AEROSOL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INHALING A SUBSTANCE AND USES THEREOF

• US 20090151717A1
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc. (PAX Labs, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PAX Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Bowen, Adam, Monsees, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,991,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.230
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/20 Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/10 Devices with chemical heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/047 by exothermic chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/048 with a flame, e.g. using a burner
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0035 Piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0041 with movable piercing or cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/09 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/10 : on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/205 : Metallic coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/31 : Heat sealable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/702 : Amorphous
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7244 : Oxygen barrier
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7246 : Water vapor barrier
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2435/02 : for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 : comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 : using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties

Abstract

Devices, cartridges, and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein a device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract, while reducing Hoffman analytes and mutagenic compounds delivered to the user as compared to a common tobacco cigarette.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use in a device for aerosolizing a material comprising:

(a) a shell for containing a viscous vaporizable material; and

(b) a lid sealed upon the shell, thereby forming a sealed cartridge containing a viscous vaporizable material.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lid is penetrable.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a penetrated lid allows an exit of an aerosol generated from heating the viscous vaporizable material.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lid is a heat-sealable film.

5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein the heat-sealable film comprises a base layer and a heat-sealable layer.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises aluminum.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises aluminum.

8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a flange.

9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the lid is sealed upon the flange.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is heated to a temperature required to aerosolize the material contained within the shell.

11. The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the cartridge is heated to less than 400°

F.

12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is inserted into a device wherein the device is capable of aerosolizing the viscous vaporizable material.

13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is inserted into an oven chamber of the device.

14. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein information is printed on at least one of the shell and the lid.

15. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the viscous vaporizable material comprises an aerosol-forming medium.

16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin.

17. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the viscous vaporizable material comprises tobacco.

18. A method of filling a cartridge containing a viscous vaporizable material comprising:

(a) loading a the viscous vaporizable material into a shell of the cartridge; and

(b) sealing a lid on the shell of the cartridge.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is automated.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is carried out on a linear or rotating indexing machine.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the loading step comprises an auger filler method.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the loading step comprises a piston pump method.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein a predetermined volume of viscous vaporizable material is loaded in the loading step.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the volume is about 0.1 to about 0.8 cubic centimeters.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the volume is about 0.25 cubic centimeters.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the sealing step comprises heating at least one of the lid and the shell of the cartridge.

27. The method of claim 18 further comprising trimming any excess material from the lid.

28. A device for generating an inhalable aerosol comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a heater within the body capable of heating a viscous vaporizable material to a generate an inhalable aerosol; and

(c) a temperature regulator comprising one or more bimetallic discs, wherein the discs are configured and adapted to convert a temperature change into mechanical displacement.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the heater is supplied with gaseous fuel.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the discs displace a pushrod.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the pushrod limits or ceases flow of the gaseous fuel within the body of the device.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the pushrod limits or ceases flow of the gaseous fuel by pushing on a variable flow-restricting valve.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the pushrod supports a catalytic mesh element.

34. The device of claim 28, wherein the heater is ignited by a piezoelectric igniter.

35. The device of claim 28, wherein the inhalable aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

36. A device which emulates smoking wherein the device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material containing plant matter to about 150°

C. and wherein the aerosol has a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the viscous material comprises an aerosol-forming medium.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin produces a visual aerosol when heated.

40. The device of claim 36, wherein an active element that is part of the aerosol is absorbed in the respiratory tract.

41. The device of claim 36, wherein the viscous material comprises tobacco.

42. The device of claim 36, wherein the viscous material further comprises flavorants.

43. The device of claim 36, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

44. A device comprising a body and a heater wherein the device generates a smokeless aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous tobacco material to a target temperature.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the viscous tobacco material comprises an aerosol-forming medium.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin produces a visual aerosol when heated.

48. The device of claim 44, wherein an active element that is part of the aerosol is absorbed in the respiratory tract.

49. The device of claim 44, wherein the viscous tobacco material further comprises flavorants.

50. The device of claim 44, wherein the target temperature is about 100°

C. to about 200°

C.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

52. The device of claim 44, wherein the device can be operated by a user with a single hand.

53. The device of claim 44, wherein the smokeless aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

54. An aerosol generating device wherein the device generates an aerosol substantially free from at least one Hoffman analyte upon heating a smokeable material to a target temperature.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the Hoffman analyte is selected from the group consisting of:

ammonia, aminonaphthalenes, benzopyrene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, butyraldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous oxides, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), pyridine, quinoline, hydroquinone, phenol, cresols, tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene.

56. The device of claim 54, wherein the target temperature is about 100°

C. to about 200°

C.

57. The device of claim 56, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

58. The device of claim 54, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

59. An aerosol generating device wherein the device generates an aerosol upon heating a smokeable material to a target temperature with at least 70% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

60. The device of claim 59, wherein the Hoffman analyte is selected from the group consisting of:

ammonia, aminonaphthalenes, benzopyrene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, butyraldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous oxides, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), pyridine, quinoline, hydroquinone, phenol, cresols, tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene.

61. The device of claim 59, wherein the target temperature is about 100°

C. to about 200°

C.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

63. The device of claim 59, wherein the common tobacco cigarette comprises a filter.

64. The device of claim 59, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

65. A method of delivering an aerosol substantially free from a Hoffman analyte to a subject comprising:

(a) deploying an aerosol generating device containing a heater and a smokeable material;

(b) heating the smokeable material with the heater of the device to a target temperature to generate an aerosol; and

(c) delivering the aerosol to the subject for inhalation.

66. The device of claim 65, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

67. A method of creating a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract comprising:

(a) deploying a smoke emulating device wherein the device generates a smokeless aerosol having a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract by heating a viscous material containing plant matter contained therein;

(b) heating the viscous material to a target temperature;

(c) generating an aerosol having the tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract from the heated viscous material; and

(d) inhaling the aerosol.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the viscous material comprises an aerosol-forming medium.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the at least one of propylene glycol and glycerin produces a visual aerosol when heated.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein an active element that is part of the aerosol is absorbed in the respiratory tract.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein the viscous material comprises tobacco.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein the viscous material further comprises flavorants.

74. The method of claim 67, wherein the target temperature is about 100°

C. to about 200°

C.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

76. The method of claim 67, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

77. An aerosol generating device wherein the device generates an aerosol from a smokeable material wherein the aerosol contains at least 70% less Hoffman analytes than a substance generated by burning the smokeable material.

78. An aerosol generating device wherein the device generates an aerosol from a smokeable material wherein a particulate generated by the device yields a non-mutagenic Ames test result.

79. An aerosol generating device wherein the device generates an aerosol from a smokeable material wherein the aerosol scores significantly better on the Ames test than a substance generated by burning the smokeable material.

80. An aerosol generating device wherein the device provides an aerosol for inhalation to a user for at least 4 non-continuous hours without servicing the device.