Patent ID: 7278358

Claim:
A projectile of non-lethal composition, comprising: (a) two or more components forming an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition providing a concentrated impact zone with the target; and (b) a non-toxic marking material encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact, wherein the outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action providing a concentrated marking material zone around the impact zone, and (c) wherein said casing serves both as an aerodynamic delivery housing and to contain the marking material when the projectile is in the dynamic condition, (d) wherein the outer casing comprises: (i) a cup component comprising a heel portion and a hollowed well portion defining a well cavity within which the marking material is disposed prior to impact; (ii) a cap component including an exposed tip portion and a seat portion, the seat portion coupling within and protruding into the well cavity, and thereby displacing a substantial volume of the well cavity, and contacting the marking material therein, and substantially sealing the marking material therein, and wherein the exposed tip portion has a greater radius than the seat portion where they meet forming a shoulder at an outer periphery of the exposed tip portion which serves as a stop by contacting the hollowed well portion of the cup component when the seat portion is fully coupled within the well cavity, thereby forming a sealed well cavity and ending direct exposure of the marking material both to outside ambient air and to sharing the well cavity with a substantial volume of trapped air, and (iii) one or more fissures defined at an interior surface defining the sealed well cavity.