KR20210122776A - Oral nicotine products containing pH adjusters - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oral pouch cigarette-free or low-tobacco nicotine product comprising a pH adjusting agent comprising or consisting of:
(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and
(ii) salts of formula (I):
M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m
Formula I
or a hydrate of the salt,
here
M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ , A n-} is chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, Tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolate, oxide, cysteinate, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate , palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoate, propionate, sorbate, salicylate, benzoate, erythrobate, an anion selected from the group consisting of formate, iodide, pangammatate, and any combination thereof;
n is 1 or 2,
m is 1 or 2,
-(nxm)= -2,
the salt is present in an amount within the range of 0.1% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material,
the salt has a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M and/or at least 1 g/L, and
- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.
The pH adjuster moderates an increase in pH of the oral pouch-free or low-tobacco nicotine product upon storage, wherein the pH of the oral pouch-free or low-tobacco nicotine product upon storage exceeds a value of about 9, 9.2, or 9.5; / or prevent changes by more than ± 0.5 pH units during storage.

Description

Oral nicotine products containing pH adjusters

The present invention relates to an oral pouch-type nicotine product containing no tobacco or a small amount of tobacco, a method for preparing the same, and the use of a pH adjusting agent to counteract an increase in pH when the product is stored.

Traditionally, oral smokeless tobacco products are used orally by consumers to provide nicotine satisfaction from the tobacco of the product. In addition to tobacco, oral smokeless tobacco products generally contain additional ingredients such as water, salts, pH adjusting agent(s) and flavoring and wetting agents. Generally, these products are called snuffs. Snuffs may be dry or moist and may be provided in loose form or in pouch form. There are two types of wet snuffs: American snuff and Scandinavian snuff. American wet snuff is generally produced through the fermentation process of wet ground or chopped tobacco. Scandinavian wet snuff is usually produced through pasteurization rather than fermentation. The heat treatment is performed to degrade, destroy or denature at least a portion of the organisms in the tobacco formulation.

Oral pouch-type nicotine products that do not contain tobacco or contain small amounts of tobacco are now increasingly popular among consumers due to their particularly attractive appearance, freshness and taste. Also, this kind of product allows users to enjoy nicotine without being exposed to cigarettes.

WO 2012/134380 discloses a pouch containing nicotine in the form of a free salt, that is, a non-cigarette snuff product containing nicotine in an oral pouch. The article of manufacture comprises a powder of at least one free nicotine salt, at least one pH adjusting agent and at least one filler, and a water insoluble pouch, wherein the pouch is permeable to saliva and the interior is a dissolved portion of the powder, wherein the article Silver provides a pH of at least 6 when in contact with purified water.

EP 3 087 852 discloses an oral pouch article having a rectangular shape. The oral pouch type product may be an oral pouch type non-tobacco nicotine-containing snuff product. The filler material of the product may be a particulate material comprising nicotine or a salt thereof and one or more fillers such as polysaccharides and/or microcrystalline cellulose. Salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and any combination thereof may be added primarily for taste effect, but they also have a preservative action that contributes to improving the shelf life of the product. Salts such as sodium chloride lower the water activity of the product and prevent the growth of microorganisms.

It is known that pH contributes to the regulation of absorption of nicotine through mucous membranes in the oral cavity of consumers such as humans. A pH adjuster is needed to increase the amount of nicotine present in the free base form that can be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the oral cavity of the consumer. However, alkaline pH reduces nicotine extraction from the product. In particular, very high pH adversely affects the taste of the product and is also harmful to the oral mucosa. On the other hand, acidic pH improves nicotine mobility and product extraction, but reduces oral nicotine absorption, which is not good for oral health. As a result, it is often desirable to adjust the pH of the oral pouch nicotine product to a neutral or slightly alkaline, such as pH 7-10. In general, this is achieved using a pH adjusting agent comprising sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate.

Unfortunately, the pH of snuff products, such as oral smokeless tobacco snuff products, has been found to drop upon storage. The product may be stored refrigerated or the amount of sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate may be increased to counteract the pH drop. However, this makes handling of the product inconvenient and may affect the taste of the product in an undesirable way.

WO 2009/082331 discloses tobacco or non-tobacco products comprising magnesium carbonate to impart pH stability to the product and to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi therein.

WO 2015/193379 discloses tobacco or non-tobacco products comprising magnesium carbonate. The composition is surrounded by a packaging material comprising magnesium carbonate. In this way, the oral pH is stabilized during use of the product. 1 depicts the drop in oral pH during use of an oral smokeless tobacco product.

WO 2018/233795 discloses a nicotine pouch containing a matrix composition comprising a combination of nicotine and a water-soluble composition.

Accordingly, there is a need for an oral pouch nicotine product that does not contain tobacco or contains a small amount of tobacco, in which the pH at storage does not change, changes to a limited extent and/or is maintained within the range of about 7 to about 10.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least one of the problems discussed above and to provide advantages and aspects not hitherto provided by the known technology. It is also an object of the present invention to prevent, reduce and/or counteract changes in pH, such as an increase in pH of tobacco or tobacco-free oral pouch-type nicotine products.

The present invention provides an oral pouch nicotine product comprising a fill material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the fill material, the fill material comprising:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- a pH adjusting agent comprising or consisting of:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

or a hydrate of the salt,

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ , A n-} is chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, Tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolate, oxide, cysteinate, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate , palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoate, propionate, sorbate, salicylate, benzoate, erythrobate, an anion selected from the group consisting of formate, iodide, pangammatate, and any combination thereof;

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2, and

-(n x m)= -2,

the salt is present in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material,

the salt has a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M and/or at least 1 g/L, and

- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

The present invention also provides the use of a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate of said salt as described herein for controlling the pH in an oral pouch nicotine product comprising a filling material, said filling material comprising do:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- a pH adjuster comprising or consisting of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 , and}

- optionally tobacco material in the range from 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material,

When the product is stored, for example,

at a relative humidity of 60% to 75%,

at a temperature of 22°C to 30°C and/or

Stored for 15 weeks.

Included in the context of the present invention.

1 is a pH value as a function of storage time (weeks) of a dry oral pouch-type nicotine product _{containing no CaCl 2} or an increasing amount of CaCl ₂ when storage is carried out at a temperature of 30° C. and a relative humidity of 75%. (pH units) are shown.
Figure 2 shows the pH value (in pH units) as a function of storage time (weeks) for two snus samples when storage is carried out at a temperature of 22°C and a relative humidity of 60%.
3 shows pH values as a function of storage time (weeks) of wet oral pouch-type nicotine products _{containing neither CaCl 2} nor increasing amounts of CaCl ₂ when storage is carried out at a temperature of 22° C. and a relative humidity of 60%. (pH units) are shown.

The term "tobacco material" is used herein for tobacco extract such as lamina and stems and/or fibrous material of tobacco leaves or parts of tobacco leaves. The leaves and leaf parts may be finely divided (disassembled) such as crushing, cutting, crushing or threshing, and the leaf parts may be mixed into the tobacco material in a predetermined ratio.

"Tobacco" as used herein means any part of any member of the genus Nicotiana, eg leaves, stems and stalks. Tobacco is untreated and may be shredded, threshed, cut, ground, cured, aged, fermented or otherwise treated, for example, granulated or encapsulated.

"Oral" and "oral use" are used in all contexts used herein as a description for use in the oral cavity of humans, such as buccal placement.

As used herein, the term “moisture content” refers to the total amount of oven volatile components such as water and other oven volatiles (eg, propylene glycol) in the stated formulation, composition or product. Moisture content is provided herein as a weight percentage (wt %) of the total weight in the stated formulation, composition or product. Some fibrous materials may exhibit hygroscopicity. Hygroscopic materials maintain an equilibrium moisture content depending on ambient moisture and temperature. The water content mentioned in the present invention is in the reference Federal Register/vol.74, no. 4/712-719/Wednesday, January 7, 2009/Notices "Total moisture determination" and AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: "Moisture in Tobacco" (1990), Fifth Edition, K. Helrich It can be determined by using the method based on (ed). In this method, the moisture content is determined by taking a 2.5±0.25 g sample before evaporation of moisture and after completion of dehydration and weighing the sample at ambient conditions defined in the present invention as a temperature of 22° C. and a relative humidity (RH) of 60%. This is determined by gravimetric measurement. A moisture analyzer HB43 from Mettler Toledo, a balance equipped with halogen heating technology, is used in the experiments described herein (instead of an oven and balance as in the references mentioned). The sample is heated to 105°C (instead of 99.5±0.5°C as in the referenced references). Measurements are stopped when the weight change is less than 1 mg during the 90 second time frame. The moisture content as a percentage by weight of the sample is automatically calculated by the moisture analyzer HB43.

"Flavor" or "flavoring agent" is used herein for substances used to affect the aroma and/or taste of nicotine products, including, but not limited to, essential oils, single flavor compounds, blended flavors and extracts. do.

As used herein, “%w/w”, “w/w%” or “wt%” or “% by weight” refers to the stated component of the total weight of the stated formulation, composition or product. means the weight % of

As used herein, references to "% by dry weight", "% by weight based on dry weight", etc. are based on the total weight of all components of the stated formulation, composition or product excluding the dry ingredients, i.e. moisture content. % by weight of the components mentioned.

As used herein, references to “% by weight wet”, “% by weight based on wet weight”, etc. are referenced to the total weight of all components of the formulation, composition, or product referred to as including the component, i.e., moisture content. It means the weight % of the used component. Thus, as used herein, “wt% based on total weight” is equivalent to “wt% based on wet weight”.

As used herein, the term "oral pouch-type nicotine product" or "oral pouch-type nicotine product" refers to a portion of a nicotine-containing filling material packaged in a saliva-permeable pouch material intended for oral use. Two examples of oral pouch nicotine products are oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco products and oral pouch low tobacco nicotine products.

As used herein, the term “oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product”, “oral pouch cigarette-free nicotine product” or “tobacco-free oral pouch nicotine product” refers to a nicotine-containing filling material packaged in a saliva-permeable pouch. part of, wherein tobacco is not included in the product.

As used herein, the term "oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product" means a portion of a nicotine-containing filling material packaged in an oral saliva permeable pouch, wherein from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material. % or an amount of tobacco material within the range of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight is included in the product.

As used herein, the term “non-particulate” refers to a component that is not in particulate form. For example, the flavoring agents described herein can be non-particulate flavoring agents such as liquids, oils, or mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term "particulate non-tobacco material" means a non-tobacco material comprising particles. The particles may have an average particle size within the range of 50 to 500 μm.

Oral pouched nicotine products as disclosed herein are intended for oral use, such as buccal placement (e.g., by placing the pouch product between the upper or lower gums and the lips or cheeks) and are therefore (Pouch) It can be called as a product. Oral pouched nicotine products are sized and constructed to fit comfortably and discreetly in a user's mouth between the upper or lower gums and the lips or cheeks.

An oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein (viewed from above when the product is laid on a flat surface) may have a substantially rectangular-like shape. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the product substantially corresponds to the length of the rectangular product, and the transverse direction of the product corresponds to the width of the substantially rectangular product.

The total weight of the oral pouch nicotine product (including the filling material and packaging material) may be in the range of about 0.3 g to about 1.5 g.

The filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may be provided as a powder or granules. Accordingly, the filling material encapsulated by the saliva-permeable pouch of the packaging material may be provided in an uncompressed form.

The pouch of the oral pouch nicotine product may be made of any suitable saliva permeable (and preferably insoluble) packaging material, such as a non-woven material. The packaging material (also referred to herein as a pouch material) may be a nonwoven material comprising staple fibers of regenerated cellulose such as viscose rayon staple fibers and a binder such as polyacrylate.

Oral pouched (ie, partially packaged) nicotine products may be randomly placed in a container or pattern, for example as described in WO 2012/069505. Alternatively or additionally, each oral pouch nicotine product may be placed in a sachet.

The present invention provides an oral pouch type nicotine product comprising a filling material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the filling material, the filling material comprising:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of from about 1% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler material, and

- a pH adjusting agent comprising or consisting of:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

or a hydrate of the salt,

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ , A n-} is chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, Tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolate, oxide, cysteinate, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate , palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoate, propionate, sorbate, salicylate, benzoate, erythrobate, an anion selected from the group consisting of formate, iodide, pangammatate, and any combination thereof;

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2, and

-(n x m)= -2,

the salt is present in an amount within the range of about 0.05% to about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material,

the salt has a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M and/or at least 1 g/L, and

- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

It will be understood that in the salts of formula (I) as described herein, n may have the value 1 and m may have the value 2. Alternatively, n may have the value 2 and m may have the value 1. Thus, -(n x m )= -2.

^{Anion A n-} of the oral pouch nicotine product described in the present invention is chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, glutamate, guanylate, inosinate, propionic acid It may be selected from one or more of salt, sorbate, benzoate, formate, and pangatate. For example, M ²⁺ may be Ca ^{2+ .}

^{In addition, the anion A n-} of the oral pouch nicotine product described in the present invention is one of chloride, lactate, citrate, ascorbate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, propionate, benzoate, formate, and pangammatate. It can be selected from the above. For example, M ²⁺ may be Mg ^2+.

^{Furthermore, the anion A n-} of the oral pouch nicotine product described in the present invention may be selected from one or more of chloride, lactate, citrate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, benzoate, and formate. For example, M ²⁺ may be Mn ^{2+ .}

In one example, the anion A ^n- of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be selected from one or more of chloride, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, and formate. In a further example, the anion A ^n- of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be selected from one or more of chloride, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, propionate, formate. For example, M ²⁺ may be Zn ^2+.

In another example, the anion A ^n- of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be selected from one or more of chloride, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, propionate, and formate. ^{In another example, the anion A n-} of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may be selected from one or more of chloride, lactate, sulfate, and nitrate. For example, M ²⁺ may be Fe ^2+.

In another example, the anion A ^n- of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein is one of chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, aspartate, glycinate. may be selected from one or more. For example, M ²⁺ may be Ca ^{2+ .}

The pH adjusting agent of the oral pouch nicotine product as described herein allows the pH to be in the range of about 7 to about 10. This pH may be achieved immediately after product manufacture, for example immediately after product manufacture. This pH is also provided upon storage of the product, such as upon storage as described herein. As described herein, about 7 to about 10, such as about 7 to about 9.5, such as about 7 to about 9.2, such as about 7 to about 9, such as about 8 to about 9 This is a significant advantage as it allows good nicotine extraction and taste without adversely affecting the oral mucosa.

Storing a smokeless tobacco product comprising Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ as a pH adjuster reduces the product pH. In contrast, the present inventors found that the pH on storage of oral pouch-type tobacco-free nicotine products and oral pouch-type low-tobacco nicotine products containing _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 as pH adjusting agents.} an increase was found. Surprisingly, it has been found that this increase in pH is _{counteracted by combining Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ with a salt of formula (I) as described herein.

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the salts of formula (I) act by preventing the formation of hydroxide ions from water and carbonate ions of the pH adjusting agent. Instead, it is believed that the salt of formula (I) reacts with carbonate ions of the pH adjusting agent to form carbonates with low water solubility. For example, when the salt of formula I is CaCl ₂ , a carbonate of formula CaCO ₃ may be formed. As a result, the pH or the internal pH of the oral pouch-type nicotine product containing the pH adjusting agent increases less compared to the corresponding product without the salt of formula (I).

The salt of formula (I) may have a water solubility of at least about 0.04M, for example greater than about 0.045M, for example greater than about 0.05M. Additionally or alternatively, Formula I is about 0.045M, such as about 0.05M or greater, such as about 0.06M or greater, such as about 0.07M or greater, such as about 0.8M or greater, such as about It may have a water solubility of one or more of 0.9M or greater, such as about 1.0M or greater. In addition, the salt of formula (I) may have a water solubility of 10M or less, for example less than about 5M, for example less than about 3M.

In addition, the salt of formula (I) is at least about 1 g/L, such as at least about 2 g/L, such as at least about 3 g/L, such as at least about 4 g/L, such as at least about 5 g/L, e.g. For example about 10 g/L or more, such as about 50 g/L or more, such as about 100 g/L or more, such as about 150 g/L or more, such as about 200 g/L or more, such as about 250 g/L or more. L or more, such as about 300 g/L or more, such as about 350 g/L or more, such as about 400 g/L or more, such as about 450 g/L or more, such as about 500 g/L or more, such as For example, it may have a water solubility of about 600 g/L or more, for example about 700 g/L or more. In addition, the salt of formula (I) may have a solubility in water of about 1 kg/L or less, for example about 900 g/L, for example about 800 g/L. As used herein, "g" stands for grams and L stands for liters.

As used herein, “M” stands for moles, ie moles per liter (ie, mole/L or mol/L). Thus, solubility can be measured in moles per liter of solution. The solution may be a solution resulting from mixing, such as dissolving a salt of formula (I) in water.

Additionally or alternatively, the solution may be measured in g/L, ie, grams(s) per liter of solution. The solution may be a solution of a salt of formula (I) dissolved in water. Additionally or alternatively, the solution may be a solution to which a salt of formula (I) has been added.

The water solubility described herein, such as the water solubility of the salt of formula (I) described herein, can be measured at a temperature of from about 10°C to about 40°C, for example from about 20°C to about 25°C. Also, water solubility can be measured at atmospheric pressure, such as a pressure of about 101,325 Pa, or 101,325 Pascals.

The oral pouch nicotine product may be tobacco-free, ie it is an oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product.

Alternatively, the oral pouch nicotine product may include a small amount of tobacco material to provide an oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product. The amount of tobacco material of the oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product may be from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. % to about 1% by weight. The presence of such small amounts of tobacco will not affect the pH of the product to be substantially different from that exhibited by the oral pouch-free product described herein.

Tobacco material may be provided in a form as described herein.

Further, the tobacco material may be a refined tobacco material such as bleached tobacco material or tobacco extract.

The tobacco material described herein may comprise one, two or more particulate non-tobacco material.

The amount of water in the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be from about 0.5% to about 12% by weight, such as from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight, such as about It may be present in an amount within the range of 0.5% to about 3% by weight, for example about 3% by weight. When the amount of water is in the range of from about 0.5% to about 12% by weight or from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight as described herein, the oral pouch nicotine product is dry, i.e., a dry oral pouch nicotine product. can be considered as

Alternatively, the amount of water in the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein ranges from about 20 wt% to about 50 wt%, for example from 20 wt% to 45 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. can be within When the amount of water is in the range of about 20% to about 45% by weight as described herein, the oral pouch nicotine product can be considered a wet, ie, wet oral pouch nicotine product.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the pH adjusting agents described herein reduce, prevent and/or counteract the increase in pH of oral pouch nicotine products when stored. Oral pouch nicotine products may be dry or wet. The reservoir may be as described herein.

The salt of formula (I), or a hydrate of said salt, of the pH adjusting agent described herein is from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight, for example from about 0.05% to about 7% by weight, e.g., based on the total weight of the fill material. for example from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.05% to about 3% by weight, such as from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight, such as from about 0.05% to about 1% by weight may be present in an amount within the For example, the salt of formula (I) or hydrate of the salt may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.3% by weight or from about 0.1% to about 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

_{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ of the pH adjusting agent described in the present invention is from about 1% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product, For example, it may be present in an amount ranging from about 1.5% to about 4% by weight or from about 4% to about 9% by weight.

^{The divalent metal ion M 2+} of the salt of formula (I) may be Ca ²⁺ or Mg ^{2+ .} Alternatively, the divalent metal ion M ²⁺ may be Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ or Fe ²⁺ . For example, the divalent metal ion M ²⁺ of the salt of the above formula may be Mn ^{2+ .} in a further example. ^{The divalent metal ion M 2+} of the salt of the formula may be Zn ^{2+ .} In another example, the divalent metal ion M ²⁺ of the salt of the formula may be Fe ^{2+ .}

The salt of formula (I) described herein may comprise _{or consist of CaCl 2} or a hydrate thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the salts of formula (I) described herein may comprise or consist of hydrates of MgCl ₂ and/or ZnCl ₂ or any of the foregoing salts. Additionally, the salts of formula (I) described herein may _{comprise or consist of MnCl 2} and/or FeCl ₂ or hydrates of the aforementioned salts.

^{The anion A n-} of the salts of formula (I) described herein may be lactate. Thus disclosed are salts of formula (I) as described herein comprising or consisting of calcium lactate and/or zinc lactate. Additionally, the salt of formula (I) may comprise or consist of magnesium lactate and/or iron lactate. It will be understood that any of the foregoing salts may be provided in the form of a hydrate.

^{The anion A n-} of the salts of formula (I) described herein may be acetate. Thus described are salts of formula (I) as described herein comprising or consisting of calcium acetate and/or zinc acetate. Additionally, the salt of formula (I) may comprise or consist of magnesium acetate and/or iron acetate. It will be understood that any of the foregoing salts may be provided in the form of a hydrate.

In one example, the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists _{of Na 2} CO ₃ and CaCl _{2 .} In a further example the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists _{of Na 2} CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and CaCl _{2 .} In a further example, the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists _{of K 2} CO ₃ and CaCl _{2 .} In another example, the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists _{of NaHCO 3} and CaCl _{2 .} In another example, the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists _{of KHCO 3} and CaCl _{2 .}

In one example, the pH adjusting agent comprises or consists of (i) Na ₂ CO ₃ and NaHCO ₃ and (ii) CaCl ₂ or a hydrate thereof.

The pH adjusting agent described herein may be present in an amount of from about 4% to about 9% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product. Further, the amount of water may range from about 0.5% to about 12% by weight or from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product and/or the amount of filling material may be in the range of about 3% by weight to the oral pouch. from about 60% to about 90% by weight or from about 30% to about 85% by weight based on the total weight of the type nicotine filled material product. In addition, the non-particulate non-tobacco material may comprise or consist of maltitol and/or microcrystalline cellulose. In one example, the non-particulate non-tobacco material comprises or consists of microcrystalline cellulose and optionally maltitol.

The pH adjusting agent described in the present invention may comprise or consist of (i) Na ₂ CO ₃ and (ii) CaCl ₂ or a hydrate thereof. The pH adjusting agent may be present in an amount of from about 1.5% to about 4% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product. Further, the amount of water may range from about 20% to about 45% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product and/or the amount of fill material is based on the total weight of the oral pouch nicotine fill material product. as about 30% to about 90% by weight or from about 30% to about 85% by weight. In addition, the non-particulate non-tobacco material may comprise or consist of cellulose and/or microcrystalline cellulose.

The oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be free of sodium chloride, i.e., NaCl. Alternatively, it may comprise NaCl in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, for example from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material.

The oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may further _{comprise MgCO 3 .} Additionally or alternatively, the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may comprise CaCO ₃ and/or dolomite.

The oral pouch nicotine products described herein may not contain additional salts and/or additional pH adjusting agents.

The fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein comprises from about 30% to about 90% by weight, such as from about 30% to about 85% by weight, such as about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. from about 80% by weight to about 80% by weight, for example from about 60% to about 90% by weight of the particulate non-tobacco material. In addition, the filler material described herein may be water-insoluble, optionally further comprising a water-soluble filler material. Accordingly, at least a portion of the fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be water insoluble, such as water insoluble at room temperature and/or atmospheric pressure.

The particulate non-tobacco material may be water insoluble, water soluble, or a combination thereof.

The particulate non-tobacco material may comprise or consist of a sugar alcohol, such as maltitol, and/or cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose and/or powdered cellulose. For example, the particulate non-tobacco material may include maltitol and/or microcrystalline cellulose.

Additionally or alternatively, the filling material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be corn fiber, oat fiber, tomato fiber, barley fiber, rye fiber, beet fiber, buckwheat fiber, wheat fiber, pea fiber, potato fiber, one or more water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of apple fiber, cocoa fiber, bamboo fiber, citrus fiber, and any combination thereof. In one example, the water-insoluble fibers may form part of the non-tobacco particulate material.

The filling material may include one, two or more sources of nicotine.

The fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product as described herein may comprise a nicotine source in the range of from about 1.0% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

The nicotine source may be a nicotine salt and/or a nicotine base. A nicotine source, such as a nicotine base, may be bound to an ion exchange resin such as PolarCrylex, for example via a salt bridge. Alternatively or additionally, the ion exchange resin may function as a solid support for a nicotine source, such as a nicotine base.

Nicotine base, such as an oily liquid form, may be produced synthetically or extracted from tobacco.

The nicotine source described herein may comprise or consist of one or more of the following: nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, zinc chloride nicotine monohydrate, Nicotine salicylate, nicotine polacrilex.

The nicotine source includes a nicotine salt selected from the group consisting of nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine chloride monohydrate and nicotine salicylate, and any combinations thereof; It may be the same nicotine salt.

In particular, the filling material may comprise nicotine bitartrate and/or nicotine bitartrate dihydrate.

The amount of nicotine source, such as nicotine salt and/or nicotine base, per pouch type product is from about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg of nicotine calculated as nicotine base, e.g., about 0.5 mg, about 1.0 mg, about 1.5 mg, about 2.0 mg , about 2.5 mg, about 3.0 mg, about 3.5 mg, about 4.0 mg, about 4.5 mg, about 5.0 mg, about 6.0 mg, about 7.0 mg, about 8.0 mg, about 9.0 mg, about 10 mg, about 12 mg, about 14 mg, It may be in the range of about 16 mg, about 18 mg, or about 20 mg of nicotine.

The nicotine salt of the fill material in the oral pouch nicotine product disclosed herein may be a nicotine salt present in solid form and/or dissolved form.

The nicotine sources disclosed herein may be adsorbed or non-adsorbed onto the particulate non-tobacco material as disclosed herein. It will be understood that the expression "adsorbed to the phase" means that the nicotine source is attached to the outer surface of the non-tobacco particulate material. When the nicotine source is adsorbed onto the non-tobacco particulate material, it adheres to the outer surface of the non-tobacco particulate material without substantially penetrating any pore(s) of the non-tobacco particulate material.

Alternatively or additionally, the nicotine sources disclosed herein may be absorbed into and/or adsorbed onto the tobacco material described herein.

The filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may further comprise a flavoring agent. The filling material may include one, two or more flavoring agents. For example, the flavoring agent may be a non-encapsulating agent. Additionally or alternatively, the flavoring agent may be encapsulated. The unencapsulated flavor and the encapsulated flavor may be the same or different. As used herein, an encapsulated flavor is a flavor contained within a capsule. Accordingly, no unencapsulated flavor is contained within the capsule.

The flavoring agent of the filling material of the oral pouch type nicotine product as disclosed herein may be a hydrophobic flavoring agent.

The flavoring agent of the filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product disclosed herein may be an oil, a liquid, a lyophilized material, a spray-dried material, or a mixture thereof. In one example, the flavoring agent(s) is an oil and/or a liquid.

The filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described herein may include a flavoring agent in the range of about 0.5% to about 3% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material.

The fill material of the described oral pouch nicotine product may include a humectant such as polypropylene glycol.

In the oral pouch nicotine product described in the present invention, the particulate non-tobacco material, the nicotine source, water, a pH adjusting agent, optionally a tobacco material, optionally a flavoring agent and optionally a wetting agent may be mixed homogeneously.

Anatabine is one of the small amounts of alkaloids found in Solanaceae, especially tobacco plants. The oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product described herein may be tobacco free, i.e., contain no tobacco material, and, consequently, may be anatabine free. Alternatively, an oral pouch nicotine product described herein may contain a small amount of tobacco material, for example from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight described herein, wherein the It may contain no anatabine except for tabine.

The oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be free of glycerides, such as triglycerides. Alternatively, the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may comprise a glyceride, such as a triglyceride.

The fill material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be prepared using a method comprising the following step(s):

- providing a mixture comprising particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt, and water, wherein the mixture is provided by mixing the aforementioned ingredients in any order;

A pH adjusting agent as defined herein is added before, during and/or after any said step(s), optionally a flavoring agent is added before, during and/or after any said step(s), optionally a wetting agent is added before, during and/or after any said step(s), optionally tobacco material is added during and/or after any said step(s). The amounts of particulate non-tobacco material, nicotine source, water, optional flavoring agent, optional wetting agent and optional tobacco material may be as described herein.

In addition, the filling material of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein can be prepared using a method comprising the steps of:

- providing a powder comprising or consisting of a mixture comprising particulate non-tobacco material, a source of nicotine, a pH adjusting agent, water and optionally tobacco material, and

- granulating the powder.

The method may further comprise encapsulating the filling material in a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material.

Also provided is a filling material and/or oral pouch nicotine product obtained or obtainable by the method described herein.

The pH of the oral pouch nicotine product, such as the filling material of the oral pouch nicotine product, when dispersed in purified water, ranges from about 7.0 to about 10.0, for example, from about 7 to about 9, for example, from about 7 to about 9.5. , such as from about 7 to about 9.2, such as from about 8 to about 9, such as about 8, such as about 8.3, such as about 8.5 or such as about 8.8. As described herein, these pH values favor nicotine extraction and taste, but do not adversely affect the oral mucosa. The pH can be measured as described herein. In addition, oral pouch-type nicotine products may exhibit such pH values at the time of manufacture and/or storage.

For example, the pH of the filling material can be measured by adding 100 milliliters (ml) of water, such as distilled water, to 5.0 g of the filling material to provide a mixture and then stirring the mixture, such as stirring at about 100 rpm. Measure the pH in at least a portion of the mixture after 5 minutes. The pH of the filler material described herein can be measured at room temperature, such as room temperature, at atmospheric pressure. A pH meter can be used for measurement. In this document, "rpm" refers to revolutions per minute. In this document, room temperature means a temperature of from about 20°C to about 25°C, for example about 22°C. Atmospheric pressure may be about 101,325 Pa, or 101,325 Pascals.

Accordingly, there is provided an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein, wherein the pH of said product upon storage does not exceed about 10, does not exceed about 9.5, or does not exceed about 9. Additionally or alternatively, the pH of the oral pouch nicotine product changes by no more than ± 0.5 pH units upon storage. Storage may occur at a relative humidity of about 60% to about 75%, a temperature of about 22°C to about 30°C, and/or a time period of about 15 weeks. In one example, the storage takes place at a relative humidity of about 75%, a temperature of about 30° C., and/or a time of about 15 weeks. In a further example, storage occurs at about 30° C. and/or for a time of about 15 weeks.

The storage described herein may be in a container such as a consumer container and/or packaging suitable for an oral pouch nicotine product. Accordingly, the container described herein may be configured to be conveniently carried in a consumer's pocket or handbag and/or for packaging any known type of snuff tobacco product, such as an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein. can also be used for The container may be made of plastic and/or metal. In addition, the container may have any desired shape or geometry. For example, the container may have a cylindrical shape. The container may include an upper portion and a lower portion defining an interior space. The lower portion may include a lower surface and a peripheral wall extending from the lower surface. The top may be in the form of a lid detachable from the bottom of the container, or it may be in the form of a lid that is hinged or attached to the bottom of the container. For example, the lid may be attached to the underside by a snap-fit. The container may be tamper-resistant. In one example, the container may be as described in WO 2017/125405, incorporated herein in its entirety. In a further example, the container may be marked with Norwegian Design Registration No. 085548.

Component (i) of the pH adjuster of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may include or consist of at least one _{of Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , and KHCO _{3 .} In addition, the pH adjusting agent of the oral pouch-type nicotine product described in the present invention may consist of:

(i) at least one of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , KHCO _{3 , and}

(ii) salts of formula (I) as described herein.

For example, a pH adjusting agent in or in an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein may comprise or consist of:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

or a hydrate of the salt,

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ ,}

A ^n- silver chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolinic acid salt, oxide, cysteine salt, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate, palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoic acid an anion selected from the group consisting of acid salts, propionates, sorbates, salicylates, benzoates, erythrobates, formates, iodides, pangammas, and any combination thereof;

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2,

-(n x m)= -2.

In one embodiment, there is provided a pH adjusting agent as described herein, wherein:

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ and Mg ^2+; and/or

A ^n- is selected from the group consisting of chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, aspartate and glycinate.

In one example, there is provided a pH adjusting agent as described herein, wherein: M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ and/or}

A ^n- is selected from the group consisting of chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, aspartate and glycinate.

In one specific example, the pH adjusting agent described herein comprises or consists of (i) Na ₂ CO ₃ and/or NaHCO ₃ , and (ii) CaCl ₂ . In a further example, the pH adjusting agent may comprise or consist of (i) K ₂ CO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and (ii) CaCl ₂ . CaCl ₂ may exist in the form of a hydrate, such as a monohydrate.

As described herein, an oral pouch nicotine product lacking a salt of formula (I) increases the pH when stored. Unexpectedly, when the salt of formula (I) is combined with Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 in} amounts as described herein, it produces a pH adjusting agent that allows :

(i) controls such as alleviating, reducing, preventing and/or offsetting the increase in pH of the oral pouch nicotine product when the product is stored;

(ii) preventing the pH of the oral pouch nicotine product from exceeding a value of about 9, about 9.2 or about 9.5 when the product is stored and/or

(iii) preventing the pH of the oral pouch-type nicotine product from changing more than ±0.5 pH units from its initial pH value when stored, such as by more than ±0.5 pH units. Thus, the pH adjusting agent allows for one or more of the following:

(i) controls such as alleviating, reducing, preventing and/or offsetting the increase in pH of the oral pouch nicotine product when the product is stored;

(ii) prevent the pH of the oral pouch nicotine product from exceeding a value of about 9, about 9.2, or about 9.5 when the product is stored;

(iii) prevent the pH of the oral pouch nicotine product from changing more than ±0.5 pH units, such as changing more than ±0.5 pH units from its initial pH value when the product is stored.

It will be understood that the expression “±0.5 pH units” as used herein may mean +0.5 pH units and/or −0.5 pH units.

Accordingly, there is provided the use of a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate of said salt as described herein for controlling the pH of an oral pouch nicotine product comprising a filling material, said filling material comprising: and

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- a pH adjuster comprising or consisting of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 , and}

- optionally comprising tobacco material in the range from 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material,

When the product is stored, for example

at a relative humidity of 60% to 75%,

at a temperature of 22°C to 30°C and/or

Stored for 15 weeks.

The salt of formula (I) or its hydrate may be mixed with other components of the filler material. For example, a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate thereof may be mixed substantially homogeneously with the other components of the fill material.

It will be appreciated that the amount of filler material component may be as described herein. For example, _{salts of formula I such as CaCl 2} , Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ may be present in the amounts described herein. In one example, _{the salt of formula I, such as CaCl 2} , Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , is from 1% by weight to 1% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product. 15% by weight, such as 1% to 10% by weight, such as 1% to 9% by weight, such as 1% to 7% by weight or for example 1% to 5% by weight. It may be present in an amount equal to the total amount.

Control may include or consist of:

(i) alleviating an increase in pH in or of the product when the product is stored;

(ii) prevent the pH of the product from exceeding a value of about 9, about 9.2 or about 9.5 when stored and/or

(iii) a change in the pH in or of the product by more than ±0.5 pH units, such as when the product is stored, the pH of the product changes by more than ±0.5 pH units compared to the pH of the corresponding freshly prepared product; prevent being. Accordingly, control may include or consist of one or more of the following:

(i) alleviating an increase in pH in or of the product when the product is stored;

(ii) prevent the pH in or of the product from exceeding a value of about 9, about 9.2, or about 9.5 when the product is stored;

(iii) a change in the pH in or of the product by more than ±0.5 pH units, such as when the product is stored, the pH of the product changes by more than ±0.5 pH units compared to the pH of the corresponding freshly prepared product; prevent being.

The storage described herein may occur at a relative humidity of about 60% to about 75%, a temperature of about 22°C to about 30°C, and/or a time period of about 15 weeks. In one example, the storage takes place at a relative humidity of about 75%, a temperature of about 30° C., and/or a time of about 15 weeks. In a further example, storage occurs at about 30° C. and/or for a time of about 15 weeks.

The present invention also provides a method of controlling the pH in or of an oral pouch nicotine product when an oral pouch nicotine product, such as an oral pouch nicotine product described herein, is stored. Control may be as described herein. The method comprises the use of a pH adjusting agent as described herein. The method may comprise or consist of preparing an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein and then storing the product. The reservoir may be as described herein.

Control of the pH described herein may confer improved storage stability, such as improved storage stability of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein. In particular, storage stability may be improved for the corresponding oral pouch nicotine product lacking the salt of formula (I).

It will be appreciated that the oral pouch nicotine products described herein may be considered partly packaged oral nicotine products. The filler material may be in the form of particles, granules, beads, powders such as dry or wet powders, dry mixtures or wet mixtures. In addition, the present invention also relates to the filling material described herein, ie the filling material other than any packaging such as a pouch.

Example

Example 1 Substantially Dry Oral Pouch Tobacco Free Nicotine Product

Anhydrous calcium chloride (supplied by Merck GmbH, Germany), nicotine bitartrate dihydrate (supplied by Siegfried AG, Switzerland), sodium bicarbonate (supplied by TATA Chemicals, UK) and sodium carbonate (supplied by Novacarb, France) as a sugar alcohol according to Table 1B below and fillers such as cellulose fibers 5 granules were prepared by mixing with

[Table 1A]

The moisture content in Table 1A can be found in References Federal Register/vol.74, no. 4/712-719/Wednesday, January 7, 2009/Notices "Total moisture determination" and Association of Official Analytical Chemics (AOAC), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: "Moisture in Tobacco" (1990), Fifth Edition, K. Helrich It was determined as described herein using the method of (ed).

The granules were packed into partial pouches of 0.4 g each using a water-permeable non-woven pouch material. The pouches were packaged in plastic cans suitable for containment of oral pouches. Plastic cans were as described in WO 2017/125405. Fresh samples were analyzed for pH prior to storage using the methods described herein. The plastic cans were then transferred to a climate cabinet (VC0100, Votsch Industrietechnik) for storage. Cabinet conditions were set at 35° C. and 75% RH. Storage was carried out for 15 weeks. After 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15 weeks, the cans of each sample were removed from the climate cabinet and the pH of the pouches was analyzed using the method defined herein. In this document, "g" stands for grams and "RH" stands for relative humidity.

The results are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1B. It can be seen that the reference without calcium chloride (Sample 1) increases the pH unit above 1 after 15 weeks of storage. Therefore, the pH of the nicotine product without the oral pouch-type tobacco lacking _{CaCl 2 increased upon storage.} In contrast, the pH of samples 2-5 containing the combination of calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate increased to less than or equal to 0.45 pH units upon storage. In addition, the pH of samples 2-5 after storage was 7.40 to 8.61. Thus, the pH was less increased in the presence of salts such as _{CaCl 2 .}

[Table 1B]

Example 2: Snus Product

This is a comparative example showing how the pH changes during storage of snus.

Two snus batches (GR One and General One) were prepared with a standard snus production procedure using production scale equipment and the composition disclosed in Table 2. Tobacco, fiber and water were mixed in a blender. The blend was heated to 100° C. and the temperature held at 85-100° C. for 4.5 hours. Before cooling the sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, propylene glycol and additional water were added and mixed into the snus blend. After cooling a final addition of flavor and additional sodium chloride were added and mixed into the snus blend. Snus is a water-permeable non-woven pouch material, and the pouch is packaged in a plastic can suitable for oral pouch storage. The plastic can was marked with the Norwegian Design Registration No. 085548.

The pH was analyzed on fresh samples prior to storage using the methods described herein. The plastic cans were then moved to a climate cabinet for storage. Cabinet conditions were set at 22° C. and 60% RH. Storage was carried out for 17 weeks. After 1, 3, 5, 10 and 17 weeks, the cans of each sample were removed from the climate cabinet and the pH of the pouches was analyzed using the method defined herein.

The results are shown in FIG. 2 . It can be seen that the pH values in both snus samples follow the normal pH development for snus during storage. This means that the pH decreased steadily. After storage for 17 weeks, the pH decreased by about 0.6 pH-units compared to the initial value. Thus, the pH of tobacco containing snus decreases upon storage.

[Table 2]

Example 3: Wet Oral Tobacco Free Nicotine Product

Two batches of wet oral nicotine product (Ang-124 and Ang-125) were prepared on laboratory scale (500 g per batch) according to the composition in Table 3A. Dry ingredients (nicotine bitartrate, sodium carbonate, calcium chloride (Ang-124 only), cellulose, sodium chloride and sweetener were mixed in a lab mixer (Kenwood) to make a homogeneous powder blend. Water, glycerol and vegetable oil were added followed by water The silver was present in an amount of about 30-40% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Flavors and sweeteners were then added and the blend mixed into the final oral nicotine blend. The pH was analyzed on fresh samples prior to storage using the methods described herein.

[Table 3A]

Two samples of the oral nicotine mixture were distributed in plastic cans suitable for oral pouch-type nicotine products. The plastic cans were then sealed with side labels and transferred to a climate cabinet for storage. The plastic can was marked with the Norwegian Design Registration No. 085548. Cabinet conditions were set at 22° C. and 60% RH. Storage was carried out for 15 weeks. After 2, 4, 8, 10 and 15 weeks, the cans of each sample were removed from the climate cabinet and the pH of the pouches was analyzed using the method defined herein.

The results are shown in Figure 3 and Table 3B. It can be seen that the pH of the reference without calcium chloride (Ang-125) increases by 0.86 pH units upon storage for 15 weeks. In contrast, the pH of the samples containing calcium chloride (Ang-124) increased only by 0.40 pH units upon storage. The pH of sample Ang-124 after storage was 9.04. Thus, the pH was less increased in the presence of salts such as _{CaCl 2 .}

[Table 3B]

How to measure pH

The pH of the filling material of the above example was determined by adding 100 ml of distilled water to 5.0 g of filling material in a 125 ml beaker, stirring the final mixture with a magnetic stirrer at 100 rpm for about 5 minutes at room temperature and calibrated (according to the manufacturer's instructions) pH meter. It was measured by measuring the pH of the extract obtained therefrom. For accuracy of reading, sample solutions were analyzed within 1 hour. In this document, "rpm" refers to revolutions per minute. In this document, room temperature means from about 20°C to about 25°C, for example about 22°C.

item

1. An oral pouch nicotine product comprising a filling material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the filling material, the filling material comprising:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- pH adjusting agents, including:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ ,}

A ^n- is an anion, wherein said anion is not CO ₃ ^2- or HCO ₃ ^- ,

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2,

-(n x m)= -2,

the salt has a solubility in water at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 25° C., such as a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M;

- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

2. An oral pouch nicotine product comprising a fill material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the fill material, wherein the fill material comprises:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- pH adjusting agents, including:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ ,}

A ^n- is ^{an anion selected from Cl − ,} Br ⁻ , I ⁻ , F ⁻ and conjugate salts of organic acids having a pKa of at least 4.7;

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2,

-(n x m)= -2,

The salt has a water solubility at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 25° C., such as a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M and/or ranges from 0.05% to 7% by weight, for example 0.05% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler material. % to 5% by weight;

- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

3. An oral pouch nicotine product comprising a fill material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the fill material, wherein the fill material comprises:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- pH adjusting agents, including:

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and

(ii) salts of formula (I):

M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m

Formula I

or a hydrate of the salt,

here

M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ ,}

A ^n- silver chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolinic acid salt, oxide, cysteine salt, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate, palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoic acid an anion selected from the group consisting of acid salts, propionates, sorbates, salicylates, benzoates, erythrobates, formates, iodides, pangammas, and any combination thereof;

n is 1 or 2,

m is 1 or 2,

-(n x m)= -2,

the salt is present in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material,

- optionally tobacco material in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

4. according to any one of items 1 to 3,

The pH adjusting agent

(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ and optionally NaHCO ₃ , and

(ii) An oral pouch-type nicotine product comprising or consisting of a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate thereof.

5. according to any one of items 1 to 4,

A ^n- is selected from the group consisting of chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, aspartate and glycinate.

6. according to any one of items 1 to 5,

The salt of formula (I), or a hydrate thereof, has a water solubility, such as a water solubility of at least about 0.04M, for example greater than about 0.045M, for example greater than about 0.05M, at a temperature of from about 20°C to about 25°C. An oral pouch-type nicotine product.

7. according to any one of items 1 to 6,

and the filling material does not comprise tobacco material.

8. according to any one of items 1 to 6,

Tobacco material may be present in a range of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. An oral pouch nicotine product that is present in an amount.

9. according to any one of items 1 to 6 and 8,

The tobacco material is provided as a snuff tobacco such as tobacco fiber, ground tobacco and/or snus.

10. Items 1 to 6 and any one of 8 or 9,

The tobacco material comprises or consists of tablet tobacco material, such as bleached tobacco material.

11. according to any one of items 1 to 10,

The amount of water is present in an amount within the range of about 0.5% to about 12% by weight, such as about 0.5% to 5% by weight, such as about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. nicotine products.

12. according to any one of items 1 to 10,

The amount of water is present in an amount within the range of from about 20% to about 50% by weight, for example from 20% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material.

13. according to any one of items 1 to 12,

The salt of formula (I), or hydrate of said salt, comprises from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.05% to about 3% by weight, such as from about 0.05% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. to about 2% by weight, such as about 0.05% by weight to about 1% by weight.

14. according to any one of items 1 to 13,

wherein the salt of formula (I), or hydrate of said salt, is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

15. according to any one of items 1 to 14,

_{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ of the pH adjusting agent is from about 1% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product, for example about 1.5 The oral pouch nicotine product is present in an amount within the range of from about 4% to about 4% by weight or from about 4% to about 9% by weight.

16. according to any one of items 1 to 15,

M ²⁺ is Ca ²⁺ or Mg ²⁺ oral pouch-type nicotine product.

17. according to any one of items 1 to 15,

M ²⁺ is Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ or Fe ²⁺ Oral pouch-type nicotine product.

18. according to any one of items 1 to 16,

An oral pouch-type nicotine product comprising or consisting of the salt of formula (I) or a hydrate thereof is CaCl _{2 or a hydrate thereof.}

19. The method according to any one of items 1 to 18,

wherein the fill material further comprises NaCl, such as NaCl, in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, for example from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. type nicotine products.

20. The method according to any one of items 1 to 19,

The filling material further comprises CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ and/or dolomite.

21. The method according to any one of items 1 to 20,

wherein said product does not contain additional salts and/or additional pH adjusting agents.

22. The method according to any one of items 1-21,

The oral pouch nicotine product may contain from about 7 to about 10, such as from about 7 to about 9.5, such as from about 7 to about 9.2, such as from about 7 to about 9, such as from about 8 to about 10 when dispersed in purified water. An oral pouch nicotine product having a pH of about 9, eg about 8, eg about 8.3, eg about 8.5 or eg about 8.8.

23. The method according to any one of items 1-22,

The pH of the oral pouch-type nicotine product is about 9 when stored; or a value of about 9.2 or about 9.5 and/or a change of no more than ± 0.5 pH units upon storage;

For example, storage at a relative humidity of about 60% to about 75%,

at a temperature of about 22°C to about 30°C, and/or

An oral pouch nicotine product that occurs for about 15 weeks.

24. according to any one of items 1 to 23,

The particulate non-tobacco material may be present in an amount in the range of from about 30% to about 90% by weight, such as from about 30% to about 85% by weight, such as from about 30% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. An oral pouch nicotine product that is present in an amount.

25. The method according to any one of items 1 to 24,

wherein the particulate non-tobacco material comprises a sugar alcohol such as maltitol and/or cellulose such as microcrystalline cellulose and/or powdered cellulose.

26. The method according to any one of items 1 to 25,

An oral pouch nicotine product, wherein the particulate non-tobacco material comprises maltitol and/or microcrystalline cellulose.

27. The method of any one of items 1-26,

The filling material may be corn fiber, oat fiber, tomato fiber, barley fiber, rye fiber, sugar beet fiber, buckwheat fiber, wheat fiber, pea fiber, potato fiber, apple fiber, cocoa fiber, bamboo fiber, citrus fiber, and any thereof. An oral pouch-type nicotine product comprising one or more water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of combinations.

28. Clause 27,

and said water-insoluble fibers form part of said particulate non-tobacco material.

29. The method of any one of items 1-28,

wherein the fill material comprises a nicotine source in the range of from about 1.0% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

30. The method of any one of items 1-29,

An oral pouch nicotine product in which the nicotine source is a nicotine salt, nicotine base and/or nicotine bound to an ion exchange resin such as Paulacryllex nicotine.

31. Paragraph 30,

wherein the nicotine salt is selected from the group consisting of nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine chloride monohydrate and nicotine salicylate and any combination thereof. Pouch-type nicotine products.

32. Clause 30 or 31,

The amount of nicotine salt per pouch type product is about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg of nicotine calculated as nicotine base, for example about 0.5 mg, about 1.0 mg, about 1.5 mg, about 2.0 mg, about 2.5 mg, about 3.0 mg, about 3.5 mg, about 4.0 mg, about 4.5 mg, about 5.0 mg, about 6.0 mg, about 7.0 mg, about 8.0 mg, about 9.0 mg, about 10 mg, about 12 mg, about 14 mg, about 16 mg, about 18 mg, or about 20 mg of nicotine Oral pouch nicotine products that may be within range.

33. according to any one of items 1 to 32,

An oral pouch nicotine product wherein the source of nicotine is a nicotine salt that is present in solid and/or dissolved form.

34. according to any one of items 1 to 33,

wherein the nicotine source is adsorbed onto the particulate non-tobacco material.

35. according to any one of items 1 to 34,

The filling material further comprises a flavoring agent.

36. Clause 35,

Flavor is an oral pouch-type nicotine product that is a hydrophobic flavoring agent.

37. Clause 35 or 36,

The flavoring agent is an oil, liquid, freeze-dried material, a spray-dried material, or a mixture thereof.

38. according to any one of items 35 to 37,

wherein the fill material comprises a flavoring agent in the range of from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material.

39. The method according to any one of items 1 to 38,

wherein the flavoring agent is encapsulated and/or unencapsulated.

40. Clause 39,

wherein the encapsulated flavor is the same as or different from the unencapsulated flavor.

41. according to any one of items 1 to 40,

An oral pouch nicotine product further comprising a humectant such as polypropylene glycol and/or glycerol.

42. according to any one of items 1 to 41,

An oral pouch nicotine product, wherein the particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source, water, a pH adjusting agent, optionally a tobacco material, optionally a flavoring agent and optionally a wetting agent are uniformly mixed.

43. according to any one of items 1 to 7 and 11 to 42,

An oral pouch-type nicotine product that does not contain anatabine.

44. The method according to any one of items 1 to 6 and 8 to 42,

An oral pouch-type nicotine product that does not contain anatabine other than the anatabine present in the tobacco material.

45. A packaging container comprising the oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of items 1 to 44.

46. according to any one of items 1-45,

the method

- providing a mixture comprising particulate non-tobacco material, a source of nicotine, such as a nicotine salt, and water, wherein the mixture is provided by mixing the aforementioned ingredients in any order;

42. A pH adjusting agent as defined in any one of claims 1 to 41 is added before, during and/or after any of said steps, optionally a flavoring agent is added before, during and/or after any of said steps. and optionally a wetting agent is added before, during and/or after any of the above steps, and optionally the tobacco material is added during and/or after any of the above steps.

47. according to any one of items 1 to 46,

the method

- providing a powder comprising or consisting of a mixture comprising particulate non-tobacco material, a source of nicotine, a pH adjusting agent, water and optionally tobacco material, and

- A method comprising the step of granulating said powder.

48. Items 46 or 47,

and encapsulating the filling material in a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material.

49. Filling material obtained or obtainable by the method of paragraphs 46 or 47.

50. An oral pouch nicotine product obtained or obtainable by the method of item 48.

51. A salt of formula (I) as defined in any one of items 1 to 50 for controlling the pH of or in an oral pouch nicotine tobacco-free product, ie a tobacco-free oral pouch nicotine product. Use, wherein said product is stored in a packaging container as described herein.

52. Clause 51,

wherein said control comprises or consists of:

(i) alleviating the increase in pH in the product;

(ii) preventing the pH from exceeding a value of about 9, or a value of about 9.2, or a value of about 9.5 and/or

(iii) preventing said pH from changing by more than ± 0.5 pH units.

53. Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in any one of items 1 to 50 for ameliorating the increase in pH in a product free of oral pouch nicotine cigarettes when the product is stored.

54. Any one of items 1 to 53 for preventing the pH in the product without the oral pouch nicotine cigarette from exceeding a value of about 9, or a value of about 9.2, or a value of about 9.5 when the product is stored. Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 .

55. Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in any one of items 1 to 54 for preventing the pH in a product free of oral pouch nicotine cigarettes from changing by more than ± 0.5 pH units when the product is stored .

56. according to any one of items 51 to 55,

Use of an oral pouch nicotine-free product comprising Na ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ .

57. according to any one of items 51 to 56,

wherein the product is stored at a relative humidity of about 60% to about 75%, at a temperature of about 22°C to about 30°C, and/or for about 15 weeks.

58. according to any one of items 51 to 57,

Use of an oral pouch nicotine-free product comprising a filling material as described herein, such as a filling material comprising:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- a pH adjusting agent comprising or consisting of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 .}

59. pH in an oral pouch nicotine low-tobacco product, i.e., an oral pouch nicotine product comprising an amount of tobacco material as described herein, when the product is stored as stored in a packaging container as described herein. 59. Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 58 for the control of

60. The use of clause 59, wherein said control comprises or consists of:

(i) alleviating an increase in pH in or of the product;

(ii) prevent the pH in or of the product from exceeding a value of about 9, a value of about 9.2, or a value of about 9.5, and/or

(iii) prevent the pH in or of the product from being altered by more than ± 0.5 pH units.

61. Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in any one of items 1 to 50 for ameliorating an increase in pH in or thereof in an oral pouch nicotine low tobacco product when the product is stored.

62. Any one of items 1 to 61 for preventing the pH of the oral pouch nicotine low tobacco product from exceeding a value of about 9, or a value of about 9.2, or a value of about 9.5 when the product is stored Use of a salt of formula (I) as defined in claim.

63. Formula (I) as defined in any one of items 1 to 62 for preventing the pH in or thereof in the oral pouch nicotine low tobacco product from changing by more than ± 0.5 pH units when the product is stored. Uses of salts.

64. according to any one of items 59 to 63,

wherein the oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product comprises a filling material and optionally a saliva permeable pouch surrounding the filling material, wherein the filling material is 0.05% to 10% by weight, for example, based on the total weight of the filling material. 0.1% to 10% by weight, such as 0.1% to 5% by weight, such as 0.1% to 3% by weight, such as 0.1% to 2% by weight, such as 0.1% to 1% by weight Tobacco material in an amount within the % range.

65. The method of any one of items 59-64,

Use of an oral pouch nicotine low tobacco product comprising a filling material as described herein, such as a filling material comprising:

- Particulate non-tobacco material;

- sources of nicotine;

- water in the range of 1% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and

- a pH adjuster comprising or consisting of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 , and}

- Tobacco material in the range from 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material.

66. The method of any one of items 59-65,

wherein the product is stored at a relative humidity of about 60% to about 75%, at a temperature of about 22°C to about 30°C, and/or for about 15 weeks.

67. The method of any one of items 51 to 66,

The salt of formula (I), Na ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 ,} is from about 1% to about 15% by weight, for example about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler material. present in a total amount of from about 10% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 1% to about 9% by weight, such as from about 1% to about 7% by weight, such as from about 1% to about 5% by weight. phosphorus use.

68. A filling material as described in the present invention, such as the filling material as defined in any one of paragraphs 1-44.

Claims (38)

An oral pouch nicotine product comprising a fill material and a saliva permeable pouch of packaging material surrounding the fill material, the fill material comprising:
- Particulate non-tobacco material;
- sources of nicotine;
- water in the range of 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and
- pH adjusting agents, including:
(i) Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ , and
(ii) salts of formula (I):
M ²⁺ (A ^n- ) _m
Formula I
or a hydrate of the salt,
here
M ²⁺ is selected from the group consisting of Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ and Fe ^{2+ , A n-} is chloride, lactate, maleate, succinate, citrate, ascorbate, Tartrate, acetate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, alginate, ammonium, oxalate, aspartate, glycinate, picolate, oxide, cysteinate, glutamate, hydroxide, laurate, stearate , palmitate, undecylenate, gluceptate, glucerophosphate, gluvionate, glucoheptonate, guanylate, inoate, propionate, sorbate, salicylate, benzoate, erythrobate, an anion selected from the group consisting of formate, iodide, pangammatate, and any combination thereof;
n is 1 or 2,
m is 1 or 2, and
-(nxm)= -2,
the salt is present in an amount within the range of 0.05% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material,
the salt has a water solubility of at least about 0.04 M and/or at least 1 g/L, and
- optionally an oral pouch nicotine product comprising tobacco material in an amount ranging from 0.05% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. The method of claim 1,
The salt is 0.045M or greater, such as about 0.05M or greater, such as about 0.06M or greater, such as about 0.07M or greater, such as about 0.8M or greater, such as about 0.9M or greater, such as An oral pouch-type nicotine product having a water solubility of at least about 1.0M. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The salt is at least 2 g/L, for example at least 3 g/L, for example at least 4 g/L, for example at least 5 g/L, for example at least 10 g/L, for example at least 50 g/L, such as For example at least 100 g/L, for example at least 150 g/L, for example at least 200 g/L, for example at least 250 g/L, for example at least 300 g/L, for example at least 350 g/L, for example at least 400 g An oral pouch nicotine product having a water solubility of at least /L, for example at least 450 g/L, for example at least 500 g/L, for example at least 600 g/L, for example at least 700 g/L. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The aqueous solubility of the oral pouch-type nicotine product is measured at a temperature of 10 °C to 40 °C, for example, 20 °C to 25 °C. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A ^n- Silver chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, glutamate, guanylate, inosinate, propionate, sorbate, benzoate, formate, An oral pouch-type nicotine product that is an anion selected from one or more of the pangamma salts. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A ^n- is an anion selected from at least one of chloride, lactate, citrate, ascorbate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, propionate, benzoate, formate, and pangammat; 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A ^n- is an anion selected from at least one of chloride, lactate, citrate, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, benzoate, and formate. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A ^n- is an anion selected from at least one of chloride, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, and formate; an oral pouch-type nicotine product. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A ^n- is an anion selected from at least one of chloride, acetate, sulfate, nitrate, gluconate, propionate, and formate; an oral pouch-type nicotine product. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A ^n- is an anion selected from at least one of chloride, lactate, sulfate, and nitrate. An oral pouch-type nicotine product. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A ^n- is an anion selected from one or more of chloride, lactate, maleate, citrate, ascorbate, tartrate, acetate, gluconate, aspartate and glycinate. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
and the filling material does not comprise tobacco material. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Tobacco material may be present in a range of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. An oral pouch nicotine product that is present in an amount. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The amount of water is present in an amount within the range of about 0.5% to about 12% by weight, such as about 0.5% to 5% by weight, such as about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. nicotine products. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The amount of water is present in an amount within the range of from about 20% to about 50% by weight, for example from 20% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the fill material. 16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The salt of formula (I), or a hydrate of said salt, comprises from 0.05% to 5% by weight, for example from 0.1% to 5% by weight, for example from 0.1% to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler material; eg 0.1% by weight 2% by weight, such as in an amount within the range of 0.1% to 1% by weight. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
wherein the salt of formula (I), or hydrate of said salt, is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material. 18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
_{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO ₃ of the pH adjusting agent is from about 1% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the filling material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product, for example about 1.5 The oral pouch nicotine product is present in an amount within the range of from about 4% to about 4% by weight or from about 4% to about 9% by weight. 19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
M ²⁺ is Ca ²⁺ Oral pouch-type nicotine product. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
M ²⁺ is an oral pouch-type nicotine product with Mg ^2+. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
M ²⁺ is an oral pouch nicotine product with Mn ^2+. 22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
M ²⁺ is Zn ²⁺ Oral pouch-type nicotine product. 23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22,
M ²⁺ is Fe ²⁺ Oral pouch-type nicotine product. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The salt of formula (I) is an oral pouch-type nicotine product comprising or consisting _{of CaCl 2 or a hydrate thereof.} 25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24,
wherein the fill material further comprises NaCl, such as NaCl, in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, for example from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. type nicotine products. 26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
The filling material further comprises MgCO ₃ Oral pouch-type nicotine product. 27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 26,
wherein said product does not contain additional salts and/or additional pH adjusting agents. 28. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27,
The oral pouch nicotine product, wherein the filling material of the oral pouch type nicotine product has a pH of 7 to 10, for example 8 to 9, such as 8, 8.3, 8.5 or 8.8 when dispersed in purified water. 29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28,
An oral pouch nicotine product wherein at least a portion of the fill material is insoluble in water. 30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29,
wherein the particulate non-tobacco material comprises microcrystalline cellulose and optionally maltitol. 31. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 30,
The filling material may be corn fiber, oat fiber, tomato fiber, barley fiber, rye fiber, sugar beet fiber, buckwheat fiber, wheat fiber, pea fiber, potato fiber, apple fiber, cocoa fiber, bamboo fiber, citrus fiber, and any thereof. An oral pouch-type nicotine product comprising one or more water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of combinations. 32. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 31,
The nicotine source is nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine chloride monohydrate, nicotine salicylate, oral pouch-type nicotine product of at least one of nicotine monohydrate. 33. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 32,
An oral pouch nicotine product wherein the source of nicotine is nicotine bitartrate and/or nicotine bitartrate dihydrate. 34. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 33,
The pH of the fill material of the oral pouch-type nicotine product does not exceed 9.5 upon storage and/or changes by no more than ± 0.5 pH units upon storage, wherein storage, for example,
at a relative humidity of 60% to 75%,
at a temperature of 22°C to 30°C and/or
An oral pouch nicotine product that occurs for 15 weeks. 35. Use of a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate of said salt as defined in any one of claims 1 to 34 for controlling the pH of an oral pouch nicotine product comprising a filling material, said filling material comprising the formula ( a salt of I), or a hydrate thereof, and
- Particulate non-tobacco material;
- sources of nicotine;
- water in the range from 1% to 50% by weight, for example from 1% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the filling material, and
- a pH adjuster comprising or consisting of _{Na 2} CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 , and}
- optionally comprising in the range from 0.05% to 10% by weight of tobacco material, based on the total weight of the filling material,
When the product is stored, for example,
at a relative humidity of 60% to 75%,
at a temperature of 22°C to 30°C and/or
The use of a salt of formula (I) or a hydrate of said salt, which is stored for 15 weeks. 36. The method of claim 35,
The control comprises or consists of alleviating an increase in pH in the product, preventing the pH in the product from exceeding a value of about 9.5, and/or preventing the pH in the product from changing by more than ± 0.5 pH units use that is. 37. The method of claim 35 or 36,
12. Use, wherein the salt of formula (I) is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11. 38. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 37,
The salts of formula (I), Na ₂ CO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ and/or KHCO _{3 ,} are from 1% to 15% by weight, for example from 1% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler material. % by weight, for example from 1% to 9% by weight, for example from 1% to 7% by weight or for example from 1% to 5% by weight.

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