Organic-based nicotine gel compositions

Abstract

To provide compositions comprising polysaccharide-based gellant systems that permit the immobilization and / or encapsulation of nicotine or its salts within the polysaccharide polymer matrix.SOLUTION: A composition comprises: an aqueous polysaccharide-based gellant system comprising a polysaccharide and a gel modifier comprising a crosslinker; and nicotine or a salt thereof. The composition is readily prepared and stored in cartridges or used directly in a device for delivering nicotine to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Background The present disclosure relates to compositions for use in electronic vapor devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to organic-based gel compositions and their use in electronic vapor devices.

[0002] Vaporization devices, sometimes called vaporizers, electronic vapor devices, or e-vapor devices, can be used for the delivery of an aerosol (or "vapor") containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporization device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a classification of vaporization devices that can be used to simulate a smoking experience without burning tobacco or other substances using a battery-powered device.

[0003] In the use of a vaporization device, a user generally inhales an aerosol, sometimes called a vapor. This can be produced by a heating element that vaporizes a vaporizable substance (e.g., transfers a liquid or solid at least partially into the gas phase). The vaporizable substance can be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or other form that can be compatible with the use of a particular vaporization device. The vaporizable substance used in a vaporizer can be supplied within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of a vaporizer containing the vaporizable substance within a reservoir) having a mouthpiece (e.g., for inhalation by a user).

[0004] A typical approach for a vaporization device to produce an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable substance involves heating the vaporizable substance within a vaporization chamber (or heater chamber) to convert the vaporizable substance into the gas phase (or vapor phase). A vaporization chamber generally refers to an area or volume within a vaporization device where a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and / or radiative) heats the vaporizable substance to produce a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable substance, forming a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporization device.

[0005] A variety of vaporizable substances having various components and ratios of such components can be placed within a cartridge. Some vaporizable substances may have a low ratio of active ingredient per total volume of the vaporizable substance, for example due to regulations where a specific ratio of an active ingredient is required. As a result, a user may need to vaporize a large amount of the vaporizable substance (e.g., compared to the total volume of the vaporizable substance that can be stored within the cartridge) in order to obtain the desired effect.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In some aspects, embodiments herein relate to a composition containing an aqueous polysaccharide-based gelling agent system including a polysaccharide and a gel denaturant, and nicotine or a salt thereof.

[0007] In another aspect, embodiments herein relate to a composition containing a cellulose matrix, nicotine or a salt thereof, and a water-soluble polymer.

[0008] In a further aspect, embodiments herein relate to a composition containing an alginate, nicotine or a salt thereof, and an alginate cross-linking agent.

[0009] In yet another aspect, embodiments herein provide for the preparation of such compositions and their contents within a cartridge, or their presence within a device for delivering nicotine to a user.

[0010] In some aspects, embodiments herein relate to a composition containing a superabsorbent polymer and nicotine or a salt thereof.

[0011] In another aspect, embodiments herein relate to a composition produced by a process including preparing a polyacrylamide polymer; and adding a solution of nicotine to the polyacrylamide polymer, thereby loading nicotine onto the superabsorbent polymer.

[0012] In another aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a cartridge for use in a device for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user, the cartridge containing the compositions disclosed herein.

[0013] In another aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a device comprising a heating element configured to heat the compositions disclosed herein to deliver nicotine or a salt thereof to a user.

[0014] In another aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a process comprising providing a superabsorbent polymer and adding a solution of nicotine to the superabsorbent polymer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]

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[0016] Detailed Description Multiple embodiments herein provide a composition containing a polysaccharide-based gelling agent system that enables the immobilization and / or encapsulation of nicotine or its salts within a polysaccharide polymer matrix. In multiple embodiments, the composition is useful when used in combination with a device that heats the composition to deliver nicotine or its salts to a user. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system can provide an opportunity to move away from typical PG / VG-based carriers by reducing or eliminating propylene glycol / vegetable glycerin (PG / VG) and using water as the primary carrier. In multiple embodiments, the use of an aqueous carrier can lower the operating temperature of a device that heats the composition. Such a reduction in operating temperature can improve battery life and make it easier to reduce the size of the device. Polysaccharides are biocompatible materials that are generally considered safe.

[0017] In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system described herein can enable control of the nicotine concentration per unit weight of the composition in an amount that can be easily fractionated, allowing for precise control of the dosage. In multiple embodiments, the viscosity of the gelling agent system can be easily adjusted, such as by controlling the concentration of both the gelling agent system components (both the polysaccharide and the gel modifier). Such control of viscosity can enable a gelling agent system that prevents or significantly reduces the leakage problems encountered when using liquids in vapor devices.

[0018] The gelling agent composition disclosed herein can also provide new storage opportunities, such as moving away from the use of disposable cartridges, thereby reducing waste as a semi-solid.

[0019] Multiple embodiments of the present specification provide a composition containing a highly absorbent polymer and nicotine. The composition in gel form may be useful, for example, when used in combination with a device that heats the composition to deliver nicotine or a salt thereof to a user.

[0020] Due to their gel form, in multiple embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure can also improve problems with variations in physical properties (such as flavor) based on components such as viscosity, contact angle, and leakage associated with conventional e-liquids. Thus, in multiple embodiments, the gel composition can simplify the formulation process compared to liquid formulations. When functioning in gel form, the influence of flavor components on the physical properties of the liquid, which are prone to variation, is removed, so in multiple embodiments, the gel composition can affect the flavor addition amount.

[0021] In multiple embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure also have a gel strength high enough to maintain their shape, thereby facilitating changes and simplification of the heater design while eliminating the dependence on devices with a core. In multiple embodiments, the composition can be in direct contact with the heater surface, thereby improving heat conduction and efficiency. The performance of the compositions herein can improve product delivery consistency in multiple embodiments by eliminating variations due to the behavior of the core when using liquids having various physical properties that can vary as a function of temperature.

[0022] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be formulated as hydrogels, which are gels capable of absorbing large amounts of liquid (including those 20 times or more their original size). The hydrogel can be spherical or formed into any desired shape. The hydrogels disclosed herein may, in multiple embodiments, be composed of superabsorbent polymers such as polyacrylamide, poly(methyl acrylate), and sodium polyacrylate, although in other embodiments polysaccharide-based hydrogels may be used. In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein may be biodegradable and can be made environmentally safe. In multiple embodiments, the hydrogel can decompose into nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water over time. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can, in multiple embodiments, absorb a variety of liquid solutions, including aqueous and organic-based solutions. In multiple embodiments, the ability of the SAP to absorb liquid can be adjusted, for example, based on the ionic concentration of the solution and, if present, the degree of crosslinking. Such flexibility in adjusting liquid absorption makes it easier to precisely load active ingredient materials into the superabsorbent polymer gel matrix.

[0023] Those skilled in the art will appreciate these and other advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] Definitions As used herein, "a," "an," or "the" includes aspects having one element as well as aspects having more than one element. For example, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a polysaccharide" includes a plurality of such polysaccharides, and a reference to "a crosslinking agent" includes references to other gel modifiers that may include, for example, one or more crosslinking agents known to those skilled in the art, and so on.

[0025] As used herein, the term "about" is intended to modify a numerical value that it precedes, and indicates that the value so modified represents a variable within an acceptable error. When no particular tolerance is specified, such as the standard deviation from the mean value, the term "about" is to be understood to mean a range that includes the recited value, and a range that is included by rounding up or down the number, taking into account significant figures.

[0026] As used herein, "gel" is used in its ordinary sense. The IUPAC provides guidance: a gel is a non-fluid colloidal or polymeric network that is swollen throughout its volume by a fluid. IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the “Gold Book”). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). The gels disclosed herein are polysaccharide-based and are typically formed by crosslinking and / or physical aggregation of polymer chains. The gel network is typically characterized by having local order regions. In an aqueous medium, a gel is typically referred to as a "hydrogel". This is in contrast to gels such as "organogels" in organic solvent systems and "xerogels" in which the solvent has been substantially removed.

[0027] As used herein, "polysaccharide-based gelling agent system" refers to a chemical gel system having at least two components. The first component is a polysaccharide compound (e.g., structure) that can form a gel by itself or with the aid of a secondary additive, also referred to herein as the "second component" or "gel modifier" as defined below. This second component can promote gel formation and / or modify the physical properties of the polysaccharide gel, including properties such as viscosity, polymer swelling, crosslinking, polymer aggregates. Exemplary systems include a polysaccharide and a crosslinking agent, or a polysaccharide and a secondary hydrophilic polymer.

[0028] As used herein, "gel modifier" refers to a compound that modulates the supramolecular structure (e.g., crosslinking) of the polysaccharide that forms the basis of the gel structure. Although some of the polysaccharides described herein can serve as the major polysaccharide of the gelling agent system and as the gel modifier, the gelling agent system herein is a two-component system in which the polysaccharide and the gel modifier are not the same molecule. Thus, a polysaccharide that gels in water without additional additives is a gelling agent system but does not contain a gel modifier. The gel modifier may be essential for actual gel formation such that a specific polysaccharide and gel do not form in the absence of the gel modifier. In multiple embodiments, the gel modifier provides a crosslinking function. In multiple embodiments, the gel modifier can act on an existing polysaccharide gel to change the supramolecular organization. In multiple embodiments, the gel modifier can make the gel harder or softer. In multiple embodiments, some gel modifiers can play a role in modulating the gel viscosity and / or mechanical strength. In multiple embodiments, the gel modifier changes the nature of the gel structure. Gel modifiers include crosslinking agents such as metal ions and / or surfactants, water-soluble polymers, secondary polysaccharides, organic acids, organic bases, aldehydes, amines, radical sources such as methacrylated alginate photopolymerized with a photoinitiator, 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone (Irgacure 2959), and combinations thereof.

[0029] As used herein, "nicotine" refers to both its free base and salt forms. Although the salt form is typically produced by adding an organic acid to nicotine, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid can also be used to form salts. Examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and citric acid.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "electronic cigarette" or "e-cigarette" or "(electronic vapor device)" refer to an electronic inhaler that simulates the act of tobacco smoking and vaporizes a portion of the gel composition disclosed herein into an aerosol mist. There are numerous electronic cigarettes that look nothing like traditional tobacco. The amount of nicotine contained can be selected by the user via inhalation. Generally, an electronic cigarette includes three components: a plastic cartridge that functions as a mouthpiece and contains means for housing the composition herein, an "atomizer" that vaporizes the composition, and a battery.

[0031] Composition In multiple embodiments, compositions are provided that contain an aqueous polysaccharide-based gelling agent system that includes a polysaccharide and a gel modifier, together with nicotine or a salt thereof. The polysaccharide-based gelling agent system is designed as a carrier for nicotine and can be incorporated into a device for delivering nicotine to a user, as described below. The selection of a specific polysaccharide can be guided by both the performance characteristics of the gel as well as safety and stability considerations. Generally, polysaccharide-based systems have the benefit of being classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) components. Due to the diverse structures of polysaccharides, gels of different strengths (e.g., measurable as viscosity) and morphologies, such as beads, paste-like materials, and bulk solid jelly-like masses, can be obtained. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gel can be adjusted by controlling the molecular weight of the polysaccharide. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gel can be adjusted by controlling the gelation temperature. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gel can be adjusted by controlling the pH. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gel can be adjusted by controlling any combination of the aforementioned factors. In multiple embodiments, the gel system can be thermoreversible. A thermoreversible gel can be a gel at ambient temperature, but liquefies when heated and can return to the gel form when cooled. In another embodiment, the polysaccharide-based gel system is specifically selected to not be thermoreversible.

[0032] One or more characteristics of the polysaccharides selected for the gelling agent systems disclosed herein can affect the interaction with an inhalable bioactive agent. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide can have a hydrophobic core for containing an inhalable bioactive agent in an aqueous medium. In multiple embodiments, the presence of groups bearing a charge in the polysaccharide backbone can interact with an inhalable bioactive agent or a salt thereof. In multiple embodiments, the degree of branching in the polysaccharide polymer can be modified to interact with an inhalable bioactive agent. In multiple embodiments, the gelling temperature can affect the interaction between the gelling agent system and an inhalable bioactive agent. In multiple embodiments, the use of a crosslinking agent can affect gel formation or can modify the gel viscosity that affects the interaction between the gelling agent system and an inhalable bioactive agent. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharides in the aqueous polysaccharide-based gelling agent systems provided herein are hydrophobic. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide forms a hydrophobic core within the aqueous polysaccharide-based gelling agent system. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide is cellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide is amylose.

[0033] In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of alginic acid, cellulose, guar (galactomannan), xanthan gum, agar, gellan, amylose, welan gum, rhamsan, carrageenan, chitosan, scleroglucan, diutan gum, pectin, starch, their derivatives, and combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is alginic acid. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is cellulose. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is guar (galactomannan). In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is xanthan gum. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is agar. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is gellan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is amylose. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is welan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is rhamsan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is carrageenan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is chitosan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is scleroglucan. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is diutan gum. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is pectin. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is starch. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is a derivative of any of the polysaccharides disclosed herein. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent-based polysaccharide is any combination of the polysaccharides disclosed herein.

[0034] In multiple embodiments, alginic acid can be supplied in the form of a salt prior to gelling. In multiple embodiments, the alginic acid precursor for gel formation is in a salt form selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, ammonium alginate, and potassium alginate. Alginic acid has a structure of the following general formula (I) having repeating blocks of β-D-mannuronate (M) and α-L-guluronate (G):

Chemical formula

[0035] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is cellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is a cellulose precursor. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is a cellulose derivative. In multiple embodiments, the cellulose is selected from cellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, ethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ethylhydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose sulfate, cellulose acetate, and combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is methylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is ethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is ethylmethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is hydroxyethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is hydroxyethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is hydroxypropylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is hydroxyethylmethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is ethylhydroxyethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is carboxymethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is cellulose sulfate. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is cellulose acetate. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system herein is any combination of cellulose or cellulose derivatives disclosed herein.

[0036] Cellulose itself has the structure of the following formula (II) having a linear arrangement of β-D-glucose units: [Chemical formula] [wherein, n can vary from about 10 to about 500]. In a plurality of embodiments, n can vary from about 20 to about 200. In a plurality of embodiments, cellulose can have a number average molecular weight of 1 kDa to about 20 kDa. In a plurality of embodiments, cellulose can have a number average molecular weight of 2 kDa to about 15 kDa. In a plurality of embodiments, cellulose can have a number average molecular weight of about 5.5 kDa to about 11 kDa. In a plurality of embodiments, the gelling agent system using parent cellulose can be formed via a cellulose precursor such as cellulose acetate. In a plurality of embodiments, the acetate groups can be removed by solvolysis. In a plurality of embodiments, functionalized cellulose can be used to change the polarity of the gelling agent system and / or to adjust the viscosity of the resulting gel. In a plurality of embodiments, a charged cellulose derivative having an acid, which is an organic functional group, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, has a viscosity that can be adjusted by pH adjustment using an acid or a base. In a plurality of embodiments, the charged cellulose derivative can immobilize an inhalable bioactive agent. In a plurality of embodiments, the charged cellulose derivative forms a salt bridge with an inhalable bioactive agent. In a plurality of embodiments, the cellulose-based gel can be formed in the presence of a water-soluble polymer as further described hereinafter in this specification.

[0037] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can use guar. In some such embodiments, the guar is selected from natural guar, hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), sulfonated guar, sulfonated hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG), carboxymethyl guar. In multiple embodiments, the guar is natural guar. In multiple embodiments, the guar is hydroxypropyl guar (HPG). In multiple embodiments, the guar is sulfonated guar. In multiple embodiments, the guar is sulfonated hydroxypropyl guar. In multiple embodiments, the guar is carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG). In multiple embodiments, the guar is carboxymethyl guar. Guar has a core structure based on the following formula (III) having pendant galactose units on the backbone of β-linked mannose units: [Chemical formula] [wherein n gives a number average molecular weight of about 100 to about 500K daltons]. In multiple embodiments, n gives a number average molecular weight of about 125 to about 300K daltons. In multiple embodiments, the weight average molecular weight may range from about 500K daltons to about 2500K daltons. In multiple embodiments, the weight average molecular weight may range from about 700K daltons to about 1500 kilodaltons. In multiple embodiments, the number average molecular weight is (M n ) about 240K daltons and the weight average molecular weight (M w ) is 950K daltons. In multiple embodiments, guar can gel in the presence of cross-linking agents such as calcium ions, borates, titanates. In multiple embodiments, guar with a charged group can assist in the immobilization of inhalable bioactive agents. In multiple embodiments, the charged guar is sulfonated guar. In multiple embodiments, the functionalized guar can be used to adjust the hydrophobicity / hydrophilicity of the gel system to accommodate specific inhalable bioactive agents.

[0038] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can include xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is obtained from Xanthomonas campestris, the bacterial species used. Xanthan gum has the following formula (IV): [Chemical formula] and has a basic core structure of.

[0039] In multiple embodiments, modified xanthan gum can be used to form the hydrogel. In multiple embodiments, native xanthan gum can be used as a gel modifier, such as a viscosity modifier disclosed herein. The value of n in formula (IV) based on the MW of 2K daltons of the monomer unit of formula IV gives a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 300K daltons to about 8 megadaltons in multiple embodiments. In multiple embodiments, the weight average molecular weight is in the range of about 500K daltons to about 1 megadalton. In multiple embodiments, the weight average molecular weight is in the range of about 700K daltons to about 1 megadalton.

[0040] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can include agar. Agar itself is typically a mixture of agarose and agaropectin of the following formula (V): [Chemical formula] and is a mixture of agarose and agaropectin of.

[0041] The agarose backbone is a disaccharide composed of D-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactopyranose. In a plurality of embodiments, n has a value such that the molecular weight of agarose is from about 50 to about 400 kDa. In a plurality of embodiments, n has a value such that the molecular weight of agarose is from about 75 to about 200 kDa. In a plurality of embodiments, n has a value such that the molecular weight of agarose is about 120 kDa. Agaropectin is a heterogeneous mixture of smaller oligosaccharides that serves as a gel denaturant as defined herein. In a plurality of embodiments, agaropectin may have an ester sulfate component that provides a charge that can facilitate interaction with an inhalable bioactive agent.

[0042] In a plurality of embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include gellan. Gellan gum is a water-soluble anionic polysaccharide of the following structural formula (VI) produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea: [Chemical formula] [wherein n gives a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 0.5 megadaltons to about 3 megadaltons]. In a plurality of embodiments, the reduced gellan has a molecular weight of about 0.5 megadaltons to about 1.5 megadaltons.

[0043] In a plurality of embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include amylose. Amylose is represented by the following formula (VII): [Chemical formula] and is composed of α-linked D-glucose units as shown.

[0044] In multiple embodiments, n is an integer from about 100 to about 1000. In multiple embodiments, n is an integer from about 200 to about 700. In multiple embodiments, n is an integer from about 300 to about 600. In multiple embodiments, amylose can be supplied in combination with starch, where starch supplies the major polysaccharide of the gelling agent system and amylose functions as a gel modifier. For example, amylose can be used to adjust the gel viscosity of a starch-based gelling agent system. In another embodiment, amylose is the major polysaccharide of the gelling agent-based system. In either role, as the major polysaccharide or gel modifier, amylose can assume a structure that is conducive to interaction with nicotine due to its generally hydrophobic interior. In multiple embodiments, amylose can be combined particularly with xanthan gum, or in another embodiment alginate, or in yet another embodiment carrageenan.

[0045] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can include welan gum. Welan gum is produced by fermentation of sugars by bacteria of the genus Alcaligenes. The molecule consists of a repeat of tetrasaccharide units with a single branch of L-mannose or L-rhamnose and is represented by the following formula (VIII): [Chemical formula] [wherein n has a value such that the weight average molecular weight is in the range of about 0.25 megadaltons to about 3 megadaltons]. In multiple embodiments, n has a value such that the weight average molecular weight is in the range of about 0.5 megadaltons to about 2 megadaltons. In multiple embodiments, n has a value such that the weight average molecular weight is about 1 megadalton.

[0046] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can include ram san. Ram san gum can be obtained in acetylated or deacetylated forms. Deacetylated ram san forms a gel substance when cross-linked using divalent metal ions such as calcium ions. Deacetylated ram san gum can be particularly thermally stable in water and has the structure shown in the following formula (IX): [Chemical formula] [wherein, n gives a molecular weight in the same range as the molecular weight of diutan which will be described in detail later].

[0047] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system can include carrageenan. Carrageenan polysaccharides naturally occur in three general forms: kappa, iota, and lambda. In multiple embodiments, due to these structural differences, gels with adjustable properties can be provided. In multiple embodiments, the carrageenan is of the kappa type. In multiple embodiments, the carrageenan is of the iota type. In multiple embodiments, the carrageenan is of the lambda type. Carrageenan contains repeats of galactose units and 3,6-anhydrogalactose and can be both sulfated and non-sulfated. The units are linked by alternating α-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. The structures of a number of carrageenan cores are shown below. In multiple embodiments, the carrageenan can be lambda carrageenan. In multiple embodiments, lambda carrageenan is used in aqueous systems. In multiple embodiments, the carrageenan is in a sulfated form.

[0048] [Chemical formula] [In the above formula, the value of n gives a weight average molecular weight of about 100 kDa to about 5000 kDa. In multiple embodiments, n gives a weight average molecular weight of about 300 kDa to about 2000 kDa. In multiple embodiments, n gives a weight average molecular weight of about 400 kDa to about 1000 kDa. ]

[0049] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include chitosan. Chitosan is a readily available material derived from the shell materials of shrimp and other crustaceans. Chitosan has the structure of the following formula (X):

Chemical formula

[0050] In multiple embodiments, chitosan is co-crosslinked with alginate.

[0051] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include scleroglucan. Scleroglucan has a structure represented by the following general formula (XI):

Chemical formula

[0052] In multiple embodiments, scleroglucan forms a gel in the presence of sodium tetraborate (borax). In multiple embodiments, the hydrogel is formed from partially oxidized scleroglucan. In multiple embodiments, the properties of the gel are adjusted by the degree of oxidation.

[0053] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include diutan gum. Diutan is a complex polysaccharide structure having a backbone composed of d-glucose, d-glucuronic acid, d-glucose, and l-rhamnose, and side chains of two l-rhamnose residues. In multiple embodiments, diutan has a weight average molecular weight of from about 1 megadalton to about 10 megadaltons. In multiple embodiments, diutan has a weight average molecular weight of about 5 megadaltons. In multiple embodiments, diutan is a gel modifier. In multiple embodiments, diutan is used with other polysaccharides that are prone to calcium ion crosslinking.

[0054] In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system may include pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide rich in galacturonic acid and is commonly found in fruits. In nature, galacturonic acid can exist in various degrees of methylation (methyl ester). In multiple embodiments, pectin is a so-called "low-methoxy" pectin, i.e., pectin with a low degree of methyl ester, also known as LM-pectin. LM-pectin readily forms a gel system in the presence of calcium ions as a crosslinking agent.

[0055] In multiple embodiments, the major polysaccharide of the gelling agent system may be present in an amount of about 1 to about 50% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, the major polysaccharide is about 1% w / w, or about 2% w / w, or about 3% w / w, or about 5% w / w, or about 10%, or about 15% w / w, or about 20% w / w, or about 25% w / w, or about 30% w / w, or about 35% w / w, or about 40% w / w, or about 45% w / w, or about 50% w / w (including any value and fraction therebetween) of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, the major polysaccharide of the gelling agent system may be present in an amount of about 1% w / w to 10% w / w of the gel composition, or about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w of the gel composition, or about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w of the gel composition, or about 30% w / w to about 40% w / w of the gel composition, or about 40% w / w to about 50% w / w of the gel composition (including any partial range and fraction therebetween).

[0056] In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system includes a gel modifier. In some such embodiments, the gel modifier includes a crosslinking agent. Polyvalent systems such as polysaccharides (including many hydroxyl groups) are often prone to crosslinking in the presence of metal ions. In some such embodiments, the crosslinking agent may include divalent or trivalent metal cations. Among divalent metal cations, the crosslinking agent may include any alkaline earth metal. Exemplary crosslinking agents may include borates, titanates, calcium ions, aluminum ions, copper ions, zinc ions, zirconium ions, magnesium ions, barium ions, strontium ions, oxides of any of the aforementioned metals, and combinations thereof.

[0057] Other crosslinking agents or gel modifiers that manage viscosity in the polysaccharide-based gelling agent system include surfactants. When present, the surfactant may include one or more of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic and / or nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent includes an anionic surfactant. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent includes a cationic surfactant. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent includes a zwitterionic surfactant. In multiple embodiments, the polysaccharide-based gelling agent includes a nonionic surfactant.

[0058] In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant that can be utilized includes sulfates and / or sulfonates. In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl naphthalene sulfate. In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is dialkylbenzene alkyl sulfate and / or sulfonate. In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is an acid. In multiple embodiments, the acid is abietic acid (Aldrich). In multiple embodiments, the acid is NEOGEN® (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku). In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is DOWFAX™ 2A1, an alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate (The Dow Chemical Company). In multiple embodiments, the anionic surfactant is TAYCA POWDER BN2060 of (Tayca Corporation), which is branched sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.

[0059] In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is dialkylbenzene alkylammonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is lauryltrimethylammonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is alkylbenzylmethylammonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is alkylbenzyldimethylammonium bromide. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is benzalkonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is cetylpyridinium bromide. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is C 12 、C 15 、and / or C 17It is trimethylammonium bromide. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is a halide salt of a quaternized polyoxyethylalkylamine. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is dodecylbenzyltriethylammonium chloride. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is MIRAPOL™. In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is ALKAQUAT™ (Alkaril Chemical Company). In multiple embodiments, the cationic surfactant is SANIZOL™ (benzalkonium chloride, Kao Chemicals).

[0060] In multiple embodiments, the zwitterionic surfactant is betaine.

[0061] In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyacrylic acid. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is metallose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is methylcellulose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is ethylcellulose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is propylcellulose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is hydroxyethylcellulose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is carboxymethylcellulose. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene cetyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene lauryl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene octyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene oleyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene stearyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether. In a plurality of embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is dialkylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol. It should be noted that among these nonionic surfactants that function as gel modifiers, examples of functionalized cellulose are included. Their use as gel modifiers for those surfactant properties will be combined with the major polysaccharide for the purpose of forming the gelling agent system disclosed herein.

[0062] In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant includes a water-soluble polymer. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer exhibits surfactant characteristics. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is selected from polyethers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyoxazoline, polyphosphate, and albumin. Exemplary water-soluble polymers include polyethylene glycol (PEG), polaxamers such as PLURONIC™ F-127 (BASF), and water-soluble polysaccharides or their derivatives, such as those classified as xanthan gum, pectin, chitosan, dextran, carrageenan, guar gum, and the like. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is a polyether. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyvinylpyrrolidone. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyvinyl alcohol. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyacrylic acid. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyacrylamide. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyoxazoline. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is polyphosphate. In multiple embodiments, the gel denaturant is albumin. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is polyethylene glycol (PEG). In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is a polaxamer. In multiple embodiments, the polaxamer is PLURONIC™ F-127 (BASF). In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is a polysaccharide. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is xanthan gum. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is pectin. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is chitosan. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is dextran. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is carrageenan. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is guar gum.

[0063] In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is present in an amount of about 1% to about 50% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer can be present in the gel composition at about 1% w / w, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 5%, or about 10%, or about 15%, or about 20%, or about 25%, or about 30%, or about 35%, or about 40%, or about 45%, or about 50% w / w (including any value and fraction therebetween). In multiple embodiments, the water-soluble polymer of the gelling agent system can be present in the gel composition in an amount of about 1% w / w to 10% w / w, or about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w, or about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w, or about 30% w / w to about 40% w / w, or about 40% w / w to about 50% w / w (including any sub-range and fraction therebetween).

[0064] In multiple embodiments, nicotine or a salt thereof can be present in a non-zero amount up to a maximum of about 50% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or a salt thereof can be present in the gel composition in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is present in the gel composition at about 0.5% to about 1.5% w / w. The concentration of nicotine can be adjusted to deliver an accurate amount of nicotine to the user when the composition is heated in an e-vapor device. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or a salt thereof can be present in the gel composition at about 1% w / w, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 5%, or about 10%, or about 15%, or about 20%, or about 25%, or about 30%, or about 35%, or about 40%, or about 45%, or about 50% w / w (including any value and fraction therebetween). In multiple embodiments, nicotine or a salt thereof can be present in the gel composition in an amount of about 1% w / w to 10% w / w, or about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w, or about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w, or about 30% w / w to about 40% w / w, or about 40% w / w to about 50% w / w (including any sub-range and fraction therebetween).

[0065] The advantages of water-based polysaccharides are that water can be the only carrier for nicotine, although the compositions disclosed herein may further contain a humectant. The humectant can function as a delivery aid for delivering nicotine to the user when the composition herein is heated. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant includes glycerin. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant includes propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, xylitol, 1,3-propanediol (PDO), or combinations thereof. In a plurality of embodiments, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or combinations thereof may be included in less than about 50% w / w of the composition, or may be included in less than 20% w / w of the composition, or in another embodiment, or may be included in less than 10% w / w of the composition, or in a further embodiment may be included in less than 1% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment, the humectant does not include one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, but there is an alternative humectant. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant may include 1,3-propanediol. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant may include medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant may include PEG400. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant may include PEG4000. In a plurality of embodiments, the humectant does not include both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

[0066] In a plurality of embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein may include an organic acid. Without being bound by theory, the organic acid can function to protonate nicotine to deliver nicotine in salt form, provide functional properties, or both. Examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, levulinic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, finnaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, sorbic acid, and malonic acid.

[0067] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein may further include various other flavorings (including the organic acids described above). In multiple embodiments, the flavorings may include natural extracts such as menthol, mint, conventional Virginia tobacco, cinnamon, clove, ginger, pepper, or other synthetic flavors based on esters and aldehydes. In multiple embodiments, the flavorings may include nicotine salts such as nicotine acetate, nicotine oxalate, nicotine malate, nicotine isovalerate, nicotine lactate, nicotine citrate, phenylacetic acid nicotine, and myristic acid nicotine.

[0068] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the gelling agent systems disclosed herein can take many arbitrary forms. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system is supplied in the form of macroscopic beads. In some such embodiments, the macroscopic beads may be a shell encapsulating a solution of nicotine or its salts. In another embodiment, the macroscopic beads may be solid or semi-solid, and the nicotine or its salts are disposed within the gelling agent system matrix.

[0069] In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system may be supplied in the form of a film or strip. Thus, the film or strip can be placed or formed directly on the heating element of an electronic vapor device. In another embodiment, the gelling agent system may be supplied as a solid mass. In yet another embodiment, the gelling agent system is supplied as a plurality of particles sized in the range of about 1 micron to about 1 mm. In multiple embodiments, the gelling agent system forms a reversibly fluid liquid when heated and reforms the gelling agent system when cooled.

[0070] In multiple embodiments, a composition is provided that contains a cellulose matrix, nicotine or a salt thereof, and a water-soluble polymer. The use of cellulose in an aqueous gelling agent system can be difficult due to insufficient water solubility. Thus, in multiple embodiments, the cellulose matrix can be formed from a cellulose precursor or a low molecular weight oligomer. For example, a solution of cellulose acetate in an organic solvent can provide a cellulose precursor. Cellulose can be formed later by removal of the acetate, which can be carried out by solvolysis. In multiple embodiments, nicotine can be added to the cellulose acetate solution. Separately, the water-soluble polymer can be added to water. Then, the organic cellulose solution can be introduced into the aqueous polymer solution to induce gelation. The organic solvent can be removed by dialysis or other means such as distillation under reduced pressure. The resulting material is a hydrogel of cellulose.

[0071] Accordingly, in multiple embodiments, a composition is provided that is produced by a process that includes adding nicotine or a salt thereof to a cellulose matrix precursor in an organic solvent to form a mixture, and adding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer to the mixture. Such a process is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows preparing Solution A containing a methanol solution of cellulose acetate in the presence of nicotine. In multiple embodiments, nicotine can be disposed in the core of the cellulose matrix, as indicated by the presence of small nicotine particles (gray) within larger cellulose acetate particles (blue). Separately, the water-soluble polymer is prepared as Solution B. In this example, the polymer is PLURONIC™ F-127. Solution A is then added to Solution B to form Solution C. In multiple embodiments, the particular structure formed herein can be encapsulated cellulose particles having a water-soluble polymer disposed around the outer surface of the cellulose acetate polymer. This structural feature is supported by preliminary property evaluations. In multiple embodiments, the process can further include removal of the organic solvent by dialysis. An exemplary process is shown in FIG. 2. The methanol-water mixture obtained from Solution C is dialyzed against water as the bulk solvent. In multiple embodiments, the dialysis bag can include a cellulose membrane having a pore size in the range of about 500 Da molecular weight cut-off to about 2000 Da molecular weight cut-off. It should be noted that the solvent, methanol, water, or both, can serve to solvolyze the acetate groups on the cellulose acetate to liberate the free cellulose structure. Alternatively, the solvent can be removed by distillation, such as distillation under reduced pressure. As shown in FIG. 2, nicotine or a salt thereof remains disposed within the cellulose matrix, and the water-soluble polymer is disposed around the cellulose particles.

[0072] In multiple embodiments, the composition produced by the present process may use a cellulose precursor, which may be cellulose acetate, or any other organic soluble derivative that can be converted to cellulose. Such derivatives include conventional organic synthetic protecting groups for the hydroxyl groups that impart solubility to cellulose. See Greene and Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Chemistry, 2 nd nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, NY (1991). In another embodiment, the cellulose precursor may be a commercially available derivative such as ethyl cellulose.

[0073] In multiple embodiments, the composition produced by the above process can use any number of organic solvents. In multiple embodiments, the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, acetone, DMSO, and combinations thereof.

[0074] In the above embodiments, a cellulose matrix (or a precursor for generating a cellulose matrix) is used. However, in another embodiment, the cellulose may be a derivative selected from the group consisting of methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, ethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, and combinations thereof.

[0075] In multiple embodiments, the composition using the product produced by the above process may be particulate and may have an effective diameter of about 1 micron to about 1 mm. In another embodiment, the particles may have an effective diameter of about 1 micron to about 10 microns. The size can be controlled by the selection of a specific cellulose source (size, precursor type), solvent, and gel denaturant.

[0076] In one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the cellulose-based gelling agent system can use any water-soluble polymer. In a plurality of embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is a polyether. In a plurality of embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), block copolymers of PEG and polypropylene glycol (PPG), and combinations thereof. In a plurality of embodiments, the water-soluble polymer includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. The water-soluble polymer may have a number average molecular weight (M n ) of from about 5,000 Daltons to about 30,000 Daltons. In another embodiment, the water-soluble polymer has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 10,000 Daltons to about 20,000 Daltons.

[0077] In a plurality of embodiments, the ratio of the cellulose matrix to the water-soluble polymer ranges from about 10:1 to about 1.5:1, and in a plurality of embodiments, the ratio ranges from about 5:1 to about 2:1. The cellulose matrix itself can be used in an amount of about 1 to about 10% w / w of the composition. In a plurality of embodiments, the cellulose can be present at about 1%, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 4%, or about 5%, or about 6%, or about 7%, or about 8%, or about 9%, or about 10% w / w (including any fractional values thereof) of the composition.

[0078] In multiple embodiments, the concentration of nicotine in the cellulose-based gelling agent system may be a non-zero amount up to about 50 w / w%. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt may be present in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is present at about 0.5% to about 1.5% w / w of the gel composition. The concentration of nicotine can be adjusted to deliver an accurate amount of nicotine to the user when the composition is heated in an electronic vapor device. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt may be present at about 1% w / w, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 5%, or about 10%, or about 15%, or about 20%, or about 25%, or about 30%, or about 35%, or about 40%, or about 45%, or about 50% w / w (including any value and fraction therebetween). In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt may be present in an amount of about 1% w / w to 10% w / w of the gel composition, or about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w of the gel composition, or about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w of the gel composition, or 30% w / w to about 40% w / w of the gel composition, or about 40% w / w to about 50% w / w of the gel composition (including any partial range and fraction therebetween).

[0079] Cellulose enables a fully aqueous gelling agent system for delivering nicotine when the composition is used, but the composition may further include a humectant. In one or more of the above-described embodiments, the humectant includes propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof. In one or more of the above-described embodiments, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is included in less than 50% w / w of the composition, or in another embodiment less than 20% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment less than 10% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment less than 1% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment, the humectant does not include one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. In multiple embodiments, the humectant does not include both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, but there is an alternative humectant present.

[0080] In multiple embodiments, a composition containing alginate, nicotine or its salt, and an alginate crosslinking agent is provided. As described above, the alginate can be supplied in the form of a salt prior to crosslinking. In multiple embodiments, the alginate crosslinking agent contains divalent cations. In multiple embodiments, the divalent cation is an alkaline earth metal. In another embodiment, the divalent cation is a transition metal in oxidation state (II) such as zinc or iron. In multiple embodiments, the alginate crosslinking agent contains calcium ions. In multiple embodiments, the crosslinking agent contains chitosan.

[0081] In multiple embodiments, the alginate-based gelling agent system can have a concentration of nicotine in an amount that may not be zero up to about 50 w / w%. In multiple embodiments, nicotine can have a concentration of about 0.1% w / w to about 20% w / w. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt can be present in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is present at about 0.5% to about 1.5% w / w of the gel composition. The concentration of nicotine can be adjusted to deliver an accurate amount of nicotine to the user when the composition is heated in an electronic vapor device. In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt can be present at about 1% w / w, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 5%, or about 10%, or about 15%, or about 20%, or about 25%, or about 30%, or about 35%, or about 40%, or about 45%, or about 50% w / w (including any value and fraction therebetween). In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt can be present in an amount of about 1% w / w to 10% w / w of the gel composition, or about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w of the gel composition, or about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w of the gel composition, or 30% w / w to about 40% w / w of the gel composition, or about 40% w / w to about 50% w / w of the gel composition (including any subrange and fraction therebetween).

[0082] In multiple embodiments, the alginate-based composition can take the form of macroscopic beads. In some such embodiments, the macroscopic beads have a diameter of from about 100 microns to about 3 mm. The size of the beads can be readily adjusted to any desired size depending on reaction conditions such as, but not limited to, the concentration of the reagents, the reaction temperature, and the form of reagent mixing. As shown in Figure 3, the beads can be made available by adding a solution of sodium alginate (for example) to a solution of a crosslinking agent such as calcium chloride. Figure 3 shows a proposed structure of a polysaccharide bound to calcium ions. Other divalent metal ions can exhibit a similar structure.

[0083] Similar to the cellulose-based composition, the alginate composition can also contain a humectant. In embodiments of the alginate composition, the humectant includes propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof. In multiple embodiments, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is less than 50% w / w of the composition, or in multiple embodiments less than 20% w / w of the composition, or in another embodiment less than 10% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment less than 1% w / w of the composition. In multiple embodiments, the alginate composition uses a humectant but does not include one or more of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. In multiple embodiments, the humectant does not include both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

[0084] In multiple embodiments, a composition is provided that is produced by a process including dissolving a crosslinking agent in water to form a first solution, dissolving an alginate in water to form a second solution, adding droplets of the second solution to the first solution or adding droplets of the second solution to the first solution to form beads, or adding droplets of the first solution to the second solution to form beads, wherein the second solution optionally contains nicotine or a salt thereof.

[0085] In multiple embodiments, the first solution contains nicotine. That is, nicotine is dissolved together with alginate. In another embodiment, the second solution contains nicotine. That is, nicotine is dissolved together with the cross-linking agent. In yet another embodiment, the composition produced by the process herein further comprises impregnating the beads with nicotine or a salt thereof after the formation of the alginate beads. These possibilities are summarized in chart form in Figure 4.

[0086] Figure 5 shows a process for incorporating nicotine into dried preformed alginate beads. Beads 510 are suspended in a solution 520 containing nicotine or a salt thereof. By the absorbent alginate beads taking up solution 520, nicotine-loaded beads 530 are obtained.

[0087] Figure 6 shows actual gel-like alginate beads loaded with nicotine at various nicotine concentrations in weight percent units relative to the weight of the gel beads. The gel viscosity of the produced beads is shown in centipoise. This process is described in detail in Example 2 below.

[0088] In multiple embodiments, a composition containing a superabsorbent polymer and nicotine or a salt thereof is provided. Superabsorbent polymers prepared herein include polymers of acrylic acid and its derivatives, as well as polysaccharide graft copolymers. Superabsorbent polymer-based compositions can, in multiple embodiments, be prepared as hydrogels having water as their major liquid phase component within the gel network. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be prepared as a hydrogel containing an organic liquid phase co-solvent in an amount less than water. For example, in multiple embodiments, the hydrogel can contain a lesser amount of a humectant component including carriers such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and mixtures thereof. In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be classified as organogels in which the major liquid phase component of the gel system is an organic liquid. For example, the composition can contain a large amount of an organic liquid phase having a humectant system of a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, and a small amount of water.

[0089] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be a polymer product manufactured from monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, salts of acrylic acid, acrylamide, and / or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product manufactured from a plurality of different monomers. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product manufactured from a single type of monomer. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be polyacrylic acid. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be a polyacrylate salt. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be polyacrylamide. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a product manufactured from one or more monomers of the following formula (I): [Chemical formula] [wherein, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3is independently hydrogen, fluorine, or methyl, Z is selected from -OH, -OM, -NH2, -NHMe, and -NMe2, and M is a metal salt (of a carboxylate group), such as, but not limited to, a sodium salt or a potassium salt]。

[0090] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a plurality of different monomers, and at least one of the plurality of monomers is R 1 、R 2 、R 3 is a monomer of formula (I) in which each is hydrogen and Z is NH2. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a single type of monomer, and the single type of monomer is R 1 、R 2 、R 3 is a monomer of formula (I) in which each is hydrogen and Z is NH2. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a plurality of different monomers, and at least one of the plurality of monomers is R 1 、R 2 、R 3 is a monomer of formula (I) in which each is hydrogen, Z is OM, and M is a sodium salt. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a single type of monomer, and the single type of monomer is R 1 、R 2 、R 3 is a monomer of formula (I) in which each is hydrogen, Z is OM, and M is a sodium salt. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a plurality of different monomers, and at least one of the plurality of monomers is R 1 、R 2 、R 3 is a monomer of formula (I) in which each is hydrogen and Z is OH. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a polymer product produced from a single type of monomer, and the single type of monomer is R 1 、R 2 、R 3They are each hydrogen, and the monomer of formula (I) wherein Z is OH.

[0091] In a plurality of embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is a homopolymer of one monomer of the above acrylic acid or a derivative of acrylic acid. In a plurality of embodiments, the homopolymer is polyacrylic acid. In a plurality of embodiments, the homopolymer is polyacrylamide. In a plurality of embodiments, the homopolymer is poly(methyl acrylate). In a plurality of embodiments, the homopolymer is not cross-linked. In a plurality of embodiments, the homopolymer is cross-linked as described hereinafter in this specification.

[0092] In a plurality of embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may be a random copolymer of two or more monomers. Exemplary random copolymers include acrylic acid-acrylamide copolymer, acrylic acid-methyl acrylate copolymer, acrylic acid-acrylate copolymer, acrylamide-methyl acrylate copolymer, acrylamide-acrylate copolymer, acrylic acid-acrylate-acrylamide copolymer, acrylic acid-acrylamide-methyl acrylate copolymer, acrylamide-methyl acrylate-acrylate copolymer, and acrylic acid-acrylamide-methyl acrylate-acrylate copolymer. Without being bound by theory, an amount of acrylic acid or its salt may be beneficial for interaction with (acrylate) or formation of nicotine salt (acrylic acid).

[0093] In a plurality of embodiments, the random copolymer of two monomers can include any desired ratio from 1:99 to 99:1, and any desired sub-range therebetween including fractions thereof. Exemplary ratios include, but are not limited to, 2:1, 1:2, 1:1, 3:1, 1:3, 10:1, and 1:10.

[0094] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may be in the form of block copolymers including A-B diblock and A-B-C triblock copolymers. A block copolymer has blocks of repeating identical monomer units, but is characterized as a copolymer by having repeating blocks of a second repeating monomer unit within the polymer backbone. For example, a diblock copolymer may include a block of polyacrylic acid and a block of polyacrylamide in the copolymer, or a block of acrylate and a block of polyacrylamide in the copolymer, or a block of poly(methyl acrylate) and a block of polyacrylamide in the copolymer. Similarly, a triblock copolymer may include three different monomer blocks. For example, a triblock copolymer may include a block of polyacrylic acid along with a block of poly(methyl acrylate) and a block of polyacrylamide. One skilled in the art will recognize that the block copolymer can be designed with blocks in various orders, such as A-B-A-C-A-B-A-C, or A-C-B-A-B-C-A [where each block A, B, and C represents a different polymer block of a single monomer type, for example A = block of polyacrylic acid, B = block of poly(methyl acrylate), C = block of polyacrylamide]. Thus, in a superabsorbent polymer that is a block copolymer, the blocks of A, B, and C can be ordered in any desired order and combination.

[0095] In multiple embodiments, the acrylate-based superabsorbent polymers described herein can be formed in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Non-limiting examples of crosslinking agents include N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and tetraallyloxyethane (TAOE). In multiple embodiments, the crosslinking agent may include a compound of Formula II:

Chemical formula

[0096] In multiple embodiments, n is 1 and each X is O. In multiple embodiments, n is 2 and each X is O. In multiple embodiments, n is 3 and X 1 and X 2 are O. In multiple embodiments, n is 1 and X 1 and X 2 are NH. In multiple embodiments, n is 2 and X 1 and X 2 are NH. In multiple embodiments, n is 3 and X 1 and X 2 are O. In multiple embodiments, n is 1 and X 1 is O and X 2 is NH. In multiple embodiments, n is 2 and X 1 is O and X 2 is NH. In multiple embodiments, n is 3 and X 1 is O and X 2 is NH.

[0097] In a plurality of embodiments, the crosslinking agent can be present in an amount of about 1% to about 10% w / w of the monomer. In a plurality of embodiments, the crosslinking agent can be present in the range of 1 - 5%, or 1 - 2%. In a plurality of embodiments, the crosslinking agent can be present in an amount of about 1%, or 2%, or 3%, or 4%, or 5%, or 6%, or 7%, or 8%, or 9%, or 10%, or any fractional amount between these amounts. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the degree of crosslinking is related to the amount by which a given superabsorbent polymer can swell, and that higher crosslinking is related to lower swelling ability. Some crosslinking may be desirable to prevent dissolution of the polymer network. Crosslinking can be particularly important when charged monomer units such as acrylate anions are used.

[0098] In a plurality of embodiments, crosslinking can include so-called "bulk" or "core" crosslinking in which crosslinking occurs during the polymerization process. In another embodiment, crosslinking can include "surface" crosslinking which is crosslinking that occurs after the main polymerization process is complete. Thus, the crosslinking that occurs with surface crosslinking occurs primarily at the surface of the polymer. Surface crosslinking is typically performed on the dry polymer material using a crosslinking solution. In a typical process, crosslinking with a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups can be employed. For example, glycerin and other polyhydric alcohols can be used to crosslink surface carboxyl groups on a polyacrylate polymer. When using surface crosslinking as a structural element of the SAP, the initial core / bulk polymerization can be "mild", for example about 0.005 to about 1.0 mole percent based on the number of moles of monomer used.

[0099] In multiple embodiments, crosslinking may include a combination of core / bulk crosslinking and surface crosslinking. For example, photo-crosslinking can be used during monomer polymerization, and surface crosslinking can be continued after the first polymer is formed. The effect of the combination of bulk crosslinking and surface crosslinking is a structure with a mildly crosslinked core and a higher crosslink density surface. By adopting both crosslinking techniques, the superabsorbent polymer can be highly adjusted according to specific properties, such as the maximum liquid uptake of the final superabsorbent polymer. This may be useful for highly controlling the amount of solution (such as a nicotine-containing solution) absorbed.

[0100] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may also include graft copolymers. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may include chemically crosslinked polysaccharides or grafted polysaccharide-polyacrylonitrile. In multiple embodiments, crosslinked or grafted polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, cellulose, starch, chitosan, gelatin, xanthan gum, guar gum, alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like. The crosslinking agent for polysaccharides can include any bifunctional organic molecule having at least two electrophilic centers. Exemplary crosslinking agents include, but are not limited to, divinyl sulfone, glyoxal, and epichlorohydrin. Other crosslinking agents include POCl3, citric acid, glycerol, and the like. Those skilled in the art will understand that the selection of a particular linker can be guided by the selection of the polysaccharide. For example, the polysaccharide carboxymethyl cellulose can be crosslinked via its carboxyl functional group by ester formation with a diol containing an organic linker such as glycerol. Other polysaccharides can be O-bonded to the linker via polysaccharide hydroxyl functional groups using an electrophilic reagent such as divinyl sulfone.

[0101] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may include chemically modified starches and celluloses, as well as polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). All of these polymers are hydrophilic and have a high affinity for water. At low crosslinking, such as from about 0.05% to about 1%, these polymers may swell in water but may not be water-soluble. Examples of water-soluble polysaccharides are starch, water-soluble cellulose, and polygalactomannan. Suitable starches include, but are not limited to, natural starches such as sweet potato starch, potato starch, wheat starch, corn starch, rice starch, tapioca starch. Also suitable are processed or modified starches such as dialdehyde starch, alkyl etherified starch, allyl etherified starch, oxyalkylated starch, aminoethyl etherified starch, and cyanoethyl etherified starch.

[0102] In multiple embodiments, water-soluble cellulose useful in the SAP structure is derived from raw materials such as wood, stems, bast, seed hairs, etc., and then derivatized to form hydroxyalkyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, etc. Suitable polygalactomannans are guar gum and locust bean gum, as well as hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and aminoalkyl derivatives.

[0103] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer disclosed herein may have a number average molecular weight (M n ) of at least about 50,000 Daltons. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer disclosed herein may have a number average molecular weight (M n ) in the range of about 50,000 Daltons to about 150,000 Daltons, or in multiple embodiments from about 80,000 Daltons to about 150,000 Daltons, or in multiple embodiments from about 90,000 Daltons to about 120,000 Daltons. The number average molecular weight is the total weight of the sample divided by the number of molecules in the sample.

[0104] In multiple embodiments, nicotine or its salt is present in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w of the gel composition. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is present at about 0.5% to about 1.5% w / w of the gel composition. The concentration of nicotine can be adjusted to deliver an accurate amount of nicotine to the user when the composition is heated in an e-vapor device. Nicotine can be incorporated into the superabsorbent polymer during the synthesis of the SAP or with an existing SAP material.

[0105] The advantage of water-based SAP is that water can be the only carrier for nicotine, although the compositions disclosed herein may further comprise a humectant. The humectant can function as a delivery aid for delivering nicotine to the user when the composition herein is heated. In multiple embodiments, the humectant comprises glycerin. In multiple embodiments, the humectant comprises propylene glycol, glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, xylitol, 1,3-propanediol (PDO), or combinations thereof. In multiple embodiments, propylene glycol, glycerin, or combinations thereof may be included at less than about 50% w / w of the composition, or alternatively less than 20% w / w of the composition, or in another embodiment, or alternatively less than 10% w / w of the composition, or in a further embodiment less than 1% w / w of the composition, or in yet another embodiment, the humectant does not comprise one or more of propylene glycol and glycerin, but rather an alternative humectant is present. Other humectants that can be used in the compositions disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, 1,3-propanediol and MCT oil. In multiple embodiments, the humectant does not comprise both propylene glycol and glycerin. In one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the glycerin may be vegetable glycerin.

[0106] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can include an organic acid. In multiple embodiments, the organic acid can serve to protonate nicotine to deliver it in a protonated form (i.e., in the form of a salt). Examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, levulinic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, finnaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, sorbic acid, ascorbic acid, and malonic acid.

[0107] The organic acid can be present in the composition in the range of about 0 wt% to about 25 wt%. In multiple embodiments, the organic acid can be present in a non-zero amount up to about 25 wt%. In multiple embodiments, the organic acid can be present in an amount of 1 wt% to about 25 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 5 wt% (including any sub-range and fractions therebetween).

[0108] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can further include a flavoring agent (including the aforementioned organic acids). Examples of flavoring agents can include nicotine salts such as nicotine acetate, nicotine oxalate, nicotine malate, nicotine isovalerate, nicotine lactate, nicotine citrate, nicotine phenylacetate, and nicotine myristate.

[0109] The flavoring agent can be present in the composition in the range of about 0 wt% to about 10 wt%. In multiple embodiments, the flavoring agent can be present in a non-zero amount up to about 10 wt%. In multiple embodiments, the flavoring agent can be present in an amount of 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%, or about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 2 wt% (including any sub-range and fractions therebetween).

[0110] In multiple embodiments, the composition can be provided in the form of beads, such as macroscopic beads. In multiple embodiments, the macroscopic beads are porous and take up nicotine from a solution of nicotine or a salt thereof. In multiple embodiments, the beads are in the size range of about 100 microns to about 3 mm. In multiple embodiments, the composition can be shaped into a shape other than beads. In multiple embodiments, the beads are in the size range of about 100 microns to about 500 microns when dried. In multiple embodiments, the beads are in the size range of 500 microns to 1 mm when dried. In multiple embodiments, the beads are in the size range of 1 mm to 3 mm when dried. In multiple embodiments, the beads are in the size range of 1 mm to 2 mm when dried.

[0111] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be characterized by physical properties including, but not limited to, swellability, density, porosity, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that swellability can be a function of time. In multiple embodiments, the swell can be in the range of about 100 g / g to about 300 g / g. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 120 minutes. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 200 g / g. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 100 g / g. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 50 g / g. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 20 g / g. In multiple embodiments, the swell is about 10 g / g. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the lower limit can be much lower than 100 g / g, for example 50 g / g, or 20 g / g, or 10 g / g, etc. The upper limit of swellability depends in particular on the degree of crosslinking and the length of time allowed for swelling. Thus, in multiple embodiments, the swellability can exceed 300 g / g, such as 350 g / g or 400 g / g, depending on the specific structure of the superabsorbent polymer.

[0112] In multiple embodiments, the density of the compositions disclosed herein is about 0.5 g / cm 3 to about 1.5 g / cm 3 , or about 0.5 g / cm 3 to about 1.3 g / cm 3or about 0.5 g / cm 3 ~ about 1.0 g / cm 3 and may be in the range of. Densities such as swelling can depend, in particular, on the degree of cross-linking and the length of time allowed for swelling.

[0113] In multiple embodiments, a process is provided that includes preparing a polyacrylamide polymer; and adding a solution of nicotine to the polyacrylamide polymer, thereby loading nicotine onto the superabsorbent polymer. In multiple embodiments, the polyacrylamide polymer can be provided in bead form.

[0114] In multiple embodiments, the nicotine solution is aqueous. In multiple embodiments, the nicotine solution includes a humectant that can be an organic co-solvent including propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or mixtures thereof. In multiple embodiments, the nicotine solution can include the organic acids and / or flavors described above.

[0115] In multiple embodiments, the composition can be produced by a process in which nicotine is incorporated into the superabsorbent matrix during the polymerization of an acrylate-based polymer such as those described above herein.

[0116] Preparation of the Composition In multiple embodiments, a general process for preparing the compositions herein that include an aqueous-based gelling agent system includes adding nicotine or a salt thereof to a polysaccharide and adding a gel modifier to form the gelling agent system. As is apparent from the examples of cellulose and alginates, the form of the product can vary and the order of the reagents can be different, but the basic principle of the process is shared. Thus, in multiple embodiments, the timing of adding nicotine can be flexible. This can form a gel after adding to the polysaccharide, or nicotine can be added after the gelling process or even during the gelling process.

[0117] In multiple embodiments, a process for preparing the compositions disclosed herein is provided that includes adding nicotine or a salt thereof to a superabsorbent polymer (SAP).

[0118] In multiple embodiments, nicotine is supplied in a pure state, i.e., solvent-free. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is supplied in an aqueous solution. In some such embodiments, the process may include adjusting the ionic strength of the nicotine aqueous solution. In multiple embodiments, nicotine is supplied in a salt form in an aqueous solution. In multiple embodiments, an organic acid is present in the nicotine aqueous solution. In multiple embodiments, the organic acid is present in pure nicotine. In multiple embodiments, a fragrance is included in the nicotine solution.

[0119] In multiple embodiments, nicotine is supplied in a hydrophilic organic solvent. In multiple embodiments, nicotine may be supplied as a solution in a mixed organic solvent and an aqueous solution. In some such embodiments, the organic solvent is selected to be miscible with water. In multiple embodiments, the mixed solvent system may include an organic acid. In multiple embodiments, the mixed solvent system may include nicotine in a salt form.

[0120] In multiple embodiments, the process of exposing nicotine or its solution can be carried out at ambient temperature, i.e., approximately 25°C.

[0121] In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer can be synthesized in the presence of nicotine or a salt thereof in the solution in which the polymerization is carried out. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is formed by precipitation polymerization. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is formed by solution polymerization. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is formed by suspension polymerization. In multiple embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is formed by emulsion polymerization.

[0122] In multiple embodiments, precipitation polymerization uses a non-aqueous oil / paraffin-based heating system where an aqueous monomer (such as acrylamide) is dropped into heated oil along with any desired additives (such as nicotine, initiator, fragrance, or combinations thereof, but at least an initiator). For example, the heated oil can be arranged in a column, and polymerization occurs as water droplets of the monomer settle into the oil phase. Thereafter, the beads are simply recovered and washed.

[0123] In multiple embodiments, solution polymerization produces a superabsorbent polymer in a homogeneous solution. Monomers such as acrylamide are dissolved in a desired solvent along with a polymerization initiator, and the mixture is heated and polymerized as needed.

[0124] In multiple embodiments, suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization can be used, but other additives used in these techniques, such as surfactants, may add steps for their removal after polymerization. Nevertheless, such options can be useful for obtaining products with different sizes of particles and / or configurations. Suspension polymerization can be particularly useful when using water-insoluble monomer units. Suspension polymerization can obtain substantially spherical particles with an effective diameter in the range of about 1 micron to about 1 mm.

[0125] In multiple embodiments, the initiator for polymerization can be an organic initiator such as a peroxide or an azo compound, for example, azo(bis-isobutyronitrile), AIBN, etc. Other initiators include ammonium persulfate, or photoinitiators such as riboflavin and riboflavin-5’ phosphate.

[0126] In multiple embodiments, polymerization can be carried out in the presence of nicotine, and a crosslinking agent may be present. In multiple embodiments, the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and tetraallyloxyethane (TAOE).

[0127] The polymerization initiator can be present in any amount from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt% of the monomer (including these fractional values). In multiple embodiments, the initiator is present at about 1 wt% of the monomer, or about 2 wt% of the monomer, or about 3 wt%, or about 4 wt%, or about 5 wt%, or about 6 wt%, or about 7 wt%, or about 8 wt%, or about 9 wt%, or about 10 wt% (including these fractional values).

[0128] Cartridge In multiple embodiments, a cartridge for use in a device for releasing nicotine or a salt thereof is provided, the cartridge comprising the composition disclosed herein.

[0129] The cartridge can have various configurations depending on the form of the composition. For example, the configuration of the cartridge can vary depending on whether the composition is supplied in the form of beads, films, solid gel masses, etc. Usually, the cartridge can contain materials safe for food. The cartridge can be manufactured from various materials including, but not limited to, metals, rigid plastics, soft plastics, paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, and paraffin paper. Examples of some food-safe materials include aluminum, stainless steel, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and many types of paper products. In some cases, especially when the material is paper, the cartridge shell can be lined with a material or a food-safe material to prevent drying of the composition and protect it from environmental degradation.

[0130] In practice, the cartridge is configured to integrate with a device for the inhalation of nicotine or nicotine-containing vapor by a user. In a plurality of embodiments, the cartridge is formed and shaped so as to be easily insertable into the heating chamber of the device. Further, the cartridge is formed and shaped to fit snugly within the cavity of the heating chamber in order to improve heat conduction for heating the composition within the cartridge.

[0131] The cartridge can include a lid, cover, or surface seal (such as a heat-sealable lid film) configured to fully enclose and seal the cartridge. A sealed cartridge can have the advantage of maintaining the freshness of the contents and preventing the materials within the cartridge from spilling during transport or handling by the user.

[0132] In a plurality of embodiments, the cartridge can be designed to be disposable and thus suitable for single use. In another embodiment, the cartridge can be configured to be reusable so that the same cartridge can be used and / or refilled multiple times. A cartridge containing a single dose or multiple doses of the compositions disclosed herein can be provided (or sold to an end user). The type of product contained within the cartridge can be indicated by stamping or writing on the cartridge or by the color, size, or shape of the cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge can include circuitry implementing a memory (such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) for storing at least a portion of the information identifying the contents of the cartridge. In a plurality of embodiments, the cartridge can also be filled and / or refilled by an end user with the compositions disclosed herein.

[0133] Device The compositions disclosed herein can be used with a device that allows a user to inhale an aerosol, colloquially referred to as a "vape," which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes a portion of the compositions disclosed herein. The composition can be supplied into a cartridge (e.g., a separable portion of a vaporizing device that contains the composition) that includes an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by the user. In another embodiment, the composition can be supplied as part of a heating element within a device that does not require a cartridge.

[0134] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the device, the user can operate the device, in certain instances, by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and / or by some other approach. As used herein, a "puff" can represent inhalation by the user in a form that draws a quantity of air into the device so as to combine the quantity of air with a vaporizable portion of the compositions disclosed herein to generate an inhalable aerosol.

[0135] In a plurality of embodiments, devices are provided that include a heating element configured to heat the compositions herein for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user. In a plurality of embodiments, the composition is disposed near the heating element, thereby enabling heating of the composition from within the gel material. In a plurality of embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be conformally disposed around any shaped heating element, including but not limited to coils, rods, foils and tapes, porous tapes, porous foils, tapes having printed resistive heaters, mesh materials, etc., and in a plurality of embodiments can be heated from within a gel.

[0136] In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be in surface contact with the heating element of a device to deliver nicotine or its salts to a user. For example, if the gelling agent system includes beads, the device can be configured to deliver / dispense individual beads or a fixed number of beads per dose to the heating element. Alternatively, the device can be configured to heat individual beads or groups of beads arranged in an array that are spatially addressable based on the number of uses. In multiple embodiments, the composition can be in any shape, not just bead form. In multiple embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein can be deposited on a roll or film and heated by heating methods such as conductive heating, convective heating, inductive heating, and radiative heating.

[0137] Examples Example 1 This example shows the production of a nicotine-containing gel in a cellulose-based gelling agent system according to some embodiments.

[0138] In a representative procedure, 1 g of cellulose acetate, a cellulose substrate, was dissolved in 10 mL of methanol, an organic solvent (acetone can be substituted), and stirred for 1 hour. Then, 1 mL of a nicotine-based solution was added and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour (Solution A, see Figure 1). Next, 0.5 g of a water-soluble polymer (PLURONIC™ F-127, Sigma) was dissolved in water and stirred for 1 hour (Solution B). Solution B was added to Solution A at room temperature. The mixture was dialyzed for 1 day (see Figure 2) to remove the solvent. The final product is a nicotine gel immobilized on cellulose, and the nicotine is concentrated within the cellulose network.

[0139] Example 2 This example shows the production of a nicotine-containing gel in a gelling agent system based on alginate beads according to some embodiments.

[0140] Basic procedure: Dissolve sodium alginate in water while continuously stirring. The concentration of the alginate can be widely varied, such as from about 1% to about 50%. In multiple embodiments, sodium alginate is used in the range of about 1 wt% to about 2 wt% of the composition. Separately, prepare an aqueous solution of calcium chloride or other crosslinking agent. The calcium chloride concentration can be varied from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt% of the composition. As shown in Figure 3, the sodium alginate solution is dripped into the calcium chloride solution. Figure 3 also shows the assumed structure of the calcium-crosslinked alginate. The size of the droplets can be changed to control the size of the beads to any desired size. Wash the resulting beads with water to remove excess calcium and dry the beads overnight. The beads can be stored in a container to protect them from moisture.

[0141] Figure 4 shows three exemplary methods for incorporating nicotine into alginate beads. First, nicotine can be added to the alginate solution before crosslinking. This has the advantage that the nicotine is well mixed with the alginate before crosslinking and can be easily distributed throughout the beads. Alternatively, nicotine can be incorporated by dissolving it in the crosslinking agent solution. Finally, the preformed beads after drying can be immersed in a nicotine solution. Such a solution can be completely water-based, completely conventional e-liquid-based (i.e., a PG / VG mixture), or a combination of water and a conventional humectant.

[0142] The last method of absorbing nicotine into the preformed beads is shown in Figure 5. The left container contains preformed beads suspended in a nicotine solution. Over time, the beads absorb the solution. The amount absorbed can be controlled in the same way as the concentration of nicotine in the solution.

[0143] Figure 6 shows actual beads manufactured according to the method disclosed herein. The beads contain various amounts of nicotine along with gel beads of various viscosities in a propylene glycol / vegetable glycerin system.

[0144] Example 3 This example shows the production of a polyacrylamide hydrogel by polymerization of acrylamide monomers in the presence of an organic initiator.

[0145] In a typical process, 2 g of acrylamide (Aldrich Chemical Company) was dissolved in 20 mL of water in a 50 mL beaker. Then, 10% (W / V) of an organic initiator (2,2’-azobis(isobutyronitrile)) was added to the beaker. The mixture was gently stirred by hand 5 times to mix all the reactants and stored at room temperature for 2 hours. The synthesized gel was immersed in water for one day, and the water was changed 3 times to remove all unreacted monomers, and then dried. Figure 7 shows the dried beads produced according to this procedure. The size of the dried beads was about 1 mm and was almost monodisperse.

[0146] The dried gel beads were immersed overnight in a commercially available e-liquid or a pure nicotine solution. The next day, the gel swelled from an initial size of 1 mm (after drying) to a diameter of about 10 mm and absorbed almost all of the immersed liquid. Figure 8 shows the beads that absorbed pure nicotine. Figure 9 shows a top view and a side view of the beads swollen with a commercially available e-liquid nicotine solution. It was also demonstrated that the beads could easily absorb an aqueous solution of nicotine and protonated nicotine.

[0147] The swollen beads from the nicotine and e-liquid solutions were cut in half and placed on top of a heater. Aerosol was successfully generated at 150 °C.

Claims

1. A polysaccharide, and a gel denaturant,[[]] an aqueous polysaccharide-based gelling agent system containing; nicotine or a salt thereof; A composition containing.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of alginic acid, cellulose, guar (galactomannan), xanthan gum, agar, gellan, amylose, welan gum, rhamsan, carrageenan, chitosan, scleroglucan, diutan gum, pectin, starch, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the cellulose is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, ethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, cellulose acetate, and combinations thereof.

4. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the guar is selected from the group consisting of natural guar, hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), sulfonated guar, sulfonated hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG), and carboxymethyl guar.

5. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the alginic acid is selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, ammonium alginate, and potassium alginate.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gel denaturant contains a crosslinking agent.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the crosslinking agent contains a divalent or trivalent metal cation.

8. The composition according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the crosslinking agent contains an alkaline earth metal.

9. The composition according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the crosslinking agent contains borate, titanate, calcium ion, aluminum ion, copper ion, zinc ion, zirconium ion, magnesium ion, and combinations thereof.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gel denaturant contains a water-soluble polymer.

11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyoxazoline, polyphosphate, and albumin.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein nicotine or a salt thereof is present in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w.

13. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a humectant.

14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, xylitol, 1,3-propanediol, or a combination thereof.

15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than about 50% w / w of the composition.

16. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 20% w / w of the composition.

17. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 10% w / w of the composition.

18. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 1% w / w of the composition.

19. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the humectant does not contain one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

20. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the humectant does not contain both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

21. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the gelling agent system is supplied in the form of macroscopic beads.

22. The composition according to claim 21, wherein the macroscopic beads are a shell encapsulating a solution of the nicotine or a salt thereof.

23. The composition according to claim 21, wherein the macroscopic beads are solid and the nicotine or salt is disposed within the gelling agent system.

24. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the gelling agent system is supplied in the form of a film.

25. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the gelling agent system is supplied as a solid mass.

26. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the gelling agent system is supplied as a plurality of particles having a size in the range of about 1 micron to about 1 mm.

27. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the gelling agent system forms a reversible fluid when heated and reforms the gelling agent system when cooled.

28. Cellulose matrix; Nicotine or a salt thereof; and Water-soluble polymer; A composition containing the same.

29. The composition according to claim 28, wherein the nicotine or a salt thereof is disposed within the cellulose matrix.

30. The composition according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the water-soluble polymer is disposed around the cellulose matrix.

31. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the cellulose matrix is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, ethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ethylhydroxyl ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose sulfate, cellulose acetate, and combinations thereof.

32. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the composition is particulate having an effective diameter of about 1 micron to about 1 mm.

33. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the composition is particulate having an effective diameter of about 1 micron to about 10 microns.

34. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein the water-soluble polymer is a polyether.

35. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a block copolymer of PEG and polypropylene glycol (PPG), and combinations thereof.

36. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 35, wherein the water-soluble polymer contains polyvinylpyrrolidone.

37. The water-soluble polymer has a number average molecular weight (M ｎ ) of from about 5,000 daltons to about 30,000 daltons, the composition according to any one of claims 28 to 36.

38. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 36, wherein the water-soluble polymer has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 10,000 daltons to about 20,000 daltons.

39. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 38, wherein the ratio of the cellulose matrix to the water-soluble polymer is in the range of about 10:1 to about 1.5:

1.

40. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 38, wherein the ratio of the cellulose matrix to the water-soluble polymer is in the range of about 5:1 to about 2:

1.

41. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 40, wherein the concentration of nicotine is in the range of about 1 to about 5 w / w%.

42. The composition according to any one of claims 28 to 41, wherein the composition further comprises a humectant.

43. The composition according to claim 42, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, xylitol, 1,3-propanediol, or a combination thereof.

44. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 50% w / w of the composition.

45. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 20% w / w of the composition.

46. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 10% w / w of the composition.

47. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 1% w / w of the composition.

48. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the humectant does not contain one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

49. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the humectant does not contain both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

50. Adding nicotine or a salt thereof to a precursor of a cellulose matrix in an organic solvent to form a mixture; and Adding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer to the mixture, A composition produced by a process comprising.

51. The composition according to claim 50, wherein the process further comprises removing the organic solvent by dialysis.

52. The composition according to claim 50 or 51, wherein the cellulose precursor is cellulose acetate.

53. The composition according to any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, acetone, DMSO, and combinations thereof.

54. Alginates; Nicotine or a salt thereof; and An alginate crosslinking agent; A composition containing the same.

55. The composition according to claim 54, wherein the crosslinking agent contains a divalent cation.

56. The composition according to claim 54 or 55, wherein the crosslinking agent contains alkaline earth metal ions.

57. The composition according to any one of claims 54 to 56, wherein the crosslinking agent contains calcium ions.

58. The composition according to any one of claims 54 to 57, wherein the crosslinking agent contains chitosan.

59. The composition according to any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the concentration of nicotine is in the range of about 1 to about 5 w / w%.

60. The composition according to any one of claims 54 to 59, wherein the composition is in the form of macroscopic beads.

61. The composition according to claim 60, wherein the macroscopic beads have a diameter of about 100 microns to about 3 mm.

62. The composition according to any one of claims 54 to 61, further comprising a humectant.

63. The composition according to claim 62, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, xylitol, 1,3-propanediol, or combinations thereof.

64. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or combinations thereof are contained in less than 50% w / w of the composition.

65. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or combinations thereof are contained in less than 20% w / w of the composition.

66. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or combinations thereof are contained in less than 10% w / w of the composition.

67. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or combinations thereof are contained in less than 1% w / w of the composition.

68. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the humectant does not contain one or more of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin.

69. The composition according to claim 63, wherein the humectant does not contain both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

70. Dissolving a crosslinking agent in water to form a first solution; Dissolving an alginate in water to form a second solution; Adding droplets of the second solution to the first solution to form beads, or adding droplets of the first solution to the second solution to form beads; A process comprising, wherein the second solution optionally contains nicotine or a salt thereof, and a composition produced by the process.

71. The composition according to claim 70, wherein nicotine or a salt thereof is present in the first solution.

72. The composition according to claim 70, wherein the process further comprises loading nicotine or a salt thereof onto the beads.

73. The composition according to claim 70, wherein the second solution contains nicotine or a salt thereof.

74. A cartridge for use in a device for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user, the cartridge comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 73.

75. A device comprising a heating element configured to heat the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 73 for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user.

76. The device according to claim 75, wherein the composition is disposed around the heating element, whereby the composition can be heated from the inside.

77. The device according to claim 75, wherein the composition is in surface contact with the heating element.

78. Adding nicotine or a salt thereof to a polysaccharide; and Adding a gel denaturant to form a gelling agent system; A process comprising.

79. A superabsorbent polymer; and Nicotine or a salt thereof; A composition containing.

80. The composition according to claim 79, wherein the composition is a hydrogel.

81. The composition according to claim 79 or 80, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is produced from a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, a salt of acrylic acid, acrylamide, or a combination thereof.

82. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 81, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is polyacrylamide.

83. The composition according to claim 79 or 80, wherein the superabsorbent polymer comprises a chemically crosslinked polysaccharide or a grafted polysaccharide-polyacrylonitrile.

84. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 83, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is formed in the presence of a crosslinking agent.

85. The composition according to claim 84, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and tetraallyloxyethane (TAOE).

86. The composition according to claim 84 or 85, wherein the crosslinking agent is present in an amount of about 1% to about 10% w / w of the monomer.

87. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 86, wherein nicotine or a salt thereof is present in an amount of about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w of the superabsorbent polymer.

88. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 87, further comprising a humectant.

89. The composition according to claim 88, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol, glycerin, or a combination thereof.

90. The composition according to claim 89, wherein the propylene glycol, glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than about 50% w / w of the composition.

91. The composition according to claim 89, wherein the propylene glycol, glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 20% w / w of the composition.

92. The composition according to claim 89, wherein the propylene glycol, glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 10% w / w of the composition.

93. The composition according to claim 89, wherein the propylene glycol, glycerin, or a combination thereof is contained in less than 1% w / w of the composition.

94. The composition according to claim 88, wherein the humectant does not contain one or more of propylene glycol and glycerin.

95. The composition according to claim 88, wherein the humectant does not contain both propylene glycol and glycerin.

96. The composition according to any one of claims 89 to 95, wherein the glycerin is vegetable glycerin.

97. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 96, further comprising an organic acid.

98. The composition according to claim 97, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, levulinic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, finnaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, sorbic acid, and malonic acid.

99. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 98, wherein the composition further comprises a fragrance.

100. The composition according to any one of claims 79 to 99, wherein the composition is supplied in the form of macroscopic beads.

101. The composition according to claim 100, wherein the macroscopic beads are porous and take up nicotine from a solution of nicotine or a salt thereof.

102. The composition according to claim 100 or 101, wherein the beads are in the size range of about 100 microns to about 3 mm.

103. Preparing a polyacrylamide polymer; and Adding a solution of nicotine to the polyacrylamide polymer, thereby loading the nicotine onto the superabsorbent polymer; A composition produced by a process comprising.

104. The composition according to claim 103, wherein the polyacrylamide polymer is in the form of beads.

105. A cartridge for use in a device for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user, the cartridge comprising a composition according to any one of claims 79 to 104.

106. The cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the cartridge delivers the composition to a heater within the device, thereby enabling delivery of nicotine to a user of the device.

107. A device comprising a heating element configured to heat a composition according to any one of claims 79 to 104 for delivering nicotine or a salt thereof to a user.

108. The device according to claim 107, wherein the device is an e-cigarette.

109. A method of delivering nicotine to a user, including operating an electronic cigarette on the user, wherein the electronic cigarette contains the composition according to any one of claims 79 to 104, and inhaling an aerosol generated from the composition heated by the electronic cigarette.

110. The method according to claim 109, wherein the composition is heated to a temperature of about 100°C to about 250°C.

111. Preparing a superabsorbent polymer; and Adding a solution of nicotine to the superabsorbent polymer; A process comprising.

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