WO2000054578A1 - Articles to be chewed by animals - Google Patents
Articles to be chewed by animals Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000054578A1 WO2000054578A1 PCT/EP2000/002227 EP0002227W WO0054578A1 WO 2000054578 A1 WO2000054578 A1 WO 2000054578A1 EP 0002227 W EP0002227 W EP 0002227W WO 0054578 A1 WO0054578 A1 WO 0054578A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- inulin
- oligofructans
- chewable
- articles according
- mixtures
- Prior art date
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 229920001202 Inulin Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- JYJIGFIDKWBXDU-MNNPPOADSA-N inulin Chemical compound O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@]1(CO)OC[C@]1(OC[C@]2(OC[C@]3(OC[C@]4(OC[C@]5(OC[C@]6(OC[C@]7(OC[C@]8(OC[C@]9(OC[C@]%10(OC[C@]%11(OC[C@]%12(OC[C@]%13(OC[C@]%14(OC[C@]%15(OC[C@]%16(OC[C@]%17(OC[C@]%18(OC[C@]%19(OC[C@]%20(OC[C@]%21(OC[C@]%22(OC[C@]%23(OC[C@]%24(OC[C@]%25(OC[C@]%26(OC[C@]%27(OC[C@]%28(OC[C@]%29(OC[C@]%30(OC[C@]%31(OC[C@]%32(OC[C@]%33(OC[C@]%34(OC[C@]%35(OC[C@]%36(O[C@@H]%37[C@@H]([C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%37)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%36)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%35)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%34)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%33)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%32)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%31)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%30)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%29)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%28)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%27)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%26)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%25)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%24)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%23)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%22)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%21)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%20)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%19)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%18)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%17)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%16)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%15)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%14)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%13)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%12)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%11)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O%10)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O9)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O8)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O7)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O6)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O5)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O4)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O3)O)[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O2)O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 JYJIGFIDKWBXDU-MNNPPOADSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 229940029339 inulin Drugs 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 241000282472 Canis lupus familiaris Species 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002988 biodegradable polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004621 biodegradable polymer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000219 Ethylene vinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003232 aliphatic polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- FBPFZTCFMRRESA-FSIIMWSLSA-N D-Glucitol Natural products OC[C@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO FBPFZTCFMRRESA-FSIIMWSLSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA-N D-glucitol Chemical group OC[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- RZXDTJIXPSCHCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexa-1,5-diene-2,5-diol Chemical compound OC(=C)CCC(O)=C RZXDTJIXPSCHCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000600 sorbitol Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 235000019568 aromas Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 230000001055 chewing effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 235000018102 proteins Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 6
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 6
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 4
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000003205 fragrance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241000723343 Cichorium Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000007542 Cichorium intybus Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002670 Fructan Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 244000068988 Glycine max Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000010469 Glycine max Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 125000002791 glucosyl group Chemical group C1([C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O1)CO)* 0.000 description 2
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- ZFTFOHBYVDOAMH-XNOIKFDKSA-N (2r,3s,4s,5r)-5-[[(2r,3s,4s,5r)-5-[[(2r,3s,4s,5r)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-triol Chemical class O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@]1(CO)OC[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@](CO)(OC[C@@H]2[C@H]([C@H](O)[C@@](O)(CO)O2)O)O1 ZFTFOHBYVDOAMH-XNOIKFDKSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000186000 Bifidobacterium Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001112696 Clostridia Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000019459 Cynara cardunculus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000019106 Cynara scolymus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 206010011971 Decreased interest Diseases 0.000 description 1
- RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N Fructose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@](O)(CO)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229930091371 Fructose Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000005715 Fructose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001828 Gelatine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002396 Polyurea Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000016520 artichoke thistle Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000034149 carbohydrate storage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000014633 carbohydrates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000005018 casein Substances 0.000 description 1
- BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N casein, tech. Chemical compound NCCCCC(C(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CC(C)C)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(C(C)O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(COP(O)(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(N)CC1=CC=CC=C1 BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000021240 caseins Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015872 dietary supplement Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000007071 enzymatic hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006047 enzymatic hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013312 flour Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000006486 human diet Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000001261 hydroxy acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000968 intestinal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002596 lactones Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000000010 microbial pathogen Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002304 perfume Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005862 polyol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000003077 polyols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920003225 polyurethane elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011232 storage material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001059 synthetic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001567 vinyl ester resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011782 vitamin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940088594 vitamin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229930003231 vitamin Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 235000013343 vitamin Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- PAPBSGBWRJIAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N ε-Caprolactone Chemical compound O=C1CCCCCO1 PAPBSGBWRJIAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
- A01K15/02—Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices ; Toys specially adapted for animals
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
- A01K15/02—Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices ; Toys specially adapted for animals
- A01K15/025—Toys specially adapted for animals
- A01K15/026—Chewable toys, e.g. for dental care of pets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L5/00—Compositions of polysaccharides or of their derivatives not provided for in groups C08L1/00 or C08L3/00
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L5/00—Compositions of polysaccharides or of their derivatives not provided for in groups C08L1/00 or C08L3/00
- C08L5/14—Hemicellulose; Derivatives thereof
Definitions
- the present invention relates to articles to be chewed by animals, typically household pets such as dogs and cats, the articles having particular properties, especially aroma, flavour, resistance to chewing and mechanical properties, which can be adapted to render the articles attractive to the animals .
- These noteworthy properties can be achieved by virtue of the use of a novel material for the production of the articles .
- Bones which chew such as, for example, dogs desire solid articles to satisfy their chewing instinct. Bones, however, are often unsatisfactory because they have the characteristic of breaking into sharp pieces which may be harmful to the animals .
- Articles to be chewed by animals perform various useful functions for household pets, for example, exercising the chewing muscles, massaging the gums and cleaning the teeth.
- Polyurethane elastomers have been proposed in order to provide products which are more chewable, but these polymers have a problem connected with the incorporation of oil-based aromas or fragrances since these leave the surfaces of the objects so that the perfume or aroma is retained only for a limited period (United States patent No. 4,513,014) .
- Patent application EP-A-0 247 606 describes articles for chewing comprising polymer material such as polyethylene and polypropylene and materials containing proteins such as, for example, soya flour and soya protein concentrates.
- W091/16825 describes chewable articles which can be digested and the consistency or hardness of which can be modified by the owner of the dog so as to adapt it to the needs or preferences of a particular dog.
- These articles are made of proteinaceous ingredients (casein and gelatine) .
- the consistency or hardness of the chewable article is adapted by exposure to microwaves so as to achieve the consistencies preferred by a large variety of dogs of both large physique and small build and even by elderly dogs with already decayed molars.
- this task has to be carried out by the owner of the dog who is not always in a position to perform it .
- United States patent No. 5,419,383 describes chewable articles made of starch and biodegradable synthetic polymers for household pets such as dogs and cats. These articles are described as being easily digestible by the animal and not producing sharp fragments when broken up.
- the chewable articles according to the invention are made of inulin and comprise inulin and/or oligofructans as essential components .
- Inulin is a polydispersed fructan which is a mixture of oligomers and polymers of fructose containing glucosyl and fructosyl units and having a degree of polymerization (DP) of from 2 to 60 (with reference to inulin extracted from chicory) . Approximately half of the dry weight of inulin is composed of molecules with DPs of less than 20. Inulin is an odourless white powder soluble in hot water and is very widespread in plants, having the function of a carbohydrate storage material .
- inulin is used in pure or crude form as an ingredient in many foods and, in particular, in food for diabetics or in low-calorie food formulations, since inulin is a carbohydrate with a low calorie content .
- Oligofructans are a mixture of ⁇ (2 ⁇ 1) fructans formed by glucosyl or fructosyl units.
- the DP is generally between 2 and 10.
- Oligofructans can be produced by partial enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin or of starch, or from other sources.
- inulin can be converted into a thermoplastically processable material by extrusion in the presence of water and/or of a plasticizer having hydroxyl groups such as glycerol and sorbitol or similar hydroxylated polyols which act at temperatures within the range of 80-200°C.
- a plasticizer having hydroxyl groups such as glycerol and sorbitol or similar hydroxylated polyols which act at temperatures within the range of 80-200°C.
- the material thus produced can be processed by known techniques .
- thermoplastically processable materials having improved mechanical properties in comparison with those of inulin. In particular, their resilience characteristics are improved .
- thermoplastic polymer component By suitable selection of the thermoplastic polymer component and of its quantity in the mixture, it is possible to adapt the hardness characteristics of the material, thus rendering it more attractive to a large variety of animals .
- thermoplastic polymers which can be mixed with inulin are preferably biodegradable. They are selected from the group comprising starch in its natural, chemically modified or physically modified forms, aliphatic polyesters of hydroxy-acids or of corresponding lactones or lactides or of aromatic aliphatic polyesters, polyamides , polyester polyamide copolymers, polyureas, ethylene vinyl alcohol or vinyl ester copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, plasticized polyvinyl alcohol or similar polymers.
- Non-biodegradable polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene may also be used.
- the quantity of inulin and/or oligofructans in the mixture with thermoplastic polymers may vary within wide limits .
- the range of between 10 and 20% by weight is preferred.
- Additives comprising food supplements such as vitamins, proteins, mineral salts, flavourings and aromas or extracts thereof, therapeutic substances such as fluorine or compounds containing fluorine suitable for dental hygiene, or any substance which can increase the enjoyment of the chewable article may be incorporated.
- aromas or flavourings may be incorporated by mixing the additives during the extrusion of the inulin or of the inulin-polymers mixture .
- Chewable articles are produced from thermoplastically processable inulin or mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers by extrusion, injection moulding or other similar known techniques.
- bones of various shapes were prepared from thermoplastically processable inulin and from mixtures of inulin and a biodegradable polymer such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers and caprolactone containing from 10 to 20% by weight of inulin. Suitable quantities of aromas and flavourings were also incorporated.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Fodder In General (AREA)
- Feed For Specific Animals (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
- Confectionery (AREA)
- Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
Abstract
Articles to be chewed by animals such as dogs and cats, made from inulin or comprising inulin and/or oligofructans mixed with thermoplastic polymers, particularly of a biodegradable nature.
Description
Articles to be chewed by animals
The present invention relates to articles to be chewed by animals, typically household pets such as dogs and cats, the articles having particular properties, especially aroma, flavour, resistance to chewing and mechanical properties, which can be adapted to render the articles attractive to the animals . These noteworthy properties can be achieved by virtue of the use of a novel material for the production of the articles .
Animals which chew such as, for example, dogs desire solid articles to satisfy their chewing instinct. Bones, however, are often unsatisfactory because they have the characteristic of breaking into sharp pieces which may be harmful to the animals .
Articles to be chewed by animals perform various useful functions for household pets, for example, exercising the chewing muscles, massaging the gums and cleaning the teeth.
In the past, a great variety of materials has been used for articles to be chewed by animals. For example, rawhide, fabrics or cords have been used but all of these materials suffer from the disadvantage of being subject to breakage due to continual chewing.
Firmer materials such as rubber or plastics have been used but these often have undesirable flavours. Fragrances or aromas have been applied to the surface of the chewable object to increase its attractiveness, but these fragrances or aromas dissolve quickly owing to exposure to the atmosphere or to chewing .
Articles for chewing made of nylon and treated with water- based aromas have achieved a certain amount of commercial success. However, nylon tends to be very hard and relatively rigid, showing a tendency to break up when chewed vigorously. Young animals tend to find nylon articles very attractive but as they start to become adult, they tend to lose interest in articles of these types. This loss of interest has been linked with the hardness of nylon objects.
Polyurethane elastomers have been proposed in order to provide products which are more chewable, but these polymers have a problem connected with the incorporation of oil-based aromas or fragrances since these leave the surfaces of the objects so that the perfume or aroma is retained only for a limited period (United States patent No. 4,513,014) .
Patent application EP-A-0 247 606 describes articles for chewing comprising polymer material such as polyethylene and polypropylene and materials containing proteins such as, for example, soya flour and soya protein concentrates.
The high temperatures (200-400°C) to which the polymer/protein mixtures are subjected in order to roast or cook the material containing the protein in order to achieve a brown colour similar to that of meat and to increase the meaty aroma tend to damage the protein, producing components harmful to the animals' health.
W091/16825 describes chewable articles which can be digested and the consistency or hardness of which can be modified by the owner of the dog so as to adapt it to the needs or preferences of a particular dog. These articles are made of proteinaceous ingredients (casein and gelatine) .
The consistency or hardness of the chewable article is adapted by exposure to microwaves so as to achieve the consistencies preferred by a large variety of dogs of both large physique and small build and even by elderly dogs with already decayed molars. However, this task has to be carried out by the owner of the dog who is not always in a position to perform it .
United States patent No. 5,419,383 describes chewable articles made of starch and biodegradable synthetic polymers for household pets such as dogs and cats. These articles are described as being easily digestible by the animal and not producing sharp fragments when broken up.
It has now unexpectedly been found that it is possible to produce chewable articles for animals such as dogs and cats which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, which do not present problems in the incorporation of aromas or flavours, and the mechanical properties, such as consistency, of which can easily be adjusted by an appropriate selection of the composition of the material which forms the chewable article so that it can easily be rendered attractive to the animal, and which also have other noteworthy properties as specified below.
The chewable articles according to the invention are made of inulin and comprise inulin and/or oligofructans as essential components .
Inulin is a polydispersed fructan which is a mixture of oligomers and polymers of fructose containing glucosyl and fructosyl units and having a degree of polymerization (DP) of from 2 to 60 (with reference to inulin extracted from chicory) . Approximately half of the dry weight of inulin is composed of molecules with DPs of less than 20.
Inulin is an odourless white powder soluble in hot water and is very widespread in plants, having the function of a carbohydrate storage material .
Many of the plants containing inulin (chicory roots as well as artichoke tubers contain about 70% dry weight of inulin) have been part of the human diet from time immemorial.
Nowadays, inulin is used in pure or crude form as an ingredient in many foods and, in particular, in food for diabetics or in low-calorie food formulations, since inulin is a carbohydrate with a low calorie content .
With regard to the beneficial effects of inulin on the human organism, investigations on the effects on the intestinal flora show that Bifidobacteria increase significantly and that, at the same time, potentially pathogenic microorganisms (for example, Clostridia and coliform bacteria) are significantly reduced.
The effects mentioned, or similar effects, can also be expected for the animals which chew the articles according to the invention.
Oligofructans are a mixture of β (2→1) fructans formed by glucosyl or fructosyl units. The DP is generally between 2 and 10. Oligofructans can be produced by partial enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin or of starch, or from other sources.
It has now surprisingly been found, and this constitutes another aspect of the invention, that inulin can be converted into a thermoplastically processable material by extrusion in the presence of water and/or of a plasticizer having hydroxyl groups such as glycerol and sorbitol or
similar hydroxylated polyols which act at temperatures within the range of 80-200°C. The material thus produced can be processed by known techniques .
It has also been found that mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with a thermoplastic polymer, when extruded in the presence of water and/or of a plasticizer in conditions such as to render the inulin and the polymeric component compatible from a rheological point of view, produce thermoplastically processable materials having improved mechanical properties in comparison with those of inulin. In particular, their resilience characteristics are improved .
By suitable selection of the thermoplastic polymer component and of its quantity in the mixture, it is possible to adapt the hardness characteristics of the material, thus rendering it more attractive to a large variety of animals .
By exposing the chewable articles to microwaves, it is possible to produce low-density expanded articles the pleasing consistency characteristics of which can be adapted to satisfy a large variety of dogs.
The thermoplastic polymers which can be mixed with inulin are preferably biodegradable. They are selected from the group comprising starch in its natural, chemically modified or physically modified forms, aliphatic polyesters of hydroxy-acids or of corresponding lactones or lactides or of aromatic aliphatic polyesters, polyamides , polyester polyamide copolymers, polyureas, ethylene vinyl alcohol or vinyl ester copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, plasticized polyvinyl alcohol or similar polymers.
Non-biodegradable polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene may also be used.
The quantity of inulin and/or oligofructans in the mixture with thermoplastic polymers may vary within wide limits . The range of between 10 and 20% by weight is preferred.
Additives comprising food supplements such as vitamins, proteins, mineral salts, flavourings and aromas or extracts thereof, therapeutic substances such as fluorine or compounds containing fluorine suitable for dental hygiene, or any substance which can increase the enjoyment of the chewable article may be incorporated.
In particular, aromas or flavourings may be incorporated by mixing the additives during the extrusion of the inulin or of the inulin-polymers mixture .
Chewable articles are produced from thermoplastically processable inulin or mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers by extrusion, injection moulding or other similar known techniques.
By way of non-limiting example of the present invention, bones of various shapes were prepared from thermoplastically processable inulin and from mixtures of inulin and a biodegradable polymer such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers and caprolactone containing from 10 to 20% by weight of inulin. Suitable quantities of aromas and flavourings were also incorporated.
The bones were very attractive to a large variety of dogs and remained pleasing throughout their useful life.
Claims
1. Chewable articles for animals, typically for household pets such as dogs and cats, the articles being made from inulin or comprising mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers.
2. Chewable articles according to Claim 1, produced from thermoplastically processable inulin or from mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers.
3. Chewable articles according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the biodegradable polymers .
4. Chewable articles according to Claim 3 , in which the biodegradable polymer is selected from the group comprising starch in its natural, chemically modified, or physically modified forms, aliphatic polyesters, ethylene vinyl alcohol or vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, aromatic aliphatic copolymers, polyamides, polyester polyamide copolymers .
5. Chewable articles according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 , in which the quantity of inulin and/or oligofructans present in the mixtures with thermoplastic polymers is between 10 and 20% by weight.
6. Chewable articles according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 , in which the inulin and the mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers are rendered thermoplastically processable by extrusion at temperatures of between 80 and 200°C in the presence of water and/or a plasticizer containing hydroxyl groups.
7. Chewable articles according to Claim 6, in which the plasticizer is sorbitol or glycerol.
8. Chewable articles according to Claims 1 to 7, in the form of bones for dogs .
9. Thermoplastically processable inulin or mixtures of inulin and/or oligofructans with thermoplastic polymers .
Priority Applications (8)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000604673A JP2002538793A (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles chewed by animals |
| CA002367153A CA2367153A1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles to be chewed by animals |
| EP00909359A EP1164836B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles to be chewed by animals |
| KR1020017011677A KR20010110663A (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles to be chewed by animals |
| AT00909359T ATE276653T1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | CHEWABLE ITEMS FOR ANIMALS |
| DE60014049T DE60014049T2 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | COVERABLE ARTICLES FOR ANIMALS |
| AU31666/00A AU3166600A (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles to be chewed by animals |
| NO20014457A NO318524B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2001-09-14 | Chewable animal object, a thermoplastic workable material and its use |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITTO99A000199 | 1999-03-15 | ||
| IT1999TO000199A IT1307023B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-03-15 | ANIMAL CHEWING ITEMS. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2000054578A1 true WO2000054578A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
Family
ID=11417620
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2000/002227 WO2000054578A1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2000-03-14 | Articles to be chewed by animals |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1164836B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002538793A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20010110663A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE276653T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3166600A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2367153A1 (en) |
| CZ (1) | CZ20013327A3 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60014049T2 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUP0200359A2 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1307023B1 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO318524B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000054578A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003088740A1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2003-10-30 | Paragon Products B.V. | Pet's chew and manufacture process |
| IT202000001405A1 (en) * | 2020-01-24 | 2021-07-24 | New Project S R L | Edible and water-soluble chewable toy for animals. |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2457078T3 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2014-04-24 | Nestec S.A. | Use of expanded constituents and manufacture of products from them |
| US20090235872A1 (en) * | 2008-03-19 | 2009-09-24 | Nevenka Filipi | Increased occupancy time pet chews |
| EP3675626A4 (en) * | 2017-08-31 | 2021-08-25 | Logical Brands, Inc. | Animal toys with incorporated flavor compositions |
| KR102621641B1 (en) * | 2022-06-20 | 2024-01-05 | 김영균 | Eco-friendly cat litter composition with reusable and excellent biodegradability |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0247606A2 (en) * | 1986-05-29 | 1987-12-02 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Shaped, flavored articles and method of producing same |
| EP0638589A1 (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-02-15 | Südzucker Aktiengesellschaft Mannheim/Ochsenfurt | Inuline derivatives, process for their production and uses |
| WO1999030691A2 (en) * | 1997-12-18 | 1999-06-24 | Ato B.V. | Composition for the controlled release of active compounds |
-
1999
- 1999-03-15 IT IT1999TO000199A patent/IT1307023B1/en active
-
2000
- 2000-03-14 AT AT00909359T patent/ATE276653T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-03-14 KR KR1020017011677A patent/KR20010110663A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-03-14 JP JP2000604673A patent/JP2002538793A/en active Pending
- 2000-03-14 HU HU0200359A patent/HUP0200359A2/en unknown
- 2000-03-14 CZ CZ20013327A patent/CZ20013327A3/en unknown
- 2000-03-14 CA CA002367153A patent/CA2367153A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-03-14 AU AU31666/00A patent/AU3166600A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-03-14 DE DE60014049T patent/DE60014049T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-03-14 EP EP00909359A patent/EP1164836B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-03-14 WO PCT/EP2000/002227 patent/WO2000054578A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2001
- 2001-09-14 NO NO20014457A patent/NO318524B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0247606A2 (en) * | 1986-05-29 | 1987-12-02 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Shaped, flavored articles and method of producing same |
| EP0638589A1 (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-02-15 | Südzucker Aktiengesellschaft Mannheim/Ochsenfurt | Inuline derivatives, process for their production and uses |
| WO1999030691A2 (en) * | 1997-12-18 | 1999-06-24 | Ato B.V. | Composition for the controlled release of active compounds |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| JONGBOOM ET AL.: "Inulin as a thermoplastic matrix material for encapsulation", PROCEEDINGS BOOK OF THE 26TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CONTROLLED RELEASE OF BIOACTIVE MATERIALS, June 1999 (1999-06-01), boston, pages 263 - 264, XP000913601 * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003088740A1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2003-10-30 | Paragon Products B.V. | Pet's chew and manufacture process |
| IT202000001405A1 (en) * | 2020-01-24 | 2021-07-24 | New Project S R L | Edible and water-soluble chewable toy for animals. |
| EP3854219A1 (en) * | 2020-01-24 | 2021-07-28 | New Project S.r.l. | Edible and water-soluble chewable toy for animals, in particular for the release of active ingredients |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1164836A1 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
| NO20014457D0 (en) | 2001-09-14 |
| AU3166600A (en) | 2000-10-04 |
| KR20010110663A (en) | 2001-12-13 |
| DE60014049D1 (en) | 2004-10-28 |
| HUP0200359A2 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| CZ20013327A3 (en) | 2002-03-13 |
| DE60014049T2 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
| EP1164836B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
| NO20014457L (en) | 2001-09-14 |
| JP2002538793A (en) | 2002-11-19 |
| CA2367153A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
| IT1307023B1 (en) | 2001-10-23 |
| ITTO990199A1 (en) | 2000-09-15 |
| NO318524B1 (en) | 2005-04-04 |
| ATE276653T1 (en) | 2004-10-15 |
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