Degradable Animal Chewing Article Possessing Enhanced Safety, Durability, and Mouth-Feel

Abstract

A chewable, biodegradable article for use as a pet toy comprises a matrix made of a natural polymer, a synthetic organic polymer or a mixture thereof, a natural or synthetic fibrous material that comprises fibers and that is bonded chemically or physically with the matrix material, and, optionally, includes one or more microbe inhibiting agents that inhibit the growth of microbes in or on the article. The presence of the fibrous material inhibits formation of sharp edges upon breakage when the article is chewed, thereby rendering the article safer when used by pets. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing the above article.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 249,578, Apr. 21, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,133, issued Dec. 6, 2005, which is a divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 578,199, filed May 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,246, issued Jun. 10, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 135,672, filed May 24, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to chewable articles intended primarily as chew toys for dogs or other domestic animals. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0003] Chewable animal articles such as artificial bones for dogs have been made of many materials and in many configurations and sizes. These have been made of compressed natural or food materials with a binding agent; some are made of synthetic polymers, as polymers mixed with protein (U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,758), nylon (U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,334) or polyurethane (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,557,219 a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a safer and more durable chewable article for pets. The article comprises a matrix and a fibrous material dispersed throughout the matrix. The fibrous material prevents sharp edges when the article is chewed. The article can also contain a compatibilizer, plasticizer, or inert particulate. The fibrous material can be natural or synthetic and can be a polymer or inorganic material. The article has good cohesiveness and structural integrity and can contain microbe inhibiting agents. The process for making the composite material involves combining polymers, fibrous material, and optionally microbe inhibiting agents under conditions that result in a material that does not tend to splinter or form sharp edges when formed into a chewable article. The process for manufacturing the chewable article involves making the composite material and forming it into the article."

Problems solved by technology

The durability of such articles is therefore intrinsically limited.

If a chewable article is too soft, it is too easily ripped apart or shredded during use.

On the other hand, if the article is too hard, it may tend to crack, shatter, or splinter.

This tendency to splinter upon breakage or when otherwise structurally damaged is highly undesirable.

Splintering leads to sharp edges that can cause injury and lead serious health problems for the animal, especially if sharp-edged material is swallowed.

Moreover, small pieces breaking from the articles may also be swallowed and contribute to health problems.

Such fibers may or may not be digestible by the animal.