabric or netting can allow circulated air to penetrate and escape to the surface, effectuating the cooling process. The fabric or netting can be air tight or resistant to air penetration, to provide indirect cooling. In another embodiment, the channeled covering layer  150  can be made of a firm material, such as plastic, which retains its shape when sat upon by an object. Additionally, the channeled covering layer  150  can include padding to provide a comfortable seating surface. 
     In an embodiment, the channeled covering layer  150  can be easily removed via a bottom and/or zipper or any other similar means attached thereto. The channeled covering layer  150  can be made of material such that it can be easily replaced with a different top portion made of another material (and/or having different thickness) as desired. Further, in an embodiment, the channeled covering layer  150  can contain antibacterial, stain resistant, chew resistant, and/or anti flea materials. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer  110  includes a pressure portion  110 B. The pressure portion  110 B allows for the ability to increase or decrease the firmness of the temperature regulation layer  110  and thus the cooling platform  100  by the addition of gases such as oxygen. This feature can be predetermined or varied as set forth below. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure portion  110 B can include a means for inflating or deflating  115  the pressure portion  110 B and the temperature regulation layer  110 . The means for inflating and deflating  115  can include a variety of structures designed for air intake and out take. Often, the structures involved in such means include a protruding valve stem and a cap. The valve stem can be connected or coupled with a threaded portion for attachment to a mechanical or electrical pump, or can be comprised of a plastic valve allowing for human pressure inflation. 
     In an embodiment, the means for inflating or deflating can interconnect the pressure portions  110 B held within the plurality of angled segments  120 . In another embodiment, each pressure portion  110 B can be provided for individually within each angled segment  120  at either a fixed pressure or established using the above mentioned interconnected means. 
       FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer  110  is adapted to hold a composition  110 A in a single angled segment  120 . Therefore, the temperature regulation layer  110  becomes the single angled segment  120 . The perimeter of the angled segment  120 , which includes a top side and a bottom side, is sealed preventing the composition  110 A from leaking. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention. In this particular embodiment, the temperature regulation layer  110 / 120  is adapted to hold the composition  110 A. In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer  110 / 120  has an angled segment  120  formed as described herein. However, this embodiment does not include the channeled covering layer  150  as well as support layer  140 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the temperature regulation layer  110  adapted to hold the composition  110 A, has a plurality of angled segments  120 . And as already described herein, the angled segments  120  are formed by a top side and a bottom side at a predefined distance, and by channels  130 . In an embodiment, the channels  130  may completely segment the plurality of angled segments  120 . 
     As mentioned in conjunction with the channeled covering layer  150 , the temperature regulation layer  110  may be comprised of similar materials making up the channeled covering layer  150 . The temperature regulation layer  110 , in an embodiment, may also be plastic or of similar material, and in another embodiment be such that the composition  110 A is viewable through clear material. 
     In use, the cooling platform  100  is able to regulate the temperate of an object. The object contacts the channeled covering layer  150  exerting pressure over the cooling platform  100 . The support layer  140  is designed to be sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the weight of the object. As stated herein, the support layer  140  can be comprised of a wide variety of components. 
     Depending on the composition  110 A used, the temperature regulation layer  110  transfers heat from the object. In further effectuating heat transfer, the channels  130  have at least two advantages. First, the channels  130  are designed to mix air with the cooling process between the object and the channeled covering layer  150 . Second, the channels  130  substantially prevent or minimize the composition  110 A from being pushed out of the angled segment  120 . Obviously, in other embodiments presented herein, the angled segments  120  can be completely segmented, fully preventing such an issue. The channeled covering layer  150  also aids in effectuating heat transfer from the object by its composition of channels. Of course, the degree of such aid depends in large part on the type of material used with the cooling platform  100 . 
     In adjusting to accommodate the object, the pressure portions  110 B are used. As stated above, the pressure portions  110 B can be individual and predetermined or variable and interconnected. Thus, the interconnected pressure portions  110 B can be varied through the means for inflating and deflating  115 . Also, as stated herein, the channeled covering layer  150  can provide a degree of comfort and firmness depending on the material used, lending to the overall versatility of the cooling platform  100 . 
     The invention contains a large amount of advantages. An advantage of the invention is the composition  110 A . The composition  110 A is able to be re-used without the need for electricity, refrigeration, additional treatments, or extraneous equipment. The advantage stems from the components within the composition  110 A, which effectively keep a temperature of 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit lower than body temperature. This particular composition  110 A is able to recharge after the alleviation of pressure (after the object moves). This particular advantage further allows for low-cost and eco-friendly solutions to temperature regulating and aids in the “mobility” aspect of the invention by not requiring input from other sources and by virtue of being a non-toxic substance. 
     Another advantage of the invention is the unique design. The design enhances and optimizes the cooling performance. The channels  130  allow for a mixture of air flow between the object and the cooling platform  100 , effectively cooling the object at a quicker rate. Furthermore, the presence of the predefined distance from the top and bottom of the angled segment  120 , essentially prevents the dispersion of the composition  110 A from the pressure the object exerts on the cooling platform  100 . The overall effect increases the rate of cooling on the targeted object. 
     Another advantage of the invention is the interconnected pressure portions  110 B. The pressure portions  110 B provide the ability to increase or decrease the overall pressure of the cooling platform  100 . This feature is particularly advantageous given the large variation in object weight. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modification can occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.