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: The present disclosure provides an animal chew comprising an elongated central portion of a first material and a pair of end caps of a second material. The end caps may be connected by a shaft and may vary from the central portion or from each other by one or more properties such as, color, texture, hardness, toughness, functionality, flavor, odor or moisture level. The central portion of the dog chew may comprise a bladder, or a composite of materials such as one or more layers overlying the bladder, having an attractive design in the shape and/or texture of, e.g. a sports ball. The composite may comprise a soft or even fibrous cover overlying an elastomeric bladder, the bladder formed to fit relatively loosely over the shaft, the composite providing a soft and easily compressed central portion compared to the end caps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew toy comprising a first material including a body portion and one or more exposed regions comprising a second material, the material of the exposed regions at least partially occupying one or more blind holes in the body portion wherein the one or more blind holes may include an undercut or die locked condition to aid in retaining the second material. The chew may be formed via a number of molding methods including those utilizing injection molding or extrusion techniques. The first and second materials may comprise edible compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.

Abstract: A device for retrieving animal feces including a handle portion and a scoop and/or rake portion having a surface. The scoop and/or rake portion contacts the feces for removal, and a portion of the surface of the scoop and/or rake portion includes a coating, wherein the coating exhibits a coefficient of friction (?) of less than or equal to 1.0 and a contact angle of 90° or greater.

Abstract: An animal chew for chewing by an animal comprising a body portion including an outer layer having a first hardness, the body portion having a first and second end sections with an edge thereof. An end piece is supplied having a hardness that is greater than the first hardness, the end piece configured to engage with the body portion, wherein the end piece protects the edge section of the end piece from contact by the animal during chewing.

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: The present invention relates to a nutritional supplement including an albumin carrier for an additive. The nutritional supplement may be dispersed on food substrates as a coating or may be combined into food substrate and formed into a desired shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an animal chew formed of rawhide and edible resin. The edible resin may be positioned on the outer surface of the rawhide and/or retained within the rawhide. The edible resin may include one or a mixture of starch, gluten, vegetable protein, carbohydrate or fat.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for molding articles such as animal chew toys by providing mold cavities in series. Plasticated resin may flow through a runner system and gate to substantially fill a first cavity and then through a sub-gate to fill a second cavity of which may include a shape that is similar to the first cavity shape. This may result in substantially reduced offal, e.g. trim waste, in the molding process.

Abstract: A holder for dog chews and pet treats is provided, comprising a molded hollow body shape including a plurality of openings. Inserts may be included in the openings which may be of a lower durometer or thinner cross-section than the thickness of the body. Pet treats such as dog chews and the like may be inserted into the inserts to be frictionally retained therein for enjoyment by an animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.

Abstract: An animal chew toy and a method for making such that comprises a fabric having a plurality of fibers and a polymeric material that contacts the fabric wherein the polymer material engages with the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an animal chew comprising an elongated central portion of a first material and a pair of end caps of a second material. The end caps may be connected by a shaft and may vary from the central portion or from each other by one or more properties such as, color, texture, hardness, toughness, functionality, flavor, odor or moisture level. The central portion of the dog chew may comprise a bladder, or a composite of materials such as one or more layers overlying the bladder, having an attractive design in the shape and/or texture of, e.g. a sports ball. The composite may comprise a soft or even fibrous cover overlying an elastomeric bladder, the bladder formed to fit relatively loosely over the shaft, the composite providing a soft and easily compressed central portion compared to the end caps.

Abstract: A waste absorbent material for the treatment of animal waste is provided which may comprise a non-woven pad or litter granules which include micronutrients which may stimulate specific microorganisms and reduce the gases produced by the aerobic and/or anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. The non-woven pad and/or litter may also comprise biodegradable fibers or biodegradable particulate and the micronutrients may be uniformly distributed over the pad surface or within the particulate and be incorporated at a selected thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing plaque from the exterior surfaces of an animal's teeth. An edible animal chew is supplied of unitary construction. The chew may comprise a molded body having a cylinder portion and a length on a common axial centerline, the cylinder portion comprising a curved surface and a planar surface and carrying a plurality of projections extending from the curved surface. The plurality of projections may extend radially from the curved surface and substantially perpendicular to the common axial centerline. Upon chewing by the animal on the cylinder portion of the animal chew containing the projections on the curved surface, the chew provides therapeutic action regardless of the radial direction in which the cylinder portion may be configured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable/collapsible structure that folds and collapses between an open and closed condition. The structure includes a top and bottom section, and a plurality of collapsible wall sections extending between said top and bottom sections. The wall sections and the top and bottom sections define an enclosure and also contain a longitudinal member extending between said top and bottom section. The longitudinal member contains a pivot connection at a location between the top and bottom section. The pivot section allows movement of the top and bottom section relative to one another, so that the foldable/collapsible structure can be configured between an open or closed condition.

Abstract: A feeder for a cage, designed to reduce the scattering of food and to provide a cleaner and healthier caged environment, wherein the cage has a wall and an interior space for housing an animal such as a bird, including a cage door. The feeder comprises a feeder mechanism which includes a feeder receptacle attached to an extension structure, wherein the extension structure extends between the receptacle and the wall of said cage. The extension structure is manually engageable and adjustable for positioning the feeder receptacle at a selected location in the interior space of the cage and at a selected location at a cage door for access to the feeder receptacle.

Abstract: An animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The radiopaque polymer may comprise a polymer that is inherently radiopaque or a polymer that has been made radiopaque by the addition of an additive that provides radiopaque characteristics. The radiopaque polymers of the present invention may be manufactured by melt processing techniques, such as extrusion, compression and/or injection molding.