GB2453013A

GB2453013A - Incapacitant Spray

Info

Publication number: GB2453013A
Application number: GB0812372A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eran Nicodemus Bauer; Gerard Miet Bauer; Wayne Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-05
Filing date: 2008-07-07
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-07
Also published as: EP2176198B1; EP2176198B8; EP2176198A2; GB0713011D0; GB0812372D0; WO2009004390A3; GB2453013B; WO2009004390A2

Abstract

An incapacitant mixture which induces temporary blindness in a human or animal comprises PAVA and a carrier. The carrier is miscible with water and has a boiling point greater than that of water. PAVA is the primary incapacitant in the mixture and the proportion of PAVA in the mixture is 0.65 per cent or less.

Description

IMPROVED INCAPACITANT SPRAY

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to incapacitants, and in particular to incapacitant sprays used in law epforcement.

Background to the Invention

Incapacitants containing pelargonvl vanillvlamide (PA\7A) as the priman incapacitant are known from GB2337806. Such incapacitants have been developed using carriers comprising mixtures of alcohol and water to solubilise the PA\7A. These incapacitants function by inducing temporary blindness when the mixture enters the eyes without causing injun to the skin or mucous membranes of an individual. Whilst some tears may be produced as a side effect of the incapacitant entering the eyes, it is not the production of tears which causes temporary blindness. Blindness results from intense pain in the eyes 1 5 which causes the eyelids to close involuntanly rendering the person blind until such time as the effect of the incapacitant wears off.

Such incapacitant mixtures have an evaporation rate greater than that of water.

When an incapacitant spray is used it is inevitable that some overspray will occur. When the solvent evaporates, neat PA\' is left behind and this causes problems with cross contamination.

It has also been shown that such incapacitant mixtures are susceptible to freezing at temperatures below 2°C. Incapacitant sprays using this mixture are therefore of limited use in cold weather or in countries with a cold climate.

It has also been shown that in windy conditions such incapacitant mixtures can break up into small, sub-micron size droplets. Sub-micron size droplets are more likely to cross the skin or enter the lungs.

It has also been shown that such incapacitant mixtures can break up into small, sub-micron size droplets on impact which can rebound from the person being sprayed. This can be a problem for bystanders in confined spaces such as custody suites or inside vehicles.

It would therefore he desirable to provide an improved incapacitant for use by police forces, peace-keeping forces, the military and also for personal use.

Summary of the Invention

The Invention provides an incapacitant mixture comprising PAVA and a carrier, wherein the mixture induces temporary hhnclness and/or irritation in the mucus membranes in a human or animal, wherein the carrier is miscible with water and has a boiling point greater than that of water, and wherein PAVA is the primary incapacitant in the mixture, the proportion of PAVA in the mixture being 0.65 per cent or less.

The term PAVA, used throughout the specification, refers to pelargonic acid vannillvlarnide classified under CAS No. 2444-46-4.

Preferably, the proportion of PAVA in the mixture is 0.65 per cent or less by weight.

More preferably, the proportion of PAVA is between 0.3 and 0.65 per cent h weight. Still more preferably, the proportion of PA VA is between 0.3 and 0.6 per cent by weight.

Preferably the carrier is a glvcol or glycerine. Preferably the proportion of the glycol 1 5 or glycerine in the mixture is 50 per cent or more by weight. More preferably the proportion of the glycol or glycerine in the mixture is 60 per cent or more h weight. Still more preferably the proportion of glvcol or glycerine in the mixture is 2 per cent by weight.

Suitable glvcols include any edible glycols from the glycol family, for example ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

Preferably the carrier is propylene glvcol. Preferably the proportion of propylene gl col in the mixture is 50 per cent or more by weight. More preferably the proportion of propylene glvcol in the mixture is 60 per cent or more by weight. More preferably the proportion of propylene glvcol is between 65 and 90 per cent. Still more preferably, the proportion of propylene glvcol is between 65 and 80 per cent by weight. Still more preferably, the proportion of proplene glycol is 2 per cent by weight.

Preferably the mixture further comprises water. Preferably the proportion of water in the mixture 30 per cent or less by weight. More preferably, the proportion of water is between 20 and 30 per cent by weight. Still more preferably, the proportion of water in the mixture is 25 per cent by weight.

Preferably the mixture further comprises an alcohol. Any suitable alcohol may be used. Preferably the alcohol is selected from the group comprising ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. Preferably the proportion of alcohol is 25 per cent or less by weight. More preferably, the proportion of alcohol is between 1.0 aix! 3.5 per cent by weight. Still more preferabh, tile proportion of alcohol is between 1.0 and 3.0 per cent b) weight. Still more preferably the proportion of alcohol is 2. per cent by weight.

Preferably, tile mixture is capable of inducing temporary blindness and/or irritation in the mucus membranes in a human, and more preferably the mixture is capable of inducing blindness and/or irritation in tile mucus membranes in a human for more than 5 minutes.

Preferably, the mixture is a liquid between the temperatures of -20°C and + 50°C.

The mixture ma) comprise a dye or a marker or a UV dl) e or an infrared dye or an optical brightener or a synthetic DNA g. A synthetic I)NA tag allows a sprayed individual 1 0 to be linked to a particular batch of incapacitant spray.

One embodiment of the invention provides an incapacitant spray compnsing a means for storing and delivering an incapacitant mixture according to the invention.

Tile storing means may he a can or a conbiner.

The deliven means ma be an aerosol, the mixture of tile invention comprising an aerosol propellant, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, l,1,l,2-tetrafiuoro ethane (classified under CAS No, 811 -9-2, dimethyl ether, butane, propane or oxygen. Preferably the propellant is nitrogen. Alternatively, the delivery means may use pressurised air to expel the mixture of the invention form the storing means.

The delivery means preferably includes a nozzle.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an incapacitant mixture comprising 0.3 per cent PAVA; a carrier being 2 per cent propylene glvcol; 25 per cent water and 2. per cent ethanol, all by weight, and propellant therefor, the said propellant being nitrogen.

When an incapacitant spray is used in confined conditions it is inevitable that some overspray will occur. Substances with a boiling point which is greater than 100°C tend to have a slower evaporation rate than water. Propylene glvcol, for example, has a boiling point of l8 °C and also has a very slow evaporation rate, slower than that of water. Ethanol has a boiling point of 8°C and has a much higher evaporation rate than water. As a result of this the incapacitant mixture of the invention has a much slower evaporation rate than an equivalent mixture with an alcohol/water based solvent. This is of great advantage as the PAVA in any overspray remains in solution for a longer period of time and can he easily cleaned by simply wiping away and this lessens the effect of cross-contamination.

Glycerine, and glycols, for example propylene glvcol, have a higher surface tension than water, which iii turn has a higher surface tension than an alcohol. Adding a proportion of an alcohol, for example ethanol, to a glycol or a glycol/water mixture lowers the surface tension of that mixture, it may he desirable to provide an incapacitant mixture with a lower stirface tension. For example if an incapacitant spray is sprayed above the eyes of a person it may he desirable that the surface tension of the mixture is low enough to allow the mixture to run down it-ito the eves. This can be achieved by the addition of an alcohol to the mixture.

In windy conditions, or on impact with a surface, a spray may be broken tip into 1 0 droplets. The size of the resulting droplets increases with the surface tension of the liquid.

The incapacitant mixture of the invention has a higher surface tension than known incapacitant mixtures comprising with an alcohol and water based solvent The incapacitant mixture of the invention will therefore will break up into larger droplet sizes. This is illustrated in the following examples: 1 5 a) An incapacitant mixture having 0.3 per cent PAV1\ and a solvent comprising per cent ethanol and 50 per cent water, and nitrogen as propellant was prepared.

Droplet size distribution was measured from repeated short bursts of the mixture from a canister placed at distances of l.Om, 2.Om and 3.Om from the measurement location.

On average it was found that 79°/s of droplets resulting from the spray had a diameter of more than 10 micron.

b An incapacitant mixture according to the invention having 0.3 per cent PAVA, 2.0 per cent propylene gh col, 25.0 per cent water and 2.7 per cent ethanol (all by weight), and nitrogen as a propellant was prepared.

Droplet size distribution was measured from repeated short bursts of the mixture from a canister placed at distances of 1.Om, 2.Om and 3.Om from the measurement location.

On average it was found that 99.18 per cent of droplets resulting from the spray had a diameter of more than 10 micron.

Droplet sizes of more than 10 micron are unlikely to be inhaled into the human respiratory system in significant quantity. inhalation of an incapacitant mixture causes a cough reflex response. The incapacitant mixture of the invention therefore provides a reduced cough reflex response compared to known incapacitant sprays.

The mixture of the invention does not have an significant effect on the respiratory system, yet causes temporar blindness which is exceptionally effective in incapacitating humans. The person must he incapacitated clunng the journey to a police station for instance until he is locked in a cell. A person may he dosed repeatedh with the incapacitant of the invention, in order to keep him under control when the effects of one application begin to wear off.

Blinclness results from intense pain in the eyes which causes the eyelids to close involuntarily rendering the person blind until such time as the effect of the incapacitant wears off. In the case of incapacitation resulting from irritation to the mucus membranes 1 0 this is also a result of intense pain, felt in areas exposed skin covered with mucus membranes and immediatel adjacent such areas of skin. Hence, if for some reason the incapacitant is prevented from entenng the eyes, the person may nevertheless be incapacitated by intense pain in and around the nose and mouth. However, due to the comparatively large droplet size the incapacitant mixture of the invention does not have any significant effect on the 1 5 respiratory system. Whilst the mixture causes the tear ducts to swell and some tears to be produced, these are a side effect. Intense Iachrymation is not the cause of incapacitation.

Examples

I. An incapacitant mixture according to the invention having 0.3 per cent PAVA, 2.0 per cent propylene glycol, 25.0 per cent water and 27 per cent ethanol (all h3 weight), and nitrogen as a propellant was prepared. The incapacitant mixture had a surface tension similar to that of water.

The incapacitant mixture was sprayed at a person in the region of the eyes. The incapacitant caused irritation of the eyes, thereby incapacitating the said person. The eyes watered in connection with the irritation caused by the incapacitant.

2. An incapacitant mixture according to the invention having 0.3 per cent PAVA, 73 per cent propylene glycol, 25.0 per cent water and 1.0 per cent ethanol (all by weight), and nitrogen as a propellant was prepared.

The incapacitant mixture was also sprayed at a person wearing protecfive goIes, (lirecti at the nose and mouth. The incapacitant caused irritation of the mucus membranes and intense pain in the mouth and nose, thereby incapacitating the said person. Even though the incapacitant is not sprayed into the eyes, the eyes ma nevertheless water in connection with the irritation caused by the incapacitant.

With a concentration of 1.0 per cent ethanol the incapacitant mixture had a higher surface tension compared to water.

Claims

Claims I. An incapacitant mixture comprising PAV1 and a carrier, wherein the mixture induces temporary blindness and/or irritation in the mucus membranes in a human or animal, wherein the carrier is miscible with water and has a boiling point greater than that of water, and wherein PAVA is the primary incapacitant in the mixture, the proportion of PAV1\ in the mixture being 0.65 per cent or less.
2. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of PAVA in the mixture is 0.65 per cent or less by weight.
3. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 2, wherein the proportion of PAVA in the mixture is between 0.3 and 0.65 per cent by weight.
4. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 3, wherein the proportion of PAVA in the mixture is between 0.3 and 0.6 per cent by weight.
5. An incapacitant mixture according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier is 1 5 glycerine.
6. An incapacitant mixture according to an) of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier is a glycol.
7. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the proportion of carrier in the mixture is 50 per cent or more by weight.
8. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 7, wherein the proportion of carrier in the mixture is 60 per cent or more by weight.
9. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 8, wherein the proportion of carrier in the mixture is 2 per cent by weight.
10. An incapacitant mixture according to any of claims 6-9, wherein the carrier is propylene glycol.
I I. An incapacitant mixture according to any preceding claim, further comprising water in a proportion of 30 per cent or less by weight.
12. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 11, wherein the proportion of water in the mixture is between 20 and 30 per cent by weight.
13. An incapacitant mixture according to any' preceding claim, further comprising an alcohol.
1 4. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 13, wherein the proportion of alcohol is per cent or less h) weight.
1 5. itn incapacitant mixture according to claim 14, wherein the proportion of alcohol is between 1.0 and 3.5 per cent by weight.
1 6. An incapacitant mixture according to claim 1 5, wherein the proportion of alcohol is 2. per cent by weight.
17. An incapacitant mixture according to an)' of claims 13 to 16, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group comprising ethanol, propanol and isopropanol.
1 8. An incapacitant mixture according to an)' preceding claim, comprising 0.3 per cent 1 0 PAVA; a carrier heing 2 per cent propylene glycol; 25 per cent water and 27 per cent ethanol, all by weight.
19. An incapacitant spray comprising means for storing and delivering an incapacitant mixture as defined in any of claims 1 to 1 8.
20. An incapacitant spray according to claim 19, wherein the means for delivering the 1 5 incapacitant mixture comprises an aerosol propellant.
21. An incapacitant spray according to claim 20, wherein the propellant is selected from the group comprising nitrogen, carbon dioxide, 1,1,1,2-tetratluoro ethane, dimethyl ether, butane, propane and oxygen.
22. An incapacitant spray' according to claim 19, wherein the delivery means comprises a source of pressunsed air to expel the mixture from the storing means.
23. An incapacitant spray according to an)' of claims 19 to 22, wherein the storing means is a can.