Projectile, Projectile Core, and Method of Making

• US 20080163779A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kore Outdoor Inc.
• Original Assignee: National Paintball Supply Inc. (Kore Outdoor Inc.)
• Inventors: Wood, Michael J., Campo, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,934,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/502
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/40 of target-marking, i.e. impact-indicating type F42B12/48, F42B12/50 take precedence

Abstract

A projectile core is provided formed from a carrier and a colorant. The carrier and so colorant are mixed into a core mixture, which is formed into a predetermined core shape. The core mixture is cured until substantially firm, such as by drying, heating or freezing. An outer layer may be formed adjacent the surface of the projectile core by heating. An outer coating may also be applied to the projectile core. A method of forming a projectile core comprises: (a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture; (b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape; and, (c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed.

Claims

1. A projectile core, comprising:

a carrier and a colorant mixed and formed into a substantially firm predetermined core shape that is retained by the projectile core prior to impact of the projectile core upon a target.

2. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the projectile core is adapted to support a coating, wherein the coating conforms to the predetermined core shape.

3. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the colorant is at least one of a pigment and a liquid dye.

4. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the projectile core is adapted to disintegrate or disperse upon impact with a target.

5. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises one of a fibrous, absorbent material and a powder.

6. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a plant fiber.

7. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a cellulosic material.

8. The projectile core of claim 7, wherein the cellulosic material comprises rice straw.

9. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a powder.

18. The projectile core of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a powder.

10. A projectile for marking a target, comprising:

a projectile core comprising a carrier and a colorant mixed and formed into a substantially firm predetermined core shape that is retained by the projectile core prior to impact of the projectile core upon a target; and

,

an outer coating.

11. The projectile of claim 10, wherein the coating conforms to the predetermined core shape.

12. The projectile core of claim 10, wherein the colorant is one of a pigment and a liquid dye.

13. The projectile core of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the projectile core is adapted to disintegrate or disperse upon impact with a target.

14. The projectile core of claim 10, wherein the carrier comprises at least one of a fibrous, absorbent material and a powder.

15. The projectile core of claim 10, wherein the carrier comprises a plant fiber.

16. The projectile core of claim 10, wherein the carrier comprises a cellulosic material.

17. The projectile core of claim 16, wherein the cellulosic material comprises rice straw.

19. A method of forming a projectile core, comprising:

(a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture;

(b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape; and

,

(c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed.

20. The method of forming a projectile core according to claim 19, wherein the projectile core is further heated until an outer layer is formed adjacent the projectile core'"'"'s outer surface.

21. A method of forming a projectile, comprising:

(a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture;

(b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape;

(c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed; and

,

(d) coating the outer surface of the projectile with an outer coating.