U.S. patent application number 11/563276 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for emulsion impregnated rawhide chews.
Invention is credited to DALE G. BROWN, Ron Butler, Ira D. Hill, Robert Islinger.
Application Number | 20070116798 11/563276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32824174 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070116798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BROWN; DALE G. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
EMULSION IMPREGNATED RAWHIDE CHEWS
Abstract
A wide range of aqueous based soaking operations can be employed
to impregnate substantially throughout various rawhide pet chews;
suitable substances for release into the oral cavity of pets during
chewing include emulsions, surfactants, conditioners, flavorants
and/or active ingredients. Prior to impregnation, the rawhide chews
are physically disrupted/penetrated to augment substance
impregnation substantially throughout the chews.
Inventors: |
BROWN; DALE G.; (Wharton,
TX) ; Hill; Ira D.; (Austin, TX) ; Butler;
Ron; (Scottsdale, AZ) ; Islinger; Robert;
(Overland Park, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
28 STATE STREET
28th FLOOR
BOSTON
MA
02109-9601
US
|
Family ID: |
32824174 |
Appl. No.: |
11/563276 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10361225 |
Feb 10, 2003 |
7147888 |
|
|
11563276 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/2 ;
426/302 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 426/805 20130101;
A23K 40/30 20160501; A23K 40/20 20160501; A23K 20/20 20160501; A23K
50/40 20160501; A23K 10/26 20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/002 ;
426/302 |
International
Class: |
A23K 1/18 20060101
A23K001/18 |
Claims
1. Physically disrupted/penetrated rawhide pet chews soaked in a
bath comprised of water and an emulsion comprising a coating
substance as the discontinuous phase and a surfactant as the
continuous phase under a wide range of soaking temperatures and
soaking times, wherein said emulsion permeates substantially
throughout the rawhide imparting plasticizing and enhanced efficacy
with respect to controlling biofilms.
2-16. (canceled)
17. A method for impregnating fresh rawhide pet chews comprising
impregnating fresh rawhide pet chews with an emulsion comprising
physically penetrating and/or disrupting said rawhide and soaking
said rawhide in an aqueous bath containing an emulsion comprised of
surfactant as the continuous phase and a coating substance as a
discontinuous phase, wherein: (a) said soaking is carried out over
a wide range of temperatures and over a wide range of soaking
durations, (b) said emulsion impregnates said rawhide at from
between about 0.1 and 30% by weight, and (c) said emulsions contain
various oral care ingredients.
18-20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/361,225, filed 10 Feb. 2003, published as
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004-0156883, and now U.S. Pat. No.
7,147,888, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to emulsion, surfactant,
flavorant, conditioner and/or active ingredient impregnated rawhide
pet chews suitable for encouraging pets to control biofilms and the
fetid breath associated with biofilms. As these impregnated rawhide
pet chews are chewed, they physically remove and disrupt biofilms
while simultaneously releasing substantive biofilm disrupting
substances and/or flavorants throughout the oral cavity of the pet.
These rawhide chews are physically disrupted and/or penetrated in
order to augment substance impregnation substantially throughout
the chew.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Unlike humans, pets do not chew and thoroughly masticate
their food before swallowing. Because most of their teeth are
sectorial in design (i.e., built for tearing and shredding meat
from a carcass and not grinding), pets do not have serious problems
with caries. That is, due to limited masticating, pets generally do
not pack food and debris between their teeth like humans do.
However, pets are domesticated carnivores, taken out of the wild.
Accordingly, they no longer have the opportunity to regularly rip,
tear and/or shred meat from the carcass of their prey. This lack of
"carnivore-type" chewing activity renders most domesticated pets
vulnerable to gum disease.
[0004] Unfortunately, like their civilized owners, domesticated
pets generally suffer from gum disease at about the same incidence
as adult humans. For example, more than 86% of the dogs and cats
older than four years of age that are brought to veterinary clinics
have periodontal disease. See Colmery B., Front R., Vet. Clin. N
America, 18:891 (1982).
[0005] Periodontal disease is the overwhelming reason for tooth
loss in dogs. Unfortunately, in most cases, treatment for
periodontal disease must continue for the life of the pet, because
of the pet's continued susceptibility and the chronicity of the
disease. Groe T. K., The Compendium on Continuing Education, Vol.
564, No. 7, June 1982.
[0006] Periodontal disease in the domestic cat was studied by
Rerchart P A et al., and reported in J. Periodont. Res., 19:67
(1984). Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease in
cats. J.V.D., Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1988, and is the most prevalent
disease condition found in cats today, Cats Magazine, 16-18,
January 1987.
[0007] Periodontal problems are progressive. The first occurrence
is the formation of plaque (more accurately described as biofilm),
which is a transparent, adhesive fluid composed of the mucin in
saliva, food particles, sloughed epithelial cells from the abrasive
process of eating and the mouth's resident bacteria (usually
aerobic Gram-positive, nonmotile cocci). The adhesive matrix that
contains the bacteria is called the pellicle.
[0008] Soft plaque can be removed from teeth by the mechanical
action of brushing. If plaque is not removed, the mineral salts in
the saliva, particularly calcium carbonate, will precipitate into
the plaque forming hard dental calculus (tartar). Eventually, this
hard, rough-surfaced tartar is irritating to the tissue wall of the
gingival sulcus. This irritation inflames the soft tissues.
Specifically, tartar can be defined as an incrustation of the teeth
consisting of salivary secretion, food residue and various salts,
such as calcium carbonate or phosphate.
[0009] When tartar or plaque (biofilm) collects on the teeth, it
creates pressure on the gums causing them to become inflamed and to
recede. Affected gums appear reddish-blue in color and bleed
easily. Teeth in neglected pets may become loose. At this state,
pus can be expressed from the surface of the gums when mild
pressure is applied. Stoder E. and Stapley R. D., Veterinary
Medicine/Small Animal Clinician, 1124, October 1973.
[0010] The organisms present in inflamed gum tissue are usually
anaerobic, Gram-negative, motile bacilli. See: Eisner E. R.,
Veterinary Medicine, 97-104, January 1989, Frost R., Williams C.
A., Vet. Clin. N. Amer., 16(5):851-874 (1986); Harvey E. E. et al.,
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, W.B. Saunders,
Philadelphia, Pa. (1982), pp. 1126-1187. Harvey C. E., Veterinary
Dentistry, W.B. Saunders, Phila Pa. (1985), pp. 34-66, 956-199.
Ross D. L., Current Veterinary Therapy, VI, W. B. Saunders. Phila
Pa. (1977), pp. 918-921; Eisenmenger, E. Zetner C., Veterinary
Dentistry, Lea & Febiger, Phila, Pa. (1985) pp. 13 1-150;
Harvey C. E., Textbook of Small Animal Surgery, W. B. Saunders,
Philadelphia, Pa. (1985), pp. 615-620. The depth of the gingival
sulcus in dogs suffering from gum disease extends from a normal
condition of 1-2 mm in depth to an abnormal condition of 3-4 mm in
depth, or greater. The detachment of the gingiva and the formation
of periodontal pockets begins at this depth of the gingival
sulcus.
[0011] Of the several signs of periodontal disease readily evident
to the examining veterinarian as well as the owner, the most common
presenting sign is "halitosis", i.e., "fetid breath". Kyle M. A.,
J.V.D. Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1988. This bad breath is a byproduct of
the infection in the mouth. Pain due to the bacterial toxins
produced accompanies this condition. If the oral pain is severe
enough, irritability and improper eating habits generally develop.
Eisner E. R., Veterinary Medicine, 97-104, January 1989.
[0012] Biofilm formation in pets is an extremely complex process.
Almost immediately after removal of bacteria from the tooth surface
by prophylaxis, a ubiquitous layer of dental pellicle is formed on
tooth surfaces. The early bacterial colonizers, mostly facultative
gram-positive Streptococci and Actinomyces species, adhere to the
dental pellicles on the tooth surface. Following the adherence of
early colonizers, the biofilm increases its cell numbers mainly by
bacterial growth.
[0013] The microbial composition of biofilms gradually becomes more
diversified, and after two to three weeks, the biofilm becomes a
mature bacterial community. During biofilm development, various
types of bacterial adhesives mediate the attachment of the bacteria
to receptors in dental pellicles or on the surface of other
bacteria. See Davey and O'Toole, "Microbial biofilms: from ecology
to molecular genetics" Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 64:847-67
(2000).
[0014] Periodontitis can be prevented by keeping the pet's teeth
clear of plaque and tartar buildup (biofilm), by regular cleansing
of the teeth and gums or by periodic mechanical removal of tartar
and/or plaque by an oral care professional. Studer E., Stapley R.
D., Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Clinician, 1124, October
1983.
[0015] According to Eisner E. R., "Basic home care consisting of
regular brushing to maintain healthy teeth and gums is the
cornerstone of treatment for periodontal disease in pets."
Veterinary Medicine, 698-708, July 1989.
[0016] Unfortunately, dental hygiene in pets is something that most
owners neglect. Many pet owners are unaware that just like people,
pets require regular dental care. Most pet treat manufacturers have
attempted at one time or another to incorporate various oral
hygiene benefits in their pet care products. To date, these oral
care adjuncts to pet food, chews, treats, etc., have not proven too
successful, as the previously referenced survey of oral hygiene of
pets older than four years of age brought to veterinary clinics
indicates.
[0017] Various rawhide chew toys have been the primary focus for
attempting to remove and/or control biofilms in pets.
[0018] Rawhide is a byproduct of the slaughter of hoofed animals
and consists of the hide, tendons, etc. of the animal. Rawhide
contains about 65-70% water, 30-35% dry material and less than 1%
ash. The dry material is largely made up of fibrous proteins,
collagen, keratin, elastin and reticulin. Due to this high water
content, previously known methods of processing rawhide required
that the rawhide be dried before it is used to produce pet chews.
For a detailed description of rawhide, see:
[0019] Chemical Technology: An Encyclopedic Treatment, Vol. V,
Barnes & Noble Books, (1972) Pages 392 to 406, is a general
disclosure of types of leathers and their uses, and the tanning of
leather. Arnold, John R., Hides and Skins, (1925), pages 6, 7, 252,
253, 310 and 311, is a general disclosure on raw and tanned hides
and skins.
[0020] Footwear And Leather Abstracts. Information Retrieval
Limited, Vol. II, No. 1, (1967), page 61, discloses several methods
for the depilation of skins and raw hides and for processing raw
hide.
[0021] North American Packer Hides, Pratt Bros. Co., (1939), page
107, defines rawhide leather as being hides that have been limed,
dehaired and stuffed with oil or grease, but otherwise not tanned.
Flemming, Louis, A., Practical Tanning, (1910), pages 81 to 83,
describes methods of making leather.
[0022] Churchill, James E., "The Complete Book of Tanning Skins And
Furs", (1983), page 165, discloses how to make raw hide. Page 166
discloses that rawhide and objects made from rawhide will be eaten
by dogs and other animals unless they are treated with mineral oil
or another preservative.
[0023] Partridge, John, "Chemical Treatment of Hides And Leather",
(1972), pages 2 to 43, deals with the chemical preservation of raw
hides and skins and the chemical dehairing of skins and hides.
[0024] The treatments include: removing hair using a solution of
lime containing an inorganic phospho-sulfur compound containing at
least one P--S bond; and dehairing using enzymatic action with
K.sub.2HPO.sub.4 as a pH adjuster.
[0025] Thorstensen, Thomas C., Practical Leather Technology,
(1985), pages 1 to 41, deals with the preparation of hides.
[0026] Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3.sup.rd
Ed., Vol. 14, (1981), pages 200 to 216, is a general article on
leather. Pages 213, 215 and 216 disclose that polyphosphates are
excellent pretannages for vegetable tanning. Optimum molecular
weights of the polyphosphates are from 1500 to 2500. Also there is
a minimum-effluent vegetable tanning system, known as the Liritan
process. The limed and bated hides are treated for 24 hours in a
pit with 5 percent of sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon) solution
and sufficient sulfuric acid to achieve a pH of 2.8 at the end of
that time. This part of the process has become known as the Calgon
pickle. The solution is reused daily, being regenerated with
additional sodium hexametaphosphate and sulfuric acid, and is
discarded only once a year. The treatment presumably prepares the
hides for a more rapid vegetable tanning process, and the
recommended one with varied concentration of wattle (mimosa) takes
11 days. The tanning liquors are recirculated and reused. Further
finishing of leathers that have been prepared by the Liritan
combination tannage process, as a non-effluent rapid tannage for
sole leather, is used by sole-leather tanneries throughout the
world.
[0027] Early methods of manufacturing pet chews out of
substantially pure rawhide were as simple as preparing and drying
rawhide strips until they were hard and bonelike. These
nonmechanical methods consist of preparing the rawhide by removing,
either chemically or otherwise, the fat and hair found in the
cattle ligaments and other material which comprise the raw starting
material. The treated rawhide is then split, cut and rolled into
the desired shape, such as a rope or strip, and dried. Coloring,
flavor additives and antitartar ingredients are applied to surfaces
of the chew by coating or basting the outside of the rawhide strip
once dry.
[0028] One of the simpler methods requires drying the cut rawhide
in the sun, before the rolling step, in order to preserve the
rawhide. Prior to the rolling process, the dried rawhide is dipped
in water, making it soft and easier to roll. The rawhide therefore
needs very little drying once rolled. However, this drying process
results in yellow or brown bones which are generally unappealing to
pet owners.
[0029] Another nonmechanical method consists of working with the
rawhide in the wet state, possibly wringing the rawhide out before
processing. Under this process, the rawhide is cut and rolled in
the wet state.
[0030] The nonmechanical "clean, cut and dry" methods of producing
pet chews are labor and energy intensive and time consuming. The
methods are labor intensive because the treated skins are sorted
depending on their size, laid out, cut into big strips, distributed
to the workers who roll them into bones, placed on trays, shipped
to the ovens and usually turned over once a day until dry. There
are also problems with quality control. Because of all the manual
work involved, the percentage of "seconds" and rejects is
unreasonably high, compared to machine made products.
[0031] These methods are energy intensive because the rawhide has
to be dried slowly once rolled to obtain a hard (15% moisture
content) product. Slow drying is necessary because of the risk of
cooking the rolled product into gelatin. Typically the drying
process can last up to 15-20 days, starting off with a very low
temperature (approximately 50.degree. C.) and gradually reaching
80.degree. C. The drying can involve electric fans and wood heated
air, running 24 hours a day.
[0032] In one preferred method of making rawhide products in
accordance with the present invention, cowhides are split and
thoroughly washed and cleaned of bacteria. The hide is treated and
processed in the same manner as for conventional rawhide chew toys,
with materials such as detergents, water and anti-hair materials.
The washed hides are then sanitized, such as by being tumbled in
liquid hydrogen peroxide and then thoroughly rinsed with water.
Excess water is then removed, such as by pressing the hides between
the nip of two pinch rollers. At this point, the hides are
relatively soft and flexible, but may contain as much as 75%
absorbed water. These hides are then ready for physical
disruption/penetration to be followed by soaking.
[0033] Illustrative of a nonmechanical method for manufacturing
rawhide chews is U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,550 to Mohilef (1992), which
teaches the manufacture of pet chews by (1) washing ligaments from
cattle and other hoofstock in an aqueous degreasing solution or
roasting, thereby rendering the ligaments substantially free of
fat, and (ii) drying until hard.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,231 to Spanier et al., (1991) discloses
a process for preparing rawhide by adding an inorganic
pyrophosphate compound to rawhide strips and then drying the
rawhide. The resultant pyrophosphate coated product, when chewed by
the dog, reportedly results in reduced tartar accumulation on the
dog's teeth.
[0035] In an effort to address the problem of choking and
intestinal blockage associated with bulk rawhide, pet chew products
have been developed utilizing rawhide that has been chopped,
sliced, shredded, ground, pulverized or otherwise comminuted. The
comminuted pieces are then wetted, optionally fortified with
adhesives, resins, etc., and finally compacted or compression
molded. Although the removal of a significant portion of the water
during the molding process enhances the resulting product's
integrity, the compression molding process nonetheless has its
limits with regard to the ultimate strength characteristics of the
final product. Limiting the moldings to relatively small sizes also
serves to yield a stronger product, although peeling or
delaminating is still a problem. While the disassociated particles
tend to be of a physically small size and are therefore able to
pass harmlessly through the dog's intestinal tract, ingestion
thereof can nonetheless cause problems.
[0036] An additional approach has been employed in the past wherein
comminuted rawhide, in combination with a variety of additives, is
first compression molded and then baked. While the baking step has
a sterilizing effect and thereby addresses the decay problem
described above, the end product tends to be extremely hard and
dense, and is therefore not particularly "chewable." Moreover, due
to its brittleness, it is quickly and easily shattered by a large
dog, and consequently is quickly consumed.
[0037] In the course of subjecting the rawhide to melting
temperatures during the injection molding process, the material
becomes sterilized. This serves to interrupt any decaying process
that may be in progress, and thereby alleviates the foul odor
normally associated with rawhide chew toys. Furthermore,
sterilization is achieved without baking the molded material so as
to yield a very chewable product with a consistency and texture
preferred by most dogs. By injection molding a molten medium, a
substantially more cohesive product is formed than is possible
using compression or compaction molding techniques.
PRIOR ART
[0038] The prior art teaches there is a need to make periodic,
frequent cleansing of the teeth of dogs while controlling biofilms
easier and more conveniently for the pet owner, so that cleansing
and biofilm control are more regularly and frequently performed by
the pet owner. To date, this need remains substantially unmet.
[0039] A number of pet chew products have been developed over a
long period of time in an attempt to address this long-felt need.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,257 to Cagle describes a pet food
product in which a slurry is dehydrated and made into a simulated
bone for dogs which can help exercise the jaws and gums and help to
remove tartar from the teeth. U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,447 to Fisher et
al., discloses an animal food which is chew resistant and can help
remove plaque or tartar from animal teeth. Still another product of
this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,870 to Scaglione et
al., which discloses a process for preparing dog biscuits
containing at least one inorganic phosphate salt. The dog biscuits
are (hopefully) chewed and/or eaten by the dog with the result that
tartar accumulations on its teeth are reduced or prevented. U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,296,209 and 5,407,661, both to Simone et al., describe
a pet chew product having a flexible cellular matrix in which is
contained a cellulose fibrous material such as corn cob fractions
having a mechanical cleansing function, which, when chewed by the
pet, is intended to effect a reduction in plaque, stain and tartar
on the pet's teeth. While the foregoing approaches may be
meritorious, they involve creating a unique food product (as
distinguished from a "chew toy"), which is a relatively complex and
expensive approach, and there is no guarantee that the resultant
product will he accepted and actively consumed by dogs.
[0040] U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,651 to Boyer discloses a health product
for the care of teeth of dogs, capable of being chewed or gnawed by
the dogs, which contains fluoride, antimicrobial agents, and
anti-decay agents.
[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,217 to Stookey discloses a method for
preventing dental calculus using sequestering agents applied to
commercially prepared diets of domestic animals. The sequestering
agents form soluble calculus complexes in saliva and dental plaque,
thereby preventing the calcifying dental plaques. Sodium
hexametaphosphate has been utilized as a preferred sequestering
agent. These sequestering agents can be added to dog treats, i.e.,
biscuits, and/or to the surface of chew toys such as rawhide.
[0042] U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,541 to Montgomery describes an animal
chew product containing one or more enzymes and substrates for the
purpose of generating antimicrobial compounds upon contact with
animal saliva, for tartar prevention.
[0043] U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,927 to Hand et al., describes a pet food
prepared from a fiber containing nutritionally balanced mixture of
carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. The product has
an expanded striated structure matrix which fractures when chewed
by a pet, creating a mechanical tooth cleansing function which acts
to reduce plaque, stains and tartar on the pet's teeth.
[0044] U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,741 to O'Rourke discloses a chew toy for
dogs which is molded from soft pliable threads twisted about one or
more strands of twisted synthetic fibers. The twisted fibers are
impregnated with one or more breath freshening or flavoring agents
so as to dispense the agent as the dog chews.
[0045] U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,518 to Stookey discloses a chew product
containing sodium hexametaphosphate, which is useful against the
buildup of dental calculus.
[0046] U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,614 to Cyr et al., discloses a food dog
bone made of 93% casein, poultry meal, and gelatin, and 7% of an
anti-tartar composition used in the control of tartar in domestic
animals such as dogs.
[0047] U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,614 to Montgomery describes a
peroxidase-activating oral care composition including an enzymatic
water soluble hydrogen peroxide precursor and pH adjusting agent.
The composition facilitates the rapid release of hydrogen peroxide
and results in the activation of a peroxidase enzyme in an oral
cavity.
[0048] U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,516 to Deshaies discloses a device for
cleaning the teeth of a dog, consisting of brushes, onto which
toothpaste is automatically dispensed during a brushing
procedure.
[0049] U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,604 to Wolf et al., discloses a pet
foodstuff and treatment method for reducing the incidence of dental
caries in non-human animals. Xylitol containing foodstuff is
used.
[0050] Early pet food jerky that was made by dehydrating low fat
beef muscle tissue was highly palatable and could provide a
reasonable "chew life" if sliced and dried in thick strips.
Attempts have been made to toughen reformed jerky products to
improve the "chew life". Neilberger (U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,572)
disclosed a multiple extrusion method of producing jerky by
extruding a blend of wet beef and flour and then incorporating the
cooked product of this first extrusion into a second extrusion
step. Ray (U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,584) teaches the utilization of
frozen mechanically separated meats that are comminuted to a small
particle size and then mixed with pregelatinized flour prior to
elevated temperature extrusion. Scaglione (U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,002)
describes a process for making a tougher jerky using fibrous
components of animal tissue or plant tissue such as wheat straw,
alginates or industrial generated fibers.
[0051] Many long lasting synthetic chews have been developed in
attempts to address the "chew life" issue. Axelrod (U.S. Pat. No.
4,771,733) discloses a method whereby an aqueous based flavor or
odor is incorporated into a polyurethane resin based dog chew to
improve the palatability of the product. Axelrod attempted further
improvements to this technology (U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,771) by
dispersing an animal meal within the matrix of a synthetic
thermoplastic molded bone. Axelrod also discloses (U.S. Pat. No.
5,240,720) an injection molded chew produced from rennet casein and
gelatin which can be heated by the consumer in a microwave oven to
cause the chew to expand and thereby render it more easily
chewable.
Other literature references of interest include:
[0052] Kornman, Journal of Periodontol. Res., Supplement 5: 22
(1986) [0053] Chen, Journal of the California Dental Assoc. 2001.
[0054] Kolenbrander P. E., Methods Enzymol, 253: 385-97, 1995.
[0055] Kolenbrander, P. E., J. Applied Bacteriol., 78: 795-865,
1993. [0056] Grander S., J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 37: 1047-50,
1996. [0057] Davies D. G., Parsek M. R., Science, 280: 295-8, 1998.
[0058] Papapanou P. N., Annu. Periodontol., 1:1-36, 1996. [0059]
Socransky S. S., Haffajee A. D., Periodontol. 2000, 5: 7-25, 1994.
[0060] Moore W. E. C., Moore L. V. H., Periodontol. 2000, 5: 66-77,
1994. [0061] Socransky S. S., Haffajee A. D., J. Periodontol. 63:
322-31, 1992. [0062] Zambon J. J., Annu. Periodontol., 1: 879-932,
1996. [0063] Whittaker C. J., Klier C. M., Kolenbrander P. E.,
Annu. Rev. Microbiol., 50: 513-52, 1996. [0064] Wilson M., Patel
H., Fletcher J., Oral Microbiol. Immunol., 11: 188-192, 1996.
[0065] It is known in the art to apply a coating on rawhide chews
by using a baste. Conventional baste may be used to provide desired
coloring and/or flavoring or odor to make the chew toy more
appealing to pets and their owners. Particular baste formulations
can provide a more natural-looking color that pet owners are more
inclined to purchase. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,653, issued
to Sherrill on Oct. 7, 1997 (Sherrill), col. 1, lines 55-65,
discloses various types of bastes applied to rawhide chew toys.
[0066] Other patent references of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,350,438; 5,114,704; 5,011,679; 4,260,635; 4,702,929; 5,609,913;
5,673,653; 5,827,565; 4,674,444; 5,100,651; 4,546,001; 4,364,925;
5,200,212; 6,365,133; 5,476,069; 5,635,237; 5,215,038; 5,329,881
and 5,467,741.
[0067] The effect of chewing rawhide "chips" (Chew-eez.RTM.,
Superior Brands, Inc.), was compared with a leading cereal biscuit
(Milk Bone.RTM.), Nabisco Brands, Inc.) on the removal of calculus
in dogs reported in Jayma, Vol. 197, No. 2, Jul. 15, 1990, to with:
" . . . rawhide removed calculus considerably better than cereal
biscuits for the study period." In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,009,973 and
5,015,485 assigned to Nabisco Brands, Inc., cereal biscuits
(similar to Milk Bone.RTM.) containing pyrophosphate were reported
to prevent tartar accumulation on the teeth of dogs. However, the
chewing and eating of 12 such biscuits a day was required by a
small dog to achieve the effect reported. This comprises 25 to 33%
of the small dog's daily caloric requirement.
[0068] The act of regularly chewing an object (such as rawhide)
sufficiently rigid to allow for an oral residence time of greater
than thirty seconds or so has been shown to result in reduced
tartar accumulation compared to a quickly consumable object, such
as a biscuit (Lags et al., J. Am. Veterinary Medical Association.,
197, pp. 213-219 (1990).
[0069] Particularly relevant additional U.S. patents include: U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,074,662; 6,223,693; 6,277,420; 6,238,715; 6.350,438;
6,165,474; 5,047,231; 6,365,133; 6,159,508; 6,309,676; 5,635,237;
5,114,704; 5,011,679; and 6,365,133.
[0070] Chew toys for dogs perform several important functions.
First, and most importantly, these toys facilitate several health
functions, such as teeth and gum cleaning, gum massage and chewing
exercise. Benefits of these functions include the prevention of
periodontal disease and tartar buildup, as well as the promotion of
healthy teeth and jaw development. Dogs often do not have access to
natural bones and hard objects that scour their teeth when chewed
and assist in healthy dental development, and owners must sometimes
look to toys or snacks in order to fill this void. A variety of
artificial chew toys have been created in an attempt to achieve
these health benefits, with varying degrees of success. For
instance, artificial chew toys have been made from rawhide, woven
fibers, and ropes. However, these materials are often rapidly
destroyed by the chewing action which breaks down the fibers and
structure of the material, and the soft nature of these products
cannot provide the same degree and variety of health benefits that
can be obtained from chew toys that are comprised of harder
material.
[0071] Another important function of chew toys is to divert
destructive chewing behavior and to provide amusement and
entertainment for the animal. Chew toys can provide an outlet for
the animal to expend its chewing energies which might otherwise be
directed in a destructive manner on household objects. The degree
of acceptability of the toy by the animal will determine the
effectiveness and success of the product in this regard.
Additionally, the toy should have an appeal to the animal and offer
a means of entertainment and amusement to keep the dog happy over
time, preferably over long periods of time. Therefore, it should be
appreciated that there exists a need for an improved chew toy that
will generate a longer period of sustained interest by dogs,
thereby imparting needed health and entertainment for the
animal.
[0072] Rawhide pet chews are a preferred means for cleaning tooth
surfaces and fighting biofilm formation in pets. Depending on their
shape and size, rawhide pet chews are generally chewed for extended
periods, while effectively controlling, removing, disrupting and/or
weakening biofilms through the normal physical/cleaning actions
associated with the rawhide mastication process, referred to
hereinafter as "physical/cleaning-type action".
[0073] Such chew products typically have a useful life (referred to
hereinafter as "chew life") of several minutes to several hours.
This "chew life", in addition to providing cleaning-type action,
provides an ideal means for continually transferring biofilm
disrupting ingredients contained throughout the rawhide to the
teeth and gums of the pet as taught and claimed by the present
invention.
[0074] To date, therapeutic rawhide pet chews, where the
therapeutic agent is added to the surface of the rawhide, have had,
at best, marginal success in contributing to rawhide's
physical/cleaning/controlling, removing and/or disruption of
biofilms from the teeth of pets suffering from gum disease.
Additionally, such surface treatments of rawhide chews, invariably
result in staining of rugs, carpeting, upholstery, etc., which has
become a major "turn-oft" to pet owners.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0075] An object of the present invention is to enhance rawhide
chews' performance in controlling, removing and/or disrupting
biofilms in pets with corresponding improvement in "fetid"
breath.
[0076] A further object of the invention is to provide rawhide pet
chews impregnated throughout with emulsions, surfactants,
conditioners, active ingredients and/or flavorants that are
releasable during chewing over the life of the chew for the purpose
of helping to control, remove and/or disrupt biofilms and fetid
breath.
[0077] Another object of the invention is to enhance the
palatability of rawhide chews.
[0078] Another object of the invention is to provide a range of
processes for physically disrupting/penetrating and soaking rawhide
pet chews in order to impregnate them substantially throughout with
biofilm disrupting emulsions, surfactants, conditioners, flavorants
and/or active ingredients for subsequent release over the chew life
of the chew, into the oral cavity of pets.
[0079] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
"self-treatment" for gum disease for pets comprising routinely
providing the pet with rawhide chews impregnated substantially
throughout with biofilm disrupting emulsions, surfactants,
conditioners, flavorants and/or active ingredients, which are
released during chewing onto the surfaces of teeth and gums.
[0080] Yet another object of the invention is to improve rawhide
pet chews by impregnating substantially throughout with the
substances detailed above, while simultaneously enhancing the
palatability and chewability of said chews.
[0081] A further object of the invention is to provide rawhide pet
chews treated with physical disruption penetration combined with
impregnation throughout with various emulsions in order to help
control biofilm formation in pets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0082] The present invention, which is distinct from and neither
implied nor suggested in the prior art cited above, is directed to
rawhide pet chews impregnated substantially throughout with biofilm
disrupting emulsions, also contains conditioners, flavorants and/or
active ingredients, which are releasable during chewing over the
chew life to help control biofilm formation on the teeth of pets.
These rawhide pet chews are physically disrupted/penetrated in
order to augment impregnation throughout with biofilm disrupting
substances. The methods of manufacturing these impregnated rawhide
pet chews, and the treatment of biofilms and fetid breath in pets,
using these impregnated rawhide pet chews, are also included in the
present invention.
[0083] The emulsions, also containing conditioners, flavorants,
and/or active ingredients are impregnated substantially throughout
the rawhide chew irrespective of size, shape, whether the rawhide
to be impregnated is fresh or has already been dried.
[0084] The emulsion, containing conditioners, flavorants and/or
active ingredients are impregnated substantially throughout the
rawhide chews of the present invention can be distinguished from
traditional basted and/or coated rawhide pet chews described in the
prior art on the basis of: [0085] The emulsions, containing
conditioners, flavorants and/or active ingredients are impregnated
substantially throughout the rawhide chew and are releasable over
the chew-life of the product at levels substantially greater than
those available from basting and/or other surface coating processes
resulting in corresponding, superior biofilm fighting. Cleaning
attributes, which are achieved over the chew-life of the
impregnated rawhide product. [0086] The plasticized effect
achieved, which is attributed to emulsion Impregnation throughout
the rawhide chews of the present invention resulting in an extended
chew-life attributed to the intrinsic toughness associated with
this increase plasticity. [0087] Enhanced pet preference as a
result of the flavor and mouth feel additives distributed
substantially throughout the rawhide chew along with the emulsions,
flavorants and/or active ingredients. All of these are released
over the chew-life of the impregnated rawhide chew. [0088] Enhanced
texture associated with the humectants, softening agents,
conditioners, etc., included in the emulsion, distributed
substantially throughout the impregnated rawhide chew, which has
been physically disrupted/penetrated throughout as a means of
augmenting distribution of the various impregnated substances.
[0089] Enhanced overall efficacy associated with a broad range of
soluble and/or dispersible active ingredients included in the
soaking/impregnating process including anti-tartar,
anti-gingivitis, anti-inflammatory, etc. ingredients. [0090]
Enhanced pet acceptance attributed to the chew being physically
disrupted/penetrated as a means of augmenting impregnation of the
various flavor, mouthfeel and conditioning substances substantially
throughout the rawhide chew. [0091] Enhanced pet owner acceptance
attributed to the rawhide chew being physically
disrupted/penetrated and treated with various pet friendly
substances which are present via impregnating throughout the
rawhide chew.
[0092] Particularly preferred emulsions for impregnating rawhide
pet chews of the present invention are MICRODENT.RTM. and
ULTRAMULSION.RTM., as described in detail below.
[0093] The biofilm disrupting/controlling properties of
MICRODENT.RTM. emulsions in humans has been extensively documented
using chewing gums and mints as a MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion delivery
vehicle. For example, reductions in plaque greater than 35% have
been reported in clinical studies on chewing gums containing up to
about 2% by weight MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion. Other clinical studies
on MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion containing mints showed plaque
reductions of about 20% with up to about 2% by weight
MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion. It has been suggested that MICRODENT.RTM.
emulsion impregnated rawhide pet chews of the present invention,
where the MICRODENT.RTM. is distributed essentially throughout the
rawhide chew, would, like chewing gum, continuously release the
anti-biofilm MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion into the pet's oral cavity
throughout the time the pet is chewing the impregnated rawhide
chew.
[0094] The masticating of rawhide pet chews provides an excellent
physical cleaning action for pet teeth, which is particularly
effective in controlling newly formed biofilm, particularly when
this physical cleaning is combined with the simultaneous release of
the MICRODENT.RTM. emulsion which coats the entire oral cavity with
this substantive, surface-energy altering emulsion, as the bio film
is being disrupted by the physical cleaning action attributed to
the chewing of the rawhide.
[0095] In addition to their biofilm disrupting properties, the
preferred MICRODENT.RTM. and ULTRAMULSION.RTM. emulsions are
particularly effective as carriers for various pet flavorants,
conditioners, mouthfeel agents, etc., which tend to encourage
aggressive chewing and maintain pet interest in the chew throughout
the chew-life of the impregnated rawhide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0096] FIG. 1 illustrates rawhide penetrated by a patterned
arrangement of fibrillated slits.
[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates rawhide penetrated by a generally closely
spaced pattern of needle punctures.
[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates rawhide penetrated by a generally widely
spaced pattern of needle punctures.
[0099] FIG. 4 illustrates rawhide penetrated by a patterned
arrangement of similar sized drilled holes.
[0100] FIG. 5 illustrates rawhide penetrated by a patterned
arrangement of two different sized punched holes.
DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS
[0101] For the purposes of the present invention, the following key
terms are defined as set out below:
[0102] "Rawhide" is defined as the byproduct of the slaughter of
hoofed animals and consists of the hide, tendons, etc. The dry
material is largely made up of fibrous proteins, collagen, keratin,
elastin and reticulin. Rawhide products originate from the natural
skins of animals. In addition to cows, animal skins, such as pig,
goat and water buffalo skins can also be used. To form rawhide, a
cow or other animal hide is split. The top grain is generally
tanned and formed into leather products. The bottom half of the
hide is generally kept in its natural "raw" state. Hides in such
natural, untanned state, are generally referred to as rawhide. One
common use for rawhide is the production of chemicals such as
gelatin. Another important use for rawhide is the manufacture of
edible chew toys for pets, such as dogs.
[0103] "Rawhide pet chew toys" are defined as consumable pet chews,
which are free from bacteria, as well as dangerous substances such
as formaldehyde and other preservatives which can be used to
prevent the rawhide from becoming contaminated by bacteria,
microbes, maggots and the like. A rawhide chew toy is also free
from processing chemicals commonly used in the tanning of leather
which make the leather soft. Not only are these unhealthy for a
dog, but training a dog to chew on a toy which smells like leather
could fool a dog into thinking that it is acceptable to chew on a
shoe or leather handbag. In order to make rawhide chew toys
acceptably resistant to bacterial contamination, rawhide chew toys
are commonly sold in a substantially dehydrated state. An
acceptably low moisture content can lead to a safe or stable water
activity. Thus, if the water activity of the rawhide article is too
high, there is a possibility that the chew toy will be contaminated
by mold, bacteria and the like, or otherwise become unsanitary and
potentially harmful for the pet. Thus, rawhide pet chew toy
products contain less than about 13% moisture in order to have an
acceptable water activity below about 0.75.
[0104] "Water activity" is defined by Encyclopedia of Food Science,
AVI Publishing as the ratio of the vapor pressure exerted by the
water contained in the product to the vapor pressure of pure water
at the same temperature. The lower the water activity of a product,
the less susceptible that product is to the growth of bacterial,
fungal and yeast organisms. Fruits, bread and meat all have water
activities above 0.95. In contrast, crackers, cereal and sugar can
have a water activity as low as 0.1.
[0105] Rawhide also includes other animal parts such as ears and
snouts. That is, dried ear and ear pieces consist primarily of a
section of hard-firm ear cartilage with a piece of skin (rawhide)
on each side. The resultant dog chew, comprised of an ear which
includes two pieces of rawhide and hard cartilage sandwiched there
between provides prolonged chewing time over similarly available
chews manufactured solely of rawhide, resulting in consequently
increased abrasive effect on the teeth surfaces. More particularly,
there is provided a pet chew product comprising an inner layer of
cartilage sandwiched between opposing outer layers of animal skin.
The inner layer of cartilage preferably comprises a dried animal
ear portion, and the outer layers of animal skin preferably
comprise rawhide.
[0106] "Impregnated rawhide" is defined as physically
disrupted/penetrated rawhide that has distributed substantially
throughout a substance that has been introduced into the disrupted
rawhide by means of soaking the rawhide in a water bath containing
said substance.
[0107] "Periodontal disease" ("gum disease") is a broad term used
to describe those diseases which attack the gingiva and the
underlying alveolar bone supporting the pet's teeth. The disease
exists in a number of species of warm blooded animals such as
canines and felines, and includes a series of diseases exhibiting
various syndromes which vary from each other according to the stage
or situation of the disease or the age of the pet. The term is used
for any inflammatory disease which initially occurs at a marginal
gingiva area and may affect the alveolar bone. Periodontal disease
affects the periodontium, which is the investing and supporting
tissue surrounding a tooth (i.e., the periodontal ligament, the
gingiva, and the alveolar bone). Two common periodontal diseases
are gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva) and periodontitis
(inflammation of the periodontal ligament manifested by progressive
resorption of alveolar bone, increasing mobility of the teeth, and
loss of the teeth at advanced stage). Other terms used for various
aspects of periodontal disease are "acute necrotizing ulcerative
gingivitis" and "alveolar pyorrhea". Periodontal disease may
involve one or more of the following conditions: inflammation of
the gingiva, formation of periodontal pockets, bleeding and/or pus
discharge from the periodontal pockets, resorption of alveolar
bone, loose teeth and loss of teeth. Periodontal disease is
generally considered to be caused by/associated with bacteria which
are generally present in dental plaque which forms on the surface
of the teeth and in the periodontal pocket. Thus, known methods for
treating periodontal disease often include the use of
antimicrobials and/or anti-inflammatory drugs.
[0108] "Alveolar bone resorption" is defined as the loss of osseous
tissue from the specialized bony structure which supports the
teeth. Such resorption has many causes including, but not limited
to, natural remodeling following tooth extraction, scaling and root
planing and the progression of periodontal disease.
[0109] "Biofilm (plaque)," the precursor of dental calculus/tartar,
is defined as a community of bacteria embedded in exopolysaccharide
that adheres to tooth surfaces and are a major source of the
infections associated with gum disease in pets. The early bacterial
colonizers of biofilm, which are mostly faculative gram-positive
Streptococci and Actinomyces species, adhere to the dental
pellicles on the tooth surface. Following the adherence of early
colonizers, the biofilm increases its cell numbers mainly by
bacterial growth.
[0110] "Dental calculus," or tartar as it is sometimes called, is
defined as a deposit of hardened plaque (biofilm) which forms on
the surfaces of the teeth at the gingival margin. Supragingival
calculus appears principally in the areas near the orifices of the
salivary ducts; e.g., on the lingual surfaces of the lower anterior
teeth and on the buccal surfaces of the upper first and second
molars, and on the distal surfaces of the posterior molars. Mature
calculus consists of an inorganic portion which is largely calcium
phosphate arranged in a hydroxylapatite crystal lattice structure
similar to bone, enamel and dentin. An organic portion (biofilm) is
also present and consists of desquamated epithelial cells,
leukocytes, salivary sediment, food debris and various types of
microorganisms. As the mature calculus develops, it becomes visibly
white or yellowish in color unless stained or discolored by some
extraneous agency. In addition to being unsightly and undesirable
from an aesthetic standpoint, the mature calculus deposits are
constant sources of irritation of the gingival and thereby are a
contributing factor to gingivitis and other diseases of the
supporting structures of the teeth, the irritation decreasing the
resistance of tissues to endogenous and exogenous organisms.
[0111] "Surfactants" are defined as surface active agents suitable
for ingestion. Said Surfactants have the property of being water
soluble with a propensity to emulsify water-insoluble coating
agents (as defined below), and to hold the coating agent in an
aqueous suspension as an emulsion when the mixture is dispersed in
water or saliva. Suitable surfactants, illustrative of the types of
substances suitable for use in impregnated rawhide of the present
invention, are further detailed below.
[0112] "Coating Agents" are defined as water insoluble or very
slightly soluble substances which, when presented to the oral
cavity in an emulsified state, will coat the teeth, gums and oral
cavity tissue with a thin film of the coating agent. This film has
several beneficial properties which are functionally described
below.
[0113] "Conditioners" are defined as water-soluble substances,
usually of high molecular weight, which in combination with the
surfactant and coating agent condition (1) the rawhide, making it
more flexible, tough and fresh cartilage-like with improved chewing
properties and (2) the oral cavity, providing improved palatability
by creating a mouth-feel more akin to fresh animal cartilage, bone
and tissue. Suitable conditioners, illustrative of the types of
substances suitable for use in impregnated rawhide of the present
invention, are further detailed below.
[0114] "MICRODENT.RTM." and "ULTRAMULSION.RTM." are defined as hot
melt emulsions of biofilm disrupting coating substances such as
polydimethylsiloxane in surfactants such as nonionic poloxamer
surfactants and include those emulsions described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,950,479; 5,032,387; 5,057,309; 5,538,667; 5,651,959 and
5,711,936. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. The
clinical plaque effect obtained when certain of these combinations
of surfactants and coating substances are introduced into the
mouths of humans are detailed in Food & Drug Administration
(FDA) Docket No. 81N-0033, OTC Volumes 210246 to 210262 and 210339
dated Jun. 17, 1991, filed in response to the FDA call-for-data as
reported in the Federal Register, Sep. 19, 1990, 55 Fed Reg.,
38560, Vol. VI of said filing; the summary is specifically
incorporated herein by reference.
[0115] "Impregnating" is defined as a means of
penetrating/disrupting rawhide throughout with various substances.
Impregnating can be achieved by certain substances by simply
soaking the rawhide in solutions/dispersions of such substances
until the substances have penetrated throughout the rawhide chew.
Alternatively, in those instances where certain substances achieve
minimal penetration of the rawhide substrate under various soaking
conditions, the rawhide substrate is physically disrupted using
various physical means to penetrate the rawhide, thereby augmenting
penetration throughout the rawhide with those various substances
that do not, on their own, penetrate the rawhide during various
soaking procedures. To achieve "impregnating," various physical
means of physically penetrating rawhide can be utilized including:
punching, drilling, fibrillating, meshing, scoring, etc. In one
embodiment the rawhide can be penetrated physically by contacting
stretched rawhide with a rotating fibrillator device such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,373. The penetrations can be
shaped into stars, bone-line shapes, etc., or remain essentially
undefined. The level of penetration can be modest to high and can
be random or patterned.
[0116] "Emulsion Impregnated Rawhide" is defined as rawhide
penetrated substantially throughout with an emulsion.
MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMULSION.RTM. can be "impregnated" into
fresh, surface disrupted rawhides by means of a marinating process,
whereby the fresh hides soak in a MICRODENT.RTM. and/or
ULTRAMULSION.RTM./water mixture for extended periods at
temperatures ranging from room temperature to elevated temperature.
Alternatively, the MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMULSION.RTM. can be
added to dried rawhide chews, etc., by soaking the dried chews,
which are physically penetrated, etc., at varying temperatures over
a wide range of soaking periods. All of the foregoing
"impregnating" means are detailed in the Tables and Examples set
out below. The rawhide to be treated with MICRODENT.RTM. or
ULTRAMULSION.RTM. can be fresh; however it is preferable to
impregnate "preformed chew toys" that have already been physically
disrupted and dried. In addition, comminuted rawhide generally
produced from trimmings, etc., of formed rawhide toys and treats,
i.e., knotted bones, is also suitable, particularly for pet chews
that can be used with no adverse effect to the pet due to choking,
blockage, etc.
[0117] "Comminuted rawhide" is defined as processed rawhide that is
molded, pressed, shaped, etc. Comminuted rawhide includes rawhide
pieces that are particularized into small sized particles which are
shaped into various chews that, when the particles break off from
the chew during mastication, they can be readily swallowed and
passed through the dog's digestive system without blockage.
[0118] "Chew time" is defined as the duration that a pet treat can
be chewed, gnawed, licked, etc., by a pet before it is consumed.
Chew time defines the period for transferring therapeutic
ingredients, such as biofilm disrupting emulsion, which are
contained in MICRODENT.RTM. "impregnated" rawhide pet chews and
released during chewing into the oral cavity to treat biofilms.
[0119] A "substantially impregnated-throughout rawhide treat" is
defined as rawhide which is physically disrupted/penetrated
throughout as a means of augmenting the "impregnation" throughout
with emulsions, conditioners, surfactants, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0120] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, various means of penetrating
and types of penetrated rawhide are illustrated.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 1, fibrillated slits, 1a, penetrate
rawhide, 1, in a patterned fashion, which results in high internal
surface exposure for the impregnated rawhide while providing an
easier to chew, substantially impregnated throughout rawhide
treat.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 2, closely spaced needle punctures, 2a,
penetrate rawhide, 2, in a closely spaced, patterned fashion, which
results in a stronger, substantially impregnated throughout,
rawhide treat that is stronger, but slower to impregnate.
[0123] Referring to FIG. 3, widely spaced needle punctures, 3a,
penetrate rawhide, 3, in a widely spaced alternating pattern, which
results in an impregnated rawhide treat that is much stronger, but
slower to impregnate.
[0124] Referring to FIG. 4, similar sized, drilled holes, 4a,
penetrate rawhide, 4, in a patterned arrangement, which allows for
faster impregnation with high internal surface, high impregnation
and an excellent visible signal.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 5, two different sized, punched holes, 5a
and 5b, penetrate rawhide, 5, in a patterned arrangement, which
provides high internal surface with excellent impregnation and a
highly visible and recognizable pattern.
[0126] The extraordinary saliva flow in carnivores is substantially
greater than in humans and, as a result, most therapeutic
substances released from the coatings on rawhide chews during
chewing or introduced via toothpaste, rinses, etc., are readily
flushed by the saliva from the oral cavity usually before the
therapeutic substance can have any substantial therapeutic effect
in the pet's mouth.
[0127] The substantivity of the emulsions of the invention to tooth
and gum surfaces plays a most critical role in effective biofilm
therapy of pets. The preferred "pet applied" emulsion application
is via "emulsion impregnated" rawhide chews of the present
invention, where the "emulsion" is "impregnated" substantially
throughout the rawhide using various rawhide physical
disruption/penetration means to augment the "impregnation" with
various emulsions of the invention. It has been discovered that
when physically disrupted/penetrated rawhide pet chews are treated
throughout with emulsions such as MICRODENT.RTM. and/or
ULTRAMULSION.RTM., surprisingly, these emulsions are consistently
releasable from the chew, at biofilm disrupting levels, into the
oral cavity during the chew-life of the pet treat. These emulsions
also contain various other ingredients, including flavorants,
conditioners, mouthfeel agents, etc., which encourage the pet to
chew and help retain the pet's interest in chewing the chew.
[0128] A fundamental shortcoming with rawhide has been that basic
rawhide is not particularly palatable and dogs lose interest in the
product after a relatively short time. Manufacturers have attempted
to overcome this by coating or basting the rawhide with flavorings,
but these overcoatings are usually applied onto the surface and are
quickly licked off and/or consumed by the dog, leaving a rawhide
chew without basting. In addition, these surface coatings tend to
soil and/or stain surfaces m the house such as carpeting, rugs,
upholstery, etc.
[0129] The availability of emulsions, such as MICRODENT.RTM. and
ULTRAMULSION.RTM.. "impregnated" throughout the chew and which are
released from rawhide pet chews over the chew-life of the chew,
allows pet owners to help control biofilms in their pets by
routinely providing pets with rawhide chews impregnated throughout
with MICRODENT.RTM. or ULTRAMULSION.RTM.. These emulsions contain
flavorants and other ingredients that render the rawhide chew most
palatable. These rawhide "impregnated emulsions" deliver
plaque/biofilm fighting properties to the pet's oral cavity with
minimal staining and/or soiling of surfaces throughout the
household in contrast to the staining experienced heretofore with
basted rawhide chews.
[0130] The melt emulsions described as MICRODENT.RTM. and
ULTRAMULSION.RTM. are preferably "impregnated" substantially
throughout the pet chews of the invention. These are described in
detail in the MICRODENT.RTM. and ULTRAMULSION.RTM. U.S. patents to
Hill et al. referenced above. Generally, these melt emulsions
comprise a coating agent emulsified in surfactants, such as: [0131]
sodium lauryl sulfate, [0132] sodium lauryl sarcosinate, [0133]
polyethyleneglycol stearate, [0134] polyethyleneglycol
monostearate, [0135] coconut monoglyceride sulfonates, [0136] soap
powder, [0137] sodium alkyl sulfates, [0138] sodium alkyl
sulfoacetates, [0139] alkyl polyglycol ether carboxylates such as
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,636 polyoxyethylene
derivatives or sorbitan esters, such as those described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,130,636, [0140] polyoxyethylene derivatives or sorbitan
esters, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,639,563 and
3,947,570, [0141] propoxylated cetyl alcohol as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,677,700, and
[0142] Preferred commercially available substances which include:
[0143] polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers such as
Pluronic F108, and F127 (BASF) and polysorbates such as Tween 40
and 80 (Hercules); [0144] Particularly preferred surfactants
include block copolymers comprising a congeneric mixture of
conjugated polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethelene compounds having a
hydrophobe, a polyoxypropylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular
weight; such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,343,785; 4,465,663;
4,511,563 and 4,476,107.
[0145] Suitable coating substances for these melt emulsions can be
functionally described as follows; they: [0146] (1) suppress the
tendency of the surfactant cleaners present to foam. [0147] (2) are
safely ingestible at the concentrations used, [0148] (3) have an
affinity for mouth and teeth surfaces, [0149] (4) are neutral,
inert and do not support biological activity, [0150] (5) modify the
surface energy properties of surfaces of the mouth such that it is
more difficult for food particles, cellular debris and various
plaque precursors and formers to attach to these surfaces, and
[0151] (6) form a thin, transparent, transient coating that does
not build up on mouth surfaces and is removed by the normal
cleaning and flushing action of the mouth.
[0152] Those coating substances suitable for the melt emulsions of
the invention include various silicones, long chain hydrocarbons,
Carbowaxes and polymers such as: [0153] silicone glycol
co-polymers, [0154] polydimethyl siloxanes at viscosities up to 2.5
million cs, [0155] long chain hydrocarbons, especially normal
paraffins having a chain length of 16 carbon atoms or greater,
paraffins with several loci of branching and unsaturation does not
create unacceptable toxicity nor lower the solidification point
below body temperature, [0156] Carbowaxes.RTM. (polyethylene
glycols) and polymers which have limited solubility in ethanol and
water solutions where the ethanol or water ratio is greater than
0.3:1 but have essentially no solubility in water or saliva at
lower ratios.
[0157] Those conditioners suitable for impregnation of rawhide to
improve its properties of flexibility, toughness and chewing
properties are primarily selected from several classes of high
molecular weight substances such as: [0158] Purified, soluble
proteins such as sodium caseinate, various cereal glutens, albumins
and the like, [0159] Starches and modified starches, [0160] Soluble
cellulose derivative such as carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethyl
cellulose, and hydroxypropylcellulose, [0161] Polyhydroxyalcohols
such as hydrogenated glucose syrup, [0162] Polyethylene and
polyproplyene glycols, and [0163] Water soluble resins such as
Gantrez.RTM..
[0164] In addition, low molecular weight polyols such as glycerin
and sorbitol and other humectants may also serve as conditioners,
either in combination with high molecular weight substances such as
the above or alone.
[0165] Impregnating rawhide, fresh, dried and/or comminuted using
surfactant/water mixtures rather than the preferred
surfactant/coating emulsions fails to impart the comprehensive
biofilm fighting properties attributed to the MICRODENT.RTM. and
ULTRAMULSION.RTM. emulsions. However, without physical penetration
augmentation, these surfactant/water mixtures do effectively
penetrate and impregnate the rawhide chews imparting "plasticizing"
and enhanced texturizing properties along with improved flavor
attributed to the flavors also contained in the surfactant/water
mixture. These surfactant/water impregnated rawhide chews provide
enhanced physical cleaning.
[0166] The "impregnating" of rawhide chews with emulsions of the
present invention, such as MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMULSION.RTM.,
requires augmenting by physical disrupting/penetrating means in
order to provide "impregnating" substantially throughout the
rawhide.
[0167] In a preferred embodiment of the intention, various rawhides
are subjected to mechanical force in the form of needles and/or
punches in the presence of a liquid containing the oral care
actives of the invention to prepare a rawhide chew that is
substantially impregnated throughout with these substances. This
simultaneous physical disruption/penetration of the rawhide in the
presence of the impregnating substance allows the treatment to
force the substances substantially throughout the rawhide to be
released gradually during chewing.
[0168] In addition to the MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMULSION.RTM.,
various other ingredients that are soluble or dispersible in said
emulsions can be "impregnated" throughout the rawhide chew. These
include: [0169] toothpaste ingredients including anti-tartar
ingredients including: sodium hexametaphosphate, tetrasodium
pyrophosphate, various other pyrophosphates and sequestering
agents, etc., [0170] whitening ingredients such as calcium
peroxide, carbamide peroxide, etc., [0171] cationic antimicrobials
such as chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine digluconate,
cetylpyridinium chloride, domiphen bromide, benzalkonium chloride,
benzethonium chloride, and alexidine, [0172] other antimicrobials
such as triclosan, sodium hypochlorite, metronidazole, various
peroxides, [0173] anti-caries ingredients including: sodium
fluoride, fluorohexametaphosphate, stannous fluoride, etc., [0174]
antibiotics, antiseptics, coagulants, vitamins, nutraceuticals,
etc., flavorants and mouth conditioners, and [0175] abrasives.
[0176] "Impregnating" these various other ingredients substantially
throughout the rawhide chew. As distinguished from coating the
surface of the chew with these ingredients allows the impregnated
ingredients to be available consistently to the oral cavity of the
pet at effective levels; over the chew-life of the rawhide pet
chew. This availability of various "impregnated" ingredients
consistently over the chew-life of the pet chew plays a key role in
effectively controlling biofilm buildup. the fetid breath
associated with biofilms and controlling the formation of tartar or
calculus.
[0177] In addition to "impregnating" rawhide chews with emulsions
of the present invention that contain various active ingredients,
these emulsions generally will also contain various other
ingredients including flavorants, conditioners, mouthfeel agents,
etc., which are also "impregnated" substantially throughout the
rawhide. These flavors, conditioners, mouthfeel agents, etc., tend
to encourage the pet to chew the rawhide more intensely for longer
periods and/or more frequently than the pet would normally do with
rawhide that is not emulsion "impregnated" substantially throughout
with flavorants, conditioners, mouthfeel agents, etc. Thus,
flavor/conditioner mouthfeel agents/emulsion "impregnated" rawhide
is a more effective means for delivering various active ingredients
contained substantially throughout the rawhide, into the pet's oral
cavity, than rawhide chews that are not
"flavor/conditioner/mouthfeel agent/emulsion impregnated".
[0178] Further, the flavor/conditioner/mouthfeel agent/emulsion
"impregnated" rawhide chews of the present invention are more
effective in physically cleaning pet tooth surfaces due to the
"drive-to-chew" attributed to these materials distributed
substantially throughout the emulsion "impregnated" chew. This
intense "drive-to-chew" prompted by the flavorant/conditioner
mouthfeel agent dispersed throughout the rawhide chew results in
more vigorous: chewing, gnawing, ripping and/or shredding action by
the pet than is normally associated with rawhide that is not
"impregnated" throughout with flavor/conditioner/mouthfeel
agent/emulsions.
[0179] In addition to including flavorants, conditioners, etc.,
and/or active ingredients in the emulsions to be "impregnated" in
rawhide chews, the present invention also includes the addition of
other ingredients such as dispersible abrasives into these
emulsions. The distribution substantially throughout the rawhide
chew of an emulsion of MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMIJLSION.RTM.
containing anti-tartar ingredients and also containing, dispersed
therein, various abrasives of various particle sizes, provides an
in-situ-type toothpaste formulation that is continuously worked
over tooth surfaces as the MICRODENT.RTM. and/or ULTRAMULSION.RTM.
with abrasives dispersed therein is released from the "impregnated"
rawhide chew over the chew life of the chew.
[0180] Release of various active ingredients from the "impregnated"
rawhide chew such as chlorhexidine as described in copending patent
application Ser. No. 10/361,311, now U.S. Patent Publication No.
2004-0156884, as well as various fluorides during chewing
introduces off-flavors that tend to be a "turn-off" to pets. That
is, the release of such off-flavors is usually associated with
eventual rejection of the chew by the pet and failure of the pet to
control biofilms. For example, unfavorable flavors such as "garlic"
or a mouthfeel comparable to "galvanized metals" are associated
with chlorhexidine and stannous fluoride, respectively. Both are
unacceptable to most pets, and chews with these off-flavors are
generally rejected by the pet.
[0181] It has been discovered that various flavorants and mouth
conditioners, mouthfeel agents, etc., included in the
MICRODENT.RTM. and ULTRAMULSION.RTM. emulsions "impregnated"
throughout the rawhide chews neutralize certain "turn-off" flavors
and adverse mouth feelings associated with various active
ingredients when these ingredients are "impregnated" into rawhide
chews. It has unexpectedly been found that the "impregnated"
rawhide chews of the present invention containing active
ingredients such as fluorides and chlorhexidine and certain
neutralizing flavorants are generally preferred over untreated
rawhide chews and are generally more effective in controlling pet
biofilms and fetid breath.
[0182] The most effective flavorants for the "impregnated" rawhide
chews of the present invention are generally unacceptable to pet
owners. That is, the preferred flavors preferred by pets tends
towards the odor and flavor of rotten, foul and/or decayed meats
generally associated with "road kill" and dead, decaying,
putrefying carcasses. These foul odors are a turn-off to pet owners
and heretofore have generally been avoided for use with coated pet
rawhide chews.
[0183] Surprisingly, it has been found that "road kill" flavors can
be incorporated into the emulsions "impregnated" into the rawhide
treats of the present invention and masked from human perception so
that they are not a turn-off to pet owners; yet, are perceived by
the pet. It appears the rawhide chews "impregnated" with masking
flavorant containing emulsions "mask" these putrification-based
flavors inside the "impregnated" rawhide for release when the
rawhide is masticated. This release of masked "road kill"-type
flavors during mastication of the rawhide chew motivates most pets
to chew: (a) more vigorously, (b) longer and (c) more frequently
with a corresponding improvement in biofilms control.
[0184] The process for "impregnating" rawhide (fresh, dried or
comminuted) with the various emulsions, surfactants, flavorants,
actives and/or conditioners, includes physical
penetration/disruption of the rawhide chew, followed by
soaking/"marinating" the physically disrupted/penetrated rawhide
under a wide range of conditions including: [0185] Soaking baths
with various emulsions, surfactants, flavorants, actives and/or
conditioners at levels from between about 0.1% and about 50% by
weight of the soaking medium. Particularly preferred are emulsion
levels between about 0.1 and about 30% by weight of the soaking
medium. [0186] Soaking temperatures from between room temperature
and about 100.degree. C. [0187] Soaking durations from between
about 30 minutes and about 24 hours. [0188] Soaking agitation
conditions ranging from intermittent to constant. Soaking pressures
ranging from open vessels under no additional pressure to closed
pressurized systems at from between about 10 and about 100 psi.
[0189] Rinsing to remove various substances used in "impregnating"
the rawhide from the surface of the rawhide so that the surface
contains a minimum of those substances that have been used to
"impregnate" the rawhide. [0190] Drying with and without forced air
at temperatures from between room temperature and about 85.degree.
C. for periods ranging from between about 4 hours and 48 hours.
[0191] Tables 1 through 3 include illustrative Examples 1 through
21 of the present invention, where various types and shapes of
various disrupted/penetrated rawhide chews are impregnated with
various substances under a wide range of soaking and drying
conditions. The substances disclosed include a wide range of
coating substances. These are particularly useful for treating
various dried rawhide pet chews.
EXAMPLE 22
[0192] Squares of dried rawhide, 3 inches by 3 inches, are soaked
in the impregnation solution of Example 4 until flexible. They are
then fed into the nip between two rollers. The top roller, 6 inches
in diameter, is fitted with hollow punch needles of about 1/4 inch
long and 1/8 inch in diameter at the base spaced every 1/4 inch
around the roller. The bottom roller is fitted with a polyurethane
sleeve against which the punch needles contact after cutting
through the rawhide. The rawhide pieces are removed from the top
roller with a sliding shoe and transferred back to the impregnation
solution of Example 4 for the remainder of the impregnation time.
They are then dried at 130.degree. F. for 48 hours. The rawhide
pieces are dry to the touch and colorless. As the dog chews the
rawhide sample, MICRODENT.RTM. (Poloxamer I-PDMS) and other agents
are released, while no visible contamination is transferred to the
carpet.
EXAMPLE 23
[0193] Sections of fresh rawhide about 18 inches by 36 inches are
placed in a press having its upper plate fitted with hollow punch
needles about 1/2 inch long and 1/16 inches in diameter and 1/4
inches in diameter according to FIG. 5 The lower plate of the press
is a high impact polyurethane sheet against which the press punches
compress after cutting through the fresh rawhide. The fresh rawhide
is then soaked impregnated according to Example 1. After
impregnation, the fresh rawhide is cut to any desired size and
shaped as required. It is then dried in a manner appropriate for
the size and thickness of the piece.
* * * * *