Claims for Patent: 5,400,808

Summary for Patent: 5,400,808

Title:	Nicotine-impermeable container and method of fabricating the same
Abstract:	The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container including a barrier layer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate 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.
Inventor(s):	Turner; James E. (Atascosa, TX), Ellis; Michael P. (San Antonio, TX), Oldham; Ronald G. (San Antonio, TX), Hill; Ira (Locust, NJ), Malmborg; Bengt E. (Helsingborg, SE), Andersson; Sven-Borje (Od.ang.kra, SE)
Assignee:	Pharmacia Biosystems Aktiebolag (SE)
Application Number:	07/982,240
Patent Claims:	1. 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 nicotine reservoir for holding and dispersing a measured amount of nicotine; (b) a self-sealed nicotine impermeable barrier formed as part of the nicotine reservoir, said barrier including at least one nicotine barrier layer formed essentially of a copolymer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate; (c) the barrier layer including at least two adjacent surfaces heat sealed to form a continuous nicotine impermeable barrier so that the nicotine can be prevented from migration outside the reservoir. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a porous polymer plug charged with a solution including at least nicotine free-base. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the barrier further includes a second barrier layer formed of metal foil adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the nicotine barrier layer. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said metal foil is formed of aluminum foil. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the nicotine reservoir is maintained in a gas inert to nicotine. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said inert gas is nitrogen. 7. A method of preparing a nicotine delivery system with an extended shelf life, comprising the steps of: loading a nicotine reservoir with a measured amount of nicotine; introducing the loaded reservoir into a nicotine impermeable barrier layer formed essentially of a copolymer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate; the barrier layer including at least two adjacent surfaces; creating an oxygen free environment about the reservoir; heat sealing said adjacent surfaces to form a continuous nicotine barrier so that the reservoir is maintained in an effectively oxygen-free environment. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the nicotine reservoir comprises a porous polymer plug charged with a solution including at least nicotine free-base. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of loading further includes the steps of: introducing the nicotine reservoir into a chamber; creating an oxygen-free environment within said chamber; charging the reservoir with nicotine in said chamber; and removing said charged reservoir from said chamber in an oxygen-free environment. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of creating an oxygen-free environment includes evacuating air from the chamber. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of creating an oxygen-free environment includes charging the chamber with a gas inert to nicotine. 12. The method of claim 9, and further including the step of sealing the charged reservoir in an oxygen-free environment. 13. The method of claim 7, and further including the step of adhering a second barrier layer formed of metal foil to at least a portion of the outer surface of the nicotine barrier layer.