Molded Animal Chew Toy with Uniform Meat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal chews lack effective incorporation of meat products like chicken jerky and fail to maintain the nutritional value of additives during the molding process, particularly in terms of thermal degradation and moisture control.
Innovation Solution
A molded animal chew toy is developed using chicken jerky or other meat products combined with vitamins, minerals, and herbs, incorporated into a resin and fluid mixture that can be processed through extrusion and injection molding techniques to minimize thermal degradation and control moisture content, ensuring the nutritional value is preserved and distributed uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If meat products and additives are incorporated into molded chew toys through traditional molding processes, then the chew toys can be produced with desired shape and texture, but thermal degradation of vitamins, minerals and herbal additives occurs during the molding process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling and adjusting the temperature parameters during the molding process. The molding is conducted at temperatures that are sufficient to form the chew toy but kept below the degradation threshold of heat-sensitive additives like vitamins and herbs. This parameter optimization allows the molding process to proceed while preserving the nutritional integrity of the incorporated additives.
2Quantity of substance
If meat products are incorporated into molded chew toys, then nutritional value and taste are improved, but moisture content of the meat product increases leading to potential spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous structure where meat products and additives are distributed throughout the starch matrix rather than being uniformly mixed. This local distribution allows the meat products to maintain their nutritional and sensory properties while the surrounding starch matrix provides a protective environment that controls moisture and prevents spoilage. The chew toy thus has different local regions with different properties - meat-rich areas for nutrition and starch-rich areas for structural stability and moisture control.
3Quantity of substance
If vitamins, minerals and herbal additives are added to enhance nutritional value, then the chew toy becomes more nutritious, but these additives are susceptible to thermal degradation during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the heat-sensitive vitamins, minerals and herbal additives into the starch matrix before the molding process begins. This pre-incorporation allows the additives to be protected within the starch structure during subsequent processing. The starch matrix acts as a protective medium that shields the additives from direct thermal exposure, thereby preserving their nutritional value while still allowing them to be delivered to the animal through the chewing process.
4Manufacturing precision
If meat jerky is mixed with resin and fluid to form a molded product, then uniform distribution is achieved, but control of moisture content becomes critical to prevent spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-component system consisting of starch as the base matrix, meat products for nutrition and flavor, and hydrophobic additives for moisture control. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of each component - the starch provides structure and uniform distribution, the meat products provide nutritional value, and the hydrophobic components help control moisture content. The synergistic interaction of these materials allows simultaneous achievement of uniform distribution and moisture control.
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 allows for the creation of long-lasting, nutritious animal chews with uniformly distributed meat products and additives, maintaining their therapeutic value and preventing spoilage, providing a variety of tasty and nutritious experiences for pets.
Implementation Method 1
The resin may include any and all resins that can be made to flow under conditions of elevated temperature and can be molded and cooled into a desired shape
Implementation Method 2
The meat products and vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives may be incorporated into a molded chew toy under conditions that may minimize thermal degradation of such additives
Data Source
AI summary
A molded animal chew toy including a resin, a fluid such as water, and meat jerky, particularly chicken jerky, is provided. Processes for forming such resin/water/jerky composition into shapes by direct injection molding, including a desired screw design, are also disclosed.