Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolized casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolized collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolized collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible carrier for an animal comprising a base panel, the base panel having a first end and a second end and containing a floor surface wherein the floor surface includes upwardly extending sidewalls, first and second members end members hingedly attached to the upwardly extending sidewalls at the first and second ends of the base panel. Each of the end members have guideways wherein the base panel and the end members are configured to define an access opening to the base panel floor surface. A slidable door for closing the access opening is provided, wherein the slidable door comprises a leading and a trailing edge, the leading and trailing edge extending between the end members, including a portion that extends into the guideway of the end members.

Abstract: A blend of starch and a thermoplastic aliphatic-aromatic copolyester resin, at a specific gravity of greater than 1.0. In method form, the invention comprises supplying an aromatic-aliphatic based polyester, supplying starch and mixing the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester with the starch and introducing the mixture to a melt processing apparatus wherein the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester and starch are mixed and molded or extruded into a desired shape.

Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolyzed casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An aquarium filter system comprising a pump, a manually positionable valve assembly, and one or a plurality of interchangeable filter cartridges. The filter cartridges are interchangeable and replaceable without the need to suspend water flow. The filter cartridges may be readily repositioned relative to their location from the pump. In method form, a method of changing filter cartridges in an aquarium filter is disclosed. The method comprises supplying a pump and pumping water to provide a continuous flow of water from the aquarium to one or a plurality of removable filter cartridges. This is followed by isolating any one or plurality of the filter cartridges from the flow of water and replacing any one or plurality of filter cartridges with one or a plurality of unused filter cartridges. This is all accomplished under conditions such that the continuous flow of water is uninterrupted.

Abstract: A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of beaded corn starch or a mixture of beaded corn starch and potato starch, and calcium carbonate, the texture of hardness or which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

Abstract: A heat expandable dog chew comprised primarily of injection molded potato starch, calcium carbonate, to which is added a fruit flavoring, a food coloring or a breath sweetener.

Abstract: A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of wheat flour, casein and starch carbohydrate, the texture of hardness of which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

Abstract: A chew toy having a substantial component of vegetable matter wherein such vegetable matter, in dried and powdered or granulation form, is melted as it is injection molded. The process provides a chew toy with a consistency and chewability preferred by most dogs that is not attainable by known prior art baking or compression molding techniques.

Abstract: A hardness modifiable edible dog chew produced by extruding a vegetable starch mixture into beads and then injection molding the beads into the shape of the dog chew. The mixture includes lecithin, calcium carbonate and optionally a dog attractant.

Abstract: A chew toy having a substantial component of carrot matter wherein such carrot matter, in dried and powdered or granulation form, is melted as it is injection molded. The process provides a chew toy with a consistency and chewability preferred by most dogs that is not attainable by known prior art baking or compression molding techniques.

Abstract: A process for making a heat expandable dog chew comprised primarily of injection molding potato starch granules and an attractant is disclosed.

Abstract: A pet toothbrush having a pair of like toothbrushes carried by a flexible tubular holder. The bristle ends of the toothbrushes are simultaneously movable against the front and back sides of a pet's teeth as the holder flexes.