Abstract:
Some embodiments are directed to a barbed tape formed from a planar strip of flexible material and including a plurality of barbs disposed therealong, the barbs being sufficiently resilient so as to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an object therepast. In some aspects, the tape incorporates a crease in a central portion thereof, which acts to provide stiffness to the tape. In other aspects, the tape incorporates a fold such that the barbs overlie a central portion of the tape. Apparatus for shaping and deploying barbed tape are also disclosed.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a barbed tape and apparatus for deploying a barbed tape. 
         [0002]    There are many situations in which there is a need to deny and/or secure access to a region of a building, an aircraft, a train, a town, a field, etc. This may be, for example, to temporarily secure a ‘cleared’ area in a combat zone, or to control the movements of individuals or crowds, for example during a riot. It may also be desirable to suppress and curtail fleeing combatants in a non-lethal manner. To this end, it is known to use barbed wire in order to form a perimeter fence around an area or to form a barrier at a point of entry to a building, etc. 
         [0003]    However, conventional barbed wire is slow and difficult to deploy and can be logistically difficult to carry by dismounted troops or other users. Furthermore, it can be too aggressive for a given situation and can cause significant injury. This may be highly undesirable, for example, when the barbed wire may be encountered by a civilian population. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a barbed tape and apparatus for deploying the same which substantially overcomes or mitigates at least some of the above-mentioned problems. 
         [0005]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a barbed tape formed from a planar strip of flexible material and comprising a plurality of barbs disposed therealong, said barbs being sufficiently resilient so as to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an object therepast, the tape comprising a central portion having first and second side edges and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of barbs disposed at spaced locations along at least one of said side edges, each of said barbs comprising at least one spike; wherein the central portion incorporates at least one crease therein, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
         [0006]    The crease imparts a stiffness to the strip material, which may therefore be more flexible that might otherwise be possible while being capable of supporting its own weight. The strip of material may be thin. The side edges may be parallel. 
         [0007]    The tape is preferably a micro barbed tape. In particular, a micro barbed tape according to the invention may be produced from a stock tape of around 5-20 mm in width. Further, micro barbed tape according to the invention is preferably relatively thin, for example between 100-1000 microns, and more preferably 100-600 microns. The length of each barb is preferably between 2 mm to 30 mm. 
         [0008]    Thus, the invention provides a low-risk and novel approach to the concept of barbed wire, which in this invention is scaled and packaged to form a non-lethal counter personnel capability for entry point control. 
         [0009]    Barbed tape according to the first aspect of the invention may be designed to be non-lethal and inflict only light injuries but presents an entanglement feature that inhibits free passage of a person through a doorway or along a passage. 
         [0010]    The barbed tape may be formed of a metal or a plastics material. In a preferred embodiment, the material is stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 250-500 microns. Such tapes will be relatively light and can be made to hold their own shapes. 
         [0011]    The tape may comprise a coating which includes at least one of ultra-violet reflective matter and infra-red reflective matter to make it visible to individuals with equipment capable of highlighting such matter. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the central portion comprises sprocket holes arranged to receive a driving/securing member and/or to provide a location along which a crease line is readily formed. 
         [0013]    The barbed tape may have cross section of a closed box, U, V or W shape. These all provide a stiffening form with at least one crease line. 
         [0014]    In some examples, in the barbs are arranged to overlap when the tape is folded about one or more crease lines. Indeed, the barbs may interact to prevent the tape from becoming flat (i.e. to prevent the crease line from opening up). 
         [0015]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is a barbed tape comprising: a central portion having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of barbs disposed at spaced locations along at least one of said side edges, each of said barbs comprising at least one spike; and wherein the tape incorporates at least one fold therein, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, such that the barbs overlie the central portion. 
         [0016]    Such a tape may be unfolded and formed with a crease so as to provide a tape according to the first aspect of the invention. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the barbs lie substantially parallel to the central portion and do not protrude beyond the central portion. In such examples, in the folded form, the barbs do not project from the tape and so it will be easier to handle (as the barbs are prevented from entangling themselves with other barbs, or indeed other entities external to the tape, such as the person or machine handling the tape). The barbs may lie close to, or indeed in face-to-face contact with, the central portion. 
         [0018]    In some examples, at least one of the fold lines forms at least one crease line of tape according to the first aspect of the invention. This may be advantageous as the fold line may provide a weakness along which the crease line will readily form. 
         [0019]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising; punching means for punching out the profile of the barbed tape from a strip of un-profiled tape; feeding means for feeding the un-profiled tape past the punching means, and profiling means, disposed downstream of said punching means in a tape feed direction, for profiling the tape so as to form a crease line. 
         [0020]    The tape so formed may have any of the features described in relation to the tape of the first aspect of the invention. 
         [0021]    The apparatus may further comprise tape twisting means, for twisting the barbed tape dispensed by the apparatus into a spiral. This means that the dispensed tape will tend to fill a volume of space. 
         [0022]    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handheld device comprising the tape dispensing apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, the device further comprising control means and trigger means wherein the control means is operable to control the tape dispensing apparatus to dispense barbed tape in response to a user activating the trigger means. This provides a convenient device for using the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention. 
         [0023]    Tape dispensing apparatus may advantageously comprise cutting means for cutting off a length of dispensed tape, and, optionally, control means may be able to activate the cutting means in response to the trigger means moving from an activated state to a non-activated state. 
         [0024]    Indeed, the control means is operable to control the punching means and the feeding means to vary the rate at which barbed tape is dispensed in dependence on a degree of activation of the trigger means. 
         [0025]    According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing barbed tape comprising a handheld device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, a container for storing a supply of un-profiled tape and a conduit between the container and the handheld device allowing the passage of tape therealong. The container is preferably wearable by a user, such that the apparatus as a whole is transportable. Further, the container may usefully carry a power supply for powering operation of the handheld device. 
         [0026]    According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for reshaping a barbed tape according to the second aspect of the invention into tape according to the first aspect of the invention and comprising a shaped peg having a wedge-like form which is arranged to urge the barbs away from the central portion such that they stand proud thereof. 
         [0027]    Such apparatus may further comprise set of rollers that deform the central portion of the tape, providing at least one crease substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tape. This provides a convenient means to add stiffness to the tape. 
         [0028]    Such apparatus may further comprise set of profiled rollers arranged to partially open the fold lines prior to the tape being passed to the shaped peg. This will assist in ‘opening up’ the fold lines, allowing the introduction of the peg. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the invention may be employed to provide micro barbed tape across points of access to snag the clothing of anyone passing it (or the coats of animals). Deployment methods (which could be used with other tape, including un-barbed tape or traditional barbed tape) are also described. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a view of a section of the barbed tape; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is shows exemplary dimensions for the barbed tape shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3A-D  show views of barbed tape according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A-C  show views of barbed tape according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus for unfolding barbed tape; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus for deploying the barbed tape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The concept of a micro-barbed tape is discussed with referring to  FIG. 1 . As described in greater detail in our co-pending applications, which bear reference numbers P7877, P7880 and P7878 (which are incorporated herein by reference to the fullest extent allowable), a barbed tape  1  may be formed from a substantially planar strip of flexible material, for example a barbed tape  1  may be punched from a strip of stainless steel having a nominal width of 10 mm and a nominal thickness of 250-500 microns. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the barbed tape  1  may be formed from, for example, mild steel or other metals including non-ferrous metals, polymers or plastics materials. 
         [0038]    The strip of barbed tape  1  is formed with a continuous central portion  2 . A plurality of barbs  5  are disposed at regularly spaced locations along at least one edge of the central portion. In this example, each of the barbs  5  is formed as a ‘double barb’ having a T-shape and comprising a connecting portion  6  which projects laterally from the respective edge  3 ,  4  of the central portion  2  of the strip. A pair of arms  7 ,  8  are disposed at the distal end of the connecting portion  6 , furthest from the central portion  2  of the strip. The arms  7 ,  8  extend in respective opposite directions from the distal end of the connecting portion  6  parallel to the lengthwise direction of the adjacent central portion  2  of the strip. The arms  7 ,  8  terminate with a respective pair of spikes  9 ,  10 . Each of the spikes  9 ,  10  is substantially triangular in shape having a pointed tip which is defined by an acute angle between the two major sides thereof. The connecting portion  6  of each barb  5  acts to space the pairs of spikes  9 ,  10  from the central portion  2  of the strip. Furthermore, each spike  9 ,  10  is shaped such that it tapers away from the central portion  2  of the strip. 
         [0039]    Exemplary dimensions of a barbed tape  1  incorporating the above-described features are shown in millimetres in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0040]    The use of a relatively thin material is advantageous as it means that the resulting barbed tape  1  is lightweight and can be easily stowed. Furthermore, the flexibility of the barbed tape  1  ensures that it can deform around an object which it comes into contact with so as to ensnare the object. The barbed tape  1  is also conveniently designed (such as shown in  FIG. 2 ) so as to limit the injurious effects of the tape  1  as the spikes  9 ,  10  are too short to penetrate deeply into skin. Preferably, the barbed tape  1  is no more injurious than natural brambles. 
         [0041]    Trials conducted by the Applicant have found that barbed tape  1  according to the presently described embodiment, which has a thickness of, say 250 or 500 microns, has a tensile strength and profile which means that it cannot readily be pulled apart by hand. The distribution of the barbs  5  along each edge  3 ,  4  of the barbed tape  1  is such that they are closer together than the span of a typical human hand. Accordingly, a person cannot hold onto the tape at any point in an attempt to tear it apart without being impinged on at least one set of spikes  9 ,  10 . 
         [0042]    The ‘double barbed’ design of the presently described embodiment, while not essential, advantageously ensures that that clothing, etc. caught thereon is thoroughly ensnared. The location and spacing of the barbs  5  is set so as to take advantage of the reaction of a body to being impinged by a spike  9 ,  10  (either directly or through clothing), which is to withdraw from the point of pain. The rapid withdraw reaction has the effect of impaling the offending part of the body onto the adjacent spike. Thus, the “pull away” response from the first contact with the barbed tape  1  is likely to cause greater contact with an adjacent spike  9 ,  10 . The only way to stop this sequence is to halt all violent action and remain still. Once stopped one can then slowly withdraw each spike  9 ,  10 , and it is this action that creates the hindrance to free movement. 
         [0043]    As mentioned above, the barbed tape  1  may conveniently be formed by being punched out of a strip of material, such as stainless steel. The Applicant has discovered that an advantageous consequence of the punching process is that the tips of the spikes  9 ,  10  are sharpened as the material bends, whereas the rest of the barb  5 , i.e. the arms  7 ,  8  and connecting portion  6 , has a substantially square cut profile and is not therefore sharp. This is useful because it means that, whilst the barbs  5  remain effective at, for example, snagging clothing, they do not have sharpened, bladed edges (as is the case with conventional ‘razor wire’) and so the chance of causing severe injury to a person encountering the barbed tape  1  is reduced. Furthermore, with a barbed tape  1  of the above described configuration it is possible to adjust the severity of the effect provided by the tape (in accordance with the intended use) by selecting the appropriate geometry and scale of the barbs  5  when the tape is formed. For example, the more acute the angle at the tip of each spike  9 ,  10 , the greater the ability of the spike to penetrate the clothing of a person coming into contact with the tape. 
         [0044]    The barbs  5  of a plurality of strips of the above-described barbed tape  1  may ‘tessellate’ to save on material. The profile of the barbed tape  1  has been designed for mass production such that, while it is possible to punch out a single strip, it is also possible to punch out numerous strips side by side on a single pass through a punch machine. This is achieved by setting the gap between opposed spikes  9 ,  10  of adjacent barbs  5  on each edge  3 ,  4  of a strip to be as long or longer than the length of the barb assembly  5  itself (measured between the tips of each spike  9 ,  10  of the barb assembly  5 ). This allows the barb  5  of one strip of tape to be punched into the space between barbs  5  on an adjacent strip of tape thus saving material and speeding production with minimal waste product. 
         [0045]    When the barbed tape  1  is made of natural stainless steel it has a high reflection index. Accordingly, the barbed tape  1  may be treated such that it exhibits a lower reflectivity, making it harder to see. For example, the barbed tape may be painted matt black. Moreover, the barbed tape  1  may optionally contain markers which can readily be picked up by friendly forces. For example, the barbed tape  1  may be treated with infra-red (IR) and/or ultra violet (UV) reactive paints which are visible to troops using night vision goggles or special eyewear or using dedicated (IR/UV) illumination torches. Alternatively, the tape could be coloured to make it easily or highly visible. 
         [0046]    An embodiment of tape is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , which show views of an embodiment of tape  301  folded for storage ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and arranged ready for use ( FIGS. 3C and 3D ). 
         [0047]    This embodiment incorporates a central region of material  302  along the centre of the tape  301 , and side portion, onto which are punched alternating sections of barbs  502  and barb-free regions. In this tape embodiment, the central region  302  may be larger than that discussed above and incorporates a succession of slots/sprocket holes  306 . 
         [0048]    These slots  306  serve two purposes—they provide a natural weakness along the centre line of the tape  301  and provide a method of power driving the tape through an array of spiked wheels and guide (e.g. sprockets). However, these are not essential. 
         [0049]    It will also be noted that the design of the barbs  305  is somewhat different from that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the spikes extending in a generally parallel direction away from the central region  302 . This allows the barbs  305  to be arranged relatively close to one another, and still allows the tape  301  to be folded flat as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . It therefore allows a relatively large number of barbs  305  per unit length. However, the scale of the barbs  305  may be similar to that described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0050]    In its stowed state, side portions of the tape  301  (and the barbs  305 ) are folded along fold lines  307  about the smooth central core containing the sprocket holes  306 . This provides a flat tape  301  with smooth edges (see in particular the end view of  FIG. 3B ) which is readily handled, and unlikely to ensnare itself, and further allows considerable lengths of flat packed, layered tape to be stored (for example, wound onto a drum or the like) in a relatively small space. The barbs  305  lie close to the central region  302 , although there is a small space therebetween. This is not essential, but assists when unfolding the tape  301  for deployment as a wedge can enter that space. 
         [0051]    In use of the tape, it is envisaged that the structure shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is formed in multiple stages, for example using the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5  below. First, the tape  301  passes between a set of profiled rollers, which impart a slight angle into the tape  301  to further open up a gap between the central region  302  of the tape  301  and the barbs  304 . This gives a space for the nose of a shaped wedge to enter. The wedge is arranged to provide a “separating” peg and may have a form, for example, like a plough blade. The arrangement is such that as the tape  301  is forced passed the peg, the tip of the wedge forces the side portions, and hence the barbs  305 , away from the central portions such that they stand proud thereof and the tape  301  has the cross section of U-shaped channel. The fold lines  307  have now become crease lines  309 , and the barbs  305  protrude out of the plane of the central portion  302 . 
         [0052]    Once the side portions of the tape  301  unfolded, the tape  301  continues to pass through another set of rollers that deform the central spine of the tape along the line of sprocket holes  306 . The central portion  302  is now folded through a nominal 90°, producing a third crease line  309 . Once released from the confines of the forming wheels the steel will tend to regain its original profile but with a bent central section  302 , the side portions now interact against each other to form a partially closed box or triangular form with the barbs  305  projecting from a stiff, box-like, spinal column. 
         [0053]    This arrangement will, for short lengths be stiff enough to be self-supporting and form looping structures at long lengths to give a 3D array. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show a further embodiment of a tape  401 , in which a central portion of material  402  bears a number of barbs  405 . As with the embodiment described in relation to  FIGS. 3A-D , there are a number of sprocket holes  406  provided in the centre of the central portion  402 . Furthermore, as described in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the barbs  405  are initially folded inwards about fold lines  408 , as shown in  FIG. 4A , to provide a substantially flat, two layer tape, which is relatively easy to handle and convenient to store. Indeed, the fold lines are formed so as to create a ridge like feature along the edges of the folded tape  401 . The barbs  405  lie between the ridges and are therefore somewhat guarded thereby as they do not protrude beyond the outer profile of the ridges. This helps to guard against accidental snagging of the barbs  405 . 
         [0055]    Again, in use of the tape  401 , it is envisaged that the structure shown in  FIG. 4B  is formed in multiple stages. First, the tape  401  passes between a set of profiled rollers to slightly lift the barbs  405  from the central portion and over a shaped guidance “separating” peg having the wedge-like form described above, and arranged to force the barbs  405 , away from the central portion  402  such that they stand proud thereof. 
         [0056]    Once the barbs  405  are unfolded, the tape  401  continues to pass through another set of rollers that deform the central portion  402  of the tape  401 , providing two creases  409  in the region of the edge of the central portion  402 . The central portion  402  is thereby folded along crease lines  409  which define two barb-bearing side edge portions  407   a ,  407   b , which also include the original fold lines. It will be noted therefore that, in this example, the original folds  408  remain and the creases  409  are made in a region of the material other than the fold lines  408 . Once released from the confines of the forming wheels, the tape  401  forms a “W” shaped profile with the barbs projecting from the newly stiff spinal column. 
         [0057]    This arrangement will be stiff enough to be self-supporting and form structures to give a 3D array thus lifting the tape  401  from its flat profile. 
         [0058]    If desired, the tape  401  could be further deformed along the central line, as shown in  FIG. 4C , creating a closed box structure similar to that discussed with relation to  FIG. 3C  above, providing a third crease line  409 . 
         [0059]    Unfolding apparatus  500  is shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . This apparatus comprises a first pair of drive sprockets  502  arranged to interact with sprocket holes, a wedge  504  for lifting the barbs off the central portion, a set of forming wheels  506  arranged to insert a crease line and a second pair of drive sprockets  508 . The drive sprockets  502 ,  508  draw the tape  301 ,  401  past the wedge  504  and through the set of forming wheels  506  to produce the formed tape. The forming wheels may themselves be profiled to help shape the tape. The first pair of drive sprockets  502  may be arranged to perform profiling. In particular, they may be arrange to flex the edges of the tape way from the centre, imparting a slight angle into the tape to open up a gap between the central region of the tape and the barbs. This opens up a space for the nose of the shaped wedge  504  to enter. 
         [0060]    The second pair of drive sprockets  508  may be driven faster than the first pair of drive sprockets  502 . This helps to hold the tape taut. 
         [0061]    Of course, as will be appreciated by the skilled person, with the tape embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  or that embodiment shown in  FIG. 4C , at least one drive sprocket of the second pair of drive sprockets  508  should be omitted as the box like form will prevent the tape being engaged on both sides. Other methods of driving the tape will occur to the skilled person. 
         [0062]    As mentioned previously, conventional barbed wire has been used to control the movement of animals and humans for over a hundred years. However, to date the barbed wire has always been fabricated elsewhere and transported as a spiky load prior to deployment. This means that coils of barbed wire are preformed in stock lengths and rapid deployment (often during high stress situations) is difficult. 
         [0063]    In view of the above, a further embodiment of the present invention comprises a “barbed tape gun” for dispensing barbed tape, which may be micro barbed tape of the kind described above. 
         [0064]    The barbed tape gun may comprise a hard enclosed backpack to be worn by a user on a person&#39;s back like a rucksack for storing a supply of tape to be dispensed. As described in more detail later, the tape may be stock tape, i.e. raw, unpunched tape, pre-profiled tape or frangible tape. 
         [0065]    The gun may comprise a body having a handle projecting therefrom to be grasped by a user with a trigger disposed adjacent to the handle for activating the gun and causing barbed tape to be dispensed. 
         [0066]    In one example, tape from the backpack is fed to the gun and dispensed therefrom when the trigger is actuated via, e.g. a flexible umbilical attaches the backpack to the “Barrier gun” lance. 
         [0067]    The gun may be provided with a power source, which may conveniently be housed in the backpack, such as a battery pack, and drive means, such as an electric motor, which is operable to drive a tape dispensing arrangement housed in the body of the gun. Alternatively, the barbed tape gun may be mains powered, or even hand powered. In the case that the gun is powered by hand, the handle and trigger may be formed such that pressure exerted by a user&#39;s hand, e.g. a squeezing action, causes relative movement between the handle and trigger which is transmitted to the tape dispensing arrangement so as to dispense the barbed tape. In a further example, it may be possible to attach an end of the tape to a fixed object or structure, and the act of pulling away from that point draws tape into though the mechanism. 
         [0068]    In one example, the tape dispensing mechanism comprises one or more pair(s) of counter rotating rollers or drums between which the tape to be dispensed is fed. Such rollers or drums may comprise cutting drums, profiling means, twisting means and/or may be arranged to draw the tape therebetween, driving it through the mechanism. Alternatively or additionally, as explained in more detail below, a punch and anvil arrangement may be provided. In further examples, also described below, the tape is pre profiled so need not be punched to form barbs. 
         [0069]    The gun will typically be provided with control circuitry for controlling operation of the tape dispensing mechanism in response to a user pulling the trigger. The gun may have a safety cut off to prevent accidental operation and, in use, the gun will discharge tape at a speed relative to the pulled position of the trigger. Whenever the trigger is released the tape will be cropped off and discharged from the gun. Display means may be provided to show the available tape remaining in the container and/or the state of the battery pack and/or power system. 
         [0070]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment in which the tape fed to the gun is a stock (i.e. un-profiled) tape, the tape dispensing arrangement  200  comprises a first pair of tape drive rollers  202  disposed upstream, in a tape feed direction, from a pair of pre-profiling rollers  204 . Downstream from the pre-profiling roller  204  is disposed, respectively; a profile punch  205  and an anvil  206 , a pair of tape drawing drive rollers  208  and a pair of profiling rollers  210 . The punch  205  and the anvil  206  are disposed on opposite sides of a tape feed path. A cam  212  is arranged adjacent to the profile punch  205 , such that rotation of the cam  212  when driven by a motor (not shown) causes reciprocating movement of the profile punch  205  toward and away from the anvil  206 . 
         [0071]    Downstream from the profiling rollers  210  there is disposed a tape cutting mechanism  214  and tape twisting means  215 . The tape cutting mechanism  214  comprises an anvil block  216 , a blade  217 , a cutter drive motor  218 , a gear box  219 , a cam  220  and a slide anvil  221 . The anvil block  216  and the blade  217  are disposed on opposite sides of the tape feed path. The cutter drive motor  218  drives rotation of the cam  220  via the gearbox  219 . In turn, the cam  220  causes reciprocating movement of the slide anvil  221  forcing the blade  217  against the anvil block  216  to cut the tape. 
         [0072]    Operation of the tape dispensing mechanism will now be described in more detail, in an embodiment arranged to produce a shaped tape. Raw, un-profiled tape  230  is drawn from the backpack through the umbilical and into the tape dispensing mechanism by the tape drive rollers  202  and the tape drawing drive rollers  208 . In this example, the speed of the tape drive rollers  202  is regulated and different to the following tape drawing drive rollers  208 . Although this is not essential, the differential speed has the effect of straightening the coiled tape and starts to pre-profile the tape ready for the punch process. As the tape passes between the profile punch  205  and the anvil  206 , the barbs  5  are formed into the tape  230  and the residue is discarded as short swarf or a long string. Once the tape  230  has been punched to have barbs  5  it passes into the profiling rollers  210  where the flat tape gets formed into “U”, “V” or “W” cross-section (or other stiffening shape, as described above). Once profiled, the tape is discharged through the cutter mechanism  214  which chops off the tape whenever the gun&#39;s trigger is released. Before finally leaving the gun, the tape passes through the (optional) tape twisting means  215  which forms the dispensed tape into a spiral body ensuring that it does not just lay flat on the floor. 
         [0073]    In one variation of the above-described embodiment, the reel of tape which is fed to the gun may be pre-profiled with the barbs, which may not be folded into the centre of the tape as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . When the pre-profiled tape is wound into a reel for storage in a container, such as a backpack, there is a risk that the barbs of overlying sections of the reel of tape will become entangled with one another, thereby inhibiting or preventing the reel from being unwound and dispensed by the gun. In this case, the barbed tape may be provided with a guard tape in order to facilitate dispensing tape. 
         [0074]    The guard tape may be in the form of a U-shaped channel in which the barbed tape rests. Alternatively, the guard tape may comprise a planar backing tape with an adhesive coated on one surface thereof, such that the barbed tape is adhered to the surface of the guard tape prior to being dispensed. In this case, the tape dispensing mechanism may comprise means for separating the adhesive guard tape from the barbed tape at a location upstream of the drive rollers, such that the guard tape is stripped away from the barbed tape prior to the barbed tape being dispensed. Additionally, since the tape is pre-profiled with the barbs, the gun does not need to incorporate the separate punch  205  and anvil  206 , which reduces cost and simplifies construction of the gun. The gun may still include the tape twisting means  215 , and includes the profiling rollers  210 , as the pre-profiled barbed tape stored in the container preferably has a flat planar cross-section to make it easier to wind/unwind. 
         [0075]    In a further variation of the above-described embodiment, the reel of tape may comprise a frangible tape formed with interior barbs and smooth outer edges. For example, the frangible tape is similar to the pre-profiled tape described above, except that the residue of the profiling/punching process is not removed prior to the tape being stored in the container for use with the gun. Rather, the outline of the barbed tape profile is stamped/punched in a plain tape with smooth outer edges, which is then wound into a reel for storage in the backpack container. This is advantageous because the barbs  5  are not exposed, so there is no need for a guard tape to prevent entanglement of the barbed tape on the reel. Furthermore, the punch  205  and anvil  206  may be omitted from the gun. Instead, the gun is provided with means for stripping away the residue/swarf from the outer edges of the tape so as to reveal the barbed profile prior to the tape being dispensed from the gun. To this end, the gun may include means for flexing the tape so that the residual portions become separated from the barbed tape. This may be creating one or more meanders in the tape feed path between the tape drive rollers  202  and the cutting mechanism  214 , for example, by offsetting one or more of the intermediate sets of rollers  204 ,  208 ,  210  so that the tape is made to flex/bend as it travels through the gun. Alternatively, or in addition, the tape feed path may include a resilient member in the tape feed path which forms a lip around which the tape is fed, such that the residual outer portions of the frangible tape are caused to break away as they traverse the lip. 
         [0076]    In an alternative embodiment, one length of un-barbed tape may be dispensed as two lengths of barbed tape by providing a frangible portion in the centre thereof. The tape would therefore be broken in two to reveal a barbed side (the external edge remaining barb-free). 
         [0077]    The bobbins of ribbon strip which are currently available provide over 250 m of banding within a relatively small volume, and can easily be carried, for example in a rucksack. This would make carriage and transport easy. This means that a single person can carry and deploy a significant amount of barbed barrier tape yet be agile enough to react to crowd conditions. Having the capability to immediately deploy a barbed barrier also allows the security forces to block off roads, passageways and street thus allowing them to route or guide crowds or combatants. Thus, with the barbed tape gun described above, it is possible in situations such as crowd and riot control to lay down a fence of barrier wire where and when required. 
         [0078]    It is expected that, while combatants will not be completely stopped by this ‘bramble bush’, it will inhibit and delay their escape long enough for them detected and subsequently confined by other methods. 
         [0079]    Variants of the above embodiments may be apparent to the skilled person. In particular, features described in relation to one embodiment may also be combined with another embodiment. There may be more, or fewer, crease lines along a central axis, and the barbs may have a different form to that described above. The gun  200  may incorporate one or more features of the unfolding apparatus  500 , and vice versa.