Flotation device with integrated cooling system

Abstract

A flotation device that includes spouts to eject water upwards from the spouts of the flotation device. The flotation device includes a main controller box having a cooler assembly unit comprising Peltier modules, cooling fins, and heat sinks contained within the cooler assembly unit and a main controller box. The main controller box includes a battery, pump, and motor controller. A conduit extends from an underside of the flotation device into the inlet of the main controller box. The warmer water extends first through the cooling assembly unit and out through an outlet of the main controller box and into a conduit that connects to tubing integrated into a body of the flotation device.

Description

FLOTATION DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED COOLING SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 689,921, which was filed on September 3, 2024, which is incorporated in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates to a water spraying floating device that can also cool the water flowing through the water spraying floating device and emit the cooler water on the user(s) of the water spraying floating device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Floaties and flotation devices are frequently enjoyed by many people in the pool or other bodies of water. Typically, the flotation device is inflatable and the user can place himself or herself on top of the floating device and float around a pool or other body of water. However, a persistent issue with floating devices is that the user tends to become hot while sitting or relaxing on the floating device. This may be due to the fact that most flotation devices are made from an inexpensive plastic material which tends to stick to the user’s skin and can also absorb a great deal of heat from the sun when placed outdoors. In extremely hot climates, even though the user may be using the flotation device in a pool and trying to cool off with the pool water, when the user is sitting on or resting on the flotation device, the user can still feel very hot and become overheated. Notably, in the summer and with the existing issues with climate change, especially in many states located in the South and the Southwest of the United States, it is not uncommon for pool water to1Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001reach boiling temperatures which can become very dehydrating and unsafe for the users of a flotation device.

[0004] Thus, there is still a need for an improved flotation device that addresses some of the above-described deficiencies.SUMMARY

[0005] The present description comprises a flotation device that is configured to cool incoming water that is pumped from an underlying body of water through a controller system and then pump cooler water back through integrated tubing to be ejected from built in spouts that are distributed around various locations on the flotation device. In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device comprises a body that has tubing contained within an interior of the body of the flotation device, wherein the tubing is integrated into the interior of the body of the floatation device and extends around a general interior of the flotation device. The flotation device may further comprise a main controller box which fits within a pocket integrated into the body of the flotation device. The main controller device may further comprise a top cover, and a pump, as well as a cooling assembly unit. The pump include a pump inlet conduit and a pump outlet conduit, whereby the pump inlet conduit and the pump outlet conduit connect to the cooling assembly. The cooling assembly comprises the components that function to cool the incoming pumped water that are contained within the main controller box. The cooling assembly may comprise a set of cooling fins and a set of Peltier modules, whereby a combination of one cooling fin is bonded to one of the Peltier modules. Each cooling fin is bonded to a top of a single, corresponding Peltier module. Further, the cooling assembly comprises a bottom cooling plate, whereby the cooling plate has openings or cavities cut into the cooling plate to hold the combination of multiple cooling fins and Peltier modules bonded to each other and held within the cavities or openings of the cooling plate.2Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001The cooling assembly further comprises a first heat sink attached to a bottom side of the bottom cooling plate. The main controller box further comprises a bottom casing having an inlet for intaking water into the main controller box and an outlet for ejecting cooled water that has passed through the main controller box, wherein the top cover fits onto or within the bottom casing.

[0006] In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device further comprises an intake conduit configured to enter into the inlet tube or conduit of the main controller box, whereby uncooled, water from a body of water that the flotation device is placed in is pumped into the intake conduit, wherein the intake conduit extends within a body of the flotation device. The intake conduit comprises a tube or pipe that extends from the inlet of the main controller box, through a portion of the body of the flotation device, wherein a terminal end of the intake conduit ends at the underside of the flotation device in order to be able to access water from the body of water. The flotation device further comprises an outlet conduit, whereby the outlet conduit connects to the outlet of the main control box and is configured to flow cooled water through the tubing contained within the interior body of the flotation device. The flotation device further comprises a plurality of spouts incorporated onto one or more outer surfaces of the flotation device, whereby the plurality of spouts are configured to eject the cooled water upwards and outwards from the spouts of the flotation device, wherein water flows onto various surfaces of the flotation device.

[0007] In a non-limiting embodiment, there is a second heat sink is attached to an inside of the bottom casing, wherein the first heat sink is on top of the second heat sink and in contact with each other. In a non-limiting embodiment, the tubing is configured to be connected to the outlet conduit of the main controller box. In a non-limiting embodiment, the main controller box is removable from the pocket of the flotation device.3Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0008] In a non-limiting embodiment, each spout of the plurality of spouts is spaced apart of another spout and is separated by connecting tubing that carries water from the main control box through the connecting tubing. In a non-limiting embodiment, a battery and a motor controller are also held or retained within the main controller box and are in electrical communication with other electrical components.

[0009] In a non-limiting embodiment, the cooled water ejected into the tubing is pressurized water. There may be a separate user controller integrated on a surface of the flotation device that may be used to separately control ejecting the water at one or more speeds or selecting certain spouts to eject water onto the flotation device using the selectors on the flotation device’s user controller. In a non-limiting embodiment, the selectors may also be integrated directly onto a surface of the main controller box.

[0010] Other advantageous features as well as other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram with exemplary components of a flotation device with an integrated cooling system.4Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0013] FIG. 2 comprises an exemplary exploded view of a main controller box of the flotation device and the cooling assembly unit.

[0014] FIG. 3 comprises another exploded view of the cooling assembly unit.

[0015] FIG. 4 comprises a front view of the main controller box.

[0016] FIG. 5 comprises a sectional view of the main control box taken along line B- B shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 6 comprises a pictorial illustration of one or more components of the flotation device and main control box and the method of use.

[0018] FIG. 7 comprises a top view of a flotation device showing interior tubing and positioning of the main control box.

[0019] FIG. 8 comprises a sectional view of the flotation device taken along line B-B shown in FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary flotation device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present description includes exemplary embodiments for a unique flotation device having a built-in cooling system that utilizes water from a body of water in which the flotation device is placed and draws the water into a control box having one or more mechanisms for cooling and controlling a direction of the cooled water that is ejected onto the user of the flotation device. As noted above, many pools and rivers and lakes have water that feels very hot in the summer months depending on the area of the world. In the southern states in the United States, such as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, water in a pool can reach above 90 degrees all the way to 100 degrees or more. It is not considered safe to swim in such hot water. Further, even if the water temperature does not reach that high, it can still be so hot outside to make a user5Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001uncomfortable even on a float or flotation device designed to float. Having a flotation device that can eject water from built in spouts whereby the water is also cooled to a more desirable and comfortable temperature is very needed. Further details are provided in reference to the accompanying Figures.

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary block diagram illustrating one or more nonlimiting components of a flotation device having a built-in cooling system 102. FIGS. 2-9 display additional components and processes relevant to the flotation device 102 in one or more nonlimiting embodiments.

[0023] The flotation device 102 may be a type of flotation device configured and useful for a user to sit or rest on top of the flotation device while floating in a body of water 114. In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 may be used to hold other objects as well such as food / beverages and to cool such objects. Such bodies of water 114 may include, but are not limited to, pools, lakes, oceans, ponds, rivers, water amusement park features, or any other type of body of water. In a non-limiting embodiment, the body 104 of the flotation device 102 may be inflatable with air using an air pump or other air filling device. The body 104 of the flotation device 102 may come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 may have an aesthetically pleasing exterior in the shape of one or more stylized animals or plants or flowers or any other decorative object. FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 show examples of a flotation device 102 that includes one or more water spouts 108 that can implement the cooling features and system as described herein in one or more non-limiting embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, the flotation device 102 may be a stylized flotation device 102 that comes in the shape of an animal or imaginary creature. The flotation device 102 may be any type of shape including taking the shape of popular characters in fiction and entertainment.6Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0024] In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 is designed to allow water 112 from the body of water 114 to be pulled in through the built-in tubing 116 in order for the water 112 to be cooled and ejected as desired onto the flotation device 102 and the user of the flotation device 102. The pump 120 may pull water 112 directly from the body of water 114 (e.g., a pool or other body of water) and directs the water 112 through the interior tubing 116 distributed and firmly, fixedly, and securely held or built into the flotation device 102. The water 112, which may be at ambient temperature and / or even higher sometimes reaching very high temperatures, may be directed through the water spouts 108 of the flotation device 102.

[0025] In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 may use a cooling assembly 250 as shown in FIG. 2 comprising Peltier modules 214 attached to the underside of the cooling fins 213 which together are held inside or contained within a dedicated cooling plate 215. One or more heat sinks 216, 224 are also utilized with the cooling assembly. Further information about the cooling assembly is provided below with respect to FIGS. 2-8.

[0026] In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the user may use an inflatable pump (separate from pump 120) or other device to input or cause air to flow into the flotation device 102 to cause the flotation device 102 to inflate full of air from an uninflated state. In a non-limiting embodiment, notably, the flotation device 102 is pre-assembled and may be pre-filled full of air when shipped to the user.

[0027] In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 includes a dedicated built in main controller pocket 106 configured for a user to easily place a main controller box 1 10 into the main controller pocket 106 and to remove the main controller box 110 when needed.

[0028] In a non-limiting embodiment, the main controller box 110 and / or another controller panel (e.g. such as the user controller 702 shown in FIG. 7) may include a potentiometer.7Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001The potentiometer may be used to control the amount of flow emitted or ejected from one or more spouts 108 built into a top surface of the flotation device 102. The one or more spouts 108 are openings that emit water from the top surface of the flotation device 102 and which connect to the tubing 116 arranged to extend throughout an interior of the flotation device 102. The spouts 108 may be strategically located on a top surface of the flotation device 102 in order to cover all or part of the flotation device 102 with cooled water and also cover the user resting on the flotation device 102. Cooled water extracted from the underlying body of water 114 is intended to be ejected upwards and outwards from the spouts 108 of the flotation device 102. The spouts 108 may be built into the top surface of the flotation device 102 or over any surface as needed including from the eyes or face of a character integrated with the flotation device 102.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the main controller box 110. The main controller box may include a top cap 202 that can be used to close off access to the charging port 204 incorporated into the main controller box 110 in one or more non-limiting embodiments. The battery 208 may be rechargeable in a non-limiting embodiment and the charging port 204 may be used to charge such a rechargeable battery. It is noted that in some cases, the battery 208 may not be rechargeable and may be single use. The top cap 202 may include an accessible, removable lid that can be opened and closed to provide access to the charging port 204.

[0030] The main controller box 110 may have a top cover 206 that fits into a wider bottom casing 218. The width WI of the bottom casing 218 may be wider than the width W2 of the top cover 206 as shown in FIG. 3 in an exemplary view.

[0031] The battery 208, pump 210, and motor controller 220 may fit underneath the and within the interior cavity of the top cover 206. In a non-limiting embodiment, the main controller box 110 includes a pump, such as pump 210, which is used to pump the pressurized8Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001water 1 12 from the body of water 1 14 that is to be cooled into the main controller box 110 and back out through the pump outlet 302b to be dispersed throughout the tubing 116 of the flotation device 102 in order for the cooled water to be ejected from the spouts 108. The main controller box 110 may further include a DC motor controller 220 that controls and operates the components of the main controller box 110, including the pump 210.

[0032] The water cooling assembly 250, as shown in the exploded view in FIG. 2, may be comprised of a bottom cover 212, one or more cooling fins 213, one or more Peltier modules 214, and a dedicated cooling plate 215, as well as a first heat sink 216, a casing 218, and a second heat sink 224. The dedicated cooling plate 215 includes cavities 217 configured to retain the Peltier modules 214 and the cooling fins 213. The cavities 217 have the same shape as the Peltier modules 214 and the cooling fins 213. For example purposes only, the cavities 217 are square shaped or rectangular shaped to match the corresponding shape of the Peltier modules 214 and the cooling fins 213.

[0033] As known in the art, a Peltier cooling module 214, also known as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), is a solid-state device that uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat when a direct current (DC) voltage is applied. It consists of semiconductor pellets sandwiched between two ceramic plates, with one side becoming hot and the other cold as it moves heat from one surface to the other. A Peltier effect occurs when DC power (e.g. from the DC motor 220) is applied, electrons absorb heat at one set of junctions (the cold side of the Peltier module 214) and release it at the opposite side of the junctions (the hot side of the Peltier module 214). This process creates a temperature difference between the two ceramic plates moving heat from one side to the other.9Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0034] In a non-limiting embodiment, the water cooling effect in the main controller box 110 is achieved using Peltier modules 214 attached to cooling fins 213 as shown in FIG. 2. The cold side of each Peltier module 214 is bonded to the bottom of each corresponding cooling fin 213 with a thermally conductive adhesive. The cold side of each Peltier module 214 may be the top side of each Peltier module 214 which is then bonded to the bottom side of the cooling fins213 (i.e. each cooling fins 213 is bonded to and attached to a corresponding Peltier module 214 such that the cooling fin 213 is on top of the Peltier module 214 when attached to each other). The cooling fins 213 may serve two roles. A first role of each cooling fin 213 is to increase the surface area for heat exchange. A second role of each cooling fin 213 is to create turbulent flow to boost heat transfer from the water 112 drawn from the body of water 114 to the cooling fins 213.

[0035] A first heat sink 216, as shown in FIG. 2, is embedded in the bottom of the dedicate cooling plate 215. The first heat sink 216 may be bonded to the bottom of the dedicated cooling plate 215. A secondary heat sink 224 may be bonded to the inside bottom surface of a casing 218. The bonding may occur in a non-limiting embodiment using an epoxy or similar waterproof resin. The purpose of the heat sinks 216, 224 may be to transfer heat from inside the main controller box 110 to the surrounding environment, whether water or air inside of the flotation device 102. The two heat sinks 216, 224 touch each other so that the heat from the Peltier modules214 can be transferred out of the system or main controller box 110 and into the air inside the inflatable / flotation device 102 or into the body of the underlying water 114. The heat sinks 216, 224 may absorb heat from the uncooled water 1 12 and then transfer that heat away into the surrounding air within the main controller box 110 or the flotation device 102. The heat that is absorbed by the heat sinks 216, 224 may be transferred through conduction, convection, or radiation depending on the type of heat sinks 216, 224 utilized.10Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0036] Peltier modules 214 are inherently current-driven devices, meaning that they use a steady current while the voltage fluctuates. This allows the Peltier modules 214 to precisely regulate temperature. Users of the flotation device 102 can set the water temperature by adjusting the current flowing through the Peltier modules 214. The exact temperature difference with the body of water 114 and the cooled water that exits the outlet tube (e.g. outlet tube 802) into the tubing 116 of the flotation device 102 depends on the flow rate through the main controller box 102 and the current applied to the Peltier modules 214.

[0037] The main controller box 110 may be comprised of two pieces (e.g. top cover 206 and bottom casing 218) that fit together as shown in FIGS. 2-4 in a non-limiting embodiment while containing the battery 208, motor controller 220, pump 210, and cooling assembly 250 (e.g. the bottom cover 212, cooling fins 213 which are bonded to Peltier modules 214, a dedicated cooling plate 215 with internal cavities 217, and heat sinks 216 and 224). The main controller box 110 may have a water line inlet 402a and water line outlet 402b as shown in FIG. 4. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the top cover 206 may fit within the bottom casing 218. The bottom cover 212 serves as a separating element between the battery 208, pump 210, and motor controller 220 which may be in electrical communication with each other as well as other elements of the flotation device 102, such as for example, the wiring 706 connecting the electrical or electromechanical elements 208, 210, 220 to the user controller interface 702 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows another close up exploded view of the pump 210 of the main controller box 1 10 along with the cooling assembly 250. The pump 210 can pump uncooled temperature water 112 through the inlet 302a of the pump 210 and pump out cooled water through the outlet 302b of the pump 210. The pump inlet 302a and pump outlet 302b may extend through the dedicated holes shown on the top surface 304 of the bottom cover 212. There may be a11Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001dedicated conduit 304 for releasing the cooled water into the outlet conduit 802 as shown for example in FIG. 8 as well.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows that the top cover 206 fits within the bottom casing 218 in a nonlimiting embodiment. Further, the top cap 202 has a removable top lid that can be used to access the charging port 204 to recharge the internal battery 208 in a non-limiting embodiment. In some alternative embodiments, the charging port 204 may be omitted and the battery 208 may not be rechargeable and may be a disposable battery that has to be manually serviced and replaced.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows that the main controller box 110 is a single unit that houses multiple components as shown in FIG. 2. The main controller box 110 may have a main controller box inlet 402a and a main controller box outlet 402b. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines of B-B that shows an internal view of one or more components of the main controller box 110.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom cover 212 protects the components of the cooling assembly 250 and may be located above the set of cooling fins 213 that are bonded to the set of Peltier modules 214 and that are held within their respective cavities 217 in the dedicated cooling plate 215. The first heat sink 216 may be embedded in an underside of the dedicated cooling plate 215.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a general schematic for the process of cooling water by the main controller box 110 of the flotation device 102. Water 112 may be pumped up from the underlying body of water 114 that the flotation device 102 is floating on into the inlet 402a (e.g. as shown in FIG. 4) of the main controller box 110. The water 112 may be pumped up via a conduit, such as exemplary conduit 604 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 6) that extends through a portion of the body 104 of12Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001the flotation device 102. The water 1 12 is pumped up through the pump inlet 302a and then hack out through the outlet 302b into the tubing 118.

[0043] Before being cooled, the water 112 is pumped up through cooling assembly 250 so that the uncooled water passes through the dedicated openings in the cooling plate 215 which houses the Peltier modules 214 that are attached to the cooling fins 213. Further a cooling sink 216 is embedded in the underside of the cooling plate 215 as well as there may be a secondary heat sink 224 bonded to the bottom inside of the bottom casing 218 (e.g. as shown in the exploded view of FIG.2) such that heat sink 216 and heat sink 224 are touching and in contact with each other. As noted above, the Peltier modules 214 are thermoelectric devices that transfer heat from one side to the other. The attached cooling fins 213 help to transfer heat from the uncooled water 112 as well as the heat sinks 216, 224 which helps to transfer heat from the uncooled water 112 causing the uncooled water 112 to cool as the uncooled water 112 is pumped in and out of the main controller box 110. Cooler water is then transferred into the tubing 116 distributed throughout the interior of the flotation device 102 which leads to and connects with each spout 108 included in the flotation device 102. The spouts 108 are in fluid communication with the internal tubing 116 which is in fluid communication with the interior of the main controller box 110. In a non-limiting embodiment, the motor controller 220 may have a waterproof rating IP68 602, as shown in FIG. 6, to be able to be in a water based environment such as in an underlying body of water 114. The battery 208 provides electrical power to all the electromechanical components within the main controller box 110 as well as the user controller 702 if included in the flotation device 102. It is noted, that the bottom casing 218 may include may further include a wiring perforation or hole to connect insulated electrical wires from the user controller 702, shown in FIG. 7, to the flotation device 102 and to be in signal communication with each other.13Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

[0044] The user controller 702, as shown in an example in the illustration in FIG. 7, may be used by the user of the flotation device 102 to control how much / speed of water 112 emitted from one or more spouts 108 of the flotation device 102 and / or which spouts 108 are selected to eject water.

[0045] The use of the cooling assembly 250 functions to cause a heat transfer process to cool the initial temperature of the water 112 pumped into the main controller box 110 housing. It is noted that in a non-limiting embodiment, the main controller box 110 may also include a thermometer to read a temperature of entering water 112 and to further regulate the cooling of the water to a particular, desired temperature. The temperature that the water 112 is cooled to may be range from 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, 80-85 degrees, but other temperatures may also be achieved as well. The uncooled water 112 travels up from the body of water 114 into the main controller box 110 and out through the integrated tubing 116 to be ejected from the spouts 108.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a top view of an exemplary flotation device 102. It is noted that the flotation device 102 may have a raft, open style as shown in FIG. 7 or may be covered or have another shape and still employ one or more concepts described herein. As shown in the exemplary schematic, the spouts 108 (e.g. 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f) are distributed at various points around the body 104 and the perimeter 710 of the flotation device 102. The spouts 108 may further be integrated onto the user lounging / resting portion 712 as well. The spouts 108 are connected by continuous tubing 116, such as tubing 116a, 116b, 116c, 1116d, 116e, 116f, 116g hidden within the body 104 of the flotation device 102. The tubing 1 16, as shown also in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 8, may be connected initially at an outlet point, such as outlet point 802 shown in FIG. 8 of the main controller box 110. As noted above, the pump 210 pumps out the cooler water into the14Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001tubing 116 at outlet 402b of the main controller box 110. The inlet tube 604 functions to transfer water 112 from the underlying body of water 114 into the inlet tube 604.

[0047] The inlet tube 604 travels from the bottom of the main controller box 110 and a terminal end 820 of the inlet tube 604 ends at the bottom or underside of the flotation device 102. The terminal end 820 of the inlet tube 604 is open and exposed to the body of water 114 so as to be able pump up water 112 from the body of water 114 up the inlet tube 604 and into the main controller box 110.

[0048] The pump 210 is configured to be able to pump cooler water from the main controller box 110 throughout the tubing 116. The tubing 116 may be located beneath the surface of the body 104 of the flotation device 102 such that in some cases the tubing 116 may not be visible. This may also assist to prevent any damage to occur to the tubing 116.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates that the flotation device 102 may have various shapes and configurations and still include a pocket 106 for the main controller box 110, as well as integrated spouts that are connected by integrated tubing 116.

[0050] In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, there may be at least three spouts 108 on each side of the flotation device 102. It may be preferable that there are at least 6 waterjets or spouts 108. It may be a goal for the cooled water emitted from the one or more spouts 108 to emit water onto the mid-arm to mid-thigh area of a user.

[0051] The main controller box 110 is designed to be a pre-assembled, single unit that the user may easily place into and take out of the main controller pocket 106 that is built into a dedicated space in the flotation device 102. The user only has to connect an entry or inlet of the tubing 116 to a dedicated opening in the main controller box 110 in order for the pump 210 to be able to pump water into and around the tubing 116 of the flotation device 102 and for the incoming15Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001water 112 from a body of water 114 to be cooled and emitted through the spouts 108 of the flotation device 102.

[0052] As noted above, a potentiometer and / or other selectors, such as selectors 704a, 704b, 704c, may be used to control how much water 112 is ejected from one or more spouts 108 of the flotation device 102. The selectors 704a-704c may also be used to control the speed of flow ejected from the spouts 108 as well as optionally selecting only certain spouts 108 to eject water. Further, the flotation device 102 may include one or more additional features such as cup holders, cell phone holders, and other accessories for the flotation device 102. It is noted that such selectors 704 may also be integrated directly onto an accessible top or side surface of the main controller box in other non-limiting embodiments.

[0053] In a non-limiting embodiment, the flotation device 102 may need inflation before use using one or more air pumps. The flotation device 102 may be pre-assembled though to be ready for the user to easily place the control panel box 110 in the designated pocket 106 and to connect to the tubing 116.

[0054] A method of using the flotation device 102 may include, but not be limited to, a user activating the pump 210 disposed within the main controller box 110 via a power button. Such a power button may be located on the user controller 702, as shown in FIG. 7, or may be separately located on the main controller box 110. The pump 210, once activated, is adapted to pump up water 112 from the underlying body of water 114 into the inlet 604 that connects to the inlet 402a of the main controller box 110 to pump up the water 114 up through the cooling assembly 250. The water 112 is pumped up through the body of the main controller box 110 and the uncooled water 112 reduces its temperature through heat transfer caused by the Peltier modules 214, cooling fins 213, and heat sinks 216, 224. Then, the cooler water 112 is pumped back out16Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001through the outlet 402b into the connected tubing 116 and to each spout 108 (if so desired) in order to be ejected upwards and outwards. The user may also be given the ability via the user controller 702 to select which spouts 108 water is ejected from. The cooler water can disperse over the exposed surfaces, including a top seating surface / lounging surface 712 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 7) of the flotation device 102 to help further cool down the top surface of the flotation device 102 and the user of the flotation device 102.

[0055] Notably, a significant advantage of the flotation device 102 is that the user can enjoy the flotation device 102 without overheating while floating under a hot sun on the top surface of the flotation device 102 because cooled water (e.g., as provided via the main controller box 110 and / or the potentiometer) is ejected onto the flotation device 102 and parts of the user while resting on the flotation device 102.

[0056] Many other uses and advantages arc offered by the flotation device 102 as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.

[0057] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular' features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and / or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

[0058] The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example,17Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

[0059] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0060] The term “set” as used herein may refer to one or more items. Accordingly, “set” may mean a single item or more than one item.

[0061] The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the stall of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number) - (a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm.

[0062] Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which18Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa.

[0063] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0064] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.19Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising: a flotation device comprising: a body comprising: tubing contained within an interior of the body of the flotation device, wherein the tubing is integrated into the interior of the body of the floatation device and extends around a general interior of the flotation device; a main controller box which fits within a pocket integrated into the body of the flotation device, the main controller box comprising; a top cover; a pump, wherein the pump has a pump inlet and a pump outlet, a cooling assembly unit, wherein the pump inlet and the pump outlet connect to the cooling assembly, wherein the cooling assembly unit comprises: a set of cooling fins; a set of Peltier modules, wherein each cooling fin of the set of cooling fins is bonded to a corresponding Peltier module, wherein each cooling fin is bonded on top of each corresponding Peltier module; a bottom cooling plate having cavities to hold the cooling fins and Peltier modules within the cavities;20Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001a first heat sink attached to a bottom side of the bottom cooling plate; a bottom casing having an inlet for intaking water into the main controller box and an outlet for ejecting cooled water that has passed through the main controller box, wherein the top cover fits onto or within the bottom casing; an intake conduit configured to enter into the inlet of the main controller box, wherein uncooled, water from a body of water that the flotation device is placed in is pumped into the intake conduit, wherein the intake conduit extends within a body of the flotation device, the intake conduit comprising a tube or pipe that extends from the inlet of the main controller box, through a portion of the body of the flotation device, wherein a terminal end of the intake conduit ends at the underside of the flotation device in order to be able to access water from the body of water; an outlet conduit, wherein the outlet conduit connects to the outlet of the main control box and is configured to flow cooled water through the tubing contained within the interior body of the flotation device; and a plurality of spouts incorporated onto one or more outer surfaces of the flotation device, wherein the plurality of spouts are configured to eject the cooled water upwards and outwards from the spouts of the flotation device, wherein water flows onto various surfaces of the flotation device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second heat sink is attached to an inside of the bottom casing, wherein the first heat sink is on top of the second heat sink and in contact with each other.21Docket No. Coleil_PCT_0013. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tubing is configured to be connected to the outlet of the main controller box.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main controller box is removable from the pocket of the flotation device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each spout of the plurality of spouts is spaced apart of another spout and is separated by connecting tubing that carries water from the main control box through the connecting tubing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a battery and a motor controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the battery of the main controller box is rechargeable.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooled water ejected into the tubing is pressurized water.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a user controller that is separately adapted onto the body of the flotation device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the user controller comprises selectors to control flow of the cooled water from the plurality of spouts.22Docket No. Coleil_PCT_001

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