Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a pet chew, comprising: a first member; a second member; means for mounting the first member and the second member in a rotatable orientation, wherein the first member and the second member are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation; a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on a first surface of the first member; and a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on a first surface of the second member; wherein the first surface of the first member and the first surface of the second member are generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a pet chew, comprising: a plurality of circular disks, wherein each of the disks includes an obverse surface, a reverse surface, and an outer circumferential surface; means for mounting the disks in a rotatable orientation, wherein the disks are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation; and a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on at least one of the obverse surface and the reverse surface of each disk. Methods of providing dental care to a pet are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit of provisional application No. 60/467,278, filed May 1, 2003. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    One embodiment of the present invention relates to a pet chew, comprising: a first member; a second member; means for mounting the first member and the second member in a rotatable orientation, wherein the first member and the second member are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation; a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on a first surface of the first member; and a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on a first surface of the second member; wherein the first surface of the first member and the first surface of the second member are generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.  
           [0003]    Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a pet chew, comprising: a plurality of circular disks, wherein each of the disks includes an obverse surface, a reverse surface, and an outer circumferential surface; means for mounting the disks in a rotatable orientation, wherein the disks are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation; and a plurality of scrubbing elements mounted on at least one of the obverse surface and the reverse surface of each disk.  
           [0004]    For the purposes of the present application the term “pet” is intended to refer to any desired animal (including, but not limited to, a domesticated animal (such as a dog or a cat)).  
           [0005]    Further, for the purposes of the present application the term “pet chew” is intended to refer to a chew object for a pet.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Animal chews (e.g., for a dog or cat) have been used to provide the animal an outlet for its natural chewing urge and/or to aid in cleaning the teeth of the animal. Such chews have conventionally been constructed in various forms (e.g., bone-shaped (or dumbbell-shaped), rope-like, cloth-like) using: (a) a synthetic material (e.g., vinyl, plastic, polyurethane, latex, nylon; an abrasive material); (b) a plant by-product (e.g., rubber); or (c) an animal by-product (e.g., rawhide).  
           [0007]    Examples of such conventional chews include: (a) U.S. Pat. No. Des. 308,122 to Markham, et al. (pet toy); (b) U.S. Pat. No. 2,103,083 to Lynch (teeth cleaning and gum massaging device); (c) U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,444 to Markham, et al. (therapeutic pet toy); (d) U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,352 to Markham, et al. (therapeutic pet toy); (e) U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,812 to Visalli, et al. (horse pacifier); (f) U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,436 to Axelrod (bone-shaped therapeutic device for dogs); (g) U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,302 to Shipp (animal dental hygiene device); (h) U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,771 to Costello (chew article for animals promoting dental health/gingival health); (i) U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,408 to Willinger (self righting pet toy); (j) U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,166 to Markham (animal toy with raised features); and (k) U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,268 to Suchowski, et al. (composite chew toy). 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a four-disk pet chew according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 shows an exploded side view of Disk  101   a  and Disk  101   b  of FIG. 1;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 shows an end view of End Cap  103   a.    
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 shows an end view of End Cap  103   b;    
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 shows an end view of Disk  101   a  (depicting one face);  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 shows a side view of a five-disk pet chew according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 shows an exploded side view of Disk  601   a  and Disk  601   b  of FIG. 6;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 shows an end view of End Cap  603   a.    
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 shows an end view of End Cap  603   b;    
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 shows an end view of Disk  601   a  (depicting one face);  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 shows a side view of a six-disk pet chew according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 12 is an end view of disk  701   a  (depicting one face);  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 13 is an end view of disk  701   a  (depicting the other face);  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 14 shows a side view of a ball shaped pet chew in accordance with the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 15 is an end view of central disk  751   b  (depicting one face);  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 16 is an end view of side disk  751   a  (depicting one face); and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 17 is a side view of side disk  751   a  (depicting the other face).  
         [0025]    Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.  
         [0027]    In summary, in one embodiment of the present invention a pet chew may be constructed of a plurality of circular disks with protruding scrubbing elements, wherein the disks are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view of a four-disk pet chew according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in this FIG. 1, Disk  101   a , Disk  101   b , Disk  101   c , and Disk  101   d  are mounted rotatably relative to one another on a shaft (not shown). End Cap  103   a  and End Cap  103   b  are used to retain Disk  101   a , Disk  101   b , Disk  101   c , and Disk  101   d  on the shaft.  
         [0029]    Still referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of Scrubbing Nubs  105  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 1) protrude from each face (i.e., obverse surface and reverse surface) of each of Disk  101   a , Disk  101   b , Disk  101   c , and Disk  101   d . In addition, Scrubbing Tips  107  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 1) protrude from each Scrubbing Nub  105 .  
         [0030]    Further, Disk  101   a  has Hub  111   a  formed on one face and Hub  111   b  formed on the other face. Likewise, Disk  101   b  has Hub  113   a  formed on one face and Hub  113   b  formed on the other face; Disk  101   c  has Hub  115   a  formed on one face and Hub  115   b  formed on the other face; and Disk  101   d  has Hub  117   a  formed on one face and Hub  117   b  formed on the other face. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), each of the End Caps, Hubs, Disks, Scrubbing Nubs and Scrubbing Tips may be sized to provide the spacing identified below in Table I:  
                   TABLE I                       Location   Spacing                   Between the inside of End Cap 103a and the outside Scrubbing   {fraction (1/32)} inch       Tips of Disk 101a       Between the inside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101a and the outside   {fraction (1/16)} inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101b       Between the inside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101b and the inside   ⅛ inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101c       Between the outside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101c and the inside   {fraction (1/16)} inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 101d       Between the inside of End Cap 103b and the outside Scrubbing   {fraction (1/32)} inch       Tips of Disk 101d                  
 
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded side view of Disk  101   a  and Disk  101   b  of FIG. 1 is shown. As seen in this FIG. 2, Disk  101   a  and Disk  101   b  (as well as the other Disks, not shown) are arranged on Shaft  201 .  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 3, an end view of End Cap  103   a  is shown. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  103   a  may include Raised Portion  301 , which may comprise marketing and/or other indicia. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  103   a  may include Protrusion  303  which may be adapted for cleaning teeth and/or gums.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 4, an end view of End Cap  103   b  is shown. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  103   b  may include Raised Portion  401 , which may comprise marketing and/or other indicia. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  103   b  may include Protrusion  403  which may be adapted for cleaning teeth and/or gums.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 5, an end view of Disk  101   a  (depicting one face) is shown: As seen in this FIG. 5, the Scrubbing Nubs (including associated Scrubbing Tips) may be arranged in rows. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), there may be two rows arranged in an offset pattern. Of course, the other face of Disk  101   a  (as well as the faces of the other Disks) may have similarly arranged Scrubbing Nubs and Scrubbing Tips. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), each of Scrubbing Nubs  105  may include four Scrubbing Tips  501   a ,  501   b ,  501   c , and  501   d  (of note, only one set of Scrubbing Tips  501   a - 501   d  is individually identified in FIG. 5).  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a side view of a five-disk pet chew according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in this FIG. 6, Disk  601   a , Disk  601   b , Disk  601   c , Disk  601   d , and Disk  601   e  are mounted rotatably relative to one another on a shaft (not shown). End Cap  603   a  and End Cap  603   b  are used to retain Disk  601   a , Disk  601   b , Disk  601   c , Disk  601   d , and Disk  601   e  on the shaft.  
         [0036]    Still referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of Scrubbing Nubs  605  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 6) protrude from each face (i.e., obverse surface and reverse surface) of each of Disk  601   a , Disk  601   b , Disk  601   c , Disk  601   d , and Disk  601   e . In addition, Scrubbing Tips  607  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 6) protrude from each Scrubbing Nub  605 . Further, Disk  601   a  has Hub  611   a  formed on one face and Hub  611   b  formed on the other face. Likewise, Disk  601   b  has Hub  613   a  formed on one face and Hub  613   b  formed on the other face; Disk  601   c  has Hub  615   a  formed on one face and Hub  615   b  formed on the other face; Disk  601   d  has Hub  617   a  formed on one face and Hub  617   b  formed on the other face; and Disk  601   e  has Hub  619   a  formed on one face and Hub  619   b  formed on the other face. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), each of the End Caps, Hubs, Disks, Scrubbing Nubs and Scrubbing Tips may be sized to provide the spacing identified below in Table II:  
                   TABLE II                       Location   Spacing                   Between the inside of End Cap 603a and the outside Scrubbing   {fraction (1/16)} inch       Tips of Disk 601a       Between the inside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601a and the outside   ⅛ inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601b       Between the inside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601b and the left side   {fraction (3/16)} inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601c       Between the right side Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601c and the   {fraction (3/16)} inch       inside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601d       Between the outside Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601d and the inside   ⅛ inch       Scrubbing Tips of Disk 601e       Between the inside of End Cap 603b and the outside Scrubbing   {fraction (1/16)} inch       Tips of Disk 601e                  
 
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 7, an exploded side view of Disk  601   a  and Disk  601   b  of FIG. 6 is shown. As seen in this FIG. 6, Disk  601   a  and Disk  601   b  (as well as the other Disks, not shown) are arranged on Shaft  611 .  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 8, an end view of End Cap  603   a  is shown. In one example. (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  603   a  may include Raised Portion  801 , which may comprise marketing and/or other indicia. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  603   a  may include Protrusion  803  which may be adapted for cleaning teeth and/or gums.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 9, an end view of End Cap  603   b  is shown. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  603   b  may include Raised Portion  901 , which may comprise marketing and/or other indicia. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), End Cap  603   b  may include Protrusion  903  which may be adapted for cleaning teeth and/or gums.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIG. 10, an end view of Disk  601   a  (depicting one face) is shown. As seen in this FIG. 10, the Scrubbing Nubs (including associated Scrubbing Tips) may be arranged in rows. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), there may be three rows arranged in an offset pattern. Of course, the other face of Disk  601   a  (as well as the faces of the other Disks) may have similarly arranged Scrubbing Nubs and Scrubbing Tips. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), each of Scrubbing Nubs  605  may include four Scrubbing Tips  1001   a ,  1001   b ,  1001   c , and  1001   d  (of note, only one set of Scrubbing Tips  1001   a - 1001   d  is individually identified in FIG. 10).  
         [0041]    In operation, the embodiments of the chew described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 6-10 may operate as follows: Each disk has a hub to provide a space between adjacent disks so that the pet&#39;s tooth may easily penetrate as the disks flex open (allowing the scrubber tips and/or the scrubber nubs to contact the tooth surface and/or the gum). As the pet continues to chew, the disks repeatedly open, flex, and turn (allowing the scrubbing tips and/or scrubber nubs to move over the tooth&#39;s surface and/or the gum).  
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides an interactive chew and method that may help clean the teeth and/or gums of a pet.  
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew and method which may aid in the removal of tartar, plaque, and/or trapped food particles.  
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew and method which may aid in stimulating and/or massaging gums, preventing (or minimizing) gingivitis and/or periodontal disease, preventing (or minimizing) bad breath, and/or satisfying the pet&#39;s chewing instinct.  
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew and method in which the rotating elements (e.g., the disks) may be made from any material safe for pets (e.g., dogs and/or cats) which can sustain the proper shape and move in the way necessary to perform the functions described herein (e.g., any “rubber-type” material). Such materials include but are not limited to rubber, both natural and synthetic and combinations thereof, polyurethane, vinyl and other plastics.  
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew and method in which the End Caps and the Shaft may be of any material safe for pets (e.g., dogs and/or cats) which is durable enough to support the functions described herein. Such materials include but are not limited to rubber, both natural and synthetic and combinations thereof, polyurethane, vinyl and other plastics.  
         [0047]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew used in a generally horizontal aspect (e.g., with the disks parallel to the teeth).  
         [0048]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew used in a generally vertically aspect (e.g., with the disks perpendicular to the teeth).  
         [0049]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew including means for dispensing tooth cleaning agents (such as tooth paste) and/or medicines (e.g., from a reservoir in the interior of a chew onto one or more surfaces on the exterior of the chew.  
         [0050]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew with adjustable disk spacing (e.g., to permit customization based upon size and/or breed of the pet using the chew).  
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a toy for chewing and/or for playing.  
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chew and method which nearly assure proper biting and/or chewing (along with the subsequent scrubbing function).  
         [0053]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a dental device that has strong appeal to a pet as a chew toy. The chew toy may comprise a series of flexible disks that open, turn, and flex on and around the pet&#39;s teeth and/or gums, making contact with scrubbing tips on scrubber nubs (whereby the contacted surfaces are cleansed).  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIG. 11, a side view of a six-disk pet chew according to another embodiment of the present invention as show. As seen in FIG. 11, disk  701   a , disk  701   b , disk  701   c , disk  701   d , disk  701   e  and disk  701   f  are mounted rotatably relative to one another on a shaft (not shown). End cap  703   a  and end cap  703   b  are used to retain disks  701   a - 701   f  on the shaft.  
         [0055]    Still referring to FIG. 11, a plurality of scrubbing nubs  705  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 1) protrude from the same face of each of disks  701   a - 701   f . In addition, scrubbing tips  707  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 11) protrude from each scrubbing nub  705 . On the other side of each of disks  701   a - 701   f , a plurality of scrubbing nubs  709  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 11) protrude therefrom.  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 1, disk  701   a  has a hub  711   a  formed on one face and hub  711   b  formed on the other face. Likewise, disk  701   b  has hub  713   a  formed on one face and hub  713   b  formed on the other face such that scrubbing nubs  705  of disks  701   a  and  701   b  face one another as shown.  
         [0057]    Referring now to FIG. 12, a first end view of disk  701   a  (depicting one face) is shown. As seen, scrubbing nubs  705  (including associated scrubbing tips) are arranged in rows. In this example (which is intended not to be illustrative nor restrictive), there are three rows arranged in an offset pattern. The other face of disk  101   a  as well as the other faces of the other disks will have a similarly arranged pattern of nubs  709 .  
         [0058]    Turning now to FIG. 14, a side view of a three-disk pet chew according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention as shown. As seen in FIG. 14, the pet chew has a ball-shaped configuration and comprises side disk  751   a , central disk  751   b  and side disk  751   c , which are mounted rotatably relative to one another on a shaft (not shown). End cap  753   a  and end cap  753   b  are used to retain disks  751   a - 751   c  on the shaft.  
         [0059]    Still referring to FIG. 14, a plurality of scrubbing nubs  755  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 14) protrude from one of the faces of each of disks  751   a - 751   c . In addition, scrubbing tips  757  (only one of which is individually identified in FIG. 14) protrude from each scrubbing nub  755 . On the other face of central disk  751   b , a plurality of scrubbing nubs  755  having scrubbing tips  757  also protrude. On the two end disks  751   a  and  751   c , the side which face end caps  753   a  and  753   b  have a plurality of nubs  759  depending therefrom.  
         [0060]    Continuing with FIG. 14, central disk  751   b  has hub  761   a  formed on one face and hub  761   b  formed on the other face. Side disks  751   a  and  751   c  have hubs  763   a  formed on one face and hub  763   b  formed on the other face.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIG. 15, an end view of central disk  751   b  (showing one face) is shown. As shown, scrubbing nubs  755  (including associated scrubbing tips) are arranged in three circular rows in an offset pattern or arrangement. The other face of disk  751   b  (not shown) will have similarly arranged scrubbing nubs and scrubbing tips.  
         [0062]    In FIG. 16, an end view of side disk  751   a  is show (depicting the face which faces disk  751   b ). As shown, the plurality of scrubbing nubs  755  is arranged in a circular offset pattern that corresponds with the pattern depicted on the faces of disk  751   b . FIG. 17 is an end view (depicting the other face) of disk  751   a  and illustrates the arrangement of plurality of nubs  759 .  
         [0063]    In another embodiment the present invention provides scrubbing tips that flex and move on a tooth&#39;s surface (and/or the surface of a gum), nubs that bend and apply pressure (directly and/or through the scrubbing tips) to contact the tooth (and/or the gum), disks that flex open to allow the tooth to penetrate into the device and turn the disks (to help move the scrubbing nubs and/or the scrubbing tips across the tooth surface (and/or the gum) to provide superior tooth cleaning).  
         [0064]    In another embodiment the present invention provides for the moving (i.e., scrubbing) action of the scrubbing tips (as well as the reverting to shape of the scrubbing tips); the placement of the scrubbing nubs to come into contact with the surface of the teeth (and/or the gum) and then to flex and revert to position; and the flexing and turning of the disks. Of note, each of the aforementioned elements may be designed to provide an appropriate resistance to these movements to cause a proper reverting to shape.  
         [0065]    In accordance with the invention, the number of disks for the inventive pet chew may range from between 1 and 16, and the number of rows of scrubbing elements for each disk is from 1 to 16.  
         [0066]    While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the End Caps may be held on the Shaft using glue, fasteners, a “screw-on” arrangement (i.e., the End Caps may be screwed on to the shaft), and/or a “press” (i.e., interference) fit. Further, the pet chew according to the present invention may be assembled by hand, using automated machinery, or a combination thereof. Further still, the pet chew may be colored, scented, and/or flavored as desired (e.g., to appeal to a pet owner and/or pet in terms of smell and/or taste and/or visual appearance: Further still, the Hubs may comprise independent elements disposed on the Shaft between various Disks and/or End Caps (each Hub may be freely rotating on the Shaft or fixed to the Shaft). Further still, spacing between Disks and/or End Caps may be maintained by a single Hub associated with one of two adjacent Disks and/or End Caps. Further still, the Raised Portions of the End Caps may comprise scrubbing elements for scrubbing teeth and/or gums. Further still, the rotating elements may take any desired form (e.g., any desired diameter, thickness, cross-section, and/or shape). Further still, the pattern of the Scrubber Nubs could be any desired pattern. Further still, the Scrubbing Tips may take any desired form (e.g., one or more individual Scrubbing Tips in any desired pattern on the Scrubbing Nubs). Further still, it is to be understood that the termis “obverse” and “reverse” are used herein to denote different sides of an object, without imparting any significance, importance, or precedence to either term relative to the other.