Patent Application
20160316787
There are a variety of popular pet chew products available in pet supply stores, such as bones, ropes, rawhides, bully sticks, rubber chew toys, and hardened cheeses. Himalayan Dog Chews, imported from Nepal and distributed in the United States by the Himalayan Corporation, are one example of hardened cheese pet chews generally made of yak or cow milk. There is an ongoing need to increase the variety of pet chew products to meet the needs and preferences available to dog and other pet owners.
Antler pet chew products and methods of manufacturing such products are disclosed. Some example antler pet chew products may comprise an antler section having a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal and distal ends. Antler section sides may extend between the proximal and distal ends. At least one antler section side may comprise a natural antler exterior, while one or more other antler section sides may comprise an exposed antler interior. A layer of dried, hardened bonding substance, such as a cheese formulated to bond with antler, may be bonded to the antler section sides comprising the exposed antler interior.
Some example methods of manufacturing an antler pet chew product may include forming an antler section, e.g., by cutting an antler crosswise to form a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal and distal ends; and cutting the antler lengthwise to form a plurality of antler section sides extending between the proximal and distal ends. At least one antler section side may comprise a natural antler exterior, while one or more other antler section sides may comprise exposed antler interior, exposed by the lengthwise cutting. A bonding substance such as a formulated cheese may be heated, and a layer of the heated bonding substance may be applied to the antler section sides comprising the exposed antler interior. The antler section may be cooled to produce a layer of dried, hardened cheese or other bonding substance, bonded to the antler section sides comprising the exposed antler interior.
In some embodiments, antler pet chew products may comprise an antler section having a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal and distal ends. A cavity may be formed in the antler section. The cavity may comprise, e.g., a cavity opening at the proximal end and a cavity sidewall extending into the antler section toward the distal end. A dried, hardened bonding substance, such as a formulated cheese, may be deposited in the cavity and bonded to the cavity sidewall.
Some example methods of manufacturing an antler pet chew product may include forming an antler section, e.g., by cutting an antler crosswise to form a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal and distal ends; and drilling a cavity in the antler section. The cavity may comprise, e.g., a cavity opening at the proximal end and a cavity sidewall extending into the antler section toward the distal end. A bonding substance, such as a formulated cheese, may be heated and deposited in the cavity. The antler section may be cooled to produce the antler pet chew product comprising dried, hardened bonding substance deposited in the cavity and bonded to the cavity sidewall. Additional aspects of this disclosure are described in further detail below.
Various features and attendant advantages of the disclosed technologies will become fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Prior to explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the details of construction or arrangements of the components and method steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Embodiments of this disclosure are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
In
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The embodiment of
With reference to
Antler pet chew products 100 and 200 may have any desired dimensions. In general, preferred antler section lengths for products 100 and 200 may be from 10-30 centimeters, or from 15-25 centimeters, however, embodiments may include shorter or longer lengths. In embodiments according to
The dried, hardened bonding substance 102 may comprise any non-toxic substance capable of forming a bond with exposed bony antler interior 101B and exposed marrow antler interior 101C. Dried, hardened bonding substance 102 may comprise, e.g., a dried, hardened cheese. In some embodiments, a cheese may be formulated by combining skim milk, salt, and lime juice, and processing the combination into a cheese. Additional and/or alternative ingredients may be added or substituted to impart desired flavor, color, and/or bonding properties, or to impart properties desired for manufacture of antler pet chew products 100 and 200, such as desired melt temperature, specific heat, stickiness, or other manufacturing related properties.
In some embodiments, layers of dried, hardened bonding substance 102 such as illustrated in
In
In some embodiments according to
In some embodiments, the cavity opening may be substantially centered in the proximal end, and the cavity 301 may have a cavity diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of the marrow antler interior 101C, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, multiple cavities may be formed inside the antler section. Any cavity may have a wider or narrower cavity diameter than illustrated in
A dried, hardened bonding substance 302, such as a dried, hardened cheese, may be deposited in the cavity 301 and bonded to the cavity sidewall. In some embodiments, the bonding substance 302 may substantially fill the cavity 301. In some embodiments, the bonding substance 302 may extend beyond the cavity opening to form a layer, illustrated by the dotted ellipse at the proximal end of antler pet chew product 300, which is bonded with a lip of the antler section at the proximal end. The layer bonded with the lip may have a thickness from about 0.5-3 millimeters.
At “Form Antler Section” block 401, an antler may be selected and may be cut to a desired shape and size to form the antler section. The antler section formed at block 401 may comprise any of the structures disclosed herein, e.g., an antler section according to
The antler may be cut crosswise at block 401, e.g., with a saw or other cutting tool, to form a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal end and the distal end. Two crosswise cuts may be used, one to form the proximal end and one to form the distal end. In some embodiments, the antler may be broken instead of cut to form the proximal end and/or the distal end. In some embodiments, a naturally occurring end, such as the base or tip of an antler, may be used for the proximal end and/or the distal end.
The antler may also be cut lengthwise at block 401, e.g., with a saw, grinder, or other cutting tool, to form one or more antler section sides extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The one or more antler section sides formed by the lengthwise cutting may comprise exposed antler interior, which is exposed by the lengthwise cutting. The word “cut” is defined herein to include cutting as well as grinding. Antler section sides that are left uncut may retain their natural antler exterior, extending between the proximal end and the distal end or otherwise extending through some portion of the antler section length.
In some embodiments, block 401 may consist of two crosswise cuts, one to form the proximal end and one to form the distal end, and two lengthwise cuts. The two lengthwise cuts may each form one antler section side comprising exposed antler interior, wherein each of the two antler section sides formed thereby are substantially planar, include at least one bony antler interior portion and at least on marrow antler interior portion, and meet at a substantially right angle. Such a process may include cutting an antler lengthwise into four quarter sections, such as illustrated in
At “Formulate Bonding Substance” block 402, a cheese or other bonding substance may be formulated. Appropriate bonding substances may be adapted to be applicable to antler surfaces, e.g., at block 404, and to form a strong bond with antler, e.g., after cooling at block 405. Appropriate bonding substances may, when dried, form a hard crust bonded to antler surfaces. Appropriate bonding substances may optionally furthermore have flavor and/or protein or other nutrient content that is satisfying to dogs or other chewing pets.
In some embodiments, the bonding substance may comprise a cheese formulated by combining skim milk, salt, and lime juice. For example, milk may be coagulated into cheese by treating with lime juice and salt. Coagulated cheese may be packed in burlap sacks which may be used as cheese cloth. This packed cheese may then be pressed for about several days to remove the moisture. After about 6-7 days, the burlap may be unwrapped and the cheese block may be taken out. This block may be cut into pieces which may range anywhere from about 0.5 inches to about 3.0 inches thick and about 2 inches to about 24 inches long. The cut rectangular pieces may then be sun dried and/or smoked for a period of time from weeks to months, to form a hardened cheese appropriate for dog and other pet consumption.
At “Heat Formulated Bonding Substance” block 403, the bonding substance formulated at block 402 may be heated until soft. For example, cheeses formulated according to this disclosure may be heated to within the range of about 30-90 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of cheese. Other bonding substances may be heated to other temperature ranges as appropriate. Some bonding substances, such as non-toxic glues or other substances, may not require heating.
At “Apply Heated, Formulated Bonding Substance to Antler Section Side(s)” block 404, the bonding substance formulated at block 402 and optionally heated at block 403 may be applied to antler section sides. For example, the bonding substance may be spread, squeezed, mashed, pressed, brushed, or otherwise brought into contact with one or more antler section sides comprising exposed antler interior. The bonding substance may be applied, for example, in a layer having a thickness from about 0.5-3 millimeters, and optionally covering substantially all of the antler section sides comprising exposed antler interior. Alternatively, the bonding substance may be applied in a pattern, only to bony antler interior, or otherwise to produce the structures described herein. The bonding substance may also optionally also be applied to antler section sides comprising natural antler exterior.
At “Cooling” block 405, the antler section and the heated cheese or other bonding substance may be cooled to produce a layer of dried, hardened bonding substance bonded to one or more of the antler section sides comprising exposed antler interior. In some embodiments, antler sections may be placed in a dry, cool environment to cool. In some embodiments, antler sections may be irradiated, e.g., by sunlight or overhead lights, or placed under a blower to generate an airflow across the antler sections to promote drying and cooling. In some embodiments, antler sections may be placed outdoors or indoors at room temperature in order to dry and cool.
At “Form Antler Section” block 501, an antler may be selected and may be cut to a desired shape and size, and one or more cavities may be drilled therein, to form the antler section. The antler section formed at block 501 may comprise any of the structures disclosed herein, e.g., an antler section according to
The antler may be cut crosswise at block 501, e.g., with a saw or other cutting tool, to form a proximal end, a distal end, and an antler section length defined by a distance between the proximal end and the distal end, as described above in connection with block 401. Antler section sides may optionally be left uncut in order to retain their natural antler exterior, extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the antler section. Otherwise, antler section sides may optionally be cut lengthwise as described above at block 401, to form one or more antler section sides comprising exposed antler interior, and thereby combining features of
At “Drill Antler Section to Form Cavity” block 502, the antler may be drilled to form one or more cavities therein, such as example cavity 301 illustrated in
At “Formulate Bonding Substance” block 503, a cheese or other bonding substance may be formulated as described above in connection with block 402. At “Heat Formulated Bonding Substance” block 504, the bonding substance formulated at block 503 may be heated as described above in connection with block 403.
At “Deposit Heated, Formulated Bonding Substance to Inside Antler Cavity” block 505, the bonding substance formulated at block 503 and optionally heated at block 504 may be deposited inside cavities drilled at block 502. For example, the bonding substance may be squeezed, packed, pressed, dripped, poured, brushed, or otherwise deposited inside cavities drilled at block 502. The bonding substance may be deposited, for example, by substantially filling the cavity, or by applying a layer of the bonding substance to cavity sidewalls. In some embodiments, the bonding substance may overfill the cavity and thereby extend beyond the cavity opening to form a layer bonded with a lip of the antler section surrounding the cavity opening, e.g., a lip at the proximal end. The layer may have, e.g., a thickness from about 0.5-3 millimeters, and may optionally cover substantially all of the proximal end of the antler section.
At “Cooling” block 506, the antler section and the heated cheese or other bonding substance deposited in cavities thereof may be cooled to produce an antler pet chew product, such as 300, comprising dried, hardened cheese deposited in a cavity and bonded to a cavity sidewall. Cooling block 506 may be performed as described above in connection with block 405.
While various embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in art.
