Patent Application
20240377168
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to compostable, biodegradable, and reactive shooting targets. The presently disclosed subject matter also includes methods of making and using the disclosed targets.
In the United States alone, there currently are an estimated 52 million participants in recreational shooting sports, including 31 million people that primarily target shoot. The sport continues to grow, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reporting that overall participation in the sport has increased 28% in the past two decades. Target shooting enables shooters to improve their accuracy and precision at a shooting range or other controlled environment. Most recreational shooters enjoy shooting physical objects other than paper targets, which most find boring. Paper targets also suffer from the drawback of being difficult to verify where a bullet has hit without walking down range to inspect the target. Prior art reactive explosive targets have been developed to overcome these problems. Specifically, explosive targets include two different materials that are mixed within the interior of a plastic housing. When shot, the targets explode. However, explosive targets are dangerous, have been shown to start unintentional fires, and require training before use. Air-filled and water-filled balloons have also been frequently used as shooting targets. However, when the balloons explode as the target is hit, extensive cleanup of the balloon pieces is required. Other shooters enjoy shooting at objects such as bottles, soda cans, aerosol cans, toys, appliances, clay targets, and the like. However, these objects leave potentially dangerous residue behind after being shot, as well as require cleanup of the broken pieces. For example, clay skeet includes substances that will contaminate the soil, posing a hazard to the environment and wildlife. In addition, when a bottle is shot and breaks, it leaves shards of glass in the surrounding environment. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a target that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a shooting target. The target comprises a base defined by a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an outer perimeter. The target includes an outer ridge extending upward from the front surface of the base, about the outer perimeter of the base. The target includes a central hub extending upward from the front surface of the base, positioned in a center of the front surface of the base. The target includes at least one hollow cavity within an interior space, the hollow cavity comprising a filler. The target is about 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable (e.g., at least/no more than about 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, 99.9, or 100% compostable and/or biodegradable).
In some embodiments, the target includes one or more walls extending upward from the front surface of the base, positioned between the outer ridge and the central hub.
In some embodiments, each wall is configured as a concentric ring.
In some embodiments, the central hub, outer ridge, or both include markings defined by colors, grid lines, patterns, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the filler is a powder.
In some embodiments, the filler is baking powder.
In some embodiments, the powder is colored.
In some embodiments, the target comprises starch, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, polyacrylate, poly acetate, PLA, soy protein, cellulose, natural fiber textiles, polyglycolic acid, dextran, alginate, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the target comprises about 100 weight percent starch.
In some embodiments, the starch is tapioca starch.
In some embodiments, the target includes one or more tabs, each defined by an aperture, positioned adjacent to the outer ridge.
In some embodiments, the target fully biodegrades in about 100 days.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of improving the accuracy of shooting at a target. Particularly, the method comprises shooting a projectile towards a target. The target comprises a base defined by a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an outer perimeter. The target includes an outer ridge extending upward from the front surface of the base, about the outer perimeter of the base. The target includes a central hub extending upward from the front surface of the base, positioned in a center of the front surface of the base. The target includes at least one hollow cavity within an interior space, the hollow cavity comprising a filler. The target is about 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable (e.g., at least/no more than about 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, 99.9, or 100% compostable and/or biodegradable). The method includes striking the target with the projectile, wherein the projectile pierces the front surface and rear surface of the target creating an opening in the target front and rear surface, and the projectile passes through the interior and contacts the filler. A plume of filler escapes from the opening in the rear surface of the target, indicating the location where the target was struck by the projectile, thereby improving the accuracy of shooting at the target.
The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the drawing figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to biodegradable and compostable targets constructed from starch (e.g., tapioca starch). The starch provides a biodegradable and compostable characteristic to the target, allowing it to be broken down into the soil after use.
As shown in
One or more additional walls 30 can further extend up from the base surrounding the central hub, as shown in
The central hub, walls 30, and/or outer ridge 10 can include optional markings 11 to indicate standard bullseye images and/or to increase user visibility of the different target sections. One example is shown in
In some embodiments, all or a portion of target 5 can be hollow. The term “hollow” refers to a cavity within the interior of the target. For example, the interior of central hub 15, base 25, outer ridge 10, and/or one or more walls 30 can include an internal cavity. Each component of the target can have its own internal cavity 35, as shown in
In some embodiments, the internal cavity can comprise filler 20 that provides a reactive characteristic to the target, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, filler 20 can include any ground, pulverized, otherwise finely dispersed solid particles (e.g., a powder). For example, filler 20 can include baking powder in some embodiments (e.g., a mixture of carbonate or bicarbonate and a weak acid). However, the disclosed target is not limited, and the filler can be selected from silica, ceramics, minerals, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, starch, oatmeal, shea butter powder, silicon dioxide, talc, lycopodium, bentonite, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, solid PEG, cellulose, or combinations thereof. It should further be appreciated that any powder, liquid, or gel can be used.
In some embodiments, the filler can include wood products, such as (but not limited to) wood pellets. The wood pellets can be configured as pellets of any type of wood (e.g., pine pellets, oak pellets, bamboo pellets, maple pellets, and the like). The pellets can be in any desired size. In some embodiments, about 1 tablespoon of filler can be housed within the target cavity (e.g., at least/no more than about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 tablespoons).
The material selected as filler 20 can be eco-friendly and/or biodegradable. In this way, the filler does not adversely affect the surrounding environment and/or can quickly biodegrade. The term “eco-friendly” refers to materials that are not harmful to the environment, whether in production, use, and/or disposal.
In some embodiments, filler 20 can further include one or more color enhancers or dyes in any desired color. For example, when the outer ridge is hit with a bullet, compartment 35 can rupture and red powder can be dispersed as a result. In other examples, when the central hub is struck by a bullet or other projectile, a different colored powder is released compared to elsewhere on the target, indicating a favorable location on the target (e.g., a green powder is released when the central hub is hit, compared to a yellow powder when wall 30 is hit, and red powder when the outer ridge is hit). It should be appreciated that the colors of filler are not limited.
In some embodiments, the volume internal compartment(s) 35 can be about 100% filled with filler 20. In other embodiments, the volume of internal compartments can be about 50-99 percent filled with filler. In still other embodiments, the volume of the compartments can be about 10-50 percent filled with filler. Thus, the interior compartment(s) of the target can be filled to at least about (or no more than about) 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99 percent with filler 20. In some embodiments, one or more internal compartments of target 5 can include a volume of about 1-5 tablespoons of filler 20. Thus, one or more internal cavities can include about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 tablespoons of powder. However, a greater or lesser volume of filler can be included in the disclosed targets, given the size of a particular target.
Target 5 can be constructed from any biodegradable and/or compostable material. The term “biodegradable” refers to a material that has a measurable half-life in a biological environment. For example, a biodegradable material can include any organic material that can be broken down into organic substances by living organisms, such as microorganisms. Biodegradability can be measured using ASTM D5511, incorporated by reference herein. The term “compostable” refers to an organic material, composition, compound, polymer, etc., that undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting to yield, for example, carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, biomass, and the like, and which may leave no visible, distinguishable, and/or toxic, residue. The compostability of materials, compositions, compounds, polymers, etc., can be measured by ASTM D6400 test method, which is a standard test for determining compostability and which is herein incorporated by reference.
Suitable biodegradable and/or compostable materials include (but are not limited to) starch, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, polyacrylate, poly acetate, PLA, soy protein, cellulose, natural fiber textiles, polyglycolic acid, dextran, alginate, or combinations thereof. Thus, the disclosed target can be constructed from starch in some embodiments. The term “starch” refers to any material comprising the complex polysaccharide carbohydrates of plants, including amylose or amylopectin with the formula (C6H10O5)x, where “x” can be any number. The term “starch” includes plant-based materials, such as grains, cereal, grasses, tubers and roots, and materials obtained from wheat, barley, corn, rye, rice, sorghum, brans, cassava, millet, milo, potato, sweet potato, and/or tapioca. The term “starch” further includes granular starch (i.e., uncooked starch that has not been subject to gelatinization). Thus, in some embodiments, tapioca starch can be used.
Target 5 can include about 100 weight percent starch. In other embodiments, the target can comprise about 70-100 weight percent starch (e.g., at least/no more than about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, or 100 weight percent), with the remainder comprising one or more additives. The term “additive” can include (but is not limited to) volume enhancers (e.g., clay), cellulose, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, micronutrients (e.g., copper, zinc, magnesium iron, sulfur, boron, sodium, manganese, cobalt, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium), and the like as would be known in the art. For example, the additives can include one or more dyes, resulting in a desired color to the target (e.g., orange or yellow). In some embodiments, the additives are compostable and/or biodegradable. It should be appreciated that the additives are optional, and the disclosed target can be configured without additives (e.g., about 100 weight percent starch).
The materials used to construct target 5 are not bullet resistant or projectile resistant. Thus, if a bullet or projectile strikes the target pattern, it will pierce at least front face 56, leaving a hole.
To form each target 5, starch (with or without additives) is mixed with water to form a thick paste. For example, the mixture can include about 30-70 weight percent starch and about 70-30 weight percent water. Thus, the mixture can include about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 70 weight percent starch and about 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, or 30 weight percent water. The paste mixture is positioned into a mold cavity, and a cooperating male insert presses the paste into a desired shape, as is known in the art. The mold is heated briefly (e.g., about 1-60 seconds to a temperature of about 100° C.) and the insert is retracted. The heat will evaporate the water to form the target.
In some embodiments, the target can be about 100% compostable and about 100% biodegradable.
In some embodiments, the targets can fully biodegrade in about 50-150 days. Thus, target 5 can biodegrade about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, or 150 days after it comes into contact with the ground or soil. It will be appreciated that the skilled artisan is capable of adjusting the length of time required for biodegradation of target 5 by selection of the dimensions (e.g., including relative thickness of zones or portions of the target) and/or incorporating varying amounts of organic material, reactive species, and enzymes that hasten the biodegradation of the material. Further, it will be appreciated that if the target pieces are crushed into the ground, the biodegradation process can be accelerated.
Although illustrated as circular in shape in the figures, target 5 can have any desired cross-sectional shape, such as (but not limited to) circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, and the like, as illustrated in
The disclosed target can be configured in any suitable size to accommodate a variety of users, guns, and the like. For example, each target can have length 45 and/or width 50 of about 5-30 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 inches), as shown in
In some embodiments, target 5 can include one or more tabs 81 positioned about the perimeter of the target that function to securely place the target on a support (such as a shooting stand). As shown in
In use, target 5 can be hung a desired distance from the ground and the shooter. In some embodiments, tab aperture 82 allows the target to be hooked or hung on a holder raised a set distance from the ground. In some embodiments, the holder can include a single, double, triple, quadruple, etc. target (e.g., can hold 1, 2, 3, or 4 targets 5). Once hung, the shooter can then take aim and fire toward the target. For example, the shooter can aim for a bullseye design in central hub 15. In some embodiments, the bullseye region of the target (e.g., centermost portion of the central hub) is indicative of the highest score of the target. The aim of the shooter can therefore be to hit the bullseye to achieve a maximum score. The target can also include one or more concentric circles (e.g., outer ridge 10 and walls 30). The outer ridge indicates the lowest score, and the score increases as the radii of the concentric circles decrease.
When the target is hit, the projectile (e.g., bullet, arrow) creates entry and exit holes 70, 71 as it pierces the target. Specifically, holes are created on the front and rear surfaces 56, 57 as the projectile passes through the target, as shown in
Because the disclosed target is reactive and gives a shooter the immediate indication of where the target was hit, it can be used to provide a level of consistency to the shooter and improve shooting accuracy. Thus, target 5 makes shooting more efficient. The shooter is not required to take down and put up new disposable targets. Further, the shooter can wait until the shooting session is over to approach the target since each shot is indicated by a plume of filler (e.g., powder) escaping from the rear face of the target upon impact.
After the target has been used and the shooting session is over, it can be thrown into a garbage receptacle where it is broken down and/or composted. The target can also be left on the ground, where it will naturally biodegrade. As will be appreciated, the size of the target pieces, weather conditions, and the like will affect the rate of biodegradability.
Further, target 5 (minus the drawn in bullseye) can be used as a replacement for clay skeet in some embodiments. Particularly, the target can be manually or automatically loaded into a standard skeet thrower. The targets are ideal due to the aerodynamic shape and consistent flight patterns. When hit in flight, the target emits a plume of filler (e.g., powder) from the rear face of the target. In some embodiments, the amount of powder expelled from the target is an indication of the quality of the hit (e.g., the better the hit, the more powder is dispersed). Unlike traditional clay skeet, target 5 is reusable. Specifically, if the shooter misses the target, it can be picked up and thrown again. The target typically withstands landing on the ground, which is an advantage over fragile clay skeet currently used in the market.
The presently disclosed subject matter includes many advantages over prior art targets. For example, target 5 is fully biodegradable and therefore does not add to the growing amount of consumer waste produced daily. Thus, the starch materials are capable of decomposing naturally without polluting the outside environment.
The disclosed targets are also compostable, allowing consumers to easily add the used targets to a compost pile instead of a landfill.
As the targets degrade, the starch breaks down and adds nutrients into the soil. In this way, micronutrients and other advantageous materials are released.
The disclosed target is also portable and lightweight, allowing a user to easily transport the target from a first location to a second location.
Target 5 provides immediate indication to the shooter whether the shot hit or missed the target. The target also provides feedback to the shooter as to shot placement relative to particular locations of the target (e.g., relative to the bullseye).
The disclosed targets can be stackable, thereby saving space when shipping or during storage.
Target 5 is 100% non-toxic. The term “non-toxic” refers to being free from toxic materials that can harm a living organism (e.g., human). Thus, the disclosed target can be safe, causing no short or long term harm, and does not create any deleterious effects in the environment and/or animals.
The disclosed target allows a user to analyze their shots without any assistance from others, allowing for improvement.
The target can be easily hung from any angle using tabs 81, allowing for ease of use.
The disclosed targets are easy to use, such that even new shooters can enjoy shooting with little or no difficulty.
Exemplary embodiments of the methods and components of the presently disclosed subject matter have been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered by the presently disclosed subject matter. Such embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
