Fabric Layered Chew Toy Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet chews either lack durability when soft or are too hard for certain animals, and there is a need for a chew toy that maintains interest while being attractive and durable, with the ability to incorporate decorative patterns or messages.
Innovation Solution
A chew toy comprising alternating layers of elastomer and fabric, where the fabric is stretchable and engaged with an elastomeric layer, allowing the fabric to stretch and remain engaged upon flexing, and optionally including a low-cost filler material like paper or cardboard within the foam core to vary hardness and add compressibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hardness of the chew toy is reduced to make it softer for animals with sensitive teeth or gums, then the chew toy becomes more comfortable for these animals, but the chew toy becomes more susceptible to rapid destruction and loses durability
Solution Approach 1:
The chew toy combines fabric material with elastomeric material to create a composite structure. The fabric provides softness and comfort for animals with sensitive teeth, while the elastomeric material provides durability and resistance to destruction. This composite approach allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The chew toy is divided into distinct layers or regions with different material properties. The fabric forms an outer layer that contacts the animal's mouth, providing softness, while the elastomeric material forms the structural core, providing strength. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function.
2Ease of manufacture
If pigments are included in the resin to color the chew toy, then the chew toy becomes more attractive to owners and animals, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric layer is used to provide color and decorative patterns on the chew toy surface. This approach achieves the aesthetic goal without requiring complex pigment mixing and coloring processes in the elastomeric material, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining visual appeal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fabric layer is made stretchable to accommodate flexing of the toy, then the chew toy maintains structural integrity during chewing, but the fabric may become detached from the elastomeric layer
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is engineered with specific stretch parameters (0.1-10% elongation in at least two planes at angles of 1-179 degrees) that match the deformation characteristics of the elastomeric material during flexing. This parameter matching ensures the fabric stretches and returns in sync with the elastomeric layer, preventing detachment while maintaining structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a durable, attractive, and versatile pet chew that maintains structural integrity during chewing, with the ability to incorporate patterns or messages, catering to different animal preferences and ages by varying the hardness of the foam core and incorporating decorative elements.
Implementation Method 1
solidifying the polymer and/or polymeric precursor layers to form an elastomeric layer
Implementation Method 2
the fabric includes a first and second plurality of fibers. The fibers are capable of stretching about 0.1 - 10 % in at least two planes with an angle α between said planes at about 1-179 degrees
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.