U.S. patent application number 10/915129 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for chewing tobacco substitute containing nicotine.
Invention is credited to Whalen, William F..
Application Number | 20050034738 10/915129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34215874 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050034738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whalen, William F. |
February 17, 2005 |
Chewing tobacco substitute containing nicotine
Abstract
The invention is a chewing tobacco substitute made from natural
leaves and additives which simulate the taste and consistency of
chewing tobacco to which a nicotine compound is added. The
invention allows those addicted to chewing tobacco to chew and
receive nicotine without incurring the other harmful side effects
of tobacco. In one embodiment of the invention the product is
provided with varying levels of nicotine.
Inventors: |
Whalen, William F.; (King of
Prussia, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STUART RUDOLER LLC
ATTN: DOCKET CLERK
2 BALA PLAZA, SUTIE 300
BALA CYNWYD
PA
19004
US
|
Family ID: |
34215874 |
Appl. No.: |
10/915129 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60494420 |
Aug 11, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/352 ;
131/359 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/352 ;
131/359 |
International
Class: |
A24B 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chewing tobacco substitute comprised of: a non-tobacco
leaf-like material; an alkaline chemical; and a nicotine compound
capable of being absorbed orally.
2. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the nicotine
compound is nicotine polacrilex.
3. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the
non-tobacco leaf-like material is an herbal leaf.
4. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the
non-tobacco leaf-like material is an herbal leaf.
5. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the alkaline
chemical is calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium
carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, sodium citrate
or citric acid.
6. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the ph level
of the substitute is approximately between 5.0 and 7.0.
7. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the substitute
is approximately between 0.3% and 3.5% nicotine compound by
weight.
8. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 wherein the substitute
is approximately between 0.7% and 3.5% alkaline chemical by
weight.
9. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 1 further comprised of a
moisturizer.
10. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 9 wherein the
moisturizer is glycerin.
11. The chewing tobacco substitute of claim 9 wherein the
substitute is approximately between 1.4% and 7% moisturizer by
weight.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/494,420 filed on Aug. 11, 2003,
which is incorporated herein by reference
BACKGROUND
[0002] For many years, it has been demonstrated that tobacco use is
harmful, whether from cigarette or cigar smoking or tobacco
chewing. Cured tobacco is known to contain a number of
nitrosamines, including the harmful carcinogens
N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and
4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Cigarette
smoke is known to cause lung and other cancers as well as have
other deleterious effects on the body, e.g., skin, teeth, etc. In
addition, chewing tobacco is known to cause lip, mouth, and throat
cancers, among others. Despite this knowledge, individuals continue
to use tobacco products and many become addicted to these products.
Accordingly, there have been many attempts at products and methods
to assist cigarette smokers and other tobacco users to quit tobacco
use.
[0003] Certain substitute products incorporate some amount of
tobacco along with other ingredients, essentially cutting the
amount of harmful tobacco in each dose. Other chewing tobacco
substitutes are in the form of leafy materials that emulate the
feel of tobacco; however, these products do not contain nicotine or
any similar chemical. As a result, these substitutes do not have
any mechanism for breaking the chemical addiction.
[0004] In contrast, current nicotine-containing replacement
products are generally aimed at cigarette users. These products are
only in gum, lozenge, or tablet form and deliver nicotine through
oral ingestion. The gum is a mixture of nicotine polacrilex, gum,
flavorants, and aspartame. The lozenge is configured with similar
ingredients to those of the gum, but in lozenge form. The tablets
are compressed tobacco, with other natural ingredients. The tablets
are to be chewed and swallowed, thereby giving the user the desired
nicotine.
[0005] There is a need for a tobacco-free chewing tobacco
substitute that is used and feels like chewing tobacco products and
contains some amount of nicotine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is a chewing tobacco substitute made from
natural leaves and additives which simulate the taste and
consistency of chewing tobacco to which nicotine polacrilex. The
invention allows those addicted to chewing tobacco to chew and
receive nicotine without incurring the other harmful side effects
of tobacco. In one embodiment of the invention the product is
provided with varying levels of nicotine
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The tobacco-free blends of the present invention combine a
leaf-like ingredient, such as tea, peppermint, cabbage, and other
plant leaves, with a moisturizer, an alkaline chemical to adjust
the ph balance of the blend, and a type of nicotine that can be
absorbed through the mouth. Additional additives may also be used,
such as natural and artificial flavorants to create flavors and
smells that emulate moist tobacco products. The blend may have the
same taste as chewing tobacco, or may have some other pleasing
taste such as peppermint or orange.
[0008] The leaf-like material is used to provide a product that has
the same look and feel as tobacco. This is an important aspect of
the invention since addiction to chewing tobacco is both a
physiological addiction to nicotine, as well as a psychological
addiction to the act of chewing the chewing tobacco. The invention
satisfies this psychological addiction by providing a product that
looks and feels and can be chewed and expectorated in the same way
as chewing tobacco. In one preferred embodiment, the flavor and
smell of tobacco are also simulated thereby further meeting the
psychological needs of the user. While the inventor has found one
effective leaf (or combination of leaves) to be tea leaves with
mint leaves (such as spearmint or peppermint), all of the following
natural materials could potentially be used:
1 bak choy petunia leaves cabbage leave pansy leaves chrysanthemum
leaves salvia leaves collard leaves spearmint leaves maple leaves
spinach leaves mint leaves sugar cane nasturtium leaves tannecetum
leaves Oriental greens viola leaves
[0009] Any other type of material, whether natural or man-made
could be that provides a feel similar to tobacco. While herbal
leaves are readily used with the invention other parts of plants
such as roots, stems and cane may also be used, when properly
shredded and processed, in place of or in combination with such
leaves. These leaf-like materials may be used separately or in
combinations.
[0010] Some type of alkaline chemical is also added to the mixture
so that the mixture has a ph level between 5.0 and 7.0, and
preferably between 6.0 and 6.5. Nicotine is best absorbed in the
mouth at ph level between 6.0 and 6.5. The leaf-like ingredients
above typically are acidic and have a ph level below 6.0 and some
cases below 5.0. Therefore, the alkaline (i.e. base) chemical is
added to enhance the absorption of nicotine through the mouth.
Preferable, the alkaline chemical should be non-toxic. Calcium
carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, ammonium
bicarbonate, potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid are
satisfactory alkaline chemicals. Other alkaline chemicals that are
safe for human ingestion may also be used.
[0011] Importantly, a nicotine compound capable of being absorbed
through the mouth is also added to the mixture. Nicotine is best
absorbed in the mouth through in the area between the gum and
cheek. Nicotine polacrilex is used as a nicotine additive in the
current invention. Any other type of nicotine additive capable of
being absorbed through the mouth, whether now known or hereinafter
invented, may also be used and is considered to be within the scope
of the invention. This blending of nicotine allows users to
continue enjoying the gratifying effects of nicotine, while
avoiding the dangerous aspects of tobacco-based products, such as
the known carcinogens. The present invention can incorporate any
nicotine derivative, analog, or variant that is safe for oral
contact and has a similar mechanism of action to naturally
occurring nicotine found in tobacco products.
[0012] The present invention may be distributed as a line of
nicotine-reduced products, including, a line of products beginning
with levels similar to that of chewing tobacco and stepping the
user down through versions with gradually reduced nicotine content.
The controlled amounts of nicotine also enable tobacco users to
wean themselves off of tobacco and nicotine products altogether. In
other words, the blends of the present invention can be used as a
tobacco-free alternative to moist tobacco or as a mechanism for
gradually ceasing use of tobacco and nicotine products, i.e.,
stepping down the levels of nicotine.
[0013] Preferably, a moisturizer is added to the leaf-like
ingredient to give it the same degree of moisturizer as chewing
tobacco. A moisturizer is desirable since some of the leaf-like
materials above are not intrinsically as moist as tobacco leaves,
and further because the process of curing, drying, cutting and
processing the leaves, as with tobacco, removes most of the
moisture. As in the production of regular chewing tobacco, a
moisturizer is added to the processed leave to give the product a
moist and pleasing look and feel. Glycerin has been found to be
useful as a moisturizer, although the invention is not intended to
be limited to any particular type of moisturizer. Indeed any
non-toxic moisturizer can be used.
[0014] Other common additives may be used in the mixture as well to
enhance its flavor or smell or to act as a preservative. In one
embodiment potassium sorbate is used as a preservative. Such
additives are well known in the food and drug industry and will not
be further described herein but are meant to be within the scope of
the invention.
[0015] The compositions of the present invention are intended for
the snuff and loose leaf tobacco user. The compositions are created
to look, feel, and taste like tobacco-based products. The
compositions are designed to be a moist loose leafed or finely cut
leaf product that are placed between the gum and cheek allowing
nicotine to be absorbed by the gum and cheek membranes. The
moisture from the moist blend is typically expectorated.
Preferably, there is no tobacco whatsoever contained in these
compositions. However, in some embodiments, a small amount of
tobacco may be included in order to enhance the tobacco flavor and
feel of the product. In some embodiments of the invention the
mixture may be contained in a pores pouch. As used herein "chewing
tobacco substitute" is also meant to include snuff substitute and
such pouches.
[0016] Unlike the nicotine replacement products currently
available, the compositions of the present invention are
substantially in the form of the tobacco products that they are
replacing, i.e., loose, leafy form. This should ease the transition
to these compositions as the activity of the user (i.e., "dipping"
and expectorating) is nearly identical. In addition, nicotine is
administered through the cheek and gum and not necessarily from
ingestion or inhalation. This allows nicotine uptake without
contact with the digestive system; this can prevent irritation or
other possible harmful effects to the stomach or other organs. In
addition, the compositions of the present invention can allow those
with conditions affecting the digestive system who would not
normally be able to ingest nicotine to use a nicotine-containing
substitute.
[0017] In one embodiment the following amounts of chemicals are
added per 34 grams of leaf (or other tobacco substitute)
product:
[0018] (1) 0.1 to 1 g of nicotine polacrilex, or other forms of
ingestible nicotine;
[0019] (2) 0.1 to 1 g of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate,
calcium carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate; and
[0020] (3) 0.5 to 2 grams of glycerine.
[0021] In one example for preparing the compositions, the
herbaceous material first goes through a curing process, in which
it is heated and dried. It is then hydrated in an aqueous solution
containing water, natural and artificial flavorings, and potassium
sorbate. After the hydration process, glycerin, sodium bicarbonate,
sodium carbonate and/or ammonium carbonate, and nicotine polacrilex
or other forms of ingestible nicotine are mixed with the product.
The sodium bicarbonate/carbonate is added to create the proper pH
levels for free nicotine release.
[0022] While illustrated and described above with reference to
certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless
not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, the
present invention is directed to a leafy tobacco substitute
containing nicotine, and a method of making the substitute, and
various modifications may be made in the details within the scope
and range of equivalents of the description and without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
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