Modified Nicotine-Polymer Complex for Stable Oral Pouch pH

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nicotine-polymer complexes in oral products contain a significant number of acidic protons, necessitating high amounts of basic components to achieve desired pH, which can affect shelf life and stability.

Innovation Solution

Development of a modified nicotine-polymer complex with reduced acidic protons through proton-displacement, allowing for a lower amount of basic components to be used, thereby enhancing product stability and shelf life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional nicotine-polymer complexes are used in oral products, then nicotine delivery function is achieved, but high amounts of basic components are required to neutralize acidic protons which reduces shelf life and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct stabilityVSAvoidamount of basic components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the nicotine-polymer complex by changing the chemical state of acidic protons through proton-displacement, converting them to a less acidic form. This parameter change in the chemical properties of the complex reduces the need for basic components while maintaining nicotine delivery functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and quantity of substance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful acidic protons in the nicotine-polymer complex into a beneficial or neutral state through proton-displacement modification. By treating the acidic protons as a problem to be transformed rather than simply neutralized, the invention reduces the need for basic components and improves product stability, turning a detrimental feature into an advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If high amounts of basic components are added to neutralize acidic protons, then desired pH is achieved, but product shelf life and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct stabilityVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of acidic protons in the nicotine-polymer complex through proton-displacement modification, reducing their acidity. This parameter change allows the product to maintain desired pH stability without requiring high amounts of basic components, thereby extending shelf life while preserving composition stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary modification to the nicotine-polymer complex during manufacturing by displacing protons before the product is finalized. This preliminary action reduces the acidic proton content in advance, preventing future stability issues and extending shelf life without requiring excessive basic components during storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The modified nicotine-polymer complex reduces the need for basic components, improving the shelf life and stability of oral products by minimizing acidic proton content.

Implementation Method 1

nicotine-polymer complexes treated with further nicotine or can be nicotine-polymer complexes at least partially in salt form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProton-displacement: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP4659594A1Oral products containing modified nicotine-polymer complex
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP4659594A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4659594A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4659594A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Products containing a proton-displaced nicotine-polymer complex are provided herein. Certain such products are pouched products including an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity and a composition adapted for oral use situated within the cavity, wherein the composition contains a proton-displaced nicotine-polymer complex (e.g., with reduced acidity) and comprises less base than a corresponding composition containing a corresponding conventional nicotine-polymer complex having the same final pH. The disclosure further provides methods of preparing such proton-displaced nicotine-polymer complexes and products incorporating such complexes.