GB2200130A - Anti-assailant device and composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a composition for use therewith, for deterring assailants, such as potential muggers and rapists, comprises a liquid including an at least semi-permanent dye preferably of vegetable origin, and a naturally occurring or otherwise unobjectionable irritant material, such as a natural acid, e.g. lemon juice. A pressurised container to contain the composition is closed by rupturable closure means (6). Valve means (7) are adapted to rupture said closure means upon manual pressure on said valve means. Spray jet means (8) are connected to said valve means, and protective cover means (10) for said pressurised container are provided. The cover means (10) is so adapted that manual pressure can only be applied to the valve means (7) in a substantially predetermined orientation relative to the orientation of said spray jet means (8). <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-ASSAILANT DEVICE AND COMPOSITION.

The present invention relates to a device and to a composition for use therewith, for deterring assailants, such as potential muggers and rapists.

Anti-assailant devices are known and occasionally used. Such devices include weapons and canisters of e.g.

CS or tear gas. Such devices are classified as offensive weapons, possession of which is an offence. Obviously, weapons such as knives and pistols are prone to mis-use and even if used to prevent an assault, the effects produced may be unacceptable. Known aerosol sprays are also prone to mis-use and while the effects produced thereby are less permanent, they are still unacceptable. Furthermore, presently known aerosols give a highly directional spray, the direction of which cannot always be judged by the user, especially when the user is possibly panicking, being about to be or being attacked.

It is an object of the present invention to provide devices and a composition which overcome the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-assailant composition comprising a liquid including an at least semi-permanent dye and a naturally occurring or otherwise unobjectionable irritant material.

Preferably the dye is a solution of a dye of vegetable origin, advantageously red in colour.

The irritant material may be a natural acid, preferably lemon juice.

Other materials may be added to the composition, for example a fluorescent substance, e.g. fluorescein, possibly in vinegar or acetic acid solution.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a pressurised container containing a composition according to the first aspect of the invention under pressure, said container being closed by permanently rupturable closure means, valve means adapted to rupture said closure means upon manual pressure on said valve means, spray jet means connected to said valve means, and protective cover means for said pressurised container and valve means adapted such that manual pressure can only be applied to said valve means in a substantially predetermined orientation relative to the orientation of said spray jet means.

Preferably said protective cover means comprises a lever portion adapted to bear on said valve means and a screen portion adapted so partially to surround said lever portion that manual pressure can only be applied to said lever portion from a single unsurrounded zone.

In this case the spray jet means may be adapted to discharge said composition in a direction diametrically opposite to the entry to said unsurrounded zone.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-assailant device comprising a squeezable container adapted for manual use including a jet outlet from said container, the container being adapted to hold a substantially predetermined quantity of a composition according to the first aspect of the invention and to dispense said composition through said outlet on squeezing the container.

Preferably the container is dimensioned and configured to be held and operated in one hand of the user.

The container may be ovoid in shape and have the outlet at one end. The outlet may be provided with cap means for closing it when the device is not needed for possible use.

The predetermined quantity of composition used may be between 50 and 150 ml, preferably 75-100 ml.

The container may be constructed of polypropylene or low density polyethylene or some similar material.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows in cross section an aerosol type apparatus embodying the present invention; FIGURE 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of apparatus of the present invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment is shown which comprises a pressurised aerosol container 5.

A composition described in more detail below is held within the container at a pressure in the region of 55 psi.

The container is closed by a rupturable member 6, which is rupturable by inward pressure on a valve assembly 7. Once the member 6 is broken, it cannot be resealed and the entire contents of the container 5 should be discharged within seconds. This not only frees the user from having to maintain manual pressure during discharge, but also renders the apparatus useless to paint-spraying vandals, since the effects of discharge are so prompt that they cannot be controlled for slogan writing.

The valve assembly 7 comprises a discharge outlet 8 disposed substantially normally to the axis of valve insertion.

The valve assembly 7 may be acted upon manually by a lever 9 formed as a hingeable part of a protective cover 10. Manual pressure on the lever 9 in a downward direction (as seen in the Figures) causes the valve assembly 7 to rupture the member 6.

In order to be effective, the apparatus must be directible, even during the possible panic of an attack.

To this end, the cover 10 is so shaped that the discharge outlet 8 is diametrically opposite an only location wherein a finger can be inserted to effect manual pressure on the lever 9. The cover 10 has an upstanding portion 11 surrounding the lever 9 over a substantial portion of the circumference centred about the point at which discharge outlet 8 is directed.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment comprising a container 1 of generally ovoid shape having a major dimension of approximately 90 mm and a minor dimension of approximately 60 mm. At one end is a neck extension 2, screw-threaded to accept a cap 3. The neck extension 2 contains a jet outlet 4, approximately 1 mm in diameter.

The container 1 is dimensioned as above so that it can be easily held in one hand of a potential user. It is adapted to contain approximately 100 ml of composition which will be described in more detail below. The jet outlet 4 is aligned with the major axis of the container so that a jet of the composition can be sprayed accurately in a known direction. The container is made of polypropylene or low density polyethylene and has walls of such thickness as to enable the container to be easily squeezed to eject the contents.

In operation, it is intended that a user carry the device in his or her hand with the cap 3 removed at all times when he or she fears an attack. In the event of such an attack, or threatened attack, the contents of the container, or at least a large part of them, can be discharged easily towards the face of the attacker.

The composition to be used with either device described above comprises approximately 25% of real lemon juice which, if it should come into contact with the eyes of an assailant, should sufficiently irritate them as to delay the proposed attack and enable the user to make his or her escape. Other irritants may be used with the proviso that they are substantially of natural origins and have only a temporary effect.

The composition also comprises approximately 75% of a semi-permanent dye, again of substantially natural origins, e.g. a vegetable dye. The intention of this component is to mark the attacker for a period of up to several days so that he or she can be identified with ease by the police. It also enables easy recognition of an attacker by passers by who may be in a position to delay or prevent the escape. In any event, the progress of an escape should be more easily charted. The dye is preferably red in colour, although other colours may be used.

Additionally, the composition may contain a fluorescent dye such as fluorescein in vinegar solution or the like. The intention of this is to enable forensic detection of an attacker even if he or she should remove the coloured vegetable dye.

As can be seen, the composition is entirely natural in origin and edible. It has no permanent effects and should not be classed as an offensive weapon. It serves the dual purposes of delaying an attack to enable a potential victim to escape and subsequent detection of the attacker by the police.

The composition may additionally comprise an acceptable solvent, such as isopropanol, if desirable to effect solution or mixture of the ingredients.

Once the composition has been discharged, the user may contact the police to advise them of the fact so that they may then take action to apprehend the attacker, which is made easier by the fact that he or she should be stained by the dye.

Obviously, any permitted dye. may be used, but it is important that the user notifies the police of the particular colour.

Either apparatus of the present invention may easily be used, with a fairly certain knowledge of accuracy, and swiftly. The composition contains only naturally occurring or long-term harmless ingredients and thus should not be classified as offensive, particularly where some care is taken regarding the distribution of the apparatus to members of the public. Such careful means should ensure that the apparatus are not attractive to vandals or other criminal elements.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS:

1. An anti-assailant composition comprising a liquid including an at least semi-permanent dye and a naturally occurring or otherwise unobjectionable irritant material.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dye is a solution of a dye of vegetable origin.

3. A composition as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the irritant material is a natural acid.

4. A composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the natural acid is lemon juice.

5. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fluorescent substance, for example fluorescein.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluorescent substance is dissolved in vinegar or acetic acid solution.

7. A pressurised container containing a predetermined quantity of a composition according to any one of the preceding claims, said composition being held under pressure, said container being closed by rupturable closure means, valve means adapted to rupture said closure means upon manual pressure on said valve means and spray jet means connected to said valve means, and protective cover means for said pressurised container, said cover means being so adapted that manual pressure can only be applied to said valve means in a substantially predetermined orientation relative to the orientation of said spray jet means.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said protective cover means comprises a lever portion adapted to bear on said valve means and a screen portion adapted so partially to surround said lever portion that manual pressure can only be applied to said lever portion from a single unsurrounded zone.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spray jet means is adapted to discharge said composition in a direction diametrically opposite to the entry to said unsurrounded zone.

10. An anti-assailant device comprising a manually squeezable container adapted for manual use including a jet outlet from said container, the container being adapted to hold a substantially predetermined quantity of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and to dispense said composition through said outlet on squeezing the container.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the container is dimensioned and configured to be held and operated in one hand of the user.

12. A device as claimed in either claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the container is ovoid in shape and has the outlet at one end.

13. A container or device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the predetermined quantity of composition used is between 50 and 150 ml.

14. A container or device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined quantity is between 75-100 ml.

15. A composition substantially as described herein.

16. A container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.