May 27, 2025

US12313388 - Biodegradable shotshell components

Devices and methods for shotshell cartridges, particularly shotshell cartridges with biodegradable components. One or more of the casing, shot wad, spacer, and powder wad may be formed of biodegradable materials. A biodegradable shot wad is manufactured of cellulosic fibers and wax to provide obturation and gas seal properties at high pressures with high reliability.

Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
Inventors: Alex R. Schmieg, Robert A. Strange, Anthony C. Stockey, Steven P. Schommer, Adam J. Moser
Filing date: 2024-02-20

shotshellbiodegradableammunition

The patent describes a biodegradable shotshell cartridge that incorporates components such as the casing, shot wad, and powder wad made from biodegradable materials, specifically cellulosic fibers and wax. This design aims to provide effective gas sealing and reliability under high pressure while reducing environmental impact.

Claim 1

A shotgun shell cartridge comprising: a casing comprising a primer; a shot wad positioned in the casing; a biodegradable fiber powder wad inside the casing and rearward of the shot wad, comprising: at least 40% cellulosic fiber by weight, a wax distributed through the cellulosic fiber, a rearward-facing axial end comprising, comprising: an annular depression, and a ring located radially outward from the annular depression; and a propellant housed in the casing, rearward of the biodegradable fiber powder wad. a casing comprising a primer; a shot wad positioned in the casing; a biodegradable fiber powder wad inside the casing and rearward of the shot wad, comprising: at least 40% cellulosic fiber by weight, a wax distributed through the cellulosic fiber, a rearward-facing axial end comprising, comprising: an annular depression, and a ring located radially outward from the annular depression; and at least 40% cellulosic fiber by weight, a wax distributed through the cellulosic fiber, a rearward-facing axial end comprising, comprising: an annular depression, and a ring located radially outward from the annular depression; and an annular depression, and a ring located radially outward from the annular depression; and a propellant housed in the casing, rearward of the biodegradable fiber powder wad.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12313388

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12313388