U.S. patent application number 12/858373 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-17 for vaporized tobacco product and methods of use.
Invention is credited to William P. Bartkowski, Alexander ChinHak Chong, Marshall A. Thompson.
Application Number | 20110036365 12/858373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43587850 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110036365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chong; Alexander ChinHak ;
et al. |
February 17, 2011 |
VAPORIZED TOBACCO PRODUCT AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention a method for tobacco
delivery is provided comprising: providing tobacco; providing a
first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first solution to
form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents; and
vaporizing the tobacco solution. In other aspects of this
embodiment the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises
using a low temperature vaporization element to vaporize the
tobacco and the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least
one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
Inventors: |
Chong; Alexander ChinHak;
(St. Louis Park, MN) ; Bartkowski; William P.;
(Edina, MN) ; Thompson; Marshall A.; (Camarillo,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP
POST OFFICE BOX 1208
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1208
US
|
Family ID: |
43587850 |
Appl. No.: |
12/858373 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61234560 |
Aug 17, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/306 ;
131/329; 131/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/167 20161101;
A24B 15/18 20130101; A24B 15/24 20130101; A24F 47/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/306 ;
131/329; 131/347 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/32 20060101
A24B015/32 |
Claims
1. A method for tobacco delivery comprising: providing tobacco;
providing a first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first
solution to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco
constituents; and vaporizing the tobacco solution.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first solution comprises an
inert non-reactive compound.
3. The method of claim 2 where the inert non-reactive compound
comprises propylene glycol.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first solution further
comprises water, alcohol and glycerin.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of vaporizing the tobacco
solution comprises low temperature vaporization of the tobacco
solution.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise
nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from
tobacco.
7. A device for tobacco delivery comprising: a first solution
reservoir comprising a first solution; tobacco; a vaporization
mechanism, wherein the solution is contacted with the tobacco to
form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents, and
wherein the tobacco solution is then provided to the vaporization
mechanism.
8. The device of claim 7 where the vaporization mechanism comprises
low temperature vaporization of the tobacco solution.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise
nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from
tobacco.
10. A tobacco solution prepared by a process comprising the steps
of: providing tobacco; providing a first solution comprising water,
alcohol, and propylene glycol; contacting the first solution with
the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco
constituents.
11. The tobacco solution of claim 10 wherein the step of contacting
the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution
comprises immersing the tobacco in the first solution for a time
sufficient to extract the tobacco constituents from the
tobacco.
12. The tobacco solution of claim 10 wherein the tobacco
constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase
inhibitor derived from tobacco.
13. A tobacco solution for use in a vaporization delivery mechanism
comprising: water; alcohol; propylene glycol; glycerin, and tobacco
constituents.
14. The tobacco solution of claim 13 wherein the tobacco
constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase
inhibitor derived from tobacco.
15. The tobacco solution of claim 14 wherein the tobacco
constituents are derived by contacting the water, alcohol,
propylene glycol and glycerin with tobacco.
16. A device for tobacco delivery comprising: the tobacco solution
of claim 13, a vaporization mechanism.
17. The device of claim 16 where the vaporization mechanism
comprises a low temperature vaporization element to vaporize the
tobacco solution.
18. A disposable cartridge for use in a tobacco delivery device
comprising: a solution reservoir comprising a solution; and
tobacco.
19. The disposable cartridge of claim 18 where the tobacco
comprises a mesh screen.
20. The disposable cartridge of claim 18 wherein the tobacco
comprises tobacco encapsulated in a porous filter.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/234,560, filed Aug. 17, 2009, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Smokers of traditional tobacco products, for example,
cigarettes, cigars and pipes, are finding that their use of these
products has been significantly and seriously curtailed by smoking
restrictions passed and enacted due to concerns about the public
health dangers of second hand smoke, and potentially harmful
chemicals found in the smoke, including tar and carbon
monoxide.
[0003] Many of these smokers find other tobacco alternatives, for
example, snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, tobacco tablets, tobacco
lozenges and tobacco strips, to be unacceptable alternatives
because of their taste, their inconvenience and/or their negative
hygienic implications related to the need to chew, expectorate,
swallow and/or otherwise dispose of the remnants of the used
product.
[0004] Habitual smokers have grown accustomed to using traditional
tobacco by igniting their products of choice and by taking the
smoke through their mouths and either inhaling the smoke into their
lungs or simply allowing the constituents of the tobacco smoke to
remain in their mouths where it is absorbed in the soft tissues of
the mouth, throat and nasal passages. Smoke inhaled or absorbed in
this matter allows key tobacco constituents like nicotine and
monoamine oxidase inhibitors to reach and affect the user's brain
in as little as seven seconds. This method of inhalation and its
accompanying effects is one of the reasons why the smoking of
tobacco products may be considered addicting for some individuals.
It is also the major reason why most smokers have difficulty
changing to arguably safer and less intrusive tobacco products that
do not require ignition or smoking.
[0005] Additionally, while there are current inventions that
vaporize nicotine, like the "non-smoking electronic spray
cigarette," these products do not use actual fibrous tobacco and do
not provide the user the effects of certain other desired tobacco
constituents--actual tobacco flavor, aroma and monoamine oxidase
inhibitors, in addition to nicotine.
[0006] An important constituent is the monoamine oxidase inhibitors
("MAOIs"). MAOIs are naturally found in tobacco and naturally occur
in tobacco smoke. These constituents are also used in
anti-depressants and are widely acknowledged to be mood elevators.
There are tobacco scientists who believe that the lack of MAOIs in
vaporized nicotine and in certain other nicotine products most
commonly used in nicotine replacement therapies as a part of a
smoking cessation program--gums, patches, lozenges and sprays--is a
reason for the relatively low success rate of these products and
therapies, even when compared to quitting "cold turkey."
[0007] The fact that tobacco and tobacco smoke contain MAOIs is
thought by some experts as the reason why there is such significant
co-morbidity between smoking and certain mental illnesses, most
notably clinical depression. The theory being that smokers with
depressive tendencies or depressive psychopathologies smoke tobacco
products as a method of self-medicating themselves with the
naturally occurring anti-depressant MAOIs. And, the fact that no
current nicotine replacement therapies contain or produce MAOIs
explains, in part, their relative lack of success in getting people
to effectively quit smoking traditional tobacco products.
[0008] Accordingly there is a need in the art for a more effective
and safer tobacco delivery mechanism and methods of use for the
same.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention a method for
tobacco delivery is provided comprising: providing tobacco;
providing a first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first
solution to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco
constituents; and vaporizing the tobacco solution. In other aspects
of this embodiment the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution
comprises using a piezoelectric element to atomize the tobacco
solution without the addition of heat and the tobacco constituents
comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor
derived from tobacco. In another aspect of this embodiment, the
step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises using a low
temperature vaporizer to vaporize the tobacco solution and the
tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine
oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention a tobacco
solution for use in a vaporization delivery mechanism is provided
comprising: water; alcohol; propylene glycol; and tobacco
constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment the tobacco
constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase
inhibitor derived from tobacco.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention a device for
tobacco delivery is provided comprising: a first solution reservoir
comprising a first solution; tobacco; a vaporization mechanism,
wherein the solution is contacted with the tobacco to form a
tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents, and wherein the
tobacco solution is then provided to the vaporization mechanism. In
one aspect of this embodiment the vaporization mechanism comprises
a piezoelectric element to atomize the tobacco solution without the
addition of heat. In another aspect of this embodiment the
vaporization mechanism comprises a low temperature element to
vaporize the tobacco solution at a low temperature. In another
aspect of this embodiment the tobacco constituents comprise
nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from
tobacco.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, a tobacco
solution is provided prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
providing tobacco; providing a first solution comprising water,
alcohol, and propylene glycol; contacting the first solution with
the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco
constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment, the step of
contacting the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco
solution comprises immersing the tobacco in the first solution for
a time sufficient to extract the tobacco constituents from the
tobacco. In another aspect of this embodiment, the tobacco
constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase
inhibitor derived from tobacco. In another aspect of this
embodiment, the first solution further comprises glycerin.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description. It should
be understood, however, that the detailed description and the
specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of
the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since
various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from this detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In order to fully understand the manner in which the
above-recited details and other advantages and objects according to
the invention are obtained, a more detailed description of the
invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a tobacco
delivery method is provided comprising immersing fibrous tobacco in
a solution such that the constituents of the tobacco will leach
into the solution. The solution is then vaporized by conventional
vaporization mechanisms and inhaled by the user.
[0016] Said embodiment can be configured to deliver an effective
serving of desired tobacco constituents to a user. As used herein,
desired tobacco constituent means one or more of tobacco flavor,
aroma, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and nicotine. While an
effective serving of tobacco constituents may vary depending upon
the particular physiology of the user, for example, the user's
weight or body make-up, as used herein, the phrase means an amount
sufficient such that the user experiences the intended positive
effects experienced when tobacco constituents are delivered through
other known methods, such as smoking. For example, one activation
of a device used with the current method can deliver the equivalent
desired tobacco constituents from one puff from a typical tobacco
cigarette. In other embodiments, one activation may be configured
to deliver 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90
percent of the desired tobacco constituents from one puff of a
tobacco cigarette. Such embodiments are described as delivering a
percentage of the effect serving of one or more desired tobacco
constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment, the method delvers
a specified percentage, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,
60, 70, 80, or 90 percent, of tobacco flavor, aroma, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors, nicotine, or any other target constituent or
combination thereof, in a single serving. In one aspect of this
embodiment the effective serving or portion thereof can be
delivered in as little as one activation by the user, and in other
aspects the effective serving or portion thereof may be delivered
through multiple activations by the user over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 or more minutes of use in a manner similar to the use
associated smoking a tobacco product such as a cigarette, cigar or
pipe.
[0017] Alternatively, the effective serving or portion thereof can
be delivered over a specified number of activations by the user.
Further, the number of activations can occur over a specified time
period. For example, delivery of an effective serving or portion
thereof can be provided with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 activations. For example, the
effective serving or portion thereof may be delivered in 1-20
activations, 5-15 activations, 12-20, activations, 12-18
activations or about 15 activations, any of which can occur in a 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 20 minute period. Some embodiments
will be formulated and/or configured such that the effective
serving or portion thereof is delivered as quickly as possible, and
other embodiments can be formulated and/or configured such that the
effective serving or portion thereof is delivered in about the same
time and manner as if one was smoking a typical tobacco cigarette
to simulate a typical smoking experience.
[0018] In various embodiments, an effective serving or portion
thereof may be delivered in less than 50 activations, about 1-50
activations, about 1-20 activations, 5-15 activations or about 8-10
activations. The effective serving or portion thereof may include
greater than 0.5 mg, between about 0.5-100 mg, between about 0.5-50
mg, between about 0.5-20 mg between about 0.5-10 mg between about
5-10 mg, or about 5mg of tobacco solution.
[0019] The solution may be any solution sufficient to allow the
constituents of the tobacco to leach or be extracted into the
solution upon contact with the fibrous tobacco for a specified time
period to form a tobacco solution. Examples of suitable solutions
include one or more of water, alcohol, and an inert non-reactive
compound, for example propylene glycol. The solution can comprise
about 0.01%-20% water, 2-18% water, 5-15% water, or about 10%
water, about 0.01%-20% alcohol, 2-18% alcohol, 5-15% alcohol, or
about 10% alcohol, with the balance being propylene glycol. In
another aspect of this embodiment, the solution further comprises
glycerin, including from about 1-30%, 5-20%, 5-10%, or 10-15%
glycerin.
[0020] Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the
addition of glycerin provides a more robust vapor upon vaporization
of the product and promotes the extraction or leaching of nicotine
and other desirable components from the tobacco.
[0021] To promote the leaching or extracting of the constituents of
the tobacco into the solution, various methods may be employed to
contact the tobacco with the solution, including maximizing the
surface area of the tobacco. In one embodiment the fibrous tobacco
is formed in the shape of a mesh screen through which the solution
is passed. In other configurations, the tobacco is formed to
provide the maximum surface area for contact with the solution yet
still allow flow of the solution through the fibrous tobacco and
into a vaporization mechanism. Examples of other configurations for
use in maximizing the surface area of the fibrous tobacco for
contact with a solution include spirally wound tobacco, tobacco
pellets, tobacco powder, or encapsulating the tobacco in a porous,
filter-like material, which will allow the solution to flow through
the tobacco-encapsulate and the constituents of the tobacco to
leach into the solution. Leaching and/or extracting may also be
promoted through modifying the temperature of the solution or the
pressure under which the solution is contacted with the
tobacco.
[0022] In some embodiments the solution and the tobacco are
contacted immediately prior to vaporization. In other embodiments
the solution and tobacco can be contacted over an extended period
of time prior to vaporization. For example, the tobacco can be
provided immersed in the solution such that the solution has been
in contact with the tobacco for an extended period of time prior to
vaporization. In said examples, the leaching or extraction of the
tobacco constituents can be promoted by varying the conditions or
other parameters during contact of the solution with the tobacco.
The tobacco can be removed or substantially removed from the
solution prior to providing the solution to the end consumer for
inclusion in a device for vaporization, or immediately prior to
vaporization by draining the solution from the tobacco.
[0023] The solution is then vaporized for inhalation by the user.
One example of a mechanism that may be used to vaporize the
solution is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
10/587,707 and 10/547,244, incorporated herein by reference. Other
mechanisms may be used including atomizers or other vaporizers
known in the art. Vaporization or atomization can be performed with
or without the addition of heat to the solution. In one aspect a
low temperature vaporizer is provided, including vaporization at
temperatures from about 180.degree. C. to about 280.degree. C.,
from about 180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., from about
180.degree. C. to about 225.degree. C., from about 180.degree. C.
to about 200.degree. C., wherein the temperature indicates the
temperature at which the solution is vaporized. It is understood
that the temperature of the vaporization element may be higher.
[0024] In another embodiment, a device for implementing the tobacco
delivery methods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a
mouthpiece, an air inlet provided on the external wall of the
shell; a cell, an electronic circuit board, a normal pressure
cavity, a sensor, an atomizer, a solution reservoir; a tobacco
reservoir, a solution stream passage, a negative pressure cavity
provided in the sensor, an atomization cavity arranged in the
atomizer, and an aerosol passage, wherein the solution reservoir is
in contact with the tobacco reservoir and the atomizer, and the air
inlet, normal pressure cavity, atomizer, aerosol passage, gas vent
and mouthpiece are interconnected.
[0025] In another embodiment, a device for implementing the tobacco
delivery methods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a
mouthpiece, an air inlet provided on the external wall of the
shell; a cell, an electronic circuit board, a normal pressure
cavity, a sensor, an atomizer, a solution reservoir; a solution
stream passage, a negative pressure cavity provided in the sensor,
an atomization cavity arranged in the atomizer, and an aerosol
passage, wherein the solution reservoir is in contact with the
atomizer, and the air inlet, normal pressure cavity, atomizer,
aerosol passage, gas vent and mouthpiece are interconnected. The
solution reservoir may be configured to retain solution and
tobacco, or solution that has previous been contacted with
tobacco.
[0026] In some embodiments the device is provided in the
configuration of a cigar or cigarette. In other embodiments the
device is provided in other configurations such that the device can
be readily distinguished from a cigar or cigarette.
[0027] In some embodiments, the delivery device is a hand-held,
personal, portable device that is disposable. Moreover, in some
embodiments the method of vaporization does not use heat, rather it
uses piezoelectric elements to atomize the tobacco solution.
[0028] Some embodiments provided herein produce a vapor containing
the key constituents of tobacco that smokers find most appealing,
comforting and satisfying without many of the harmful components
created through burning the tobacco.
[0029] In another embodiment, a tobacco solution is provided for
use in the methods and devices disclosed herein. The tobacco
solution comprises actual tobacco constituents, including nicotine,
flavor, aroma and MAOIs. The tobacco solution may be formed by
contacting a solution as set forth herein with tobacco as set forth
herein to form a tobacco solution. The concentration of the actual
tobacco constituents of the tobacco solution can be varied by
varying the method for making the tobacco solution. For example,
one can vary the contact time between the solution and the tobacco,
the temperature at which the contact occurs, or the pressure at
which the contact occurs. The tobacco solution may be provided with
or without tobacco in contact with the tobacco solution.
[0030] In another embodiment a disposable cartridge is provided
comprising a tobacco solution or tobacco and a first solution as
set forth herein. The cartridge can include one or more effective
servings of tobacco constituents as set forth herein. In one aspect
of this embodiment the cartridge can include between about 5-50
servings, between about 5-25 servings, between about 10-25
servings, between about 10-50 servings, between about 10-20
servings of tobacco constituents.
[0031] Accordingly, some embodiments herein provide smokers or
other tobacco users with an easy-to-use, convenient tobacco product
that will not produce second hand smoke while still delivering key
tobacco constituents and effectively replicating traditional
tobacco products.
[0032] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments and examples, it will be readily appreciated
by those skilled in the art that modifications and adaptations of
the invention are possible without deviation from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention is limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *