Abstract: A pet chew may be manufactured by co-extruding multiple compositions to form a layered construction. Separate extruders may be provided to tailor processing conditions to heat and/or shear sensitive compositions, such as nutritional additives, and the respective extrudates may be combined such that relatively higher levels of nutritional compositions may be provided as an outer layer.

Abstract: A lighting system for a habitat including one or more light emitting diode capsules, wherein the capsules are configured to emit red light in the wavelength range of 615 nm to 630 nm, green light in the wavelength range of 510 nm to 530 nm, and blue light in the wavelength range of 455 nm to 475 nm. The system may also include a carrier, to which the light emitting diode capsules are mounted including circuitry for controlling the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A woven chew toy for animals is provided including one or more of edible resins, such as rawhide, meat jerky, starch and combinations thereof in strip form interwoven together to provide a planar article.

Abstract: The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, relates a method of manufacturing an animal chew by molding two body portions of a first material each having at least one concave surface and one or more through holes, attaching the two portions together such that the concave surfaces face one another to form a hollow body portion, injecting a second material into the hollow body portion to fill at least a portion of the hollow body and form areas of exposed regions of the second material by filling the one or more through holes. In a second exemplary embodiment, the two portions may have the concave surfaces over-molded with a second material which fills the one or more through holes. In a third exemplary embodiment, a separate shape of a second material may be molded in a configuration having dimensions complementary to the two half portion and holes when the portions are combined.

Abstract: A pet toy product comprising at least one edible treat and a body member in the form of a ring surrounding the edible treat, with the body member having opposing sides and a body member aperture. The edible treat is receivable into the body member aperture from either side of the body member, and connected to the body member within the body member aperture by a releaseable mechanical connection formed between the edible treat and the body member.

Abstract: An animal chew for an animal, comprising a body having a first outer shape and comprising a first relatively less durable composition, the shape including an opening extending at least part way through the body; a holder having a second shape and comprising a second material, the second material comprising a relatively more durable polymer, the second shape including a shaft portion complementary in shape to the opening in the body to provide an interference fit. The relatively more durable composition of the holder is characterized as having one or more of a variety of features that characterize the more durable composition with respect to the chewing behavior of an animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dispensing toy for an animal. The dispensing toy may include a dispensing pump and a reservoir. The dispensing pump may include a liquid container having a wall and a first opening defined therein. The dispensing pump may also include an actuator having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the actuator is received in the first liquid container opening and the second end of the actuator includes a configuration to be engaged by an animal. The dispensing pump may also include a bore extending from the first end to the second end of the actuator, a gasket coupled to the actuator wherein the gasket exhibits an interference fit with said liquid container wall, and a locking feature affixed to the first end of the actuator.

Abstract: Described herein are dental compositions, articles of manufacture including such dental compositions, and methods of using such dental compositions. In some embodiments, the dental compositions include a combination of ascorbic acid with at least one of a hexametaphosphate and a beta glucans. In some instances, the dental compositions are included within an edible article, a chew, or an edible chew. Administration of the dental compositions to the oral cavity of a subject may reduce the gingival, plaque, and/or calculus scores of the subject over a defined time period.

Abstract: An animal chew including a surface comprising a base composition, wherein the animal chew exhibits a hardness in the range of Shore 70A to Shore 70D as measured by ASTM D2240-05(2010) and a flexural modulus in the range of 50×103 psi to 500×103 psi as measured by ASTM D790-10 and Ascophyllum nodosum applied onto at least a portion of the surface of the animal chew, wherein the Ascophyllum nodosum is present in an amount of 0.1% by weight to 5.0% by weight of the animal chew. At least 10% by weight of the total amount of the Ascophyllum nodosum present in the animal chew may be applied to the animal chew surface.

Abstract: A molded animal chew toy including a resin, a fluid such as water, and meat jerky, particularly chicken jerky, is provided. Processes for forming such resin/water/jerky composition into shapes by direct injection molding, including a desired screw design, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A woven chew toy for animals is provided including one or more of edible resins, such as rawhide, meat jerky, starch and combinations thereof in strip form interwoven together to provide a planar article.

Abstract: An animal chew toy is provided comprising a hollow intermediate member located between first and second opposing end members connected to the intermediate member. The first end member may be connected to the intermediate member by a first rotatable joint formed between the first end member and the intermediate member, and the second end member may be connected to the intermediate member by a second rotatable joint formed between the second end member and the intermediate member. A sound generating mechanism may be contained within the intermediate member, and at least one of the first and second end members may be operable with the intermediate member to form the sound generating mechanism.

Abstract: A molded animal chew toy or pet treat that is formed by molding of textured vegetable protein (TVP). The TVP may include fibrous material and may be combined with a resin (binder) and a plasticizer and formed by a heating molding machine, such as an injection molding or extrusion operation. The resin and plasticizer content may be selected to optimize the molding process.

Abstract: An animal chew for an animal, comprising a body having a first outer shape and comprising a first relatively less durable composition, the shape including an opening extending at least part way through the body; a holder having a second shape and comprising a second material, the second material comprising a relatively more durable polymer, the second shape including a shaft portion complementary in shape to the opening in the body to provide an interference fit. The relatively more durable composition of the holder is characterized as having one or more of a variety of features that characterize the more durable composition with respect to the chewing behavior of an animal.

Abstract: An animal chew including a body and an end assembly. The body may include a first rotating mechanical fastener. The end assembly may be removably affixed to the body and may include a nut, an end knob and a resilient member. The nut may include a second rotating mechanical fastener and a first coupling feature. The end knob may include an opening defined in a first end wherein at least a portion of the nut is received, the opening defined by a side wall and an end wall, including a structure in the side wall to retain the nut. The end knob may also include a second coupling feature to engage the first coupling feature of the nut. A resilient member may bias the first and second coupling features in a disengaged configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible/foldable structure that may include a top roof and a bottom platform. A pair of sidewalls may be provided each of which may be pivotally attached to the roof. The sidewalls may include at least two side section such as an upper and middle section. The sidewalls may also include a lower side section. The upper and middle sections may be pivotally attached to one another and the middle and lower side section may be pivotally attached to one another so that the upper and middle sidewall sections can be pivoted inwardly towards the bottom platform to provide a collapsed condition. The sidewalls may also each contain an outer and an inner surface thereof wherein the outer surface of the upper side wall and the outer surface of the adjacent middle side wall form an angle that is greater than 180 degrees when the structure is in an expanded or collapsed condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew including a resin and a method of direct injection molding the animal chew using a modified screw. The screw may incorporate, for example, additional flights or a larger transition zone. The formed resin may exhibit voids of about 1-100 ?m in diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew including a resin and a method of direct injection molding the animal chew using a modified screw. The screw may incorporate, for example, additional flights or a larger transition zone. Additionally, the particle size of the resin may be less than 2000 microns.

Abstract: A woven chew toy for animals is provided including one or more of edible resins, such as rawhide, meat jerky, starch and combinations thereof in strip form interwoven together to provide a planar article.