U.S. patent application number 10/858220 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for toy for animals.
This patent application is currently assigned to Artemis Rubber Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jager, Claudius.
Application Number | 20040244719 10/858220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33491576 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jager, Claudius |
December 9, 2004 |
Toy for animals
Abstract
A toy for animals, especially for dogs, is provided. The toy has
a body having optional recesses on an outer surface thereof. The
body comprises a hollow core of a first, hard polymeric material,
and a covering of a second, soft polymeric thermosetting material
which is thermally and chemically bonded to the first polymeric
material
Inventors: |
Jager, Claudius; (Boulder,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT W. BECKER & ASSOCIATES
Suite B
707 Highway 66 East
Tijeras
NM
87059
US
|
Assignee: |
Artemis Rubber Technology,
Inc.
Longmont
CO
|
Family ID: |
33491576 |
Appl. No.: |
10/858220 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10858220 |
Jun 1, 2004 |
|
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|
10213870 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/709 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 15/026
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/709 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2001 |
DE |
101 52 070.0 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A toy for animals, comprising: a hollow core of a first
polymeric material; a covering of a second thermosetting polymeric
material; wherein said first polymeric material is harder than said
second polymeric material; and wherein said covering is disposed
outwardly over said and on at least portions of said core.
2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said first polymeric
material comprises a thermoplastic.
3. A toy according to claim 2, wherein said thermoplastic is
comprises a thermoplastic material or mixed material selected from
the group consisting of PA, PPE, PP, PS, ABS, POM, PC, PET, PBT,
PVC, and modifications thereof.
4. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said second thermosetting
polymeric material comprises a thermosetting material or mixed
material selected from at least one member of the group consisting
of NR, IR, SBR, EPDM, NBR, HNBR, XNBR, PU, FPM, MVQ, FMVQ, and
modifications thereof.
5. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said second thermosetting
polymeric material comprises a hardness of between approximately 20
and approximately 80 Shore A.
6. A toy according to claim 5, wherein said second thermosetting
polymeric material comprises a hardness of between approximately 30
and approximately 70 Shore A.
7. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said second thermosetting
polymeric material comprises a hardness of between approximately 45
and approximately 65 Shore A.
8. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said second thermosetting
polymeric material of said covering is chemically bonded to said
first polymeric material by a thermally derived bond.
9. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said first polymeric material
comprises a tensile strength of at least approximately 1500
N/m.sup.2.
10. A toy according to claim 9 wherein said first polymeric
material comprises a tensile of at least approximately 2700
N/m.sup.2.
11. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said first polymeric
material comprises a hardness of at least 50 Shore A.
12. A toy according to claim 11 wherein said first polymeric
material comprises a hardness of between approximately 55 and
approximately 90 Shore A.
13. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy has the shape of a
bone, comprising: at least two end portions; at least one central
portion; wherein said end portions are interconnected by said at
least one central portion; and wherein said end portions comprise a
greater circumference than said central portion.
14. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy is axially
symmetrical, or mirror symmetrical, or non-symmetrical.
15. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said first polymeric
material and said second polymeric material comprise different
colors.
16. A toy according to claim 15 additionally comprising at least
one additional layer of said first polymeric material or said
second polymeric material wherein said additional layer comprises a
different color from at least one of said first polymeric material
or said second polymeric material.
17. A toy according to claim 15 wherein said first polymeric
material is visible from either partial coverage or cuts in said
second polymeric material.
18. A toy according to claim 16 wherein at least one of said first
polymeric material, said second polymeric material or said at least
one additional layer of said first or second polymeric material are
visible from either partial coverage or cuts in at least one of
said second polymeric material or said at least one additional
layer of said first or said second polymeric material.
19. A toy according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said end
portions has a maximum diameter that is slightly greater than a
maximum diameter of at least one other of said end portions.
20. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said core is tubular.
21. A toy according to claim 20, wherein said tubular core is open
at at least one end face thereof.
22. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy is spherical.
23. A toy according to claim 1, wherein an electronic device is
disposed within said hollow core.
24. A toy according to claim 23, wherein said electronic device can
produce an effect selected from the group consisting of acoustical
effects, olfactory effects, and visual effects.
25. A toy according to claim 23, additionally comprising a sealing
capsule, wherein said electronic device is disposed within an
interior of said sealing capsule, and wherein said sealing capsule
is disposed within said hollow core.
26. A toy according to claim 25, wherein said sealing capsule is
disposed within said core providing a spacing between said sealing
capsule and an outer surface of said toy such that said spacing is
greater than an average length of the longest teeth of an animal
for which said toy is provided.
27. A toy according to claim 25, wherein said core is tubular and
open at at least one end face thereof, and wherein an end face of
said capsule rests against an abutment in said core, and wherein at
an oppositely disposed end face an adjoining outer surface of said
capsule is provided with a protrusion.
28. A toy according to claim 25, wherein said capsule is
cylindrical.
29. A toy according to claim 25, wherein said covering is guided
about end faces of said tubular core to an inner surface thereof,
and wherein ends of said capsule rest against the material of said
covering.
30. A toy according to claim 1, wherein indentation/extension
combinations are provided on at least a portion of an outer surface
of said covering.
31. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said covering is provided
with at least one hole that communicates with said hollow interior
of said toy.
32. A toy according to claim 28, wherein said covering is provided
with at least one retaining element that projects into said hole to
retain a treat therein.
33. A toy according to claim 31, wherein said covering is provided
with at least one hole that communicates with said hollow interior
of said toy and serves as an emergency breathing hole.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of German application
10152070.0 filed Oct. 25, 2001 and is a continuation-in-part of
pending application Ser. No 10/213,870 filed Aug. 6, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Chew toys for animals, especially dogs, are well-known in
the art. Toys comprised of elastic polymers and/or having recesses
and grooves such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,444 and
U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 34,352, are also well-known. Such toys serve
not only for keeping the animal busy and entertained, but also are
used for caring for the animal's teeth. To achieve this, toys have
been designed such that the teeth of the animal penetrate or enter
into the recesses, whereby food residue and coatings on the teeth
are wiped off against the edges of the recesses. Therefore, for
hygienic reasons, it is desirable for the animal to occupy itself
frequently with the toy.
[0003] Additionally, it is well-known that animals which are
stimulated and occupy themselves by playing with toys are often
better behaved and pose less of a nuisance through typical
"boredom" behaviors, such as barking, trying to escape yards or
homes, and chewing on undesirable items such as shoes. Therefore,
there is a deep-seated need to provide toys to animals to improve
their hygiene and behavior.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] This object, and other objects and advantages of the present
invention, will appear more clearly from the following
specification in conjunction with the accompanying schematic
drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinally cross-sectioned view of
one exemplary embodiment of the inventive toy for animals;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an end cross-sectional view through the toy of
FIG. 1,
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the inventive toy, as
well as a schematic illustration of the muzzle of a dog;
[0008] FIGS. 4 and 5 show further modified embodiments of the
inventive toy;
[0009] FIGS. 4, 4b are enlarged cross sectional views of the
embodiments of FIG. 4;
[0010] FIGS. 5a and 5b are enlarged cross-sectional views of the
embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a partially cross-sectioned view of another
exemplary embodiment of the inventive toy;
[0012] FIG. 6a is a view of one end of the toy of FIG. 6;
[0013] FIG. 6b is a view of the opposite end of the toy of FIG.
6;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but of a
pear-shaped embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but of an
oval-shaped embodiment; and
[0016] FIGS. 9, 9a, 9b are depictions of an embodiment of the
invention having ridges of the soft outer covering over the harder
core wherein the presence of the core provides resilience in a
bounce, (a) shown as force arrows for storage of potential energy
upon elastic deformation of the ridges upon impact, and (b)
conversion of the potential energy into kinetic energy upon
recoil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The animal toy of the present invention is characterized
primarily in that it comprises a core of a hard polymeric,
preferably thermoplastic material with a covering of a soft
polymeric material, especially a rubber-like or rubber-feeling,
elastic polymeric material. The toy of the present invention is
also characterized by use of a thermosetting material as the soft
polymeric material. This provides a stronger, safer interconnection
with the harder core and also provides greater design versatility
than prior art mechanical interconnections toys or toys utilizing
binders for interconnection. Further, the harder core is preferably
hollow to prevent damage to the toy and, optionally, to provide a
place for insertion of stimulating treats or devices. Finally, the
utilization of the softer thermosetting polymer material with a
hard hollow core provides a better compression dynamic than prior
art toys, thereby providing a toy that is more stimulating to the
animal.
[0018] As a consequence of the inventive configuration of the toy,
an animal has the impression of a bone that is covered with meat,
whereby the core can be hollow in order to imitate a hollow
marrow-filled bone, and possibly, as an optional benefit, to hold
treats, and more preferably, acoustical or optical effects, etc. A
scented and/or flavored insert to stimulate an animal to play with
the toy would also be possible. Pursuant to one embodiment, the toy
has the shape of a bone, having a narrow central portion and wider
end portions, but can also have shapes including but not limited to
a ball or an oval shape, a cross or "jack" shape, a traditional
"kong" shape, or a disc shape, among others. The toy is preferably
rotationally or axially symmetrical, and may be provided with
optional grooves that extend in the circumferential and/or
peripheral direction along elements of the toy. The toy thus on the
one hand has a shape that is comfortable and stimulating for the
animal and on the other hand is easy to manufacture, as described
herein.
[0019] The material of the covering is a thermosetting material or
a mixture of a thermosetting material and a non-thermosetting
material such as natural rubber. The material of the covering is
preferably thermally and chemically bonded with the core (given
application of heat in increments known in the industry with
respect to the thermosetting material utilized) without it being
necessary to dispose an additional layer of a binder, an adhesive
or the like between the core and the covering. Alternatively, some
mechanical interconnection can be used in addition to the thermally
achieved chemical interconnection between the hard plastic core and
the outer rubber-like coating, for example via undercuts and/or
over-molding.
[0020] The harder material of the core is preferably a
thermoplastic that is particularly suitable for forming this
chemical bond. Such materials include but are not limited to a
polyamide (PA) or a modified polyphenylene ether (PPE). With such a
combination of materials, it is possible to simulate a
marrow-filled bone that is covered with meat, but one which is more
durable and stable against external forces that tend to attack and
destroy it. Further, it is easy to manufacture.
[0021] The hard, hollow core, which is fixedly connected with the
covering through the chemical bond between the thermosetting
material and the thermoplastic material, improves the durability
and stability of the toy. Unlike prior art hard or soft toys, the
combination of the hard hollow core with the elastic covering
ensures that the toy jumps or rebounds well when it falls upon a
hard surface, and thus enables an entertaining and exciting toy for
the animal. Pursuant to one advantageous embodiment of the
invention, with an axially symmetrical, bone or dumbbell shaped
toy, the peripheral beads or ridges have a slightly differing
diameter, so that the toy rolls along a curved path in a manner not
foreseeable by the animal, thus making play with the toy even more
interesting.
[0022] The hollow internal structure of the core furthermore makes
it possible to dispose therein an electronic device that produces
musical tones, acoustical effects, or light effects, and/or
releases scents or flavors, thus exerting a particular fascination
for the animal. The electronic device can be embodied in such a way
that it produces different effects depending upon how the animal
manipulates the toy.
[0023] Further specific features of the present invention will be
described in detail subsequently.
[0024] It is an object of the present invention to improve the toy
of the aforementioned general type such that it is particularly
interesting to an animal and stimulates the animal to occupy itself
with the toy
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in detail, an embodiment of
the toy of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Toy 10 in the
first embodiment is shown as having an axially symmetrical
configuration, and, like a bone, toy 10 may have a dumbbell-shaped
configuration with spherical enlargements 12,14 at its opposing end
portions 16,18, which enlargements 12,14 (and respective end
portions 16,18) are interconnected by narrow central portion 20.
Enlargements 12,14 can optionally be provided with a plurality of
deep grooves 22 preferably extending in the circumferential
direction and dividing each of end portions 16,18 into ridges 24.
Alternate embodiments will utilize peripherally extending grooves,
dimples, and/or bumps or other similar indentation/extension
combinations known in the art. When the animal, for example a dog,
plays with the inventive toy, the teeth of the animal penetrate or
enter into grooves 22 when the animal grasps toy 10 with its mouth.
The animal's teeth and/or gums beneficially rub against interior
walls 26 of the grooves 22 or against upper surfaces 28 of ridges
24. In so doing, the teeth and/or gums are cleaned of food residue,
coatings on the teeth, etc. Optionally, central portion 20 is
additionally provided with a plurality of preferentially smaller
circumferential grooves 30 (or other indentation/extension
combinations and sizes) preferably extending in the circumferential
direction and dividing central portion 20 into ridges 32,
increasing the ability of an animal to grasp toy 10 and to clean
any smaller teeth.
[0026] In preferred embodiments of the invention, toy 10 has core
34 and sheathing or covering 36, wherein the core and the covering
preferentially comprise different materials, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. Covering 36 is comprised of a thermosetting polymeric
material which is softer than core 34, and preferably having
elastic, rubber-like qualities.
[0027] Preferably, covering 36 comprises either an unmixed
composition of a particular thermosetting material or a composition
having a mixture of materials including at least one thermosetting
material known in the art, such as but not limited to natural
rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), isoprene rubber (IR),
ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), nitrile
terpolymer rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile terpolymer rubber
(HNBR), carboxylated nitrile terpolymer rubber (XNBR), polyurethane
(PU), fluorocarbon rubber (FPM), flurosilicone rubber (MVQ), and/or
modified flurorosilicone rubber (FMVQ).
[0028] More preferably, natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR)
and/or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) are utilized in their unmixed
form or in a mixture with other thermosetting materials and/or
other polymeric materials as the covering of the present invention.
Other thermosetting materials, including but not limited to those
listed above may also be utilized in their unmixed form or in
mixtures with other thermosetting materials and/or other polymeric
materials as well.
[0029] Preferably, the material of covering 36 will have a hardness
between approximately 20 and approximately 80 Shore A [DIN 53505
and ASTM 22140]. More preferably, the hardness will be between
approximately 30 and approximately 70 Shore A. Most preferably, the
hardness will be between approximately 35 and approximately 65
Shore A.
[0030] Use of thermosetting materials provide a surprisingly useful
advantage in that the materials of the covering may be chemically
bonded by a thermally derived bond to the material of the core,
thereby providing a fixed, stable combination of covering and core
which need not utilize less stable mechanical interconnections to
arrive at the combination, or worse, utilize potentially unstable
and sometimes hazardous binders to arrive at such a connection.
Thermosetting materials are particularly useful in providing a
thermally derived chemical bond since a thermosetting polymer
"sets" upon heating and cannot be re-melted, unlike thermoplastics
known in the art which may be softened again if the toy becomes
heated. This, in turn, would make connections of a thermoplastic
less stable and less durable than the connections of the
thermosetting material of the present invention.
[0031] Further, the use of the thermosetting cover to chemically
bond to the core provides additional versatility in designs and
other structure for the toys. In prior art devices, mechanical
interconnections and/or use of binders (which are typically dark in
color, most usually black) prevented flexibility in design
elements. For example the apparatus of the present invention can
have different colors for the core and for the covering where in
prior art mechanical devices, the interconnection would, in most
cases, have been visible given the necessary protrusion of one
element into another to provide the interconnection. In the prior
art devices utilizing binders, the unsightly binder between layers
would prevent any ornamentation-oriented showing of an inner layer
because of concurrent display of the unsightly binder. In the
present invention however, ornamental cuts or partial covering of
the inner layer (the core--or additional colored layers of core or
covering) can be achieved without display of unsightly mechanical
interconnections or binders.
[0032] Further, use of the thermosetting bond to a hollow core is
beneficial in allowing the manufacturer to utilize less material
than in preparing a solid core toy and also reduces the amount of
cure time necessary for the core to set. Therefore, the use of a
hollow core is also more cost- and time-effective to a
manufacturer.
[0033] Core 34 comprises a material that is necessarily harder than
the material of covering 36. Preferably, the core material
comprises a thermoplastic such as, but not limited to polyamide
(PA), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene
(PS), acrylonitrile-butadine-styrene (ABS), acetal polyoxymethene
(POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
modifications thereof, wherein such resins preferably have a
melting point of approximately 400.degree. F. or greater. Most
preferably, the core material comprises a thermoplastic such as a
PA or modified PPE. Thermosetting materials and mixtures of
thermoplastics and thermosetting materials with an appropriate
hardness (greater than the hardness of the covering) may be
utilized. However, other materials known in the industry and/or
thermoplastics or thermosetting materials with a hardness of
preferably at least 50 on the Shore D scale and a tensile strength
of at least 100 N/mm.sup.2 may also be utilized. More preferably,
the core material will have a hardness of between approximately 55
and approximately 90 on the Shore D scale and a tensile strength of
at least 1500 N/m.sup.2, and preferably, at least 2700
N/m.sup.2.
[0034] The chemical bond is preferably achieved in a two component
injection molding system with a one-step integral operation wherein
the hard thermoplastic component is first molded and then the soft
thermosetting component is injection molded around (or partially
around) the thermoplastic core, but may be alternately done in a
two-step process, utilizing typical injection molding and curing
techniques for thermosetting and thermoplastic materials,
respective of the type of thermosetting materials used, as is
well-known in the art for each material.
[0035] Core 34 is preferably hollow, having an interior space 72 as
is depicted in FIG. 2. In particular, core 34 of the embodiment as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a cylindrical tube with relatively
thick walls wherein the end faces of the core are preferably left
open. Thus, the toy has the appearance of a hollow, marrow bone
that is covered with soft meat. The use of a hollow or latticed
embodiment is a great improvement over prior art toys comprising
multiple hardness layers since the harder, hollow core allows the
toy to deform and return to its prior non-depressed state with
greater ease and less chance of breakage or permanent
deformation.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of toy 10
will have an end portion 16 which has its greatest diameter or
radius where indicated by the reference numeral 38, and end portion
18 has its greatest diameter or radius at 40. The two radii differ
from one another by the amount x. Due to these differing
measurements, the toy will roll on a curved path, and will jump
around, in an unforeseeable manner. This lack of predictability
makes playing with the toy more interesting for an animal.
[0037] For a large dog, such as but not limited to a Labrador,
Golden Retriever, or German Shepherd, the preferred maximum
diameter of 38 or 40 can be between approximately 50 and
approximately 80 mm, more preferably, it is approximately 70
mm.
[0038] The inventive toy has somewhat surprising superiority in
bounce over prior art toys with the hollow thermoplastic
core/thermosetting covering combination of the present invention.
Hard prior art toys (such as solid nylon bones) have very little
bounce because of lack of compression/deformation in the material.
On the other hand, soft prior art toys, such as non-reinforced
rubber toys deform too greatly, such that most of the kinetic
energy introduced by a fall is lost as heat. The amount of bounce,
or the "work" performed is calculated by the force (for example,
from a fall or drop) which is force is converted into potential
energy in the resulting deformation of the toy and which is then
released again as kinetic energy plus energy lost as heat.
[0039] Work, W, is calculated as
W=F.multidot.D.sub.def
[0040] Wherein
[0041] F=force,
[0042] D.sub.def=distance of deformation in the toy.
[0043] In the hard prior art toys, there is little work or bounce
which comprises the work since there can be little deformation of
the toy. In the soft prior art toys, while there was great
potential for increased work as a bounce, there was also a great
loss of energy as heat. With the present art invention, it is
believed that the resilience offered by the strengthening of the
toy with its hard core provides sufficient resilience to prevent
the major loss of energy found with prior art toys and that the
soft covering provides the necessary deformation to provide the
desired work in the form of a bounce. And, particularly with the
embodiments utilizing ridges, the ridges act somewhat in the manner
of a spring to store the potential energy (by their deformation)
and release them again as shown in FIGS. 9, 9a, and 9b, depicting
the inventive device and directional arrows on a ridge component to
show the deformation (storage of potential energy) and recoil
(conversion to kinetic energy) given the resilience of the
core.
[0044] In conjunction with FIGS. 3-5, an embodiment of the
inventive toy will be described that is provided with an additional
unit in the form of electronic device 42 that sends out acoustical
or optical signals, and thus provides an additional attraction or
fascination for the animal to encourage it to play with the toy.
Electronic device 42 can, for example, be provided with a light
emitting diode that is supplied from a small battery and constantly
blinks. However, in an alternate embodiment, electronic device 42
can also be provided with sensors that establish if the animal is
manipulating the toy and possibly with what effort, and in
conformity therewith can emit signals, such as musical notes and
noises. Such sensors can, for example, react to pressure, shaking,
or during throwing and/or striking of the toy on the ground. It is
possible, but not necessary, that such electronic devices are
replaceable component units wherein, for instance, electronic
devices whose battery has been depleted through play may be removed
from the inventive toy and replaced with a new electronic unit.
[0045] Electronic device 42 is disposed within a pressure-tight
capsule or shell 44 that is sealed against moisture and that is
inserted into a tubular core 34. As can be seen, toy 10 illustrated
in FIGS. 3 to 5 has embodiments that are not a complete,
dumbbell-shaped imitation of a bone, as shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 1, but can also be, for instance, a totally or somewhat
rounded object preferably having grooves that are similar to end
portions 16,18 of toy 10 of FIG. 1. However, it is also possible
that an electronic device of the type described in the following
can also be installed into a toy of the type shown in all the
Figures. An advantage of the shorter construction of embodiments as
depicted in FIGS. 3 to 5 is that when the device is a blinking
light, it is very visible.
[0046] Capsule 44 will have an internally disposed electronic
device 42, preferably at such a depth into tubular core 34 that it
cannot be reached and damaged by teeth 46 of animal 48 playing with
toy 10 (see FIG. 3).
[0047] Securing of capsule 44 in tube 34 can be effected in various
ways. With the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the soft, rubber
material of the covering 36 is guided about end faces 50,52 of
tubular core 34 to inner side 54 thereof. Ends 56,58 of capsule 44
rest against the soft material of covering 36 and are held by the
elastic forces thereof. As shown in FIG. 4a, in this connection,
two ends 56,58 of capsule 44 and their abutment surfaces with
covering 36 preferably have different configurations. On one side
56, the thermosetting mixture of covering 36 is provided on inner
side 54 of tubular core 34 with a step 60 that serves as an
abutment for one end 56 of capsule 44 (see the enlarged
cross-sectional view of FIG. 4a). On the other side 58, there is no
such step. At end 56, the capsule 44 has a cylindrical
configuration, while on other side 58 its diameter widens slightly
to form protrusion 62. During assembly, capsule 44 is inserted into
tubular core 34 until it abuts against step 60. It is then held in
a wedged manner by means of protrusion 62. Thus, after completion
of fabrication of the toy from the core and covering, capsule 44
can be installed, so that the processes that are effected at high
temperatures, such as vulcanization and curing of the polymeric
material, do not have to be interrupted.
[0048] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5-5b, the soft material
of covering 36 ends at end faces 50,52 of tubular core 34. Capsule
44 is inserted directly into the thermoplastic tube 34, being held,
for example, by a press fit or a "snap-fit". In other respects,
securement is analogous to that of the embodiment of FIG. 4. It is
understood that, in particular, for electronic devices, it is
preferably during the manufacturing process to utilize these
deployments of the electronic device after the formation of the
body of the toy (covering and core) to prevent damage to the
electronic device during high temperature molding and curing of the
body.
[0049] FIGS. 6-8 show modified embodiments of the inventive toy,
with all of these embodiments having a hollow interior. Several
different shapes are shown, and it will be understood that
variations thereof are also possible.
[0050] With the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, harder core
34 or insert 64, which both comprise a material harder than
covering 36, and may be any shape sufficient to provide rigidity,
are alternately or in conjunction provided to reinforce covering 36
and to provide to an animal the idea of a hard bone covered with
flesh as simulated by softer covering 36. Insert 64 or core 34 may
be relatively thin. For example, pursuant to one exemplary
embodiment of the inventive toy, hard core 34 has a thickness of
only about 2 mm. However, it is to be understood that any thickness
resulting in an overall size of toy small enough to be chewed may
be utilized, however, thicknesses of less than 1 mm tend to be
inefficient in providing sufficient rigidity. A similar core could
also be provided for the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 or 3-5. The
same materials as previously described are contemplated for all of
the embodiments.
[0051] The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 can also be
provided with optional grooves on at least part of the surface of
the covering 28. These optional grooves can be in the form of
shallow grooves or ribs.
[0052] The embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 can also, as shown in
particular in FIGS. 6b, have a dispensing/holding hole 66,
preferably at one location only. Treats can be inserted into the
hollow interior of the toy through this hole 66. Flaps or retaining
elements 68 can also be provided on the covering 36, and can
project into the area of the hole 66, to hold treats and to prevent
them from being released too easily. To provide an emergency
breathing passage in the event that the toy gets stuck in the
throat of an animal, and blocks its natural breathing process,
another portion of the covering 36, such as the opposite end of the
toy, can optionally be provided with a small ventilation hole 70
(see in particular FIG. 6a), which is not intended to hold
treats.
[0053] The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure
of German priority document 101 52 070.0 filed 25 Oct. 2001 and
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/213,870 filed Aug. 2, 2002.
[0054] The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to
the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also
encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended
claims.
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