Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOLDED OR EXTRUDED CATNIP COMPOSITE AND METHOD OF
MANUFACTURING COMPRESSED CATNIP PET TOYS AND PET TOYS MADE
FROM THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to
pet products that include the delivery of aromatic
attractant for encouraging pet interaction and, more
particularly, to such a pet products formed of a catnip
composite and a method for making the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, or
catswort or catmint, is a herbaceous perennial, resembling
a mint in appearance, that is widely naturalized elsewhere,
as well as commercially grown for specialty purposes. It
is commonly used in herbal tea blends related to sleep,
stress reduction, and relaxation, as well as used as a
culinary herb for cooking and many dishes.
[0003] The plant terpenoid nepetalactone is the main
chemical constituent of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria
(and some other species within the genus Nepeta). This
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essential oil is known for their behavioral effects on the
cat family, and especially on domestic cats. Nepetalactone
acts as the behavioral attractant, with the chemical
entering the feline's nose and stimulating the olfactory
receptors. Other plants that also have this effect on cats
include valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and plants that
contain actinidine.
[0004] Used as a recreational substance for pet cats'
enjoyment, catnip and catnip-laced products are designed
for use with domesticated cats and are available to
consumers. Used generally as an attractant to encourage
play and interaction, catnip commonly causes domesticated
felines to rub on the plant, roll on the ground, pawing at
it, licking it, and chewing it. Consuming catnip is often
followed by drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, leaping about
and purring.
[0005] There are many pet toys available that
incorporate these effects to provide entertainment to the
pet and the owner. The most direct method of forming
such toys is to compress chopped catnip material directly
into the shape of a pet toy itself. As first described in
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U.S. Patent No. 1,022,113, issued in the name of Smith, a
ball made entirely of compressed catnip is described, as
well as a ball formed of wood, rubber, papier-mache or wood
pulp pressed into a shape and formed with recesses that are
filled with catnip compount. More recently, numerous design
patents exist for compressed catnip pet toys formed into
various shapes.
[0006] It is still another object of the present
invention to provide a composite material that is naturally
hydrophobic.
[0007] It is still yet another object of the present
invention to provide for use of durable, warm, soft, skid
resistant and resilient material for use in conjunction
with domestic pet products that is formed substantially of
natural ingredients.
[0008] It is yet still another object of the present
invention to provide for the use of a catnip composite
material that results in a soft, textured "feel" that can
be grasped, clawed or chewed in a manner that is positively
received by domestic pets.
[0009] Further, the present invention provides a
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hydrophobic, naturally mold resistant, nontoxic material
that can be robustly incorporated into a variety of pet
products and product surfaces
[0010] Further still, the present invention provide a
material that has a long lasting, positive aroma for
domestic pets that can encourage use and interaction with
those pet related products incorporating such material.
[0011] Such toys are popular for their efficacy, but the
cost of the plant material results in only small sized
devices being commercially available, requires that such
devices durations. As such, these toys often provide for
the replenishment of catnip, either in the form of solid or
liquid extract, into or within the toy for subsequent
dispensing based on movement or rotation of the toy or its
interaction with the surrounding air. The present
invention is markedly different by providing a less
expensive aromatic composite material that can be molded,
compressed, extruded, or otherwise shaped into small or
large structures economically for extended delivery of an
effective rate of aromatic compounds efficacy.
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[0012] This, among other disclosed advantages and
features, overcome many of the deficiencies outlined and
inherent within the known prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Therefore, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a catnip composite and a method for
making the same.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to
provide for such a catnip composite used to produce
domestic pet toys and other pet products.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention
to provide a catnip composite material capable of being
molded, compressed, extruded or otherwise shaped into small
or large sheets or bodies of aromatic attractant material.
[0016] As described in one embodiment of the present
invention, a catnip-cork 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 toys and products
for domestic pets, especially felines. Dried and
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granulated catnip (or similar olfactory attractant) is
blended with a fill material such as powdered or granulated
agglomerate cork material that is typically a waste product
of cork stopper manufacturing. It is envisioned that
similar materials can be alternately used, such as, for
example, waste cedar wood shavings or sawdust or other
types of lignocellulose material. The use of various types
of low cost waste products or woody biomass materials have
been found to effectively extend the economic viability of
the compression molded catnip products available in the
prior art. The blended chipped, granulated or powdered
materials are then mixed with a bonding agent. An effective
bonding agent has been found in the use of lignosufates.
Lignosulfates can also be obtained as a recovered waste
product from the wood or paper pulping industries, and
further will make the completed product of an "all natural"
construction. Other effective bonding agents are known and
can be uses, such as, for example, polyurethane food grade
adhesives.
[0017] As described above, a low cost, all (or
substantially) natural composite material can be formed
economically into various shapes. The blended, bonded
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material can be extruded, compressed or molded into shapes
or sheets, and given the economy of using a composite
material whose components have an overall lower blended
cost that a material made substantially of 100% molded
catnip, it is now possible to make much larger bodies, be
it pet toys or larger structures, such as claw scratching
posts, that provide the attractant benefit to the domestic
feline of catnip.
[0018] The foregoing and other aspects will become
apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The advantages and features of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to
the following more detailed description and claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a catnip composite
material being formed according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
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[0021] FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of a composite
material made according to the exemplary method of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective views of a
cover for use with a pet feeder or water bowl made
according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is top perspective view thereof;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view thereof;
[0025] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a underlayment
mat made according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention for use in conjunction with a feline
litter box;
[0026] FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a
underlayment mat made according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention for use in conjunction with a pet
feeder or water bowl;
[0027] FIG. 7a through FIG. 7d are domestic cat
scratchers incorporating the composite material according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 8a through FIG. 8d are domestic pet
furniture of alternate designs formed of the composite
material according to the preferred embodiment of the
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present invention.
[0029] It should be understood that the composite
material of the present invention can be formed through a
number of extrusion or compression methods to be adapted to
various designs, including sheets, laminates, bulk shapes
or net molded shapes, and that the present disclosure is
intended to describe preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The best mode for carrying out the invention is
presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein
depicted within the Figures.
1. Detailed Description of the Figures
[0031] Before explaining the present invention in
detail, it is important to understand that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the
construction illustrated and the formulations described
herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and
of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It
is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
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employed herein is for the purpose of description and not
of limitation.
[0032] In the following detailed description of a first
preferred embodiment and a second preferred embodiment of
the present invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which, in conjunction with this
detailed description, illustrate and describe a first
preferred embodiment and a second preferred embodiment of a
pet toy ball feeder in accordance with the present
invention. Referring now to the drawings, in which like-
referenced characters represent corresponding elements
throughout the several views, attention is first directed
to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a composite material is shown being
formed and formed, respectively, of three main components:
a solid attractant 10; a lignocellulose filler material 20;
and a binding agent 30.
[0033] A solid attractant 10 is preferably a dried and
granulated catnip. It should be obvious to a person having
ordinary skill in the relevant art, in light of the present
teachings, that equivalent replacements for dried and
granulated catnip can be utilized, including, but not
limited to, any plant containing a terpenoid nepetalactone
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or similar chemical to the essential oil of Nepeta cataria
and other species within the genus Nepeta, as well as other
[0034] It is anticipated that other additives may be
incorporated to accommodate particular uses or design
choices, such as, for example, the incorporation of dyes in
order to provide colors or otherwise alter the aesthetic of
the final article. Other functional additives, such as
odor absorbing materials, can further be incorporated into
the agglomerated finished composite material. Such odor
absorbing materials may include bentonite, zeolite, or
other clays or odor absorbant materials. Again, the
selection and function of such additional additives will be
more apparent in conjunction with the additional
description below.
[0035] A solid attractant 10 is preferably a dried and
granulated catnip. It should be obvious to a person having
ordinary skill in the relevant art, in light of the present
teachings, that equivalent replacements for dried and
granulated catnip can be utilized, including, but not
limited to, any plant containing a terpenoid nepetalactone
or similar chemical to the essential oil of Nepeta cataria
and other species within the genus Nepeta, as well as other
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plants that are known to have effects on cats, including
valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and plants that contain
act inidine.
[0036] The lignocellulose filler material 20 is
preferably granulated or agglomerated cork. Cork is
commercially harvested from the bark tissue of the Cork Oak
(i.e. Quercus suber). While a majority of the cork harvest
is used each year in the manufacture of wine bottle
stoppers and other closures, for the purpose of the present
invention it is intended that less value added waste
streams from such production be re-purposed. As such, it is
intended that flaked, chipped, ground, agglomerate or
manufacturing "dust" from other cork manufacturing
processes are to be sourced and reused as the filler
material 20 of the present invention. To date, such
"powder" created from grinding or cutting in cork
manufacturing has been burned in boilers for steam and
energy production.
[0037] It should be obvious to a person having ordinary
skill in the relevant art, in light of the present
teachings, that equivalent replacements for ground or
agglomerated cork can be utilized, including, but not
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limited to, any plant containing lignocellulase such as, by
way of example and not meant as a limitation, sawdust, wood
chips, wood pellets or wood shavings of any type, such as
cedar, pine, or the like, as well as various woody biomass
materials. The use of cedar or pine is preferred as an
alternate material in that these all natural materials are
already utilized in domestic pet products, such as for use
in cat litter or small animal bedding, and their use is
generally accepted by both pets and pet owners.
[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the binding agent 30
can be a lignosulfate binder, which has been found to be an
effective bonding agent for both dried and ground catnip as
well as for cork. Other effective bonding agents are known
and can be uses, such as, for example, various
thermoplastic resins and polyurethane food grade adhesives.
2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
[0039] As described in the present invention, a catnip-
cork 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
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economic manufacture of toys and products for domestic
pets, especially felines. As described above, a low cost,
all (or substantially) natural composite material can be
formed economically into various shapes. The blended,
bonded material can be extruded, compressed or molded into
shapes or sheets, and given the economy of using a
composite material whose components have an overall lower
blended cost that a material made substantially of 100%
molded catnip, it is now possible to make much larger
bodies, be it pet toys or larger structures, such as claw
scratching posts, that provide the attractant benefit to
the domestic feline of catnip.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3 through FIG. 5, an
exemplary design for a cover 50 for use with a pet feeder
or water bowl 52 is shown made according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary
design, a pet food and/or water bowl 52, such as a plastic
or stainless steel pet feeder, is shown in conjunction with
a cork composite material cover 50 that is preferably
durable and lightweight, and provides an aesthetically
pleasing appearance, protection to both the bowl and the
surface on which the bowl may be set upon, and possibly
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some insulating properties to the contents placed therein.
The use of a composite material incorporating a catnip or
functional equivalent solid attractant may be agglomerated
with a cork filler material and molded with a binding agent
to provide a domestic pet feeder that is attractive to
domestic pets, especially felines. Further, the
consistency and texture of the cover 50 is quiet when
contacted with hard surfaces, unlike a molded plastic body.
Further, it is formed of a closed cellular structure that
is hydrophobic and inhibits mold growth. The
cover 50 may
be placed about at least a portion of an exterior of the
bowl, or completely encase the bowl sidewall. The cover 50
can remaining affixed to the bowl, or merely contact the
bowl through an interference or friction contact fit.
Further, an adhesive may be placed between the exterior of
the bowl and the interior of the cover.
[0041] As shown in conjunction with FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b,
exemplary designs for underlayment mats 58 are shown for
use in conjunction with a small animal litter box 60 (FIG.
6a) or a pet feeder or water bowl (FIG. 6b), and
incorporating the composite material according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cork-
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catnip materials can further incorporate odor absorbing
materials, as described above, to counteract the odors
generated by use of a small animal litter box. Further
still, the natural hydrophobicity of the cork materials
will prevent water damage due to spills or overflow from
the pet food and water bowls 62.
[0042] As shown in conjunction with FIG. 7a through FIG.
7d, exemplary designs for domestic cat scratchers are shown
incorporating the composite material according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cork-
catnip composite material can be affixed as a functional
surface element 72, as shown in FIG. 7b through FIG. 7d, or
as assembled into a scratching post design 70, as shown in
FIG. 7a.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 8a through FIG. 8d, domestic pet
furniture 80 of alternate exemplary designs are shown
further formed of the composite material according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] The foregoing descriptions of specific
embodiments of the present invention have been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. They are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
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precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to
best utilize the invention and various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention
is to be limited only by the following claims.
