WO2022178334A1

WO2022178334A1 - Covers, cushions, and pads or mats having warming and cooling regions

Info

Publication number: WO2022178334A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/017111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark SMIDERLE; Danielle IGNAZZI; Lloyd Wilson
Original assignee: Soft-Tex International, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-02-19
Filing date: 2022-02-18
Publication date: 2022-08-25

Abstract

Covers, cushions, and pads or mats including cooling region(s) capable of dissipating body heat of user(s), and warming region(s) capable of radiating heat to user(s). Cooling region(s) comprise cooling layers each comprising solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within approximately 6 to 45 °C. Warming region(s) comprise: (a) an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 μm, and (b) at least two additional layers that include (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer. The infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer. Cooling region(s) comprise a first outer surface, and the warming region(s) comprise a second and different outer surface.

Description

COVERS. CUSHIONS. AND PADS OR MATS HAVING WARMING AND COOLING

REGIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/151,386, filed on February 19, 2021, and entitled Reversible Warming/Cooling Covers, Cushions, and Pads or Mats. Further, this application includes subject matter that is similar to that of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/722,177, filed on August 24, 2018, entitled Bedding Component with Multiple Layers, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/726,270, filed on September 2, 2018, entitled Automotive Components Gradient Cooling with Multiple Layers, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/770,707, filed on November 21, 2018, entitled Bedding Component with Multiple Layers, PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/046242, filed on August 12, 2019, entitled Cooling Body Support Cushions and Methods of Manufacturing Same, PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/048215, filed on August 26, 2019, entitled Cooling Body Support Cushions, Mattresses and Methods of Manufacturing Same, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/089,793, filed on October 09, 2020, entitled Multi-Zone Temperature Regulating Mattresses and Related Methods, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/981,922, filed February 26, 2020, entitled Cooling Body Support Cushions, Mattresses and Methods of Manufacturing Same, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/123,582, filed December 10, 2020, entitled Warming Cushions, Blankets and Clothing and Related Methods, _U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,045, filed January 15, 2021, entitled Warming Cushions, Blankets and Clothing and Related Methods, _U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/142,635, filed on January 28, 2021, entitled Multi-Zone Temperature Regulating Mattresses and Related Methods, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 17/172,349, filed on February 10, 2021, entitled Cooling Mattresses, Pads or Mats, and Mattress Protectors, U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 17/268,246, filed February 12, 2021, entitled Cooling Body-Support Cushions and Pillows, the entire contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to covers, cushions and pads or mats, and more particularly to reversible covers, cushions, and pads or mats that include one side that can cool the user and another side that can warm the user.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many factors affect the comfort of a person. One factor is the temperature of the environment in which the person is located, and whether the person feels too hot or too cold. Some individuals may feel discomfort sitting, laying, resting, or sleeping on various items, especially items that may mirror the ambient temperature of the surroundings. In order to improve their comfort levels, individuals may try to use blankets, cooling fans, space heaters, air conditioning units, furnaces, cooling pads, etc. However, it can be expensive to heat or cool the entire environment in which the individual is located. Additionally, individuals may need blankets of various thicknesses and materials, multiple layers of blankets, or space heaters to feel warm. Alternatively, cooling pads or cooling fans may be needed to help the individuals feel cool. Oftentimes, in climates with warm or hot summers and cool or cold winters, individuals will have all of the aforementioned items for use during different times of the year.

[0004] Additionally, some individuals may have physiological or psychological benefits if they are able to regulate their body temperature. For instance, some individuals may use heating pads to ease muscle aches, joint pain, soft-tissue strain, improve blood circulation, and facilitate healing from an injury. Cooling pads may be used to reduce swelling, inflammation, and muscle soreness due to injury.

[0005] Existing technologies for heating or cooling may be active or passive. Further, existing technologies for actively heating or cooling an individual often require an external energy source (e.g. a power outlet). Existing technologies for passively heating or cooling an individual may often be insufficient and obtaining a comfortable body temperature can be difficult to achieve, especially over prolonged periods of time.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists in the art for devices or objects that can facilitate regulating body temperature.

[0007] While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

[0008] In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

SUMMARY

[0009] To address deficiencies in existing technologies, the covers (e.g. sofa covers, chair covers, mattress covers, furniture covers, slipcovers, seat covers, blanket covers, cushion covers, blankets, throws, animal (e.g., pet, livestock) covers, clothing, wraps, sleeves, bandages, apparel, clothing, etc.), cushions (e.g. pillows, seat cushions, seat supports, seat backs, furniture cushions, couch cushions, chair cushions, infant carrier cushions, neck support cushions, leg spacer cushions, bean-bag cushions, pet accessory cushions, foot cushions, etc.), and pads or mats (e.g., body pads, floor pads, mattress pads, exercise mats, healing pads, gymnastic pads, seat pads, anti-fatigue mats, carpet mats, rugs, camping mats, sleeping pads/mats, etc.) disclosed herein satisfy the need for improved temperature regulating devices. Specifically, reversible covers, cushions, and pads or mats that provide active heating on one side and active cooling that dissipates body heat on another side address one or more of the problems and deficiencies in the art discussed above. In particular, the warming side of the covers, cushions, and pads or mats facilitate warming a user utilizing heat energy that is emitted by the user’s body as opposed to an external energy source. Further, the cooling side of the covers, cushions, and pads or mats may include solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) that can dissipate heat away from the individual.

[0010] Certain embodiments of the presently-disclosed covers, cushions, and pads or mats have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the covers, cushions, and pads or mats as defined by the claims that follow, their more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section of this specification entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the various embodiments disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over the current state of the art.

[0011] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a cover that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cover, where the at least one cooling region includes a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct. Each layer of the plurality of cooling layers including solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius. The cover also includes at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cover. The at least one warming region includes an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm as well as at least two additional layers. Further, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer. Still further, the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer. Additionally, the at least one cooling region includes a first outer surface of the cover, and the at least one warming region includes a second outer surface of the cover, the second outer surface of the cover being a different surface than the first outer surface of the cover.

[0012] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cushion that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cushion, where the at least one cooling region includes a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct. Each layer of the plurality of cooling layers including solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius. The cushion also includes at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cushion. The at least one warming region includes an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm as well as at least two additional layers. Further, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 mih, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer. Still further, the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 gm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer. Additionally, the at least one cooling region includes a first outer surface of the cushion, and the at least one warming region includes a second outer surface of the cushion, the second outer surface of the cushion being a different surface than the first outer surface of the cushion. [0013] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a pad or mat that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the pad or mat, where the at least one cooling region includes a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct. Each layer of the plurality of cooling layers including solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius. Further, the pad or mat includes at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the pad or mat. The at least one warming region includes an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm as well as at least two additional layers. Further, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer.

Still further, the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer. Additionally, the at least one cooling region includes a first outer surface of the pad or mat, and the at least one warming region includes a second outer surface of the pad or mat, the second outer surface of the pad or mat being a different surface than the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the disclosure and inventions will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention(s), is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

[0016] FIG. l is a schematic illustrating the phase change cycle of a solid-liquid phase transitioning phase change material (PCM);

[0017] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the temperature and energy content profile of a solid-liquid phase transitioning PCM;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of separate and distinct exemplary layers of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, with an inter-layer gradient distribution of phase change material and effusivity enhancing material according to the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary layer of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, with an intra-layer gradient distribution of phase change material and effusivity enhancing material according to the present disclosure; [0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary layer of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, with an intra-layer gradient distribution of phase change material and effusivity enhancing material according to the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary layer of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary layer of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary layer of a cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of layers of a warming side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 9B illustrates another cross-sectional view of a plurality of layers of a warming side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of an exemplary infrared reflective layer with infrared reflector discs of the warming side of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat of either of FIGS. 9A or 9B, according to the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 11 illustrates an elevated cross-sectional view of the exemplary infrared reflective layer of FIG. 10, according to the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of another exemplary infrared reflective layer with infrared reflector discs of a warming side of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the infrared reflective layer of FIG. 12, according to the present disclosure; [0030] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of layers of a warming side of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 15 illustrates an elevated exploded view of a plurality of layers of a warming side of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 16 illustrates an elevated exploded view of a plurality of layers that include a warming side and an opposing cooling side of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, according to the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 17 illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 18A illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 18B illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 19A illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 19B illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 20 illustrates an example cover, according to the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 21 illustrates an example cushion, according to the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 22 illustrates an example cushion, according to the present disclosure; and [0041] FIG. 23 illustrates an example pad or mat, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Aspects of the present disclosure and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known materials, fabrication tools, processing techniques, etc., are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the details of the inventions. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific example(s), while indicating embodiments of inventions of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or arrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0043] Approximating language, as used herein throughout disclosure, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about” or “substantially,” is not limited to the precise value specified. For example, these terms can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value.

[0044] The term “user” is used herein to refer to a mammal (e.g., human or animal, such as a pet or livestock) that utilizes the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat disclosed herein to regulate their temperature or the temperature that they experience (e.g., of the environment between the user and the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat). A user “utilizes” the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat disclosed herein by positioning theirself (potentially via a third party) relative to the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, or positioning the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (potentially via a third party) relative to theirself such that the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat is in contact with or potentially overlies a portion of the user. The term “overlies” and the like are used herein to describe the position of a cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat in relation to the user such that the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat is in contact with, is positioned next to or below, or extends across a portion of the user. It is noted that the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat may be positioned under, over, along a side of, or on top of a user such that it “overlies”, and is therefore in contact with, at least a portion of the user. The cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat does not necessarily need to be in direct contact with the user and may be encased or be separated from the user by layer(s) of clothing.

[0045] The phrases “covering,” “cover,” “furniture cover,” and “body cover” are used interchangeably herein to refer to any and all such objects having any size and/or shape and that are otherwise capable of or are generally used to cover at least a portion of another item or object including an item of furniture, a user, a surface, etc. Example covers include, but are not limited to, sofa covers, chair covers, mattress covers, furniture covers, slipcovers, seat covers, blanket covers, cushion covers, blankets, throws, animal (e.g., pet, livestock) covers, clothing, wraps, sleeves, bandages, apparel (e.g. a head covering), etc. The phrases “body-support cushion,” “support cushion” and “cushion” are used interchangeably herein to refer to any and all such objects having any size and shape, and that are otherwise capable of or are generally used to provide cushioning to and/or support for the body of a user or a portion the user’s body. Example cushions include, but are not limited to, pillows, seat cushions, seat supports, seat backs, furniture cushions, couch cushions, chair cushions, infant carrier cushions, neck support cushions, leg spacer cushions, bean-bag cushions, pet accessory cushions, foot cushions, etc. The phrases “pad,” and “mat,” are used interchangeably herein to refer to any and all such objects having any size and shape, and that are otherwise capable of or are generally used to provide padding to another item or object including a person, a surface, flooring, etc. Example pads or mats include, but are not limited to, body pads (e.g., in sports equipment or accessories), floor pads, mattress pads, exercise mats, healing pads, sized and shaped like traditional temperature- regulating pads, gymnastic pads, seat pads, anti-fatigue mats, carpet mats, rugs, camping mats, sleeping pads/mats, cloth pads, wall pad paneling, etc.

[0046] Thermal energy storage is the temporary storage of high or low temperature energy for later use. In particular, thermal energy storage bridges the time gap between energy requirements and energy use. Among the various heat storage techniques, latent heat storage is particularly attractive due to its ability to provide a high storage density at nearly isothermal conditions. Phase change material (referred to herein as “PCM”) takes advantage of latent heat that can be stored or released from the material over a relatively narrow temperature range.

PCM possesses the ability to change its state with a certain temperature range. These materials absorb energy during a heating process as phase change takes place, and release energy to the environment during a reverse cooling process and corresponding phase change. The absorbed or released heat content is the latent heat. In general, PCM can thereby be used as a barrier to heat, since a quantity of latent heat must be absorbed by the PCM before its temperature can rise. Similarly, the PCM may be used as a barrier to cold, as a quantity of latent heat must be removed from the PCM before its temperature can begin to drop.

[0047] PCM which can convert from solid to liquid state or from liquid to solid state is the most frequently used latent heat storage material, and suitable for the manufacturing of heat- storage and thermo-regulated textiles and clothing. As shown in FIG. 1, these PCMs absorb energy during a heating or melting process at a substantially constant phase change or transition temperature as a solid to liquid phase change takes, and release energy during a cooling or freezing/crystalizing/solidifying process at the substantially constant transition temperature as a liquid to solid phase change takes place. [0048] FIG. 2 shows a typical solid-liquid phase transitioning PCM. From an initial solid state at a solid-state temperature, the PCM initially absorbs energy in the form of sensible heat. In contrast to latent heat, sensible energy is the heat released or absorbed by a body or a thermodynamic system during processes that result in a change of the temperature of the system. As shown in FIG. 2, when the PCM absorbs enough energy such that the ambient temperature of the PCM reaches the transition temperature of the PCM, it melts and absorbs large amounts of energy while staying at an almost constant temperature (i.e., the transition temperature) - i.e., latent heat/energy storage. The PCM continues to absorb energy while staying at the transition temperature until all of the PCM is transformed to the liquid phase, from which the PCM absorbs energy in the form of sensible heat, as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, heat is removed from the environment about the PCM and stored while the temperature is maintained at an “optimum” level during the solid to liquid phase change. In the reverse process, when the environmental temperature/energy about the liquid PCM falls to the transition temperature, it solidifies again, thereby releasing/emitting its stored latent heat energy to the environment while staying at the transition temperature until all, or substantially all, of the PCM is transformed to the solid phase. Thus, the managed temperature again remains consistent.

[0049] As such, during the complete melting process, the temperature of a typical solid-liquid phase transitioning PCM as well as its surrounding area remains nearly constant. The same is true for the solidification (e.g., crystallization) process; during the entire solidification process, the temperature of the PCM does not change significantly. The large heat transfer during the melting process as well as the solidification process, without significant temperature change, makes these PCMs interesting as a source of heat storage material in practical textile applications. [0050] However, the insulation effect reached by a PCM is dependent on temperature and time; it takes place only during the phase change and thereby only in the temperature range of the phase change, and terminates when the phase change in all, or substantially all, of the PCM is complete. Since, this type of thermal insulation is temporary; therefore, it can be referred to as dynamic thermal insulation. In addition, modes of heat transfer are strongly dependent on the phase of the material involve in the heat transfer processes. For materials that are solid, conduction is the predominant mode of heat transfer. While for liquid materials, convection heat transfer predominates. Unfortunately, some PCMs have a relatively low heat-conductivity, which fails to provide a sufficient heat exchange rate between the PCM itself and/or a surrounding environment medium or environment. As such, incorporation of PCM in covers, cushions, and/or pads or mats will not result in a large amount of cooling for an extended period of time (e.g., hours) as the PCM (and the cover, cushion and/or pad/mat as a whole) will relatively quickly reach is maximum heat absorption ability, and them emit or radiate the heat back to the user.

[0051] In one aspect, the disclosure provides covers, cushions, and/or pads or mats that include at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users, as well as at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users. Further, the at least one cooling region includes a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct. Each layer of the plurality of cooling layers includes solid-to-liquid PCM with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius. Further, the at least one warming region includes an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm in addition to at least two additional layers. In particular, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 mih, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer. Further, the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 gm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer. Additionally, the at least one cooling region includes a first outer surface and the at least one warming region comprises a second outer surface, where the second outer surface is a different surface than the first outer surface.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first outer surface may be an opposing surface than the second outer surface of the cover such that the warming region is on an opposite side of the covers, cushions, and/or pads or mats than the cooling region. According to various embodiments, the at least one warming region and/or the at least one cooling region may extend a length and a width of the cover. Further, according to various embodiments, a barrier layer may separate the warming region from the cooling region.

[0053] In one aspect, the disclosure provides covers, cushions, and/or pads or mats 100 that include a cooling portion or region that includes a plurality of separate and distinct (i.e., differing) layers 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of layers 10 include a plurality of separate and distinct consecutive layers 12 overlying over each other in a depth direction D1 that extends from an outer or top (or proximate) portion 14 of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat that is proximate to a user to an inner or bottom (or distal) portion 16 of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat that is distal to the user along the thickness of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer portion 14 of at least the cooling portion or region may be defined or include one or more additional layers of material(s) formed over, or otherwise overlying, a top layer 20 of the plurality of layers 10, or may be a top or exterior surface or surface portion of the top layer 20 in the depth direction Dl. In other words, the top or upper- most layer 20 of the plurality of layers 10 (in the thickness and/or the depth direction Dl) may define the outer portion 14 of the cooling portion of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat, or the outer portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat may be defined by a layer overlying the top or upper-most layer 20 of the plurality of layers 10 in the depth direction Dl.

[0055] Similarly, as also shown in FIG. 3, the inner portion 16 of the cooling portion or region may be defined or include one or more additional layers of material(s) formed under or underlying a bottom layer 24 of the plurality of layers 10, or may be a bottom or exterior surface or surface portion of the bottom layer 24 in the depth direction Dl. In other words, the bottom or lowest layer 24 of the plurality of layers 10 (in the thickness and/or the depth direction Dl) may define the bottom or inner portion 16 of the cooling portion or region, or the inner portion 16 of the cooling portion or region may be defined by a layer underlying the bottom or lowest layer 24 of the plurality of layers 10 in the depth direction Dl. The depth direction Dl may thereby extend from the top exterior surface or surface portion of the outer portion 14 to the bottom or inner exterior surface or surface portion of the inner or bottom portion 16 (and through a middle or medial portion) of the cooling portion or region.

[0056] The plurality of layers 10 may include two or more layers. For example, while a top layer 20, a medial layer 22 and a bottom layer 24 are shown and described herein with respect to FIG. 3, the plurality of layers 10 may only include two separate and distinct consecutive (and potentially contiguous) layers, or may include four or more layers separate and distinct consecutive (and potentially contiguous) layers 12. Further, although the plurality of layers 10 are separate and distinct layers, at least one of the plurality of layers 10 may be coupled (removably or fixedly coupled) to at least one other layer of the plurality of layers 10 (or another layer of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat), or the plurality of layers 10 may not be coupled to each other (but may be contiguous). For example, the outer layer 20 and the inner layer 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may comprise portions of, or form, an enclosure or bag that surrounds (fully or partially) or encloses at least the medial layer 22 (and additional layer, potentially), and may (or may not) be directly coupled to each other. As another example, the plurality of layers 10 may be separate components and extend over each other (freely stacked or coupled to each other), and another additional layer (or a pair or layers) may enclose or surround (fully or partially) (or sandwich) the plurality of layers 10.

[0057] The plurality of differing consecutive layers 12 comprise “active” layers that may be effective in cooling a user (e.g., a human user or a non-human/animal user) who rests on or otherwise contacts the top or outer portion 14 of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat by drawing a substantial amount of heat (energy) away from the user substantially quickly and for a relatively long period of time, and storing and/or dissipating the heat remotely from the user for a substantial amount of time. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of differing consecutive layers 12 may be “active” in that they each include PCM 26 and/or a material with a relatively high thermal effusivity (e) 28 (generally referred to herein as “thermal effusivity enhancing material” and “TEEM ”). In some embodiments, the material with a relatively high thermal effusivity of a particular layer may include a thermal effusivity that is substantially higher than a base material of the layer (to which the TEEM may be coupled to) and, thereby, enhances the thermal effusivity of the layer as a whole. In some other embodiments, the material with a relatively high thermal effusivity (TEEM) of a particular layer may define the layer itself (i.e., may be the base material of the layer). [0058] The PCM 26 of a layer of the plurality of layers 10 may comprise a plurality of pieces, particles, bits or relatively small quantities of phase change material(s). The TEEM 28 of a layer of the plurality of layers 10 may comprise a plurality of pieces, particles, bits or relatively small quantities of material having a relatively high thermal effusivity, or the layer itself may be comprised of the material having a relatively high thermal effusivity (i.e., the material having a relatively high thermal effusivity the (base) material of the layer).

[0059] Each of the plurality of layers 10 thereby includes a mass of PCM 26, a mass of TEEM 28, or a mass of PCM 26 and a mass of TEEM 28, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments some or all of the plurality layers 10 may comprise the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28. In some other embodiments, all of the plurality of layers 10 may include the TEEM 28, but one or more layer may be void of the PCM 26. In some other embodiments, all of the plurality of layers 10 may include the PCM 26, but one or more layer may be void of the TEEM 28.

[0060] In some embodiments, one or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 that include the PCM 28 and the TEEM 28 may comprise a coating that couples the PCM 28 and the TEEM 28 to a base material thereof. In some such embodiments, the PCM 28 may comprises about 50% to about 80% of the mass of the coating, and the TEEM 28 may comprise about 5% to about 8% of the mass of the coating, after the coating has hardened, cured or is otherwise stable. In some such embodiments, the PCM 28 may comprises about 30% to about 65% of the mass of the coating, and the TEEM 28 may comprise about 3% to about 5% of the mass of the coating, when the coating is initially applied (i.e., the pre-hardened, cured or applied coating mixture) (and prior to application). The coating (as-applied and after curing) may further include a binder material that acts to chemically and/or physically couple or bond the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 to the base material of the respective layer.

[0061] The PCM 26 may be coupled to a base material forming a respective layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10, or may be incorporated in/with the base material of the respective layer 20, 22, 24. The PCM 26 may be any phase change material(s). In some embodiments, the PCM 26 may comprise any solid-todiquid phase change material(s) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius, or within the range of about 15 to about 45 degrees Celsius, or within the range of 20 to about 37 degrees Celsius, or within the range of 25 to about 32 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the PCM 26 may be or include at least one hydrocarbon, wax, beeswax, oil, fatty acid, fatty acid ester, stearic anhydride, long-chain alcohol or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the PCM 26 may be paraffin. However, as noted above, the PCM 26 may be any phase change material(s), such as any solid-to-liquid phase change material(s) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius.

[0062] In some embodiments, the PCM 26 may be in the form of microspheres. For example, in some embodiments, the PCM 26 may be packaged or contained in microcapsules or microspheres and applied to or otherwise integrated with the plurality of layers 10. In some such embodiments, the PCM 26 may be a paraffinic hydrocarbon, and contained or encapsulated within microspheres (also referred to as “micro-capsules”), which may range in diameter from 1 to 100 microns for example. In some embodiments, the PCM 26 may be polymeric microspheres containing paraffinic wax or n-octadecane or n-eicosane. The paraffinic wax can be selected or blended to have a desired melt temperature or range. The polymer for the microspheres may be selected for compatibility with the material of the respective layer of the plurality of layers 10. However, the PCM 26 may be in any form or structure.

[0063] The layers, of the plurality of layers 10 that include the PCM 26, may each include the same PCM material, or may each include a differing PCM material. For example, each layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the PCM 26 may include the same PCM material, and/or at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the PCM 26 may include a differing PCM material than at least one other layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the PCM 26. The PCM 26 of at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10 may thereby be the same material or a different material than the PCM 26 of at least one other layer of the plurality of layers 10. In this way, the latent heat storage capacity (typically referred to as “latent heat,” an expressed in J/g) of the PCM 26 of at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10 may thereby be the same material or a different latent heat storage capacity than the PCM 26 of at least one other layer of the plurality of layers 10. In some embodiments that include two or layers with differing PCM 26 and/or differing latent heat storage capacities, the PCM material 26 with the lowest latent heat storage capacity may include a latent heat storage capacity that is within 200%, 100%, within 50%, within 25%, within 10% or within 5% the PCM material 26 with the greatest latent heat storage capacity.

[0064] A respective layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the PCM 26 material may include any total amount (e.g., mass) of the PCM 26. However, the total mass of the PCM 26 each of the plurality of layers 10, and/or the total latent heat (absorption) potential of each of the plurality of layers 10 (as a whole) including the PCM 26 (i.e., the total latent heat (e.g., Joules) that can be absorbed by the PCM 26 thereof (during full phase change)) increases with respect to each other along the depth direction Dl, as illustrated graphically in FIG. 3 by the increasing number of X’s in the outer layer 20, the medial layer 22 and the inner layer 24. Stated differently, the consecutive layers 12 of the plurality of layers 10 that contain the PCM 26 include an inter-layer gradient distribution of the total mass and/or the total latent heat (absorption) potential of the PCM 26 that increases in the depth direction Dl, as illustrated graphically in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the outermost layer(s) 20 of the plurality of phase change layers 10 may include at least 25 J/m² (e.g., assuming the layers are flat) of the PCM 26, at least 50 J/m² of the PCM 26, or at least 100 J/m² of the PCM 26.

[0065] The plurality of layers 20 can thereby include differing loadings (e.g., differing PCM materials) and/or amounts (by mass) of the PCM 26 such that the total latent heat (absorption) potential of the PCM 26 increases from consecutive layer to layer including the PCM 26 in the depth direction Dl within the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (i.e., away from the user), as shown in FIG. 3. The cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat can thus include differing loading and/or amounts (by mass) of PCM along the thickness of the cooling portion or region. As noted above, in some embodiments two or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 may include the PCM 26 (which may or may not be contiguous), or each/all of the layers of the plurality of layers 10 may include the PCM 26 (which may or may not be contiguous). The bottom-most layer in the depth direction Dl thereby contains the highest loading or amount of the PCM 26 (i.e., the largest mass of the PCM 26 and/or the greatest latent heat potential) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0066] In some embodiments, the inter-layer gradient distribution of the total mass of the PCM 26, and/or the total latent heat potential, of the plurality of layers 10 comprises an increase thereof along the depth direction Dl between consecutive PCM-containing layers of at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%. Stated differently, the total mass of the PCM 26, and/or the total latent heat potential, of each of the plurality of layers 10 that contains PCM 26 increases with respect to each other along the depth direction by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the and/or the latent heat potential of the PCM 26 thereof that increases in the depth direction D1 (i.e., away from the user). Stated differently, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the mass and/or the latent heat potential of the PCM 26 thereof that increases in the depth direction Dl.

[0068] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the of the plurality of layers 10 includes a first lesser amount (e.g., mass) of the PCM 26 and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 in/on a proximal portion 30 of the layer this is proximal to the exterior portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (and the user) along the depth direction Dl, and a second greater amount (e.g., mass) of the PCM 26 and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 on/in a distal portion 34 of the layer 20, 22, 24 that is distal to the exterior portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (and the user) along the depth direction Dl (i.e., the second amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 being greater than the first amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26, respectively). The second total amount (e.g., total mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 of the distal portion 34 of the layer 20, 22, 24 may be greater than the first total amount (e.g., total mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the distal portion 30 thereof by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%.

[0069] As also shown in FIG. 4, a layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 including the gradient PCM 26 along the depth direction D1 may further include a medial portion 32 positioned between the proximal portion 30 and the distal portion 34 along the depth direction D1 that includes a third total amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the total PCM 26 thereof that is greater than the first total amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the total PCM 26 of the proximal portion 30 but less than the second amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the total PCM 26 of the distal portion 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The third total amount (e.g., total mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 of the medial portion 32 may be greater than the first total amount (e.g., total mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 of the proximal portion 30 by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%, and less than the second total amount (e.g., total mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 of the distal portion 34 by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%. However, a layer of the plurality of layers 10 including an intra layer gradient distribution of the amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the total PCM 26 thereof may include any number of portions along the depth direction D1 that increase in total amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 along the depth direction Dl.

[0070] The intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 of one or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 (potentially the plurality of consecutive layers 12) that increases in the depth direction Dl may comprise an irregular gradient distribution of the amount (e.g., mass) and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 along the depth direction Dl, as shown in FIG. 4. In some such embodiments, a layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may include two or more distinct bands or zones 30, 32, 34 of progressively increasing loading of the PCM 26 in the depth direction Dl (i.e., away from the user) by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer side portion 30, the medial portion 32 and the inner side portion 34 may be distinct zones of the thickness of the respective layer 20, 22, 24 with distinct differing amounts (e.g., masses) and/or total latent heat potentials of the PCM 26 along the depth direction Dl (such as amount that increase by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50% from layer to layer in the depth direction Dl).

[0071] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 of one or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 (potentially the plurality of consecutive layers 12) that increases in the depth direction Dl may comprise a smooth or regular gradient distribution of at least a portion of the mass and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 thereof along the depth direction Dl. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may include a relatively constant/consi stent progressive gradient of at least a portion of the loading of the mass and/or the total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 along the depth direction Dl within the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (i.e., away from the user). Such a layer with the relatively constant/consi stent progressive gradient of at least a portion of the loading of the mass and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 along the depth direction Dl may include the top/proximal portion 30 (of the thickness of the layer) that is proximate to the outer portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and the user that contains less total mass and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 than the bottom/distal portion 32 (of the thickness of the layer) proximate to the distal portion 16 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (such as by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0072] In some embodiments (not shown), a layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may include an intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 thereof that includes a medial portion 32 that is positioned at or proximate to a middle or medial portion of the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and contains the greatest total mass and/or total latent heat potential of the PCM 26 as compared to the proximal portion 30 and the distal portion 34 of the layer. The layer itself may thereby be positioned at or proximate to a middle or medial portion of the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat. In such embodiments, the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat may comprise a two-sided cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat that provides cooling to a user from either the proximal side or the distal side of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat.

[0073] The TEEM 26 may be coupled to a base material forming a respective layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10, or may be incorporated in/with the base material or form the base material of the respective layer 20, 22, 24. The TEEM 28 includes a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 1,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 2,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 3,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 5,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 7,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 10,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 10,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), greater than or equal to 12,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), or greater than or equal to 15,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K). In some embodiments, the TEEM 28 includes a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

[0074] In some embodiments, the TEEM 28 includes a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 5,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K). In some embodiments, the TEEM 28 includes a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 7,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K). In some embodiments, the TEEM 28 includes a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 15,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K). It is noted that the greater the thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 (for the same mass or volume thereto), the faster the plurality of layers 10 can pull or transfer heat energy away from the user (or proximate to the user) and to the PCM 26 or otherwise distal to the user, such as in the depth direction Dl.

[0075] The TEEM 28 may comprise any material(s) with a thermal effusivity that is greater than or equal to 1,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K), or that is greater than or equal to 1,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K). For example, the TEEM 28 may comprise copper, an alloy of copper, graphite, an alloy of graphite, aluminum, an alloy of aluminum, zinc, an alloy of zinc, a ceramic, graphene, polyurethane gel (e.g., polyurethane elastomer gel) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the TEEM 28 may comprise pieces or particles of at least one metal material.

[0076] At least one of the plurality of layers 10 may be formed of a base material, and the TEEM 28 thereof may be attached, integrated or otherwise coupled to the base material. In such embodiments, the thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of a respective layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may be at least about 10%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900%, or at least about 1,000% greater than the thermal effusivity of the respective base material. In some embodiments, the thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 may be at least 100% greater than the thermal effusivity of the base material of its respective layer 20, 22, 24. In some embodiments, the thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 may be at least 1,000% greater than the thermal effusivity of the base material of its respective layer 20, 22, 24. In some other embodiments, the TEEM 28 may form or comprise the base material of at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10.

[0077] The layers of the plurality of layers 10 that include the TEEM 28 may each include the same TEEM material, or may each include a differing TEEM material. For example, each layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the TEEM 28 may include the same TEEM material, and/or at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the TEEM 28 may include a differing TEEM material than at least one other layer of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the TEEM 28. In some embodiments that include two or more layers with TEEM 28 of differing TEEM materials, the TEEM material with the lowest thermal effusivity may include a thermal effusivity that is within 100%, within 50%, within 25%, within 10% or within 5% of the thermal effusivity of the TEEM material with the greatest thermal effusivity.

[0078] A respective layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 that includes the TEEM 28 material may include any total amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) of the TEEM 28. However, the total mass and/or volume and/or to total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 increases with respect to each other along the depth direction Dl, as illustrated graphically in FIG. 3 by the increasing number of O’s in the proximal layer 20, the medial layer 22 and the distal layer 24. Stated differently, the consecutive layers 12 of the plurality of layers 10 that contain the TEEM 28 may include an inter-layer gradient distribution of the total mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 (and/or the total thermal effusivity thereof) that increases in the depth direction Dl, as illustrated graphically in FIG. 3. [0079] The plurality of layers 20 can thereby include differing loadings or amounts of the TEEM 28, by mass and/or volume, and/or total thermal effusivities of the TEEM 28, such that the TEEM 28 loading increases from consecutive layer to layer including the TEEM 28 in the depth direction D1 within the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (i.e., away from the user), as shown in FIG. 3. The cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat can thus include differing loading or amounts of TEEM, by mass and/or volume, along the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat. As noted above, in some embodiments two or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 may include the TEEM 28 (which may or may not be contiguous consecutive layers 12), or each/all of the layers of the plurality of layers 10 may include the TEEM 28. The distal layer 24 and/or distal portion 16 of the plurality of layers 10 may thus include the highest loading of the TEEM 28 (i.e., the largest mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 and/or the greatest total thermal effusivity) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0080] The inter-layer gradient distribution of the total mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 (and/or the total thermal effusivity) of the plurality of layers 10 comprises an increase along the depth direction D1 between consecutive TEEM-containing layers of at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%. Stated differently, the total mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 (and/or the total thermal effusivity) of each of the plurality of layers 10 that contains TEEM 28 increases with respect to each other along the depth direction by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 includes a gradient distribution of the mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 thereof (and/or the thermal effusivity thereof) that increases in the depth direction D1 (i.e., away from the user). Stated differently, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 thereof (and/or the total thermal effusivity of the layer) that increases in the depth direction D1 as it extends away from the user. [0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 includes a first lesser amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or lower total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 in/on the proximal portion 30 of the layer this is proximate to the exterior portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and the user along the depth direction Dl, and a second greater amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or higher total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 on/in a distal portion 34 of the layer 20, 22, 24 that is proximate to the distal portion 16 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and distal to the user along the depth direction Dl (i.e., the second loading of the TEEM 28 being a greater amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or lower total thermal effusivity than the first loading of the TEEM 28). The second total amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the distal portion 34 of the layer may be greater than the amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the first amount and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the proximal portion 30 along the depth direction Dl by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%.

[0083] As also shown in FIG. 4, such a layer including the gradient TEEM 28 along the depth direction Dl may further include a medial portion 32 positioned between the proximal portion 30 and the distal portion 34 along the depth direction Dl that includes a third total amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of TEEM 28 that is greater than the first total amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the proximal portion 30 but that is less than the second amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of distal portion 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The third total amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the medial portion 32 may be greater than the first total amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the proximal portion 30 by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%, and less than the second total amount (e.g., total mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 of the distal portion 34 by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%. However, a layer of the plurality of layers 10 including an intra-layer gradient distribution of the amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 thereof may include any number of portions along the depth direction D1 that increase in the total amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 thereof along the depth direction Dl.

[0084] The intra-layer gradient of the TEEM 28 of one or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 (potentially the plurality of consecutive layers 12) that increases in the depth direction Dl may comprise an irregular gradient distribution of the amount (e.g., mass and/or volume) and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 along the depth direction Dl, as shown in FIG. 4. In some such embodiments, a layer may include two or more distinct bands or zones 30, 32, 34 of progressively increasing loading of the TEEM 28 in the depth direction Dl (i.e., away from the user) by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the proximal portion 30, the medial portion 32 and the distal portion 34 may comprise distinct zones of the thickness of the respective layer 20, 22, 24 with distinct differing amounts (e.g., mass and/or volumes) and/or total thermal effusivities of the TEEM 28 along the depth direction D1 (such as amounts and/or total thermal effusivities that increase by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50% from layer to layer in the depth direction Dl).

[0085] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the intra-layer gradient of the TEEM 28 of one or more layers of the plurality of layers 10 (potentially the plurality of consecutive layers 12) that increases in the depth direction Dl may comprise a smooth or regular gradient distribution of at least a portion of the mass and/or volume and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 along the depth direction Dl. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one layer 20, 22, 24 of the plurality of layers 10 may include a relatively constant/consi stent progressive gradient of at least a portion of the loading of the mass and/or volume and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 thereof along the depth direction Dl within the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (i.e., away from the user). Such a layer with a relatively constant/consi stent progressive gradient of at least a portion of the loading of TEEM 28 thereof along the depth direction Dl may include the proximal portion 30 (of the thickness of the layer) that is proximate to the outer portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat containing less total mass and/or volume and/or total thermal effusivity of the TEEM 28 than a bottom/distal portion 32 (of the thickness of the layer) that is proximate to the distal portion 16 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and distal to the user (such as by at least 3%, within the range of about 3% to about 100%, or within the range of about 10% to about 50%), as shown in FIG. 5. [0086] In some embodiments (not shown), a layer of the plurality of layers 10 may include an intra-layer gradient of the TEEM 28 thereof that includes a medial portion 32 that is positioned at or proximate to a middle or medial portion of the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and contains the greatest total mass and/or volume of the TEEM 28 as compared to the proximal portion 30 and the distal portion 34 of the layer, for example. The layer itself may thereby be positioned at or proximate to a middle or medial portion 44 of the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat. As explained above, such a cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat can form a two-sided cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat that provides cooling to a user from either the top/proximal side or the bottom/distal side of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat.

[0087] In some embodiments, the inter-layer and/or intra-layer gradient loading of the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28 of the plurality of layers 10 along the depth direction Dl, such as the plurality of consecutive layers 12, may correspond or match each other. For example, a first layer containing more (or a greater latent heat potential) of the PCM 26 than that of an adjacent/neighboring consecutive (and potentially contiguous) second layer in the depth direction Dl may also include more (or a greater total thermal effusivity) of the TEEM 28 than that of the second layer. Similarly, a first layer of the plurality of layers 10 along the depth direction Dl, such as the plurality of consecutive layers 12, containing a first portion or zone thereof (e.g., an exterior portion) with more (or a greater latent heat potential) of the PCM 26 than that of a second portion or zone thereof (e.g., an inner portion) may also include more (or a greater total thermal effusivity) of the TEEM 28 than that of the second portion. However, in some embodiments, the inter-layer and/or intra-layer gradient loading of the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28 of the plurality of layers 10 along the depth direction Dl, such as the plurality of consecutive layers 12, may differ from each other. For example, the plurality of layers 10 along the depth direction Dl, such as the plurality of consecutive layers 12, may include a layer that does not include the PCM 26 but includes the TEEM 28 (or does not include the TEEM 28 but includes the PCM 26). As another example, a layer of the plurality of layers 10, such as the plurality of consecutive layers 12, may include an intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 but not the TEEM 28, or of the TEEM 28 but not the PCM 26.

[0088] The inter-layer and intra-layer gradient loadings/distributions of the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28 of the plurality of layers 10 (i.e., inter-layer PCM 26 and TEEM 28 gradients of consecutive layers, and the intra-layer PCM 26 and TEEM 28 gradients of at least one layer thereof), and in particular the plurality of consecutive layers 12, provides an unexpectedly large amount of heat storage for an unexpectedly long timeframe.

[0089] The layers of the plurality of layers 10 may be formed of any material(s) and include any configuration. For example, in some embodiments the plurality of layers 10 may comprise a flexible and/or compressible layer, potentially formed of a woven fabric, non-woven fabric, wool, cotton, linen, rayon (e.g., inherent rayon), silica, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, para- aramids, scrim, batting, polyurethane foam (e.g., viscoelastic polyurethane foam), latex foam, memory foam, loose fiber fill, polyurethane gel, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or organic material (leather, animal hide, goat skin, etc.). In some embodiments, at least one of the layers of the plurality of layers 10 may be comprised of a flexible foam that is capable of supporting a user's body or portion thereof. Such flexible foams may include, but are not limited to, latex foam, reticulated or non-reticulated viscoelastic foam (sometimes referred to as memory foam or low-resilience foam), reticulated or non-reticulated non-viscoelastic foam, polyurethane high- resilience foam, expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene), and the like. In some embodiments, the layers comprise flexible layers, and at least some of the layers may compress along the thickness thereof (in the depth direction Dl) under the weight of the user when the user rests, at least partially, on the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat.

[0090] As noted above, the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may be coupled to a base material of at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10. For example, the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may be coupled to an exterior surface/side portion of a respective layer, within an internal portion of the respective layer, and/or incorporated in/within the base material forming the layer. As also described above, in some embodiments, the TEEM 28 material may form at least one layer of the plurality of layers 10. For example, one layer of the plurality of layers 10 may comprise a liquid and moisture (i.e., liquid vapor) barrier layer that is formed of the TEEM material 28 (e.g., a vinyl layer, polyurethane layer (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane layer), rubberized flannel layer or plastic layer, for example), and it may comprise the PCM material 26 coupled thereto (e.g., applied to/on an inner distal surface thereof). The liquid and moisture barrier layer may include additional TEEM material 28 coupled to the base TEEM material 28. As another example, one layer of the plurality of layers 10 may comprise a gel layer that extends directly about, on or over a foam layer that includes the PCM material 26 and/or the TEEM material 28 coupled or otherwise integrated therein. The gel layer may thereby comprise a coating on the foam layer, and the gel layer may be formed of the TEEM 28 material (e.g., comprise a polyurethane gel). While the as-formed gel layer may not include additional TEEM 28, and potentially any PCM material 26, the TEEM 28 and/or PCM 26 of an overlying and/or underlying layer (e.g., the foam layer) may migrate or otherwise translate from the overlying and/or underlying layer into the gel layer. As such, the gel layer, at some point in time after formation, may include or comprise the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28.

[0091] The PCM 26 and/or TEEM 28 of a layer may be coupled, integrated or otherwise contained in/on a respective layer via any method or methods. As non-limiting examples, a respective layer may be formed with the PCM 26 and/or TEEM 28, and/or the PCM 26 and/or TEEM 28 may be coupled integrated or otherwise contained in/on a respective layer, via at least one of air knifing, spraying, compression, submersion/dipping, printing (e.g. computer aided printing), roll coating, vacuuming, padding, molding, injecting, extruding, for example.

However, as noted above, any other method or methods may equally be employed to apply or couple the PCM 26 and/or TEEM 28 to a layer.

[0092] In some exemplary embodiments, a respective layer of the plurality of layers 10 with an intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 thereof may be formed by applying the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 to the layer via a first operation, step or process (e.g., a first air knifing, spraying, compression, submersion/dipping, printing, roll coating, vacuuming, padding, or injecting process or operation), and then applying the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 to the layer in at least one second operation with at least one parameter of the operation altered as compared to the first operation such that the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 applied in the at least one second operation is coupled to a differing portion of the layer as compared to the first operation (potentially as well as to at least a portion of the same portion of the layer as compared to the first operation). In this way, the intra-layer gradient of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may be created.

[0093] For example, with respect to a fiber scrim or batting layer (or another relatively porous and/or open structure layer), a first mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may be applied to proximal side of the layer via at least one first operation (e.g., via air knifing, spraying, roll coating, printing, padding or an injection operation, for example), and a second mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 that is greater than the first mass may similarly be applied to a distal side of the layer opposing the proximal side thereof via at least one second operation. Some of the first mass of PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 and the second mass of PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may penetrate or pass through the proximal and distal sides and into a medial portion of the layer between the proximal and distal side portions (via the at least one first and second operations). The distal side portion may thereby include the highest mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28, the proximal side portion may thereby include the lowest mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28, and the medial portion may include less mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 than the distal side portion but less mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 than the proximal side portion.

[0094] As another example, a first mass of PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may be applied to a distal side portion of a layer (such as a relatively porous and/or open structured layer) via at least one first operation (e.g., dipping, vacuuming, injecting, compressing, etc.), and a second mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 may similarly be applied to the distal side portion and a more- proximal portion of the layer via at least one second operation (e.g., by dipping the layer deeper, vacuuming longer and/or at a higher vacuum pressure, injecting longer and/or at a higher pressure, etc.). The distal side portion may thereby include a larger mass of the PCM 26 and/or the TEEM 28 as the more-proximal portion.

[0095] The inter-layer and intra-layer gradient distributions of the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28 of the plurality of layers 10 provides for a cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat that is able to absorb or draw an unexpectedly large amount of heat away from a user for an unexpectedly long timeframe. The cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat unexpectedly feels “cold” to a user for a substantial timeframe. For example, in some embodiments, a cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat with the inter layer and intra-layer gradient distributions of the PCM 26 and the TEEM 28 of the plurality of layers 10 thereof can be capable of absorbing of at least 24 W/m² per hour for at least 3 hours, such as from a portion of a user that physically contacts the proximal portion 14 of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat and at least a portion of the weight of the user is supported by the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat such that the user at least partially compresses the plurality of layers 10 along the thickness of the cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat (and along the depth direction Dl). Unexpectedly, depending upon the particular loadings of the PCM 26 and TEEM 28 thereof, the cooling portion or zone of the cushions can absorb at least 24 W/m²/hr, or at least 30 W/m²/hr, or at least 35 W/m²/hr, or at least 40, or at least 50 W/m²/hr for at least 3 hours, at least 3-1/2 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 4-1/2 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 5-1/2 hours, or at least 6 hours.

[0096] FIGS. 6-8 illustrates another embodiment of a cooling portion or region 110 of a cushion according to the present disclosure. The cooling portion or zone 110 include a plurality of consecutive separate and distinct cooling layers 112 that absorb or draw an unexpectedly large amount of heat away from a user for an unexpectedly long timeframe. The cooling portion or zone 110 may comprise and/or be similar to the plurality of cooling layers described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5, and therefore the description contained herein directed thereto may equally apply to the cooling portion or zone 110 but may not be repeated herein below for brevity sake. Like components and aspects of the plurality of cooling layers of the cushion of FIGS. 3-5, are thereby indicated by like reference numerals preceded with “1 ”

[0097] The plurality of consecutive cooling layers 112 may comprise or form part of a bedding product, such as a mattress, mattress insert or mattress topper, for example. As explained further below, the plurality of consecutive layers 112 include an inter-layer gradient distribution of PCM 1026 and TEEM 128 that increases in the depth direction as described above (i.e., the total mass of the PCM 126 and TEEM 128 of each layer increases from layer to layer in the depth direction). Further, each layer of the plurality of consecutive layers 112 also includes an intra layer gradient distribution of the PCM 126 and TEEM 128 thereof that increases in the depth direction D1 as described above (i.e., each layer includes a plurality of portions or bands thereof that include differing total masses of the PCM 126 and TEEM 128 that increases in the depth direction. Further, each layer of the plurality of consecutive layers 112 may include some mass of the PCM 126 and TEEM 128 thereof throughout the entire thickness thereof along the depth direction Dl.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the plurality of consecutive layers 112 may include an outer fabric cover layer 160. According to various embodiments, another layer 162 may directly underlie the cover layer 160, and a foam layer 122 may directly underlie the other layer 162. As noted above, each of the cover layer 160, the other layer 162 and the foam layer 122 may each include microcapsule PCM 126 and TEEM 128. In other embodiments, the fabric cover layer 160 may directly overlie the foam layer 122.

[0099] In some embodiments, the cover layer 160 may extend about the foam layer 122. In some embodiments, at least the portion of the cover layer 160 may include a thickness within the range of about 1/4 to about 1 inch along the depth direction Dl, and/or include a weight within the range of about 400 to about 800 grams per square meter (GSM) (e.g., about 600 GSM). In some embodiments, at least the portion of the cover layer 160 may be formed of polyester fiber/yarn. In some such embodiments, the cover layer 160 may be formed of a blend of at least 75% polyester fiber/yarn and fiber/yam formed of a differing material, such as elastic polyurethane (e.g., Lycra®). In some embodiments, at least the portion of the cover layer 160 may comprise a double knit fabric.

[00100] As shown in FIGS 6 and 8, the cover layer 160 may include an intra-layer gradient distribution of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) that increases in the depth direction D1 that includes an outer/upper band, portion or layer 160A, a medial band, portion or later 160B directly underlying the outer band 160 A in the depth direction Dl, and an inner/bottom band, portion or layer 160C directly underlying the medial band 160B in the depth direction Dl. The medial band 160B includes a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 160A, and the inner band 160C includes a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 1028) than the medial band 160B. In some embodiments, the medial band 160B may include at least 3% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 160A, and the inner band 160C may include at least 3% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 160B. In some embodiments, the medial band 160B may include at least 20% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 160 A, and the inner band 160C may include at least 20% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 160B. In some embodiments, the medial band 160B may include at least 40% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 160 A, and the inner band 160C may include at least 40% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 160B. In some embodiments, the cover layer 160 may include a total of the PCM 126 within the range of about 5,000 to about 16,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 8,000 to about 13,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 9,000 to about 12,000 J/m2, or about 10,500 J/m2.

[00101] The outer band 160A may form the outer surface of the cover layer 160, and may be formed on and extend over an outer surface of fabric of the cover layer 160. Similarly, the inner band 160 A may form the inner surface of the cover layer 160, and may be formed on and extend over an inner surface of the fabric of the cover layer 160.

[00102] In some embodiments, the outer band 160A and the medial band 160B may be formed by spraying a coating comprising the PCM 126 (and potentially the TEEM 128) and a binding agent onto the outer surface of the fabric of the cover layer 160. In some such embodiments, more mass of the sprayed coating (e.g., about 2/3 or 60%) may pass and/or absorb into the medial portion of the fabric to form the medial band 160B, while a lesser mass of the sprayed coating (e.g., about 1/3 or 30%) may collect on the outer surface of the fabric to form the outer band 160 A. However, in some such embodiments the outer band 160 A and the medial band 160B may be formed via a differing formation process than such a spraying process (either via the same process or via differing processes). In some embodiments, the inner band 160C may be formed by roll coating a coating comprising the PCM 126 (and potentially the TEEM 1028) and a binding agent onto the inner surface of the fabric of the cover layer 160. However, in some such embodiments the outer band 160 A and the medial band 160B may be formed via a differing formation process than such a roll coating process.

[00103] In some embodiments that include another layer 162, the other layer may include fire resistant material and/or include a fire resistant sock/cap. In some embodiments, at least the portion of the other layer 162 underlying the cover layer 160 and/or overlying the foam layer 122 may include a thickness within the range of about 3 to about 6 mm along the depth direction Dl, and/or include a weight within the range of about 250 to about 500 GSM (e.g., about 370 GSM). [00104] In some embodiments, at least the portion of the other layer 162 underlying the cover layer 160 and/or overlying the foam layer 122 may be formed of a fabric and/or fiber/yarn, and may be treated with one or more additives or materials. The other layer 162 may include an intra layer gradient distribution of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) that increases in the depth direction Dl that includes an outer/upper band, portion or layer, a medial band, portion or later 160 directly underlying the outer band in the depth direction Dl, an inner/bottom band, portion or layer 160C directly underlying the medial band 160B in the depth direction Dl, or a portion thereof. The medial band may include a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band, and the inner band may include a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band. In some embodiments, the other layer 162 may include a total of the PCM 126 within the range of about 7,000 to about 18,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 9,000 to about 15,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 10,000 to about 14,000 J/m2, or about 12,000 J/m2.

[00105] The foam layer 122 may comprise a single discrete layer of foam. In some other embodiments, the foam layer 122 may comprise a plurality of layers of foam. In some embodiments, the foam layer 122 may include a thickness within the range of about 1/2 to about 5 inches (e.g., about 1-1/2 inches) along the depth direction Dl, and/or include a density within the range of about 2 to about 5 lb/ft^A3 (e.g., about 3.6 lb/ft^A3) (about 11 to about 12 lb force). In some embodiments, the foam layer 122 may be formed from urethane foam. In some such embodiments, the foam layer 122 may be formed polyurethane viscoelastic foam. [00106] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the foam layer 122 includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 1028) that increases in the depth direction D1 that includes an outer/upper band, portion or layer 122 A, a medial band, portion or later 122B directly underlying the outer band 122 A in the depth direction Dl, and an inner/bottom band, portion or layer 122C directly underlying the medial band 122B in the depth direction Dl. The medial band 160B includes a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 122A, and the inner band 160C includes a higher total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 122B. In some embodiments, the medial band 122B may include at least 3% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 122A, and the inner band 122C may include at least 3% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 122B. In some embodiments, the medial band 122B may include at least 20% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 122 A, and the inner band 122C may include at least 20% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 122B. In some embodiments, the medial band 122B may include at least 40% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the outer band 122 A, and the inner band 122C may include at least 40% more total mass of the PCM 126 (and/or the TEEM 128) than the medial band 122B. In some embodiments, the foam layer 122 may include a total of the PCM 126 within the range of about 50,000 to about 130,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 70,000 to about 120,000 J/m2, or within the range of about 80,000 to about 110,000 J/m2, or about 90,700 J/m2.

[00107] The outer band 122A may form the outer surface of the foam layer 122, and may be formed on and extend over an outer surface of the foam material of the foam layer 122. Similarly, the inner band 122 A may form the inner surface of the foam layer 122, and may be formed on and extend over an inner surface of the foam material of the foam layer 122.

[00108] In some embodiments, the medial band 122B may be formed by infusing the PCM 126 (and potentially the TEEM 128) into an uncured foam composition material before it is cured or dried to from the foam material. In other embodiments, the medial band 122B may be formed my passing the PCM 126 (and potentially the TEEM 128) into/onto the medial portion of the foam material after it is formed. In some embodiments, the outer band 122A and/or the inner band 122C may be formed by roll coating a coating comprising the PCM 126 (and potentially the TEEM 128) and a binding agent onto the outer and/or inner surfaces, respectively, of the foam material of the foam layer 122. However, in some such embodiments the outer band 122A and the inner band 122C may be formed via a differing formation process than such a roll coating process.

[00109] In some exemplary embodiments, the cooling portion or region forms a base support of an active warming region such that the warming region and the cooling region are opposing sides of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat. Alternatively, a barrier region or layer may separate the warming region from the cooling region. For example, the barrier region or layer may include any material(s) or layer(s) that may provide cushioning or padding. For example, the barrier region may include foam, batting, fabric, fill or any other relatively soft or compressible material. In some embodiments, the barrier region or layer may be formed of one or more materials and/or layers that may be the same or similar to the layers in the cooling region and/or warming region.

[00110] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in some embodiments, the warming region 202 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 includes active portion 204. The active portion 204 may comprise a plurality of layers 206. In particular, the warming region 202 may include an infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and at least two additional layers 220, 230. The two additional layers may include an infrared radiation reflection layer 220 and a thermal insulation layer 230. In some embodiments, the infrared radiation reflection (reflective) layer 220 may be positioned between the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and the thermal insulation layer 230 such that the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 overlies the infrared radiation reflection layer 220, and the infrared radiation reflection layer 220 in turn overlies the thermal insulation layer 230. In other embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 230 may be positioned between the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and the infrared radiation reflective layer 220 such that the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 overlies the thermal insulation layer 230, which overlies the infrared radiation reflection layer 220.

[00111] The plurality of layers 206 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may be immediately consecutive and/or contiguous, or may include an additional layer or space positioned therebetween (not shown). In the embodiments of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the plurality of layers 206 are immediately consecutive and/or contiguous.

[00112] The plurality of layers 206 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may include an infrared radiation absorption layer 210 that defines a second outer surface 208 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200. However, in some other embodiments the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may include at least one additional layer (not shown) that overlies the infrared radiation absorption layer 210.

[00113] The infrared radiation absorption layer (or radiant absorption layer) 210 is configured to absorb radiant energy emitted by a user. As is known in the art, most of the radiation emitted by a human body is in the infrared region (e.g., predominantly at about 3-50 pm, with an output peak reported to be at about 6-18 pm). The human body typically emits the majority of its radiant energy in the mid- wavelength infrared (e.g., about 3-8 pm), long wavelength infrared (about 8- 15 pm) and far infrared subdivisions (about 15-1000 pm) of the infrared radiation wavelength spectrum.

[00114] The infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is thereby configured to absorb infrared radiation within the range of about 6-18 pm. In some embodiments, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is configured (e.g., formed of a particular material(s), thickness, color, etc.) such that is absorbs at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 55% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 60% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 65% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 70% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 75% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 80% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 85% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 90% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and more preferably at least 95% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

[00115] In some embodiments, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is configured with a relatively high thermal emissivity, such as an emissivity greater than 0.5, and more preferably greater than 0.6, and more preferably greater than 0.7, and more preferably greater than 0.8, and more preferably greater than 0.9. In some embodiments, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is configured with a relatively low thermal emissivity so that it loses very little heat, such as a thermal emissivity less than 0.5, and more preferably less than 0.4, and more preferably less than 0.3, and more preferably less than 0.2, and more preferably less than 0.1.

[00116] In some embodiments, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 may be configured to be relatively breathable such that air and/or moisture is able to flow therethrough at a rate that keeps the user comfortable. For example, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 may be substantially less insulative with respect to convection than infrared radiation.

[00117] The infrared radiation reflection layer 220 is configured to reflect infrared radiation that is not absorbed by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and reflect infrared radiation that is emitted by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210. For example, the infrared radiation reflective layer may be configured with a reflectivity (or reflectance) to incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of at least 0.5 (i.e., 50%), and more preferably at least .55, and more preferably at least 0.6, and more preferably at least 0.65, and more preferably at least 0.7, and more preferably at least 0.75, and more preferably at least 0.8, and more preferably at least 0.85, and more preferably at least 0.9, and more preferably at least 0.95.

[00118] In some embodiments, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is configured with a relatively low emissivity to infrared radiation within the range of about 6-18 pm, such as an emissivity less than 0.5, and more preferably less than 0.4, and more preferably less than 0.3, and more preferably less than 0.2, and more preferably less than 0.1. In some embodiments, the infrared radiation reflective layer comprise a highly reflective metal material, such as aluminum or silver (e.g., aluminum or silver foil, film or sheet/thin layer).

[00119] As shown in FIGS. 9A-11, in some embodiments the infrared radiation reflection layer 220 may comprise a plurality of infrared reflector discs 226 (i.e., an array of infrared reflector discs 226) that are coupled together via a flexible support material or layer 228. The infrared radiation reflective layer, as a whole, is relatively flexible/compliant such that the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 is sufficiently comfortable for use on/with a user. In some embodiments, the reflector discs 226 themselves are relatively flexible. In some other embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are rigid or stiff, and the flexible support material or layer 228 is coupled to the infrared reflector discs 226 and allows for movement between the reflector discs 226. For example, the flexible support material or layer 228 may comprise a polymer or fabric.

In some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are embedded in the flexible support material or layer 228 such that the flexible support material or layer 228 extends about the infrared reflector discs 226. In some other embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are coupled to a side or surface of the flexible support material.

[00120] As shown in FIGS. 9A-11, in some embodiments the array or plurality of infrared reflector discs 226 may be arranged in two or more layers or rows spaced in the depth or thickness direction (e.g., arranged between the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and the thermal insulation layer 230). Each layer of the infrared reflector discs 226 may comprise a plurality of infrared reflector discs 226 arranged such that there are spaces or gaps therebetween in a direction extending away from the user, as shown in FIGS. 9A-11. In this way, at least the layer of infrared reflector discs 226 positioned closest to the user will allow at least some of the infrared radiation emitted by the user to pass therebetween/therethrough. The subsequent layer(s) of the infrared reflector discs 226 may be arranged and/or positioned to overlap with such gaps, at least partially, such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation emitted by the user that passes through an inner layer/level of infrared reflector discs 226 is incident on the subsequent layer(s) of the infrared reflector discs 226, as shown in FIGS. 9A-11. The layers, rows or level of infrared reflector discs 226 may or may not be separate and distinct layers, and may or may not be directly coupled to each other.

[00121] As also shown in FIGS. 9A-11, the infrared reflector discs 226 of the infrared radiation reflective layer 220 are concave with respect to a top reflective side or surface 226 of the infrared reflector discs 226 that faces the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and the user. In this way, the infrared reflector discs 226 are configured to reflect infrared radiation emitted by the user back toward the user and the infrared radiation absorption layer 210. In some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are arcuately concave with respect to the top reflective side or surface 226 thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are parabolic with respect to the top reflective side or surface 226 thereof. In some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 are circular or elliptical concave with respect to the top reflective side or surface 226 thereof.

[00122] In some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 226 may be non-circular or non elliptical shaped (not shown). For example, the reflector discs 226 may define a quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nanogonal, decagonal or any other rectilinear shape. In some such embodiments, the plurality of reflector discs 226 may form a honeycomb shape/arrangement. In some other embodiments, the reflector discs 226 may include rectilinear and arcuate portions/edges. In some embodiments, the reflector discs 226 may form irregular and/or differing shapes/profiles.

[00123] As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an additional layer 230, shown in this example as thermal insulation layer 230, is also included. As shown in FIG. 9A, the thermal insulation layer 230 may extend over the outer or back side of the other additional layer 220, shown in this example as infrared radiation reflective layer 220. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, the thermal insulation layer 230 may be positioned between the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and the may be configured to thermally insulate the top (or inner) side of the plurality of layers 206 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200, and thereby thermally insulate the user.

In some embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 230 may be configured to regulate (e.g. insulate against or resist) thermal flow via conduction and convention (and to some degree radiation). In some embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 230 has a clo value (1 clo =

0.155 Km²-W^_1) of at least 0.5 clo, and more preferably at least 1 clo, and more preferably at least 1.5 clo, and more preferably at least 2 clo, and more preferably at least 2.5 clo, and more preferably at least 3 clo, and more preferably at least 4 clo. The thermal insulation layer 230 may be flexible and maintain the heat/energy of the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (and the user’s emitted heat) between the user and the thermal insulation layer 230.

[00124] In some embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 230 may be formed of a fabric, batting and/or fill layer. In some embodiments, the thermal insulation layer 230 may form the second outer surface 208 of the plurality of layers 206 and/or the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200. However, in other embodiments, the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may include one or more layers encompassing the thermal insulation layer 230 such that the one or more layers form the second outer surface 208 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200.

[00125] The plurality of layers 206 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may warm a user by absorbing energy emitted by the user and insulating the user from loss of the absorbed and emitted energy. When the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 is in use, e.g. when the user is positioned against or proximate to the second outer surface 208 of the plurality of layers 206, a substantial portion (e.g., the majority) of the radiant energy emitted by the user over time (from portions of their body adjacent to the plurality of layers 206) is absorbed by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210, which thereby increases in temperature. It is noted that some of the radiant energy emitted by the user will be directly absorbed by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 as the energy initially reaches or meets the infrared radiation absorption layer 210, and some of the radiant energy emitted by the user will pass through the infrared radiation absorption layer 210. At least some (e.g., a substantial portion) of the radiant energy emitted by the user that passes through the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 is reflected back to the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 via the infrared radiation reflective layer 220 (namely, via the infrared reflector discs 226). At least some (e.g., a substantial portion) of the reflected radiant energy will be absorbed by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (and a portion may potentially be absorbed by the user). The infrared radiation reflective layer 220 may also be effective in reflecting radiant energy emitted by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 back to the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and/or the user.

[00126] In this way, a substantial portion (e.g., at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%) of the radiant energy (within the range of about 6-18 pm, for example) emitted by the user that travels to and/or is incident on the plurality of layers 206 is absorbed by the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (or the user), which thereby increases the temperature infrared radiation absorption layer 210. The thermal insulation layer 230 aids in preventing the thermal energy of the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (and the infrared radiation reflective layer 220 and the user) from conducting or convecting away from the user and/or infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (depending on the layering arrangement) in the depth direction. Over time, the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 (and the area adjacent or about the infrared radiation absorption layer 210) thereby absorbs more radiant energy and increases in temperature (to some maximum amount based on the properties thereof and/or the energy emitted by the user). The thermal energy of the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 may travel to the user to warm the user via a combination of thermal conduction, convection and radiation.

[00127] It is noted that the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 may comprise, according to various embodiments, a non-warming or neutral region (not shown). In some embodiment non warming or neutral region may not be configured to warm the user (at least to the extent of the plurality of layers 206). For example, the non-warming or neutral region may tend to warm the user to some extent, such as due to the thermal insulative and/or absorptive nature of the material(s)/layer(s) of the non-warming or neutral zone, but at a substantially lower rate or amount than the plurality of layers 206. As another example, the non-warming or neutral zone may be configured to cool the user. As such, the plurality of layers 206 may only form a portion of the warming region 202.

[00128] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of an infrared radiation reflective layer 221 that may be utilized in a plurality of layers 206 of a cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200 according to the present disclosure, such as with the infrared radiation absorption layer 210 and/or the thermal insulation layer 230 described above.

[00129] Some aspects, elements and/or functions of exemplary infrared radiation reflective layer 221 are the same or substantially similar in structure and/or function, at least in part, to the exemplary infrared radiation reflective layer 220 described above and shown in FIGS. 9A-11, and therefore the description above directed to like components, aspects, configurations, functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equally applies to the infrared radiation reflective layer 221. Further, as the infrared radiation reflective layer 221 of FIG. 12 is substantially similar to the infrared radiation reflective layer 220 of FIGS. 9A-11, the description above directed to like components, aspects, configurations, functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equally applies to the infrared radiation reflective layer 221, and is not repeated for brevity and clarity purposes. Still further, like reference numerals preceded with “2” are used in FIG. 12 to indicate like components, aspects, functions, processes or functions between infrared radiation reflective layer 221 and infrared radiation reflective layer 220

[00130] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the infrared radiation reflective layer 221 includes only a single layer, row or levels of infrared reflector discs 227. The infrared reflector discs 227 may be arranged in a nested or offset pattern such that gaps or spaces therebetween are minimized. Other configurations of the infrared reflector discs 227 may be utilized to reduce, and potentially eliminate, the gaps or spaces therebetween in order to maximize reflection of infrared radiation by the reflector surface 229 of the infrared reflector discs 227 and to minimize passthrough of infrared radiation in the gaps.

[00131] In some embodiments, the infrared reflector discs 227 may be non-circular or non elliptical shaped (not shown). For example, the reflector discs 227 may define a quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nanogonal, decagonal or any other rectilinear shape. In some such embodiments, the plurality of reflector discs 227 may form a honeycomb shape/arrangement. In some other embodiments, the reflector discs 227 may include rectilinear and arcuate portions/edges. In some embodiments, the reflector discs 227 may form irregular and/or differing shapes/profiles. In some embodiments, the reflector discs 227 may form a plurality of overlapping layers.

[00132] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, at least some of the reflector discs 227 may abut each other (e.g., the reflector discs 227 of a particular row/layer). In some such embodiments, the reflector discs 227 may be directly movably coupled to each other or integral (e.g., via a living hinge).

[00133] FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a plurality of layers 207 of a warming region 202, according to the present disclosure. Some aspects, elements and/or functions of the plurality of layers 217 may be the same or substantially similar in structure and/or function, at least in part, to the plurality of layers 206 described above and shown in FIGS. 9A-11, and therefore the description above directed to like components, aspects, configurations, functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) may equally apply to the exemplary plurality of layers 217, and is not repeated for brevity and clarity purposes. Positioned distal to the thermal insulation layer 230, an intermediate layer 240 may be breathable and/or otherwise configured to provide comfort to the user. For example, the intermediate layer or portion 240 may allow for convection and/or the flow of air and/or moisture. As another example, the intermediate layer or portion 240 may be a moisture absorption layer. As a further example, the intermediate layer or portion 240 may provide cushioning and/or a soft hand feel. The intermediate layer or portion 240 may define or include a barrier region that separates the warming region 202 from a cooling region 290. Further, positioned distal to the intermediate layer 240 may be one or more layers 280 (just one layer is shown) from a cooling region 290 of an opposite side of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 200

[00134] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in some embodiments the warming region 302 of the cover, cushion and/or pad or mat 300 and/or the plurality of layers 306 may include at least one outer layer 310 that forms a second outer surface 308, first intermediate layer 320, and second intermediate layer 330, where the first intermediate layer 320 and the second intermediate layer 330 may be interchangeable. In particular, the top layer 310 may include an infrared radiation absorption layer 310, the first intermediate layer 320 may thereby define the infrared radiation reflection layer 320, and the second intermediate layer or portion 330 includes the thermal insulation layer 330. The warming region 302 may also include at least one thermoelectric generator (TEG) layer 350 configured to generate an electrical current when a temperature gradient across its thickness is present. The at least one TEG layer 350 may comprise any flexible, malleable and/or complaint thermoelectric generator configuration or form. For example, in some embodiments the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises a flexible solid- state device that converts heat flux directly into electrical energy via the Seebeck effect. In some such embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises at least one thermocouple comprising at least one p-type semiconductor and at least one n-type semiconductor, the semiconductors being connected electrically in series by electrical lines or strips. In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises at least one TEG module disclosed in Wearable Thermoelectric Power Generators Combined With Flexible Supercapacitor for Low- Power Human Diagnosis Devices by Fang Deng et ak, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Volume: 64, Issue: 2, Feb. 2017, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein in by reference in its entirety.

[00135] The at least one TEG layer 350 may be a solid-state semiconductor device that converts a temperature difference thereacross in the depth direction (i.e., extending away from the user and through the warming device 310) and heat flow into a DC power source. The at least one TEG layer 350 utilize the Seebeck effect to generate voltage. The generated voltage drives electrical current and produces power at a load. [00136] The at least one TEG layer 350 may thereby include or form at least one thermocouple (e.g., a plurality of thermocouples) comprised of one p-type semiconductor and one n-type semiconductor that are connected by a metal strip that connects them electrically in series. The semiconductors are also typically referred to or are known as thermoelements, dice or pellets. In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 may utilize or include bismuth (Bi2Te3) telluride, lead telluride (PbTe) and/or silicon germanium (SiGe) as the semiconductors of the thermocouple(s) thereof.

[00137] The Seebeck effect is a direct energy conversion of heat into a voltage potential. The Seebeck effect occurs due to the movement of charge carriers within the semiconductors. In doped n-type semiconductors, charge carriers are electrons and in doped p-type semiconductors, charge carriers are holes. Charge carriers diffuse away from the hot side of the semiconductor. This diffusion leads to a buildup of charge carriers at one end. This buildup of charge creates a voltage potential that is directly proportional to the temperature difference across the semiconductor.

[00138] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises numerous thermocouples connected electrically in series and/or parallel to create a desired electrical current and voltage. The thermocouples are placed between two parallel insulative plates of the at least one TEG layer 350.

[00139] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises thermocouples formed of a thermoelectric (TE) plate, two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) plates, two semiconductors, and aluminum oxide ceramic heads. The thermocouples have a heat spreader attached across one side thereof. The thermoelectric plate is sandwiched between two PDMS plates, which act as insulators and reduce the heat lost during the transfer of heat from the heat spreader to the TEG. The semiconductors include an n-type (negative) and a p-type (positive) to form a thermoelectric pair. The TE element may be sandwiched on the two remaining sides by aluminum oxide ceramic heads.

[00140] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises a single chain configuration. In some other embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 comprises a double chain configuration.

[00141] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 underlies the infrared radiation reflection layer 320, as shown in FIG. 15, or alternatively the at least one TEG layer 350 underlies the thermal insulation layer 330. In still other embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 may be positioned between the infrared radiation reflection layer 320 and the thermal insulation layer 330. Also in other embodiments, the TEG layer 350 may define or form a second outer surface 308 that overlies an infrared radiation absorption layer 310. In some embodiments, the TEG layer 350 may be positioned between the infrared radiation absorption layer 310 and the infrared radiation reflective layer 320 or the thermal insulation layer 330, depending on the arrangement of the infrared radiation reflection layer 320 and the thermal insulation layer 330. [00142] When positioned between the user and the infrared absorption layer 310, the at least one TEG layer 350 may experience a heat increase thereacross. For example, as the user emits infrared radiation, at least some of the radiation may pass through the at least one TEG layer 350 and be directly absorbed by the infrared absorption layer 310 or may be reflected by the infrared reflective layer 320 and ultimately absorbed by the infrared absorption layer 310. As discussed above, over time the temperature of the infrared absorption layer 310 will thereby increase as it absorbs more and more infrared radiation. Still further, the temperature of the user and/or the space between the user and the at least one TEG layer 350 may only nominally increase in temperature, and to a lesser ultimate temperature that is lower than the temperature of the infrared absorption layer 310. For example, the user’s body may regulate itself and emit less radiation, and/or the heat may conduct, convect or radiate away from the user and/or the space between the user and the at least one TEG layer 350. In this way, the side of the at least one TEG layer 350 will experience cooler temperatures on the side thereof facing the user than the side thereof facing the infrared absorption layer 310, and thereby general a current/voltage/electrical power.

[00143] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 may be electrically coupled to a resistive load such that an electrical current may be formed across the resistive load. In some such embodiments, the resistive load comprises an electrical energy storage element 360 as shown in FIG. 15. The electrical energy storage element 360 may be configured to store electrical energy such that the at least one TEG layer 350 acts to charge the electrical energy storage element 360. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrical energy storage element 360 comprises an electrical battery, as shown in FIG. 15. In one example, the electrical energy storage element 360 or battery may be precharged prior to use of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat 300, and the electrical energy storage element 360 or battery may be rechargeable. In particular, the electrical energy storage element 360 or battery may be recharged using energy obtained from thermal radiation absorbed by the infrared absorption layer 310. In some other exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy storage element 360 comprises a supercapacitor.

In some such embodiments, the supercapacitor is configured as a flexible layer.

[00144] The at least one TEG layer 350 and/or the electrical energy storage element 360 may thereby provide electrical DC power to any load. For example, the at least one TEG layer 350 and/or the electrical energy storage element 360 may provide electrical power to a device or mechanism associated with the warming device 310. For example, in some such embodiments the at least one TEG layer 350 and/or the electrical energy storage element 360 may provide electrical power to a mechanism or device associated with the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat 300 that is configured to emit or provide heat to the user (via conduction, convection and/or radiation). As another example, in some embodiments the at least one TEG layer 350 and/or the electrical energy storage element 360 may provide electrical power to a mechanism or device that is not configured to emit or provide heat to the user to warm the user (e.g., and may function to power a phone or be a phone charger). As one illustrative example, the at least one TEG layer 350 and/or the electrical energy storage element 360 may provide electrical power to a biosensor. [00145] In some embodiments, the at least one TEG layer 350 is configured such that when the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat 300 is used, the TEG layer 350 (and/or the electrical energy storage element 36) is configured/effective to produce at least about 0.2 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.3 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.4 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.45 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.5 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.55 Amps per square meter, or more preferably at least 0.6 Amps per square meter, of the TEG layer 350 at the temperature drop thereacross formed via the user and the plurality of layers 306 as a whole.

[00146] Referring now to FIG. 16, the plurality of layers 306 may further include a cooling region 370 that includes first cooling layer 372 and one or more additional cooling layers, which in this example shows two additional cooling layers 374, 376. A first outer surface 378 may comprise the first cooling layer 372. The cooling region 370 has layers that may be the same as or similar to the plurality of cooling layers 10 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2-8, which will not be repeated here for brevity. The first cooling layer 372 and one or more additional cooling layers 374, 376 may be “active” in that they each include PCM 380 and/or a material with a relatively high thermal effusivity (e) 382 or TEEM.

[00147] Each layer of the cooling region 370 may include a mass of PCM 380, or a mass of TEEM 382, or includes both a mass of PCM 380 and a mass of TEEM 382, as shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, the first cooling layer 372 may include a total mass less PCM 380 and/or TEEM 382 than the one or more additional cooling layers 374, 376. Further, a second cooling layer 374 may include an inter-layer gradient distribution of the total mass and/or the total latent heat (absorption) potential of the PCM 280 that increases from the first cooling layer 372 to the second cooling layer 374 to the third cooling layer 376, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

[00148] The cooling portion or region of the cover, cushion, and/or pad or mat can thus include differing loading and/or amounts (by mass) of PCM from one layer of the cooling region 370 to another layer.

[00149] FIGS. 17-20 provide example embodiments of the cover 400 that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cover 400, and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cover 400. The cover 400 may include, according to various embodiments, a planar sheet with one or more flexible or foldable regions. According to various embodiments, the entire cover 400 may be flexible or foldable. Further, according to various embodiments, the cover 400 may include a skirt region or be configured or otherwise sized and shaped to form to a couch/sofa as shown in FIG. 17, a chair as shown in FIGS. 18A-18B, a cushion as shown in FIGS. 19A-19B, and/or a mattress as shown in FIG. 20.

[00150] FIGS. 21-22 provide example embodiments of the cushion 500 that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cushion 500, and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cushion 500.

[00151] FIG. 23 provides an example embodiment of the pad or mat 600 that includes at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the pad or mat 600, and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the pad or mat 600.

[00152] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), “contain” (and any form contain, such as “contains” and “containing”), and any other grammatical variant thereof, are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or article that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of an article that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.

[00153] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” "has," “including,” "containing," and other grammatical variants thereof encompass the terms “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of.” [00154] The phrase “consisting essentially of’ or grammatical variants thereof when used herein are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof but only if the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods. [00155] All publications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth.

[00156] Subject matter incorporated by reference is not considered to be an alternative to any claim limitations, unless otherwise explicitly indicated.

[00157] Where one or more ranges are referred to throughout this specification, each range is intended to be a shorthand format for presenting information, where the range is understood to encompass each discrete point within the range as if the same were fully set forth herein.

[00158] While several aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects and embodiments may be affected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, this disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such further and alternative aspects and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cover, comprising: at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cover, the at least one cooling region comprising a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct, each layer of the plurality of cooling layers comprising solid-to- liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius; and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cover, the at least one warming region comprising: an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm; at least two additional layers, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer; wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer; wherein the at least one cooling region comprises a first outer surface of the cover; wherein the at least one warming region comprises a second outer surface of the cover, the second outer surface of the cover being a different surface than the first outer surface of the cover.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the first outer surface of the cover is an opposing surface than the second outer surface of the cover.

3. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region extends a length and a width of the cover.

4. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling region extends a length and a width of the cover.

5. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a barrier layer separates the warming region from the cooling region.

6. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 60% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

7. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 70% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

8. The cover according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 80% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

9. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.6 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

10. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.7 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

11. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.8 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

12. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.9 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

13. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that is incident with the infrared radiation absorption layer.

14. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each user of the one or more users emits the infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

15. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.5.

16. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.7.

17. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.5.

18. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.7.

19. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is flexible.

20. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect incident infrared radiation that passes though the infrared radiation absorption layer and is emitted by the infrared radiation absorption layer.

21. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is located more proximal to the second outer surface than the infrared radiation reflection layer, such that during use of the at least one warming region the infrared radiation absorption layer is positioned more proximal to the one or more users than the infrared radiation reflection layer.

22. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the infrared radiation reflection layer.

23. The cover according to any one of claims 1-21, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the thermal insulation layer.

24. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.5.

25. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.4.

26. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.3.

27. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 02

28. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.1.

29. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an infrared radiation reflection face, wherein the infrared radiation reflection face includes a metal material.

30. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is flexible.

31. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an array of a plurality of infrared reflector discs coupled to flexible support material.

32. The cover according to claim 31, wherein the flexible support material comprises a polymer or fabric.

33. The cover according to claims 31 or 32, wherein the infrared reflector discs are embedded in the flexible support material.

34. The cover according to claims 31 or 32, wherein the infrared reflector discs are coupled to a side of the flexible support material.

35. The cover according to any one of claims 31-34, wherein the infrared reflector discs are separate and distinct discs that are coupled together.

36. The cover according to any one of claims 31-35, wherein the infrared reflector discs are integral with each other.

37. The cover according to any one of claims 31-36, wherein the infrared reflector discs are portions of a reflector member.

38. The cover according to any one of claims 31-37, wherein the infrared reflector discs are concave with respect to a top reflective side thereof that faces toward the infrared radiation absorption layer.

39. The cover according to claim 38, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are arcuately concave.

40. The cover according to claim 38, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are parabolic shaped.

41. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is flexible.

42. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is configured to regulate or otherwise resist thermal flow via conduction and convention therethrough.

43. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a clo value of at least 0.5 clo.

44. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1 clo.

45. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1.5 clo.

46. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2 clo.

47. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2.5 clo.

48. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 3 clo.

49. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 4 clo.

50. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region further comprises a base support layer underlying, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, at least one of the at least two additional layers.

51. The cover according to claim 50, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the thermal insulation layer.

52. The cover according to claim 50, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in the depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation reflection layer.

53. The cover according to any one of claims 50-52, wherein the base support layer physically supports the thermal insulation layer, the infrared radiation reflection layer and the infrared radiation absorption layer, and wherein the base support layer provides cushioning to the at least one warming region.

54. The cover according to any one of claims 50-53, wherein the base support layer comprises at least one layer of foam.

55. The cover according to claim 54, wherein the at least one layer of foam comprises viscoelastic foam.

56. The cover according to any one of claims 50-55, wherein the base support layer includes a layer of the plurality of cooling layers.

57. The cover according to claim 56, wherein the base support layer is the layer of the plurality of cooling layers that is a most distal layer, in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover, of the plurality of cooling layers.

58. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region comprises a plurality of warming regions.

59. The cover according to claim 58, wherein the plurality of warming regions are all located at the second outer surface of the cover.

60. The cover according to claim 58, wherein the plurality of warming regions are separate and distinct warming regions that are separated by a neutral region that differs from the at least one warming region and the at least one cooling region.

61. The cover according to claim 60, wherein the neutral region is not capable of radiating the heat to the one or more users or dissipating the body heat of the one or more users.

62. The cover according to any one of claims 60-61, wherein the neutral region is void of PCM, reflects less than 25% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and absorbs less than 50% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

63. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is configured as a sofa cover, chair cover, mattress cover, furniture cover, slipcover, seat cover, blanket cover, cushion cover, blanket, throw cover, body cover, clothing, wrap, sleeve, or bandage.

64. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

65. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

66. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

67. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

68. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by at least 3% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

69. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

70. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

71. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM) with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

72. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 5,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

73. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 7,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

74. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 15,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

75. The cover according to any one of claims 71-74, wherein a total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

76. The cover according to claim 75, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by about at least about 3% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

77. The cover according to claim 75, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

78. The cover according to claim 75, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

79. The cover according to any one of claims 71-78, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

80. The cover according to any one of claims 71-79, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

81. The cover according to any one of claims 71-80, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

82. The cover according to any one of claims 71-81, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover, and wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers further includes an amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover, wherein the at least one layer comprises: a proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; and a distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

83. The cover according to claim 82, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

84. The cover according to claim 82, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 10% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

85. The cover according to claim 82, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 40% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

86. The cover according to any of claims 82-85, wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers that includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover further comprises: a medial portion positioned between the proximal and distal portions of the layer in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

87. The cover according to claim 86, the third total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

88. The cover according to claim 86, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 20% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 10% thereof.

89. The cover according to claim 86, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 40% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 20% thereof.

90. The cover according to claim 82, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises an irregular gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

91. The cover according to claim 82, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a consistent gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover.

92. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 100% greater than the thermal effusivity of the respective base material.

93. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a first thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 1,000% greater than the first thermal effusivity.

94. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the TEEM comprises pieces of one or more minerals.

95. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the cooling layers each include a coating that couples both the PCM and the TEEM to a base material thereof.

96. The cover according to claim 95, wherein the PCM comprises about 50% to about 80% of the mass of the coating and the TEEM comprises about 5% to about 8% of the mass of the coating.

97. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 3,000 J/m² of the PCM.

98. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 5,000 J/m² of the PCM.

99. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are configured to absorb at least 24 W/m2/hr from a portion of a user of the one or more users.

100. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a hydrocarbon, wax, beeswax, oil, fatty acid, fatty acid ester, stearic anhydride, long-chain alcohol or a combination thereof.

101. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises paraffin.

102. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises microsphere PCM.

103. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are fixedly coupled to each other.

104. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers form a cooling system.

105. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outer surface comprises an outer fabric cover layer and the cooling layers comprise the outer fabric cover layer.

106. The cover according to claim 105, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a foam layer that is located more distal to the outer fabric cover layer relative to the first outer surface.

107. The cover according to claim 106, wherein the foam layer comprises a single viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer.

108. The cover according to any one of claims 105-107, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the first outer surface includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cover, and comprises: a first proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a first distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM, and a first medial portion positioned between the first proximal and first distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

109. The cover according to any one of claims 105-108, wherein the foam layer includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction, and comprises: a second proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a fourth total mass of the PCM and a fourth total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a second distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a fifth total mass of the PCM and a fifth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the fifth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM, and the fifth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM, and a second medial portion positioned between the second proximal and second distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a sixth total mass of the PCM and a sixth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the sixth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM and less than the fifth total mass of the PCM, and the sixth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM and less than the fifth total mass of the TEEM.

110. A cushion, comprising: at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the cushion, the at least one cooling region comprising a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct, each layer of the plurality of cooling layers comprising solid-to- liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius; and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the cushion, the at least one warming region comprising: an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm; at least two additional layers, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer; wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer; wherein the at least one cooling region comprises a first outer surface of the cushion; wherein the at least one warming region comprises a second outer surface of the cushion, the second outer surface of the cushion being a different surface than the first outer surface of the cushion.

111. The cushion according to claim 110, wherein the first outer surface of the cushion is an opposing surface than the second outer surface of the cushion.

112. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region extends a length and a width of the cushion.

113. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling region extends a length and a width of the cushion.

114. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a barrier layer separates the warming region from the cooling region.

115. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 60% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

116. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 70% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

117. The cushion according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 80% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

118. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.6 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

119. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.7 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

120. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.8 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

121. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.9 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

122. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that is incident with the infrared radiation absorption layer.

123. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each user of the one or more users emits the infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

124. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.5.

125. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.7.

126. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.5.

127. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.7.

128. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is flexible.

129. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect incident infrared radiation that passes though the infrared radiation absorption layer and is emitted by the infrared radiation absorption layer.

130. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is located more proximal to the second outer surface than the infrared radiation reflection layer, such that during use of the at least one warming region the infrared radiation absorption layer is positioned more proximal to the one or more users than the infrared radiation reflection layer.

131. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the infrared radiation reflection layer.

132. The cushion according to any one of claims 110-130, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the thermal insulation layer.

133. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.5.

134. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.4.

135. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.3.

136. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 02

137. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.1.

138. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an infrared radiation reflection face, wherein the infrared radiation reflection face includes a metal material.

139. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is flexible.

140. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an array of a plurality of infrared reflector discs coupled to flexible support material.

141. The cushion according to claim 140, wherein the flexible support material comprises a polymer or fabric.

142. The cushion according to claims 140 or 141, wherein the infrared reflector discs are embedded in the flexible support material.

143. The cushion according to claims 140 or 141, wherein the infrared reflector discs are coupled to a side of the flexible support material.

144. The cushion according to any one of claims 140-143, wherein the infrared reflector discs are separate and distinct discs that are coupled together.

145. The cushion according to any one of claims 140-144, wherein the infrared reflector discs are integral with each other.

146. The cushion according to any one of claims 140-145, wherein the infrared reflector discs are portions of a reflector member.

147. The cushion according to any one of claims 140-146, wherein the infrared reflector discs are concave with respect to a top reflective side thereof that faces toward the infrared radiation absorption layer.

148. The cushion according to claim 146, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are arcuately concave.

149. The cushion according to claim 146, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are parabolic shaped.

150. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is flexible.

151. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is configured to regulate or otherwise resist thermal flow via conduction and convention therethrough.

152. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a clo value of at least 0.5 clo.

153. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1 clo.

154. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1.5 clo.

155. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2 clo.

156. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2.5 clo.

157. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 3 clo.

158. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 4 clo.

159. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region further comprises a base support layer underlying, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, at least one of the at least two additional layers.

160. The cushion according to claim 159, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the thermal insulation layer.

161. The cushion according to claim 159, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in the depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation reflection layer.

162. The cushion according to any one of claims 159-161, wherein the base support layer physically supports the thermal insulation layer, the infrared radiation reflection layer and the infrared radiation absorption layer, and wherein the base support layer provides cushioning to the at least one warming region.

163. The cushion according to any one of claims 159-162, wherein the base support layer comprises at least one layer of foam.

164. The cushion according to claim 163, wherein the at least one layer of foam comprises viscoelastic foam.

165. The cushion according to any one of claims 159-164, wherein the base support layer includes a layer of the plurality of cooling layers.

166. The cushion according to claim 165, wherein the base support layer is the layer of the plurality of cooling layers that is a most distal layer, in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion, of the plurality of cooling layers.

167. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region comprises a plurality of warming regions.

168. The cushion according to claim 167, wherein the plurality of warming regions are all located at the second outer surface of the cushion.

169. The cushion according to claim 167, wherein the plurality of warming regions are separate and distinct warming regions that are separated by a neutral region that differs from the at least one warming region and the at least one cooling region.

170. The cushion according to claim 169, wherein the neutral region is not capable of radiating the heat to the one or more users or dissipating the body heat of the one or more users.

171. The cushion according to any one of claims 169-170, wherein the neutral region is void of PCM, reflects less than 25% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and absorbs less than 50% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

172. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushion is configured as a pillow, seat cushion, seat support, seat back, furniture cushion, couch cushion, chair cushion, infant carrier cushion, neck support cushion, leg spacer cushion, bean-bag cushion, pet accessory cushion, or foot cushion.

173. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

174. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

175. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

176. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

177. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by at least 3% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

178. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

179. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

180. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM) with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

181. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 5,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

182. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 7,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

183. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 15,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

184. The cushion according to any one of claims 180-183, wherein a total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

185. The cushion according to claim 184, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by about at least about 3% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

186. The cushion according to claim 184, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

187. The cushion according to claim 184, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

188. The cushion according to any one of claims 180-187, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

189. The cushion according to any one of claims 180-188, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

190. The cushion according to any one of claims 180-189, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

191. The cushion according to any one of claims 180-190, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion, and wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers further includes an amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion, wherein the at least one layer comprises: a proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; and a distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

192. The cushion according to claim 191, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

193. The cushion according to claim 191, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 10% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

194. The cushion according to claim 191, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 40% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

195. The cushion according to any of claims 191-194, wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers that includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion further comprises: a medial portion positioned between the proximal and distal portions of the layer in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the

TEEM.

196. The cushion according to claim 195, the third total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

197. The cushion according to claim 195, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 20% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 10% thereof.

198. The cushion according to claim 195, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 40% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 20% thereof.

199. The cushion according to claim 191, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises an irregular gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

200. The cushion according to claim 191, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a consistent gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion.

201. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 100% greater than the thermal effusivity of the respective base material.

202. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a first thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 1,000% greater than the first thermal effusivity.

203. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the TEEM comprises pieces of one or more minerals.

204. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the cooling layers each include a coating that couples both the PCM and the TEEM to a base material thereof.

205. The cushion according to claim 204, wherein the PCM comprises about 50% to about 80% of the mass of the coating and the TEEM comprises about 5% to about 8% of the mass of the coating.

206. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 3,000 J/m² of the PCM.

207. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 5,000 J/m² of the PCM.

208. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are configured to absorb at least 24 W/m2/hr from a portion of a user of the one or more users.

209. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a hydrocarbon, wax, beeswax, oil, fatty acid, fatty acid ester, stearic anhydride, long-chain alcohol or a combination thereof.

210. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises paraffin.

211. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises microsphere PCM.

212. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are fixedly coupled to each other.

213. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers form a cooling system.

214. The cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outer surface comprises an outer fabric cover layer and the cooling layers comprise the outer fabric cover layer.

215. The cushion according to claim 214, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a foam layer that is located more distal to the outer fabric cover layer relative to the first outer surface.

216. The cushion according to claim 215, wherein the foam layer comprises a single viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer.

217. The cushion according to any one of claims 214-216, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the first outer surface includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the cushion, and comprises: a first proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a first distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM, and a first medial portion positioned between the first proximal and first distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

218. The cushion according to any one of claims 214-217, wherein the foam layer includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction, and comprises: a second proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a fourth total mass of the PCM and a fourth total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a second distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a fifth total mass of the PCM and a fifth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the fifth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM, and the fifth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM, and a second medial portion positioned between the second proximal and second distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a sixth total mass of the PCM and a sixth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the sixth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM and less than the fifth total mass of the PCM, and the sixth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM and less than the fifth total mass of the TEEM.

219. A pad or mat, comprising: at least one cooling region capable of dissipating body heat of one or more users of the pad or mat, the at least one cooling region comprising a plurality of cooling layers that are separate and distinct, each layer of the plurality of cooling layers comprising solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius; and at least one warming region capable of radiating heat to the one or more users of the pad or mat, the at least one warming region comprising: an infrared radiation absorption layer configured to absorb at least 50% of incident infrared radiation within a range of 6-18 pm; at least two additional layers, the at least two additional layers including (i) an infrared radiation reflection layer configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.5 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 mih, and (ii) a thermal insulation layer; wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 gm in a direction that extends toward the infrared radiation absorption layer; wherein the at least one cooling region comprises a first outer surface of the pad or mat; wherein the at least one warming region comprises a second outer surface of the pad or mat, the second outer surface of the pad or mat being a different surface than the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

220. The pad or mat according to claim 219, wherein the first outer surface of the pad or mat is an opposing surface than the second outer surface of the pad or mat.

221. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region extends a length and a width of the pad or mat.

222. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling region extends a length and a width of the pad or mat.

223. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a barrier layer separates the warming region from the cooling region.

224. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 60% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

225. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 70% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

226. The pad or mat according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured to absorb at least 80% of the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

227. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.6 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

228. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.7 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

229. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.8 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

230. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with a reflectivity of at least 0.9 to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

231. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm in a direction that is incident with the infrared radiation absorption layer.

232. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each user of the one or more users emits the infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

233. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.5.

234. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity greater than 0.7.

235. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.5.

236. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is configured with a thermal emissivity less than 0.7.

237. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is flexible.

238. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured to reflect incident infrared radiation that passes though the infrared radiation absorption layer and is emitted by the infrared radiation absorption layer.

239. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation absorption layer is located more proximal to the second outer surface than the infrared radiation reflection layer, such that during use of the at least one warming region the infrared radiation absorption layer is positioned more proximal to the one or more users than the infrared radiation reflection layer.

240. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the infrared radiation reflection layer.

241. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 219-239, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is located between, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation absorption layer and the thermal insulation layer.

242. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.5.

243. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.4.

244. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.3.

245. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 02

246. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is configured with an emissivity to the incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm of less than 0.1.

247. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an infrared radiation reflection face, wherein the infrared radiation reflection face includes a metal material.

248. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer is flexible.

249. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrared radiation reflection layer comprises an array of a plurality of infrared reflector discs coupled to flexible support material.

250. The pad or mat according to claim 249, wherein the flexible support material comprises a polymer or fabric.

251. The pad or mat according to claims 249 or 250, wherein the infrared reflector discs are embedded in the flexible support material.

252. The pad or mat according to claims 249 or 250, wherein the infrared reflector discs are coupled to a side of the flexible support material.

253. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 249-252, wherein the infrared reflector discs are separate and distinct discs that are coupled together.

254. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 249-253, wherein the infrared reflector discs are integral with each other.

255. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 249-254, wherein the infrared reflector discs are portions of a reflector member.

256. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 249-255, wherein the infrared reflector discs are concave with respect to a top reflective side thereof that faces toward the infrared radiation absorption layer.

257. The pad or mat according to claim 255, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are arcuately concave.

258. The pad or mat according to claim 255, wherein the top reflective side of the infrared reflector discs are parabolic shaped.

259. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is flexible.

260. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer is configured to regulate or otherwise resist thermal flow via conduction and convention therethrough.

261. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a clo value of at least 0.5 clo.

262. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1 clo.

263. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 1.5 clo.

264. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2 clo.

265. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 2.5 clo.

266. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 3 clo.

267. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a clo value of at least 4 clo.

268. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region further comprises a base support layer underlying, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, at least one of the at least two additional layers.

269. The pad or mat according to claim 268, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in a depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the thermal insulation layer.

270. The pad or mat according to claim 268, wherein the base support layer directly underlies, in the depth direction that extends away from the second outer surface, the infrared radiation reflection layer.

271. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 268-270, wherein the base support layer physically supports the thermal insulation layer, the infrared radiation reflection layer and the infrared radiation absorption layer, and wherein the base support layer provides cushioning to the at least one warming region.

272. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 268-271, wherein the base support layer comprises at least one layer of foam.

273. The pad or mat according to claim 272, wherein the at least one layer of foam comprises viscoelastic foam.

274. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 268-273, wherein the base support layer includes a layer of the plurality of cooling layers.

275. The pad or mat according to claim 274, wherein the base support layer is the layer of the plurality of cooling layers that is a most distal layer, in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat, of the plurality of cooling layers.

276. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one warming region comprises a plurality of warming regions.

277. The pad or mat according to claim 276, wherein the plurality of warming regions are all located at the second outer surface of the pad or mat.

278. The pad or mat according to claim 276, wherein the plurality of warming regions are separate and distinct warming regions that are separated by a neutral region that differs from the at least one warming region and the at least one cooling region.

279. The pad or mat according to claim 279, wherein the neutral region is not capable of radiating the heat to the one or more users or dissipating the body heat of the one or more users.

280. The pad or mat according to claims 278 or 279, wherein the neutral region is void of PCM, reflects less than 25% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm, and absorbs less than 50% of incident infrared radiation within the range of 6-18 pm.

281. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pad or mat is configured as a body pad, floor pad, mattress pad, exercise mat, healing pad, temperature regulating pad, gymnastic pad, seat pad, anti-fatigue mat, carpet mat, rug, camping mat, sleeping pad, cloth pad, or wall pad paneling.

282. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

283. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

284. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

285. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof.

286. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by at least 3% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

287. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

288. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other along a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

289. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM) with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

290. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 5,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

291. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 7,500 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

292. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the TEEM comprises a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 15,000 Ws° ⁵/(m²K).

293. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 289-292, wherein a total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

294. The pad or mat according to claim 293, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by about at least about 3% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

295. The pad or mat according to claim 293, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 3% to about 100% with respect to each other in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

296. The pad or mat according to claim 293, wherein the total thermal effusivity of each of the cooling layers increases by an amount within the range of about 10% to about 50% with respect to each other in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

297. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 289-296, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

298. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 289-297, wherein a plurality of the cooling layers include the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

299. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 289-298, wherein each of the cooling layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the TEEM thereof.

300. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 289-299, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat, and wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers further includes an amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat, wherein the at least one layer comprises: a proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; and a distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

301. The pad or mat according to claim 299, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

302. The pad or mat according to claim 299, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 10% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

303. The pad or mat according to claim 299, wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 40% greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM is at least 20% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM.

304. The pad or mat according to any of claims 299-303, wherein the at least one layer of the cooling layers that includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat further comprises: a medial portion positioned between the proximal and distal portions of the layer in the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

305. The pad or mat according to claim 304, the third total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and at least 3% less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

306. The pad or mat according to claim 304, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 20% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 10% thereof.

307. The pad or mat according to claim 304, the third total mass of the PCM is at least greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM by at least 40% thereof, and the third total mass of the TEEM is greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM by at least 20% thereof.

308. The pad or mat according to claim 304, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises an irregular gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

309. The pad or mat according to claim 304, wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM of at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a consistent gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM along the depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat.

310. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 100% greater than the thermal effusivity of the respective base material.

311. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the plurality of separate and distinct consecutive cooling layers overlying over each other in a depth direction is formed of a respective base material having a first thermal effusivity, and wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the thermal effusivity of the TEEM is at least 1,000% greater than the first thermal effusivity.

312. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the TEEM comprises pieces of one or more minerals.

313. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the cooling layers each include a coating that couples both the PCM and the TEEM to a base material thereof.

314. The pad or mat according to claim 313, wherein the PCM comprises about 50% to about 80% of the mass of the coating and the TEEM comprises about 5% to about 8% of the mass of the coating.

315. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 3,000 J/m² of the PCM.

316. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a furthest proximal layer of the cooling layers comprises at least 5,000 J/m² of the PCM.

317. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are configured to absorb at least 24 W/m2/hr from a portion of a user of the one or more users.

318. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a hydrocarbon, wax, beeswax, oil, fatty acid, fatty acid ester, stearic anhydride, long-chain alcohol or a combination thereof.

319. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises paraffin.

320. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM comprises microsphere PCM.

321. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers are fixedly coupled to each other.

322. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling layers form a cooling system.

323. The pad or mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outer surface comprises an outer fabric cover layer and the cooling layers comprise the outer fabric cover layer.

324. The pad or mat according to claim 323, wherein at least one layer of the cooling layers comprises a foam layer that is located more distal, relative to the first outer surface, to the outer fabric cover layer.

325. The pad or mat according to claim 324, wherein the foam layer comprises a single viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer.

326. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 323-325, wherein each layer of the cooling layers further comprises thermal effusivity enhancing material (TEEM), and wherein the first outer surface includes an intra-layer gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in a depth direction that extends away from the first outer surface of the pad or mat, and comprises: a first proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a first distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM, and a first medial portion positioned between the first proximal and first distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the TEEM being greater than the first total mass of the TEEM and less than the second total mass of the TEEM.

327. The pad or mat according to any one of claims 323-326, wherein the foam layer includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the TEEM thereof that increases in the depth direction, and comprises: a second proximal portion proximate to the proximal portion of the mattress having a fourth total mass of the PCM and a fourth total mass of the TEEM of the layer; a second distal portion proximate to the distal portion of the mattress having a fifth total mass of the PCM and a fifth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the fifth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM, and the fifth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM, and a second medial portion positioned between the second proximal and second distal portions of the layer in the depth direction having a sixth total mass of the PCM and a sixth total mass of the TEEM of the layer, the sixth total mass of the PCM being greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM and less than the fifth total mass of the PCM, and the sixth total mass of the TEEM being greater than the fourth total mass of the TEEM and less than the fifth total mass of the TEEM.