ES2357168T3 - SMOKE TOBACCO. - Google Patents

Abstract

A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a water permeable bag (120) containing a tobacco formulation (115) and which is configured to insert the formulation (115) into the mouth of a user of said product tobacco that includes granulated tobacco, and an external packaging material (125) that envelops said bag (120) and that is sealed to allow maintaining a controlled gaseous environment (130) in said external packaging material, said oxygen controlled gaseous environment comprising an amount greater than about 25 percent by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock in said tobacco formulation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tobacco and, in particular, to tobacco formulations suitable for use in a smokeless form, and to the handling and use of tobacco that is in a smokeless form.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5

Cigarettes, cigars, cigars and pipes are popular smoking items that use tobacco in various forms. Smoking articles are tobacco products that are used by heating or burning tobacco and an aerosol (for example, smoke) is inhaled by the smoker. Representative forms or procedures that have been proposed for the packaging of tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars, are set forth in US Pat. Nos. No. 368,221 to Montague; 1,886,115 to Muller; 3,371,775 to Butler; 3,967,730 of Driscoll et al .; 4,852,734 of 10 Allen et ah; 5,139,140 from Burrows et al .; 5,333,729 to Wolfe; 5,542,529 to Hein, HI et al .; 5,938,018 to Keaveney et al. and 7,014,039 of Henson et al.

Tobacco can also be enjoyed in a form called "smokeless." In particular, popular smokeless tobacco products are employed by inserting some form of processed tobacco or formulation containing tobacco in the user's mouth. fifteen

Various types of smokeless tobacco products are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; 4,513,756 of Pittman et al .; 4,528,993 from Sensabaugh, Jr. et al .; 4,624,269 to Story et al .; 4,987,907 to Townsend; 5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al .; 5,387,416 of White et al .; and Howard description 335,934; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 of Strickland et al. and 2006/0162732 of Winn et al .; PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 04/095959 by Arnarp et al .; PCT patent application No. 20 publication WO 05/063060 of Atchley et al .; PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 05/004480 of Engstrom; and PCT patent application publication No. WO 05/041699 of Quinter et al. A type of smokeless tobacco product is referred to as "snuff snuff". Snuff snuff is typically formulated in "wet" or "dry" forms. Representative types of snuff snuff products commonly referred to as "snus" (Swedish snuff snuff), are manufactured in Europe, particularly in Sweden, by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, 25 Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S and Rocker Production AB. Snus products available in the United States of America are marketed under the brands Camel Snus Frost, Camel Snus Original and Camel Snus Spice by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Representative smokeless tobacco products are also marketed under the Oliver Twist brands by House of Oliver Twist A / S; Copenhagen, Skoal, SkoalDry, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky and Revel by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co .; "Taboka" by Philip Morris USA; and Levi Garrett, Peachy, Taylor's Pride, Kodiak, 30 Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King and Mammoth Cave by Conwood Sales Co., L.P.

Examples of ways to provide various types of tobacco products for distribution to consumers have been proposed in US Patent No. 3,696,917 to Levi; PCT documents WO 2004/095959 by Arnarp et al. and PCT WO 2005/016036 from Bjorkholm. Tobacco packaging equipment is now commercially available and representative equipment is available as FPP 210 Pouch Packer from Schur Flexible 35 Benelux.

WO 03/053175 A2 discloses a composition for use in the oral cavity comprising tobacco and / or a tobacco substitute encapsulated in a membrane material comprising one or more membranes, at least one of said membranes being permeable to water and insoluble in water.

WO 96/14763 A1 discloses packaged cigarettes characterized in that each packet contains only a single cigarette.

Smokeless tobacco products are packaged for distribution, sale and use in a variety of ways. Chewing tobacco has been packaged in sachets, foil bags and metal containers. The types of snus products have been packaged in cans, "discs" or "boats" that are made of metal or plastic. Under certain circumstances, smokeless tobacco products are refrigerated prior to sale, typically in order to prolong their freshness and moisture content. For example, smokeless tobacco products, in particular wet tobacco products, can be refrigerated in order to avoid or delay the absorption of contaminants that would provide an undesirable taste or smell to the product, prevent or retard the development of discoloration or product staining, and avoid or delay the activity of biologically active microorganisms. For example, smokeless tobacco products and, typically, the types of wet snuff tobacco products, can be refrigerated to retard the effects of enzymatic activity 50 or other biological activity, changes in pH, oxidation and other effects that tend to shorten the shelf life or stability of the product.

It would be desirable to provide efficient and effective ways to package a smokeless tobacco composition or formulation. It would also be desirable to provide smokeless tobacco compositions or formulations and, in particular, processed smokeless tobacco compositions and formulations. 55

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smokeless tobacco product. The product includes a smokeless tobacco composition or formulation. For example, the smokeless tobacco formulation includes tobacco particles or fragments and may include other ingredients, such as salts, sweeteners, binders or dyes, compounds for adjusting the pH, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants and preservatives 5 The moisture content of tobacco particles may vary. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that are produced from the molding or other form of a suspension that incorporates tobacco material and other components such as a film or sheet. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that are produced by stamping, extrusion or other mode of forming a mixture that incorporates tobacco material and other components in a desired manner.

 The tobacco formulation may be contained in a container such as a sachet or bag, such as the type currently used for the manufacture of snus product types (for example, a sealed moisture permeable sachet which is often referred to as a portion"). A representative moisture permeable sachet may be composed of a type of "veil or filter" material. The tobacco formulation is in turn contained in a package. The package is hermetically sealed and is composed of a suitable material, such that the atmospheric conditions inside the sealed package are modified and / or controlled; that is, the sealed package can provide a good barrier that inhibits the passage of compositions such as moisture and oxygen therethrough; In addition, the atmosphere inside the sealed package can be further modified by introducing a selected gaseous species (eg, nitrogen, argon or a mixture thereof) into the package before sealing or by vacuuming it (vacuum sealing) . As such, the atmospheric conditions to which the tobacco composition is exposed are controlled during the conditions of preparation, packaging, storage and handling.

In one aspect, an individual portion of smokeless tobacco (for example a snus sachet containing a smokeless tobacco formulation) can be wrapped in a package. The atmosphere within each package 25 is modified or controlled in a characteristic manner of the present invention. Several bags of filter snus so packaged can then be contained in a product container, such as a metal or plastic can.

In one aspect, several individual portions of smokeless tobacco may be wrapped together in a package. The atmosphere within said package is modified or controlled in a characteristic way of the present invention. Said package, or a combination of several of said packages, may then be contained within a product container such as a metal or plastic can.

In one aspect, the smokeless tobacco product (for example several individual portions of smokeless tobacco made) may be contained in a sealed container, such as a metal plastic can. Said container may then be wrapped in a package, in such a way that the atmosphere within said package and the sealed container are modified or controlled in a characteristic manner of the present invention. 35

In one aspect, the smokeless tobacco product (for example several individual portions of smokeless tobacco) may be contained within a sealed container, such as a metal plastic can, and the atmosphere within said sealed container is modified or controlled. in a characteristic way of the present invention.

In one aspect, at least one individual portion of smokeless tobacco may be wrapped in a package. The atmosphere within each package is modified or controlled in a characteristic way of the present invention. Said package or several of said packages may be contained within the product container, such as a plastic metal can. The atmosphere within said sealed metal or plastic container is controlled in a characteristic way of the present invention. Alternatively, said container may in turn be wrapped in an external package, such that the atmosphere within said package and the sealed container is modified or controlled in a characteristic manner of the present invention. Four. Five

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide an understanding of the embodiments of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numbers refer to components of embodiments of the invention described by way of example. The drawings are merely illustrative and will not be considered as limiting the invention. fifty

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus-type product individually wrapped in an external package.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus type product, in which several snus type products are wrapped in an external package and said external package is contained in a generally cylindrical metal or plastic can. 55

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus type product, in the

that several snus-type products are contained in a generally cylindrical metal or plastic can, and said can is wrapped in an external package.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus-type product, in which several snus-type products are contained in a generally cylindrical metal or plastic can having a controlled atmosphere. 5

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus type product, in which each of the snus type products is individually wrapped in an external package and in turn are contained in a metal or plastic can generally cylindrical that has a controlled atmosphere.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view (partially in section) of a plurality of individually packaged snus products, each of said individual packages being connected to each other, and an external container 10 for containing and dispensing these products.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tobacco product in the form of a snus-type product individually wrapped in an external package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a representative type of smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes a tobacco composition 115 contained in a sealed moisture-permeable sachet 120, thereby providing a portion 122 of tobacco. A representative moisture-permeable sachet may be composed of a type of veil or filter material that is tightly closed in order to effectively retain the tobacco composition within the sachet during normal handling conditions. The tobacco product 110 has a sealed outer package 125 that surrounds and contains the tobacco portion 122 20 as a type of hermetically sealed sachet. The representative external package 125 has an upper surface 126 and a lower surface 127; and the two faces 128, 129 of a "fin seal" are shown arranged essentially parallel to the bottom surface of the outer package 125. The external package 125 is hermetically sealed and is selected from an appropriate material, such that the atmosphere 130 within said external package can be controlled. In addition, the atmosphere 130 within said package can be controlled in such a way that the atmosphere is composed mostly of high purity nitrogen gas, or other suitable gaseous species. If desired, the embodiment can be modified so that the external package contains a plurality (eg, 2, 3 or 4) of individual tobacco portions. Each of the two ends 131, 132 of the outer package is hermetically sealed (for example, heat sealed) and, if desired, these ends may have a serrated or cut appearance to have the desired visual effect. Preferably, the length of the inner region of the outer package 125 is at least about 10 percent greater than the total length of the tobacco portion 122, the width of the inner region of the outer package 125 is at least about 10 percent greater than the total width of the tobacco portion 122, and the height of the inner region of the outer package 125 is somewhat greater than the total height of the tobacco portion 122. For an exemplary embodiment, a snus-like product has a maximum length of about 20 mm to about 30 mm, a width of about 10 mm to about 15 mm and a height of about 5 mm to about 8 mm; thus, the outer package 125 would have a total length of at least about 30 mm, a width of at least about 30 mm, and a height of at least about 5 mm to about 8 mm; the two end seals 131, 132 of the outer package 125 extending approximately 5 mm along the width of the outer package 125, and the "fin seal" has a width of approximately 10 mm. In use, the external package 125 is opened by the consumer, the tobacco portion 122 is extracted from the external package and the consumer enjoys the tobacco portion.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a representative smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes various tobacco compositions 115, 140, 141, each contained in a sealed bag 120, 145, 146 and moisture resistant. The tobacco product 110 has a sealed outer package 155 that surrounds and contains all individual portions 125, 157, 158 of tobacco. The number of 45 portions within the external package may vary, and may be a number such as 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30. The external package 155 is hermetically sealed and for the representative embodiment shown, the external package 155 has a three-sided packaging configuration (ie, the packaging material used to make the outer package is sealed on all three sides). The external package 155 is selected from an appropriate material, such that the atmosphere 160 within said external package can be controlled. For example, the atmosphere 160 within the package may be controlled such that the atmosphere is composed of high purity nitrogen gas, or other suitable gaseous species. The outer package 155 is contained within a hard container 165 such as a plastic or metal can having a lower portion 168 and a corresponding or complementary upper portion 170. A representative hard container 165 is the short container with rounded edges and generally cylindrical traditionally used for the marketing of snus type products. See, for example, the types of type 55 boxes representative of snuff snuff designs described in PCT WO 2005/016036 of Bjorkholrn. Other types of containers that can be suitably modified are plastic or metal type containers set forth in US Patent No. 7,014,039 to Henson et al. See also the types of hard containers used for commercial distribution of Camel Snus by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; the type of smokeless tobacco product from U.S. Revel Mint Tobacco Packs Smokeless Tobacco Corporation; U.S. SkoalDry Smokeless Tobacco 60

Co. and "taboka" of Philip Morris USA. If desired, the type of container used for the "taboka" product can be adapted to have a sliding lid (for example one that generally slides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container) so that the container can be opened and closed. . If desired, the container may have an accordion or bellows type design, such that the container may be opened extended to fill with smokeless tobacco product during production and subsequently contracted after the container is completed. If desired, the containers may be equipped with suitable fasteners or washers, so that a good closure is provided when the container is closed again.

In use, the hard container is open, the outer package is open, a portion of tobacco is extracted therefrom and the portion of tobacco is enjoyed by the consumer. The hard container can be manually closed again and additional portions of tobacco can be extracted from the container by the consumer when desired. 10

Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of a representative smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes several tobacco compositions 115, 140, 141 each contained in a sealed bag 120, 145, 146 and permeable to the respective moisture. These individual sealed tobacco portions 156, 157, 158 in sachets are contained in a hard container 165, such as a plastic or metal can having a lower portion 168 and a corresponding or complementary upper portion 170. The number of 15 portions of tobacco within the hard container may vary and may be a number such as 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30. A representative hard container 165 is the short, rounded, generally cylindrical container used for the commercialization of the types of snus products. The hard container 165 is in turn packaged within a sealed outer package 180. The representative outer package 180 shown as a representative embodiment has a type of "flange seal" sealing mechanism, and as such, it has an upper surface 182, a lower surface 20 183 and an overlap seal 184 disposed on the lower face of the external package The outer package 180 is hermetically sealed at each end 185, 186, and is constructed of an appropriate material, such that the atmosphere 160 within said outer package and inside the hard container 165 is controlled. For example, the atmosphere 160 within the package can be controlled so that the atmosphere is composed of high purity nitrogen gas, or other suitable gaseous species. In use, the outer package 180 is open, the hard container 165 is open and 25 individual portions of tobacco are extracted as desired from the hard container.

Referring to FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of a representative smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. Tobacco product 110 includes various tobacco compositions 115, 140, 141, each contained in a bag 120, 145, 146, sealed and moisture permeable, respectively. These individual tobacco portions 156, 157, 158 are contained within a hard container 165, such as a plastic or metal can having a lower portion 170 and a corresponding or complementary upper portion 168. A representative hard container 165 is the short, rounded, generally cylindrical container used to commercialize snus product types. The hard container 165 is in turn hermetically sealed, and may have an optional cylindrical ring or band of sealing material 195 which circumscribes the hard container in the sealing area between the lower and upper portions 168, 170. As such, they are provided conditions so that the atmosphere 160 within the hard container 165 can be controlled (for example, the atmosphere may be composed of high purity nitrogen gas or any other suitable gaseous species). In use, the ring or band of sealing material 125 is broken, and the hard container is open and the individual tobacco portions are removed as desired from the hard container.

Referring to FIG. 5, a fifth embodiment of a representative smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes various tobacco compositions 115, 140, 141, each contained in a sealed, moisture-permeable bag 120, 145, 146. Each portion 156, 157, 158 of individual tobacco has an outer sealed package 125, 211, 212 that surrounds and contains each portion of the respective tobacco. Each external package 125, 211, 212 is hermetically sealed and is selected from an appropriate material, such that the atmosphere 130, 221, 222 in each respective external package can be controlled. For example, the atmosphere 130, 221, 222 in each respective external package can be controlled such that the atmosphere is composed of high purity nitrogen or other suitable gaseous species. If desired, this embodiment may be altered to make each outer package 125, 211, 212 contain a plurality (eg, 2, 3 or 4) of individual tobacco portions 156, 157, 158. Individual tobacco portions 156 , 157, 158 are in turn contained in a hard container 165 such as a plastic or metal can having a lower portion 170 and a corresponding or complementary upper portion 168. A representative hard container 165 may be the short, rounded, generally cylindrical container 50 traditionally used for the commercialization of snus product types. The hard container 165 is in turn hermetically sealed, and may have an optional ring or band 195 of sealing material circumscribing the hard container in the sealing area between the upper and lower portions 168, 170. As such, conditions are provided so that the atmosphere 160 within said hard container 165 is controlled (for example, the atmosphere is composed of high purity nitrogen gas or other suitable gaseous species). Alternatively, hard container 165 may optionally be packaged in a sealed outer package 180, as in the manner set forth above with reference to FIG. 3 (for example, so that the conditions within said external package, and therefore within the hard container, are controlled). In any case, the modified modified atmosphere 160 within the hard container 165 may be the same or different than the modified or controlled atmospheres 130, 221, 222 of each of the external packages 125, 211, 212 of the tobacco portions 156 , 157, 158 individually wrapped (for example, the hard container may be packaged within an outer package that provides a type of vacuum seal and the individually wrapped portions of tobacco may be wrapped under controlled atmosphere; or the individually wrapped portions of tobacco can be

packaged inside external packages that provide a type of vacuum seal and the external package may be wrapped to provide controlled atmosphere conditions). In use, the outer package is broken and the hard container is open, a portion of individual packed tobacco is extracted from the hard container and said packaged portion is opened so that the portion of tobacco can be enjoyed by the consumer.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sixth embodiment of a representative smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 may include various tobacco compositions (not shown) each contained in a sealed, moisture permeable sachet (not shown). The tobacco compositions in the tobacco portions are of the type previously described with reference to FIG. 5. Each individual tobacco portion has a sealed outer package 125, 211, 212 that surrounds and contains each respective tobacco portion. Each external package 125, 211, 212 is hermetically sealed and is selected from an appropriate material such that the atmosphere (not shown) 10 within each of the respective external packages can be controlled (eg, vacuum seal). In addition, the atmosphere within each respective package can be controlled so that the atmosphere is composed of high purity nitrogen gas or other suitable gaseous species. If desired, this embodiment can be altered so that each outer package 125, 211, 212 contains a plurality (eg, 2, 3 or 4) of individual tobacco portions. The individual tobacco portions packaged within the outer packages 125, 211, 212 are in turn connected to each other in a relationship at the ends. That is, the individual external packages 125, 211, 212 are each "sealed by means of fins" along the respective sealing regions 270, 271, 272. The fin seal extends longitudinally along the length of each external package. For the embodiment shown, each region 270, 271, 272 sealed by fins may have five "jaw lines". At another end of the outer package 125, and preferably generally perpendicular to the longitudinally extending fin seal 20, are the seals at the end 131, 132. In addition, there are seals at the end comparable for each of the other external packages . For the embodiment shown, the seal at the end of each external package may have three "jaw lines". Between seals at the adjacent end of each of the external packages there is a perforation line 305, 306, 307, such that each of the individual packages can be separated from the next. A desired number of connected external packages (for example, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30) are rolled 25 or wound in a generally spiral manner (for example as in the form generally common to a coil or roll of seals postcards). The coil series resulting from connected external packages is then placed inside a suitable container 315. One end of the rolled series of external packages extends through an opening 320 on the side face of the container 315. As such, the container may contain the rolled product, as well as provide a form or method for dispensing the product therefrom. . As such, a dispenser is provided for an essentially continuous strip of smokeless tobacco product (for example, individual portions of smokeless tobacco composition that are connected to each other but that can be separated from each other around individual tear-off perforation lines ).

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the individual packages are connected in a "by the ends" type arrangement. If desired, the configuration by which the individual packages are connected can be altered. For example, instead of sealing the individual external packages at each end of the length of a smokeless tobacco product, the smokeless tobacco product may be rotated 90 ° and the seals at the end of the external package may be parallel to the Product length without smoke. As such, the individual external packages of smokeless product may be aligned in a type of arrangement "on the sides".

For the type of embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the individual packages that are connected to each other in any of the types of "by the ends" or "by the sides" arrangements can be incorporated into other types of containers for commercial distribution. For example, a predetermined number (for example, 4, 5 or 10) of individual external packages connected but divisible in a cigarette package can be incorporated. When incorporated into the cigarette pack, it is particularly desired to arrange the sealed smokeless product in a controlled atmosphere so that the flavors and aromas do not migrate between the cigarettes and the smokeless product. In this way the integrity of the product is preserved for each of the products packaged together. In one embodiment, cigarettes can be packaged in what is called "hard packet" which has a lid that extends upwardly beyond the ends of the cigarettes that are contained therein and a strip of individual packages connected within it can be positioned of the upper inner portion of said lid. Exemplary hard pack designs are set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,852,734 to Allen et al .; 5,139,140 of 50 Burrows et al. and 5,938,018 from Keaveney et al. (For example, a hard package designed to contain cigarettes having lengths of approximately 99 mm in a 7-6-7 configuration can be filled with comparable cigarettes having lengths of approximately 85 mm and several portions of packaged smokeless tobacco may be contained within of the upper inner region of the mobile upper cover). Alternatively, several portions of smokeless tobacco packaged with a pack of cigarettes may be included, these smokeless portions being contained in the outer polypropylene wrap that covers the outer regions of the cigarette pack. Similarly, portions of unnumbered tobacco can be connected to a pack of cigarettes by means of an adhesive or by holding it as a separate element.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a representative type of smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes a tobacco composition 115 contained in a sealed bag 120, and moisture permeable, 60 thereby providing a portion 122 of tobacco. The tobacco product 110 has an outer sealed package 125 that surrounds and contains the tobacco portion 122 in a hermetically sealed form. The representative outer package 125 has an upper surface 126 and a lower surface 127. The lower surface

127 is adequately adapted to have what is called a type of "blister pack" format and configuration. As such, the bottom surface can have the general shape of a "bubble" that has a certain degree of structural integrity, and therefore can be shaped to have a generally hemispherical shape, or other desired shape. The outer package 125 is hermetically sealed and is selected from an appropriate material such that the atmosphere 130 within said outer package is controlled. If desired, the embodiment may be altered in order that the external package contains a plurality (eg, 2, 3 or 4) of individual tobacco portions. An edge region 426 around which the outer package (e.g. heat seal) is tightly sealed extends preferably around the bubble region of the blister pack. The edge region may take a shape that is rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, circular or other desired shapes. If desired, the edge region 426 of each external package may have a serrated appearance; it can be perforated so that it is connected in a strip or matrix to other external packages, or it can be cut so that it has the desired visual effect. Preferably, the length of the inner region of the outer package is at least about 10 percent greater than the total length of the tobacco portion, the width of the inner of the outer package is at least about 10 percent greater than the Total width of the tobacco portion and the height of the inner region of the outer package is somewhat larger than the total height of the tobacco portion. For an exemplary embodiment, a snus-like product has a maximum length of about 30 mm, a width of about 10 mm to about 12 mm, and a height of about 5 mm to about 6 mm; and the outer package has a length of approximately 40 mm, a width of approximately 15 mm and a height of 15 mm; and the seals at the end of the outer package extend around the "bubble" portion to a width of about 5 mm to about 10 mm. The tobacco product thus packaged can be used in the general form 20 set forth previously with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 5 and 6.

Tobacco used for the manufacture of tobacco products according to the embodiments of this document may vary. Tobaccos can include types of tobacco such as smoke-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, black tobacco, black roasted tobacco and rustic tobacco, as well as other special or different tobacco. Descriptions of various types of tobacco, cultivation practices, harvesting practices and curing practices are set forth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). See also the types of tobacco set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,660,577 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al .; 5,387,416 of White et al .; 6,730,832 of Dominguez et al .; and 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 818,198, filed June 30, 2006, by Stebbins et al. Most preferably, tobacco materials are those that have been cured and matured properly. 30 Especially preferred techniques and conditions for curing smoke-cured tobacco are set forth in Nestor et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 20 (2003) 467-475 and in US Patent No. 6,895,974 to Peele, which are incorporated herein by reference. Representative techniques and conditions for air-cured tobacco are set forth in Roton et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 305-320 and Staaf et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 321-330. 35

The tobacco used for the manufacture of the tobacco product is preferably provided in the form of strands, ground, granulated, in the form of fine particles or in the form of powder. The tobacco used for the manufacture of the tobacco product may also be processed, mixed, formulated, combined and homogenized with other materials or ingredients. For example, the tobacco composition may incorporate salts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusting components, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants and preservatives. See, for example, the representative components, combination of components, relative amount of these components and ingredients related to tobacco and ways and procedures for using these components set forth in US patent applications serial numbers 11 / 233,399 of Holton, et al. and 11 / 351,919 of Holton, et al. For example, the tobacco product may have the form of a sachet containing a tobacco composition, and a flavored strip or film; the shape of a sachet containing a composition of tobacco, and a flavored strip or film incorporating finely divided tobacco granules and / or tobacco extract (eg, components of a spray dried aqueous tobacco extract); or the form of a highly processed soluble film that incorporates finely divided granules of tobacco and / or tobacco extract. Typically, for certain embodiments, the amount of tobacco material in a portion of an individual portion of smokeless tobacco may vary, on a dry weight basis, at least about 30 mg, often at least 50 about 40 mg, and often at least about 45 mg; although the amount is typically less than about 200 mg, often less than about 150 mg, and often less than about 100 mg. The tobacco material may be in the form of parts or pieces of processed tobacco, cured and ripened tobacco in essentially natural sheets or in the form of stems, a tobacco extract, extracted tobacco paste (for example, using water as a solvent), or a mixture of the above (for example a mixture combining 55 pulp of tobacco extracted with sheets of cured and matured natural tobacco granulated).

The moisture content of the tobacco formulation before being used by the consumer of the formulation may vary. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation, as it is present inside the sachet before insertion into the user's mouth, is less than about 55 percent by weight, in general, it is less than about 50 percent by weight, and is often less than about 45 percent at 60 weight. Certain types of tobacco formulations have moisture contents, before use, less than about 15 percent by weight, often less than about 10 percent by weight, and often less than about 5 percent by weight. For certain tobacco products, such as those that

they incorporate snus-type tobacco compositions, the moisture content can exceed 20 percent by weight, often it can exceed 30 percent by weight. For example, a representative snus-type product may have a tobacco composition having a moisture content of about 25 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight, preferably about 30 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight . 5

The form by which the moisture content of the formulation is controlled may vary. For example, the formulation can be subjected to thermal or convection heating. As a specific example, the formulation can be oven dried, in hot air at temperatures of about 40 ° C to about 95 ° C, with a preferred temperature range of about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for an appropriate period of time to achieve the content in desired humidity. Alternatively, the tobacco formulations 10 can be wetted using coating drums, cylinders or conditioning drums, liquid spray apparatus, belt mixers, mixers available as FKMl 30, FKM600, FKM1200, FKM2000 and FKM3000 from Littleford Day, Inc ., types of Plow Share cylinder mixers, and the like. Most preferably, wet tobacco formulations, such as the types of tobacco formulations employed in the types of snus products, are subjected to pasteurization or fermentation. The techniques for pasteurizing or fermenting the types of 15 snus tobacco products will be apparent to those skilled in the art of designing and manufacturing snus products.

The pH of the tobacco formulation may vary. Typically, the pH of said formulation is at least about 6.5, and preferably at least about 7.5. Typically, the pH of said formulation will not exceed approximately 9, and often will not exceed approximately 8.5. A representative tobacco formulation has a pH of about 6.8 about 8.2. A representative technique for determining the pH of a tobacco formulation involves dispersing 2 g of the formulation in 10 ml of water for high performance liquid chromatography, and measuring the pH of the resulting suspension / solution (for example, with a pH meter ).

If desired, prior to the preparation of the tobacco formulation, tobacco parts or fragments can be irradiated, or these parts or fragments can be pasteurized, or subjected to any other type of controlled heat treatment. Additionally, if desired, after preparation of all or part of the formulation, the component materials can be irradiated, or said component materials can be pasteurized, or subjected to any other type of controlled heat treatment. For example, a formulation can be prepared, followed by irradiation or pasteurization, and then flavoring ingredient (s) can be applied to the formulation. Alternatively, the tobacco formulation can be irradiated or pasteurized after the tobacco formulation has been incorporated into a moisture permeable package or bag (for example, to provide the individual smokeless tobacco product containers of type snus)

The composition / construction of a moisture permeable package or bag that acts as a snus-type container for use of the tobacco formulation may vary. Suitable packages, bags or containers of the type used for the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products are available under the trade names "taboka," 35 CatchDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Goteborgs Rape, Grovsnus White, Metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint, Mocca Wintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf, TreAnkrare, Camel Snus Original, Camel Snus Frost and Camel Snus Spice. The tobacco formulation may be contained in bags and packaged, in one way and using the types of components used for the manufacture of conventional snus product types. The bag or filter provides a liquid permeable container of a type that can be considered to have a character similar to the types of 40 mesh materials used in the construction of a tea bag. The components of the loose tobacco formulation are easily diffused through the bag and into the user's mouth.

Descriptions of various components Two types of snus products and components are also set forth in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118422 of Lundin et al. See also for example, United States patents numbers 4,607,479 to Linden; 4,631,899 to Nielsen; 5,346,734 to Wydick et al .; and 45,162,516 to Derr, and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0061339 of Hansson et al. See also representative types of bags, and the material or filter of the bags, set forth in US Patent No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad. The types of snus products can be manufactured using equipment such as what is available as SB 51-1 / T, SBL 50 and SB 53-2 / T from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmBH. The snus bags may be provided as individual bags, or a plurality of bags (for example, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 50 bags) may be connected or linked together (for example, one way at the ends) so that an individual bag or portion can be easily removed for use by a strip or array of one-piece bags.

Although the tobacco composition is more preferably provided in a form that is characteristic of a snus-like product, the tobacco composition may also have the form of loose wet snuff snuff, loose dry snuff snuff, chewing tobacco, pelletized snuff fragments, extruded tobacco strips or fragments, finely divided ground tobacco powders, finely divided agglomerates or ground fragments and powder components, scale fragments (for example, those formed by agglomerating components of a tobacco formulation into a bed fluidized), molded processed tobacco fragments, rubber fragments containing tobacco, products incorporating mixtures of edible material combined with tobacco fragments and / or tobacco extracts, products incorporating tobacco (for example in the form of tobacco extract) supported by a solid inedible substrate 60, and the like. For example, the tobacco composition may have the form of tobacco pellets

tablets, extruded fragments in several layers, extruded and shaped strips, rods or rods (for example, a strip, bar or rod having a length of about 3-7 cm, preferably about 4-6 cm, and a diameter of about 1 -5 mm, preferably about 2-4 mm), compositions having a type of tobacco formulation surrounded by a different type of tobacco formulation, tape-like film cylinders, water-soluble or water-dispersible films or strips, with capsule-like materials that have an outer shell 5 (for example a flexible or hard outer shell that can be transparent, colorless, translucent or highly colored in nature) and an inner region that possesses tobacco or tobacco aroma (for example a Newtonian fluid or a thixotropic fluid that incorporates tobacco in some form).

Processed tobacco compositions, such as processed tobacco pellets, can be produced by compacting tobacco and associated formulation components, compacting these components in the form of a pellet, and optionally coating each pellet with an external coating material. Example granulation devices are available as FL-M Series granulator equipment (for example, FL-M-3) from Vector Corporation and as WP 120V and WP 200VN from Alexanderwerk, Inc. Example compaction devices, such as compaction presses, are available as Colton 2216 and Colton 2247 from Vector Corporation and as 120Oi, 22001, 3200, 2090, 3090 and 4090 from Fette Compacting. Devices for providing external coating layers to 15 pelletized tobacco formulations are available as CompuLab 24, CompuLab 36, Accela-Cota 48 and Accela-Coata 60 from Thomas Engineering.

Processed tobacco compositions, such as multi-stratified tobacco pellets, can be manufactured using a wide variety of extrusion techniques. For example, multi-stratified tobacco pellets can be manufactured using joint extrusion techniques (for example, using a twin screw extruder). In such a situation, successive wet or dry components or mixtures of components can be placed in separate extrusion hoppers. Steam, gases (e.g., ammonia, air, carbon dioxide and the like) and humectants (e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol) can be injected into the extruder cylinder when each of the dry mixtures is driven, plasticized and dried) . As such, the various components are processed so that they are perfectly mixed, and therefore, are in complete contact with each other. For example, the contact of the components 25 is such that the individual components can be perfectly embedded in the extrusion or extruded matrix. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,821,749 to Toft et al.

Certain tobacco compositions may incorporate tobacco as their major component. Preferably, these compositions do not leave, in substantial degree, any residue in the user's mouth. Preferably, these compositions do not give the mouth of the user a sliding or jelly-like sensation (for example, due to excessively high levels of binding agents). Tobacco materials, during processing, can be treated with compounds to adjust the pH or other suitable agents, so that natural pectins can be released into the tobacco material. The release of natural pectin from tobacco can act to reduce the amount of additional gums / hydrocolloids, cellulose-derived or starch-based ligands necessary to aid in the qualities of the desired sheet or tensile strength of the film. For example, to release pectin, tobacco powder is cooked in an alkaline pH adjusted solution at elevated temperatures relative to the environment. Such treatment can also provide desirable sensory attributes to the tobacco material. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,099,864 to Young et al .; 5,339,838 to Young et al. and 5,501,237 from Young et al.

A representative type of tobacco product in individual portions has an outer shell and an inner region in the form of a tobacco formulation. A representative outer shell can be provided by arranging a liquid mixture of alginates (for example sodium alginates available such as Kelvis, Kelgin and Mannucol from International Specialty Products Corp.), corn starch, sucralose, glycerin and flavoring agent (for example peppermint flavoring) in water to provide a liquid mixture having a Brookfield viscosity at 25 ° C of about 20,000 about 25,000 centipoise. This viscous mixture can be used in the form of a 45 sheet and can be shaped into an outer layer (for example, using a Villaware Imperia Pasta Machine, Dough Roller 150 machine equipped with a Villaware Ravioli Attachment for Imperia 150-25 accessory, being available each of which from Imperia Trading Company) or semicircular covers that can be combined (for example, by exposing them to heat) to form an outer layer. Typically, said viscous mixture can be dried properly by heating at about 60 ° C for about an hour. A wide range of tobacco formulations can be incorporated into said outer shell. A representative tobacco formulation used as an internal region is a dry or wet mixture of granulated or chopped tobacco material that may be mixed with other ingredients such as flavoring agents, humectants, emulsifiers, fillers, pH adjusting agents, dispersion aids and Similar. A representative tobacco formulation has the form of a fluid (for example, the form of a weak gel or soft gel). Said tobacco formulation may be provided by mixing granulated or chopped tobacco material, kappa-carrageenan, Kelvis-type sodium alginate, propylene glycol, polyisobate 60 and flavoring agent (e.g., menthol and cinnamon) in water, such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 40 to about 50 percent by weight. A representative tobacco formulation has the form of a fluid. Said tobacco formulation can be provided by mixing granulated or chopped tobacco material, glycerin, glycerol stearate, propylene glycol, kappa-carrageenan, carboxymethylcellulose 60 available as Ticalose 1500 from TIC Gums and microcrystalline cellulose (eg, Ticacel HV from TIC Gums) in water, such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 60 to about 70 percent by weight.

The amount of tobacco formulation incorporated in each of the sealed outer packages may vary. In one aspect, a loose tobacco composition can be incorporated into an external package, the package is sealed and said loose tobacco can be used as loose snuff tobacco or chewing tobacco when the external package is opened. In another aspect, although preferred, the snuff composition contained in a snus bag or package is incorporated into the outer package, the package is sealed, and the snus type product can be used when the external package has been opened. Typically, the amount of tobacco formulation in each individual portion (for example, within each snus-type bag) is such that there is at least about 50 mg, often at least about 150 mg, and often at least about 250 mg of tobacco by dry weight; and less than about 700 mg, often less than about 500 mg, and often less than about 300 mg, of dry weight tobacco. For example, snus-type snuff-free tobacco products may be in the form of what is called 10 "portion of snus."

An exemplary snus-type product has about 1 g of a tobacco formulation having a moisture content of about 35 percent by weight; said tobacco formulation is contained in a sealed filter bag or veil having a total length of approximately 30 mm, a width of approximately 16 mm and a height of approximately 5 mm, in which the length of the compartment area of said bag is approximately 26 mm due to a seal of approximately 2 mm width at each end of said bag. Another exemplary snus-type product has about 0.5 g of a tobacco formulation having a moisture content of about 35 weight percent; said tobacco formulation being contained in a sealed filter bag or veil having a total length of approximately 26 mm, a width of approximately 12 mm, and a height of approximately 5 mm, in which the length of the compartment area of 20 said bag is approximately 22 mm due to a seal approximately 2 mm wide at each end of said bag.

The external packaging material useful in accordance with the present invention may vary. Typically, the selection of packaging material depends on factors such as aesthetics, handling comfort, desired barrier properties (for example, to provide protection from exposure to oxygen or radiation, or to provide protection against loss of moisture) or the like. The packaging material is more preferably in the form of a film, such as a laminated film (for example a co-extruded laminated film). The number of layers present with a laminated packaging material may vary; and it can be at least about 3 layers, and often at least about 4 layers; although typically, the number of layers does not exceed approximately 10 layers, and often does not exceed approximately 8 layers. The total thickness of 30 example packaging materials is typically at least about 0.0635 mm (0.0025 inches), often at least about 0.0762 mm (0.003 inches); although typically, the thickness of the packaging materials is less than about 0.152 mm (0.006 inches), and often less than about 0.127 mm (0.005 inches). Representative materials that can be used to provide components or layers of film materials or laminated films may include polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, oriented polypropylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyvinylidene dichloride ), polyester terephthalate, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, linear low density polyethylene metallocene and the like. Example packaging materials may be plastic / metal films, plastic / metal films are coated with paper, laminated plastic films or the like. Such types of materials can be manufactured from materials that make them essentially impervious to oxygen and / or moisture, can be sealed to provide a tightness with good integrity, and can provide an external package to be retained and maintain its nature or impervious nature. over time. Suitable materials are those of the type that have been used as packaging materials for the controlled atmosphere or vacuum packaging of food and pharmaceuticals

Other useful example materials that provide packaging materials of the present invention preferably include flexible type plastic materials. See, for example, polymeric materials, sealants, adhesives and the like, set forth in US Patent Publication No. 2004/0043165 by Van Hulle et al. For packaging materials that are used in order to prevent contamination of the tobacco composition by oxygen, it is desirable to incorporate an effective amount of suitable reducing agent in the material that provides the inner surface of the packaging material. fifty

An example stratified film has four layers; the top or outer layer is composed of a layer of polyester tefephthalate (PET) having a thickness of approximately 0.0122 mm (0.00048 inches), a thin layer of adhesive (for example, a polyurethane type adhesive available under the trade name Tycel from The Liofol Company), a metal film (for example, aluminum) having a thickness of approximately 0.00889 mm (0.00035 inches) and a lower layer of a composition containing ethylene and methacrylic acid available under the 55 trade name Surlyn of EI DuPont of Nemours & Company and having a thickness of approximately 0.0508 mm (0.002 inches). If desired, the PET side adjacent to the adhesive can be printed with product information using a suitable ink. Another example stratified film has three layers; the upper or outer layer being composed of a PET layer having a thickness of approximately 0.0122 mm (0.00048 inches), a thin layer of adhesive (for example, an adhesive available as Tycel) and a lower layer of a Composition 60 available as Surlyn and having a thickness of approximately 0.0508 (0.002 inches). Another example stratified film contains four layers; the upper or outer layer being composed of a PET layer having a thickness of approximately 0.0122 mm (0.00048 inches), a thin metal film (eg, aluminum), a layer

thin of adhesive (for example, an adhesive available as Tycel) and a bottom layer of a composition available as Surlyn and having a thickness of about 0.0508 (0.002 inches). The above representative types of laminated films are suitable to provide what are called "sealed by fin" and "three-sided" types of packaging containers having the PET layer as the outer surface of these containers. 5

An example stratified film possesses; the top or outer layer that is composed of a layer of a material such as Surlyn that has a thickness of 0.0508 mm (0.002 inches), a thin layer of adhesive, a metal film (for example aluminum) that has a thickness of approximately 0.00889 mm (0.00035 inches), a layer of adhesive, and a lower layer of a material such as Surlyn having a thickness of approximately 0.0508 mm (0.002 inches). The above representative type of laminated film is suitable for providing what are called "bag types with" flange seal ".

The present invention may involve the use of equipment, materials, methodologies and process conditions that are suitably modified in order to provide the packaging and controlled atmosphere conditions for the tobacco products that are packaged accordingly. The atmosphere in the packaging materials can be modified in a variety of ways. For example, a significant amount of atmosphere can be extracted within the package (for example, using vacuum packaging techniques), or the atmosphere within the package can be altered in a controlled manner (for example, using gas injection techniques ). Representative aspects of various technologies associated with modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging are set forth in Analysis and Evaluation of Preventative Control Measures for the Control and Reduction / Elimination of Microbial Hazards on Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product; Chapter VI; Microbiological Safety of 20 Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (September 30, 2001).

Controlled and modified atmospheres within packaged tobacco products may vary. Typically, when the tobacco product is vacuum packed or a gas is injected to have a controlled or modified atmosphere (for example, even if the atmosphere is controlled in such a way that the atmospheric pressure 25 within the sealed package is at a positive pressure with respect to the ambient atmospheric pressure), the atmospheric conditions within the package are controlled so that a significant amount of, and more preferably virtually all, the oxygen present within the package, is extracted from the package before the moment in which The one that the package is sealed. That is, less than about 8 percent, and often less than about 6 percent, of the weight of the controlled atmosphere initially present in a sealed end package is composed of oxygen. For example, when the package is sealed, the atmosphere present within the package may preferably possess less than about 5 percent oxygen, and more preferably between about 1 percent oxygen and about 5 percent oxygen, based on the weight of the controlled atmosphere initially present within said sealed package. Typically, when tobacco product is filled with a gaseous species (for example a selected gas or a mixture of gases), a significant amount of, and more preferably all, the atmosphere within the sealed package is provided by the gaseous species desired. Example gaseous species include nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and the like (for example, high purity gases having a purity greater than about 99 percent by weight). According to the invention, the atmosphere in which the tobacco product incorporates a relatively high level of a desired gaseous species (oxygen) in order to introduce the effects of "gas shock" to the tobacco product (relatively high levels of Oxygen in the atmosphere may be desirable for the introduction of "oxygen shock" in order to inhibit enzymatic discoloration, prevent anaerobic fermentation ratios and inhibit aerobic and anaerobic microbial growth). A controlled atmosphere containing an amount of oxygen such that the level of oxygen in said atmosphere is greater than about 25 percent by weight, often greater than about 30 percent by weight, can provide suitable conditions for the introduction of oxygen shock. . Four. Five

Representative equipment useful for carrying out the process steps associated with the packaging aspects of the present invention are available from Winpak Ltd. (for example, systems identified as LD32, L25, L18 and L12); as horizontal wrap systems of the Linboy 300 Series from Doboy Inc. (for example, Linium Model numbers 301, 302, 303, 304 or 305); as Hiwrap 504 systems available from Hitech Systems s.r.1 .; and as the types of systems available from Rovema Verpackungmaschinen GmbH. The preferred equipment provides a wrapping material that provides a seal that does not allow the passage of gases or moisture through it (for example, a seal that could be considered as "air tight").

Packaging materials for representative blister packs may vary. Example materials used for the bottom layer of a typical blister packaging material are stratified polymer films available as Pentapharm alfoil T-250/25/90, Pentapharm ACLAR PA 180/02, Pentapharm ACLAR PA 200/02 and 55 Pentapharm ACLAR PA 300/02, from Klockner-Pentaplast of America, Inc. Example materials used for the top layer of packaged material for typical blister packs are heat sealable metal films. An example heat sealable film is an aluminum film having a thickness of approximately 0.0178 mm (0.007 inches) coated on the sealing face with a heat sealable material (eg, Surlyn) having a thickness of approximately 0.00254 mm ( 0.0001 inches). See also, for example, the types of materials set forth in US Patent Publication No. 2004/0043165 by Van Hulle et al. Although the types of blister packs called "removable cover" can be used, blister packs called "tear-off" are of particular interest

by pressure ”.

If desired, packaging can be carried out in a controlled environment. That is, pasteurized tobacco product can be packaged in external packages in a sterile environment.

The products of the present embodiments can be packaged and stored in the same way that conventional types of smokeless tobacco products are packaged and stored. For example, a plurality of 5 packages or bags may be contained in a cylindrical container. If desired, it is possible to refrigerate (for example, at a temperature less than about 10 ° C, often less than about 8 ° C, and sometimes less than about 5 ° C) wet tobacco products (for example, products that have moisture contents greater than about 20 percent by weight). Alternatively, relatively dry tobacco products can often be stored under a relatively wide temperature range (for example products that have moisture contents less than about 15 weight percent).

For preferred embodiments herein, the smokeless tobacco composition is packaged in a manner that does not require the need for refrigeration during periods of transportation and prior to sale. That is, transport, handling and storage can be simplified, and the periods during which transport, handling and storage are carried out can be prolonged, while maintaining the quality of the smokeless product. In addition, although the shelf life of the product can be prolonged, thus avoiding the need for refrigeration, the shelf life of the refrigerated product can also be extended. The product packaged in accordance with the embodiments of this document can be stored for prolonged periods of time maintaining its general freshness, maintaining its moisture content, maintaining its visual appearance (for example, without suffering significant discoloration), maintaining its sensory properties, Without experiencing 20 absorption of unwanted flavors and odors, and without suffering change in its general chemical nature due to the action of microbial species. The wet tobacco product (for example products that have moisture contents greater than about 20 percent by weight, and often greater than about 30 percent by weight) can be stored for prolonged periods of time without refrigeration. 25

The following examples are provided to further illustrate certain aspects of the embodiments of this document but will not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. Unless stated otherwise, all parts and percentages are by weight.

Example 1

A tobacco formulation is provided in the form of a kind of flat strip or film as follows.

Tobacco material is provided in a strip or sheet form, consisting of a mixture of smoke-cured tobacco leaf, Burley and Oriental. A portion of this tobacco mixture is washed with water and the soluble ingredients or the removable portion that is collected are discarded, and the remaining water-insoluble solids are dried (eg, portion of the paste). The resulting dried pasta portion is mixed with the retained untreated portion of the original tobacco mixture. This tobacco mixture is chopped to a particle size that passes through a Tyler 150 mesh sieve. The resulting tobacco mixture is further mixed with other ingredients to form a formulation containing approximately 40 parts of chopped tobacco sheet, approximately 25 parts of calcium carbonate, about 15 parts of binder (which can be composed of pectin, gelatin, sodium alginate and starch), about 15 parts of glycerin, about 4 parts of flavoring and about 1 part of sucralose or about 1 parts of sweetener available as SucraSweet HIS 600 from Sweetener Solutions LLC (on a dry weight basis). The binder can be a suitable binder (for example, food grade binder) and example binder can be selected from a variety of pectins, gelatins, alginates (eg sodium alginate) or starches. The resulting dry mixture is dispersed in deionized water (for example, about 8 to about 10 parts of dry mixture in about 90 to about 92 parts of water) forming a suspension having a Brookfield viscosity of about 20,000 centipoise at 25,000 centipoise at 25 ° C.

The suspension is molded in the form of a thick, uniform layer on a stainless steel drying tray that may be lightly coated with a non-stick spray before molding the suspension. The tray is placed in a drying oven at a relatively low temperature (for example, about 50 60 ° C to about 70 ° C) for up to about 10 hours (for example, about 6 to about 8 hours). As such, a shaped mixture of tobacco formulation components in a desired form is provided from an aqueous suspension of these components.

The suspension can be molded in the form of a strip (for example, with a length of about 25 cm to about 35 cm) and a width of about 1 cm to about 2 cm. If desired, optional perforations or lines of weakness can be stamped at predetermined intervals generally extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip. The resulting product that can be formulated and dried so that it is flexible and has a high acceptable tensile strength, can be wound and incorporated

within the type of container previously described with reference to FIG. 6. Said container can then be packaged in an external package and under controlled atmospheric conditions, of the general type described above. In use, the outer package can be opened, and a piece of the long strip of the tobacco formulation extending from an opening of the container in the desired amount of use can be detached.

The suspension can be molded in the form of a sheet or film and, after drying, individual portions can be stamped, punched or cut from said sheet or film. Thus, for example, rectangular strips or sheets, or circular pieces, can be provided from the sheet or film; and packaged as individual portions (for example, using another wrapping material configured in the general manner described above with reference to FIG. 1).

The molded material that has dried can be ground in the form of a powder or granulated form and then packaged inside a moisture permeable bag and sealed. Each such bag can be packaged in an external package, in the same way as described above with reference to FIG. one.

Example 2

Smokeless tobacco products that are preferably non-chewable tobacco products that are intended to be placed between the cheek and gums of the mouth are provided as follows. Preferred smokeless tobacco products 15, when used orally, dissolve completely in the mouth leaving little to no solid or granular residue, while the tobacco components are dispensed or dispersed, and while providing an experience by route Trigemin and pleasant organoleptic.

Cured and / or ripened tobacco leaf or stems are provided in the form of a strip or chopped, and with a moisture content of approximately 9 percent or less. Types of tobacco may include smoke-cured tobacco, Burley and oriental tobacco, and various combinations thereof. In addition, special or exotic types of tobacco, including tobacco such as Perique and Cavendish, can also be incorporated into mixtures of tobacco materials. The sheet or stem is chopped under cryogenic conditions, or any other suitable type of dry chop, to a fine ground form. The powder is fine enough to pass through a Tyler 150 mesh screen. The resulting powder is then irradiated with about 5 to about 20 k Grays of gamma radiation. 25

Smoke cured tobacco sheet is provided that has matured in the form of a strip, and with a moisture content of about 9 percent or less. The sheet is chopped under cryogenic conditions or any other suitable means of chopping to a fine ground form. The powder is fine enough to pass through a Tyler 150 mesh screen. The resulting powder is then irradiated with about 5 to about 20 k Grays of gamma radiation. 30

Tobacco powder is introduced into a fluidized bed. While in the fluidized bed, the tobacco powder is introduced into a mixture of water and various ingredients that have been provided in powder form. The resulting mixture is extracted from the fluidized bed and dried to a moisture content of approximately 4 percent.

The resulting tobacco formulation is extracted from the fluidized bed. A representative formulation contains about 25 to about 40 parts of tobacco leaf cured with granulated smoke, about 35 0.5 to about 3.0 parts of sucralose (modified sugar), about 1 part of titanium dioxide (color modifier), about 10 to about 25 parts of calcium carbonate (in available form as HD PPT Fine from Ruger Chemical), about 15 to about 30 parts of mannitol powder, about 2 to about 5 parts of cellulose powder (in the form available as CreaFill Fibers QC-90), about 5 to about 15 parts of pregelatinized corn starch (in the available form 40 as Colorch Starch 1500), about 3 to about 6 parts of povidone (in the form available as PVPK-30 of Xian Medicines & Health Products) and approximately 0.75 to approximately 2.5 parts of potassium hydroxide. The moisture content of the resulting granulated tobacco formulation is approximately 4 percent. The resulting granulated tobacco formulation is a finely chopped powder and light brown fluid, and that is constituted by particles having an average particle size sufficient to pass through a sieve 45 of approximately Tyler 80 mesh.

A desired amount of tobacco formulation (eg, about 0.5 to about 1 g) of the tobacco formulation can be placed in a sealed filter bag or veil, and said bag can be packaged in an outer package, such as in the general form set forth with reference to FIG. one.

Example 3 50

A dry mixture of approximately 200 g to approximately 225 g of granulated tobacco powder of the type described is mixed for approximately 5 minutes in a Model P400 Popiel ™ automatic tabletop pasta maker (available from Ronco Inventions, LLC, Chestworth, CA) in Example 2, a flavoring agent (for example, peppermint flavoring) and optionally sodium chloride. Next, a portion of about 48 g of a premixed hot aqueous solution (for example, about 40 g of water and about 8 g of glycerin) is added to the dry mixture. This content is mixed for approximately 3 minutes, or until small pea-sized masses are formed. The mixture similar to

Peas are then extruded by means of selected nozzles to obtain sheets of the flat paste type (1.4 cm wide x 30 cm long x 0.1 to 0.7 cm thick) or cylindrical rod acicular (0.1 to 0, 7 cm in diameter x 12 to 24 cm in length). The paste-like sheets are subsequently cut into smaller square or rectangular fragments to obtain pellets each weighing approximately 185 to about 250 mg. In general, wafer-shaped fragments each weighing approximately 185 mg to approximately 250 mg can also be obtained by punching the paste-like sheets. The acicular rods are subsequently cut to obtain fragments of smaller pellets or strands, each weighing approximately 185 mg to approximately 250 mg. In general, extruded cylindrical rods (for example, a continuous cylindrical extrudate can generally be cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis) can also be cut wafer-shaped fragments (for example, generally cylindrical shaped fragments) each weighing about 185 mg to 10 about 250 mg. Alternatively, the thin cylindrical extrudate can also be subdivided to provide somewhat longer rod fragments, each weighing approximately 185 mg to approximately 250 mg. The fragments of various shapes are placed on a stainless steel plate and dried at room temperatures for up to about 24 hours (for example, for about 12 to about 20 hours) Alternatively, the fragments are dried well by forced air ovens 15 operate at approximately 50 ° C at approximately 100 ° C for up to 15 minutes, or by steam coming from boiling water baths. Dried products typically have moisture contents of about 5 to about 10 percent. Typical tobacco formulations have, on a dry weight basis, about 85 to about 99 parts of the granulated tobacco powder, about 1 to about 15 parts of flavoring agents, and about 1 to about 1.5 parts of optional sodium chloride .

The various tobacco formulations can be packaged in the manner set forth previously with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7.

Example 4

Tobacco formulations are provided that have the size and general shape of those set forth above in Example 3, using the types of preparation techniques set forth in Example 3. However, the granulated tobacco powder used in Example 3 is replaced by a finely chopped tobacco powder that is prepared as follows.

Smoke cured tobacco sheet is provided that has matured in the form of a strip, and with a moisture content of about 9 percent or less. The sheet is chopped under cryogenic conditions or any other suitable means of chopping up to a fine ground form. The powder is fine enough to pass through a Tyler 150 mesh screen. The resulting powder is then irradiated with about 5 to about 20 k Grays of gamma radiation.

The powdered tobacco sheet and the rest of the various ingredients are mixed in advance in an automatic drum mixer for approximately 15 minutes. As such, on a dry weight basis, a dry mixture of about 122.5 g of tobacco powder, about 80.5 g of cane sugar, about 52.5 g of precipitated calcium carbonate, about 17 is prepared , 5 g of mannitol, approximately 48 g of rice starch (pregelatinized) and approximately 1.7 g of vanilla flavoring. Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 100 g of hot water (for example at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 4.6 g of potassium hydroxide dissolved therein in the apparatus for manufacturing Paste described in Example 3.

Tobacco formulations of the type set forth in Example 3 are provided in Example 3. That is, the tobacco formulations can be shaped into the desired shapes, such as sheets, strips, pellets, rods and the like. Shaped tobacco formulations can be packaged using the types of external packaging materials set forth herein before. Four. Five

Example 5

Tobacco formulations are provided in the manner set forth previously in Example 4. However, the ingredients of the tobacco formulation are formulated as follows. The powdered tobacco sheet described in Example 4, and the rest of the various ingredients are mixed in advance in an automatic drum mixer for approximately 15 minutes. As such, on a dry weight basis, a dry mixture is prepared from about 50 g of tobacco powder, about 50 g of cane sugar, about 34 g of precipitated calcium carbonate, about 20 g of mannitol, approximately 20 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 10 g of maltodextrin, approximately 5.2 g of microcrystalline cellulose (available as Ticacel HV from TIC Gums), approximately 0.8 g of vanilla flavoring, approximately 0.5 g of menthol and approximately 3.5 g of glycerol sadarate. Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 50 g of hot water (for example at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 2 g of potassium hydroxide dissolved therein in the described pasta making apparatus in Example 3.

Example 6

Tobacco formulations are provided in the manner set forth previously in Example 4. However, the ingredients of the tobacco formulation are formulated as follows. A sheet of powdered tobacco is provided from smoke-cured tobacco sheet and Burley tobacco, in the general form set forth in Example 4. In addition, in the general form set forth in Example 4, said sheet of powdered tobacco, and the rest of the various ingredients are mixed in advance in an automatic drum mixer for approximately 15 minutes. As such, on a dry weight basis, a dry mixture is prepared from about 64 g of the tobacco powder, about 4.4 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600 from Sweetener Solutions LLC, about 40 g of carbonate of precipitated calcium, approximately 42 g of mannitol, approximately 19 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 9 g of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose available as Klucel EF of 10 Hercules, Inc. and approximately 5 g of microcrystalline cellulose (available as TIC HVC of TIC Gums). Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 50 g of hot water (for example at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 2.5 g of potassium hydroxide and about 8 g of glycerin dissolved therein in the pasta making apparatus described in Example 3.

Example 7 15

Tobacco formulations are provided in the manner set forth previously in Example 4. However, the ingredients of the tobacco formulation are formulated as follows. A sheet of powdered tobacco is provided from smoke-cured tobacco sheet and Burley tobacco, in the general form set forth in Example 4. In addition, in the general form set forth in Example 4, said sheet of powdered tobacco, and the rest of the various ingredients are mixed in advance in an automatic drum mixer for approximately 15 minutes. As such, on a dry weight basis, a dry mixture is prepared from about 64 g of the tobacco powder, about 4.4 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600 from Sweetener Solutions LLC, about 40 g of precipitated calcium carbonate, approximately 42 g of mannitol, approximately 19 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 9 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis from International Specialty Products Corp., approximately 2 g of peppermint flavor and approximately 5 g of 25 microcrystalline cellulose (available as Ticacel HV). Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 40 g of hot water (for example at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 2.5 g of potassium hydroxide and about 8 g of glycerin dissolved therein in the pasta making apparatus described in Example 3.

Example 8 30

A tobacco composition that is in the form of coextruded, multiaromatized and multi-stratified pellets is provided as follows.

Granulated tobacco powder and other dry ingredients are again used as described in Example 1, to prepare a smokeless tobacco formulation in the form of two-layer pellets. The pellets can be characterized by having a shape that could be considered of a "padded" nature (ie, the upper, lower, lateral and extremity parts are constituted by the outer layer or overlayer, and the inner layer is contained within the layer external

The inner layer is provided by mixing approximately 200 g of cured tobacco powder with granulated smoke, approximately 6 g of sodium chloride and approximately 1.5 g of menthol powder. Next, the dried mixture is combined with approximately 42 g of hot water (for example, at approximately 30 ° C to 40 approximately 45 ° C) having approximately 8 g of glycerin dissolved therein in the described pasta preparation apparatus in Example 3. The inner layer is generally cylindrical and is made as an acicular rod.

The outer layer is provided by mixing approximately 200 g of cured tobacco powder with granulated smoke, approximately 5 g of sodium chloride and approximately 14 g of finely chopped Burley tobacco powder. The outer layer is constituted as a flat paste-like sheet that contains finer tobacco powder, but less flavoring agent than the inner layer.

To prepare the smokeless tobacco composition, the paste-like sheet is completely wrapped around the thin acicular rod. The wrapped rod is then cut into smaller cylindrical pellets and both cut ends are molded or sealed to form small padded pellets, each pellet weighing approximately 185 mg to approximately 250 mg. The pellets are dried at room temperature for about 12 hours, or dried for about 20 minutes in a forced air oven set at about 50 ° C to about 80 ° C.

It is understood that the inner and outer layers can be formulated in several ways; for example, one layer can be produced to differ from the other in its level of sensory properties of tobacco, such as varying the level of flavorings or using different mixtures of tobacco compositions or formulations. On the other hand, in addition to coextrusion, multilayering can also be achieved by physically wrapping a preformed outer layer around a preformed inner layer. Alternatively, an inner layer portion can be laminated between two outer layer portions of slightly larger lateral dimensions, and they can be sealed together

the outer layers at their edges to surround the inner layer.

The tobacco formulation thus formed can be packaged in an external package of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Example 9

A tobacco composition having the general shape of a band or roll is provided as follows. 5

It is pre-mixed in a drum mixer for 15 minutes with the rest of the fine tobacco powder ingredients that contain a mixture of smoke-cured tobacco and Burley. As such, a dry mixture is provided containing approximately 60 g of granulated tobacco material, approximately 3.4 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600, approximately 36 g of precipitated calcium carbonate, approximately 40 g of mannitol, approximately 20 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 10 g of sodium alginate 10 available as Kelvis from International Specialty Products Corp., approximately 3 g of menthol flavoring, approximately 5 g of cinnamon flavoring and approximately 4 g of microcrystalline cellulose ( available as Ticacel HV). This dry mixture is then combined with approximately 42 g of hot water (for example at approximately 30 ° C to approximately 45 ° C) having approximately 8 g of glycerin and approximately 2.6 g of potassium hydroxide dissolved therein in The pasta preparation apparatus described in Example 3. The aqueous solution is then gently added to the dry mixture in the pasta preparation apparatus and mixed for 3 minutes or until masses of a pea-like size are formed. The mixture is then extruded into flat-shaped sheets of dimensions 1.4 cm wide and approximately 30 cm long, approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick. Each sheet is then perforated at intervals of about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm longitudinally to obtain a roll or 20-band product from which square or rectangular fragments can be easily separated. Preferably, the mixtures are not completely dry; and therefore, they maintain prolonged flexibility, elasticity and tensile strength. The moisture content of the tobacco composition ranges from about 12.5 to about 25 percent.

The web type product can be formed into a roll and placed in an external container of the type described previously with reference to FIG. 6. Said outer container can then be wrapped with an outer wrapping material, using packaging conditions such as those of the type described hereinbefore.

Example 10

A tobacco composition having the general shape of a band or roll is provided as follows.

It is previously mixed in a drum mixer for 15 minutes with the rest of the powder ingredients of fine tobacco containing a mixture of smoke-cured tobacco and Burley. As such, a dry mixture is provided containing about 52 g of granulated tobacco material, about 2 g of sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600, about 30 g of precipitated calcium carbonate, about 27.5 g of rice starch ( pregelatinized), about 40 g of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD from ISP Corporation, about 12 g of sodium alginate available as KeIvis from ISP Corporation, about 3 g of menthol flavoring, about 5 g of cinnamon flavor and about 4 g of microcrystalline cellulose (available as Ticacel HV). This dry mixture is then combined with approximately 40 g of hot water (for example at approximately 30 ° C to approximately 45 ° C) having approximately 16 g of glycerin and approximately 7 g of sodium carbonate dissolved therein in the apparatus of pasta preparation described in Example 3. The aqueous solution is then slowly added to the dry mixture in the pasta preparation apparatus and mixed for 3 minutes or until masses of a pea-like size are formed. The mixture is then extruded into flat-shaped sheets of dimensions 1.4 cm wide and approximately 30 cm long, approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick. Each sheet is then perforated at intervals of about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm lengthwise to obtain a roll or web product from which square or rectangular fragments can be easily separated. Preferably, the mixtures are not completely dry; and therefore, they maintain prolonged flexibility, elasticity and tensile strength. The moisture content of the tobacco composition ranges from about 12.5 to about 25 percent.

The web type product can be formed into a roll and placed in an external container of the type described previously with reference to FIG. 6. Said outer container can then be wrapped with an outer wrap material, using packaging conditions such as those of the type described hereinbefore.

Example 11

A tobacco composition having the general shape of a band or roll is provided as follows.

A dry mixture is provided containing approximately 9 g of rice starch (pregelatinized) approximately 20 g of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD, approximately 5 g of cinnamon powder and

approximately 3 g of menthol powder. Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 40 g of hot water (for example, at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 16 g of glycerin dissolved therein in the pasta preparation apparatus described in Example 3. During the operation of the pasta preparation apparatus, approximately 142 g of granulated tobacco material of the type described in Example 10 are introduced into the pasta preparation apparatus together with the above-described aqueous mixture.

The resulting mixture is then extruded into flat-shaped sheets of dimensions 1.4 cm wide and approximately 30 cm long, approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick. Each sheet is then perforated at intervals of about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm lengthwise to obtain a roll or web product from which square or rectangular fragments can be easily separated. Preferably, the mixtures are not completely dry; and therefore, they maintain prolonged flexibility, elasticity and tensile strength. The moisture content of the tobacco composition ranges from about 12.5 to about 25 percent.

The web type product can be formed into a roll and placed in an external container of the type described previously with reference to FIG. 6. Said outer container can then be wrapped with an outer wrapping material, using packaging conditions such as those of the type described hereinbefore.

Example 12

A tobacco composition having the general shape of a band or roll is provided as follows.

A dry mixture is provided containing approximately 20 g of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD and approximately 5 g of mint flavoring. Then, said dry mixture is combined with about 50 g of hot water (for example, at about 30 ° C to about 45 ° C) having about 16 g of glycerin dissolved therein in the described pasta preparation apparatus in Example 3. During the operation of the pasta preparation apparatus, approximately 195 g of granulated tobacco material of the type described in Example 10 is introduced into the pasta preparation apparatus together with the above-described aqueous mixture.

The resulting mixture is then extruded into flat-shaped sheets of dimensions 1.4 cm wide and approximately 30 cm long, approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick. Each sheet is then perforated at intervals of about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm lengthwise to obtain a roll or web product from which square or rectangular fragments can be easily separated. Preferably, the mixtures are not completely dry; and therefore, they maintain prolonged flexibility, elasticity and tensile strength. The moisture content of the tobacco composition ranges from about 12.5 to about 25 percent.

The web type product can be formed into a roll and placed in an external container of the type described previously with reference to FIG. 6. Said outer container can then be wrapped with an outer wrapping material, using packaging conditions such as those of the type described hereinbefore.

Example 13

A combination of smoke-cured tobacco powder and finely chopped Burley (for example, approximately 25 g) is mixed with approximately 100 ml of a solution having approximately 1 g of potassium hydroxide in approximately 100 ml of water. The resulting suspension is heated with constant stirring to about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for about 15 minutes. Then about 1 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600 and about 15 g of mannitol are added, and the suspension is maintained at about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for another 15 minutes, mixing while constantly to obtain a suspension of tobacco / water Meanwhile, a binder system is prepared separately in a Warring mixer. First, approximately 5 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis with high shear are mixed with approximately 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, followed by the slow addition of approximately 20 parts of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD, approximately 7 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 2 g of microcrystalline cellulose available as Ticacel, approximately 10 g of calcium carbonate and approximately 15 g of glycerin, successively, while the mixer is operated at a high shear rate for another 10 minutes. The binder and tobacco mixtures are then combined in the mixer at a medium to high shear rate for approximately another 5 minutes, with the addition of approximately 2.5 g of cinnamon and approximately 1.5 g of menthol. After mixing, the portions of the final suspension of about 0.1 cm to about 0.3 cm thick are molded on a stainless steel plate. The suspensions are then dried to form tobacco leaves or films weighing approximately 95 g to approximately 125 g per square meter. 55 The leaves are finally cut into smaller square or rectangular fragments, each weighing approximately 50 mg to approximately 150 mg. The resulting fragments have the form of strips that dissolve relatively slowly. These strips can be individually packaged in packaging materials

external of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Example 14

A combination of smoke-cured tobacco powder and finely chopped Burley (for example, approximately 25 g) is mixed with approximately 100 ml of a solution having approximately 2 g of sodium carbonate in approximately 100 ml of water. The resulting suspension is heated with constant stirring to about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for about 15 minutes. Then about 1 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600 is added and the suspension is maintained at about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for another 15 minutes, while constantly mixing to obtain a tobacco / water suspension. Meanwhile, a binder system is prepared separately in a Warring mixer. First approximately 6 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis with high shear are mixed with approximately 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, followed by the slow addition of approximately 20 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 10 g of maltodextrin, approximately 15 g of calcium carbonate and about 15 g of glycerin, successively, while operating the mixer at a medium to high shear rate for approximately another 10 minutes. The binder and tobacco mixtures are then combined in the mixer at a shear rate of 15 medium to high for approximately another 5 minutes with the addition of approximately 4.9 g of mint flavoring. After mixing, the portions of the final suspension are molded at approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick on a stainless steel plate. The suspensions are then dried to form tobacco leaves or films weighing from about 95 g to about 125 g per square meter. The leaves are finally cut into smaller square or rectangular fragments, each weighing approximately 50 mg to approximately 150 mg. The resulting fragments have the form of strips that dissolve relatively slowly. These strips can be individually packaged in external packaging materials of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Example 15

A combination of smoke-cured tobacco powder and finely chopped Burley (for example, approximately 15 g) is mixed with approximately 100 ml of a solution having approximately 1.75 g of sodium carbonate in approximately 100 ml of water. The resulting suspension is heated with constant stirring to about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for about 15 minutes. Then about 0.5 g of an available sweetening agent such as SucraSweet HIS 600 and about 7.5 g of mannitol are added, and the suspension is maintained at about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for another 15 minutes, mixing while constantly to obtain a tobacco / water suspension. Meanwhile, a binder system is prepared separately in a Warring mixer. About 7.5 g of Konjac flour available as Nutritol GP 312 from FMC Bioplolymers Corporation are first mixed with high shear with approximately 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, followed by the slow addition of approximately 15 g of calcium carbonate, approximately 0 , 75 g of sodium chloride and approximately 7.5 g of glycerin, successively, while the mixer is operated at a shear rate of medium to high for approximately another 10 minutes. The binder and tobacco mixtures are then combined in the mixer at a medium to high shear rate for approximately another 5 minutes, with the addition of approximately 1.25 g of cinnamon and approximately 0.75 g of menthol. After mixing, the portions of the final suspension of about 0.1 cm to about 0.3 cm thick are molded on a stainless steel plate. The suspensions are then dried to form tobacco leaves or films weighing approximately 95 g to approximately 125 g per square meter. The leaves are finally cut into smaller square or rectangular fragments, each weighing approximately 50 mg to approximately 150 mg. The resulting fragments have the form of strips that dissolve relatively slowly. These strips can be individually packaged in external packaging materials of the type described previously with reference to FIG. 1. 45

Example 16

A combination of smoke-cured tobacco powder and finely chopped Burley (for example, approximately 15 g) is mixed with approximately 100 ml of a solution having approximately 1.75 g of sodium carbonate in approximately 100 ml of water. The resulting suspension is heated with constant stirring to about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for about 15 minutes. About 50 0.75 g of a sweetening agent available as SucraSweet HIS 600 is then added and the suspension is maintained at about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C for another 15 minutes, while constantly mixing to obtain a tobacco / water suspension . Meanwhile, a binder system is prepared separately in a Warring mixer. First approximately 3.5 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis with high shear are mixed with approximately 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, followed by the slow addition of approximately 9.5 g of rice starch (pregelatinized), approximately 5 g of maltodextrin, about 5 g of calcium carbonate, about 0.75 g of sodium chloride and about 7.5 g of glycerin, successively, while operating the mixer at a medium to high shear rate for about another 10 minutes . The binder and tobacco mixtures are then combined in the mixer at a medium to high shear rate for approximately another 5 minutes, with the addition of approximately 1.25 g of cinnamon and approximately 0.75 g of menthol. After mixing, the

portions of the final suspension of approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.3 cm thick on a stainless steel plate. The suspensions are then dried to form tobacco leaves or films weighing approximately 95 g to approximately 125 g per square meter. The leaves are finally cut into smaller square or rectangular fragments, each weighing approximately 50 mg to approximately 150 mg. The resulting fragments have the form of strips that dissolve relatively slowly. These strips can be individually packaged in external packaging materials of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Example 17

Approximately 50 g of a granulated tobacco powder are combined with approximately 100 ml of water in a Warring mixer at a low shear rate for approximately 5 minutes to obtain an aqueous tobacco suspension. Meanwhile, the binder system is prepared in a separate mixer by combining approximately 5 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis with approximately 200 ml of water at a high shear rate for approximately 5 minutes. Approximately 15 g of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD and approximately 5 g of hydroxypropylcellulose available as Klucel EF are added slowly and successively, and the suspension is combined for approximately another 5 minutes. Then 7.5 g of glycerin are added to the binder system and the suspension is combined for another 5 minutes. The aqueous tobacco and binder suspension systems are then combined for another 5 minutes at a medium to high shear rate with the addition of about 2 g of mint flavoring. The final suspension is finally molded, dried and cut into thin strips in the form of a film. These relatively slow dissolving strips can be individually packaged in external packaging materials of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Example 18

Approximately 50 g of a granulated tobacco powder are combined with approximately 100 ml of water in a Warring mixer at a low shear rate for approximately 5 minutes to obtain an aqueous tobacco suspension. Meanwhile, the binder system is prepared in a separate mixer by combining approximately 6 g of sodium alginate available as Kelvis with approximately 200 ml of water at a high shear rate for approximately 5 minutes. Approximately 10 g of sodium alginate available as Manucol LD is added slowly, and the suspension is combined for approximately another 5 minutes. Then 14 g of glycerin are added to the binder system and the suspension is combined for another 5 minutes. The aqueous tobacco and binder suspension systems are then combined for another 5 minutes at a medium to high shear rate with the addition of approximately 5 g of mint flavoring. The final suspension is finally molded, dried and cut into thin strips in the form of a film. These relatively slow dissolving strips can be individually packaged in external packaging materials of the type described previously with reference to FIG. one.

Claims (26)

1. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a water permeable bag (120) containing a tobacco formulation (115) and which is configured to insert the tobacco formulation (115) which includes granulated tobacco into the mouth of a user of said product, and an external packaging material (125) wrapping said bag (120) and which is sealed to allow maintaining a controlled gaseous environment (130) in said external packaging material, said oxygen controlled gaseous environment comprising an amount greater than about 25 weight percent in order to introduce the effects of gas shock in said tobacco formulation. 2. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 1 which includes a plurality of said water permeable bags (120, 145, 146) wrapped by said outer packaging material (155). 10 3. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 2, wherein one edge of said outer packaging material (155) is contiguous with two sides of said outer packaging material, the other three edges of said said external packaging material. 4. Smokeless tobacco products (110) of claim 1, wherein the seal on said outer packaging material is a fin seal. fifteen 5. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 2 including a hard container (165) enclosing said outer packaging material (155), said hard container (165) being constructed so that it can be opened and returned to seal to allow dispensing one or more of said bags (120, 145, 146) permeable to water when desired by the user. 6. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 5, wherein said hard container (165) is made of metal or plastic. 7. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a plurality of water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146), each configured to insert into the mouth of a product user and containing a formulation (115, 140, 141) of tobacco, where the tobacco formulation includes granulated tobacco, 25 a hard container (165) surrounding said water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146), and an external packaging material (180) that wraps said hard container and is sealed to allow maintaining a controlled gaseous environment (160) within of said packaging material, said oxygen controlled gas environment comprising an amount greater than about 25 percent by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock into said tobacco formulation. 30 The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 7, wherein said hard container (165) can be opened and resealed to allow one or more of said water permeable bags (120, 145, 146) be dispensed by the user when desired. 9. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 8, wherein said hard container (165) is made of metal or plastic. 35 10. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 7, wherein said outer packaging material (180) is formed by two fragments of said material superimposed on a butt contact, said edges being sealed by a seal ( 184) overlap. 11. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a plurality of water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146) containing a formulation (115, 140, 141) of tobacco and configured to insert into the mouth of a user of said product, where the tobacco formulation includes granulated tobacco , Y a hard container (165) surrounding said water-permeable bags, said hard container being hermetically sealed to allow to maintain within said hard container a controlled gas environment (160), said oxygen controlled gas environment comprising in an amount greater than about 25 per One hundred 45 by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock on said tobacco formulation. 12. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 11, said hard container (165) comprising a lower portion (170) and a separate upper portion (168) that engages with said lower portion to form a closed container, and a band of sealing material (195) covering the contact surfaces of said lower and upper portions. fifty 13. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 11, wherein said container (165) is made of metal or plastic. 14. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a plurality of water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146), each containing a formulation (115, 140, 141) of tobacco and configured to insert into the mouth of a user of said product, where the tobacco formulation 5 includes granulated tobacco; an external packaging material (125, 211, 212) that wraps each of said bags and that is sealed to allow a controlled gas environment (130, 221, 222) to be maintained within said external packaging material, said controlled gas environment comprising oxygen in an amount greater than about 25 percent by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock into said tobacco formulation; and 10 a hard container (165) surrounding said water permeable bags wrapped by said outer packaging material, said hard container being hermetically sealed to allow a controlled environment (160) to be maintained inside. 15. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 14, said hard container (165) comprising a lower portion (170) and a separate upper portion (168) that engages with said lower portion to form a closed container , and a band of sealing material (195) covering the contact surfaces of said lower and upper portions. 16. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 14, wherein said container (165) is made of metal or plastic. 17. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 14, wherein the controlled environment (130, 221, 222) maintained in said external packaging material (125, 211, 212) wrapping each of said Bags (125, 140, 146) is different from the controlled environment (160) kept in said hard container. 18. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a plurality of water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146), each containing a formulation (115, 140, 141) of tobacco and configured to insert into the mouth of a user of said product, where the tobacco formulation 25 includes granulated tobacco; an external packaging material (125, 211, 212) that wraps each of said bags and that is sealed to allow a controlled gas environment (130, 221, 222) to be maintained within said external packaging material, said controlled gas environment comprising oxygen in an amount greater than about 25 percent by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock into said tobacco formulation; 30 a hard container (165) surrounding said water permeable bags surrounded by said outer packaging material; Y a second outer packaging material (180) surrounding said hard container and which is sealed to allow a controlled environment (160) to be maintained inside. 19. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 18, wherein the controlled environment (130, 221, 222) maintained in said external packaging material (125, 211, 212) wrapping each of said Bags (120, 145, 146) is different from the controlled environment (160) maintained in said second outer packaging material (180). 20. A smokeless tobacco product (110) comprising: a plurality of water-permeable bags (120, 145, 146), each containing a formulation (115, 140, 40 141) of tobacco and configured to insert into the mouth of a user of said product, where the tobacco formulation includes granulated tobacco; an external packaging material (125, 211, 212) that wraps at least one of each of said bags and is sealed to allow maintaining a controlled gaseous environment within said external packaging material, said oxygen controlled gaseous environment comprising a amount greater than about 25 to 45 percent by weight in order to introduce the effects of gas shock on said tobacco formulation; Y surrounding the outer packaging material (125, 211, 212) each of said one or more bags (120, 145, 146) that are interconnected (270, 271, 272) to form a band-like assembly. 21. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 20, wherein the interconnections (270, 271, 272) between the outer packaging material that wraps each of said one or more bags are adapted to be separated easily for use by said user. 22. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 21, wherein each of said interconnections (270, 272, 272) contains a perforation line to facilitate separation. 23. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 20, wherein said band-like assembly is wound to facilitate handling by the user. 24. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 23, wherein said band-shaped assembly 5 is packaged in a dispenser (315) constructed to allow said band-shaped assembly to be extracted and separated for use by said user. 25. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 23, wherein said dispenser (315) is cylindrical in shape. 26. The smokeless tobacco product (110) of claim 24 which includes a second outer packaging material that wraps said dispenser and is sealed to allow a controlled environment to be maintained inside.