JP7458166B2 - gum for pets - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pet gum that can be suitably used for removing dental plaque from pets.

Chewing products for pets such as dogs and cats are made from a wide variety of ingredients. It is known that pet chewing gum products can have a certain degree of plaque removal effect if the pet chews them for a long period of time.

Patent Document 1 proposes an edible pet chew that has a unique twisted shape that improves the characteristics of the chew, lengthens the time it occupies the oral cavity, and promotes oral hygiene.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 propose a pet food with a dental care function so that when pets such as dogs and cats chew the pet food, it is easier to mechanically clean (brush) the teeth by friction and polishing. has been done.

Special table 2016-515809 publication Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-34675 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-34674

By the way, the characteristics required for such pet gum products differ depending on the type of animal. Using cats as an example, if a cat can't chew through something they try to eat, they will stop chewing immediately.
Therefore, there is a need for a pet gum that is easy to chew and has the effect of removing plaque in a short time.

Also, the teeth of dogs and cats are shaped and arranged to cut the food they eat. At the back of the mouth, the upper and lower back molars intersect on the inside and outside of the mouth. The premolars on the sides of the mouth form an interlocking pattern in which the upper and lower jaw alternately intersect with each other.
Furthermore, differences in the bite of individual animals, the angle between the chewing teeth and the gum, and the position where the gum is chewed change randomly.
Therefore, there is a demand for a gum that can consistently enhance the plaque removal effect.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pet gum that can further improve the plaque removal effect.

As a result of intensive studies on the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention have provided a columnar body with an inner wall portion defining a hollow portion and an outer wall portion, and a slit communicating from the outer wall portion to the hollow portion. The inventors have discovered that the above-mentioned problem can be solved by having the columnar body have flexibility that allows at least a portion of the inner walls to come into contact with each other, and have completed the present invention.
That is, the present inventors provide the following [1] to [9].
[1] A pet gum that is a columnar body, comprising an inner wall portion that defines a hollow portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body, and an outer wall portion that defines the outer shape of the columnar body, A chew for pets, wherein a slit communicating from the outer wall to the hollow is provided, and the columnar body has flexibility to bring at least a portion of the inner wall into contact with each other during use.
[2] The pet gum according to [1] above, wherein the slit extends linearly or spirally in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body.
[3] The pet gum according to [1] or [2] above, wherein at least one surface of the outer wall portion is provided with one or more convex portions protruding from the surface.
[4] Any of the above [1] to [3], wherein the columnar body is a columnar body twisted about an axis passing through the midpoint of the maximum diameter in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. Pet gum described in Crab.
[5] The pet gum according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the pet is a dog, and the maximum diameter of the columnar body is equal to or less than the height of the dog's teeth.
[6] The pet is a cat, and the value obtained by subtracting the inner diameter of the hollow part from the maximum diameter of the columnar body is equal to or less than the height of the cat's teeth, according to [1] to [4] above. Gum for pets as described in any of the above.
[7] The pet gum according to any one of [1] to [6] above, wherein the slit and the hollow portion are integrally formed in a groove shape.
[8] The pet gum according to any one of [1] to [7] above, wherein the columnar body is made of a mixture containing at least a livestock and fishery food and starch.
[9] The pet gum according to any one of [1] to [8] above, which is a molded product produced by extruding a mixture containing at least a livestock and fishery food and starch.

According to the pet gum of the present invention, the plaque removal effect can be further improved.

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a pet chew. FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of the pet chew. FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of the pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of the pet chew. FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 3C-3C in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of a pet toothpaste. FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of the pet chew. FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing the cut end surface of pet gum cut at the position indicated by the dashed line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which parts of the inner walls are in contact with each other when the pet gum is used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure schematically shows the shape, size, and arrangement of the constituent elements to an extent that the invention can be understood. The present invention is not limited to the following description, and each component can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.
Further, in each figure used in the following explanation, similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations may be omitted.

1. Explanation of Terminology "When in use, the columnar bodies bring at least a portion of the inner walls into contact with each other" means that when a pet chews the pet gum 1 of the present invention, the bite force is increased. This means that at least some of the mutually spaced partial regions of the surface of the inner wall portion 1a come into contact with each other at the contact portion 7.

"Slit" refers to a region that is not continuous in a part of the circumferential direction in a cross section when the pet gum of the present invention is cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, a cutout region, a hollowed out region, Refers to the gap formed by making an incision, or the incision itself. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, it refers to a gap that communicates, for example, from an outer wall portion 1b to an inner wall portion 1a defining a hollow portion 2.
In the pet gum of the present invention, the slits may be provided continuously in the longitudinal direction or may be provided intermittently. Further, the slit may be linear or spiral. Further, in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the grooves may be provided at only one location in the circumferential direction, or may be provided at a plurality of locations.

The term “hollow portion” refers to a region defined by an inner wall portion in a direction (thickness direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical or prismatic columnar body. The hollow portion is preferably located near a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the pet gum (columnar body), and more preferably the hollow portion includes the central axis. A plurality of hollow parts may exist in one columnar body. The length of the hollow portion in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved.
Note that the slit and the hollow portion can be integrally formed into a groove shape.

In the pet gum of the present invention, portions of the inner wall portions may be in contact with each other in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. "Parts of the inner walls are in contact with each other in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the columnar body" refers to a state in which parts of the inner walls defining the hollow part are in contact with each other even when not in use. say. In the state of contact, the hollow portion may be closed or may be open except for the contact portion when a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body is observed.
According to the pet gum of the present invention, when the columnar pet gum is cut along a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, or along the longitudinal direction of the columnar body, the central axis (diameter) passes through the column. When the cross section of the pet gum is cut along the plane, the image taken directly or by any suitable optical means is visually observed, or further image analysis is performed using a means such as a magnifying glass (microscope). By doing so, it is possible to confirm the existence of an "inner wall" and, by extension, the existence of a hollow part. Here, if at least a portion of the inner walls are in contact with each other (closed), an interface caused by the contact between the inner walls can also be observed.

"The slit and the hollow part are integrally formed into a groove shape" means that the slit and the hollow part are formed integrally with no clear boundaries and are groove-like as a whole. say. This form is also a form in which the pair of end surfaces defining the slit and the inner wall defining the hollow part are not distinguished by a clear boundary. In other words, the pair of end surfaces defining the slit and the surface defining the hollow portion each integrally form one plane.

2. Configuration Examples of Pet Chew (1) First Embodiment A first embodiment of pet chew will be described with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B.
In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1A, the pet chew 1 has an inner wall 1a that defines a hollow portion 2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body, and an outer wall 1b that defines the outer shape of the columnar body. The outer wall 1b has a slit 3 that communicates with the hollow portion 2.
In Fig. 1A, the columnar body is tubular, and the hollow portion 2 extends continuously from end 1c on one end side of the columnar body in the longitudinal direction to end 1d on the other end side, and is open at end 1c on one end side and end 1d on the other end side. In the pet chewing gum, the form of the hollow portion is not limited to this embodiment, and although not shown, parts of the inner wall portions may be in contact with each other at least in a part of the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. The contact portion may be open or closed.
In this specification, "continuously from one end to the other end" means extending between both longitudinal end faces of the columnar body. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the hollow portion 2 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body from the end 1c on one end side to the end 1d on the other end side, and is open at the end 1c on the one end side and the end 1d on the other end side. That is, in this case, the columnar body is tubular. Also, the slit 3 extends linearly from the end 1c on one end side to the end 1d on the other end side of the columnar body.

The slit 3 extends linearly in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis C. Further, only one slit 3 is provided, and it is provided continuously from an end 1c on one end side of the columnar body to an end 1d on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 1B, a pair of first end surface portions 3a and second end surface portions 3b defining the slit 3 are spaced apart from each other. Although not shown, the pair of first and second end surfaces defining the slit may be in contact with each other.
In this specification, "a pair of first and second end surfaces defining a slit are separated from each other" means that the first end surface 3a and the second end surface 3b are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 1B. A state in which the pair of end faces are separated, that is, a state in which the pair of end faces face each other, or a state in which a part of the inner wall on the first end face side overlaps with an outer wall on the second end face side (not shown); A state in which a portion of the inner wall on the second end face overlaps with the outer wall on the first end face and the end faces are separated from each other, that is, a state in which a pair of end faces are staggered. However, if a part of the inner wall portion overlaps with the outer wall portion and the end surfaces are separated from each other, there is excessive overlap, that is, when the target animal chews the pet gum of the present invention. , does not include a state in which the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion overlap each other.
Although not shown, "a pair of first and second end surfaces that define a slit are in contact with each other" means that a portion of the planes of the first and second end surfaces do not adhere to each other. It refers to the state in which it is in contact with. That is, although the first end surface portion and the second end surface portion are in contact with each other, when the target animal chews the pet gum of the present invention, the first end surface portion and the second end surface portion are separated due to the biting force. say. The term "contact" herein includes not only a state in which the entire surfaces of the end surfaces are in contact with each other, but also a state in which some of the surfaces are in contact with each other.
In addition, "the 1st end surface part and the 2nd end surface part" refer to the end surface part which defines one slit. That is, when a plurality of slits are present, the first end surface portion and the second end surface portion do not define different slits from each other.

In the first embodiment, the pet chewing gum 1 has a circular outline in a cross section cut along a plane extending in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, but the pet chewing gum 1 of the present invention , but is not limited to such a shape. The pet gum 1, which is a columnar body, may have an elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, or polygonal cross-sectional outline. Further, the shape of the cross section of the hollow portion 2 defined by the inner wall portion 1a is circular with the central axis C passing through the midpoint of the inner diameter d1 and the maximum diameter d2, but the shape is not limited to such a shape. . The cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 2 may be elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, or polygonal.
Note that in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the maximum diameter d2 indicates the diameter of a circle that defines the shape of the outer diameter of the columnar body. The maximum diameter d2 is the maximum length between two points of the outline of the outer diameter of the columnar body in a cross section taken along a plane extending in the transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. For example, if the outline of the outer diameter of the columnar body is elliptical, it corresponds to the major axis of the ellipse, and if it is triangular, it corresponds to the longest side. Moreover, the inner diameter d1 indicates the diameter of a circle that is the shape of the outline of the hollow portion 2 in a cross section taken along a plane extending in the transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. Similarly to the maximum diameter d2, the inner diameter d1 is also the maximum length between two points of the contour of the hollow portion in the cross section. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the pet gum 1 will be described as a columnar body having a circular outer contour.

The pet gum 1 has a hollow part 2 and a slit 3 that communicates with the hollow part 2. That is, the slit 3 is provided in the outer wall part 1b of the columnar body, and inside the slit 3, A hollow portion 2 defined by the inner wall portion 1a is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, during use, the columnar body has the flexibility to bring at least a portion of the inner wall portions 1a separated from each other through the hollow portion 2 into contact with each other to form the contact portion 7. are doing. Pet gum having such flexibility is easily crushed while being deformed by the pet's biting force, easily bends flexibly, and furthermore, can easily fit into gaps between teeth. Therefore, when the pet chews, the tooth surface is rubbed, which can further improve the plaque removal effect.
Moreover, since the pet gum 1 has the inner wall portion 1a configured to define the hollow portion 2, it is easier to chew than solid pet gum. Therefore, the product can be targeted at cats.

The length L1 in the longitudinal direction can be changed as appropriate depending on the type of pet. For example, in the case of a dog, the length is preferably 1.0 to 15.0 cm, and in the case of a cat, the length is preferably 1.0 to 10.0 cm.
The inner diameter d1 can also be changed as appropriate depending on the type of pet. For example, in the case of a dog, the length is preferably 1.0 to 18.0 mm, and in the case of a cat, the length is preferably 1.0 to 11.0 mm.

The maximum diameter d2 of the columnar body is set to a size that the pet can bite through. Such a size is preferably equal to or less than a threshold value calculated based on the height of the pet's teeth. For example, in the case of a dog, the threshold value is preferably equal to or less than the height of the dog's teeth, more preferably 1.5 to 20.0 mm. In the case of a cat, the value obtained by subtracting the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion from the maximum diameter d2 is preferably equal to or less than the height of the cat's teeth, more preferably 4.0 to 16.0 mm. The value obtained by subtracting the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion from the maximum diameter d2 is equal to twice the thickness of the pet gum. In other words, in the case of a cat, it is preferable that, during use, twice the thickness at the contact portion where at least parts of the inner wall portions separated by the hollow portion come into contact with each other is equal to or less than the height of the cat's teeth.
The thickness (d2-d1)/2 of the pet chew 1 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is preferably 1.0 to 3.0 mm from the viewpoint of making it easy to bite off.
It should be noted that "dog tooth height" refers to the height of the first molar, and "cat tooth height" refers to the height of the first molar.

(2) Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the pet gum will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
In the second embodiment, in the pet gum 1, the slit 3 communicating from the outer wall portion 1b to the hollow portion 2 extends spirally in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. That is, in the second embodiment, the pet gum 1 is a columnar body twisted with the center axis C being an axis passing through the midpoint of the maximum diameter d2 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
By extending the slit 3 in a spiral shape around the central axis C, the pet gum 1 becomes more easily deformed when the pet's biting force is applied in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. Therefore, the plaque removal effect can be further improved.
The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted as described above.

(3) Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the pet gum will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.
In the third embodiment, the pet gum 1 has a slit 3 that communicates from the outer wall portion 1b to the hollow portion 2 and is continuously provided from the end portion 1c on one end side of the columnar body to the end portion 1d on the other end side. The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the second embodiment is not included. That is, in the third embodiment, the pet gum 1 has a configuration in which slits are provided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 3B, and a slit in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 3C. This is an embodiment in which configurations in which no slits are provided are mixed. With this configuration, when a pet bites the part where the slit is provided in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the part corresponding to FIG. 3B), the biting force applied in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body is reduced. This makes the pet gum 1 easier to chew.
The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted as described above.

(4) Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of the pet gum will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
In the fourth embodiment, the pet gum 1 is provided with a plurality of ridge-shaped convex portions 5 on the surface of the outer wall portion 1b that protrude from the surface when the outer wall portion 1b is viewed from the transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. It is being The plurality of convex portions 5 extend from an end 1c on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body to an end portion 1d on the other end side, and each convex portion 5 is arranged approximately parallel to the slit 3. In addition, the plurality of convex portions 5 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Note that the convex portion 5 is not limited to this form. For example, it may be divided in the longitudinal direction and arranged, it may be in the form of a protrusion, or it may be twisted in a spiral shape.
By providing the convex portion 5, when chewing the pet gum 1, the friction force between the outer wall portion 1b that first comes into contact with the plaque on the teeth increases, and the pet gum 1 reaches the recesses between the teeth. It can scrape out plaque. Therefore, further improvement in the plaque removal effect can be expected.
The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted as described above.

The shape of the cross section of the convex portion 5 when cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body may be a polygon such as a substantially triangular or substantially quadrangular shape, or may be a semicircle. Among these, from the viewpoint of further improving the plaque removal effect, polygons such as substantially triangular or substantially quadrangular shapes are preferred, and substantially triangular or substantially quadrangular shapes are more preferred.
In this specification, "substantially triangular or substantially quadrilateral" includes not only triangles and quadrilaterals but also triangles and quadrilaterals with rounded vertices.
Note that the maximum diameter d2 when the convex portion 5 is provided is a size that takes the convex portion 5 into account. The height of the convex portion 5 protruding from the surface of the outer wall portion 1b is preferably 0.5 to 2.5 mm. Further, when two or more convex portions 5 are provided, the interval between the convex portions in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is preferably 0.5 to 4.0 mm. Furthermore, when a plurality of convex portions are present, the number of convex portions in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is preferably 2 to 20.

(5) Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment of the pet gum will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
In the fifth embodiment, in the pet gum 1, a slit 3 communicating from the outer wall portion 1b to the hollow portion 2 extends spirally in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the pet gum 1 is a columnar body twisted with the center axis C being an axis passing through the midpoint of the maximum diameter d2 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, a plurality of ridge-shaped convex portions 5 are provided on the surface of the outer wall portion 1b, which protrude from the surface when the outer wall portion 1b is viewed from the transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The plurality of convex portions 5 extend from an end 1c on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body to an end portion 1d on the other end side, and each convex portion 5 is arranged approximately parallel to the slit 3. In addition, the plurality of convex portions 5 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. That is, the fifth embodiment of the pet chewing gum 1 has the configuration of the second embodiment in which the slits 3 are arranged in a spiral shape and the configuration of the fourth embodiment in which the convex portion 5 is provided on the surface of the outer wall portion 1b. It can be said to be a form.
The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, second embodiment, and fourth embodiment, and therefore will be omitted as described above.

(6) Sixth Embodiment Although not shown, a sixth embodiment of the pet gum will be described.
The pet gum in the sixth embodiment is the same as in the first to fifth embodiments, except that the hollow part and the slit of the pet gum in the first to fifth embodiments are integrated into a groove shape. Takes the same configuration as . That is, in the sixth embodiment, the hollow portion and the slit are integrally formed into a groove shape, in other words, they are provided as a groove extending from the outer wall portion to a region near the central axis of the columnar body. Therefore, a part of the region on the outer wall side of the groove corresponds to the first and second end surfaces of the slit, and is smoothly continuous with the regions corresponding to the first and second end surfaces without being distinguished by a boundary. The remaining area near the central axis can be regarded as the inner wall of the hollow part.
The shape of the outline of the hollow part and the slit, that is, the groove of the sixth embodiment in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body is not particularly limited, and may be concave (approximately quadrangular), fan-shaped (approximately triangular), etc. ).
Note that the size of the hollow portion and the groove corresponding to the slit in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pet gum is not particularly limited as long as the effect of the present invention is achieved; It is preferable that the depth reaches the midpoint of the maximum diameter (the central axis of the columnar body).
The other configurations are the same as those in the first to fifth embodiments, and will therefore be omitted.

3. Method for producing gum for pets The method for producing gum for pets is not particularly limited. For example, it can be produced by mixing a mixture containing at least livestock and fishery products and starch, and drying a molded product formed by extrusion molding. It is possible.
Alternatively, it can be produced by winding the mixture around a rod having a thickness corresponding to the inner diameter d1 and drying it. In addition, when providing a slit in the pet gum 1, the slit may be formed either before or after removing the stick from the dried product.

As an example, manufacturing by extrusion molding will be explained in more detail. The PET of the present invention is produced by extrusion molding using a die having a hollow shape in the outer wall and inner wall in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body, and a region between the outer wall and the inner wall, and then drying. can produce gum for use. Note that in order to provide slits in the pet gum, it is important to add a shape to the die that corresponds to the shape of the desired slit. Further, by making the region corresponding to the outer surface of the outer wall portion hollow, a convex portion can be provided. That is, by changing the shape of the die, the pet gums of the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment can be manufactured.
By machining the hole in the die into a spiral shape or by extrusion molding while rotating the die, the slit is formed into a spiral shape, and the axis passing through the midpoint of the maximum diameter d2 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is the central axis C. A twisted columnar body can be obtained as follows. That is, the pet gums of the second embodiment and the fifth embodiment can be manufactured.

The mixture may contain at least livestock and aquatic food and starch, and its composition is changed depending on the type of pet to be treated. However, the total amount of livestock and fishery products and starch is the main component in the mixture, preferably 50% by mass or more, 60% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, or 80% by mass or more.
Livestock and marine products include livestock such as pigs, cows, rabbits, horses, sheep, goats, and wild boars; poultry such as chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and pigeons; seafood such as white fish, salmon, and crab; and their meat. Examples include leather, leather, and processed products thereof. For dogs, cow skin, pig skin, chicken meat, or processed products thereof are preferred. For cats, chicken, cowhide, white fish, or processed products thereof are preferable.
Starches include corn starch, potato starch, pregelatinized starch, acetylated adipic acid cross-linked starch, acetylated phosphorylated cross-linked starch, acetylated oxidized starch, sodium octenyl succinate starch, acetic acid starch, oxidized starch, hydroxypropylated starch, Examples include modified starches such as hydroxypropylated phosphate crosslinked starch, phosphate monoesterified phosphate crosslinked starch, phosphorylated starch, phosphate crosslinked starch, sodium starch glycolate, and sodium starch phosphate.

In addition to the above, the mixture also contains meat extracts such as chicken extract; seafood extracts made from sardines, tuna, bonito, mackerel, sea bream, flounder, salmon, trout, crab, shrimp, etc.; aureobasidium culture solution, flaxseed gum, and Arabica. Gum, arabinogalactan, alginic acid, welan gum, elemi resin, cassia gum, curdlan, carrageenan, karaya gum, carob bean gum, xanthan gum, chitin, chitosan, guar gum, guar gum enzymatic decomposition product, gati gum, glucosamine, yeast cell wall, psyllium seed gum, gellan gum, Tamarind seed gum, tara gum, dextran, tragacanth gum, Indian mallow, Bacillus natto gum, microfibrous cellulose, farcellan, Fucuronori extract, pullulan, pectin, peach resin, ranzan gum, levan, alginic acid or its derivatives (e.g. ammonium alginate, potassium alginate) , alginates such as calcium alginate and sodium alginate, alginate esters such as propylene glycol alginate), starch sodium octenylsuccinate, carboxymethylcellulose or its derivatives (e.g. carboxymethylcellulose salts such as calcium carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose), etc. Viscous stabilizers; glycerin; antioxidants; abrasives such as fine silicon dioxide and calcium carbonate; sodium bisulfite; pH adjusters; sodium caseinate; colorants; rosemary extract; and known additives such as polylysine. good.

By appropriately changing the amount of starch added in the mixture, the physical properties of the pet gum of the present invention can be adjusted and flexibility can be imparted during use.
For example, the amount of starch blended is preferably 0.5 to 45% by mass based on the total amount of the mixture when used for dogs, and 0.5 to 15% by mass based on the total amount of the mixture when used for cats. preferable.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples. The following examples are provided to suitably illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention. Note that the measurement methods for physical property values, etc. are the measurement methods described above, unless otherwise specified.

Mixture 1 and Mixture 2 having the compositions shown in Table 1 below were prepared.

(Example 1)
The pet gum of the first embodiment was manufactured by extrusion-molding the mixture 1 using a die of a predetermined shape to form a molded product, drying and cutting. The length L1 of the pet gum is 9.5 cm, the maximum diameter d2 is 11.0 mm, the inner diameter d1 of the hollow part is 3.0 mm, and the gap between the outer wall and the inner wall is The thickness (d2-d1)/2 was 4.0 mm.

(Comparative example 1)
Mixture 1 was extruded using a die of a predetermined shape to form a molded product, which was then dried and cut to produce a solid cylindrical pet chew having no hollow portions or slits. The length L1 of the pet gum was 9.5 cm, and the maximum diameter d2 was 11.0 mm.

Example 2
The mixture 2 was extruded using a die of a predetermined shape to form a molded product, which was then dried and cut to produce the pet chew of the fifth embodiment. The length L1 of the pet chew was 6.0 cm, the maximum diameter d2 was 8.0 mm, the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion was 3.0 mm, the thickness (d2-d1)/2 between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion was 2.5 mm, the number of convex portions in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction was 9, the height of the convex portions protruding from the surface of the outer wall portion was 1.0 mm, and the distance between the convex portions in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction was 2.5 mm.

(Comparative example 2)
By extruding the mixture 2 using a die of a predetermined shape to form a molded product, drying and cutting, a solid cylindrical pet gum with no hollow parts or slits and with convex parts is obtained. was manufactured. In addition, the length L1 of the pet gum is 6.0 cm, the maximum diameter d2 is 8.0 mm, the number of protrusions in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 12, and the outer wall part The height of the protrusions protruding from the surface was 1.0 mm, and the interval between the protrusions in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction was 2.5 mm.

Using the pet gums of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, and the pet gums of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, the model plaque removal rate was measured. The ease of chewing the pet gum based on the biting force when chewing was measured using a digital force gauge ZTS-500N (manufactured by Imada, using the included standard attachment S-3 (cone)). The measurement was repeated five times, once for each piece of gum, and the average value of each was determined. The ease of chewing was evaluated by pressing the digital force gauge in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar pet chew and determining the peak value of the pressing force when breakage occurred. The measurement results are shown in Table 2.

The model plaque removal rate was measured as follows. The surfaces of the teeth (first molars of the lower jaw) in the prescribed positions of the target jaw models for evaluation (small dogs in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, cats in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2) were colored. A "Model Plaque" solution was applied and allowed to dry for 10 minutes. After drying, the pet chewed gum three times, and the area of model plaque removed was measured.
The model plaque removal rate was calculated using the following formula.
Model plaque removal rate (%)
= Area where model plaque applied to first molars was removed ÷ Area of model plaque applied to first molars x 100

From Table 2, it can be seen that even when using pet gums of the same shape, by providing hollow parts and slits, destruction occurred with less force, and the model plaque removal rate was significantly improved. That is, the pet gum of the present invention is easier to chew and can improve the plaque removal effect.

1: Pet gum, 1a: Inner wall, 1b: Outer wall, 1c: One end, 1d: Other end, 2: Hollow, 3: Slit, 3a: First end, 3b : second end surface portion, 5: convex portion, 7: contact portion, L1: longitudinal length, d1: inner diameter, d2: maximum diameter, C: central axis.

Claims (12)

A pet chew that is a columnar body,
an inner wall portion defining a hollow portion extending continuously in a longitudinal direction from one end portion of the columnar body to the other end portion ;
and an outer wall portion defining an outer shape of the columnar body,
A slit is provided which is a cut that communicates from the outer wall portion to the hollow portion,
In a cross section of the columnar body taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least parts of a pair of first end surface portions and second end surface portions defining a slit are in contact with each other,
This pet chew has flexibility that allows at least a portion of the inner wall portions to contact each other when in use. A pet chew that is a columnar body,
an inner wall portion defining a hollow portion extending continuously in a longitudinal direction from one end portion of the columnar body to the other end portion;
and an outer wall portion defining an outer shape of the columnar body,
A slit is provided which is a cut that communicates from the outer wall portion to the hollow portion,
In a cross section of the columnar body cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of a pair of first end surface portions and second end surface portions defining a slit are spaced apart from each other, and a portion of an inner wall portion on the first end surface portion side overlaps an outer wall portion on the second end surface portion side, or a portion of an inner wall portion on the second end surface portion side overlaps an outer wall portion on the first end surface portion side,
This pet chew has flexibility that allows at least a portion of the inner wall portions to contact each other when in use . The pet gum according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the slit extends linearly or spirally in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. The pet gum according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one surface of the outer wall portion is provided with one or more convex portions protruding from the surface. 5. The columnar body is a columnar body twisted about an axis passing through a midpoint of a maximum diameter in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar body as a central axis. Gum for pets. the pet is a dog,
The pet chew according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the columnar body has a maximum diameter of 1.5 to 20.0 mm . the pet is a cat,
The pet chew according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a value obtained by subtracting an inner diameter of the hollow portion from a maximum diameter of the columnar body is 4.0 to 16.0 mm . The pet gum according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the slit and the hollow portion are integrally formed in a groove shape. The thickness (d2-d1)/2 (in the formula, d1 and d2 represent the inner diameter of the hollow part and the maximum diameter of the columnar body, respectively) in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 1.0 to 4.0 mm. , the pet gum according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the peak value of the pressing force when the digital force gauge is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pet chewing gum is 41.2 to 52.5 N. Pet gum as described in section. The pet gum according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the columnar body is made of a mixture containing at least livestock and fishery food and starch. The pet chew according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , which is a molded product produced by extrusion molding a mixture containing at least a livestock or aquatic food product and starch.

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