JP6518030B2 - Method for preparing a tobacco composition - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the use of tobacco, in particular of smokeless form. The invention also relates to a method of processing tobacco for use in a smokeless tobacco composition.

  Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are popular smoking articles where various forms of tobacco are used. Such smoking articles are used by heating or burning tobacco, and the aerosol (eg, smoke) is inhaled by the smoker. Cigarettes can also be enjoyed in the so-called "smokeless" form. Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are used by inserting some form of processed tobacco or tobacco containing composition into the mouth of the user.

  Various types of smokeless tobacco products are disclosed in Schwartz, US Pat. No. 1,376,586, Levi, US Pat. No. 3,696,917, Pittman et al., US Pat. No. 4,513,756, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Sensabaugh, Jr. Et al., 4528993, Story et al., 4624269, Townsend, 4987907, Sprinkle, III, et al., 5092352, and White, et al., 5387416. Strickland et al U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521, Arnarp et al. WO 04/095959, Atchley et al. WO 05/063060, Engstrom WO 05/004480, Bjorkholm WO 05/016036 and Quinter et al. WO 05/041699. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et al., U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2005/0178398 to Breskin et al., Each incorporated herein by reference. No. 2006/0191548 to Strickland et al., WO 05/041699, and Mua et al. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 461,633, filed August 1, 2006, each of which is smokeless. See also tobacco formulations, ingredients and methods of treatment.

  One type of smokeless tobacco product is called "snuff". Typical types of wet snuff products, usually called "snus", are in Europe, especially in Sweden by companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S and Rocker Production AB It is manufactured. Snus products marketed in the United States are disclosed in US Pat. J. It is sold by Reynolds Tobacco Company under the trademarks Camel Snus Frost, Camel Snus Original and Camel Snus Spice. Exemplary smokeless tobacco products are also available from House of Oliver Twist A / S under the trademark Oliver Twist; S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Under the trademarks Copenhagen, Skoal, SkoalDry, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky and Revel; from Philip Morris USA under the trademark "taboka"; and Conwood Sales Co. , L. P. And Lavi Garrett, Peachy, Taylor's Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King and Mammoth Cave. See also, for example, Bryzgalov et al., 1N 1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005). In addition, certain quality standards related to snus production are integrated as so-called Gothia Tek standards.

US Patent No. 1376586 U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 U.S. Patent No. 4528993 U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,352 U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 WO 2004/095959 WO 2005/063060 International Publication No. 2005/004480 WO 2005/016036 WO 2005/041699 U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0178398 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0191548 US Patent Application No. 11/461633

Bryzgalov et al., 1N 1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005)

  It would be desirable to provide an enjoyable form of a smokeless tobacco product and to provide a method for preparing a tobacco composition for use in a smokeless tobacco product.

(Summary of the invention)
The present invention relates to smokeless tobacco products and methods for preparing tobacco compositions suitable for use in smokeless tobacco products. Products include loose wet snuff, loose dry snuff, chewing tobacco, pelletized tobacco pieces, extruded or molded tobacco strips, pieces, rods or sticks, pulverized powder, pulverized pieces and components, or pulverized or pulverized Various forms can be taken, such as granulated granules, flake-like pieces, molded tobacco pieces, tobacco-containing gum pieces, rolls of tape-like films, films or strips readily soluble in water or readily dispersible in water, or capsule-like materials Smokeless tobacco formulations are included. In one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco product is in the form of a tobacco formulation disposed within a moisture permeable container. The smokeless tobacco formulation preferably comprises fine-grained, granulated or pulverized particles of tobacco, and a sweetener, a binder, a coloring agent, a pH adjuster, a filler, a flavor, a disintegrant, an antioxidant Other ingredients such as agents, oral care ingredients, and preservatives can also be included.

  In one aspect of the invention, the smokeless tobacco product comprises at least one additive or component disposed within the tobacco formulation, the additive being in admixture with the additive and the tobacco during normal conditions of storage and / or use. It is a form adapted to be sequestered or otherwise physically separated from one or more other components of the substance. By separating certain additives from other components of the tobacco formulation, there may be an increase in storage stability, a shortening of the life and / or a reduction in the organoleptic properties of the tobacco formulation. Reduce chemical interactions, minimize the effect of certain additives on the organoleptic properties of the tobacco formulation, and adjust product characteristics (eg, moisture content) during manufacture without sacrificing storage stability Any one or more of a variety of functional benefits can be realized, such as enhanced capabilities.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert the product into the mouth of the user, wherein the tobacco product is a tobacco formulation and tobacco formulation in a form suitable for insertion into the mouth of the user. The at least one additive is contained within, the additive being present in a form that physically separates the additive from the tobacco formulation. As an appropriate form designed to achieve such separation and thus promote the inhibition of the interaction of the selected components during handling and storage, the encapsulated form; ie the physical properties of the selected components therein For example, strips obtained by mechanical or chemical capture or suspension, pellets, films and the like can be mentioned.

  In one embodiment, the additives are separated by using an encapsulated form comprising a wall or barrier structure defining an internal region or payload comprising the additive. For example, the present invention can include a tobacco formulation comprising a plurality of microcapsules comprising additives designed to enhance the organoleptic properties of the product or to add functional benefits to the product. The use of additives in microencapsulated form can improve the storage stability of the product, in particular the stability of the sensory profile of the product, preventing certain additives from degrading over time be able to. Microencapsulation can also isolate the user from the undesirable organoleptic properties associated with encapsulated ingredients such as certain fillers, and also allows sensory experience by releasing certain flavors over time. You can also make it more gentle. By microencapsulating water, it is possible to produce, store and transport the product at lower moisture levels, which can reduce storage and shipping costs and improve the storage stability of the product . Exemplary additives which may be microencapsulated or otherwise sequestered within the tobacco formulation include water, flavors (eg, sweeteners or tobacco containing flavors), binders, colorants, pH adjusters, Buffers, fillers, disintegrants, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives and additives derived from herbal or botanical sources are included.

  Exemplary microcapsule embodiments have an outer shell, shell or coating that encloses a liquid or solid central region, and in certain embodiments, the microcapsules can have an overall spherical shape. By encapsulating the additive within the central region of the microcapsules, the ability of the additive to interact with the other components of the tobacco formulation is reduced or eliminated, thereby enhancing the storage stability of the resulting product. It can be done. The shell usually releases the additive (eg, by dispersion, softening, crushing, application of pressure, etc.) when it receives some form of physical failure, breakage or loss of other physical integrity The central region thereby alters the sensory characteristics of the smokeless tobacco product. Thus, in many embodiments, the outer shell of the microcapsule is designed to burst during use, or in normal use, such as under conditions of at least about 45% moisture by weight relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product It is water soluble under the conditions. However, in other embodiments, the shell region is not intended to break up in use, and instead retains its integrity and does not release the contents of the central region. The outermost moisture permeable container preferably has the form of a pouch or bag, such as a type commonly used to make snus products.

  In one embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert the product into the mouth of a user is provided, the tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising: The material and the plurality of microcapsules dispersed in the tobacco material. The microcapsules are preferably water, flavors (eg, sweeteners or tobacco-containing flavors), binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffers, oral care ingredients, fillers, disintegrants, moisturizers, It includes an outer payload encapsulated inner payload comprising additives such as antioxidants, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or vegetable sources and mixtures thereof.

  In another embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert the product into the mouth of a user is provided, wherein the tobacco product comprises a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising A shell comprising a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules encapsulating an internal payload comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of water, flavors and mixtures thereof Including. Preferred microencapsulated flavors include tobacco-containing flavors such as tobacco extract or particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (eg, sweeteners including neotame) and vanillin (optionally in complex form) Be When the microencapsulation additive is water, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation prior to use is preferably less than about 20% by weight, more preferably less than about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation. Most preferably, it is less than about 10% by weight.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation comprises a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within a tobacco material and a tobacco material. And a plurality of microcapsules comprising an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload comprising a flavoring agent selected from the group consisting of a sweetener composition comprising neotame, a tobacco-containing flavorant and a mixture thereof, and a microencapsulated flavor Are present in an amount of at least 1% by weight of the dry tobacco formulation, and the microcapsule shell is water soluble under water conditions of at least about 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation .

  In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation comprises a plurality of rupturable microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material and the tobacco material. And wherein the plurality of rupturable microcapsules comprises an outer shell encapsulating an inner payload comprising water, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco formulation prior to the rupture of the microcapsules is about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation It is below.

  In a further embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product is provided comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, and a plurality of microcapsules And B. an outer shell encapsulating an inner payload comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of filler materials, buffers, additives derived from herbal or vegetable sources, and mixtures thereof.

  Exemplary filler materials include vegetable fiber materials such as sugar radish fiber materials, oats or other grains, bran fibers, starch, or other modified or natural cellulose materials. The microencapsulated filler material is usually present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the dry formulation.

  Preferred buffering agents buffer within a pH range of about 6 to about 10, and exemplary buffering agents include metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal bicarbonates or mixtures thereof. The microencapsulation buffer is usually present in an amount of at least about 1% based on the dry weight of the formulation.

  Additives derived from herbal or vegetable sources suitable for use in the present invention are often in the form of oils or extracts. Exemplary compounds that may be present in such additives include minerals, vitamins, isoflavones, phytoesterols, allyl sulfide, dithiolthiones, isothiocyanates, indoles, lignans, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids.

  In a further embodiment, the invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, The plurality of microcapsules comprises an outer shell encapsulating an inner payload comprising a filler material, the outer shell of the microcapsule being non-water soluble under water conditions of at least about 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation It is.

  In many of the above-described embodiments, the tobacco containing portion (eg, an extruded or molded tobacco product, tobacco contained in a pouch, etc.) allows the user to enjoy the tobacco formulation in the tobacco containing portion In the mouth of tobacco users. During use of certain embodiments of the product of the present invention, the microcapsule shell in the tobacco-containing portion is affected, broken, crushed or otherwise affected by water in the mouth of the user The contents can be released by receiving the After the tobacco user has finished using the smokeless tobacco product, the outer moisture permeable pouch, if present, can be removed from the user's mouth and discarded. Alternatively, such an outer pouch can be made of a soluble or dispersible material so that the tobacco formulation and pouch, if present, can be consumed by the user. The remaining components of the outer shell of the microcapsules may be dispersed and ingested in the mouth of the user, or may remain in the used pouch for disposal.

  Another aspect of the invention provides a method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition. Such methods of the invention may be characterized as comprising a heat treatment step that can be viewed as a type of pasteurisation adapted to degrade, destroy or modify at least a portion of the microorganisms in the tobacco composition . In one embodiment, the method provides a mixture (eg, in the form of a slurry) comprising a tobacco material having water and a high water content, such as a mixture comprising at least about 75% water by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture Including the step of The mixture is subjected to heat treatment (eg, heating the mixture to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material) for a time and temperature adapted to pasteurize the material. Thereafter, an amount of base sufficient to raise the pH of the mixture to the alkaline pH range (ie, above 7.0) is added to the mixture, thereby forming a pH adjusted mixture. In one embodiment, sufficient base is added to raise the pH of the mixture to at least about 8.5. During and after the base addition step, following the base addition step, continue heating the pH adjusted mixture for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the mixture by at least about 0.5 pH units (eg, at least about 60) Preferably to a temperature of .degree.

  The method may further comprise the step of adding a salt to the mixture before or during the heat treatment. For example, the salt addition step can include the step of adding about 1 to about 5% by weight sodium chloride based on the dry weight of the tobacco material.

  Following the base addition step, the mixture can be cooled (eg, to a temperature less than about 35 ° C.). Humectants can be added during or after the cooling step. Thereafter, if desired, the pH of the mixture can be readjusted (e.g., to a pH of about 8.0 or less) with additional base, and the mixture can be dried (e.g., dried tobacco) Up to a water content of about 15% by weight or less based on the total weight of the material). Flavorants, sweeteners and additional moisture can be added to the dried tobacco material as desired (eg, in an amount sufficient to increase the moisture content of the tobacco material to at least about 25% by weight).

  In certain embodiments of the method, the method provides a slurry comprising water and tobacco material, wherein the slurry comprises at least about 80% water by weight relative to the total weight of the slurry, the slurry for at least about 30 minutes. Heating to a temperature of at least about 70 ° C., adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 9.0. Forming a pH adjusting slurry thereby, continuing heating the pH adjusting slurry to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C. for at least about 1.5 hours (or other suitable time to effect the desired treatment); The pH adjusted slurry is cooled to about ambient temperature, and the pH adjusted slurry has a pH of at least about 8 at the beginning of the cooling step. Adding a humectant to the pH-adjusted slurry during or after the cooling step, and a temperature sufficient to reduce the moisture level of the tobacco material to less than about 15% by weight relative to the weight of the wet tobacco material Drying the pH adjusted slurry in time.

  Yet another exemplary method is provided for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition. This method also includes a heat treatment step that can be viewed as a type of pasteurization process. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a wet tobacco material having a first water content (eg, having a water content of at least about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet tobacco material), and Sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material while maintaining the wet tobacco material at the same moisture level (i.e., first moisture content) or higher (e.g., moisture content at a level of at least about 30% by weight) Heating the moist tobacco at a temperature (eg, a temperature of at least about 85 ° C.) and for a time. Thereafter, raising the pH of the wet tobacco material to a pH in the alkaline pH range (eg, at least about 8.7) and raising the water content of the tobacco material to a second water content (eg, to at least about 40% by weight) A sufficient amount of base and water can be added to the wet tobacco material to form a pH adjusted wet tobacco material. The method maintains the moisture content at about the same moisture level (i.e., a second moisture content) or higher (e.g., at least about 40 wt%) while the pH of the wet tobacco material is within the alkaline pH range. Continuing heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material at an elevated temperature (eg, a temperature of at least about 55 ° C.) for a sufficient time to decrease to a lower level (eg, decrease to less than about 8.5) be able to. The tobacco material is then maintained at a pH in the alkaline range (e.g., at least about 7.6) and under conditions of time and temperature suitable for reducing the water content of the tobacco material (e.g., about 35 wt% The drying can be at a temperature of at least about 35 ° C. for a sufficient time to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than). The method may further comprise the step of adding the sweetener composition to the dried tobacco material.

  In one embodiment, the wet tobacco material can comprise a mixture of a dried tobacco material having a water content of less than about 15% by weight and an aqueous solution of salt, such a mixture being dried to a high temperature (eg, at least about 60 ° C.) The tobacco material can be prepared by heating and adding an aqueous solution of salt (eg, sodium chloride solution) to the heated tobacco material.

  In one embodiment, continuing the heating of the pH adjusted wet tobacco material comprises pH adjusted wet tobacco at a temperature and moisture level sufficient to maintain a pH reduction rate of about 0.05 to about 0.15 pH units per hour. Heating the material.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the method comprising wet tobacco material comprising a mixture of tobacco material and a salt solution Providing a wet tobacco material having a water content of about 30 to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet tobacco material, while maintaining the water content at a level of about 30 to about 40% by weight. Pasteurizing the tobacco material by heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least about 90 ° C. for about one hour (or other suitable time to effect the desired treatment), pH of the slurry at least about 8.7 Base and water in an amount sufficient to raise the water content to at least about 45% by weight and to add to the wet tobacco material, thereby adjusting the pH of the wet tobacco Forming at least about 65 ° C. for at least about 1 hour (or other suitable time to effect the desired treatment) while maintaining a water content of at least about 45% by weight and a pH of at least about 8 Continuing the heating of the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature, and at least about 35 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than about 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least about 7.6. Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and the reference numerals refer to the components of the exemplary embodiments according to the invention Point to The drawings are for illustration only and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco product embodiment from the width direction of the product showing the outer pouch filled with tobacco material and the microcapsules disposed within the tobacco material. The second from the width of the product showing the outer pouch, the tobacco material contained in the pouch, together with the microcapsules and the larger spherical capsule (also shown in cross section) also contained in the pouch FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco product embodiment of FIG. A third smokeless tobacco from the length of the product showing the outer pouch and tobacco material, microcapsules, flavor sheet and two larger spherical capsules (also shown in cross section) placed in the pouch FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a product embodiment. In a cross-sectional view of a fourth smokeless tobacco product embodiment from the length of the product showing the outer pouch, the inner pouch, the tobacco material and the microcapsules, together with the larger capsule placed in the inner pouch is there.

  The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, the present disclosure meets applicable legal requirements. Such embodiments are provided. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the present specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

  Several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which describe a snus-type product comprising an outer pouch and including microcapsules in a tobacco formulation . As described in more detail below, such embodiments are for illustration only, and the smokeless tobacco product can include other forms of tobacco composition, be encapsulated or otherwise For example, additives may be included that are sequestered from other components of the tobacco formulation using methods other than microencapsulation.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 comprises a moisture permeable container in the form of a pouch 12 which contains solid tobacco filler material 14 of the type described herein. The smokeless tobacco product also comprises a plurality of microcapsules 16 dispersed in a tobacco filler material 14, the microcapsules comprising an additive as described in detail below.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 comprises a pouch 20 which is a container. A preferred pouch comprises a moisture permeable mesh material. The pouch 20, which is an example container, is closed and sealed along the length of the overlap region 22. The overlap area is formed by placing the bottom portion of one end of the pouch 20 on the top portion of the opposite end of the pouch (e.g. by heat sealing, a suitable adhesive or other suitable means) can do. The solid tobacco material 14 is disposed within the pouch 20 and the plurality of microcapsules 16 are disposed within the tobacco material. An optional larger spherical capsule 26 is also disposed within the pouch 20. The spherical capsule 26 has an outer shell 28 containing an inner payload 30.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 includes a pouch 34 which is a container. A preferred pouch comprises a moisture permeable mesh material. The exemplary pouch 34 is closed and sealed at its ends 36, 38 (e.g., by heat sealing, suitable adhesive or other suitable means). The tobacco material 14 is contained in a pouch 34 and the plurality of microcapsules 16 are dispersed in the tobacco material. Two optional larger spherical capsules 40 and 42 are also contained within the pouch 34. Each spherical capsule 40, 42 has an outer shell 44, 46 that includes an inner payload 50, 52. An optional dissolvable strip of flavor material, shown as flavor sheet 56, is also placed in the pouch. In certain alternative embodiments, a strip of flavoring material, such as flavoring sheet 56, can be disposed within pouch 34 without the presence of any larger capsules.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 comprises an outer pouch 12 and an inner pouch 60. The preferred pouches each comprise a moisture permeable mesh material, and the pouches 12, 60 are present in pouches containing flavorant members such as larger capsules (e.g. large capsules) and pouches without the larger capsule. Illustrated without showing possible seams. The outer pouch 12 forms a continuous container around the tobacco material 14 having the microcapsules 16 dispersed therein. The inner pouch 60 is disposed within the outer pouch 12 and is generally surrounded by the tobacco material 14, although the inner pouch 60 may be in contact with or adhered to the outer pouch 12 Or may be formed continuously. The inner pouch 60 holds the larger capsule 62 which comprises an outer shell 66 and an inner payload 68. Although the inner pouch 60 is shown with an internal space surrounding the capsule 62 for clarity of illustration, in a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the inner pouch 60 fits closely with its contents . In an alternative embodiment, the inner pouch can contain a flavor strip, such as a soluble flavor strip (eg, Cinnamon Oral Care Strip, commercially available from Pfizer, Inc. at Listerine PocketPaks).

  The smokeless tobacco product of the present invention comprises at least one additive or component of the tobacco composition in the form of physically separating or isolating the additive to some extent from one or more other components of the tobacco composition. it can. The functional benefits of such separation may vary, but generally, minimizing chemical interaction between the additives and other components of the tobacco composition during normal storage and / or use conditions. Including excluding. Thus, by separating certain additives, the storage stability of the resulting tobacco product can be enhanced and / or the desired organoleptic properties of the product can be maintained. The means of separation may be diverse, including the encapsulation of additives or the use of various forms of additives such as beads, pellets, rods, films, strands, layered or laminated structures, sheets, strips, or other shapes. Can take a form. The additives can be dispersed in the matrix material and molded into the desired form. Additives can also be physically captured or encapsulated within the seams of pouches that store the tobacco composition.

  In one embodiment, the additive is present in an encapsulated form comprising an outer wall or barrier structure and an inner region comprising the additive. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention, such as those described in FIGS. 1-4, include a plurality of microcapsules, wherein the microcapsules comprise an inner or central region encapsulated by an outer shell region. The inner region is adapted to enhance one or more sensory properties of the smokeless tobacco product such as taste, mouth feel, wettability, cold / heat and / or aroma, or of an antioxidant or immune system enhancing function Includes a payload of an additive that is adapted to add additional functionality, such as addition, to the smokeless tobacco product. The microcapsule shell or coating serves as a barrier between the payload and the tobacco composition of the smokeless tobacco product. Depending on the desired application, this barrier may be permanent, which means that the barrier remains in place as a barrier for the life of the product, or it may be temporary. Means that the barrier is designed to stop acting as a barrier, thereby releasing the payload under certain conditions of using the product.

  In many embodiments, the shell is subject to some type of physical failure, breakage or other loss of physical integrity (eg, by collapse, softening, crushing, application of pressure, etc.) The core region additives are released, thereby altering the organoleptic or functional properties of the smokeless tobacco product during product use. Thus, for example, the microcapsules can be incorporated into the pouch together with the tobacco formulation and, during use, the microcapsules are softened by contact with the water present in the mouth of the user, The physical integrity can be lost and the additive can be released into the mouth of the user. Alternatively, the microcapsules can be deliberately crushed by applying pressure to release the additive. Such release of additives may alter or improve the flavor or other sensory characteristics of the product, extend the time period over which the user can enjoy the product, or provide other functional advantages. In other embodiments, the shell is not designed to release the additive under normal use conditions, as in the case of the microcapsule filler material.

  The tobacco product 10 is usually used by placing a pouch of tobacco formulation in the mouth of a human subject / user. During use, saliva in the mouth of the user allows some of the components of the tobacco formulation to pass through the water permeable pouch and into the mouth of the user. The pouch is preferably not bitten or swallowed. The user is provided with tobacco flavor and satisfaction and does not need to exhale any portion of the tobacco formulation. In addition, in many embodiments, the microcapsules are broken during use of the product and the contents of the microcapsules are introduced into the mouth of the user. After about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes, preferably about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes of use / fun, significant amounts of the contents of the microcapsules and the tobacco formulation are taken by the human subject and the pouch is It can be removed from the subject's mouth and discarded.

  Water, flavorings, tobacco material (eg, specified as an exemplary type of additive that can be separated from other components of the tobacco formulation (eg, contained in the payload of the microcapsules) by encapsulation or other techniques Tobacco material in the form of or tobacco extract), organic and inorganic fillers (eg cereals, processed cereals, puffed cereals, maltodextrins, maltose dextrins, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, corn starch, lactose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, milled Cellulose, etc., binders (eg povidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and other modified cellulose type binders, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, starch binders, gum arabic, lecithin etc), pH adjusters or buffers (eg, ,Money Hydroxides, preferably alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and other alkalis such as metal carbonates, preferably potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate, or metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate Metal buffer etc.), coloring agents (eg caramel coloring and dyes and pigments including titanium dioxide), moisturizing agents (eg glycerin, propylene glycol etc.), oral care additives, preservatives (eg sorbin) Potassium acid, syrups (honey, high fructose corn syrup, and analogues used as flavorings), disintegrating aids (eg microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, pre Gelatinized corn starch etc), herbs Additives from fine plant sources, and mixtures thereof. Representative types of payload components are also described in US Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al., US Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0244521 to Strickland et al., Each incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0261807, and Quinter et al. WO 05/041699.

  Exemplary flavorants that can be used act to alter the bitter, sweet, sour or salty taste of the smokeless tobacco product, the perception of dryness or wettability of the formulation, or the degree of tobacco taste represented by the formulation Or a suitable combination of those components. As flavor types, salts (eg sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate etc.), natural sweeteners (eg fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, mannose, galactose, etc.) Lactose, etc.), artificial sweeteners (eg, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame etc.), and mixtures thereof. The flavors may be natural or artificial and the properties of such flavors imparted thereby are, but not limited to, fresh, sweet, herbal, confectionery, flowery Can be described as fruity or spicy. Specific types of flavorings include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee, chocolate / cocoa, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey , Jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry and any combination thereof. Leffingwell et al., "Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products", R. et al., Incorporated herein by reference. J. See also Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972). Flavoring agents may also include ingredients considered to be moist, cold or leveling agents such as eucalyptus. These flavors can be provided pure (i.e. alone) or in combination (e.g. spearmint and menthol, or orange and cinnamon). Complex flavors can be combined as separate components of separate microcapsules, in a single microcapsule as a mixture.

  In a preferred embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the payload of the microcapsule, is a tobacco-based flavor composition, such as a flavorant comprising particulate tobacco material or tobacco extract (eg, aqueous tobacco extract in solid form) It is a thing. It is contemplated that any type of tobacco material described herein can be used as a microencapsulated flavor. The use of microencapsulated tobacco flavors can provide smokeless tobacco formulations with extended release of flavor characteristics. Some forms of smokeless tobacco formulations deliver strong sensory profiles. By microencapsulating a portion of the tobacco material in the formulation, a milder sensory experience can be achieved. Microencapsulation of the tobacco flavor can also extend the sensory experience by continuously and slowly releasing the tobacco flavor as the product stays in the mouth. Preferred microencapsulated tobacco flavors extend the release of the tobacco flavor under normal conditions of use of the smokeless tobacco product, such as conditions of moisture levels of 45% or more, based on the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product.

  Tobacco extracts useful as components of tobacco formulations may be used, in particular those suitable for use as sequestering additives. The extract can be used in solid form (eg, spray dried or lyophilized form), liquid form, semisolid form, and the like. Exemplary tobacco extracts and extraction techniques are described, for example, in Osborne, Jr., et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,677, Fagg et al., 4,967,771, Fagg et al., 5,005,793, Fagg, 5,148,819 and Clapp, et al., 5,435,325. It is done. Various tobacco extracts and reconstitution methods are described in US Pat. No. 5,065,775 to Fagg, US Pat. No. 5,360,022 to Newton and US Pat. No. 5,131,414 to Fagg all of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is described in. See also the tobacco extract treatment methods described in US Pat. No. 5,131,415 to Munoz et al. And Gonzalez-Parra, US Pat. No. 5,318,050, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  Any suitable known reconstituted tobacco treatment technique can be used, such as paper making techniques or casting methods. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,754 to Tughan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,164 to Mattina, U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,117 to Kite, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,552 to Jenkins, Mattina, incorporated herein by reference. No. 4,308,877, Kerritsis No. 4341228, Gellatly No. 4421126, Gellatly No. 4706692; Thomasson No. 4962774, Clapp No. 4941484. Specification: Young, No. 4987906, Brown, No. 5056537, Sohn, No. 5143097, Brinkley, et al., No. 5159942, Young: Specification No. 5325877, the first 5445169 Pat of Brinkley, the first 5501237 Pat of Young, see various paper making method described in the first 5533530 Pat of Young. For example, Hind, U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,541, Hind, U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,454, Hind, U.S. Pat. No. 3,483,874, Deszyck, U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,815, Keritsis, which is incorporated herein by reference. No. 4,674,519, Kiernan, No. 4,972,854, Hickle, No. 5023354, Young, No. 5099,864, Jakob, No. 5,018,393, Hickle, No. 5,203,354. , Lekwauwa, 5327917, Young, 539838, Jakob, 5598866, Young, 5715844, Gellatly, 5724998. Writing, and the first 6216706 Pat of Kumar, and see pouring method described in EPO565360, EPO1055375 and WO 98/01233. Extracts, extractives and slurries used in conventional tobacco reconstitution processes can be used as components of tobacco formulations for smokeless tobacco products described herein.

  In another embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the payload of the microcapsule, comprises vanillin as a flavorant. Under certain conditions, such as basic pH, the presence of vanillin in a smokeless tobacco formulation may lead to red stains on the pouch over time. By microencapsulating vanillin, vanillin is stabilized in the smokeless tobacco product and the likelihood of pouch staining is reduced. In certain embodiments, the microencapsulated vanillin can be in the form of complexed vanillin that releases vanillin over time, such as ethyl vanillin glucoside. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated vanillin prolongs the release of vanillin during normal use conditions, such as at a moisture level of 45% or more.

  In another embodiment, the sequestered additive or the like in the payload of the microcapsule is a natural and / or artificial sweetener such as the SUCRAS WEET® brand sweetener commercially available from Sweetener Solutions Company. SUCRASWEET® is a combination of neotame, acesulfame potassium and maltitol. Certain sweeteners, particularly those comprising neotame, may become less stable under certain conditions such as basic pH. Certain sweeteners can be chemically degraded to form by-products that can alter the organoleptic properties of the smokeless tobacco formulation in an undesirable manner, such as increased bitterness. Microencapsulation of such sweeteners can reduce or prevent degradation of the sweet taste flavor, and the desired sensory profile of the smokeless tobacco product can be maintained for a longer period of time. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated sweet taste flavor provides continuous and extended release of flavor and exhibits water solubility during normal use conditions, such as conditions of 45% or more moisture level.

  In yet another embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the payload of the microcapsule, is water, which serves to increase the moisture level of the smokeless tobacco product. By adding microencapsulated or otherwise sequestered water to the smokeless tobacco product, the moisture level of the product during storage can be reduced. Once the product is in the mouth, the microencapsulated water preferably releases water rapidly. Rather than being designed to dissolve over time during use of the product, the shell of the microcapsules of this embodiment preferably rupture during use, such as by crushing of the microcapsules by the user. The water in the product is quickly released at any time during or before use of the product. The ability to package, store and transport smokeless tobacco products at lower moisture levels reduces shipping costs (e.g., eliminates the need for refrigeration) and increases product life. The use of microencapsulated water is less than about 20% by weight, often less than about 15% by weight, and often about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation prior to use (eg, during storage) It is particularly suitable in the case of tobacco formulations having a water content of less than%. Typical moisture content ranges for the tobacco formulations of this embodiment are from about 5 to about 20% by weight.

  Additives are also potato peel, grape seed, ginseng, ginkgo, Saint John's Wort, saw palmetto, green tea, black cohosh, powdered chili pepper, chamomile, cranberry, echinacea, garlic, evening primrose, It may be in the form of an isolated component (eg, oil or extract) from a plant or herb source such as feverfew, ginger, hydrangea, hawthorn, prickly poppy, licorice, milk thistle, bulrush, or biloba. Providing certain bioactive effects such as minerals, vitamins, isoflavones, phytoesterols, allyl sulfide, dithiolthiones, isothiocyanates, indoles, lignans, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids as additives such as oils and extracts mentioned above There are many cases in which there are compounds of various classes for which are known. Exemplary compounds found in such types of extracts or oils include ascorbic acid, peanut endocarp, resveratrol, sulforaphane, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, coenzyme Q, carnitine, quercetin, kaempferol and the like. See, eg, Santhosh et al., Phytomedicine, 12 (2005), pages 216-220, which is incorporated herein by reference. As oil or extract additives used in the present invention, mention may be made of any compounds and sources as described herein, including but not limited to mixtures thereof. Certain additives of this type may be referred to as diet supplements, nutraceuticals, "phytochemicals" or "functional foods". These types of additives provide one or more beneficial biological effects (eg, health promotion, disease prevention, or other medicinal properties), but are not classified or regulated as drugs, usually natural It may be defined in the art as a generic material obtainable from a source (eg, plant material) of

  In embodiments of the invention that include microencapsulated or otherwise isolated or derived components derived from plant or herb sources, the microencapsulated additive has an advantage such as an immune system promoting effect, an antioxidant effect, etc. Biological functions can be imparted to the product. Microencapsulation can increase the probability that the bioactive additive will remain in active form until the product is used. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated bioactive additive provides continuous and extended release of the additive during normal use conditions, such as conditions of moisture levels of 45% or more, and exhibits water solubility.

  In a further embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the payload of the microcapsule, can comprise a buffer, such as sodium bicarbonate and / or sodium carbonate. Suitable buffers are usually buffered at a pH of at least about 6.0, often at least about 7.0, and often at least about 7.5. Suitable buffers are usually buffered at a pH of less than about 10.0, often less than about 9.5, and often less than about 9.0. In order to optimize sensory properties, it is preferred to maintain the pH of the smokeless tobacco formulation above about 7.5. However, as time passes, especially at temperatures above ambient, the pH of the smokeless tobacco formulation can drop. The use of a microencapsulated buffer that prolongs release may help to keep the product pH in the desired range, which results in a more consistent sensory profile to the product and extends its life. In certain preferred embodiments, the microencapsulation buffer is such that if the temperature of the product exceeds some threshold temperature (e.g., about 80.degree. F. or 27.degree. C.), or the pH of the product is undesirable. The buffer is released when it is reduced to low levels (eg, 7.3 or less).

  In a further embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the payload of the microcapsule, is a filler material. Certain filler materials can impart undesirable organoleptic properties to smokeless tobacco products. For example, certain fillers may have a grainy or rough texture or taste. Microencapsulation or otherwise physically separating the filler can help minimize the impact of the filler's organoleptic properties on the overall sensory profile of the smokeless tobacco product. In this manner, fillers can be used advantageously if a milder product taste is desired without the addition of any deodorant. A particularly preferred filler is FIBREX® brand filler commercially available from International Fiber Corporation, which is a fibrous material derived from sugar beet. Other suitable filler materials include oats or other cereals, bran fibers, starch, or modified or natural cellulosic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated filler is in a water insoluble form under normal use conditions, such as a moisture level of 45% by weight or more.

  As mentioned above, in many embodiments, the microcapsule shell is conventional in the user's mouth, such as under relatively high moisture conditions (eg, greater than 45% moisture relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product). It is preferred to lose physical integrity under the conditions of use. In another embodiment, the physical integrity of the microcapsule shell is achieved when the smokeless tobacco product reaches a certain pH, such as a pH of about 7.3 or less, or a certain temperature, such as about 27 ° C. or higher. It is preferable to lose In a further embodiment, the microcapsules are pressure applied by hand prior to inserting the product into the mouth, or pressure applied after the product is inserted into the oral cavity (eg pressure applied by the tongue or teeth) Is designed to rupture when subjected to the action of physical force or pressure by the user.

  The payload for the microcapsules can have a modifiable form. The payload may be in the form of a solid (eg crystalline material or dry powder) but usually has the form of a liquid or a gel. In one embodiment, the payload is a mixture of an additive (eg, flavor) and a diluent or carrier (eg, water). Preferred diluents are triglycerides, such as medium chain triglycerides, and more particularly, food grade mixtures of medium chain triglycerides. See, eg, Radzuan et al., Porim Bulletin, 39, pp. 33-38 (1999).

  The amounts of additives and diluents in the microcapsules can vary. In some cases, the diluent can be eliminated altogether altogether, and the payload can all be composed of additives. Alternatively, the payload may consist almost entirely of diluent and may contain only very small amounts of relatively strong additives. In one embodiment, the composition of the mixture of additive and diluent is added in the range of about 5 to about 99 wt% additive, more preferably about 5 to about 75 wt%, based on the total weight of the payload. In the range of agents, most preferably in the range of about 10 to about 25% by weight additives, the balance being a diluent. The exact amount of additive depends on several factors, including the type of additive and the desired sensory profile of the product.

  The crush strength of the microcapsules is sufficient to allow for normal handling and storage, without premature or undesirable breakage becoming significant. Providing a capsule having both proper integrity in storage and the ability to burst or otherwise break in use may be determined by experimentation depending on factors such as capsule size and type, It is a matter of design preference. See, eg, US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0068540 to Thomas et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Exemplary microcapsules include a shell incorporating a material such as wax, gelatin, cyclodextrin, or alginate and an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid (eg, at least one flavor component in water or an organic liquid such as alcohol or oil). Or an internal payload incorporating a mixture of water and a miscible liquid such as an alcohol or glycerin. Thus, for example, a plurality of such microcapsules can be incorporated into a pouch together with a tobacco formulation; during use of the product, the microcapsules are contained therein by crushing or other physical disruption of the microcapsules. The incorporated additives may be released to allow for proper wetting of the components of the tobacco formulation and the provision of benefits of other functions such as enhanced taste. For example, an appropriate number of capsules having an outer shell comprising food grade wax material and an internal payload comprising water will release sufficient water if such a capsule breaks providing the desired moisturizing effect to the tobacco formulation Can be incorporated into the pouch as

  The microcapsules used in the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention may be uniform or uneven in size, weight and shape, such properties of the microcapsules being determined by the desired properties of the smokeless tobacco product . Representative microcapsules are generally spherical in shape. However, suitable microcapsules can have other shapes such as generally straight, rectangular, oval or oval. Exemplary microcapsules can have a diameter of less than about 100 microns, such as microcapsules that range from about 1 to about 40 microns in diameter or about 1 to about 20 microns in diameter.

  The number of microcapsules incorporated into the smokeless tobacco product can vary depending on factors such as the size of the microcapsules, the nature or nature of the additives in the payload, and the desired attributes of the smokeless tobacco product. The number of microcapsules incorporated into the smokeless tobacco product can exceed about 5, can exceed about 10, can exceed about 20, can exceed about 40, and can exceed about 100 Even you can. In certain embodiments, the number of capsules may be greater than about 500 and greater than about 1,000.

  The total weight of the microcapsules contained within the smokeless tobacco product can vary but is usually more than about 10 mg, often more than about 20 mg and may be more than about 30 mg. The total weight of the microcapsules is usually less than about 200 mg, often less than about 100 mg, and may be less than about 50 mg.

  The relative weight of the microcapsules in the pouch can vary. Usually, the dry weight of tobacco in the smokeless tobacco product is greater than the weight provided by the microcapsule component. However, the weight of the microcapsule component may range from about 10 to about 75%, often about 20 to about 50%, based on the combined weight of the microcapsule component and the dry weight of the tobacco.

  If desired, microcapsules of different sizes and / or different types of shells (e.g. different materials of the shell, different properties of the shell such as shape or hardness and / or different components enclosed in capsules), It can be incorporated into the product. In this manner, various microcapsules may be incorporated into the product to provide the desired properties (eg, mouth feel, flavor, other sensory effects) and / or release the encapsulated component at various times during use of the product. can do. For example, the first flavor component can be released from the first set of microcapsules upon first introduction of the product into the mouth of the user, the second set of microcapsules contained in the second set of microcapsules. The flavor component may not be released later (eg, the semi-soluble coating of the second capsule takes longer to rupture than the coating of the first set of capsules).

  The microcapsules of the present invention can be formed using any microencapsulation technique known in the art. For example, microcapsules use a variety of chemical encapsulation techniques such as solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, organic phase separation, interfacial polymerization, simple and complex coacervation, in situ polymerization, liposome encapsulation and nanoencapsulation, etc. It can be formed. Alternatively, physics of encapsulation such as spray coating, pan coating, fluid bed coating, annular jet coating, rotating disc atomization, spray cooling, spray drying, spray chilling, fixed nozzle coextrusion, centrifugal head coextrusion, or immersion nozzle coextrusion etc. Methods could also be used.

  Coacervation is a colloid phenomenon initiated by dissolving the colloid in a suitable solvent. Depending on the nature of the colloid, various changes can lead to a decrease in the solubility of the colloid. As a result of this reduction, the majority of the colloid can separate into a new phase, thereby forming a two phase system, one with high colloid concentration and the other with low colloid concentration. The colloid-enriched phase in the dispersed state is an amorphous droplet called a coacervate droplet. When allowed to stand, they coalesce into one clear, uniform, colloid-enriched liquid layer called a coacervate layer, which can be deposited to produce the wall material of the resulting microcapsules.

  Simple coacervation can be carried out by mixing two colloidal dispersions, one with high affinity for water, or derived by adding a strong hydrophilic substance such as alcohol or sodium sulfate Can. The water soluble polymer is concentrated in water by the action of a water miscible non-solvent on the nascent polymer (eg, gelatin) phase. Ethanol, acetone, dioxane, isopropanol and propanol are exemplary solvents that can cause separation of coacervate such as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol or methyl cellulose. Phase separation can be performed by adding an electrolyte such as an inorganic salt to an aqueous solution of a polymer such as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, or carboxymethyl cellulose.

  Complex coacervation can be induced in a system comprising two dispersed hydrophilic colloids of opposite charge. The use of neutralization of the positive charge on the entire other colloid by one negative charge results in the separation of the polymer-rich complex coacervate phase. The gelatin-gum arabic (acacia gum) system is one known complex coacervation system.

  Organic phase separation may be more simply referred to as "water-in-oil" microencapsulation. In this case, the polar centers are dispersed in an oily or nonpolar continuous medium. The wall material is then dissolved in this continuous medium.

  Regardless of the encapsulation method used, the outer wall or shell material and solvent used to form the microcapsules of the present invention can vary. Classes of materials commonly used as wall or shell materials include proteins, polysaccharides, starches, waxes, fats, natural and synthetic polymers, and resins. Gelatin, acacia (gum arabic), polyvinyl acetate, potassium alginate, locust bean gum, potassium citrate, carrageenan, polymethaline as exemplary materials for use in the microencapsulation method used to form the microcapsules Acid potassium, citric acid, potassium tripolyphosphate, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, dimethylpolysiloxane, dimethyl silicone, refined paraffin wax, ethyl cellulose, bleached shellac, modified edible starch, sodium alginate, guar gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose Sodium citrate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium ferrocyanide, sodium polyphosphate, locust bean gum, Chill cellulose, sodium trimetaphosphate, methyl cellulose, sodium tripolyphosphate, microcrystalline wax, tannic acid, petroleum waxes, terpene resin, tragacanth, polyethylene, xanthan gum and polyethylene glycol.

  Microcapsules are commercially available and exemplary types of microcapsule technology are described by Gutcho, "Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques (1976)"; Gutcho, "Microcapsules and Other Capsules Advances Since Since 1975 (1979)"; Kondo, "Microcapsule Processing and Technology (1979) "; Iwamoto et al., AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech. 2002 3 (3): Report 25; McGlumphy U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,598; Tateno et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4889144; Cherukuri et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,595; Bonner's U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,990; Wampler Soper et al .: 6039 590; Soper et al .: 6045835; Lew: 6056992; Soper et al .: 6106875; Takada et al. No. 6,117,455 of DeRoos et al., No. 6325859; DeRoos et al., No. 6482433; Dennen, No. 6612429; and Bouwmeesters et al., No. 6929814; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0174901 to rles et al. and 2007/0095357 to Besso et al .; and the types described in WO 2007/037962 to Holton et al., each by reference. It is incorporated into the specification. Suitable types of microcapsules are commercially available from sources such as Microtek Laboratories of Dayton, Ohio. Exemplary types of commercially available microencapsulation techniques include those marketed by ULTRASEALTM and PERMASEALTM, which are commercially available from Givaudan, headquartered in Vernier, Switzerland.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, embodiments of the smokeless tobacco product can include larger capsules comprising any of the additives described herein for use in microcapsules. Exemplary smaller spherical capsules have a diameter 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. Exemplary larger spherical capsules have a diameter of less than about 6 mm, often less than about 5 mm. Exemplary smaller individual capsules have a weight of at least about 5 mg, often at least about 15 mg, and often at least about 25 mg. Exemplary larger individual capsules have a weight of less than about 75 mg, generally less than about 65 mg, and often less than about 55 mg.

  Representative type capsule, Yosha! Enterprises, Inc. "Momints", and a type commercially available from The Hershey Company as "Ice Breakers Liquid Ice". Representative types of capsules are also incorporated into chewing gum, such as the type of gum sold by Cadbury Adams USA under the trademark "Cinnaburst". Representative types of capsules and their components are also described in US Pat. No. 3,339,558 to Waterbury, Irby, Jr. No. 3,390,686, Dock: No. 3685521, Brooks et al .: 3916914, Tateno et al .: 4889144, MacAdam et al .: 6631722, and Deal No. 7,115,085, Dube et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0261807, Dube et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0272663, Luan et al. 2006/0144412, Karles et al. 2007/0012327, and Thomas et al. 2007/0068540, Kim WO 03/009711, Hartmann et al. WO 2006/13 197 No., Mane et al., WO 2006/136199, WO 2007/010407, and WO 2007/060543, as well as R. J. It is also described in a filtered cigarette sold by Reynolds Tobacco Company under the trademark "Camel Lights with Menthol Boost", which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,185 to Takei et al., 5,238,093 to Takei et al., 5,882,680 to Suzuki et al., 6,719,933 to Nakamura et al., Incorporated herein by reference. No. 6949256 of Fonkwe et al., And US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0224020 of Schoenhard, 2005/0123601 of Mane et al., 2005/0196437 of Bednarz et al. See also the various types of capsules and their components described in Scott et al., 2005/0249676. The capsule may be colored, smooth or rough on the surface, rigid or flexible in the shell, brittle or durable in the shell, or have other desired features or characteristics. It is also good.

  The smokeless tobacco product should contain other flavors in the form of beads, pellets, rods, strands, sheets, strips or other shapes designed to deliver the desired concentrated amount of flavor components to the user Can. Such forms typically include a carrier material (ie, matrix material) and a flavorant dispersed therein, to allow for controlled delivery of flavorants. For example, representative types of materials and ingredients useful for producing essentially water insoluble flavor beads, strands or pellets are described in US Pat. J. It can be found in the filters of cigarettes marketed by the Reynolds Tobacco Company as Camel Dark Mint, Camel Mandarin Mint, Camel Spice Crema, Camel Izmir Stinger, Camel Spice Twist, Camel Mandalay Lime and Camel Aegean Spice. For example, at least one of a flavor strip, piece or sheet of water dispersible or water soluble flavor material (eg, an edible breath freshening film type material), as shown in FIG. Can be placed. Such strips or sheets can be easily incorporated into the pouch by folding or rolling into a crush. See, for example, Scott et al., US Pat. No. 6,887,307, and Leung et al., 6,923,981 incorporated herein by reference, and The EFSA Journal (2004) 85, pages 1-32. See various materials and techniques.

  Although not preferred, at least one larger capsule can be surrounded by a small moisture permeable mesh pouch, which is contained within the outer mesh container of the smokeless tobacco product. In such embodiments, the tobacco formulation in the pouch can be isolated from at least one capsule also contained in the pouch, as shown in FIG.

  The tobacco used to make the tobacco product of the present invention can vary. The tobacco may be a fruit-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fired tobacco, dark air cured (e.g. pasanda, cubano, jatin and veggie tobacco) or light air cured (e.g. North Wisconsin and Garpoa tobacco), and lista tobacco, and other types of tobacco such as rare or specialty tobacco can be included. Descriptions of the various types of tobacco, growing, harvesting and curing operations are described in "Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology" (1999) of Davis et al. (Ed.), Which is incorporated herein by reference. ing. Sensabaugh, Jr., et al., Incorporated herein by reference. See also US Pat. No. 4,660,577 to White et al., US Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al., And US Pat. No. 6,730,832 to Dominguez et al. Most preferably, the tobacco material is properly cured and aged. Particularly preferred techniques and conditions for curing fluid-cured tobacco are described in Nestor et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int. 20 (2003) 467-475 and Peele U.S. Patent No. 6,895,974. Representative techniques and conditions for air curing tobacco are described in Roton et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int. 21 (2005) 305-320, and Staaf et al., Betrage Tabakforsch. Int. 21 (2005) 321-330. Certain types of unusual or rare tobacco can be sun cured. Methods and methods for improving the smoking quality of Oriental tobacco are described in US Pat. No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. Representative oriental tobaccos include cathelini, prelip, komotini, xanthi and yambol tobacco. A tobacco composition comprising dark air-cured tobacco is described in US Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 696,416 to Marshall et al., Filed April 4, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The tobacco products of the present invention, such as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, can incorporate a single type of tobacco (e.g., in a so-called "straight grade" form). For example, the tobacco in the tobacco product can be composed or derived from either a fruity cured tobacco (e.g., all tobacco, a fruitless tobacco leaf or a mixture of a floured tobacco leaf and a fruited tobacco stem). Can only consist of The tobacco in the tobacco product can also have a so-called "blend" form. For example, the tobacco in the tobacco product of the present invention may be a tobacco made of or derived from fruity cured, burley (eg, Malawi burley tobacco) and oriental tobacco (eg, tobacco leaf or a mixture of tobacco leaf and tobacco stem) A mixture of parts or pieces) can be included. For example, a typical blend comprises about 30 to about 70 parts Burley tobacco (eg, leaves, or leaves and stems) and about 30 to about 70 parts of fruit-cured tobacco (eg, stems, leaves, etc.) on a dry weight basis. Or leaf and stem) can be incorporated. Other exemplary tobacco blends are, on a dry weight basis, about 75 parts of fruit-cured tobacco, about 15 parts of Burley tobacco, and about 10 parts of Oriental tobacco; or about 65 parts of fruit-cured tobacco, about 25 parts Burley tobacco, and about 10 parts Oriental tobacco; or about 65 parts of fruit-cured tobacco, about 10 parts Burley tobacco, and about 25 parts Oriental tobacco.

  The tobacco material may be a portion or piece of processed tobacco, essentially dried and aged tobacco in the form of natural leaves or stems, tobacco extract, extracted tobacco pulp (e.g. using water as solvent), or (E.g., a mixture of extracted tobacco pulp with dried and aged, granulated natural tobacco leaves).

  The tobacco used for the tobacco product most preferably comprises tobacco leaf, or a mixture of tobacco leaf and stem. Preference is given to tobacco mixtures which incorporate a large amount of tobacco leaves rather than tobacco stems. Most preferably, the tobacco leaves and stems are used in unextracted form, ie in the same manner as natural tobacco, where the extractable part (eg water soluble part) is provided in dried and aged form It is used as it exists in the non-extractable part (for example, tobacco pulp). Most preferably, the tobacco is not provided in a reconstituted form, an extracted form, or any form provided by extracting and reconstituting tobacco components. However, the tobacco portion in the tobacco product may be processed tobacco stems (e.g. cut-rolled stems, cut-roll-expanded stems or cut-puff stems), or volume expanded tobacco (e.g. dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET) Etc. can have a processing form such as puffed tobacco). In addition, the tobacco product can optionally incorporate fermented tobacco. See also the various tobacco processing techniques described in Atchley et al., WO 05/063060, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  If desired, the tobacco material can be moistened and dried and then ground to the desired form. For example, the tobacco material is moistened with an aqueous moisturizer including ingredients such as sugars (eg fructose, glucose and sucrose), humectants (eg glycerin and propylene glycol), flavoring ingredients (eg cocoa and licorice) be able to. The non-aqueous moisturizing agent can preferably be applied to the tobacco in an amount of about 1% to about 15% based on the dry weight of the tobacco.

  The tobacco used for the production of the tobacco product is preferably provided in shred, ground, granulated, particulate or powder form. Most preferably, the tobacco is used in the form of parts or pieces having an average particle size smaller than the parts or pieces of shred tobacco used in so-called "fine cut" tobacco products. Usually, the very finely divided tobacco particles or pieces are sized to pass through a sieve of about 18 Tyler mesh, and are generally sized to pass through a sieve of about 20 Tyler mesh, often about 50 Tyler. It is sized to pass through a mesh sieve, often sized to pass through a sieve of about 60 Tyler mesh, and may even be sized to pass through a 100 Tyler mesh sieve, and even 200 Tyler. It may also be sized up to pass through a mesh sieve. If desired, collection of small tobacco particles of the desired size, or range of sizes, can be ensured by using an air classifier. In one embodiment, the tobacco material is in the form of particles sized to pass through the 18 Tyler mesh but not through the 60 Tyler mesh. If desired, differently sized pieces of granulated tobacco can be mixed together. Usually, the highly milled tobacco particles or pieces suitable for snus products have a particle size of -8 Tyler mesh, often -8 to +100 Tyler mesh, often -18 to +60 Tyler mesh.

  The manner in which the tobacco is provided in a pulverized or powder form can vary. Preferably, the tobacco parts or pieces are ground, ground or atomized into powder form using equipment and techniques for grinding, milling etc. Most preferably, the tobacco is in a relatively dry form while being ground or milled using equipment such as a hammer mill, cutter head, air control mill and the like. For example, if the moisture content of the tobacco is less than about 15% by weight to less than about 5% by weight, parts or pieces of the tobacco can be ground or ground.

  The relative amount of tobacco in the tobacco formulation can vary. Preferably, the amount of tobacco in the tobacco formulation is at least about 25% or at least about 30% based on the dry weight of the formulation. In certain cases, the amount of other components in the tobacco formulation can exceed about 40% on a dry weight basis. A typical range of tobacco material in the tobacco formulation is about 30 to about 40% by weight.

  The moisture content of the tobacco formulation before the consumer uses the formulation can vary. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation when present in the pouch prior to insertion into the mouth of the user is less than about 55% by weight, generally less than about 50% by weight, and often about 45% Less than. Certain types of tobacco formulations have a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight, often less than about 10% by weight, and often less than about 5% by weight, prior to use. For certain tobacco products, such as those incorporating snus-type tobacco compositions, the water content can exceed 20% by weight, and often can exceed 30% by weight. For example, a representative snus-type product can have a tobacco composition having a moisture content of about 25% to about 50% by weight, preferably about 30% to about 40% by weight.

  The manner in which the water content of the formulation is controlled can vary. For example, the formulation can be subjected to thermal or convective heating. As a specific example, the formulation can be oven dried in warm air at a temperature of about 40 ° C. to about 95 ° C., and for a length of time sufficient to achieve the desired water content, about 60 ° C. to about 60 ° C. It can be oven dried at a preferred temperature range of 80 ° C. Alternatively, the tobacco formulation may be a humidification drum, a conditioning cylinder or drum, a liquid spray device, a ribbon blender, LittIeford Day, Inc. It is also possible to humidify using a mixer marketed as FKM130, FKM600, FKM1200, FKM2000 and FKM3000, a mixer cylinder of Plough Share type, etc. Most preferably, wet tobacco formulations, such as various types of tobacco formulations used in snus-type products, are subjected to pasteurization or fermentation. Techniques for pasteurizing or fermenting snus type tobacco products are apparent to those skilled in the art of snus product design and manufacture.

  The acidity or alkalinity of the tobacco formulation, often manifested by the term pH, can vary. Generally, the pH of the formulation is at least about 6.5, preferably at least about 7.5. Usually, the pH of this formulation does not exceed about 9, and often does not exceed about 8.5. A representative tobacco formulation exhibits a pH of about 6.8 to about 8.2. A typical technique for determining the pH of a tobacco formulation is to disperse 5 g of this formulation in 100 ml of high performance liquid chromatography water, and to measure the pH of the resulting suspension / solution (eg, pH meter Including).

  As mentioned above, prior to preparing the tobacco formulation, the tobacco part or piece can be irradiated, or such part or piece can be pasteurized or otherwise subjected to a controlled heat treatment It can be hung. Furthermore, if desired, after preparing all or part of the formulation, the component materials can be irradiated, or such component materials can be pasteurized or otherwise controlled. It can be subjected to heat treatment. For example, after the formulation is prepared, it can be irradiated or pasteurized, and then the flavor component (s) can be applied to the formulation. Alternatively, the tobacco formulation can be irradiated or pasteurized after the tobacco formulation is incorporated into a moisture permeable packet or pouch (e.g., to provide a separate container of snus-type smokeless tobacco product) .

  In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating tobacco. The method comprises heat treatment used in the preparation of a tobacco formulation suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco formulation. The method comprises the step of subjecting the tobacco material, which is most preferably in wet form, to heat treatment. The heat treatment can be carried out in an enclosed container (e.g., providing a controlled atmospheric environment, controlled atmospheric constituents and controlled atmospheric pressure) or a container essentially open to the ambient air. The heat treatment provided by exposing the tobacco material to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient length of time can alter the overall properties or properties of the tobacco material to the desired degree. For example, heat treatment can be used to provide the tobacco material with the desired color or visual characteristics, the tobacco material with the desired sensory characteristics, or the tobacco material with the desired physical properties or texture. In addition, the heat treatment allows the tobacco material to undergo the process characteristic of pasteurized type processes. Thus, certain types and amounts of spores, molds, microorganisms, bacteria etc. can be inactivated, or the enzymes generated thereby can be denatured or otherwise inactivated. Certain components that are inactivated or otherwise reduced in number effectively are biological agents (eg, enzymes) that have the ability to promote the formation of nitrosamines specific for tobacco. Pasteurization techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. S. Food and Drug Administration and the U. S. It is listed on the Department of Agriculture website.

  The temperature and time of the heat treatment process vary, and in general, the length of the heat treatment decreases as the temperature of the heat treatment increases. It is preferred to avoid excessively high heat treatment temperatures, such as temperatures above the boiling point of water. However, the temperature of the heat treatment step is characterized as high, which means that the temperature is above room temperature (ie above 25 ° C.). The methods and equipment used to carry out the heat treatment can vary. The temperature can be controlled by using a jacketed container, direct injection of steam into the cigarette, bubbling inside the cigarette with hot air, and the like. The methods of the invention described below are known in the art such as heating the contents of the mixer and various mixing devices including various jacketed mixing devices capable of stirring or agitating the contents of the mixer. It can be implemented using the device. Various types of pressure control or exhaust mixing vessels can be used. Exemplary mixing containers include Scott Equipment Company, Littleford Day, Inc. , Lodige Process Technology and the mixers commercially available from the Breddo Likwifier Division of American Ingredients Company. As an example of a container providing a pressure controlled environment, Berghof / America Inc. high pressure autoclaves commercially available from of Concord, California, and The Parr Instrument Co. And high pressure reactors (for example, Parr Reactor Model Nos. 4522 and 4552 described in US Pat. No. 4,882,128 to Hukvari et al.). The preferred mixer makes it possible to inject steam directly into the contents of the mixer. All of the process steps described below can be performed while stirring or agitating the tobacco material. The pressure within the mixing vessel during the process may be atmospheric or elevated pressure (eg, about 10 psig to about 1,000 psig).

  Preferably, the moisture content of the wet tobacco material subjected to heat treatment is at least about 30%, often at least about 35%, and often at least about 40%, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation subjected to heat treatment. It is. The tobacco material can be wetted by adding an aqueous fluid such as steam, liquid tap water, aqueous sodium chloride solution, and the like. Once the heat treatment step is complete to at least some extent, the wet tobacco material is contacted with a basic material (eg, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or mixtures thereof) to raise the pH to an alkaline pH range. When contacted with the basic material, the moisture content of the tobacco material is at least about 30%, often at least about 35%, and often at least about 40%, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation. is there. Preferably, the tobacco material is cooled some time before adding the basic material thereto (eg, tobacco is cooled to less than about 75 ° C., often less than about 65 ° C., often less than about 55 ° C. can do.). The tobacco mixture interacts with the basic material while being maintained at a sufficiently high moisture level until the pH of the tobacco material drops to about 8 pH units. The tobacco material is then cooled and dried.

  A variety of flavoring materials can be added to the tobacco material as desired during heat treatment. As an exemplary flavorant composition, US Pat. No. 5,121,757 to White et al., US Pat. No. 5,137,0139 to Shu et al., US Pat. No. 5,318,050 to Gonzalez-Parra et al., All incorporated herein by reference. No. 5, 543, 839, No. 5, 543, 829, No. 5413, 122, No. 5, 563 122, No. 5, 563 122, No. 5, 52, 662 of White et al., No. 6048, 404, White, No. 6, 698 858 of Coleman, III et al. Specifications Coleman no. 6325860 Coleman, III et al. No. 6428624 White et al. No. 6591841 and Dube et al. No 6695924, and Coleman, III no. US Patent Application Publication No. 2 Various top cosmetic and humidified compositions including compositions described 04/0173228 Pat the like. Furthermore, various other additives such as ammonia, ethylene oxide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine dioxide can also be introduced into the tobacco composition during the heat treatment process described herein. Additional types of additives or reactants that can be introduced into the tobacco material are described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0250821 to Perfetti et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Thus, the present invention provides various methods for preparing tobacco material for use in smokeless tobacco products. In particular, the method of the invention comprises the steps of heat treating the tobacco in a manner adapted to improve the storage stability of the organoleptic properties of the smokeless tobacco product and adjusting the pH of the tobacco. In one method of the present invention, the desired form of tobacco material (eg, shredded or particulate form) is provided. The tobacco material may be a variety of tobacco types such as a blend of various tobacco leaf materials (eg, fruit cured leaves, oriental leaves, etc.) and various stem materials (eg, rustica stems, Kurnool stems, Indian Sun-Cured stems, etc) Can contain a blend of Blends of tobacco material are typically provided at low moisture levels, such as about 5 to about 15% by weight (e.g., about 10-12% by weight) based on the total weight of the tobacco material.

  The tobacco material is preferably combined with the salt material, which is preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. In one embodiment, an aqueous sodium chloride solution is added to the tobacco material and the product mixture usually has a moisture content of about 30 to about 50% by weight, often about 30 to about 40% by weight (eg, 35% by weight) Have. If desired, the tobacco material can be heated while helping to thoroughly mix the tobacco material and the salt solution by adding sodium chloride or other salt material. For example, heating can include heating the tobacco material to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C, usually about 60 ° C to about 65 ° C.

  The wet tobacco material, including the optional salt component, is then subjected to a heat treatment step, which comprises heating the tobacco material for a time and temperature sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco as described above. Exemplary heating temperatures include temperatures of about 85 ° C. or more, such as about 85 ° C. to about 100 ° C., more usually temperatures of about 90 ° C. to about 95 ° C. The exposure time to the pasteurization temperature can vary, but is usually at least about 1 hour, such as about 1 hour to about 3 hours. In one embodiment, the heating of the tobacco is performed both by raising the jacket temperature of the mixer holding the tobacco material and by direct injection of steam into the tobacco material. Steam injection also usually results in an increase in the moisture content of the tobacco during the heating step. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco material is maintained at an essentially constant moisture level during the heating step, or slightly to a level of at least about 30 wt%, such as about 30 to about 40 wt% (eg, about 35 wt%) To rise. In other words, the tobacco is kept under relatively wet conditions during the heating step.

  Following the heat treatment step, the tobacco material is usually cooled prior to addition of the base with the intention of raising the pH of the material. The temperature of the tobacco material usually decreases from about 60 ° C to about 65 ° C. The base is then added to the tobacco material and thoroughly mixed with the tobacco material. The base may be any material capable of raising the pH of the tobacco material to an alkaline pH range (eg, about 9 to about 10). Exemplary bases include alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof. Specific base materials that can be used include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

  The base is usually added in the form of an aqueous solution, and the base addition step usually results in an increase in the water content of the tobacco material. In one embodiment, adding sufficient base to the tobacco material brings the pH of the tobacco material to at least about 8.7, such as a pH of about 8.7 to about 10. The final water content is often about 40 to about 55% by weight, often about 45 to about 50% by weight.

  Following the addition of base and water, the wet and pH-adjusted resulting tobacco material is more often at a temperature such as a temperature of at least about 55 ° C., often at a temperature in the range of about 55 ° C. to about 95 ° C. It is heated to about 75 ° C. During this heating step, the moisture level of the tobacco material is held relatively constant or slightly elevated to promote the continuous reaction of the tobacco material with the base. The moisture level of the tobacco material is preferably maintained at at least about 40 wt%, usually about 40 to about 55 wt%, often about 45 to about 50 wt%. In order to prevent significant loss of moisture during this step, the mixed container containing the tobacco material is usually not ventilated with the atmosphere. However, a small stream of filtered air can be passed from the head space of the mixer to remove the ammonia formed by the base reacting with the acidic material in the tobacco material.

  The base addition followed by the heating step usually lasts at least about 1 hour, often about 1 hour to about 3 hours. During this step, the pH is less than about 8.5, such as about 8.0 to about 8.5 (eg, about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5). It is preferable to lower it to Generally, by monitoring and controlling the moisture and temperature levels of the tobacco during this heating step, it is possible to maintain an advantageous rate of pH reduction as the base continues to react with the acidic material in the wet tobacco. is there. In one embodiment, the rate of pH decrease is about 0.05 to about 0.15 pH units per hour, more usually about 0.08 to about 0.10 pH units per hour (eg, about 0.09 pH units per hour) Is held in).

  Following the above heating step, the wet tobacco material is dried by continuously heating the tobacco material while venting the mixture container to remove water vapor. This step usually involves heating the tobacco material at a mildly elevated temperature, such as at least about 35 ° C, often at a temperature of about 35 ° C to about 70 ° C, and more often at about 55 ° C to about 65 ° C. The length of the drying step can vary, but is usually about 20 to about 24 hours. The final moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is often less than about 35 wt%, such as about 25 wt% to about 35 wt%, and often about 25 to about 30 wt%. It is advantageous to maintain the pH of the material in the range of about 7.6 to about 8.2 during the drying step.

  In an alternative method, the tobacco material is first characterized by mixing with a large excess of water to form a mixture having a relatively high water content, the mixture being a slurry prior to heat treatment. Can. The slurry usually comprises at least about 75% by weight water, often at least about 80% by weight water. In one embodiment, the slurry of tobacco material comprises about 75 to about 95% water by weight. In some cases, the slurry is mixed with a salt material, such as an aqueous sodium chloride solution. The salt material is usually added to the tobacco material in an amount of about 1 to about 8% by weight (e.g., about 1 to about 3% by weight) based on the dry weight of the tobacco material.

  Following optional addition of salt material, the slurry is heated to pasteurize the tobacco material. The heating step typically heats the slurry of tobacco material to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C., such as a temperature of about 60 ° C. to about 100 ° C., more often to about 70 ° C. to about 90 ° C. (eg, about 75 ° C.) including. The time of heating can vary, but is usually at least about 30 minutes, such as about 30 minutes to about 1 hour.

Following the heating step, the base material is usually added when the slurry is still hot. As mentioned above, the base material is usually in the form of an aqueous solution, and the base may be any basic material, such as those mentioned above. In one embodiment, the base is added in an amount of about 3 to about 11% by weight based on the dry weight of the tobacco material. The pH of the slurry is raised to an alkaline pH range such as at least about 8.5, usually at least about 9.0, by the addition of sufficient base. An exemplary pH range for the slurry after base addition is about 8.5 to about 11, and more often about 9 to about 10. After base addition, the slurry is stirred and heated to an elevated temperature, such as a temperature of at least about 60 ° C., for a time sufficient to lower the pH of the slurry by at least about 0.5 pH units. The heating time is usually at least about 1.5 hours, for example, in the range of about 1.5 hours to about 3.0 hours. The temperature of the heating step is usually in the range of about 70 ° C to about 95 ° C. The final pH of the slurry after this heating step is in the range of about 8.0 to about 8.5 (eg, about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5) It is. While not being bound by any particular theory of operation, adjusting the pH of the tobacco material when in the form of an aqueous slurry results in greater interaction between the acidic material in the tobacco and the added base, It is believed that this increases the storage stability of the final smokeless tobacco product pH.

  After such, the slurry can be cooled to ambient temperature, such as a temperature less than about 35 ° C. If desired, during or after cooling, a humectant such as glycerin, propylene glycol or sugar alcohol (eg maltitol syrup) can be added. The tobacco material is then dried. In one embodiment, the drying step included flowing the slurry onto a belt (eg, a stainless steel belt) and passing the tobacco into a drying zone operated at a temperature of about 85 ° C. to about 285 ° C. . Typical residence times for tobacco material in the drying zone are from about 2 to about 5 minutes. Alternatively, the belt speed in the drying zone or tunnel may be about 25 to about 55 feet / minute. The final moisture content of the dried tobacco material is usually about 5 to about 15% by weight, often about 10 to about 12% by weight. Techniques for drying tobacco materials are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,941,484 to Clapp et al., US Pat. No. 5,005,593 to Fagg et al., And US Pat. No. 5,234,008 to Fagg, which are incorporated herein by reference. , Incorporated herein by reference.

  In another example of a tobacco mixture heat treatment process having a high moisture content, the smokeless tobacco formulation is for paper process reconstituted tobacco as described in US Pat. Nos. 5,159,942 and 5,445,169 to Brinkley. Are prepared using treated tobacco in a similar manner. In this method, the tobacco is subjected to aqueous extraction at high temperature to separate the tobacco material into a solid part and an extract part, the extract part usually having a relatively low solid content (e.g. about 3-6% solids). The time and temperature of extraction can vary, but generally the temperature is at least about 60 ° C, such as a temperature of about 60 ° C to about 100 ° C, more often about 70 ° C to about 90 ° C (eg, about 75 ° C) And the time is usually about 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours. The aqueous solution used to extract the tobacco material is usually about 3 to about 8% by weight salt (eg sodium chloride) and about 1 to about 5% by weight base (eg And salts and basic materials such as sodium hydroxide). The extract is then preferably cooled (eg, cooled to about 65 ° C.) and optionally neutralized by the addition of a base (eg, about 3.5% sodium hydroxide by weight of tobacco) And about 3.5% potassium carbonate). Following the neutralization step, the pH of the extract can be varied from about 9.0-9.5 to about 8.0-8.5. The extract can then form a concentrated extract having a relatively high solids content, such as about 30-35% solids, by concentration through vacuum evaporation, for example. After evaporation, the concentrated extract is optionally mixed with a humectant (eg, about 6% glycerin) and then added again to the extracted solid portion. The resulting tobacco material can be dried to reduce the moisture content, such as to about 10 to about 12% moisture. The drying step can be performed, for example, using a forced air oven at a temperature of about 85 ° C to about 100 ° C.

  Using any of the heat treatment methods described above, the tobacco material is intimately mixed with the base material in a wet environment for a time sufficient to promote the interaction of the base with the acidic species in the tobacco. Significant drying of the tobacco is inhibited until contact between the tobacco and the base is sufficient. As a result, it is believed that the method described above results in higher storage stability of the organoleptic properties of the smokeless tobacco product formed using the tobacco material treated according to such method, in particular higher pH storage of the final product It is believed that stability can be achieved using the method of the present invention.

  Following any of the above mentioned methods, the resulting tobacco material can be mixed with additional flavoring agents, including sweeteners. Various flavors and water can be added as necessary to adjust the flavor and moisture content such that the tobacco material exhibits the desired final moisture range for the product, but the desired final The moisture range can be varied as described above. In one embodiment, the moisture content of the tobacco composition is raised to at least about 25% by weight in this step.

  If desired, all or part of the tobacco material used in the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention can tastefully alter the sensory characteristics of the product produced by roasting. A typical roasting process can be performed before or after the heat treatment method described above, and for a period of time sufficient to roast tobacco material, such as for a period of about 1 to about 3 hours (about 80 ° C to about 300 ° C.) heating the relatively dry tobacco material (eg, having a moisture content of about 5 to about 20% by weight). Tobacco is heated before heating to promote the Maillard reaction, base and / or sugars (e.g. glucose, fructose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, caramel, rhamnose or mixtures thereof) or sugar alcohols (e.g. Maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol or mixtures thereof). Exemplary roasting conditions are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,534,372 to White and US Pat. No. 4,596,259 to White et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference.

  The tobacco used to make the tobacco product may also be processed, blended with other materials or ingredients, including unencapsulated amounts of any additives that can be used in the microcapsules discussed herein. It can be formulated, combined and mixed. For example, the tobacco composition may incorporate salts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, oral care additives, flavors, disintegrants, antioxidants, humectants, and preservatives. Can. For example, representative components as described in Holton et al. US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 233,399 and Holton et al. 11 / 351,919, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See the combination of ingredients, the relative amounts of ingredients and constituents to tobacco, and methods and methods for using such ingredients.

  The relative amounts of the various components in the tobacco formulation can be varied, including the amount of additives in the central region of the microcapsules. The amounts given herein are the total amount of each type of additive and can represent both the encapsulated component (or otherwise in isolated form) and the non-encapsulated component. In other words, the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention is only in the form of microencapsulated or otherwise separated additives, only in the form of non-encapsulated additives, or added with encapsulated additives and non-encapsulated additives In the form of a mixture of agents, optionally various amounts of additives can be included.

  Sweeteners are most preferably used in amounts sufficient to provide the tobacco composition with the desired flavor attributes. When present, representative amounts of sweeteners, whether artificial sweeteners and / or natural sugars, can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of sweetener in the formulation does not exceed about 40%, often does not exceed about 35%, and often does not exceed about 30%, based on the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The tobacco-containing microencapsulated (or otherwise separated) additive, such as particulate tobacco or tobacco extract, is preferably present in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco composition with the desired flavor attributes. The tobacco-containing microencapsulation additive is often present in an amount of at least about 5%, more usually at least about 10%, of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of tobacco-containing microencapsulated additive is usually less than about 50%, often less than about 40%, often less than about 30% by weight of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  In embodiments of the invention comprising microencapsulated (or otherwise separated) water, usually at least about 10%, usually at least about 15%, often at least about 10% of the total weight of the formulation. An amount of water of about 20% in microencapsulated form is included. The amount of microencapsulated water is usually less than about 35%, often less than about 30%, and often less than about 25%.

  Additives derived from herbal or botanical sources are preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired functional attribute to the tobacco formulation, the amount depending on the desired functional and type of herbal or botanical source Change. When present, a typical amount of additive is at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of additive in the formulation does not exceed about 40%, often does not exceed about 35%, and often does not exceed about 30% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The binder can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco formulation with the desired physical attributes and physical integrity. When present, representative amounts of binder can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of binder in the formulation does not exceed about 20% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of binder in the desired formulation often does not exceed about 15% and often does not exceed about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Disintegration aids, for example, by providing loss of physical integrity and dispersion of various component materials when the formulation is in contact with water (eg, by swelling when in contact with water, etc.) It can be used in an amount sufficient to provide control of the desired physical attributes of the tobacco formulation. When present, representative amounts of disintegrants can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of disintegrant in the formulation does not exceed about 50%, and often does not exceed about 30%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The colorant can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco formulation with the desired visual attributes. When present, representative amounts of colorant can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of colorant in the formulation does not exceed about 30%, and often does not exceed about 10%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The filler is preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco formulation with control of the desired physical and sensory attributes. If present, representative amounts of fillers, whether organic and / or inorganic fillers, can comprise at least about 5% to at least about 15% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of filler in the formulation does not exceed about 60%, and often does not exceed about 40%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Buffers or pH adjusters can be used in the tobacco formulation. When present, representative amounts of buffering agents or pH adjusting agents can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of buffer or pH adjuster in the formulation does not exceed about 10%, and often does not exceed about 5%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The non-sweetening flavor is preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco formulation with the desired sensory attributes. When present, representative amounts of flavoring agents (eg, vanillin) can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of flavor component does not exceed about 15% and often does not exceed about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The salt can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the tobacco formulation with the desired sensory attributes. When present, representative amounts of salt can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of salt in the formulation does not exceed about 10%, and often does not exceed about 5%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Antioxidants can be used in the tobacco formulation. When present, representative amounts of antioxidants can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of antioxidant in the formulation does not exceed about 25%, and often does not exceed about 10%, of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Preservatives can be used in the tobacco formulation. When present, representative amounts of preservatives can comprise at least about 0.1% to at least about 1% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of preservative in the formulation usually does not exceed about 5% and often does not exceed about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Tobacco formulations prevent tooth collapse or loss, prevent gum disease, treat toothache, whiten teeth or otherwise prevent tooth stains, cause saliva irritation, breath malodor At least one oral care ingredient (or a mixture of such ingredients) can be incorporated that provides the ability to prevent, freshen breath and the like. For example, effective amounts of components such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil and zinc (eg, components of formulations marketed as ZYTEX® from Discus Dental, etc.) can be incorporated into the formulation. Other exemplary components that can be incorporated into the tobacco-containing formulation in the desired effective amount include Takahashi et al., Oral Microbiology and Immunology, 19 (1), pages 61-64 (2004); US Patent 6083527 to Thistle And incorporated in the various oral care compositions described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0210488 to Jakubowski and 2006/02228308 to Cummins et al. . Other exemplary components of the tobacco containing formulation include those contained in the formulation commercially available from Roquette as MALTISORB® and from NatraRx as DENTIZYME®. When present, typical amounts of oral care additives are at least about 1%, often at least about 3%, and often at least about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of oral care additive in the formulation usually does not exceed about 30%, often does not exceed about 25%, and often does not exceed about 20% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  A typical tobacco formulation is about 25 to about 60% tobacco, about 1 to about 5% artificial sweetener, about 1 to about 5% colorant, about 10%, based on the total dry weight of the tobacco formulation. To about 60% organic and / or inorganic filler, about 5 to about 20% disintegration aid, about 1 to about 5% binder, about 1 to about 5% pH adjuster / buffer, up to about about Flavor components in amounts of 10%, preservatives in amounts of up to about 2%, and salts in amounts of up to about 5% can be incorporated. The particular percentages and choice of ingredients will vary depending on the desired flavor, texture and other characteristics.

  The manner in which the various components of the tobacco formulation are combined can vary. The various components of the formulation can be contacted together, combined or mixed by means of conical type blenders, mixing drums, ribbon blenders and the like. Thus, the overall mixture of the various components and the powdered tobacco component can be essentially relatively uniform. For example, various methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,325 to Solomon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,855 to Korte et al. And U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Please refer to it. Methods and methods for formulating snus-type tobacco formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of producing snus tobacco products.

  While the tobacco composition is most preferably provided in a form that is characteristic of the snus-type product described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the tobacco composition may also be loose wet snuff, loose dry snuff. , Chewing tobacco, pelletized tobacco pieces, extruded tobacco strips or pieces, finely divided powder, powder pieces and components of finely divided or crushed granules, flaked pieces (e.g. granulating tobacco blend components in a fluid bed) Of can be formed by), shaped tobacco pieces (eg, formed in the form of outlines, coins, cylinders, beans, cubes etc.), tobacco-containing gum pieces, tobacco pieces and / or an edible material combined with tobacco extract Products incorporating the mixture, tobacco supported by a non-edible solid substrate (eg, tobacco extract) Thailand) may also have a form of such products incorporating. For example, the tobacco composition may be compressed tobacco pellets, multilayer extruded pieces, extruded or formed rods or sticks, compositions having one type of tobacco formulation surrounded by various types of tobacco formulations, rolls of tape-like film A water-soluble or water-dispersible film or strip (see, for example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0198873 to Chan et al.), Or a capsule-like material having an outer shell (eg, intrinsically (A flexible or hard shell that may be clear, colorless, translucent or densely colored) and an inner zone-owning tobacco or tobacco flavor (eg, a Newtonian fluid or thixotropic fluid incorporating certain forms of tobacco) It can have a form.

  Processed tobacco compositions, such as compressed tobacco pellets, are obtained by consolidating granular tobacco and related formulation components, consolidating these components in the form of pellets, and optionally coating each pellet with a coating material It can be manufactured. Exemplary granulation devices are available from Vector Corporation as FL-M Series Granulation Devices (e.g., FL-M-3), and Alexanderwerk, Inc. And are marketed as WP 120 V and WP 200 VN. Exemplary consolidation devices, such as consolidation presses, are commercially available from Vector Corporation as Colton 2216 and Colton 2247, and from Fette Compacting as 1200i, 2200i, 3200, 2090, 3090 and 4090. Devices for providing the outer coating layer to the consolidated pelletized tobacco formulation are commercially available from Thomas Engineering as CompuLab 24, CompuLab 36, Accela-Cota 48 and Accela-Cota 60.

  Processed tobacco compositions, such as multi-layered tobacco pellets, can be manufactured using various extrusion techniques. For example, multi-layered tobacco pellets can be manufactured using co-extrusion techniques (e.g., using a twin-screw extruder). In such cases, the wet or dry component or mixture of components can be sequentially loaded into separate extrusion hoppers. Steam, gases (eg ammonia, air, carbon dioxide etc) and humectants (eg glycerine or propylene glycol) may be injected into the extruder tank while driving, plasticizing and processing the respective dry mix it can. Thus, by treating the various components, they are intimately mixed with each other and thus in complete contact. For example, the contact of the components is sufficient such that the individual components are sufficiently embedded in the extrusion matrix or extrudate. See, eg, US Pat. No. 4,821,749 to Toft et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. The multilayer material can have the general form of a film, or the multilayer generally spherical material can have various layers extending from the inside to the outside.

  Certain tobacco compositions can incorporate tobacco as their major component. Preferably, such compositions do not leave substantially any residue in the mouth of the user. Preferably, such compositions do not provide a smooth or sticky sensation (e.g., due to excessively high levels of binding agent) in the mouth of the user. The tobacco material can be treated with a pH adjuster or other suitable agent during processing so that the natural pectin in the tobacco material can be released. The released natural tobacco pectin acts to reduce the amount of additional gum / hydrocolloid, cellulose-derived or starch-based binder necessary to support the desired properties of the tensile strength of the sheet or film be able to. For example, to release pectin, tobacco fines are processed with pH adjusted alkaline solution at a temperature above ambient. Such treatment can also provide the tobacco material with the desired sensory attributes. See, for example, Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,099,864; Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,339,838; and Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,501,237, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  One exemplary type of tobacco formulation has an outer shell and an internal region in the tobacco formulation. Representative shells are alginates in water (e.g. sodium alginate marketed by International Specialty Products Corp. as Kelvis, Kelgin and Mannucol), rice starch, sucralose, glycerin and flavorings (e.g. mint flavorings) The liquid mixture can be provided by providing a liquid mix exhibiting a Brookfield viscosity at 25.degree. C. of about 20,000 to about 25,000 centipoise. The outer layer can be formed by using a viscous mixture (e.g., using Dough Roller 150 with Villaware Ravioli Attachment for Villaware Imperia Pasta Machine, Imperia 150-25, each commercially available from Imperia Trading Company). ) Or semi-circular shells can be formed together (for example by exposure to heat) to form the outer layer. Typically, such viscous mixtures can be suitably dried by heating at about 60 ° C. for about one hour. Inside this shell, various tobacco formulations can be incorporated. One representative tobacco formulation used as the inner region of such is a granulated or ground tobacco material that can be mixed with other ingredients such as flavorings, humectants, fillers, pH adjusters, dispersing aids, etc. It is a dry or wet mixture.

  One exemplary tobacco formulation has the form of a gel or soft gel. The tobacco formulation may be granulated or ground in water, kappa-carrageenan, kelvis-type sodium alginate, propylene glycol and flavorings (eg menthol) such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 40 to 50% by weight. And cinnamon) can be provided.

  One representative tobacco formulation has the form of a fluid. This tobacco formulation is marketed as Ticalose 1500 from TIC Gums, glycerin, propylene glycol, kappa carrageenan, TIC Gums, granulated or ground tobacco material in water such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 60 to 70% by weight. Can be provided by mixing carboxymethylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (eg, Ticacel HV from TIC Gums).

  In certain embodiments, particularly when the tobacco is in the form of pellets or other processed forms, the color of the tobacco material is altered by treating the tobacco material in the smokeless tobacco product with a bleach or oxidant. May be desirable. In some embodiments, the tobacco is lightened to prevent staining of any fibrous material, such as clothing, that may not be visible and may come into contact with the residue, which remains in the user's mouth after using the product It may be desirable to bleach. Exemplary bleaches include hydrogen peroxide, ozone and ammonia. Methods for treating tobacco with bleach are described, for example, in Daniels, Jr., et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,611 to Oelenheinz, U.S. Pat. No. 1086306, Delling's U.S. Pat. No. 1437095, Rosenhoch's U.S. Pat. No. 1,757,477, Hawkinson's U.S. Pat. Specification No .: Baier, No. 2170107, Baier: No. 2274649, Prats et al .: No. 2770239, Rosen: No. 3612065, Rosen: No. 3851653, No. 3889689 of Rosen, No. 4143666 of Rainer, No. 4194514 of Campbell, No. 4366824 of Rainer et al., No. 4388 of Rainer et al. 33 Pat, and Schmekel et al., Pat same No. 4,641,667, and are discussed in WO 96/31255 of Giolvas.

  The type of pouch used to contain the tobacco formulation can vary, and in fact, in certain embodiments, the pouch may be unnecessary. For example, tobacco formulations having tobacco pellet forms or other processed forms that are already sized for individual use may not require a container in the form of a pouch. Instead, it appears that the pellet or other processed form of the tobacco formulation may only be packaged in an outer box without dividing the tobacco formulation into individual sizes by using a pouch Be

  Suitable packets, pouches or containers of the type used in the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products are under the trademarks "taboka", 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 can be packaged and packaged in a manner and using various components used to produce conventional snus-type products. The pouch or fleece provides a type of liquid permeable container that can be regarded as characteristically similar to the mesh type of material used to make the tea bag. The components of the loosely packed granular tobacco formulation readily diffuse through the pouch into the mouth of the user.

  In certain embodiments, the exemplary pouch can be manufactured from the material in such a way that the dispersion or dissolution from the pouch is controlled during use of the user. Such pouches can have the form of a mesh, screen, perforated paper, permeable fabric, and the like. For example, a pouch form made from rice paper mesh form or perforated rice paper can be melted at the user's mouth. As a result, the pouch and tobacco formulation can each be completely dispersed in the mouth of the user during normal use conditions, and thus both the pouch and tobacco formulation can be consumed by the user. Other exemplary pouch materials include materials such as water dispersible film forming materials (eg, binders such as alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum, pullulan), and ground cellulose derivatives (eg, fine particle size wood pulp) It can be manufactured using combined materials. Preferred pouch materials may be water dispersible or water soluble, and under normal use conditions a significant amount of the tobacco formulation contents will lose the physical integrity of the pouch It can be designed and manufactured to penetrate from the pouch material. If desired, flavor components, disintegration aids and other desired components can be incorporated or applied within the pouch material.

  A description of the snus-type product and the various components of its components is also described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118422 to Lundin et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, Linden, U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,479, Nielsen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,899, Wydick et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,734, and Derr, U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,516, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See also the specification, as well as US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0061339 to Hansson et al. See also the pouches described in Kjerstad US Pat. No. 5,167,244, which is incorporated herein by reference, and representative types of pouch material or fleece. Snus-type products can be suitably remodeled by the general type capsule insertion device described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0068540 to Thomas et al., SB 51-1 / T, SBL from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmBH And devices such as those marketed as SB 53-2 / T. The snus pouch may be provided as a separate pouch, and the above pouches (eg 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30 pouches) may be single pouches or separate parts, They can be connected or joined together (e.g., in an end-to-end fashion) so that they can be easily removed and used from the one-piece strand or matrix of the pouch.

  The pouch containing the tobacco formulation is preferably tightly sealed and packaged in an outer container made of a suitable material so that the atmospheric conditions in the sealed package are modified and / or controlled. That is, the sealed package can provide a good barrier to prevent the passage of compositions such as moisture and oxygen therethrough. In addition, the atmosphere in the sealed package can be further modified by introducing selected gas species (eg, nitrogen, argon, or mixtures thereof) into the package prior to sealing. Thus, the atmospheric conditions to which the tobacco composition is exposed are controlled during preparation, packing, storage and handling conditions.

  The invention can include the use of devices, materials, methods and processes appropriately modified to provide packaging conditions and controlled atmosphere conditions for properly packaged tobacco products. The atmosphere within the packaging material can be modified in various ways. For example, a significant amount of atmosphere in the package can be removed (eg, by using a vacuum packaging type of technique), or the atmosphere in the package can be controlled (eg, gas flash) Can be changed by using the type technique. Representative aspects of the various techniques involved in modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging are described in "Analysis and Evaluation of Preventative Control Measures for Reduction and Elimination of Microbial Hazards on", incorporated herein by reference. Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product, Chapter VI; "Microbiological Safety of Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product"; "US Food and Drug A" ministration, are described in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (Sept.30,2001) ".

  The controlled or modified atmosphere within the packaged tobacco product of the present invention can vary. Usually, if the tobacco product is vacuum packaged or flashed to have a controlled or modified atmosphere (e.g. how the atmospheric pressure in the sealed package is a positive pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure) The atmosphere conditions in the package are controlled so that a significant amount, most preferably substantially all, of the oxygen present in the package is removed prior to sealing the package, even if the atmosphere is controlled at Be done. That is, less than about 8%, often less than about 6%, of the controlled atmosphere originally present in the sealed outer package consists of oxygen. For example, if the package is sealed, the atmosphere present in the package is preferably less than about 5% oxygen, most preferably about 1% and about 1% by weight of the controlled atmosphere initially present in the seal package. It can have between 5% oxygen. Typically, when the tobacco product is flushed with a gaseous species (e.g., a selected gas or mixture of gases), a significant amount, most preferably substantially all, of the atmosphere within the sealed package is the desired gaseous species. Provided by Exemplary gas species include nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, etc. (eg, high purity gas that is greater than about 99% by weight pure). Alternatively, the atmosphere for the tobacco product introduces a "gas shock" effect on the tobacco product by incorporating relatively high levels of the desired gas species (eg, oxygen) (eg, relatively high levels in the atmosphere) Oxygen may be desirable for the inhibition of enzyme decolorization, the prevention of anaerobic fermentation reactions, and the introduction of “oxygen shock” for the suppression of aerobic and anaerobic microbial growth). For example, a controlled atmosphere comprising an amount of oxygen such that the oxygen level in the atmosphere is more than about 25% by weight, often more than about 30% by weight, provides suitable conditions for introducing an oxygen shock. Can.

  A representative apparatus useful for performing the process steps associated with the packaging methods described herein is Winpak Ltd. (Eg, systems identified as LD32, L25, L18 and L12); Doboy Inc. As a Linium 300 Series Horizontal Fluid Wrapping System (eg, Linium Model Nos. 301, 302, 303, 304 or 305) from Hitech Systems s. r. l. And as various types of systems commercially available from Rovema Verpackungmaschinen GmbH. Preferred devices provide a wrapping material that provides a seal through which gas or moisture can not pass (e.g., a seal that may be considered "hermetic").

  The pouch containing the tobacco formulation may optionally be further sealed with the above-mentioned hermetic outer package, but may be packaged in a sealed hard container serving as the outermost package or container. A typical hard container is a short, round, generally cylindrical container conventionally used to market snus-type products. See, for example, representative snuff-box designs of the various types described in Bjorkholm WO 2005/016036. Another type of container that can be suitably modified is the plastic or metal-type container described in US Pat. No. 7,014,039 to Henson et al. Also, R. J. Camel Snus by Reynolds Tobacco Company; S. Smokeless tobacco products of the Revel Mint Tobacco Packs type by Smokeless Tobacco Corporation; S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. See also the various types of hard containers used for the commercial sale of "taboka" by SkoalDry and Philip Morris USA. If desired, the container of the type used for the "taboka" product is adapted to have a sliding tip lid so that the container can be opened and closed (eg, it slides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container) can do. If desired, the container can have an accordion or bellows type design; thus, the container can be extended and opened to fill the smokeless tobacco product during manufacture, and then the filling of the container is It can be contracted after it is finished. If desired, the container can be provided with a suitable seal or grommet so that it will seal well if the open container is closed again.

  In use, the hard container is opened, the outer package is opened, the pouch is removed from the package, and the pouch is enjoyed by the consumer. The hard container is manually closed again and, if desired, the additional pouch is removed from the container by the consumer.

  The amount of tobacco formulation incorporated into each sealed outer package can vary. In one aspect, the loose tobacco composition can be incorporated into an outer package, the package is sealed, and when the outer package is opened, the loose cigarette is used as a loose snuff or chewing tobacco Can. Alternatively, but in a preferred embodiment, the tobacco composition contained in a snus-type pouch or packet is incorporated into the outer package, the package is sealed, and the outer package is opened, the snus-shaped product Can be used.

  Generally, the amount of tobacco formulation in each individual portion (eg, in each pouch) is at least about 50 mg, often at least about 150 mg, often at least about 250 mg dry tobacco weight, and about A dry tobacco weight of less than 700 mg, often less than about 500 mg, and often less than about 300 mg, is to be present. For example, snus-type smokeless tobacco products can have the form of so-called "potion snus". In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of each in-pouch tobacco formulation is between about 100 mg and about 400 mg.

  One exemplary snus-type product has about 1 g of a tobacco blend having a water content of about 35% by weight; the tobacco blend has an overall length of about 30 mm, a width of about 16 mm, and a height Contained in a sealed fleece pouch that is about 5 mm, the length of the compartment area of the pouch is about 26 mm because the width of the seal at each end of the pouch is about 2 mm. Another exemplary snus-type product has about 0.5 g of a tobacco blend having a water content of about 35% by weight; the tobacco blend has an overall length of about 26 mm, a width of about 12 mm, a height The length of the compartment area of the pouch is about 22 mm because the width of the seal at each end of the pouch is about 2 mm.

  A description of the snus-type product and the various components of its components, and the packaging structure for the snus product, is also described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118422 to Lundin et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. It is also described. Also, for example, Linden, US Pat. No. 4,607,479, Nielsen, US Pat. No. 4,631,899, Wydick et al., US Pat. No. 5,346,734, and Derr, US Pat. No. 6,162,516, which are incorporated herein by reference. Specification; Hansson et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0061339, Winterson et al. Application No. 2007/0095356, and Holton, Jr. et al. No. 2007/0062549, et al .; Sweeney et al. WO 2007/057789; Neidle et al. WO 2007/057791; and U.S. Pat. Nos. Mua et al., Both filed Aug. 1, 2006. See also application Ser. No. 11 / 461,633 and Robinson et al., Ser. No. 11 / 461,628. See also various types of pouches as described in US Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The products of the present invention can be packaged and stored in a manner very similar to that in which conventional types of smokeless tobacco products are packaged and stored. For example, multiple packets or pouches can be contained in a cylindrical container. If desired, the moist tobacco product (eg, a product having a water content of greater than about 20% by weight) can be refrigerated (eg, less than about 10 ° C., often less than about 8 ° C., optionally about 5 At a temperature below 0 ° C). Alternatively, relatively dry tobacco products (eg, products having a water content of less than about 15% by weight) can often be stored under a relatively wide range of temperatures.

  The following examples are provided to illustrate further aspects of the present invention, but should not be considered as limiting its scope. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

  Example

  A moist tobacco product suitable for use as a snus-type smokeless tobacco product is supplied in the following manner.

  Various types of tobacco material are combined. A preblend of several leaf components is made and weighed into an AeroFlex Model Al 15 flexible screw conveyor (Vac-U-Max Company, Belleville, NJ). The flexible screw feeder discharges directly to a Fitzmill Comminutor hammer mill (Fitzpatrick, Elmhurst Ill.) Utilizing a concave surface with a 0.125 inch diameter hole. The ground leaves are then pneumatically transported to a Rotex Model 44 sieve machine (Rotex Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio) equipped with two sieves of 18 Tyler mesh and 60 Tyler mesh. Material that does not pass through the 18 mesh screen is fed back to the feed input hopper and further ground, and material passing through the 60 mesh is discarded. The material passing through the 18 mesh and remaining on the 60 mesh is gravity drained into a container and is used further in the process. Several stem fractions (Rustica, Kurnool and Indian Sun Cured) are ground separately to the same size as the leaves using the same equipment described above.

  An amount of each material (leaf, Indian Sun Cured Stem, Rustica Stem, Kurnool Stem) is loaded into the Scott Mixer. The mixer shaft rotates at 73 rpm for a minimum of 5 minutes during the mixing / blending step. The water content of tobacco is 11.43% (by weight), and the pH is 5.23.

  The tobacco is heated by passing heated water at 97 ° C. through the Scott Mixer's water jacket to obtain tobacco at a temperature of 65 ° C. prior to applying the first humidified water. The speed of the mixer shaft is 73 rpm during the heating step.

  Sodium chloride and water are placed in a Breddo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed for a minimum of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer through the ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. Humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer through the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 65 ° C. during this step by applying either hot or cold water to the water jacket of the mixer. Run the mixer for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure proper mixing of the first humidified water and the tobacco. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 35.95% and the pH is 5.30.

  Minimize condensation in the heating phase by raising the temperature set point of the water jacket to 88 ° C. Steam is injected directly into the Scott mixer via two nozzles attached to each end of the vessel. The tobacco temperature is raised and maintained at least 93 ° C. by injecting steam and held at this temperature for a minimum of 60 minutes. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 40.23% and the pH is 5.22.

  After pasteurization is complete, the tobacco is cooled to 65 ° C. before applying the second humidified water. The cooling step is performed by both evaporative cooling and convective cooling. Evaporatively cool the cigarette by introducing a filtered room air at ambient temperature into the Scott Mixer using a fan and also cooling the cigarette by introducing cooling water at a temperature of 3 ° C. into the water jacket. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step.

  The second humidified solution containing water and sodium carbonate is placed in a Breddo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed in a minimum of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer through the ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. Humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 65 ° C. during this step by applying either hot or cold water to the water jacket of the mixer. Run the mixer for a minimum of 5 minutes to ensure proper mixing of the second humidified water and the tobacco. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 51.62% and the pH is 8.72.

  After adding the second humidified water, the Scott mixer is held at a constant temperature of 71 ° C. for 2 hours using a water jacket. Purge the head space by passing a small stream of filtered air into the Scott Mixer. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 49.36% and the pH is 8.34.

  After the above steps are completed, the batch is dried at a constant temperature of 38 ° C. for 20 hours by passing 54 ° C. hot water through the water jacket and passing filtered air into the Scott Mixer. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 31.08% and the pH is 7.90.

  After drying, the tobacco is cooled to 29 ° C. by passing 3 ° C. cooling water through the water jacket before applying the third humidified water. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 30.85% and the pH is 7.89.

  The third moisturizing solution containing the sweetener is placed in a Breddo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed in a minimum of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer through the ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. Humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ° C. during this step by passing cooling water into the water jacket of the mixer. Run the mixer for a minimum of 15 minutes to ensure proper mixing of the third humidified water and the tobacco. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 34.23% and the pH is 7.87.

  After application of the third humidified water, the tobacco is kept at 29 ° C. by passing 3 ° C. cooling water through the water jacket. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 34.23% and the pH is 7.87.

  The top dressing flavor material is placed in a pressure blow pot. The top dressing is then pumped into the mixer via the air pressure of the blowpot at a flow rate of 4 gpm. The top dressing is introduced into Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-l6 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ° C. during this step by passing cooling water into the water jacket of the mixer. Ensure proper mixing of top dressing and tobacco by running the mixer for a minimum of 15 minutes. The water content of the tobacco at the end of this step is 36.53% and the pH is 7.84. The resulting product is stored at 3 ° C. and pending pouching.

  A wet tobacco formulation suitable for use as a snus-type smokeless tobacco product is supplied in the following manner.

  A dry ground tobacco material blend similar to that described in Example 1 is provided. Water is added to the dried tobacco mixture. The moisture can be supplied in the form of ambient temperature or heated water. Water can incorporate components dispersed or dissolved therein. For example, a solution of sodium chloride dissolved in water may be added to the dry tobacco mixture in an amount sufficient to cause about 1 to 8% by weight sodium chloride in the tobacco material to be present in the tobacco material, based on the dry weight of the tobacco. It can be added. Thus, it is sufficient that the tobacco mixture becomes a slurry and has a water content of about 4 to 10 parts by weight water (eg 1 part tobacco: 4 to 5 parts water) per part by weight tobacco. Water is added to the tobacco mixture.

  The slurry of tobacco material is heated to about 75 ° C. and mixed at a speed of 24 rpm. The convection and conductive heating of the tobacco mixture is then complemented by the addition of steam to the mixture. In particular, the steam is blown in using the nozzles present in the mixer and comes in contact with the tobacco mixture. The temperature of the mixture is held at about 75 ° C. for about 30 minutes to about 45 minutes while still mixing at 24 rpm. The moisture content of the tobacco slurry can be controlled during steaming by controlling the jacket temperature. For example, the water content of the tobacco mixture can be increased by lowering the jacket temperature during steaming.

  A base such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide is added to the tobacco slurry in the form of an aqueous solution. For example, a potassium hydroxide concentration of about 6 to about 8% by weight based on the dry weight of tobacco is achieved by adding sufficient potassium hydroxide to achieve a final pH of about 10 slurry. The mixture is held at an elevated temperature of about 75 ° C. for about 1.5 to 3 hours. During this period, the pH of the mixture drops from about 8.2 to 8.3.

  The tobacco slurry is cooled to ambient temperature and, during cooling, glycerin is added in an amount of about 3 to about 8% based on the dry weight of the tobacco. The resulting mixture is poured onto a hot aluminum or stainless steel belt, and the moisture content of about 10-12% by weight by passing the tobacco material into a drying zone operating at a temperature of 85 ° C to 285 ° C. Until dried.

  The resulting dried tobacco material is placed in a mixer and the water level is raised to at least 30% by weight by adding water and sweeteners. The final top dressing flavor is sprayed onto the wet tobacco. The resulting tobacco is cooled to ambient temperature, stored at 3 ° C. and pending pouching.

  A wet tobacco formulation suitable for use as a snus-type smokeless tobacco product is supplied in the following manner.

  The tobacco is treated in the same manner as for paper process restructured tobacco, such as those described in the somewhat modified Brinkley U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,942 and 5,445,169. Tobacco (1 part) is subjected to water extraction (11 parts of water) at 75 ° C. for about 45 minutes by mixing at 24 rpm, solids / fibers separated from thin extract (about 3-6% solids) by centrifugation Be done. The aqueous solution used to extract the tobacco contains about 3.5% salt (sodium chloride) and about 1% base (sodium hydroxide) by weight of tobacco. The thin extract is cooled to about 65 ° C. while mixing at a speed of 10 rpm for about 1.5 hours or more, then a base (eg, about 3.5% sodium hydroxide and about 3.5% by weight of tobacco) It is neutralized by the addition of potassium carbonate). During mixing, the pH of the extract changes from about 9.2 to about 8.2, and then the thin extract is concentrated by vacuum evaporation to a thick extract of about 30-35% solids. After evaporation, the concentrated extract is mixed with about 6% glycerin humectant and then back added to the extraction fibers before being about 10 to about 12% in a forced air oven (at a temperature of about 85 to about 100 ° C.) Dry to moisture.

  The resulting dried tobacco material is placed in a mixer and the water level is raised to at least 30% by weight by adding water and sweeteners. The final top dressing flavor is sprayed onto the wet tobacco. The resulting tobacco is cooled to ambient temperature, stored at 3 ° C. and pending pouching.

  Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention described herein will occur to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. . Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (26)

Preparing a mixture of water and tobacco material as a slurry,
During time the mixture sufficient to pasteurization, heating the mixture at a temperature between at least 60 ° C.,
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 8.5 , thereby forming a pH adjusted mixture,
Following the forming of the pH adjusting mixture, heating of the pH adjusting mixture is continued at a temperature and for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the pH adjusting mixture by at least 0.5, thereby treating the treated tobacco material A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. Providing a slurry comprising water and tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least 75% water by weight relative to the total weight of the slurry,
Heating the slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material;
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 8.5, thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry,
Following the step of forming the pH adjusted slurry, continuing to heat the pH adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for a time sufficient to lower the pH of the slurry by at least 0.5, thereby treating the treated tobacco A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition comprising the steps of forming the material and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product.   3. The method of claim 2, further comprising adding a salt to the slurry prior to the heating step.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of adding a salt comprises the step of adding 1 to 5 wt% sodium chloride, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material.   The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of cooling the slurry to a temperature less than 35 ° C.   6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of adding a humectant during or after said cooling step.   The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of drying the slurry to a moisture content of 15 wt% or less based on the total weight of the dried tobacco material.   8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of adding one or more flavors and additional moisture to the dried tobacco material in an amount sufficient to raise the water content of the tobacco material to at least 25% by weight.   3. The method of claim 2, wherein forming the pH adjusted slurry comprises adding sufficient base to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 9. Providing a mixture of water, tobacco material and salt as a slurry,
Heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material,
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 8.5, thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry,
Following the step of forming the pH adjusted slurry, heating of the pH adjusted mixture is continued at a temperature and for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the pH adjusted mixture by at least 0.5, thereby treating the treated tobacco material A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. Providing a slurry comprising water and tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least 80% water by weight relative to the total weight of the slurry,
Heating the slurry to a temperature of at least 70 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material;
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 9, thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry,
Continuing to form the pH adjusted slurry, continuing heating the pH adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for a sufficient time for the pH of the slurry to drop by at least 0.5,
Cooling the pH adjusted slurry to ambient temperature, thereby forming the treated tobacco material, wherein the pH adjusted slurry has a pH of at least 8 at the start of the cooling step, and smokeless tobacco product A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the step of incorporating internally processed tobacco material. Providing a slurry comprising water and tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least 80% water by weight relative to the total weight of the slurry,
Heating the slurry to a temperature of at least 70 ° C. for at least 30 minutes;
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 9.5, thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry,
Continuing heating the pH adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for at least 1.5 hours;
Cooling the pH adjusted slurry to ambient temperature, and the pH adjusted slurry having a pH of at least 8 at the start of the cooling step;
Adding a humectant to the pH adjusted slurry during or after the cooling step;
Drying the pH adjusted slurry at a temperature and for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture level of the tobacco material to less than 15% by weight relative to the weight of the wet tobacco material, thereby forming the treated tobacco material; And a process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the step of incorporating the processed tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. Providing a wet tobacco material having a first moisture content,
While maintaining the water content than the first moisture content, sufficient time to pasteurize the tobacco material, the step of heating at least 85 ° C. of the temperature or in moist tobacco,
Adding to the wet tobacco material a sufficient amount of base and water to raise the pH of the wet tobacco material to at least 8.7 and to increase the water content to a second water content higher than the first water content, Forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material by
Continue heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material at a temperature and time sufficient to reduce the pH of the wet tobacco material while maintaining the water content above the second water content, thereby treating the treated tobacco material A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. Providing a wet tobacco material having a water content of at least 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet tobacco material,
Heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least 85 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material while maintaining the moisture content at a level of at least 30% by weight;
An amount of base and water sufficient to raise the pH of the wet tobacco material to at least 8.7 and to increase the water content to at least 40% by weight is added to the wet tobacco material, thereby forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material Step to
Continuing heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature of at least 55 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the wet tobacco material to less than 8.5 while maintaining a moisture content of at least 40% by weight.
Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of at least 35 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least 7.6, thereby treating the treated tobacco A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming the material, and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product.   15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing the wet tobacco material comprises the step of providing a mixture of dried tobacco material having a water content of less than 15% by weight and an aqueous solution of salt.   16. The method of claim 15, wherein in the step of providing the wet tobacco material, the mixture is prepared by heating the dried tobacco material to a temperature of at least 60 <0> C and adding sodium chloride solution to the heated tobacco material.   15. The method of claim 14, wherein a wet tobacco material is cooled to a temperature of 60 to 65 <0> C prior to forming the pH adjusted wet tobacco material.   continuing the heating of the pH adjusted wet tobacco material, the step of heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material at a temperature and moisture level sufficient to maintain a pH reduction rate of 0.05-0.15 pH units per hour 15. The method of claim 14 comprising. Providing a wet tobacco material comprising a mixture of tobacco material and a salt solution, the wet tobacco material having a water content of at least 35% by weight with respect to the total weight of the wet tobacco material,
Pasteurizing the tobacco material by heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least 90 ° C. for at least one hour while maintaining the moisture content at a level of at least 35% by weight.
An amount of base and water sufficient to raise the pH of the wet tobacco material to at least 8.7 and to increase the water content to at least 45% by weight is added to the wet tobacco material, thereby forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material Step to
Continuing heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature of at least 65 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the wet tobacco material to less than 8.5, while maintaining a water content of at least 45% by weight.
Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of at least 35 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least 7.6, thereby treating the treated tobacco A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming the material, and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product.   20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of adding a sweetener composition to the dried tobacco material. Providing a wet tobacco material comprising a mixture of tobacco material and salt solution, the wet tobacco material having a water content of 30 to 40% by weight with respect to the total weight of the wet tobacco material,
Pasteurizing the tobacco material by heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least 90 ° C. for at least one hour while maintaining the moisture content at a level of 30 to 40% by weight.
An amount of base and water sufficient to raise the pH of the wet tobacco material to at least 8.7 and to increase the water content to at least 45% by weight is added to the wet tobacco material, thereby forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material Step to
Continuing heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature of at least 65 ° C. for at least 1 hour while maintaining a water content of at least 45% by weight and a pH of at least 8.
Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of at least 35 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least 7.6, thereby treating the treated tobacco A method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, comprising the steps of forming the material, and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. Providing a slurry comprising water and tobacco material,
Heating the slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material,
Adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least 8.5, thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry,
Continuing to form said pH adjusted slurry, continuing to heat the pH adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. for a sufficient time for the pH of the slurry to drop by at least 0.5, and to a temperature less than 35 ° C. Cooling the slurry,
Before the heating step, the method further includes the step of adding a salt to the slurry, or the step of adding a humectant during or after the cooling step.
Method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition. Providing a wet tobacco material having a water content of at least 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet tobacco material,
Heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least 85 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material while maintaining the moisture content at a level of at least 30% by weight;
An amount of base and water sufficient to raise the pH of the wet tobacco material to at least 8.7 and to increase the water content to at least 40% by weight is added to the wet tobacco material, thereby forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material Step to
Continuing heating the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature of at least 55 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the wet tobacco material to less than 8.5 while maintaining a water content of at least 40% by weight; Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of at least 35 ° C for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least 7.6. Method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as:   The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of drying the slurry to a moisture content of 15 wt% or less based on the weight of the dried tobacco material. Drying the slurry to a moisture content of less than or equal to 15% by weight relative to the weight of the dried tobacco material, and one or more flavors in an amount sufficient to raise the moisture content of the tobacco material to at least 25% by weight The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding to the dried tobacco material a meal and additional moisture. cooling the pH adjusted mixture to ambient temperature, wherein the pH adjusted mixture has a pH of at least 8 at the start of the cooling step;
Drying the slurry to a moisture content of less than or equal to 15% by weight relative to the weight of the dried tobacco material, and one or more flavors in an amount sufficient to raise the moisture content of the tobacco material to at least 25% by weight The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding to the dried tobacco material a meal and additional moisture.

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