Biodegradable target with plant nutrients

Abstract

A biodegradable skeet or trap target with a body composed principally of a composted waste material comprising sewage sludge, composted animal manure, and/or composted plant matter suitable for fertilizing plants, encapsulated within a substantially rigid, frangible matrix formed of a degradable binder material, is provided by the invention. The body of the target may also comprise a generally inert granular filler material, preferably sand. As an alternative to or in addition to the preferred composted waste material, prepared plant fertilizer may be used as the principal material in the composition of the target. A method of making a biodegradable target with plant nutrients is also provided.

1 . A biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target comprising 
 a substantially rigid cohesive body with an aerodynamic configuration, said body constructed of materials comprising in principal part a plant fertilizing material and a biodegradable binder material adhering said plant fertilizing material in a solid mass to form said body.    
     
     
         2 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises sewage sludge.  
     
     
         3 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises composted animal manure.  
     
     
         4 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises composted plant material.  
     
     
         5 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 4 , wherein said composted plant material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of composted seed hulls, composted grain hulls, composted plant stems, and composted plant leaves.  
     
     
         6 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , wherein said binder material comprises sodium silicate.  
     
     
         7 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , wherein said material of construction of said body further comprises a generally inert filler material.  
     
     
         8 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 7 , wherein said filler material comprises sand.  
     
     
         9 . The biodegradable breakable skeet and trap target of  claim 1 , further comprising a coloring material applied to the outer surface of said body.  
     
     
         10 . A composition for forming a biodegradable, breakable skeet and trap target, comprising 
 a plant fertilizing material for providing plant nutrients to the soil upon degradation of the target; and    a biodegradable binder material for encapsulating said plant fertilizing material in a solid matrix upon formation of the target and releasing said plant fertilizing material upon degradation of the target.    
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said plant fertilizing material is of organic composition.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises sewage sludge.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises composted animal manure.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said plant fertilizing material comprises composted vegetation.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 10 , further comprising a generally inert filler material.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said filler material comprises sand.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said binder material comprises sodium silicate.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making a skeet and trap target containing plant fertilizing materials, comprising the steps of 
 mixing a quantity of a plant fertilizer material with a smaller quantity of a generally inert granular material;    mixing with said plant fertilizing material and said filler material a sufficient quantity of a liquid binder material, said binder material being curable to a solid form, to produce a moldable slurry;    placing said slurry in a target mold;    leaving said slurry in said mold until said binder partially cures to a sufficient state to maintain the shape of said target when removed from said mold;    removing said target from said mold; and    allowing said binder to fully cure.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising the additional step of applying a non-toxic coloring agent to said target after removal of said target from said mold.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a non-toxic coloring agent is mixed with said plant fertilizer and said binder prior to placing said slurry in said mold.