U.S. patent application number 11/434557 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for baffled treatball.
Invention is credited to Jonathan Willinger.
Application Number | 20060254531 11/434557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37417876 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060254531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Willinger; Jonathan |
November 16, 2006 |
Baffled treatball
Abstract
A treatball for storing and dispensing pet treats has an elastic
body which is restorably compressible in response to an external
force applied to the body. The body is provided with a peripheral
wall having spaced two or more openings one of which is configured
to receive treats and the other to dispense the treats upon
applying the external force to the body. The interior of the body
is formed by removing the core thereof so that a plurality of
baffles extend from the inner surface of the peripheral wall and
have respective free portions define an elongated nonlinear path
along which the treats advance through the body to the dispensing
opening.
Inventors: |
Willinger; Jonathan;
(Tenafly, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN LLP
575 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10022-2585
US
|
Family ID: |
37417876 |
Appl. No.: |
11/434557 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60681004 |
May 13, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/710 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 5/0114 20130101;
A01K 15/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/710 |
International
Class: |
A01K 29/00 20060101
A01K029/00 |
Claims
1. A treatball for storing and dispensing treats for pets,
comprising an elastic body restorably compressible in response to
an external force applied to the body and having at least one
opening for selectively receiving and dispensing the treats, the
body having a core thereof removed through the one opening so as to
provide an interior of body with a unitary guide unit configured to
define an elongated nonlinear path through the body along which the
treats are advanced before being retrieved from the interior of the
body.
2. The treatball of claim 1, wherein the body has another opening
spaced from the one opening, one of the openings being a treat
dispensing opening configured smaller than an individual treat in a
normal state of the body and traversable by the treat in response
to applying the external force, the other opening being a treat
receiving opening, the guide unit being formed with one or more
spaced baffles extending inwards from an inner surface of the body
and defining the nonlinear path between the treat receiving and
treat dispensing openings.
3. The treatball of claim 2, wherein the treat receiving openings
is configured to prevent the treats from being voluntarily
discharged from an interior of the body, the treat receiving
opening being configured to be distorted or not distorted upon
applying the external force.
4. The treatball of claim 2, further comprising one or more flaps
covering the treat receiving opening so that the flaps move to one
position in which the treat receiving opening is open in response
to applying the external force and, upon seizing the external
force, to another position in which the receiving opening is closed
to prevent a voluntary discharge of the treats from the interior of
the body.
5. The treatball of claim 2, wherein the treat dispensing opening
is configured to be distorted in response to the applied external
force so as to allow the treats to be sequentially retrieved from
the interior.
6. The treatball of claim 2, wherein the treat dispensing opening
is configured to remain undistorted in response to the external
force applied to the body but shaped and dimensioned to prevent a
voluntary discharge of the treats regardless of whether the
external force is applied or not.
7. The treatball of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of lips
extending outwards from an exterior surface of the body and
surrounding the respective treat dispensing and receiving openings
to prevent the surrounded openings from wear.
8. The treatball of claim 2, wherein the treat dispensing and
receiving openings are uniformly or nonuniformly shaped and
dimensioned.
9. The treatball of claim 1, wherein the body has an opening
configured with a receiving closable sector and a dispensing sector
each smaller than each individual treat in a normal, undistorted
state of the body but traversable by the individual treat in
response to applying the external force, the receiving and
dispensing sectors defining respective upstream and downstream
portions of the nonlinear path.
10. The treatball of claim 2, wherein the body has a shape selected
from a spheroid shape or a round shape.
11. The treatball of claim 10, wherein, the body and guide unit are
made from moldable material selected from the group consisting of
butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber,
ethylene-propylene-diene, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and a
blend of natural and synthetic rubber and a combination of these
allowing the body to roll and bounce.
12. The treatball of claim 2, wherein at least some of the spaced
baffles extend in opposite directions and are configured with
respective free end portions terminating in a common plane or
overlapping one another to define the nonlinear path, the treat
receiving and dispensing openings being spaced diametrically
opposite to one another or spaced from one another at an angle
differing from a 180.degree. angle.
13. The treatball of claim 12, wherein the baffles are uniformly
shaped and dimensioned or nonuniformly shaped and dimensioned and
spaced so as to define a plurality of adjacent chambers
therebetween, the chambers each being configured to temporarily
retain the treats advancing along the nonlinear path, the nonlinear
path being a spiral path.
14. The treatball of claim 13, wherein the baffles each have a
semicircular shape
15. The treatball of claim 1, wherein the body has an exterior
surface textured to allow for better gripping of the body, the
textured surface being configured to imbalance the body by
irregularly distributing weight about the exterior surface, to
cause the body to roll and bounce erratically and/or unpredictably,
and to cause a desired distortion pattern when the external force
is applied to the body so as to advance the treats within the body
along the nonlinear path.
16. The treatball of claim 15, wherein the textured exterior
surface has a plurality of bumpy, spiky, and smooth regions, at
least one of the regions including words or trademarks in
relief.
17. A method of making a treatball, comprising: introducing an
elastomeric material onto an internal mold; molding the elastomeric
material into an elastic body having a peripheral wall and at least
one opening in the peripheral wall, the opening being configured to
selectively receive and dispense treats passing through the body;
extracting the internal mold from the body, thereby removing a core
of the body through the opening so as to have an inner surface of
the peripheral wall formed unitarily with one or more spaced
baffles extending inwards from the inner surface and configured to
define an elongated nonlinear path along which the treats are
advanced through the body before being dispensed therefrom.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the molding of the elastomeric
material includes configuring the one opening to be smaller than an
individual treat to prevent voluntary displacement of the treats
from body.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the molding of the elastomeric
material includes forming a second opening spaced diametrically
opposite from or at an angle differing from a 180 angle from the
one opening, the second opening being configured to receive the
treats if the one opening dispenses the treats, and to dispense the
treats if the one opening receives the treats.
20. A kit comprising a plurality of identically shaped, but
differently dimensioned treatballs packaged individually to meet
the individual needs of pets classified in accordance with
respective size of thereof, the treatballs each being configured
with: an elastic body restorably compressible in response to an
external force applied to the body; a receiving opening formed in a
peripheral wall of the body and configured to so as to allow treats
to be inserted inside the body and a dispensing opening spaced from
the receiving opening and configured so that the treats are
retrievable from the body in response to applying the external
force; and a plurality of spaced baffles provided inside the body
upon removing a core of the body through one of the receiving and
dispensing openings, the baffles inwardly extending from an inner
surface of the peripheral wall and being configured to define an
elongated nonlinear path for the treats through the body between
the receiving and dispensing openings.
Description
CROSS-REFRENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional counterpart to and
claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/681,004 filed on May 13, 2005
and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to pet amusement and
exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a treat dispensing
toy capable of attracting and generating interaction with a pet
animal. The invention furthermore relates to a toy having a
unitary, one-piece construction.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] For dogs and other animal companions, toys are not a luxury,
but a necessity. Toys help fight boredom in pets left alone, and
toys can even help prevent some problem behaviors from developing.
Many factors contribute to the "right" toy, and a number of them
depend upon the pet's size, activity level, and preferences.
[0006] Many pet toys should be interactive. For example,
interactive play is very important for pet dogs because dogs need
active "people time"--and such play also enhances the bond between
the pet owner and pet. By focusing on a specific task--such as
repeatedly returning a ball or playing "hide-and-seek" with treats
or toys--a pet can expel pent-up mental and physical energy in a
limited amount of time and space. This greatly reduces stress due
to confinement, isolation, and boredom. For young, high-energy, and
untrained dogs, interactive play also offers an opportunity for
socialization and helps the dogs to learn about appropriate and
inappropriate behavior, such as jumping up or being mouthy.
[0007] The goal of animal toy designers is to make the toy
attractive to the animal and to the animal caretaker. A toy is
attractive to an animal when it presents a challenge that is
neither too easy nor too difficult to solve and rewards the animal.
The toy is attractive to the caretaker when the toy has good
playability, durability, and quality of construction and occupies
the interests of the animal.
[0008] The term "treatball" generally refers to a class of animal
toys, typically dog toys, wherein one or more edible treats may be
placed into a ball and the treat and/or treats are dispensed as the
animal interacts with the toy. In interacting with the toy, the
animal follows its natural instinct to obtain food and performs
problem solving tasks that engage the animal's mind. Typically,
treat dispensing toys are in the form of solid-covered,
non-spheroid toys, such as bone-shaped toys or balls with a series
of regular or irregular openings through which is dispensed the
treat, which is usually shaped to be insertable along only one
axis. Turning to FIG. 6, an example of a convention spheroid-shaped
treatball 600 is depicted. The prior art treatball 600 consists of
an outer shell 602 with a number of openings 604 for
inserting/accessing treats.
[0009] Prior art, ball-shaped treatballs 600 are generally designed
and intended to only be rolled by the pet owner or chewed by the
pet, but not thrown by the pet owner. Typically the materials used
may not bounce and roil well on soft or irregular surfaces such as
a grass field. In addition, the insertion/access openings 604 of
conventional designs may allow treats to prematurely fall out
without animal interaction, particularly if the conventional
treatballs are thrown or bounced. Thus, such conventional
treatballs 600 do not have bounce or interactivity characteristics
that excite and engage an animal. Although non-spheroid toys that
dispense treats may retain treats better than conventional
ball-shaped treatballs 600 and thus may be more interactive, such
toys may not have desirable bounce and roll characteristics. In
either case, prior art treat dispensing toys do not provide impact
protection to inserted treats and when bounced, treats may crumble
and prematurely fall out of the toy.
[0010] Accordingly, a need exists for a toy that offers at once the
desirable bounce and roll characteristics of a spheroid-shaped
treatball and also the engaging aspect of a treat dispensing toy
that requires an animal to interact with the treatball in order to
cause treats to be dispensed at the appropriate time in response to
the animal's efforts.
[0011] A further need exists for the toy that permits a person to
find enjoyment interacting with a pet.
[0012] Still a further need exists for the toy that combines
rolling, bouncing and interactivity characteristics that can amuse
and attract the pet.
[0013] Yet, a further need exists to make the manufacture of the
toy as simple as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the invention, an improved treatball is
disclosed that has the desirable bounce and roll characteristics of
a spheroid-shaped treatball and also the engaging aspect of a treat
dispensing toy that requires an animal to interact with the
treatball in order to cause treats to be timely dispensed in
response to the animal's efforts. Specifically, the toy includes a
spherical solid outer cover or exterior wall that has a covered
opening for treat insertion and a diametrically disposed opening
for treat dispensing. Within the inventive treatball, a series of
baffles define a path through the toy from the covered opening to
the treat dispensing opening. The path may include a series of
interconnected chambers through which treats inserted into the
covered opening must be made to traverse in order to reach the
dispensing opening.
[0015] In use, treats are preferably inserted at the covered end by
the pet owner and the toy is thrown or kicked to the pet. As the
toy bounces and rolls, the preferably elastic structure of the toy
protects the treats (e.g., hard baked and relatively brittle dog
biscuits) from crushing impacts. Once the animal begins interacting
with the treatball, e.g., via shaking, tossing, compressing,
pawing, chasing, scratching, bouncing, etc., the treats are
advanced past the baffles, through the toy, and eventually
dispensed through the unobstructed opening.
[0016] In some embodiments, the treatball of the present invention
may be part of a system or kit wherein the treat size and ball size
are associated with each other. For example, smaller treats may be
used with smaller balls and larger treats may be used with larger
balls. Such a system may, for example, allow small dogs, who may be
only capable of consuming small treats, to enjoy playtime with a
small-sized treatball and prevent such small treats from
prematurely dispensing from an inappropriately large treatball.
[0017] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the treatball is
made using an internal mold that upon formation of the ball is
removed through an opening of the treatball.
[0018] The above and other features of the invention will become
more readily apparent from the following detailed description
accompanied by the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the inventive toy according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present toy similar to the one shown in FIG. 1A, but having a
smaller size;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the
inventive toy of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the inventive toy of
FIG. 1 illustrating a single baffle;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a cross-section of the
inventive toy shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a first diagrammatic planar view of the inventive
toy of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a second diagrammatic planar view of the inventive
toy of FIG. 1; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art treatball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments
of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in
the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts
or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to
precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only,
directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down,
over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with
respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should
not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
The words "connect," "couple," and similar terms with their
inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and
immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate
elements or devices. Furthermore, such terms as "toy," "treat toy,"
and "treatball" are used interchangeably.
[0028] Turning now specifically to FIGS. 1A and 1B, two identically
shaped, but differently dimensioned treatballs 100 may be packaged
individually to meet the individual needs of dogs classified in
accordance with their respective size, which typically includes
large, medium and small size dogs. In an alternative embodiment,
however, more than one toy 100 can be packaged together so as to
constitute a kit. One of the reasons for having the kit is that a
pet may like one of the packaged toys 100 and, for some reason,
ignore the other one regardless of the size of toys 100. Treatball
100 is preferably a single unit, which is made from a moldable
material selected from a substantially rigid material, such as
plastic or foam, or a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic.
In some embodiments, the treatball 100 may be molded from a single
material in a single pour step.
[0029] Focusing on FIG. 1A, a perspective view of an example
embodiment of a treatball 100 is depicted. The treatball 100 may
include an exterior wall 102 that may be formed in the shape of a
spheroid or round ball. The exterior wall 102 may include one or
more ports or openings 104 for inserting or dispensing a treat. The
exterior wall 102 may also include texturing 106 on the outer
surface of the treatball 100. The opening 104 may include a lip 108
that defines and/or reinforces the edge of the opening 104.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 1B, a different sized embodiment of a
treatball 100 is depicted. The same reference numerals are used to
identify the corresponding features.
[0031] Referring to both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the exterior wall 102 of
a treatball 100 may be manufactured of a compressible elastic
material such as rubber or plastic. Likewise, the structure (e.g.,
thickness, density, etc.) of exterior wall 102 may be such that the
treatball 100 is compressible and stretchable. The treatball 100
may be manufactured so that it can be distorted by compressive
and/or stretching forces and yet, when the distorting forces are
removed, return to its original manufactured shape and size.
Application of such distorting forces may alter the shape of (e.g.,
elongate) opening 104 so as to cause a treat within the treatball
100 to be dispensed. The manufacture of exterior wall 102 from a
compressible material may further provide improved bounce
characteristics when treatball 100 is thrown onto either hard or
soft surfaces. Further, the compressible structure and material of
exterior wall 102 may absorb impacts resulting from bouncing or
other shocks so that treats within the treatball 100 are protected
and not broken by the impacts. In some embodiments of the present
invention, exterior wall 102 may be constructed to be durable
enough to withstand chewing by an animal. Additionally, a material
that emits a squeaking sound when chewed by an animal may be
selected for constructing exterior wall 102.
[0032] In some embodiments, exterior wall 102 may be manufactured
using any of a variety of different colored material, as well as
using a clear or multi-color material. Additionally, exterior wall
102 may be manufactured from a material that may include a scent
attractive to animals. Some embodiments of treatball 100 may
include lighting and/or electronic sound generators within the
exterior wall 102.
[0033] The one or more ports or openings 104 may be in any shape
including a circular opening. The openings 104 may be of any
practicable size to allow insertion or dispensing of different
sized or shaped treats. Additionally, the openings 104 may be sized
to view treats inside treatball 100. As indicated above, the
treatball 100 may include ports or openings 104 which become
temporarily distorted when compressive force is applied. Temporary
distortion of openings 104 may allow for treats to be retrieved
with either greater ease or greater difficulty. In other
embodiments, the treatball 100 may include openings 104, which do
not become distorted (e.g., remain rigid or at least more rigid
than exterior wall 102 when compressive force is applied.
[0034] Texturing 106 of the outer surface of exterior wall 102 may
be embodied to allow for better gripping of treatball 100, either
by pet owners or pets. Some embodiments of treatball 100 may have
texturing 106 characteristics including, for example, bumpy, spiky,
orange peel, and/or smooth surfaces. The texturing 106 may be such
that the visual appearance of the overall treatball 100 is enhanced
by intriguing and/or attractive patterns, designs, symbols, and/or
the like. Texturing 106 may include words or trademarks in relief.
Texturing 106 and/or coloring of the exterior wall 102 may: be used
to make the treatball 106 appear to be a different object such as,
for example, a soccer ball, a basketball, a relief globe/map, a
stone, a pumpkin, etc. Texturing 106 may be used to imbalance the
treatball 100 by irregularly distributing weight about the surface
of the exterior wall 102 to cause the treatball 100 to roll and
bounce erratically and/or unpredictably. Texturing 106 may also be
used to reinforce or weaken portions of the structure of exterior
wall 102 to cause a desired or predefined distortion pattern (e.g.,
collapse along a predefined meridian) when compressive force is
applied to the exterior wall 102. Such a desired or predefined
distortion pattern may cause treats within the treatball 100 to
advance through the toy 1100.
[0035] Lip 108 may be of any thickness, height or width surrounding
openings 104. Lip 108 may extend out from treatball 100 opening 104
at any length. In some embodiments, lip 108 may provide
reinforcement of openings 104 to prevent damage from wear due to
extended usage of treatball 100.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional perspective view of an
example embodiment of a, treatball 100 is depicted. An embodiment
of treatball 100 may include one or more covered ports or openings
202. Similar to opening 104, covered opening 202 may include a lip
204 to reinforce the edge of opening 202. Treatball 100 may include
one or more baffles 206A, 206B, 206C extending from the inner
surface 208 of the exterior wall 102.
[0037] Covered opening 202 may be of any size or shape including a
circle and may include any practicable covering or flap. Covered
opening 202 may include characteristics or features such that
treats may not be easily removed or dispensed via covered opening
202 allowing for a defined, one-way entry point. Covered opening
202 may function to ensure that treats do not fall out prematurely
or without interaction between the treatball 100 and the pet.
Covered opening 202 may allow treats to be inserted into treatball
100 at a point farthest away from opening 104. Maximizing the
distance that the treat must travel within the treatball 100 may
provide an enhanced challenge to an animal attempting to retrieve a
treat. Covered opening 202 may be of any practicable size to allow
insertion while preventing dispensing of different sized or shaped
treats. As with the one or more openings 104, in some embodiments,
the treatball 100 may include one or more covered openings 202 that
do not become distorted (e.g., remain rigid or at least more rigid
than exterior wall 102) when compressive force is applied to the
treatball 100. In some embodiments, covered opening 202 may be
diametrically disposed relative to dispensing opening 104 as
pictured in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the openings 104, 204 may
be adjacent to each other but still at opposite ends of a
predefined path through treatball 100. In yet other embodiments,
the ports or openings 104, 204 may be disposed at right angles or
at any other relative positions that can be practicably used to
provide an entrance and exit for treats.
[0038] One or more baffles 206A, 206B, 206C may be attached to, or
extend from, the interior surface 208 of the exterior wall 102 of
treatball 100. The baffles 206a, 206b, 206c may be embodied so as
to prevent treats from passing directly through treatball 100 on a
direct or straight path. Thus, baffles 206A, 206B, 206C may provide
an enhanced challenge to an animal when attempting to retrieve
treats from treatball 100. In the example embodiment depicted in
FIG. 2, the baffles 206A, 206B, 206C are implemented as
semi-circular partitions disposed perpendicular to, and above
(206A, 206C) and below (206B), a center line (not shown) running
directly from the covered opening 202 to the dispensing opening
104. The baffles 206A, 206B, 206C may be of any size, shape,
thickness, rigidity, etc. that is practicable to prevent treats
from passing straight through the treatball 100 while still
allowing treats to pass through if an animal playing with the toy
100 executes or performs an effective or proper sequence of
interactions with the toy 100.
[0039] In alternative embodiments, additional or alternative
baffles may be included in addition to or in alternative to baffles
206A, 206B, 206C. In some embodiments, treatball 100 may include a
spiral tunnel or other limited paths through treatball 100. Baffles
206A, 206B, 206C may be attached to the interior surface 208 of
exterior wall 102 parallel to each other or askew. In some
alternative embodiments, the quantity, placement and length of
baffles may vary.
[0040] In further alternative embodiments shown in FIG. 2A, instead
of multiple covered receiving ports or openings 202 and dispensing
ports 104, treatball 100 may have a single port 105. The baffles,
then, are so configured that at least one of them 205 adjoins port
105 along interior surface 107 of the treatball so that one of
opposite surfaces of the baffle's wall 209, 211 defines the
upstream of a path "P" of treats through the interior of treatball
and the other the downstream of the path. Consequently, port 205 is
divided into two adjacent sectors: a receiving sector 213 closable
by one or more flaps 215 in the manner discussed above and a
dispensing sector 217. In this embodiment, like in the above
discussed embodiments, treats are inserted through the closable
port sector and, then are displaced along the treat path which is
defined by a single or a plurality of baffles configured so that
the treats can be retrieved through the dispensing sector.
[0041] Additional embodiments of treatball 100 may include a noise
maker (not pictured) or other electronic sound generator for
attracting the animal's attention and providing
stimulation/feedback to the animal.
[0042] Turning to FIG. 3, a side elevational view of a
cross-section of an example embodiment of a treatball 100 is
depicted. This view more clearly illustrates the relative size,
shape and locations of baffles 206A, 206B, 206C in relation to the
overall diameter of the exterior wall 102 and the openings 104, 202
of the example embodiment. The illustrated proportions may be
suitable for particular shaped treats. Alternative proportions may
be suitable for different shaped treats. For example, the depicted
proportions may allow passage of longer rectangular shaped treats
while an embodiment with larger and more numerous baffles may only
allow passage of small round treats.
[0043] The baffles 206A, 206B, 206C may be thought of as defining a
series of adjacent chambers 302A, 302B, 302C within the treatball
100. An animal playing with the toy 100 may cause the treats to
traverse these chambers 302A, 302B, 302C, leading from the covered
opening 202 to the dispensing opening 104, by manipulating and
interacting with the treatball 100. In some embodiments, the
chambers 302A, 302B, 302C may be shaped and sized to control the
level of difficulty associated with moving treats through the
treatball 100. In some embodiments, a pet owner may be able to add,
remove, and/or alter baffles and or chambers within the treatball
100 to adjust the level of challenge to be appropriate for the
owner's particular pet. In other embodiments, the pet owner may
select different sized and shaped treats to adjust the level of
challenge for a given pet.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 4, a diagrammatic planar view showing
details of an example embodiment of the covered opening 202 of the
treatball 100 is provided. The covering of the opening 202 may be
formed by flaps 402A, 402B, 402C, 402D that together allow treats
to be pushed into the treatball 100 but obstruct the treats from
exiting via the covered opening 202. In some embodiments, the flaps
402A, 402B, 402C, 402D may be formed by cutting a membrane
(initially spanning the opening 202) along cut lines 404A and
404B.
[0045] Turning now to FIG. 5, a diagrammatic planar view depicting
the dispensing opening 104 of the treatball 100 is provided.
Looking into the unobstructed opening 104, baffles 206A and 206B
may be seen. These baffles 206A, 206B may prevent an animal that is
interacting with the toy 100, from initially seeing any inserted
treats. However, the animal is likely to be able to smell the
treats and hear the treats hitting the interior surface 208 (FIG.
2) and the baffles 206A, 206B, 206C as the treatball 100 is moved.
This awareness of the treats is likely to stimulate the animal to
further interact with the treatball 100. With further interaction,
the animal may be able to view treats as they move into the chamber
302A closest to the opening 104. This view may further excite the
animal and provide additional motivation to work for the
treats.
[0046] Returning to FIG. 1, it is particularly desirable to produce
toy 100 in as simple a manner as possible. Thus, it is preferred,
but not limited, that toy 100 has a unitary, one-piece
construction. Since the toy must have a shape and be made of
material that is suited for bouncing and rolling, the toy may be
made using an internal mold as further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,651,590, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety, and using an elastomeric material, which is preferably
natural rubber, synthetic natural rubber, or a blend of natural
rubber or synthetic natural rubber and one of a plurality of
blending polymers including butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene
rubber, nitrile rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer
rubber.
[0047] Thus, an inside mold advantageously forms at least one
baffle, and preferably baffles 206A-C, and is disposed between at
least one outside mold. The inside mold further advantageously
forms at least one cavity defined by inner surface 208 and more
preferably forms chambers 302A-C defined by inner surface 208 and
baffles 206A-C. Therein, the baffles are sized so as to allow the
mold to be removed. Additionally, the mold forms a corresponding
internal lip of opening 104 and the interior portion of opening
202. After the inner mold forms toy 100 in cooperation with at
least one outer mold, the inner mold is removed from toy 100. This
may be accomplished preferably by removing the inner mold through
opening 104, although opening 202 may also be used after being made
more suitable for the task. Therein, it is preferred that the inner
mold is removed while the elastomeric material, which has suitable
hot tear resistance, is of a suitable temperature.
[0048] This document describes the inventive toy for illustration
purposes only. Neither the specific embodiments of the invention as
a whole, nor those of its features limit the general principles
underlying the invention. In particular, the invention is not
limited to any specific configuration of openings 104, 202, shapes
of treatball 100 or treats, texturing 106, and baffles 206A, 206B,
206C. The specific features described herein may be used in some
embodiments, but not in others, without departure from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth. Many additional
modifications are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will
be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in some
instances some features of the invention will be employed in the
absence of a corresponding use of other features. The illustrative
examples therefore do not define the metes and bounds of the
invention and the legal protection afforded the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *