Abstract: A biodegradable target for use in skeet/trap shooting environment comprises a cellulose wood flour of at least fifty percent (50%) of the weight of the target which is combined with water so as to form a malleable mass. Added to the mass are selected items, preferably one and one-half to five percent by weight, such as a surfactant, to facilitate the mixture of the wood flour and other elements, an organic binder to hold the elements together and a release agent to allow for release of the formed target from the mold after heating. Control agents to either hasten or retard the drying of the mixture after the heating step can be used. A brittle agent is added to the malleable mass so that the target will break apart upon impact with gun shot or the ground. A moisture repellant coating can be in the form of a resin-like shell which covers the outside of the target with slight penetration thereon.

Abstract: A material feeding and measuring device includes a housing defining an interior cavity or bin and having a plurality of agitators and an auger rotatably mounted therein. The agitators are arranged as a first upper row and take the form of a plurality of rotatably mounted rods extending across the bin. Each of the rods includes a plurality of tines extending radially outwardly. A lower level of agitators, having the same form, are provided adjacent the bottom of the bin. An auger is rotatably mounted near the bottom center of the bin. The auger extends a slight distance out of the bin into an exit flange which surrounds the periphery of the auger. A blower and conduit are arranged to cause an airstream to flow across the end of the exit flange to entrain the material in the airstream for conveyance. The entire housing is mounted upon load cells which are operatively connected to an electronic control device.