ES2535344B1 - Biodegradable shotgun cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns formed by sheath and inner block composed of bioplastics and thermoplastics for extrusion and injection into molds, characterized in that the main material is composed of biodegradable polymers of plant origin, or biodegradable elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin, or biodegradable polymers of origin of petroleum or thermoplastics of petroleum origin with a catalyst, with a minimum of 50% of the mixtures, plus an inert and non-toxic mineral load of the group of carbonates or mineral salts and in different mixtures and because the specific weight of the mixtures It ranges between 0.6 gr / cm {sup, 3} and 5 gr / cm {sup, 3}.

Description

BIODEGRADABLE CARTRIDGE FOR SCOTCHES OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a variety of shotgun cartridges, with the particularity of being biodegradable, also presenting

5 the novelty of having a density and strength sufficient for the use to which it is intended while the materials that make up the mixture do not contain heavy metals or toxic elements as will be seen below.

This novelty gives the object of the invention significant advantages in relation to the state of the art. Its industrial application falls within the scope of the production of shotgun cartridges.

The traditional cartridge comprised a sheath made of a paper tube provided with a base paper lid and a brass or steel bib, together with the explosive gunpowder, an inner block of fibers and lead pellets. With the arrival of plastics pods and tacos

15 interiors were replaced by petroleum-based symmetrical plastics such as polyethylene.

We understand as cartridge the formed by culotte, sheath and taco. The bib includes the detonating piston, the pod contains inside the gunpowder the block and the pellets or projectiles. The taco, is a plastic piece in the form of

20 cup, which separates the charge of gunpowder and pellets.

The taco's mission is multiple: on the one hand, it takes full advantage of the gases produced in the combustion of the powder thanks to a perfect internal seal of the cartridge at the time of firing and, on the other, it contains and protects the pellets in its path through the inside the barrel preventing them from deforming by friction with the walls. In addition, thanks to the flexion of the joint pillar of the two taco cups, it softens the recoil of the weapon by cushioning the initial impact that occurs at the time of firing.

5 The use of cartridges made of non-biodegradable plastics presents important ecological problems, since the natural soil is plagued with pods and tacos or pieces of them without any type of waste treatment. It is in this act of pouring non-biodegradable plastics into nature without even giving them recycling treatment, where the

10 environmental pollution, since both pods and tacos will remain for centuries before degrading.

The problem of environmental pollution occurs after the shot when the sheath is ejected from the weapon and remains on the ground, and the inner block is also projected after the shot being also

15 scattered on the ground.

Currently the most used plastics are polyethylene (PET), which may take centuries to disappear from the environment. It is for all this, that at the present time the biodegradable cartridge is demanded by hunting associations and shooting ranges that at the same time comply with the

20 own functions for the development of these sports and activities.

In relation to bioplastic cartridges, it is interpreted that they are those that in their composition include biodegradable materials in a percentage that reaches 50% of the mixture, or that biodegrades to 90%

at least, leaving a maximum residue of 10% of biomass within the first six months, so that they can be homologated as biodegradable in Europe, according to the European norm EN 13.432: 2000 "Requirements of the packages and packaging valued bias by composting and 5 biodegradation ", EN 14.855" Determination of the final aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions ", ASTM 06400-99" Standard Specification for compostable plastics ", ASTM 05338-98 'Standard test method for the determination of the aerobic degradation of plastic materials in 10 controlled composting conditions ", the ISO 14.851 standard on the" Determination of the final aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium 'more than the materials that interchangeably exceed the parameters of any of these regulations , how is he

Case of our materials.

15 However, it should be noted that biodegradable plastics can come from petroleum and should not be confused with bioplastics. The ASTM D-5488-94d standard defines "biodegradable" as "capable of suffering decomposition to carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds or biomass, the predominant mechanism being the action

20 Enzymatic microorganisms, which can be measured by standard tests, in a specified period of time, which reflects the available elimination conditions. "A bioplastic is a naturally occurring plastic produced by a living organism and biodegradable, synthesized from renewable energy sources, so it hardly produces

pollution.

The proposed invention completely solves that ecological problem that is created when after firing a cartridge, an act that is

5 develops in the countryside, in the middle of nature, the many pieces of pods and tacos are scattered on the ground. If we multiply this for all the times it is fired we will result in considerable damage to nature and fauna.

The present invention is based on a biodegradable terrnoplastic raw material 10 of elastomeric polymers and polymers as the main base, mixed with biodegradable terrnoplastics, which confer elasticity

necessary while avoiding breakage in its use, maintaining its condition of

biodegradability once used.

These developments give the object of significant invention

15 advantages in relation to the state of the art. Its industrial application falls within the scope of the production of shotgun cartridges and in particular biodegradable cartridges for hunting, sports or military shooting.

The proposed invention completely solves this ecological problem that is created when after being shot, pods and tacos 20 are left in the environment, since bioplastics are

They will biodegrade in a matter of months without leaving a trace of contamination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The state of the art in the production of shotgun cartridges has been evolving to provide cartridges that facilitate the development of sport hunting and shooting, but that do not minimize ecological damage, which is the main novelty of this invention.

5 In this sense we find a document, although it does not propose the biodegradable materials for the elaboration of the biodegradable cartridges presented by this invention.

Thus, document ES2100342T3 refers to a sheath for shotgun cartridges manufactured by extrusion or equivalent pressure forming of a composition based on high density polyolefin, this composition containing biodegradable starch and a stabilizing compound, the composition formed being stable in the sheath until the sheath is triggered at which time the stabilizer compound is partially destroyed or dispersed so that biodegradation takes place in the

15 environment in which the pod is left.

This document is about a composition that contains 43.15% high density polyethylene and 43% starch, and although the starch is biodegradable, it is not high density polyethylene or polyolefin, it also includes in its composition cupric stearate, ferric calcium oxide,

20 benzophenone and soybean oil.

According to the biodegradability regulations described above, it is not within the biodegradability range: neither in the percentages to the weight, which must be greater than 50%, nor in the materials used as polyether.

of high density, so that biodegradation does not occur as proclaimed, but it will be mostly degraded into small pieces or dust, these being large contaminants of water, while more than 50% of the pod will remain in the environment for centuries.

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On the other hand, it makes no mention of the plastic block that separates the powder from the pellets and generates as much pollution as the pod.

10

Faced with the above-mentioned disadvantages, the advantages offered by the present invention are based on a biodegradable material composed of biodegradable polymers such as PLA or polylactic acid, elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin such as rubber and latex, conventional biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone, more an inert load of salts that solves the contamination problem once they are fired.

fifteen

The plastic and rubber-derived rubber cartridges generate a great contamination both in their production and in their degradation.

In general, they have great inconveniences that are solved in our invention. This invention is about a clean and odorless biodegradation produced by microorganisms, fungi and algae.

twenty

In this sense, the approaches to the goal of achieving biodegradable cartridges have not materialized in any previous document such as the one proposed in the present invention.

Faced with the aforementioned disadvantages, the advantages offered by the present invention are the following: the product obtained is 100% biodegradable and from renewable energies that minimize environmental pollution both in obtaining the raw material and in

5 its manufacture and subsequent disappearance of the environment by biodegradation based on the extrusion and injection of biodegradable bioplastics and thermoplastics made up of biodegradable polymers.

It is a clean and odorless biodegradation produced by microorganisms, fungi and algae. The biodegradable cartridges of this invention do not attract insects and small rodents for consumption.

As a result, this invention provides shotgun cartridges for hunting and sport shooting with the same physical-mechanical characteristics as conventional petrochemical plastics, but adding their condition of being biodegradable.

15 The ideal materials for the manufacture of these shotgun cartridges are biodegradable thermoplastics derived from oil and biodegradable thermoplastics such as bioplastics of plant origin.

As biodegradable elastomeric thermoplastics from renewable sources are those composed of bioplastics formed by polymers

20 elastomers of vegetable origin such as: rubber and latex with a maximum of 99% of the mixture, plus a load of inert and non-toxic minerals from the group of carbonates and mineral salts, such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or sulfate of barium.

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As thermoplastic biodegradable elastomers derived from petroleum are polymer elastomeric compounds such as synthetic rubber with a maximum of 99% of the mixture, plus a load of inert and non-toxic minerals from the group of carbonates and mineral salts, such as

5 calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium extract.

As biodegradable thermoplastics from non-renewable resources (oil, gas), there are polycaprolactone and certain aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and elastomeric polymeters such as synthetic rubber.

As biodegradable thermoplastics from renewable sources

10 are those composed of bioplastics formed by polymers of plant origin with a maximum of 99% of the mixture, plus a load of inert and non-toxic minerals from the group of carbonates and mineral salts, such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate. This group includes bioplastics based on PLA (polylactic acid), copolymer polyesters of the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) / polyhydroxivalerate (PHV) type; pululane (a polysaccharide) among others.

To take advantage of the phenomenon of oxodegradation or photofragmentation or oxobiodegradation, conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene polystyrene and PVC, among others, will be added with a catalyst or degrading additive that will sensitize them in such a way that ultraviolet radiation from the sun will catalyze its degradation to

increasingly smaller fractions.

The biodegradation property of the variety of shotgun cartridges of this invention, with the different types of biodegradable materials mentioned, depends mainly on the action of microorganisms and fungi. These microorganisms produce enzymes that

5 catalyze the breakdown of complex materials used as substrates (polymeters) into units more susceptible to being assimilated by microorganisms for biomass production.

All these processes are regulated and standardized. The North American Standard ASTM O 6400-2004 "Standardized specification for 10 compostable plastics" and the European Standard EN 13432: 2000 "Packaging and packaging. Requirements for packaging and packaging that can be recovered through composting and biodegradation. Under normal composting conditions, 90% of the mass is biodegraded in gases, C02, methane and 02, leaving a solid biomass residue of 10%, thus achieving 100%

15 of biodegradability and in compliance with current regulations.

In addition to biodegradation, it is important to mention biodegradation. This occurs in composite materials that are constituted by a biodegradable component and a non-biodegradable component in a proportion between 5% and 95%, such as a

20 mixture of PLA or bioplastics based on starch and PP (polypropylene) a conventional plastic such as PVC, in a ratio that goes from 5% to 95% of the mixture.

Both oxodegradable thermoplastics and biodegradable plastics and bioplastics, offer an added advantage of no environmental pollution

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The biodegradable shotgun cartridges proposed in this invention are composed of a biodegradable sheath and stud, and are constituted from a material composed of the following proportions in relation to weight:

Bioplastic raw material with a specific weight between 0.6gr / cm3 and 5 10 gr / cm3.

The material of the proposed invention is composed of bioplastics formed by elastomeric polymers of plant origin such as: rubber, latex, or biodegradable elastomeric polymers of petroleum origin such as synthetic rubber, or a mixture of both with a minimum of 50% at

15 100%, mixed with biodegradable polymers of vegetable origin such as PLA, extra vegetable, more or biodegradable polymers of petroleum origin such as caprolactone, or thermoplastics such as PVC or PET with a catalyst, plus an inert mineral load and non-toxic of the group of carbonates or mineral salts such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate or

20 barium sulfate, with a maximum of these 50% of the mixture.

Biodegradable polymers of plant origin form the main base of the mixture with a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 100%, being possible to mix them in multiple proportions, within this range, to achieve the physiomechanical characteristics appropriate to the specific use of each cartridge.

Biodegradable polymers of vegetable origin, or petroleum, or thermoplastics with catalysts and mineral load, form the rest of the

5 mixing with a maximum of 50%, being able to mix them in multiple proportions, within this range, to achieve the physiomechanical characteristics appropriate to the specific use of each cartridge.

The biodegradation property of the product object of this invention depends mainly on the action of microorganisms and fungi, but

10 also depends on the oxobiodegradation by light and in the presence of water. Under normal composting conditions, 90% of the mass is biodegraded in gases, C02, 02, and H20 before the first six months, leaving a solid biomass residue of 10%, thus achieving 100% biodegradability, complying with This with current regulations.

15 The aforementioned raw materials give the cartridges the rigidity and

sufficient strength for use.

The biodegradable shotgun cartridges of the present invention are constituted by a biodegradable polymer sheath manufactured by extrusion or injection and molding process, and a block consisting of

20 biodebradable polymers manufactured by injection and molding processes.

The pods and studs of the biodegradable shotgun cartridges can be manufactured using a mixture of biodegradable polymers of plant origin such as PLA, plus biodegradable elastomeric polymers of

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plant origin such as latex or petroleum such as synthetic rubber between 50% and 100%, plus mineral load of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate with a maximum of 50%, obtaining pods and tacos by extrusion and injection in molds

In a different embodiment, a bioplastic composed of biodegradable polymers elastomers of vegetable origin, rubber derived from latex, between 50% and 100%, plus a mineral filler such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate, is used with a maximum of 50% obtaining nails of a single piece by injection in molds.

In a different embodiment, a biodegradable thermoplastic composed of biodegradable polymers derived from petroleum, such as synthetic rubber, is used between 50% and 100%, plus mineral charge of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate with a maximum of 50%, obtaining nails of a single piece by injection in molds.

In a different embodiment, a thermoplastic composed of biodegradable polymers derived from petroleum is used, between 50% and 100%, plus a catalyst and more mineral charge of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate with a maximum of 50%, obtaining nails of a single piece by injection in molds.

20 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is illustrated by the following example or mode of

preferred embodiment, which should not be considered as limiting its scope.

Thus, the biodegradable shotgun cartridges proposed in this invention

They are composed of sheath and taco, and are made from a compound of the following proportions in relation to weight:

a material

s

For the block, manufactured by injection, a bioplastic composed of biodegradable polymers of plant origin such as 20% PLA, plus a 75% biodegradable elastomeric polymer and a 5% calcium carbonate mineral filler will be used.

10

For the sheath a bioplastic composed of biodegradable polymers elastomers of vegetable origin, rubber derived from latex, between 50% and 100%, plus a mineral filler such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate, with a 50% maximum, joined together to the injection anchor base.

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Claims (6)

 REIVINDICAC IONES 1.-Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns formed by sheath and inner block composed of bioplastics and thermoplastics for extrusion and injection into molds, characterized in that the main material is composed 5 of biodegradable polymers of vegetable origin, or biodegradable polymers of vegetable origin, or biodegradable polymers of petroleum origin or thermoplastics of petroleum origin with a catalyst, with a minimum of 50% of the mixtures, plus an inert mineral load and non-toxic of the group of carbonates or mineral salts. 2. Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bioplastics formed by elastomeric polymers of plant origin that make up the material are: rubber, latex or any other based on polymers elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin, with a minimum of 50 %, and because the aggregate load of inert and non-toxic minerals of the group 15 of the carbonates and mineral salts are: calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium substrate, with a maximum of 50% of the mixture. 3. Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns, according to claim 1 characterized in that the bioplastics formed by biodegradable polymers of plant origin that make up the material used are: 20 PLA, extra Ido of plant materials with a minimum of 50% and because the aggregate load of inert and non-toxic minerals of the group of carbonates and mineral salts are: calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium extract, with a maximum 50% of the mixture. 4. Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns, according to claim 1 characterized in that the material is composed of the petroleum-derived biodegradable thermoplastic composed of biodegradable polymers such as caprolactone or any other similar material with a 5 minimum of 50% and because the aggregate load of inert and non-toxic minerals from the group of carbonates and mineral salts are: calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium sulfate, with a maximum of 50% of the mixture. 5.-Biodegradable shotgun cartridges, according to claim 1, characterized in that the material is composed of polymers 10 thermoplastics such as PET, PVC, ABS or any other similar material plus a catalyst with a minimum of 50% and because the aggregate load of inert and non-toxic minerals from the group of carbonates and mineral salts are: calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or barium extract, with a maximum of 50% of the mixture. 6. 6. Biodegradable cartridges for shotguns, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the matter is mixed with bioplastics formed by biodegradable polymers of plant origin such as PtA, extracted from starch, starches and celluloses or any other suitable plant material, or with oil-derived biodegradable thermoplastics 20 composed of biodegradable polymers such as caprolactone or any other similar material, or thermoplastic polymers such as PET, PVC, ABS  or any other similar material plus a catalyst, or with a mixture of These three types of materials with a maximum of 50% of the mixture. 9.-Biodegradable shotgun cartridges, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the material is mixed with bioplastics formed by elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin such as rubber, latex, or any other based on polymers elastomers of vegetable origin, 5 petrode-based biodegradable temnoplastic composed of biodegradable polymers such as caprolactone or any other similar material, or by temnoplastic polymers such as PET, PVC, ABS or any other similar material plus a catalyst or with a mixture of these three types of materials with a maximum 50% of the mixture. 10. Biodegradable cartridges for, according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the material used is mixed with bioplastics formed by elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin such as rubber, latex, or any other based on elastomeric polymers of plant origin, or bioplastics formed by biodegradable polymers of plant origin as 15 PLA, extracted from starch, starch and cellulose or any other suitable plant material, or by thermoplastic polymers such as PET, PVC, ABS OR any other similar material plus a catalyst, or with a mixture of these three types of materials with a maximum of 50% of the mixture. 11.- Biodegradable cartridges for, according to claims 1 and 5, 20 characterized in that the matter is mixed with bioplastics formed by elastomeric polymers of vegetable origin such as rubber, latex, or any other based on elastomeric polymers of plant origin, or by bioplastics formed by biodegradable polymers of plant origin such as PLA, extracted from starch, starch and cellulose or any other suitable plant material, or with biodegradable thermoplast derived from petroleum composed of biodegradable polymers such as caprolactone or any other similar material, or with a mixture of these three types of materials, with a maximum of 50% of the mixture s 12.-Biodegradable cartridges for, according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the specific weight of the mixtures ranges between 0.6 gr / cm3 and 5 gr / cm3. .