Abstract: A pet puzzle feeder includes: a housing; a treat chamber, a portion of which is rotatably received in a cavity of the housing; and an access cover. The housing has a pattern of openings on a spherical surface that define recesses that extend to a first radial depth and do not reach the cavity. A portion of those housing openings, being in three different regions of the housing, define conduits that extend to interconnect with the cavity. Different numbers or sizes of the opening on the three regions permit dispensing of treats at different rates, when the dispensing opening of the treat chamber is rotated/aligned therewith. A detent mechanism releasably inhibit treat chamber rotation when aligned with the openings in each region. A first color is used for the conduits, and a second color for the recesses, as a visual cue for the pet.

Abstract: A device mounts to a water bottle and produces sounds when the bottle is chewed by a dog, and includes a cap and squeaker. The cap includes: a body with a first opening on a first side defining an interior surface of a cavity, with a plurality of internal threads; and a second opening on a second side being in fluid communication with the cavity. A plurality of fingers are spaced about the second opening, and extend toward the first side, being at a first angle with respect to an axis of the interior surface. The squeaker is inserted into the second opening, and a protruding region of its housing causes the fingers to deform to a second angle with respect to the axis, after which the plurality of fingers nest between an end flange and the protruding region. Internal threads mount the device to threading of the water bottle.

Abstract: A device mounts to a water bottle and produces sounds when the bottle is chewed by a dog, and includes a cap and squeaker. The cap includes: a body with a first opening on a first side defining an interior surface of a cavity, with a plurality of internal threads; and a second opening on a second side being in fluid communication with the cavity. A plurality of fingers are spaced about the second opening, and extend toward the first side, being at a first angle with respect to an axis of the interior surface. The squeaker is inserted into the second opening, and a protruding region of its housing causes the fingers to deform to a second angle with respect to the axis, after which the plurality of fingers nest between an end flange and the protruding region. Internal threads mount the device to threading of the water bottle.

Abstract: A sound producing device includes: a housing and carriage. The housing has a cylindrical interior surface with a helical tracking thread protruding therefrom. The cylindrical carriage has an opening in its exterior surface defining a helical shaped recess that receives and tracks along the helical housing thread. A squeaker may be secured within the carriage, so when air flows in a first direction through the housing, it emits sound, and the squeaker carriage is driven to track along the helical thread, causing the carriage to rotate and also translate in the first direction, according to a pitch of the helical thread. A frequency of the sound produced by the squeaker changes according to the carriage's translational movement, as it changes the dimensions of the sound-producing chamber. When air subsequently flows through the housing in the opposite direction, the carriage's motion is reversed, correspondingly changing the frequency of sound produced.

Abstract: A squeaker assembly is configured to reduce/minimize a total number of parts that may become dislodged by aggressive play by a pet. The squeaker includes a reed, and a resonator cup with an arm coupled thereto using a living hinge. The resonator cup is formed with an elongated curved wall that terminates on a flat surface to form a periphery corresponding to the reed's periphery, which may be a race track shape. The living hinge is a thin flexible strip of material integrally formed with the arm and curved wall, for the arm to extend substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the resonator cup, and be pivotable from an un-engaged first position to a second position where it contacts the reed, and where a catch formed on the arm may snap over and engage a tab formed on the curved wall, for the arm to releasably engage the reed.

Abstract: In the process of making a hollow product, especially a deformable toy ball, two halves made from on elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, rubber, a blend of rubbers, or a thermoplastic elastomer are formed by injection molding with mating edges that engage with each other when the halves are assembled to form the product. The edge of one of the two halves is advantageously formed with a recess centered in the edge, in which a flange formed on the edge of the other of the two halves engages to provide a form-fitting connection between the two halves. The opposing edges are then bonded with each other by fusion or melting or by an adhesive applied to at least one of the edges prior to assembling the halves together. A deformable ball produced by the process is also described.