Tag: technology

PMI Takes Top Spot in 2022 Vape Patent Applications

Credit: Olivier le Moal
Tobacco-related products, especially vaping and heat-not-burn, were among the 10 fastest growing technologies in 2022 when measured by the number of U.S. patents issued, according to IFI Claims Patent Services.
Philip Morris International, which is in the process of replacing its combustible cigarette business with less harmful smoking alternatives, was the most prolific claimant in the vaping/tobacco business, filing 1,364 cigarette patent applications in 2022.
South Korean electronics titan Samsung took the top spot from longtime leader IBM. Following Samsung and IBM, the top 10 patent earners were Taiwan Semiconductor, Huawei Technologies, Canon, LG Electronics, Qualcomm, Intel, Apple and Toyota Motor.
Technology related to autonomous vehicles ascended to the No. 1 spot among IFI’s Fastest Growing Technologies list last year. While “Computing Based on Biological Models” dropped to No. 4 from its perch at No. 1 last year, artificial intelligence research has pervaded multiple patent categories, including earth drilling, quantum computers and machine learning.
Rounding out the top fastest growing technologies were “Electrical Digital Data Processing,” with a compound annual growth rate CAGR) of 33.9 percent; “Special Features Related to Earth Drilling Including AI and Simulation Models” (CAGR 32.5 percent); “Computing Based on Biological Models” (CAGR 32.1 percent); and “Electrically Operated Smoking Devices” (CAGR 31.3 percent).
“Cigars, Cigarettes” registered a CAGR of 28.3 percent.
January 11, 2023
Smoore Showcases Feelm Max at Jakarta Exhibition

Photo: Smoore
Smoore presented its Feelm Max disposable technology solution at the Indonesia Electronic Atomization Exhibition (IECIE2022), which took place at the Jakarta International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Speaking at the exhibition, Smoore Vice President Clayton Shen highlighted the importance of technological innovation in driving progress in the vaping industry.
Feelm Max features a ceramic coil technology that offers more puffs and consistent flavor, according to a company press release. It is currently sold in more than 10 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Other features include a semi-translucence mouthpiece and to environmentally friendly packaging.
During his presentation of the Feelm Max, Clayton Shen explained that the closed system is the fastest growing category in the new tobacco market and will claim a significant market share in the long run.
According to Smoore, ceramic coils solve longstanding challenges such as liquid leakage and burnt taste, Ceramic coils, said Shen, are used by leading vapor product manufacturers, such as Reynolds Vapor Co., RELX and NJOY.
One of the most influential exhibition platforms for companies operating in the vaping sector, the IECIE covered an area of over 12,000 square meters in Jakarta, with over 100 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors.
In recent years, Southeast Asia has become a new industry hub by virtue of its population base and market development potential. Euromonitor expects the Southeast Asian vaping grow by 29 percent in 2023.
October 24, 2022
VapeAway’s Technology to Help Reduce Dependency

Photo: pavelkant
VapeAway has developed a technology designed to help reduce vaping dependency. According to the company, the VapeAway filter attaches to an existing e-cigarette pod, automatically working to remove toxins found in e-cigarettes, with minimal impact on the quality of the vaping experience.
The patented VapeAway filter is said to stop nicotine before it enters the body by gradually reducing nicotine intake in levels, beginning at 25 percent and increasing to a 75 percent reduction over the course of nine weeks, thus reprogramming the brain to decrease cravings and reduce dependency.
“Every e-cigarette, regardless of its type, flavor or contents, contains dangerous chemical toxins,” says Ike Sutton, the founder of VapeAway. “VapeAway offers the first patented filter that removes those toxins. Until now, those who were dependent on nicotine have been directed to nicotine patches or gum as their recovery solution, both of which uses nicotine to satisfy cravings and with that, comes a laundry list of warnings and side effects.
“VapeAway’s patented technology does the opposite and does not administer a drug to help people quit a drug. Our filters stop the nicotine directly at the source and reduces the intake of harmful chemicals while users continue to vape, all the while ultimately helping people quit in the long term if they choose to do so.”
VapeAway says its Vapor Freeze 2.0 Technology consists of a proprietary blend of military grade, non-toxic fibers that freeze potentially harmful toxic chemicals on contact, protecting vapers and others around them from unwanted chemicals and toxins entering their lungs.
The technology has been tested to ensure it meets VapeAway’s stated use cases and it effectively and consistently performs to achieve the stated impact for its users. Preliminary tests were conducted by Enthalpy Laboratories.
According to SGS North America, the VapeAway filter is 100 percent non-toxic.
January 29, 2022
Respira Technologies Creates Scientific Advisory Board

Respira Technologies has created a scientific advisory board and appointed Jasjit S. Ahluwalia as its chair.
According to Respira, the scientific advisory board to strengthen the company’s connection to the constantly evolving body of scientific evidence on the issues of tobacco use, harm reduction, nicotine and smoking cessation being generated by public health to guide the development of its technology and pipeline for current and future new drug applications.
“As a biotechnology company whose goal is to end the death and disease caused by smoking through the development of a breakthrough smoking cessation therapy, we must be guided by and have a deep understanding of the constantly evolving data and science generated by public health on issues important to our business,” said Respira Technologies CEO Mario Danek in a statement.
“We are thrilled to name Dr. Ahluwalia as Chair and the founding member of our scientific advisory board. He represents one of the best and brightest scientific minds with decades of experience in studying nicotine addiction and cessation. Having guidance and perspective from the most distinguished researchers in this space will be critical to Respira achieving its goal of contributing to eliminating preventable morbidity and mortality, and achieving health equity.”
Ahluwalia is a leader in academic research and public health focused on studying tobacco use, nicotine addiction and smoking cessation. He is a physician and public health scientist at Brown University.
Through his research, he has also investigated issues of health disparities and minority health broadly across multiple areas of substance use, cancer prevention and public health.
At Brown University, he is a professor, associate director of the Legoretta Cancer Center and deputy director of the Center for Addiction and Disease Risk Exacerbation, a NIH funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. Ahluwalia’s work has generated over 350 publications in leading scientific journals, and he has received over $100 million in research funding as a principal and co-investigator.
As chair of Respira’s Scientific Advisory Board, Ahluwalia will be engaged in the company’s scientific strategy, development of clinical research and leading engagement within the nicotine, addiction and cessation public health community. His broad healthcare research background will guide Respira’s current application and inform the company’s development pipeline to expand application of its proprietary drug delivery platform across a diverse spectrum of indications and patient populations.
“I have dedicated the last 30 years of my career to understanding nicotine addiction, cessation and the complex issues they create in our society, especially among ethnic minority and other vulnerable populations,” said Ahluwalia. “Respira has the potential to create a very significant impact on this important public health crisis. I am thrilled to be leading Respira’s scientific advisory board and look forward to assisting the company in its efforts to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of smokers looking to quit around the world.”
Respira Technologies is preparing to submit an investigative new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022, which will allow the company to begin human clinical studies. The company is pursuing a prescription designation for its portable handheld combination drug device for the indication of smoking cessation therapy.
January 19, 2022
New Coil-Free Vaporizer Uses Ultrasonic Technology
Typical vaping devices use a coil made of resistance wire. Instead, the new Surge vaping device uses an ultrasonic vaping chip that vibrates 3 million times per second. The ultrasonic vibrations split the e-liquid into a cloud of vapor, without the use of a traditional heating wire.
Credit: Surge
“Ultrasonic heating creates smaller vapor particles, delivering nicotine content more efficiently for increased satisfaction. Since no wires are heated to produce vapor, dry hits and burnt flavors are eliminated from the vaping experience,” according to a press release. “Additionally, the lower working temperature of the ultrasonic process reduces potential toxin emission and maintains the chemical stability of the e-liquid.”
Surge Vapor hopes that its new approach to vaping technology can maximize harm reduction while increasing satisfaction for vapers.
Surge Vapors initial offering is developed for new vapers trying to quit combustibles. Its lightweight design, automatic draw activation and pre-filled ultrasonic pods currently come in six flavors, which have been specifically developed to pair with ultrasonic technology.
“Our mission was to create new vaping technology, which advances tobacco harm reduction and maximizes satisfaction,” according to the release. “After years of research and development, this is now a reality. We are excited for vapers around the world to experience the next generation of vaping with Surge.”
January 17, 2022
Riot Labs Launches Carbon-Negative Disposable Vaporizer

Image: Riot Labs
E-liquids producer Riot Labs claims to have launched the world’s first carbon negative disposable vaporizer, QBAR.
Available in U.K. stores and online from Jan. 11, the compact device is Riot Lab’s first disposable product. The product will be available in several U.K.-manufactured flavors and three nicotine strengths. Each device offers 550 puffs—equivalent of 30 cigarettes—before requiring disposal.
“The launch of QBAR, our first venture into disposables, and our new brand campaign, is all geared up to changing the status quo on smoking cessation, and continue to deliver on our mission to help people quit smoking,” said Ben Johnson, who founded Riot Labs in 2016.
QBAR is made from three elements that are all 100 percent recyclable. The outer casing is made from PLA plastic cornstarch, which is decomposable, but will be recycled into clothing, vinyl records and material for 3D printing. The 420 MAH A battery will be being reused in future devices and other electronic devices. The mouthpiece, which contains the liquid, will be incinerated power going into the national grid
Riot Labs is also launching a Riot Recycle program to make it simple for stores and customers to recycle their devices, of. Consumers can drop their QBARs off at Riot Recycling Bins in specialist stores for dismantling and recycling.
Ambitiously aiming for Zero Waste, Riot Labs also plans to work with stores to track how much waste each has saved so they can continue to optimize and find ways to achieve further reductions.
“From day one, it’s been our mission to help people quit smoking for good, through creating products that are better for people, and better for the planet,” said Johnson.
“Everywhere you look, companies are making efforts to be greener but that isn’t happening fast enough in the vape sector. We’re proud to lead the way with the first carbon negative disposable device—with its unique benefits we believe it will make a big impact on people’s smoking cessation journeys.”
January 11, 2022
VPR Brands Settles E-Cigarette Airflow Patent Lawsuit
VPR Brands has settled a patent lawsuit that applies to technology used by numerous e-cigarette manufacturers. The patent dates to 2009 and includes independent claims covering electronic cigarette products containing an electric airflow sensor, including a sensor comprised of a diaphragm microphone. The sensor turns the battery on and off, and covers most auto-draw, button less e-cigarettes, cigalikes, pod devices and vaporizers using an airflow sensor rather than a button.
The technology is covered under electronic cigarette utility patent US 8205622. The lawsuit, filed on May 3, 2021 in the Florida Southern District Court, VPR Brands, LP v. HQDTech USA LLC and NEPA 2 Wholesale, LLC was settled with both defendants for a total sum greater than $275,000 to be paid to VPR Brands. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, VPR Brands agreed to license the patent and related patents and applications to NEPA and some of its affiliates.
“I want to thank our legal team at SRIPL Law for their hard work and diligence in settling this matter, they have been preparing to go to court and litigate on our behalf for the better of 2 years now and preparation is key in negotiating and settling any dispute,” stated Kevin Frija, CEO of VPR Brands in a press release. “Ultimately it is a win-win for all parties when a dispute can be settled ahead of trial, but you must be prepared to take it all the way and the litigation team at SRIP Law is ready, willing and able to go the distance if needed and that is what counts when protecting intellectual property.”
Florida-based VPR Brands VPR Brands is a manufacturer of electronic cigarettes and vaporizers for nicotine, cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD). Its assets include issuing U.S. and Chinese patents for atomization-related products including technology for medical marijuana, hemp, and electronic cigarette products and components as well as lighters. The company is also engaged in product development, according to the release.
December 8, 2021
Long Awaited Juul2 Device Launches in U.K. Market

Photo: steheap
Juul Labs has unveiled its JUUL2 device in the U.K.
The device features a more consistent vapor experience, a longer battery life and anti-counterfeit technology.
Launching initially on the Juul.co.uk website on Sept. 30, the JUUL2 system has been updated from previous versions with new technology and features based on feedback from smokers.
Among other features, the JUUL2 features a more consistent vapor experience, a longer battery life and a smart light system communicating e-liquid level and battery life.
The JUUL2 also comes with newly designed tobacco and menthol JUUL2 pods (18 mg/mL nicotine strength) and technology to prevent unauthorized use. The device will not work when it detects counterfeit pods.
“We are pleased to launch the next-generation JUUL2 in the U.K.,” Juul Labs’ EMEA vice president, Dan Thomson, said in a statement. “A key part of our mission is to transition adult smokers away from cigarettes, the leading cause of preventable death in the world, killing some 90,000 Britons annually.
“We believe the best method to switch adult smokers from combustible cigarettes to a potentially less harmful noncombustible alternative is to provide a product that closely resembles the consistency and experience of smoking. With JUUL2, we believe we are taking another step in that direction as we aim to transition even more adult smokers.”
A retail roll-out is planned for early 2022, and all U.K. retailers stocking JUUL products will continue to uphold the company’s Challenge 25 age verification policy, which includes continued mystery shopping audits.
September 30, 2021
22nd Century Gets Patent for Cannabis GMO Technology

Photo: cytis from Pixabay
22nd Century Group has been granted a new U.S. patent related to the control of cannabinoid and terpene production in plants. This new intellectual property exclusively provides 22nd Century with unique and powerful tools to alter the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway in hemp/cannabis plants.
“We are delighted to receive this patent, which is the result of work carried out by our own scientists. This important, new technology will allow us to genetically modify hemp/cannabis plants to modulate their cannabinoid and terpene profiles in order to tailor these plants’ therapeutic qualities and enhance the consumer’s hemp/cannabis experience,” said Juan Sanchez Tamburrino, vice president of research & development at 22nd Century Group in a statement.
“Our patent application describes eight promoters, which are essentially molecular on/off switches, covering all of the major steps in the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway. Typically, developing hemp/cannabis plants with new cannabinoid or terpene profiles could take 10 to 20 years using traditional breeding methods.
“Now, with the combined technologies and know-how of 22nd Century and KeyGene, we expect to shorten the development timeline to create new, differentiated, hemp/cannabis plant lines in just four to five years. Doing so will provide the company and its potential licensees and customers with significant competitive advantage as hemp/cannabis continues to penetrate the life science, consumer product, and pharmaceutical markets.”
“At 22nd Century Group, we take a scientific and solutions-oriented approach to advancing ground-breaking, plant-based technology. We are excited to secure this patent, and we believe that it demonstrates our unique and leading role in plant science innovation within the $100 billion global hemp/cannabis market,” said James A. Mish, chief executive officer of 22nd Century Group.
The new patent, published as U.S. Patent No. 10,787,674 B2 and entitled “Trichome specific promoters for the manipulation of cannabinoids and other compounds in glandular trichomes,” enables 22nd Century to develop and deliver new hemp/cannabis plants that are designed to produce cannabinoids more efficiently.
The company can potentially increase the yield of plants, stabilize the level of cannabinoids that are produced, and create custom cannabinoid profiles optimized for specific therapeutic uses. 22nd Century will also be able to potentially modulate the terpene levels within the plant—increasing them to deliver new strains of cannabis for the adult-use/recreational market and reducing them to remove the odor and taste for improved application in foods and beverages.
Cannabinoids, such as CBD, CBC, and CBG, are valuable compounds that hold great promise for the development of new medicines and other therapeutic applications. Cannabis sativa is the only plant species that produces significant amounts of these compounds including more than one hundred different cannabinoids in varying quantities.
In nature, cannabis plants restrict production of these potentially toxic compounds to the trichomes which are tiny hair-like stems and globes that grow on the surface of the plant. To successfully manipulate cannabinoids, the company’s new technology activates molecular promoters, “on/off switches,” specifically and only in the plant’s trichomes where the majority of cannabinoids are produced.
These regulatory sequences dynamically enhance or restrict gene expression levels, controlling the expression of genetic information that leads to the production of cannabinoids.
December 17, 2020