Nicotine-impermeable container and method of fabricating the same
AssigneeKabi Pharmacia Aktiebolaq
InventorsJames E. Turner, Michael P. Ellis, Ronald G. Oldham, Ira Hill, Bengt E. Malmborg, Sven-Borje Andersson
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.
Claims23
A cartridge for a nicotine inhaler, comprising:
- a) a cartridge housing;
- b) a passageway in said cartridge housing;
- c) a nicotine reservoir in said passageway for holding a measured amount of nicotine in a form that will allow nicotine vapor to be released into a fluid stream passing around or through the reservoir;
- d) said passageway comprising at least two openings communicating outside said housing for allowing a fluid stream to pass through said passageway;
- e) said nicotine reservoir being sealed from the atmosphere and maintained in an effectively oxygen-free environment by a nicotine-impermeable barrier which includes passageway barrier portions for sealing the passageway on both sides of the reservoir, at least one said passageway barrier portions being penetrable for opening said passageway to the atmosphere;
- and
- f) said passageway further having a portion inside said passageway barrier portions that is filled with inert gas.
A nicotine delivery system with an extended shelf life, containing a measured amount of nicotine which can selectively be made accessible to a user, comprising:
- (a) a container formed of a material which is effectively impermeable to nicotine and oxygen;
- (b) a carrier in the container for carrying a measured amount of nicotine in a state which can supply nicotine in vapor form to a user, said carrier being maintained in the container in an effectively oxygen-free environment;
- (c) access means for selectively providing the user with access to the interior of the container;
- and
- (d) differential pressure means for allowing a differential pressure to be applied to the carrier for releasing nicotine in vapor form through said access means when the interior of the container is made accessible to the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.