U.S. patent application number 17/103568 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-11 for high-pressure cold pasteurization of tobacco material.
The applicant listed for this patent is R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Invention is credited to Brian Keith Nordskog.
Application Number | 20210068442 17/103568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005237802 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-11 |
![](/patent/app/20210068442/US20210068442A1-20210311-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068442/US20210068442A1-20210311-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068442/US20210068442A1-20210311-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068442/US20210068442A1-20210311-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068442/US20210068442A1-20210311-D00004.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20210068442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nordskog; Brian Keith |
March 11, 2021 |
HIGH-PRESSURE COLD PASTEURIZATION OF TOBACCO MATERIAL
Abstract
A tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the
total weight, and having a storage stability of at least about 25
days is provided herein, wherein the storage stability is defined
as an aerobic plate count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g. A method of
treating a tobacco material to enhance storage stability is also
provided herein, the method including receiving a tobacco material
having at least about 40% water based on the total weight and
subjecting the tobacco material to a process pressure of at least
about 30,000 psi to form a high pressure processed tobacco
material, wherein the high pressure processed tobacco material has
a storage stability of at least about 25 days, and wherein the
storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count below about
3,000,000 CFU/g.
Inventors: |
Nordskog; Brian Keith;
(Winston-Salem, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company |
Winston-Salem |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005237802 |
Appl. No.: |
17/103568 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14847485 |
Sep 8, 2015 |
10869497 |
|
|
17103568 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/167 20161101;
A24B 15/183 20130101; A24B 13/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 13/00 20060101
A24B013/00; A24B 15/167 20060101 A24B015/167; A24B 15/18 20060101
A24B015/18 |
Claims
1. A tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the
total weight, and having a storage stability of at least about 25
days, wherein the storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate
count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g.
2. The tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material is
stored at about 37.degree. C.
3. The tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material is
stored at about 4.degree. C.
4. The tobacco material of claim 3, wherein the storage stability
is at least about 75 days.
5. The tobacco material of claim 4, wherein the storage stability
is at least about 100 days.
6. The tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material is
in the form of a particulate material.
7. The tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material is
in the form of an aqueous extract.
8. A tobacco product incorporating the tobacco material of claim
1.
9. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the tobacco product is a
smoking article.
10. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the tobacco product is
a smokeless tobacco product.
11-23. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to products made or derived
from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco or components
of tobacco.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are popular smoking articles
that employ tobacco in various forms. Such smoking articles are
employed by heating or burning tobacco to generate aerosol (e.g.,
smoke) that may be inhaled by the smoker. Popular smoking articles,
such as cigarettes, have a substantially cylindrical rod shaped
structure and include a charge, roll or column of smokable material
such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form) surrounded by a
paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called "tobacco rod." Normally,
a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an
end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filter
element comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed
by a paper material known as "plug wrap." Certain cigarettes
incorporate a filter element having multiple segments, and one of
those segments can comprise activated charcoal particles.
Typically, the filter element is attached to one end of the tobacco
rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as "tipping
paper." It also has become desirable to perforate the tipping
material and plug wrap, in order to provide dilution of drawn
mainstream smoke with ambient air. A cigarette is employed by a
smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The
smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth by drawing
on the opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the cigarette.
[0003] The tobacco used for cigarette manufacture is typically used
in blended form. For example, certain popular tobacco blends,
commonly referred to as "American blends," comprise mixtures of
flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco and Oriental tobacco, and in
many cases, certain processed tobaccos, such as reconstituted
tobacco and processed tobacco stems. The precise amount of each
type of tobacco within a tobacco blend used for the manufacture of
a particular cigarette brand varies from brand to brand. However,
for many tobacco blends, flue-cured tobacco makes up a relatively
large proportion of the blend, while Oriental tobacco makes up a
relatively small proportion of the blend. See, for example, Tobacco
Encyclopedia, Voges (Ed.) p. 44-45 (1984), Browne, The Design of
Cigarettes, 3.sup.rd Ed., p. 43 (1990) and Tobacco Production,
Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) p. 346 (1999).
[0004] Tobacco also may be enjoyed in a so-called "smokeless" form.
Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are employed by
inserting some form of processed tobacco or tobacco-containing
formulation into the mouth of the user. See for example, the types
of smokeless tobacco formulations, ingredients, and processing
methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,586 to Schwartz;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 to Pittman
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599 to
Tibbetts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to Townsend; U.S. Pat. No.
5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No.
6,834,654 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.
7,694,686 to Atchley et al.; US Pat. Pub. Nos. 2004/0020503 to
Williams; 2005/0115580 to Quinter et al.; 2005/0244521 to
Strickland et al.; 2006/0191548 to Strickland et al.; 2007/0062549
to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.;
2007/0186942 to Strickland et al.; 2008/0029110 to Dube et al.;
2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et al.;
2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0196730 to Engstrom et al.;
2008/0209586 to Neilsen et al.; 2008/0305216 to Crawford et al.;
2009/0025738 to Mua et al.; 2009/0025739 to Brinkley et al.;
2009/0065013 to Essen et al.; 2009/0293889 to Kumar et al.;
2010/0018540 to Doolittle et al; 2010/0018541 to Gerardi et al.;
2010/0291245 to Gao et al; 2011/0139164 to Mua et al.; 2011/0174323
to Coleman, III et al.; 2011/0247640 to Beeson et al.; 2011/0259353
to Coleman, III et al.; 2012/0037175 to Cantrell et al.;
2012/0055494 to Hunt et al.; 2012/0103353 to Sebastian et al.;
2012/0125354 to Byrd et al.; 2012/0138073 to Cantrell et al.; and
2012/0138074 to Cantrell et al; PCT WO 04/095959 to Arnarp et al.;
PCT WO 05/063060 to Atchley et al.; PCT WO 05/004480 to Engstrom;
PCT WO 05/016036 to Bjorkholm; PCT WO 05/041699 to Quinter et al.,
and PCT WO 10/132444 to Atchley; each of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0005] One type of smokeless tobacco product is referred to as
"snuff." Representative types of moist snuff products, commonly
referred to as "snus," have been manufactured in Europe,
particularly in Sweden, by or through companies such as Swedish
Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk
Tobakskompagni A/S, and Rocker Production AB. Snus products
available in the U.S.A. have been marketed under the tradenames
Camel Snus Frost, Camel Snus Original and Camel Snus Spice by R. J.
Reynolds Tobacco Company. See also, for example, Bryzgalov et al.,
1N1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of
General Loose and Portion Snus (2005). In addition, certain quality
standards associated with snus manufacture have been assembled as a
so-called GothiaTek standard. Representative smokeless tobacco
products also have been marketed under the tradenames Oliver Twist
by House of Oliver Twist A/S; Copenhagen moist tobacco, Copenhagen
pouches, Skoal Bandits, Skoal Pouches, SkoalDry, Rooster, Red Seal
long cut, Husky, and Revel Mint Tobacco Packs by U.S. Smokeless
Tobacco Co.; Marlboro Snus and "taboka" by Philip Morris USA; Levi
Garrett, Peachy, Taylor's Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen,
Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King, and Mammoth Cave by American Snuff
Company, LLC; Camel Snus, Camel Orbs, Camel Sticks, and Camel
Strips by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Other exemplary smokeless
tobacco products that have been marketed include those referred to
as Kayak moist snuff and Chatanooga Chew chewing tobacco by Swisher
International, Inc.; and Redman chewing tobacco by Pinkerton
Tobacco Co. LP.
[0006] Various treatment methods and additives have been proposed
for altering the overall character or nature of tobacco materials
utilized in tobacco products. For example, additives or treatment
processes have been utilized in order to alter the chemistry or
sensory properties of the tobacco material, or in the case of
smokable tobacco materials, to alter the chemistry or sensory
properties of mainstream smoke generated by smoking articles
including the tobacco material. See, for example, Leffingwell et
al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company (1972), which is incorporated herein by reference. In
addition, tobacco materials have been processed or blended in a
manner designed to achieve certain sensory or chemistry
characteristics. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,066 to
Lawson et al. and US Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0245377 to Marshall et al.,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0007] It would be desirable to extend the shelf life of tobacco
materials. In particular, it would be advantageous to develop
tobacco materials having a storage stability for an increased
number of days.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a method of treating a
tobacco material to enhance storage stability, comprising receiving
a tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the
total weight, and subjecting the tobacco material to a process
pressure of at least about 30,000 psi to form a high pressure
processed tobacco material, wherein the high pressure processed
tobacco material has a storage stability of at least about 25 days,
wherein the storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count
below about 3,000,000 CFU/g. In some embodiments, the tobacco
material can be in the form of a particulate material. In certain
embodiments, the tobacco material can be in the form of an aqueous
tobacco extract.
[0009] In various embodiments, the high pressure processed tobacco
material can be stored at about 37.degree. C. In some embodiments,
the high pressure tobacco material can be refrigerated to increase
storage stability. For example, the high pressure processed tobacco
material can be stored at about 4.degree. C. The storage stability
of the refrigerated tobacco material can be at least about 75 days,
or at least about 100 days.
[0010] In various embodiments of the method described herein, the
process pressure can be at least about 75,000 psi. In some
embodiments, the tobacco material can be subjected to the process
pressure for a holding time of at least about 30 seconds. For
example, the holding time can be in the range of about 180 seconds
to about 300 seconds.
[0011] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise
incorporating the high pressure processed tobacco material into a
tobacco product. The tobacco product can be a smoking article, for
example. In some embodiments, the tobacco product can be a
smokeless tobacco product.
[0012] The present invention further provides a tobacco material
having at least about 40% water based on the total weight, and
having a storage stability of at least about 25 days, wherein the
storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count below about
3,000,000 CFU/g. In various embodiments, the tobacco material can
be stored at ambient temperature (e.g., at about 37.degree. C.). In
some embodiments, the tobacco material can be refrigerated (e.g.,
stored at about 4.degree. C.), which can further enhance the
storage stability of the tobacco material. For example, the storage
stability of the refrigerated tobacco material can be at least
about 75 days, or at least about 100 days. In certain embodiments,
the tobacco material can be in the form of a particulate material.
In some embodiments, the tobacco material can be in the form of an
aqueous extract.
[0013] The present invention also provides a tobacco product
incorporating the tobacco materials having enhanced storage lives
that are discussed herein. In some embodiments, the a smoking
article. In certain embodiments, the tobacco product can be a
smokeless tobacco product.
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which
are briefly described below. The invention includes any combination
of two, three, four, or more of the above-noted embodiments as well
as combinations of any two, three, four, or more features or
elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such
features or elements are expressly combined in a specific
embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be
read holistically such that any separable features or elements of
the disclosed invention, in any of its various aspects and
embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order to provide an understanding of embodiments of the
invention, reference is made to the appended drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which reference numerals
refer to components of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The
drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as
limiting the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a flow chart describing methods of treating a
tobacco material to enhance storage stability;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a smoking article
having the form of a cigarette, showing the smokable material, the
wrapping material components, and the filter element of the
cigarette;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of a smokeless tobacco product
embodiment, taken across the width of the product, showing an outer
pouch filled with a tobacco material; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectional view through an electronic smoking
article comprising a cartridge and a control body and including a
reservoir housing according to an example embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in
the art. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular
forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to "dry weight
percent" or "dry weight basis" refers to weight on the basis of dry
ingredients (i.e., all ingredients except water).
[0021] The present invention provides methods of treating a tobacco
material to enhance storage stability and tobacco products derived
therefrom. The methods can comprise receiving a tobacco material
having at least about 50% water based on the total weight, and
subjecting the tobacco material to high pressure processing to form
a high pressure processed tobacco material. The high pressure
processed tobacco material can have a storage stability of at least
about 25 days, wherein the storage stability is defined as an
aerobic plate count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g.
[0022] The materials of the disclosure undergoing enhanced storage
treatment will typically incorporate some form of a plant of the
Nicotiana species, and most preferably, those materials to be
treated incorporate some form of tobacco. The selection of the
plant from the Nicotiana species can vary; and in particular, the
types of tobacco or tobaccos may vary. Tobaccos that can be
employed include flue-cured or Virginia (e.g., K326), burley,
sun-cured (e.g., Indian Kurnool and Oriental tobaccos, including
Katerini, Prelip, Komotini, Xanthi and Yambol tobaccos), Maryland,
dark, dark-fired, dark air cured (e.g., Passanda, Cubano, Jatin and
Bezuki tobaccos), light air cured (e.g., North Wisconsin and Galpao
tobaccos), Indian air cured, Red Russian and Rustica tobaccos, as
well as various other rare or specialty tobaccos. Descriptions of
various types of tobaccos, growing practices and harvesting
practices are set forth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and
Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999), which is incorporated
herein by reference. Nicotiana species can be derived using
genetic-modification or crossbreeding techniques (e.g., tobacco
plants can be genetically engineered or crossbred to increase or
decrease production of or to other change certain components,
characteristics or attributes). Additional information on types of
Nicotiana species suitable for use in the present invention can be
found in US Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2012/0192880 to Dube et al., which
is incorporated by reference herein. Tobacco plants can be grown in
greenhouses, growth chambers, or outdoors in fields, or grown
hydroponically.
[0023] The portion or portions of the plant of the Nicotiana
species used according to the present invention can vary. For
example, virtually all of the plant (e.g., the whole plant) can be
harvested, and employed as such. Alternatively, various parts or
pieces of the plant can be harvested or separated for further use
after harvest. For example, the leaves, stem, stalk, roots, lamina,
flowers, seed, and various portions and combinations thereof, can
be isolated for further use or treatment. The plant material of the
invention may thus comprise an entire plant or any portion of a
plant of the Nicotiana species. See, for example, the portions of
tobacco plants set forth in US Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2011/0174323 to
Coleman, III et al. and 2012/0192880 to Dube et al., which are
incorporated by reference herein.
[0024] The plant of the Nicotiana species can be employed in either
an immature or mature form, and can be used in either a green form
or a cured form, as described in 2012/0192880 to Dube et al., which
is incorporated by reference herein.
[0025] The tobacco material can be subjected to various treatment
processes such as, refrigeration, freezing, drying (e.g.,
freeze-drying or spray-drying), irradiation, yellowing, heating,
cooking (e.g., roasting, frying or boiling), fermentation,
bleaching, or otherwise subjected to storage or treatment for later
use. Exemplary processing techniques are described, for example, in
US Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2009/0025739 to Brinkley et al. and
2011/0174323 to Coleman, III et al., which are incorporated by
reference herein.
[0026] Tobacco materials can be treated with enzymes and/or
probiotics before or after harvest, as discussed in US Pat. Appl.
Pub. Nos. 2013/0269719 Marshall et al. and 2014/0020694 to
Moldoveanu, which are incorporated herein by reference. Tobacco
materials may be irradiated, pasteurized, or otherwise subjected to
controlled heat treatment. Representative processes are set forth
in US Pat. Pub. Nos. 2009/0025738 to Mua et al.; 2009/0025739 to
Brinkley et al.; and 2011/0247640 to Beeson et al., which are
incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the tobacco
material is heat treated in the presence of water, NaOH, and an
additive (e.g., lysine) at about 88.degree. C. for about 60
minutes. Such heat treatment can help prevent acrylamide production
resulting from reaction of asparagine with reducing sugars in
tobacco materials and can provide some degree of pasteurization.
See, for example, US Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0300463 to Chen et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference. The tobacco material can
be brought into contact with an imprinted polymer or non-imprinted
polymer such as described, for example, in US Pat. Pub. Nos.
2007/0186940 to Bhattacharyya et al; 2011/0041859 to Rees et al.;
2011/0159160 to Jonsson et al; and 2012/0291793 to Byrd et al., all
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0027] A harvested portion or portions of the plant of the
Nicotiana species can be physically processed. A portion or
portions of the plant can be separated into individual parts or
pieces (e.g., roots can be removed from stalks, stems can be
removed from stalks, leaves can be removed from stalks and/or
stems, petals can be removed from the remaining portion of the
flower). The harvested portion or portions of the plant can be
further subdivided into parts or pieces (e.g., shredded, cut,
comminuted, pulverized, milled or ground into pieces or parts that
can be characterized as filler-type pieces, granules, particulates
or fine powders). The harvested portion or portions of the plant
can be subjected to external forces or pressure (e.g., by being
pressed or subjected to roll treatment). When carrying out such
processing conditions, the harvested portion or portions of the
plant can have a moisture content that approximates its natural
moisture content (e.g., its moisture content immediately upon
harvest), a moisture content achieved by adding moisture to the
harvested portion or portions of the plant, or a moisture content
that results from the drying of the harvested portion or portions
of the plant.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the tobacco material is used in a
form that can be described as particulate (i.e., shredded, ground,
granulated, or powder form). The manner by which the tobacco
material is provided in a finely divided or powder type of form may
vary. Preferably, plant parts or pieces are comminuted, ground or
pulverized into a particulate form using equipment and techniques
for grinding, milling, or the like. Most preferably, the plant
material is relatively dry in form during grinding or milling,
using equipment such as hammer mills, cutter heads, air control
mills, or the like. For example, tobacco parts or pieces may be
ground or milled when the moisture content thereof is less than
about 15 weight percent or less than about weight percent. Most
preferably, the tobacco material is employed in the form of parts
or pieces that have an average particle size less than about 50
microns. In one embodiment, the average particle size of the
tobacco particles may be less than or equal to about 25 microns. In
some instances, the tobacco particles may be sized to pass through
a screen mesh. If desired, air classification equipment may be used
to ensure that small sized tobacco particles of the desired sizes,
or range of sizes, may be collected. If desired, differently sized
pieces of granulated tobacco may be mixed together. Use of
micro-milled tobacco particles (or other micro-sized botanical
components) can be advantageous where the user prefers to reduce or
eliminate product waste after use.
[0029] In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the tobacco
material can have the form of an extract. Tobacco extracts can be
obtained by extracting tobacco using a solvent having an aqueous
character such as distilled water or tap water. As such, aqueous
tobacco extracts can be provided by extracting tobacco with water,
such that water insoluble pulp material is separated from the
aqueous solvent and the water soluble and dispersible tobacco
components dissolved and dispersed therein. Exemplary techniques
for extracting components of tobacco are described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,144,895 to Fiore; U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,677 to Osborne, Jr. et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,847 to Reid; U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,147 to Wildman
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,346 to Brummer et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
4,359,059 to Brummer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,682 to Muller;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,428 to Keritsis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,016 to
Soga et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,911 to Poulose et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,727,889 to Niven, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,618 to
Bernasek et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,484 to Clapp et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,967,771 to Fagg et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,286 to Roberts et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,593 to Fagg et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,018,540 to Grubbs et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,669 to White et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,775 to Fagg; U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,319 to
White et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,862 to White et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,121,757 to White et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,414 to Fagg;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,415 to Munoz et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,819 to
Fagg; U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,494 to Kramer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,354 to
Smith et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,008 to Fagg; U.S. Pat. No.
5,243,999 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,694 to Raymond et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,318,050 to Gonzalez-Parra et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,343,879 to Teague; U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,022 to Newton; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,435,325 to Clapp et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,169 to Brinkley
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,584 to Lauterbach; U.S. Pat. No.
6,284,875 to Turpen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,859 to Kierulff et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,767 to Mua et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,970
to Berit et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,906,172 to Bratcher et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,034,128 to Turpen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,211 to
Bratcher et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,782 to Thompson, all of
which are incorporated by reference herein. See also, the
ultrafiltered translucent tobacco extracts set forth in US Pat.
Appl. Pub. Nos. 2013/0074855 and 2013/0074856, both to Holton, Jr.,
which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0030] The tobacco-derived extract will typically comprise a
mixture of desired components isolated from a plant of the
Nicotiana species by various means. However, if desired, the
tobacco-derived extract can be highly purified with respect to a
single component of the extract or a small number of extract
components. Typical separation processes that can further purify or
isolate components of a tobacco extract include one or more process
steps such as solvent extraction (e.g., using polar solvents,
organic solvents, or supercritical fluids), chromatography (e.g.,
preparative liquid chromatography), clarification, distillation,
filtration (e.g., ultrafiltration), recrystallization, and/or
solvent-solvent partitioning. In some embodiments, a plant or a
portion thereof is pre-treated, e.g., to liberate certain compounds
to make the desired compounds available for more efficient
separation. In some embodiments, multiple methods are used to
isolate and/or purify the desired compounds. See, for example, the
description of isolated tobacco components and techniques for
isolation in US Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2011/0174323 to Coleman, III
et al.; 2011/0259353 to Coleman, III et al.; 2012/0192880 to Dube
et al.; 2012/0192882 to Dube et al.; and 2012/0211016 to Byrd, Jr.
et al., which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0031] Tobacco extracts of the present disclosure can, in some
embodiments, be characterized as translucent or transparent. In
certain embodiments, such extracts can be characterized by the
molecular weight of their components. For example, a translucent
tobacco extract can consist of compounds having a molecular weight
of less than about 50,000 Da., or compounds having a molecular
weight of less than about 5,000 Da. The translucency of a tobacco
extract can be characterized by a percent light transmittance
(compared to water at 100% transmittance), such as a percent light
transmittance of at least about 30% at visible light wavelengths
greater than about 600 nm, or a percent light transmittance of at
least about 40% at visible light wavelengths greater than about 600
nm, or a percent light transmittance of at least about 50% at
visible light wavelengths greater than about 600 nm (or even higher
levels such as greater than about 60% or greater than about 70% or
greater than about 80% at visible light wavelengths greater than
about 600 nm).
[0032] Reference to "tobacco extract" as explained above
encompasses extracts highly purified with respect to one or a few
components thereof. For example, highly purified tobacco-derived
nicotine (e.g., pharmaceutical grade nicotine having a purity of
greater than 98% or greater than 99%) or a derivative thereof can
be used in the present invention. Representative
nicotine-containing extracts can be provided using the techniques
set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference. Extracts containing relatively
high nicotine content can be buffered, e.g., using buffering agents
such as citric acid to lower the pH of the extracts.
[0033] The form of the tobacco extract (or isolate therefrom)
obtained according to the present invention can vary. Typically,
the isolate is in a solid, liquid, or semi-solid form. The
formulation can be used in concrete, absolute, or neat form. Solid
forms of the tobacco isolate can include spray-dried and
freeze-dried forms (e.g., freeze-dried flue cured extract or
spray-dried fire-cured extract). Liquid forms of the tobacco
isolate can include formulations contained within aqueous or
organic solvent carriers.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the tobacco materials undergoing
enhanced storage treatment can include nicotine in any form from
any source, whether tobacco-derived or synthetically-derived.
Normally, nicotinic compounds used in the present invention are
selected from the group consisting of nicotine base, nicotine
hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate,
nicotine bitartrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine zinc chloride such
as nicotine zinc chloride monohydrate and nicotine salicylate. In
some embodiments, nicotine is in its free base form, which can
optionally be sorbed on a carrier (e.g., microcrystalline
cellulose) for inclusion in a tobacco material. See, for example,
the nicotine/carrier compositions set forth in US Pat. Pub. No.
2004/0191322 to Hansson, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
[0035] In addition to (or in lieu of in certain embodiments) the
above-noted tobacco material, materials of the invention can
include a further non-tobacco botanical material. As used herein,
the term "botanical material" refers to any plant material,
including plant material in its natural form and plant material
derived from natural plant materials, such as extracts or isolates
from plant materials or treated plant materials (e.g., plant
materials subjected to heat treatment, fermentation, or other
treatment processes capable of altering the chemical nature of the
material). See, e.g., exemplary botanical materials disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0068544 to Moldoveanu et al., herein
incorporated by reference. When present in the composition
undergoing treatment, such botanical materials can be used in the
same forms noted above with respect to tobacco (e.g., milled
particulates or extracts) and the amounts utilized can depend on
the desired use of the tobacco material treated to enhance storage
life.
[0036] Depending on the type of tobacco material being processed,
the tobacco material can include one or more additional components
in addition to the tobacco material. For example, the tobacco
material can be processed, blended, formulated, combined and/or
mixed with other materials or ingredients, such as other tobacco
materials or flavorants, fillers, binders, pH adjusters, buffering
agents, salts, sweeteners, colorants, disintegration aids,
humectants, and preservatives (any of which may be an encapsulated
ingredient). See, for example, those representative components,
combination of components, relative amounts of those components and
ingredients relative to tobacco, and manners and methods for
employing those components, set forth in US Pat. Pub. Nos.
2011/0315154 to Mua et al. and 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al.
and U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,728 to Holton, Jr. et al., each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0037] High pressure processing (HPP), also known as high
hydrostatic pressure processing or ultra-high pressure processing,
is a cold pasteurization technique by which materials that are
sealed in a package, can be introduced into a vessel and subjected
to a high level of isostatic pressure transmitted by a pressurizing
medium such as a liquid or a gas (e.g., water). See, e.g.,
discussion of High Pressure Processing (HPP) available at
http://www.hierbaric.com/en/high-pressure; and Kinetics of
Microbial Inactivation for Alternative Food Processing
Technologies--High Pressure Processing available at
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/SafePracticesforFoodProcesses-
/ucm101456.htm; each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Tobacco materials, as described above, can be subjected to high
pressure processing (HPP) to form a high pressure processed tobacco
material. Tobacco materials that have undergone HPP treatment can
have an enhanced shelf life. For example, HPP can provide materials
having at least double and triple shelf lives without the use of
chemicals, additives or heat. During HPP, the high pressure
destroys pathogenic microorganisms by interrupting their cellular
functions. Within a living bacteria cell, many pressure sensitive
processes such as protein function, enzyme action, and cellular
membrane function are impacted by high pressure, resulting in the
inability of the bacteria to survive. Small macromolecules that can
contribute to flavor, odor, and nutrition are typically not changed
by pressure. HPP offers several advantages over traditional thermal
processing including reduced process times, minimal heat damage,
and retention of freshness, flavor, texture, color, and nutrients.
As such, HPP can offer a commercially viable and practical
alternative to heat processing by allowing processors to pasteurize
materials at or near room temperature. See, e.g., Balasubramaniam
et al., High-pressure Food Processing, Food Sci. Tech. Eng. 14(5)
(2008), pp. 413-418, and Baldo et al., J. Food Sci. Eng. 2 (2012),
543-549, herein incorporated by reference.
[0038] HPP is based on the Le Chatelier principle which states that
a system at equilibrium adjusts when subjected to a stress and that
chemical reactions resulting in a decrease in total volume are
enhanced by pressure and chemical reactions resulting in an
increase in total volume are slowed down by pressure. An HPP
process is not dependent on the volume of the material being
treated. HPP utilizes isostatic or hydrostatic pressure which is
equal from every direction. Isostatic compression transfers
pressure instantly and uniformly throughout the pressure medium
providing a non-thermal process alternative for the pasteurization
of temperature-sensitive materials. Materials suspended in the
pressure medium are assumed to follow the isostatic principle. The
basis for using the HPP process as a pasteurization method is based
on the assumption that the product also follows the isostatic rule,
which states that isostatic pressure is instantly and uniformly
transmitted throughout the pressurized medium and the enclosed
tobacco material, regardless of size, shape or physical state of
the tobacco material.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, high pressure
processing methods described herein can comprise placing a packaged
tobacco material having a high moisture content in a pressure
chamber that can be filled with a pressurizing fluid or gas that
can be pressurized though any means known in the art. The
pressurizing fluid can then apply pressure to the material for a
sufficient duration and degree to process the material. The entire
process can take 10 minutes or less. See, e.g., the processing
methods and equipment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,837 to
Nakayama; and U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2004/0045450 to Hernando; and
2008/0311259 to Singh et al., herein incorporated by reference. It
is noted that the order of operations in HPP treatment method 100
is not intended to be limiting.
[0040] As illustrated at operation 105 of HPP treatment method 100,
for example, tobacco materials can be prepared for processing. As
described above, tobacco materials can be in a particulate form
and/or in the form of an extract. For HPP treatment methods,
samples having lower water activity can be less susceptible to HPP
treatment (i.e., low water activities can at least partially
prevent inactivation of the pathogenic microorganisms). As such, in
preferred embodiments of the present invention, tobacco materials
can be in the form of an aqueous extract and/or a slurry. In
various embodiments of the present invention, the tobacco material
undergoing HPP treatment can have a moisture content of at least
about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least
about 80% based on total weight of the sample. The preferred
moisture content can vary depending on the type and/or form of
tobacco material undergoing treatment. In some embodiments, the
tobacco material can be in the form of a wet tobacco particulate
material. In certain embodiments, the tobacco material can be in
the form of an aqueous tobacco extract.
[0041] As illustrated at operation 110, for example, in various
embodiments of the present invention the pH of the tobacco material
can be adjusted. Inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms can be
enhanced by exposure to acidic pH. Compression of samples can shift
the pH of the sample. The direction of the pH shift and the
magnitude can be determined for each material undergoing an HPP
treatment process. As pH is lowered, most microbes become more
susceptible to HPP inactivation. In various embodiments of the
present invention, the pH of the tobacco material undergoing HPP
treatment can be adjusted to be in the range of about 4 to about 6,
or about 5 to about 6. The pH of a sample can be measured at the
initial temperature of the sample prior to treatment and at
atmospheric pressure via any means known in the art.
[0042] As illustrated at operation 115, for example, before placing
the tobacco material into the pressure chamber, the tobacco
material can be packaged in a water resistant container capable of
undergoing the HPP treatment process. See, e.g., the packages and
methods of packing described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,507,020 to
DesLauriers et al. and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0099306 to Miller,
each of which is herein incorporated by reference. The container
can be such that the pressurizing medium (e.g., the liquid or the
gas in the pressure chamber) is unable to penetrate the container
during the HPP treatment process and thereby contaminate the sample
undergoing treatment. For example, in certain embodiments, tobacco
material can be hermetically sealed into Mylar.RTM. heat sealable
bags.
[0043] Before pressurizing the tobacco material, the pressure
chamber can be set to reach a target pressure which can vary
depending on the material to be treated. The pressure at which a
sample to be treated is held in a pressure vessel can be referred
to as process pressure. In various embodiments of the present
invention, the pressure within the pressure chamber during HPP
treatment of a tobacco material can be about 30,000 psi to about
130,000 psi, about 50,000 psi to about 100,000 psi, or about 70,000
psi to about 90,000 psi during processing of the material. In a
preferred embodiment, the process pressure can be about 86,000 psi.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the process
pressure can be at least about 30,000 psi, at least about 50,000
psi, at least about 75,000 psi, at least about 100,000 psi, or at
least about 125,000 psi.
[0044] The temperature at which a product undergoing processing
attains after the target process pressure is reached can be
referred to as process temperature. Process temperature can be
governed by the initial temperature of the sample to be treated. As
illustrated at operation 120, for example, the initial temperature
of the tobacco material can be adjusted prior to pressurizing the
sample. For example, conventionally, food pasteurization
applications products can be chilled before undergoing HPP whereas
for sterilization of low-acid foods, products can be preheated to
about 50 to about 70.degree. C. See, e.g., Basic Concepts of High
Pressure Processing available at
http://grad.fst.ohio-state.edu/hpp/concepts.html; herein
incorporated by reference. For example, the tobacco material can be
at ambient temperature (e.g., about 37.degree. C.) or it can be
chilled (e.g., to about 4.degree. C.) before undergoing an HPP
treatment process. Other initial temperatures of the tobacco
material can be used without departing from the present
invention.
[0045] As illustrated at operation 125, for example, after
preparing packaged tobacco material, the material can be placed
into a pressure chamber and pressurized at a desired process
pressure for a sufficient time to inactivate undesirable
microorganisms. The duration of time that a sample is subjected to
the process pressure and process temperature can be referred to as
a holding time or a process time. The holding time can be balanced
to be long enough so that the maximum level of undesirable
microorganisms are inactivated, but also not too long so that
negative side effects occur (e.g., other undesirable microorganisms
grow). In certain embodiments, samples with lower moisture content
can require longer process times. In various embodiments of the
present invention, the process time can be at least about 30
seconds, at least about 60 seconds, at least about 120 seconds, at
least about 180 seconds, at least about 240 seconds, at least about
300 seconds, or at least about 360 seconds. In various embodiments,
the holding time for tobacco material undergoing treatment can be
in a range of about 30 seconds to about 380 seconds, about 60
seconds to about 300 seconds, or about 180 seconds to about 300
seconds.
[0046] As illustrated at operation 130, for example, following
pressurization of the tobacco material for the desired holding
time, the pressure chamber can be de-pressurized and the treated
tobacco material can be removed. One advantage of HPP treatment
methods is that pressure transmission is relatively instantaneous
and uniform, and HPP is not controlled by product size and is
effective throughout the tobacco materials. Depending on the
come-up time (i.e., period necessary to reach process pressure) and
the pressure-release time, the entire HPP treatment process can be
completed in less than 10 minutes, for example. It is noted that
come-up time and pressure-release time can also affect inactivation
kinetics of microorganisms. As such, it may be necessary to adjust
the holding time based on the come-up time and/or the
pressure-release time.
[0047] After undergoing an HPP treatment, a tobacco material can
have an increased storage stability due to the inactivation of
microorganisms. In the context of tobacco and food products, once a
product reaches a certain level of microorganisms, it is no longer
viable for use (i.e., consumption). The aerobic plate count (APC)
of a product is a parameter used to indicate the level of
microorganisms in a product. The APC of a product can be measured
in colony forming units per gram of sample tested (CFU/g). Detailed
procedures for determining the APC of a material have been
developed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC)
and the American Public Health Association (APHA). See, e.g.,
American Public Health Association. 1984. Compendium of Methods for
the Microbiological Examination of Foods, 2.sup.nd ed. APHA,
Washington, D.C.; Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
1990. Official Methods of Analysis, 15.sup.th ed. AOAC, Arlington,
Va.; and BAM: Aerobic Plate Count available at
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/LaboratoryMethods/ucm063346.h-
tm; each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0048] As used herein, "storage stability" of a product is defined
as a length of time where the APC value of a product remains below
a maximum APC value, beyond which the microbial count renders the
product unusable for its desired purpose. Due to the fact that APC
values increase over time as a result of the growth of
microorganisms in a product, as used herein, an "increased storage
stability" refers to an increase in the amount of time that the APC
value of the product remains below the APC threshold (i.e., maximum
APC value before product is rendered unusable). In various
embodiments, an HPP treatment process can increase the storage
stability of a treated tobacco material as compared to the storage
stability of a non-treated tobacco material by at least about 20
days, by at least about 25 days, by at least about 50 days, by at
least about 75 days, or by at least about 100 days. In some
embodiments, an HPP treatment process can increase the storage
stability of a treated tobacco material as compared to a
non-treated tobacco material by at least about 200%, by at least
about 300%, by at least about 400%, or by at least about 500%.
[0049] Refrigeration can further increase the storage stability of
a product. Refrigeration can increase the storage stability of an
HPP treated tobacco material stored at a temperature of about
10.degree. C. or less as compared to an HPP treated tobacco
material stored at room temperature by at least about 20 days, by
at least about 25 days, by at least about 50 days, by at least
about 75 days, or by at least about 100 days. Refrigeration can
increase the storage stability of an HPP treated tobacco material
stored at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. or less as compared
to an HPP treated tobacco material stored at room temperature by at
least about 200%, by at least about 300%, by at least about 400%,
or by at least about 500%.
[0050] In various embodiments of the present invention, the maximum
APC value of a tobacco material in the form of an aqueous extract
can be about 3,000,000 CFU/g. The storage stability of an untreated
aqueous tobacco extract stored at ambient temperature can be less
than about one day. HPP treatment can significantly increase the
storage stability of tobacco material. The storage stability of an
aqueous tobacco extract subjected to an HPP treatment process and
stored at ambient temperature can be at least about 25 days. An HPP
treatment process can also increase the storage stability of a
refrigerated tobacco material. The storage stability of an
untreated aqueous tobacco extract stored at about 4.degree. C. can
be between about 25 days to about 50 days. The storage stability of
an aqueous tobacco extract subjected to an HPP treatment process
and stored at about 4.degree. C. can be between about 100 days to
about 150 days.
[0051] Tobacco materials that have undergone an HPP treatment
process as described above can be useful in various tobacco
products. The tobacco product to which the materials of the
invention are added can vary, and can include any product
configured or adapted to deliver tobacco or some component thereof
to the user of the product. Exemplary tobacco products include
smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes), smokeless tobacco products,
and aerosol-generating devices that contain a tobacco material or
other plant material that is not combusted during use.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a smoking article 10 in
the form of a cigarette and possessing certain representative
components of a smoking article that can contain HPP treated
tobacco materials of the present invention. The cigarette 10
includes a generally cylindrical rod 12 of a charge or roll of
smokable filler material (e.g., about 0.3 to about 1.0 g of
smokable filler material such as tobacco material) contained in a
circumscribing wrapping material 16. The rod 12 is conventionally
referred to as a "tobacco rod." The ends of the tobacco rod 12 are
open to expose the smokable filler material. The cigarette 10 is
shown as having one optional band 22 (e.g., a printed coating
including a film-forming agent, such as starch, ethylcellulose, or
sodium alginate) applied to the wrapping material 16, and that band
circumscribes the cigarette rod in a direction transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The band 22 can be printed on
the inner surface of the wrapping material (i.e., facing the
smokable filler material), or less preferably, on the outer surface
of the wrapping material.
[0053] At one end of the tobacco rod 12 is the lighting end 18, and
at the mouth end 20 is positioned a filter element 26. The filter
element 26 positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 12 such
that the filter element and tobacco rod are axially aligned in an
end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting one another. Filter
element 26 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and the diameter
thereof may be essentially equal to the diameter of the tobacco
rod. The ends of the filter element 26 permit the passage of air
and smoke therethrough. A plug wrap 28 enwraps the filter element
and a tipping material (not shown) enwraps the plug wrap and a
portion of the outer wrapping material 16 of the rod 12, thereby
securing the rod to the filter element 26.
[0054] In various embodiments, smokeless tobacco products can
comprise HPP treated tobacco materials. The form of the smokeless
tobacco product of the invention can vary. In one particular
embodiment, the product is in the form of a snus-type product
containing a particulate HPP treated tobacco material and other
ingredients known in the art. Manners and methods for formulating
snus-type tobacco formulations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art of snus tobacco product production. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, an exemplary pouched product 300 can
comprise an outer water-permeable container 320 in the form of a
pouch which contains a particulate mixture 315 adapted for oral
use. The orientation, size, and type of outer water-permeable pouch
and the type and nature of the composition adapted for oral use
that are illustrated herein are not construed as limiting
thereof.
[0055] In various embodiments, a moisture-permeable packet or pouch
can act as a container for use of the composition within. The
composition/construction of such packets or pouches, such as the
container pouch 320 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, may be
varied as noted herein. For example, suitable packets, pouches or
containers of the type used for the manufacture of smokeless
tobacco products, which can be modified according to the present
invention, are available under the tradenames CatchDry, Ettan,
General, Granit, Goteborgs Rape, Grovsnus White, Metropol Kaktus,
Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint, Mocca Wintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince,
Skruf and TreAnkrare. A pouch type of product similar in shape and
form to various embodiments of a pouched product described herein
is commercially available as ZONNIC (distributed by Niconovum AB).
Additionally, pouch type products generally similar in shape and
form to various embodiments of a pouched product are set forth as
snuff bag compositions E-J in Example 1 of PCT WO 2007/104573 to
Axelsson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, which
are produced using excipient ingredients and processing conditions
that can be used to manufacture pouched products as described
herein.
[0056] The relative amount of HPP treated tobacco material within
the smokeless tobacco composition may vary, and depends in part on
the type of tobacco material employed (e.g., milled tobacco or
tobacco extract). Preferably, the total amount of HPP treated
tobacco material (from any source including tobacco extracts or
isolates and particulate tobacco material) formulation within the
smokeless tobacco product is between about 0.01 and about 40 weight
percent based on total weight of the composition, more typically
between about 0.2 and about 20 weight percent (e.g., between about
0.3 and about 10 weight percent). For embodiments containing only
HPP treated tobacco extract as the tobacco component (including
pharmaceutical grade nicotine), the smokeless tobacco product will
typically contain no more than about 10 weight percent of tobacco
component, such as no more than about 8 weight percent, no more
than about 5 weight percent, or no more than about 3 weight percent
(e.g., about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent). For embodiments
containing an HPP treated particulate tobacco component (e.g., a
finely milled tobacco), either as the sole tobacco component or in
combination with a tobacco extract, the smokeless tobacco product
will typically contain no more than about 20 weight percent of
tobacco component, such as no more than about 15 weight percent, no
more than about 10 weight percent, or no more than about 8 weight
percent (e.g., about 1 to about 12 weight percent). The amount of
HPP treated tobacco material (or combination of tobacco material
with other botanical components) will typically not exceed 50
weight percent.
[0057] The invention is not limited to snus-type smokeless tobacco
products. For example, HPP treated tobacco materials can also be
incorporated into various smokeless tobacco forms such as loose
moist snuff, loose dry snuff, chewing tobacco, pelletized tobacco
pieces, extruded tobacco strips or pieces, finely divided or milled
agglomerates of powdered pieces and components, flake-like pieces
(e.g., that can be formed by agglomerating tobacco formulation
components in a fluidized bed), molded tobacco pieces (e.g., formed
in the general shape of a coin, cylinder, bean, cube, or the like),
pieces of tobacco-containing gum, products incorporating mixtures
of edible material combined with tobacco pieces and/or tobacco
extract, products incorporating tobacco (e.g., in the form of
tobacco extract) carried by a solid inedible substrate, and the
like. For example, the smokeless tobacco product can have the form
of compressed tobacco pellets, multi-layered extruded pieces,
extruded or formed rods or sticks, compositions having one type of
tobacco formulation surrounded by a different type of tobacco
formulation, rolls of tape-like films, readily water-dissolvable or
water-dispersible films or strips (see, for example, US Pat. Appl.
Pub. No. 2006/0198873 to Chan et al.), or capsule-like materials
possessing an outer shell (e.g., a pliable or hard outer shell that
can be clear, colorless, translucent or highly colored in nature)
and an inner region possessing tobacco or tobacco flavor (e.g., a
Newtoniam fluid or a thixotropic fluid incorporating tobacco of
some form).
[0058] In some embodiments, smokeless tobacco products of the
invention can have the form of a lozenge, tablet, microtab, or
other tablet-type product. See, for example, the types of lozenge
formulations and techniques for formulating or manufacturing
lozenges set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,773 to Shaw; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,110,605 to Acharya; U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,574 to Dam; U.S. Pat.
No. 6,280,761 to Santus; U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,959 to Andersson et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,760 to Wilhelmsen; and U.S. Pat. No.
7,374,779; US Pat. Pub. Nos. 2001/0016593 to Wilhelmsen;
2004/0101543 to Liu et al.; 2006/0120974 to Mcneight; 2008/0020050
to Chau et al.; 2009/0081291 to Gin et al.; and 2010/0004294 to
Axelsson et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0059] In various embodiments, HPP treated tobacco materials can be
incorporated into an electronic smoking article. There have been
proposed numerous smoking products, flavor generators, and
medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or
heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensations of
cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobacco to a
significant degree. See, for example, the various alternative
smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat generating
sources set forth in the background art described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2013/0255702 to
Griffith Jr. et al., 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., 2014/0060554
to Collett et al., 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., 2014/0096782 to
Ampolini et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/011,992 to
Davis et al., filed Aug. 28, 2013, which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0060] An exemplary embodiment of an electronic smoking article 200
is shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated therein, a control body 202 can
be formed of a control body shell 201 that can include a control
component 206, a flow sensor 208, a battery 210, and an LED 212. A
cartridge 204 can be formed of a cartridge shell 203 enclosing a
reservoir housing 244 that is in fluid communication with a liquid
transport element 236 adapted to wick or otherwise transport an
aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to a
heater 234. An opening 228 may be present in the cartridge shell
203 to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the cartridge 204.
Such components are representative of the components that may be
present in a cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of
cartridge components that are encompassed by the present
disclosure. The cartridge 204 may be adapted to engage the control
body 202 through a press-fit engagement between the control body
projection 224 and the cartridge receptacle 240. Such engagement
can facilitate a stable connection between the control body 202 and
the cartridge 204 as well as establish an electrical connection
between the battery 210 and control component 206 in the control
body and the heater 234 in the cartridge. The cartridge 204 also
may include one or more electronic components 250, which may
include an IC, a memory component, a sensor, or the like. The
electronic component 250 may be adapted to communicate with the
control component 206. The various components of an electronic
smoking device according to the present disclosure can be chosen
from components described in the art and commercially
available.
[0061] In various embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition
can comprise an HPP treated tobacco material. Exemplary
formulations for aerosol precursor materials that may be used
according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,217,320 to Robinson et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2013/0008457 to
Zheng et al.; 2013/0213417 to Chong et al.; 2014/0060554 to Collett
et al.; and 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Other
aerosol precursors that can incorporate the HPP treated tobacco
materials described herein include the aerosol precursors that have
been incorporated in the VUSE.RTM. product by R. J. Reynolds Vapor
Company, the BLU.TM. product by Lorillard Technologies, the MISTIC
MENTHOL product by Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product by CN
Creative Ltd. Also desirable are the so-called "smoke juices" for
electronic cigarettes that have been available from Johnson Creek
Enterprises LLC.
EXPERIMENTAL
[0062] Aspects of the present invention are more fully illustrated
by the following examples, which are set forth to illustrate
certain aspects of the present invention and are not to be
construed as limiting thereof.
Example 1
[0063] Tobacco material in the form of an aqueous extract undergoes
an HPP treatment process and illustrates an increased storage life
as compared to an untreated tobacco material in the form of an
aqueous extract.
[0064] Six samples of an aqueous tobacco extract are prepared. The
extract used is known to contain microbes that would proliferate if
not irradiated. Two samples are control samples and not subjected
to an HPP treatment process. One of the control samples is stored
at ambient temperature. A second control sample is stored at
4.degree. C. Four of the samples undergo an HPP treatment process,
as described in more detail below.
[0065] For the HPP treatment, a Quintus.RTM. 35L-600 pressure
vessel manufactured by Avure.RTM. Technologies is used. For each
sample, 250 mL of the extract is hermetically sealed into
Mylar.RTM. heat sealable bags. The samples are loaded into a
cylindrical load basket, which is loaded manually or automatically
with the help of a hoist into the vessel. The vessel is closed and
pressurized. The water-filled vessel is pressurized with the
7XS-6000 intensifier pump. The pressure is held for the desired
hold time at the preset temperature. The vessel is decompressed,
opened, and the load basket is removed. The process parameters are
recorded for each cycle.
[0066] Two samples undergo an HPP treatment process wherein the
pressure in the process pressure chamber is set to 86,000 psi and
the process time (i.e., the time the samples are held at the
process pressure) is 180 seconds. One of these 180 second HPP
treated samples is stored at ambient temperature and the other is
stored at 4.degree. C. Two samples undergo an HPP treatment process
wherein the pressure in the process pressure chamber is set to
86,000 psi and the process time (i.e., the time the samples are
held at the process pressure) is 300 seconds. One of these 300
second HPP treated samples is stored at ambient temperature and the
other is stored at 4.degree. C.
[0067] Aerobic plate count (APC) readings are taken approximately
every 25 days. The data points are listed in the tables below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Aerobic plate count readings measured in
CFU/g for aqueous tobacco extract samples stored at ambient
temperature Days After HPP Product APC (CFU/g) 1 Control (no HPP)
4,000,000 HPP with 180 sec hold time 2,400 HPP with 300 sec hold
time 1,000 25 Control (no HPP) 23,000,000 HPP with 180 sec hold
time 2,200,000 HPP with 300 sec hold time 1,900,000 50 Control (no
HPP) TNTC* HPP with 180 sec hold time TNTC* HPP with 300 sec hold
time TNTC* *"TNTC" stands for "Too Numerous to Count"
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Aerobic plate count readings measured in
CFU/g for aqueous tobacco extract samples stored at 4.degree. C.
Days After HPP Product APC (CFU/g) 1 Control (no HPP) 2,400,000 HPP
with 180 sec hold time 120 HPP with 300 sec hold time 20 25 Control
(no HPP) 5,400,000 HPP with 180 sec hold time 600,000 HPP with 300
sec hold time 10 50 Control (no HPP) 3,300,000 HPP with 180 sec
hold time 1,400,000 HPP with 300 sec hold time 450,000 75 Control
(no HPP) 3,600,000 HPP with 180 sec hold time 1,600,000 HPP with
300 sec hold time 700,000 110 Control (no HPP) 33,000,000 HPP with
180 sec hold time 29,000,000 HPP with 300 sec hold time 14,000,000
150 Control (no HPP) 4,400,000 HPP with 180 sec hold time 3,500,000
HPP with 300 sec hold time 3,300,000
[0068] It is clear from the tables above that samples of aqueous
tobacco extract subjected to an HPP treatment have an increased
storage stability as compared to aqueous tobacco extract that has
not undergone an HPP treatment process. It is noted that the data
measured at 110 days may have been contaminated and therefore
inaccurate.
[0069] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing description. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended
to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although
specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *
References