Patent Publication Number: US-2020288671-A1

Title: Pet toy

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/818,244 filed Mar. 14, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a pet toy. In particular, the present invention is directed to pet ball configured to be thrown and then fetched by an animal. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Conventional pet toys can be thrown and fetched. Many of these toys are not sufficiently rugged to stand up to repeated chewing and play. 
     SUMMARY 
     It has been determined that an improved pet toy is desirable. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a pet toy with a ball shape and a recess that provides an added dimension to the surface of the pet toy. 
     In view of the state of the art, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pet toy that includes an outer covering and an inner core. The inner core has an outer surface formed with a non-linear groove. The outer covering has a first section and a second section. The first section is fixed to a first area of the outer surface of the inner core and the second section is disposed at least partially within the groove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the pet toy showing first portions and second portions of a non-linear groove formed along the surface of the pet toy, the non-linear groove having an overall shape similar to the shape of baseball stitching in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side view of the pet toy with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees leftward about a vertical axis relative to  FIG. 1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a backside view of the pet toy with the pet toy rotated 180 degrees leftward about the vertical axis relative to  FIG. 1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the pet toy with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees rightward about the vertical axis relative to  FIG. 1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a top side view of the pet toy with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees downward about a horizontal axis relative to  FIG. 1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom side view of the pet toy with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees upward about the horizontal axis relative to  FIG. 1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pet toy showing an inner core, an outer covering that includes a first section and a second section, the second section lining surfaces of the non-linear groove and further defining the non-linear groove, a peripheral edge of the second section overlapping a recessed edge of the first portion thereby defining a recess exposing a portion of the recessed edge of the first portion in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of a part of the first section of the outer covering removed from the pet toy showing a recessed edge form along an outer periphery thereof in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a portion of the pet toy showing the groove and the peripheral edge of the second section of the outer covering overlapping the recessed edge of the first section of the outer covering and further showing the recess that exposes a portion of the recessed edge of the first section of the outer covering in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is another plan view of the portion of a modified version of the pet toy depicted in  FIG. 10  showing the groove and the peripheral edge of the second section of the outer covering overlapping the recessed edge of the first section of the outer covering without the recess shown in  FIG. 10  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section of a first pair of rollers that press material into a thin sheet in order to form the first section of the outer covering of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of molded material being cut to remove flashing in one step of the formation of the second section of the outer covering of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a precision cutting device that cuts the molded material shown in  FIG. 13  to predetermined dimensions to form the second section of the outer covering of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  a perspective view of an optional sewing machine that joins opposing ends of the second section of the outer covering to form a continuous loop that is subsequently inserted into the groove of the inner core and overlapping with edges of the first section of the outer covering of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section of a second pair of rollers that press the thin sheet (formed by the first pair of rollers as shown in  FIG. 12 ) in order to form or emboss a logo onto the outer surface of the first section of the outer covering of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of a first mold having a semi-spherical concaved portion that is used to vulcanize the pet toy after assembly in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of a second mold having a semi-spherical concaved portion that is used along with the first mold to vulcanize the pet toy after assembly in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of one of a plurality of mold inserts that are fitted into the groove of the pet toy during vulcanization of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a first perspective view of the one of the plurality of mold inserts that are fitted into the groove of the pet toy during vulcanization of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a second perspective view of the one of the plurality of mold inserts that are fitted into the groove of the pet toy during vulcanization of the pet toy in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the assembled pet toy with the plurality of mold inserts fitted within the groove of the pet toy and with the pet toy fitted into the semi-spherical concaved portion of the first mold prior to vulcanization in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the first and second molds fitted to one another with the assembled pet toy and disposed within the semi-spherical concaved portions of the first and second molds during vulcanization in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a pet toy  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the pet toy  10  is a throwable ball that can be retrieved and easily carried by an animal. The pet toy  10  is generally spherical, such that it is capable of rolling along a surface. However, the pet toy  10  can be any suitable shape, such as oblong, like a football or any other shape. 
     In the depicted embodiment in  FIGS. 1-7 , the pet toy  10  is depicted as having a non-linear groove  12  (also referred to herein below as the groove  12 ). The groove  12  has a curved, serpentine shape that resembles the path and overall shape of stitching used on the skin of a professional baseball. 
     In  FIGS. 1-7 , the pet toy  10  is drawn with two imaginary perpendicular axes A 1  and A 2 . The axis A 1  is vertical and the axis A 2  is horizontal as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The axes A 1  and A 2  are included in  FIGS. 1-7  to provide a reference point in relating the various views of  FIGS. 1-7 . The terms front, back, side, top and bottom when used in characterizing  FIGS. 1-6  are merely to demonstrate the relationships between the appearance of differing areas of the pet toy  10 , and specifically, the shape and size of the different portions of the groove  12  of the pet toy  10 . 
     Specifically,  FIG. 1  is a front view of the pet toy  10  showing first portions  12   a  of the groove  12  and second portions  12   b  of the groove  12 . The first portions  12   a  of the groove  12  have a first width W 1  and the second portion  12   b  of the groove  12  have a second width W 2  that is greater than the first width W 1 . The second width W 2  is greater than twice the first width W 1 . The groove  12  is non-linear and follows a path that is similar to shape and path of stitching of a professional baseball. The groove  12  can also be formed with a serpentine-like shape. The groove  12  has an increasing width moving from the first portion to the second portion  12   b . More specifically, in the areas between the first portion  12   a  and  12   b , the width of the groove  12  gradually changes moving from one of the portions  12   a  and  12   b  to the other of the portions  12   a  and  12   b  of the groove  12 , as is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       FIG. 2  is a left side view of the pet toy  10  with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees left about the axis A 1  relative to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a backside view of the pet toy  10  with the pet toy rotated 180 degrees left about the axis A 1  relative to  FIG. 1  (rotated 90 degrees from  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the pet toy  10  with the pet toy rotated 270 degrees left about the axis A 1  relative to  FIG. 1  (rotated 90 degrees from  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a top side view of the pet toy  10  with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees downward about the axis A 2  relative to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a bottom side view of the pet toy  10  with the pet toy rotated 90 degrees upward about the axis A 2  relative to  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in cross-section in  FIG. 8 , the pet toy  10  preferably has an inner core  14  and an outer covering  16 . The inner core  14  is preferably generally spherical or round and is formed from a copolymer, such as Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Eva is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. EVA is an elastic material that can be sintered to form a porous material similar to rubber, yet with excellent toughness. However, the core  14  can be formed from any suitable material. 
     The core  14  is formed with the groove  12  along portions of the outer surface thereof. The groove  12  is preferably a single continuos groove that extends in a curved manner along the surface of the core  14 . Portions of the groove  12  have a generally rectangular cross section so to form a generally U-shape. Other than the inclusion of the groove  12 , the core  14  can be solid or have a hollow central portion depending upon the overall design of the pet toy  10  and/or the manufacturing techniques used to form the pet toy  10 . 
     The outer covering  16  includes a first section  18  and a second section  20 . The first section  18  includes identical first and second parts  18   a  and  18   b . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first part  18   a  and the second section  18   b  have an overall barbell-like shape prior to being attached to the core  14  and laid flat. Specifically, opposing ends have a semi-spherical shape with a narrowed mid-section that joins the opposing ends thereof. As shown in  FIG. 8 , (and in  FIGS. 1-7 ), the first part  18   a  fixed to a first area  14   a  of the outer surface of the inner core  14  and the second part  18   b  of the first section  18  is fixed to a second area  14   b  of the outer surface of the inner core  14 . 
     The second section  20  of the outer covering  16  is partially disposed within the groove  12 , extending along a bottom surface and side surfaces of the groove  12 . The second section  20  further includes peripheral edges  20   a  and  20   b  that overlap corresponding recessed edges  18   c  and  18   d  of the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b  of the first section  18 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The peripheral edges  20   a  and  20   b  extend the entire length of the second section  20 , and, similarly extend adjacent to opposing sides of the groove  12 . The recesses or recessed edge  18   c  of the first part  18   a  extends completely around the outer periphery of the first part  18   a . The recessed edge  18   d  of the second part  18   b  extends completely around the outer periphery of the second part  18   b , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The second section  20  extends along the entire length of the groove  12  and completely lines the surfaces of the groove  12  and covers the groove  12 , while maintaining the overall shape and contours of the groove  12  (as viewed along the exterior of the pet toy  10 ). 
     As is shown in  FIG. 8  (as well as  FIGS. 1-7 ) the groove  12  and the second section  20  separates the first part  18   a  from the second part  18   b  of the first section  18 . In other words, the second section  20  contacts both the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b  of the first section  18 . However, the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b  do not contact one another and area separated from one another with the groove  12  and the second section  20  extending therebetween. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the first peripheral  20   a  of the second section  20  can be cut or formed such that a small gap or recess G 1  is defined along the end surface of the first peripheral edge  20   a  exposing a portion of the recessed edge  18   c . Similarly, the second peripheral  20   b  of the second section  20  can be cut or formed such that a small gap or recess G 2  is defined along the end surface of the second peripheral edge  20   b  exposing a portion of the recessed edge  18   d . The recesses G 1  and G 2  define a third width W 3  that is approximately 30% of the first width W 1  or less. 
     Alternatively, the pet toy  10  can be formed without the recesses G 1  and G 2  such that the peripheral edges  20   a  and  20   b  of the pet toy  10  are flush with the outer surface of the first parts  18   a  and  18   b  of the first section  10 , thereby completely covering and concealing the recessed edges  18   c  and  18   d , as indicated in  FIG. 11 . 
     The first section  18  and a second section  20  of the outer covering  16  can be formed of any of a variety of materials, such as synthetic rubber, rubber, copolymers or resin-based materials. In the depicted embodiment the outer covering  16  is made of rubber, as described further below. 
     Those portions of the first section  18  and a second section  20  of the outer covering  16  that contact the outer surface of the core  14  are fixedly attached thereto by, for example, an adhesive or, by a heating and/or vulcanizing process. 
     It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein, that the first and second parts  18   a  and  18   b  can have the same or a similar overall shape, dimensions and configuration and appear as a three dimensional C, as is indicated in  FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 . 
     The groove  12  can vary in diameter and depth, such that the groove  12  has a varying configuration along a length thereof. Thus, in one portion of the groove the first and second parts can define respective edges that are generally parallel. However, in another portion of the groove an edge of the first part can be curved relative to the edge of the second part. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the first section  18  (including the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b ) and the second section  20  are approximately 2 mm thick but can be any suitable thickness. The recesses G 1  and G 2  preferably have a width of about 2 mm. The first portion  12   a  of the groove  12  can have a width of between 1 and 2 cm, and, the second portion  12   b  can have a width of between 2 and 4 cm. The overall diameter of the pet toy can be any where between 12 cm and 40 cm. The groove  12  are depressions that define flange areas that can make it easier for a pet to bite or otherwise manipulate the pet toy  10 . 
     The pet toy  10  can be formed in any of a variety of processes. The following description and the depictions in  FIGS. 12 through 23  show one example of a method of manufacturing the pet toy  10 . 
     First, the core  14  can be molded to form the desired shape (not show), such as a generally spherical ball with the groove  12  (without the second section  20  covering surfaces of the groove  12 ). Since molding processes are conventional manufacturing processes, further description of the molding of the core  14  is omitted for the sake of brevity. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the material that comprises the first section  18  of the outer covering  16  is weighed and then fed to rollers R 1  and R 2  that squeeze the material to the left of the rollers R 1  and R 2  into a thin flat layer of material that subsequently is cut to size to define the first section  18 . The rollers R 1  and R 2  can be heated or the surroundings can be heated in order to achieve the desired thickness of the first section  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the second section  20  of the outer covering  16  is formed by hydraulic press for rubber vulcanization. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the second section  20  of the outer covering  16  is then pavia cut to form the finalized U-shaped configuration that subsequently is fitted into the groove  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the second section  20  of the outer covering  16  can then be sewn together by needle zigzag sewing to make a continuous loop or strip that is subsequently fitted into the groove  12 . It should be understood that sewing is not the only process that can be used to form the continuos strip that defines the second section  20 . For example, the sections of the material that defines the second section  20  can be temporarily glued or heat melted to one another to form the continuous strip that fits into the groove  12 . 
     Further, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the first section  18  and the second section  20  of the outer covering  16  can be sewn together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the first section  18  of the outer covering  16  can optionally be passed through a second set of rollers R 3  and R 4  in order to form a logo L 1  on the first section  18 . Specifically, the roller R 3  includes embossments  30  that are impressed onto the surface of the first section  18  molding the logo L 1  thereon. The rollers R 3  and R 4  can be heated or the surroundings can be heated in order impose the shape of the embossments  30  into or onto the first section  18  of the outer covering  16 . The first sections  18  are then cut to the desired shape shown in  FIG. 9  forming the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b.    
     Next, the first part  18   a  and the second part  18   b  of the first section  18  of the outer covering  16  are applied to the core  14  at predetermined locations. Thereafter, the second section  20  is installed to the groove  12  with the peripheral edges  20   a  and  20   b  overlapping the recessed edges  18   c  and  18   d.    
     Next, a plurality of mold inserts  40  shown in  FIGS. 19-21  inserted are fitted to corresponding sections of the recess  12 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . The plurality of mold inserts  40  are shaped to form or maintain the overall shape of the recess  12 . Each mold insert  40  is shaped to correspond to approximately 25% of the entire recess  12 . Each of the plurality of inserts  40  are identical with ends thereof being dimensioned to correspond to the first width W 1  and a central section thereof dimensioned to correspond to the second width W 2 . 
     Next, pet toy  10  with the mold inserts  40  are placed into a mold having a first mold M 1  shown in  FIGS. 17 and 22-23  and a second mold M 2  shown in  FIGS. 18 and 23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the assembled pet toy  10  is then encased within the first and second molds M 1  and M 2  and autoclaved (heating and/or pressurizing) for vulcanizing to form the finish pet toy  10 . Afterward, the completed pet toy  10  is removed from the molds and the mold inserts and packaged for sale. It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that any of a variety of vulcanizing processes can be employed depending upon the materials used to form the pet toy  10  and the desired outer covering characteristics desired. Since vulcanizing processes are well know in the art, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity. 
     Thus, the second section  20  of the outer covering  16  is adhered within the groove  12  of the inner core  14  so as to complete and form the groove  12  in the exterior of the pet toy  10 . The resultant pet toy  10  is resistant to chewing by an animal, water resistant or water proof for use in wet weather or in water. Moreover, the groove  12  is sized and configured to enable an animal to grip the top of the pet toy  12  along the groove  12  with their teeth for easy retrieval and carrying.