Pet Chew Toy Composite Using Antler Powder and Bone Meal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pet chew toys do not resemble animal antlers, incorporate thermoplastic, bone meal, and antler powder, or provide a unique, safe, and healthy chewing experience compared to natural animal antlers and synthetic toys.

Innovation Solution

A pet chew toy assembly comprising a body made from a thermoplastic, bone meal, and antler powder, with specific weight ratios and optional additional components for flexibility and resilience, designed to mimic the structure of animal antlers and include anti-microbial agents or other additives for enhanced safety and appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If natural animal antlers are used as chew toys, then they provide a realistic chewing experience, but they pose safety risks to pets due to sharp edges and potential choking hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a synthetic replica of natural antlers using a composite material formulation that mimics the appearance and texture of real antlers. The composition includes antler powder (0.1-10% by weight) combined with thermoplastics and bone meal to produce a chew toy that visually and tactilely resembles natural antlers while eliminating the safety hazards of sharp edges and splintering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a multi-component composite material system consisting of thermoplastic polymers (50-95% by weight), bone meal (5-30% by weight), and antler powder (0.1-10% by weight). This composite formulation combines the structural integrity of thermoplastics with the nutritional benefits and authentic appearance of bone meal and antler powder, creating a material that is both safe and appealing to pets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If synthetic chew toys are used, then safety is improved compared to natural antlers, but they lack the appealing appearance and texture of real antlers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system that integrates antler powder (0.1-10% by weight) and bone meal (5-30% by weight) within a thermoplastic matrix. This composition provides the authentic appearance, color, and texture of natural antlers while maintaining the safety and durability of synthetic materials. The bone meal contributes to the off-white to light brown coloration characteristic of real antlers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates antler powder and bone meal throughout the composite material to create localized regions that mimic the natural variations in color, density, and texture found in real antlers. This distribution of natural materials within the synthetic matrix creates a heterogeneous structure that visually and tactilely resembles authentic antler tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If currently available synthetic chew toys are used, then safety is improved, but they do not provide nutritional benefits to pets

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidnutritional content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates a composite material containing bone meal (5-30% by weight) and antler powder (0.1-10% by weight), both of which are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals beneficial to pet health. These natural materials are integrated into the thermoplastic matrix to create a chew toy that provides nutritional supplementation during the chewing process, transforming a purely recreational item into a functional health supplement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional chew toy that simultaneously serves as a safety-approved play item and a nutritional supplement. The composite material formulation allows the product to fulfill multiple roles: providing safe chewing resistance, delivering calcium and phosphorus for bone health, and offering an appealing sensory experience, thereby replacing the need for separate toys and supplements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If thermoplastic, bone meal, and antler powder are combined in specific ratios, then a unique chewing experience is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechewing experienceVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a standardized composite material formulation with defined weight ranges: thermoplastic (50-95%), bone meal (5-30%), and antler powder (0.1-10%). These specifications provide clear manufacturing guidelines that balance material performance with production feasibility. The use of commercially available thermoplastic granules and processed bone meal/antler powder powders simplifies the mixing and molding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides flexibility in the formulation by specifying weight ranges rather than fixed ratios, allowing manufacturers to adjust the composition within acceptable parameters based on available materials, cost considerations, and desired product characteristics. This parameter-based approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the essential properties of the chew toy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9737054B2Pet chew toy assembly
Publication Date: 2017.08.22 THE COMPANION BRANDS CO LLC
  • US9737054B2 patent drawing
  • US9737054B2 patent drawing
  • US9737054B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A pet chew toy assembly including a body having a first component, wherein the first component comprises a thermoplastic, a bone meal, and an antler powder.