US20200297025A1

US20200297025A1 - Method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid for use in a vape device

Info

Publication number: US20200297025A1
Application number: US16/898,129
Authority: US
Inventors: Max Alsayar; Patrick Woods
Original assignee: Hexo Operations Inc
Current assignee: Hexo Operations Inc
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2020-06-10
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: EP3880184A4; CA3119204A1; WO2020097726A1; EP3880184A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an industrial scale manufacturing process for making vape oil containing a cannabinoid, where the vape oil has a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vape device with the dilution of a cannabinoid source with an additive to obtain such viscosity while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Canadian patent application serial number 3,024,052 filed on Nov. 13, 2018, Canadian patent application serial number 3,024,431 filed on Nov. 15, 2018, Canadian patent application serial number 3,024,645 filed on Nov. 19, 2018. The contents of each of the above-referenced documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to the field of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid for use in a vape device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, electronic vape devices utilize a liquid supply reservoir that contains a liquid material. The liquid material is drawn toward a heater via a wick, where the heater vaporizes the liquid material, and the vaporized liquid is entrained in an air flow that is discharged into a vaper's mouth for consumption and ultimately for a desired physiological effect.
In order for the liquid material to properly operate in the vape device, the liquid material must have properties, which are suitable for the liquid to vaporize, namely the liquid must have a proper viscosity such that it can be adequately metered to the hearing element by the capillary action of the wick. For instance, a liquid that is too viscous will not function well because the wick will have difficulty transferring the liquid to the heating element.
This viscosity requirement for proper operation of the vape device is an important factor that currently limits the effectiveness of vape oils in the recreational or medicinal vaping Cannabis industry. Indeed, viscosity of the active ingredient (i.e., cannabinoid) source material is typically high due to the inherent physicochemical properties of the source material components, and as such, one must dilute the cannabinoid source material in a proper solvent (e.g., carrier oils, polyethylene glycol, etc.), often in large proportions in order to obtain a viscosity which is suitable for proper operation of the vape device.
A number of liquid material formulations have been proposed for use in vape devices, in particular in connection with the nicotine market (e-cigarettes). However, such formulations are not easily transferable into other markets, such as the Cannabis vaping market. While some sort of thinning agent is required for Cannabis concentrates, which typically have a viscosity which is too high for use in vape devices, common thinning agents used in the nicotine market have been reported as negatively affecting the organoleptic properties of Cannabis concentrates and/or causing serious health issues.
This deficiency of vape oils including a cannabinoid for use in a vape device is not an issue in other forms of Cannabis consumption, such as ingestible oils, where viscosity is not a key factor for the Cannabis oil formulation. For instance, it is simple for the person consuming the oil orally to adjust the amount of oil ingested according to desired cannabinoid intake. So, if the oil is of relatively low cannabinoid concentration, the person can take a little more to achieve the desired effect, without much inconvenience. Alternatively, the oil can be made more viscous to increase the cannabinoid concentration, which from the perspective of oral ingestion is not a problem.
However, when the vape oils including a cannabinoid is vaporized and inhaled, the user experience is different and the cannabinoid concentration matters to achieve the desired physical effect, which the user typically correlates to a number of puffs. Users generally desire to obtain a quick effect with the minimum number of puffs; hence vape oil with a high cannabinoid concentration is desired.
Despite the widespread population of vaping, effective and safe vape oils with high concentrations of a cannabinoid for use in a vape device have remained elusive.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, the vape oil having a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vape device, the method comprising: (a) selecting a cannabinoid source including a cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature; (b) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the vape oil viscosity and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive; (c) determining a concentration of additive that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently low for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (ii) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature; and (d) mixing the cannabinoid source of a) and the additive of b) on the basis of the concentration determined in c) to obtain the vape oil.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, the vape oil having a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vape device, the method comprising: (a) selecting a cannabinoid source including the cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature; (b) selecting a terpene having a viscosity below the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the terpene operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the terpene; (c) determining a concentration of terpene that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently low for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (ii) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature; and (d) mixing the cannabinoid source of (a) and the terpene of (b) on the basis of the concentration determined in (c) to obtain the vape oil.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a vape cartridge for a vape device, the method comprising: a) providing a vape cartridge including: (i) an unfilled reservoir for receiving a vape oil containing a cannabinoid characterized by a vaporization temperature; (ii) vaporization means configured to achieve vaporization of the cannabinoid wherein the vape oil supplied to the vaporization means has a viscosity at room temperature that does not exceed a predetermined viscosity threshold; (b) formulating vape oil according to the viscosity threshold such that the vape oil is suitable for use in the vape cartridge, the formulating including: (i) selecting a cannabinoid source including the cannabinoid, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity threshold; (ii) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the viscosity threshold and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and additive; and (iii) determining a concentration of the additive required to simultaneously achieve: 1) a mixture viscosity at room temperature at or below the viscosity threshold; 2) a mixture flashpoint above the vaporization temperature; (iv) mixing the cannabinoid source of b) (i) and the additive of b) (ii) on the basis of the concentration determined in b) (iii) to obtain the vape oil; and c) filling the reservoir with the vape oil of b) (iv).
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a vape cartridge for vaping vape oil containing a cannabinoid, the method comprising, a) selecting a cannabinoid to vape in a range of cannabinoids that can be vaped, the selected cannabinoid being characterized by a vaporization temperature, b) providing the vape cartridge including. (i) an unfilled liquid reservoir configured to be filled with vape oil containing the cannabinoid; (ii) vaporization means configured to achieve vaporization of the cannabinoid when the vape oil supplied to the vaporization means has a viscosity at room temperature that does not exceed a predetermined threshold viscosity; c) formulating the vpe oil according to the viscosity threshold such that the vape oil is suitable for use in the vape cartridge, the formulating including: (i) selecting a cannabinoid source including the selected cannabinoid, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity threshold; (ii) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the viscosity threshold and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and additive; (iii) determining a concentration of the additive required to simultaneously achieve: 1) a mixture viscosity at room temperature at or below the viscosity threshold; 2) a mixture flashpoint above the vaporization temperature; (iv) mixing the cannabinoid source of c) (i) and the additive of c) (ii) on the basis of the concentration determined in c) (iii) to obtain the vape oil; and d) filling the reservoir with the vape oil of c) (iv).
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, the vape oil having a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vaping device, the method comprising: a) selecting a cannabinoid source including the cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vaping device, and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature; b) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vaping device and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and additive; c) detennining a range of concentrations of additive that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (i) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature; d) selecting a particular concentration of additive in the range of concentrations; and e) mixing the cannabinoid source of a) and the additive of b) on the basis of the concentration in d) to obtain the vape oil.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, the vape oil having a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vape device, the method comprising: (a) selecting a cannabinoid source including a cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature; (b) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the vape oil viscosity and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive; (c) mixing the cannabinoid source of a) and the additive of b) m proportions such that the additive is in a concentration that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently low for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (ii) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, where the vape oil is advantageously free of conventional thinning agents, such as for example Vitamin E, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and Propylene Glycol (PG).
Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the herein described methods may have one or more of the following features, in any possible combination:

- The vaporization means includes a ceramic core;
- the vape oil includes cannabidiol (CBD);
- the vape oil includes ≥400 mg/ml of CBD, ≥550 mg/ml of CBD, ≥650 mg/ml of CBD;
- the vape oil includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC);
- the vape oil includes ≥400 mg/ml of THC, ≥550 mg/ml of THC, ≥650 mg/ml of THC;
- the vape oil includes ≤30 mg/ml THC;
- the cannabinoid source is in a proportion of ≥40 wt. % relative to total weight of the vape oil;
- the additive is an oil of plant origin;
- the oil of plant origin includes a terpene;
- the vaporization temperature is above 200° F.;
- the mixing is performed at room temperature without hearing,
- the method further comprises incorporating a volume of the vape oil into a reservoir of a vape cartridge or a vape pen;
- the vape cartridge includes a connector at one end thereof to engage with a battery compartment of a vape device;
- the connector is a 510 thread;
- the vape cartridge or vape pen comprises a ceramic core for vaporizing the vape oil;
- the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device is ≤110 000 mPa-s;
- the vape oil includes more than one cannabinoid; and
- the vape oil includes more than one terpene.

All features of exemplary embodiments which are described in this disclosure and are not mutually exclusive can be combined with one another. Elements of one embodiment can be utilized in the other embodiments without further mention. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of specific exemplary embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cartridge component of an electronic vape device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a battery compartment component of an electronic vape device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a vape device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an example vape device tank including a ceramic core in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for manufacturing a vape oil including a cannabinoid in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for manufacturing a vape oil including a cannabinoid in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a step of the process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the drawings, exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of non-limiting examples and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
The present inventors have through extensive R&D work surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered an industrial scale process for producing a vape oil, which is safer for use in a vape device. More particularly, the vape oil is manufactured while taking into account the vape device operating parameters and the vape oil constituent physicochemical properties in order to obtain a vape oil with suitable viscosity and flash point, as is further described in the specification.
Advantageously, the vape oil is free of PEG, VG, PG, MCT and/or Vitamin E.
Generally speaking, several options exist to obtain the herein described vape oil.
In one broad non-limiting practical implementation, one can dilute a cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the vape device operating viscosity threshold to the point of obtaining a desired viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold. Dilution of the cannabinoid source is performed with an additive, where the additive operates to reduce the viscosity of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive. In particular, the additive is characterized as having a flash point which is below the vape device operating vaporization temperature. The vape device operating vaporization temperature, in turn, is typically configured to provide sufficient energy to vaporize the cannabinoid present in the vape oil so as to provide the desired user experience after at least one puff event. The proportions of cannabinoid source and additive being mixed is selected such that the mixture has a viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold while maintaining a flash point above the vaporization temperature.
In another broad non-limiting practical implementation, one can dilute a first cannabinoid source having a first viscosity at room temperature and at least a second cannabinoid source having a second viscosity at room temperature, where both the first and second viscosities are above the vape device operating viscosity threshold, and where the first and second viscosities are different one from another. Dilution of the first and second cannabinoid sources is performed with an additive to the point of obtaining a desired viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold. The additive operates to reduce the viscosity of a mixture of the first and second cannabinoid sources and the additive. In particular, the additive is characterized as having a flash point which is below the vape device operating vaporization temperature. The vape device operating vaporization temperature, in turn, is typically configured to provide sufficient energy to vaporize the cannabinoid present in the vape oil so as to provide the desired user experience after at least one puff event. The proportions of the first and second cannabinoid sources and additive being mixed is selected such that the mixture has a viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold while maintaining a flash point above the vaporization temperature.
For example, the first cannabinoid source may include a CBD distillate oil and the second cannabinoid source may include a THC distillate oil. In such cases, the CBD distillate oil can be characterized with a viscosity at 25° C. and γ′=10.0*1/s which is about 40 000 mPa-s and the THC distillate oil can be characterized with a viscosity at 25° C. and β′=10.0*1/s which is at least 200 000 mPa-s. The proportions of first cannabinoid source to second cannabinoid source thus impacts on the overall viscosity of the mixture thereof, which then also impacts how much additive is required to dilute to the point of obtaining a desired viscosity for the vape oil which is below the vape device operating viscosity threshold.
In another broad non-limiting practical implementation, one can receive a request for a given vape oil profile. Based on the request, one selects at least one cannabinoid source and at least one additive. The cannabinoid source is characterized with a viscosity at room temperature which is above the vape device operating viscosity threshold and thus requires dilution to the point of obtaining a desired viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold. Because one may wish to avoid the use of PEG, MCT, VG, PG and Vitamin E as thinning agent, one selects an additive which is not of the aforementioned thinning agents where the additive operates to reduce the viscosity of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive. In particular, the additive is characterized as having a flash point which is below the vape device operating vaporization temperature. The vape device operating vaporization temperature, in turn, is typically configured to provide sufficient energy to vaporize the cannabinoid present in the vape oil profile so as to provide the desired user experience after at least one puff event. TIhe proportions of cannabinoid source and additive being mixed is selected such that the mixture has a viscosity below the vape device operating viscosity threshold while maintaining a flash point above the vaporization temperature.
In some embodiments, the herein described methods may further include filling a liquid reservoir of a vape cartridge or vape pen with the vape oil. The person of skill will readily realize that the step of filling the liquid reservoir may be performed by the same person formulating the vape oil or may be performed by another individual, for example. In the latter case, the method of the present disclosure may include a further step of releasing the vape oil such that another individual receiving the vape oil can proceed to fill the liquid reservoir with the vape oil.
In a broad non-limiting aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for making a Cannabis-based vaping oil which is safe to use in a vaping device. In other words, the vaping oil presents a low risk of ignition when it is vaporized by the heating element of the vaping device.
The potential of a liquid to ignite is determined by its flash point. If vaping oil is heated in a vaping device above the flash point of the mixture, it becomes ignitable, hence not safe to use. In those conditions, a malfunction of the vaping device can cause the vaping oil to catch fire and burn the user.
Traditional nicotine-based vaping oils do not present a risk of ignition because their flash points are above the vaporization temperature of nicotine. In other words, when the nicotine-based vaping oil is heated at a vaporization temperature, its temperature remains below the flash point of the mixture. Therefore, the mixture cannot ignite even if a malfunction of the vaping device occurs.
The flash point of a mixture is determined by the flash point of the individual ingredients that make up the mixture. In the case of typical nicotine-based vaping oils, the additives used (VG, PEG or PG) have much higher flash points than the temperature at which nicotine vaporizes. Accordingly, nicotine-based vaping oils do not present a safety risk, irrespective of the respective proportions of the constituents.
The present inventors have made the discovery that in contrast to nicotine-based vaping oils, Cannabis-based vaping oils are not inherently safe Cannabis-based vaping oils provide a vast palette of desirable composition options in terms of taste and physiological and/or psychoactive effect on the user, but that variability also creates a lack of consistency in the potential for ignition. Hence some compositions which may have beneficial effects in terms of user experience, may actually not be safe to use it a vaping device.
The present application teaches that one of the implications of using such additives (i.e., having a flash point below the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid) is that, if too much of it is used, it will operate to reduce the overall flash point of the vape oil to below the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid contained in the vape oil. Accordingly, when the vape oil is used in a vape device, in which it is heated at or above the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid contained in the vape oil, the flash point of the vape oil will be exceeded, which presents a safety risk due to combustion risk.
In other words, the technical challenge faced by the inventors was how to balance a desired composition of vape oil containing a cannabinoid which achieves a desired user experience such as taste (provided by a particular additive) and a desired physiological and/or psychotic effect (provided by a particular cannabinoid) with user safety, i.e., low risk of sustained combustion and the absence of thinning agents that may represent a health risk.

1. Additive Compound

In a practical implementation, the additive includes a compound which operates to lower the viscosity of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive, and has a flash point which is below the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid in the Cannabis concentrate.
Examples of additives that are typically used with nicotine-containing or THC-containing vape oils have a flash point above the vaporization temperature include Vitamin E, Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and Propylene Glycol (PG). Objectively, those compounds are not desirable because they are suspected to potentially produce toxic and carcinogenic impurities as a result of the thermal decomposition when vaporizing the vape oil. For example, on Sep. 6, 2019, the FDA issued a Safety Information and Adverse Event Report in which the FDA stated “[w]hile the FDA does not have enough data presently to conclude that Vitamin E acetate is the cause of the lung injury in these cases, the agency believes it is prudent to avoid inhaling this substance. Because consumers cannot be sure whether any THC vaping products may contain Vitamin E acetate, consumers are urged to avoid buying vaping products from the street, and to refrain from using THC oil or modifying/adding any substances to products purchased in stores.” The present specification thus provides an alternative to such undesirable additives.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the additive of the present disclosure can be a single material or a blend of different materials. Optionally, the rate of addition of the additive to the cannabinoid source can be adjusted according to expected storage or the vape device's operational parameters.
In an advantageous non-limiting embodiment, a single additive is added to the cannabinoid source. This simplifies the manufacturing of the vape oil and may increase regulatory approval likelihood by local regulatory bodies. However, it is also conceivable for two or more different additives to be added to the Cannabis concentrate, especially when particular further advantageous properties are to be obtained. For example, a first additive having a flash point above the vaporization temperature may be used together with a second additive having a flash point below the vaporization temperature. In such situation, the overall proportion of cannabinoid source required to obtain a suitable flash point for the whole mixture may not be as high compared to the situation where the additive(s) has (have) a flash point below the vaporization temperature. Accordingly, less cannabinoid source may be required to have a vape oil with suitable flash point, although the person of skill may still wish to include higher proportion of cannabinoid source in other to increase potency of the vape oil, i.e., increase the concentration of cannabinoid(s) in the vape oil.
In non-limiting embodiments, the vape oil containing a cannabinoid of the present disclosure includes a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive, where the cannabinoid source and the additive are present in respective proportions such that the vape oil has a viscosity at room temperature which is below the viscosity threshold (i.e., maximum working viscosity) of a vape device. For example, the vape device may have a viscosity threshold of ≤150 000 mPa-s, or ≤125 000 mPa-s, or ≤110 000 mPa-s, or ≤100 000 mPa-s, or ≤95 000 mPa-s. For example, the vape device may have an operational viscosity range of from 1000 to 110 000 mPa-s.
While a vape device may have a specification relating to the ceramic core characteristics which allow use of a vape oil having low viscosity values (e.g., 1000 mPas-s), however, in some embodiments, use of such low viscosity values for a vape oil may not be desirable, in particular when leakage of vape oil may occur through the airflow system resulting in subpar user experience or, even of more concern, when leakage of vape oil may occur through lower parts of the vape cartridge exposing the vape oil to the battery compartment (e.g., ignition source). In some cases, it may thus be desirable to formulate and design vape oil containing a cannabinoid with reasonable viscosity values, e.g., in the range of from 4000 to 100 000 mPa-s, or up to 90 000 mPa s, or up to 80 000 mPa s, or up to 70 000 mPa s, or up to 60 000 mPa s, or up to 50 000 mPa-s, and the like.
For example, in order to obtain such vape oil, the cannabinoid source and the additive can be present in respective proportions such as ≥20 wt. %, or ≥30 wt. %, ≥40 wt. %, ≥50 wt. %, ≥60 wt. %, ≥70 wt. %, ≥80 wt. %, ≥90 wt. %, ≥95 wt. %, or about 98 wt. % relative to the weight of the vape oil.
In non-limiting embodiments, the vape oil of the present disclosure retains sufficient free-flowing liquid properties to afford ease of use with the vape device.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the additive is of plant origin.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the additive can be, but without being limited to, one or more terpene(s) or essential oil(s). For example, the additive may include one or more of d-limonene, Orange sweet (Citrus sinensis), b-myrcene, Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Fir (Abies siberica or Abies balsamea), Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis), lemon Lime Flavor, peppermint oil, and the like.

2. Cannabis

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes a number of species. The number of species is currently being disputed. There are three different species that have been recognized, namely Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. Hemp has lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which decreases or eliminates its psychoactive effects.
The term “Cannabis plant(s)” encomPa-sses wild type Cannabis and also variants thereof, including Cannabis chemovars which naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids. For example, some Cannabis strains have been bred to produce minimal levels of THC, the principal psychoactive constituent responsible for the high associated with it and other strains have been selectively bred to produce high levels of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids.
Cannabis plants produce a unique family of terpeno-phenolic compounds called cannabinoids, which produce the “high” one experiences from consuming marijuana. There are 483 identifiable chemical constituents known to exist in the Cannabis plant, and at least 85 different cannabinoids have been isolated from the plant. The two cannabinoids usually produced in greatest abundance are cannabidiol (CBD) and/or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but only THC is psychoactive.
Cannabis plants are categorized by their chemical phenotype or “chemotype,” based on the overall amount of THC produced, and on the ratio of THC to CBD. Although overall cannabinoid production is influenced by environmental factors, the THC/CBD ratio is genetically determined and remains fixed throughout the life of a plant. Non-drug plants produce relatively low levels of THC and high levels of CBD, while drug plants produce high levels of THC and low levels of CBD.

3. Cannabinoid

A cannabinoid is generally understood to include any chemical compound that acts upon a cannabinoid receptor such as CB1 and CB2. A cannabinoid may include endocannabinoids (produced naturally by humans and animals), phytocannabinoids (found in Cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially).
Examples of phytocannabinoids include, but are not limited to, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM), cannabidiol-C4 (CBD-C4), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabionolic acid B (THCA-B), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-C1), delta-7-cis-iso tetrahydrocannabivarin, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁸-THC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabicyclovarin (CBLV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinol methylether (CBNM), cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2), cannabiorcol (CBN-C1), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabinodiarin (CBVD), cannabinodivarin (CBVD) cannabitriol (CBT), 10-ethoxy-9hydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 8,9-dihydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabiriolvarin (CBTV), ethoxy-cannabiriolvarin (CBTVE), dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF), cannabifuran (CBF), cannabichromanon (CBCN), cannabicitran (CBT), 10-oxo-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol (OTHC), delta-9-cis-tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC), 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-alpha-alpha-2-trimethyl-9-n-propy-2, 6-methano-2H-1-benoxocin-5-methanol (OH-iso-HHCV), cannabiripsol (CBR), trihydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), and derivatives thereof.
The terms “cannabidiol” or “CBD” are generally understood to refer to one or more of the following compounds, and, unless a particular other stereoisomer or stereoisomers are specified, includes the compound “Δ²-cannabidiol.” These compounds are: (1) Δ⁵-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-5-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol) (2) Δ⁴-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (3) Δ³-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (4) Δ^5,7-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methylenecyclohex-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (5) Δ²-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol): (6) Δ¹-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); and (7) Δ⁶-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-6-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol).
Examples of synthetic cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthoylpyrroles, naphthylmethylindenes, phenylacetylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, rerrametllylcyclopropylindoles, adamantovlindoles, indazole carboxamides, and quinolinyl esters.
A cannabinoid may be in an acid form or a non-acid form, the latter also being referred to as the decarboxylated form since the non-acid form can be generated by decarboxylating the acid form. Within the context of the present disclosure, where reference is made to a particular cannabinoid, the cannabinoid can be in its acid or non-acid form, or be a mixture of both acid and non-acid forms.

4. Terpene/Terpenoid

Terpenes are produced by a large variety of plants. As used herein, terpenes include terpenoids.
Terpenes may be classified in various ways, such as by their sizes. For example, suitable terpenes may include monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, or triterpenes. At least some terpenes are expected to interact with, and potentiate the activity of, cannabinoids.
Examples of terpenes known to be extractable from Cannabis include aromadendrene, bergamottin, bergamotol, bisabolene, borncol, 4-3-carene, caryophyllene, cincole/cucalyptol, p-cymene, dihydroj asmone, elemene, farnesene, fenchol, geranylacetate, guaiol, humulene, isopulegol, limonene, linalool, menthone, menthol, menthofuran, myrcene, nerylacetate, neomenthylacetate, ocimene, perillylalcohol, phellandrene, pinene, pulegone, sabinene, terpinene, terpineol, 4-terpineol, terpinolene, and derivatives thereof.
Additional examples of terpenes include nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, alpha-bisabolol, thymol, genipin, astragaloside, astaticoside, camphene, beta-amyrin, thujone, citronellol, 1,8-cineole, cycloartenol, and derivatives thereof.
Further examples of terpenes are discussed in US Patent Application Pub. No. US2016/0250270, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

5. Cannabinoid Source

In one embodiment, the cannabinoid source includes a semi-synthetic cannabinoid. The manufacture of cannabinoid compounds and their analogs using semi-synthetic means involves contacting an appropriate substrate with one of the cannabinoid synthase enzymes. For instance, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) or its analogs can be manufactured semi-synthetically by contacting cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) or an appropriately substituted derivative of CBGA with THC synthase to obtain the corresponding THCA or THCA analog respectively. Other means for manufacturing semi-synthetically cannabinoids may involve, for example, cell culture of genetically modified cells, which have been modified so as to produce cannabinoids.
In another embodiment, the cannabinoid source is obtained by an extraction process from plant materials, such as a Cannabis plant (including hemp). Several extraction processes are known in the art.
Extraction in natural products chemistry is a separation process comprising the separation of a substance from a matrix of natural materials and includes liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and what is commonly referred to as super-critical extraction. The distribution of any given compound or composition between two phases is an equilibrium condition described by partition theory. This is based on exactly how the desired material moves from a first solution, typically water or other material capable of dissolving a desired material with a first solubility of the desired material, into second material, typically an organic or other immiscible layer having a second solubility of the desired material layer. Super-critical (supercritical) extraction involves entirely different phenomenon and will be described below.
There exist several types of extraction, including liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, Soxhlet extraction, fizzy extraction and super-critical CO₂(supercritical carbon dioxide) extraction.
In a first option, one may extract plant materials using CO₂extraction (under subcritical or super-critical conditions) in order to obtain the cannabinoid source. Advantageously, in this option, the process is exempt of a winterization, evaporation or distillation step so as to retain some waxes and/or terpenes endogenously present in the plant materials. Subcritical CO₂defines CO₂at the state between 5-10° C. (278.15-283.15K, 41-50° F.) and a pressure of between 800-1500 psi (54.43-102.06 atm, 5.51-10.24 MPa). At this temperature and pressure, CO₂behaves as a thick fluid. When temperature and pressure conditions are increased and surpass the critical temperature (304.25 K, 31.10° C., 87.98° F.) and critical pressure (72.9 atm, 7.39 MPa, 1,071 psi), the CO₂expands in the container like a gas but with a density like that of a liquid. This is known as supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂or SC—CO₂). Subcritical CO₂extraction uses low temperature and low pressure and thus takes more time. Subcritical CO₂extraction gives smaller yields and can might retain some terpenes and oils. For supercritical CO₂extraction, higher temperatures and higher pressures are applied, which can damage terpenes and other phytochemicals.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,700,368 generally describes extraction/purification of cannabinoids or cannabinoid acids from any plant material known to contain such cannabinoids or cannabinoid acids, such as wild type Cannabis sativa and also variants thereof, including Cannabis chemovars (varieties characterised by virtue of chemical composition) which naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids, also Cannabis sativa subspecies indica including the variants var. indica and var. kafiristanica, Cannabis indica and also plants which are the result of genetic crosses, self-crosses or hybrids thereof. For example, US 2004/0049059 generally describes a method for producing an extract from Cannabis plant matter, containing tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and optionally the carboxylic acids thereof, from industrial hemp and from drug-producing hemp.
In a second option, one may extract plant materials using polar solvent extraction (e.g., ethanol, butane, etc.). Advantageously, this process is also exempt of a winterization, evaporation or distillation step so as to retain some waxes and/or terpenes endogenously present in the plant materials, which can operate as the herein described solubilizing aiding agent.
With respect to these first and second options, when the preparation process is exempt of a winterization, evaporation or distillation step, the cannabinoid source will still include some waxes and/or terpenes which are endogenously present in the hemp or Cannabis plant material. The presence of these waxes and/or terpenes can have the benefit of being able to operate as a solubilizing aiding agent. The presence of such compounds in the resulting cannabinoid source, however, may render the cannabinoid source too viscous for use in a vape device and also may impart a dark color to the vape oil, which makes the cannabinoid source less visually attractive for direct use in a vape device that typically have clear liquid reservoir for holding the vape oil. In order to render the cannabinoid source more suitable for use in the vape device, the cannabinoid source can be diluted in an additive/carrier oil (e.g., at least one thereof) which is less opaque and less viscous than the cannabinoid source.
In one embodiment, when the cannabinoid source is obtained by extraction from Cannabis plant materials (including hemp) through an extraction process exempt of a winterization step, the cannabinoid source is, thus, exempt of a winterization solvent, e.g., ethanol. An objective manner to assess whether the cannabinoid source is prepared from a process exempt of such winterization step is to measure the amount of winterization solvent (e.g., ethanol) present in the cannabinoid source prior to mixing with the additive/carrier oil. In one embodiment, the herein described cannabinoid source is, thus, free from winterization solvent. Another practical way of assessing whether the cannabinoid source is prepared from a process exempt of such winterization step is to determine whether the cannabinoid source still includes endogenous plant waxes and/or terpenes which are typically removed through the winterization step.
In a third option, one may include one or more purification steps after one of the above extraction steps, such as a winterization step, evaporation step and/or a distillation step. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,700,368, US 2004/0049059 and US 2008/0167483, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, each describes a process for extracting cannabinoids from hemp or Cannabis plant material using CO₂extraction followed by ethanol winterization to remove waxes. In another example US 2016/0346339, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a process for extracting cannabinoids from hemp or Cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by filtration, and evaporation of the solvent in a distiller to obtain a distillate. Implementing these processes is said to result in a cannabinoid having a chromatographic purity of greater than 99%.
In this third option, the endogenous waxes and/or terpenes are removed by the purification step(s) and one obtains a cannabinoid source which can be substantially one or more pure cannabinoid(s). Such cannabinoid source can be in crystal form or in semi-solid form (highly viscous composition) such that it is not suitable for direct use in the vape device. In order to make the cannabinoid source suitable for use in the vape device requires dilution in an additive/carrier oil which is less viscous.
One or more of the above discussed options may include a decarboxylation step performed prior to or after the extraction step. This decarboxylation step is optional in that at least some portion of the cannabinoid present in the vape oil may be decarboxylated during use in the vape device due to the high vaporization heat applied to the vape oil in the device.
Viscosity values for cannabinoid sources extracted from Cannabis or hemp plant materials have been reported in the art, for example: WO2017180660 describes CBD 80%, 60° C.: 1240 mPa-s, CBD 80%, 70° C.: 670 mPa-s, THC 80%, 60° C.: 5830 mPa-s, THC 80%, 70° C.: 2200 mPa-s; Rheosense (Rheometer manufacturers) have an application note on analyzing cannabinoid oils where they have measured viscosities at 25° C. between 10 000 to 80 000 mPa-s using an unspecified shear rate between 60-200 Hz; Monica Vialpando, Ph.D.—Pharmaceutical Development, Vialpando LLCy made a presentation entitled Pharmaceutical Formulation Technologies Applicable to Cannabis Product Development at the Emerald Conference 2018 (available on line), where the viscosity of THC was reported at 25° C. to be 100 000 mPa-s.
In some embodiments, the cannabinoid source includes one or more cannabinoid(s).
For example, the cannabinoid source may include a mixture of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The w/w ratio of THC to CBD in the vape oil may be about 1:1000, about 1:900, about 1:800, about 1:700, about 1:6010, about 1:500, about 1:400, about 1:300, about 1:250, about 1:200, about 1:150, about 1:100, about 1:90, about 1:80, about 1:70, about 1:60, about 1:50, about 1:45, about 1:40, about 1:35, about 1:30, about 1:29, about 1:28, about 1:27, about 1:26, about 1:25, about 1:24, about 1:23, about 1:22, about 1:21, about 1:20, about 1:19, about 1:18, about 1:17, about 1:16, about 1:15, about 1:14, about 1:13, about 1:12, about 1:11, about 1:10, about 1:9, about 1:8, about 1:7, about 1:6, about 1:5, about 1:4.5, about 1:4, about 1:3.5, about 1:3, about 1:2.9, about 1:2.8, about 1:2.7, about 1:2.6, about 1:25, about 1:2.4, about 1:2.3, about 1:2.2, about 1:2.1, about 1:2, about 1:1.9, about 1:1.8, about 1:1.7, about 1:1.6, about 1:1.5, about 1:1.4, about 1:1.3, about 1:1.2, about 1:1.1, about 1:1, about 1.1:1, about 1.2:1, about 1.3:1, about 1.4:1, about 1.5:1, about 1.6:1, about 1.7:1, about 1.8:1, about 1.9:1, about 2:1, about 2.1:1, about 2.2:1, about 2.3:1, about 2.4.1, about 2.5:1, about 2.6:1, about 2.7:1, about 2.8:1, about 2.9:1, about 3.1, about 3.5:1, about 4:1, about 4.5:1, about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1, about 8:1, about 9:1, about 10:1, about 11:1, about 12:1, about 13:1, about 14:1, about 15:1, about 16:1, about 17:1, about 18:1, about 19:1, about 20:1, about 21:1, about 22:1, about 23:1, about 24:1, about 25:1, about 26:1, about 27:1, about 28:1, about 29:1, about 30:1, about 35:1, about 40:1, about 45:1, about 50:1, about 60:1, about 70:1, about 80:1, about 90:1, about 100:1, about 150:1, about 200:1, about 250:1, about 300:1, about 400:1, about 500:1, about 600:1, about 700:1, about 800.1, about 900:1, or about 1000:1.

6. Vape oil

The vape oil of the present disclosure includes a high concentration of a cannabinoid. For example, the vape oil can include, but without being limited to, at least 300 mg/ml, or at least 350 mg/ml, or at least 400 mg/ml, or at least 450 mg/ml, or at least 500 mg/ml, or at least 550 mg/ml, or at least 600 mg/ml, or at least 650 mg/ml, or more of the cannabinoid.
The vape oil may include more than one cannabinoid. In such case, the vape oil may include relatively high concentrations of all such cannabinoids or, alternatively, of only one. In other words, the vape oil may include a high concentration (≥300 mg/ml) of one cannabinoid and a low concentration (≤30 mg/ml) of another cannabinoid, or alternatively, the vape oil may include a high concentration (≥300 mg/ml) of all cannabinoids contained therein.
In some embodiments, the vape oil includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In some embodiments, the vape oil includes cannabidiol (CBD).
In some embodiments, the vape oil includes more than one cannabinoid, e.g., THC and CBD.
In some embodiments, the vape oil includes delta-8 THC and delta 9-THC.

7. Vape Device

The vape oil of the present disclosure can be used in any suitable cartridge component of a vape device.
For example, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a non-limiting example of a cartridge 100 component of an electronic vape device. The cartridge 100 includes a vapor outlet 50 at one end thereof, which includes a tip 40 and sidewalls 20 and 25, which could be sides or parts of the same cylindrical sidewall in some embodiments.
The cartridge 100 further includes a liquid reservoir 60 for containing the vape oil which includes the cannabinoid. The vapor outlet 50, in addition to sealing an end of an interior space of the liquid reservoir 60, also provides a mouth-piece portion through which a user can draw vapor from the electronic vape device. The mouthpiece could be tapered, as shown, or otherwise shaped for a user's comfort. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular shape of the vapor outlet 50.
The vapor outlet 50 could be made from one or more materials including metal, ceramic, wood, or a combination thereof. However, other materials could also or instead be used.
The liquid reservoir 60 holds the vape oil prior to vaporization. The liquid reservoir 60 includes outer walls 10 and 15, which could be a single wall such as a cylindrical sidewall. The outer walls 10 and 15 of the liquid reservoir 60 could be made from one or more transparent or translucent materials, such as medical grade glass, in order to enable a user to visibly determine the quantity of vape oil in the chamber.
The liquid reservoir 60 engages the vapor outlet 50, and could be coupled to the vapor outlet 50, via an engagement or connection at 116. A gasket or other sealing member could be provided between the liquid reservoir 60 and the vapor outlet 50 to seal the vape oil in the liquid reservoir 60.
Although some liquid reservoir are “non-reclosable” (or sealable) and cannot be opened after initial filling, others are reclosable chambers in which the engagement at 116, between the vapor outlet 50 and the liquid reservoir 60, is releasable. For example, the vapor outlet 50 could be a cover that releasably engages the liquid reservoir 60 and seals a vape oil in the liquid reservoir 60, thereby preventing the vape oil from leaking out of the liquid reservoir 60. A releasable engagement could include, for example, a threaded engagement or other type of connection, or an abutment between the liquid reservoir 60 and the vapor outlet 50, without necessarily an actual connection between the chamber and the vapor outlet. Such a releasable engagement permits the vapor outlet 50 to be disengaged or removed from the liquid reservoir 60 so that the chamber can be cleaned, emptied, and/or filled with a vape oil, for example. The vapor outlet 50 could then re-engage with the liquid reservoir 60 to seal the vape oil inside the chamber.
FIG. 1 also illustrates a stem 110 inside the liquid reservoir 60. The stem 110 is a hollow tube or air channel through which vapor can be drawn into and through vapor outlet 50. The stem 110 may also be referred to as a central column, a central post, a chimney, a hose or a pipe. Materials such as stainless steel, other metal alloys, plastics and ceramics could be used for stems such as the stem 110. The stem 110 couples the vapor outlet 50 via an engagement or connection (not shown). The stem 110 may include at its base one or more intake holes (not shown) having a suitable opening size, such as for example 1.2 or 1.6 mm.
In one embodiment, screwing the vapor outlet 50 onto the stem 110 could also engage the vapor outlet 50 with the liquid reservoir 60, or similarly screwing the vapor outlet 50 onto the liquid reservoir 60 could also engage the vapor outlet 50 with the stem 110.
FIG. 2 shows a battery compartment 200 that includes supplies power to the cartridge 100. The battery compartment 200 engages, and could also be coupled to the cartridge 100 via a female engagement 130 defined within a receiving body 120, which receives a male thread 30 present at an end of the cartridge 100. In this embodiment, the engagement 130 and thread 30 is a releasable engagement. However, in some embodiments, this could be a fixed connection. In some embodiments, the thread 30 may take the form of a 510 thread, which typically may include a connector having a length of 5 mm and having 10 threads. In the embodiment shown, the releasable engagement enables removal or disengagement of the battery compartment 200 from the cartridge 100 to permit recharging of the battery contained within the elongated body 110 of the battery compartment 200 or permuting the battery compartment 200 with another identical or different battery compartment 200′.
The battery compartment 200 generally includes circuitry to supply power to the cartridge 100. For example, the battery compartment 200 could include electrical contacts that connect to corresponding electrical contacts with the battery. The battery compartment 200 could further include electrical contacts that connect to corresponding electrical contacts in the cartridge 100. The battery compartment 200 could reduce, regulate or otherwise control the power/voltage/current output from the battery. However, this functionality could also or instead be provided by the battery itself. The battery compartment 200 could be made from one or more materials including metals, plastics, elastomers and ceramics, for example, to carry or otherwise support other base components such as contacts and/or circuitry. However, other materials could also or instead be used.
The battery compartment 200 includes sidewalls 140 and 141, a bottom 142 and a button 144. The sidewalls 140 and 141, could be a single wall such as a cylindrical sidewall. The battery compartment 200 could include single-use batteries or rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. The battery compartment 200 powers the vape device and allows powered components of the vape device, including at least the cartridge 100, to operate. Other powered components could include, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers or other indicators of device power status (on/off), device usage status (on when a user is drawing vapor), etc. In some embodiments, speakers and/or other audible indicators could produce long, short or intermittent “beep” sounds as a form of indicator of different conditions.
As noted above, in some embodiments, the vapor outlet 50, the liquid reservoir 60, the stem 110, and the battery compartment 200 are cylindrical in shape or otherwise shaped in a way such that sidewalls that are separately labeled in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 could be formed by a single sidewall. In these embodiments, the sidewalls 140 and 141 represent sides of the same sidewall. Similar comments apply to outer walls 10 and 15, and sidewalls 20 and 25, and other walls that are shown in the drawings and/or described herein. However, in general, vapor outlets, liquid reservoirs, stems, cartridges, battery compartments that are not cylindrical in shape are also contemplated. For example, these components could be rectangular, triangular, or otherwise shaped.
It should be appreciated, that the example cartridge 100 and the example battery, compartment 200 are solely for the purpose of illustration. Other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, the vape device could be a multi-chamber device vape device or a pen-and-pod device as commercialized by PAX (e.g., the PAX Era™).
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another example vape device 300. Reference number 301 in FIG. 3 generally designates a vape device tank, with a ceramic core 302 coupled to a chamber 303 that stores a vape oil. The vape device tank 301 is powered by a power source (e.g., a battery) inside a compartment 305 that physically and electrically connects to the vape device tank. In some implementations, the vape device 300 has a control system (not shown) for controlling the supply of power from the power source to the vape device rank 301.
During use, the vape oil from the chamber 303 flows or seeps into the ceramic core 302, which heats the vape oil using a heating element (not shown) enough to atomize or vaporize the vape oil, thereby producing vapor. The vapor can be drawn out of the ceramic core 302 through a stem 304 and out of the vape device 300 through a mouthpiece 306. The structure and operation of the vape device 300 are consistent with those of the example vape device in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is presented as a further example to illustrate another shape and form factor of a vape device. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in conjunction with these and/or other types of vape devices.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an example vape device tank 400 including a ceramic core 402. The vape device tank 400 is shown with a section removed so that internals of the vape device tank can be seen. In the illustrated example, the vape device tank 400 and the ceramic core 402 are cylindrical m shape. The vape device tank 400 can be implemented in a vape device, a non-limiting example of which are shown in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that the vape device tank 400 is a very specific example and is provided for illustrative purposes only.
In some implementations, as shown in the illustrated example, the vape device tank 400 has a chamber 407 for storing the vape oil including the cannabinoid. The chamber 407 is cylindrical in shape and at least partially surrounds the ceramic core 402, and as in fluid communication with the ceramic core via an inlet 401. During use of the vape device tank 400, the ceramic core 402 receives the vape oil from the chamber 407 through the inlet 401. In other implementations, there is no such inlet 401 or chamber 407, and the vape oil is supplied to the ceramic core 402 by other means such as manual application by a user, for example.
The ceramic core 402 has a heating element 404 at least partially embedded therein. The heating element 404 heats the ceramic core and produces a vapor from the vape oil. More generally, a heating element could be coupled to a ceramic core in other ways, such as being coupled to a surface of the ceramic core. A physical characteristic of the ceramic core 402, such as density or porosity, enables the vape oil to flow through the ceramic core, particularly when the vape oil has been heated by the heating element 404 to reduce its viscosity.
Many ceramics include a combination of ingredients, for example water, resin and other binders. Many ceramics also include a combination of oxides and/or nitrides such as those formed by compounds of aluminum, lead, silicon, boron, magnesium, and titanium for example. Some notable examples include aluminium oxide, silicon nitride, beryllium oxide, and aluminum nitride. In some applications, these compounds may be combined with oxides of nickel manganese, cobalt, and/or iron. Silica may also be used in microporous ceramics. In some embodiments, a ceramic core may be made from 99Al₂O₃, 97Al₂O₃, sapphire and/or ZrO₂. The ceramic core 402, as well as the other ceramic cores disclosed herein, could be formed of different combinations of ingredients to achieve different physical characteristics such as porosity or density, for example, to obtain a plurality of nanoscale holes.
In some implementations, the vape device tank 400 has an element or component to feed the vape oil to the ceramic core 402. An example of such an element or component is a wick as shown at 403, disposed between the ceramic core 402 and the chamber 407. In some implementations, the wick 403 is made from cotton or any other suitable material that has a lower porosity than the ceramic core 402. In some implementations, the porosity of the wick 403 is high enough so that the vape oil can easily flow through and make contact with the ceramic core 402 even without any heating from the heating element 404 embedded in the ceramic core. The wick 403 may help provide more even contact between the vape oil and the ceramic core 402. In other implementations, a vape device tank has no such wick 403.
In some implementations, the heating element 404 is a coil heater with a number of coil turns or loops embedded in the ceramic core 402. Three of these coil turns or loops are identified by an oval in the illustrated example, but more coil turns or loops are visible in FIG. 4. The number of coil turns or loops is implementation specific. Other examples of heaters or heating elements are also provided herein.
The coil heater 404 is embedded into the ceramic core 402 during manufacture of the ceramic core in some embodiments. The ceramic core 402 has a heat capacity, and thus embedding the coil turns or loops in the ceramic core can help to avoid a faulty situation in which the coil turns or loops directly contact the vape oil and become too hot, burning rather than vaporizing the vape oil or at least certain components of the vape oil.
A channel 405 is in fluid communication with the ceramic core 402 to receive vapor from the ceramic core. The ceramic core 402 at least partially surrounds the channel 405. In some implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned closer to an inside or interior portion of the ceramic core 402 and closer to the channel 405 as shown, such that the vape oil may reach progressively higher temperatures as it flows through the ceramic core towards the channel 405. When the vape oil flowing through the ceramic core 402 is sufficiently heated, it is atomized or vaporized to produce a vapor, which can be drawn out through the channel 405. In other implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned in a middle portion of the ceramic core 402. In other implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned outside of the ceramic core 402 and around or in the channel 405.
The temperature at which the vape oil is vaporized to produce the vapor may depend on any one or more of a number of factors such as the vape oil being used, the cannabinoid to be vaporized, thermal conductivity of the ceramic core 402, and/or thermal conductivity of the vape oil itself. As a specific example, the temperature at which the vape oil is vaporized may be around 300° F. or higher. In a specific example, the temperature of the vape oil should not exceed 600° F. or else it may burn.
During use, the heating element 404 heats up the ceramic core 402 and generates vapor by vaporizing the vape oil flowing through the ceramic core. The vapor can be drawn out through the channel 405, and an air inlet 406 is disposed beneath the ceramic core 402 to facilitate airflow for the channel 405. In some implementations, the heating element 404 is powered by a power source (not shown) and controlled by a control system (not shown). In some implementations, the power source and the control system are disposed in a compartment that physically and electrically connects to the vape device tank 400. Such connections include electrical connections (not shown) between the heating element 404 and the power source and/or the control system.

9. Practical Implementations

With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a practical implementation of a method 500 of manufacturing a vape device for vaping a cannabinoid, such as a vape oil cartridge or vape pen in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 510, one is provided with the vape device, where the vape device is characterized with operating parameters for vaping a vape oil, for example, a vape oil containing a cannabinoid. Example of such operating parameters may include, for example, ceramic core porosity and mass transfer characteristics, heating element resistance, working range of vape oil viscosity, volume for liquid reservoir, and the like. Optionally, one is not provided with the actual physical vape device, but rather, one can be provided with only one or more relevant operating parameters of the vape device, for example. Optionally, one is not provided with the actual physical vape device or with the operating parameters of the vape device, but rather, one determines the one or more relevant operating parameters of the vape device based on information stored in an electronic database, information provided by the vape device manufacturer, and the like.
In step 550, one formulates the vape oil containing the cannabinoid at least based on one or more relevant operating parameters of the vape device obtained and/or determined in step 510. Step 550 may include, for example, selecting a cannabinoid source including a cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature. Step 550 may further include selecting an additive having a viscosity below the vape oil viscosity and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive. Step 550 may further include mixing the cannabinoid source and the additive in proportions such that the additive is in a concentration that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently low for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (ii) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature.
In step 590, one fills a reservoir of the vape device with the vape oil obtained in step 550, for example using a pipette.
The person of skill will readily realize that the step of filling the reservoir may be performed by the same person formulating the vape oil or may be performed by another individual, for example. FIG. 6 illustrates a process 600 which implements the latter case. In this case, the process 600 also includes step 550 of formulating the vape oil containing the cannabinoid at least based on one or more relevant operating parameters of the vape device obtained and/or determined as previously discussed. The vape oil is then packaged and released for transportation to another location (e.g., at a 3^rdparty). At this other location, the vape oil is filled into the reservoir of the vape device in a step 650.
In another practical implementation, FIG. 7 illustrates a process 700 whereby at step 555 one selects a cannabinoid source containing a cannabinoid. This selection can be based on at least one of a customer request, a desired cannabinoid profile (e.g., a given ratio of THC to CBD), a desired user experience (e.g., high potency THC vs low potency THC), and the like. The cannabinoid source has a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and the cannabinoid has a vaporization temperature. At step 560, one selects an additive having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive. At step 575, one mixes the cannabinoid source and the additive in predetermined proportions so as to obtain a vape oil having a viscosity suitable for use in the vape device and a flash point above the vaporization temperature.
In some embodiments, the amount of additive required to obtain a suitable flash point and viscosity for the mixture can be determined/selected based on an actual calculation of the suitable additive concentration. In other embodiments, the amount of additive required to obtain a suitable flash point and viscosity for the mixture can be determined/selected based on measurements of the viscosity using a rheometer and/or of the flash point using a suitable ASTM test. In some embodiments, the amount of additive required to obtain a suitable flash point and viscosity for the mixture can be determined/selected based on previously calculated and/or measured viscosity and flash point values, e.g., looking up in an internal standard operating procedure (SOP) or in an internal database for a recipe that provides the proportions for a given formulation.
Other examples of implementation will become apparent to the person of skill and for conciseness sake will not be further described here.

10. Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. As used herein, and unless stated otherwise or required otherwise by context, each of the following terms shall have the definition set forth below.
For the purpose of this specification, the expression “viscosity threshold” in reference to the operating parameter for a vape device means the highest viscosity value at room temperature for a vape oil which remains suitable for use in the vape device and allow proper use of that vape device, e.g., for properly feeding the vape oil through the ceramic core of the vape device in order to vaporize the cannabinoid contained in the vape oil while minimizing clogging of internal components of the cartridge, for assisting with the performance of the vape device such as by preventing or minimizing leakage of the vape oil from the vape device when not m use, and optimizing the performance of the vape device and its delivery of the cannabinoid, and the like.
For the purpose of this specification, the expression “Cannabis oil” refers to an oil that contains a cannabinoid and that is in liquid form at a temperature of 22±2° C.
For the purpose of this specification, the term “medium chain triglycerides” or “MCT” refers to triglycerides with two or three fatty acids having an aliphatic tail of 6-12 carbon atoms, i.e., medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Rich food sources for commercial extraction of MCT include palm kernel oil and coconut oil.
The term “vegetable glycerin (VG)” is also known in the art as “monoglycerol” or “glycerol”, generally obtained from plant and animal sources where it occurs as triglycerides.
The term “polyethylene glycol (PEG)” is also known in the art as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE), depending on its molecular weight and refers to a compound with the chemical formula H—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_a—OH.
The term “propylene glycol” is also known in the art as propane-1,2-diol and refers to a synthetic organic compound with the chemical formula C₃H₅O₂.
For the purpose of this specification, the term “of plant origin” is used interchangeably with “plant-based” or with “plant-derived” and refers to a compound that is extracted or prepared from plant raw material. In one embodiment, this compound can be synthetic.
For the purpose of this specification, the term “essential oil” does not mean indispensable as with the terms essential amino acid or essential fatty acid which are so called since they are nutritionally required by a given living organism, rather, the essential oil is “essential” in the sense that it contains the “essence of” or “at least a portion of the essence of”, the plant's fragrance—the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, sfumatura, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, wax embedding, and cold pressing. As such, in the present disclosure, essential oils are a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
For the purpose of this specification, the term “flash point” refers to the lowest temperature at which vapors of a material will ignite, when given an ignition source. Methods for determining the flash point of a liquid are specified in many standards. For example, testing by the Pensky-Martens closed cup method is detailed in AST M D93, IP34, ISO 2719, DIN 51758, JIS K2265 and AFNOR M07-019. Determination of flash point by the Small Scale closed cup method is detailed in ASTAM D3828 and D3278, EN ISO 3679 and 3680, and IP 523 and 524.
For the purpose of this specification, the term “vaporization temperature” in reference to a cannabinoid means the temperature required to vaporize the cannabinoid, e.g., the temperature at which the cannabinoid in the vape oil exposed to said temperature is converted into a vapor.

EXAMPLES

The following examples describe some exemplary modes of making and practicing certain compositions that are described herein. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Example 1

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, a number of vape cartridges or vape pens were used in order to test vape oils prepared in the present application.
For example, an A3-C full ceramic vape cartridge (Transpring Technology, USA) can be used, having a full ceramic heating core, a 0.5 ml liquid reservoir, a resistance of 1.4/1.6Ω, and 1.2 mm/1.6 mm oil intake hole size. The liquid reservoir is made of medical grade glass and the rest of the cartridge is made of chrome-plated brass. The cartridge includes a 510 thread for coupling with the battery compartment.
For example, a Jupiter Liquid 6 cartridge (Jupiter Research, Arizona, USA) can be used, having a CCELL Technology designed for high viscosity oils, porcelain ceramic mouthpiece, a 0.5 ml liquid reservoir, 2.0 mm oil intake hole size, nichrome heating element and a ceramic core. The cartridge includes a 510 connection-M7 threaded connection for coupling with the battery compartment.

Example 2

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, a number of battery packs can be used with vape cartridges.
For example, an L0-A vape battery compartment (Transpring Technology) can be used 1. The L0-A vape battery has a capacity of 320 mAh, an output voltage of 2.6-4.0V with 3 adjustable voltages (green 2.6V, blue 3.3V, red 4.0V), a preheating output of 1.8V, a preheating time of 15 seconds, and 2 optional vaping ways: vape directly/vape with button-pressing.
For example, an L6 vape power supply (Jupiter Research) can be used. The L6 vape power supply has a capacity of 340 mAh, a resistance of 0.9-3.0Ω, and an activation time of 0-10 seconds.

Example 3

In order to be safe and, thus, suitable for vaping, the inventors sought to identify an additive having a proper flash point, i.e., at least 200° F. (at least 93.3° C.). This is because a number of cannabinoids require temperatures of at least 200° F. in order to vaporize (e.g., CBD is within the range of 320-356° F., THC is about 315° F., CBN is about 365° F. such that having a Cannabis vape oil containing an additive with a flash point below 200° F. in proportions sufficient to reduce the flash point of the mixture to values below 200° F. would likely represent a fire/explosion hazard when heated in the vaping device.
The inventors first set out to identify the flash point of a number of candidate additives. The following table 1A sets out the flash point of these candidate additives as reported in the literature:

	TABLE 1A

	Candidate additive	Flash point (° C.)

	D-limonene	45
	Orange sweet (Citrus sinensis)	45
	b-myrcene	39
	Pine (Pinus sylvestris)	43
	Fir (Abies siberica or Abies balsamea)	45
	Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)	43
	lemon Lime Flavor	25
	peppermint	69
	Vegetable Glycerin USP	160
	Propylene Glycol	99

The flash point of a liquid can be tested according to known procedures in the art, for example, for liquids that have a viscosity of less than 5.8 nm²/s at 37.8° C., one can use ASTM D 56 or ASTM D 3828, and for liquids that have a viscosity of 5.8 mm²/s or more at 37.8° C., one can use ASTM D 93 (where 1 mPa-s=1 cP=1 mm²/s).
The following table 1B sets out the vaporization temperature for a number of cannabinoids as generally understood in the art:

	TABLE 1B

	Cannabinoid	Vaporization temperature (° F.)

	THCA	248
	CBDA	266
	CBCA	284
	THC (delta-9)	311
	CBD	329
	THC (delta-8)	347
	CBN	365
	CBE	383
	THCV	428
	CBC	428

Except for vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG), none of the candidate additives has a flash point above the vaporization temperature of at least 200° F. (at least 93.3° C.). Note that this vaporization temperature is in practice near the lower end of the vaporization range of certain cannabinoids as set out in table 1B. In other words, for a faster and stronger effect on the human body a higher vaporization temperature should be used, further amplifying the flash point differential and the attendant hazard.

Example 4

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, the inventors sought to better understand whether using additives typically used in nicotine-based vaping devices, was more suitable for using in the Cannabis vape oil of the present disclosure.
The additives assessed are petroleum-based propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400, and natural agents vegetable glycerin (VG) and medium chain triglycerides (MCT). Troutt and DiDonato (J Altern Complement Med. 2017 November, 23(11):879-884) report that heating these oils at temperatures appropriate for Cannabis oil vaporization (e.g., at 230° C.) resulted in formation of vapor containing harmful carbonyls, such as acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. To test the levels of the three carbonyl compounds screened for, each thinning agent was vaporized in 3 blocks of 25 ‘puffs’, for a total of 75 puffs per agent. Puffs were vaporized every 30 seconds, each for a duration of 4 seconds and a volume of 55 mL. The vapor was then analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to individually measure amounts of acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde.
Analyses showed that PEG 400 produced significantly higher levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde than PG, MCT, and VG. Formaldehyde production was also significantly greater in PG compared with MCT and VG. Acrolein production did not differ significantly across the agents. PG and PEG 400 produced high levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde when heated to 230° C. Formaldehyde production from PEG 400 isolate was particularly high, with one inhalation accounting for 1.12% of the daily exposure limit, nearly the same exposure as smoking one cigarette.
These results are in line with those disclosed by Grana et al., (Circulation, 2014; 129:1972-1986) where vapors produced from vape device using liquid material containing nicotine and propylene glycol (PG) with or without vegetable glycerin (VG) produced 0.2 to 5.61 μg of formaldehyde per puff, which while may appear safer than the 1.6 to 52 μg of formaldehyde produced by one puff from a tobacco cigarette, nevertheless, has been perceived as not being ideal from a public health policy perspective.
As such, the inventors have concluded that the PG, PEG and VG typically used in nicotine-based vaping devices are not without health risk when used in a vape oil. Therefore, the vape oil of the present disclosure is preferably devoid of any of PG, PEG and VG.

Example 5

The inventors discovered that even though an additive mixed with the cannabinoid source has a flash point below the desired vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source, nevertheless, owing to its relatively high flash point operates to increase the flashpoint of the mixture such that it is above the desired vaporization temperature. Accordingly, it is therefore possible to provide a vape oil for vaping that is safe, in terms of reducing the likelihood of explosion in the vape device that would otherwise result while being compatible with the operating parameters of the vape device, e.g., that has a viscosity which is in the proper range for use in a given vape device (below the threshold viscosity).
The inventor used various mathematical models from the field of thermodynamics to calculate the flashpoint of cannabinoids. (Hristova and Tehaoushev, J. of University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 41, 3, 2006, p. 291-296.) Several models were used to calculate the mixture's flash point and their results compared. The person of skill will realize that these calculations were made here instead of proceeding with actually attempting to flash the mixture in a laminar hood because of obvious hazard risks (exploding on purpose a mixture).
The following table 2 sets out the outcome of these results, for a number of vape oil formulations prepared by mixing a cannabinoid source obtained from a CO₂extraction process and contained 2.14% THC and 84.6% CBD, which was not been winterized/distilled and diluted with 50 ml peppermint oil at room temperature without heating.

TABLE 2

Cannabinoid	THC	CBD	Flash point above
source added	concentration	concentration	vaporization
(g)	(mg/ml)	(mg/ml)	temperature?

6	5.1	93.3	No
25	13.12	304	Yes
63	20.496	466	Yes
95	24.85	558	Yes
190	30.272	666	Yes

To elaborate, adding 63 g of the cannabinoid source to 50 ml produced a 113 g sample. In this sample, the peppermint oil weight is 41.25% and the cannabinoid source weight is 55.75%. The calculations were made using the following average flash points: CBD (149° C.), THC (137° C.), and peppermint oil (75° C.).
The first calculation took into effect the contribution of CBD to peppermint oil, with the following equation: 1/(wt % CBD×CBD average flash point)+(wt*% peppermint oil×peppermint oil average flash point). The first calculation gave a first calculated flash point of 93.69° C.—higher than the flash point of peppermint oil on its own. To this first calculation, the inventors made a second calculation using a similar formula by adding the contribution of THC, which resulted in a second calculated flash point of 98.48° C.
The inventors then made a third calculation by taking into account the remaining cannabinoids and wax content present in the cannabinoid source (as determined from a certificate of analysis which determined the fatty acid content of the cannabinoid source using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector [GC-FID]) in terms of their effect on the flash point; the inventors calculated that the contribution of the remaining cannabinoids was a factor of 1.68, which resulted in a third calculated flash point of 157.39° C. (314.6° F.).
In performing these calculations, the inventors discovered that using at least about 40 wt. % cannabinoid source relative to total weight of the peppermint oil was ideal in terms of having a flash point for the mixture which was suitable for using in a vape device at the vaporization temperatures. In other words, by increasing the relative amount of Cannabis concentrate, the inventors were able to resolve the flash point issue observed with the additive on its own. This was surprising and unexpected. The same calculations were repeated with d-limonene and similar results were obtained.

Example 6

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, the inventors sought to test the amount of cannabinoid which could be solubilized in a carrier oil with a cannabinoid source in presence of a solubilizing aiding agent. In this example, the solubilizing aiding agent is an endogenous component present iii the Cannabis plant material, e.g., plant waxes and/or terpenes.
In this example, the cannabinoid source was obtained from a CO₂extraction process and contained 2.14% THC and 846% CBD, which was not been winterized/distilled and diluted with 50 ml peppermint oil at room temperature without heating.

TABLE 3

Cannabinoid	Amounts of	CBD	Cannabinoid
source	cannabinoids	concentration	source to
added (g)	(g)	(mg/ml)	carrier oil (wt. %)

1	0.868	15.10	2.00
2	1.735	30.20	4.00
3	2.603	45.30	6.00
4	3.470	60.40	8.00
5	4.338	75.50	10.00
6.15	5.335	92.86	12.30
5.31	4.606	80.18	10.62
8	6.940	120.80	16.00
9	7.808	135.90	18.00
10	8.675	150.99	20.00
17.88	15.511	269.98	35.76
20	17.350	301.99	40.00
29.34	25.452	443.02	58.68
40	34.700	603.98	80.00
50	43.375	754.97	100.00
63.86	55.399	964.25	127.72
95.72	83.037	1445.32	191.44
133.1	115.464	2009.74	266.20
190.76	165.484	2880.38	381.52

The inventors discovered that by mixing a cannabinoid source with carrier oil in presence of the solubilizing aiding agent, a vape oil having up to 2880 mg/ml CBD could be obtained, which still flows at room temperature and can still be pipetted in a pipette, i.e., meeting the desired characteristic that the mixture remains liquid at room temperature.
The inventors repeated the experiment with a cannabinoid source containing THC and a cannabinoid source containing CBD and obtained a first vape oil comprising 30 mg/ml of THC and 666 mg/ml CBD and a second vape oil comprising 20 mg/ml of THC and 466 mg/ml CBD, where the first and second vape oils each still have a suitable viscosity for use in the vape cartridge.

Example 7

Example 6 was repeated with the same cannabinoid source diluted with 100 ml peppermint oil at room temperature without heating.

TABLE 4

Cannabinoid source	Amounts of	CBD concentration	Concentrate
added (g)	cannabinoids (g)	(mg/ml)	to oil (%)

20	17.35	150.99	20.00
40	34.70	301.99	40.00
50	43.37	377.49	50.00
80	69.40	603.98	80.00

Example 8

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, the steady-state viscosity values at various temperatures of different cannabinoid sources (distillate following a CO₂extraction process) was measured using an MCR 92 from Anton Paar, with a 25 mm Cone-Plate measuring geometry operated in rotational mode at 25° C. and a constant shear rate of 10 Hz (15 points across 45 seconds).

TABLE 5

	Viscosity
Distillate	(mPa-s)	Temperature and shear rate

80% pure THC (distillate-02)	2 260 000	25° C. and γ′ = 10.0*1/s
80% pure THC (distillate-02)	55 979 (40° C.)	Curve @ 20-80° C. \| 2° per
	1849.3 (60° C.)	minute \| γ′ = 50*1/s
	220.54 (80° C.)
80% pure THC (distillate-03)	266 000	25° C. and γ′ = 10.0*1/s
80% pure THC (distillate-03)	12987 (40° C.)	Curve @ 20-80° C. \| 2° per
	789.47 (60° C.)	minute \| y′ = 50*1/s
	125.62 (80° C.)
80% pure CBD (distillate-05)	40 500	25° C. and y′ = 10.0*1/s
80% pure CBD (distillate-05)	3035 (40° C.)	Curve @ 20-80° C. \| 2° per
	327.9 (60° C.)	minute \| γ′ = 50*1/s
	73.94 (80° C.)

Example 9

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, a number of additive blends were formulated for mixing with a cannabinoid source. The flash point reported in the tables was obtained from at least one of the U.S. National Library of Medicine PubChem Internet database, Sigma-Aldrich Internet Catalog, Carl Roth Internet database, and the Chemical Book Internet database.

TABLE 6

Additive blend #1

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

beta pinene	88
natural myrcene	103
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194

The additives in blend #1 are present in a relative ratio of about 2:1:1, i.e., humulene (α-Caryophyllene):beta pinene:natural myrcene.

TABLE 7

Additive blend #2

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194
caryophyllene acetate	205

The additives in blend #2 are present in a relative ratio of about 1:1.

TABLE 8

Additive blend #3

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

D-limonene	113
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194

The additives in blend #3 are present in a relative ratio of about 2:1, i.e., humulene (α-Caryophyllene):D-limonene.

TABLE 9

Additive blend #4

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

delta 3 carene	115
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194
caryophyllene acetate	205

The additives in blend #4 are present in a relative ratio of about 2:1:1, i.e., humulene (α-Caryophyllene):delta 3 carene:caryophyllene acetate.

TABLE 10

Additive blend #5

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

natural myrcene	103
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194
caryophyllene acetate	205

The additives an blend #5 are present in a relative ratio of about 2:1:1, i.e., caryophyllene acetate:humulene (α-Caryophyllene):natural myrcene.

TABLE 11

Additive blend #6

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

D-limonene	113
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194

The additives in blend #6 are present in a relative ratio of about 1.5:1, i.e., D-limonene:humulene (α-Caryophyllene).

TABLE 12

Additive blend #7

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

orange terpenes	120
Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinyl Butyrate	230

The additives in blend #7 are present in a relative ratio of about 1:1.

TABLE 13

Additive blend #8

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

strawberry furanone acetate	200
aldehyde c-16	200
(Ethyl Methyl Phenyl Glycidate)
maltol isobutyrate	200

The additives in blend #8 are present in a relative ratio of about 1:1:1.

TABLE 14

Additive blend #9

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

Terpineolene	148
orange terpenes	120
caryophyllene acetate	205

The additives in blend #8 are present in a relative ratio of about 1.5:1, i.e., caryophyllene acetate:orange terpenes.

TABLE 15

Additive blend #10

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

hexyl acetate	113
allyl caproate	151
aldehyde c-18 (γ-Nonalactone)	235

The additives in blend #8 are present in a relative ratio of about 1:1.

TABLE 16

Additive blend #11

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

orange terpenes	120
maltol isobutyrate	200

The additives in blend #9 are present in a relative ratio of about 7:1, i.e., orange terpenes:maltol isobutyrare.

Example 10

The following table sets out a number of additives that can be used to formulate additive blends alongside their respective flash point.

TABLE 17

Additive	Flash Point (° F.)

aldehyde c-16	200
(Ethyl Methyl Phenyl Glycidate)
aldehyde c-18 (γ-Nonalactone)	235
allyl caproate	151
alpha bisabolol	235
alpha phellandrene	117
alpha pinene	91
alpha terpinene	115
Alpha-Terpineol	194
amyl acetate	95
beta caryophyllene	214
beta pinene	88
Beta terpinene	115
caryophyllene acetate	205
citral	195
delta 3 carene	115
Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinyl Butyrate	230
d-limonene	113
ethyl butyrate	78
gamma terpinene	125
geraniol	226
geranyl acetate	220
hexenyl cis 3 acetate	135
hexyl acetate	113
humulene (α-Caryophyllene)	194
isopropyl 2 methyl butyrate	91
linalool	184
maltol isobutyrate	200
natural myrcene	103
nerol	226
orange terpenes	120
para cymene	117
strawberry furanone acetate	200
Terpineolene	148
valencene	212

Example 11

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, the inventors mixed a number of the additive blends from Example 8 with a cannabinoid source in various proportions to obtain a vape oil having a suitable viscosity fir use with a given tape cartridge that required a viscosity at 25° C. of less than a viscosity threshold of 110 000 mPa-s at 25° C., β′=10.0*1/s. The viscosity of was measured at 25° C., γ′=10.0*1/s.
The cannabinoid source was obtained from a CO₂extraction process with an additional distillation step.

TABLE 18

Additive	[Additive]	[Cannabinoid source]	Viscosity
blend	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(mPa-s)

—	—	100	(THC distillate-03)	2.66 × 10⁵
—	—	100	(CBD distillate-05)	40 500
1	12	58.6	(THC distillate-03)	24 700
		29.3	(CBD distillate-05)
2	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	13 430
3	12	66	(THC distillate-03)	5 900
		22	(CBD distillate-05)
4	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	11 300
5	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	14 500
6	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	8 400
7	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	11 200
8	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	26 900
9	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	10 400
10	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	7 200

The flash point was then calculated for each mixture and the proportions of cannabinoid source and additive was adjusted if required to ensure that the flash point of the mixture was above the vaporization temperature of the cannabinoid.

Example 12

In accordance with a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, the inventors mixed a number of terpenes with a cannabinoid source in various proportions to test for the modulating effect of terpenes on the viscosity of cannabinoid distillate. The viscosity of the mixture was measured at 25° C., γ′=10.0*1/s.
The cannabinoid source was THC obtained from a CO₂extraction process with an additional distillation step.

TABLE 19

		[Cannabinoid
	[Terpene]	source]	Viscosity
Terpene	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(mPa-s)

—	—	100	3.78 × 10⁵
Alpha Pinene	2	98	1.69 × 10⁵
Camphene	2	98	2.10 × 10⁵
Sabinene	2	98	1.45 × 10⁵
Myrcene	2	98	1.09 × 10⁵
Beta Pinene	2	98	1.73 × 10⁵
Delta 3 Carene	2	98	1.38 × 10⁵
Phellandrene	2	98	1.46 × 10⁵
Para-Cymene	2	98	1.25 × 10⁵
Ocimene	2	98	71 000
Eucalyptol	2	98	3.16 × 10⁵

Example 13

In the present example, two mixtures of additive blends and cannabinoid source from Example 8 were cooled down and the viscosity measured at 10° C. and γ′=10.0*1/s.

TABLE 20

Additive	[Additive]	[Cannabinoid source]	Viscosity
blend	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(mPa-s)

5	12	88	(THC distillate-03)	9.9 × 10⁵
6	12	88	(CBD distillate-05)	9.0 × 10⁵

While the examples illustrate embodiments with cannabinoid source having certain levels of CBD and/or THC, it will be apparent to the person of skill that the same principles apply to a cannabinoid source having different levels of these cannabinoids, or having different cannabinoids other than THC and/or CBD.
Other examples of implementations will become apparent to the reader in view of the teachings of the present description and as such, will not be further described here.
Note that titles or subtitles may be used throughout the present disclosure for convenience of a reader, but in no way these should limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain theories may be proposed and disclosed herein; however, in no way they, whether they are right or wrong, should limit the scope of the invention so long as the invention is practiced according to the present disclosure without regard for any particular theory or scheme of action.
All references cited throughout the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
It will be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “a” used before a term encompasses embodiments containing one or more to what the term refers. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.
As used in the present disclosure, the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within the error margin generally accepted in the art. Hence, numerical quantities given herein generally include such error margin such that the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.
Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present description that numerous modifications and variations can be made. The scope of the invention is defined more particularly in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Method of manufacturing vape oil including a cannabinoid, the vape oil having a viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in a vape device, the method comprising:

a) selecting a cannabinoid source including a cannabinoid, the cannabinoid having a vaporization temperature, the cannabinoid source having a viscosity at room temperature which is above the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device and having a flash point above the vaporization temperature;

b) selecting an additive having a viscosity below the vape oil viscosity and having a flash point below the vaporization temperature, the additive operating to lower the viscosity of the cannabinoid source and operating to lower a flash point of a mixture of the cannabinoid source and the additive;

c) determining a concentration of additive that (i) will reduce the viscosity of the cannabinoid source sufficiently low for the mixture to be suitable for use in the vape device and (ii) while avoiding reducing the flash point of the mixture below the vaporization temperature; and

d) mixing the cannabinoid source of a) and the additive of b) on the basis of the concentration determined in c) to obtain the vape oil.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vape oil includes cannabidiol (CBD).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vape oil includes ≥400 mg/ml of CBD.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the vape oil includes ≥550 mg/ml of CBD.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the vape oil includes ≥650 mg/ml of CBD.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vape oil includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the vape oil includes ≥400 mg/ml of THC.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the vape oil includes ≤30 mg/ml THC.

9. The method of claim 8, the cannabinoid source being in a proportion of ≥40 wt. % relative to total weight of the vape oil.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the additive is an oil of plant origin.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the oil of plant origin includes a terpene.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vaporization temperature is above 200° F.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mixing is performed at room temperature without heating.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising incorporating a volume of the vape oil into a reservoir of a vape cartridge or a vape pen.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the vape cartridge includes a connector at one end thereof to engage with a battery compartment of a vape device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the connector is a 510 thread.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the vape cartridge or vape pen comprises a ceramic core for vaporizing the vape oil.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the viscosity at room temperature suitable for use in the vape device is ≤110 000 mPa-s.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the vape oil includes more than one cannabinoid.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vape oil includes more than one terpene.

21.-114. (canceled)