Pet toys incorporating multiple hardness sections

Abstract

A molded pet toy includes sections or layers of various hardnesses. The pet toy may be constructed through known injection molding, transfer, or compression molding processes. The layers and sections typically have varying hardnesses which facilitates use of the pet toy for a specific purpose. For use as a pet toy, an optimal arrangement provides that the outermost section or layer is of a lower hardness, while the inner sections or layers have a higher hardness. Durability of the pet toy is increased through the molding process which prevents separation between the layers. The pet toy is preferably shaped aerodynamically so it may be easily thrown by a user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A molded pet toy comprising: 
 a first interior section made of a material having a first hardness;    a second section lying exteriorly of said first section and integrally molded therewith along a boundary, said second section being made of said material but having a second lower hardness.    
     
     
         2 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a third section lying exteriorly of said second section and integrally molded therewith along a second boundary, said third section being made of said material but having a different hardness than said first and second sections.    
     
     
         3 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy has a circular shape.    
     
     
         4 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy has a circular shape, and an annular lip formed about a periphery of said pet toy.    
     
     
         5 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said circular shape comprises a body of said pet toy, and said annular lip extends substantially perpendicular to said body.    
     
     
         6 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy has a circular shape, and a curve shaped cross-section.    
     
     
         7 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy includes three extensions substantially equally spaced from one another.    
     
     
         8 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy includes four extensions substantially equally spaced from one another.    
     
     
         9 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy includes first and second leg extensions resembling a boomerang.    
     
     
         10 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , further including: 
 a tag integrally molded with said pet toy.    
     
     
         11 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy is constructed of rubber.    
     
     
         12 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said rubber is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and combinations of natural and synthetic rubber.    
     
     
         13 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second sections are opaque.    
     
     
         14 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second seconds are translucent.    
     
     
         15 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first section has a first color, and said second section has a second different color.    
     
     
         16 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first section has a first shape, and said section has a second shape which symmetrically surrounds said first shape.    
     
     
         17 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pet toy is constructed of plastic.    
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a pet toy, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mold of a desired shape;    introducing a first material of a first hardness to a first interior portion of the mold;    introducing a second material of a second lower hardness to a second exteriorly lying portion of the mold; and    conducting a molding operation to mold the toy wherein the first and second materials are bonded to one another along a boundary.    
     
     
         19 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molded pet toy has a circular shape.    
     
     
         20 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molded pet toy has a circular shape including an annular lip.    
     
     
         21 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molded pet toy includes three extensions substantially equally spaced from one another.    
     
     
         22 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molded pet toy includes four extensions substantially equally spaced form one another.    
     
     
         23 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molded pet toy includes first and second leg extensions resembling a boomerang.    
     
     
         24 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said first material has a first color, and said second material has a second different color.    
     
     
         25 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said first and second materials are rubber.    
     
     
         26 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molding process is injection molding.    
     
     
         27 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said molding process is compression molding.    
     
     
         28 . A method, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said first material forms a first section of the pet toy, and said second material forms a second section of the pet toy, said first section being of a first shape, and said second section being of a second shape symmetrically surrounding the first shape.    
     
     
         29 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said rubber is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and combinations of natural and synthetic rubber.    
     
     
         30 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said pet toy is constructed of plastic.    
     
     
         31 . A pet toy comprising: 
 a first interior section made of a fabric material; and    a second section lying exteriorly of said first section and molded therewith along a boundary, said second section being made of a solid material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and thermoplastics.    
     
     
         32 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 31  wherein: 
 said pet toy has a circular shape.  
 
     
     
         33 . A pet toy, as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein: 
 said first section is circular in shape, and said second section concentrically surrounds said first section, and said second section having a circular periphery.