Dry pre-mix for moist snuff

• US 4,660,577 A
• Filed: 06/03/1985
• Issued: 04/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pinkerton Tobacco Co., LP
• Original Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Inventors: Marsh, Arvol C., Mangan, William P., Sensabaugh, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLIN, VINCENT A
• Application Number:
  US06/741,028
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 131/742, 131/290, 131/324, 131/300, 131/302, 131/303, 131/308, 131/309, 131/310, 131/352
• 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 15/28 by chemical substances

Abstract

A dry pre-mix is provided whereby a moist snuff can be prepared by addition of water. The pre-mix consists of a mixture of snuff-type tobaccos, cut to a predetermined size and having a moisture level between 6% and 16%.

Claims

1. A dry pre-mix for making moist snuff by later addition of water, comprising an aged tobacco blend containing at least 50% snuff-type tobaccos and snuff flavor precursors, having a moisture content between about 6 and 16%, and comminuted into particles, substantially all of said particles having a width between about 1/40 and 1/120 inch (0.6 and 0.2 mm) wide.

2. The dry pre-mix of claim 1, wherein said moisture content is between about 10 and 14%.

3. The dry pre-mix of claims 1 or 2, wherein said comminuted particles have a width of about 1/90 inch (0.28 mm).

4. A process for producing a dry pre-mix for making moist snuff by later addition of water comprising the steps of

providing select tobaccos including snuff-type tobaccos for blending;

blending said tobaccos to produce a blended tobacco containing at least 50% snuff-type tobaccos;

cutting the blended tobacco into comminuted particles having a width between about 1/40 and 1/120 inch;

casing the cut blend with flavorants and water;

thereafter elevating the temperature of the cut blend to about 200°

F. (93°

C.) and maintaining said elevated temperature for a time sufficient to force age the blend while producing snuff flavor precursors and imparting a final moisture content between about 6 and 16%;

adjusting the pH of the force-aged blend and adding flavorant to form a pre-mix; and

packing the pre-mix.

5. The process of claims 4, wherein said forced-aging step results in said final moisture content of said blend being between 10-14%.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein said sufficient time for said forced-aging step is about 24 to 48 hours.

7. The process of claims 4, 5, or 6, wherein said cutting step cuts said blend into comminuted particles having a width of about 1/90 inch (0.28mm).

8. A dry pre-mix for making moist snuff, said pre-mix comprising

a comminuted tobacco blend of aged tobacco cut to a degree of fineness within a range of from 40 to 120 cuts per inch and containing casing material and snuff flavor precursors, a major portion of said blend including snuff-type tobacco characterized chemically by a high level of nitrogenous constituents;

and

moisture in an amount of between 6% to 16%.

9. A dry pre-mix as set forth in claim 8 wherein said moisture is in an amount between 10% and 14%.

10. A dry pre-mix as set forth in claim 8 characterized in being able to absorb moisture up to an amount of from 48% to 55% to form a moist snuff.