Molded or extruded cork composite and method of manufacturing compressed cork pet products and pet toys made from the same
View Patent ↗A cork-catnip composite material is provided that is capable of being molded, compressed, extruded or similarly processed into small or large bodies or sheets and allow for the economic manufacture of a variety of products for domestic pets, especially felines. Dried and granulated catnip (or similar olfactory attractant) is blended with a fill material such as powdered or granulated agglomerate cork material are then mixed with a bonding agent. Lignosulfates bonding agents can be used, as well polyurethane food grade adhesives such as urethane, melaminic and phenolic resins.
1. A moldable or extrudable cork composite material substantially comprising:
a. a solid attractant, 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;
b. granulated or agglomerated cork;
c. a filler material, wherein said filler material is selected from the group consisting of: granulated cork; agglomerated cork; sawdust; wood chips; wood pellets; wood shavings of cedar; and, sawdust, wood chips, wood pellets, and wood shavings of pine; calcium carbonate; calcite; bentonite; zeolite; and other clays materials; and
d. 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 comprises between about 10% to about 60% of the overall composition, by weight.
3. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said filler material comprises between about 80% to about 20% of overall composition, by weight.
4. The composite of claim 1 , wherein said binding agent comprises about 20% or less of the overall composition, by weight.
5. 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.
6. The composite material of claim 3 , wherein said solid attractant comprises between about 10% to about 60% of the overall composition, by weight.
7. The composite material of claim 6 , wherein said filler material comprises between about 80% to about 20% of overall composition, by weight.
8. The composite of claim 7 , wherein said binding agent comprises about 20% or less of the overall composition, by weight.
9. 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.
10. The composite material of claim 3 , 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.
11. 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.
12. An underlayment mat for placement under a pet food or water bowl formed substantially of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 .
13. The underlayment mat for placement under a small animal litter box substantially of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 .
14. A cat scratcher formed substantially of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 .
15. Pet furniture adapted for use with domestic pets formed substantially of a moldable or extrudable catnip composite material of claim 1 .