AU2021201541A1 - Dog food strip and use thereof in weight management - Google Patents

Abstract

Dog food is provided comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip, adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand. The strip may comprise at least two divisions separable along a groove running transversely and providing a zone of weakness to facilitate controllable breaking to the predetermined size. The food is baked to a hardness that reduces uncontrolled breakage in its packaging before use. The divisions being of known weight or nutritious content allow a human feeder to know and keep track of the precise amount of food being fed to a dog, which is particularly advantageous to owner in the greyhound racing industry, where weight limits for racing dogs are rigorously enforced. The disclosure includes a method of feeding and managing weight of a racing dog. SHEET 1/3 16 26b 10 28 38 16b •24 12 42 26a 12 18 30 22 4232 24 20 22 FIGURE 1 26a 2228 38 16a 2 18a 16b 32 34-a %24 36 14 30 34b 18b O 30 26b 20 FIGURE 2 14 22

Description

Dog food is provided comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip, adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand. The strip may comprise at least two divisions separable along a groove running transversely and providing a zone of weakness to facilitate controllable breaking to the predetermined size. The food is baked to a hardness that reduces uncontrolled breakage in its packaging before use. The divisions being of known weight or nutritious content allow a human feeder to know and keep track of the precise amount of food being fed to a dog, which is particularly advantageous to owner in the greyhound racing industry, where weight limits for racing dogs are rigorously enforced. The disclosure includes a method of feeding and managing weight of a racing dog.

SHEET 1/3

16 26b

10 28 38 16b •24

12 42 26a 12 18

30

22 4232 24

20 22

FIGURE 1

26a

2228 38 16a

2 18a 16b 32

34-a %24 36 14 30 34b 18b O 30

26b

20

FIGURE 2 14 22

Field of invention

[01] This invention relates to a food item for animals, in particular a dog and more particularly a racing dog, for example a greyhound. The disclosure herein pertains also to the management of the weight of such animals through precise and predictable feeding.

Background to the invention

[02] Biscuits and kibbles are a well-known form of food delivery for various animals. They are usually provided in the form of dry discrete masses that have been baked or extruded and allowed or caused to dry to a hard, brittle state. The kibbles or biscuits are specially formulated according to the perceived nutritional needs of the end consumer, and may include a range of nutritional ingredients as well as protein and carbohydrate sources. Fats may be included for taste. Biscuits are designed to be larger than kibbles and for feeding individually or at most in small numbers when fed as a meal. Kibbles tend to be fed as a meal made up of multiple units which are not generally counted. For example, an adult dog of medium size may be recommended to receive a single cupful of kibbles as a meal. The exact weight and nutritional value of the meal in this form are not known unless carefully weighed and compared with a nutrition table on the product packaging.

[03] Production methods for dog biscuits are described in various patent publications, for example US8925494, CN109820102, DK9200213U3, US6265011 and many others.

[04] Dogs, greyhounds included, require a balanced diet. Like many dog breeds, they are not solely meat eaters. However, in the field of greyhound racing, the weight of a racing dog needs careful monitoring and precise control - control to a degree specific to this field. Greyhounds have a very specific diet, namely an industry-unique balance of proteins, fats and fibre. To be eligible to race, a dog is required to meet weight limitations. The rules of the regulatory body for greyhound racing in Australia specify that a dog's weight may vary by no more than 1kg compared with their most recent race starting weight Failure to meet this specification results in the animal being scratched from the race and effectively being disqualified from racing on that same day. The trainer of the dog concerned would be fined and reprimanded by the governing body. Moreover, the dog would also be barred from racing for the next 10 days. A challenge facing owners and trainers of racing greyhounds is to ensure their charges remain within weight limits. There is a need for a food and a way of administering it that would facilitate their meeting this objective.

[05] Current feeding methods for Greyhounds tend to involve feeding a dog a number of rectangular biscuits in the morning, or a mixture of a wheat breakfast cereal biscuit designed for humans and milk. In the evening, a reasonably precise amount of kibble, meat and vegetable mixture may be administered. Weights of the components vary and may include unknown quantities, so that the resultant intake is a rough estimate, unless the feeder is using kitchen scales or similar weighing instruments. This takes time and care to manage. An example of a current meal for male dogs is 200grams of kibble with 600grams meat and a mixture of vegetables. Females, being generally smaller in bulk and stature, may receive 150grams kibble and 550grams meat with a mixture of vegetables.

[06] Information about the nutritional value in an unweighed serving of a kibble mean is not easily discerned from traditional kibbles, which are relatively small and may have size and therefore weight variations within a package. Similarly, a handler feeding a broken off portion of a biscuit to their dog will not be able to know exactly what weight and nutritional value they are administering, even if the weight of the complete biscuit is printed on the packaging, or unless the broken-off portion has been weighed on a scale. Because of the brittleness of the biscuit when dry, it is difficult to make a precise break in the middle or any other portion, unless there is a way of controlling the location of break.

[07] The inaccuracies inherent in such feeding methods lead to weight targets being missed and dogs being excluded from racing. Hence there is a need for meals to be precisely administered so that a dog is not over- or under-fed.

[08] Often in the prior art, the terms "kibble" and "biscuit" are used interchangeably and synonymously. In this specification the term "biscuit" will be used to distinguish the subject of this disclosure from a "kibble", as the latter tends to refer to dry foods in small, pellet-like masses with dimensions usually less than about 20mm in equivalent diameter and which are fed in a meal comprising a multiplicity of units. Biscuits tend to be generally of flat, slab-like dimensions having opposed major surfaces connected by peripheral minor surfaces and tend to be fed, because of their relatively large size compared with kibbles, in discrete, countable units. A popular shape format in which rectangular biscuits are supplied is referred to as "4 x 2", as opposed to a square biscuit format known as "2 x 2".

[09] Known current forms of biscuits in a 4x2 format provide for a maximum weight of 50g. An example of a 50g biscuit is sold under the BestCare brand and is available online at <https://www.petshopdirect.com.au/shop/item/box-1-traditiona-4-x-2-baked biscuits-10kg>.

[010] A problem encountered with prior 4 x 2 biscuits is that they tend to be break easily because of their thinness, even when packaged in carboard boxes. The result is fragments of unknown weight and a requirement for unnecessary handling on the part of the dog user. The breakages make it very difficult for weights to be determined and tracked when feeding the animal concerned. Generally, male greyhounds are fed a morning meal of 155g to 200g, while females receive 100g to 140g. Known sizes of biscuits are not common factors of these amounts. To address the feeding of correct amounts, producers have offered biscuits in 4 x 2 and 2 x 2, but in separate packages. The user is left to make up a suitable meal from a combination of the biscuits from the two packs. When to combat breakage a 4 x 2 format biscuit is manufactured with increased thickness, it becomes difficult to break and when it does break, it fractures unpredictably and in an uncontrolled manner. A need has arisen for a product that overcomes, at least in part, the challenges of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

[011] It is an object of this invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and, in doing so, to provide a dog biscuit particularly adapted to the weight management needs of a racing dog, such as a greyhound.

[012] A further object of the invention is to provide a method of reproducibly administering a predetermined quantity of food for weight control of a racing dog such as a greyhound.

[013] While the disclosure to follow is directed to racing greyhounds specifically, it will be appreciated that the principles herein may be appropriately applied to non-racing dogs the weights of which need careful management and control.

[014] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application.

[015] Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in the inclusive sense of "including, but not being limited to" - as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense meaning "including this and nothing else".

Summary of invention

[016] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided dog food comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip, adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand.

[017] In an embodiment, the strip, prior to separation of the piece, is adapted to include:

a. the piece as one of two or more marked and connected divisions, each having a predetermined weight or nutritional value, and

b. a zone of weakness between adjacent connected divisions, allowing for separation of a first division from a second division by fracturing the strip at the zone of weakness, whereby the separated division defining the piece defines a ration of reliably predictable known weight or nutritional value when fed to a receiving animal.

[018] In an embodiment, the zone of weakness comprises an elongate portion of the strip that is significantly thinner than the divisions.

[019] In an embodiment, the strip has opposite long edges between which the zone of weakness extends.

[020] The divisions are preferably arranged in single file.

[021] Preferably, the zone defines a fulcrum between the first and second divisions, about which fulcrum opposite rotational force may be applied to fracture the strip

[022] Preferably, the slab divides along a line corresponding to the fulcrum under breaking force exerted by said human hand.

[023] Preferably, the strip is of substantially uniform thickness barring the zone or zones of weakness.

[024] In an embodiment, the thickness of the zone of weakness is in the range from % to 88% of the thickness of the divisions.

[025] In an embodiment, the separate divisions are of substantially equal nutritional value. Preferably the separate divisions are of substantially equal weight. In an alternative embodiment, the divisions are of different known weights and nutritional value.

[026] In a preferred embodiment, the food is dry.

[027] The strip is preferably brittle.

[028] In a preferred embodiment, the piece is weighted for feeding to a racing greyhound for weight maintenance.

[029] The weight of the piece may be 26g or 28g.

[030] In a second aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a method of managing the weight of a dog, the method including the steps of providing dog food comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip, adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand; separating said piece from the strip and administering it to a receiving canine.

[031] According to the method, the strip of dog food is preferably adapted by having the piece prior to separation being a first of first and second separable divisions of predetermined weight or nutritional value connected by a zone of weakness, and the step of separating the piece includes fracturing the strip along said zone of weakness to separate the first division from the second and feeding said separated first division to an animal, the weight of which is to be managed.

[032] The method may include monitoring the weight of the canine and feeding more or fewer divisions to keep the recipient's weight within a predetermined range.

[033] Preferably, the divisions are of equal weight or nutritional value.

[034] Preferably, in the method, the dog is a racing greyhound.

[035] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the weight of the separated division is 26g or 28g.

Brief description of drawings

[036] In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus:

Figure 1 shows in schematic form a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the food slab of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the strip of Figure 1 when divided according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a concept diagram of a production line for manufacturing the slab or Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a reciprocating cutter assembly for dividing dough into grooved biscuits in accordance with this disclosure.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the dog food strip of the disclosure in another embodiment.

Figure 6 illustrates in plan view a selection of alternative embodiments of dog food strips, wherein at least one long edge is not straight.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[037] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same embodiment; moreover, such references may mean at least one.

[038] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not necessarily for other embodiments. Example of such features are the bevelled corners and holes or depressions that may be formed in the top surface of the food body of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[039] The food strips disclosed herein are manufactured to form coherent food bodies which are adapted to be divisible into discrete divisions to be fed as rations to a receiving animal. Each division has a predetermined, substantially predictable weight and nutritional value so that the person administering the ration knows with sufficient accuracy the nutritional value or weight of the food being fed. The strips preferably have a brittle, biscuit composition which allows them to be controllably and predictably broken into the predictable, predetermined divisions. However, the strips may have a more elastic, chewy composition to assist in exercising the jaws of the animal concerned and to simulate a more resilient meat meal. The strips may be straight edged or may have curved, wavy or angled edges. Controllably frangible divisions in the strip may have square or rectangular shape, or may be semicircular, figure "8", oval, triangular, pentangular or any other suitable shape. Preferred shapes lack sharp side indentations that may lead to unpredictable breaking.

[040] The bodies have a substantially uniform composition throughout. As noted above, however, the divisions need not be equal, provided their exact predicted weights or nutritional values are notified to the dog handler. Without knowledge of the weights of the divisions, the handler will not be able to manage the dog's weight accurately or optimally. By way of non-limiting example, in one embodiment, a full food strip having a biscuit composition and consisting of two divisions only weighs 56g, with each of the two separable division weighing 28g. In another embodiment, the full weight is 52g, with each controllably separable half-biscuit weighing 26g. A handler feeding the biscuit or a half biscuit to their dog will be able to know exactly what weight and nutritional value they are administering. This is not easily accomplished using traditional kibbles which are relatively small and may have size and therefore weight variations. Nor is it easily accomplished with unitary biscuits - those that do not have a controlled breaking line. Because of the brittleness of the biscuit when dry, it is difficult to make a precise break in the middle or within any other portion, unless there is a way of controlling the break.

[041] Referring to Figure 1, the biscuit of this disclosure is represented in a preferred embodiment and is generally denoted by the number 10. The biscuit is a coherent body of food 12 in the general form of a short strip which resembles a straight-edged slab and has opposed major under-surface 14 and upper major surface 16, connected by peripheral minor surfaces 18 and 20, which have corresponding opposite minor surfaces, and are separated by bevelled corners 22. Under-surface 14 is continuous from end 24a to end

24b of the body. However, the upper surface 16 is divided into two substantially equal divisions 16a and 16b by a groove 28 formed therein. The depth of this groove is preferably about 45% of the body thickness, but may be anywhere in the range from 12% to 88% of the body thickness. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it has been surprisingly observed that for a dog biscuit in embodiments of the invention, the groove need not be even 50% of the thickness of the adjacent divisions it separates for fracturing under gentle hand pressure to provide a predictably located and consistent fracture of the strip. When the biscuit is baked to an elevated degree of hardness, for example for dental hygiene-promoting products, the depth of the groove may approach the upper end of the permissible range of the fracture zone thickness to facilitate controlled and predictable breaking of the hard biscuit. In a preferred embodiment, the groove is cut to about 70% (+/- 1mm) of the thickness of the fracture zone.

[042] As will be discussed below, groove 28 facilitates separation of body 12 into substantially equal divisions 26a, 26b by leaving a zone of weakness 30 in the thinnest portion of body 12, namely the zone located between the bottom of the groove and under surface 14. Zone 30 functions as a fulcrum between body half divisions 26a, 26b and provides for the automatic establishment of a planned line of fracture, marked in the illustration by a broken line 32, when opposing forces are brought to bear on the half divisions, especially on their pairs of upper or lower major surfaces.

[043] It is not essential for the corners to be bevelled as shown at 22, but this feature does help to inhibit uncontrolled chipping at the corners which may otherwise occur, depending on the brittleness of the finished product. Chipping is a function of ingredients, composition and ultimate dryness of the finished biscuit. Such chipping is likely to disturb the symmetry of the body and the weight and nutritional balance between the halves of the body.

[044] The groove is formed in the prior to the baking of the biscuit dough by a bladed roller under which the dough passes, as shown the diagram in Figure 2. Groove 28 extends from edge to edge across upper surface 16 and defines respective half divisions 26a, 26b of the biscuit, these having upper major surfaces 16a and 16b respectively.

[045] Groove 18 defines in effect a fulcrum about which the biscuit is controllably breakable. With reference to Figure 2, when a person grips one half in each hand, or uses at least a thumb and a finger from each hand for gripping the respective halves and attempts to force the major surface divisions 16a, 16b either towards each other or away from each other, as suggested by rotational arrow K, with the line of groove 18 as an axis of rotation, the biscuit will break along the thinnest zone 30 of biscuit 12, which lies between groove 18 and lower major surface 14. Biscuit 10 fractures as illustrated in Figure 2 into two half divisions 26a, 26b of substantially equal size, composition, weight and nutritional value. Each division has an upper major surface 16a, 16b and a minor side surface 18a, 18b and a fracture surface 34a, 34b located where the fracture occurred at the thinnest portion 24 of body 12, corresponding with the line of weakness 32, formed as shown in Figure 1.

[046] In this embodiment, the upper surface divisions 16a, 16b each have an array of small cavities 36 formed therein (only some of these are numbered). These are caused prior to baking by a spiked roller used for flattening the dough, as is well known in the art. The cavities in this embodiment do not extend completely through the biscuit, but the possibility that they can in other embodiments is not excluded.

[047] In this preferred embodiment, the halves are embossed with indicia 38 to show the handler the weight of the half and of the intact body 12. In the example of this embodiment, the indicia display the nomenclature 26/52, which means the half division of the biscuit where it is located weighs 26g and the full biscuit weighs 52g. This enables the handler to be able to check right up to the time the biscuit or the half division is being administered to the dog that they are giving the right quantity. It will be appreciated that the indicia may take a different form and may identify the division by a different property. They may make use of different symbols, the meaning of which will be communicated to the handler on the packaging or other information delivery means.

[048] The process of manufacture of the biscuits in this disclosure follows known techniques and uses known equipment. An example of a suitable production line for the biscuits described in Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated in Figure 3.

[049] Beginning at the left of Figure 3(a), the ingredients for making up the biscuit dough for baking are introduced into a horizontal mixer 102. When thoroughly mixed to substantial homogeneity, the mixture is transferred to a dough feeder 104. The feeder feeds the dough on to an industrial lamination line 106, where the dough its flattened into a layer 50 for cutting.

[050] As shown in Figure 4, dough layer 50 is advanced in a direction from left to right on a endless belt 52, which is driven by roller 54, so that it passes beneath a reciprocating roller 56, which is equipped with sets of a first, relatively shorter blade 58 and a second, relatively longer blade 60, as illustrated schematically. The blades are set at a height above the endless belt so that the shorter blade 58 does not cut completely through the dough 50 but, as indicated above, is set to create no more than a groove 28 of about 55% of the dough thickness. The next blade, being the longer blade 60, cuts completely through the dough, severing the grooved portion into a biscuit 12 ready for baking. The relative speeds of rotation of rollers 54 and 56 are co-ordinated to ensure the cutting and grooving of the dough takes place at pre-designated locations.

[051] The severed pieces of dough, now unbaked biscuits 12, are transferred to an oven-loading conveyor 108 and transported into and through a tunnel oven 110. Referring to Figure 3(b), the biscuit is dried in the tunnel oven 110 and emerges for transfer by an oven unloading conveyor 112 to a cooling conveyor 114, which locates the dried and cooled biscuits in a stacker 116. From the stacker, the stacked biscuits are transferred to a product collecting conveyor 118, which takes the stacks via a quality inspection post, where samples may be withdrawn for checking, to a packaging station. After packaging and sealing, the packaged biscuits are sent to dispatch (not shown).

[052] An example of a biscuit formulation will now be described. This is a non-limiting example as the ingredients used are well known in the art and tend to differ in relative proportions and in respect of functional additives which may be proprietary to the manufacturer concerned. It is not intended here to limit the biscuits to having a composition for performing any particular function, as the disclosure is concerned with the provision of a biscuit having known weight and nutrition characteristics that may be relied on by dog keepers and handlers in the racing industry in particular so that they can be confident of providing their animals with pre-planned intake to meet dietary and weight management requirements.

Example

[053] In a non-limiting example of a conventional petfood composition to which the present invention may be applied, the following ingredients are combined batchwise in the kind of mixer 102 found in the production line of Figure 3. The total weight of the batch fed to the mixer is 1000kg. This is made up of (in weight %)

a. Wholegrain wheat and wheat by-products 90% Protein in the form of meat meal 4.5% *

b. Tallow 2.5%

c. Fibre sourced from the wholegrain wheat 5% per biscuit

d. Garlic powder as prebiotic 1% Dicalcium phosphate 1.5% e. Preservatives and antioxidants 0.5%

*The meat meal is derived from beef, lamb or chicken, or combinations thereof.

[054] Vitamin and mineral constituents are derived from the meat meal, and dicalcium phosphate and sodium from garlic powder.

[055] Water is added as needed to form a firm dough. Excess water is avoided as this would increase baking and drying time unnecessarily.

[056] Baking takes place at a temperature of 240 ° C for a period of about 10 to 15 minutes, whereafter the biscuits are cooled to ambient. A sample taken from the finished biscuits is found to break cleanly below the groove into two half divisions with a crisp snapping sound. The divisions are weighed and found to be equal in weight when expressed in grams. Other formulations of ingredients may be used and processing may take place under different conditions, with the end result being equivalent to the above.

[057] In an example of a feeding regimen, a male greyhound is known to have a daily nutritional intake requirement of 1500 to 2100 calories for maintaining racing weight during daily training over 2 weeks leading up to a race To meet this dietary requirement, the handler therefore provides the animal with three whole biscuits, each weighing 56g.

. However, the requirement depends on the size and weight of the dog. The weight of most greyhounds lies in the following ranges: Males from 28kg to 38kg and females from 24kg to 32 kg. Consequently, males are fed 3 or 3.5 4 x 2 biscuits for their morning meal, whereas females receive 2 to 2.5 such biscuits.

[058] The hander or keeper monitors the weight of the canine regularly and frequently, feeding more or fewer divisions daily or per meal, to keep the recipient's weight within a predetermined range. With its weight being regulated and remaining within racing parameters, the greyhound being fed and monitored according to this disclosure will qualify for its next scheduled race.

[059] A further embodiment of the dog food strip is illustrated in Figure 5. The strip is generally denoted by the numeral 70 and has a body 72 made up of a plurality of divisions 74 of predetermined weight and aligned in single file. A leading division 76 is shown already separated from the body, having been broken off along a line of weakness 78, created as a result of a groove 28 above a zone 30, which is located between each of the divisions and is thinner than the divisions. The groove serves define the divisions as discrete divisions of the strip when the upper surface 82 is viewed. The underside is substantially flat as a result of the manufacturing process, which is much the same as described with reference to Figure 3. However, instead of the roller 56 in Figure 4 having alternate longer 60 and shorter 58 blades, the roller has a series of shorter, groove forming blades in sequence followed by a longer cutting-off blade. The order in which the blades are fixed around the circumference of the roller will determine the number of divisions in a single strip body.

[060] Although the divisions are shown to be of equal size in Figure 5, they need not be, provided there is an indication, preferably in the form of a visible indicium applied directly to each division to indicate the weight, nutritional value or other relevant feeding property for weight management to the user administering the food division to the receiving animal. To divide the strips into predetermined differing divisions, the spacing of the blades about the roller circumference is adjusted accordingly. It will also be apparent that the zones of weakness between divisions of the food strip need not extend exactly orthogonally between the longer sides or edges of the strip, but may be at an oblique angle. Preferably, the deviation of the angle from 90 will be less than about 50 to avoid sharp corner angles resulting in the divisions, as these may lead to accidental uncontrolled fracturing. The breakage line defined by the thinner interdivisional zone of weakness should be substantially straight to enhance the predictability of fracture.

[061] A set of further, alternative shape embodiments of the product of this disclosure are illustrated in Figure 6. It is to be appreciated that the selection of shapes illustrative is not exhaustive and should not be read as limiting of embodiments in which the product may be formed. Like numbering shows divisions 26a, b, c, etc., separated by transverse grooves 28 in upper surfaces 16. The groove is located in a zone of weakness 30 for planned fracturing of the body between adjacent divisions, should fracturing be required by the user. Each division here is of equal weight in the respective strip bodies 12 shown. As noted above, in some embodiments, divisions of differing mass may be provided when suitably marked to identify their individual weights.

[062] In a further embodiment, the strip product of this disclosure is adapted to assist in promoting the dental hygiene of the receiving animal. To this end, it is manufactured to be of increased thickness of about 14mm for adult greyhounds. However, the thickness may be altered to cater for the degree of hardness planned for the final packaged product. The increased thickness over a standard nutrition product promotes effective cleaning of the greyhound's pre-molars and molars. It also provides the dog carer with a safe alternative to feeding raw bones, which, if overfed to the dog can splinter and cause an abdominal obstruction or puncture. The dental version of the product being of increased thickness, may be of smaller size dimensions to keep the division weights and calorie values within predetermined parameters. Alternatively, the thicker strips may be baked for longer and at higher temperature to increase hardness and remove a greater amount of moisture to bring these parameters in line with accepted parameters for dental hygiene formulations for dogs.

[063] A dental product strip of increased hardness and thickness may need a groove to extend further into the body at the zone of weakness to ensure controllable, predictable breakage. In this dental embodiment, the groove at the zone of weakness may extend up to about 70% of the thickness of the biscuit in said zone. This facilitates controllable fracturing by a user, even if they suffer with a degree of finger impairment.

[064] The methods of this disclosure streamline dog biscuit processing, marketing and distribution by removing the need to produce separate 2 x 2 and 4 x 2 stock keeping units (SKUs), reducing this to producing a single but controllably divisible product instead. The product simplification also maximises shelf space utilisation and simplifies warehousing. These translate into economic advantages for all stakeholders. For the dog handler or feeder who may be feeding large kennels of dogs, for example numbering upwards of 20, the breakable 4 x 2 format reduces product handling requirements and the risk of quantity miscalculation because of the regularity of the weight of the rations defined by the divisions. It may appear obvious in retrospect, but having just a single package to handle instead of two packages also reduces the risk that the user may accidentally drop one or both, resulting in avoiding product breakage and uncontrollable fragmentation.

[065] Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile of the divisions is not restricted to being flat and slab-like, but may take on other profiles, for example curved - even hemispherical. Flat profiles, however, are thought to assist in increasing packaging efficiency.

[066] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[067] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not to an exclusive "or". For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[068] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one, or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[069] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a system and a process for controlling the weight of an animal such as a racing dog, and specifically a greyhound, by applying the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and composition and shape of the food item disclosed herein, without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

END

Kevin Ashby, Patent Attorney

Claims (20)

1. Dog food comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand.

2. The dog food of claim 1 wherein the strip, prior to separation of the piece, is adapted to include:

a. the piece as one of two or more marked and connected divisions, each having a predetermined weight or nutritional value, and

b. a zone of weakness between adjacent connected divisions, allowing for separation of a first division from a second division by fracturing the strip at the zone of weakness, whereby the separated division defining the piece defines a ration of reliably predictable known weight or nutritional value when fed to a receiving animal.

3. Dog food according to claim 2 wherein the zone of weakness comprises an elongate portion of the strip that is significantly thinner than the divisions.

4. Dog food according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the strip has opposite long edges between which the zone of weakness extends.

5. Dog food according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the zone defines a fulcrum between the first and second divisions, about which fulcrum opposite rotational force may be applied to fracture the strip.

6. Dog food according to claim 5 wherein the strip divides along a line corresponding to the fulcrum under breaking force exerted by said human hand.

7. Dog food according to any one of claims 2 to 6, including indicia on the strip that indicate weight or nutritional information relating to the respective divisions.

8. Dog food according to any one of claims 2 to 7, in which the divisions have equal weight.

9. Dog food according to any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the strip is of substantially uniform thickness barring the zone or zones of weakness.

10. Dog food according to claim 9, in which the thickness of the zone of weakness is in the range from 45% to 88% of the thickness of the divisions.

11. Dog food according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the food is dry.

12. Dog food according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the strip is brittle.

13. Dog food according to any one of claims 1 to 11, having the piece weighted for feeding to a racing greyhound for weight maintenance.

14. Dog food according to claim 12 in which the weight of the piece is 26g or 28g.

15. A method of weight management for a dog including the steps of providing dog food comprising a coherent body having the form of a strip, adapted for a piece thereof to be separated therefrom in a predictable manner in a predicted, predetermined size under force of human hand; separating said piece from the strip and administering it to a receiving canine.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the strip of dog food is adapted by having the piece prior to separation being a first of first and second separable divisions of predetermined weight or nutritional value connected by a zone of weakness, and the step of separating the piece includes fracturing the strip along said zone of weakness to separate the first division from the second and feeding said separated first division to an animal, the weight of which is to be managed.

17. The method of claim 16 including monitoring the weight of the canine and feeding more or fewer divisions to keep the recipient's weight within a predetermined range

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17 in which the divisions have equal weight.

19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, in which the dog is a racing greyhound.

20. A method according to claim 19, in which the weight of the separated division is 26g or 28g.

SHEET 1/3 Mar 2021

16 26b

10 28 38 16b 24 b 42 12 26a 18

16a 2021201541

30

22 32 42 24 a 14 20 22

FIGURE 1

26a 22 K 28 38 16a

22 18a 36 16b 34a 24 36 14 30 34b b 18b 30

26b

20

14 FIGURE 2 22

SHEET 2/3 Mar 2021

102 106 108 110 104

(a) 2021201541

110 112 114 116 118

(b)

FIGURE 3

60

58 52 58 56 28 12 50 60

D 54 D 52

FIGURE 4

SHEET 3/3 Mar 2021

70

28 82 78 2021201541

74 74 74 74 76

72 30

FIGURE 5

30 16 30 28 12 (a)

26b 26c 26d 26a 30 28 (b) 16 12 26a 26b 16

(c) 12 26a 26b 26c

28 30

FIGURE 6