TREAT RETAINING PET TOY
A pet toy and method for occupying a pet. In one embodiment, the pet toy has an upper member including an upper member and a lower member having a treat container configured to contain a pet treat. The upper member includes a treat access hole facing toward the treat container when the lower member is coupled to the upper member, and further includes at least one vent that may relieve suction forces during use and/or redirect saliva into the pet toy to prevent unwanted mess.
1 . A pet toy comprising:
an upper member comprising:
a treat access hole; and
at least one vent hole spaced apart from the treat access hole; and
a first annular side wall comprising:
an exterior surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending grooves; and
a first mating feature; and
a lower member comprising:
a second mating feature releasably engaged with the first mating feature; and
a treat container defined within an interior portion of the lower member and configured to contain a pet treat, wherein the treat access hole faces toward and is in communication with the treat container, and wherein the treat container is configured to hold a liquid.
2 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the upper member comprises a top end having a convex curved portion and a central portion, wherein the treat access hole is disposed in the central portion and the at least one vent hole is disposed in the curved portion.
3 . The pet toy of claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the central portion defines a horizontal plane.
4 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced vents.
5 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein contact between the upper member and the lower member forms a liquid-tight seal between the upper member and the lower member when the lower member is releasably engaged with the upper member.
6 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a first plurality of threads and the second mating feature comprises a second plurality of threads, wherein the first plurality of threads and the second plurality of threads are threadably engaged.
7 . The pet toy of claim 6 , wherein the first and second plurality of threads each comprise at least two threads.
8 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the lower member comprises a base comprising an annular flange that abuts a bottom of the upper member when the lower member is releasably engaged with the upper member.
9 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the lower member further comprises a grip configured to be grasped by a human hand.
10 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the treat container is radially defined and encircled by one or both of the annular side wall of the upper member and an annular side wall of the lower member.
11 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the treat access opening and the at least one vent are the only openings in communication between an exterior of the upper and lower members and the treat container.
12 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the upper member defines a horizontal rim portion.
13 . The pet toy of claim 12 , wherein the upper member comprises an annular trough positioned radially inwardly from the rim portion.
14 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the annular side wall is convexly curved and projects radially outward.
15 . The pet toy of claim 2 , wherein the central portion comprising an annular curved rim defining the treat access hole.
16 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the treat container comprises an inner side surface and an inner bottom surface.
17 . A pet toy comprising:
an upper member comprising:
a treat access hole; and
at least one vent hole spaced apart from the treat access hole; and
a first annular side wall comprising:
a first exterior surface comprising a plurality of grippable features configured to be grasped by a user; and
a first mating feature; and
a lower member comprising:
a second annular side wall comprising:
a second mating feature releasably engaged with the first mating feature;
a second interior surface defining in part a treat container, wherein the treat access hole is in communication with the treat container; and
a base connected to the second annular side wall, wherein the base comprises a grip configured to be grasped by the user;
wherein the upper member and lower member form a water tight seal therebetween; and
wherein the treat access hole and at least one vent provide the only liquid communication between the treat container and an exterior of the pet toy.
18 . The pet toy of claim 17 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a first plurality of threads and the second mating feature comprises a second plurality of threads, wherein the first plurality of threads and the second plurality of threads are threadably engaged.
19 . The pet toy of claim 17 , wherein the grip comprises a rib.
20 . The pet toy of clam 17 , wherein a top end of the upper member has a dome shape comprising a convex curved portion and a central portion, wherein the treat access hole is disposed in the central portion, and wherein the at least one vent is disposed radially outward from the treat access hole in the curved portion.