U.S. patent application number 11/344033 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for nicotiana diversity.
Invention is credited to Robert H. JR. Lawrence.
Application Number | 20060185686 11/344033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38327920 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawrence; Robert H. JR. |
August 24, 2006 |
Nicotiana diversity
Abstract
The invention features a tobacco composition that includes one
or more of the following tobaccos: Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana
acuminata, Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana africana,
Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii,
Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana,
Nicotiana bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola,
Nicotiana clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa,
Nicotiana debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana,
Nicotiana fragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa,
Nicotiana goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid,
Nicotiana ingulba, Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana,
Nicotiana langsdorffii, Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana longiflora,
Nicotiana maritima, Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii,
Nicotiana noctiflora, Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia,
Nicotiana occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis,
Nicotiana otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora,
Nicotiana petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana
quadrivalvis, Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana
rosulata, Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana
rotundifolia, Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana
solanifolia, Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana
suaveolens, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana
tomentosa, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla,
Nicotiana umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina,
Nicotiana wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae.
Inventors: |
Lawrence; Robert H. JR.;
(Riverside, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK & ELBING LLP
101 FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Family ID: |
38327920 |
Appl. No.: |
11/344033 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10981948 |
Nov 5, 2004 |
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11344033 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
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60603887 |
Aug 23, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/352 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/00 20060101
A24B015/00 |
Claims
1. A blended tobacco composition comprising two of the following
tobaccos: Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana acuminata, Nicotiana
acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana africana, Nicotiana alata,
Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii, Nicotiana attenuata,
Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana bigelovii,
Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola, Nicotiana clevelandii,
Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa, Nicotiana debneyi,
Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana, Nicotiana fragrans,
Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana goodspeedii,
Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba, Nicotiana
kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii, Nicotiana
linearis, Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana maritima, Nicotiana
megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora, Nicotiana
nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia, Nicotiana occidentalis,
Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis, Nicotiana otophora,
Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora, Nicotiana petunioides,
Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana quadrivalvis, Nicotiana
raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rosulata, Nicotiana
rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana rotundifolia, Nicotiana
setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana solanifolia, Nicotiana
spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana suaveolens, Nicotiana
sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa, Nicotiana
tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla, Nicotiana umbratica,
Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina, Nicotiana wigandioides, and
Nicotiana x sanderae.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises
three of said tobaccos.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises
four of said tobaccos.
4. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises
five of said tobaccos.
5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises
six of said tobaccos.
6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises
seven or more of said tobaccos.
7. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition further
comprises Nicotiana rustica.
8. The composition of claim 7, wherein said composition further
comprises Nicotiana tabacum.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition further
comprises Nicotiana tabacum.
10. The composition of claim 9, wherein said composition further
comprises Nicotiana rustica.
11. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is for
oral consumption.
12. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a
smokeless tobacco composition.
13. The composition of claim 12, wherein said composition is a
chewing tobacco, a snuff, a film, a vapor inhaler, or a gel.
14. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a
smoking tobacco.
15. The composition of claim 14, wherein said smoking tobacco is a
cigarette tobacco, a cigar tobacco, or a pipe tobacco.
16. The composition of claim 15, further comprising at least one of
Virginia, Burley, Maryland, and Oriental tobaccos.
17. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a flavor, a
flavor masking agent, a sweetener, chlorophyll, a mineral, a
botanical, or a breath freshening agent.
18. A method of providing tobacco satisfaction, said method
comprising introducing into the mouth the composition of claim 1 or
a vapor product thereof.
19. A smoking tobacco composition comprising at least one of the
following tobaccos: Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana acuminata,
Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana africana, Nicotiana
alata, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii, Nicotiana
attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana
bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola, Nicotiana
clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa, Nicotiana
debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana,
Nicotianafragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana
goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba,
Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii,
Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana maritima,
Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora,
Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia, Nicotiana
occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis, Nicotiana
otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora, Nicotiana
petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana quadrivalvis,
Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rosulata,
Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana rotundifolia,
Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana solanifolia,
Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana suaveolens,
Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa,
Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla, Nicotiana
umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina, Nicotiana
wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae.
20. A method for making a tobacco product, said method comprising
the steps of: (a) providing at least one of the following tobaccos:
Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana acuminata, Nicotiana acuminata var.
multiflora, Nicotiana africana, Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana
amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii, Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana
benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana bigelovii, Nicotiana
bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola, Nicotiana clevelandii, Nicotiana
cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa, Nicotiana debneyi, Nicotiana
excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana, Nicotiana fragrans, Nicotiana
glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana goodspeedii, Nicotiana
gossei, Nicotiana hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba, Nicotiana kawakamii,
Nicotiana knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii, Nicotiana linearis,
Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana maritima, Nicotiana megalosiphon,
Nicotiana miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora, Nicotiana nudicaulis,
Nicotiana obtusifolia, Nicotiana occidentalis, Nicotiana
occidentalis subsp. hesperis, Nicotiana otophora, Nicotiana
paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora, Nicotiana petunioides, Nicotiana
plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana quadrivalvis, Nicotiana raimondii,
Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rosulata, Nicotiana rosulata subsp.
ingulba, Nicotiana rotundifolia, Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana
simulans, Nicotiana solanifolia, Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana
stocktonii, Nicotiana suaveolens, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana
thyrsiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa, Nicotiana tomentosiformis,
Nicotiana trigonophylla, Nicotiana umbratica, Nicotiana undulata,
Nicotiana velutina, Nicotiana wigandioides, and Nicotiana x
sanderae; and (b) forming the at least one tobacco into a tobacco
product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/981,948, filed Nov. 5, 2004, which claims
benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no. 60/603,887,
filed Aug. 23, 2004, each of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of compositions
that include tobacco.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention features tobacco products that include one or
more members of the genus Nicotiana. Such products may contain raw
or processed tobacco, or alternatively may contain tobacco-derived
components, e.g., organoleptic compounds. Tobacco-derived
components may be supplied by tobacco particles, a tobacco extract,
or a combination thereof.
[0004] In one aspect, the invention features a tobacco composition,
e.g. a smokeless tobacco product such as a chewing tobacco, a
snuff, a film, a tobacco coated toothpick, a tab, a bead, a straw,
a stick, a gel, a smoking tobacco product such as a cigarette, a
cigar, a cigarillo, or a pipe tobacco, or a nicotine inhaler having
tobacco in it, including tobacco from one of the following members
of the Nicotiana genus: Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana acuminata,
Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana africana, Nicotiana
alata, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii, Nicotiana
attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana
bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola, Nicotiana
clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa, Nicotiana
debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana, Nicotiana
fragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana
goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba,
Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii,
Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana maritima,
Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora,
Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia, Nicotiana
occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis, Nicotiana
otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora, Nicotiana
petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana quadrivalvis,
Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rosulata,
Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana rotundifolia,
Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana solanifolia,
Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana suaveolens,
Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa,
Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla, Nicotiana
umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina, Nicotiana
wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae.
[0005] A composition as described may further include one, two,
three, four, five, six, or more auxiliary tobaccos, which are
different than the tobacco already present in the smokeless tobacco
composition. Auxiliary tobaccos include: Nicotiana acaulis,
Nicotiana acuminata, Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana
africana, Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana
arentsii, Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana
benthamiana, Nicotiana bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana
cavicola, Nicotiana clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana
corymbosa, Nicotiana debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana
forgetiana, Nicotiana fragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana
glutinosa, Nicotiana goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana
hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba, Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana
knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii, Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana
longiflora, Nicotiana maritima, Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana
miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora, Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana
obtusifolia, Nicotiana occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp.
hesperis, Nicotiana otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana
pauciflora, Nicotiana petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia,
Nicotiana quadrivalvis, Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda,
Nicotiana rosulata, Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana
rotundifolia, Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana
solanifolia, Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana
suaveolens, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana
tomentosa, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla,
Nicotiana umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina,
Nicotiana wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae.
[0006] Any composition described herein may further include tobacco
from Nicotiana rustica or Nicotiana tabacum (for example, LA B21,
LN KY171, TI 1406, Basma, Galpao, Perique, Beinhart 1000-1, and
Petico), or both. Compositions may be orally consumed.
Alternatively, a vapor product of the composition, e.g., a product
of the combustion or heating of the composition or a product that
releases a vapor without combustion or heating, may be taken into
the mouth or lungs. The compositions may further include a flavor,
a flavor masking agent, a sweetener, chlorophyll, a mineral, a
botanical, or a breath freshening agent.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention features a method of
providing tobacco satisfaction, by introducing into the mouth any
of the compositions, or combinations of compositions, described
herein. Alternatively, tobacco satisfaction may be provided by a
vapor product of any of the compositions, or combinations of
compositions, described herein.
[0008] By "tobacco" is meant any part of any member of the genus
Nicotiana, e.g., leaves, flowers, roots, and stems. The tobacco may
be whole, shredded, cut, cured, aged, fermented, or otherwise
processed. Tobacco may also be in the form of finished products,
including but not limited to smokeless tobacco, e.g. snuff (moist
or dry), chewing tobacco, sticks, straws, gels, beads, or tabs,
smoking tobacco products, e.g., cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or
pipe tobacco, and vapor releasing products that do not produce
smoke or utilize combustion. The term also includes an extract of
tobacco including two or more tobacco organoleptic components.
[0009] By "tobacco satisfaction," in this case, is meant the
experience associated with tobacco organoleptic components and
added flavor components that are released when using a tobacco
product. An adult consumer who chooses to use a tobacco product
purchases a tobacco product typically according to their individual
preference, such a preference includes, without limitation, flavor,
cut of tobacco, form, ease of use, and packaging.
[0010] By "organoleptic" is meant relating or contributing to the
integrated sensory perception by the consumer that includes, for
example, any combination of aroma, fragrance, flavor, taste, odor,
mouth feel, or the like.
[0011] By "vapor product" is meant any gas-phase, particulate
phase, or aerosol produced when using a tobacco composition. A
vapor product may be produced by combustion or heating of the
tobacco composition. Alternatively, the vapor product may include
tobacco components that are volatile under ambient conditions.
[0012] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
following description and the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention features tobacco products including one or
more members of the genus Nicotiana that may be utilized to obtain
tobacco satisfaction.
Tobacco
[0014] Tobacco materials are typically provided in various forms
such as a dust or powder, cut filler, shreds, strips, sheets,
stems, extracts, or leaves or any combination of such forms.
Tobacco material may be expanded to increase its size using
standard methods known in the art, e.g., puffing. Such methods are
especially useful in expanding stem material. The tobacco material
can also be ground to form finely divided particles. The tobacco
material may, if desired, therefore be subjected to various
treatments to reduce its size, such as grinding or milling, for
producing tobacco material in a finely ground or powder form. The
tobacco employed in the composition may also be prepared according
to the methods of U.S. Publication No. 2004/0112394, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preferably, the
tobacco material is in finely particulate form; however, grinding
before processing is not required. Examples of suitable tobaccos
useful for producing a tobacco composition include any raw or
processed (or mature or immature) tobacco from the following
members of the Nicotiana genus: Nicotiana acaulis, Nicotiana
acuminata, Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora, Nicotiana africana,
Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana arentsii,
Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana,
Nicotiana bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola,
Nicotiana clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa,
Nicotiana debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana,
Nicotiana fragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa,
Nicotiana goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid,
Nicotiana ingulba, Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana,
Nicotiana langsdorffii, Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana longiflora,
Nicotiana maritima, Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii,
Nicotiana noctiflora, Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia,
Nicotiana occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis,
Nicotiana otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora,
Nicotiana petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana
quadrivalvis, Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana
rosulata, Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana
rotundifolia, Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana
solanifolia, Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stocktonii, Nicotiana
suaveolens, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana
tomentosa, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla,
Nicotiana umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina,
Nicotiana wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae. Any one of these
members may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in
combination with Nicotiana tabacum (for example, LA B21, LN KY171,
TI 1406, Basma, Galpao, Perique, Beinhart 1000-1, and Petico) or
Nicotiana rustica. These species of tobacco are typically processed
according to standard methods, e.g., processed separately, or as
blends thereof.
Compositions
[0015] Tobacco derived from members of the Nicotiana genus may be
included in any composition. Compositions may include, without
limitation, a smokeless tobacco product, such as snuff (moist or
dry) or a smokeless tobacco product made from an extract of cured
or uncured tobacco, chewing tobacco, films, lozenges, tabs, vapor
inhalers, or gels. Exemplary compositions are described in U.S.
Publication Nos. 2005/0244521, 2003/0094182, and 2003/0070687, U.S.
Ser. Nos. 60/518,352, 60/603,888, and 60/684,636, co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. __/______, filed Jan. 31, 2006, entitled
"Tobacco Compositions," having attorney docket no. 07678/120005,
and International Publication Nos. WO2005/041699 and 2005/046363,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0016] Compositions may also include a smoking tobacco product,
such as a cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe tobacco. Cigars may
include reconstituted tobacco wrapper wrapped around the outside of
machine-made cigars. Such wrapper material is manufactured
utilizing tobacco leaf by-products. Reconstituted tobacco binder,
e.g., manufactured from tobacco leaf by-products, typically holds
tobacco in a cylindrical shape during the production of
machine-made cigars. Any of these portions of a cigar may include
one or more of the tobaccos described herein. A conventional
cigarette typically includes four types of tobacco, Virginia
(Bright), Burley, Maryland, and Oriental. Cigarettes of the
invention may include one or more of the tobaccos described herein,
e.g., in combination with one, two, three, or all four of the types
of tobacco in conventional cigarettes. Furthermore, cigarettes may
include a smoke-altering filter segment, e.g., that may reduce one
or more undesirable components in the vapor product, and/or may
provide an enhanced tobacco smoke flavor, a richer smoking
character, enhanced-mouthfeel and increased tobacco satisfaction,
as well as improvement of the perceived draw characteristics of the
cigarette.
[0017] In an important aspect, the tobacco used in the composition
may be any tobacco described above. Suitable tobaccos include
fermented and unfermented tobaccos, cured (such as air-, fire-,
sun-, or flue-cured), light or dark fired, as well as the products
from whole leaf stemming operation. Cured or uncured tobacco may be
subjected to any suitable processing step, including, but not
limited to, microwave or other radiation treatment, treatment with
ultraviolet light, or extraction with an aqueous or nonaqueous
solvent. The tobacco may also be aged or otherwise processed.
Alternatives and variations include the use of tobacco leaf or
lamina, flowers, stalk, roots, and stem. In addition, scrap size
tobacco lamina may be commingled with homogenized product for the
purpose of modifying the texture and flavor. Tobacco may be in the
form of shredded or whole tobacco leaf or comminuted tobacco with a
binder or other forms.
[0018] Any tobacco described herein may be mixed with other
additives known in the tobacco art. Compositions of the invention
may therefore include flavor extracts (e.g., licorice, kudzu,
hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek,
clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb,
wintergreen, apple, peach, cherry, berry, Dramboui, bourbon,
scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, apium
graveolens, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium,
honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia,
caraway, cognac, jasmin, ilangilang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger,
anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the
genus Mentha), flavor masking agents, bitterness receptor site
blockers, sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium
(Ace-K), aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose,
glucose, fructose, sorbitol, alitame, glycyrrhizin,
dihydrochalcones, thaumatin, monellin, tagatose, mannitol,
dextrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, fructose, levulose,
galactose, corn syrup solids, sugar alcohols such as mannitol,
xylitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, maltitol, and the like
or mixtures thereof), and other desirable additives such as
chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents.
Furthermore, flavorants such as menthol may be incorporated into
cigarettes using standard techniques, and flavor additives such as
organic acids or those listed below may be incorporated into a
cigarette as additives to cut filler.
[0019] Flavors may also be provided by plant matter, e.g., mint
leaves, which are typically 10% flavor oils and 90% insoluble
fiber. Exemplary plants further include licorice, kudzu, hydrangea,
Japanese white bark magnolia, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, Japanese
mint, cinnamon, herb, apple, peach, cherry, berry, lavender,
cardamon, apium graveolens, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood,
bergamot, geranium, rose, vanilla, lemon, orange, cassia, caraway,
jasmin, ilangilang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander,
coffee (e.g., Arabica, Brazilian Santos, Columbian Supremo, Costa
Rican, Ethiopian Harrar, Hawaiian Kona, Kenya AA, Jamaica, Sumatra,
Tanzanian Peaberry, Zimbabwe, or hazelnut, vanilla, amaretto,
fruit, almond, Irish cream, cinnamon, or butterscotch flavored), or
any species of the genus Mentha. Suitable plant matter further
includes beans (e.g., coffee beans, vanilla beans, or cocoa nibs),
nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, and
pistachios), or sticks (e.g., cinnamon), in whole or ground form.
The plant matter may be separated from the tobacco after
transference of flavor, or it may remain in combination with the
tobacco, as described in WO 2005/041699. Combinations of plant
matter may also be employed.
[0020] Flavor may be provided to a composition as described herein
by flavor extracts, plant matter, or a combination thereof. In
addition to natural flavor extracts, flavor may also be provided by
imitation, synthetic, or artificial flavor ingredients and blends
containing such ingredients. Flavors may be added as a powder, an
oil, or in encapsulated form. In addition, flavors may be added by
infused vapor transfer.
[0021] Additional components, as are known in the art, may also be
added to a smoking tobacco, or may be contained within the filter,
the tobacco rod, or other components of the smoking product.
Nonlimiting examples of such components include tobacco extracts,
lubricants, humectants, ash improvers, combustion modifiers,
fillers, and the like.
[0022] Tobacco compositions may, if desired, be used to provide
flavor or aroma or both to virtually any tobacco composition
including, but not limited to, snuff (moist or dry), chewing
tobacco, loose tobacco, pouched tobacco, vapor inhalers, cigarette
tobacco, cigar tobacco, pipe tobacco, and the like, or any form
contained herein.
[0023] To produce a tobacco composition, any of the
above-referenced tobaccos is first grown and harvested. The tobacco
plant or a component thereof is, if desired, aged, fermented, or
cured according to methods known in the art. Plant material may be
processed according to standard methods known in the art for the
production of a tobacco composition, e.g., stripped, bailed,
redried, cut, conditioned, extruded, or blended.
[0024] Any of the aforementioned tobaccos may be used to produce a
composition. A composition may also include a blend of any of the
aforementioned tobaccos described herein. In particular, such
tobacco plant material (e.g., Nicotiana acauli and Nicotiana
acuminata, Nicotiana acuminata var. multiflora and Nicotiana
africana, Nicotiana alata and Nicotiana amplexicaulis, Nicotiana
arentsii and Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii and
Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana bonariensis and Nicotiana cavicola
and Nicotiana clevelandii, and Nicotiana cordifolia and Nicotiana
corymbosa) is blended to a desired composition that does not have
certain negative flavor characteristics sometimes associated with
tobacco. Such "negative flavor characteristics" refers to
bitterness, astringency, acridness, harsh tobacco flavor,
aftertaste, and negative sensations experienced by consumption.
Definitions of flavor characteristics are provided, for example, in
The Dictionary of Flavors, DeRovira, Food & Nutrition Press,
Inc., 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0025] In one aspect, a blend of any of the tobaccos referred to
herein may include the following ranges of a first tobacco and an
auxiliary tobacco. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Weight % First Tobacco
Weight % Second Tobacco 95.0 5.0 90.0 10.0 85.0 15.0 80.0 20.0 75.0
25.0 70.0 30.0 65.0 35.0 60.0 40.0 55.0 45.0 50.0 50.0 45.0 55.0
40.0 60.0 35.0 65.0 30.0 70.0 25.0 75.0 20.0 80.0 15.0 85.0 10.0
90.0 5.0 95.0
[0026] After choosing an appropriate first tobacco and an
appropriate auxiliary tobacco (for example, a second, third,
fourth, fifth, or sixth tobacco), such tobaccos may be chopped or
ground to appropriate sizes depending on the type of product being
made or extracted. The material may also be further separated based
on size by passing it over a screen. Chopping or grinding of the
tobaccos may be accomplished using any methods known in the art for
that purpose.
[0027] The tobaccos that have been appropriately processed are then
blended together using methods and equipment known in the art.
Other known additives may be blended with the tobaccos either
before or after the tobaccos are blended together. The tobaccos may
be further processed separately before they are mixed together or
further processed together after mixing.
[0028] The present invention is more fully illustrated by the
following examples, which are set forth to illustrate the present
invention and are not to be construed as limiting.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0029] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana acaulis, is ground
in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco material is
collected. An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco to determine
its moisture content. This value is then used to calculate needed
RO water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent moisture.
Example 2
[0030] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana acuminata, is ground
in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco material is
collected. An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco to determine
its moisture content. This value is then used to calculate needed
RO water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent moisture.
Example 3
[0031] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana acuminata var.
multiflora, is ground in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco
material is collected. An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco
to determine its moisture content. This value is then used to
calculate needed RO water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent
moisture.
Example 4
[0032] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana africana, is ground
in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco material is
collected. An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco to determine
its moisture content. This value is then used to calculate needed
RO water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent moisture.
Example 5
[0033] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana alata, is ground in
a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco material is collected.
An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco to determine its
moisture content. This value is then used to calculate needed RO
water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent moisture.
Example 6
[0034] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana amplexicaulis, is
ground in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. Tobacco material is
collected. An oven volatile is next run on the tobacco to determine
its moisture content. This value is then used to calculate needed
RO water amount to bring the tobacco to 30 percent moisture.
Example 7
[0035] Other tobaccos such as Nicotiana arentsii, Nicotiana
attenuata, Nicotiana benavidesii, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana
bigelovii, Nicotiana bonariensis, Nicotiana cavicola, Nicotiana
clevelandii, Nicotiana cordifolia, Nicotiana corymbosa, Nicotiana
debneyi, Nicotiana excelsior, Nicotiana forgetiana, Nicotiana
fragrans, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana
goodspeedii, Nicotiana gossei, Nicotiana hybrid, Nicotiana ingulba,
Nicotiana kawakamii, Nicotiana knightiana, Nicotiana langsdorffii,
Nicotiana linearis, Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana maritima,
Nicotiana megalosiphon, Nicotiana miersii, Nicotiana noctiflora,
Nicotiana nudicaulis, Nicotiana obtusifolia, Nicotiana
occidentalis, Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis, Nicotiana
otophora, Nicotiana paniculata, Nicotiana pauciflora, Nicotiana
petunioides, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Nicotiana quadrivalvis,
Nicotiana raimondii, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rosulata,
Nicotiana rosulata subsp. ingulba, Nicotiana rotundifolia,
Nicotiana setchellii, Nicotiana simulans, Nicotiana solanifolia,
Nicotiana spegazzinii, Nicotiana stockton ii, Nicotiana suaveolens,
Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana thyrsiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa,
Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana trigonophylla, Nicotiana
umbratica, Nicotiana undulata, Nicotiana velutina, Nicotiana
wigandioides, and Nicotiana x sanderae are air-cured and then
processed according to according to any of the aforementioned
Examples 1-5.
Example 8
[0036] Aged, air cured leaf tobacco, Nicotiana acaulis, is ground
in a Whiley Mill using a 4 mm screen. The same exact setting is
used to grind a second air cured tobacco, Nicotiana acuminata. An
oven volatile is then run on each tobacco to determine its moisture
content. Results from these studies are then used to calculate the
needed RO water amount to bring the blend to 30 percent moisture. A
range of blends is made over the course of several weeks and
submitted to a taste panel. The ranges include 5, 10, 15, 20, 40,
60, and 80 percent Nicotiana acuminata relative to Nicotiana
acaulis. Each panelist receives a paired set of blended samples of
the respective percentage as it was blended and is asked to
evaluate within 2 days to eliminate any possibility of product age
differences.
[0037] During a blind study, taste panels are asked to rate flavor
characteristics such as tobacco satisfaction, bitterness,
astringency, acridness, and tobacco aftertaste, and indicate their
sample preference. A rating of 1 is considered poor as a rating of
10 is considered good.
Other Embodiments
[0038] The description of the specific embodiments of the invention
is presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended
to be exhaustive nor to limit the scope of the invention to the
specific forms described herein. Although the invention has been
described with reference to several embodiments, it will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention, as set forth in the claims. All patents,
patent applications, and publications referenced herein are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0039] Other embodiments are within the claims.
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