Degradable shotgun wad

Abstract

Herein we describe shotgun shells each having a degradable wad comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such wad degrades quickly after landing in an aquatic environment. Plastic, aquatic debris has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use implements that will degrade into environmentally benign compounds. Incorporating a degradable wad into shotgun shells provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable shotgun wads and methods are described herein.

1 . A shotgun shell comprising:
 a shotgun case having a boundary defining an enclosed space; and   a degradable wad confined within said enclosed space;   wherein said degradable wad comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer with a specific gravity greater than one; and   wherein said degradable wad degrades by weight faster when continuously submerged in an aquatic environment than at least one other degradable polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The shotgun shell of  claim 1 , wherein said wad comprises a slotted cup. 
     
     
         3 . The shotgun shell of  claim 1 , wherein said degradable wad degrades by weight faster when continuously submerged than when sporadically submerged. 
     
     
         4 . The shotgun shell of  claim 1 , wherein said wad is negatively buoyant in said aquatic environment. 
     
     
         5 . The shotgun shell of  claim 1 , wherein said other degradable polymer is polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         6 . The shotgun shell of  claim 1 , wherein said polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer degrades into environmentally benign components. 
     
     
         7 . A method of shooting a shotgun shell comprising the steps of:
 providing a shotgun case having a boundary defining an enclosed space and   a degradable wad confined within said enclosed space, wherein said degradable wad comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer with a specific gravity greater than one;   loading said shotgun case into a shotgun;   firing the shotgun, whereby the degradable wad is discharged from the barrel of the gun; and   exposing said degradable wad to an aquatic environment, wherein said degradable wad degrades by weight faster when continuously submerged in said aquatic environment than at least one other degradable polymer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said wad comprises a slotted cup. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said degradable wad degrades by weight faster when continuously submerged than when sporadically submerged. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said wad is negatively buoyant in said aquatic environment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said other degradable polymer is polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer degrades into environmentally benign components. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said degradable wad sinks in said aquatic environment. 
     
     
         14 - 43 . (canceled)