AS AN INGREDIENT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to defence spray compositions of non-lethal chemical weapons for riot, crowd control or self-defence with mild incapacitating effect, low degree of volatility, and not flammable.

Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally and since the 1950ies, CS (ortho-chlorobenzylidene-melanonitrile), OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), CN (alpha-chloroaceto-phenone) are used as active ingredients in the formulation of defence spray compositions and crowd control equipment. These active ingredients are of high volatility and will readily contaminate ambient air when used indoors.

The United States patent application publication No. 2003/0170180 discloses a non-lethal chemical composition containing a mix of a nauseabond odoriferous substance Ortho Amino Acetophenone (OAP), a tear-gas (CS or CN) and a hot substance (Capsaicin) in order to have the mix of these substances more powerful than the use on these substances separately.

The international patent application publication No. WO2012074922 discloses a defence spray composition using isothiocyanate as an ingredient, which is isolated from Wasabi radish, horseradish oil or mustard oil. The isothiocyanates have been chosen for their pungency and volatility, even in low concentrations. This means that the defence sprays based on these isothiocyanates will rapidly evaporate and provoke contamination of ambient air. Used indoors, these defence spray can provoke panics and collateral damages.

Summary of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to design a defence spray that is with low degree of volatility, not flammable, with no emanations and that does not evaporate readily. The aim is reached by design of a defence spray composition for temporarily incapacitating a subject comprising an Iberverin compound. The invention is described in Claims. The following defence spray uses Iberverin, a sulphoraphane, as active ingredient. Iberverin is found in cruciferous family plants such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. This isothiocyanate (ITC) exhibits antioxidative activity. Iberverin induces phase II enzymes, increasing glutathione-S-transferase and quinone reductase expression in vivo. Additionally, Iberverin increases expression of Nrf2, γ -glutamyl cysteine synthetase, and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Moreover, Iberverin has a low degree of volatility, is not flammable and does not evaporate readily. Incorporating Iberverin as an active ingredient in defence spray gives a mild incapacitating effect as well as a possibility to use safely Iberverin-based defence spray indoors. Thanks to its low volatility, Iberverin gives no emanations, acting only by contact with eyes and at a minor degree with skin. On the contrary, traditional defensive sprays using CS tear- gas, OC and Isothiocyanates from wasabi, horseradish oil or mustard oil have active ingredients of high volatility and will readily contaminate ambient air when used indoors.

Same composition can be used as an Iberverin additive for water-cannons used as crowd control equipment.

Iberverin-based defence sprays and additives for water-cannons have no contamination side- effects, are not flammable and can be safely used indoors and/or outdoors.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composition comprises a carrier solvent and Iberverin.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a fragrance such as Anethole may be added to the composition to give pleasant odour and stability to the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the defence spray composition comprises Iberverin of 0.1% to 20% of Iberverin and a solvent system. The solvent system may be comprised of 1% to 20% Propan- 2-ol, 1%) to 50% 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, and 1% to 50% of water. The concentration of Iberverin has to be sufficient to produce a mild incapacitating effect, but not exceed a level which could cause undue injuries. The composition can be delivered via an aerosol propellant such as nitrogen, compressed air, carbon dioxide, HFC R134a (1, 1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane) or any other commercially available propellant, or mixed with water in the case of use in water-cannons and other crowd-control equipment.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a defence spray composition which is not flammable. Therefore, the water concentration of the composition should be adjusted so that the composition is kept non-flammable.

The solvent system should uniformly dissolve and maintain the ingredients in a homogenous phase. Suitable solvents may include Propan-2-ol, 2-(2 ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, and water.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition consists of:

- 0.1% to 20% of Iberverin;

- 1% to 20% of Propan-2-ol;

- l% to 10% of anethole;

- 1% to 50% of 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol; and

- 1% to 50% of water.

In another embodiment wherein the composition is suitable as a defence spray, the

composition consists of:

- 0.1% to 20% of Iberverin;

- 1% to 20% of Propan-2-ol;

- l% to 10% of anethole;

- 1% to 50% of 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol;

- 1%) to 50% of water; and

- 30% to 70% of HFC R134a propellant.

The composition of the present invention can temporarily incapacitate a subject and can be safely used indoors or outdoors. Its low volatility makes it emissions free and it will not contaminate ambient air when used indoor. It is not flammable, has pleasant odour due to the presence of anethole and is easily washable.