IP Library Granted Patent US 12,491,412
Granted Patent B2
US 12,491,412 · App. 18/203,996 · Granted Dec 9, 2025

Inflatable ball

Inventors: Josiah Wilhelm (Arlington, TX); Ron Bagley (Arlington, TX); Chris Wilson (Arlington, TX)
Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
A63B45/00A63B41/10A01K15/026
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,491,412
App. No.
18/203,996
Granted
Dec 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inflatable ball includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer. The inner layer has an inflatable bladder for storing air. The intermediate layer is provided over the inner layer, the intermediate layer including ethylene vinyl acetate. The outer layer is provided over the intermediate layer. The outer layer includes rubber.

Claims (33)

1 . An inflatable pet toy comprising:

an inner layer made of polyvinyl chloride and forming an inflatable bladder for storing air, the inner layer configured to resist bursting during engagement with a pet;

an intermediate layer arranged to contact the inner layer, the intermediate layer including ethylene vinyl acetate foam sprayed over the inner layer; and

an outer layer arranged to contact the intermediate layer.

2 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the outer layer includes rubber.

3 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable pet toy has a size ranging from 55 centimeters to 85 centimeters when in an inflated state.

4 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has a first thickness ranging from 1500 to 2000 micrometers, the intermediate layer has a second thickness and the outer layer has a third thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness and the third thickness.

5 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of rubber panels that are stitched together.

6 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer contacts the stored air.

7 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the outer layer contacts the intermediate layer.

8 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has a first thickness ranging from 1500 to 2000 micrometers, the intermediate layer has a second thickness and the outer layer has a third thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness.

9 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has a first thickness ranging from 1500 to 2000 micrometers, the intermediate layer has a second thickness and the outer layer has a third thickness, the second thickness being less than the third thickness.

10 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer completely encircles the inner layer.

11 . A method for making an inflatable pet toy, the method comprising:

forming an inner layer of polyvinyl chloride into an inflatable bladder for storing air, the inner layer configured to resist bursting during engagement with a pet;

spraying an ethylene vinyl acetate foam over the inner layer to form an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer arranged to contact the inner layer; and

forming an outer layer, the outer layer arranged to contact the intermediate layer.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the outer layer includes rubber.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the inflatable pet toy has a size ranging from 55 centimeters to 85 centimeters when in an inflated state.

14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:

forming the inner layer to have a first thickness ranging from 1500 to 2000 micrometers,

forming the intermediate layer to have a second thickness, and

forming the outer layer to have a third thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness.

15 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:

forming the inner layer to have a first thickness ranging from 1500 to 2000 micrometers,

forming the intermediate layer to have a second thickness, and

forming the outer layer to have a third thickness, the second thickness being less than the third thickness.

16 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:

forming the outer layer over the intermediate layer so that the outer layer contacts the intermediate layer.

17 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:

forming the intermediate layer such that the intermediate layer completely encircles the inner layer.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the intermediate layer has a uniform thickness, and the intermediate layer completely encircles the inner layer.

19 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has a uniform thickness, and the intermediate layer completely encircles the inner layer.

Assignments (10)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2025
From: WILHELM, JOSIAH; BAGLEY, RON
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 072855/0831 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 072261/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 070449/0836 →
FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067501/0177 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (CAYMAN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0236 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067246/0427 →
FIRST LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065180/0954 →
SECOND LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065181/0322 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2023
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065180/0461 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2023
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
Reel/Frame 065179/0009 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63453661 · Mar 21, 2023
Related Publication 20240315202A1 · Sep 26, 2024
References Cited (28)
US 5096756A · Walters · 1992 [cited by examiner]
US 5681233A · Guenther · 1997 [cited by examiner]
US 6726582B1 · Kuo · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 7247107B1 · Bedwell · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 8777787B2 · Raynak et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 11904212B2 · Campbell · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20020098928A1 · Ou · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 20030228946A1 · Chan · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20040087396A1 · Chan · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20040110582A1 · Kennedy, III · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20040213984A1 · Avis · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20060148601A1 · Ou · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20080188333A1 · Tsai · 2008 [cited by examiner]
US 20080188334A1 · Feeney et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090209374A1 · Ou · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20120202627A1 · Raynak · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20130035182A1 · Sing · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20160346627A1 · Le · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20170173405A1 · McNamee · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20170203161A1 · Ahsan · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20200298064A1 · Hare · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20210093930A1 · Shi · 2021 [cited by examiner]
CN 106880929A · 2017 [cited by examiner]
CN 218793780U · 2023 [cited by examiner]
FR 2914195A1 · 2008 [cited by examiner]
WO 2009065302A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014172809A1 · 2014 [cited by examiner]
International Search Report issued Jul. 11, 2024 in corresponding International Application No. PCT/US2024/020768. [cited by applicant]