Nicotine gel

Abstract

A gel composition is provided, including an alkaloid compound, or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound; glycerol; a viscosifying agent; a hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent; and an ionic crosslinking gelling agent; and an acid.

Claims

1. A gel composition, comprising: an alkaloid compound, or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound; at least 50% wt. glycerol; at least 0.2% wt. ionic crosslinking gelling agent; at least 0.2% wt. viscosifying agent or at least 0.2% wt. hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent; and an acid.

2. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkaloid compound is nicotine.

3. The gel composition according to claim 2, comprising: about 0.5% to about 2.5% wt. nicotine; at least 70% wt. glycerol; at least 0.5% wt. hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent; at least 0.5% wt. viscosifying agent; at least 0.5% wt. ionic crosslinking gelling agent; divalent ions; and an acid.

4. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 0.5% to about 5% wt. acid.

5. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the acid comprises lactic acid.

6. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the acid comprises levulinic acid.

7. The gel composition according to claim 1, further comprising calcium ions.

8. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the viscosifying agent, hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling, agent, and ionic crosslinking gelling agent are each present in the gel composition in about 0.5 to 2.5% wt.

9. The gel composition according to claim 2, comprising: about 0.5% to about 2.5% wt. nicotine; about 70% wt. to about 80% wt. glycerol; about 0.5% to about 2% wt. viscosifying agent; about 0.5% wt. to about 2% wt. hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent; about 0.5% wt. to about 2% wt. ionic crosslinking gelling agent; about 0.5% wt. to about 2.5% wt. carboxylic acid; divalent ions; and about 15% wt. to about 25% wt. water.

10. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the viscosifying agent comprises xanthan gum.

11. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent comprises agar.

12. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic crosslinking gelling agent comprises low acyl gellan.

13. The gel composition according to claim 2, comprising: about 1.5% to about 2.5% wt. nicotine; about 70% to about 75% wt. glycerol; about 18% to about 22% wt. water; about 0.5% to 2% agar; about 0.5% to 2% xanthan gum; about 0.5% to 2% low acyl gellan; about 0.5% wt. to about 2.5% wt. carboxylic acid; divalent ions; and about 15% wt. to about 25% wt. water.

14. The gel composition according to claim 13, wherein the acid comprises lactic acid.

15. The gel composition according to claim 13, comprising calcium ions.

16. A method of generating a vapour comprising an alkaloid compound, or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound, the method comprising heating a gel composition according to claim 1 to vaporize the alkaloid compound, or the cannabinoid compound, or both the alkaloid compound and the cannabinoid compound.

Description

(1) Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol-generating device and a schematic side view of an aerosol-generating article that may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the aerosol-generating device depicted in FIG. 1 and a schematic side view of the article depicted in FIG. 1 inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article.

(5) FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example of an aerosol-generating article 100 and aerosol-generating device 200. The aerosol-generating article 100 has a proximal or mouth end 101 and a distal end 103. In FIG. 2, the distal end 103 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is received in a receptacle 220 of the aerosol-generating device 200. The aerosol-generating device 200 includes a housing 210 defining the receptacle 220, which is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-generating device 200 also includes a heating element 230 that forms a cavity 235 configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 100, preferably by interference fit. The heating element 230 may comprise an electrically resistive heating component. In addition, the device 200 includes a power supply 240 and control electronics 250 that cooperate to control heating of heating element 230.

(6) The heating element 230 may heat the distal end 103 of the aerosol-generating article 100, which contains a tubular element 600 (not shown). In this example the tubular element 600 comprises the gel composition 500 comprising nicotine. Heating of the aerosol-generating article 100 causes the tubular element 600 comprising a gel composition 500 to generate an aerosol containing the nicotine, which can transfer out of the aerosol-generating article 100 at the proximal end 101.

(7) FIGS. 1-2 do not show the exact heating mechanism.

(8) In some examples the heating mechanism could be by conduction heating where the heat is transferred from the heating element 230 of the aerosol-generating device 200 to the aerosol-generating article 100. This can take place easily when the aerosol-generating article 100 is positioned in the receptacle 220 of the aerosol-generating device 200 and the distal end 103 (which is preferably the end where the tubular element 600 comprising gel composition 500 is located) and thus the aerosol-generating article 100 is in contact with the heating element 230 of the aerosol-generating device 200. In specific examples the heating element comprises a heating blade that protrudes from the aerosol-generating device 200 and is suitable for penetrating into the aerosol-generating article 100 to make direct contact with the gel composition 500 of the tubular element 600.

(9) In this example the heating mechanism is by induction where the heating element emits radio-magnetic radiation which is absorbed by the tubular element when the aerosol-generating article 100 is position in the receptacle 220 of the aerosol-generating device 200.

(10) FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 100 including a wrapper 110 and a fluid guide 400.

(11) The fluid guide 400 has a proximal end 401, a distal end 403 and an inner longitudinal passageway 430 from the distal end 403 to the proximal end 401. The inner longitudinal passageway 430 has a first portion 410 and a second portion 420. The first portion 410 defines a first portion of the passageway 430, which extends from the distal end 413 of the first portion 410 to the proximal end 411 of the first portion 410. The second portion 420 defines a second portion of the passageway 430, which extends from the distal end 423 of the second portion 420 to the proximal end 421 of the second portion 420. The first portion 410 of the passageway 430 has a constricted cross-sectional area moving from the distal end 413 to the proximal end 411 of the first portion 410 to cause fluid, for example air, to accelerate through this first portion 410 of the inner longitudinal passageway 430 when negative pressure is applied at the proximal end 101 of the aerosol-generating article 100. The cross-sectional area of the first portion 410 of the inner longitudinal passageway 430 narrows from the distal end 413 to the proximal end 411 of the first portion 410. The second portion 420 of the inner longitudinal passageway 430 has an expanding cross-sectional area from the distal end 423 to the proximal end 421 of the second portion 420 of the fluid guide 400. In the second portion 420 of the inner longitudinal passageway 430, fluid may decelerate.

(12) The wrapper 110 defines an open, proximal end 101 of the aerosol-generating article 100 and a distal end 103. A tubular element 600 comprising gel composition 500 is disposed in the distal end 103 of the aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises an end plug at its extreme distal end 103. The end plug is positioned to the distal side of the tubular element 600. The end plug comprises material of a high resistance to draw hence biasing fluid to enter the aerosol-generating article 100 though the apertures 150 when a negative pressure is applied to the proximal end 101 of the aerosol-generating article 100. Aerosol generated or released from the tubular element 600 comprising nicotine, when heated may enter the cavity 140 in the aerosol-generating article downstream from the tubular element 600, to be carried through the inner longitudinal passageway 430.

(13) Apertures 150 extend through the wrapper 110. At least one aperture 150 is in communication with an outer longitudinal passageway 440 formed between an outer surface of the fluid guide 400 and an inner surface of the wrapper 110. A seal is formed between the fluid guide 400 and the wrapper 110 at a location between the apertures 150 and the proximal end 101.

(14) When a negative pressure is applied to the proximal end 101 of the aerosol-generating article 100, fluid enters the apertures 150, flows through the outer longitudinal passageways 440 into the cavity 140 and to the tubular element 600 comprising gel composition where the fluid may entrain aerosol when the tubular element 600 comprising gel composition, is heated. The fluid then flows through the inner longitudinal passageway 430, and through the proximal end 101 of the aerosol-generating article 100. As fluid flows through the first portion 410 of the inner longitudinal passageway 430, the fluid accelerates. As fluid flows through the second portion of the inner longitudinal passageway 430, the fluid decelerates. In the depicted embodiment, the wrapper 110 defines a proximal cavity 130 between proximal end 401 of the fluid guide 400 and the proximal end 101 of the article 100, which could serve to decelerate the fluid prior to exiting the mouth end 101.

EXAMPLES

(15) Table 1 describes gel composition formulations that were formulated.

(16) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Change in Shape at Example Formulation (w/w) Ambient RH 1 0.5% Low Acyl Gellan Yes 0.5% Guar 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 95.2% Glycerol 2 0.5% Low Acyl Gellan Yes 0.5% Guar 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 85.2% Glycerol 10% Water 3 1% Low Acyl Gellan Slight 1% Agar 1% Xanthan 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 92.7% Glycerol 4 1% Low Acyl Gellan No 1% Xanthan 1% Agar 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 5 2% Low Acyl Gellan No 1% Xanthan 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 6 1.5% Low Acyl Gellan No 1.5% High Acyl Gellan 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 72.7% Glycerol 7 1% Alginate No 1% Xanthan 1% Agar 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 20% Water 72.7.2% Glycerol 8 3% Low Acyl Gellan No 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Levulinic acid 20% Water 72.7.2% Glycerol 9 1% Agar — 2% Nicotine 1.3% Levulinic acid 30% Water 65.7% Glycerol
Indentation Test

(17) Measurements were conducted using an Anton Parr PNR12 penetrometer and a quarter-cone plate. Samples (gel compositions) were loaded under the needle and aligned manually with the top of the sample surface. The tip of the needle's shadow on the sample was brought into contact with the needle. At least three measurements were conducted per sample. The mean distance penetrated for each gel was measured.

(18) Example 1 had a distance penetrated of about 7.5 mm.

(19) Example 2 had a distance penetrated of about 7.7 mm.

(20) Example 3 had a distance penetrated of about 7.0 mm.

(21) Example 4 had a distance penetrated of about 3.8 mm.

(22) Example 9 had a distance penetrated of about 5.0 mm.

(23) The greater the distance penetrated, the softer the gel composition.

(24) Gel Composition Weight Change Over Time

(25) The weights of several example formulations were evaluated over 45 days at various relative humidities. A stable gel composition will substantially maintain its initial weight over the 45 days.

(26) Example 4 was weighed over 45 days at three relative humidity levels (10%, 60% and 70%). At 60% relative humidity, this gel composition added about 10% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight gain occurring in the first 5 days. At 10% relative humidity, this gel composition lost about 15% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight loss occurring in the first 5 days. At 70% relative humidity, this gel composition added about 25% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight gain occurring in the first 5 days. At all three relative humidity levels (10%, 60% and 70%) no liquid phase was observed.

(27) Example 2 was weighed over 45 days at three relative humidity levels (10%, 60% and 70%). At 60% relative humidity, this gel composition added about 15% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight gain occurring in the first 5 days. At 10% relative humidity, this gel composition lost about 5% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight loss occurring in the first 5 days. At 70% relative humidity, this gel composition added about 45% to its weight over the 45 days with nearly all of the weight gain occurring in the first 5 days.

Further Examples

(28) Table 2 describes gel composition formulations that were formulated.

(29) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example Formulation (w/w) 10 1% Low Acyl Gellan 1% Xanthan 1% Agar 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Lactic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 11 1% Alginate 1% Xanthan 1% Agar 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Lactic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 12 2% Low Acyl Gellan 1% Xanthan 2% Nicotine 0.5% Calcium 1.3% Lactic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 13 1.5% Low Acyl Gellan 1.5% High Acyl Gellan 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Lactic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol 14 3% Low Acyl Gellan 2% Nicotine 1% Calcium 1.3% Lactic acid 20% Water 72.7% Glycerol