U.S. patent application number 13/312653 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for oral tobacco article.
Invention is credited to Norio KAWATA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Manabu YAMADA.
Application Number | 20120073590 13/312653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43356346 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120073590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAWATA; Norio ; et
al. |
March 29, 2012 |
ORAL TOBACCO ARTICLE
Abstract
An oral tobacco article (1) has a tobacco pouch (2) including a
mixture packaged in a nonwoven fabric sheet, the mixture containing
tobacco particles made from a tobacco material, as a main
ingredient, the tobacco pouch being designed to be put in a user's
mouth to allow the user to absorb active constituents of tobacco
from the tobacco particles via saliva, an openable and closable
case (4) for holding a plurality of the tobacco pouches (2), and
silver zeolite (30) applied as an inorganic antibacterial agent to
the tobacco pouch (2) and the case (4).
Inventors: |
KAWATA; Norio; (Tokyo,
JP) ; TAKEUCHI; Manabu; (Tokyo, JP) ; YAMADA;
Manabu; (Tokyo, JP) |
Family ID: |
43356346 |
Appl. No.: |
13/312653 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2010/059669 |
Jun 8, 2010 |
|
|
|
13312653 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/164 20130101;
A24B 15/28 20130101; A24B 13/00 20130101; B65D 2203/12 20130101;
B65D 65/463 20130101; A24B 15/183 20130101; B65D 81/28 20130101;
B65D 2209/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/352 |
International
Class: |
A24F 23/00 20060101
A24F023/00; A24B 13/02 20060101 A24B013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2009 |
JP |
2009-143211 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. An oral tobacco article comprising: a tobacco pouch including a
mixture packaged in a wrapper, the mixture containing tobacco
particles made from a tobacco material, as a main ingredient, said
tobacco pouch being designed to be put in a user's mouth to allow
the user to absorb active constituents of tobacco from the tobacco
particles via saliva; and an openable and closable case for holding
said tobacco pouch, wherein said tobacco pouch includes an
inorganic antibacterial agent.
7. The oral tobacco article according to claim 6, wherein the
inorganic antibacterial agent contains silver held on zeolite.
8. The oral tobacco article according to claim 6, wherein the
tobacco particles have a pH between 6.5 and 9.5.
9. The oral tobacco article according to claim 6, wherein the
tobacco particles have a moisture content between 15 and 50 weight
%.
10. The oral tobacco article according to claim 6, wherein the
wrapper is made from a nonwoven fabric sheet.
11. The oral tobacco article according to claim 6, wherein the case
includes an inorganic antibacterial agent.
12. The oral tobacco article according to claim 11, wherein said
inorganic antibacterial agent is contained in a material from which
the case is formed.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an oral tobacco article allowing
users to absorb active constituents of tobacco via saliva.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Cigarettes have long been enjoyed as one of articles of
tasting. In recent years, however, smokeless tobacco usable
anywhere has been attracting attention. Use of smokeless tobacco is
permitted even in places where smoking is prohibited, including
airplane cabins and train compartments.
[0003] Snus, an oral tobacco product belonging to the class of
smokeless tobacco, contains tobacco shreds, or finely-shredded
tobacco material, as a main ingredient. The tobacco shreds
constituting snus have a high moisture content.
[0004] More specifically, snus is classified into a loose type,
which is non-packaged tobacco shreds, and a portion type called
also a pouch type, which has tobacco shreds packaged in a pouch of
a nonwoven fabric or other material.
[0005] The pouch-type snus is designed to be put directly in the
user's mouth and placed between the upper lip and gum so that the
user can absorb active constituents of tobacco extracted from the
tobacco shreds into saliva, through the gum into the body while
enjoying aroma.
[0006] The oral tobacco products, typified by snus, comprise
tobacco shreds having a high moisture content, which easily allow
growth of bacteria at room temperature. Thus, long-term
room-temperature storage of this type of oral tobacco products
should be avoided. The oral tobacco products are therefore kept
refrigerated, or salt is added to the tobacco shreds constituting
the oral tobacco products. The refrigeration and the addition of
salt are effective in inhibiting growth of bacteria in tobacco
shreds.
[0007] There is also known a technique of killing bacteria in
tobacco shreds by irradiation (patent document 1).
PRIOR-ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0008] Patent document 1: U.S. Patent Application Laid-open No.
2008/0173319 Specification
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0009] Oral tobacco products requiring refrigeration need to be
kept refrigerated not only in outlet stores; they need to be kept
refrigerated after manufacture, even during transport to the outlet
stores. The costs of refrigerating the oral tobacco products are
therefore great.
[0010] Addition of a lot of salt to tobacco shreds to improve shelf
life of oral tobacco products deteriorates the original flavor and
taste of tobacco shreds, and thus is not desirable.
[0011] Sterilization by irradiation requires expensive equipment
compared with refrigeration. Further, the equipment using
radioactive rays entails safety measure costs.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an oral
tobacco article capable of inhibiting growth of bacteria without
deteriorating the flavor and taste of tobacco shreds, and allowed
to be distributed and stored at room temperature.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0013] In order to achieve the above object, an oral tobacco
article according to the present invention comprises a tobacco
pouch comprising a mixture packaged in a wrapper, the mixture
containing tobacco particles made from a tobacco material, as a
main ingredient, the tobacco pouch being designed to be put in a
user's mouth to allow the user to absorb active constituents of
tobacco from the tobacco particles via saliva, and an openable and
closable case for holding the tobacco pouch, wherein the tobacco
pouch includes an inorganic antibacterial agent.
[0014] Specifically, the inorganic antibacterial agent may contain
silver held on zeolite, and the wrapper may be made from a nonwoven
fabric sheet.
[0015] This oral tobacco article can inhibit growth of bacteria in
the tobacco pouch by virtue of the inorganic antibacterial agent
applied to the tobacco pouch or the case. This oral tobacco article
therefore allows room-temperature storage, and thus, does not need
to be kept refrigerated during transport and storage, leading to a
reduction in costs of transport and storage thereof.
[0016] The tobacco particles desirably have a pH between 6.5 and
9.5 and desirably have a moisture content between 15 and 50 weight
%.
[0017] The case may include an inorganic antibacterial agent.
[0018] The inorganic antibacterial agent may be contained in a
material from which the case is formed.
Advantages of the Invention
[0019] The oral tobacco article according to the present invention
can inhibit growth of bacteria without deteriorating flavor and
taste of tobacco shreds, and allows distribution and storage at
room temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an oral tobacco
article including an inorganic antibacterial agent, according to
the present invention,
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a process of producing the
oral tobacco article shown in FIG. 1, and
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a case having a
case body, a mat and a lid.
MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023] An oral tobacco article 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a
plurality of tobacco pouches 2 and a portable container or a case 4
for holding the tobacco pouches 2.
[0024] Each tobacco pouch 2 comprises a mixture containing tobacco
particles as a main ingredient, packaged in a nonwoven fabric
sheet. Specifically, the tobacco particles are obtained by
shredding or pulverizing a tobacco material, and 2 mm or less in
particle diameter.
[0025] The tobacco pouches 2 are each removed from the case 4 to be
used in the user's mouth. Specifically, the tobacco pouch 2 is
placed between the user's upper lip and gum so that active
constituents of tobacco extracted from the tobacco particles into
saliva are absorbed into the body through the gum.
[0026] The case 4 comprises a case body 6, a mat 8 and a lid 10.
The case body 6 is in a flat cylindrical shape, and has an opening
7 at the top. Specifically, an upward-projecting circular portion
provides the opening 7, which is closed with an openable and
closable lid 10.
[0027] The mat 8 is in a circular shape with a diameter
approximately equal to a diameter of an inner wall surface 14 of
the case body 6, and placed at the bottom 12 of the case body 6.
Thus, inside the case 4, the tobacco pouches 2 are stacked on the
mat 8
[0028] The lid 10 is in a circular shape with an outside diameter
equal to the outside diameter of the case body 6. The upper face of
the lid 10 has an approximately-circular stepped recess 16. The
stepped recess 16 has a bottom 17 and an annular lid rest 15 around
the bottom 17. The depth up to the lid rest 15 is smaller than the
depth up to the bottom 17. A hinge 14 is provided at the periphery
of the lid rest 15 to join a circular cover 20 to the lid 10. The
cover 20 has a diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter
of the lid rest 15 so that the cover 20 fits in the stepped recess
16 with its peripheral portion in close contact with the lid rest
15 of the recess 16, and thus, closes the recess 16. The cover 20
in this closed position can be turned upward on the hinge 18 to
give access to the hollow 16. The recess 16 is thus closed with the
openable and closable cover 20. With the recess 16 closed with the
cover 20, the top of the lid 10, or its annular top surface is
flush with the upper face of the cover 20.
[0029] The cover 22 has a knob 22 projecting from the circumference
thereof. The knob 22 is located apart from the hinge 18 in a
diametrical direction of the cover 20. The lid 10 has a shallow
shelf 27 in its annular top surface to receive the knob 22. The
knob 22 facilitates the cover 20 opening operation. The cover 20
also has claws 24 at the circumference thereof, on either side of
and adjacent to the knob 22, while the inner wall of the recess 16
has holes 26 at the locations corresponding to the claws 24. The
cover 20 is closed with the claws 24 engaged with the holes 24, and
thus, kept in the closed position.
[0030] The recess 16 has a capacity enough to hold some tobacco
pouches 2. The lid 10 thus provides a trash container for
temporarily holding used tobacco pouches 2. The case 4 can thus
hold unused tobacco pouches 2 and used tobacco pouches 2,
separately.
[0031] Also the lower face of the lid 10 has a circular recess. The
circular recess has a diameter somewhat greater than the outer
diameter of the upper-projecting portion which provides the opening
7 to receive the upper-projecting portion. The ceiling 28 of the
circular recess (see FIG. 3) serves as a surface for holding
tobacco pouches 2 down within the case body 6.
[0032] The user can remove the lid 10 from the case 4 to expose the
opening 7, and remove a tobacco pouch 2 from the case body 6
through the opening 7. The tobacco pouch 2 removed is placed
between the user's upper lip and gum to allow active constituents
of tobacco to be extracted from tobacco particles in the tobacco
pouch 2 into saliva and absorbed into the user's body via saliva.
The user can thus absorb the active constituents of tobacco while
enjoying the aroma of tobacco particles.
[0033] The tobacco pouch 2 does not emit smoke during the
above-described manner of use, which allows the user to use the
tobacco pouch 2 anywhere. The user can put the used tobacco pouch 2
in the recess 16 of the lid 10 by taking the knob 22 of the cover
20 between fingers and raising, thus opening the cover 20.
[0034] To promote the extraction of active constituents of tobacco
into saliva, the tobacco particles in the tobacco pouch 2 have a
high moisture content compared with normal cigarettes, which leads
to ease of growth of bacteria in the tobacco particles.
[0035] Thus, a granular inorganic antibacterial agent 30 is applied
to the pouch, or nonwoven fabric of the tobacco pouch 2, all over.
The inorganic antibacterial agent 30 used in the present embodiment
is silver zeolite. Silver zeolite contains silver held on zeolite.
The silver zeolite applied to the pouch can come in contact with
tobacco particles in the tobacco pouch 2.
[0036] Silver zeolite suitable for this use is Zeomic (trademark)
produced by SINANEN ZEOMIC CO., LTD. The Zeomic is approximately 1
.mu.m in particle diameter, and capable of trapping and releasing
water molecules in and from minute holes in its porous structure.
Silver zeolite has therefore not only an originally-intended
antibacterial effect but also an effect of regulating moisture in
the tobacco pouch 2. In other words, silver zeolite has a moisture
retention effect, or effect of maintaining the moisture of the
tobacco particles in the tobacco pouch 2.
[0037] Silver zeolite is alkaline, whose pH range (7 to 9) is
approximately equal to that of the tobacco particles which are also
alkaline. Silver zeolite therefore does not acidify the tobacco
particles, and thus, does not deteriorate the flavor of the tobacco
particles.
[0038] To verify the antibacterial effect of silver zeolite,
embodiment tobacco pouches 2 with silver zeolite applied and
comparative-example tobacco pouches without silver zeolite were
prepared, and viable bacteria were intentionally attached to the
tobacco particles in both types of tobacco pouches. Specifically,
the examination was conducted according to the agar pour plate
method prescribed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. For 1 g of tobacco
particles, approximately 300 coliform bacteria were attached. The
embodiment and comparative-example tobacco pouches were left at
room temperature for one week, and then examined as to how many
viable bacteria were present in each tobacco pouch. The examination
revealed that there was no change in the number of viable bacteria
in the embodiment tobacco pouches 2, while the viable bacteria
increased to approximately 1000 for 1 g of tobacco particles in the
comparative-example tobacco pouches.
[0039] Next, embodiment case devices and comparative-example case
devices were prepared. The embodiment case devices have an
antibacterial layer 32 applied to entirely cover the inner wall
surface 14 of the case body 6, one surface of the mat 8 and the
ceiling 28 of the lid 10. The antibacterial layer 32 contains
silver zeolite. The comparative-example case devices differ from
the embodiment case devices only in that they have no antibacterial
layer 32. The aforementioned comparative-example pouches with the
viable bacteria attached in the aforementioned proportion were put
in the embodiment and comparative-example case devices. The
embodiment and comparative-example case devices were left at room
temperature for one week, and then examined as to how many viable
bacteria were present in each tobacco pouch. The examination
revealed that there was no change in the number of viable bacteria
in the tobacco pouches 2 placed in the embodiment case devices,
while the viable bacteria increased to approximately 1000 for 1 g
of tobacco particles in the tobacco pouches placed in the
comparative-example case devices.
[0040] This indicates that the antibacterial layer 32 applied to
the inner wall surface 14 of the case body 6, the mat 8 or the
ceiling 28 of the lid 10 can inhibit growth of bacteria in the
tobacco particles.
[0041] Thus, the combination of the embodiment tobacco pouch 2 and
the embodiment case device is optimal in terms of effectively
inhibiting growth of bacteria in tobacco particles in the tobacco
pouch 2.
[0042] The tobacco particles have a high moisture content, and
thus, during storage, moisture containing active constituents of
tobacco may spread from the tobacco particles into the pouch, or
nonwoven fabric of the tobacco pouch 2. To compensate for such loss
of active constituents of tobacco, a food flavoring 34 may be
applied to at least one of the pouch, or nonwoven fabric sheet of
the tobacco pouch 2, the inner wall surface 14 of the case body 6,
the upper surface of the mat 8 and the ceiling 28 of the lid
10.
[0043] If a coupon is put in the case 4, the food flavoring 34 may
be applied also to the coupon. When the food flavoring 34 is used,
the oral tobacco article 1 desirably includes a humectant such as
glycerin or propylene glycol.
[0044] Food flavorings 34 usable include menthol, mint, vanilla,
apricot, tea, cacao, licorice, honey, and combinations of two or
more of these flavorings. Acid food flavorings 34 are not suitable
to be applied to the pouch of the tobacco pouch 2, because the
tobacco particles are alkaline as mentioned above.
[0045] The food flavoring 34 is applied in powder form or in liquid
form, namely in the form of a solution. Solvents usable include
water, alcohol, glycerin and propylene glycol.
[0046] If the food flavoring 34 should be applied to the tobacco
pouch 2, the food flavoring 34 containing 1 weight % of glycerin,
which functions also as a humectant, is used.
[0047] If the food flavoring 34 should be applied to the case 4, a
menthol liquid, or solution containing 1 weight % of menthol
dissolved in alcohol is used. The menthol liquid is applied to at
least one of the inner wall surface 14 of the case body 6, a
surface of the mat 8 and the ceiling 28 of the lid 20 by spray
coating.
[0048] Next, how the tobacco pouch 2 is produced will be
described.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the process of producing
the tobacco pouch 2.
[0050] As seen from FIG. 2, the tobacco pouch 2 is produced through
a pulverizing process 40, a blending process 50 and a packaging
process 60.
[0051] First, in the pulverizing process 40, laminae and stems of
domestic Burley tobacco are pulverized separately using a
pulverizer. The resulting tobacco particles have particle diameter
of 2 mm or less. The tobacco particles are put in a classifier to
sort out tobacco particles with predetermined size. Then, the
lamina-derived tobacco particles and the stem-derived tobacco
particles are measured out in the proportion of 50 to 50 weight %
and brought to the blending process 50.
[0052] In the blending process 50, the measured-out tobacco
particles are moved to a buffer silo 1 to be stored therein for a
predetermined period of time. Then, the tobacco particles are
heat-sterilized and cooled, and then subjected to a blender
processing. By the blender processing, the tobacco particles are
blended with a flavoring and other additives.
[0053] Specifically, in the blender processing, first, water is
added to the tobacco particles so that the tobacco particles
contain 15 weight % of moisture. Then, the tobacco particles are
sterilized by being heated at 100.degree. C. for 4 hours, and then
cooled by circulating coolant water. Then, 10 weight % of potassium
carbonate, 1 weight % of vitamin C, 5 weight % of flavoring, sodium
chloride and others are added to the tobacco particles.
[0054] These additives and the tobacco particles are mixed to form
a mixture containing the tobacco particles as a main ingredient.
The mixture is then brought to the packaging process 60. The
tobacco particles in the mixture have desirably a pH between 6.5
and 9.5.
[0055] The packaging process 60 includes a process in a buffer silo
2; the mixture resulting from the blending process 50 is stored in
the buffer silo 2 for a predetermined period of time.
[0056] After the predetermined time of storage, the tobacco
particles are pillow-packaged in a nonwoven fabric sheet containing
1 weight % of silver zeolite, by 3 g per package, so that the
above-described tobacco pouches 2 are obtained.
[0057] The tobacco pouch 2 is in the shape of an approximately
12.times.25 mm rectangle.
[0058] Then, water is added to the tobacco pouches 2 to regulate
their moisture content to 25 weight %. A predetermined number of
tobacco pouches 2 with the moisture content thus regulated are put
in a case 4 with a mat 8. By closing the case 4 with a lid 10, the
oral tobacco article 1 shown in FIG. 1 is completed.
[0059] If the food flavoring 34 should be applied to the tobacco
pouch 2, the food flavoring 34 containing glycerin is applied to
the tobacco pouch 2 after the moisture content regulation.
[0060] As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the
antibacterial layer 32 is applied to at least one of the inner wall
surface 14 of the case body 6, the mat 8 and the lid 10, as
indicated in FIG. 3.
[0061] If the food flavoring 34 should be applied to the case 4,
the aforementioned menthol liquid is applied to at least one of the
inner wall surface 14 of the case body 6, the mat 8 and the ceiling
28 of the lid 10 by spray coating, either directly onto such part
or onto the antibacterial layer 32 covering such part.
[0062] In place of the food flavoring containing glycerin, the
menthol liquid may be applied to the tobacco pouch by spay
coating.
[0063] By virtue of the antibacterial agent 30 or the antibacterial
layer 32 applied to the tobacco pouches 2, the case body 6, the mat
8 or others, specifically silver zeolite contained therein, the
oral tobacco article 1 can inhibit growth of bacteria in the
tobacco pouches 2. The oral tobacco article 1 therefore allows
room-temperature storage, and thus, does not need to be kept
refrigerated during transport and storage, leading to a reduction
in costs of transport and storage thereof.
[0064] The food flavoring 34 applied to the entire outside of the
tobacco pouch 2 or the inside part of the case 4 allows the user to
enjoy the aroma of the food flavoring 34 in use of the oral tobacco
article 1.
[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiment; various modifications may be made to it.
[0066] For example, the inorganic antibacterial agent 30 and the
antibacterial layer 32 are not limited to silver zeolite; they may
contain any other suitable substance that can inhibit growth of
bacteria.
[0067] The pouch, or nonwoven fabric sheet of the tobacco pouch 2
may contain silver zeolite in its fibers.
[0068] The case body 6, the mat 8 and the lid 10 may be formed from
materials containing silver zeolite.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0069] 1: Oral tobacco article [0070] 2: Tobacco pouch [0071] 4:
Case [0072] 6: Case body [0073] 7: Opening [0074] 8: Mat [0075] 10:
Lid [0076] 12: Bottom [0077] 14: Inner wall surface [0078] 15: Lid
rest [0079] 16: Recess [0080] 17: Bottom [0081] 18: Hinge [0082]
20: Cover [0083] 22: Knob [0084] 24: Claw [0085] 26: Engagement
hole [0086] 27: Recess [0087] 28: Ceiling [0088] 30: Inorganic
antibacterial agent [0089] 32: Antibacterial layer [0090] 34: Food
flavoring [0091] 40: Pulverizing process [0092] 50: Blending
process [0093] 60: Packaging process
* * * * *