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US 11,304,428 B2Granted
Interlocking kibble
AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsLaura Duclos, Kevin Eaton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Compositions and methods are disclosed for providing a pet food product comprising kibbles and one or more inclusions, such as dried fruits or vegetables. Specifically, the kibble may have one or more shapes to form an interlock, and/or the inclusions are oil-coated to provide for increased density and reduce the density differences between the inclusions and the kibbles, both features are useful for keeping an even distribution of kibbles and inclusions in a package or container.
Claims19
A pet food comprising:
- a plurality of kibbles each configured with a concave curve and a convex curve having an angle of curvature between 90 and 180 degrees;
- and
- one or more oil-coated inclusions distributed within the plurality of kibbles;
- wherein the density disparity between the kibbles and the inclusions is reduced by coating the inclusions with oil.
1 more element
A pet food product, comprising:
- a plurality of kibbles each having a concave curve and a convex curve having an angle of curvature between 90 and 180 degrees, the concave and the convex curves of adjacent kibbles configured to interlock to form a lattice-like barrier;
- and
- one or more oil-coated inclusions,
- wherein the density disparity between the kibbles and the inclusions is reduced by coating the inclusions with oil and the kibbles and inclusions are distributed within a package and wherein the lattice-like barrier and reduced density disparity and reduces relative movement of the kibbles and the inclusions such that the distribution of the kibbles and the inclusions remains relatively constant when the package is moved.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.