Mastication Patents (Class 119/709)
  • Patent number: 11930788
    Abstract: A pet toy includes a first deformable member and a second deformable member. The first deformable member has a first receiving opening and a second receiving opening. The second deformable member has a first end that is received in the first receiving opening. The second deformable member has a second end that is received in the second receiving opening of the first deformable member. The second deformable member is more deformable than the first deformable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
    Inventors: Josiah Wilhelm, Ronald Bagley, Sunil Pinto
  • Patent number: 11582952
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a chew toy includes a first portion that can removably couple to a second portion of the chew toy. An outer surface of the first portion has a first opening to the interior of the chew toy. The second portion includes a first end, and the first end of the second portion includes a first surface for supporting the base of a chew that is larger than the first opening in a plane parallel to the first opening. When the second portion is removably coupled to the first portion the first surface is disposed in the interior of the chew toy and is offset from the first opening along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Lisa Weller
  • Patent number: 11464208
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a chew toy includes a first portion that can removably couple to a second portion of the chew toy. An outer surface of the first portion has a first opening to the interior of the chew toy. The second portion includes a first end, and the first end of the second portion includes a first surface for supporting the base of a chew that is larger than the first opening in a plane parallel to the first opening. When the second portion is removably coupled to the first portion the first surface is disposed in the interior of the chew toy and is offset from the first opening along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Lisa Weller
  • Patent number: 11259500
    Abstract: An edible pet chew has an initially malleable sheet of a hardened chewable material dimensioned large enough and thin enough to be initially malleable for flexing, folding or rolling into a final shape. The sheet is shaped into a final shape by flexing, folding or rolling and then hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: PetMatrix LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stern, Peter B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11224203
    Abstract: An edible pet dental treat comprised of a substantially hard edible material formed into ribs having channel portions for cleaning pet teeth as it is being chewed. The edible treat is comprised of a plurality of ribs/channels formed on two sides of a bulb portion. The present invention also has first and second end portions with protrusions for massaging and scraping the tongue of the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LOVING PETS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Spivak, Eric Abbey
  • Patent number: 11102956
    Abstract: A pet toy is provided having a plurality of graspable protuberances, each formed as an elongated substantially flat surface portion shaped as a rectangle or as a loop. Each protuberance is affixed at a first end to the ball element. Each protuberance adapted further forms an elongated substantially flat surface portion that is gripped in an animal's mouth such that when the spherical portion is gripped in an animal's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Rutherford
  • Patent number: 10952390
    Abstract: The disclosure provides seed, tissue cultures, essential oil extracts, and plants of catnip hybrid ‘CR3’, as well as methods for producing a catnip plants by crossing ‘CR3’plants with themselves or with another catnip plant, such as a plant of another genotype, variety, or cultivar. The disclosure further provides seed, tissue cultures, essential oil extracts, and plants produced by such crossing. Methods of using the plants and extracts as insect repellents and in pet toys, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: James E. Simon, William Reichert, Qingli Wu
  • Patent number: 10932449
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Patent number: 10912280
    Abstract: The invention is a single piece molded toy that is shaped like an animal wherein the center of the toy is in the shape of and accordion and a squeaker in the head portion makes sound when the toy is squeezed, and as the toy returns to its original state a grunter located in the rear of the toy makes a grunting sound similar to that of a pig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Elizabeth Bentz
  • Patent number: 10888305
    Abstract: A receiving device for receiving saliva from an animal, having a core and a casing, as well as a kit with a receiving device and a collecting device, wherein the core can be removed from or pulled out of the receiving device to allow examination of the saliva. In addition, a method of using the core of a rope for obtaining a saliva sample from an animal, particularly a pig, wherein saliva is filtered during the sampling by means of the casing of the rope or a receiving device and/or after the sampling the core of the rope or a core of the receiving device is removed from or pulled out of the casing to allow examination of the saliva.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETMEDICA GMBH
    Inventors: Heinz Schoeder, Christoph Weber
  • Patent number: 10716290
    Abstract: A protective housing for a dog chew may comprise an elongated middle section coupled with bulbous end sections at either end. The middle section may comprise a tunnel extending lengthwise there through, and at least one of the end sections may have a chew insertion window. The chew insertion window may be in line with the tunnel axis, thereby allowing insertion of a chew through the chew insertion window and into the tunnel. Chew access windows may be formed along the middle section, thereby allowing partial access to the chew, while also protecting the chew to extend its life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HIMALAYAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan J. Dewey
  • Patent number: 10660305
    Abstract: A complete cat feeding system includes a plurality of feeding devices, each of the feeding devices having a container for containing and dispensing a portion of cat's daily food ration. Each container has a convexly curved external surface, a first port and a second port arranged along a top portion of the container providing access to an interior space of the container, and a bridging wall separating the first port and the second port, the bridging wall extending above the first port and the second port. Each feeding device may further include a simulation covering constructed from a flexible material, the simulation covering having a pocket for receiving a portion of the container therein without covering the first port and the second port. The cat feeding system may include a training device providing a second container having more than two ports for containing and dispensing a portion of cat food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Feline Environmental Enrichment Design Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth B. Bales, Steven Krupnick, David Krupnick, Susan Ann Lohr, Phebe Kearney-Scott
  • Patent number: 10602720
    Abstract: A toy is formed in a hollow configuration with an exterior diameter, an interior diameter, a wall thickness, and a length. The toy is fabricated of a rigid material. The toy has an exterior surface to be held by a dog. The toy is slidably receivable on a leash adjacent to a collar when the dog is being walked. The method includes the step of positioning the toy on the leash closer to the lower end than to the upper end of the leash while the dog is being walked. The toy is removable from the leash to be used as a chew and throw toy separate from the leash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Ilene R. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10575499
    Abstract: The invention includes pet toys made of multiple layers of material, and more particularly, to pet toys with an exterior constructed with multiple layers assembled in an offset manner resembling protective armor. The body or core of the pet toy is made of a plurality of armor plates or pieces that overlap one another in a desired configuration to present the desired armor. A central core or spine element may serve as a threading element to secure armor plates to one another. One embodiment includes armor plates that are stacked upon one another and are therefore disposed along a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes armor plates that are placed laterally or side-by-side with one another to form a row, and a plurality of rows are then connected to one another. The invention also includes a method for entertaining an animal with the pet toy having the multiple layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Make Ideas, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Mullin
  • Patent number: 10575498
    Abstract: A chew treat for an animal comprising a first major side and an opposite second major side. The first and second major sides of the chew treat are separated by a shelf. The chew treat additionally includes a plurality of walls extending from the shelf on each of the first and second major sides, with the walls defining a plurality of pockets on each of the first and second major sides. The chew treat is designed to improve animal wellness due to its unique features, which are configured to deter gulping, floss and clean teeth, and provide a high surface area to volume ratio so as to aid in solubilizing and digesting the chew treat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: PET'S BEST LIFE, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Roetheli, Lon D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10485216
    Abstract: A treat dispenser includes an elongated non-rigid support member having a first limit and a second limit, and a plurality of receptacle elements that are resilient. Each of the receptacle elements has an interior region that is structured to receive treats, and has a first opening and a second opening in communication with the interior region, the second opening being larger than the first opening and configured to dispense the treats. The support member extends through each of the first openings and the second openings, and first and second receptacle elements of the plurality of receptacle elements being slidable in use on the support member between the first and second limits to dispense the treats from the second opening to an exterior of the treat dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Andrea M. Valle
  • Patent number: 10470438
    Abstract: A pet toy may include a core and flexible line wound about the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cosmic Pet LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Yerton, Barbara L. Agnew
  • Patent number: 10258022
    Abstract: A pet tug toy including a noise maker bladder sewn along a squeaker rope that may have pet handles or other shapes at its distal ends, and which rope extends through a tubular channel of a center section and that causes a burst of sound when the squeaker rope is pulled though the tubular channel, with the squeak sound emitted either when a squeaker in the squeaker rope is compressed by direct pressure applied by the pet to that part of the squeaker rope encompassing a squeaker bladder, or alternatively by compression of one or more of the squeak bladders positioned inside of the rope when the rope is pulled through the channel, and with the toy formed into various shapes including animal shapes such as the shape of a monkey, alligator, crocodile, cow and rabbit, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE KYJEN COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Watts
  • Patent number: 10206373
    Abstract: A double-ended pet toy which is suitable for entertaining a pet and, optionally, a pet's caregiver, while providing different structures that move in a different manner and on which the pet can chew for cleaning of the pet's teeth. An illustrative embodiment of the double-ended pet toy includes an elongated, bendable main body; a pair of end cords extending from respective ends of the main body; and a pair of pom-poms terminating the pair of end cords, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Derek Skye Fincher
  • Patent number: 10111407
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATION, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Patent number: 10051838
    Abstract: A pet toy incorporates distinct materials having differing elastomeric features and others. The pet toy has an inner member and an outer shell that covers selected portions of the inner member such that an exposed exterior surface of the toy includes both portions of the inner member and outer shell. The inner member is more elastic or compressible as compared to the outer shell that is stiffer or more resilient. Yet, the outer shell still maintains an elastomeric response to contact. A noise making device may be mounted within an interior chamber of the outer shell. The inner member has a central opening to receive the chamber housing that interlocks the inner member and outer shell. Exposed portions of the inner member may be flush with the outer surface of the outer shell or may protrude beyond the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THE KONG COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: John James Stone
  • Patent number: 9961880
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The KONG Company, LLC.
    Inventors: David F. Simon, Chuck Costello, John James Stone, Dominic Mak
  • Patent number: 9901075
    Abstract: An animal treat delivery system includes a frame and a rod. The frame has a wall generally enclosing or bounding an area. The wall has an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, and a bottom. The rod, which has at least one free end, is supported within the area by the interior surface of the wall at a position intermediate the top and the bottom of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Starmark Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Wolfe, Jr., Harold Keith Benson
  • Patent number: 9844207
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a tug-toy tooth brush. In one example, the tug-toy tooth brush includes a structural frame that provides support for at least one sliding element. The structural frame includes channels that guide the sliding element while sliding within the structural frame. The sliding element is configured to slide from a first position to a second position within the structural frame. The sliding element includes bristles that extrude through the structural frame. The tug-toy tooth brush also includes at least one handle attached to a distal end of the sliding element, where the handle is configured for travel through the structural frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: OWL INNOVATIONS, LLC.
    Inventors: Samuel Wayne Wright, Brian Coutts, Tyler Brown
  • Patent number: 9826760
    Abstract: This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and/or exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: WENZHOU PEIDI PET PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi Wen Ding, Zhen Biao Chen, Zhen Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 9802398
    Abstract: In a method of laminating a transfer layer to a substrate, a transfer layer is provided on a carrier layer. Portions of the transfer layer are selectively removed from the carrier layer using an adhesive panel by heating portions of the adhesive panel corresponding to the portions of the transfer layer, and transferring the portions of the transfer layer from the carrier layer to the adhesive panel. A transfer section of the transfer layer is then transferred from the carrier layer to a surface of the substrate by fracturing the transfer layer along an edge of the transfer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
    Inventors: James Rieck, Joshua Nippoldt, William Bergerson, Brent Lien
  • Patent number: 9770010
    Abstract: A pet toy can be used as a fetch toy, chew toy and/or a treat dispenser, and/or also optionally as a dental aid. The toy includes a body having a central toy axis which extends between opposed poles of the body, the body further including at least three circumferentially spaced-apart ribs which extend between the poles to define an outer envelope of the pet toy. The material comprising the body is advantageously an elastomer, including natural or synthetic rubber, or a suitable plastic having elastomeric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence I. Wechsler
  • Patent number: 9743644
    Abstract: A pet toy (100, 600) formed from a substantially rectangular a sheer center cloth portion (100, 600) with at least one edge a hemmed cloth side formed along the at least one edge (120, 122, 140, 142, 620, 622, 640, 642). The material is light weight and breathable. One or more images (112) are disposed on the sheer center cloth portion (100, 600). The center portion and the hemmed portion are made from natural fiber, synthetic fiber, or a combination thereof. One or more straps 1260, 1262) may be coupled to the hemmed cloth side. A pocket may be formed in the at least one edge to hold catnip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SHEER FUN FOR CATS LLC
    Inventor: Carolyn D. Keene
  • Patent number: 9737052
    Abstract: A physical toy comprising a body and a digestible noise-emitting device. The body may have a shape conducive to physical manipulation and play and may be compliant to facilitate compression. The noise-emitting device may be carried by the body. The noise-emitting device may have a noise-emitting orifice. The noise-emitting device may be configured to force air through the noise-emitting orifice in response to compression of the body. Compression of the physical toy body may cause noise generation as air escapes through the noise-emitting orifice. The noise-emitting device may be formed from a digestible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc.
    Inventor: Lisa Marie Matwijiw Larson
  • Patent number: 9642339
    Abstract: An animal treat delivery system is configured to hold a treat and dispense the treat to an animal. The animal treat delivery system includes a rounded top portion joined to an expansionary central portion. A truncated lower portion is joined to the expansionary central portion. A rope channel is bored into the top portion. A treat compartment is bored into the truncated lower portion and the expansionary central portion. The rounded top portion is configured to swing in air such that maneuvering the treat compartment enables obtaining the treat by the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Geoffrey Arthur Bush
  • Patent number: 9554561
    Abstract: An animal chew may include a first elongated half and a second elongated half rotatably secured to the first elongated half, wherein the first and second elongated halves are rotatable around an axis of rotation. The animal chew may also include a locking pin retained between the first elongated half and the second elongated half, wherein the locking pin slides up and down the axis of rotation into a locked position and an unlocked position. The animal chew may further include a chamber having an opening and an interior volume, wherein the chamber is formed in at least one of the first elongated half and the second elongated half. When the locking pin is in the locked position, rotation of the first elongated half relative to the second elongated half is impeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Patent number: 9357750
    Abstract: A pet chew toy comprises a layer of animal product about a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: R2P Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Yerton, David C. Woodward
  • Patent number: 9326487
    Abstract: A pet toy makes a sound when bitten or squeezed by an animal. The toy contains a resilient shell that substantially surrounds the sound-producing material. The toy also contains a core constructed of an elastic material located beneath the sound-producing material. The sound-producing material is a plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate, which deforms when external pressure is applied to it, creating sound and vibration. In an embodiment of the invention, air permeates the sound-producing material, the core is hollow, and acoustic ports are located at each end of the toy, all to enhance its sound generating characteristics. In another embodiment, a strand is attached to or passes through the core of the pet toy. In another embodiment, an elastic outer sleeve is attached to the sound-producing material at various locations between their surfaces, to reposition the sound-producing material to its original orientation after an external pressure of force is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: THE KYJEN COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Crotty, Jennifer Piety
  • Patent number: 9101114
    Abstract: A dispensing animal interactive device formed of a perforate flexible pouch holding an animal attractant dispensed through perforations in the pouch during animal-induced deformation of the pouch during animal interaction. The pouch is formed of an endless sidewall of a biaxial woven or braided construction whose perforations change in size responsive to animal interaction. One preferred pouch holds catnip that is dispensed through perforations by engagement between the pouch sidewall and catnip from cat interaction that abrades catnip into smaller particles and that squeezes catnip out perforations in the sidewall with cat interaction causing the size of perforations in a region of the sidewall adjacent cat-induced deformation to increase dispensing catnip out of enlarged perforations. Ground catnip can express oils that can be dispensed in the form of a scent from the pouch and which increases the pungency of dispensed catnip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 9044039
    Abstract: An edible pet chew has a member of meat based material. As a first aspect of present invention, the edible pet chew has a chewy sheet of meat based material. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has a meat based material chewy sheet member and additionally an edible material member being wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a meat based material chewy sheet member being wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has a THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE meat based material member and additionally an edible material member wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE meat based material member wrapped therein. Other aspects of present invention provide a method for making the edible pet chew with the essential member of meat based material chewy sheet member or THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SUNLIGHT ELECTRONIC WEIGHING APPARATUS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xu
  • Publication number: 20150136040
    Abstract: An edible spinning top for domesticated animals is designed to be an interactive treat for a dog, a cat, or any other kind of domesticated animal. The edible spinning top includes a spindle, a body, and a pointed protrusion. The spindle allows a user to initiate the rapid rotation of the body. In addition, the body allows the edible spinning top to maintain its rotational inertia. The pointed protrusion allows the edible spinning top to rotate upon a contact surface with minimal friction. The spindle, the body, and the pointed protrusion are made of an edible, desiccated, and brittle composition so that the edible spinning top can be rotated, can interact with a domesticated animal, and can be consumed by the domesticated animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Amanda E. Hutton
  • Publication number: 20150128876
    Abstract: A pet toy comprising: an elongated member in the form of a bone, the elongated member comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member and the second member each have a front side and are arranged juxtaposed to one another with the front sides facing in opposite directions; wherein the first member comprises a transparent first member decorative sheet, wherein the first member decorative sheet is located between a first member outer shell and a first member inner lining; and wherein the second member comprises a transparent second member decorative sheet, wherein the second member decorative sheet is located between a second member outer shell and a second member inner lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Glen S. AXELROD, Ajay GAJRIA
  • Patent number: 9027512
    Abstract: A chew toy for canine dental care formed of a plurality of elongated rawhide strands, each strand defining a width within the range of about 0.20 to 7.5 millimeters and a thickness within the range of about 0.20 to 3.0 millimeters. The strands are braided together so as to define at least one rawhide braid of a desired size. The rawhide braid is wound or twisted and tied to define a desired chew toy size and shape that, upon be chewed by a dog, provides a messaging of the dog's gums and a cleaning and flossing of the dog's teeth. The chew toy can be soaked in an aqueous solution containing one or more therapeutic agents and/or an animal attractant and baked dry to impregnate the agent(s) or attractant within the rawhide for release when chewed by a dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen M. Prange, Mingyun Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9021990
    Abstract: A multi-material pet toy includes a first member having an attractant for making the multi-material pet toy interesting to a pet and a second member for protecting the first member to lengthen a serviceable life of the first member. The toy may be configured so that the first member includes a sound-producing member for making a noise without air movement passing through the sound-producing member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the sound-producing member. The toy may also be configured so that the first member includes a mouth-feel member for providing attraction for the pet with the noise of air movement passing through the mouth-feel member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the mouth-feel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Rutherford, Jonathan Willinger
  • Publication number: 20150114309
    Abstract: The principles of the present inventive concepts relate to pet toys in general and, in particular, to a chewable pet toy such as those commonly used by dogs. The chew toy may be constructed and adapted to allow the toy to be cooled or frozen to provide a cooling effect to the animal during the chewing process. The toy may be further constructed and adapted to incorporate at least one recessed or open area that is configured to receive and retain an edible food product therein which may be dislodged and consumed by the animal during the chewing process. The chew toy may comprise a main body, which may consist of two half-sections defining a sealed interior volume that encases an inner core. A non-toxic fluid may also be contained within the interior volume to allow the toy to be frozen. An external surface of the main body may comprise a plurality of small protrusions to provide a cleaning or massaging effect to the animal's teeth and gums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Maze Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: George McConnell Davison, III, Peter Arthur Meier, Jason Reed Rogge, Colin Derek Curry, Matthew David McClatchey
  • Patent number: 9016241
    Abstract: This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and finally exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Wenzhou Peidi Pet Products Co.
    Inventors: Zhi Wen Ding, Zhen Biao Chen, Zhen Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 9004011
    Abstract: A weighted pet chew article support device is provided having a weighted structure that is designed to keep a pet within a given area while consuming or gnawing on the treat or chew toy. The device comprises a weighted member having sidewalls, a base, and an upper surface that supports a treat attachment strap. The strap wraps around a pet treat and includes a length of elastomeric material therein to prevent the treat from sliding while grasped by the strap. The base of the weighted member may comprise a non-sliding surface for use on slick floors. The weighted member itself is a resilient sack of lined material that can be readily repaired if the pet gnaws thereon. Further provided is a multi-treat attachment system that includes a plurality of elongated members attaching to the uppermost strap for securing more than one treat therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Mary Foley
  • Publication number: 20150100037
    Abstract: A system for providing animal maintenance includes a housing operable to accommodate an animal, an actuating arm coupled to the housing and to an attachment device, the attachment device is operable to perform one or more animal maintenance tasks, and the actuating arm is operable to apply the attachment device to the animal, a position sensor operable to determine the position of the animal relative to the position sensor, a restraint is operable to restrict the movement of the animal within the housing, and a processor communicatively coupled to the position sensor, the actuating arm, and the attachment device, the processor is operable to receive measurements from the position sensor and, in response to the received measurements, direct the actuating arm to apply the attachment device to the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: David R. Allsup
  • Publication number: 20150090193
    Abstract: A dog toy is a multifunctional device that is utilized by a dog for entertainment, encouraging physical activity, and improving oral hygiene. The dog toy may be used as a chew toy and features a transparent chewable shell with at least one vibration-activated light-emitting diode (LED) assembly within that is activated upon shaking, throwing, or otherwise physically stimulating the dog toy. Emitted light is visible through the transparent chewable shell. The dog toy may additionally be used as a tug toy through the incorporation of a first tug handle and a second tug handle positioned at opposite ends of the dog toy. Finally, the dog toy may be used as a fetch toy as a human user may throw the dog toy for a dog to retrieve. The dog toy is capable of massaging a dog's gums during chewing as well as flossing the dog's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Giarrizzo
  • Publication number: 20150090192
    Abstract: Embodiments of an animal chew are provided as having a first club end and a second club end coupled by a narrowed neck. The club ends are at least substantially cylindrical in shape, each including a plurality of nubs protruding radially outward therefrom. Animal chews according to the present invention are formed from a combination of materials and include a healthy blend of protein, fat, fiber, and fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: FOSTER AND SMITH, INC.
    Inventors: JOHN B. POWERS, KATHARINE HILLESTAD, MATHEW J. OSENGA
  • Publication number: 20150083052
    Abstract: The Tooth Ball having a hollow ball with holes throughout the ball has a powdery substance that mixes with the pet's saliva which produces a paste that releases in to the attached soft spikes and cleans the pet's teeth and massages the gums leaving a very clean mouth for the pet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth Glaser
  • Patent number: 8985060
    Abstract: A retrieving device includes a body with at least one respiratory passageway formed in it through which a dog can breathe when holding the device in its mouth during retrieval. In some embodiments, the body includes two radially-large end sections that are harder for dogs to grasp with their mouths, two radially-midsize lateral sections positioned therebeween each defining lateral respiratory passageways for side-breathing by the dog, and a radially-narrow middle section positioned therebeween defining a forward/transverse respiratory passageway for front-breathing by the dog. In use, the respiratory passageways decrease obstructions to enable the dog to breathe more freely to avoid overheating and associated problems. In addition, one or more flotation elements can be provided in the body so provide buoyancy for the retrieving device in the event it's launched into water during retrieving activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Thomas C. Angle, Royall M. Broughton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8978590
    Abstract: A pet toy has a core assembly incorporating a noise making feature. The pet toy has a flexible, elastomeric body that flexes in response to external pressure placed on the toy by an animal. The core assembly extends through the interior of the pet toy and is secured at opposite ends of the pet toy. In one preferred embodiment, the pet toy is a round shaped ball in which the core assembly extends across a diameter of the ball. The core assembly has a bore and a noise making device is secured to a housing that extends from a central shaft of the bore. Airflow is facilitated through the pet toy for activation of the noise making device by deformation of the body of the pet toy. As the pet toy is deformed by the biting action of an animal, air is forced through the noise making device, thereby creating sound. In another embodiment, the core assembly has a compound shape including a bulbous portion securing the noise making housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Kong Company, LLC
    Inventors: Sam Nunn, Zhan Feng Chen
  • Publication number: 20150053143
    Abstract: A hollow pet toy containing an interior compartment is described. The toy's interior compartment is accessed through an opening in the exterior fabric of the toy. The purpose of the interior compartment is to hide a treat, examples of which may be a smaller toy or a food-treat. The interior compartment may also contain stuffing in the form of fabric strips, flags, or sleeves, which, in some examples of the invention, are fixed at one end to the interior compartment but which may otherwise be removed from the interior compartment by the pet seeking to discover the treat. Some examples of the invention feature an additional “treat compartment” within the fabric strips, flags, sleeves, or other stuffing of the interior compartment. A treat is placed in one or more of these “treat compartments” for the pet to discover and enjoy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Renee Gratza
  • Patent number: 8960130
    Abstract: A multi-material pet toy includes a first member having an attractant for making the multi-material pet toy interesting to a pet and a second member for protecting the first member to lengthen a serviceable life of the first member. The toy may be configured so that the first member includes a sound-producing member for making a noise without air movement passing through the sound-producing member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the sound-producing member. The toy may also be configured so that the first member includes a mouth-feel member for providing attraction for the pet with the noise of air movement passing through the mouth-feel member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the mouth-feel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Willinger, Ryan Rutherford, Andrea Matz