Molded or Extruded Catnip Composite and Method of Manufacturing Catnip Pet Toys and Pet Toys Made from the Same
A domestic pet toy is provided having a housing element formed of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite made of a solid catnip attractant, a lignocellulose cork agglomerate filler material, and an FDA approved binding agent adhesive. The housing material provides sufficient delivery aromatic olfactory attractant to be effective in having an interactive response with a domestic feline. A sound chip assembly can also be positioned in a retention cavity and emits a prerecorded sound as an audible attractant in response to one or both of commencement and continuation of movement the pet toy.
1 . A composite material substantially comprising:
a. a solid attractant;
b. a lignocellulose filler material; and
c. a binding agent;
wherein said composite material provides sufficient delivery aromatic olfactory attractant to be effective in having an interactive response with a domestic feline.
2 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said solid attractant is selected from the group consisting of: dried and granulated catnip; any plant containing a terpenoid nepetalactone; other species within the genus Nepeta ; other plants that are known to have effects on cats; valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ); plants that contain actinidine; and, synthetic chemical derivatives similar to the essential oil of Nepeta cataria.
3 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said lignocellulose filler material is selected from the group consisting of: granulated or agglomerated cork; sawdust wood chips, wood pellets, and wood shavings of cedar; and, sawdust, wood chips, wood pellets, and wood shavings pine.
4 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said solid attractant comprises between about 10% to about 60% of the overall composition, by weight.
5 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said lignocellulose filler material comprises between about 80% to about 20% of overall composition, by weight.
6 . The composite of claim 1 , wherein said binding agent comprises about 20% or less of the overall composition, by weight.
7 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of: food grade polyurethanes; dextrin; casein; gelatin; urea-formaldehyde; amine; urethane resins; melaminic resins; phenolic resins; and lignosulfate binders.
8 . The composite material of claim 2 , wherein said lignocellulose filler material is selected from the group consisting of: granulated or agglomerated cork, sawdust, wood chips, wood pellets, and wood shavings of cedar; and, sawdust, wood chips, wood pellets, and wood shavings pine.
9 . The composite material of claim 8 , wherein said solid attractant comprises between about 10% to about 60% of the overall composition, by weight.
10 . The composite material of claim 9 , wherein said lignocellulose filler material comprises between about 80% to about 20% of overall composition, by weight.
11 . The composite of claim 10 , wherein said binding agent comprises about 20% or less of the overall composition, by weight.
12 . The composite material of claim 2 , wherein said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of: food grade polyurethanes; dextrin; casein; gelatin; urea-formaldehyde; amine; urethane resins; melaminic resins; phenolic resins; and lignosulfate binders.
13 . The composite material of claim 8 , wherein said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of: food grade polyurethanes; dextrin casein; gelatin; urea-formaldehyde; amine; urethane resins; melaminic resins; phenolic resins; and lignosulfate binders.
14 . The composite material of claim 1 , further comprising the incorporation of dyes in order to provide colors or otherwise alter the aesthetic of the final article.
15 . A domestic pet toy formed of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 comprising:
a shaped, solid housing formed to resemble a prey animal of a cat or dog.
16 . The domestic pet toy of claim 15 , wherein said housing has a mouse like appearance.
17 . A domestic pet toy comprising:
a first housing element formed of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 ;
a second housing element formed of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 and attached to said first housing element;
a retention cavity formed within and between said first housing element and said second housing element; and
a sound chip assembly having a sound chip and a source of electrical power, said sound chip assembly is positioned in said retention cavity and said sound chip assembly emits a prerecorded sound in response to one or both of commencement and continuation of movement of said pet toy.
18 . The domestic pet toy of claim 17 , wherein said first housing element attached to said second housing element forms a shape that resembles a prey animal of a cat or dog.