Shrink-Fit Edible Pet Chews Using Fibrous and Organ Tissues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edible pet chews are not durable enough to sustain prolonged chewing by animals and are often consumed quickly, lacking the ability to maintain an animal's interest over a significant period, while bully sticks, though durable, are expensive and supply-limited.
Innovation Solution
A pet chew is constructed by coupling a first component of fibrous connective tissue, such as tendon or ligament, with a second component of internal organ tissue, like urinary bladder tissue, through a shrinkage fit enhanced by natural edible components, creating a durable and attractive chew.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If edible pet chews are made from consumable material such as meat, then the chews are palatable and attractive to animals, but the chews are not durable and are consumed quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The chew is divided into multiple layers with different functions: an outer edible layer for palatability and an inner durable layer for extended chewing duration. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The chew combines different materials with complementary properties - edible meat-based material for attractiveness and durable material (such as dried hide or cartilage) for longevity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between being quickly consumed and lasting long.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If bully sticks are used as pet chews, then the chews are durable and have strong flavor, but the supply is limited and they are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive bully sticks with cheaper alternative materials such as dried hide, cartilage, or other animal byproducts that can be sourced more abundantly and at lower cost, while maintaining similar durability and chewing duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using different animal byproducts (hide, cartilage, tendons) with varying properties, optimizing the balance between durability, cost, and manufacturability. This allows production at scale without relying on limited bully stick supply.
3Strength
If multiple layers are combined in a pet chew, then the chew durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The different layers are prepared separately in advance with their specific properties optimized, then assembled together. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall manufacturing process by breaking down complex multi-layer production into manageable sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The chew structure uses a nested arrangement where an inner core layer is surrounded by an outer edible layer. This nested configuration provides structural integrity and durability while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through sequential layering.
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 pet chew provides a long-lasting chewing experience with natural components, attracting animals like dogs and offering nutritional benefits, while being cost-effective to produce in quantity.
Implementation Method 1
the second component shrinks to a greater degree than the first component during the drying
Data Source
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AI summary
Pet chews including a first component and a second component are described. In embodiments the first component is or includes fibrous connective tissue (e.g., ligament, tendon, or sclera tissue), and the second component includes internal organ tissue (e.g., urinary bladder tissue). Methods of making such chews are also described.