Flexible container for nicotine-based compositions

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a composition with a nicotine concentration less than or equal to 20 milligrams per milliliter characterized in that said container (1) takes the form of a long, narrow sachet (1) of which: i) the two opposite ends each have at least one weld (2,3) and ii) the weld (2), at at least one of these two ends, is not perpendicular to the long edges of said long, narrow sachet but on the contrary allows said end to have a narrowed section (4).

Description

Title of the invention: Flexible container for nicotine-based composition Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic cigarettes and, more specifically. State of the art

[0002] The harmful effects of cigarettes on human health have been known for several decades. Now, their high addictive potential makes the fight against smoking particularly difficult.

[0003] As a result, the advent of the electronic cigarette, or "e-cigarette", has helped considerably to reduce smoking in that it has allowed the consumer to retain the gestures of the smoker while eliminating a significant part of the toxic compounds it contains.

[0004] This electronic cigarette works by vaporizing a liquid, called "e-liquid", which is flavored or not, using an electrical resistance.

[0005] Overall, the main components of e-liquids correspond to:

[0006] - propylene glycol (synthetic or vegetable);

[0007] - glycerol;

[0008] - nicotine;

[0009] - flavourings and colours;

[0010] - water.

[0011] Mixtures available to the consumer.

[0012] Now, some consumers want to be able to modulate the nicotine concentration in their mixture.

[0013] To this end, containers containing exclusively a nicotine-based composition (called a nicotine booster) and intended to be mixed with a flavored composition devoid of nicotine (called a neutral base) are available on the market.

[0014] Now, nicotine is a product that is not without effects.

[0015] Also, current tobacco legislation requires that:

[0016] * Liquids containing nicotine should not be allowed to be put on the marketed under this directive only when the nicotine concentration does not exceed 20 milligrams per milliliter. This concentration allows for a nicotine release similar to the permitted dose of nicotine from a conventional cigarette during the time required to smoke it.

[0017] * the liquid containing nicotine is only placed on the market in bottles of dedicated refills with a maximum volume of 10 millilitres; in disposable electronic cigarettes or in single-use cartridges, the cartridges or reservoirs not exceeding 2 millilitres.

[0018] In practice, nicotine boosters are bottles containing a nicotine-based solution with a concentration of 20 mg / ml or less and a capacity of 10 mL or less. Furthermore, these bottles are equipped with at least a child-resistant cap.

[0019] While this solution is satisfactory in terms of safety, such bottles constitute a costly solution and consume a large amount of plastic. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] The inventors have now developed a container (1) comprising a composition with a nicotine concentration less than or equal to 20 milligrams per milliliter, characterized in that said container takes the form of a long, thin sachet of which:

[0021] i) the two opposite ends each have at least one weld (2,3) and

[0022] ii) whose weld (2), at at least one of these two ends, is not perpendicular to the long edges of said long bag but on the contrary allows said end to have a narrowed section (4).

[0023] Such a narrowed section (4) has the advantage, when cut, of facilitating its insertion into the container containing the "neutral" (i.e., nicotine-free) base. Therefore, this narrowed section (4) allows for easy emptying of the container according to the invention (1) into that of the "neutral" base while limiting the splashing of the nicotine-based composition.

[0024] An embodiment of such a container according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0025] Typically, the narrowed section (4) corresponds to a section that gradually narrows, the shape of which may be conical (so as to approach that of a funnel) or not.

[0026] The container according to the invention (1) therefore constitutes a leak-proof packaging bag for use, which the inventors have been able to demonstrate is both an economical solution, using little plastic, and safe with regard to children.

[0027] The composition within the container according to the invention may include, in addition to nicotine, other components such as water, glycerol, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. Typically, such a composition includes, in addition to nicotine, components necessary for the solubilization of nicotine.

[0028] Advantageously, the container according to the invention takes the form of a tube or a sleeve.

[0029] Generally speaking, it is known to those skilled in the art of forming machines, Automatic filling and closing of packaging bags to obtain single-use containers for liquid products formed using a plastic film.

[0030] Examples of such machines may be cited, such as those described in documents US 4,894,975, US 4,709,533, FR 2,764,266 Bl, EP 0,533,648 B1 or EP 2,246,263 Bl.

[0031] Typically, a sheet, which constitutes a pre-printed draft (including the labeling information for the contents) of the bag according to the invention, is unwound from a roll, before being wound longitudinally around an oblong mandrel, and continuously welded or glued to form the flange (6).

[0032] Advantageously, the container (1) according to the invention, includes at least one flange (6) on one of its long edges.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the container (1) according to the invention further has at least one means facilitating its opening (5).

[0034] As an example of such a means, a lateral notch (5) may be cited. The making of such a notch can be carried out simply by a person skilled in the art. As an example, the method taught in patent FR 2 764 266 Bl may be described.

[0035] Advantageously, a means (5) (e.g., a notch) is made at the end (2) having a narrowed section (4).

[0036] The length of the container according to the invention is between 5 and 20 centimeters, preferably between 7 and 15 centimeters and, particularly preferably, between 8 and 13 centimeters.

[0037] As for the width of the container according to the invention, it is between 1 and 3 centimeters, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 centimeters.

[0038] In relation to the narrowed end of the container according to the invention, its cross-section is preferably less than 8 mm, preferably less than 6 mm.

[0039] Typically, the container according to the invention has a volume less than or equal to 10 millilitres.

[0040] Advantageously, the volume of the container according to the invention is between 2 and 10 mL, preferably between 5 and 10 mL and, particularly preferably, between 8 and 10 mL.

[0041] Such containers are generally made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic. However, the invention is not limited to the formation of plastic film-based pouches. It can also be applied to the formation of pouches made of flexible film of a different nature, for example, also containing aluminum and / or paper.

[0042] Among the plastics that can be used, mention may be made, without limitation, of a sheet of plastic material with a low gas permeation coefficient, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, oriented semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene-polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, oriented polyester, and others; a plastic sheet laminated or bonded to a sheet of a metal such as aluminum or an analog, and such a sheet on which is deposited a metal such as aluminum or an analog, or quartz or an analog; a multilayer sheet formed by bonding or laminating any of these sheets to a sheet of polyethylene, ionomer, or an analog. The container may be formed using any of the aforementioned sheets, alone or in combination.

[0043] A second object of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a container comprising the steps of:

[0044] 1) making a weld (3) so as to form the first end of a container,

[0045] 2) filling the container obtained at the end of step 1) with a composition presenting a nicotine concentration of 20 milligrams per milliliter or less, as defined above,

[0046] 3) making a second weld (2) so as to close the container (1) and to form the second end presenting a narrowed section (4) of this same container (1), and

[0047] 4) cut so as to release the container (1).

[0048] Advantageously, the method according to the invention further comprises at least one step, prior to step 4), of integrating said container with at least one means facilitating opening (5).

[0049] .

Claims

Demands

1. A container (1) comprising a composition with a nicotine concentration of less than or equal to 20 milligrams per milliliter, characterized in that said container (1) takes the form of a long, narrow sachet (1) which includes at least one flange (6) on one of its long edges formed by the continuous welding or gluing of a sheet constituting the pre-printed blank of the container after unwinding from a roll and winding it longitudinally around an oblong mandrel, and of which: i) the length is between 5 and 20 centimeters; ii) the width is between 1 and 3 centimeters; iii) the two opposite ends each have at least one weld (2,3); iv) the weld (2) of which, at at least one of these two ends, is not perpendicular to the long edges of said long, narrow sachet but on the contrary allows said end to have a narrowed section (4) and furthermore at least one means facilitating the opening (5) of the container;and v) ) the cross-section of its narrowed end (4) is less than 8 mm.;

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition present within it comprises, in addition to nicotine, components necessary for the solubilization of nicotine.

3. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tapered section (4) corresponds to a section that gradually narrows, the shape of which may or may not be conical.

4. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 1) its length is between 7 and 15 centimeters; 2) its width is between 1.5 and 2.5 centimeters; and 3) the cross-section of its narrowed end (4) is less than 6 mm.

5. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has a volume less than or equal to 10 millilitres.

6. A method for manufacturing a container (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5: 1) making a weld (3) to form the first end of a container, 2) filling the container obtained at the end of step 1) with a composition having a nicotine concentration less than or equal to 20 milligrams per milliliter as defined above, 3) performing a second weld (2) to close the container (1) and to form the second end having a narrowed section (4) of this same container (1), 4) integration, audit containing (1), at least one means facilitating the opening (5) and 5) cut so as to release the container (1).

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