Tamping tool

Abstract

A tamping device for ushering and pressing materials into a mold comprising a shaft radially disposed about a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rings, each ring being circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the tamping device, a bulbous cap at the proximal end of the tamping device, and a flared rim circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the tamping device, the flared rim terminating at a planar surface radially extending from and normal to the longitudinal axis.

Description

TAMPING TOOLCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 481,869 filed January 27, 2023 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486,550 filed February 23, 2023, the contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The disclosure described herein relates generally to an ergonomic, reusable device for ushering and tamping materials into a mold and, for example, to tamping a pharmaceutical formulation or dosage form for pets into a mold before it cools and becomes difficult to shape or form.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Dosage forms with custom doses, flavors, and forms of medicine may be compounded into a specialized base that pets find delicious, and pet owners find easy to administer. However, the process of making said dosage forms may include a manual process. After the materials are mixed, they are pressed into wells on a molding plate thereby forming the mixture into a desired shape. The compounder works quickly (e.g., within a matter of minutes), because the mixed material cools quickly and may become difficult or even impossible to mold within minutes. Furthermore, personnel pressing the mixed materials into the wells often are required to do so repeatedly throughout an extended period of time thereby causing wrist, hand, and / or arm soreness and fatigue. Therefore, there is a need in the field for an ergonomic and reusable tool to usher the materials of the formulations into the molds easily and quickly to produce substantially uniform products. The present disclosure relates to a durable, re-usable pushing tool that is comfortable to use and ideally shaped for achieving quality products.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In one embodiment, there is a tamping device for ushering and pressing materials into a mold. The tamping device includes a shaft having at least one shaft segment radially disposed about a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rings, each ring being circumferentially disposed aboutthe longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the tamping device, a bulbous cap at the proximal end of the tamping device, and a flared rim circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the tamping device, the flared rim terminating at a planar surface radially extending from and normal to the longintudal axis.

[0005] In some embodiments, the tamping device includes a tapered shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft includes a circumferential surface that defines an interior acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the shaft includes a plurality of segments each segment including a truncated conical outer surface. In some embodiments, the shaft extends from a distal end of the bulbous cap to a proximal end of the flared rim. In some embodiments, the shaft includes a minimum shaft diameter proximate the flared rim and a maximum outer diameter proximate a base of the bulbous cap.

[0006] In some embodiments, the shaft includes an upper shaft segment disposed between bulbous cap and a first of the plurality of rings, a lower shaft segment disposed between the flared rim and a second of the plurality of rings, and a mid-shaft segment disposed between the first ring and the second ring.

[0007] In some embodiments, the upper shaft segment is 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft. In other embodiments, the lower shaft segment is 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft. In some embodiments, an angle of taper of the upper shaft segment, an angle of taper of the mid-shaft segment, and an angle of taper of the lower shaft segment are substantially equal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plurality of rings are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rings comprises a toroidal surface. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rings comprise a ring width extending along the longitudinal axis from a distal end of the ring to a proximal end of the ring wherein the ring width of each of the plurality of rings is substantially equal. In some embodiments, the ring width of each of the plurality of rings is not substantially equal. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rings comprises a toroidal outer surface that is truncated at a point where the outer surface of the each respect ring meets the shaft. In some embodiments, the plurality of rings consists of two rings. In some embodiments, the plurality of rings each include a maximum linear dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a diameter of the shaftat any point along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the plurality of rings each have the same maximum linear dimension.

[0009] In some embodiments, the maximum linear dimension of the ring decreases as the maximum linear dimensions of the shaft decreases along the longintudinal axis. In some embodiments, the plurality of rings radially protrude from the shaft. In some embodiments, the plurality of rings are integrated into the shaft.

[0010] In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes a continuous surface having a compound curvature. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes a maximum linear dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a diameter of the shaft at any point along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes a toroidal surface segment. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes a spherical cap surface segment adjacent the toroidal surface segment. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes an ovoidal cap surface segment. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap terminates at portion of the shaft defined by a truncated conical surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tamping device includes a cap height and a maximum outer diameter wherein the cap height is approximately half of the maximum outer diameter.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flared rim includes a concave outer surface. In some embodiments, the flared rim includes a conical outer surface. In some embodiments, the flared rim includes a concave outer surface and a conical outer surface. In some embodiments, the planar surface and a tangent line along the flared rim passing through an intersection of the flared rim define an internal flared angle. In some embodiments, the planar surface has an outer diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than any outer diameter of the shafter. In some embodiments, the flared rim comprises a truncated cone segment and a waist segment. In some embodiments, the flared rim includes a filleted circumferential edge.

[0013] In some embodiments, the shaft tapers at an angle from about 85° to about 80°, from about 80° to about 75°, from about 75° to about 70°, from about 70° to about 65°, from about 65° to about 60°, or from about 60° to about 55°.

[0014] In some embodiments, a maximum outer diameter of the shaft where the shaft meets the flared rim is about 0.10 in., about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 in. Insome embodiments, a maximum outer diameter of the shaft where the shaft meets the bulbous cap is about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., about 1.0 in, about 1.10 in, about 1.20 in., about 1.30 in., about 1.40 in., about 1.50 in.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plurality of rings are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1 .00 in. In some embodiments, each ring has a ring height of about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 in. In some embodiments, a maximum outer diameter of each of the plurality of rings is about 0.40 in., about 0.45 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.95 in., or about 1.00 in.

[0016] In some embodiments, a total length of the tamping device along the longitudinal axis is from about 4 in. to about 4.5 in., from about 4.5 in. to about 5 in., from about 5 in. to about 5.5 in., from about 5.5 in. to about 6 in., from about 6 in. to about 6.5 in., from about 6.5 in. to about 7 in., from about 7 in. to about 7.5 in., from about 7.5 in. to about 8 in., from about 8 in. to about 8.5 in.

[0017] In some embodiments, the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous cap is about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.91 in., about 0.92 in., about 0.93 in., about 0.94 in., about 0.95 in., about 0.96 in., about 0.97 in., about 0.98 in., about 0.99 in., about 1 in., or about 1.25 in.

[0018] In some embodiments, the planar surface has a maximum outer diameter of about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1.00 in.

[0019] In some embodiments, the flared rim includes a conical outer surface circumferentially disposed at an internal angle to the longitudinal axis of approximately 10° to approximately 30°.

[0020] In some embodiments, the rings are configured to accommodate an adult user of the tamping device to hold the rings in one hand between a user’s left thumb and at least one other finger while placing an index finger across the bulbous cap.

[0021] In some embodiments, the tamping device consists of one monolithic piece.

[0022] In an embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of producing a chewable pellet using a tamping device for ushering and pressing materials into a mold. In some embodiments, the method includes placing within a cylindrical mold, pliable pellet material, pressing the pliable pellet material within the mold using any one of the tamping devices mentioned above. IN some embodiments, the tamping device has a distal flat surface having an outer diameter that fits within the cylindrical mold.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 A is a front elevational view of a tamping device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. IB is a perspective view of the tamping device of FIG. 1A.

[0026] FIG. 2A is magnified view of a ring of the tamping device of FIG. 1A.

[0027] FIG. 2B is magnified view of two rings of the tamping device of FIG. 1 A.

[0028] FIG. 3A is magnified view of a bulbous cap of the tamping device of FIG. 1 A.

[0029] FIG. 3B is top view of the tamping device of FIG. 1A.

[0030] FIG. 4A is a magnified view of a flared rim of the tamping device of FIG. 1A.

[0031] FIG. 4B is bottom view of the tamping device of FIG. 1A.

[0032] FIG. 4C is a bottom view of bottom surface 410 with a textured surface 464.

[0033] FIG. 4D is a bottom view of bottom surface 410 with a textured surface 464 that includes score lines, according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tamping device according to one embodiment, held by a user.

[0035] FIGS. 6A- 6C are a perspective views of a tamping device of Fig. 1A according to one embodiment, in use illustrating method of using the tamping device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart outlining a method of using a tamping device in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0037] The disclosure relates to a tamping device 1 for ushering and pressing materials into a mold. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the tamping device 1 may include a shaft 100 radially disposed about a longitudinal axis 110, and one or more rings 200, each ring 200 being circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis 110. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of rings 200. The plurality of rings 200 may be positioned between a proximal end 150 and a distal end 160 of the tamping device 1. The tamping device 1 of FIG. 1A also includes a bulbous cap 300 at the proximal end 150 of the tamping device 1 and a flared rim 400 at the distal end 160 of the tamping device 1. One or both of the bulbous cap 300 and flared rim 400 may be symmetrical about longitudinal axis 110. The flared rim 400 may terminate at a planar surface 410 radially extending from and normal to the longitudinal axis 110.

[0038] In some embodiments, the shaft 100 of the tamping device 1 may be tapered from the proximal end 150 toward the distal end 160. For example, the shaft 100 may have a generally frustoconical shape when viewed from the front. The shaft 100 may include truncated conical segments (e.g., upper shaft 120, mid shaft 130, lower shaft 140). Each truncated conical segment may be generally frustoconical in shape and include a tapered outer surface 105. Shaft 100 may be symmetrical about longitudinal axis 110. Circumferential surface 105, as exemplified in FIG. 1A, may be tapered relative to longitudinal axis 110 and generally define an interior acute angle, or angle of taper 9. The angle of taper 0 may be from about 5° to about 10°, from about 10° to about 15°, from about 15° to about 20°, from about 20° to about 25°, from about 25° to about 30°, or from about 30° to about 35°.

[0039] The shaft 100 of the tamping device 1 may include a variable diameter (or variable width to include non-round cross sections) along longitudinal axis 110. The shaft 100 may include a maximum transverse width 102 where the shaft 100 couples to the bulbous cap 300. In embodiments, the diameter of the shaft 100 decreases from the proximal end 150 to the distal end 160 of the tamping device 1. As such, the diameter of the shaft 100 where the bulbous cap 300 is coupled to the shaft 100 may be greater than the diameter of the shaft 100 where the flared rim 400 is coupled to the shaft 100.

[0040] In embodiments shown in FIG. 1 A, the shaft 100 may extend from a distal end of the bulbous cap 300 to a proximal end of the flared rim 400. The shaft 100 may be widest where the shaft 100 meets the bulbous cap 300 and narrowest where the shaft 100 meets the proximal end of flared rim 400.

[0041] The maximum transverse width 102 of the shaft 100 at the point where the shaft meets the flared rim 400 may be about 0.10 in., about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 in. The maximum transverse width 102 of the shaft 100 at the point where the shaft 100 meets the bulbous cap 300 may be about 0.50 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.95 in., about 1.0 in, about 1.05 in., about 1.10 in, about 1.15 in., about 1.20 in., about 1.25 in., about 1.30 in., about 1.35 in., about 1.40 in., about 1.45 in., or about 1.50 in.

[0042] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1A, the shaft 100 includes an upper shaft segment 120 disposed between the bulbous cap 300 and a first of the plurality of rings 201, a lower shaft segment 140 disposed between the flared rim 400 and a second of the plurality of rings 202, and a mid-shaft segment 130 disposed between the first ring 201 and the second ring 202.

[0043] In some embodiments, the upper shaft segment 120 is about 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft. In embodiments, the lower shaft segment 140 is 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft. In some embodiments, the total length of the shaft 100 is from about 4 in. to about 4.5 in., from about 4.5 in. to about 5 in., from about 5 in. to about 5.5 in., from about 5.5 in. to about 6 in., from about 6 in. to about 6.5 in., from about 6.5 in. to about 7 in., from about 7 in. to about 7.5 in., from about 7.5 in. to about 8 in., from about 8 in. to about 8.5 in., from about 8.5 in. to about 9 in., from about 9 in. to about 9.5 in., or from about 9.5 in. to about 10 in. In some embodiments, the upper shaft segment 120 is about twice the length of the middle shaft segment 130. In some embodiments, the lower shaft segment 140 is about twice the length of the middle shaft segment 130. In some embodiments, the total length of the upper shaft segment 120 is about 1.0 in, about 1.10 in, about 1.20 in., about 1.30 in., about 1.40 in., about 1.50 in, about 1.60 in, about 1.70 in, about 1.80 in, about 1.90 in, or about 2.0 in. In some embodiments, the total length of the lower shaft segment 140 is about 1.0 in, about 1.10 in, about 1.20 in., about 1.30 in., about 1.40 in., about 1.50 in, about 1.60 in, about 1.70 in, about 1.80 in, about 1.90 in, or about 2.0 in. In someembodiments, the total length of the middle shaft segment 130 is about 0.25 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.75 in., about 1.00 in., about 1.25 in., about 1.50 in., about 1.75 in., or about 2.00 in.

[0044] In some embodiments the angle of taper 9 of the upper shaft segment 120, an angle of taper 0 of the mid-shaft segment 130, and an angle of taper 0 of the lower shaft segment 140 are generally equal. In some embodiments, the angle of taper 0 of the upper shaft segment 120 an angle of taper 0 of the mid-shaft segment 130, and an angle of taper 0 of the lower shaft segment 140 are unequal. In some embodiments, the angle of taper 0 of the upper shaft segment 120 may be from about 5° to about 10°, from about 10° to about 15°, from about 15° to about 20°, from about 20° to about 25°, from about 25° to about 30°, or from about 30° to about 35°. In some embodiments, the angle of taper 0 of the middle shaft segment 130 may be from about 5° to about 10°, from about 10° to about 15°, from about 15° to about 20°, from about 20° to about 25°, from about 25° to about 30°, or from about 30° to about 35°. In some embodiments, the angle of taper 0 of the lower shaft segment 140 may be from about 5° to about 10°, from about 10° to about 15°, from about 15° to about 20°, from about 20° to about 25°, from about 25° to about 30°, or from about 30° to about 35°.

[0045] The tamping device 1 may include a plurality of rings which radially protrude from the shaft 100. Each ring 200 may be circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis 110 between a proximal end 150 and a distal end 160 of the tamping device 1. The plurality of rings may be integrally formed with shaft 100. In some embodiments, each ring 201, 202 may be curved or rounded to provide a more comfortable surface upon which a user’s hand may grip.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, the plurality of rings 200 may consist of a first ring 201 and a second ring 202. As shown in FIG. 2A, each of the plurality of rings 200 may comprises a toroidal surface 230. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the plurality of rings 200 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 110. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rings 200 may be shaped as a truncated sphere.

[0047] Each of the plurality of rings 200 comprise a variable outer 210 along longitudinal axis 110 from a proximal end of a ring 200 to a distal end of a ring 200. In some embodiments, first ring 201 has substantially equal outer dimensions as second ring 202. In some embodiments, the only difference between the outer dimensions of ring 201 and 202 is accounted for in the different shaft size where shaft 100 meets rings 201 and 202. In some embodiments ring 201 has a maximum outer diameter 210 that is substantially equal to an outer diameter 220 of ring 202. Insome embodiments, second ring 202 has a maximum outer diameter 220 that is less than the maximum outer diameter 210 of first ring 201. In other embodiments, ring 202 has a larger maximum outer diameter than ring 201. The maximum outer diameter 210 of ring 201 may be about about 0.40 in., about 0.45 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.95 in., or about 1.00 in. The maximum outer diameter 220 of ring 202 may be about about 0.40 in., about 0.45 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.95 in., or about 1.00 in.

[0048] In some embodiments, the plurality of rings 200 are separated by a distance 250 of about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., or about 1.00 in. In some embodiments, the distance of separation 250 between the plurality of rings may be equal to the length of the middle shaft segment 130.

[0049] The plurality of rings 200 may each include a maximum outer diameter (e.g., 210, 220) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 110 that is greater than the outer diameter of shaft 100 at any point along shaft 100.

[0050] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rings have a ring height 240 measured along longitudinal axis 110. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of rings 201, 202 have substantially the same ring height 240. In some embodiments, first ring 201 has a larger or smaller ring height 240 as compared to second ring 202. The ring height 240 of one or more of plurality of rings 200 may be about 0.10 in., about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 or combinations thereof (e.g., where two or more rings have different or similar ring heights 240).

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3A, the tamping device 1, may include a bulbous cap 300 that includes a continuous surface having a compound curvature. The continuous surface of the bulbous cap 300 may include a maximum outer diameter 320 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 110 that is greater than an outer diameter anywhere along shaft 100. The maximum outer diameter 320 of the bulbous cap 300 may be about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.91 in., about 0.92 in., about 0.93 in., about 0.94 in., about 0.95 in., about 0.96 in., about 0.97 in., about 0.98 in., about 0.99 in., about 1 in., or about 1.25 in.

[0052] In some embodiments, the continuous surface of the bulbous cap 300 includes a toroidal surface segment 330 and a spherical cap surface segment 340. In some embodiments, thetoroidal surface segment 330 is adjacent the toroidal surface segment 330. In some embodiments, the bulbous cap includes an ovoidal cap surface. Bulbous cap 300 may include a cap height 350 along longitudinal axis 110 from a proximal end 150 of the bulbous cap 300 to the location where the bulbous cap 300 meets the shaft 100. In some embodiments, the cap height 350 of the bulbous cap 300 may be approximately half the height of a maximum outer dimension 320 of the bulbous cap 300. In some embodiments, the cap height 350 is about 0.10 in., about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in, about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1.00 in.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4A-4D, the tamping device 1 may comprise a flared rim 400 circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis. Flared rim 400 may be disposed at the distal end 160 of the tamping device 1. The flared rim 400 may terminate at a planar surface 410 which may be radially extending from and normal to the longitudinal axis 110. The flared rim 400 may include a concave outer surface 420 and / or a conical outer surface 430. Some embodiments do not include a concave outer surface 420. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), conical outer surface 430 is configured to abut an upper shaft that tapers to the upper limit of conical outer surface 430 such that a radial edge is disposed about longitudinal axis 110 at the junction between the conical outer surface 430 and the upper shaft. The radial edge may be angled to provide shearing ability to cut / shear the compounding material into the molding plate. The flared rim may have a bell shape to provide additional structural strength to prevent breakage at the minimum transverse width 404.

[0054] In some embodiments, the planar surface 410 and a tangent line w along the flared rim 400 passing through an intersection of the flared rim 400 define an internal flared angle p. The internal flared angle P may be approximately 35° to approximately 15°. Flared angle P may create an edge that allows a user to scrape material into a well of a molding plate prior to tamping the material into the well or away from the well after the well has been filled with material. Internal flared angle P reduces the need for multiple tools and / or devices and speeds up the time it takes to successfully tamp down a material into the well of a molding plate.

[0055] In embodiments, the flared rim 400 includes a circumferential edge 460 (e.g., FIG. 4B) around the perimeter of the planar surface 410. Planar surface 410, in some embodiments, includes a smooth surface. In some embodiments, planar surface 410 includes a textured surface 464 (e.g., FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, textured surface 464 includes score lines 462disposed across the width of planar surface 410 (e.g., FIG. 4C). In some embodiments the score lines 462 are parallel score lines. In some embodments, parallel score lines extend across the entire permiter of planar surface 410. In some embodiment, textured surface 464 is configured to promote effective tamping or loading of molds and / or effective scraping as described in more detail below.

[0056] In embodiments, the planar surface 410 has an outer diameter 450 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 110. The outer diameter 450 of the planar surface 410 may be greater than the minimum transverse width 404 (which may be a minimum shaft diameter). The outer diameter 450 of the planar surface 410 may be greater than maximum transverse width 102. The maximum outer dimension 450 of the planar surface 410 may be about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1.00 in. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of 450 of the planar surface 410 may be selected to register with the diameter of the well of a molding plate that the tamping device 1 will be used with. In some emboduiments, the outer diameter 450 of the planar surface 410 may be about 1% to about 10% smaller than the well of a molding plate that the tamping device 1 will be used with. In some emboduiments, the outer diameter 450 of the planar surface 410 may be about 1% to about 10% larger than the well of a molding plate that the tamping device 1 will be used with. In some embodiments, the outer diameter 450 of the planar surface 410 may be equal to the diameter of the well of a molding plate that the tamping device 1 will be used with.

[0057] The flared rim may include a flare height 440 that is defined along the longitudinal axis 110 and extends from the planar surface 410 to a proximal end of the flared rim 400 (which may be the point on the shaft that the shaft conical section terminates, and a concave surface starts). Flared rim 400 may include a waist segment 470. Waist segment may be symmetrical about longitudinal axis 110. Waist segment 470 may also be symmetrical about a plane that is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 110. Flared rim 400 may also include a truncated conical segment 480. In one embodiment, waist segment 470 abuts truncated conical segment 480. The height 440 of the flared rim 400 may be about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in, about 0.51 in., about 0.52 in., about 0.53 in., about 0.54 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.56 in., about 0.57 in., about 0.58 in., about 0.59 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., or about about 0.70 in. In embodiments, the flared rim 400 includes a filleted circumferential edge.

[0058] The tamping device 1 may consist of one monolithic piece. For example, the shaft 100, bulbous cap 300, rings 200, and flared rim 400 may be integrally formed with one another. In other embodiments, the tamping device 1 may be an assembly of three or more separate pieces. The tamping device 1 may be 3D printed out of a material unable to bend or be forced out of shape by human hands or rigid. Some non-limiting examples include poly lactic acid (PLA) filament, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament, wood fiber (cellulose + PLA) filament, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filament, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) filament, or nylon filament. In some embodiments, the tamping device 1 may be solid. In other embodiments, the tamping device 1 may be hollow.

[0059] The length of the tamping device 1 may be from about 4 in. to about 4.5 in., from about 4.5 in. to about 5 in., from about 5 in. to about 5.5 in., from about 5.5 in. to about 6 in., from about 6 in. to about 6.5 in., from about 6.5 in. to about 7 in., from about 7 in. to about 7.5 in., or from about 7.5 in. to about 8 in.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 6 A- 6C The user of the tamping device 1 may use the circumferential edge 460 of the flared rim 400 to scrape the materials of the dosage forms into a molding plate. The user of the tamping device 1 may then use the planar surface 410 of the flared rim 400 to tamp the materials of the dosage form down inside the molding plate. This tamping device 1 allows a user to gather and tamp materials quickly before the materials cool and become impossible to work with.

[0061] The tamping device 1 is also ergonomic. The plurality of rings 200 provide a grip for a user’s fingers and the bulbous cap 300 provides a space for the user to place his or her thumb. The taper of the shaft 100 is another feature that allows for the tamper device 1 to fit comfortably in a user’s hand. The configuration also may help reduce the risk of long-term health issues caused by prolonged repeated use (e.g., repetative motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome).

[0062] In some embodiments, the plurality of rings 200 are configured, dimensioned, and spaced apart to accommodate an adult user of the tamping device to hold one or more of the rings between the user’s thumb and second finger while laying a third finger (e.g., an index finger) across the proximal end of the bulbous cap 300 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Such a configuration can accommodate a user applying downward pressure on tamping tool 1 from the index finger andthe compressed thumb and second finger. The configuration makes it more comfortable or more easily gripped and / or maneuvered by the user.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, there is a method 700 of producing a pet chew as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C. The pet chew may be in the form of a cylindrical pellet. In one embodiment, pet chew includes an active ingredient, and the pet chew is produced in a compound pharmacy. The method 700 may include providing 701 a mold tray having a multiplicity of molds including cylindrical cavities disposed within the tray. Each cylindrical cavity is configured to accept a pliable amount of material that hardens to form the pet chewy. To achieve consistency between each pet chew, a user presses 702 the pliable material into each mold using a tamping device as described herein. The tamping device is configured to have an end surface that is substantially similar though slightly small then a diameter of each mold. The flared end of the tamping tool is used 703 to press a substantially identical amount of material into each mold. After material is roughly placed in the mold, the user applies 704 the end of the planar bottom surface of the tool to finish the top of each pet chew by scraping away excess material from the mold and flattening an upper surface of the chew within the mold. Once sufficiently hardened, the user removes 705 a bottom of the mold and displaces the pet chews from the mold tray using an extraction tray having mold extraction plungers that register with each mold within the mold tray and allow for simultaneous discharge of all hardened pet chews.

[0064] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.

[0065] Specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. Finally, unless specifically set forth herein, a disclosed or claimed method should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the orderwritten, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be performed in any practical order.

[0066] Moreover, as used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is noted that embodiments of very different sizes, shapes and dimensions may employ the described arrangements. As used herein, the term “about” may refer to + / - 10% of the value referenced. For example, “about 9” is understood to encompass 8.1 and 9.9.

[0067] Furthermore, the transitional terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of’ and “consisting of’, when used in the appended claims, in original and amended form, define the claim scope with respect to what unrecited additional claim elements or steps, if any, are excluded from the scope of the claim(s). The term “comprising” is intended to be inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude any additional, unrecited element, method, step or material. The term “consisting of’ excludes any element, step or material other than those specified in the claim and, in the latter instance, impurities ordinary associated with the specified material(s).The term “consisting essentially of’ limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements, steps or material(s) and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel character! stic(s) of the claimed disclosure. All devices and methods described herein that embody the described disclosure can, in alternate embodiments, be more specifically defined by any of the transitional terms “comprising,” “consisting essentially of,” and “consisting of.”

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A tamping device for ushering and pressing materials into a mold, comprising: a shaft having at least one shaft segment radially disposed about a longitudinal axis; a plurality of rings, each ring being circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the tamping device; a bulbous cap at the proximal end of the tamping device; and a flared rim circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the tamping device, the flared rim terminating at a planar surface radially extending from and normal to the longintudal axis.

2. The tamping device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a tapered shaft.

3. The tamping device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shaft includes a circumferential surface that defines an interior acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

4. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the shaft includes a plurality of segments each segment including a truncated conical outer surface.

5. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the shaft extends from a distal end of the bulbous cap to a proximal end of the flared rim.

6. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the shaft includes a minimum shaft diameter proximate the flared rim.

7. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the shaft includes a maximum outer diameter proximate a base of the bulbous cap.

8. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the shaft includes an upper shaft segment disposed between bulbous cap and a first of the plurality of rings, a lower shaftsegment disposed between the flared rim and a second of the plurality of rings, and a mid-shaft segment disposed between the first ring and the second ring.

9. The tamping device of claim 8, wherein the upper shaft segment is 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft.

10. The tamping device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the lower shaft segment is 1 / 3 of the total length of the shaft.

11. The tamping device of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein an angle of taper of the upper shaft segment, an angle of taper of the mid-shaft segment, and an angle of taper of the lower shaft segment are substantially equal.

12. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.

13. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein each of the plurality of rings comprises a toroidal surface.

14. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein each of the plurality of rings comprise a ring width extending along the longitudinal axis from a distal end of the ring to a proximal end of the ring wherein the ring width of each of the plurality of rings is substantially equal.

15. The tamping device of claim 14, wherein the ring width of each of the plurality of rings is not substantially equal.

16. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein each of the plurality of rings comprises a toroidal outer surface that is truncated at a point where the outer surface of the each respect ring meets the shaft.

17. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings consists of two rings.

18. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings each include a maximum linear dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a diameter of the shaft at any point along the longitudinal axis.

19. The tamping device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of rings have the same maximum linear dimension.

20. The tamping device of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the maximum linear dimension of the ring decreases as the maximum linear dimensions of the shaft decreases along the longintudinal axis.

21. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings radially protrude from the shaft.

22. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings are integrated into the shaft.

23. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap includes a continuous surface having a compound curvature.

24. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap includes a maximum linear dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a diameter of the shaft at any point along the longitudinal axis.

25. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap includes a toroidal surface segment.

26. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap includes a spherical cap surface segment adjacent the toroidal surface segment.

27. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap includes an ovoidal cap surface segment.

28. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the bulbous cap terminates at portion of the shaft defined by a truncated conical surface.

29. The tamping device of claim 28, having a cap height and a maximum outer diameter wherein the cap height is approximately half of the maximum outer diameter.

30. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim includes a concave outer surface.

31. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim includes a conical outer surface.

32. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim includes a concave outer surface and a conical outer surface.

33. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the planar surface and a tangent line along the flared rim passing through an intersection of the flared rim define an internal flared angle.

34. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the planar surface has an outer diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than any outer diameter of the shafter.

35. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim comprises a truncated cone segment and a waist segment.

36. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim includes a filleted circumferential edge.

37. The tamping device of claim 2, wherein the shaft tapers at an angle from about 85° to about 80°, from about 80° to about 75°, from about 75° to about 70°, from about 70° to about 65°, from about 65° to about 60°, or from about 60° to about 55°.

38. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the shaft where the shaft meets the flared rim is about 0.10 in., about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 in.

39. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the shaft where the shaft meets the bulbous cap is about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., about 1.0 in, about 1.10 in, about 1.20 in., about 1.30 in., about 1.40 in., about 1.50 in.

40. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the plurality of rings are spaced apart by a distance of about about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1.00 in.

41. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein each ring has a ring height of about 0.20 in., about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., or about 0.50 in.

42. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, where a maximum outer diameter of each of the plurality of rings is one of about about 0.40 in., about 0.45 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.55 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.65 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.95 in., or about 1.00 in.

43. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein a total length of the tamping device along the longitudinal axis is from about 4 in. to about 4.5 in., from about 4.5 in.to about 5 in., from about 5 in. to about 5.5 in., from about 5.5 in. to about 6 in., from about 6 in. to about 6.5 in., from about 6.5 in. to about 7 in., from about 7 in. to about 7.5 in., or from about 7.5 in. to about 8 in..

44. The tamping device of claim 24, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous cap is about 0.75 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.85 in., about 0.90 in., about 0.91 in., about 0.92 in., about 0.93 in., about 0.94 in., about 0.95 in., about 0.96 in., about 0.97 in., about 0.98 in., about 0.99 in., about 1 in., or about 1.25 in.

45. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the planar surface has a maximum outer diameter of about 0.30 in., about 0.40 in., about 0.50 in., about 0.60 in., about 0.70 in., about 0.80 in., about 0.90 in., or about 1.00 in.

46. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the flared rim includes a conical outer surface circumferentially disposed at an internal angle to the longitudinal axis of approximately 10° to approximately 30°.

47. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the rings are configured to accommodate an adult user of the tamping device to hold the rings in one hand between a user’s left thumb and at least one other finger while placing an index finger across the bulbous cap.

48. The tamping device of any of the proceeding claims, wherein the tamping device consists of one monolithic piece.

49. A method of producing a chewable pellet comprising: placing within a cylindrical mold, pliable pellet material; and pressing the pliable pellet material within the mold using any one of the tamping devices of claims 1 - 48.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the tamping device has a distal flat surface having an outer diameter that fits within the cylindrical mold.

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