Abstract:
A domestic pet toy is provided having a housing element formed of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite made of a solid catnip attractant, a lignocellulose cork agglomerate filler material, and an FDA approved binding agent adhesive. The housing material provides sufficient delivery aromatic olfactory attractant to be effective in having an interactive response with a domestic feline. A sound chip assembly can also be positioned in a retention cavity and emits a prerecorded sound as an audible attractant in response to one or both of commencement and continuation of movement the pet toy.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 81/806,417, filed on Mar. 29, 2013 and incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to pet products that include the delivery of aromatic attractant for encouraging pet interaction and, more particularly, to such a pet products formed of a catnip composite and a method for making the same. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]      Nepeta cataria , commonly known as catnip, or catswort or catmint, is a herbaceous perennial, resembling a mint in appearance, that is widely naturalized elsewhere, as well as commercially grown for specialty purposes. It is commonly used in herbal tea blends related to sleep, stress reduction, and relaxation, as well as used as a culinary herb for cooking and many dishes. 
         [0006]    The plant terpenoid nepetalactone is the main chemical constituent of the essential oil of  Nepeta cataria  (and some other species within the genus  Nepeta ). This essential oil is known for their behavioral effects on the cat family, and especially on domestic cats. Nepetalactone acts as the behavioral attractant, with the chemical entering the feline&#39;s nose and simulating the olfactory receptors. Other plants that also have this effect on cats include valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) and plants that contain actinidine. 
         [0007]    Used as a recreational substance for pet cats&#39; enjoyment, catnip and catnip laced products are designed for use with domesticated cats and are available to consumers. Used generally as an attractant to encourage play and interaction, catnip commonly causes domesticated felines to rub on the plant, roll on the ground, pawing at it, licking it, and chewing it. Consuming catnip is often followed by drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, leaping about and purring. And, while catnip or similar attractants are used widely by pet owners with a positive effect, the use of dry, granulated, flaked or powdered herbal or plant based attractants is difficult to deliver or dose, and will generally produce a mess within the play area that is undesirable to most pet owners. 
         [0008]    There are many pet toys available that incorporate these effects to provide entertainment to the pet and the owner. The most direct method of forming such toys is to compress chopped catnip material directly into the shape of a pet toy itself. As first described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,022,113, issued in the name of Smith, a ball made entirely of compressed catnip is described, as well as a ball formed of wood, rubber, paper-mache or wood pulp pressed into a shape and formed with recesses that are filed with catnip compound. More recently, numerous design patents exist for compressed catnip pet toys formed into various shapes. 
         [0009]    Such toys are popular for their efficacy, but the cost of the plant material results in only small sized devices being commercially available, requires that such devices durations. As such, these toys often provide for the replenishment of catnip, either in the form of solid or liquid extract, into or within the toy for subsequent dispensing based on movement or rotation of the toy or its interaction with the surrounding air. The present invention is markedly different by providing a less expensive aromatic composite material that can be molded, compressed, extruded, or otherwise shaped into small or large structures economically for extended delivery of an effective rate of aromatic compounds efficacy. 
         [0010]    These, among other disclosed advantages and features, overcome many of the deficiencies outlined and inherent within the known prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a catnip composite and a method for making the same. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide for such a catnip composite used to produce domestic pet toys and other pet products. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a catnip composite material capable of being molded, compressed, extruded or otherwise shaped into small or large sheets or bodies of aromatic attractant material. 
         [0014]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a composite material for use with and for binding an olfactory attractant that is naturally hydrophobic. 
         [0015]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide for use of catnip in conjunction with domestic pet toys and other pet products that avoids the dust, mess and scatter that is normally associated with the conventional use of catnip or similar herbal attractants. 
         [0016]    It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide for the use of a catnip composite material that results in a soft, textured “feel” that can be grasped, clawed or chewed in a manner that is positively received by domestic pets. 
         [0017]    Further still, the present invention provides a hydrophobic, naturally microbial resistant, nontoxic material that can be robustly incorporated into a variety of pet products and product surfaces 
         [0018]    As described in one embodiment of the present invention, a catnip-cork composite material is provided that is capable of being molded, compressed, extruded or similarly processed into small or large bodies or sheets and allow for the economic manufacture of toys and products for domestic pets, especially felines. Dried and granulated catnip (or similar olfactory attractant) is blended with a fill material such as powdered or granulated agglomerate cork material that is typically a waste product of cork stopper manufacturing. It is envisioned that similar materials can be alternately used, such as, for example, waste cedar wood shavings or sawdust or other types of lignocellulose material. The use of various types of low cost waste products or woody biomass materials have been found to effectively extend the economic viability of the compression molded catnip products available in the prior art. The blended chipped, granulated or powdered materials are then mixed with a bonding agent. An effective bonding agent has been found in the use of lignosufates. Lignosulfates can also be obtained as a recovered waste product from the wood or paper pulping industries, and further will make the completed product of an “all natural” construction. Other effective bonding agents are known and can be uses, such as, for example, polyurethane food grade adhesives including, but not limited to, urethane, melaminic and phenolic resins. 
         [0019]    As described above, a low cost, all (or substantially) natural composite material can be formed economically into various shapes. The blended, bonded material can be extruded, compressed or molded into shapes, sheets, or machineable blocks, and given the economy of using a composite material whose components have an overall lower blended cost that a material made substantially of 100% molded catnip, it is now possible to make much larger bodies, be it pet toys or larger structures, such as claw scratching posts, that provide the attractant benefit to the domestic feline of catnip. 
         [0020]    The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a catnip composite material being formed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is cross sectional view of a composite material made according to the exemplary method of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   a  through  FIG. 3   c  are perspective views of exemplary solid body domestic pet toys made according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an otherwise conventional domestic pet toy adapted for use with composite attractant inserts made according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   a  and  FIG. 5   b  are perspective views of a hollow body domestic pet toy having an audible insert element shown in a closed and exploded view, respectively, utilizing a composite attractant body element according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    It should be understood that the composite material of the present invention can be formed through a number of extrusion or compression methods to be adapted to various designs, including sheets, laminates, bulk shapes or net molded shapes, and that the present disclosure is intended to describe preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
       1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
       [0029]    Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the formulations described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. If is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0030]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which, in conjunction with this detailed description, illustrate and describe domestic pet toy ball formed of an attractant-composite material accordance with the present invention. Referring now to the drawings, in which like referenced characters represent corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in which a composite material is shown being formed and formed, respectively, of three main components: a solid attractant  10 ; a lignocellulose filler material  20 ; and a binding agent  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the preferred solid attractant is a granulated catnip. Further, it is preferred that the solid attractant can be between about 10% to about 60% of the overall composition, by weight. Further, the preferred lignocellulose filler material is granulated or agglomerated cork, and it is preferred that the use of granulated or agglomerated cork between about 80% to about 20% of overall composition, by weight. Further still, the use of a binding agent is intended to sufficient to maintain the composite material into the desired form and structure required for the particular design and intended use. It is further preferred that a binder be about 20% or less of the overall composition, by weight. A preferred binding is selected from those food grade polyurethanes, but other food grade adhesives including, but not limited to, dextrin, casein, gelatin, urea-formaldehyde, amine, and other urethane, melaminic and phenolic resins are know to also provide cork manufacturing has been burned in boilers for steam and energy production. 
         [0031]    It should be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art, in light of the present teachings, that equivalent replacements for ground or agglomerated cork can be utilized, including, hut not limited to, any plant containing lignocellulose such as, by way of example and not meant as a limitation, sawdust, wood chips, wood pellets or wood shavings of any type, such as cedar, pine, or the like, as well as various woody biomass materials. The use of cedar or pine is preferred as an alternate material in that these all natural materials are already utilized in domestic pet products, such as for use in cat litter or small animal bedding, and their use is generally accepted by both pets and pet owners. 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment, the binding agent  30  can be a lignosulfate binder, which has been found to be an effective bonding agent for both dried and ground catnip as well as for cork. Other effective bonding agents are known and can be uses, such as, for example, various thermoplastic resins and polyurethane food grade adhesives, dextrin, casein, gelatin, urea-formaldehyde, amine, and other urethane, melaminic and phenolic resins. 
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
       [0033]    As described in the present invention, a catnip-cork composite material is provided that is capable of being molded, compressed, extruded or similarly processed into small or large bodies or sheets and allow for the functional equivalency within the present teachings. It is anticipated that other additives may be incorporated to accommodate particular uses or design choices, such as, for example, the incorporation of dyes in order to provide colors or otherwise alter the aesthetic of the final article. 
         [0034]    A solid attractant  10  is preferably a dried and granulated catnip. It should be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art, in light of the present teachings, that equivalent replacements for dried and granulated catnip can be utilized, including, but not limited to, any plant containing a terpenoid nepetalactone or similar chemical to the essential oil of  Nepeta cataria  and other species within the genus  Nepeta , as well as other plants that are known to have effects on cats, including valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) and plants that contain actinidine. 
         [0035]    The lignocellulose filler material  20  is preferably granulated or agglomerated cork. Cork is commercially harvested from the bark tissue of the Cork Oak (i.e.  Quercus suber ). While a majority of the cork harvest is used each year in the manufacture of wine bottle stoppers and other closures, for the purpose of the present invention it is intended that less value added waste streams from such production be re-purposed. As such, it is intended that flaked, chipped, ground, agglomerate or manufacturing “dust” from other cork manufacturing processes are to be sourced and reused as the filler material  20  of the present invention. To date, such “powder” created from grinding or cutting in economic manufacture of toys and products for domestic pets, especially felines. As described above, a low cost, all (or substantially) natural composite material can be formed economically into various shapes. The blended, bonded material can be extruded, compressed or molded into shapes or sheets, and given the economy of using a composite material whose components have an overall lower blended cost that a material made substantially of 100% molded catnip. It is now possible to make much larger bodies, be it pet toys or larger structures, such as claw scratching posts, that provide the attractant benefit to the domestic feline of catnip. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3   a  through  FIG. 3   c,  various solid body domestic pet toys are depicted shown made according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In these exemplary designs, the use of a composite material incorporating a catnip or functional equivalent solid attractant is agglomerated with a cork filler material and molded with a binding agent to provide a domestic pet toy that is attractive to domestic pets, especially felines, without the mess associated with the use of loose catnip fill. Further, the consistency and texture of the body  40  is quiet when contacted with hard surfaces, unlike a molded plastic body, and is formed of a resilient cellular structure that allows a pet to claw or bite at the structure without harm to the pet&#39;s teeth or claws. As can be seen, the creation of various individual shapes can be accommodated in that the composite material is capable of being molded to shape, or machined from a formed material blank. I 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an otherwise conventional domestic pet plush toy  50  is shown adapted for use with composite attractant inserts  60  made according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. While such plush toys  50  were previously available with the capacity to be filled with loose catnip or herbal attractants, the use of a composite attractant insert  60  provides such toys  50  the capability of being adapted with a functionally equivalent insert material that exhibits the enhanced features and benefits taught by the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring finally to  FIG. 5   a  and  FIG. 5   b , a hollow body domestic pet toy  70  is shown in which an audible insert element  72  is retained within a hollow body formed of a plurality of body elements  74   a ,  74   b  affixed together. Each body element  74   a,    74   b  is formed of a composite attractant material according to the present invention. The creation of a sealed inner cavity  76  allows for the retention of other functional elements such as motion actuated the sound chip as anticipated, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,053, issued on Apr. 10, 2002 to the present inventor, in which a to sound simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip incorporated therein is retained within an injection molded plastic housing and not a housing formed of the composite cork material integrating catnip olfactory attractant. 
         [0039]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many mortifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.