Abstract:
A payload dispersion system for a non-lethal projectile including a resilient layer and a marker packet having a hollow body including a lower surface, at least a partial opening centrally disposed, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the at least a partial opening and the upper surface and a payload contained within the volume. The upper surface of the marker packet includes a wall and at least one weakened portion within the wall. The lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the resilient layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/044892, filed on Jun. 30, 2014, which patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) and Article 4 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/926,728, filed Jan. 13, 2014, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention broadly relates to non-lethal projectiles, more specifically to payload carrying non-lethal projectiles, and even more particularly to a payload carrying non-lethal projectile arranged to disburse its payload evenly upon impact with a target. 
       BACKGROUND OF TUE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Non-lethal projectiles are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,657, issued on Jan. 4, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a non-lethal projectile comprising a deformable head arranged to absorb kinetic energy upon impact of the projectile with a target. 
         [0004]    In addition to or as an alternative to a deformable head, non-lethal projectiles may comprise a variety of head designs some of which may be arranged to carry a payload. Such payloads may include but are not limited to malodorant, marking liquid, marking powder, pepper liquid and pepper powder. An example of a payload carrying non-lethal projectile is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0066849, which published on Mar. 31, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The device disclosed in the foregoing publication includes a nose portion formed from a frangible, rigid, polymer foam material such that the nose crushes upon impact with a target to disperse energy, thereby reducing the kinetic energy transferred to the target while simultaneously dispensing its payload, e.g., marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants or inert powders. 
         [0005]    Non-lethal projectiles known in the art suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For example, known projectile head arrangements fail to provide a controlled dispensing of a payload. Such payloads are randomly and unpredictably dispersed upon impact. Such a condition may decrease the effectiveness of the payload as it may fail to reach its desired location or desired extent of dispersion. Additionally, tradeoffs between kinetic energy dissipation and quantities and types of payloads have been required. For example, frangible powder payloads do not dissipate kinetic energy to the same extent as a viscoelastic material such as a silicone rubber polymer. Similarly, liquid payloads offer a hydro-impact effect to lessen inertia upon impacting a target. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention broadly comprises a non-lethal projectile including a frame, a guide expander, an expander cap, a resilient layer, a marker packet and a cap. The frame includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body, a closed upper end and a through bore centrally disposed within the closed upper end and coaxially arranged with the substantially cylindrical body. The guide expander includes a cylindrical guide and a base, wherein the cylindrical guide is disposed within the bore and longitudinally displaceable therein. The expander base includes a plurality of segments, a lower protrusion and an upper protrusion, wherein the guide expander contacts the lower protrusion and each segment of the plurality of segments is connected to each adjacent segment by a weakened portion. The expander cap includes an upper surface having a plurality of offset circular planar surfaces and a through bore centrally disposed and contacting the upper protrusion of the expander base, wherein the upper surface of the expander cap contacts a lower surface of the resilient layer. The marker packet includes a hollow body having a lower surface, at least a partial opening centrally disposed, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the at least a partial opening and the upper surface, and a payload contained within the volume. The upper surface of the marker packet includes a wall and at least one weakened portion within the wall, and the lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the resilient layer. The cap is arranged to enclose the marker packet, the resilient. expander and the expander cap, and partially enclose the expander base, wherein the payload is dispersed on or near a target upon impact by the non-lethal projectile. 
         [0007]    The present invention also broadly comprises a non-lethal projectile having a frame, a guide expander, an expander cap, a resilient expander, a marker packet and a cap. The frame includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body, a closed upper end and a through bore centrally disposed within the closed upper end and coaxially arranged with the substantially cylindrical body. The guide expander includes a cylindrical guide and a base, wherein the cylindrical guide is disposed within the bore and longitudinally displaceable therein. The expander base includes a plurality of segments, a lower protrusion and an upper protrusion, wherein the guide expander contacts the tower protrusion and each segment of the plurality of segments is connected to each adjacent segment by a weakened portion. The expander cap includes an upper surface having a plurality of offset circular planar surfaces and a through bore centrally disposed and contacting the upper protrusion of the expander base. The resilient expander includes a base and an extension, wherein the upper surface of the expander cap contacts a lower surface of the base. The marker packet includes a hollow body having a lower surface, a central opening, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the central opening and the upper surface and a payload contained within the volume, wherein the upper surface of the marker packet includes a plurality of segments, each segment of the plurality of segments is connected to each adjacent segment by a weakened portion, the extension of the resilient expander is disposed within the central opening, and the lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the base of the resilient expander. The cap is arranged to enclose the marker packet, the resilient expander and the expander cap, and partially enclose the expander base, wherein the payload is dispersed on or near a target upon impact by the non-lethal projectile. 
         [0008]    The present invention further broadly comprises a payload dispersion system for a non-lethal projectile including a resilient layer and a marker packet having a hollow body including a lower surface, at least a partial opening centrally disposed, an upper surface, a volume formed. by the tower surface, the at least a partial opening and the upper surface, and a payload contained within the volume, wherein the upper surface of the marker packet includes a wall and at least one weakened portion within the wall, and the lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the resilient layer. 
         [0009]    The present invention yet further broadly comprises a payload dispersion system for a non-lethal projectile including a resilient expander having a base and an extension, and a marker packet having a hollow body including a lower surface, a central opening, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the central opening and the upper surface and a payload contained within the volume, Wherein the upper surface the marker packet includes a plurality of segments, each segment of the plurality of segments is connected to each adjacent segment by a weakened portion, the extension of the resilient expander is disposed within the central opening, and the lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the base of the resilient expander. 
         [0010]    The present invention also broadly comprises a payload carrying packet for a non-lethal projectile including a hollow body having a tower surface, at least a partial opening centrally disposed, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the at least a partial opening and the upper surface and a payload contained within the volume, wherein the upper surface of the marker packet includes a wall and at least one weakened portion within the wall. 
         [0011]    The present invention still further broadly comprises a dispersion article for use in combination with a payload carrying packet for a non-lethal projectile including a resilient expander having a base and an extension, wherein application of a longitudinal force on the extension causes the extension to expand outwardly and pressurize the payload packet. 
         [0012]    It is a general object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal projectile that maximizes the safety of its use. 
         [0013]    It is another general object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal projectile that disperses a payload, e.g. a malodorant or marking liquid, substantially evenly upon impact with a target. 
         [0014]    It is yet another general object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal projectile that disperses impact forces substantially evenly upon impact with a target, wherein the dispersed forces are non-lethal is magnitude. 
         [0015]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a present invention non-lethal projectile; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the encircled region  2  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1  taken generally along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional perspective view of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1  taken generally along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of an expander cap used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the expander cap shown in  FIG. 5  taken generally along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the expander cap shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an expander base used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the expander base shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the expander base shown in  FIG. 8  taken generally along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a projectile frame used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the projectile frame shown in  FIG. 11  taken generally along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guide expander used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the guide expander shown in  FIG. 13  taken generally along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a resilient expander used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the resilient expander shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a marker packet used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of the marker packet shown in  FIG. 17  taken generally along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a present invention non-lethal projectile; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a cross sectional perspective view of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 19  taken generally along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 19  taken generally along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the encircled region  22  shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a marker packet used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view of the marker packet shown in  FIG. 23  taken generally along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 ; and, 
           [0041]      FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a marker packet which may be used in the embodiment of the non-lethal projectile shown in  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0044]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood in one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong. As used herein, the term “average” shall be construed broadly to include any calculation in which a result datum or decision is obtained based on a plurality of input data, which can include but is not limited to, weighted averages, yes or no decisions based on rolling inputs, etc. Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. 
         [0045]    Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0046]    Non-lethal projectile  10  comprises frame  12 , guide expander  14 , expander base  16 , expander cap  18 , resilient expander  20 , marker packet  22  and cone  24 . Projectile  10  is positioned within shell  26 . Volume  28  of shell  26  acts as a combustion chamber. The propellant is ignited via a primer located inside a .38 caliber shell casing (not shown). The .38 caliber shell casing is positioned in bore  30  of shell  26 . The propellant is selected from those well known in the art and is not particularly germane to the present device. Upon ignition of the propellant, projectile  10  exits shell  26  in the direction of firing. Upon impact with a target, cone  24  collapses, expander base  16  expands outwardly, resilient expander  20  compresses and expands outwardly, and marker packet  22  ruptures, thereby dispersing the payload and collectively absorbing kinetic energy from the moving projectile  10  and decreasing its damage and/or injury to the target. 
         [0047]    Expander base  16  is arranged to “fail” thereby absorbing kinetic energy. Expander base  16  comprises expander base segments  64  which are connected by weakened regions  66 . Upon impact with a target, a longitudinal compression force is imparted on cone  24  and thereby on the resilient expander  20 , expander cap  18 , expander base  16  and guide expander  14 . As the foregoing elements compress, frame  12  slides relative to guide expander  14  and is pushed against expander base  16 . Frame  12  in turn causes expander base segments  64  to be pushed outwardly. Provided sufficient force is imparted on base segments  64 , weakened portions  66  fail thereby permitting further expansion of base segments  64 . The expansion of base segments  64  in combination with the failure of weakened portions  66  further absorbs kinetic energy of the moving projectile  10 . In the expanded form, expander base  16  forms a star-like structure. In addition to the foregoing absorption of energy, the inertia of projectile  10  is further dissipated by the compression of expander cap  18  against base  80  of resilient expander  20 . This action assists with the rupturing of marker packet  22 , as described in further detail infra. It should be appreciated that although expander base  16  and expander cap  18  are depicted as separate elements joined together, a single element can also be formed. However, due to present savings in manufacturing, the two piece arrangement is preferred. 
         [0048]    Resilient expander  20  is formed from a flexible material, e.g., silicone. As non-lethal projectile  10  impacts a target, extension  82  of resilient expander  20  is compressed in the direction depicted by uni-directional arrow  38  and thereby expands in the directions of uni-directional arrows  40 . It should be appreciated that although the expansion of extension  82  is depicted by only two arrows  40 , extension  82  is cylindrical in shape. Therefore, as extension  82  is compressed in the direction of arrow  38 , extension  82  expands outwardly in substantially all radial directions including the directions depicted by arrows  40 . Moreover, as expander cap  18  impacts base  80  of resilient expander  20 , base  80  transfers kinetic energy to base  42  of marker packet  22 , i.e., transfers kinetic energy in the direction of uni-directional arrows  44 . 
         [0049]    Resilient expander  20  assists in the dispersion of payload  46  from marker packet  22  on the target. Expander  20  also absorbs inertia, i.e., kinetic energy, creates a fixture for marker packet  22  and acts as a safety barrier preventing components below resilient expander  20  from impacting a target directly. In flight, marker packet  22  is stabilized in cone  24  of projectile  10  by resilient expander  20 . During impact, extension  82  expands outwardly into inner surface  48  of marker packet  22  and base  80  of expander  20  compresses against base  42  of marker packet  22 , collectively creating a higher pressure vessel thereby dispersing payload  46  in a desirable pattern. To ensure the plastic components of projectile  10  will not penetrate the target, e.g., guide expander  14 , expander base  16 , and expander cap  18 , base  80  acts as a safety barrier blocking the plastic components from moving forward upon impact. The elasticity of resilient expander  20  also absorbs some inertia from projectile  10  making it less likely to injure a target. 
         [0050]    In an embodiment, marker packet  22  is a partial toroid shaped component formed from a material such as polyethylene. Marker packet  22  acts as a pressure vessel when a target is hit. High pressure that develops upon impact in combination with segments  50  allow for proper outward dispersion of payload  46  onto the target. In other words, a compressive force is applied to the impacting surface of packet  22 , a compressive force is applied to base  42  by base  80  of expander  20 , and a compressive force is applied to surface  48  by extension  82 , collectively pushing inwardly on payload  46 . This collective force creates a higher pressure within packet  22  thereby providing the means to effectively disperse payload  46  on a target. Segments  50  are defined and separated by etched or weakened portions  52  in the top portion of marker packet  22 . In short, upon reaching a sufficient pressure, weakened portions  52  fail or open thereby permitting dispersion of payload  46 . The foregoing arrangement of marker packet  22  also facilitates the dispersion of its kinetic energy over a larger surface area creating a projectile less likely to cause injury to a target. 
         [0051]    In addition to the above described payloads that may be carried by the present invention non-lethal projectile, the payload may also include a tagging and/or marking agent, as well as an infrared liquid or powder. Tagging agents, such as forensic marking agents, provide greater capability for the present projectile, e.g., tagging a party prior to fleeing a scene for later identification and arrest. Thus, for example, a participant of a riot may be impacted with a present projectile carrying a forensic marking agent and even if that participant leaves the scene of the riot prior to arrest, law enforcement agents can later identify that person as a participant due to the presence of the marking agent. Such marking agents can effectively code a person, object, etc., for later identification. Forensic marking agents can be configured with unique formulas so that the later identification can provide information related to where the person was tagged or who tagged the person, i.e., each law enforcement agent could have a unique marking agent which will be undetectable by the person being tagged. Moreover, not only does the foregoing marking agent tag a person&#39;s clothing, but the marking agent also propagates to skin and unexposed clothing so that if a person removes the clothing that was actually impacted by the present invention projectile, the marking agents are still detectable later in time. An example of a forensic marking liquid is the SMARTWATER® product offered by SmartWater CSI LLC of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and SmartWater Technology Ltd. of London, England. 
         [0052]    Other embodiments of the present invention non-lethal projectile have also been developed. Non-lethal projectile  110  comprises frame  112 , guide expander  114 , expander base  116 , expander cap  118 , resilient layer  120 , marker packet  122  and cone  124 . Projectile  110  is positioned within shell  126 . Volume  128  of shell  126  acts as a combustion chamber. The nature of firing projectile  110  is substantially the same as the firing of projectile  10  described above. However, upon impact with a target, cone  124  collapses, expander base  116  expands outwardly, resilient layer  120  compresses surface  142  of marker packet  122 , and marker packet  122  ruptures, thereby dispersing the payload and collectively absorbing kinetic energy from the moving projectile  110  and decreasing its damage and/or injury to the target. 
         [0053]    Similar to the embodiment described above, expander base  116  is arranged to “fail” thereby absorbing kinetic energy. Upon impact with a target, a longitudinal compression force is imparted on cone  124  and thereby on the resilient layer  120 , expander cap  118 , expander base  116  and guide expander  114 . As the foregoing elements compress, frame  112  slides relative to guide expander  114  and is pushed against expander base  116 . Frame  112  in turn causes expander base  116  to fail, pushing the segments forming base  116  outwardly, thereby absorbing kinetic energy of the moving projectile  110 . lithe expanded form, expander base  116  forms a star-like structure. In addition to the foregoing absorption of energy, the inertia of projectile  110  is further dissipated by the compression of expander cap  118  against resilient layer  120 . This action assists with the rupturing of marker packet  122 , as described in further detail infra. 
         [0054]    Resilient layer  120  is formed from a flexible material, e.g., silicone. As non-lethal projectile  110  impacts a target, resilient layer  120  is compressed against seal layer  142  of marker packet  122 . Moreover, as expander cap  118  impacts resilient layer  120 , expander cap  118  transfers kinetic energy to seal layer  142  of marker packet  122 . 
         [0055]    Resilient layer  120  assists in the dispersion of payload  146  from marker packet  122  on the target, layer  120  also absorbs inertia, i.e., kinetic energy, fills the gap between cap  118  and layer  142  and acts as a safety barrier preventing components below resilient layer  120  from impacting a target directly. During impact, layer  120  compresses against sealing layer  142  creating a higher pressure vessel thereby dispersing payload  146  in a desirable pattern. To ensure the plastic components of projectile  110  will not penetrate the target, e.g., guide expander  114 , expander base  116 , and expander cap  118 , layer  120  also acts as a safety barrier blocking the plastic components from moving forward upon impact. The elasticity of layer  120  also absorbs some inertia from projectile  110  making it less likely to injure a target. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment, marker packet  122  is a partial toroid shaped component comprising wall  150  formed from a material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Marker packet  122  further comprises sealing layer  142 . Layer  142  is secured to the base of wall  150  by any means known in the art, e.g., induction sealing, and is formed from a material that is compatible with payload  146  so that layer  142  does not deteriorate prior to use, e.g., during storage of the projectile. For example, layer  142  may be formed from ExpressWeb EFS 174 manufactured by Glenroy Inc. of Menomonee Falls, Wis. Suitable sealing layers may include but are not limited to materials including at least one of: polyester; low density polyethylene; aluminum foil; and, linear low density polyethylene. It should be appreciated that layer  142  may also be formed as a multi-layer composite including some or all of the aforementioned materials. Marker packet  122  acts as a pressure vessel when a target is hit. High pressure that develops upon impact in combination with wall  150  allows for proper outward dispersion of payload  146  onto the target. In other words, a compressive force is applied to the impacting surface of packet  122 , a compressive force is applied to sealing layer  142  by resilient layer  120 , collectively pushing inwardly on payload  146 . This collective force creates a higher pressure within packet  122  thereby providing the means to effectively disperse payload  146  on a target. Wall  150  is defined and separated by etched or weakened portions  152  in the top portion of marker packet  122 . In short, weakened portions  152  cause a controlled failure mode of marker packet  122  when pressurized by impact, i.e., wall  150  fails along the length of each weakened portions  152 . The foregoing arrangement of marker packet  122  facilitates the dispersion of its kinetic energy over a larger surface area creating a projectile less likely to cause injury to a target. 
         [0057]    In addition to the foregoing, marker packet  122  comprises inner surface  148 . In this embodiment, inner surface  148  does not form a complete through hole in marker packet  122 . As can be best understood in view of  FIG. 24 , the base of opening  190  does not contact sealing layer  142 . Thus, gap  192  is formed between inner surface  148  and sealing layer  142 . The gap may be larger or smaller than depicted in the figures, or alternatively, no gap may be present. It is believed that the size of gap  192  also contributes to the nature of the dispersion of payload  146  during impact with a target. Embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention include full through holes, e.g., marker packet  22 , and partial through holes, e.g., marker packet  122 . Moreover, it is contemplated that no opening may be included, and that those embodiments will form a domed structure devoid of indentations or openings in the middle of the marker packet, e.g., marker packet  222 . 
         [0058]    The present embodiments provide non-lethal projectiles that outperform alternate designs. For example, the present invention was compared against three alternate designs for viscous criterion (VC) and impact force. The foregoing tests used various impact velocities to measure impact force, dynamic deflection and impact velocity to quantify the performance of each design. The present embodiments provided lower impact force and lower viscous criterion than each other tested design. 
         [0059]    The impact of the present invention non-lethal projectile on a target creates two impacts of inertia on the target. The present invention causes a dispersion of inertia on the target. Upon impact, the present projectile provides an initial dispersion of inertia on the target, and subsequently as the frame and in turn the guide expander pushes into the expander base, a second dispersion of inertia on the target occurs. Furthermore, the size of the cone of the present invention causes a wide area dispersion of force on a target which spreads kinetic energy to more nerve endings thereby causing more pain compliance while decreasing injury due to lack of penetration. 
         [0060]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       REFERENCE NO. LISTING 
       [0000]    
       
           10 —projectile 
           12 —frame 
           14 —guide expander 
           16 —expander base 
           18 —expander cap 
           20 —resilient expander 
           22 —marker packet 
           24 —cone 
           26 —shell 
           28 —volume 
           30 —bore 
           38 —uni-directional arrow 
           40 —uni-directional arrow 
           42 —base 
           44 —uni-directional arrow 
           46 —payload 
           48 —inner surface 
           50 —segment 
           52 —weakened portion 
           54 —hollow frame body 
           56 —upper end cap 
           58 —through bore 
           60 —guide expander base 
           62 —cylindrical guide 
           64 —expander base segment 
           66 —weakened portion 
           68 —upper protrusion 
           70 —lower protrusion 
           72 —upper surface 
           74 —lower surface 
           76 —circular planar surface 
           78 —through bore 
           80 —base 
           82 —extension 
           84 —upper surface 
           86 —lower surface 
           110 —non-lethal projectile 
           112 —frame 
           114 —guide expander 
           116 —expander base 
           118 —expander cap 
           120 —resilient layer 
           122 —marker packet 
           124 —cone 
           126 —shell 
           128 —volume 
           130 —bore 
           142 —sealing layer 
           146 —payload 
           148 —inner surface 
           150 —wall 
           152 —weakened portion 
           190 —opening 
           192 —gap 
           222 —marker packet