WO2021177905A1

WO2021177905A1 - Animal chew and method of manufacture the same

Info

Publication number: WO2021177905A1
Application number: PCT/TH2020/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharlie Ovrahim; Jacques Hercules Jacobus BOSHOFF
Original assignee: Songkla Canning Pcl.
Priority date: 2020-03-04
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2021-09-10

Abstract

The present invention discloses a mold casted animal chew comprising meat, animal-based protein, humectant, fiber and water wherein the meat and the animal-based protein make up at least 75% of the animal chew, and wherein the animal chew, at a moisture content of between 10% to 12%, provides a total protein content of no less than 55%. A method of manufacturing of the animal chew using mold casting techniques is also disclosed.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ANIMAL CHEW AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an animal chew and a method for manufacturing an animal chew.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Animal chews, in particular, dog chews, are well-known and are widely commercialized. There are various animal chew products available in the market that are claimed to have been formulated to satisfy dogs’ specific needs ranging from fun, overcoming boredom, providing health benefits including improving dental health of the dog attainable through repeated chewing action exerted by the animal’s jaws. Some of these products are formulated using various compositions that generally comprise a combination ranging from purely polymer-based products in non-edible chews to purely animal-based rawhide material. The concern for pets unintentionally ingesting non-edible material is well documented. The concern extends to rawhide based chews which, despite considered as edible, they are deemed unsuitable for animal’s digestive system since rawhide is not fully digestible. Further, choking hazards and intestinal complications are associated with these chews. Some other processed edible animal chews are generally formulated with a composition that generally comprises a combination of protein, starch, fiber, fat, humectants and water.

US Patent Publication No 2018/0325145 disclosed an edible pet chew comprises of fibrous protein, water absorbing polymer, plasticizer, water, and a combination of anthocyanin and turmeric. The compositions are subjected to a thermoplasticizing to form an edible chew to improve textural properties and solubility in the stomach and intestinal environment for improved pet safety.

International Patent Publication No. WO2017/048958 disclosed an chew

comprising a combination of protein, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, humectants and water, which is formed by mixing, followed by a forming process, such as molding. The chews are made with an outer portion and an inner portion. The inner portion is contained with recesses within the outer portion and can also include runners giving the appearance of a tied rawhide bone.

International Patent Publication No. WO2013/008032 disclosed a method and apparatus of forming an edible animal chew comprising the steps of extruding an edible composition followed by contacting the extrudate with a plurality of post-form rollers. At least one of the post-form rollers exhibits an undulated surface and contacts the extrudate with said undulated surface. The undulated surface comprising a plurality of nodules for imparting undulations onto the extrudate surface creating an extrudate with modified surface.

International Patent Publication No. 2015/138938 disclosed a chewable article intended to be provided to animals for the purposes including dental cleaning, breath freshening nutrition, administration of beneficial agent to the animal, and general enjoyment by the animal. It also disclosed a method for making the chewable articles including the use of a processing aid to lubricate the article-forming apparatus, such as, extruders, portioners, and molds, and to reduce the power requirements of such apparatus in the forming process. These formulations, typically, involve the use of dry ingredients which are formed by mixing the ingredients and followed by a forming process such as extruding, compression molding, injection molding. Use of starches and vegetable proteins to facilitate the extrusion or injection molding process can impact textural properties and/or lack of palatability of the chew. As well, the suggested process often involves high heat and thus cause reduction of nutritional values of the chew. Moreover, despite the products offering a certain level of dental benefits, the fact that these formulations contain a significant amount of starch it can pose risk of different oral cavity disease due to conversion of starch into sugar.

Therefore, an alternative formulations and methods of manufacturing are desirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide animal chew and a method of manufacturing the same. In a first aspect of the invention, the invention directs to an edible animal chew in which:

In an embodiment of the invention according to this aspect, the invention discloses an animal chew comprising meat, animal based protein, humectant, fiber and water, wherein the meat and the animal-based protein make up over 75% of the animal chew; and wherein after drying to about 12% moisture, the animal chew provides animal-based protein content of no less than 55%

In an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew is formulated to optionally further comprise fresh and/or dried fruits and vegetable and/or their extracts.

In an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew optionally further comprises flavorants and/or colorants and/or functional ingredients selected from, for example, spiruiina, turmeric, activated charcoal, vitamins and minerals.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the animal chew further comprises minor ingredients including, but not limited to, sea salt, antioxidant, preservative, vitamins, and minerals.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention directs to a method of manufacturing of an animal chew in which:

In an embodiment of the invention, the process comprising steps of admixing the compositions according to a formulation to form an emulsion; casting the emulsion onto molds of various shapes and configurations; allowing the shaped emulsion to set; and drying the shaped emulsion to a desired moisture content.

In an embodiment of the invention, in the step of casting the emulsion, the emulsion is casted into a sheet wherein the said casted emulsion is subjected to a further shape modification step selected from but not limited to cutting or rolling or folding, twisting or braiding to form various shapes. In an embodiment of the invention, in the step of casting the emulsion, the emulsion is casted onto a mold to form a casted emulsion having a modified shape, surface or profile such that the modified shape, surface or profile enhances abrasion and/or massaging of the animal gum for enhancing dental benefits to the animal.

In an embodiment of the invention, in the step of casting the emulsion, the emulsion is casted onto a mold to form a shape including a block of casted animal chew having a multiple of connected portions wherein each portion permits breaking away to be given to the animal.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Characteristics and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which, as a non-limiting example, some preferable embodiments of the principle of the invention are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGs. 1-14. It is to be noted that the accompanying drawings interchangeably represent the animal chew according to the present invention as well as representing the intermediate stage of casted emulsion formed during the manufacturing of the animal chew in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention casted to form a sheet;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the sheet casted animal chew is subjected to a further shape modification to form a knotted bone-shape;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the sheet casted animal chew is subjected to a further shape modification to form a roll;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention casted into a stick;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein multiple sticks are twisted together;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the sheet or strip casted animal chew subjected to a further shape modification by twisting to a tube; FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the stick casted animal chew is subjected to a further shape modification by braiding; FIGs. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 illustrate examples of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the sheet casted animal chew is cut into various different shapes.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified surface;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified surface and further cut into a bone shape; FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified profile such as a brush shape;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified profile of a block with a plurality of connected portions where each portion can be broken away to be given to the animal;

FIG. 13 illustrates a further example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified surface;

FIG. 14 illustrate a further example of an embodiment of the animal chew according to the invention wherein the casted animal chew includes a modified surface which is further shaped into a roll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an animal chew and a method of manufacture the same. For the purposes of understanding of the principle of the invention, characteristics and advantages of the invention will be described as non-limiting examples of some preferable embodiments of the principle of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings as shown in FIGs 1-14, in which:

In a first aspect of the invention, the invention provides an edible animal chew 100. The animal chew 100 together with the method of manufacturing according to the present invention provide animal chew 100 where the compositions making up the animal chew 100 have undergone a minimal process so as to retain the highest possible nutrition value of the animal chew 100. The produced animal chew 100 possess malleable/flexible characteristics with a certain degree of chewiness encouraging the animal to chew over a limited period of time prior to eventually completely consume the animal chew 100 and thus providing dental health benefits to the animal. Moreover, the malleable/flexible characteristics of the chew together with the optionally modified shape, surface and/or modified profile of the animal chew 100 further enhance abrasion and messaging of the gum and hence further enhance dental health or dental hygiene to the animal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 comprises meat, animal- based protein, humectant, fiber and water. Unlike most commercially available animal chews which tend to contain starches and or plant-based proteins as binders and texture forming ingredients in order to facilitate the extrusion or injection molding to manufacture the edible animal chew, it is intended by the present invention that the animal chew according to the invention does not contain starches or plant-based protein. Since the animal chew 100 according to the present invention does not involve extrusion or injection molding, and of which the specific method of manufacture will be described later, it allows the animal chew 100 to be manufactured at a lower temperature range, it thus reduces negative impacts on heat sensitive nutrients. Preferably, according to the present invention the animal chew 100 is formulated to comprises meat, animal-based protein, humectant, fiber and water, wherein the meat and the animal- based protein make up over 75% of the animal chew, and wherein the animal chew, at a moisture content of between 10% to 12%, provides all animal-based protein content of no less than 55%.

In an example embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to comprise the composition in weight percentage of the following:

- fresh or frozen uncooked meat or a combination of meats about 50% to 80%, preferably 70%. The said meat may originate from a single or multiple sources of meats including but not limited to chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison or any other source of meats that are commonly use in pet food manufacturing. Lean meats such as chicken breast is preferred;

- animal-based protein about 5% to 20%, preferably 12%. The said animal-based proteins include gelatin, collagen or hydrolyzed versions of both forms obtained from for example, bovine, porcine or fish;

- humectant about 2 % to 20%, preferably 12%. The said humectant is selected from glycerin including natural vegetable glycerin or other food grade humectants such as sorbitol; -fiber about 2% to 20% preferably 6%. The fiber is selected from plant-based fiber including grain hulls or cellulose fiber; and

-water about 5% to 20% preferably 7%.

In a further example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 further comprises fresh or dried fruits or vegetable or a combination thereof. In an example, the animal chew 100 optionally comprises 10% of carrot. In an example where the animal chew 100 optionally comprises fresh or dried fruits or vegetable, and/or their extracts, the amount of fresh or frozen uncooked meat will be adjusted in proportionate to the optionally added ingredients to obtain an emulsion with acceptable consistency suitable for casting in the next step. Similarly, in the example where fresh fruits or vegetables or a combination thereof are added, the amount of water will also be adjusted to ensure acceptable consistency of the emulsion for the production of the animal chew 100.

In a further example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise salt, preferably sea salt about 1%.

In a further example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise an antioxidant, preferably natural antioxidant about 0.1%.

In a further example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprises a preservative, preferably natural preservative of about 0.5%.

In a further example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise one or more flavorant and/or colorant and/or functional ingredients including but not limited to turmeric or spirulina or activated charcoal, vitamins, and minerals. Certain examples of these functional ingredients may offer both health benefit as well as coloring of the animal chew 100.

In an example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise turmeric powder of about 0.25%. In an example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise spirulina powder of about 0.25%.

In an example of an embodiment of the invention, the animal chew 100 is formulated to further comprise activated charcoal powder of about 0.25%.

These flavorants and/or colorants and/or functional ingredients not only enhance flavor for the animal enjoyment but also provide additional health benefits to the animal. Although the animal such as a dog does not perceive all color ranges, the colorants included in the animal chew 100 at least, make the animal chew 100 more appealing to the animal’s owner. For example, the inclusion of turmeric in the animal chew provides animal chew with yellowish color, the inclusion of spirulina provides animal chew with greenish color, and the inclusion of activated charcoal provides animal chew with blackish color. It will be appreciated by a skilled person that other natural or synthetic coloring agents may also be used to achieve the same or similar color effects.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention directs to a method of manufacturing of animal chew 100 using the animal chew comprising the compositions as described in the afore-mentioned aspect of the invention.

As briefly mentioned earlier, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing of animal chew 100 which does not employ the typical extrusion or injection molding processes. Instead, the method of manufacturing of the animal chew 100 according to the present aspect of the invention employs a mold casting process by which the composition making up the animal chew are minimally processed at a relatively lower temperature than the typical extrusion or injection molding methods. The lower temperature reduces negative impact on heat sensitive nutrients and thus offers better retention of the nutrients of the animal chew 100. Further, the emulsion for the production of the animal chew 100 prepared according to a formulation can be casted to possess specific shapes and forms. The malleable/ flexible characteristics of the casted chew can also be subjected to an optionally further surface or profile modification step to form further shapes and forms including shapes or forms which enhance abrasion and messaging of the gum to enhance dental benefits to the animal. The manufacturing method will now be described in further detail below. In an embodiment of the invention, the method of manufacturing of the animal chew comprises the steps of the following:

-admixing the compositions according to a formulation to form an emulsion;

-mold casting the resultant emulsion to form specific shapes and profiles with optionally a step of further shape or surface or profile modification;

-setting and drying the casted emulsion to a required moisture content.

The method of manufacturing will now be described more detail with an exemplary embodiment of the animal chew wherein chicken breast is used.

Admixing of the compositions to form an emulsion

In this step, the compositions making up the animal chew 100 in accordance to its various embodiments as described earlier are admixed and combined together to form a homogeneous emulsion suitable for casting. In an example, some of the dry ingredients according to the formulation are combined with meat to create a batch herein referred to as a “dough mix”. . Then as a separate batch, the liquid ingredients are combined with animal protein and heated to create a viscous liquid herein referred to as a “liquid mix”. Subsequently, both the dough mix and liquid mix are combined while mixing to form a uniform, homogeneous emulsion.

In an example, fresh or frozen uncooked chicken breast is grounded through a typical meat grinder into smaller pieces, preferably using a 0.5cm screen. The remaining dry ingredients such as fiber, salt, antioxidant and preservative are then mixed with the grounded chicken breast to create a “dough mix” If necessary, the dry functional ingredients such turmeric or spirulina etc. are also grounded into smaller pieces or alternatively using their powder form prior to mixing with the grounded chicken breast. The resultant “dough mix” is set aside and allowed to warm up to a temperature range between 20°C to 30°C naturally or alternatively by using a mild external heating mechanism. Next, a “liquid mix” is prepared by combining gelatin and/or collagen and/or hydrolyzed versions of both glycerin and water in a vessel. The mixture is warmed up to 60°C to 70°C with regular mixing until all the gelatin, including collagen is dissolved with no lumps remaining in the mixture. The resultant “liquid mix” is then added to the “dough mix” while mixing is continued to create a uniform, homogeneous emulsion ready to be used in the next casting step. It will be apparent to a skilled person that the order or the sequence of combining or mixing, whether during the preparation of the “dough mix” or “liquid mix” or during the mixing of the “dough mix” with “liquid mix” is not of particular significant. The order or the sequence of combining or mixing thereof maybe of any other alternate orders or sequences.

In an example which the animal chew 100 prepared according to a formulation which fresh fruits or vegetables or a combination thereof is used or added to the “dough mix”, it is necessary to accordingly adjust or subtract the amount of water used in the preparation. This is to ensure that the obtained emulsion has an acceptable moisture content or consistency such that it allows further processing of the emulsion in the casting or shape-forming step. For example, when fresh fruits or vegetables (pre-minced) 10% are added to “dough mix”, fresh chicken 10% is removed from the formulation.

Casting and shape forming

In this step, the obtained emulsion is formed into desirous shapes and dimensions through a mold casting technique and/or a combination of molding casting and shape forming as shown as non-limiting examples in FIGs 1-14.

In an example, the emulsion is directly casted to have specific shape, size, or dimension such as sheet, strip, stick and/or its variations.

In an example, the emulsion is first casted into a sheet. The sheet can be of any varying thicknesses. The casted sheet of emulsion is then subject to a further shape forming process including cutting, rolling, twisting, braiding, folding, etc. to create the final desired shape.

In an example, the casted sheet is subjected to a further shape forming process by cutting where the casted sheet is cut into smaller pieces including such as a strip, a string or the like.

In further examples, the casted sheet can be cut into limitless individual shapes such as petals, flowers, fruits, leaves, animals, stars, hearts, bones, etc. using a technique similar to a cookie cutting technique. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the emulsion is casted onto a mold to form a sheet shape. The sheet can be of any varying thicknesses or sizes. The sheet may be later cut into smaller pieces or strips or the like.

In an example, the emulsion is first casted into a sheet and subsequently cut into desired shapes such as petal, flowers, leaves, fish, star, dogs, bone, heart, etc. using a technique similar to cookie cutting hence the shapes are limitless. FIGs 8.1 -8.6 illustrate this technique in which the emulsion is first casted into sheet and subsequently cut into flower, fish, bone, star, dog and heart shape respectively.

In an example as shown in FIG. 4, the emulsion is casted into a stick. The casted stick can be of any varying length. It is possible to first cast the emulsion into a long stick and later cut the long stick into multiple shorter sticks. It should be noted that any variances of a stick is possible and applicable to this example.

In an embodiment, the emulsion is casted to form a certain shape for example a sheet or a stick. The said sheet or stick subsequently subjected to a further shape modification, for example as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7. As mentioned earlier, the casted emulsion according to the present invention has a malleable/flexible characteristic. This allows the casted emulsion to be further manipulated or modified into further shapes and/or forms before setting and drying to permanently retain the desire shapes and forms. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an example where the emulsion is first casted into a sheet. The sheet can be casted into an individual sheet with determined size or the emulsion may first be casted into a large sheet and then cut into smaller sheets with determined size. Each individual sheet is then folded or rolled and a knot 105 is subsequently formed on each end forming a bone-like shape. In another example as shown in FIG. 3, the casted sheet is rolled to form a hollow tube or log-like with multiple layers. In another example as shown in FIG. 6, the casted sheet is twisted to resemble a hollow tube. FIGs. 5 and 7 show further examples of shape modification where the emulsion is first casted stick, then two or more sticks may be used to form further shapes. FIG. 5, shows an example where two sticks of the casted emulsion are twisted to form a bundle. The said bundle can be formed from a first stick 120 and a second stick 130 where the first stick 120 and the second stick 130 can be of the same or different color, flavor, or texture. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows and example where multiple sticks, such as three sticks are braided together to form a braided bundle. Once again, the bundle can be formed from a first stick 120, a second stick 130 and a third stick 135 which can be of the same or of a different color, flavor, or texture. Forming a bundle with additional sticks, for example four or five sticks and so on is possible. In examples where the emulsion is first casted into sheets and subsequently subjected to further shape modification, for example, by twisting and braiding as described in FIGs.5 and 7, it is possible to use casted sticks or sheets of different color or flavors to form a bundle having a dual or multiple colors or flavors. In certain example, to allow further shape forming or modification after casting, the casted emulsion, for example the casted stick 120, 130 may be partially-dried for easy handling during further shape forming or modification. For example, the casted sheet in FIG 1 is first dried at 70°C for about one hour to about 20% moisture content. The partially dried sheet possesses adequate malleability/flexibility to be further shaped to form twists, rolls and the like without breaking apart. The formed shape is further dried to the desired 10% to 12% final moisture content and the final shape is retained permanently thereafter.

As intended by the invention that the animal chew possess firm but malleable/ flexible characteristics with a certain degree of toughness or chewiness encouraging the animal to chew over a limited period of time and thus providing dental health benefits to the animal before eventually being completely consumed by the animal. To enhance the feature of providing dental health benefit to the animal, the chew according to the present invention may be subjected to a surface and/or shape or profile modification. This surface or shape or profile modification can be carried out during the casting and shape-forming step.

For example, as shown in FIGs. 9, 10, 13, and 14 in which the casted emulsion sheet includes nodal structures or protrusions distributed, preferably uniformly distributed on the surface throughout the sheet. This can be achieved by casting the emulsion directly onto a mold with a corresponding debossing configuration. For example, as shown in FIGs. 9 and 10, in which the casted emulsion includes surface modification in the form of raised nodules or nodes or protuberance 140 or the like distributed throughout the sheet. Such raised nodules or nodes or protuberance 140 or the like may be uniformly or randomly distributed on the casted sheet. As well, such raised nodules or nodes or protuberances 140 or the like may be of identical shapes or forms or a combination of more than one shape or form. The casted sheet with modified surface may then be cut into any desired shapes or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet is cut into smaller strips while as shown in FIG. 10 the sheet is cut into a two dimensional bone-shape. Similarly, FIGs. 13 and 14 show further examples of surface modification in the same principle as described for FIG. 9 and 10. The example of surface modification as shown in FIG. 13 and 14, however, is in the form of a random of different nodules/nodes/protuberances from that of FIGs. 9 and 10. As shown, the casted emulsion with surface modification may also be subjected to further shape modification, for example, by forming the casted sheet into a hollow roll with multiple layers. Similarly, the casted emulsion with nodal structures or protrusions or protuberances can be subjected to a step of further shape forming and/or shape modification by way of cutting wherein the casted sheet is cut to form shapes including but not limited to strip, string, petal, flower, fruit, animal, star, heart, bone in the same manner as with the previously described examples in which the emulsion was casted into shapes without the nodal structures or protrusions or protuberances A skilled person will appreciate that the said surface or shape modification may be any other forms as long as it serves the intended objective of enhancing abrasion and/or massaging the animal teeth and gum while the animal is chewing on the chew to enhance dental health benefit to the animal.

FIGs. 11 and 12 show further examples of casting and shape forming of emulsion. As an example, the emulsion may be casted to resemble an object with a definite form using a mold having such definite form such as a brush-shaped object where one end substantially resembles a handle 106 while another end substantially resembles a brush head 107 with bristles as shown in FIG. 11. In this example, the emulsion is directly casted onto a corresponding brush-shaped mold and wherein nodal structures or protrusions 140 resembling bristles of a brush are formed. In another example as shown in FIG. 12, using a mold with corresponding features, the emulsion is casted into a block 109 of animal chew 100 with multiple connected portions 110 wherein each portion 110 facilitates or permits breaking away from the said block 109 to be given to the animal. Each portion 110 of said block 109 may further comprise of nodal structures or protrusions 140 extending from at least one surface of said portion 110. Said nodal structure or protrusions 140 may be in the form of bristle-like structure of a brush. Obviously, a skilled person will appreciate that the configuration and/or the arrangement of the nodal structures, nodes or protrusions on the surface of the casted emulsion can be of any other various configurations and arrangements as long as they serve the intended purpose of enhancing abrasion and/or massaging the animal’s teeth and gum while the animal is chewing on the chew to enhance dental health benefit to the animal. To facilitate or permit dividing each portion away from the casted block 109 of animal chew 100 without much effort, one or more designated grooves 150 between each portion 110 may be formed through using a mold of corresponding configuration. Preferably, the grooves 150 should be with lesser thickness than that of the thickness of the two adjacent portions 110. Post casting perforations along such grooves may also be created to ease or further enhance the ease of breaking each portion away from the block of animal chew.

Setting and Drying

Following transferring of the emulsion onto molds, the emulsion inside the molds are allowed to set by sitting at a room temperature, more preferably under a refrigeration at 0°C to 5°C. The duration for the emulsion inside the mold to set depends on moisture content, thickness of the shape and setting temperature. In an example, a nominal setting time ranges between 30 minutes to 2 hours can be expected at 4°C. After setting, the casted emulsion including casted emulsion after further shape and/or surface modification are then subjected to drying to a determined moisture content. In an example, the casted emulsion is subject to drying by way of heating, preferably, by an air oven at a temperature above 35°C . The duration of drying depends upon drying efficacy of the oven, the temperature, and the thickness of the casted emulsion. A nominal duration of between 2 hours to 12 hours can be expected at 70°C. The final moisture content of the chew ranges between 5% to 20%, preferably 10-12% to provide the animal chew with a firm but malleable/flexible texture and not brittle. The firm but still malleable/flexible texture of the chew together with the chewing action of the animal offer the benefit of abrasion and/or massaging the animal teeth and gum to enhance dental health benefit to the animal, and even more so with the animal chew with the surface and/or profile modification according to the invention. In examples where further shape and form modification after casting including twisting, braiding, rolling, folding is required, it is preferred to partially dry the casted emulsion first for ease of such shapes and forms modification.

As it clearly illustrates by the foregoing description and exemplary embodiments and examples, the present invention offers an alternative animal chew formulation and method of manufacturing. The animal chew formulation according to the invention contains no starch or plant-base proteins and thus formation of the desired shapes and forms is achieved without the use of extrusion or injection molding technologies. Further, the composition or ingredients making up the formulation are minimally processed and at lower temperature, in comparison to the conventional formulation and manufacturing method, hence providing an animal chew which not only retains highest possible nutrition value but also provides dental health benefits to the animal. The objectives of the invention as set out above thus have been met.

It should be appreciated by a skilled person that the foregoing description, exemplary embodiments and examples as well as the accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments and example discussed above. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. An animal chew (100) comprising meat, animal-based protein, humectant, fiber and water wherein the meat and the animal-based protein make up at least 75% of the animal chew, and wherein the animal chew, at a moisture content of between 10% to 12%, provides a total protein content of no less than 55%

2. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the meat, animal -based protein, humectant, fiber and water are contained in the weight percentage of the following:

- 50% to 70% of meat;

- 5% to 20% of animal-based protein;

- 2% to 20% of humectant;

- 5 to 20% of water; wherein the meat is a fresh or frozen uncooked meat or a combination of meats selected from but not limited to chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison; and wherein the animal-based protein is selected from gelatin, collagen or hydrolyzed form thereof; and wherein the humectant is selected from glycerin including natural vegetable glycerin or food grade humectant.

3. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the fresh or frozen uncooked meat is chicken breast.

4. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the animal chew is formulated to optionally comprise fresh or dried fruits and vegetables or their extract or a combination thereof.

5. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the animal chew is formulated to further comprise 1% of salt including sea salt.

6. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the animal chew is formulated to further comprise 0.1% of antioxidant.

7. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the animal chew is formulated to further comprise 0.5% of preservative.

8. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 4 or 7 wherein the animal chew is formulated to further comprise one or more flavorant and/or a colorant and/or functional ingredients including but not limited to turmeric, spirulina, activated charcoal, vitamins, and minerals.

9. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the animal chew is formulated to comprise 0.25% of turmeric including turmeric.

10. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the animal chew is formulated to comprise 0.25% of spirulina.

11. The animal chew (100) as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the animal chew is formulated to comprise 0.25% of activated charcoal.

12. A method of manufacturing the animal chew (100) as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-admixing compositions according to a formulation to form an emulsion;

-mold casting the resultant emulsion to form specific shapes and profiles; and -setting and drying the casted emulsion to a determined moisture content.

13. The method as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the step of mold casting optionally includes a step of further shape forming and/or shape modification including but not limited to cutting, twisting, braiding, folding, rolling.

14. The method as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the emulsion is first casted into a sheet and said casted sheet is subjected to a step of further shape forming and/or shape modification by way of cutting wherein the casted sheet is cut to form shapes including but not limited to strip, string, petal, flower, fruit, animal, star, heart, bone.

15. The method as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the emulsion is first casted into sticks (120,

130) including its variances and the said casted sticks (120, 130) including its variances is subject to a step of further shape forming and/or shape modification by way of twisting and braiding.

16. The method as claimed in Claim 14 wherein two or more of the casted sticks (120, 130) including its variances are twisted and/or braided together to form a bundle; wherein two or more sticks (120, 130) are of the same or different flavor, texture or color forming an animal chew having a dual or multiple flavors, textures or colors.

17. The method as claimed in Claim 13 wherein prior to subjecting the casted emulsion to a further step of shape or profile modification by way of cutting, twisting, braiding, folding, rolling, the casted emulsion is optionally subjected to setting and partial drying.

18. The method as claimed in Claim 12 wherein in the step of mold casting the emulsion is casted to form specific shapes and profiles; said shapes and profile further includes nodal structures or protrusions or protuberances (140) uniformly or randomly distributed on such shapes and profiles.

19. The method as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the casted emulsion with nodal structures or protrusions or protuberances (140) is subject to a step of further shape forming and/or shape modification by way of cutting wherein the casted sheet is cut to form shapes including but not limited to strip, string, petal, flower, fruit, animal, star, heart, bone.

20. The method as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the emulsion is casted into a brush-shaped object having one end substantially resemble a handle (106) and another end substantially resemble a brush head (107) wherein nodal structures or protrusions (140) resembling bristles of a brush are formed thereon.

21. The method as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the emulsion is casted into a block (109) with multiple connected portions (110) wherein each portion (110) permits breaking away from the said block (109).

22. The method as claimed in Claim 21 wherein one or more grooves (150) having a thickness lesser than that of the thickness of the two adjacent portions (110) are designated between each portion (110).

23. The method as claimed in Claim 22 wherein each portion (110) of said block (109) further comprises nodal structures or protrusions (140) at least one surface of said portion (110).

24. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 12-23 wherein the casted emulsion including the casted emulsion which has been subjected to further shape and profile modification are allowed to set dry to a designated moisture content.

25. The method as claimed in Claim 24 wherein the casted emulsion is dried into animal chew (100) with a moisture content ranges between 5% to 20%.