Recommended Container

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A 2000-mL Nalgene container was obtained from Universal Defense Alternative Products to be used as a safety container for their pepper spray. We pressure tested the container as described for the PVC container above. The cap of the container had a built-in seal. No O-rings or seals were added. At 50 psig, the seal started to leak. The maximum pressure applied was 70 psig. When the pressure leaked down to 45 to 50 psig, the cap resealed and the pressure was maintained. If the container was stored in a cool place (below 65 °F), the container would prevent the pepper spray from escaping. At higher temperatures, some of the gases would escape.

The 2000-mL Nalgene container was filled with open cell, fine pore, urethane foam (figure 10). The urethane had been used for furniture padding. A 1½-inch-thick foam pad provided a liner between the container and the spray canister. A circular section of foam (2 inches thick) was placed above the canister to prevent any aerosol from escaping a vent hole that was drilled in the container cap. The cap was placed on the container and tightened. A second hole was drilled in the cap so that the pepper spray canister nozzle could be depressed. The container was taken outdoors and the nozzle depressed. The only detectable odor emitted from the vent hole was from the propellant. The aerosol was removed by the foam. The foam absorbed the liquid pepper product. The open cell foam prevented both the aerosol and the liquid from escaping the safety canister.

Figure 10—The recommended Nalgene
container with open-cell foam inserts.