PET CHEW DEVICE Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/630,265, filed November 24, 2004, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present application relates to a pet chew device for securing a food product and regulating the dispensing of the food product. More specifically, the pet chew device has a shape pleasing to pets and includes an actuator for controlling the dispensing of the food product.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Conventional pet chew devices are comprised of a variety of chew toys and chew products for the entertainment of pets. These chew toys and chew products are made from a variety of material. For example, rawhide, woven fabrics, plastic, rubber or rope have been used. AU chew products are subject to breakdown from continued chewing and may also cause digestive problems if large or sharp pieces are swallowed. Softer chew toys and chew products are dangerous for pets when unattended for extended periods since, by instinct, pets will consume the pieces of the toy. More stable and longer lasting materials, such as rubber or plastic, have been used for such chewable objects, but frequently these materials have undesirable tastes and quickly loose the attention of the pet.

[0004] A variety of methods have been developed to impregnate chewable objects with odor or flavor extracts or animal meals. More specifically, there exists several chew products, such as the GALILEO ™ by Nylabone, which is solid plastic and impregnated with chicken meal. These products have limited success in significantly increasing the time a pet will chew on the product. Other common products have one ore more openings and hollow cavities that hold food items, such as dog biscuits, peanut butter, cheese, or the like. These products are reusable. An example of this chew product is THE KONG ™, manufactured by The Kong Company. This chew product has a single hole leading into a hollow core that pet owners fill with biscuits or human food. The dog chews and licks on the chew toy to try and

eat the edible food. The food item and the chew toy is not an integral system and the food item is usually consumed too quickly which significantly limits its entertainment value to the pet. Also, food product frequently gets stuck inside the chew toy making it virtually impossible for the pet to remove and enjoy the food product, and difficult for the owner to remove and keep the chew toy hygienic and odor free. A chew toy called the KONG GOODIE TOY ™, manufactured by Kong Company™, includes star-shaped receptacles, or grippers, that usually hold small dog biscuits. These biscuit grippers provide easier access to the food item. However, the food item is often consumed too quickly, significantly reducing the entertainment value and the time the pet is occupied.

[0005] Another method exits where an edible food product is molded inside and totally encased by a synthetic, chewable material. An example of this product is the MARROW BONE ™ by the Sporn Company. This product encourages the pet to chew due to the desirable food inside. The disadvantages with this product are that the pet must chew through the synthetic material to get to the food product, it is not reusable, and the pet owner is unable to remove the food if it is gets old. Another method exists where a synthetic chew product has two parts that screw or connect together in some fashion. The chew product is unscrewed, or opened, and the edible food product is placed inside. The product is then closed to secure the food and prevent the pet from eating it too quickly. Usually there are openings on surface of the chew product that allow some food product to pass through and be consumed by the pet as they play or chew. An example of this type of product is the HAVABALL ™ by Stellar Pets. However, these products are limited since the pet, not the pet owner, controls how quickly the food product is consumed and the owner is not able to regulate consumption without limiting their entertainment. These types of products do not imitate a real bone with a marrow core.

[0006] Another method is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,186,096 to Miller. Miller discloses a non-circular hollow chew toy that holds a specially formed food product. The food product fits inside the chew toy and is engaged and secured to the chew toy by a threaded rod. One end of the chew toy is secured to this rod, and when this end is rotated, the rod tries to rotate the food product inside. The non-circular shape of the food product within

the same shaped cavity prevents the food product from turning and consequently the food product advances out of the cavity exposing it to the pet. This concept allows the food product to be dispensed by the owner while the food product inside entices the pet to chew on the product. This product is refillable and the entire food product can be removed for hygiene. The disadvantage of Miller is that it requires a rigid and non-circular treat, with an internal, longitudinal threaded bore inside the treat to receive the rod. If the bore is not threaded than an intermediate element with a threaded bore must be formed onto the food product. The bore inside the food product limits the outside diameter preventing small treats from being used because they become too fragile and often break preventing them from being used within the bone. In addition, the bore in the food product also makes it difficult to use a food product that is soft or has a soft chewy center. Another disadvantage is the threaded rod must extend the length of the cavity to the open end in order to turn out the last remaining piece of food product or the food product will become stuck. The threaded rod then becomes exposed to damage by the pet's chewing making the device inoperable or if the threaded rod is shortened then the chew toy does not eject the last piece of treat. Another disadvantage is the threaded rod does not allow the pet owner to easily and quickly reload the chew toy. To load the chew toy the pet owner must insert the food product and then awkwardly hold the food product and chew toy at the same time while turning the end of the bone to rotate the threaded rod and engage the food product to retract and load the treat. To allow the food product to partially slide into the chew toy so the pet owner does not have to hold both requires the threads to be removed from the beginning of the food product. However, this would prevent the chew toy from ejecting the last piece of food product and make it difficult for the pet owner to get out.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pet chew device that securely holds and protects the food product and allows the pet owner to control the dispensing of the food product.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pet chew device that allows for quick loading of the food product.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pet chew device that occupies pets longer than conventional products.

[0010] The foregoing objects are basically attained by a pet chew device that includes a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends, and an actuator rotatably coupled to the first end of the main body. A pusher assembly is received within the inner bore of the main body and is movable between a first position near the first end of the main body and a second position near the second end of the main body by rotating the actuator.

[0011] The foregoing objects are also attained by a pet chew device that includes a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends. The inner bore including threads extending between the first and second ends. An actuator is rotatably coupled to the first end of the main body. A pusher assembly is received within the inner bore of the main body that is movable between a first position near the first end of the main body and a second position near the second end of the main body by rotating the actuator. The pusher assembly includes a pusher member received within a collet member. The pusher member engages the threads of the inner bore of the main body.

[0012] The foregoing objects are also attained by a pet chew device including a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite end. An actuator is rotatably coupled to the first end of the main body. A pusher assembly is received within the inner bore of the main body that is movable between a first position near the first end of the main body and a second position near the second end of the main body by rotating the actuator. The pusher assembly includes a pusher member received within a collet member, the pusher member having at least one lug that is slidable within a complementary slot of the collet member. A food product is received within the inner bore of the main body, the pusher assembly moving the food product with respect to the inner bore as the actuator is rotated.

[0013] Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pet chew device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the pet chew device taken in section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

[0017] Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial elevational view in section of the pet chew device, showing a pusher assembly of the device in a first position;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a partial elevational view in section of the pet chew device, showing the pusher assembly in a second position;

[0019] Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0020] Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of an actuator of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0021] Fig. 7 is an elevational view in section of an inner sleeve of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 8 is an elevational view in section of the inner sleeve similar to Fig. 7;

[0023] Fig. 9 is an elevational view in section of a rotational sleeve of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 10 is an elevational view of an alternative rotational sleeve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a collet member of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0026] Fig. 12 is an elevational view of a pusher member of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 13 is an elevational view of an alternative pusher member in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 14 is an elevational view of an alternative pusher member in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 15 is an elevational view of a plug of the pet chew device illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 16 is an elevational view of an alternative plug in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 17 is an elevational view in section of an alternative collet member in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 18 is an end elevational view of the collet member illustrated in Fig. 18;

[0033] Fig. 19 is an elevational view in section of an alternative pusher member in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 20 is an elevational view in section of an alternative pusher assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing the pusher assembly in a first position; and

[0035] Fig. 21 is an elevational view in section of the pusher assembly illustrated in Fig.

21, showing the pusher assembly in a second position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0036] Referring to Figs. 1-21, a pet chew device 10 of the present invention preferably has a shape that is pleasing to pets, such as a bone shape, and includes a main body 12 that receives a food product 14 that can be easily dispensed by rotating an actuator 16 at an end of the main body 12. Once the food product 14 is dispensed, the main body 12 can be rapidly refilled with more food product 14. The food product 14 can be any type of food that is soft or hard. In general, the main body 12 includes a threaded inner sleeve 18 that cooperates with a rotating sleeve 20 of the actuator 16 to move a pusher assembly 22 within the main body 12 between a food loaded position (Fig. 4) and a food ejected/refill position (Fig. 3). The components of device 10 are preferably made of a plastic or rubber material. [0037] As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, main body 12 includes a cylindrical middle portion 26, opposite first and second ends 28 and 30, and an inner bore 32. Both ends 28 and 30 are open with the second end 30 receiving the food product 14. The first end 28 includes an annular groove 34 adapted to engage the actuator 16. The threaded inner sleeve 18 is disposed within the inner bore 32 and is stationary with respect to the bore 32. Inner sleeve 18 can be secured within the main body 12 by inserting longitudinal ribs 36 (Fig. 7) of the sleeve 18 into corresponding longitudinal channels 38 (Fig. 5) of the inner bore 32, or by any known matter, such as adhesive. As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the inner surface of inner sleeve 18 includes threads 40 for engaging the pusher assembly 22. The threads 40 preferably extend substantially the entire length of the sleeve 18. Slits 42 (Fig. 8) can be provided in the sleeve 18 to allow the sleeve 18 to expand. Although use of inner sleeve 18 is preferred, threads 40 can be formed directly in the inner surface of the inner bore 32, thereby eliminating the sleeve 18. Each thread 40 includes front and rear surfaces 44 and 46. Rear surfaces 46 can be sloped to facilitate loading of the food product 14 in the inner bore 32. [0038] Actuator 16 is rotatably coupled to the first end 28 of the main body 12, as seen in Fig. 2. Actuator 16 preferably has a knob shape, and the second end 30 of the main body 12 likewise preferably has a knob shape, thereby giving the device 10 the appearance of a bone, and elevates the food product off of the ground. Device 10 can have any shape appealing to pets as long as actuator 16 is rotatably coupled to the main body 12.

[0039] An annular flange 50 (Fig. 2) of the actuator 16 engages the annular groove 34 of the main body 12 so that the actuator 16 can rotate with respect to the main body 12 but may not be easily removed by the pet. The rotating sleeve 20 is connected to the actuator 16 so that rotation of the actuator 16 also rotates the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 preferably includes a tab 52 (Fig. 9) at one end 54 thereof that is received in a corresponding groove 56 (Fig. 6) in the actuator 16, to couple the actuator 16 and sleeve 20, with the end 54 of the sleeve 20 being received in a recess 58 (Figs. 1 and 6) of the actuator 16. Alternatively, the sleeve 20 and actuator 16 can be coupled in any known matter, as long as the actuator 16 and sleeve 20 rotate together. For example, actuator 16 and sleeve 20 can be bonded to one another, or the actuator 16 and sleeve 20 can be formed as a one-piece member. The rotating sleeve 20 has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the stationary sleeve 18 of the main body 12 to allow the sleeve 20 to be received within the stationary sleeve 18. An inner lip 33 provides a stop for the pusher assembly 22. Longitudinal slots 60 (Fig. 9) are provided in the rotating sleeve 20 which engage the pusher assembly 22, as seen in Fig. 3, to move the pusher assembly 22 within the inner bore 32. The end of the sleeve 20 includes a tapered shoulder 62 that extends beyond the sleeve 18 and engages the pusher assembly 22 when in the ejected/refill position, as seen in Fig. 3, and allows the collet fingers 78 to open and the pusher member to eject the food product 14.

[0040] As seen in Fig. 10, an alternative rotating sleeve 20' can be used that includes a longitudinal slot 60' and end shoulder 62' and a tab 52' that extends outwardly for engaging the actuator. Sleeve 20' can include inner tabs (not shown) that provide a stop for the pusher assembly 22.

[0041] Pusher assembly 22 includes a collet member 70 and a pusher member 80, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. As seen in Fig. 11, collet member 70 includes a cylindrical body 72 open at both ends and receives the pusher member 80. A plurality of slots 74 extend between the ends of the cylindrical body 72, providing flexibility and resiliency to the collet member 70. Resilient fingers 76 extend from the cylindrical body 70 and include locking pads 78 (Figs. 3 and 4) for engaging a groove 79 of the food product 14. The fingers 76 can have an angled shape and the groove 79 can have a complementary angled shape, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0042J As seen in Fig. 12, pusher member 80 includes a stem portion 82 and a head portion 84 with a cylindrical space 86 (Figs. 3 and 4) therebetween. Cylindrical space 86 gives the pusher member 80 flexibility and resilience. An end wall 88 of the head portion 84 abuts or nearly abuts the food product 14, as seen in Fig. 4. Radial lugs 90 extend from the cylindrical side wall 92 of the head portion 84 for engaging the threads 40 in the inner bore 32. The stem portion 82 slidably supports a plug 100 with a catch 94 at the end of the stem portion 82 for preventing the plug 100 from separating from the pusher member 80, as seen in Fig. 3. To increase the flexibility of the head portion 84, the pusher member 80 can include U-shaped slots 93 disposed around the lugs 90, as seen in Fig. 13, or slots 96 that are disposed in the cylindrical side wall 92 between the lugs 90, as seen in Fig. 14. [0043] Plug 100 assists with the engagement of the lugs 90 with the threads 40 by preventing compression of the head portion 84 when the food product 14 is fully loaded, as seen in Fig. 4. Plug 100 includes a cylindrical wall 102 (Fig. 15) that fits over the stem portion 82 of the pusher member 80 and an end flange 104 (Fig. 15). The outer diameter of the end flange 104 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 72 of the collet member 70, as seen in Fig. 3. The terminal end 106 of the cylindrical wall 102 is preferably tapered to facilitate engagement with the cylindrical space 86 of the pusher member 80.

[0044] An alternative plug 100' can be used, as seen in Fig. 16., that includes a straight and longer wall 102', and end flange 104' and side tabs 105 that fit into slots of the pusher member 80, such as slots 96, as seen in Fig. 14, and prevent the slots from compressing. [0045] As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the pusher assembly 22 is assembled by inserting the stem portion 82 of the pusher member 80 into the cylindrical body 72 of the collet member 70 so that it is slidably received therein, with the lugs 90 being received in the corresponding slots 74 of the collet member 70. The plug 100 is slidably received over the stem portion 82 of the pusher member 80 and the catch 94 of the stem 82 prevents the plug 100 from sliding off. The pusher assembly 22 is received in the rotational sleeve 20 with lugs 90 extending through the longitudinal slots 60 of the rotating sleeve 20. Because the pusher assembly 22 is inside of the main body 12, pets are unable to access and damage the pusher assembly 22.

[0046] Referring to Figs. 17-21, a second embodiment of the pusher assembly 22' includes a collet member 70' and a pusher member 80'. Like collet member 70 of the first embodiment, collet member 70' of the second embodiment includes a cylindrical body 72' that receives the pusher member 80', a plurality of slots 74', resilient fingers 76' extending from the cylindrical body 70', and that include locking pads 78' (Fig. 17) for engaging the groove 79 of the food product 14. Collet member 70' of the second embodiment also includes first and second inner ridges 200, as seen in Figs. 17 and 18, for engaging the slots 308 of pusher member 80'. Each ridge 200 includes a wide section 202 and a narrow section 204, as seen in Fig. 17.

[0047] As seen in Fig. 19, pusher member 80' of the second embodiment includes a cylindrical body 300 with opposite first and second ends 302 and 304, the first end 302 being open and the second end 304 forming a wall 306 that abuts the food product 14. Slots 308 extend between the first and second ends 302 and 304 of the cylindrical body 300 providing resiliency to the pusher member 80' and for engaging the ridges 200 of the collet member 70'. Radial lugs 310 extend from the cylindrical body 300 for engaging the threads 40 of the inner bore 32. Lugs 310 can have sloped outer surfaces 312, as seen in Fig. 19, to facilitate loading of the food product 14 in the device 10 by allowing the lugs 310 to skip over the threads 40 more easily. The wide section 202 of the ridge 200 allows the pusher lugs 310 to stay engaged with the threads 40 while the food product 14 is ejected. Once the food product is ejected, the narrow section 204 of the ridge 200 allows the pusher grooves 308 to compress, readying the pusher assembly 22' to easily skip over the threads 40 while loading another food product .

[0048] As seen in Figs. 20 and 21, the pusher assembly 22' is assembled by inserting the pusher member 80' into the cylindrical body 72' of the collet member 70'. Lugs 310 are received in corresponding slots 74' of the collet member 70' and ridges 200 are received in slots 308 of the pusher member 80'. Ridges 200 eliminate the need for a separate plug, such as plug 100 of the first embodiment. The pusher assembly 22' is received in the rotating sleeve 20 with the lugs 310 extending through the longitudinal slots 60 of the rotating sleeve 20.

[0049] In operation, the food product 14 is loaded into the device 10, as seen in Fig. 3. The design of the pusher assembly 22 facilitates rapid loading of the food product 14. Upon initial insertion of the food product 14 into the inner bore 32 of the main body 12, the resilient fingers 76 of the collet member 70 lock onto the groove 79 of the food product 14 via pads 78 with the food product 14 abutting or nearly abutting the end wall 88 of the pusher member 80, thereby securing the food product 14 and pusher assembly 22 together. The front obtuse angle of the fingers 76 allow the food product 14 to be easily inserted and the back acute angle of the fingers 76 securely holds the food product. The end of the food product 14 can be tapered to facilitate loading into the pusher assembly 22. The inner surface of the rotating sleeve 20 prevents the fingers 76 from expanding and releasing the food product 14. Once locked in, the food product 14 can be pushed into the inner bore 32, thereby pushing the pusher assembly 22 toward the first end 28 of the main body 12 with the lugs 90 sliding within the longitudinal slots 60 of the rotating sleeve 20. Because the head portion 84 of the pusher member 80 is flexible, due to the cylindrical space 86 between the head portion 84 and the stem portion 82, the head portion 84 can be compressed as the pusher assembly 22 is moved toward the actuator 16, allowing the lugs 90 to slide over the threads 40 of the stationary sleeve 18. The sloped rear surface 46 of the threads 40 and/or a sloped outer surface of the lugs 90 further facilitates rapid loading of the food product 14 by allowing the lugs 90 to more easily slide over the threads 40.

[0050] When the pusher assembly 22 reaches the first end 28 of the main body 12, the food product 14 is fully loaded, as seen in Fig. 4. In this position, the end flange 104 of the plug 100 abuts the inner lip 33 of the inner bore 32 so that head portion 84 of the pusher member 80 slides over the cylindrical wall 102 and the cylindrical wall 102 is received in the cylindrical space 86, thereby preventing compression of the head portion 84 and locking the lugs 90 into the threads 40 of the inner bore.

[0051] Once fully loaded, the food product 14 can be easily dispensed by rotating the actuator 16. As the actuator 16 is rotated, rotating sleeve 20 rotates and in turn rotates the pusher assembly 22 because the lugs 90 of the pusher member 80 are coupled to the rotating sleeve 20 via longitudinal slots 60. Because the lugs 90 are locked into the threads 40, the

pusher assembly 22 moves toward the second end 30 of the main body 12 as the lugs 90 advance through the threads 40, thereby dispensing the food product 14. The slots 74 of the collet member 70 guide the lugs 90 as the pusher member 80 ejects the food product 14. The food product 14 can also be retracted by rotating the actuator 16 in the opposite direction. Once the pusher assembly 22 reaches the second end 30 of the main body 12, the resilient fingers 76 clear of the rotating sleeve 20, and expand to release the remainder of the food product 14, thereby automatically ejecting the food product 14. The device 10 can then be refilled with food product 14 repeating the steps above.

[0052] The pusher assembly 22' of the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the pusher assembly 22 of the first embodiment, except that plug 100 is eliminated. As seen in Fig. 21, when the food product 14 is fully loaded, the ridges 200 of the collet member 70' are received in the slots 308 of the cylindrical body 300 of the pusher member 80' so that the cylindrical body 300 is expanded over the wide section 202 of each ridge 200. The wide section 202 of the ridges 200 prevent the pusher member 80' from collapsing and lock the lugs 310 into the threads 40 of the inner bore 32. Once the pusher assembly 22' reaches the second end 30 of the main body 12 after rotating the actuator 16, the resilient fingers 76' expand to release the remainder of the food product 14, thereby automatically ejecting the food product 14, and the pusher member 80' can slide forward toward the fingers 76' allowing the cylindrical body 300 to collapse onto the narrow section 204 of each ridge 200. When filling the device 10, the food product 14 pushes the pusher assembly 22' to the loaded position in the same manner described above with respect to pusher assembly 22. Because the cylindrical body 300 of the pusher member 80' is collapsed when inserting the food product 14, the lugs 310 can slide over the threads 40 when loading the food product 14. The sloped outer surface 312 of the lugs 310 further facilitate this quick loading of the food product 14 by allowing the lugs 310 to more easily slide over the threads 40. [0053] While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.