Nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition, and method of preparing the same

Abstract

A method of preparing a nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition is provided. The method includes step S1 of melting menthol, step S2 of preparing a semi-solid dispersion by mixing the molten menthol, glycerin, and liquid nicotine, and step S3 of preparing a solid dispersion by adding at least one of lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), or cellulose to the semi-solid dispersion, wherein in step S2, the menthol is included in an amount of 25% by weight (wt %) to 58 wt % based on a total weight of the menthol and glycerin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing a nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition, the method comprising:
 step S 1  of melting menthol;   step S 2  of preparing a semi-solid dispersion by mixing the molten menthol, glycerin, and liquid nicotine; and   step S 3  of preparing a solid dispersion by adding at least one selected from a group consisting of lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and cellulose to the semi-solid dispersion,   wherein in step S 2 , the menthol is included in an amount of 25% by weight (wt %) to 58 wt % based on a total weight of the menthol and glycerin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step S 2  is performed at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in step S 2 , the liquid nicotine comprises at least one of free-base nicotine or a nicotine salt. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 2 , the semi-solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing and semi-solidifying the molten menthol and the liquid nicotine in the glycerin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 2 , the semi-solid dispersion is in a form of a gel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 3 , the solid dispersion is prepared in a form of a granule or a block. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 3 , the solid dispersion is a system in which nicotine and menthol are uniformly dispersed in solid glycerin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step S 3  comprises additionally adding a binder to the semi-solid dispersion,
 wherein the binder comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a water-soluble polymer, gums, and a cellulose derivative. 
 
     
     
         9 . A nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition comprising:
 a solid dispersion comprising menthol, nicotine, and glycerin,   wherein the solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing the menthol and the nicotine in the glycerin, and   wherein the menthol is included in an amount of 25% by weight (wt %) to 58 wt % based on a total weight of the menthol and glycerin.   
     
     
         10 . The nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition of  claim 9 , wherein the nicotine comprises at least one of free-base nicotine or a nicotine salt. 
     
     
         11 . The nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition of  claim 9 , wherein the glycerin is included in an amount of 18 wt % to 28 wt % based on a total weight of the nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition. 
     
     
         12 . The nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition of  claim 9 , wherein the solid dispersion further comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and cellulose. 
     
     
         13 . The nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition of  claim 9 , wherein the solid dispersion further comprises a binder,
 wherein the binder comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a water-soluble polymer, gums, and a cellulose derivative.   
     
     
         14 . The nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition of  claim 9 , wherein the nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition is in a form of at least one of a granule or a cylindrical block. 
     
     
         15 . A tobacco-free smoking article comprising:
 a medium portion; and   a filter portion,   wherein the medium portion comprises a nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition,   wherein the nicotine and menthol sustained-release composition comprises a solid dispersion comprising menthol, nicotine, and glycerin,   wherein the solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing the menthol and the nicotine in the glycerin, and   wherein the menthol is included in an amount of 25% by weight (wt %) to 58 wt % based on a total weight of the menthol and glycerin.