WO2002096315A2 - Jouet a recompense destine a des animaux et procede d'utilisation associe - Google Patents

Jouet a recompense destine a des animaux et procede d'utilisation associe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002096315A2
WO2002096315A2 PCT/US2002/016810 US0216810W WO02096315A2 WO 2002096315 A2 WO2002096315 A2 WO 2002096315A2 US 0216810 W US0216810 W US 0216810W WO 02096315 A2 WO02096315 A2 WO 02096315A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
animal
sidewall
aperture
comestible
treat toy
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/016810
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002096315A3 (fr
Inventor
John A. Lika, Jr.
Anne H. Lika
Original Assignee
Fat Cat, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fat Cat, Inc. filed Critical Fat Cat, Inc.
Priority to AU2002305726A priority Critical patent/AU2002305726A1/en
Publication of WO2002096315A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002096315A2/fr
Publication of WO2002096315A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002096315A3/fr

Links

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
    • A01K15/025—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
    • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
    • A01K5/01—Feed troughs; Feed pails
    • A01K5/0114—Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally related to the field of animal husbandry. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a treat ball for animals.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,965,182 to Lindgren discloses an animal toy that is a combination chew toy and treat container.
  • the toy comprises a hollow ball defining an interior space and having a relatively thin, flexible wall with a slit therein.
  • the slit may be opened into a hole by compressing the ball along a line of action generally parallel to the slit.
  • a user may provide dry food or other solid material to the interior space.
  • the user After the user has placed the treat into the interior space, the user provides the toy to an animal for play.
  • the treat, or portion thereof, is dispensed to the animal during play when the animal forces the slit to open into a hole large enough for the treat to pass therethrough and the hole is positioned so the treat falls through the hole.
  • the toy is provided with a simple face, wherein the slit defines a mouth and two markings, which are provided by painting, printing, engraving or sewing, define a pair of eyes.
  • the Lindgren toy has a number of shortcomings.
  • the toy may be suited for dry foods, it is not suited for treats such as peanut butter and cream cheese, which would adhere to the surfaces of the interior space and, thus, would not be dispensed.
  • the simple, generally two-dimensional facial features do not add much visual interest to the toy that would further stimulate the animal to play with the toy.
  • the Lindgren toy does not include features on its exterior surface that would enhance play by causing the toy to move in various directions when rolled across a planar surface.
  • the toy include a tether that allows the user to participate more actively in playing with the animal.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,813,366 to Mauldin, Jr. discloses an animal toy that comprises a generally solid body made of a flexible material and having one or more gripping shafts.
  • Each gripping shaft extends through the body and includes a plurality of gripping splines extending along the shaft and projecting radially inward with respect to the shaft.
  • the gripping splines are spaced from one another and define a plurality of holding grooves, each holding groove located between adjacent gripping splines.
  • an object such as a dog bone
  • the resiliency of the spline material holds the object in the gripping shaft.
  • the body generally forms a sphere having a partial-toroid-shaped portion at its equator.
  • the Mauldin, Jr. toy also has a number of shortcomings.
  • the toy is not suited for use with treats such as peanut butter and cream cheese. This is so because the gripping shaft is not designed to receive the tongue of an animal.
  • the gripping shaft is too long and narrow relative to the shape and size of the animal's tongue.
  • the gripping shaft would be difficult and inconvenient to thoroughly clean the shaft of such material.
  • the Mauldin, Jr. toy also lacks visually stimulating features, such as the features of an animal face.
  • the Mauldin, Jr. toy has a non-spherical shape, the partial- toroid-shaped portion does not add much visual interest to attract the animal's attention.
  • the Mauldin, Jr. toy also does not permit a user to attach a tether to allow the user to more actively participate in playing with the animal.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,947,061 to Markham et al. discloses a pet toy having a plurality of treat-receiving receptacles.
  • the toy comprises a body formed into any one of a number of shapes, including a ball, a cube, a torus and a dog bone, among others.
  • the outer surface of the body includes a plurality of variously-shaped recesses, or depressions, arranged in geometric patterns on the outer surface.
  • the recesses are designed to receive comestible treats, such as pieces of dry dog food or creamy foods such as peanut butter or a soft cheese.
  • the Markham et al. animal toy may be used with one or more creamy treats, such as peanut butter and soft cheese
  • the treats are provided to the exterior of the toy where they may readily soil surfaces on which the toy is rolled, e.g., a carpet, and soil the animal's paws and/or other body parts as it plays with the toy.
  • the Markham et al. toy does not include an animal face, which increases the visual interest of the toy.
  • the toy permit a user to attach a tether to allow the user to participate more actively in playing with the animal.
  • the present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings of prior art animal toys.
  • the present invention is directed to a treat toy for delivering a comestible to an animal having a tongue.
  • the treat toy comprises a body made of a resilient material and including a sidewall having a generally spherical shape.
  • a chamber is defined by the sidewall.
  • the chamber is provided for receiving the comestible.
  • a face is formed in the sidewall.
  • the face includes a mouth.
  • a first aperture is located in the sidewall.
  • the aperture defines the mouth and extends between the chamber and the environment surrounding the body. The first aperture is for allowing a user to place the comestible into the cavity and is sized to receive the tongue of the animal so that the animal may retrieve at least a portion of the comestible.
  • the present invention is directed to a method of entertaining an animal with the treat toy of claim 1.
  • the method comprises the steps of placing an adherent comestible into the chamber of the treat toy through the first aperture and providing the animal with the treat toy.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a treat toy of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the treat toy shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the treat toy shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the treat toy as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
  • treat toy 10 includes a number of features that make it a versatile amusement device for an animal (not shown), such as a pet dog or cat.
  • treat toy 10 allows a user (not shown) to place a comestible 12, preferably an adherent material, such as a thixotropic or other generally thick and creamy material, e.g., peanut butter or cream cheese, a moist dog food or the like, inside the treat toy so that the animal may be amused by retrieving the comestible with its tongue.
  • a comestible 12 preferably an adherent material, such as a thixotropic or other generally thick and creamy material, e.g., peanut butter or cream cheese, a moist dog food or the like
  • treat toy 10 may be engaged with a tether 14, which allows the user to entice the animal by pulling the treat toy away from the animal as it attempts to capture the treat toy and/or retrieve comestible 12 from inside the treat toy.
  • treat toy 10 includes other features, including those described below, that make the treat toy particularly useful as an amusement device for animals.
  • Treat toy 10 comprises a sidewall 16 that is preferably generally spherical in shape.
  • the term "generally spherical” is intended to include not only spheres but also non-spherical bodies such as parabolic revolutions and the general shapes of the heads of land-dwelling mammals, e.g., cats, dogs, mice and humans, among others.
  • Sidewall 16 is preferably made of a resilient, durable material capable of withstanding repeated chewing by the animal without the sidewall sustaining significant damage thereto over a reasonable period of time.
  • sidewall 16 comprises natural rubber and is at least 0.25 inches thick.
  • sidewall 16 may comprise another material, such as a synthetic elastomer, plastic or the like, and may be any thickness desired.
  • Interior surface 17 of sidewall 16 defines a chamber 18 for receiving and/or retaining comestible 12.
  • Chamber 18 should be large enough to retain a sufficient amount of comestible 12 to keep the animal entertained for a reasonable period of time.
  • the size and shape of chamber 18 should be such that the animal's tongue can reach most, if not all, of inner surface 17. Accordingly, the size and shape of chamber 18 should be adjusted to account for parameters such as the size of the animal with which treat toy 10 is intended to be used, the animal's extensible tongue length and the type of comestible 12 to be placed into the chamber, among others.
  • the outer surface 19 of sidewall 16 preferably includes a face 20 comprising various facial features 22 formed into the sidewall.
  • facial features 22 are typically provided to enhance the visual attractiveness of treat 10 toy to the animal.
  • face 20 may be a cat face as shown in the figures.
  • face 20 may be a mouse face.
  • facial features 22 may include a mouth 24, a snout or muzzle 26, a nose 28, jowls 27, eyes 30 and ears 32, among others.
  • mouth 24 is defined by an aperture 34 extending between chamber 18 and the environment surrounding treat toy 10.
  • Aperture 34 provides the means for the user to access chamber 18 to place comestible 12 therein and the means for the animal to retrieve the comestible with its tongue.
  • Aperture 34 may further allow the animal chew on sidewall 16 by clamping the sidewall between its upper and lower teeth such that the lower teeth contact inner surface 17 and the upper teeth contact outer surface 19, or vice versa.
  • aperture 34 should preferably be sized to provide these functions.
  • aperture 34 may be governed by the size of the utensil, e.g., a knife, spoon or the like, used to place comestible 12 into chamber 18, rather than the size of the animal's tongue.
  • the size of aperture 34 will typically be governed by the size of the animal's tongue.
  • aperture 34 should be sized to allow the animal's tongue to extend therethrough and into chamber 18 a distance that preferably allows the animal to retrieve comestible 12 from any location within the chamber.
  • aperture 34 is preferably about 1- inch high by 2-inches wide.
  • facial features 22 other than mouth 24 are preferably formed into sidewall 16 as protuberances 36 projecting generally radially outward from treat toy 10.
  • protuberances 36 can also cause the treat toy to roll along a surface, such as a floor or the like, in a somewhat random path, adding to the amusement value of the treat toy.
  • Protuberances 36 are preferably molded into sidewall 16 during manufacture of treat toy 10. However, protuberances 36 may be formed separately from sidewall 16 and attached thereto by means such as adhesive bonding, heat bonding or chemical bonding.
  • protuberances 36 preferably comprise thickened portions of sidewall 16 such that the inner surface 17 of the sidewall does not follow the contours of outer surface 19 at protuberances 36. This makes inner surface 17 relatively uniform, i.e., without difficult to reach and/or clean nooks and crannies that would be formed if sidewall 16 were uniformly thick over the entirety of the sidewall. Moreover, the additional thickness of sidewall 16 at protuberances 36 increases the robustness of treat toy 10 and enhances its chewability. However, in alternative embodiments, protuberances 36 may be formed such that the thickness of sidewall 16 is generally the same thickness as the protuberances as at regions other than the protuberances. This would reduce the amount of material needed to fabricate treat toy 10.
  • treat toy 10 may further include a plurality of cavities 38 formed into outer surface 19 of sidewall 16 to further enhance the realism of the animal-head motif.
  • cavities 38 may be provided to simulate nostrils of the nose 28 or to enhance the three-dimensional effect of eyes 30.
  • outer surface 19 may also include colored markings that may be painted onto, molded into or otherwise provided to the outer surface to further enhance the visual realism of the animal-head motif.
  • whiskers 42 may be painted onto outer surface 19
  • eyes 30 may be provided with characteristic colors and spots 43 may be painted onto treat toy 10 to simulate spotted fur.
  • Sidewall 16 may optionally include an aperture 44 for engaging tether 14, which may comprise a rope, cord, twine, string or other elongate flexible member.
  • the user may engage tether 14 with treat toy 10 by inserting a first end 46 of the tether first through aperture 34 and chamber and then through aperture 44. Then, the user may pull tether 14 through aperture 44 in a directed opposite face 20 until a knot 48, or other stop having a diameter larger than aperture 44, engages inner surface 17 of sidewall 16 adjacent aperture 44. The user may then optionally form another knot (not shown) proximate outer surface 19 adjacent aperture 44 to prevent tether 14 from being pulled back through chamber 18 and aperture 34 such that it disengages aperture 44.
  • Treat toy 10 of the present invention may be used as follows.
  • the user selects a comestible 12 that the user knows or believes the animal with which treat toy 10 is to be used will enjoy to eat.
  • treat toy 10 may be used with practically any comestible, it is particularly suited for spreadable, adherent comestibles, such as peanut butter or cream cheese.
  • the user places comestible 12 into chamber 18, e.g., using a knife or spoon, in a desired quantity, such as the quantity the user believes will keep the animal amused for a reasonable period of time.
  • the user may then provide treat toy 12 to the animal.
  • the user may throw or roll treat toy 10 away from the animal to cause the animal to chase after the toy.
  • the user can simply hand treat toy 10 to the animal, place it on the ground or, if the animal is located away from the user, throw the toy to the animal.
  • the animal will typically be stimulated to play with the toy by the scent of comestible 12, the visual interest of face 20 and/or the generally random motion that the toy makes as it rolls across a surface due to protuberances 36.
  • the animal plays with and explores treat toy 10, it will become aware that it can retrieve comestible 12 from chamber 18 and will be further stimulated to play with the toy as a result of the gustatory reward it receives from retrieving the comestible.
  • tether 14 is provided to treat toy 10, the user may use the tether to entice the animal with the toy. For example, the user may use tether 14 to pull treat toy 10 along the ground or upward away from the animal as the animal attempts to capture the toy. In addition, the user may use tether 14 to throw treat toy 10 relatively far to cause the animal to run and chase after the toy. Tether 14 generally allows the user to interact with the animal more than if tether were not provided and allows the user to interact with the animal in ways that treat toys of the prior art do not permit.
  • treat toy 10 is primarily intended to be used with a comestible, it may alternatively be used without one, both with and without tether 14. This is so because treat toy 10 provides other features, such as face 20, protuberances 36, a playful size and shape and robust chewability, among other, that are sufficiently interesting to the animal to stimulate play without the need to provide a comestible. Also, in some cases it may be desirable to use solid comestibles such as dog biscuits.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un jouet à récompense (10) permettant de divertir un animal et de lui administrer un aliment (12). Le jouet à récompense comprend une paroi latérale (16) présentant une surface intérieure (17) définissant une chambre (18) permettant de recevoir l'aliment. Le jouet à récompense comprend également un visage (20) présentant une pluralité de caractéristiques faciales (22), telles qu'une bouche (24), un nez (28) et des oreilles (32), formées dans la paroi latérale. La bouche est définie par une ouverture (44) s'étendant à travers la paroi latérale, à partir de la chambre en direction du milieu entourant le jouet à récompense. L'ouverture est dimensionnée de manière à permettre à la langue d'un animal de s'étendre dans la chambre. Les autres caractéristiques faciales sont définies par des saillies (38) s'étendant généralement de manière radiale vers l'extérieur, à partir du jouet à récompense. Un utilisateur place l'aliment dans la chambre et donne le jouet à récompense à l'animal.
PCT/US2002/016810 2001-05-29 2002-05-29 Jouet a recompense destine a des animaux et procede d'utilisation associe WO2002096315A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002305726A AU2002305726A1 (en) 2001-05-29 2002-05-29 Treat toy for animals and method of using same

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86736001A 2001-05-29 2001-05-29
US09/867,360 2001-05-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002096315A2 true WO2002096315A2 (fr) 2002-12-05
WO2002096315A3 WO2002096315A3 (fr) 2003-07-03

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PCT/US2002/016810 WO2002096315A2 (fr) 2001-05-29 2002-05-29 Jouet a recompense destine a des animaux et procede d'utilisation associe

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AU (1) AU2002305726A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002096315A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004091289A2 (fr) * 2003-04-15 2004-10-28 Sinclair Animal And Household Care Limited Dispositif d'alimentation pour animaux
DE102022102174A1 (de) 2022-01-31 2023-08-03 Hery Ahmad Anordnung zum Bereitstellen von Futter für Haustiere

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5595142A (en) * 1993-07-15 1997-01-21 Chill; Michael Therapeutic animal toy
US5865146A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-02-02 Bounce, Inc. Bouncing pet toy
US5965182A (en) * 1997-05-22 1999-10-12 Lindgren; Tony Mikael Animal chew and play toy and a treat container
US6129053A (en) * 1996-06-13 2000-10-10 Bounce, Inc. Pet toy product with integral treats receiving receptacles
US6167841B1 (en) * 1999-02-04 2001-01-02 Shih-Chung Ho Pet food feeding apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5595142A (en) * 1993-07-15 1997-01-21 Chill; Michael Therapeutic animal toy
US6129053A (en) * 1996-06-13 2000-10-10 Bounce, Inc. Pet toy product with integral treats receiving receptacles
US5965182A (en) * 1997-05-22 1999-10-12 Lindgren; Tony Mikael Animal chew and play toy and a treat container
US5865146A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-02-02 Bounce, Inc. Bouncing pet toy
US6167841B1 (en) * 1999-02-04 2001-01-02 Shih-Chung Ho Pet food feeding apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
'How to use Kong and history of Kong' KONG COMPANY, [Online] 1976, pages 1 - 7, XP002960312 Retrieved from the Internet: <URL:www.kongcompany.com> [retrieved on 2002-03-06] *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004091289A2 (fr) * 2003-04-15 2004-10-28 Sinclair Animal And Household Care Limited Dispositif d'alimentation pour animaux
WO2004091289A3 (fr) * 2003-04-15 2008-02-28 Sinclair Animal And Household Dispositif d'alimentation pour animaux
DE102022102174A1 (de) 2022-01-31 2023-08-03 Hery Ahmad Anordnung zum Bereitstellen von Futter für Haustiere

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002096315A3 (fr) 2003-07-03
AU2002305726A1 (en) 2002-12-09

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