ES2446242T3 - Smokeless tobacco composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A smokeless tobacco product configured for the introduction into the mouth of a consumer of that product, said tobacco product comprising: a water-permeable outer mesh bag (316) containing a tobacco formulation (320), including said formulation of tobacco (320) granular tobacco, in which the outer mesh bag (316) is designed and manufactured to allow the penetration of granular tobacco through the material of the outer mesh bag (316), with granular dichotabaco having a size to pass through a Tyler 200 mesh sieve; a water-impermeable inner mesh bag (326), said inner bag (326) being disposed within the outer bag (316) and generally surrounded by tobacco (320), the inner bag (326) containing at least one selected release agent element from the group consisting of: at least one capsule (334), in which the at least one capsule (334) comprises a coating of the breakable outer capsule (334) that surrounds and contains at least one liquid flavoring core ingredient, or a soluble release strip.

Description

Smokeless tobacco composition

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tobacco, in particular, to the use of tobacco in a smokeless form.

Background of the invention

WO 02/087365 A1 describes a smokeless tobacco product suitable for human consumption comprising powdered tobacco.

WO 03/053175 A describes a composition for use in the oral cavity comprising tobacco and / or a tobacco substitute encapsulated in a membrane material comprising one or more membrane being at least one of which permeable to water and insoluble in water

Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are popular smoking items that use tobacco in various forms. Such smoking articles are used by heating or burning tobacco and the aerosol is (for example, smoke) is inhaled by the smoker. Tobacco can also be enjoyed in a form called "smokeless". Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are used by inserting some form of treated tobacco or a formulation containing tobacco in the consumer's mouth.

Various types of smokeless tobacco products are described in US Pat. No. 1,276,586 to Schwartz;

4,513,756

 from Pittman et al .; 4,528,993 of Sensabaugh, Jr, et al .; 4,624,269 to Story et al .; 4,987,907 to Townsend;

5,092,352

de Sprinkle, III et al .; and 5,387,416 of White et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 of Strickland et al .; PCT Application Publication No. WO 04/095959 by Arnarp et al .; PCT Application Publication No. WO 05/063060 of Atchley et al. and PCT Application Publication No. WO 05/004480 of Engstrom. One type of smokeless tobacco product is called “snuff” In Europe, representative types of wet snuff products called “snus” are manufactured, particularly in Switzerland, by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S and Rocker Production AB. Representative smokeless tobacco products are also marketed under the Oliver Twist trademarks of House of Oliver Twist A / S; Copenhagen, Skoal, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky, and Revel by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co .; and Levi Garrett, Peachy, Talylor’s Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King, and Mammoth Cave by Conwood Sales Co., L.P.

It would be desirable to provide a pleasant form of smokeless tobacco product.

Compendium of the invention

The present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product as defined in the claims.

The present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product. The product includes a smokeless or granular smokeless tobacco formulation that is disposed within a moisture permeable container. The smokeless tobacco formulation includes granular tobacco particles, and may include other ingredients, such as sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegrating aids, antioxidants and preservatives. The moisture content of tobacco particles may vary.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the product of the present invention includes disposed within the container at least one flavor agent element, such as a liquid-filled capsule and / or a flavored sheet. A representative capsule embodiment generally has a spherical shape, and has an outer cover or shield that contains a liquid central region. The central liquid region, which is released when the external protector suffers some kind of physical destruction, breakage or other loss of physical integrity (for example, through dispersion, softening, crushing, pressure application or the like) which is provided for alter the sensitive properties of the smokeless tobacco product. The outermost moisture permeable container preferably has the shape of a bag or flask, such as the type commonly used for the manufacture of types of snus products.

It is intended that the container to be placed in the mouth of the tobacco consumer, such as the formulation of tobacco within the container, can be pleasurable for the consumer. During the use of a product of the present invention that includes a flavoring agent element, the outer capsule protector inside the container can be attacked by moisture inside the consumer's mouth, broken, crushed or otherwise attacked to Release your content. After the tobacco user has just used the smokeless tobacco product, the external moisture permeable container can be removed from the consumer's mouth for disposal. Alternatively, said external container can be manufactured from a soluble or dispersible material, so that the tobacco formulation and the container can be ingested by the consumer. For an embodiment of the product of the present invention that includes a flavor agent element, the residual components of the

External capsule protector can be dispersed inside the consumer's mouth for ingestion, or remain inside the container used for disposal.

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 reference numbers refer to components of examples of described embodiments of the invention. The drawings are examples only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product, taken across the width of the product, showing an outer mesh bag and a tobacco material contained within the bag;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product, taken across the width of the product, showing an outer mesh bag, a tobacco material contained within the bag, and a spherical capsule (also shown in cross section) that is contained within the bag;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product, taken across the length of the product, showing an outer mesh bag and a tobacco material, a flavor sheet, and two spherical capsules (also shown in cross-section) that are contained within the bag;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product, taken across the length of the product, showing an outer bag, an inner bag, a tobacco material, with a capsule contained in the internal bag; Y

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of smokeless tobacco product, taken across the width of the product, showing an outer bag, filled with tobacco material, and microcapsules arranged in the tobacco material.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 100 is shown. The tobacco product 100 includes a moisture permeable container in the form of a bag 102, which contains a granular tobacco loading material 104 of a type described herein.

Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 110 is shown. The tobacco product 110 includes a container bag 116. A preferred container comprises a moisture permeable mesh material. The illustrated container bag 116 is hermetically sealed along its entire length along an overlapping region 121. The overlapping region can be formed by sealing the bottom of an edge of the container material 116 over the top of the opposite edge of the material of the container (for example, by heat sealing, a suitable adhesive, or other suitable means). A granular tobacco material 130 is disposed within the bag 116. A spherical capsule 134 is also disposed within the bag 116. The spherical capsule 134 has an outer shield 138 containing an internal charge 141. During a preferred use of the product of smokeless tobacco 110, the capsule 134 is broken and its content 141 is dispersed within the granular tobacco material 130 within the bag 116.

Referring to Figure 3, a third embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 210 is shown. The tobacco product 210 includes a container bag 216. A preferred container comprises a moisture permeable mesh material. The illustrated container bag 216 is sealed at its ends. 262, 265 (for example, by heat sealing, a suitable adhesive or other suitable sealing means). A granular tobacco material 230 is contained within the bag 216. Two spherical capsules 234 and 244 are also contained within the bag 214. Each of the spherical capsules 234, 244 has an external protector 238, 248 containing an internal load 214, 251. A soluble strip of a flavored material, shown as a flavor sheet 212, is also included in the bag. In certain alternative embodiments, a strip of flavored material such as the flavor sheet 212 may be disposed in a bag 216 without a capsule present. The charge of the capsule 241, 251 is preferably a liquid containing a flavoring, as described in more detail below.

Referring to Figure 4, a fourth embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 310 is shown. The tobacco product 310 includes an outer bag 316 and an inner bag 326. The preferred bags each comprise a mesh material permeable to the moisture, and bags 316, 326 are illustrated without showing a joint that may be present in bags containing a flavoring agent element such as a capsule as well as bags without a capsule. The outer bag 316 forms a continuous container around a tobacco material 320. The inner bag 326 is disposed within the outer bag 316 and is generally surrounded by the tobacco material 320, although the inner bag 326 may also be in contact, continuously adhered or formed with the outer bag 316. The inner bag 326 contains an inner core, a capsule containing flavoring

334. Although the inner bag 326 is shown with an inner space surrounding the capsule 334 to clarify the illustration, in preferred aspects of this embodiment the inner bag 335 will fit tightly around its contents. In an alternative embodiment, the inner bag may contain a taste strip such as a soluble taste strip (for example, a cinnamon oral care strip available at Listerine PocketPaks of Pfizer. Inc.).

Referring to Figure 5, a fifth embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 410 is shown. The tobacco product 410 includes a container bag without joints 416. A preferred container bag 416 comprises a moisture permeable mesh material . A granular tobacco material 430 is disposed within the bag 416. There is also a plurality of microcapsules 434 (not shown to scale) contained within the bag 416. The microcapsules 434 can be of a uniform or variable size and preferably comprise one

or more flavoring ingredients, such as those described in more detail below.

The tobacco used for the manufacture of tobacco products according to the present invention may vary. Tobaccos can include types of tobacco such as hot-air cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco Maryland tobacco, black tobacco, fire-cured tobacco and Rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobacco. Various types of tobacco, growth practices, cultivation practices and curing practices are described in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds) (1999). See, also, the types of tobacco described in US Pat. No. 4,660,577 to Sensabaugh. Jr et al .; No. 5,387,416 to White et al. and No. 6,730,832 of Dominguez et al .; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0084056 of Lawson et al. More preferably, tobacco materials are those that have been properly cured and aged. Especially preferred techniques and conditions for curing hot air cured tobacco are described in Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 20 (2003) 467-475 of Nestor et al., And in US Pat. No. 6,895,974 of Peele. Representative techniques and conditions for air curing of tobacco are described in Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 305-320 of Roton et al., And in Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 321-330 of Staaf et al.

The tobacco products of the present invention, such as the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, may incorporate a single type of tobacco (for example, in a form called "direct quality"). For example, tobacco within a tobacco product may be composed only of a hot-air cured tobacco (for example, all tobacco may be composed, or precede, or of a hot-air cured tobacco leaf of a mixture of hot air cured tobacco leaf and hot air cured tobacco stalk). Tobacco within a tobacco product may also have a form called "mixed." For example, tobacco within a tobacco product of the present invention may include a mixture of parts or pieces of hot-air, burley (for example, Malawi burley) and eastern (for example, as tobacco composed of, or from, tobacco leaf, or a mixture of tobacco leaf and tobacco stem). For example, a representative mixture may incorporate about 30 to about 70 parts of burley tobacco (for example, leaf, or leaf and stem), and about 30 to about 70 parts of hot air cured tobacco (for example, stem, leaf, u leaf and stem) based on dry weight. Other examples of tobacco blends incorporate about 75 parts of hot air cured tobacco, about 15 parts of burley tobacco and about 10 parts of eastern tobacco; or about 65 parts of hot air cured tobacco, about 25 parts of burley tobacco and about 10 parts of eastern tobacco; or about 65 parts of hot air cured tobacco, about 10 parts of burley tobacco and about 25 parts of eastern tobacco; based on dry weight.

The tobacco that is used for the tobacco product most preferably includes tobacco leaf, or tobacco leaf and stem mixture. Tobacco blends that incorporate a predominant amount of tobacco leaf, with respect to the tobacco stalk, are preferred. More preferably, the tobacco leaf and stem are used in a non-extracted form, that is, such that the removable part (for example, the water-soluble part) is present within the non-removable part (for example, the pulp of tobacco) in a manner comparable to that of natural tobacco provided in a cured and aged form. More preferably, tobacco is not provided in a reconstituted form, extruded form, or any form that has come from the extraction and recombination of compounds of that tobacco. However, parts of the tobacco inside the tobacco product may have treated forms, such as treated tobacco stalks (for example, cut and rolled stalks, cut and expanded cut stems or cut and swollen stems) or volume expanded tobacco (for example swollen tobacco, such as dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET) In addition, the tobacco product can optionally incorporate fermented tobacco, see also the types of tobacco treatment techniques described in PCT Application Publication No. WO 05 / 063060 from Atchley et al.

The tobacco used for the manufacture of the tobacco product is preferably provided in the form of strips, ground, granulated, in fine particles or powder. More preferably, the tobacco is used in the form of parts or pieces that have an average particle size smaller than those of the parts or pieces of tobacco in strips used in the tobacco products called "fine cut". Typically, very finely divided tobacco particles or chunk are sized to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve of approximately 18, generally sized to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve of approximately 20, often sized to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve of about 50, they are often sized to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve of about 60, they can even be sized to pass through a sieve of

100 Tyler mesh, and can also be sized to pass through a 200 Tyler mesh sieve. If desired, an air sorting device can be used to ensure that the small-sized tobacco particles of the Desired sizes, or size ranges, can be collected. If desired, pieces of granulated tobacco of different sizes can be mixed.

The manner in which tobacco is provided in a type of finely divided or powdered form may vary. Preferably, the tobacco parts or pieces are crushed, ground or pulverized in a type of powder form using equipment and techniques for crushing, grinding, or the like. More preferably, the tobacco is in relatively dry form during crushing or grinding, using equipment such as hammer mills, cutting heads, air control mills, or the like. For example, parts or pieces of tobacco can be crushed

or ground when its moisture content is less than about 15 percent by weight or less than about 5 percent by weight. Tobacco can also be irradiated or pasteurized.

If desired, the tobacco material can be packaged and dried, and then crushed to the desired shape. For example, the tobacco material can be packaged with an aqueous coating containing components such as sugars (for example, fructose, glucose and sucrose), humectants (for example, glycerin and propylene glycol), flavoring ingredients (for example, cocoa and licorice ), and the like. The components of the non-aqueous coating are preferably applied to tobacco in amounts of about 1 percent to about 15 percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco

The tobacco formulation may incorporate other components besides tobacco. These components may alter the nature of the flavor provided by said formulation. For example, those components, or suitable combinations of those components, can act to alter the bitterness, sweetness, acidity or salobrity of the formulation: improve the perceived dryness or moisture of the formulation; or the degree of taste of tobacco exhibited by the formulation. Such other components may be salts (for example, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, and the like), natural sweeteners (for example, fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, mannose, galactose, lactose and the like); artificial sweeteners (for example, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, and the like); combinations of natural and artificial sweeteners; organic and inorganic fillers (eg grains, treated grains, swollen grains, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, corn starch, lactose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, finely divided cellulose, and the like); binders (eg, povidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and other types of modified cellulosic binders, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, starch based binders, gum arabic, lecithin, and the like); pH adjusters, buffering agents (for example, metal hydroxides, preferably alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and other alkali metal buffering agents such as metal carbonates, preferably potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate, or bicarbonates of metals such as sodium bicarbonate, and the like); dyes (for example, dyes and pigments, including caramel dye and titanium dioxide, and the like); humectants (for example glycerin, propylene glycol, and the like); preservatives (for example, potassium sorbate and the like); syrups (for example, honey, high fructose corn syrup, and the like), disintegration aids (for example, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized corn starch, and the like); antioxidants (for example, ascorbic acid, grape seed extracts and oils, polyphenol-containing materials such as green tea extract and black tea extract, peanut endocarp, potato peel, and the like, see, for example, Santhosh et al., Phytomedicine, 12 (2005) 216-220; and flavorings.

The flavorings can be natural or synthetic, and the character of these flavors imparted by them can be described, without limitation, such as fresh, sweet, herbal, candy, floral, fruity or spicy. Specific types of flavors include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee, chocolate / cocoa, cream, mint, peppermint, menthol, peppermint, gaulteria, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, husk, sandalwood , honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, and any combination thereof. See also, Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972). Flavoring agents may also include components that are considered wetting, cooling or softening agents, such as eucalyptus. These flavors can be provided pure (i.e., alone) or in a compound form (for example, peppermint and menthol, or orange and cinnamon). Representative types of components are also described in US Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 of Strickland et al .; and PCT Application Publication No. WO 05/041699 by Quinter et al.

The amount of tobacco within the tobacco formulation may vary. Preferably, the amount of tobacco within the tobacco formulation is at least about 25 percent to at least about 40 percent, based on the dry weight of the formulation. In certain cases, the amounts of other components within the tobacco formulation may exceed approximately 40 percent, based on dry weight.

The relative amounts of the other various components within the tobacco formulation may vary. Any sweetener most preferably used in amounts sufficient to provide the desired flavor properties to the tobacco formulation is employed. When present, a representative amount of

Sweetener, whether it is an artificial sweetener or a natural sugar, may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably the amount of sweetener within the formulation will not exceed approximately 40 percent, often will not exceed approximately 35 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 30 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A binder in sufficient amounts can be used to provide the desired physical properties and physical integrity to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of binder may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of binder within the formulation will not exceed approximately 20 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Often, the amount of binder within a desired formulation will not exceed approximately 15 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 10 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A disintegration aid can be employed in an amount sufficient to provide control of the desired physical properties of the tobacco formulation such as, for example, by providing loss of physical integrity and dispersion of the various component materials upon contacting the formulation with water (for example, suffering swelling on contact with water). When present, a representative amount of decay aid may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 10 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of disintegration aid within the formulation will not exceed approximately 50 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 30 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A dye can be used in sufficient quantities to provide the desired visual properties to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of dye may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of dye within the formulation will not exceed approximately 30 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 10 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation.

Preferably a charge is used in sufficient quantities to provide control of the physical properties and the desired sensory properties to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of filler, whether it is an organic and / or inorganic filler, may constitute at least about 5 percent to at least about 15 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of filler in the formulation will not exceed approximately 60 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 40 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A buffering or pH adjusting agent may be employed in the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of the buffering or pH adjusting agent may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 per percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of buffering agent or pH adjusting agent in the formulation will not exceed about 10 percent, and often will not exceed about 5 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A flavoring ingredient is preferably used in sufficient amounts to provide the desired sensory properties to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of flavoring ingredient may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of flavoring ingredient will not exceed about 15 percent, and often will not exceed about 5 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A salt can be used in sufficient quantities to provide the desired sensory properties to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of salt may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of salt in the formulation will not exceed about 10 percent, and often will not exceed about 5 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

An antioxidant can be used in the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of antioxidant may constitute at least about 1 percent to at least about 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of antioxidant in the formulation will not exceed approximately 25 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 10 percent, of the total dry weight of the formulation. When present, a representative amount of preservative may constitute at least about 0.1 percent to at least about 1 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation.

A preservative can be used in the tobacco formulation. Preferably the amount of preservative in the formulation will not exceed approximately 5 percent, and often will not exceed approximately 3 percent of the total dry weight of the formulation.

Representative tobacco formulations may incorporate about 25 to about 60 percent tobacco, about 1 to about 5 percent artificial sweetener, and about 1 to about 5 percent dye, about 10 to about 60 percent organic filler and / or inorganic, about 5 to about 20 percent disintegration aid, about 1 to about 5 percent binder, about 1 to about 5 percent pH adjusting agent / buffer, flavoring ingredient in an amount of up to about 10 percent, preservative in an amount of up to about 2 percent, a salt in an amount of up to about 5 percent, based on the total dry weight of the formulation. The particular percentages and the choice of ingredients will vary depending on the flavor, texture and other desired characteristics.

The way in which the various components of the tobacco formulation are combined can vary. The various components of the formulation can be contacted, combined or mixed in conical type mixers, mixing drums, tape mixers, or the like. As such, the overall mixing of various components with the components of tobacco powder may have a relatively uniform nature. See also, for example, the types of methodologies described in US Pat. No. 4,148,325 of Solomon et al .;

6,510,855 of Korte et al .; and 6,834,654 from Williams. The methods and methods for formulating snus-type tobacco formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of producing snus tobacco products.

The moisture content of the tobacco formulation before use by a consumer of the formulation may vary. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation, when present inside the bag before being introduced into the user's mouth, is less than about 55 percent by weight, generally less than about 50 percent by weight, since It is often less than about 40 percent by weight. Certain highly preferred tobacco formulations have moisture contents, before use, of 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 tobacco products that incorporate snus types of snuff, the moisture content can exceed 20 percent by weight, and can often exceed 30 percent by weight. For example, a representative snus-type product may include tobacco with 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. See, for example, US Patent Application. Ser. No. 11 / 233,399 of Holton, et al., Filed September 22, 2005.

The manner in which the moisture content of the formulation is controlled may vary. For example, the formulation may be subjected to thermal or convection heating. As a specific example, the formulation can be dried in an oven, 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 moisture content desired. Alternatively, tobacco formulations may be moistened using coating drums, conditioning cylinders, liquid spray apparatus, tape mixers, and the like. More preferably, wet tobacco formulations, such as the types of tobacco formulations employed in types of snus products, are subjected to pasteurization. The techniques for pasteurizing snus types of tobacco products will be apparent to those skilled in the art of designing and manufacturing snus products.

The tobacco formulation used for the manufacture of the tobacco product is preferably provided in crushed, granulated, fine particle or powder form. Although not strictly necessary, the tobacco formulation can be subjected to treatment steps that provide additional crushing for a further reduction in particle size.

The pH of the formulation may vary. Typically, the pH of the formulation is at least about 6.5 and preferably about 7.5. Typically, the pH of the formulation will not exceed approximately the value of 9, and often will not exceed approximately the value of 8.5. A representative formulation has a pH of about 6.8 to about 8.2. A representative technique for determining the pH of the formulation includes dispersing 2 g of the tobacco 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, before preparing the formulation, the tobacco parts or pieces can be irradiated, or said parts or pieces can be pasteurized, or otherwise subjected to a controlled heat treatment. 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 otherwise subjected to a controlled heat treatment. For example, a formulation can be prepared, followed by irradiation or pasteurization, and then a flavoring ingredient or ingredients can be applied to the formulation.

The composition / structure of a moisture permeable container or bag that acts as a container for the use of the tobacco formulation, such as container bags 116, 216, 316, 416 can be varied in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures 1 to 4. Containers, bags or containers of the type used for the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products are available under the trademarks CatchDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Goteborgs Rape, Grovsnus White, metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint , Mocca Wintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf and TreAnkrare. The tobacco formulation may be contained in bags and packaged, in a manner and using the types of components used for the manufacture of conventional snus product types. The bag provides a liquid permeable container that can be considered similar in nature to the type of mesh-like material that is used for the construction of a tea bag. Loosely arranged granular tobacco formulation components diffuse easily through the bag and into the consumer's mouth.

Descriptions of various components of snus product types and their components are also shown in the US Patent Application Publication. No. 2004/0118422 of Lundin et al. See also, for example, US Pat. No. 4,607,479 to Linden; 4,631,899 to Nielsen; 5,346,734 to Wydick et al .; and 6,162,516 to Derr, and U.S. Patent Application Publication. No. 2005/0061339 of Hansson et al. See also the types of bags described in US Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad.

An example of a bag can be manufactured from materials, and in such a way that during the consumer's use the bag undergoes a controlled dispersion or dissolution. Said bag materials may be in the form of a mesh, sieve, perforated paper, permeable fabric, or the like. For example, the material of the bag made from a shape similar to a rice paper mesh, or perforated rice paper can be dissolved in the consumer's mouth. As a consequence, the bag and the formulation of tobacco each can undergo a complete dispersion inside the mouth of the consumer during normal conditions of use, and therefore both the bag and the formulation of tobacco can be ingested by the user. Other examples of bag materials can be made using materials that form water dispersible films, for example, binding agents such as alginates, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, pululane and the like) as well as those materials in combination with materials such as crushed cellulosic materials (for example, wood pulp the size of fine particles). Preferred bag materials, although dispersible or water soluble, are designed and manufactured so that under normal conditions of use a significant amount of the content of the tobacco formulation permeates through the bag material before the time the bag He suffers loss of his physical integrity. If desired, flavoring ingredients, disintegration aids and other desired components may be incorporated or applied to the bag material.

The amount of tobacco formulation contained within each bag may vary. In smaller embodiments, the dry weight of the tobacco formulation within each bag is at least about 50 mg to about 150 mg. For a larger embodiment, the dry weight of the tobacco formulation within each bag does not preferably exceed approximately 300 mg to approximately 500 mg. A first embodiment is shown in Figure 1 and includes a tobacco composition in a more external bag as described above.

Each bag / container of the second to fifth claims has a flavor agent element disposed herein. As used herein, a flavoring agent element is an object that contains a flavoring ingredient (as used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring ingredient" refer to substances, such as liquids or solids, which provide a concentrated release for a sensitive effect such as, for example, taste, mouthfeel, moisture, freshness / heat and / or fragrance). The object may include capsules, microcapsules, beads, nodules, bars, strands, sheets, strips or other shaped objects designed to release a predetermined concentrated amount of a flavoring ingredient to the consumer. For example, representative types of materials and ingredients useful for the manufacture of beads, threads or nodules with essentially water-insoluble flavor can be found within the available cigarette filters such as Camel Dark Mint, Camel Mandarin Mint, Camel Spice Cream, Camel Izmir Stinger, Camel Spice Twist, Camel Mandalay Lime and Camel Aegean Spice by RJ Reynols Tobacco Company. The object preferably has a shape, size and texture that provides comfortable and convenient use. More preferably, the solid object does not include grains, tips, sticks, nuts or other similar solids, such as food-related solids taken directly from plants, which would not provide controlled and concentrated release of a flavoring. Preferred solid objects are synthetically formed structures rather than food-like objects. The object may be hollow with a load in the hollow part comprising the flavoring ingredient. The object can be solid with the flavoring ingredient incorporated in the composition forming said solid object and can be released by dissolving or disintegrating the solid object. Preferably, the flavoring agent element is a hollow capsule carrying a filler comprising a flavoring ingredient. Other object configurations can be used alone or in combination with a hollow capsule. Optionally, combinations of different forms of a flavoring agent element can be used to release combinations of different flavors or the same flavors. Each form of a flavoring agent element can be adjusted to provide different release characteristics of the ingredients or the flavoring ingredient such as, for example, rapid release, delayed release, sustained release or one of its combinations.

At least one capsule is incorporated into each bag of the second to fifth embodiments. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a single capsule can be incorporated into each bag. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, a plurality of capsules can be included within each bag. For example, two or more capsules may be included in each bag, and the number of capsules in each bag is preferably selected based on factors that include the size of the bag, the amount and type of tobacco within the bag, the size of the capsule, the desired oral sensation, the desired sensory effect (for example, taste, cold / heat) and the like. If desired, capsules of different sizes and / or different types (for example, different protective materials, different protective properties such as shape or hardness and / or different components contained in the different capsule) can be incorporated into the product. In this way, different capsules can be incorporated into the product to provide the desired properties (eg, mouthfeel, taste, other sensory effect) and / or to provide the release of encapsulated components at different times during the use of the product. For example, a first flavoring ingredient can be released from a first set of capsules during the initial introduction of the product into the consumer's mouth, and a second flavoring ingredient, contained in a second set of capsules, may not be released until a later time ( for example, a semi-soluble coating of the second capsules takes longer to break than the coating of the first set of capsules).

The size and weight of each capsule may vary depending on the desired properties imparted to the tobacco product. Preferred capsules generally have a spherical shape. However, suitable capsules may have other types of shapes, such as generally rectilinear, elongated, elliptical or oval shapes. Examples of smaller spherical capsules have diameters of at least about 0.5 mm, generally at least about 1 mm, often at least about 2 mm, and often at least about 3 mm. Examples of larger spherical capsules have diameters of less than about 6 mm and often less than about 5 mm. Examples of smaller individual capsules weigh at least about 5 mg, often at least about 15 mg, and often at least about 25 mg. Examples of larger individual capsules weigh less than about 75 mg, generally less than about 65 mg, and often less than about 55 mg.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of very small capsules, commonly referred to as "microcapsules," may be incorporated into the product. That is, at least one capsule within the tobacco product may be in the form of a microcapsule. The number of microcapsules within the product may vary. That is, the number of microcapsules incorporated into the product may exceed approximately the value of 10, and may even exceed approximately the value of 100. Examples of microcapsules may have diameters of less than 100 micrometers and may have gelatin-based external protectors, based on in cyclodextrin, or the like. For example, the representative types described in Kondo, Microcapsule Processing and Technology, ISBN 0824768574 (1979) are types of examples of microcapsule technologies; Iwamoto et al., AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech. 2002 3 (3); article 25; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,598 of McGlumphy and 6,117,455 of Takada et al.

Preferably, the capsules do not incorporate any tobacco within their external protectors or within their internal loading regions. However, if desired, other embodiments of capsules may incorporate tobacco (for example, as finely crushed pieces of tobacco and / or tobacco extracts) within their external protectors and / or within their internal loading regions. Preferred components of the internal load of the capsule provide a desired alteration of the sensory properties of the smokeless tobacco product such as, for example, smell, taste and / or mouthfeel.

The weight of the contents within the container provided by the capsule may vary. Typically, the dry weight of the tobacco within the tobacco product may be greater than the weight provided by the capsule components. However, representative tobacco products may include tobacco at least one capsule so that the weight of the capsule components is in the range of about 10 percent to about 75 percent, often about 20 percent to approximately 50 percent, based on the combined weight of the capsule components and the dry weight of the tobacco.

Representative types of capsules are commercially available as "Momints" by Yosha! Enterprises, Inc. and “Ice Breakers Liquid Ice” of Hershey Company. Representative types of capsules have also been incorporated into chewing gum, such as the type of gum marketed under the trademark "Cinnaburst" by Cadbury Adams USA. Representative types of capsules and their components are also described in US Pat. No. 3,339,558 of Waterbury; 3,390,686 from Irby, Jr et al .; 3,685,521 to Dock; 3,916,914 to Brooks et al .;

4,889,144 of Tateno et al. and 6,631,722 of MacAdam et al .; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0261807 of Dube et al .; and PCT Application WO 03/009711 from Kim. See also the types of capsules and their components described in US Pat. No. 5,223,185 to Takei et al .; 5,387,093 to Takei; 5,882,680 of Suzuki et al .:

6,719,933 to Nakamura et al. and 6,949,256 from Fonkwe et al .; and U.S. Patent Application Publications No. 2004/0224020 of Schoenhard; 2005/0123601 by Mane et al .; 2005/0196437 of Bednarz et al. and 2005/0249676 by Scott et al. The capsules may be colored, provided with smooth or rough surfaces, have rigid or flexible protectors, have fragile or flexible protectors, or other desired properties or characteristics.

An example of a capsule may include an external protector that incorporates a material such as gelatin, and an internal loading region that incorporates at least one flavoring ingredient and a triglyceride liquid. Types of examples of flavoring ingredients include those described above with reference to the types of flavoring ingredients for tobacco formulation. Thus, for example, said capsule can be incorporated into the bag together with the tobacco formulation; and during use, the contact of the capsule with the moisture present in the consumer's mouth can cause the softening of the capsule, the loss of its physical integrity and the release of the flavoring ingredients inside the consumer's mouth. Alternatively, the capsule can be crushed resolutely by applying pressure to release the flavoring ingredients. Said release of flavoring ingredient may alter or improve the taste of the product, as well as prolong the period of time during which the consumer can enjoy the product.

An example of a capsule, such as, for example, capsule 134 depicted in Figure 1, may include an external protector incorporating a material such as a wax, and an internal filler incorporating an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid (for example, a solution or dispersion of at least one flavoring ingredient in water or an organic liquid such as an alcohol or oil; or a mixture of water and a miscible liquid such as alcohol or glycerin). Thus, for example, said capsule may be incorporated into the bag together with the tobacco formulation; and during use of the product, a crushing or other physical destruction of the capsule may allow the capsule to release the moisture contained therein to provide adequate humidification of the components of the tobacco formulation. For example, a suitable number of capsules having external protectors comprising a food grade waxy substance and an inner load comprising water can be incorporated into a bag, so that when said capsules are broken enough water is released to provide an effect desired humectant to the tobacco formulation. For example, about 150 mg of a tobacco formulation having a moisture content of about 8 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight may be contained within a bag containing about three capsules filled with water with external protectors that they comprise wax, in which each capsule contains about 20 mg to about 30 mg of water. Examples of types of waxes include Chevron Texaco 128 and 141 refined waxes (available from Chevron Corporation) and waxes produced using the wax hydrorefining process of ExxonMobil Corporation. Said release of the wetting agent from the capsules may alter or improve the sensory properties (for example, taste or organoleptic properties) of the product, and may also prolong the time during which the consumer may wish to keep the product in his mouth.

If desired, other components may also be contained within each bag. For example, at least one flavored strip, a piece or sheet of water-dispersible or water-soluble flavored material (for example, a type of edible film material that refreshes the breath) may be disposed within each bag along with or without at least one capsule. Said strips or sheets can be folded or wrinkled to be easily incorporated into the bag. See, for example, the types of materials and technologies described in US Pat. No. 6,887,307 to Scott et al. and 6,923,981 of Leung et al .; and The EFSA Journal (2004) 85, 1-32.

Although less preferred, at least one capsule may be enclosed within a small moisture-permeable mesh bag that is in turn contained within the outer mesh container of the smokeless tobacco product. In said embodiment, the tobacco formulation inside the bag can be segregated from at least one of the capsules also contained within said bag (see, for example, Figure 4).

Representative tobacco products can be manufactured using appropriately modified smokeless tobacco product manufacturing equipment. For example, a representative packaging machine, such as a Packaging Machine SB 53-2 / T Forming-, Filling- and Sealing Machine from Merz Verpackungsmachine GmbH can be suitably modified with a capsule insertion apparatus of the general type described in the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 234,834, filed September 23, 2005 by Thomas et al.

The products of the present invention can be packaged and stored in the same manner as conventional types of smokeless tobacco products are packaged and stored. For example, a plurality of packages or bags may be contained in a cylindrical container. If desired, wet tobacco products (for example, products having moisture contents of more than about 20 percent by weight) can be refrigerated (for example, at a temperature of less than about 10 ° C, often less than about 8 ° C, and sometimes less than about 5 ° C). Alternatively, relatively dry tobacco products (for example, products having moisture contents of less than about 15 percent by weight) can often be stored under a relatively wide temperature range.

The following examples are provided to illustrate additional aspects associated with the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting its scope. Unless stated otherwise, all parts and percentages are by weight.

Example 1

A tobacco product comprising a tobacco formulation and a liquid filled capsule contained in a sealed moisture permeable mesh bag can be assembled as follows:

A sheet of hot-cured tobacco is provided that has been aged in the form of a strip, and with a moisture content of about 9 percent. The blade is ground under cryogenic conditions to a finely crushed form. The powder is fine enough to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve

150. The resulting powder is then irradiated with about 5 to about 20 kilograms of gamma radiation.

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 the form of a dry powder. The resulting mixture is removed from the fluidized bed, and dried to a moisture content of approximately 4 percent.

The resulting tobacco formulation that is removed from the fluidized bed comprises the following: approximately 32 parts of the granulated hot air cured tobacco leaf, approximately 2 parts of sucralose (modified sugar), approximately 1 part of titanium dioxide, approximately 20, 5 parts calcium carbonate (in the form available as HS PPT Fine from Ruger Chemical), approximately 27.7 pates of mannitol powder, approximately 2.3 parts of cellulose powder (in the form available as QC-90 from CreaFill Fibers ), approximately 8.5 parts of pregelatinized corn starch (in the form available as Starch 1500 of Colorcon), approximately 4.5 parts of povidone (in the form available as PVPK-30 from Xian Medicines & Health Products), and approximately 1.5 parts potassium hydroxide. The moisture content of the resulting tobacco powder formulation is approximately 4 percent. The resulting tobacco formulation is a finely ground powder that flows freely and dry that is slightly roasted in color, and is constituted of particles having an average particle size sufficient to pass through a Tyler mesh sieve of approximately 80.

A smokeless tobacco bag product is available as Revel Tobacco pack cinnamon by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. That tobacco product includes pieces of tobacco contained in a sealed bag. The bag is a thin permeable fabric container that is treated with a sweetener and cinnamon flavor. A small hole in the bag is cut using a razor blade, and the tobacco is removed inside the bag through it. Approximately 180 mg of the tobacco formulation described above is introduced into the bag.

In addition, a spherical capsule is incorporated into the bag. The capsule used in this example is commercially available as "Momints" from Yosha! Enterprises, Inc. Each of these capsules has a diameter of approximately 4.5 mm, and weighs approximately 45 mg. A hot iron is briefly passed near the region of the cut hole to cause the thermoplastic components (e.g. polypropylene) of the bag fabric to melt. Then let the bag cool, so it reseals. As described above, the tobacco formulation within the sealed bag has a granular, loose form that flows freely and is not shaped, molded, compressed or otherwise shaped in any form by default.

The resulting tobacco product and capsule is used by placing a bag containing the tobacco formulation in the mouth of a human individual / consumer. During use, saliva in the consumer's mouth causes the components of the tobacco formulation to pass through the water permeable bag and into the mouth of the human individual. At the consumer's choice, the capsule is broken at the desired time by physically breaking or tearing the capsule to release its contents (for example, firmly squeezing the bag before placing it in the mouth or biting the bag soft enough not to break the bag but strong enough to break the capsule). More preferably, the bag is not chewed or swallowed. Virtually all of the contents of the bag are more preferably dispersed from the bag and passed into the mouth of the human individual. The consumer is provided with tobacco flavor and satisfaction, and does not require spitting any piece of the tobacco formulation. In addition, in a preferred application, the capsule undergoes substantial destruction during use of the product, and the flavored content of the capsule is introduced into the consumer's mouth with the tobacco formulation. After approximately 10 minutes of use / enjoyment, the human individual has ingested substantial amounts of the tobacco formulation, and the bag is removed from the individual's mouth for disposal.

Example 2

A tobacco product comprising a snus-type tobacco formulation and a liquid-filled capsule contained in a sealed moisture permeable mesh bag can be assembled as follows:

A smokeless tobacco product is provided, which includes a snus-type tobacco formulation in a generally rectangular, permeable, thin and sealed bag. The tobacco formulation fills the bag so that the length is approximately 2.2 cm and the width is approximately 1.1 cm. Tobacco is a milled mixture of approximately 50 parts of hot air cured tobacco stalk and approximately 50 parts of burley tobacco leaf. Approximately 35 percent of the mixture has a size that passes through a Tyler 50 mesh sieve, approximately 50 percent of the mixture has a size that passes through a Tyler 24 mesh sieve (but not through of a Tyler 50 mesh sieve), and approximately 15 percent is sized to pass through a Tyler 18 mesh sieve (but not through a Tyler 24 mesh sieve). Each part of the tobacco mixture is crushed dry, assembled, and then moistened and pasteurized. The formulation of

The resulting tobacco incorporates about 93.5 parts of tobacco having a moisture content of about 35 percent, about 2.5 parts of sodium carbonate, about 2 parts of propylene glycol, about 1 part of sodium chloride, and about 1 part of a sweetener formulation available as SucraSweet HIS 600 from Sweetener Solutions LLC (ie, a sweetener formulation that incorporates neotame, acesulfame K and mannitol). Each bag includes a mesh material that is a type of traditional snus bag material. Each bag contains approximately 400 mg of tobacco at approximately 35 percent moisture. A small hole in the bag is cut using a razor blade. Then, a capsule is incorporated into the bag. The capsule used in this example is commercially available as "Momints" from Yosha! Enterprises, Inc. A hot iron is passed briefly near the region of the open cut to make a part of the bag wall melt. The bag is then allowed to cool, so it is resealed. The tobacco formulation inside the sealed bag has a loose, freely flowing granular shape that is not shaped, molded, compressed or otherwise has any form. The capsule is placed randomly inside the bag, and is in physical contact with the tobacco formulation inside the bag.

The tobacco product is used by placing a bag containing the tobacco formulation in the mouth of a smoked individual / consumer. During use, saliva from the consumer's mouth causes some of the components of the tobacco formulation to pass through the water permeable bag and into the mouth of the human individual. The bag preferably is not chewed or swallowed. The consumer is provided with tobacco flavor and satisfaction, and no part of the tobacco formulation is required. In addition, the capsule undergoes destruction during the use of the product, and the flavored content of the capsule is introduced into the consumer's mouth. After about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes, preferably about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes of use / enjoyment, the contents of the capsule and substantial amounts of the tobacco formulation have been ingested by the human individual, and the bag can be removed from the mouth of the human individual for elimination.

Example 3

A tobacco product comprising a snus-type tobacco formulation and a liquid-filled capsule contained in a sealed moisture permeable mesh bag can be assembled as follows:

A product similar to that described with reference to Example 2 is provided, except that the capsule used is a capsule that is commercially available as "Ice Breakers Liquid Ice" from The Hershey Company, and two capsules are placed in the bag. Each of said capsules has a diameter of approximately 5 mm.

Example 4

A tobacco product comprising a tobacco formulation and a liquid filled capsule contained in a sealed moisture permeable mesh bag can be assembled as follows:

A product similar to that described with reference to Example 1 is provided, except that the bag additionally contains at least one material in water soluble or water dispersible flavored strips. For example, two flavored strips of a product that is commercially available in Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks of Pfizer, Inc. are introduced into the bag together with the capsule. The strips can be dissolved to release a flavor during use.

It is intended that the above detailed description be considered as illustrative rather than as limiting. It is also intended to be understood that the following claims define the scope of this invention.

Claims (31)

1.- A smokeless tobacco product configured for the introduction into the mouth of a consumer of that product, said tobacco product comprising: a water permeable outer mesh bag (316) containing a tobacco formulation (320), including said granular tobacco (320) tobacco formulation, wherein the outer mesh bag (316) is designed and manufactured to allow penetration of granular tobacco through the material of the outer mesh bag (316), said granular tobacco having a size to pass through a Tyler 200 mesh screen; a water-permeable inner mesh bag (326), said inner bag (326) being disposed within the outer bag (316) and generally surrounded by tobacco (320), the inner bag (326) containing at least one agent element of flavor selected from the group consisting of: at least one capsule (334), wherein the at least one capsule (334) comprises a breakable outer capsule liner (334) that surrounds and contains at least one liquid core flavoring ingredient, or a soluble flavor strip. 2. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the external (316) and internal (326) bags is water soluble, water dispersible, or one of its combinations. 3. The tobacco product of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer bag (316) contains about 50 mg to about 500 mg of tobacco formulation, based on dry weight. 4. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer bag (316) contains about 100 mg to about 400 mg of tobacco formulation, based on dry weight. 5. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) has a moisture content of less than about 20 percent by weight. 6- The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) has a moisture content of less than about 10 percent by weight. 7. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) comprises a disintegration aid. 8. The tobacco product of claim 7, wherein the disintegration aid is selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, and pregelatinized corn starch. 9. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) comprises a buffering agent. 10. The tobacco product of claim 9, wherein the buffering agent is selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and metal bicarbonates. 11. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) includes an artificial sweetener, a natural sweetener or a combination thereof. 12. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) comprises a sweetener selected from the group consisting of: fructose, sucrose, maltose, mannose, galactose, lactose, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, and acesulfame K. 13. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) includes a filler material. 14. The tobacco product of claim 13, wherein the filler material is selected from the group consisting of grains, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, corn starch, lactose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and finely divided cellulose. 15. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) has a moisture content of about 25 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight. 16. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) has a moisture content of about 30 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight. 17. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the granular tobacco has a size to pass through a Tyler 18 mesh sieve. 18. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the granular tobacco has a size to pass through a Tyler 20 mesh sieve. 19. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the granular tobacco has a size to pass through a Tyler 50 mesh sieve. 20. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 19, wherein one or both of the tobacco formulation (320) and at least one of the water permeable bags (316; 326) comprises at least one flavoring ingredient. 21. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) includes an antioxidant. 22. The tobacco product of claim 21, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, grape seed extract, grape seed oil, polyphenol-containing materials, green tea extract, extract of black tea, peanut endocarp, and potato peel. 23. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the flavoring ingredient comprises a liquid carrier. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the flavoring ingredient imparts a flavor selected from the group consisting of vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, mint, peppermint, eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint, gaulteria , lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, husk, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, and any combination thereof. 25. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the lining of the outer capsule is breakable, so that a rupture of the lining of the outer capsule exposes the region of the inner capsule to the formulation of tobacco. 26. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the coating of the outer capsule comprises wax, gelatin or cyclodextrin. 27. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 26, wherein at least one capsule (334) comprises a plurality of capsules. 28. The tobacco product of claim 27, wherein the plurality of capsules comprises capsules of different sizes. 29. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 28, wherein at least one capsule (334) is generally spherical and has a diameter between about 0.5 mm and about 6 mm. 30. The tobacco product of claim 29, wherein at least one capsule (334) has a diameter between about 3 mm and about 5 mm. 31. The tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 30, wherein at least one capsule (334) comprises an outer capsule liner surrounding a region of the inner capsule, the region of the inner capsule comprising at least a liquid ingredient 32.- The tobacco product of claim 31, wherein the liquid ingredient is selected from water, an organic liquid and one of its combinations. 33. The smokeless tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 32, comprising a strip composed of a soluble material disposed in the bag. 34. The smokeless tobacco product of one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the tobacco formulation (320) comprises crushed tobacco leaf, sucralose, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, mannitol, cellulose powder, starch of pregelatinized corn, povidone, and potassium hydroxide; and the sealed, water permeable outer bag (316) containing the tobacco formulation (320) also contains at least one breakable capsule (334).