Biodegradable Flying Target

Abstract

This relates to biodegradable flying target compositions, biodegradable flying targets, and methods of manufacturing same. In one aspect, there is provided a biodegradable flying target composition comprising: a ground grain material having a granularity wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material will pass a mesh size of 0.15 and having a granularity wherein a majority of the ground grain material is incapable of germination or none of the ground grain material is capable of germination and having a moisture content of about 3% to about 21% by weight prior to molding into a flying target by application of heat and/or pressure. The disclosed solution comprises a biodegradable target formed from non-toxic materials that are wholly consumable by wildlife and farm animals without harm, thereby minimizing residual environmental impact.

Claims

1. A biodegradable flying target composition comprising: a ground grain material having a granularity wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material will pass through a mesh size of 0.15 and having a granularity wherein a majority of the ground grain material is incapable of germination or none of the ground grain material is capable of germination and having a moisture content of about 3% to about 21% by weight prior to molding into a flying target by application of heat and/or pressure.

2. The biodegradable flying target composition of claim 1 wherein approximately 30% to about 45% of the ground material passes through a mesh size of 0.128.

3. The biodegradable flying target composition of claim 1 wherein approximately 95% to about 100% of the ground grain material passes through a mesh size of 0.002.

4. The biodegradable flying target composition of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ground grain material is ground wheat grain.

5. The biodegradable flying target composition of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the ground grain material is a cereal grain including at least one of: barley, rice, bran, bulgur and durum wheat.

6. The biodegradable flying target composition of any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising about 85% to about 99% of the ground grain material.

7. The biodegradable flying target composition of any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising 85% to 99% flour and 15% to 1% sodium chloride salt.

8. A method of making a biodegradable flying target comprising: a. forming a mixture comprising a ground grain material having a granularity wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material will pass a mesh size of 0.15 and having a granularity wherein all of the ground grain material is incapable of germination; b. adjusting a moisture content of the mixture to about 3% to about 21% by weight; and c. applying heat and/or applying pressure to mold the mixture into a disc-shaped structure having sufficient integrity to be thrown by a launching mechanism and being frangible upon being hit by a firearm pellet.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein approximately 30% to about 45% of the ground material passes through a mesh size of 0.128.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein approximately 95% to about 100% of the ground grain material passes through a mesh size of 0.002.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the ground grain material is ground wheat grain.

12. The method of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the ground grain material is a cereal grain including at least one of: barley, rice, bran, bulgur and durum wheat.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the mixture comprises 85% to 99% flour and 15% to 1% sodium chloride salt.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising directing the mixture into a mold before the applying heat and/or applying pressure.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising keeping the mold or parts of the mold at a mold temperature that is colder than a temperature of the mixture directed into the mold.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mold temperature is 36 deg. F colder than the temperature of the mixture.

17. The method of any one of claims 8 to 16 wherein the heat applied to the mixture is at or less than 212 deg. F.

18. A biodegradable flying target produced by a method comprising: a. forming a mixture comprising a ground grain material having a particle size wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material will pass a mesh size of 0.15 and to a particle size wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material is incapable of germination; b. adjusting a moisture content of the mixture to about 3% to about 21% by weight; and c. applying heat and/or applying pressure to mold the mixture into a disc-shaped structure having sufficient integrity to be thrown by a launching mechanism and being frangible upon being hit by a firearm pellet.

19. The biodegradable flying target of claim 18, wherein approximately 95% to about 100% of the ground grain material passes through a mesh size of 0.002.

20. The biodegradable flying target of claim 20, wherein the mixture comprises 85% to 99% flour and 15% to 1% sodium chloride salt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example implementations of the present application, and in which:

[0037] FIGS. 1A-1B show perspective views of a biodegradable flying target in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0038] FIGS. 2A-2E show various views of a biodegradable flying target in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example biodegradable target production system, in accordance with example implementations described herein.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the percentage of ground material for use in the biodegradable flying target versus sieve diameter, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of a method for manufacturing a biodegradable flying target, in accordance with example implementations described herein.

[0042] Similar reference numerals have been used in different figures to denote similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE IMPLEMENTATIONS

[0043] Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The present invention relates to a biodegradable flying target, a composition for making a biodegradable flying target, and a method of making a biodegradable flying target composition and a biodegradable flying target.

[0045] FIGS. 1A-1B show perspective views of a biodegradable flying target 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG. 1A, showing a perspective view of the biodegradable flying target 100 from above (e.g., showing an exterior-facing side 10), the biodegradable flying target composition is molded into a disc-shaped body having a contoured profile adapted for stable flight (e.g., an aerodynamic structure). In examples, the disc shaped body may include a circumferential rim 14 at its lower portion, which provides structural support and contributes to the aerodynamic stability during flight. In examples, the disc-shaped body can have sufficient integrity to be thrown by a launching mechanism and a useful degree of frangibility upon being hit by a projectile, such as a shotgun pellet.

[0046] To aid in maintaining the aerodynamic structure of the biodegradable flying target, the target is generally fabricated in a standard mold, such as a conventionally shaped mold associated with conventional trap and skeet shooting targets. The use of such a mold will produce a product which is similar in size, shape and design of conventional trap and skeet shooting targets. With reference to FIG. 1B, showing a perspective view of an inverted biodegradable flying target 100 (e.g., showing a contoured underside 12 of the biodegradable flying target 100), a stackable geometry is enabled wherein the contoured underside 12 of the biodegradable flying target 100 is configured to receive a complementary exterior-facing side 10 of another target, with weight evenly distributed along edges (e.g., upper edge 16 and lower edge 18) of the circumferential rim 14, for example, for stable and efficient storage and/or transport. In examples, conventional standard size clay targets typically weigh between 100-105 grams, have a diameter of 108-110 mm and a height of 25-29 mm, however other dimensions may be used, for example to meet the requirements of regulatory bodies within specific jurisdictions.

[0047] In examples, the target may include a binder system derived from natural or renewable sources, combined with a filler material that is both structurally suitable for flight and fragmentation. In one embodiment, the preferred material is primarily ground grain material such as wheat grain. For example, the disc-shaped body shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may include a textured surface, for example, representative of the grain size used. Without being limited to any particular theory, the process of grinding the grain exposes some of the contents of the grain (such wheat flour, among other possibilities) to the environment, for example, leaving most of the wheat kernel intact, but in smaller pieces than the original kernel. A preferred granularity is a particle size that will pass approximately 40% of the ground material through a mesh diameter of 0.128. An additional advantage of grinding the grain is that it renders the material non-viable for germination, thereby preventing unintended alteration of plant species within the shooting area. Another advantage of grinding the grain is that gluten-forming proteins within the grains can act as binders, thereby eliminating the need for additive binders, such as artificial binders. In examples, gluten is a protein network formed when proteins in flour (e.g., glutenin and gliadin) combine with water and are physically worked or mixed. In other examples, natural proteins and starches in the ground grain may be fused or gelled, for example, when exposed to heat and pressure, thereby forming a rigid binding structure (e.g., representing a dense, cooked matrix). In certain examples, the absence of additive binders is advantageous, as such additives may dilute the natural composition of the grain and diminish the edibility of fragmented targets for wildlife and livestock.

[0048] In addition to wheat grain, other grains may be suitable for use including, but not limited to barley, rice, bran, bulgur, and durum wheat, including semolina and couscous. In examples, mixtures comprising wheat grain and one or more additional grains can be utilized, provided that the inclusion of the additional grains do not materially diminish the friability of the resulting target. Mixtures including products such as Alfalfa may be used, but in concentrations that avoid a corresponding undesirable loss of frangibility of the resulting target. In some aspects, an amount of Alfalfa may be less than 20% of the total (e.g., by weight) in order to avoid the undesirable loss of frangibility. In some aspects, it has been found that the use of grains will produce a moldable material displaying sufficient strength for mechanical throwing, and will impart a useful degree of frangibility upon being hit by a firearm pellet. This is in contrast to the use of certain legumes as the moldable material which do not impart a useful degree of frangibility required upon being hit by a pellet or bullet.

[0049] FIGS. 2A-2E show various views of a biodegradable flying target 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the biodegradable flying target 100 from above, FIG. 2B shows a top view of the biodegradable flying target 100, FIG. 2C shows a side view of the biodegradable flying target 100, FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of an inverted biodegradable flying target 100 and FIG. 2E shows a bottom view of the biodegradable flying target 100.

[0050] In examples, the biodegradable flying target composition of FIGS. 2A-2E may be molded into a disc-shaped body as described with respect to FIGS. 1A-1B, for example, including an exterior-facing side 10, a contoured underside 12, a circumferential rim 14 and corresponding edges 16 and 18. However, the surface texture of the disc-shaped body represented in FIGS. 2A-2E may be smooth, for example, representative of a fine grain size (e.g., finely ground grain, such as a fine grain flour or another commercial grade flour) used in the biodegradable flying target composition.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a is a block diagram illustrating an example biodegradable target production system 300 in which example embodiments may be implemented. In examples, the biodegradable target production system 300 may include a grinding assembly 320, a mixing and dispensing assembly 330, a molding assembly 340 and optionally, a cooling assembly 360. The system 300 has been simplified in this example for ease of understanding; generally, there may be more entities and components in the system 300 than that shown in FIG. 3 and it is understood that this is only exemplary and is not intended to be limiting.

[0052] In examples, raw materials 310 may be provided to a composition preparation block 320 for generating a biodegradable flying target composition 330. In examples, raw materials 310 may include various natural materials that are sufficient to serve as binders and/or fillers for formulating the biodegradable flying target composition 330. In this regard, the raw materials 310 may inherently contain all necessary binders and/or fillers, thereby eliminating the need for additional and/or artificial binder or filler components to be added.

[0053] In examples, the raw materials 310 may include organic materials, such as ground grains or other plant-based materials, and/or non-organic natural materials, such as minerals, among other possibilities. In some embodiments, for example, the raw materials 310 may further include other categories of materials, such as colorants, dyes or pigments such as tartrazine, for example, to increase visibility, and/or preservatives, for example, to prolong storage shelf life, among other possibilities. In examples, the raw materials 310 may be provided to the composition preparation block 320 according to various examples disclosed herein.

[0054] In some embodiments, for example, the raw materials 310 may include grain or ground grain of various coarseness. For example, the received grain may be coarsely, moderately or finely ground. In examples, the raw materials 310 may further be received at a grinding assembly 322 for grinding to a desired granularity or particle size, or the received raw materials 310 may be provided directly to the mixing and dispensing assembly 326, for example, for mixing the raw materials 310 to form the biodegradable flying target composition 330 and/or for dispensing a pre-determined amount of the composition 330. In some embodiments, for example, the grinding assembly 322 may include a grinding device such as a burr mill or a blade grinder, among other possibilities. In examples, the mixing and dispensing assembly 326 may dispense an amount of the composition 330 weighing 103 grams, among other possibilities.

[0055] In some embodiments, for example, the raw materials 310 may include a finely ground wheat grain (such as a commercial flour) and a salt, such as sodium chloride salt. In examples, the sodium chloride salt may be ground to a particle size substantially similar to that of the flour, for example, for ensuring uniformity in texture and/or for influencing protein behavior, such as improving a development of a gluten matrix by strengthening the gluten network. In other examples, salt may positively influence the interaction of proteins and starches in the ground grain, for example, contributing to ionic strength or otherwise stabilizing or tightening protein structures prior to and/or during the molding process. In some embodiments, for example, the salt may interact with moisture in the ground grain to cause the boiling point of the composition 330 to be elevated slightly. In other embodiments, salts other than sodium chloride may be utilized, provided that such salts are selected to be suitable for consumption by animals, such as wildlife and livestock.

[0056] In other examples, the grind coarseness can be varied to alter various physical or functional characteristics of the target, such as flow characteristics (e.g., flow of the composition 330 within a mold to ensure filling of the mold shape), surface finish, friability, and molding characteristics such as mold release properties.

[0057] In examples, the biodegradable flying target composition 330 may be provided to a molding assembly 340 for molding the composition 330 into the desired shape. In examples, the molding assembly 340 may represent a conventional compression molding system, for example, where heat and pressure may be applied to the composition 330 within a mold. In examples, composition 330 may be in the form of a powder, and the dispensed amount of the composition 330 may be warmed and/or placed into a mold cavity. In some embodiments, for example, the mold may be a heated mold cavity, where the mold may be heated prior to receiving the composition 330 or the mold may be heated after receiving the composition 330, among other possibilities. The mold may then be closed, and pressure may be applied to the mold using a hydraulic or mechanical press. In examples, the composition 330 within the mold cavity may be simultaneously heated and compressed, such that the composition 330 flows to fill the mold shape and solidifying or curing the composition. The resulting solidified composition 350 may be subsequently cooled within the closed compression mold (e.g., prior to ejection from the mold), or the solidified composition 350 may be ejected from the mold and cooled separately using the cooling assembly 360) to generate the biodegradable flying target 100, or some combination thereof, among other possibilities.

[0058] In other embodiments, for example, the molding assembly 340 may represent an injection molding system, for example, where a warmed aliquot of the composition 330 is injected through a small port into a closed mold. In examples, pressures between 3.5 MPa (e.g., 500 psi) and 13.8 MPa (e.g., 20,000 psi) may be applied to effectively produce the biodegradable flying target 100 having different aesthetic or functional characteristics, such as various finishes and/or frangibility, among other possibilities.

[0059] In examples, the temperature and the moisture level of the composition 330 can be adjusted to achieve a desired structural integrity, enabling the biodegradable flying target 100 to withstand the mechanical forces of a launching mechanism while maintaining sufficient frangibility upon impact with a firearm pellet. In some aspects, it has been found that a desirable moisture content of the grain component is between 3% by weight, and 21 percent by weight. In some aspects, it has been found that to avoid the moisture in the grain from generating steam, a maximum temperature of the composition 330 should remain near or below the boiling point of water (e.g., 212 deg. F). In examples, limiting the temperature to below 212 deg. F may mitigate the tendency of the generated steam to form pockets and bulges in the finished biodegradable flying target 100. In some embodiments, for example, when the composition 330 represents a mixture of ground grain and salt, the interaction of the salt with moisture in the composition 330 may further mitigate the generation of steam to during molding, for example, due to the effect of the salt elevating the boiling point of water.

[0060] In examples, it has also been found that by maintaining the mold or parts of the mold at a lower temperature than the incoming composition 330, the resulting target can more easily be removed from the mold. In examples, the mold or parts of the mold can be maintained at a temperature that is at least 36 deg. F cooler than the warmed composition 330. In some aspects, it has also been found that unlike some known materials, the subject compositions 330 may not require a mold release agent, meaning that the contamination of the finished product by mold release agent is avoided.

[0061] In some embodiments, for example, the solidified composition 350 may be ejected from the mold and provided to the cooling assembly 360 for effective cooling to prevent desiccation of the final biodegradable flying target 100 prior to storage and/or transportation. In examples, it has been found that stacking and/or storing the biodegradable flying target 100 while still warm from the molding process may lead to minor edge flaking or chipping, resulting in an uneven visual appearance at the edges of the biodegradable flying target 100 that does not materially affect the functional characteristics of the biodegradable flying target 100. For example, as the biodegradable flying target 100 cools and dries, moisture may be lost more rapidly at the vertices than in the center. This moisture gradient may cause uneven shrinkage and stress at the edges, leading to the observed minor flaking and chipping at the edges. In examples, the cooling assembly 360 may provide an environment in which heat can be more evenly extracted from the warm biodegradable flying target 100, thereby preventing the uneven aesthetic at the edges. In examples, the cooling assembly 360 may include one or more fans for providing airflow over and/or around the warm biodegradable flying target 100, or in other examples, the cooling assembly 360 may include a cooling chamber, among other possibilities.

EXAMPLES

[0062] Example 1: A composition 330 of coarsely ground wheat grain containing 8% moisture by weight is warmed to 190 deg. F and placed in the cavity portion of a compression mold. Closing the mold with a pressure on the material of 12.4 MPa (e.g., 1800 psi) will distribute the material throughout the forming cavity. Within a few seconds, the material is cooled sufficiently to be removed from the mold. [0063] Example 2: A composition 330 of moderately ground wheat grain is warmed within the barrel of an injection molding device to approximately 200 deg. F The injection mold is closed and held closed with a force of approximately 3 tons per square inch of the target profile. The injection molding device forces the material into the mold at a pressure of 62 MPa (e.g., 9000 psi). The injection mold operates at a temperature of 170 deg. F or less, cooling the molded part and allowing part removal in less than 1 minute. [0064] Example 3: A composition 330 of finely ground wheat grain having a distribution of grain sizes according to FIG. 4 is warmed to 190 deg. F. and placed in the cavity portion of a compression mold. Closing the mold with a pressure on the material of 12.4 MPa (e.g., 1800 psi) will distribute the material throughout the forming cavity. Within a few seconds, the material is cooled sufficiently to be removed from the mold. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a distribution of ground wheat grain sizes corresponding to a passage of the ground wheat grain through a certain mesh hole diameter (also referred to as a mesh size or a mesh diameter), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In examples, the composition 330 of Example 3 may represent a mixture of ground wheat grain represented in FIG. 4, for example, in which 92% (by weight) of the ground wheat grain passes through a mesh size of 0.15 and approximately 42% of the material passes through a mesh size of 0.128. [0065] Example 4: A composition 330 of finely ground wheat grain representative of commercially available flours (e.g., where the finely ground wheat grain may be screened or sieved to remove all of the bran components of the ground wheat) is warmed to 190 deg. F and placed in the cavity portion of a compression mold. Closing the mold with a pressure on the material of 12.4 MPa (e.g., 1800 psi) will distribute the material throughout the forming cavity. In one aspect, 95 to 100% of the ground grain material will pass a mesh size of 0.002 forming a composition 330 of the ground grain material having moisture content of about 3% to about 21% by weight. [0066] Example 5: A composition 330 including finely ground wheat grain representative of commercially available flours is warmed to 190 deg. F and placed in the cavity portion of a compression mold. Closing the mold with a pressure on the material of 12.4 MPa (e.g., 1800 psi) will distribute the material throughout the forming cavity. The composition 330 may comprise approximately 85% to 99% (by weight) of flour, with a remaining balance including a salt, such as sodium chloride salt. In examples, the sodium chloride salt may be ground to a particle size substantially similar to that of the flour. In one aspect, 95 to 100% of the ground grain material and ground salt will pass a mesh size of 0.002. In examples, a preferred biodegradable flying target composition 330 comprising 85% to 99% flour and 15% to 1% sodium chloride salt may be used to produce the biodegradable flying target 100.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of a method 500 for making a biodegradable flying target 100, in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The method 500 can be performed in the context of the components of the biodegradable target production system 300 shown in FIG. 3 in some embodiments.

[0068] Method 500 begins at step 502 wherein a mixture is formed comprising grain material. In examples, the ground grain material may be ground to a particle size wherein about 90% to about 100% of the ground grain material will pass through a mesh size of 0.15 and wherein the granularity of mixture is small enough such that all of the ground grain material is incapable of germination. In some examples, the ground grain material may be ground to a particle size wherein approximately 30% to about 45% of the ground material passes through a mesh diameter size of 0.128. In other examples, the ground grain material may be ground to a particle size wherein approximately 95% to about 100% of the ground grain material passes through a mesh diameter size of 0.002.

[0069] At step 504, the moisture content of the mixture may be adjusted to about 3% to about 21% by weight. In examples, a moisture content of the mixture may be determined to be higher than 3% to about 21%. For example, the moisture content of the mixture may be determined using an oven drying approach (e.g., taking the difference between an initial weight and a dried weight as a percentage of the initial weight) or using a moisture meter, among other possibilities. Responsive to determining that the moisture content of the mixture is higher than 3% to about 21%, the mixture may be dried, for example, by exposing the mixture to warm and/or heated air, or by drying the mixture in an oven, among other possibilities.

[0070] At step 506, the mixture may be directed into a mold. For example, the mixture may be in the form of a powder and a pre-determined amount of the mixture may be warmed and/or placed into a heated mold cavity associated with a compression molding process. In other examples, a warmed aliquot of the mixture may be injected through a small port into a closed mold associated with an injection molding process, among other possibilities. In some embodiments, a temperature of the mold or parts of the mold may be maintained at a temperature that is colder than a temperature of the mixture directed into the mold.

[0071] At step 508, heat and/or pressure may be applied to mold the mixture into a disc-shaped structure, such as an aerodynamic structure associated with a skeet or trap shooting target (e.g., biodegradable flying target 100), where the resulting disc-shaped structure has sufficient integrity to be thrown by a launching mechanism and is frangible upon being hit by a firearm pellet. In examples, the heat and pressure may be applied to the mold using a hydraulic or mechanical press, using conventional compression molding or the heat and pressure may be applied to the mold as part of an injection molding process, among other possibilities. In some examples, a heat that is applied to the mixture is at or less than 212 deg. F.

[0072] At step 510, the disc-shaped structure may be ejected from the mold. In some examples, compressed air may be used to facilitate ejecting the disc-shaped structure from the mold, or another method may be used.

[0073] Optionally, at step 512, the disc-shaped structure may be cooled, for example, to a room temperature, among other possibilities. In examples, an air flow may be passed over and/or around the disc-shaped structure, or the disc-shaped structure may be placed in a cooling chamber, among other possibilities. In examples, cooling of the disc-shaped structure may occur before or after the disc-shaped structure is ejected from the mold at step 510.

General

[0074] The embodiments of the present application described above are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present application. In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above.

[0075] Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. Any dimensions provided in the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

[0076] Although the present disclosure describes methods and processes with steps in a certain order, one or more steps of the methods and processes can be omitted or altered as appropriate. One or more steps can take place in an order other than that in which they are described, as appropriate.