U.S. patent application number 15/679731 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-05 for alkaloid composition for e-cigarette.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonnie R. Williams. Invention is credited to Jonnie R. Williams.
Application Number | 20180184704 15/679731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47360634 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180184704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Jonnie R. |
July 5, 2018 |
Alkaloid Composition for E-Cigarette
Abstract
An alkaloid composition for an e-cigarette contains a solvent
and at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid
weight of the composition. The alkaloid composition may be
contained in a refilling cartridge for an e-cigarette, or in a
container as part of a kit for refilling an e-cigarette. The
alkaloid compositions disclosed herein feature a balanced form of
alkaloids to provide an attractive alternative to smoking tobacco,
in which nicotine makes up about 90 wt. % of the total alkaloid
content. The alkaloid compositions are characterized by a
significant quantity of anatabine, which has lower toxicity than
other alkaloids such as nicotine. The alkaloid compositions enable
individuals to experience the pleasure-enhancing attributes of
conventional cigarette smoking, while avoiding exposure to
combusted materials and other potentially hazardous components
present in tobacco.
Inventors: |
Williams; Jonnie R.;
(Sarasota, FL) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Williams; Jonnie R. |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47360634 |
Appl. No.: |
15/679731 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14672716 |
Mar 30, 2015 |
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15679731 |
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13493132 |
Jun 11, 2012 |
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14672716 |
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61500237 |
Jun 23, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/16 20130101;
A24B 15/167 20161101; A24F 47/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/16 20060101
A24B015/16; A24F 47/00 20060101 A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An e-cigarette refilling cartridge containing a liquid alkaloid
composition comprising a solvent and an active component comprising
at least about 95 wt. % anatabine based on the total weight of the
active component.
2. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1, wherein the
anatabine is synthetic anatabine.
3. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1 wherein anatabine
is provided in the form of an extract of a plant selected from the
group consisting of tobacco, datura, mandrake, belladonna,
capsicum, potato, tomato, nicotiana, eggplant, and petunia.
4. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1, wherein the
solvent is 1,2-polyethylene glycol.
5. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1, wherein the
solvent further comprises ethyl acetate.
6. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1, wherein the
liquid alkaloid composition further comprises an alkaloid selected
from the group consisting of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and
combinations thereof.
7. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge claim 1, wherein anatabine
comprises 100 wt. % of the active component.
8. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 1, wherein the
liquid alkaloid composition further comprises 0.5 to about 15 wt. %
of one or more flavorants based on the total weight of the
composition.
9. The e-cigarette refilling cartridge of claim 8, wherein the one
or more flavorants are selected from the group consisting of
peppermint, menthol, wintergreen, spearmint, propolis, eucalyptus,
and cinnamon.
10. An e-cigarette comprising a reservoir containing a liquid
alkaloid composition comprising a solvent and an active component
comprising at least about 95 wt. % anatabine based on the total
weight of the active component.
11. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein the anatabine is synthetic
anatabine.
12. The e-cigarette of claim 10 wherein anatabine is provided in
the form of an extract of a plant selected from the group
consisting of tobacco, datura, mandrake, belladonna, capsicum,
potato, tomato, nicotiana, eggplant, and petunia.
13. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein the solvent is
1,2-polyethylene glycol.
14. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein the solvent further
comprises ethyl acetate.
15. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein the liquid alkaloid
composition further comprises an alkaloid selected from the group
consisting of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and combinations
thereof.
16. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein anatabine comprises 100
wt. % of the active component.
17. The e-cigarette of claim 10, wherein the liquid alkaloid
composition further comprises 0.5 to about 15 wt. % of one or more
flavorants based on the total weight of the composition.
18. The e-cigarette of claim 17, wherein the one or more flavorants
are selected from the group consisting of peppermint, menthol,
wintergreen, spearmint, propolis, eucalyptus, and cinnamon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
13/493,132, filed Jun. 11, 2012, which claims benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Application No. 61/500,237, filed Jun.
23, 2011, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Combustion of organic materials such as tobacco is known to
produce tar and other potentially harmful materials. Electronic
cigarettes (or "e-cigarettes") have been developed as an
alternative to traditional cigarettes as a means for volatizing
active components, such as nicotine, for inhalation without
combustion, while at the same time providing the user with an oral
experience similar to that of traditional cigarette smoking. U.S.
Pat. No. 7,832,410 B2 to Hon describes an e-cigarette having a
liquid supply bottle in communication with an atomizer for
volatizing a nicotine-containing solution. U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320
B2 to Robinson et al. discloses a smoking article having an
electrically powered aerosol-generating device which heats tobacco
contained within the device to generate an aerosol which is
described as being similar to tobacco smoke.
[0003] Current e-cigarettes generally use a liquid containing
nicotine, a toxic and addictive substance, as the sole active
component. It also has been proposed to use so-called whole tobacco
alkaloid e-liquid, containing nicotine in proportions similar to
those existing in tobacco (e.g., .gtoreq.90 wt. % of alkaloid
content). The art has recognized a need for non-nicotine or
reduced-nicotine alternatives to tobacco and tobacco replacement
products. See D. K. Hatsukami et al., "Nicotine reduction
revisited: science and future directions," Tobacco Control 19:
e1-e10 (2010). It would be especially desirable to develop
non-nicotine or reduced-nicotine alternatives that more effectively
achieve the pleasure-enhancing attributes of traditional cigarette
smoking, which in turn may assist smokers in quitting traditional
cigarette smoking.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to
e-cigarettes, alkaloid compositions for e-cigarettes, and refilling
cartridges for e-cigarettes containing certain alkaloid
compositions. In one aspect, a refilling cartridge for an
e-cigarette contains a liquid alkaloid composition comprising a
solvent and at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total
alkaloid weight of the composition.
[0005] In another aspect, a kit for refilling an e-cigarette
comprises (i) a liquid alkaloid composition comprising a solvent
and at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid
weight of the composition, and (ii) instructions for filling the
liquid alkaloid composition into a liquid receptacle of an
e-cigarette.
[0006] In another aspect, a method of refilling an e-cigarette
includes the steps of (i) providing a liquid alkaloid composition
comprising a solvent and at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on
the total alkaloid weight of the composition, and (ii) filling the
liquid alkaloid composition into a liquid receptacle of an
e-cigarette.
[0007] In yet another aspect, an e-cigarette comprises a cartridge
containing a liquid alkaloid composition comprising a solvent and
at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid
weight of the composition. The e-cigarette may be of a single-use
or disposable type, or may be refillable with liquid alkaloid
compositions to facilitate reuse.
[0008] Other aspects relate to non-tobacco products that contain an
alkaloid composition comprising about 25 wt. % to about 95 wt. %
anatabine, and about 5 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of a second
alkaloid, based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition.
The second alkaloid may be nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, or a
combination of two or more of them. The non-tobacco product may be
in the form of a solid bit of compressed powder, chewing gum,
gelcap, capsule, pill, lozenge, or the like.
[0009] The alkaloid compositions disclosed herein feature different
ranges of alkaloids to provide an attractive alternative to smoking
conventional e-cigarettes, in which nicotine makes up about 90 to
100 wt. % of the total alkaloid content. The disclosed alkaloid
compositions are characterized by a significant quantity of
anatabine, which has lower toxicity and risk of abuse as compared
to other alkaloids such as nicotine. The alkaloid compositions
enable individuals to experience the pleasure-enhancing attributes
of conventional cigarette smoking, while avoiding exposure to
combusted materials and other potentially hazardous components
present in tobacco. As a result, individuals may be more likely to
quit conventional cigarette smoking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following detailed description in consideration with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one example of an
e-cigarette configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Tobacco is among the most chemically complex substances
known, with tobacco and tobacco smoke containing more than 8,000
compounds. In addition to nicotine, tobacco contains the minor
alkaloids nornicotine, anabasine, and anatabine. While nicotine is
regarded as the principal addictive component in tobacco, a variety
of other factors also are believed to contribute to tobacco
addiction. For example, tobacco smoke has been reported to have a
monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect. MAO is an enzyme
involved in the breakdown of dopamine, a pleasure-enhancing
neurotransmitter. See J. S. Fowler et al., "Inhibition of Monoamine
Oxidase B in the Brain of Smokers," Nature (Lond), 379(6567):733
736 (1996); J. Stephenson, "Clues Found to Tobacco Addiction,"
Journal of the American Medical Association, 275(16): 1217-1218
(1996). See also Williams et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,479.
[0013] Aspects of the present invention are directed to alkaloid
compositions for e-cigarettes which are designed to provide
different ranges of alkaloids to more effectively achieve the
pleasure-enhancing effects that smokers obtain through smoking
traditional cigarettes, while avoiding or reducing exposure to
nicotine. In one embodiment, the alkaloid composition comprises at
least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid weight.
In some examples, anatabine is the sole alkaloid present in the
composition, e.g., anatabine comprises 100 wt. % of the total
alkaloid weight. In other examples, up to about 75 wt. % of one or
more other alkaloids, such as nicotine, nornicotine, and/or
anabasine, may be present in addition to anatabine. For example,
anatabine and nicotine may be combined in a weight ratio
(anatabine-to-nicotine) of about 50:1 to about 1:3, or from about
25:1 to about 1:2, from about 10:1 to about 3:2, or from about 5:1
to about 1:1.
[0014] Unless otherwise clear from context, all percentages
referred to herein are expressed as percent by weight based on the
total weight of the composition.
[0015] Anatabine may be prepared synthetically, such as via a
benzophenoneimine pathway as described in Puthiaparampil et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,207,346, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. Anatabine may be present in
the form of a racemic mixture or as isolated enantiomer, e.g.,
R-(+)-anatabine or S-(-)-anatabine, and/or as one or more
pharmaceutically acceptable (or food grade) salts of anatabine.
Unless otherwise clear from context, "anatabine" as used herein
refers to racemic mixtures of anatabine, enantiomers of anatabine,
salt and non-salt forms of anatabine, as well as salt and non-salt
forms of anatabine enantiomers. Non-limiting examples of possible
salts are described in P. H. Stahl et al., Handbook of
Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection and Use,
Weinheim/Zurich:Wiley-VCH/VHCA, 2002, including salts of
1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid,
2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, 2-oxoglutaric acid,
4-acetamidobenzoic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, acetic acid, adipic
acid, ascorbic acid (L), aspartic acid (L), benzenesulfonic acid,
benzoic acid, camphoric acid (+), camphor-10-sulfonic acid (+),
capric acid (decanoic acid), caproic acid (hexanoic acid), caprylic
acid (octanoic acid), carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid,
cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid,
ethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid,
gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid (D), gluconic acid (D),
glucuronic acid (D), glutamic acid, glutaric acid,
glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, hydrobromic
acid, hydrochloric acid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid (DL),
lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid (-L),
malonic acid, mandelic acid (DL), methanesulfonic acid,
naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid,
nicotinic acid, nitric acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic
acid, pamoic acid, phosphoric acid, proprionic acid, pyroglutamic
acid (-L), salicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic
acid, sulfuric acid, tartaric acid (+L), thiocyanic acid,
toluenesulfonic acid (p), and undecylenic acid.
[0016] As an alternative to synthetic preparation, anatabine may be
obtained by extraction from tobacco or other plants, such as
members of the Solanaceae family, such as datura, mandrake,
belladonna, capsicum, potato, tomato, nicotiana, eggplant, and
petunia. A tobacco extract may be prepared from cured tobacco
stems, lamina, or both. Flue (bright) varieties of tobacco are
often used, i.e., Virginia flue. Other tobacco varieties may be
used, such as Burley, dark-fired, and/or other commercial tobacco
varieties. Two or more tobacco varieties may be combined to form a
blend. In the extraction process, cured tobacco material is
extracted with a solvent, typically water, ethanol, steam, or
carbon dioxide. The resulting solution contains the soluble
components of the tobacco, including alkaloids such as anatabine.
Anatabine may be purified using known techniques such as liquid
chromatography.
[0017] The amount of anatabine present in the composition may vary
depending on factors such as the type of e-cigarette and whether
other active components, such as nicotine and/or other alkaloids,
are present. By way of example, the amount of anatabine may range
from about 0.1 to about 25 mg, from about 0.5 to about 20 mg, or
from about 1 to about 10 mg, per total gram of composition.
[0018] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,241,680 to Williams et al.,
compositions containing anatabine were found to be efficacious for
the temporary reduction of tobacco cravings, even without the
presence of nicotine. Anatabine and other minor alkaloids also have
been reported to bind to nicotinic receptors. See "Receptors for
Nicotine in the Central Nervous System: 1 Radioligand Binding
Studies," Group Research & Development Centre, British-American
Tobacco Co. Ltd. (1984).
[0019] In addition to anatabine, the composition may contain up to
about 75 wt. % of one or more other alkaloids, such as nicotine,
nornicotine, and/or anabasine, based on the total alkaloid weight.
Such alkaloids may be extracted from tobacco or other plant
materials and purified using known techniques, and/or prepared
synthetically using known synthesis methods. Anatabine and
additional alkaloid(s), such as nicotine, may be combined in a
weight ratio (anatabine-to-total other alkaloids) of about 50:1 to
about 1:3, or from about 25:1 to about 1:2, from about 10:1 to
about 3:2, or from about 5:1 to about 1:1.
[0020] The composition typically contains other components such as
water, organic solvents, sweetening and/or flavoring agents, and
the like. Examples of solvents that are commonly used in liquid
compositions for e-cigarettes include polyhydric alcohols such as
1,2-propylene glycol (PG or MPG); monohydric alcohols such as
ethanol; ethyl acetate; and the like. The amount of water present
typically ranges from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. %, usually from
about 0.5 to about 5 wt. %. The amount of organic solvent present
typically ranges from about 50 to about 99 wt. %, often from about
75 to about 95 wt. %.
[0021] If desired, one or more flavorants may be added to the
composition, non-limiting examples of which include peppermint,
menthol, wintergreen, spearmint, propolis, eucalyptus, cinnamon, or
the like. The total amount of flavorants typically ranges from
about 0.5 to about 15 wt. %, often from about 1 to about 10 wt. %,
based on the total weight of the composition.
[0022] The e-cigarette may be of various types of configurations,
the details of which form no part of the present invention. In
general, e-cigarettes may be of a single-use or disposable type, or
may be refillable with liquid alkaloid compositions and/or
cartridges containing liquid compositions to facilitate reuse. One
example of an e-cigarette is shown in FIG. 1. An air inlet 4 is
provided on the external wall of a shell 14 which houses LED 1,
cell 2, electronic circuit board 3, normal pressure cavity 5,
sensor 6, vapor-liquid separator 7, atomizer 9, liquid-supplying
bottle 11, mouthpiece 15, microswitch 16, gas vent 17, and air
passage 18. The electronic circuit board 3 has an electronic
switching circuit and a high frequency generator. A negative
pressure cavity 8 is provided in the sensor 6 and is separated from
the sensor 6 by a ripple film. An atomization cavity 10 is provided
in the atomizer 9. A retaining ring 13 is provided for locking the
liquid-supplying bottle 11 between one side of the liquid-supplying
bottle 11 and the shell 14; and an aerosol passage 12 is provided
on the other side of the liquid-supplying bottle. Other details are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 B2 to Hon, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0023] By providing a balanced alkaloid composition containing
anatabine as a significant alkaloid component, it is possible to
prepare e-cigarettes that reduce cravings for traditional tobacco
smoking, while minimizing toxicity and other undesirable side
effects associated with nicotine and other tobacco components. The
e-cigarette may be used as needed to satisfy cravings, or at
intervals such as once daily, twice daily, or three or more times
daily, depending on such factors as the concentration of active
components and the subject's physiological conditions.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, a non-tobacco formulation
contains an alkaloid composition comprising about 25 wt. % to about
95 wt. % anatabine, and about 5 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of a second
alkaloid, based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition.
The second alkaloid may be nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, or a
combination of two or more of them. The non-tobacco product may be
in the form of a solid bit of compressed powder, chewing gum,
capsule, pill, lozenge, or the like. The term "non-tobacco" means
that the product is essentially free of tobacco leaf or tobacco
extract, except however that some or all of the alkaloids present
in the non-tobacco product may be extracted from tobacco and
purified using conventional techniques such as liquid
chromatography.
[0025] Additional components ingredients may be added to the
non-tobacco products to improve taste or stability. Such additional
components include, but are not limited to, sweeteners, natural
flavorants, artificial flavorants, colorants, antioxidants,
preservatives, chelating agents, viscomodulators, tonicifiers,
odorants, opacifiers, suspending agents, binders, thickeners, and
mixtures thereof, including, but not limited to, xanthum gum,
carboxymethylcellulose, carboxyethylcellulose,
hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, microcrystalline
cellulose, starches, dextrins, fermented whey, tofu, maltodextrins,
polyols (including sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol or mannitol),
carbohydrates (e.g., lactose), propylene hlycol alginate, gellan
gum, guar, pectin, tragacanth gum, gum acacia, locust bean gum, gum
arabic, gelatin, mannitol, natural and/or artificial mint flavors,
sucralose, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, natural
glaze, methylparaben, propylparabens, triethyl citrate, citric
acid, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), mono and diglycerides,
polysorbate 80, and the like.
[0026] The non-tobacco products may be in a variety of forms, e.g.,
to be taken orally, such as pills, tablets, capsules, soft gels,
gelcaps, liquids, syrups, suspensions, powders, chews, lozenges,
gum, bars, etc., or to be administered by other routes, such as
parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, via an implanted
reservoir, etc. The alkaloid compositions also can be prepared to
be administered in foods or beverages. For example, they can be
supplied as a dried or powdered product for reconstitution with
water or other suitable vehicle before use (e.g., milk, fruit
juice, and the like).
Examples 1-8
[0027] Alkaloid compositions for e-cigarettes may be prepared by
combining the components listed in Table 1 below and mixing to form
a solution. Anatabine may be prepared synthetically as described in
Examples 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,207,346. Nicotine, anabasine, and
nornicotine may be extracted from tobacco materials and purified
using known techniques.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Anatabine 10 8 4 6 7
12 8 6 (mg) Nicotine -- 4 8 4 5 6 -- 4 (mg) Nornicotine -- -- -- --
-- -- 4 2 (mg) Anabasine -- -- -- 3 1 1 -- 2 (mg) Polyethylene 91
90 92 93 92 94 91 90 Glycol (g) Ethyl acetate 0.5 0.5 -- 0.5 0.4
0.5 -- 0.4 (g) Water (g) 4 4.5 3.5 4 2.5 3.5 5 4.5 Flavors (g) 1
1.25 1.5 1 1 1.5 0.75 1.25
[0028] The compositions described in Examples 1-8 may be filled
into refilling cartridges for e-cigarettes, or filled into a liquid
container that is used as part of a kit for refilling liquid
receptacles in e-cigarettes. The compositions alternatively may be
filled into a single-use or disposable type of e-cigarette.
[0029] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *