Flavor Enhanced Or Supplemented Patents (Class 119/710)
  • Patent number: 12245617
    Abstract: An edible pet chew includes a member of artificial dehydrated pizzle component formed from a composition material imitating existing traditional bully stick products or dehydrated animal pizzle products, serving as an alternative to it. The imitation includes the structure, and/or appearance, and/or size, and/or color, and/or texture, and/or flavor, and/or durability, and/or palatability of traditional dehydrated animal pizzle. Final products of it may be in a form such as spiral form, stick form, knotted bone form, twisted form and braid form. It may be processed by an extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SUNLIGHT INNOV TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 12161088
    Abstract: An edible pet chew includes a member of Bully Stick Analogue formed from a composition material may be with at least 20% plant ingredient imitating existing traditional bully stick products, serving as an alternative to it. The imitation may include the structure, and/or appearance, and/or shape, and/or size, and/or color, and/or texture, and/or flavor, and/or durability, and/or palatability of traditional bully stick. It is an extruded stick processed by an extruder or a stick formed by injection molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SUNLIGHT INNOV TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 12127910
    Abstract: Animal dental hygienic device, comprising: A hollow body having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, and being sized to fit within the mouth of the animal and to be bitten thereby. The hollow body having a plurality of apertures positioned along its exterior surface, the apertures extending from the exterior surface to the interior cavity. Each aperture having dental-hygienically active dimensions allowing an animal's tooth to penetrate through the aperture; such that (i) material surrounding the aperture frictionally engages the animal's tooth's outer surface during penetration of the aperture by the tooth, the material surrounding the aperture being of sufficient hardness to scrape the tooth's outer surface during frictional engagement to remove dental plaque, and (ii) a portion of the animal's tooth extends within the interior cavity during penetration of the aperture by the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Inventors: Allan Coopersmith, Nathalie Fiset
  • Patent number: 11957107
    Abstract: The invention is a pet toy having an elongate neck that interconnects two enlarged ends. The enlarged ends have spheroid shapes from a side view and circular shapes from an end or plan view. The pet toy is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis. The pet toy has numerous external features formed on the outer surface thereof that provide functional advantages. One group of external features includes ribs or stiffeners provided in various geometric arrangements on the neck and enlarged ends. Another group of external feature include a plurality of protrusions or protuberances. The protrusions are smaller in size as compared to the ribs. The shape of the pet toy resembles a dumbbell. The pet toy is preferably made of an elastomeric and flexible material that enhances play action with an animal. The invention further includes a method of entertaining an animal by using the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BOUNCE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 11849704
    Abstract: A toy for a pet generally includes a housing defining an opening, and an insert configured to fit at least partly within the opening of the housing. The insert is expandable from a first configuration in which the insert is capable of freely moving into and/or out of the opening of the housing to a second configuration in which the insert is inhibited from moving out of the opening of the housing. In some aspects, the insert is configured to substantially fill the opening of the housing when in the second configuration. In some aspect, the housing may have multiple openings, each capable of receiving an insert. And, in some aspects, the insert is expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration by heating the insert or exposing the insert to microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Louis Spinelli
  • Patent number: 11718884
    Abstract: A system and method for fresh bovine hide splitting includes a hide splitting machine configured to split a fresh bovine hide into a top grain and a collagen sheet. The top grain may be used for leather products. The collagen sheet may be processed with at least one of a maceration process or a drying process to produce a fresh bovine hide raw material product without the addition of a liming or bluing process. The fresh bovine hide raw material product may not include residues remaining following a liming process or bluing process. The fresh bovine hide raw material product may be usable in downstream products for human consumption including gelatin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Scientific Life Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bart McCoy, Wade Rosen
  • Patent number: 11712049
    Abstract: A composition and process for making pet food treats is described herein. Auxiliary ingredients are combined to form a meat mixture. The meat mixture is formed into portions. The portions of meat mixture are positioned on a chew stick that comprises rawhide. The pet treat gives the appearance of a grilled shish kabob, where the meat portions are meant for initial taste, while the chew stick will provide the dog with a longer-lasting chewing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Kreamer
  • Patent number: 11712025
    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: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: PetMatrix LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stern, Peter B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11617351
    Abstract: A single piece pet treat holder. The holder having an outer perimeter shape with a first thickness. An inner perimeter shape having an opening with a central aperture located therein. The opening extending through the first thickness and having a plurality of flexible projections extending toward the central aperture. Each of the flexible projections terminating in an enlarged tip. The flexible projections and the enlarged tips are configured to restrict removal of an object when the object is twisted in a first direction through the opening. The flexible projections and the enlarged tips are configured to release the object when the object is twisted in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Vasiliki Karras
  • Patent number: 11612139
    Abstract: A dispenser includes an outer shell and diaphragm pumps that can be operated by an animal to dispense materials, such as a gel, with a flow viscosity between 1-100,000 cps. The outer shell houses a pressure-actuated sound generator and has outer surfaces with tongue cleaners. The outer shell includes receivers wherein diaphragm pumps can be installed. The diaphragm pumps are of a prescribed volume between 0.1 ml and 50 ml so that the amount of oral gel ejected into a dog's mouth can be determined. The outer shell is sufficiently flexible to be compressed by an animal's jaws such that the oral gel is pumped via actuation of the diaphragm pump. Gel is ejected or pumped to the teeth of the animal and in combination of sounds being generated, more or less simultaneously with the distribution of oral gel in a prescribed and measured volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Make Ideas, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Alan Mullin, Joseph Wurm
  • Patent number: 11602129
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to products and methods useful for a dental chew toy capable of stimulating and/or cleaning the tooth surfaces and/or gums of a domesticated animal. The dental chew toy includes a plurality of flexible dental elements extending outward from a core member. A relatively flexible outer cover surrounds the core member and the plurality of dental elements. A plurality of apertures formed in the outer cover allow passage of the dental elements when the outer cover is compressed via chewing action of the animal. Hollow tubes may surround the dental elements to guide the dental elements through the apertures formed in the outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria, Diana M. Echeverri
  • Patent number: 11470818
    Abstract: A clamping assembly having a first clamping member and a second clamping member. The first clamping member has a first end and a second end with an opening positioned between the first and the second end that is adapted to receive a chewable member. The first clamping member and second clamping member are threadably connected to retain the chewable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: Karl E. Stern, Kristin D. Stern
  • Patent number: 11363801
    Abstract: A pet puzzle feeder includes: a housing; a treat chamber, a portion of which is rotatably received in a cavity of the housing; and an access cover. The housing has a pattern of openings on a spherical surface that define recesses that extend to a first radial depth and do not reach the cavity. A portion of those housing openings, being in three different regions of the housing, define conduits that extend to interconnect with the cavity. Different numbers or sizes of the opening on the three regions permit dispensing of treats at different rates, when the dispensing opening of the treat chamber is rotated/aligned therewith. A detent mechanism releasably inhibit treat chamber rotation when aligned with the openings in each region. A first color is used for the conduits, and a second color for the recesses, as a visual cue for the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Gramercy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Steinkraus, Daniel Troiano
  • Patent number: 11116180
    Abstract: A pet toy holds another item that can be chewed upon by a pet. The pet toy holds the item with a flexible retainer disposed within and protected by a central hub. The central hub can be provided with different external shapes including a round ball shape, an oval football shape, a flattened frisbee shape, an elongated bone shape, or a star shape with a plurality of arms. The central hub is configured to secure the retainer and protect the retainer from damage from the pet during use. The retainer can be a plurality of flexible fingers. The pet toy can have a plurality of arms projecting from the central hub. The central hub extends both above and below the arms to allow the pet to firmly hold the toy against the ground in a secure arrangement for both chewing on an arm of the pet toy and for chewing on a chew toy or edible item held by the pet toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Benebone LLC
    Inventors: Peter Toolan, Evan L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11013244
    Abstract: Edible pet chews are made of one or two layers, each layer comprising a thin slice of sweet potato, and one of the layers being processed to form irregularities, the layers being rolled into a tubular body and treated with heat to form a single- or dual-layered dehydrated tube having the irregularities oriented toward the interior cavity of the tubular body, the interior cavity being fillable with a beneficial material of suitable viscosity to provide a beneficial or therapeutic effect to the animal as the animal chews on the edible pet chew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Karen Lori Albert
  • Patent number: 10888068
    Abstract: Provided is an adjustable hollow food-leaking toy. The adjustable hollow food-leaking toy includes a housing and an inner container; the inner container is a hollow shell made of a hard material; a food eaten by a pet is accommodated in the inner container; a window configured to leak the pet food is formed on the sidewall of the inner container; the window can be switched between a sealed state and a non-sealed state. The housing is a hollow shell; the inner container is held in the housing; a space for moving the pet food is provided between the housing and the inner container; and multiple food-leaking holes for leaking the pet food are formed on the sidewall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZHUHAI HENGQIN SUPER TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Tianle Yang, Yibao Zeng
  • Patent number: 10660427
    Abstract: An embodiment personal item management apparatus includes a wearable band having a fixed circumference that defines a first outer diameter; and a clasp coupled to the wearable band, the clasp having a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter and being adapted to couple a personal item to the wearable band. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the second outer diameter to the first outer diameter is about 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: THE BIG O, LLC
    Inventors: Mary Caroline Nix, Jane Dunne Cooke
  • Patent number: 10455811
    Abstract: A compression resistant and long-lasting scented dog toy and its preparation method. The compression resistant and long-lasting scented dog toy comprises a rubber body and cloth fluidized on it. The rubber body is made of following raw materials by weight: natural rubber, zinc oxide, camphene, stearic acid, anti-aging agent, edible gum, starch, microcrystalline wax, white carbon black, naphthenic oil, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, accelerant, antiozonant, medical light calcium carbonate, edible rapeseed oil, flavor enhancer, sour agent, talcum powder and fatty acid softening agent. The invention is made of a rubber body and cloth fluidized on it. Flavoring agents are mixed in the rubber body so as to produce a compression resistant and long-lasting scented body with durable fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Lixin Lu
  • Patent number: 10405521
    Abstract: A chew toy is disclosed. The chew toy includes an elongate body formed as a capsule having opposed first and second ends; and a plurality of projections extending radially outward from and substantially perpendicular to an exterior surface of the body, at least one of the plurality of projections having a pointed tip at a distal end, wherein the plurality of projections are distributed on the exterior surface in spaced relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: FFD Designs (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Cheryl Ng
  • Patent number: 10159266
    Abstract: An edible pet chew comprises a member of Artificial Bully Stick formed from a composition material with pizzle ingredient imitating existing traditional bully stick products, serving as an alternative to traditional bully stick. The imitation may include the structure, and/or appearance, and/or size, and/or color, and/or texture, and/or flavor, and/or durability, and/or palatability of traditional bully stick. Preferably it is an extruded stick processed by an extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Shanghai Sunlight Electronic Weighting Apparatus Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 9968548
    Abstract: A hard chew matrix containing antimicrobial actives, such as nanosilver, curcumin and propolis for use in dogs and other animals is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: VETS PLUS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel DuBourdieu, Rajiv Lall, Ajay Srivastava
  • Patent number: 9907690
    Abstract: An articulation aid with seats for upper and lower teeth for positioning between the upper central incisors and the lower central incisors respectively, or upper lateral incisors to lower lateral incisors as the case may be resulting in a generally vertical orientation of the article prizing the jaw in an open position. The slender aid permits a user or voice therapist to discern the instant position of the tongue when the user is speaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Lisa Cheryl Jeffery
  • Patent number: 9788528
    Abstract: A dental care product for a pet, such as a dog, includes at least one chew strand having a fragrance and at least one flossing strand. The flossing strand is formed from rawhide and has a thickness less than a thickness of the chew strand. The chew strand and the flossing strand are interwoven with each other along a length of the dental care product to define an interwoven portion of the dental care product. The flossing strand is wrapped around and binds free ends of the chew strand in a wrapped portion of the dental care product. The free ends extend outwardly from the wrapped portion of the dental care product on a side of the wrapped portion opposite the interwoven portion of the dental care product. Advantageously, the dental care product permits the strands to abrade with the pet's teeth in various ways to deliver cleaning benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NUTRI-VET WELLNESS, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Spring
  • Patent number: 9770044
    Abstract: An edible pet chew has a member of meat based material chewy sheet. The “meat based material” chewy sheet imitates the durability and strength property of known rawhide sheet and simultaneously has inherent attraction to dogs with meat in its formula. A first aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a SINGLE chewy sheet of meat based material. A second aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a meat based material chewy sheet member and additionally an edible material member being wrapped therein. A third aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a meat based material chewy sheet member being wrapped therein. A forth aspect of present invention provides a method for making the edible pet chew with the essential member of meat based material chewy sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 9737053
    Abstract: Described herein are chewable articles intended to be provided to animals for purposes including dental cleaning, breath freshening, nutrition, administration to the animal of beneficial agents, satisfaction of the animal's urge to chew, and general enjoyment by the animal. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for making such chewable articles, the methods including the use of a processing aid to lubricate the article-forming apparatus, such as extruders, portioners, and molds, and to reduce the power requirements of such apparatus in the forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Big Heart Pet, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Barnvos, John F. Berry, Melinda S. Cope, Mark Donatucci, Davor Juravic, Oscar Ortiz
  • Patent number: 9681642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chewable object for carnivorous pets. The inventive object (1) is provided with an elongated shape and comprises a chewable, edible and digestible substance. The invention is characterised in that the shape of the object (1) comprises at least two dihedrals (d1, d2) having edges (a1, a2) which essentially extend along the entire length of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: VIRBAC
    Inventors: Guy Derrieu, Nathalie Delhom
  • Patent number: 9675050
    Abstract: A plurality of pet toys are usable with annular-shaped foodstuffs. Each pet toy includes a support upon which the animal foodstuffs can be situated and one or more retainers connected with the support that retain the animal foodstuffs on the support. At least one retainer on each toy includes one or more elastically deformable structures that are movable between a free state and an elastically deformed state. In the elastically deformed state, an animal foodstuff can be received across the retainer and onto the support. In the free state, the retainer is structured to resist removal of the animal foodstuff from the support and across the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Andrea M. Valle
  • Patent number: 9596832
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: George McConnell Davison, III, Peter Arthur Meier, Jason Reed Rogge, Colin Derek Curry, Matthew David McClatchey
  • Patent number: 9585368
    Abstract: A chewable pet toy includes recesses in one or more surface of the chewable toy to permit addition of flavors and treats to a chew toy. The recesses are shaped and oriented to keep the added flavors and treats from contacting floors, rugs and furniture on which the toy may be dropped by the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pet Qwerks, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Gick
  • Patent number: 9549959
    Abstract: An animal toy containing food having a first portion with food delivery means integrated therein adapted to securely house solid food treats, including a nutritional pet supplement, to be removed by the animal during play or through chewing action, and a second side with a plurality of gum stimulation teeth integrated within and projecting therefrom that act to massage the gums of the animal. Food delivery means may be provided as a plurality of cavities integrated within the first portion (and optionally, the second portion), preferably having a grooved or threaded interior for securely holding food pieces securely therein. Alternatively, the food delivery means is provided as a food portion composing the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: I DID IT, Inc.
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 9370168
    Abstract: A cover device that houses, protects and safely and economically dispenses a roll shaped product, such as a rolled rawhide or holder roll. The cover device substantially encases a roll-shaped product and effectively prevents the pet from accessing the ends of the product. Relatively small access windows provide chewing access to the roll product. The cover body has a hollow cavity and openings allowing access to the roll product. The roll product can be prevented from rotating within the cavity by one or more pin or tab projections extending within the hollow cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Pawabungal LLC
    Inventor: Mark T. McCary
  • Patent number: 9265233
    Abstract: A chew for a domestic animal comprises one or more sheets of a chewable bovine rawhide formed into a shape suitable for chewing by a domestic animal, wherein the one or more sheets has a mass loss of at least 45% as measured by the Degradability Standard Test Protocol. The bovine rawhide is made with a process that includes treatment with an enzyme. A process of making a pet chew from a split bovine hide comprises treating the split bovine hide with an enzyme solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Mendal, Augusto Urbina
  • Patent number: 9138304
    Abstract: New chewing-actuated teeth cleaning techniques are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a device with bite-actuated cleaning features is provided, which may comprise, tooth-guiding channels and variable openings enabling the variable bite-actuated application of a dentifrice for bite-actuated scrubbing. In further aspects, internal springs and the tension of surrounding material drive bite actuation of protrusions. In other aspects, intermediate antechambers, and/or interstitial fluid, gel or other medium, aid in enabling re-sealing an inner chamber following penetration of the CleanChew. This aspect may also be applied to a variety of related arts, including but not limited to pneumatic tires, to aid in remediating gas or fluid leaks from piercing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20150101546
    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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: THE KONG COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: David F. Simon, Chuck Costello, John James Stone, Dominic Mak
  • Patent number: 9004012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reusable pet chew toy made of hard rubber and rawhide laces with a compartment to accommodate treats wherein the pet must chew through rawhide laces to break open the compartment to obtain the treat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Kyjen Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Taylor
  • Patent number: 8997689
    Abstract: One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a first and second chamber separated at a junction of the chambers by a dividing wall, wherein each chamber is formed from a skeletal framework, wherein the skeletal framework of the first chamber is substantially open and the skeletal framework of the second chamber is substantially closed, and further comprising a sound device disposed within the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ragonetti
  • Patent number: 8925494
    Abstract: Edible animal chew and method of using the animal chew. The animal chew is edible and is configured to clean laniaries and gum tissue of an animal as the animal chews and eats the animal chew. The animal chew comprises all-natural ingredients and is, therefore, free of synthetic ingredients and unhealthy added ingredients, such as added sugars. The animal chew may further contain all-natural vitamins for improving health of the animal. A plurality of first projections and second projections on a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, respectively, are provided to clean laniaries and gum tissue for reducing risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. A plurality of raised nodules is also provided on the distal end portion for massaging gum tissue to reduce risk of periodontal disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: David Pang, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8904966
    Abstract: Provided is an edible chew toy including a first toy member and a second toy member configured to be moveably engaged with each other. The first and second toy members may be configured to pivot and/or translate relative to each other to captivate a pet. In this regard, the toy members may move relative to each other as the pet gnaws on the toy, swipes at the toy with his paws, or lifts the toy in a manner to cause gravitational movement. The chew toy may be formed from 100% consumable material to allow the pet to easily digest the chew toy as it is chewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Precision Pet Products
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kolozsvari, Greg Leong, Jim McCafferty, Robert Guthrie
  • Patent number: 8904967
    Abstract: A treat dispenser is provided for an animal to dispense treats by moving the dispenser. The dispenser includes a central spherical body, and a plurality of peripherally spaced spheres or balls connected to the body by respective branches. Each of the balls has a treat dispensing opening. The body has an opening for charging or loading treats. The device is substantially hollow. As an animal plays with the device, treats are dispensed through the openings. The openings are located at different positions on each of the balls so that treats are likely to be dispensed when the device is placed at various orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The KONG Company LLC
    Inventors: Steve R. Reiss, Chuck Costello
  • Patent number: 8875663
    Abstract: A pet chew product comprising a molded chewable body formed of a composition including edible resin and natural animal fibers, wherein the natural animal fibers are at least one of: (a) located within the chewable body, and (b) located on an exposed surface of the chewable body, and wherein the natural animal fibers are provided by natural animal hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen S. Axelrod
  • Publication number: 20140261231
    Abstract: The present application provides an edible pet chew having a moisture content of 15 to 30 wt % and contains 15 to 35 wt % of gelatin, 10 to 30 wt % of flavoring ingredients, 2 to 10 wt % of structure-providing components, 1 to 5 wt % of humectant, 0.1 to 0.2 wt % of preservatives, and 10 to 25 wt % of a dental protection composition. The present application also provides a chewable rope embodiment containing a rope either impregnated with 10 to 25 wt % of a dental protection composition or containing a rope coated with the edible pet chew formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald K. DUNTON, Andrew M. HOMOLA, Robert G. PITTS
  • Publication number: 20140251231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pet toy wherein the pet must determine how to solve the puzzle and obtain treats located in concealed receptacles in the base portion of the toy. Treats are located in receptacles wherein retrieval may be prevented or allowed when the animal is required to remove “blocks” in order to rotate the top portion of the toy to reveal the treat receptacles. All blocks must be removed in order to rotate the top and allow access to the treats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle Hansen
  • Patent number: 8820268
    Abstract: One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a container having a first interior for receiving treats, a first opening for dispensing treats from the interior, a removable cap for inserting treats into the interior, and a first axis, and a cover at least partially surrounding the container to define a second interior between the cover and the container that receives treats dispensed from the first interior. The cover has a second opening for dispensing treats from the second interior. The cover is preferably slidable and rotatable along the first axis relative to the container. In one embodiment, the treat dispenser is attached to a rollable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: JW Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Valle, Jonathan Willinger, Ryan Rutherford
  • Patent number: 8807088
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Publication number: 20140224185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pet puzzle toy in which a base piece has treat receptacles which a pet must learn to solve the puzzle to obtain. Removable inserts seat in the receptacles and base coverings. The base coverings must be slid outward after the pet learns to remove the inserts which impede that movement otherwise. Thereupon the treats are exposed and pet's cognitive abilities allow it to solve the puzzle whenever treats are inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle Hansen
  • Patent number: 8789496
    Abstract: A toy for an animal is provided which comprises a covering of a first polymeric composition; a core of a second polymeric composition which is harder than the first polymeric composition. The core comprises a first member having a first member longitudinal axis connected with a second member having a second member longitudinal axis, wherein the first member is pivotable relative to the second member longitudinal axis and the second member pivotable relative to the first member longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Publication number: 20140202396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pet toy wherein the pet must determine how to solve the puzzle and obtain treats located in concealed receptacles in the base portion of the toy. The top portion must be rotated by the animal in such a way as to be off-center and remove barriers to the treat receptacles located in the base portion of the toy. Hinged coverings are located atop the receptacles so that even after the pet has rotated the top portion, it must then determine how to open the flaps and retrieve the treat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle Hansen
  • Patent number: 8776729
    Abstract: Provided is a pet dental chew. The pet dental chew includes a body made of material ingestible for a pet and having a predetermined size insertable to a pet's mouth, a plurality of upper core units formed on one side of the body, a plurality of lower core units formed on the other side of the body and arranged in a pattern oblique to the plurality of the upper core units, and a plurality of air holes formed in the body between the one side and the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Forcans Inc.
    Inventors: Bon Gill Koo, Myung Jin Lee, Chan Mi Chon