PET TOY HAVING STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR ATTRACANT AND RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE COUPLING

A pet toy comprising a first member and a second member; wherein the first member and the second member are releasably connectable via a releasable positive mechanical engagement; wherein the first member has a bulbous end and an elongated projection extending from the bulbous end; wherein the second member has a bulbous end, an elongated tubular member extending from the bulbous end, and a passage, defined by a passage wall, within the elongated tubular member and the bulbous end; wherein the elongated projection of the first member is insertable into the passage of the second member and removable from the passage of the second member; wherein the elongated projection provides a first connector; wherein the passage wall provides a second connector; and wherein the releasable positive mechanical engagement formable by the first member and the second member is formable by the first connector and the second connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to pet toy, and more particularly to a molded pet toy having a storage compartment for an attractant composition, which is accessible via a releasably engageable coupling.

BACKGROUND

Most dogs enjoy chewing on things, although preferences vary as to the hardness of the substances favored. Some dogs like to chew on very hard materials such as cow bones, wood and nylon, while others prefer softer chews such as polyurethane or rubber. Some dogs due to their age may not be able to chew on very hard substances. Young dogs may have insufficiently developed teeth, while old dogs may have diseased gums or may have lost some of their teeth.

Furthermore, chew toys may be used as a vehicle to provide interaction between dogs and people. For example, some people like to play fetch with chew toys. The interaction between animals and their owners has reportedly been found to be not only beneficial to the animal, as it provides the animal with necessary exercise and companionship, but beneficial to their owners as well, with many reported health related benefits.

Accordingly, the prior art is replete with disclosures directed at forming a variety of chew toys. However, there is still a need to provide chew toys that fulfill other requirements. In such regards, it may be useful to provide chew toys that enhance the attraction of the chew toy to the animal. For example, by providing the chew toy with an edible and/or scented attractant composition which attract the pet to the chew toy and increases the pet's interest in playing with the pet toy.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of pet toys which may offer certain benefits as compared to pet toys known in the art.

In at least one embodiment, a pet toy is disclosed, which comprises a first member and a second member; wherein the first member and the second member are releasably connectable via a releasably engageable mechanical coupling comprising a releasable positive mechanical engagement formable by the first member and the second member; wherein the first member has a bulbous end and an elongated projection extending from the bulbous end; wherein the second member has a bulbous end, an elongated tubular member extending from the bulbous end, and a passage, defined by a passage wall, within the elongated tubular member and the bulbous end; wherein the elongated projection of the first member is insertable into the passage of the second member and removable from the passage of the second member; wherein the elongated projection provides a first connector; wherein the passage wall provides a second connector; and wherein the releasable positive mechanical engagement formable by the first member and the second member is formable by the first connector and the second connector.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the first connector is a male connector and the second connector is a female connector.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the male connector comprises a cylindrical male portion having a diameter; the female connector comprises a cylindrical female portion having a diameter; the diameter of the cylindrical male portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical female portion; and the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formed by the cylindrical male portion of the male connector passing through the cylindrical female portion of the female connector.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the male connector further comprises a conical male portion; the female connector further comprises a conical female portion; and the conical male portion of the male connector and the conical female portion of the female connector act to align the male connector and the female connector on an engagement axis as the elongated projection of the first member is inserted into the passage of the second member.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formable by an annular lip the first connector and an annular shoulder of the second connector.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the first connector is disposed at an end region of the elongated projection of the first member; and the second connector is disposed within the bulbous end of the second member.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the bulbous end of the first member has an annular recess; and, when the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formed by the first connector and the second connector, an end of the elongated tubular member is disposed within the annular recess.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the passage extends from an entrance opening at an end of the elongated tubular member to an exit opening at an end of the bulbous end; and, when the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formed by the first connector and the second connector, an end region of the elongated projection extends beyond the exit opening and/or extends beyond the bulbous end.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, when the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formed by the first connector and the second connector, and the end region of the elongated projection extends beyond the exit opening and/or extends beyond the bulbous end, the positive mechanical engagement is releasable by applying a force to the end region which forces at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the end region of the elongated projection which extends beyond the exit opening and/or extends beyond the bulbous end back into the passage and/or the bulbous end.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the passage provides an attractant container.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the bulbous end of the first member provides a closure for an end of the attractant container; and the first connector of the first member provides a closure for an opposite end of the attractant container.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the elongated projection provides an attractant holder.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the attractant holder has a through-hole formed in the elongated projection.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the through-hole forms a rectangular slot.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the through-hole is disposed between two opposing elongated retention arms of the elongated projection.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the first member is formed of a polymer composition and the second member is formed of a polymer composition.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the polymer composition of the first member and/or the polymer composition and the second member comprises at least one of a polyolefin polymer, a polyamide polymer, a polyurethane polymer and a polyester polymer.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the first member is an injection molded first member and/or the second member is an injection molded second member.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the pet toy has a longitudinal axis and the first member and the second member are rotatable about the longitudinal axis when the releasable positive mechanical engagement is formed by the first connector and the second connector.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the pet toy has a shape of a bone with the bulbous end of the first member forming a first condyle of the bone and the bulbous end of the second member forming a second condyle of the bone.

In at least one embodiment of the pet toy, the pet toy further comprises at least one attractant composition which is insertable into an attractant container of the second member and/or an attractant holder of the first member,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-7, there is shown a pet toy10according to the present disclosure. As shown pet toy10is a form of a bone, with an elongated medial shaft12disposed intermediate of two condyles14,16disposed at the longitudinal terminal ends.

Pet toy10comprises two pieces, particularly a first member18and a second member80, which may be more particularly molded members and even more particularly injection molded members. The first member18and a second member80may each be formed of a polymer composition, respectively. The polymer composition forming each of the first member18and the second member80may be the same polymer composition, or the polymer compositions may be different. It should be understood herein that polymer compositions are considered different if they are not exactly the same composition. For example, two polymer compositions are different herein if they have different ingredients, or different percentages of the same ingredients.

The polymer composition(s) of the first member18and/or the second member80may be rigid polymer composition(s) comprised of at least one rigid polymer, which may comprise at least one synthetic polymer and/or natural polymer and/or edible/digestible polymer. The rigid polymer composition(s) may be polymer composition(s) which have a three-point bending flexural modulus, as measured by ASTM D790-10, of greater than 150,000 psi., and more particularly greater than 200,000 psi. Additionally, or alternatively, the rigid polymer composition(s) of the first member18and/or the second member80may have a Shore D durometer hardness, as measured by ASTM D2240-05 (2010), in a range of 20-90 Shore D durometer hardness, and more particularly in a range of 40-70 Shore D durometer hardness. On the Shore A scale of durometer hardness, the first member18and/or the second member80may have a Shore A durometer hardness of 85-100 Shore A durometer hardness.

The rigid polymer(s) of the rigid polymer composition(s) may comprise, essentially consist of or consist of thermoset or thermoplastic rigid polymer(s), such as polyolefin (e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene), polyamide, polyurethane and polyester and mixtures thereof.

Alternatively, the polymer composition(s) of the first member18and/or the second member80may be elastomer polymer composition(s) comprised of at least one elastomer, which may comprise at least one synthetic polymer and/or natural polymer and/or edible/digestible polymer. The elastomer polymer composition(s) may be polymer composition(s) with a glass transition temperature (Tg) below 23° C. and which is at most, 50% crystalline (i.e., the composition contains an amorphous phase of 50% or greater, up to 100% amorphous phase). Additionally, or alternatively, the elastomer polymer composition(s) may be polymer composition(s) that has an elongation at 23° C. of at least 100%, and which, after being stretched to twice its original length and being held at such for one minute, may recover in a range of 50% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress. More particularly, the elastomer polymer composition(s) may recover in a range of 75% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress, and even more particularly recover in a range of 90% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress. Additionally, or alternatively, the elastomer polymer composition(s) of the first member18and/or the second member80may have a Shore A durometer hardness, as measured by ASTM D2240-05 (2010), in a range of 20-75 Shore A durometer hardness.

The elastomer(s) of the elastomer polymer composition(s) may comprise, essentially consist of or consist of thermoset or thermoplastic elastomer(s) such as acrylic rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber diene monomer rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber including hydrogenated nitrile rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber and styrene block copolymer (e.g. styrene butadiene rubber, styrene ethylene/butylene styrene rubber).

The polymer composition for the first member18and/or the second member80may be a thermoplastic polymer composition which may comprise, essentially consist of or consist of at least one thermoplastic polymer. The at least one thermoplastic polymer may comprise at least one a synthetic polymer and/or at least one nature polymer. The polymer composition for the first member18and/or the second member80may comprise any edible polymer, particularly starch or other carbohydrate of natural or vegetable origin. The starch may include amylose and/or amylopectin and may be extracted from plants, including but not limited to potatoes, rice, tapioca, corn and cereals such as rye, wheat, and oats. The starch may also be extracted from fruits, nuts and rhizomes, or arrowroot, guar gum, locust bean, arracacha, buckwheat, banana, barley, cassaya, konjac, kudzu, oca, sago, sorghum, sweet potato, taro, yams, fava beans, lentils and peas. The starch may be present in the edible composition between 30-99% including all increments and values therebetween such as levels above 50%, 85%, etc.

The starch employed herein may be raw starch, which may be understood as starch that has not seen a prior thermal molding history, such as extrusion or other type of melt processing step where the resin is shaped in the presence of heat. The raw starch itself may also be native, which may be understood as unmodified starch recovered in the original form by extraction and not physically or chemically modified. The raw starch may also be in powder form of varying particle size, which may be in the range of 100-2000 μm including all ranges and increments therein. Raw starch may be understood as milled and/or pre-sifted starch. The raw starch may also have varying degrees of moisture present. In one embodiment moisture may be present in the raw starch between 1-60%, including all increments and values therebetween such as 40%, 20%, 10%, etc.

As shown, first member18comprises a bulbous end20, which forms condyle14, and a cantilevered elongated projection24. Cantilevered elongated projection24comprises an attractant holder28disposed between the bulbous end20and a male connector56disposed at an end region48of the elongated projection24, particularly for mechanically connecting with the second member80.

Second member80comprises a bulbous end82, which forms condyle16and an elongated tubular member90. Bulbous end82includes an internal female connector86configured to mate and connect with the male connector56of the first member18.

When assembled, the elongated tubular member90of the second member80forms a shaft outer member of the shaft12, and the elongated projection24of the first member18forms a shaft inner member of the shaft12disposed within the elongated tubular member90.

As shown, elongated projection24has an elongated enclosed through-hole38formed as a rectangular slot, which provides the cavity for the attractant holder28. As shown, along its longitudinal length the through-hole38is defined by two opposing elongated retention arms40,42, the bulbous end20and the end region48of the elongated projection24.

As shown, male connector56trails a locator50in the form of pin52disposed at the terminal end of end region48. Male connector56comprises circular (annular) lip58, which has a leading conical male portion60which is followed by an adjacent cylindrical male portion62. Cylindrical male portion62is followed by another cylindrical male portion64of smaller diameter than cylindrical male portion62, which is followed by another conical male portion66, which increases the diameter back to the diameter of cylindrical male portion62. As such, an annular (undercut) recess68is formed by the decrease in diameter of the cylindrical male portion64and conical male portion66, which may be more particularly referred to as a groove.

For containing elongated projection24of first member18, second member80includes a longitudinally extending passage98formed by a passage wall100, which extends from an entrance opening102(through which the elongated projection24may enter) at an end92of the tubular member90to an exit opening104(through which the elongated projection24may exit) at an opposite end88of the bulbous end82.

Passage98provides an attractant container110to accommodate the attractant holder28of the elongated projection24of the first member18, and an end region112to accommodate locator50and male connector56of the elongated projection24of the first member18.

More particularly, end region112includes female connector86. As shown, female connector86comprises a circular (annular) shoulder120which has a leading conical female portion122which is followed by an adjacent cylindrical female portion124. Cylindrical female portion124is followed by another cylindrical female portion126of larger diameter than cylindrical female portion124, which is followed by another conical female portion128, which decreases the diameter of cylindrical female portion140beyond that of cylindrical female portion124. As such, an annular (undercut) recess130is formed by the increase in diameter of the cylindrical female portion126and conical female portion128, which may be more particularly referred to as a groove.

During assembly, elongated projection24of the first member18is inserted into passage98of second member80. As the elongated projection24extends within passage98, the locator50may contact conical female portion122of second member80, which may occur particularly if the elongated projection24is inserted into the passage98at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis142. However, due to the slope of conical female portion122narrowing the passage98as the passage98extends toward exit opening104, the locator50, and hence the elongated projection24, is guided back towards the longitudinal axis142. Thereafter, the locator50may similarly contact conical female portion128of second member80, and similarly guided back towards the longitudinal axis142due to the slope of conical female portion128narrowing the passage98as the passage98extends toward exit opening104.

As elongated projection24of the first member18is further inserted into passage98of the second member80, the slope of conical male portion60of the first member18makes contact with the slope of conical female portion122of the second member80and, due to their relative angles of inclination, further act to align the elongated projection24of first member18and the passage98of the second member80to assist and guide alignment for assembly/engagement on the longitudinal axis142. In such regards, the longitudinal axis142may also be referred to as an engagement axis and/or a disengagement axis.

Thereafter, due to cylindrical male portion62of the first member18having a diameter slightly larger than a smaller diameter of the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80(e.g. 0.1 mm-0.5 mm), further insertion of elongated projection24of the first member18into passage98of second member80results in elastic deformation of at least one of the first member18and the second member80as the cylindrical male portion62of the first member18extends through the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80.

Once the cylindrical male portion62of the first member18passes through the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80, the first member18and/or the second member80then returns to its pre-deformation state, in which case the a positive mechanical engagement connection is formed between the first member18and the second member80which inhibits separation of the first member18and the second member80from one another. A positive mechanical engagement connection may be understood herein as a connection formed between the components which does not rely solely on friction to inhibit separation of the components and which includes a mechanical interlock to inhibit separation of the components (e.g. overlapping surfaces).

Simultaneously, as the cylindrical male portion62of the first member18extends and passes through the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80, the end92of the tubular member90enters an annular recess22in the bulbous end20, which holds the first member18and the second member80in proper orientation with respect to one another relative to the longitudinal axis142.

With the foregoing arrangement, a releasably engageable coupling is formed and, once the first member18and the second member80are engaged, the first member18and the second member80are rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis142.

As shown, the tubular member90of the second member80includes a plurality of window apertures94. As such, when the pet toy10is loaded with an attractant composition which are held by attractant container110and/or the attractant holder28, particularly between retention arms40,42of the elongated projection24, a scent (e.g. aroma, odor) of the attractant composition may pass through the window apertures94which may be detected by an animal (dog) and attract the animal to play with the pet toy10. It should be understood that the one end of the attractant container110provided by passage98is closed by the bulbous end20of the first member18and the opposing end of the attractant container110is closed by the first connector56of the first member18. The attractant composition may be edible treats which are consumable by the pet.

Referring toFIG. 4, an attractant composition150is shown disposed between retention arms40,42of the elongated projection24. The attractant composition150may be a scented composition, which may have a scent of a foodstuff (e.g. bacon), or simply of a scent of an animal (e.g. pig, chicken, bison, horse). The attractant composition150and the scent may be provided by a portion of an animal anatomy, which may include ears (e.g. pig), feet (clawed feet (e.g. chicken), hooved feet (e.g. pig), webbed feet (e.g. duck)), penis/pizzle (e.g. bull), antler (e.g. deer, elk), rib, femur, knee, elbow or other bone (e.g. cow), and skin/hide (e.g. pig). In this embodiment, the attractant composition150may be a malleable foodstuff composition (e.g. flour containing dough, paste), which adheres to the retention arms40,42of the elongated projection24.FIG. 5shows the pet toy10assembled, containing the attractant composition150, with the tubular member90shown to be transparent as to see the attractant composition150therein. The scent of the composition150may pass through apertures94in the tubular member90to be detected by a pet, while the composition150itself may remain retained within tubular member90.

Referring toFIG. 6, an attractant composition150is again shown disposed between retention arms40,42of the elongated projection24. The attractant composition150may be a scented composition, which may have a scent of a foodstuff (e.g. bacon), or simply a scent of an animal (e.g. pig, chicken, bison, horse). The attractant composition150and the scent may be provided by a portion of an animal anatomy, which may include ears (e.g. pig), feet (clawed feet (e.g. chicken), hooved feet (e.g. pig), webbed feet (e.g. duck)), penis/pizzle (e.g. bull), antler (e.g. deer, elk), rib, femur, knee, elbow or other bone (e.g. cow), and skin/hide (e.g. pig). In this embodiment the attractant composition150may be a rigid, breakable foodstuff composition (e.g. kibble or other hard (dry) food), which is mechanically engaged between the retention arms40,42with an interference fit.FIG. 7shows the pet toy10assembled, containing the attractant composition150, with the tubular member90shown to be transparent as to see the attractant composition150therein. The scent of the composition150may pass through apertures94in the tubular member90to be detected by a pet. In this embodiment, the first member18and the second member80may each be formed of an elastomer polymer composition such that the pet toy10is flexible and flexes (deforms and collapses), particularly tubular member90, in response to being bitten by the pet (dog). In such manner, when the tubular member90collapses under the biting, the rigid, breakable foodstuff composition150may break into numerous pieces and thereafter exit the pet toy10through apertures94to be consumed by the pet.

As shown, the distal end54of the locator50/pin52of the elongated projection24extends through (beyond) the exit opening104of the passage98(formed by the bulbous end82) and extends/projects beyond the bulbous end82of the second member80. To separate or otherwise disengage the first member18and the second member80when engaged, at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the end region48of the elongated projection24of the first member18, which may include the distal end54, may be forced (pushed) back into the passage98along the longitudinal axis142while a relative axial position of the second member80is held constant. In such manner, the cylindrical male portion62of the first member18extends through the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80in a disassembly/disengagement direction, which is opposite the assembly/engagement direction above, at which time the at least one of the first member18and the second member80elastically deforms to permit travel though the passage100. Once the cylindrical male portion62of the first member18passes through the cylindrical female portion124of the second member80, the first member18and/or the second member80again returns to its pre-deformation state. The elongated projection24may now be completely removed from passage98. At this time, the attractant composition may lose its scent, or otherwise no longer attract interest of the pet, may be removed from the attractant container110and/or attractant holder28and replaced with a new attractant composition. Additionally, or alternatively, if the attractant composition comprises consumable articles (e.g. treats, kibble, hard food) which have been removed from the pet toy10by the pet, the pet toy may now be reloaded with a new batch of consumable articles. Thereafter, the first member18and the second member80may be reengaged as explained above.

LISTING OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS