WO2018152637A1

WO2018152637A1 - Electronic cigarette mixing agent composition systems

Info

Publication number: WO2018152637A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/050205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gene Bernaudo; Santino Bernaudo
Original assignee: Gene Bernaudo; Santino Bernaudo
Priority date: 2017-02-22
Filing date: 2018-02-22
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: CA2995970A1

Abstract

The current application relates to a method for forming a vaporizable liquid composition comprising a cannabinoid distillate from a plant product and 1,3 -propanediol as a mixing or cutting agent. The liquid composition is devoid of polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol that have skin irritating and carcinogenic effects. The liquid composition can be used for refillable cartridges, disposable electronic-cigarettes, or other vaporizers.

Description

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE MIXING AGENT COMPOSITION SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic cigarettes and more specifically to a cannabinoid-based liquid composition.

2. Description of Related Art

The electronic cigarette market is expanding greatly, because it allows the consumer smoker to preserve the ritual associated with the use of the cigarette without suffering the negative effects of the harmful substances that it contains.

The electronic cigarette or e-cigarette works with electricity without combustion. It produces a mist of fine particles, commonly referred to as vapor or artificial smoke, which visually resembles the smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco. Oftentimes, the vapor is flavored (tobacco, mint, fruit, chocolate aroma, etc.) and it may or may not contain nicotine. In correctly manufactured and used e-cigarettes, the aerosol contains, according to available data, many fewer substances that are detrimental to health than the smoke of tobacco; in particular it does not contain solid particles, tar, other carcinogenic substances, or carbon monoxide (CO).

Cannabis has long been considered to have medicinal properties. Many states, such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, Nevada, Vermont, Montana, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Michigan, and New

Jersey, allow the use of medicinal cannabis by persons with debilitating medical conditions, as certified by physicians.

Many vapors and other formulas which are presently being used comprise polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol which are mixing agents for cannabis oils and have known negative side effects (such as skin irritation and carcinogens known to cause cancer). A suitable solution is desired. Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in electronic cigarettes art. Among these are found in: U.S. Patent and Publication Nos. 2016/0262443 to Piccirilli; 2016/0120225 to Mishra; and 9,339,062 to Hon. This prior art is representative of electronic cigarettes and related flavorants.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable cannabis based liquid composition that mitigates harmful side effects, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for forming a vaporizing article comprising collecting a cannabinoid distillate from a plant product, introducing a quantity of 1 ,3 propenediol to the cannabinoid distillate and homogenizing the cannabinoid distillate and the propenediol.

The cannabinoid may be selected from the group consisting of delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). The cannabinoid may have a purity of at least 99%. The cannabinoid may comprise between 0 and

99 percent by volume of the vaporizing article.

The method may further comprise introducing at least one terpene to the cannabinoid distillate and propenediol. The terpene may be collected from a distillation process utilized to collect the cannabinoid distillate. The at least one terpene may comprise between 0 and 50 percent by volume of the vaporizing article. The method may further comprise introducing a quantity of an emulsifying agent to the vaporizing article before homogenizing. According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a vaporizable composition comprising cannabinoid and 1 ,3 propenediol. The cannabinoid may be selected from the group consisting of delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). The cannabinoid may comprise between 0 and 99 percent by volume of the vaporizing article.

The vaporizable composition may further comprise a quantity of at least one terpene. The terpene may be collected from a distillation process utilized to collect the cannabinoid distillate. The at least one terpene may comprise between 0 and 50 percent by volume of the vaporizing article. The vaporizable composition may further comprise a quantity of an emulsifying agent. 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 of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

Figure 1 is a flow chart depicting a method of preparing a cannabinoid-based liquid composition according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a cannabinoid based liquid composition. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, electronic cigarette mixing agent composition systems may comprise a vaporizable cannabinoid liquid formulation for refillable cartridges or disposable electronic cigarettes or for using directly on atomizers or other controlled temperature vaporizers including cartomizers or wick systems that is safer, bio based, and more effective than currently used products. Referring to Figure 1 , a method of preparing a cannabinoid-based liquid composition according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. The method begins by inputting cannabinoid containing material in step 20 for extraction. It will be appreciated that the cannabinoid containing may be selected to be cannabis, although other materials containing cannabinoids including other plants and synthetic sources may be utilized as well. In step 22, an extraction process is performed on the cannabinoid containing material, resulting in a cannabinoid essential oil being extracted therefrom. Several extraction methods may be useful in step 22, as will be set out further below. The resulting essential oil is then distilled in step 24 by heating the oil to a high temperature under a reduced pressure created by a vacuum pump to produce a distillate, as will be further set out below. In step 26, the distillate is collected by condensing the vapors produced in step 24 on a cooled surface.

The cannabinoid containing material, in particular cannabis plants include a variety of hydrocarbon terpenes which vaporize at about the same temperature as THC. A select variety of terpenes may be isolated and stored according to known methods wherein at least one of the terpenes are added back into the distillate in step 28 with a mixing agent added in step 30. The mixing agent may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, 1 ,3-Propandiol, as will be further set out below. The dilution ratio using the mixing agent varies based on the desired potency of the final liquid to be vaporized. The product is homogenized in step 32 using such as, by way of non-limiting example, a mechanical homogenizer, as is commonly known, to produce the final product in step 34. Optionally, the cannabinoid composition may include an emulsifying agent, such as, by way of non-limiting example, propylene glycol ester (PEG) or aloe vera. Although the present method is described as being utilized with a cannabinoid extract, it will be appreciated that any form of purified cannabinoids may be utilized, such as, by way of non-limiting example, solid cannabinoid products, such as shatter and isolates, wax, butter, live resins and oils.

The electronic cigarette mixing agent composition system may be used to create cannabinoid compositions in high, medium, and low potency dilution ratios as illustrated in Table 1 below. Furthermore, one ore more of the cannabinoid oil, or terpenes may be included in the composition at up to a quantity of 50% by volume. Table 1

Desired Potency Cannabinoid Oil 1 ,3-Propanediol Dilution Ratio

High 1 ml 0.5 ml 1 :0.5

1 ml 1 ml 1 :1

Medium 1 ml 1.25 ml 1 :1.25

1 ml 1.5 ml 1 :1.5

Low 1 ml 1.75 ml 1 :1.75

1 ml 2 ml 1 :2

A vaponzable cannabinoid liquid formulation for refillable cartridges or disposable electronic cigarettes or for using directly on atomizers or other controlled temperature vaporizers, including cartomizers or wick systems, that is safer, bio-based, and more effective than currently used products is disclosed herein.

Particularly, the liquid formulation is devoid of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or propylene glycol (PG), which are currently widely used for mixing with cannabis oil as a mixing or cutting agent. PEG and PG, in some studies, have demonstrated toxicity as well as skin irritant and carcinogenic effects. The formulation may comprise bio-based 1 ,3-propanediol for use as an electronic cigarette cannabis liquid, as previously mentioned. This liquid composition for an electronic cigarette may include the use of 1 ,3-propanediol, as well as one or more combinations of oil or concentrates derived from cannabis including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids found in the 483 known compounds occurring in the cannabis plant.

The use of 1 ,3-propanediol as a mixing or cutting agent in step 30 is instrumental in acting as a carrier, delivering cannabinoid to the user via vaporization and inhalation, allowing it to be absorbed effectively to deliver the required dosage. Performing this task without the harmful carcinogens known to exist in the current (PG) propylene glycol and/or (PEG) polyethylene glycol additives being sold in the marketplace today. 1 ,3-propanediol delivers a more effective dose of cannabinoid to the patient or user allowing the benefit of providing a much cleaner, safer, non-toxic delivery method being able to treat an array of medical symptoms or conditions without the harmful effects associated with physically smoking marijuana.

A number of tests have been carried out to assure this product is far superior from a safety perspective in comparison to the currently used products. Skin irritation tests show that 1 ,3-propanediol is not an irritant. Currently used products, such as non-bio-based PG, are known skin irritants. These tests affirm the safety of this product for inhalation via vaping or long-term inhalation exposure of 1 ,3-propanediol. In 2005, the Journal of Inhalation Toxicity published a research article by: Robert S. Scott, Steven R. Frame, Paul E. Ross, Scott E. Loveless and Gerald L. Kennedy entitled "Inhalation Toxicity of 1 ,3-Propanediol in the Rat". 1 ,3-propanediol was studied to determine the potential effects following repeated inhalation exposures to rats. Rats were exposed 6 hr/day, 5 days/wk for 2 wks (9 exposures) to vapor or vapor/aerosol mixtures of either 0, 41 , 650, or 1800 mg 1 ,3-propanediol/m3. In vivo responses were observed or measured daily. Clinical pathology and tissue pathology analyses were conducted after the 9th exposure and on half of each group following an 18-day recovery (non-exposure) period. All rats showed normal body weights. No unusual external signs of response were seen, and no deaths were encountered. Clinical pathology (blood counts, serum chemical parameters) and tissue pathology (gross pathology, organ weights, and histopathology) examinations in the 1 ,3-propanediol exposed rats were similar to those in the unexposed controls. According to the journal, "Inhalation Toxicity of 1 ,3-Propanediol in the Rat" as referenced above, the highest concentration tested, 1800 mg/m3, which was the highest concentration that could practically be generated, was the no- observed-effect level (NOEL) for this study. 1 ,3-propanediol does not appear to pose a significant hazard via inhalation of either the vapor or a vapor/aerosol mixture.

The cannabinoid extracts described within may include active ingredients from the marijuana plant extracted using any known extraction method in step 22 of Figure 1 : butane, supercritical carbon dioxide (C02), alcohol or ethanol, distillate, powdered isolates and concentrates.

Butane (BHO) extraction method can be described where the essential oil from the cannabis plant is extracted using Butane as a solvent. It can be extracted from fresh material or from cured material as a concrete or an oleoresin. A concrete or an oleoresin that has been winterized to remove the waxes, lipids, and fats, is known as an Absolute.

Supercritical C02 extraction can be described where the essential oil from the cannabis plant is extracted using C02 as a solvent. This process creates phase changes in carbon dioxide utilizing temperature and pressure. C02 is known as a "tunable solvent" making it extremely versatile for creating a multitude of end products by controlling temperature and pressure. These phase changes create an environment to drop out differing weights of components in the plant material.

The alcohol or ethanol extraction method can be described where the essential oil from the cannabis plant is extracted by dissolving the plant material in alcohol. Once the material is dissolved the alcohol is boiled off leaving a concentrated cannabinoid oil.

The distillate extraction process of step 24 can be described where the distillation of cannabinoid oil derived from any of the above-mentioned methods requires the oil be heated to a high temperature under a reduced pressure created by a vacuum pump. This causes the THC (delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol) and related cannabinoid substances to vaporize. The vapors are condensed back into an oil on contact with a cooled surface in step 26. Selecting the appropriate temperature and pressure for the distillation collects the desired fraction. Many of the impurities do not vaporize and are left behind in the flask used for heating the oil. The result is cleaner, purer, clearer solvent-free oil.

The cannabinoid extracts may also be prepared as a powdered isolate by contacting a cannabinoid containing plant with supercritical C02 to produce a crude cannabinoid extract, subjecting the crude cannabinoid extract to thin film evaporation to produce a refined cannabinoid extract. The refined cannabinoid extract is then dissolved in a solvent and crystallization induced in the solution to form cannabinoid crystals.

Under the umbrella of cannabinoid concentrates falls any product procured through an extraction process. Solvents, (e.g., butane, C02, ethanol) strip compounds from the cannabis plant, leaving behind a product with cannabinoids packed in every drop. Some types of extracts test as high as 80% in THC, while others are rich in non-psychoactive compounds like CBD (cannabidiol) deliver an altogether "high-less" experience. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the electronic cigarette mixing agent composition system may vary upon manufacturing.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for forming a vaporizing article comprising: collecting a cannabinoid distillate from a plant product; introducing a quantity of 1 ,3 propenediol to said cannabinoid distillate; and homogenizing said cannabinoid distillate and said propenediol.

2. The method of claim 2 wherein said cannabinoid is selected from the group consisting of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said cannabinoid has a purity of at least 99%.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said cannabinoid comprises between 0 and 99 percent by volume of said vaporizing article.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing at least one terpene to said cannabinoid distillate and propenediol.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said terpene is collected from a distillation process utilized to collect said cannabinoid distillate.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said at least one terpene comprise between 0 and 50 percent by volume of said vaporizing article.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing a quantity of an emulsifying agent to said vaporizing article before homogenizing.

9. A vaporizable composition comprising cannabinoid and 1 ,3 propenediol.

10. The vaporizable composition of claim 9 wherein said cannabinoid is selected from the group consisting of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

11. The vaporizable composition of claim 9 wherein said cannabinoid comprises between 0 and 99 percent by volume of said vaporizing article.

12. The vaporizable composition of claim 9 further comprising a quantity of at least one terpene.

13. The vaporizable composition of claim 12 wherein said terpene is collected from a distillation process utilized to collect said cannabinoid distillate.

14. The vaporizable composition of claim 12 wherein said at least one terpene comprise between 0 and 50 percent by volume of said vaporizing article.

15. The vaporizable composition of claim 9 further comprising a quantity of an emulsifying agent.