U.S. patent application number 17/156297 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for nicotine liquid formulation incorporating sugar esters for an electronic vaporization device and methods of making same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Myst Labs Inc.. Invention is credited to Chenyue Xing.
Application Number | 20210227873 17/156297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005401780 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210227873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xing; Chenyue |
July 29, 2021 |
Nicotine Liquid Formulation Incorporating Sugar Esters For An
Electronic Vaporization Device and Methods of Making Same
Abstract
An electronic vaporization device liquid and method for making
the same. The electronic vaporization device liquid may include
nicotine, sugar esters, and a biological suitable carrier solution.
Sugar esters may be added to a biological suitable carrier solution
to create a first mixture. The first mixture may be mixed at a
temperature range until the sugar esters are dissolved. The first
mixture may be cooled to room temperature.
Inventors: |
Xing; Chenyue; (San Mateo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Myst Labs Inc. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005401780 |
Appl. No.: |
17/156297 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62964812 |
Jan 23, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/403 20130101;
A24B 15/167 20161101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/167 20060101
A24B015/167; A24B 15/40 20060101 A24B015/40 |
Claims
1. An electronic vaporization device liquid comprising: nicotine;
sugar esters; and a biological suitable carrier solution.
2. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
sugar esters include glucose esters.
3. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
sugar esters include sucrose esters.
4. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
sugar esters include at least one of glucose monoesters, glucose
biesters, glucose triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose
monoesters, sucrose biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose
tetraesters.
5. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
biological suitable carrier solution includes at least one of
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and
1,3-propanediol.
6. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
biological suitable carrier solution includes a composition
including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG), 90% PG and 10%
vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VG, 70% PG and 30% VG, 60%
PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG and 60% VG, 30% PG and 70%
VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90% VG, and 100% VG.
7. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
nicotine is a nicotine freebase with a concentration between
0.1%-5%.
8. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 1 wherein the
sugar esters have a concentration between 0.1%-5%.
9. An electronic vaporization device liquid comprising: sugar
esters; and a biological suitable carrier solution.
10. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the sugar esters include sucrose esters.
11. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the sugar esters include glucose esters.
12. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the sugar esters include at least one of glucose monoesters,
glucose biesters, glucose triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose
monoesters, sucrose biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose
tetraesters.
13. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the biological suitable carrier solution includes at least one of
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and
1,3-propanediol.
14. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the biological suitable carrier solution includes a composition
including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG), 90% PG and 10%
vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VG, 70% PG and 30% VG, 60%
PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG and 60% VG, 30% PG and 70%
VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90% VG, and 100% VG.
15. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 further
comprising a nicotine freebase with a concentration between
0.1%-5%.
16. The electronic vaporization device liquid of claim 9 wherein
the sugar esters have a concentration between 0.1%-5%.
17. A method of making an electronic vaporization device liquid
comprising: adding sugar esters to a biological suitable carrier
solution to create a first mixture; mixing the first mixture at
temperature range until the sugar esters are dissolved; and cooling
the first mixture to room temperature.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: adding one or more
additional solvents to the first mixture; and mixing the one or
more additional solvents in the first mixture until homogenous to
create a second mixture.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising adding a nicotine
freebase.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein mixing includes one of
sonication and stirring.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the temperature range is
20.degree. C.-100.degree. C.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein the sugar esters include at
least one of glucose monoesters, glucose biesters, glucose
triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose monoesters, sucrose
biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose tetraesters.
23. The method of claim 17 wherein the biological suitable carrier
solution includes at least one of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable
glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and 1,3-propanediol.
24. The method of claim 17 wherein the biological suitable carrier
solution includes a composition including one of 100% propylene
glycol (PG), 90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20%
VG, 70% PG and 30% VG, 60% PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG
and 60% VG, 30% PG and 70% VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90%
VG, and 100% VG.
25. The method of claim 19 wherein the nicotine freebase has a
concentration between 0.1%-5%.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein the sugar esters have a
concentration between 0.1%-5%.
Description
RELATED CASES
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/964,812 filed on 23 Jan. 2020, the contents of
which are all incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some formulations of best-selling e-cigarette liquid
(e-liquid) may generally consist of Benzoic Acid to adjust the
liquid pH and the protonation state of nicotine, while at the same
time reducing the harshness of nicotine. Due to the nature of the
flavors of the primary ingredients in such formulations, additional
flavorants are typically always required in the e-liquid to make
the product pleasant and well-accepted by the smoker's palate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
[0003] In one example implementation, a method of making an
electronic vaporization device liquid, may include but is not
limited to adding sugar esters to a biological suitable carrier
solution to create a first mixture. The first mixture may be mixed
at a temperature range until the sugar esters are dissolved. The
first mixture may be cooled to room temperature.
[0004] One or more of the following example features may be
included. One or more additional solvents may be added to the first
mixture and the one or more additional solvents may be mixed in the
first mixture until homogenous to create a second mixture. A
nicotine freebase may be added to the first mixture. The nicotine
freebase may have a concentration between 0.1%-5%. Mixing may
include one of sonication and stirring. The temperature range may
be between 20.degree. C.-100.degree. C. The sugar esters may
include at least one of glucose monoesters, glucose biesters,
glucose triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose monoesters, sucrose
biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose tetraesters. The
biological suitable carrier solution may include at least one of
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and
1,3-propanediol. The biological suitable carrier solution may
include a composition including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG),
90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VG, 70% PG
and 30% VG, 60% PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG and 60%
VG, 30% PG and 70% VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90% VG, and
100% VG. The sugar esters may have a concentration of 0.1%-5%.
[0005] In another example implementation, an electronic
vaporization device liquid may include but is not limited to
nicotine, sugar esters, and a biological suitable carrier
solution.
[0006] One or more of the following example features may be
included. The sugar esters may include glucose esters. The sugar
esters may include sucrose esters. The sugar esters may include at
least one of glucose monoesters, glucose biesters, glucose
triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose monoesters, sucrose
biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose tetraesters. The
biological suitable carrier solution may include at least one of
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and
1,3-propanediol. The biological suitable carrier solution may
include a composition including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG),
90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VG, 70% PG
and 30% VG, 60% PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG and 60%
VG, 30% PG and 70% VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90% VG, and
100% VG. The nicotine may be a nicotine freebase with a
concentration between 0.1%-5%. The sugar esters may have a
concentration between 0.1%-5%.
[0007] In another example implementation, an electronic
vaporization device liquid may include but is not limited to sugar
esters, and a biological suitable carrier solution.
[0008] One or more of the following example features may be
included. The sugar esters may include sucrose esters. The sugar
esters may include glucose esters. The sugar esters may include at
least one of glucose monoesters, glucose biesters, glucose
triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose monoesters, sucrose
biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose tetraesters. The
biological suitable carrier solution may include at least one of
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and
1,3-propanediol. The biological suitable carrier solution may
include a composition including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG),
90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VG, 70% PG
and 30% VG, 60% PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG and 60%
VG, 30% PG and 70% VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90% VG, and
100% VG. The electronic vaporization device liquid may include a
nicotine freebase with a concentration between 0.1%-5%. The sugar
esters may have a concentration between 0.1%-5%.
[0009] The details of one or more example implementations are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
possible example features and/or possible example advantages will
become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Some implementations may not have those possible example features
and/or possible example advantages, and such possible example
features and/or possible example advantages may not necessarily be
required of some implementations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an example flowchart of a process to make an
e-liquid according to one or more example implementations of the
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an example diagrammatic view of glucose
tetraester, glucose tetrapropionate, and glucose tetravalerate
according to one or more example implementations of the disclosure;
and
[0012] FIG. 3 is an example diagrammatic view of a sucrose
tetraesters according to one or more example implementations of the
disclosure.
[0013] Like reference symbols in the various drawings may indicate
like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be used as an
HPHC-reduced alternative to smoking tobacco. In an e-cigarette, a
mechanism reduces a liquid ("e-cigarette fluid," "e-fluid,"
"e-liquid," or "vaping fluid") into a smoke-like mixture of air and
tiny droplets (an aerosol) which material is then inhaled by the
user. Any active constituents in the vaping fluid may then be
absorbed by the lungs like real cigarette smoke. Because
e-cigarettes do not produce smoke, other terms have been developed
to describe using the devices (e.g., "vaping.") The most common
type of e-cigarette has a heating element causing the vaporization
of the e-fluid to create an aerosol. Other types of e-cigarettes
may use mechanical production of the aerosol (e.g., a piezoelectric
diaphragm vibrating at ultrasonic speeds to directly form an
aerosol from the e-fluid, similar to a misting humidifier).
[0015] Some formulations of e-liquids or vaping fluid may generally
consist of benzoic acid or some other organic acids to adjust the
liquid pH and the protonation state of nicotine, while at the same
time reducing the harshness of nicotine. A generic e-liquid may
have nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorants. It may
include organic acids (for example benzoic acid, lactic acid,
etc.). Organic acids are typically added into the solvents, mixed
until fully dissolved. Nicotine is then added into the mixture,
followed by the flavorants and mixed until fully dissolved.
Additional solvents may be added in the end to achieve the target
nicotine concentration. A typical generic nicotine salt formulation
may consist of nicotine and organic acids fully dissolved in
typical e-cigarette solvents (e.g., PG and VG). A non-salt generic
nicotine formulation may consist of nicotine and typical
e-cigarette solvents (e.g., PG and VG). Freebase is the conjugated
base or deprotonated form of nicotine, which is also the natural
chemical state of pure nicotine. Some nicotine salt formulations
for aerosol devices may be used for the e-liquid, but such
unflavored nicotine salt formulations generally provide users an
artificial/chemical taste, not perceived pleasant or well accepted
by users. Due to the nature of the flavors of the primary
ingredients in such formulations, additional flavorants are
typically always required in the e-liquid to make the product
pleasant and well-accepted by the smoker's palate. Example
flavorants may include, e.g., Vanilla Extracts, Tobacco Absolutes,
Orange Oil, Menthol, Ethyl Maltol, Linalool, and artificial
flavorants may include, e.g., Vanillin (synthesized instead of
isolated from vanilla beans), Ethyl Acetate, Furfural, Leaf
Alcohol. Per definition, artificial flavorants are the flavoring
compounds not directly isolated from nature. This has led to
hundreds of added flavors in the e-liquid, many of which contain
chemical substances that have not been fully understood regarding
their inhalation toxicity and thermal stability. Also, artificially
flavored e-liquids have been criticized being the primary cause of
the so-called teen vaping epidemic.
[0016] Other nicotine liquid formulations for e-cigarettes that are
not nicotine salt based may be used, but most of these liquid
formulations contain only nicotine freebase. The freebase
formulations generally fail to provide sufficient satisfaction for
nicotine cravings at a low level of nicotine, and will be too harsh
to inhale when the concentration of nicotine is high.
[0017] Therefore, as will be discussed below, in some
implementations, the present disclosure may include a unique liquid
formulation that may be used with an electronic vaporization device
(e.g., e-cigarette) to deliver natural tobacco flavor and
satisfaction of nicotine cravings simultaneously without artificial
flavoring ingredients. In some implementations, the formulation may
also provide sufficient satisfaction at nicotine levels no higher
than, e.g., 1.7% (the current approved EU limit), however, it will
be appreciated that varying levels of nicotine may still be used
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0018] As discussed above and referring also at least to the
example implementations of FIGS. 1-3, a method of making an
electronic vaporization device liquid, may include but is not
limited to adding 100 sugar esters to a biological suitable carrier
solution to create a first mixture. The first mixture may be mixed
102 at a temperature range until the sugar esters are dissolved.
The first mixture may be cooled 104 to room temperature.
[0019] As also discussed above and referring also at least to the
example implementations of FIGS. 1-3, an electronic vaporization
device liquid may include but is not limited to nicotine, sugar
esters, and a biological suitable carrier solution. In some
implementations, an electronic vaporization device liquid may
include but is not limited to sugar esters, and a biological
suitable carrier solution.
[0020] As will be discussed below, unlike other e-liquid
formulations, the example formulations do not add acid to the
e-liquid production process in order to neutralize nicotine
freebase. Rather, upon heating in the e-cigarette, the sugar esters
may undergo thermal degradation to produce sugar and acids in the
vapor. The acids may then interact with the nicotine in the vapor
to protonate nicotine. Additionally, sugar esters naturally exist
in tobacco plant and further contribute to tobacco aroma while
burning. Thus, in some implementations, the formulations of
e-liquids or vaping fluid of the present disclosure do not use
benzoic acid or any other organic acids. Instead, in some
implementations, it may use sugar esters to achieve the nicotine
protonation results, while providing natural tobacco aroma and
flavor at the same time. This may allow minimal to no flavorants,
in particular artificial flavorants, to be used in the e-liquid. In
some implementations, the sugar esters may include sucrose esters,
and in some implementations, the sugar esters may include glucose
esters. In some implementations, the sugar esters may include one
or multiple glucose esters and/or sucrose esters. In some
implementations, the esters may be mono-, bi-, tri-, or
tetraesters. That is, in some implementations, the sugar esters may
include at least one of glucose monoesters, glucose biesters,
glucose triesters, glucose tetraesters, sucrose monoesters, sucrose
biesters, sucrose triesters, and sucrose tetraesters etc., or any
mixture/combination of the esters mentioned. In some
implementations, example tetraesters of glucose or sucrose may
include glucose tetrapropionate 200B (shown in FIG. 2), glucose
tetravalerate 200C (shown in FIG. 2), glucose tetramethylvalerate,
glucose tetralactate, sucrose tetraproprionate, sucrose
tetravalerate, sucrose tetramethylvalerate, and sucrose
tetralactate. In some implementations, the sugar esters may either
be extracted from tobacco or synthesized.
[0021] In some implementations, the sugar esters may be glucose
tetraesters and/or sucrose tetraesters of lower carboxylic acids,
all of which may be naturally existing in tobacco at a higher level
than lower carboxylic acids. The example and non-limiting chemical
structures of glucose tetraesters 200 and sucrose tetraesters 300
are shown in the example implementations of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
respectively for example purposes only, where R=C3-C8 Carboxylates
and R'=Acetate.
[0022] In some example implementations, it has been discovered that
the sugar tetraesters of lower carboxylic acids readily release
free carboxylic acids on thermolysis. Therefore, when an e-liquid
gets vaporized in an electronic vaporization device (or similar
device), the released free carboxylic acids may move the nicotine
chemical equilibrium to its protonated state, subsequently
providing the so-called "head buzz" to the users in order to
fulfill their cravings for nicotine. Also through the thermolysis
process, the increased reducing sugars may add balance to the vapor
flavor, neutralizing the nicotine throat hit, and make the vapor
sensory experience more similar to flue-cured tobacco. In some
implementations, as sugar esters may be the identified primary
tobacco aroma precursors in natural tobacco, the present disclosure
may also provide the smoker a "closer to cigarette tobacco flavor"
without the need for artificial flavors. In some implementations,
glucose or sucrose or other reduced sugar compounds may be added to
an existing nicotine salt formulation for the purpose of adding
natural tobacco flavor. In some implementations, the disclosed
formulation may be a nicotine freebase formulation with added sugar
esters. Adding sugar esters to a nicotine salt formulation (whether
is benzoate salt or a salt formed with other acids) is more like
enhancing the nicotine salt formulation in natural tobacco aroma,
balancing the nicotine buzz and throat hit from the original
nicotine salt formulation. Though a non-salt based nicotine
formulation is defined as nicotine formulations without acids, it
is equivalent to a nicotine freebase formulation under the current
market situation. In some implementations, the sugar ester nicotine
formulation as described may be a non-salt nicotine formulation.
Making a sugar esters nicotine-free formulation will not provide
any nicotine head buzz but will still release tobacco-like
aroma.]
[0023] In some implementations, as noted above, the present
disclosure may include an e-liquid formulation that may contain
nicotine, sugar esters, and a biological suitable carrier solution.
In some implementations, the biological suitable carrier solution
may include at least one of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable
glycerin (VG), water, alcohol, and 1,3-propanediol, or combinations
thereof. It will be appreciated that the e-liquid formulation of
the present disclosure need not contain nicotine. For instance, a
zero nicotine e-liquid formulation may also be used when users only
wish to experience the tobacco aroma but not the nicotine uptake.
As such, the use of nicotine should be taken as example only and
not to otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0024] In some implementations, the e-liquid formulation may
contain a nicotine freebase. In some implementations, the nicotine
freebase may have a concentration between 0.1%-5%. In some
implementations, a preferred range may be 0.8%-3%, as well as
0.8%-1.7% as this may be the trending range in all countries and
regions. In some implementations, as also noted above, the e-liquid
formulation may contain sugar esters, and in some implementations,
the sugar esters may have a concentration of 0.1%-5%. In some
implementations, a preferred range may be 0.36%-2.4% (matching
0.8-3% nicotine range above), as well as 0.36%-1.3% (matching
0.8-1.7% nicotine range above).
[0025] In some implementations, sugar esters may be added 100 to a
biological suitable carrier solution to create a first mixture, and
in some implementations, the first mixture may be mixed 102 at a
temperature range until the sugar esters are dissolved. For
instance, in some implementations, the sugar esters may be added
to, e.g., 100% PG, and then stirred at a moderate temperature
(e.g., between 20.degree. C.-100.degree. C.) until dissolved. In
some implementations, mixing may include one of sonication and
stirring (e.g., stirring with magnetic stirrer, stirring with
electric lab mixer, etc.). For example, sonication may be used to
facilitate dissolution of the sugar esters; however, it will be
appreciated that any known technique capable of dissolving the
sugar esters into the carrier solution (e.g., PG) may be used
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0026] In some implementations, the first mixture may be cooled 104
to room temperature. For instance, the first mixture with the sugar
esters dissolved into the PG may be cooled to room temperature
(e.g., between 15.degree. C.-40.degree. C.). It will be appreciated
that the first mixture may be cooled to less than or greater than
room temperature without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. For example, a controlled room temperature of
20.degree. C.-25.degree. C. may be used.
[0027] In some implementations, one or more additional solvents may
be added 106 to the first mixture, and a nicotine freebase may be
added 108 to the first mixture, and in some implementations, the
one or more additional solvents and/or the nicotine freebase may be
mixed 110 in the first mixture until homogenous to create a second
mixture. For example, nicotine (when used) and other solvents
(e.g., other biological suitable carrier solutions such as VG) may
then be added to the sugar ester PG solution and mixed until
homogeneous (e.g., all ingredients are dissolved in the mixture and
the mixture is uniform throughout. Quantitatively, all ingredients
concentration should measure the same at any sampling point in the
mixture).
[0028] In some implementations, the biological suitable carrier
solution may include a composition including one of 100% propylene
glycol (PG), 90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20%
VG, 70% PG and 30% VG, 60% PG and 40% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 40% PG
and 60% VG, 30% PG and 70% VG, 20% PG and 80% VG, 10% PG and 90%
VG, and 100% VG. In some implementations, the preferred
compositions of PG/VG may include, e.g., 60% PG and 40% VG, 55% PG
and 45% VG, 50% PG and 50% VG, 45% PG and 55% VG, 40% PG and 60%
VG. However, it will be appreciated that other combinations of
PG/VG, as well as other types of biological suitable carrier
solutions, may also be used without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. The final mixture may then be filled into a cartridge
or pod which may then be used in combination with an electronic
vaporization device at an operation temperature between, e.g.,
150.degree.-300.degree. C. The vapor generated from the device may
be inhaled by smokers/vapors when desired. In some implementations,
the formulation described in the present disclosure may be, e.g.,
filled in a disposable e-cigarette, filled in a pod that may be
sealed and installed by a vapor onto a multi-use e-cigarette,
manually filled into any open-system, e.g., a MOD or a tank
vaporizer by the user, used as a blending solvent for heat not burn
material.
[0029] As such, in some implementations, the present disclosure
may, e.g., (1) provide e-cigarette natural tobacco aroma that is
most similar to cigarettes; (2) eliminate or at least reduce the
need of artificial flavors to make e-cigarettes more palatable,
thus reducing the suspected source of the so-called teen vaping
epidemic; (3) have a composition more similar to natural tobacco
and may include a thermolysis process in vaporization that provides
vaping with a more similar experience to smoking; and/or (4) as a
result of item 3 above, the more similarly satisfying experience
may allow the e-liquid formulation to contain low nicotine
concentration in compliance with the regions with nicotine level
regulation without sacrificing the user experience.
[0030] In some implementations, it may be preferred that the sugar
tetraester to nicotine molar ratio is 0.75 to 1 (e.g., 0.75 mole
sugar tetraester added to 1 mole nicotine) so that when the
tetraester undergoes thermolysis, it may release 4 acids, thus the
acid to nicotine ratio may be 3:1, which is the preferred
acid:nicotine ratio. More specifically, in some implementations, it
may be preferred that the molar ratio between the total ester
groups and the nicotine is 3:1, e.g., for sugar triester which has
3 esters that can potentially release 3 acids in the vapor, would
be used at 1:1 molar ratio to nicotine, so that the molar ratio of
its ester groups to nicotine would be 3:1.
[0031] In some implementations, the sugar esters that would make a
successful nicotine e-liquid formulation may undergo the targeted
thermolysis reaction at the e-cigarette typical operation
temperature range (e.g., 160.degree. C.-350.degree. C.) to release
acid in the vapor in order to protonate nicotine, and at the same
time the reducing sugars from the thermolysis may provide
tobacco-like aroma. For example, totally esterified sugar esters
(e.g., glucose pentaisovalerate or sucrose octaesters do not easily
release their acids upon heating.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting
of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the language
"at least one of A, B, and C" (and the like) should be interpreted
as covering only A, only B, only C, or any combination of the
three, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising,"
when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps (not necessarily in a particular order),
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps
(not necessarily in a particular order), operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0033] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents (e.g., of all means or step plus function elements)
that may be in the claims below are intended to include any
structure, material, or act for performing the function in
combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be
exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many
modifications, variations, substitutions, and any combinations
thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The
implementation(s) were chosen and described in order to explain the
principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
disclosure for various implementation(s) with various modifications
and/or any combinations of implementation(s) as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
[0034] Having thus described the disclosure of the present
application in detail and by reference to implementation(s)
thereof, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and
any combinations of implementation(s) (including any modifications,
variations, substitutions, and combinations thereof) are possible
without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *