Smokeless tobacco packaging system and method
First Claim
1. A method of packaging a smokeless tobacco product:
- compressing a mixture of tobacco and a binder into a plurality of shaped smokeless tobacco bodies, each shaped smokeless tobacco body having a substantially similar predetermined shape, each shaped smokeless tobacco body adapted to expand to an expanded size after being compressed;
depositing a plurality of the shaped smokeless tobacco bodies into a base of a container in a predefined layer arrangement, said plurality of shaped smokeless tobacco bodies being in a compressed state during said depositing step; and
connecting a lid to the base to close the container before each shaped smokeless tobacco body expands to said expanded size, the plurality of bodies subsequently expanding within the container to become preformed smokeless tobacco products such that one or more of the preformed smokeless tobacco products are compressed between the base and the lid to secure said one or more of the preformed smokeless tobacco products in a substantially stationary position relative to the base and the lid.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include a container including a plurality of preformed smokeless tobacco products configured to generally retain their shape and integrity during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. One or more of the preformed smokeless tobacco products are compressed between a lid and a base of the container to hinder movement of the one or more preformed smokeless tobacco products within the container. Each preformed smokeless tobacco product can include a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a selected binder such that the final product is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.
77 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of packaging a smokeless tobacco product:
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compressing a mixture of tobacco and a binder into a plurality of shaped smokeless tobacco bodies, each shaped smokeless tobacco body having a substantially similar predetermined shape, each shaped smokeless tobacco body adapted to expand to an expanded size after being compressed; depositing a plurality of the shaped smokeless tobacco bodies into a base of a container in a predefined layer arrangement, said plurality of shaped smokeless tobacco bodies being in a compressed state during said depositing step; and connecting a lid to the base to close the container before each shaped smokeless tobacco body expands to said expanded size, the plurality of bodies subsequently expanding within the container to become preformed smokeless tobacco products such that one or more of the preformed smokeless tobacco products are compressed between the base and the lid to secure said one or more of the preformed smokeless tobacco products in a substantially stationary position relative to the base and the lid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of packaging a product:
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compressing a mixture of product constituents into a plurality of shaped bodies, each shaped body adapted to expand to an expanded size after being compressed; depositing the plurality of shaped bodies into a container in a predefined arrangement, said plurality of shaped bodies being in a compressed state during said depositing step; and closing the container before each of the plurality of shaped bodies expands to said expanded size, the plurality of shaped bodies subsequently expanding within the container such that one or more of the plurality of shaped bodies urge against opposite walls of the container to hinder movement of the one or more of the plurality of shaped bodies within the container. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system comprising:
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a container including a lid and a base that defines an interior space; and a plurality of preformed smokeless tobacco products having a substantially similar shape and being disposed in the interior space of the container, each of the plurality of preformed smokeless tobacco products comprising moist smokeless tobacco and a binder, one or more of the plurality of preformed smokeless tobacco products being compressed between the lid and the base in response to engagement of the lid and the base so as to secure said one or more plurality of preformed smokeless tobacco products in a substantially stationary position within the interior space.
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Specification