The US Patent and Trademark Office awarded these patents to Mars, Inc., Hill's Pet Nutrition, Nestlé Purina and other pet industry companies in 2017.
These pet food formulas can be used to prevent and treat obesity in companion animals and, further, preserve and cause lean muscle gain. They can be produced as a wet or dry pet food. Table 5 is an example of the formula for dry food compositions.
US Patent No. 9,554,584 (Jan. 31, 2017), R. Yamka et al., assigned to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, KS.
The ornamental design for a pet treat, as shown.
US Patent No. D778,026 (Feb. 7, 2017), J. Roetheli, assigned to Pet’s Best Life, LLC, North Kansas City, MO.
This starch-based flying pet treat is designed to have a high glide ratio so it can be tossed through the air, chased and retrieved by a pet. It can also serve as a reward for the pet because it is chewable and edible.
US Patent No. D779,776 (Feb. 28, 2017), T. Peterson, assigned to Royal Pet Incorporated, Inver Grove Heights, MN.
US Patent No. D781,525 (March 21, 2017), M. Kreamer, assigned to Spectrum Brands, Inc., Middleton WI.
This is a long, hollow pet treat with a piece of rope threaded through the middle and tied into knots on either end.
US Patent No. D785,281 (May 2, 2017), T. Peterson, assigned to Royal Pet Incorporated, Inver Grove Heights, MN.
A pet treat in the shape of a bone with a rope tied to one end, which a pet owner or other person could grab onto to play a game of tug-of-war with the animal using the treat.
US Patent No. D785,276 (May 2, 2017), T. Peterson, assigned to Royal Pet Incorporated, Inver Grove Heights, MN
This pet treat stick has three points that protrude farther outward than the center of the treat. The entire treat has been twisted, to the point where one end of the treat is rotated about 45-90 degrees from the other end.
US Patent No. D785,901 (May 9, 2017), V. Wilson et al., assigned to Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
This pet treat is the shape of a thick tree branch with two stumps protruding along the length of the treat.
US Patent No. D787,775 (May 30, 2017), T. Peterson, assigned to Royal Pet Incorporated, Inver Grove Heights, MN.
This pet treat is long and twisted. Three outer edges twist into a spiral shape throughout. Its grooves are parallel, and the treat appears to only be twisted once, about 180 degrees around.
US Patent No. D789,651 (June 20, 2017), V. Wilson et al., assigned to Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
This pet treat has many divets and details, making it very rough in texture. Generally, it is shaped like a gear, or a tire, being mostly circular despite its many edges.
US Patent No. D791,426 (July 11, 2017), T. Peterson, assigned to Royal Pet Incorporated, Inver Grove Heights, MN.
An animal treat comprised of one soft and one hard component conjoined to make a twisted stick shape. The components are intended to stay in-tact for at least 12 months for extended chew-time. The treat can also have a brushing effect on an animals teeth, and delivers functional ingredients as it is consumed.
US Patent No. 9,713,338 (July 25, 2017), Y. Mahe, assigned to Nestec S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
This pet treat is shaped like a blossom, with a series of divots or holes throughout to provide more texture and detail.
US Patent No. D793,025 (Aug. 1, 2017), P. Slusarczyk et al., assigned to Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA.
This patent describes a method for formulating, producing and packaging a probiotic supplement for a pet. Each supplement can contain the probiotic component, a cocoa butter ingredient and a sweetener.
US Patent No. 9,771,199 (Sept. 26, 2017), G. Kerr et al., assigned to Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA.
This patent on pet nutrition includes information about how to combine pet food and lysine to promote health and wellness in senior-aged and overweight dogs and cats. These methods are designed to control the weight of the pet using canned, moist food and a lysine supplement. Table 1 depicts ideal amino acids levels in cats and dogs, lysine being one of them.
US Patent No. 9,808,027 (Nov. 7, 2017), R. Yamka et al., assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY.
Pet treat formulas and methods for improving the dental health of companion animals, including injection molded and extruded treats. The study shows that administering these specially formulated treats could reduce oral bacteria and plaque over time.
US Patent No. 9,801,800 (Oct. 31, 2017), G. Axelrod et al., assigned to TFH Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.