Aerosol lachrymator formulations are provided having all natural pepper extracts as the active ingredient. The lachrymator formulations are useful in self-defense devices. The formulations are non-toxic and have a broader spectrum of activity than man-made lachrymators. These aerosol formulations rely on a carbon dioxide propellant, which is generated in situ.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention pertains to new lachrymator aerosol formulations useful in 
self-defense devices. The formulations include a non-toxic lachrymator, 
preferably a naturally occurring pepper extract or its chemical 
equivalent. When effectively applied, these formulations repel or disable 
threatening or unwanted animals, including mammals, reptiles, fish, 
insects, and other pests. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Pepper extracts and their chemical equivalents are widely used throughout 
the food industry. They are commercially available in combination with 
soybean oil and in combination with propylene glycol. Some varieties, such 
as oleoresin capsicum, are available as neat oils. 
Aside from their obvious uses in the food industry, pepper extracts have 
been shown to be useful in pharmaceutical applications. Likewise, others 
claim to have used naturally occurring pepper extracts and their chemical 
equivalents effectively as active agents in lachrymator formulations for 
self-defence devices. These pepper formulations have proven to be 
effective substitutes for MACE.RTM. and other man-made chemical agents 
used to debilitate attackers and threatening animals. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,708 describes a sprayable CAPSICUM LACHRYMATOR. The 
formulations of the '708 patent address a number of shortcomings in 
similar prior art devices. For example, the '708 formulations do not 
contain FREON.RTM. or other chlorinated fluorocarbon (CFC) propellant. 
Evidence that CFCs deplete the ozone layer has led to widespread 
restrictions on the availability and use of CFCs as propellants. 
Pepper extract lachrymators have been shown to be more effective than the 
man made lachrymators against crazed or drug-induced attackers. In 
addition to their more broad spectrum of use, these lachrymators, when 
properly formulated, are more humanitarian tools as they are non-toxic and 
their effect is temporary and entirely reversible. 
As the '708 patent demonstrates, however, devising the proper balance of 
active ingredients, carrier and propellant for capsicum-based aerosol 
lachrymators is a difficult task. Of the fifteen examples shown in the 
'708 patent, only one formulation was reported to be satisfactory and did 
not result in settling, separation of the ingredients, or inadequate 
dispersion of the resulting mixture. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide lachrymator 
formulations that are stable mixtures. It is another object of the present 
invention to provide lachrymator formulations that can be aerosolized and 
dispersed effectively and reliably. It is yet another object of the 
present invention to provide lachrymator formulations that contain 
effective, non-toxic, and environmentally compatible propellant systems.

THE INVENTION 
The subject of the present invention is aerosol lachrymator formulations 
useful for repelling or debilitating unwanted or threatening animals. For 
example, the formulations are useful for defending against human 
attackers, but can also be used in repelling dangerous animals such as 
dogs. The formulations have also been shown to have a repellant effect on 
reptiles and fish. They are also useful in repelling insects and other 
pests such as wasps, hornets, and tent caterpillar moths. 
The present invention provides stable, non-toxic lachrymator formulations 
having effective, environmentally compatible propellants, and excellent 
aerosolization and dispersion properties. 
The products of the present invention comprise lachrymator formulations 
having as their active ingredients pepper extract(s). These active 
ingredients, or lachrymatory agents, are preferably selected from among 
all natural, food grade pepper extracts. Further, these lachrymatory 
agents are preferably selected from among capsaicin-containing materials 
such as oleoresin capsicum, capsicum frutencens, capsicum annum, and 
capsicum extract. Alternatively, capsaicin itself, including synthetic 
capsaicin, will also be useful in the formulations of the present 
invention. 
It is contemplated that various chemical equivalents or other lachrymatory 
agents are also useful in the lachrymator formulations of the present 
invention. For example, it is contemplated that formulations comprising 
piperine, iso-piperine, chavicine, iso-chavicine, zingerone, mustard oil, 
horseradish extract, hot pepper oil, hot pepper extract, and mixtures 
thereof are useful in the lachrymator formulations of the present 
invention. 
The preferred lachrymatory agent is oleoresin capsicum. Oleoresin capsicum 
is commercially available as an oil from flavoring and spice manufacturers 
such as the McCormick Spice Co., Baltimore, Md., and Flavor & Fragrance 
Specialties, Franklin Lakes, N.J. To minimize toxicity, it is preferred 
that food grade oleoresin capsicum be used in these formulations. 
The pepper extract or chemical equivalent used in the present formulations 
are combined with carriers or diluents to form a lachrymator component 
(also referred to herein as "Component A"). Preferred carriers include 
polyoxyethylene derivatives of polysorbate, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl 
alcohol (IPA), and water. The preferred polysorbate derivatives include 
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), which is commercially 
available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc. and ICI Americas. 
The formulations of the present invention further comprise a propellant 
component (also referred to herein as "Component B"). The preferred 
propellant is CO.sub.2, and the propellant generating components include 
citric acid and aqueous sodium bicarbonate. In preferred embodiments the 
citric acid is added to the isopropanol mixture that makes up the 
lachrymator component. When combined with the aqueous sodium bicarbonate, 
the formulation generates the CO.sub.2 propellant. 
A preferred lachrymator/carrier component combines oleoresin capsicum, 
Tween 80, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and citric acid. Preferably, 
these ingredients are combined in the following weight percent ratios 
relative to the entire lachrymator aerosol formulation: about 2-6 wt % 
oleoresin capsicum; about 2-10 wt % Tween 80; about 1-5 wt % benzyl 
alcohol; and about 25-45 wt % isopropyl alcohol. It is contemplated that 
similar quantities of other pepper extracts or their chemical equivalents 
will fulfill the objectives of the present invention. 
The propellant component preferably comprises about 2-6 wt % sodium 
bicarbonate and about 30-45 wt % water.sup.1. Preferred formulations 
further comprise an aliquot of equal parts water and isopropanol to purge 
the dip tube inside the aerosol container after charging the container 
with the lachrymator component and the propellant component. 
FNT .sup.1 Unless stated otherwise, all recitations of percent composition 
refer to percent by weight; and furthermore, refer to percent composition 
of the entire lachrymator formulation as opposed to that of a particular 
component or mixture. 
The lachrymator component and the propellant generating component are 
combined and packaged in a sealed aerosol container. When the two 
components of the propellant mixture are combined the mixture releases 
CO.sub.2, which pressurizes the contents of the aerosol container and acts 
as the propellant gas. 
The propellant components used in the lachrymator formulations of the 
present invention are more thoroughly described in co-owned and commonly 
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/020,174, filed Feb. 22, 1993, 
and entitled "METHOD FOR TWO-STAGE PRESSURIZATION OF DISPENSING 
CONTAINER", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
These propellant components generate high dispensing pressure and achieve 
substantially complete product expulsion from the container. Moreover, 
when the aerosol containers are properly charged, purged, and sealed, the 
present formulations are completely expelled with excellent dispersion as 
there will be no particulate matter left in the valve, valve stem, or dip 
tube to impair expulsion and dispersion of the product. 
The propellant formulations consistently provide excellent expulsion and 
dispersion of product without the need for more complex mechanical 
expulsion devices, which are costly, bulky, and prone to breakdown. 
Likewise, the propellant gas of the present formulations is 
environmentally compatible, non-toxic, and non-flammable. 
The propellant mixture is formulated with the lachrymator component 
according to a variety of methods. In the preferred method, the aerosol 
container is first charged with the lachrymator component, which contains 
the citric acid/isopropanol combination, and the valve is crimped onto the 
container; the aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution is then charged to the 
vessel through the valve stem; the valve dip tube is then purged with an 
aliquot of equal parts water/isopropanol; and the valve actuator is 
attached. 
It is contemplated that the order of addition of the citric acid and sodium 
bicarbonate components may be reversed by adding a citric acid/isopropanol 
aliquot to the container after combining the lachrymator/carrier component 
and the aqueous sodium bicarbonate component. This then would be followed 
by purging the dip tube with the water/IPA component as needed. 
The foregoing mixtures are combined and packaged according to various 
methods for preparing and packaging aerosol formulations as is known in 
the art. 
Thus, the preferred formulations of the present invention comprise a three 
component mixture: the lachrymator/carrier component (Component A); the 
propellant component (Component B); and a purging component (Component C). 
The following examples illustrate some of the preferred lachrymator 
formulations of the present invention. 
EXAMPLES 
Example 1 
______________________________________ 
Component A: 
2.5% 1.2 g. of oleoresin capsicum (1.5 million 
Heat Units) 
5% 2.4 g. of Tween 80 
2% 0.96 g. of benzyl alcohol 
37.45% 17.976 g. 
of isopropyl alcohol 
3.49% 1.675 g. of citric acid 
Component B: 
4.304% 2.065 g. of sodium bicarbonate 
36.95% 17.736 g. 
of H.sub.2 O 
Component C: 
4.34% 2.08 g. of H.sub.2 O 
4.34% 2.08 g. of isopropyl alcohol 
______________________________________ 
Example 2 
______________________________________ 
Component A: 
5% 2.4 g. of Oleo resin capsicum (1.5 Million 
Heat Units) 
5% 2.4 g. of Tween 80 
2% 0.96 g. of benzyl alcohol 
34.95% 16.776 g. 
of isopropyl alcohol 
3.49% 1.675 g. of citric acid 
Component B: 
4.304% 2.065 g. of sodium bicarbonate 
36.95% 17.736 g. 
of H.sub.2 O 
Component C: 
4.34% 2.08 g. of Water 
4.34% 2.08 g. of IPA 
______________________________________ 
Example 3 
______________________________________ 
Component A: 
5% 1.15 g. of oleoresin capsicum (1.5 Million 
Heat Units) 
5% 1.15 g. of Tween 80 
2% 0.46 g. of benzyl alcohol 
34.95% 8.039 g. of isopropyl alcohol 
3.49% 0.802 g. of citric acid 
Component B: 
4.304% 0.99 g. of sodium bicarbonate 
36.95% 8.499 g. of H.sub.2 O 
Component C: 
4.34% 1 g. of IPA 
4.34% 1 g. of H.sub.2 O 
______________________________________ 
Example 4 
______________________________________ 
Component A: 
2.5% 0.575 g. of oleoresin capsicum (1.5 Million 
Heat Units) 
5% 1.15 g. of Tween 80 
2% 0.46 g. of benzyl alcohol 
37.45% 8.614 g. of isopropyl alcohol 
3.49% 0.802 g. of citric acid 
Component B: 
4.304% 0.99 g. of sodium bicarbonate 
36.95% 8.499 g. of H.sub.2 O 
Component C: 
4.34% 1 g. of IPA 
4.34% 1 g. of H.sub.2 O 
______________________________________ 
All of the foregoing examples form stable mixtures exhibiting excellent 
aerosolization and dispersion properties when properly formulated and 
packaged. 
These formulations are packaged in aerosol containers with appropriate 
dispensing mechanisms. It is important in the manufacture and use of these 
apparatus that the dispersion mechanism function consistently and 
effectively. If the dispersion is inadequate, or fails altogether, the 
user will likely be in greater danger than prior to resorting to the 
apparatus. 
Useful and effective aerosol containers are known in the art and include 
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,063, issued Sep. 28, 1993, the 
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
Similarly, aerosol dispensing mechanisms and canisters or containers useful 
for packaging and dispensing the formulations of the present invention are 
disclosed in co-owned and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. 
No. 08/150,611, filed Nov. 10, 1993 and entitled "LOCKABLE ACTUATOR FOR A 
DISPENSING CANISTER" the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by 
reference. 
These and other embodiments of the foregoing invention will be readily 
understood by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not 
confined to the foregoing embodiments, but instead is defined by the 
following claims.