Abstract: A pet toy with one or more treat holding receptacles is provided. A receptacle generally conforms to the outer surface or shape of the pet toy, and extends into the interior of the pet toy for holding a primary treat. The receptacle has a plurality of interior engaging surfaces that frictionally hold the primary treat in a desired orientation. An opening is formed through the receptacle for loading secondary treats into an interior of the pet toy. The primary treat has an exposed portion shaped and sized to provide a desired degree of difficulty for an animal to remove the primary treat from the corresponding receptacle. The portion of the primary treat in contact with the engaging surfaces of the receptacle forms a cap or closure, and when all or part of the primary treat is removed, the secondary treats may be dispensed through the opening of the receptacle.

Abstract: A pet toy has an integral noisemaking module or assembly. The module is located within an interior cavity of the pet toy. The module defines an internal protective housing with at least one noisemaking element mounted within the module, such as a squeaker. The squeaker is mounted to a position in the module that results in the squeaker being placed in a protected and offset location as compared to the exterior surface of the toy. Multiple noisemaking elements can be mounted in the module to produce different types of sounds and volumes of sounds. Variable forces placed on the pet toy result in different sounds produced by the noisemaking elements. For example, each noisemaking element may have a different threshold air flow requirement in order to produce sound.

Abstract: A device of the invention includes a plurality of modules interconnected by ribs or connectors. A module includes an inner layer or shell; an outer layer or shell; and a noise making element. One of the noise making elements may be an interior sleeve or center layer secured between the inner and outer shells of a selected module. When the outer shell is deflected or compressed by contact, the interior sleeve is also deflected thereby producing sound. Another noise making element may include a squeaker supported within an interior chamber of a selected module. Different combinations of modules can be provided in which the modules may be of different shapes and sizes, as well as how the modules are geometrically spaced from one another by the ribs. The module combinations may also differ in the type and number of noise making elements adopted.

Abstract: A pet toy has an integral noisemaking module or assembly. The module is located within an interior cavity of the pet toy. The module defines an internal protective housing with at least one noisemaking element mounted within the module, such as a squeaker. The squeaker is mounted to a position in the module that results in the squeaker being placed in a protected and offset location as compared to the exterior surface of the toy. Multiple noisemaking elements can be mounted in the module to produce different types of sounds and volumes of sounds. Variable forces placed on the pet toy result in different sounds produced by the noisemaking elements. For example, each noisemaking element may have a different threshold air flow requirement in order to produce sound.

Abstract: A pet toy with one or more treat holding receptacles is provided. A receptacle generally conforms to the outer surface or shape of the pet toy, and extends into the interior of the pet toy for holding a primary treat. The receptacle has a plurality of interior engaging surfaces that frictionally hold the primary treat in a desired orientation. An opening is formed through the receptacle for loading secondary treats into an interior of the pet toy. The primary treat has an exposed portion shaped and sized to provide a desired degree of difficulty for an animal to remove the primary treat from the corresponding receptacle. The portion of the primary treat in contact with the engaging surfaces of the receptacle forms a cap or closure, and when all or part of the primary treat is removed, the secondary treats may be dispensed through the opening of the receptacle.

Abstract: Biodegradable composites and products, and methods of their manufacture are presented. The composites typically comprise 10 wt % to 80 wt % of a lignocellulosic material derived from an agricultural residue or obtained from a natural source, 20 wt % to 80 wt % of a polymer binder, 5 wt % to 20 wt % of a compatibilizer, and an effective amount of a processing aid. One method of manufacture of a product is by injection molding.