Molded pulp shooting target

Abstract

A three-dimensional target is provided of molded pulp material that is lightweight, eco-friendly (e.g., of recyclable material), low cost, and that can be used anywhere traditional two-dimensional paper targets are utilized (e.g., in indoor shooting ranges).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional shooting target comprising:
 a three-dimensional body defining a volume, the three-dimensional body comprising a molded cellulose material having a front surface and a rear surface; and   one or more mounting tabs attached to a first end of the three-dimensional body;   wherein the three-dimensional body is shaped in three dimensions to resemble at least a three-dimensional mammalian head and torso.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the volume has a depth of at least about 2 cm and a length and a width larger in dimension than the depth. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mounting tabs provide a planar area substantially coplanar with a back end of the three-dimensional body that receive one or more fasteners when the three-dimensional shooting target is hung. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more second mounting tabs attached to a shoulder portion of the three-dimensional body. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a thickness between the front surface and the rear surface of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the molded cellulose material is planar prior to molding. 
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a weight between about 1 oz. and 16 oz. 
     
     
         8 . A three-dimensional shooting target comprising:
 a three-dimensional body made of a molded cellulose material having a length dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension, and a plurality of contours, the plurality of contours extending in the depth dimension, the three-dimensional body shaped to resemble in three dimensions a predefined three-dimensional form; and   one or more mounting tabs attached to an end of the three-dimensional body;   wherein the plurality of contours delineate target areas that facilitate relative scoring of shots taken at the three-dimensional shooting target.   
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the depth dimension is at least about 2 cm and the length dimension and width dimension are larger than the depth dimension. 
     
     
         10 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the predefined three-dimensional form resembles at least a mammalian head and torso. 
     
     
         11 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more second mounting tabs attached to a shoulder portion of the three-dimensional body. 
     
     
         12 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the molded cellulose material is a molded paper pulp material. 
     
     
         13 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the molded cellulose material comprises a front surface and a rear surface and has a thickness between the front surface and the rear surface of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The three-dimensional shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a weight between about 1 oz. and 16 oz. 
     
     
         15 . A method for a three-dimensional shooting target comprising:
 molding a cellulose material having a front surface and a rear surface into a three-dimensional body by forming one or more three-dimensional contours in the cellulose material, wherein the three-dimensional body resembles in three dimensions a predefined three-dimensional form;   forming one or more mounting edges, wherein the one or more mounting edges are attached to an end of the three-dimensional body;   wherein the one or more three-dimensional contours delineate target areas that facilitate relative scoring of shots taken at the three-dimensional shooting target and.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a depth of at least about 2 cm and a length and a width larger in dimension than the depth. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving one or more fasteners at the one or more mounting edges to hang the three-dimensional shooting target via the one or more mounting edges. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the predefined three-dimensional form resembles at least a mammalian head and torso. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a thickness between the front surface and the rear surface of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the three-dimensional body has a weight between about 1 oz. and 16 oz.