Reactive Zone Shooting Target Ink Layering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shooting targets face challenges in visibility of projectile holes from a distance due to the difficulty in distinguishing bullet holes, especially when the shooter is far away, as the halo effect is not consistently visible across the entire target.
Innovation Solution
The development of printed shooting targets with reactive zones, featuring a substrate, a first ink layer, an adhesion modifying layer covering less than the entire surface area, and a second ink layer, where the adhesion modifying layer creates distinct reactive and non-reactive zones by modifying the behavior of the ink, resulting in high visibility halos around bullet holes in reactive zones and standard holes in non-reactive zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional targets are used, then the target structure is simple, but the visibility of bullet holes from a distance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The target surface is divided into reactive zones with different ink layer configurations. Reactive zones contain a first ink layer, adhesion modifying layer, and second ink layer, while non-reactive zones contain only the first ink layer. This local differentiation creates areas with enhanced halo effects for improved bullet hole visibility without making the entire target structure overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive zones utilize a composite structure combining multiple ink layers with an adhesion modifying layer between them. This composite material approach enables the creation of high-visibility halos around bullet holes in reactive zones, significantly improving distance visibility while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through selective application.
2Illumination intensity
If reactive zones are added to improve bullet hole visibility, then the visibility is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The target is segmented into reactive zones and non-reactive zones, each with distinct ink layer configurations. This segmentation allows the complex multi-layer structure to be applied only where needed for enhanced visibility, rather than uniformly across the entire target, thereby improving manufacturability while maintaining the visibility enhancement benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying the complex adhesion modifying layer and second ink layer across the entire target surface, the invention applies these layers partially only to reactive zones. This partial action approach achieves the desired bullet hole visibility improvement while avoiding the manufacturing complexity that would result from full-surface application.
3Illumination intensity
If the adhesion modifying layer covers the entire first ink layer, then the halo effect is maximized, but the ability to distinguish reactive from non-reactive zones is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion modifying layer is applied locally only to reactive zones rather than uniformly across the entire target. This local quality approach creates distinct visual characteristics in reactive zones (with halos) versus non-reactive zones (without halos), enabling shooters to easily differentiate between the two zone types while still achieving halo effects in the reactive zones.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the visibility of bullet holes by creating high visibility circles or halos in reactive zones while maintaining standard visibility in non-reactive zones, improving the shooter's ability to accurately assess hits from a distance.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesion modifying layer disposed on the first ink layer, wherein the adhesion modifying layer covers less than the entire surface area of the first ink layer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include printed shooting targets having reactive zones and methods related to the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a shooting target comprising a substrate. In some embodiments, a first ink layer can be disposed on the substrate. An adhesion modifying layer disposed over the substrate and/or on the first ink layer. The adhesion modifying layer can cover less than the entire surface area of the substrate and/or first ink layer. A second ink layer disposed on the adhesion modifying layer. In an embodiment, a method of making a shooting target comprising applying discrete segments of a material over a substrate to form an adhesion modifying layer, wherein the adhesion modifying layer covers less than the entire surface area of the substrate; and applying a second ink layer over the adhesion modifying layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.