Chew toy

Abstract

A chewable pet toy includes recesses in one or more surfaces of the chewable toy to permit addition of flavors and treats to a chew toy. The recesses are shaped and oriented to keep the added flavors and treats from contacting floors, rugs, and furniture on which the toy may be dropped by the pet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pet toy comprising:
 an elongated member formed of chew-resistant polymeric material, the elongated member having two opposed surfaces and a perimeter edge connecting the opposed surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is a concave surface that curves continuously between opposite sides of the perimeter edge; and   a plurality of recesses formed in the concave surface, wherein each recess is separated from an adjacent recess by a portion of the concave surface and is adapted to be filled with a pet treat.   
     
     
         2 . The pet toy according to  claim 1 , wherein both of the opposed surfaces are continuously curved concave surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The pet toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the recesses are formed in both concave surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The pet toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the recesses are arranged in side-by-side relationship and define a line parallel to the perimeter edge of the elongated member. 
     
     
         5 . The pet toy according to  claim 4 , wherein the recesses are substantially identical to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The pet toy according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first enlarged, generally circular end member connected to a first end of the elongated member, the first end member having a pair of opposed surfaces; and   a second enlarged, generally circular end member connected to a second end of the elongated member, the second end member having a pair of opposed surfaces.   
     
     
         7 . The pet toy according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 at least one of the opposed surfaces of the first end member is concave and continuously curved: and   at least one of the opposed surfaces of the second end member is concave and continuously curved.   
     
     
         8 . The pet toy according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 both opposed surfaces of the first end member are concave and continuously curved; and   both opposed surfaces of the second end member are concave and continuously curved.   
     
     
         9 . The pet toy according to  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of recesses formed in each concave surface of each end member, wherein each recess is separated from an adjacent recess by a portion of the concave surface and is adapted to be filled with a pet treat. 
     
     
         10 . The pet toy of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member is formed of nylon polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The pet toy of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The pet toy of  claim 1  wherein the chew toy is formed of rubber. 
     
     
         13 . A pet toy comprising:
 an elongated member formed of chew-resistant polymeric material, the elongated member having two opposed concave surfaces and a perimeter edge connecting the opposed surfaces, wherein each concave surface curves continuously between opposite sides of the perimeter edge; and   a plurality of recesses arranged in side-by-side relationship in the concave surface to define a line parallel to the perimeter edge, wherein each recess is separated from an adjacent recess by a portion of the concave surface and is adapted to be filled with a pet treat.   
     
     
         14 . The pet toy according to  claim 13 , wherein the recesses are substantially identical to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The pet toy according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first enlarged, generally circular end member connected to a first end of the elongated member, the first end member having a pair of opposed surfaces; and   a second enlarged, generally circular end member connected to a second end of the elongated member, the second end member having a pair of opposed surfaces.   
     
     
         16 . The net toy according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 at least one of the opposed surfaces of the first end member is concave and continuously curved; and   at least one of the opposed surfaces of the second end member is concave and continuously curved.   
     
     
         17 . The pet toy according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of recesses formed in each concave surface of each end member, wherein each recess is separated from an adjacent recess by a portion of the concave surface and is adapted to be filled with a pet treat. 
     
     
         18 . The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated member is formed of nylon polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated member is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         20 . The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein the chew toy is formed of rubber.