Pet chew with rigid hollow base and fabric elements
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a base including fabric elements extending from the base. The fabric elements may be positioned in a channel within the base. A locking relationship may be formed between the base and the fabric. Furthermore, the base may be provided so that the fabric elements may be removable from the base.
1. A chew toy comprising:
a hollow base consisting of a molded unitary monolithic component having an interior volume and exhibiting an E flex ≦20,000 psi;
a channel defined by said interior volume extending through said base and having a length (L) and a diameter (D), said diameter less than said length;
a woven, non-woven or knit fabric element inserted in said hollow base, the fabric element including a main body and one or more projections extending from said main body, said main body of said fabric element having a shape complementary to said interior volume and retained in said interior volume by an interference fit;
said hollow base further including one or more openings, said one or more projections extending outwardly through said one or more openings;
wherein said main body of said fabric element has a volume and said volume is 1-20% greater in volume than said interior volume and wherein said fabric forms a cavity and stuffing is retained in said cavity, wherein said stuffing is selected from one of a non-woven bat, edible resinous material, foam material, polymeric material or rubber material.
2. The chew toy of claim 1 wherein said base has an E flex of between about 3-5,000 psi.
3. The chew toy of claim 1 wherein said base has a Shore A Hardness of ≦70.
4. The chew toy of claim 1 wherein L=x·D wherein x has a value of about 1.25 to 100.
5. The chew toy of claim 1 wherein said base is formed from a material and said material includes an attractant.
6. The chew toy of claim 1 wherein said fabric is impregnated with an attractant.