U.S. patent application number 12/748272 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for gel-coated novel portion snus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Shengsheng Liu, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Szu-Sung Yang.
Application Number | 20110232662 12/748272 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44654935 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110232662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Shengsheng ; et
al. |
September 29, 2011 |
GEL-COATED NOVEL PORTION SNUS
Abstract
A pre-portioned snus product comprising a portion of snus
tobacco and a coating is disclosed.
Inventors: |
Liu; Shengsheng; (Richmond,
VA) ; Sweeney; William R.; (Richmond, VA) ;
Yang; Szu-Sung; (Midlothian, VA) ; Mishra; Munmaya
K.; (Manakin Sabot, VA) |
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
44654935 |
Appl. No.: |
12/748272 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/310 ;
131/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 13/00 20130101;
A24B 15/183 20130101; A24B 15/186 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/310 ;
131/352 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/30 20060101
A24B015/30 |
Claims
1. A pre-portioned snus product for oral enjoyment comprising: a
coating comprising a water-soluble, non-cross-linked component and
a substantially water-insoluble, cross-linked component; and a
collection of particles of snus tobacco particles at least
partially enclosed by said coating, wherein the pre-portioned snus
product is sized for placement in a user's mouth, and the
pre-portioned snus product is adapted to provide, during oral
enjoyment of the product, tobacco solutes.
2. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein said
water-soluble, non-cross-linked component is formed by a
non-cross-linked polymer and wherein said non-cross-linked polymer
is selected from the group consisting of starch and starch
derivatives, such as modified starch, dextrin, gums, such as gum
arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, curdlan gum, gellan
gum, fenugreek derivative gums, pullulan, chitosan, chitin,
cellulose and cellulose derivatives, synthetic polymers, such as
polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide, polyethylene glycol,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyvinylacetate, soluble or insoluble
vegetable fiber and combinations thereof.
3. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein said
substantially water-insoluble, cross-linked component is formed by
cross-linking a cross-linkable polymer with a cross-linking agent
and wherein said cross-linkable polymer is selected from the group
consisting of alginate, pectin, carrageenan, modified
polysaccharides with cross-linkable functional groups, and
combinations.
4. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 3, wherein said
cross-linkable polymer comprises pectin obtained from tobacco.
5. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein the snus
tobacco comprises water in about 6% to about 30% by weight, or
about 12% to about 20% by weight.
6. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein said coating
further comprises: (a) at least one sweetener, sweetness
potentiators, and/or modulator; (b) at least one chemesthesis
agent; (c) a tobacco extract, (d) at least one vitamin; (e) at
least one nutraceutical; (f) at least one mineral; (g) at least one
botanical extract; and/or (h) at least one amino acid; wherein said
at least one sweetener, sweetness potentiators, and/or modulator,
said at least one chemesthesis agent; said tobacco extract, said at
least one vitamin, said at least one nutraceutical, said at least
one mineral, at least one botanical extract, and/or said at least
one amino acid are released when said soluble component
dissolves.
7. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein the product
is adapted so as to quickly break up once the non-cross-linked
components of the coating dissolve on exposure to the user's
saliva.
8. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein the coating
is adapted so that the product remains substantially intact during
oral enjoyment thereof.
9. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein: (a) an
individual portion of said product weighs about 2.5 g to 0.2 g; (b)
the snus tobacco contains about 12% to about 20% moisture by
weight; and/or (c) the snus tobacco contains about 2.5% to about
1.5% nicotine by weight.
10. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein the coating
comprises a single layer having an inner surface in contact with
the tobacco material and an outer surface which is exposed to
saliva and tissue in the oral cavity when placed therein.
11. The pre-portioned snus product of claim 1, wherein the
water-soluble, non-cross-linkable component comprises a starch and
the substantially water-insoluble, cross-linked component comprises
pectin.
12. A method of forming a pre-portioned snus product for oral
enjoyment having a semi-dissolvable coating, the method comprising:
forming a portion of snus tobacco particles to form a pre-portioned
snus; contacting the pre-portioned snus with a multi-component
aqueous coating solution comprising a water-soluble,
non-cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linkable polymer which forms
a substantially water-insoluble polymer upon cross-linking to form
a coating on said portion of moist plant material; and
cross-linking said cross-linkable polymer to form a
semi-dissolvable, coating on the surface of the pre-portioned plant
material, wherein the pre-portioned snus product is adapted to
provide, during oral enjoyment of the product, tobacco solutes.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said chemically, cross-linkable
polymer and said non-cross-linkable polymer are
polysaccharides.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said cross-linkable polymer is
selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin,
carrageenan, modified polysaccharides with cross-linkable
functional groups, and combinations thereof.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the cross-linking comprises
exposing the coating to a cross-linking agent comprising a bivalent
metal ion salt.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said bivalent metal ion salt is
calcium lactate.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein: (a) the pre-portioned snus is
sprayed with said polymer solution; (b) the pre-portioned snus is
dipped into said polymer solution; (c) the cross-linking agent is
applied to the coating in a pattern, and/or (d) the plant material
comprises tobacco.
18. method of claim 12, wherein the cross-linking occurs in an
inward to outward direction via a crosslinker endogenous to the
snus tobacco.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] There exists a need in the art for a snus product that
provides rapid flavor delivery yet fits comfortably in a user's
mouth.
SUMMARY
[0002] Provided is a pre-portioned snus product comprising a
coating comprising a water-soluble, non-cross-linked component and
a substantially water-insoluble, cross-linked component; and a
collection of particles of snus tobacco particles at least
partially enclosed by said coating, wherein the pre-portioned snus
product is sized for placement in a user's mouth and wherein the
pre-portioned snus product is adapted to provide, during oral
enjoyment of the product, tobacco solutes
[0003] In another embodiment is provided a method of forming a
pre-portioned snus product comprising forming a portion of snus
tobacco particles to form a pre-portioned snus; contacting the
pre-portioned snus with a multi-component aqueous coating solution
comprising a water-soluble, non-cross-linkable polymer and a
cross-linkable polymer which forms a substantially water-insoluble
polymer upon cross-linking to form a coating on said portion of
moist plant material; and cross-linking said cross-linkable polymer
to form a semi-dissolvable, coating on the surface of the
pre-portioned plant material, wherein the pre-portioned snus
product is adapted to provide, during oral enjoyment of the
product, tobacco solutes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0004] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of one
embodiment of a snus product with a coating.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0005] Snus differs from other types of orally-enjoyable tobacco in
that portions of snus tobacco have a size and nicotine
concentration that permits the swallowing of the tobacco solutes
produced during oral enjoyment of the product. In contrast, other
forms of orally-enjoyable tobacco generally contain a greater
quantity of nicotine in a single portion, so as to make the
swallowing of the solutes thereof undesirable to most
consumers.
[0006] Snus has been conventionally been provided either in loose
form or in pouches. Although pouched snus is not generally
swallowed, the tobacco in the pouches has a nicotine content
similar to that of loose snus.
[0007] While many consumers enjoy loose snus products with high
moisture levels, taking the moist snus portions by finger tends to
be messy and also disperses the tobacco to some extent in the
mouth, which may be undesirable. Pouched products address these
issues by containing the moist, loose snus in a porous, sealed
pouching material similar to that in teabags. However, many snus
consumers dislike traditional pouches because they perceive pouches
to be dryer, less flavorful, lower in tobacco character, lower in
chemesthetic sensation, slower and more difficult to extract
"tobacco juice," less comfortable in the mouth, and/or more
irritating to cheek and gum. Thus the need is evident for a thin,
smooth, high moisture material which does not block fast flavor
delivery, but which can serve to contain a portion of snus tobacco
at least until it is placed in the mouth.
[0008] Pre-portioned, pouchless products of plant material, such as
tobacco, are described in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application
Publication Nos. 2008/0202533, 2009/0038631, and 2009/0301505, each
of which is incorporated by reference.
[0009] Disclosed herein is a snus product wherein a hydrated
coating surrounds a molded shape of snus tobacco. It has been found
that some coatings of snus tobacco exhibit various drawbacks with
respect to flavor release and/or ability to contain the tobacco.
For instance, it has been determined that some coating materials
are not comfortable in a user's mouth, while others provide too
rapid a flavor release or too much moisture. To help overcome
drawbacks such as these, the coating described herein has been
developed, which allows the flow of flavor juices from the snus
tobacco, as well as any added flavors, into the user's oral cavity.
The product described herein also allows for the formation of a
pre-portioned snus product that is easily placed in the mouth.
[0010] As used herein, the term "pre-portioned" refers to snus
tobacco that has been molded or divided into individual servings
prior to use, such that the pre-portioned snus tobacco can be
placed in a user's mouth without the need for the user to determine
an amount to use. It is intended to include collections of snus
particles that have been pressed or molded or otherwise formed into
one or more shapes that are convenient for a user to recognize,
manipulate, and/or comfortably insert into the oral cavity and
consume, and which contain an amount of snus similar to that
commonly used by users of smokeless tobacco products. The terms
"pre-portioned snus" as used herein refers to the snus tobacco
exclusive of the coating. The term "pre-portioned product" as used
herein refers to the coated snus product as a whole, i.e., to the
pre-portioned snus tobacco material and its coating.
[0011] In an embodiment, termed "easy in, loose out," the product
quickly breaks up into individual particles once the
non-cross-linked components of the coating dissolve on exposure to
the user's saliva. This allows for immediate release of snus
tobacco and its flavors, thereby providing an experience similar to
that of loose snus, but with the added convenience of the
pre-portioned format.
[0012] In another embodiment, termed "easy in, easy out," the
coating around the product remains substantially intact during oral
enjoyment thereof. This reduces or eliminates free-floating snus
particles in the oral cavity, thus providing an aspect similar to
that provided by traditional pouches.
[0013] As used herein, the terms "particle" or "particles" denote
any subdivided form of tobacco, and can include flakes, granules,
powders, chopped stems, leaves, or other pieces of tobacco.
[0014] As used herein, the term "substantially water-insoluble"
denotes a material that has a significantly lower solubility in
water than the non-cross-linked water-soluble polymers described
herein.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an
embodiment of a pre-portioned snus product 10 with a coating 12.
The coating 12 is a single layer coating that coats a pre-portioned
amount of snus tobacco 16. The coating 12 includes a soluble
polymer and an insoluble polymer, which may be the same or
different. Snus tobacco 16 is a collection of snus particles that
have been formed into a suitable size and/or shape. Preferably, the
snus tobacco 16 is a molded portion of snus tobacco of a size
suitable for consumption by an individual.
[0016] The portioned product 10 is preferably appealing to both
sight and touch, and is strong enough to maintain the integrity of
a portion through placement in the mouth. Preferably, the product
10 is not messy or sticky to the touch and can be easily placed
into the mouth. The product thus meets the goals of facilitating
portioning, placement, and providing enhanced flavor/moisture in
the initial moments of use.
[0017] Preferably, the pre-portioned snus product 10 is sized and
configured to fit comfortably between the user's cheek and gum
while being is flexible, compressible, and capable of conforming to
the shape of the oral cavity. The pre-portioned snus product 10 may
be formed in many shapes including, without limitation, spheres,
rectangles, oblong shapes, crescent shapes, ovals, and cuboids.
Preferably, the pre-portioned snus product comprises about 2.5
grams to 0.2 grams of snus tobacco, more preferably about 1.0 grams
to about 0.25 grams, still more preferably, and yet more preferably
about 0.5 to 0.3 grams. In a preferred embodiment, the bulk density
of the product 10 is about 1.0.+-.0.2 g/cm.sup.3
[0018] The snus tobacco preferably has a moisture content of about
6 to about 30% by weight or about 45% to 55% by weight, more
preferably at least 12% by weight, most preferably at least 20% by
weight. For example, the product may have a moisture content of
about 12% to 20% by weight. It was found that storage of snus
products with less than about 12% moisture resulted in partial
drying of the hydrated coating, so that the coating was undesirably
slow to rehydrate after being placed in the mouth of a
consumer.
[0019] Snus tobacco generally contains less nicotine than other
types of smokeless tobacco. Snus tobacco preferably contains
between about 5% and 0.5% nicotine by weight, more preferably
between about 3% and about 1%, still more preferably between about
2.5% and about 1.5%, and most preferably about 2%. These
percentages are on a dry weight basis.
[0020] The amount of snus tobacco 16 in an individual snus product
10 contains a quantity of nicotine that would be acceptable for a
consumer to swallow, even if the product itself is not intended to
be swallowed. For example, an individual portion of snus product 10
preferably contains 20 mg or less of nicotine, more preferably
about 10 to 4 mg of nicotine, most preferably about 5 to 4 mg of
nicotine.
[0021] The coating 12 can be thermally set (for example, by
including agar with or without other polysaccharides) or ionically
gelled. The coating 12 can optionally carry flavors, sweeteners,
and/or chemesthesis agents.
[0022] In an embodiment, the coating can be made in an
outward-to-inward direction by ionic cross-linking of one or more
polysaccharides to create a thin, membrane-like coating over a
portion of snus. This technique delivers a relatively firmer coat
that appears dry to the touch and sight, and has a relatively firm,
cross-linked coating at the air-coating interface.
[0023] Outward-to-inward direction cross-linking experiments were
carried out by taking a portion of snus tobacco and molding it into
predefined shape such as a ball or rectangle. The molded snus was
dipped into a solution of film-forming polysaccharide (such as
alginate, pectin, or carrageen), followed by crosslinking by
contacting the dipped, molded snus with a metal ion salt such as
calcium lactate. The thickness of the coating (which in turn helps
control the porosity of the coating) can be controlled by varying
the concentration of the polysaccharide solution. Additionally, the
crosslinking agent can be patterned on snus preform or overprinted
and/or sprayed to form a mesh of stronger crosslinked material
around more dissolvable non-crosslinked polysaccharide.
[0024] In another embodiment, cross-linking of the coating material
occurs from an inward to outward direction, a process sometimes
referred to as "in-situ coating." Generally speaking, such
crosslinking occurs when a solution of coating material contacts at
least one metal ion present within and/or on the surface of the
preformed snus. Such metal ions can be endogenous and/or added to
the snus. This embodiment allows for control of the coating
thickness which in turn can control the porosity of the coating.
This technique delivers a relatively softer exterior coating that
is moist to the touch and also visibly moist, and has the
relatively firmer cross-linked coating at the tobacco-coating
interface.
[0025] Because snus tobacco naturally contains salts such as
calcium ions, the calcium ions preferably cross-link with the
cross-linkable polymer to form a skin or shell on the inside of the
coating once the tobacco material has been contacted with the two
polymer solution. Later, when the coating is exposed to a
cross-linking agent, an outer skin or shell can form on the
coating. The inner and outer skins or shells provide a moisture
barrier for the tobacco and the soluble portion of the coating.
Preferably, the shells/skins are formed of a discontinuous,
cross-linkable polymer with regions of the non-cross-linkable
polymer incorporated therein.
[0026] Experiments in inward-to-outward (in-situ) coating were
carried out by taking a portion of the snus tobacco with or without
mixing with an aqueous solution of a metal ion salt such as calcium
lactate, and molding the portion into predefined shape such as a
ball or cuboid. The molded portion was dipped into a solution of a
film-forming polysaccharide (such as alginate, pectin, and/or
carrageen). The coating thickness is determined by the viscosity of
the coating liquid, which is determined by a number of factors
including the type and concentration of coating materials (the
film-forming polysaccharide), the degree of pre-gelling and/or
cross-linking, shear history, and temperature. Increased
thicknesses can be generated by multiple coating applications. The
coating is hydrated as it is formed. Optionally, the coating
process can be automated by spraying a polysaccharide solution and
a metal ion salt solution alternately onto a preformed shape of
tobacco to create a cross-linked, membrane-like coating of desired
thickness.
[0027] In an embodiment, the coating is two-component coating
including a water-soluble, non-crosslinked component and a
cross-linked polymer component. This produces a semi-dissolvable
coating, sometimes termed a super-hydrated membrane coating, that
at least partially encloses the snus tobacco. The coating takes the
form of a monolayer and is hydrated as it is formed. The
cross-linked polymer is substantially water-insoluble and
optionally, the substantially water-soluble component is a polymer
and/or is non-cross-linkable. The portions preferably do not have a
wrapper.
[0028] By controlling the relative amounts of the water-soluble,
non-crosslinked component and the cross-linked polymer, the portion
can be adapted either to break apart in the user's mouth (easy in,
loose out) or to remain intact in the user's mouth (easy in, easy
out). In the latter case, after the soluble component dissolves in
a user's mouth, the coating creates a porous network composted of a
substantially insoluble polymer.
[0029] Accordingly, in an embodiment, the soluble component
dissolves rapidly in a user's mouth such that the substantially
insoluble cross-linked polymer component remains intact throughout
use of the product, so that the coating allows the snus tobacco
juices and flavors to leech out of the coating, while still
remaining intact to hold the tobacco within the coating through the
duration of tobacco use while providing a soft compliant feel to
the tongue and mouth tissues. Because in this embodiment the
coating acts to contain the snus tobacco while it is in the user's
mouth, if and when the user desires to remove the portion from the
mouth, this can be easily accomplished.
[0030] In further embodiment, the snus tobacco material is
completely disintegrable so that once the soluble component of the
coating dissolves and tobacco material has disintegrated, a user
may chew and either spit out or ingest the remaining insoluble
component. The coating desirably contains a minority amount of the
substantially water-insoluble, cross-linked polymer, which minority
amount is insufficient for the pre-portion to retain its structural
integrity in the user's mouth after the water-soluble,
non-cross-linked component has dissolved. Thus, the particles of
snus tobacco contained within the coating are released and/or
dispersed in the user's mouth once the water-soluble component
dissolves and the pre-portioned form disintegrates.
[0031] The coating may be applied to the moist pre-portioned
tobacco by a variety of techniques, which can include dipping,
spraying, and the like. The coated pre-portioned tobacco is then
contacted with a cross-linking agent suitable for the
cross-linkable polymer or polymers employed in the coating. This
contact can result from application of the cross-linking agent to
the coated portion, e.g., by spraying, dipping, or other
application of a solution of cross-linking agent to the coated
portion (resulting in an "outside-in" direction of cross-linking).
Alternatively, cross-linking can result from contact of the
cross-linkable polymer with cross-linking agent already present in
the tobacco, either as the result of cross-linking agent present in
the tobacco before it is formed into a pre-portion, or as the
result of the application of cross-linking agent to the pre-portion
prior to application of the coating.
[0032] Preferably, the coating is aesthetically pleasing,
non-tacky, and pleasant to touch, while being strong enough to
maintain the integrity of the portion of snus tobacco material
contained inside the coating during insertion and placement in the
mouth.
[0033] The coating is preferably clear, but additives may be used
to provide the coating with a desired color or appearance. For
example, fillers may be added to the coating to make the coating
opaque, and/or colorants may also be added to alter the color of
the coating.
[0034] The coating is preferably in the form of a gel, more
particularly in the form of a hydrogel. As a result, a significant
portion of the weight of the coating is water, as compared to
weight contributed by the water-soluble non-crosslinked component
and the substantially water-insoluble cross-linked polymer, as well
as cross-linking agents, and any additives, such as preservatives,
flavorants, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the
coating when completely dried is about 0.013 g for a coated tobacco
product weighing about 2.5 g. In contrast, the weight of the same
coating before drying, when the coating is at the preferred
moisture content, is about 0.15 g.
[0035] Because only the water-soluble, non-cross-linked component
of the coating dissolves and releases moisture into the user's
mouth, the amount of moisture released is controlled, and is not
excessive. This provides the user with decreased slipperiness and
improved mouthfeel when using the product.
[0036] Preferably, the water-soluble, non-cross-linked component
dissolves rapidly in a user's mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the
soluble component dissolves in about 0.1 seconds to about 10
seconds (e.g., about 1 second to about 9 seconds, about 2 seconds
to about 8 seconds, about 3 seconds to about 7 seconds or about 4
seconds to about 6 seconds) after introduction into the oral
cavity. Also preferably, the pre-portioned form loses its
structural integrity within about 5 to about 15 seconds (e.g.,
about 6 to about 14 seconds, about 7 to about 13 seconds, about 6
to about 12 seconds, about 7 to about 11 seconds or about 8 to
about 10 seconds) after introduction into the oral cavity.
[0037] The water-soluble component and substantially
water-insoluble component may be natural or synthetic. Preferably
the components are hydrocolloids. More preferably, the components
are polysaccharides.
[0038] Optionally, the water-soluble component comprises a
non-cross-linked and/or non-crosslinkable polymer. In an
embodiment, the water-soluble component can be formed by a
cross-linkable polymer, which has not reacted with a cross-linking
agent. Suitable water-soluble non-crosslinked components include,
without limitation, starch and starch derivatives, such as modified
starch, dextrin, gums, such as gum arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum,
locust bean gum, curdlan gum, gellan gum, fenugreek derivative
gums, pullulan, chitosan, chitin, cellulose and cellulose
derivatives, synthetic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol,
polylactide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or
polyvinylacetate, and soluble or insoluble vegetable fiber.
[0039] Suitable chemically cross-linkable polymers include, without
limitation, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, and modified
polysaccharides with cross-linkable functional groups. Preferred
cross-linkable polymers are pectins and alginates. Proteins, for
example gelatin, zein, soy protein, rice protein, and whey protein,
can optionally be used to supplement or replace the cross-linkable
polymers that are cross-linked with monovalent and bivalent metal
ion salts. The proteins slowly cross-link with phenolics and/or
aldehydes that occur naturally in tobacco.
[0040] At least one tobacco-based polysaccharide, for example,
pectin, is preferably used in the coating. Such tobacco based
material may optionally be highly purified to remove flavorful
tobacco compounds in order to modify the tobacco flavor character
to initial in-mouth experience. Additional dissolvable tobacco such
as extractives or colloidal encapsulated tobacco can be added to
the coating to increase the initial tobacco flavor/character in the
first stages of dissolution. Use of coating material obtained from
tobacco may provide an economic advantage by allowing for the use
of material that might otherwise go to waste. Information regarding
tobacco-sourced polysaccharides may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,034,764; 4,143,666; 4,972,854; 4,506,684; and/or 5,724,998, each
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the cross-linking agent is a
polyvalent metal salt, more particularly, a monovalent metal ion
salt or bivalent metal ion salt. While, both monovalent and
bivalent metal ion salts may be used, a bivalent metal ion salt is
particularly suitable for crosslinking certain polysaccharides,
such as pectins. Suitable cross-linking agents include, without
limitation, calcium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium
lactobionate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium glycerophosphate,
calcium hexametaphosphate, calcium acetate, calcium carbonate,
calcium bicarbonate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, sodium
chloride, sodium lactate, sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium
bicarbonate, sodium citrate, sodium gluconate, potassium chloride,
potassium lactate, potassium acetate, potassium carbonate,
potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, potassium gluconate and
combinations of these.
[0042] Suitable flavor additives and aromas for inclusion in the
coating or the tobacco material include, but are not limited to,
any natural or synthetic flavor or aroma, such as tobacco, smoke,
menthol, peppermint, spearmint, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, cognac,
hydrangea, lavender, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit
flavors, such as apple, peach, pear, cherry, plum, orange and
grapefruit, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath
freshener flavors, spice flavors such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg,
sage, anise, and fennel, methyl salicylate, linalool, jasmine,
coffee, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, and ginger oil.
Other suitable flavors and aromas may be selected.
[0043] The coating may also include additives such as natural or
artificial sweeteners. Preferred sweeteners include, without
limitation, water soluble sweeteners, such as monosaccharides,
disaccharides, and polysaccharides, such as xylose, ribose,
sucrose, maltose, fructose, glucose, and mannose. Other preferred
sweeteners include xylitol (birch sugar). Sweetness potentiators or
modulators such as thaumatin can be added. Sweeteners, sweetness
potentiators, and/or modulators are optionally encapsulated to more
precisely control the sweetness profile over the use of the
product.
[0044] Additives such as chemesthesis agents may also be included
in the coating. Suitable chemesthesis agents for inclusion in the
coating include, without limitation, menthol, capsaicin, tannins,
mustard oil, wintergreen oil, cinnamon oil, allicin, quinine,
citric acid, and salt. Xylitol also provides a chemesthetic cooling
effect.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the super-hydrated membrane
coating may be provided with a desired rate of dissolution of the
soluble component of the coating by altering the proportion of the
soluble component to the insoluble component.
[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the super-hydrated membrane
coating is not messy or sticky to the touch. Because at least two
polymers are used to create the coating, when a user touches the
coating, the polymers do not disassociate from one another.
Therefore, the coating is not sticky when the product is removed
from a package and placed in the mouth.
[0047] The tobacco material 16 may be provided in any suitable
form, including shreds and/or particles of tobacco lamina,
processed tobacco materials, such as volume expanded or puffed
tobacco, or ground tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as
cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials,
blends thereof, and the life. Genetically modified tobacco may also
be used.
[0048] Additionally, the tobacco material may also include a
supplemental amount of vegetable or plant fibers or particles, such
as particles of shreds of lettuce, cotton, flax, beet fiber,
cellulosic fibers, blends thereof and the like, and/or expended
(post-extracted) botanical substrates such as mint leaves or
tea.
[0049] The concentration of the polymer solution determines the
thickness of the coating membrane. The thickness of the coating can
in turn affect how quickly the soluble component of the coating
dissolves in a user's mouth. The coating is a moist, gel-like
coating when formed and the moistness is preferably retained until
use. Preferably, the coated tobacco product is hermetically sealed
in suitable packaging to prevent moisture in the tobacco and
coating from evaporating.
[0050] If the coating is peeled off of the tobacco product and
completely dried, the coating is preferably about 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm
thick. More preferably, when the coating is completely dried, it is
about 0.08 mm to 0.14 mm thick. In a most preferred embodiment, the
coating when completely dried is about 0.11 mm thick. It should be
noted that the coating is not intended to be dried, but rather
retains a high moisture content.
[0051] After the coating is applied, the tobacco product is exposed
to air or patted dry to evaporate excess moisture. The drying of
the coating results in the migration of fluids containing tobacco
flavor from the interior towards and/or into the coating, resulting
in a superior tasting coating. Additional water can be added to the
tobacco to facilitate this flavor migration to the coating during
drying. The rate of drying controls the migration: slow drying
increases migration, and faster drying decreases migration. The
tobacco product is preferably not dried extensively, so that the
super-hydrated coating retains a high moisture content.
[0052] In another embodiment, the polymer solution and the
cross-linking solution can be patterned, overprinted, or sprayed
onto the tobacco material preform to form a network having a
soluble component and an insoluble component. The polymer solution
may include a chemically, cross-linkable polymer and a
non-cross-linkable polymer. Alternatively, the polymer solution may
include a single chemically, cross-linkable polymer. When a single
polymer is used, the cross-linking solution may be selectively
sprayed to leave some portions of the coating non-cross-linked and
soluble. The soluble component of the coating may dissolve, leaving
a porous network of insoluble component in place to maintain
coherence of the tobacco material, while allowing the free flow of
saliva in the user's mouth.
[0053] In an embodiment, the process may be automated. For
instance, the coating step may occur via spraying the polymer
solution and the cross-linking solution alternately onto a
preformed portion of tobacco material to create a cross-linked,
thin, super-hydrated membrane coating of a desired thickness.
[0054] In one embodiment, dissolvable tobacco such as tobacco
extracts or colloidal encapsulated tobacco can be added to the
coating to increase the initial tobacco flavor in the first stages
of the dissolution of the super-hydrated membrane coating.
[0055] The portions produced as described above may optionally be
pasteurized by high temperature/short time (HIST) or ultra-high
temperature (UHT) procedures.
[0056] Snus portions may be packed in containers similar to those
used in paper pouch products, or optionally in a sterilized blister
pack. Preferably, portions are hermetically sealed in suitable
packaging to prevent moisture in the tobacco and coating from
evaporating.
1. Easy-in, Loose-Out Portions
[0057] The follows relates primarily to portions that break apart
in the mouth (this trait sometimes described as "easy-in,
loose-out"), however aspects may apply to other types of
portions.
[0058] In an embodiment, when preparing portions that break apart
in the mouth (such a trait sometimes being termed "easy-in,
loose-out"), the water-soluble non-crosslinked component is
included in an amount of about 15% to about 30% by weight based on
the weight of the coating solution, and the cross-linkable polymer
which forms a substantially water-insoluble polymer upon
cross-linking is included in an amount of about 0.3% to about 1.5%
by weight based on the weight of the coating solution. If less than
about 15% water-soluble component is used in the coating solution,
the pre-portioned product will tend to break up into large chunks
upon dissolution of the water-soluble, non-cross-linked polymer. If
more than about 30% of the coating solution is the water-soluble
non-cross-linked polymer, the pre-portioned product will tend to
break apart completely.
[0059] Once placed in the mouth, the soluble, non-cross-linked
component dissolves. The substantially insoluble, cross-linked
component is insufficient to hold the particles of tobacco
together, so that the tobacco is released and/or dispersed in loose
form in a user's mouth. The result is a pre-portioned snus tobacco
product which has sufficient structural integrity to be handled and
inserted into the mouth by the user, but which breaks up after
insertion in the user's mouth, to replicate the experience of using
loose snus tobacco.
[0060] Preferably, the substantially water-insoluble component is
formed by reacting a chemically cross-linkable polymer with a
cross-linking agent. Preferably, the coating solution includes the
substantially water-insoluble component in an amount of about 0.3%
to about 1.5% by weight based on the weight of the coating
solution. If less than about 0.3% substantially water-insoluble
component is used in the coating solution, the pre-portioned
product will be too weak for a user to handle when placing in the
mouth, and will break apart. If a coating contains more than about
1.5% substantially water insoluble component, the coating will
provide greater structural integrity to the product, so that it
will tend not to break apart and disperse the tobacco material in
the user's mouth.
[0061] By using both a non-cross-linkable polymer and a
cross-linkable polymer, the porosity and strength of the
super-hydrated membrane coating can be controlled. For instance,
the dissolution rate of the resulting super-hydrated membrane
coating can be altered by modifying the specific proportion of
cross-linked to non-cross-linked polymers. In a preferred
embodiment, the coating contains 10 to 90 wt % of the cross-linked
polymer. Preferably, the proportion of cross-linked polymer in the
coating is 60 to 70 wt %.
[0062] The amount of cross-linking agent used will depend to a
large extent on the amount of cross-linkable polymer included in
the coating mixture. For the preferred amounts of cross-linkable
polymers disclosed herein, preferably, the cross-linking agent is
included in a cross-linking solution of about 0.5 wt % to about 2.0
wt %, based on the total weight of the cross-linking solution, more
preferably about 0.5 wt % to about 1.5 wt %. Using less than 0.5 wt
% cross-linking agent will generally not provide enough
cross-linking agent to react with the amounts of cross-linkable
polymer included in the coating mixture, which tends to result in a
weak coating that will not provide the pre-portioned product with
sufficient structural integrity for user handling when retrieving
the product and positioning it in the oral cavity. Using more than
about 2.0 wt % is unnecessary due to the low amount of
cross-linkable polymer present, thereby adding unnecessary cost to
the product, and may adversely affect the flavor of the
product.
[0063] Once the water-soluble component of the coating dissolves,
flavors and water are released into the user's mouth and the
pre-portioned product loses its structural integrity so that the
tobacco enclosed by the coating is released. The pre-portioned
product thus provides both rapid flavor release and a replication
of the experience of using loose tobacco very soon after insertion
into the user's oral cavity.
[0064] In addition, due to the presence of relatively small amounts
of water-soluble component, excess water and juice are not released
upon disintegration of the pre-portioned product. The combination
of polymers in the coating, in the ranges disclosed herein,
provides a soft compliant feel to the tongue and mouth tissues, and
dissolves quickly, so that the sensory experience associated with
snus tobacco use is rapid and unencumbered. In addition, because
only small quantities of the substantially water-insoluble
cross-linked polymer remain on a small quantity of the tobacco
(i.e., only that quantity of tobacco that was actually in contact
with the coating) after the pre-portioned product has disintegrated
in the user's mouth, the tobacco that disperses is essentially
uncoated. The resulting sensory experience replicates more closely
what users expect from smokeless tobacco than would a product where
the individual particles have been coated.
[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the coating is not messy or
sticky to the touch. The at least two polymers used to create the
coating remain associated with one another when subject to normal
handling by a user. Therefore, the coating is not sticky when the
product is removed from a package and placed in the mouth.
2. Easy-in, Easy-Out Portions
[0066] The follows relates primarily to portions adapted to remain
intact in the mouth of a user (a trait sometimes described as
"easy-in, easy-out"), however aspects may apply to other types of
portions.
[0067] The super-hydrated membrane coating preferably creates a
porous network of an insoluble polymer after the soluble component
dissolves in a user's mouth. Preferably, the first component is a
soluble component that dissolves rapidly in a user's mouth such
that the second component, which is preferably the insoluble
component, remains intact throughout use of the tobacco
product.
[0068] Preferably, the soluble component is formed by a
non-cross-linkable polymer. As used herein, the term
"non-cross-linkable" denotes that the material does not become
crosslinked to a significant extent when subjected to conditions
that cross-link the insoluble component. Also preferably, the
insoluble component is formed by a chemically cross-linkable
polymer reacted with a cross-linking agent. The polymers of the
soluble component and insoluble component may be natural or
synthetic. Preferably, the polymers are hydrocolloids. More
preferably, the polymers are polysaccharides.
[0069] For easy-in, easy-out portions, the water-soluble
non-crosslinked component is preferably included in an amount of
about 4% by weight based on the weight of the coating solution, and
the cross-linkable polymer which forms a substantially
water-insoluble polymer upon cross-linking is preferably included
in an amount of about 4% by weight based on the weight of the
coating solution.
[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the cross-linking agent is a
monovalent metal ion salt or bivalent metal ion salt.
[0071] Suitable non-chemically-cross-linkable polymers include,
without limitation, starch, dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum,
chitosan, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide, gelatin, soy
protein, and whey protein.
[0072] Suitable chemically, cross-linkable polymers include,
without limitation, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, and modified
polysaccharides with crosslinkable functional groups. The preferred
cross-linkable polymer is alginate.
[0073] While, both monovalent and bivalent metal ion salts may be
used, preferably a bivalent metal ion salt is used. Suitable
bivalent metal ion salts include, without limitation, calcium
lactate and calcium chloride. Calcium lactate is preferred since it
is approved for use in food products.
[0074] Once the soluble component of the coating dissolves, pores
are created in a polymer network through which the tobacco juices
and flavors flow. Flavors and water are released into the user's
mouth as the soluble component of the coating dissolves. The
tobacco flavors and juices are then released through the pores so
that the flavor experience is seamless from beginning to end.
[0075] Preferably, the pores, created when the soluble component of
the coating dissolves, are large enough to allow the unencumbered
flow of juices, while remaining small enough to prevent shreds or
particles of tobacco from traveling through the pores and into the
user's mouth. The size of the pores may be altered by patterning
the coating in such a way as to ensure the soluble component is
only in certain spots and in certain amounts so that once the
soluble component dissolves away the pores are of a desired
size.
[0076] The coating preferably encloses a pre-portioned tobacco
material at least until it is inserted in the user's mouth, after
which preferably it dissolves. Before it dissolves, the coating
provides a soft compliant feel to the tongue and mouth tissues.
[0077] Because the soluble component of the coating dissolves
quickly, the sensory experience associated with snus tobacco use is
rapid and unencumbered.
[0078] Once the soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane
coating dissolves or disintegrates, additional moisture and/or
flavors are released into the user's mouth. Thereafter, the flavors
and tobacco juices pass through the coating to provide an
uninterrupted flavor experience to the user.
[0079] Snus products as described herein provide numerous
advantages over the prior art. They can provide a soft, moist
product that has intrinsic portion size control instead of the
manual portioning required for moist of snus, with a smooth feeling
in the oral cavity instead of the roughness of traditional pouched
snus. Various shapes and sizes of the portions can easily be
produced. The portions can provide for additional water and/or
juiciness at the initial contact with the oral cavity as compared
to loose snus and especially as compared to pouched snus. The
coating can have additives to allow for highly
flavored/chemesthetic effects in first moments of use as compared
to pouched snus. Unlike pouches, the "easy in/loose out" embodiment
dissolves quickly and doesn't interfere with normal use of snus.
Additionally, it is possible to create an all tobacco-based portion
using tobacco-sourced polysaccharides. Other advantages of products
coated as described herein are described in commonly-owned U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2008/0202533, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0080] The portioned snus products provided herein also provide an
attractive appearance for snus users: they can appear wet, organic,
and natural, and thus flavorful, as opposed to a dry-appearing
pouch. The use of inward to outward crosslinking can contribute to
a soft/wet/organic appearance instead of a conventional hard/dry
coating.
EXAMPLES
[0081] The following examples are exemplary and are not meant to
limit any aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein. When a
percentage is provided, it is a percent by weight, unless otherwise
noted.
[0082] Examples 1 through 3 relate to easy-in, easy-out
portions.
Example 1
[0083] 1.5 grams snus tobacco was first molded into predefined
shape and then dipped into the biopolymer coating solution (4%
pectin, 4% alginate, 0.15% dextrin) followed by cross-linking with
a 2.0% calcium lactate solution.
Example 2
[0084] 1.5 grams snus tobacco was first mixed with 0.5 g of calcium
lactate solution (2%), then molded into predefined shape followed
by dipping into the biopolymer coating solution (4% pectin, 4%
alginate, 0.15% dextrin).
Example 3
[0085] 1.5 grams snus tobacco was first molded into predefined
shape and followed by dipping into the biopolymer coating solution
(4% pectin, 4% alginate, 0.15% dextrin). A gelled, membrane-like
coating was formed when the metal ions diffused from loose snus
into the coating material.
[0086] The following Examples 4 and 5 relate to easy-in, loose-out
portions. Such products have a highly dissolvable/or
disintegratable gel coating so that immediate flavor and tobacco
pleasure can be experienced by consumer. The different approaches
described in the above easy-in, easy-out portions can be employed,
except that the noncrosslinkable coating solution or coating
solution contains a lower concentration of crosslinkable agents in
order to provide a weaker strength, highly
dissolvable/disintegratable coating.
Example 4
[0087] 1.5 grams snus tobacco was first molded into a predefined
shape and then dipped into the coating solution (15% modified food
starch, 1% pectin), followed by cross-linking with a 2.0% calcium
lactate solution.
Example 5
[0088] The procedure of Example 5 was followed, except that the
coating solution was replaced with 20% modified food starch.
[0089] In any of the above examples, or in conjunction with any
other embodiments, a thermal microbial control step
(pasteurization) in the preparation of the coatings can be used,
and/or the portions can be subjected to UV light to control
pathogens.
[0090] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions,
modifications, and substitutions not specifically described may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *