Pet Chew Toy Using Segmented Polyamide and Elastomer Blends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pet chew toys lack durability and variety in physical properties, failing to maintain the interest of both animals and their owners for an extended period, and do not effectively combine different materials to cater to diverse chewing preferences.

Innovation Solution

A pet chew toy composed of a blend of crosslinked diene elastomer and polyamide terpolymer, with the polyamide terpolymer having a melting point between 120 °C to 250 °C, and varying weight ratios of polyamide terpolymer and diene elastomer to create distinct material compositions for different sections, enhancing durability and attractiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single material composition is used for the chew toy, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the chew toy lacks variety in physical properties and cannot maintain animal interest for extended periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety in physical propertiesVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chew toy is divided into multiple sections, each made from different material compositions with varying polyamide terpolymer and diene elastomer ratios. This segmentation allows each section to have distinct physical properties (hardness, chewability) while maintaining overall structural integrity, thereby providing variety in physical properties without requiring a completely complex manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the chew toy are assigned different material compositions tailored to specific functional requirements. For example, some sections have higher polyamide content for durability while others have higher elastomer content for softer chewing experience. This local differentiation of material quality provides varied physical properties in different locations of the same toy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If very hard materials are used for the chew toy, then the durability is improved, but young dogs or dogs with dental issues cannot chew on it safely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddental damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chew toy incorporates sections with different hardness levels by varying the polyamide terpolymer and diene elastomer ratios in different sections. Harder sections provide durability and resistance to destruction, while softer sections are safe for dogs with developing teeth or dental issues, thereby eliminating the need to choose between durability and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The chew toy uses composite material compositions combining polyamide terpolymer and diene elastomer in varying ratios. This composite approach allows the toy to exhibit a range of mechanical properties from hard and durable to soft and gentle, providing both durability and safety simultaneously through material composition rather than requiring multiple separate toys

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the polyamide terpolymer content is increased to improve durability, then the structural strength is improved, but the elastomeric properties and chewability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidchewability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chew toy is segmented into sections with different polyamide terpolymer to diene elastomer ratios. Sections requiring high structural strength have higher polyamide content, while sections requiring good chewability and elastomeric properties have higher elastomer content. This segmentation allows both high strength and good chewability to coexist in different parts of the same toy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The polyamide terpolymer content is varied as a parameter across different sections of the chew toy. By changing this compositional parameter, the material properties are adjusted locally to achieve the desired balance between structural strength and chewability in different regions, rather than using a fixed composition throughout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 chew toy provides a durable and varied chewing experience, maintaining animal interest and engaging owners by combining different material properties in a single toy, thus extending interaction time and appealing to both animals and their owners.

Implementation Method 1

a blend containing a polyamide terpolymer and a diene elastomer, wherein said diene elastomer is crosslinked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a blend containing a polyamide terpolymer and a diene elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer blend: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 3

the polyamide terpolymer has a Tm in the range of 120 °C to 250 °C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP2999578B1Pet chew toys of rubber and polyamide

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 TFH PUBLICATIONS INC

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AI summary

A pet chew toy comprising a blend containing a polyamide terpolymer and a diene elastomer, wherein the diene elastomer is crosslinked and the polyamide terpolymer has a Tm in the range of 120° C to 250° C.