SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS

• US 20120103353A1
• Filed: 11/01/2010
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Original Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Inventors: Sebastian, Andries D., Reddick, E. Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 131/352
• CPC Class Codes: A24B 13/00 Tobacco for pipes, for cigars, e.g. cigar inserts, or for cigarettes; Chewing tobacco; Snuff reconstituted tobacco products A24B3/14
• CPC Class Codes: A24B 15/282 by indirect addition of the chemical substances, e.g. in the wrapper, in the case
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 23/02 Tobacco pouches
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/02 Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles from flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material B65B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 51/10 Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof welding of plastics per se B29C65/02; closing plastic tube ends in general B29C57/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/20 Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/015 Natural yarns or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/16 with bonds between thermoplastic filaments produced in association with filament formation, e.g. immediately following extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 15/00 Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment D06M10/00, D06M14/00 take precedence; treatment with inorganic polyphosphates D06M11/72
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics

Abstract

A smokeless tobacco product is provided. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product comprises a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation that includes a granular tobacco composition, wherein the pouch comprises a fleece material configured to provide enhanced flavor.

Claims

1. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product, the tobacco product comprising:

a liquid-permeable fleece material pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a granular tobacco composition, wherein material forming the fleece pouch further comprises a hydrophilic surface coating.

2. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic surface is conferred by a food-grade surfactant.

3. The tobacco product of claim 2, wherein the food-grade surfactant comprises one or more of sorbitan aliphatic acid ester, polyglycerin aliphatic acid ester, and sucrose aliphatic acid ester.

4. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the fleece pouch further comprises a flavor-enhancing material.

5. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein fibers of the fleece pouch comprises a 4DG cross-section.

6. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the fleece pouch further comprises a food-grade low-melting biodegradable polymer coating an underlying polymer.

7. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein fibers of the fleece pouch comprise a bi-component material comprising one or more of regenerated cellulose, a polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactic acid, plasticized cellulose acetate, and polycaprolactone.

8. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the fleece pouch is constructed including at least one biodegradable polymer.

9. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises regenerated cellulose, a polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, or a combination thereof.

10. The tobacco product of claim 8, further comprising at least one flavorant.

11. The tobacco product of claim 10, wherein the flavorant is incorporated into the fleece.

12. The tobacco product of claim 10, wherein the flavorant is provided as a coating on the fleece, a fiber thereof, or both.

13. A method of making a tobacco product according to claim 1, said method comprising:

providing fiber for making a fleece material;

applying an aqueous solution comprising a food-grade surfactant to the fiber.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising applying at least one flavorant.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of forming fleece material, a step of ring-rolling configured to improve elasticity of the fleece material, and a step of forming the fleece material into the pouch of claim 1.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of forming fleece material wherein the fleece material formed comprises a biodegradable polymer.

17. A fleece material configured for forming a pouch encompassing granular tobacco, the fleece material comprising a biodegradable polymer and a flavor-enhancing material.

18. The fleece material of claim 17, wherein the fleece material is configured to comprise a hydrophilic surface.

19. A tobacco product comprising the fleece material of claim 17.

20. A tobacco product comprising:

a fleece pouch comprising a biodegradable polymer;

a hydrophilic surface of the fleece pouch; and

a flavorant incorporated into material forming the pouch.