Patent Abstract:
A dispenser for releasing a debilitating substance into a user&#39;s hand comprises an outer layer defining a cavity therein wherein the outer layer further defines a plurality of holes therethrough communicating the cavity with an exterior of said dispenser. At least one sharp projection extends from the outer layer into the cavity. A pouch is positioned within the cavity proximate to the at least one sharp projection wherein the pouch contains a debilitating substance.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/281,957, filed Apr. 6, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to methods of self-defense in general and in particular to methods and articles for dispensing and applying a debilitating substance to a person that is desired to be subdued.  
           [0003]    There are any many self-defense related articles known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,321 to Hippensteel discloses a self-defense ring that has a cavity and a spray orifice communicating with the cavity. There includes a canister that is within the cavity that contains a pressurized substance that is sprayed through an orifice once a triggering action is taken. U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,454 to Ludaescher also discloses a non-lethal fluid delivery device. The device includes a replaceable pressurized canister holding a fluid, such as pepper spray that discharges an atomized mist when activated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,701 to Seats discloses a combined hand glove and aerosol repellant device. A small cylindrical canister of an aerosol repellant is held in a glove and is worn by a person for protection against assaults. The repellant canister dispenses an aerosol to stop a would be attacker.  
           [0004]    As can be seen from the above, it is known in the art to utilize an aerosol to dispense a substance, such as pepper spray or mace to disable a would-be attacker. The aerosol dispensing of such a substance has several detriments. A defender utilizing an aerosol must receive proper training and have the necessary manual dexterity to effectively operate the canister. To prevent accidental deployment, existing canisters employ a lockable trigger or include some other safety mechanism. These safety mechanisms must be disengaged to gain access to the trigger. Once the canister has been placed in a functional mode, it must then be raised, aimed, and discharged at the attacker. These tasks must be accomplished in a quick an efficient manner within the timeframe that the attacker poses an imminent threat to when the attacker actually begins an attack on the defender. Ideally, this process is best executed so that the defender is ready to discharge the canister before the attacker decides to strike. Under an escalating violent situation, when emotions and stress are rapidly increasing, these tasks become increasingly more demanding than in a practice atmosphere, and increasing the chances of the defender forgetting or unintentionally omitting one of the preparatory steps to use of the canister.  
           [0005]    One of the major shortcomings of using aerosol canisters includes the possibility of cross-contamination of the spray striking an innocent bystander, or even the defender if the canister is not properly aimed. Use of an aerosol container also requires that a distance between the would-be attacker be maintained to effectively deploy such an aerosol system. The possibility of missing is increased with the speed at which the attack or altercation develops and the readiness of the defender. In a close quarter situation, an aerosol deployment of a substance provides the chance for an attacker to remove the canister from the user&#39;s person and thereby prevent deployment, and as stated above, increases the chance of cross-contamination. Further, in an outdoors situation, the prevailing weather conditions can have a detrimental effect on the use of the canister. These conditions include the possibility that a wind can cause the aerosol spray can be diverted to an innocent bystander, or in some instances even back to the defender without affecting the attacker at all.  
           [0006]    Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a self-defense system that would apply a debilitating substance using a non-aerosol delivery. A non-aerosol method of delivery should provide for a safer deployment by a defender against an attacker. The manner of delivery should minimize the potential of cross-contamination so those individuals who are in proximity of the attack and who might suffer from medical conditions are not adversely exposed to the dangers of the debilitating substance. Non-aerosol deployment also has the advantage of not being as adversely affected by poor weather conditions such as wind or humidity. Such a system would allow for close range deployment without the risk of cross-contamination, as well as provide a more subtle and inconspicuous deployment.  
         SUMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    One aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for releasing a debilitating substance into a user&#39;s hand. The dispenser comprises an outer layer defining a cavity therein. The outer layer further defines a plurality of holes therethrough communicating the cavity with an exterior of said dispenser. At least one sharp projection extends from the outer layer into the cavity. A pouch is positioned within the cavity proximate to the at least one sharp projection wherein the pouch contains a debilitating substance.  
           [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is a method for the deployment of a non-aerosol debilitating substance comprising the steps of placing a delivery apparatus in the hand of a user. The user then releases a debilitating substance from the delivery apparatus into the user&#39;s hand, and then applying the user&#39;s hand containing the debilitating substance to the facial or other bodily region of a recipient to be debilitated.  
           [0009]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a delivery apparatus for use to deliver a self-defense debilitating substance according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a delivery apparatus for use by the process of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plunger type delivery apparatus for use by the process of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger type delivery apparatus of FIG. 3 taken along the line  4 - 4 ;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a squeezable delivery apparatus for use by the process of the present invention; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the squeezable deliver apparatus of FIG. 5 taken along the line  6 - 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 3. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.  
         [0017]    Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a defensive substance delivery packet  10 , which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components.  
         [0018]    The defensive substance delivery packet  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 includes first and a second outer foil or plastic layers  12 ,  14  which are joined about their respective edges to form a packet  16  defining an inner compartment area  18  in which a debilitating substance  20  is stored. The two layers  12 ,  14  forming packet  16  may be formed of two sheets that are easily opened by a user, but sufficiently durable to prevent inadvertent bursting when carried during everyday use. In use, packet  10  may be squeezed in the palm of a user thereby causing the outer layers  12 ,  14  to rupture and thereby dispense the defensive substance  20  onto the user&#39;s hand or glove. The user may then use his hand or glove to apply the substance to the facial or other bodily region of a would be recipient.  
         [0019]    The method to use the defensive substance delivery packet  10  includes deploying the debilitating substance  20  from packet  10  in a non-aerosol manner. The user releases the debilitating substance  20  into his or her hand or glove from a delivery apparatus such as packet  10  and then applying with the user&#39;s hand or glove the debilitating substance  20  to the facial or other bodily region of an attacker. Packet  10  can be ripped open or alternatively caused to rupture to release the debilitating substance  20 . Packet  10  can be carried on the user directly or in a protective hard shell case, in a pouch that is affixed to a belt, on an arm or wrist band, attached to clothing or footwear, or on a necklace, bracelet or key chain. Generally, the packet can be carried in a multiple number of convenient places so the user has quick access in an emergency situation without experiencing the discomfort associated with a rigid pressurized aerosol container.  
         [0020]    The debilitating substance  20  may include any number of known compounds in a gel, creme, paste, liquid or any other like form. Some of the known debilitating substances  20  include but are not limited to: pepper products or capsaicin; chloracetophenone or mace; orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile or tear gas; capsaicin or oleoresin capsicum also another term associated with pepper products. The user&#39;s hand or glove can dispense the substances after release from any number of alternate delivery apparatuses, which are discussed in more detail below.  
         [0021]    With reference to FIG. 2, an alternate packaging concept is shown in capsule  30  that can also be utilized to deploy a debilitating substance. The capsule  30  generally include an outer layer  30  which can be formed of any suitable material such as that utilized for paintballs and the like such as polyoxyalkylene glycol gelatin capsules. The outer layer  32  defines an inner volume  34  in which there is stored a debilitating substance  36  such as any of the aforementioned products. The capsule  30  can be crushed within the user&#39;s hand to rupture the capsule  30  to thereby release the debilitating substance  36  into a hand or glove, and as above apply it to the facial region of a would be attacker or person to be subdued. Again, as with packet  10 , the capsules  30  can be directly stored on the user or stored in a hard protective shell case, in a pouch affixed to a belt, arm or wrist band, or stored within a necklace or key chain.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 illustrates a substance dispenser  40  for delivering a debilitating substance to a user&#39;s hand. Dispenser  40  includes an outer housing  42  which defines a cavity  46  in which a capsule or pouch  52  containing a debilitating substance  56  is positioned. A plunger  44  having one or more sharp projections  50  extending from a distal end  45  is at least partially engaged in cavity  46  and slidable therein. Plunger  44  further defines a plurality of holes  48  therethrough and in communication with interior cavity  46 . When the plunger  44  is depressed, the sharp projections  50  pierce and thereby rupture the pouch  52  containing debilitating substance  56 . Continued depression of the plunger  44  decreases the volume  43  thereby forcing the debilitating substance  56  out through the holes  49  into the user&#39;s hand or glove. The device may further include a seal  58  to seal the area between the housing  42  and the plunger  44 .  
         [0023]    When the user encounters a situation in which debilitating substance  56  may be required, dispenser  40  is retrieved from it&#39;s storage location and held in the user&#39;s hand. Once the requirement for the substance  56  becomes defined, the dispenser is squeezed in the user&#39;s hand to depress plunger  44  whereupon the sharp projections  50  pierce seal  58  and pouch  52  releasing substance  56  into cavity  46 . As plunger  44  is further depressed thereby reducing the volume of cavity  46 , substance  56  is forced through holes  49  to the exterior of plunger  44 . The debilitating substance  56  thus comes in contact with the user&#39;s hand or glove and is ready for application to the facial region of a would be recipient. Again, dispenser  40  can be stored or carried in any number of cases, pouches, or locations on the person of the user as with the previous two embodiments.  
         [0024]    With reference to FIG. 4, a fourth delivery apparatus  60  is illustrated. Delivery apparatus  60  includes an outer layer  62 , which defines an inner volume  63 . Outer layer  62  is semi-rigid such that it is deformable when squeezed in a user&#39;s hand but maintains it&#39;s normal shape under storage conditions. A capsule  72  having an outer containing layer  74  enclosing therein a volume of debilitating substance  76  is retained within inner volume  63 . The outer layer  62  includes slots  64  or holes  66  formed therein to allow for the escape of the debilitating substance as pressure is applied to the outer layer  62 . Outer plastic layer  62  further includes on an interior surface, piercing elements  70  that have a sharp end directed at capsule  72 .  
         [0025]    When pressure, such as that developed by the squeezing of the user&#39;s hand therearound, is applied to the outer layer  62 , the piercing elements  70  pierce outer layer of capsule  72  thereby causing capsule  72  to rupture under application of further pressure. The debilitating substance  76  that is housed within capsule  72  thereby escapes through the slots  64  or holes  66  as further pressure is applied to outer layer  62 .  
         [0026]    As with previous embodiments, the apparatus  60  may be carried by the user directly or within a secondary container. Outer layer  62  can also have a region defining a hole  68  therethrough so that apparatus  60  can be placed on a key chain or necklace or other such device for convenient deployment into the hand of a user. As with previous embodiments, once the debilitating substance  76  is deployed into the hand or glove of a user, the user can then apply the substance to the facial or other bodily region of a would be recipient using his or her hand or glove.  
         [0027]    In the foregoing description those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims expressly state otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1