US20140367407A1 - Personal Defense Device and Method - Google Patents
Personal Defense Device and Method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140367407A1 US20140367407A1 US13/918,606 US201313918606A US2014367407A1 US 20140367407 A1 US20140367407 A1 US 20140367407A1 US 201313918606 A US201313918606 A US 201313918606A US 2014367407 A1 US2014367407 A1 US 2014367407A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- agent
- container
- repellant
- microns
- repellant agent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H9/00—Equipment for attack or defence by spreading flame, gas or smoke or leurres; Chemical warfare equipment
- F41H9/10—Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals
Definitions
- the present invention relates to personal defense devices, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for providing law enforcement and private citizens with a single device that integrates law enforcement tools and mechanisms for the application of capsaicinoids.
- Capsaicinoids are a group of natural inflammatory products that are isolated from the dried fruits of chili peppers (e.g., Capsicum frutescens ) via extraction such as with an organic solvent. Capsaicinoids are lachrymatory agents (chemical compounds that can irritate the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness). The crude extract of peppers is called Oleoresin Capsicum (“OC”) and contains a variety of chemicals including significant quantities of the capsaicinoids.
- OC Oleoresin Capsicum
- pepper spray including temporary blindness
- a burning sensation of the skin may last from 45 to 60 minutes
- upper body spasms which force a person to bend forward and uncontrollable coughing making it difficult to breathe or speak may last between 3 to 15 minutes.
- a suspect or assailant may disappear in a crowd, making apprehension of a suspect more difficult.
- the marking agent contains material not soluble in water.
- the marking agent can be glitter particles having particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns.
- the canister containing pepper spray and the glitter particles admixed with the pepper spray can be carried by law enforcement personnel or civilians. Once the repellant agent is dispensed it deposits on the skin and clothing of a suspect, making it easier to identify the suspect. If the glitter particles are small enough they may not be detected by the suspect, while an analysis can prove that the suspect was either at the scene of the crime or had contact with the person at the scene of the crime.
- the canister 10 comprises a rigid hollow cylindrical body 12 with a closed bottom 14 and an open top end 16 .
- a depressible pump head 18 is titled in the top open end 16 .
- the pump head 18 is in fluid communication with the interior of the canister body 12 , where a quantity of the irritant agent is stored.
- a dip tube (not shown) extends inside the container body 12 . The liquid irritant-containing agent is drawn up through the dip tube for dispensing from the container 10 .
- capsaicin is not soluble in water, and even large volumes of water will not wash it off. In general, victims are encouraged to blink vigorously in order to encourage tears, which will help flush the irritant from the eyes. However, even after the effects of the capsaicin exposure are reduced the solid reflective material will mark the assailant's skin and clothes making it easier for the police to identify the assailant.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
A device and method for executing self-defense using non-lethal form of weaponry provides for the use of capsaicinoids-containing repellant admixed with a solid marking agent. The marking agent contains material not soluble in water. The marking agent can be glitter particles having particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns. A canister containing pepper spray and the glitter particles can be carried by law enforcement personnel or civilians. Once the repellant agent is dispensed it deposits on the skin and clothing of a suspect, making it easier to identify the suspect.
Description
- The present invention relates to personal defense devices, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for providing law enforcement and private citizens with a single device that integrates law enforcement tools and mechanisms for the application of capsaicinoids.
- Capsaicinoids are a group of natural inflammatory products that are isolated from the dried fruits of chili peppers (e.g., Capsicum frutescens) via extraction such as with an organic solvent. Capsaicinoids are lachrymatory agents (chemical compounds that can irritate the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness). The crude extract of peppers is called Oleoresin Capsicum (“OC”) and contains a variety of chemicals including significant quantities of the capsaicinoids.
- OC and capsaicinoids are used as active components for the production of self-defense articles known as non-lethal pepper spray products used by law enforcement and civilians. The capsaicin-containing products are used by law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist in the apprehension of non-compliant suspects and in crowd control. The temporary blindness allows officers to more easily restrain subjects. Members of the general public also carry these products to help protect themselves against aggressive attack by animals and other individuals, while giving an opportunity to persons using pepper spray for self-defense an opportunity to escape. Pepper spray causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. The duration of its effects depends on the strength of the spray but the average full effect lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with diminished, effects lasting for hours.
- Some sources suggest that the effects of pepper spray, including temporary blindness, may last from 15-30 minutes, a burning sensation of the skin may last from 45 to 60 minutes, upper body spasms which force a person to bend forward and uncontrollable coughing making it difficult to breathe or speak may last between 3 to 15 minutes. During this time, a suspect or assailant may disappear in a crowd, making apprehension of a suspect more difficult.
- The present invention contemplates provision of an apparatus and method of using a personal defense device that would facilitate apprehension of a suspect exposed to pepper spray.
- It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a personal defense device using an irritant-containing agent in liquid form.
- It is another object of the invention to provide a personal defense device that combines the function of spraying an inflammatory agent with a marking agent.
- It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of using non-lethal capsaicin-containing product while also marking a suspect or assailant.
- These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a device and method for executing self-defense using non-lethal form of weaponry. A repellant substance is stored in a container, which can be a pump or an aerosol canister, or any other suitable container. The repellant substance contains capsaicinoids admixed with a solid marking agent.
- The marking agent contains material not soluble in water. The marking agent can be glitter particles having particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns. The canister containing pepper spray and the glitter particles admixed with the pepper spray can be carried by law enforcement personnel or civilians. Once the repellant agent is dispensed it deposits on the skin and clothing of a suspect, making it easier to identify the suspect. If the glitter particles are small enough they may not be detected by the suspect, while an analysis can prove that the suspect was either at the scene of the crime or had contact with the person at the scene of the crime.
- Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to this invention and schematically illustrating a spray emanating therefrom. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a method of using the device according to the present invention. - Turning now to the drawings in more detail,
numeral 10 designates a portable container or canister for retaining a pre-determined quantity of the capsaicin-containing agent according to this invention. In one aspect of the invention, thecanister 10 is a spray-dispensing device capable of emitting a fine mist of capsaicin-containing product admixed with a marking agent, for instance glitter powder. Thecanister 10 can be a pump or an aerosol-spraying device. - The
canister 10 comprises a rigid hollowcylindrical body 12 with a closedbottom 14 and an opentop end 16. Adepressible pump head 18 is titled in the topopen end 16. Thepump head 18 is in fluid communication with the interior of thecanister body 12, where a quantity of the irritant agent is stored. A dip tube (not shown) extends inside thecontainer body 12. The liquid irritant-containing agent is drawn up through the dip tube for dispensing from thecontainer 10. - An
upper part 20 of thecanister 10 is provided with anelongated cutout 22. Thepump head 18 extends into theupper part 20 below thecutout 22, while frictionally sliding moving within thecanister body 12. Thepump head 18 sealingly engages the inner wall of thecanister body 20 and prevents the liquid irritant agent from escaping thecanister body 12. - A
nozzle opening 24 is formed in thepump head 18. Thenozzle opening 24 is oriented toward thecutout 22. The nozzle opening 24 is in fluid communication with the interior of thecanister body 12. When depressed by a finger, the pump head 18 bears against the interior wall of thecanister 10 and is displaced in a co-axial orientation with the central, axis of thecanister body 12. The pumping action causes pressure differential inside thecanister body 12 and ejection of a small quantity of pressurized irritant-containing liquid from the nozzle opening 24 toward a remote target. - The spray emitted from the
nozzle opening 24 contains a capsaicinoids mixed with tiny particles of a solid marking agent not soluble in water. In the preferred embodiment, the marking agent is an inert powder containing light-reflective material, such as glitter. In this invention, glitter can be formed as smallflat particles 26 that have reflective capabilities. When these particles are applied to surfaces, they each reflect light in different angles causing the surface to sparkle or glitter. - Commercial glitter is available from a variety of manufacturing sources. Commercial glitter ranges in size from 50 microns to 6250 microns. In one aspect of the invention, the glitter particles used in the present invention can be between 50 microns and 3000 microns. In the preferred embodiment, the solid glitter particles have particle sizes less than 1000 microns in diameter. The glitter particles are suspended in the liquid, capsaicin-containing agent-stored in the
canister 10. When thepepper spray 28 is discharged from thecanister 10, theglitter particles 26 travel in the spray flow outside of thecanister 10. - In operation, a
user 30 presses thepump head 18 to release a squirt of thepepper spray 28. The spray is directed toward anassailant 32 causing the assailant to lose vision, experience cough, burning sensation of the skin and other consequences of having the capsaicinoids contact the assailant's face and exposed skin. Even if the assailant recovers quickly from the effects of the pepper spray the glitter particles will remain on the assailant's skin and clothes making it easier for law-enforcement personnel to identify the assailant. - It is a known fact that capsaicin is not soluble in water, and even large volumes of water will not wash it off. In general, victims are encouraged to blink vigorously in order to encourage tears, which will help flush the irritant from the eyes. However, even after the effects of the capsaicin exposure are reduced the solid reflective material will mark the assailant's skin and clothes making it easier for the police to identify the assailant.
- Because of the tens of thousands of different commercial glitters, identical glitter particles can be compelling evidence that a suspect has been at a crime scene. Glitter particles are easily transferred through the air or by touch, yet cling to bodies and clothing, often unnoticed by suspects. As a result, the smallest glitter particles contained in the pepper-spray and deposited onto the assailant's skin and clothing can be used by the law enforcement personnel to positively identify the assailant.
- Typical OC-based pepper spray devices can be dispensed between 5 to 20 times using sequential one-second pulses from a range of 5-30 ft, depending upon the product and environmental conditions. The
user 30 may dispense more than one spray and cover more of the clothes and skin of the assailant. The non-lethal reflective agent affords enhanced protection to a potential attack victim. Accuracy of aim is not critical with such a device as any contact of the glitter-containing pepper spray will mark the potential assailant for later identification. When sprayed onto an assailant's body or clothing, the glitter agent will deposit on the assailant's skin and clothing that cannot be removed without thorough washing. - The
container 10 may be an aerosol canister or other pressurized container, which retains the irritant-containing agent under pressure. Actuation of a valve in such container enables release or dispensing of the capsaicin-containing agent from the container. Alternatively, the pump may include a piston-style pump mechanism. The capsaicin-containing agent can be in a powder form, if desired, with the glitter particles mixed with the repellant particles. - Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that, my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1. A personal defense device, comprising:
a rigid portable container retaining a pre-determined quantity of a repellant agent:
a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container,
said dispensing means comprising a spray nozzle; and
wherein the repellant agent contains a capsaicin-containing substance and a solid marking agent admixed with the capsaicin-containing substance.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing means comprises a depressible member reciprocally moving inside the container, the depressible member carrying the spray nozzle.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the solid marking agent, comprises material not soluble in water.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the solid marking agent contains light-reflective particles.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the light-reflective particles contain glitter particles.
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the light-reflective particles have particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns.
7. The device of claim 4 , wherein the light-reflective particles have particle size of less than 1000 microns.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the repellant agent is liquid.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the repellant agent is powder.
10. A method of self-defending against an assailant, comprising the steps:
providing a rigid portable container; depositing a pre-determined quantity of a repellant agent into the container; providing a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container, wherein the repellant agent contains a capsaicin-containing substance and a solid marking agent admixed with the capsaicin-containing substance; and dispensing the repellant agent from the container such that the repellant agent is deposited on the assailant.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the dispensing means comprises a depressible member reciprocally moving inside the container, the depressible member carrying a spray nozzle.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the solid marking agent comprises material not soluble in water.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the solid marking agent contains light-reflective particles.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the light-reflective particles contain glitter particles.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the light-reflective particles have particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the light-reflective particles have particle size of less than 1000 microns.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the repellant agent is liquid,
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the repellant agent is powder.
19. A method of marking a suspect, comprising the steps:
providing a rigid portable container; depositing a pre-determined quantity of a repellant agent into the container; providing a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container, wherein the repellant agent contains a capsaicin-containing substance and a solid marking agent admixed with the capsaicin-containing substance; and dispensing the repellant agent from the container such that the repellant agent containing the marking agent is deposited on the assailant.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the repellant agent is liquid.
21. The method of claim 10 , wherein the repellant agent is powder.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the marking agent contains light-reflective glitter particles.
23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the glitter particles have particle size of between 50 microns and 3000 microns.
24. The method of claim 19 , wherein the dispensing means comprises a depressible member reciprocally moving inside the container, the depressible member carrying a spray nozzle.
25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the solid marking agent comprises material not soluble in water.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/918,606 US20140367407A1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2013-06-14 | Personal Defense Device and Method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/918,606 US20140367407A1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2013-06-14 | Personal Defense Device and Method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140367407A1 true US20140367407A1 (en) | 2014-12-18 |
Family
ID=52018355
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/918,606 Abandoned US20140367407A1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2013-06-14 | Personal Defense Device and Method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140367407A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3130878A1 (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2017-02-15 | Carl Hoernecke Chem. Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG | Irritant spray device |
US11236978B2 (en) * | 2016-09-12 | 2022-02-01 | Markus BINDHAMMER | Distance combat means for non-lethal exposure of the human or animal body to irritant |
CN114812278A (en) * | 2022-04-20 | 2022-07-29 | 成都锦安器材有限责任公司 | Tear-promoting agent and preparation method thereof |
CN115479503A (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2022-12-16 | 霍尼韦尔国际公司 | Propellant and self-protecting composition |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040164866A1 (en) * | 2002-10-02 | 2004-08-26 | Hanabusa Russell Minoru | Attack deterrent and attacker identification system |
US20090071459A1 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2009-03-19 | Pepperball Technologies, Inc. | Systems, methods and apparatus for use in distributing irritant powder |
US8690020B1 (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2014-04-08 | Lance T. Murray | Self-defense device |
-
2013
- 2013-06-14 US US13/918,606 patent/US20140367407A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040164866A1 (en) * | 2002-10-02 | 2004-08-26 | Hanabusa Russell Minoru | Attack deterrent and attacker identification system |
US20090071459A1 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2009-03-19 | Pepperball Technologies, Inc. | Systems, methods and apparatus for use in distributing irritant powder |
US8690020B1 (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2014-04-08 | Lance T. Murray | Self-defense device |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3130878A1 (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2017-02-15 | Carl Hoernecke Chem. Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG | Irritant spray device |
CN115479503A (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2022-12-16 | 霍尼韦尔国际公司 | Propellant and self-protecting composition |
US11236978B2 (en) * | 2016-09-12 | 2022-02-01 | Markus BINDHAMMER | Distance combat means for non-lethal exposure of the human or animal body to irritant |
CN114812278A (en) * | 2022-04-20 | 2022-07-29 | 成都锦安器材有限责任公司 | Tear-promoting agent and preparation method thereof |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |