Small-shot cartridges containing biodegradable separators

Abstract

The invention relates to small-shot cartridges containing biodegradable separators. Depending on the respective intended utilization, small-shot cartridges contain either scaling disks or cup-shaped wads that are referred to as separators and that separate the charge from the pellets. The cup-shaped wads usually consist of plastic, for example LDPE (low density polyethlene) or similar materials. The scaling disks may consist of plastic, but also of other materials, for example of cardboard, felt, fibers or combinations thereof. These materials may lead to sealing problems and may impair interior ballistics, the trajectory of the projectile in the barrel, and ignition and combustion processes. The separators are ejected from the barrel by the impact of the shot and are left behind during hunting in the countryside or during shooting in the shooting gallery, especially the non-biodegradable plastic materials constitute an environmental hazard. According to the invention, the separator ( 1 ) is therefore produced from a non-brittle, biodegradable material that is resistant to the temperatures of the propellants while it does not impair the function of the separator and that is completely biodegradable when stored under the conditions of comprising.

1 . Separator between charge and shot in a small-shot cartridge, characterized in that the separator ( 1 ,  10 ) consists of a non-brittle, biodegradable material which withstands the thermal stress of the propellent gases without destruction impairing its function and is completely biodegradable when exposed to composting conditions.  
     
     
         2 . Separator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the separator is in the form of a H-shaped, symmetrically configured sealing disk ( 1 ) which has a strengthened center portion ( 4 ), that the diameter ( 3 ) of the central portion ( 4 ) and the outside diameter ( 11 ) of the sealing disk ( 1 ) are so co-ordinated with one another that the forces of the gas pressure are distributed uniformly onto the shot charge over the entire disk surface.  
     
     
         3 . Separator according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the ratio of the outside diameter ( 2 ) of the sealing disk ( 1 ) to the diameter ( 3 ) of the surface of the central portion ( 4 ) is approximately 2.3 to 2.8 to 1.  
     
     
         4 . Separator according to  claim 2  or  3 , characterized in that on its top and bottom side the sealing disk ( 1 ) has symmetrically shaped upstanding portions ( 7 ) which taper toward their end and act as sealing lips.  
     
     
         5 . Separator according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , characterized in that the central portion ( 4 ) of the sealing disk ( 1 ) as well as the upstanding portions ( 7 ) taper at the same angle ( 6 ), and that the angle ( 6 ) is approximately between 15 and 20 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . Separator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the separator is in the form of a cupped wad ( 10 ), that the walls of the cup ( 14 ) for the shot are given a blade-like shape by slits reaching down to the cup bottom, that the cushioning part ( 16 ) consists of two thin-walled vshaped sections ( 19 ) whose apices ( 20 ) lie opposite one another, and that the sealing part ( 18 ) is cup-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . Separator according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the walls of the cup ( 14 ) and of the sealing part ( 18 ) each taper toward their margin.  
     
     
         8 . Separator according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that the material is reinforced by biologically unobjectionable fibers such as natural fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers or mineral fibers.  
     
     
         9 . Separator according to any one of  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that the material is a plastic.