CN101873809A - Smokeless tobacco composition and processing are used for the method for tobacco wherein - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides the smokeless tobacco product that is configured for inserting in end user's mouth, this tobacco product (10) comprises the permeable bag (12) that comprises the tobacco preparation, this tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material (14) and is dispersed in many micro-capsules (16) in this tobacco-containing material, and described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload.Described intra-payload can comprise additive, as water, and flavor enhancement, binding agent, colouring agent, the pH conditioning agent, buffer, filler, disintegration auxiliary agent, NMF, antioxidant, the MC composition, anticorrisive agent is derived from the additive of herbal medicine or plant origin and their mixture.The present invention also provides and prepares the method that is suitable for as the tobacco compositions of smokeless tobacco composition, and this method comprises heat treatment step, is used for tobacco compositions is carried out pasteurize.

Description

Smokeless tobacco composition and processing are used for the method for tobacco wherein

Invention field

The present invention relates to tobacco, be specifically related to the application of tobacco with smokeless form.The invention still further relates to the method that is used for the smokeless tobacco composition tobacco of processing.

Background of invention

Cigarette, cigar and pipe tobacco are to use the common smoking article of various forms of tobaccos.These smoking articles are the tobacco products that used by people by heating or burning tobacco, and the smoker sucks aerosol (as cigarette).Tobacco can also so-called " smokelessly " form be enjoyed.Current popular smokeless tobacco product is with the treated tobacco of some forms or contains the tobacco preparation and insert in user's mouth and use.

List No. the 1376586th, the United States Patent (USP) of various types of smokeless tobacco products: Schwartz in the following document; No. the 3696917th, the United States Patent (USP) of Levi; No. the 4513756th, people's such as Pittman United States Patent (USP); Sensabaugh, No. the 4528993rd, people's such as Jr. United States Patent (USP); No. the 4624269th, people's such as Story United States Patent (USP); No. the 4987907th, the United States Patent (USP) of Townsend; Sprinkle, No. the 5092352nd, people's such as III United States Patent (USP); No. the 5387416th, people's such as White United States Patent (USP); No. the 2005/0244521st, people's such as Strickland U.S. Patent Application Publication; People's such as Arnarp PCT WO 04/095959; People's such as Atchley PCT WO 05/063060; The PCT WO 05/004480 of Engstrom; The PCT WO 05/016036 of Bjorkholm; People's such as Quinter PCT WO 05/041699; Each part document all is incorporated into this by reference.Referring to all kinds of smokeless tobacco preparations, composition and the processing method listed in the following document: No. the 6953040th, people's such as Atchley United States Patent (USP); No. the 7032601st, people's such as Atchley United States Patent (USP); No. the 2005/0178398th, people's such as Breskin U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2006/0191548th, people's such as Strickland U.S. Patent Application Publication; PCT WO 05/041699; No. the 11/461633rd, the U.S. Patent application sequence that people such as Mua submitted on August 1st, 2006; Each part document all is incorporated into this by reference.

One class smokeless tobacco product is called " snuff (snuff) ".Representational wet snuff product is commonly referred to " wet snuff (snus) " and originates in Europe especially in Sweden, for example makes by following company or by following company: Sweden match company (Swedish Match AB), (Fiedler of FL company; Lundgren AB), Gustavus company (Gustavus AB), ST company (Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S) and Roc manufacturing company (Rocker Production AB).Wet snuff product has the Frost with trade name Camel Snus on American market, and Camel Snus Original and Camel Snus Spice are sold by RJR tobacco company (R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company).Representational smokeless tobacco product also has following trade name to sell on the market: Oliver Twist, sold by the family of OT (House of Oliver Twist A/S); Copenhagen, Skoal, SkoalDry, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky, and Revel are sold by U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (U.S.Smokeless Tobacco Co.); " taboka " sold by U.S. PM company (Philip Morris USA); With Levi Garrett, Peachy, Taylor ' s Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King, and MammothCave, (Conwood Sales Co. L.P.) sells by CS company.Referring to people such as for example Bryzgalov, 1N1800 LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), the contrast LCA (Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose andPortion Snus) (2005) of the common in bulk and wet snuff of packing.In addition, some quality standards that collected and made, for example so-called GothiaTek standard about wet snuff.

Be desirable to provide a kind of smokeless tobacco product of pleasant form, and provide preparation to be used for the method for the tobacco compositions of smokeless tobacco product.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to the method that smokeless tobacco product and preparation are applicable to the tobacco compositions in the smokeless tobacco product.This product comprises can take various forms of smokeless tobacco preparations, moist snuff for example in bulk, dry snuff in bulk, chewing tobacco is made the smoked sheet of grain, extrudes or plume, smoked sheet, cigarette rod or the cigarette rod of moulding, segmentation grind powder, Powdered and the segmentation of component or the agglomerate of milling, thin slice, the smoked sheet of mould process, contain the tobacco film, banded film volume, soluble in water or be scattered in the film or the bar of water or capsule shape material.In one embodiment, this smokeless tobacco product is arranged on the form of the tobacco preparation in the wet container.This smokeless tobacco preparation preferably comprises chopping, granular or the fine-grained particles tobacco, can comprise other compositions, for example sweetener, adhesive, colouring agent, pH conditioning agent, filler, flavor enhancement, disintegration auxiliary agent, antioxidant, oral care additives and anticorrisive agent.

In one aspect of the invention, this smokeless tobacco product comprises at least a additive or the composition that is arranged in the tobacco preparation, wherein the form of additive for being fit to isolate perhaps can form physical separation between one or more other components with described additive and tobacco preparation in normal storage condition and/or service condition.By other components of some additive and this tobacco preparation are separated, can realize any or multiple in many functional advantage, for example improve storage stability, reduce the chemical interaction that can shorten storage life in this tobacco preparation and/or make the organoleptic attribute variation of this tobacco preparation, reduce some additive as far as possible to the influence of the organoleptic attribute of this tobacco preparation with improve the ability of regulating product performance (as water capacity) during fabrication and not sacrificing storage stability.

Thus, the invention provides a kind of smokeless tobacco product that is configured for inserting in end user's mouth, this tobacco product comprises the tobacco preparation that is suitable for inserting the form in user's mouth and is included at least a additive in this tobacco preparation, and this additive is existing the form of itself and tobacco preparation physical separation.Thereby design is used for realizing this separation and promotes to suppress selected component interactional suitable form takes place in processing and storage process, comprises seal form; Have physics or chemistry and capture or be suspended in the bar of selected composition wherein, ball, film etc.; Or the like.

In one embodiment, use encapsulated form to separate additive, this encapsulated form comprises qualification and comprises the interior zone of additive or the wall or the barrier structure of payload.For example, the present invention can comprise the preparation that grows tobacco, and said preparation comprises many micro-capsules with additive, and these additives designs are used for improving this product sensory characteristic or provide the additional functionality advantage for this product.The organoleptic attribute of in the microencapsulation form, using additive can improve storage stability, especially this product of the product stability of (sensory profile) that distributes, and protect some additive to avoid degrading in time.Microencapsulation can also the user is relevant with sealing composition (for example some filler) unfavorable organoleptic attribute isolate, perhaps provide the sensory experience of milder by prolonging the release in time of some flavor enhancement.The microencapsulation of water is made it possible to produce, store and transport product than low moisture content, can reduce storage and cost of transportation like this and improve the storage stability of this product.The microencapsulation or the example additives of isolating by other modes comprise water in the tobacco preparation, flavor enhancement (as sweetener or contain regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco), adhesive, colouring agent, the pH conditioning agent, buffer, filler, the disintegration auxiliary agent, NMF, antioxidant, MC composition, anticorrisive agent and be derived from herbal medicine or the additive of plant origin.

Representative micro-capsule embodiment has outer cover, shell or the coating in enclosed liquid or solid core district, and in some embodiments, micro-capsule can have the shape of substantially spherical.In the core district that additive is encapsulated in micro-capsule, the ability of additive and other component interactions of tobacco preparation reduces or eliminates, and can improve the storage stability of products obtained therefrom.The unknown losses that experiences physical damage, fracture or the physical integrity of some types when shell is when (as by disperseing, soften, crush, exert pressure etc.), and this core district discharges this additive usually, thereby the organoleptic properties's of this smokeless tobacco product change is provided.Thus, in many embodiments, the shell of this micro-capsule is designed in use break or is water-soluble under regular service conditions, is being under the condition of benchmark at least about 45 weight % moisture in this smokeless tobacco product gross weight for example.But, in other embodiments, estimate that this shell district in use can not rupture, but keep its integrality, do not discharge the inclusion in core district.The wet thoroughly container of outermost layer preferably has the form of bag or bag, for example is usually used in making the type of wet snuff product.

In one embodiment, provide a kind of smokeless tobacco product that is configured for inserting in end user's mouth, this tobacco product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, and described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in the tobacco-containing material.Micro-capsule preferably comprises the shell of sealing intra-payload, and described payload comprises additive (as water), flavor enhancement (as sweetener or contain regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco), adhesive, colouring agent, pH conditioning agent, buffer, oral care additives, filler, disintegration auxiliary agent, NMF, antioxidant, anticorrisive agent, the additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin or their mixture.

In another embodiment, a kind of smokeless tobacco product that is configured for inserting in this end user's mouth is provided, this tobacco product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in this tobacco-containing material, described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, and described payload comprises the additive that is selected from water, flavor enhancement and their mixture.The flavor enhancement of preferred microencapsulation comprises and contains regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco, as tobacco extract or particulate tobacco-containing material, sweetener (as containing knob sweet (neotame) sweetener) and vanillic aldehyde (optional with complex form).When the additive of microencapsulation is water, the water capacity of tobacco preparation before using in the said preparation gross weight as benchmark preferably less than about 20 weight %, be more preferably less than about 15 weight %, most preferably less than about 10 weight %.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a kind of smokeless tobacco product, this product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in this tobacco-containing material, described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, described payload comprises and is selected from following flavor enhancement: contain the sweet sweetener composition of knob, contain regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco and their mixture, wherein the amount of the flavor enhancement of microencapsulation is that benchmark is at least about 1% in this drying tobacco weight of formulation, and wherein the shell of this micro-capsule is being to be water miscible under the condition of benchmark at least about 45 weight % moisture in the total formulation weight amount.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a kind of smokeless tobacco product, this product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that break that are dispersed in this tobacco-containing material, described many micro-capsules that breaks comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, described payload comprises water, and wherein the water capacity of this tobacco preparation before micro-capsule breaks is that benchmark is not more than about 20 weight % in the said preparation gross weight.

In another embodiment, a kind of smokeless tobacco product is provided, this product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in this tobacco preparation, described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, and described payload comprises and is selected from following additive: packing material, buffer, the additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin and their mixture.

The example packing material comprises sponge, for example sugar beet fibrous material, oat or other cereal, wheat bran fiber, starch or other modifications or natural fiber material.The amount of the packing material of this microencapsulation is that benchmark is at least about 5% in this drying agent weight.

Preferred reducing agents is brought into play cushioning effect in the pH of about 6-10 scope, the buffer of example comprises metal hydroxides, metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate salt, or their mixture.The amount of the buffer of microencapsulation is that benchmark is at least about 1% in the dry weight of said preparation.

Be applicable to that the described additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin of the present invention often is the form of oil or extract.The example compound that can be present in these additives comprises mineral, vitamin, isoflavones, phytosterol, allyl sulphide, two sulfo-thioketones, isothiocyanate, indoles, lignan, flavonoids, polyphenol and carotenoid.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a kind of smokeless tobacco product, this product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in this tobacco-containing material, described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, described payload comprises packing material, and wherein the shell of this micro-capsule is being to be water-fast under the condition of benchmark at least about 45 weight % moisture in the said preparation gross weight.

In above-mentioned many embodiments, expectation this to be contained tobacco section (as extrude or the tobacco product of moulding, bag in contained tobacco etc.) place the tobacco user mouth, make this user can enjoy this and contain tobacco preparation in the tobacco section.In the process of some embodiment that uses product of the present invention, contain micro-capsule shell in the tobacco section can the wet condition in user's mouth under onset, fracture, crushing, perhaps otherwise onset discharges its inclusion.When tobacco user finishes to use this smokeless tobacco product,, then can from user's mouth, take out and abandon if there is moisture permeable outer bag.Perhaps, exist and to make described outer bag with solubility or dispersibility material in the time of outer bag, make the user can absorb this tobacco preparation and this bag.The residual components of micro-capsule shell can be dispersed in user's mouth for absorbing or be retained in supplying to abandon in the bag of crossing.

In another aspect of the present invention, provide preparation to be suitable as the method for the tobacco compositions of smokeless tobacco composition.These methods of the present invention are characterised in that, comprise heat treatment step, and this step can be regarded as and a kind ofly be suitable for making that at least a portion microorganism in the tobacco compositions is degraded, the pasteurization of elimination or sex change.In one embodiment, this method comprises provides a kind of mixture (as the form with slurries) that comprises water and have the tobacco-containing material of high water capacity, is that benchmark contains the mixture at least about 75 weight % water in the mixture total weight amount for example.Make this mixture experience heat treatment step, processing time and treatment temperature are suitable for this material is carried out pasteurize (for example this mixture is heated to the temperature at least about 60 ℃, keeps the time quantum that is enough to this tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize).Then, add a certain amount of alkali, be enough to the pH of this mixture is increased to alkaline pH scope (promptly being higher than 7.0), thereby formed the mixture of pH adjusted to this mixture.In one embodiment, add the alkali of capacity, the pH of this mixture is increased at least about 8.5.During this adds the alkali step and afterwards, the preferred adjusted mixture of this pH of heating (for example to the temperature at least about the 60 ℃) time enough that continues is so that the pH of this mixture reduces at least about 0.5 pH unit after this adds the alkali step.

This method can further be included in before this heat treatment step or during in mixture, add salt.For example, this can comprise that with the salt step adding is the sodium chloride of about 1-5 weight % of benchmark in this tobacco-containing material dry weight.

This adds after the alkali step, mixture can be cooled off (for example extremely less than about 35 ℃ temperature).During this cooling step or afterwards, can add NMF.Then, when needed, can regulate the pH (for example to the pH that is approximately equal to or less than 8.0) of mixture once more with additional alkali, can be with this mixture drying (being the water capacity that benchmark is not more than about 15 weight % extremely for example) in this drying tobacco-containing material gross weight.Can add flavor enhancement, sweetener and additional water (for example addition is enough to the water capacity of this tobacco-containing material is increased at least about 25 weight %) to this drying tobacco-containing material as required.

In a kind of specific embodiment of this method, this method comprises: the slurries that comprise water and tobacco-containing material are provided, and are benchmark in this slurries gross weight, and these slurries comprise the water at least about 80 weight %; These slurries are heated to temperature at least about 70 ℃, and heat time heating time was at least about 30 minutes (or can effectively provide other suitable times of the required processing); Add a certain amount of alkali to these slurries, be enough to the pH of these slurries is increased at least about 9.0, thereby form the adjusted slurries of pH; Continue the adjusted slurries of this pH of heating at least about 60 ℃ temperature, be at least about 1.5 hours heat time heating time (or can effectively provide other suitable times of the required processing); Cool off extremely roughly environment temperature of the adjusted slurries of this pH, the adjusted pH of slurries when this cooling step begins of this pH is at least about 8; In the adjusted slurries of this pH, adding NMF during this cooling step or afterwards; And the adjusted slurries of dry at a certain temperature this pH, being enough to that water capacity with this tobacco-containing material is reduced in moist tobacco-containing material weight drying time is that benchmark is less than about 15 weight %.

Also provide preparation to be suitable as the another kind of exemplary method of the tobacco compositions of smokeless tobacco composition.This method also comprises can regard the heat treatment step that a kind of pasteurize is handled as.In one embodiment, this method comprises provides a kind of moist tobacco-containing material (being the water capacity of benchmark at least about 30 weight % in moist tobacco-containing material gross weight for example) with first water capacity, heat this humidity tobacco down in uniform temperature (as temperature) at least about 85 ℃, be enough to heat time heating time tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize, make this humidity tobacco-containing material keep the water capacity of roughly the same (i.e. first water capacity) or higher (as water capacity) simultaneously at least about 30 weight %.The water that can add a certain amount of alkali then to moist tobacco-containing material, addition is enough to the pH of moist tobacco-containing material is increased to (as at least about 8.7) in the alkaline pH scope, and the water capacity of tobacco-containing material is increased to second water capacity (for example at least about 40 weight %), thereby form the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH.This method can be included in rising temperature (as the temperature at least about 55 ℃) and continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of this pH of heating, be enough to pH with this humidity tobacco-containing material heat time heating time and be reduced to reduced levels (for example being reduced to) in the alkaline pH scope, make water capacity keep roughly the same (as second water capacity) or higher (as at least about 40 weight %) level simultaneously less than about 8.5.Then can be under suitable time and temperature conditions dry tobacco-containing material, (for example temperature is at least about 35 ℃ to the water capacity of reduction tobacco-containing material, be enough to drying time the water capacity of this tobacco is reduced to less than about 35 weight %), simultaneously pH is remained on (as at least about 7.6) in the alkaline range.This method can further comprise the step that adds sweetener composition to this drying tobacco-containing material.

In one embodiment, this humidity tobacco-containing material can comprise the mixture of dry tobacco-containing material and saline solution, the water capacity of this drying tobacco-containing material is less than about 15 weight %, this mixture can prepare in the following manner: heat this drying tobacco-containing material to the temperature that raises (as at least about 60 ℃), to the tobacco-containing material adding saline solution (as sodium chloride solution) of this heating.

In one embodiment, the step that continues the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of this pH of heating be included in be enough to keep an about 0.05-0.15 pH unit/hour the temperature of pH changing down and the water capacity condition under heat the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of this pH.

In a kind of concrete embodiment, the invention provides the method that a kind of preparation is suitable as the tobacco compositions of smokeless tobacco composition, this method comprises: a kind of moist tobacco-containing material is provided, this material comprises the mixture of tobacco-containing material and salting liquid, and the water capacity of this humidity tobacco-containing material is that benchmark is about 30-40 weight % in moist tobacco-containing material gross weight; This humidity tobacco is heated to temperature at least about 90 ℃, is at least about 1 hour heat time heating time (or can effectively provide other suitable times of the required processing), this tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize, keep water capacity to be about 30-40 weight % simultaneously; Add a certain amount of alkali and water to this humidity tobacco-containing material, this addition is enough to the pH of these slurries is increased at least about 8.7, and water capacity is increased at least about 45 weight %, thereby forms the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH; Continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of this pH of heating at least about 65 ℃ temperature, be at least about 1 hour heat time heating time (or can effectively provide other suitable times of the required processing), keep water capacity to be at least about 45 weight % simultaneously, pH is at least about 8; At least about 35 ℃ the adjusted tobacco-containing material of this pH of temperature drying, be enough to drying time the water capacity of this tobacco is reduced to less than about 35 weight %, keep pH to be at least about 7.6 simultaneously.

Brief Description Of Drawings

Understand embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, these accompanying drawings are not necessarily proportionally drawn, and Reference numeral is wherein represented each assembly of example embodiment of the present invention.These accompanying drawings only are used for example, should not be construed as restriction the present invention.

Fig. 1 is the sectional view that intercepts on a kind of width of smokeless tobacco product of embodiment, shows the outer bag that is filled with tobacco-containing material and is arranged on the micro-capsule in this tobacco-containing material;

Fig. 2 is at the sectional view of the width intercepting of the smokeless tobacco product of second kind of embodiment, shows the tobacco-containing material that comprises in outer bag, this bag, also comprises micro-capsule and bigger ball-type capsule (also showing in the cross section mode) in this bag;

Fig. 3 is the sectional view that intercepts on the length of the smokeless tobacco product of the third embodiment, shows the tobacco-containing material, micro-capsule, seasoning tablet and two the bigger ball-type capsules (also showing in the cross section mode) that comprise in outer bag and this bag; With

Fig. 4 is the sectional view that intercepts on the length of the smokeless tobacco product of the 4th kind of embodiment, shows outer bag, inner bag, tobacco-containing material and micro-capsule, comprises bigger capsule in this inner bag.

The preferred embodiment for the present invention

Below with reference to accompanying drawing the present invention is described more fully.The present invention can be with many multi-form embodiments, should not be construed as to be limited to the listed embodiment of this paper; On the contrary, providing the disclosure to these embodiments is can use legal requiremnt in order to satisfy.Similarly Reference numeral is represented similar key element in the accompanying drawing.As used in the specification and claims, " " of singulative, " a kind of " and " being somebody's turn to do " comprise that plural number refers to the situation of thing, unless there are other clearly to indicate in the context.

Describe some embodiments of the present invention below with reference to accompanying drawing, these described embodiments relate to and have the wet snuff type product that comprises micro-capsule in outer bag and the tobacco preparation.As described in more detail below, these embodiments are example, and this smokeless tobacco product can comprise other forms of tobacco compositions, can comprise the additive of other modes of sealing or adopting method beyond the microencapsulation and other components isolation of this tobacco preparation.

With reference to figure 1, show first embodiment of smokeless tobacco product 10.This tobacco product 10 comprises the poisture-penetrability container with bag 12 forms, and its solid tobacco that comprises type described herein is filled and divides material 14.This smokeless tobacco product also comprises the many micro-capsules 16 that are dispersed in this tobacco fill material 14, and these micro-capsules comprise additive, and example is additive as more specifically described as the following.

With reference to figure 2, show second embodiment of smokeless tobacco product 10.This tobacco product 10 comprises container bag 20.A kind of preferred pouches comprises the poisture-penetrability Web materials.Shown in container bag 20 along its length in the overlapping region 22 seal closures.This overlapping region can form (for example by heat seal, proper adhesive or other suitable methods) by the top section that will this bag 20 base section on one side be sealed in this bag relative edge.Be provided with solid tobacco-containing material 14 in this bag 20, be dispersed with many micro-capsules 16 in this tobacco-containing material.Also be provided with optional bigger ball-type capsule 26 in this bag 20.This ball-type capsule 26 has shell 28, comprises intra-payload 30 in this shell.

With reference to figure 3, show the 3rd embodiment of smokeless tobacco product 10.This tobacco product 10 comprises container bag 34.A kind of preferred bag comprises the poisture-penetrability Web materials.Shown in bag 34 at its end 36,38 seal closures (for example by heat seal, suitable bonding or other suitable sealing means).Comprise tobacco-containing material 14 in this bag 34, be dispersed with many micro-capsules 16 in this tobacco-containing material.Also comprise two kinds of optional big ball-type capsules 40 and 42 in this bag 34.Each ball-type capsule 40,42 has shell 44,46, and this shell comprises intra-payload 50,52.Also comprise solvable of optional seasoning material in this bag, be depicted as seasoning tablet 56.In some alternative embodiments, the bar of seasoning material can be set in bag 34, for example seasoning tablet 56, and do not have any bigger capsule.

With reference to figure 4, show the 4th embodiment of smokeless tobacco product 10.This tobacco product 10 comprises outer bag 12 and inner bag 60.Preferred each self-contained poisture-penetrability Web materials of bag, shown in bag 12,60 do not have seam, and comprise the flavor enhancement composition as in the bag of bigger capsule (as the capsule of macro-size) and not have bigger capsule bag in all show this seam.Outer bag 12 forms continuous container around tobacco-containing material 14, be dispersed with micro-capsule 16 in this tobacco-containing material.Inner bag 60 is arranged in the outer bag 12, and inner bag is surrounded by tobacco-containing material 14 usually, but inner bag 60 also can contact, fit or form continuously with outer bag 12.Inner bag 60 comprises bigger capsule 62, and described capsule has shell 66 and intra-payload 68.Though for the purpose that clearly demonstrates, shown in inner bag 60 have the inner space that surrounds capsule 62, aspect present embodiment preferred in, this inner bag 60 will contain tight cooperation around the thing within it.In a kind of alternative embodiment, this inner bag can comprise the seasoning bar, as solubility seasoning bar (for example with Listerine PocketPaks from Fei Ci company (Pfizer, Inc.) the Chinese cassia tree oral care strip of Huo Deing).

Smokeless tobacco product of the present invention can comprise the component of at least a additive or tobacco compositions, and described additive or component are and one or more other composition physical separation of described tobacco compositions or the form of isolation.The functional advantage of this separation can have nothing in common with each other, but generally includes the chemical interaction that reduces or eliminates other components of additive and tobacco compositions in normal storage condition and/or use as far as possible.Thus, the buffer action of some additive can improve the storage stability of gained tobacco product and/or keep the required organoleptic attribute of this product.Isolation method can take various forms, and comprises the microencapsulation additive or uses this additive with various forms, as bead, spherolite, rod, film, stranded thigh, stratiform or stepped construction, sheet, bar or other shaped articles.Additive can be dispersed in the host material and be shaped to desired form.But this additive also physics is captured or is sealed in the seam of the bag that holds this tobacco-containing material.

In one embodiment, this additive is the encapsulated form that comprises outer wall or barrier structure and comprise the interior zone of this additive.For example, some embodiment of the present invention (as listing among Fig. 1-4) comprises many micro-capsules, and these micro-capsules comprise inner region or the core district that is sealed by the external shell district.Inner region comprises the payload of additive, is suitable for strengthening one or more organoleptic attributes (as taste, mouthfeel, humidity, cold degree/temperature and/or fragrance) of smokeless tobacco product or is suitable for adding extra functional character (as adding the function of antioxidant or booster immunization system) to this smokeless tobacco product.The shell of these micro-capsules or coating are as the payload of this smokeless tobacco product and the obstacle between the tobacco compositions.According to required application, this obstacle can be nonvolatil (meaning that expectation is retained in original position as obstacle in the service life of this product) or provisional (thereby meaning that this obstacle design is used for stopping to discharge payload as obstacle under some condition that product uses).

In many embodiments, when shell experience physical damage, fracture or the physical integrity of some type unknown losses (as by disintegration, soften, crush, exert pressure etc.) time, additive in the core district is released, thereby changes this smokeless tobacco product sense organ or functional character in use.Thus for example, many micro-capsules can be combined in this product with the tobacco preparation, in use, contacting of moisture can cause micro-capsule softening in these micro-capsules and the user's mouth, loses its physical integrity, and discharge this additive in user's mouth.Perhaps, can on purpose crush these micro-capsules with release additives by exerting pressure.This release of additive can change or improve seasoning or other organoleptic attributes of this product, prolongs the time that the user enjoys this product, and other functional advantage perhaps are provided.In other embodiments, do not have this shell is designed to be able to release additives under regular service conditions, for example in little situation of sealing packing material.

Usually place human subjects/user's mouth to use tobacco product 10 by the bag that will comprise the tobacco preparation.In use, the saliva in user's mouth cause this tobacco preparation some components by this permeable bag and enter in user's mouth.Should not chew or swallow this bag.Provide tobacco flavor and satisfaction to the user, do not require any part of this tobacco preparation that spues.In addition, in many embodiments, these micro-capsules wreck in the use of this product, and the inclusion of these micro-capsules is introduced in user's mouth.After using/enjoy about 10-60 minute, after preferably about 15-45 minute, this human subjects has been absorbed the inclusion of these micro-capsules and this tobacco preparation of a great deal of, can take out this bag from the mouth of this human subjects and abandons.

The exemplary types of the additive that can separate by other components of sealing (as being included in the payload of micro-capsule) or other technologies and tobacco preparation comprises water, flavor enhancement, tobacco-containing material (as the tobacco-containing material of particulate form or tobacco extract form), organic and inorganic filler is (as particulate, processed particulate, loose particulate, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, cornstarch, lactose, sweet mellow wine, xylitol, D-sorbite, segmentation cellulose etc.), adhesive is (as PVP, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and other modified cellulose class adhesives, mosanom, xanthans, starch-based adhesive, gum arabic, lecithin etc.), pH conditioning agent or buffer are (as metal hydroxides, preferred alkali metal hydroxide, as NaOH and potassium hydroxide, with otheralkali metal buffer such as metal carbonate, preferred potash or sodium carbonate, or alkali metal bicarbonate salt such as sodium acid carbonate, Deng), colouring agent is (as dyestuff and pigment, comprise burnt sugar coloring and titanium dioxide, Deng), NMF is (as glycerine, propane diols etc.), oral care additives, anticorrisive agent (as potassium sorbate etc.), syrup is (as the honey as flavor enhancement, high-fructose corn syrup etc.), the disintegration auxiliary agent is (as microcrystalline cellulose, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, Crospovidone, Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch, pregelatinized corn starch etc.), be derived from the additive of herbal medicine or plant origin and their mixture.Also list the payload component of representative classes in the following document: No. the 5387416th, people's such as White United States Patent (USP); No. the 2005/0244521st, people's such as Strickland U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2004/0261807th, people's such as Dube U.S. Patent Application Publication; PCT WO 05/041699 with people such as Quinter; These documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.

Available example flavor enhancement is the appropriate combination of following component or these components: the component that can change bitter taste, sweet taste, tart flavour or the saline taste of smokeless tobacco product, the aridity of the preparation feel or the component of humidity can be improved, the component of the tobacco taste that preparation shows can be strengthened.The flavor enhancement kind comprises salt (as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, natrium citricum, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate etc.), natural sweetener (as fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, mannose, galactolipin, lactose etc.), artificial sweetening agent (as Sucralose, asccharin, Aspartame, acesulfame-K, knob sweet etc.) and their mixture.Flavor enhancement can be natural or synthetic, and the characteristic that these flavor enhancements are given can be described as that (but being not limited to) is pure and fresh, sweet, herbal medicine, sweetness, the fragrance of a flower, fruit or pungent.The concrete kind of flavor enhancement includes, but are not limited to; Vanilla, coffee, chocolate/cocoa, cream, peppermint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, Chinese ilex, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, Chinese cassia tree, cloves, add Si Jialici, santal, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, Salvia japonica, Radix Glycyrrhizae, lemon, orange, apple, peach, bitter orange, cherry, strawberry and their any combination.Referring to Leffingwell etc., be used for the regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco (TobaccoFlavoring for Smoking Products) of smoking product, R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972), the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.Flavor enhancement also can comprise the component that is considered to humidizer, cooling agent or smooth agent, as eucalyptus.These flavor enhancements can provide with pure (as independent) form or with compound (as spearmint and menthol, perhaps orange and Chinese cassia tree) form.Compound flavor enhancement can be used as mixture and is making up in the micro-capsule separately, perhaps as the independent component that is used for independent micro-capsule.

A kind of preferred embodiment in, the additive of isolation (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) is based on the seasoning composition of tobacco, as comprises the flavor enhancement (as the aqueous tobacco extract of solid form) of particulate tobacco-containing material or tobacco extract.Can use any kind of tobacco-containing material that this paper lists flavor enhancement as microencapsulation.Use the microencapsulation regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco to provide and prolong the characteristic that discharges flavor enhancement as the smokeless tobacco preparation.The organoleptic attribute that the smokeless tobacco formulation delivered of some forms is strong distributes.By with part tobacco-containing material microencapsulation in preparation, can obtain softer organoleptic attribute and distribute.The microencapsulation regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco can also prolong sensory experience by providing with the product slow continuously release regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco standing time in mouth.Preferred microencapsulation regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco will be that benchmark is equal to or greater than under the condition of 45% water capacity in this smokeless tobacco product gross weight for example under the regular service conditions of this smokeless tobacco product, provide the prolongation of this regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco to discharge.

Can adopt the tobacco extract that is suitable as the tobacco formulation components, especially be suitable as the extract of isolating additive.Can use extract with solid form (as spray-dired or cryodesiccated form), liquid form or semi-solid form etc.List the tobacco extract and the extractive technique of example: Osborne in for example following document, No. the 4150677th, people's such as Jr. United States Patent (USP); No. the 4967771st, people's such as Fagg United States Patent (USP); No. the 5005593rd, people's such as Fagg United States Patent (USP); No. the 5148819th, the United States Patent (USP) of Fagg; With No. the 5435325th, people's such as Clapp United States Patent (USP), all documents are all by with reference to being incorporated into this.Listing in the following document respectively grows tobacco extracts and No. the 5065775th, the United States Patent (USP) of recombination method: Fagg; No. the 5360022nd, the United States Patent (USP) of Newton; No. the 5131414th, the United States Patent (USP) of Fagg, all documents all are incorporated into this by reference.Referring to the tobacco extract processing method of listing in the following document: No. the 5318050th, the United States Patent (USP) of No. the 5131415th, people's such as Munoz United States Patent (USP) and Gonzalez-Parra, these two parts of documents are all by with reference to being incorporated into this.

Can adopt known suitable reorganization tobacco process technology, for example papermaking class technology or cast class methods.Referring to the papermaking class methods of listing in the following document for example: No. the 3398754th, the United States Patent (USP) of Tughan; No. the 3847164th, the United States Patent (USP) of Mattina; No. the 4131117th, the United States Patent (USP) of Kite; No. the 4270552nd, the United States Patent (USP) of Jenkins; No. the 4308877th, the United States Patent (USP) of Mattina; No. the 4341228th, the United States Patent (USP) of Keritsis; No. the 4421126th, the United States Patent (USP) of Gellatly; No. the 4706692nd, the United States Patent (USP) of Gellatly; No. the 4962774th, the United States Patent (USP) of Thomasson; No. the 4941484th, the United States Patent (USP) of Clapp; No. the 4987906th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5056537th, the United States Patent (USP) of Brown; No. the 5143097th, the United States Patent (USP) of Sohn; No. the 5159942nd, people's such as Brinkley United States Patent (USP); No. the 5325877th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5445169th, the United States Patent (USP) of Brinkley; No. the 5501237th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5533530th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.Referring to No. the 3353541st, the United States Patent (USP) of listing cast class methods: Hind in the following document for example; No. the 3399454th, the United States Patent (USP) of Hind; No. the 3483874th, the United States Patent (USP) of Hind; No. the 3760815th, the United States Patent (USP) of Deszyck; No. the 4674519th, the United States Patent (USP) of Keritsis; No. the 4972854th, the United States Patent (USP) of Kiernan; No. the 5023354th, the United States Patent (USP) of Hickle; No. the 5099864th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5101839th, the United States Patent (USP) of Jakob; No. the 5203354th, the United States Patent (USP) of Hickle; No. the 5327917th, the United States Patent (USP) of Lekwauwa; No. the 5339838th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5598866th, the United States Patent (USP) of Jakob; No. the 5715844th, the United States Patent (USP) of Young; No. the 5724998th, the United States Patent (USP) of Gellatly; No. the 6216706th, the United States Patent (USP) of Kumar; EPO 565360; EPO 1055375; With PCT WO 98/01233; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.Can adopt the extract, extraction material and the slurries that use in the general type reorganization tobacco method as the composition that is used for the tobacco preparation of smokeless tobacco product described herein.

In another embodiment, isolate additive (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) and comprise vanillic aldehyde as flavor enhancement.Under certain conditions, for example under the alkaline pH condition, exist vanillic aldehyde can cause bag to catch rubescent color in time in the smokeless tobacco preparation.By the microencapsulation vanillic aldehyde, make the vanillic aldehyde stabilisation in this smokeless tobacco product, reduce the possibility of bag dyeing.In some embodiments, the vanillic aldehyde of microencapsulation can be for the form of the complexing vanillic aldehyde that discharges vanillic aldehyde in time, as the Ethyl vanillin glucosides.In preferred embodiment, the vanillic aldehyde of microencapsulation for example is being equal to or greater than under 45% the water capacity condition under regular service conditions, will provide the prolongation of vanillic aldehyde to discharge.

In another embodiment, isolating additive (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) is natural and/or artificial sweetening agent, as obtaining from Sweetener Solutions Company

The board sweetener.

Be that knob is sweet, a kind of combination of acesulfame-K and maltitol.Some sweetener, especially contain the sweet sweetener of knob, for example under the alkaline pH condition, may show deficient in stability under certain conditions.But some sweetener of chemical breakdown forms the accessory substance that changes the organoleptic attribute (as increasing bitter taste) of smokeless tobacco preparation in unfavorable mode.By these sweeteners of microencapsulation, can reduce or avoid the decomposition of these sweetener flavor enhancements, with the required organoleptic attribute distribution maintenance longer time of this smokeless tobacco product.In preferred embodiment, microencapsulation sweetener flavor enhancement will provide this flavor enhancement continuously and prolong and discharge, show water-soluble in the regular service conditions condition of 45% water capacity (as be equal to or greater than).

In another embodiment, isolating additive (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) is water, is used to increase the water capacity of this smokeless tobacco product.Water by adding microencapsulation or otherwise isolate to smokeless tobacco product can reduce the water capacity of product between the storage life.When product was placed mouth, the water of microencapsulation preferably provided quick release water.Micro-capsule shell in this embodiment is not to be designed for dissolving in time in the product use, on the contrary, preferably this shell is designed in use break, for example by this micro-capsule of crushing by the user, thus this product between the operating period or before any moment obtain to discharge fast in this product water.Packing, store and the ability of the smokeless tobacco product of the low water capacity of transportation reduces cost of transportation (needs that refrigerate as elimination) and increases the storage life of this product.Using the water of microencapsulation to be particularly suitable for before using (for example in storage process) has in tobacco total formulation weight amount as benchmark less than about 20 weight %, often less than about 15 weight %, frequent tobacco preparation less than about 10 weight % water capacities.The typical moisture content scope of tobacco preparation is about 5-20 weight % in this embodiment.

Additive can also be that described source is jacket, grape pip, genseng, ginkgo, hypericum perforatum, saw palmitic acid, green tea, black tea, rattleroot, pimiento, camomile, european cranberry, Echinacea purpurea, garlic, cordate telosma, feverfew, ginger, groundraspberry, hawthorn, kawakaw, Radix Glycyrrhizae, milk Ji, uva ursi or valerian for example from the form of the independent component (as oil or extract) in plant or herbal medicine source.Additive (as above-mentioned oil and extract) often comprises the compound that can provide the kind of some biologically active effect from known, as mineral matter, vitamin, isoflavones, phytosterol, allyl sulphide, two sulfo-thioketones, isothiocyanate, indoles, lignan, flavonoids, polyphenol and carotenoid.The extract of these kinds or the example compound in the oil comprise ascorbic acid, peanut endocarb, resveratrol, sulforaphen, beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, ubiquinone, carnitine, quercetin, Kaempferol etc.Referring to people such as for example Santhosh, autonomic drug (Phytomedicine), 12 (2005), the 216-220 page or leaf, the document is incorporated into this by reference.Oil that uses among the present invention or extract additive can comprise but be not limited to any compound as herein described and source, comprise their mixture.Some additive of these kinds sometimes is called dietary supplements, nutritional agents, " Phytochemistry agent " or " functional food ".The additive of these kinds sometimes be defined as in the art comprise usually can from natural birth from birth source (as vegetable material) obtain, provide one or more useful biological effects (as promoting health, prevent disease or other medical character) but do not sort out or the material of management with medicine.

Comprise microencapsulation or otherwise isolate, be derived from or separate in the embodiment of the present invention of the component in plant or herbal medicine source, the additive of microencapsulation can increase useful biological function to this product, for example improves immune system effect, antioxidant effect etc.Microencapsulation can increase bioactive additive kept activity form always before this product uses possibility.In preferred embodiment, the bioactive additive of microencapsulation will for example be equal to or greater than under the 45% water capacity condition under regular service conditions, the lasting prolongation release of this additive is provided and shows water-soluble.

In further embodiment, isolate additive (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) and can comprise buffer, as sodium acid carbonate and/or sodium carbonate.Suitable reducing is usually at least about 6.0, often at least about 7.0, cushion under often at least about 7.5 pH condition.Suitable reducing usually less than about 10.0, often less than about 9.5, cushion under often less than about 9.0 pH condition.Organoleptic attribute for optional preferably keeps the pH of smokeless tobacco preparation to be higher than about 7.5.But along with time lapse, the pH of smokeless tobacco preparation may reduce, especially when being higher than environment temperature.Use provides the microencapsulation buffer that prolongs release to help the pH of this product is remained in the required scope, causes this product to have more consistent organoleptic attribute and distributes and the longer storage life.Some preferred embodiment in, when product temperature exceeds certain temperature threshold (80 or about 27 ℃ according to appointment) or when product pH was reduced to unfavorable low-level (as being equal to or less than 7.3), the buffer of microencapsulation was with the buffer release agent.

In embodiment further, isolating additive (as the additive in the micro-capsule payload) is packing material.Some packing material can be given the organoleptic attribute that smokeless tobacco product is not too expected.For example, some filler may have the texture or the taste of acinous or powdery.

Microencapsulation or realize the physical separation of filler by other modes can be used for reducing as far as possible the influence that the organoleptic attribute of filler distributes to the smokeless tobacco product overall characteristic.By this way, can in the relatively mild product taste of needs, use filler valuably and not produce any unusual taste.A kind of particularly preferred filler can obtain from international fiber company (International Fiber Corporation)

The board filler, it is a kind of fibrous material that is derived from sugar beet.Other suitable packing materials comprise oat or other grain, wheat bran fiber, starch or other modifications or natural fiber material.In preferred embodiment, the microencapsulation filler is the water-fast form that (is equal to or greater than 45 weight % as water capacity) under regular service conditions.

As mentioned before, for many embodiments, preferred micro-capsule shell is in user's mouth under the regular service conditions, and for example under the condition of higher levels of humidity (being benchmark greater than 45% humidity in this smokeless tobacco product gross weight for example) can lose physical integrity.In other embodiments, preferred micro-capsule shell is lost physical integrity when this smokeless tobacco product reaches specific pH (being equal to or less than about 7.3 as pH) or specified temp (as being equal to or higher than about 27 ℃).In embodiment further, micro-capsule is designed to be subjected to physical force or breaking during by user's applied pressure, user's applied pressure be in this product being inserted mouthful before with the hand applied pressure or after inserting this product in oral cavity applied pressure (for example by tongue or tooth applied pressure).

The micro-capsule payload can have the form that can change.Payload is generally the form of liquid or gel, but payload can be the form (as crystalline material or dry powder) of solid.In one embodiment, payload is the mixture of additive (as flavor enhancement) and diluent or supporting agent (as water).Preferable absorbent is a triglycerides, as medium chain triglyceride, more specifically is the food-grade mixture of medium chain triglyceride.Referring to people such as for example Radzuan, Porim Bulletin, 39, the 33-38 pages or leaves (1999).

The amount of additive and diluent can change in the micro-capsule.In some cases, diluent can fully phase out, and whole payload is made up of additive.Perhaps, payload can almost completely be made up of diluent, and only comprises very small amount of potential relatively additive.In one embodiment, the mixture of additive and diluent is formed and to be, is benchmark in this payload gross weight, the additive of about 5-99%, the additive of 5-75% more preferably from about, the diluent of the most preferably from about additive of 10-25%, and surplus.The actual amount of additive depends on a number of factors, and comprises that the required organoleptic attribute of additive types and this product distributes.

The crushing strength of micro-capsule makes and to be enough to carry out normal running and storage and the too early maturation or the disadvantageous fracture of obvious degree can not take place.The capsule that can determine to have suitable integrality by experiment between the storage life and can break in use or otherwise decompose depends on for example factor of capsule size and type, the item of selecting when this is design.Referring to No. the 2007/0068540th, people's such as for example Thomas U.S. Patent Publication, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.

A kind of micro-capsule of example can comprise shell and intra-payload, this shell is combined with for example material of wax, gelatin, cyclodextrin or alginates, and this payload is combined with water-based or non-aqueous liquid (as solution or the dispersion liquid of at least a flavoring ingredients in water or alcohol or oily and so on organic liquid; The perhaps compatibility mixtures of liquids of water and alcohol or glycerine and so on).Therefore, for example there are many these type of micro-capsules to be combined in the bag with the tobacco preparation; In this product use, crushing micro-capsule or make these micro-capsules can discharge the additive that wherein comprises to other physical damages of these micro-capsules suitably makes this tobacco formulation components become moist, and other function benefits is provided, as the taste that strengthens.For example, capsule has shell that comprises the food-grade waxy substance and the intra-payload that comprises water, these capsules of suitable quantity can be combined in the bag, make after these capsules break, can discharge sufficient water, provide required humidification effect this tobacco preparation.

The micro-capsule that uses in the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention is uniformly or has size, weight and the shape of variation that these character of micro-capsule will depend on the required character of this smokeless tobacco product.Representative micro-capsule is generally sphere.But suitable micro-capsule can have the shape of any kind of, for example is generally rectilinear, rectangular, oval-shaped or avette.The diameter of example micro-capsule is less than about 100 microns, and for example the micro-capsule diameter is about the 1-40 micron, or is about the 1-20 micron.

The micro-capsule quantity that is combined in the smokeless tobacco product can change, and depends on for example following factor: required attribute of the characteristic of additive or character, smokeless tobacco product etc. in micro-capsule size, the payload.Be combined in micro-capsule quantity in the smokeless tobacco product can exceed about 5, exceed about 10, exceed about 20, exceed about 40 even exceed about 100.In some embodiments, micro-capsule quantity can be greater than about 500 even greater than about 1000.

The gross weight of the micro-capsule that comprises in the smokeless tobacco product can change, but usually greater than about 10 milligrams, often greater than about 20 milligrams, can be greater than about 30 milligrams.The micro-capsule gross weight is usually less than about 200 milligrams, often less than about 100 milligrams, and can be less than about 50 milligrams.

The relative weight of micro-capsule can change in the bag.The dry weight of tobacco is usually greater than the weight of micro-capsule component in the smokeless tobacco product.But, be benchmark in the weight sum of micro-capsule component and tobacco dry weight, the weight of micro-capsule component is about 10-75%, often is about 20-50%.

Can be when needing in conjunction with different size and/or different types of micro-capsule (for example different shell materials, different shell character are shape or hardness for example, and/or different capsule contents) in product.By this way, different micro-capsules can be bonded in the product, any moment in the product use provides required character (as mouthfeel, the sense of taste, other sensory effects) and/or the release of the component of sealing is provided.For example, when introducing product in user's mouth at first, can discharge first flavoring ingredients from first group of micro-capsule, until just discharge second flavoring ingredients (for example, the required time that breaks of half dissolubility coating of second group of capsule is longer than the coating of first group of capsule) that comprises in second group of micro-capsule subsequently constantly.

Micro-capsule of the present invention can use any microencapsulation technology known in the art to form.For example, for example can use following any various chemical seal technology to form micro-capsules: solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, organic facies separation, interfacial polymerization, simple or complicated cohesion, in-situ polymerization, liposomal encapsulated and nanometer are sealed.Perhaps can use the physical encapsulation method, for example spraying, shallow slot apply (pan coating), fluid bed coating, annular jet coating, rotating disc atomizing, spraying cooling, spray-drying, spraying Quench, fixed nozzle coextrusion, spinning head coextrusion or immersion nozzle coextrusion.

Cohesion is the colloid phenomenon that begins from the solution of colloid suitable solvent.According to the character of colloid, various variations can cause the colloid solubility to reduce.This result who reduces is, the colloid of signal portion is separated to cenotype, forms two-phase system thus, a kind of is rich colloid concentration mutually, and another kind is poor colloid concentration mutually.Being shown as amorphous liquid drop, be called the cohesion drop by the rich gel phase of dispersity.When leaving standstill, these cohesion drops are agglomerated into the rich colloid liquid level of a clarification homogeneous, are called coacervate, can deposit to produce the wall material of gained micro-capsule.

Can effectively simply condense by mixing two kinds of colloidal dispersions (wherein a kind of glassware for drinking water is had high affinity), perhaps can effectively cause simple cohesion by the material (as alcohol or sodium sulphate) that adds strongly hydrophilic.By the effect of water miscibility non-solvent to polymer (as the gelatin) phase of appearance, condensed water soluble polymer in water.The example solvents that can cause agglomerate (as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol or methylcellulose) to separate has: ethanol, acetone, diox, isopropyl alcohol and propyl alcohol.Add electrolyte (as inorganic salts) by the aqueous solution, can effectively be separated to polymer (as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose).

Can in the system of hydrophilic colloid, cause complicated cohesion with two kinds of dispersed oppositely chargeds.By with in the negative electrical charge on a kind of colloid and the whole positive charges on the another kind of colloid, the complicated condensed phase of rich in polymers is separated.A kind of known complicated coacervated system is gelatin-Arabic gum (acacin) system.

Sometimes organic facies is separated and be called " Water-In-Oil " microencapsulation more simply.In this case, the polarity core is dispersed in oily or the nonpolar continuous media.Then wall material is dissolved in this continuous media.

Do not consider used encapsulating method, being used to form the outer wall of micro-capsule of the present invention or shell material and solvent can change.The kind of also normally used material or shell material comprises protein, polysaccharide, starch, wax, fat, natural and synthetic polymer and resin.Be used to form the examples material of using in the process for microencapsulation of micro-capsule and comprise gelatin, acacin (gum arabic), polyvinyl acetate, potassium alginate, carob, potassium citrate, carrageenan, many potassium metaphosphates, citric acid, PTPP, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, PVP, dimethyl polysiloxane, dimethyl silscone, refined paraffin wax, ethyl cellulose, bleached shellac, modified food starch, mosanom, guar gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, natrium citricum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium ferrocyanide, sodium polyphosphate, locust bean gum, methylcellulose, sodium trimetaphosphate, methylethylcellulose, sodium phosphate trimer, microwax, tannic acid, pertroleum wax, terpene resin, tragacanth gum, polyethylene, xanthans, and polyethylene glycol.

Micro-capsule can commercially obtain, and lists the microcapsule technology of exemplary types in the following document: Gutcho, micro-capsule and microencapsulation technology (Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques) (1976); Gutcho, micro-capsule and other capsule progress (Microcapsules and Other CapsulesAdvances Since 1975) (1979) over 1975; Kondo, micro-capsule processing and technology (MicrocapsuleProcessing and Technology) (1979); People such as Iwamoto, AAPS Pharm.Sci.Tech.2002 3 (3): paper 25; No. the 3550598th, the United States Patent (USP) of McGlumphy; No. the 4889144th, people's such as Tateno United States Patent (USP); No. the 5004595th, people's such as Cherukuri United States Patent (USP); No. the 5690990th, the United States Patent (USP) of Bonner; No. the 5759599th, people's such as Wampler United States Patent (USP); No. the 6039901st, people's such as Soper United States Patent (USP); No. the 6045835th, people's such as Soper United States Patent (USP); No. the 6056992nd, the United States Patent (USP) of Lew; No. the 6106875th, people's such as Soper United States Patent (USP); No. the 6117455th, people's such as Takada United States Patent (USP); No. the 6325859th, people's such as DeRoos United States Patent (USP); No. the 6482433rd, people's such as DeRoos United States Patent (USP); No. the 6612429th, the United States Patent (USP) of Dennen; No. the 6929814th, people's such as Bouwmeesters United States Patent (USP); No. the 2006/0174901st, people's such as Karles U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2007/0095357th, people's such as Besso U.S. Patent Application Publication; People's such as Holton PCT WO2007/037962; These documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.Can be from for example MicrotekLaboratories of Dayton, the source of Ohio obtains the micro-capsule of suitable species.Microencapsulation technology that can the commercial exemplary types that obtains comprises with trade name ULTRASEAL ^TMAnd PERMASEAL ^TMThose that sell can be from Givaudan general headquarters, Vernier, and Sweden obtains.

As shown in Fig. 2-4, the embodiment of smokeless tobacco product can comprise bigger capsule, comprises any additives that is used for micro-capsule described herein in these bigger capsules.The diameter of the less ball-type capsule of example is at least about 0.5 millimeter, generally at least about 1 millimeter, often at least about 2 millimeters, often at least about 3 millimeters.The diameter of the bigger ball-type capsule of example is less than about 6 millimeters, often less than about 5 millimeters.The weight of the less independent capsule of example is at least about 5 milligrams, often at least about 15 milligrams, often at least about 25 milligrams.The weight of the bigger independent capsule of example is generally less than about 65 milligrams less than about 75 milligrams, often less than about 55 milligrams.

Enterprises, Inc.) " Momints " of Huo Deing is from " the Ice Breakers Liquid Ice " of Han Sen company (The Hershey Company) acquisition.Also the capsule of representative classes is combined in the chewing gum, for example the sort of chewing gum sold with trade name " Cinnaburst " of U.S. CA company (Cadbury Adams USA).The capsule and the component thereof of representative classes have also been listed in the following document: No. the 3339558th, the United States Patent (USP) of Waterbury; Irby, No. the 3390686th, people's such as Jr. United States Patent (USP); No. the 3685521st, the United States Patent (USP) of Dock; No. the 3916914th, people's such as Brooks United States Patent (USP); No. the 4889144th, people's such as Tateno United States Patent (USP); No. the 6631722nd, people's such as MacAdam United States Patent (USP); No. the 7115085th, the United States Patent (USP) of Deal; No. the 2004/0261807th, people's such as Dube U.S. Patent Publication; No. the 2006/0272663rd, people's such as Dube U.S. Patent Publication; No. the 2006/01330961st, people's such as Luan U.S. Patent Publication; No. the 2006/0144412nd, people's such as Mishra U.S. Patent Publication; No. the 2007/0012327th, people's such as Karles U.S. Patent Publication; No. the 2007/0068540th, people's such as Thomas U.S. Patent Publication; The PCT WO 03/009711 of Kim; People's such as Hartmann PCT WO2006/136191; People's such as Mane PCT WO 2006/136199; PCT WO 2007/010407; PCT WO2007/060543; And in the band filter tipped cigarette of being sold with trade name " Camel Lights with Menthol Boost " by RJR tobacco company (R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company), these document beans are by with reference to being incorporated into this.Referring to capsule kind and the component thereof listed in the following document: No. the 5223185th, people's such as Takei United States Patent (USP); No. the 5387093rd, the United States Patent (USP) of Takei; No. the 5882680th, people's such as Suzuki United States Patent (USP); No. the 6719933rd, people's such as Nakamura United States Patent (USP); No. the 6949256th, people's such as Fonkwe United States Patent (USP); No. the 2004/0224020th, the U.S. Patent Application Publication of Schoenhard; No. the 2005/0123601st, people's such as Mane U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2005/0196437th, people's such as Bednarz U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2005/0249676th, people's such as Scott U.S. Patent Application Publication; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.Capsule can be painted, provides smooth or coarse surface, has rigidity or pliable and tough shell, enbrittles or the shell of durability, perhaps other required feature or characteristics.

The smokeless tobacco product shell comprises other flavor enhancements, and these flavor enhancements are the form of bead, spherolite, rod, stranded thigh, sheet, bar, or design is used for sending predetermined other shaped articles that concentrate the flavoring ingredients of amount to the user.These forms comprise carrier materials (being host material) usually and are dispersed in wherein flavor enhancement, make and can control sending of this flavor enhancement.For example, material and composition that the representative classes of the bead of the water-fast substantially flavor enhancement of the manufacturing of being applicable to, stranded thigh or spherolite can be arranged in cigarette filter, these cigarettes can be from RJR tobacco company as Camel Dark Mint, Camel Mandarin Mint, Camel SpiceCrema, Camel Izmir Stinger, Camel Spice Twist, Camel Mandalay Lime and Camel Aegean Spice obtain.Bar, fragment or the sheet (as the edible film material of breath freshening) of at least a seasoning of the be scattered in water of seasoning or water-soluble material for example, can be set in each shown in Fig. 3 bag.These or sheet can fold or be wrinkling, thereby can easily be combined in the bag.Referring to material category and the technology listed in the following document for example: No. the 6887307th, people's such as Scott United States Patent (USP); No. the 6923981st, people's such as Leung United States Patent (USP); The EFSA Journal (2004) 85,1-32; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.

Though not too preferred, can in the less mesh pocket of poisture-penetrability, seal at least a bigger capsule, be included in subsequently in the outside reticular container of smokeless tobacco product.In so a kind of embodiment, the tobacco preparation in the bag can be isolated with at least a capsule that is also contained in this bag, as shown in Figure 4.

Being used to make the tobacco that relates to tobacco product of the present invention can change.Tobacco can comprise respectively and growing tobacco, for example flue-cured tobacco, burley tobaccos, east type cigarette, Maryland, dark cigarette, dark fire-cured tobacco, dark air-curing of tobacco leaves (as Pa Sangde (passanda), Cuba's promise (cubano), Jia Ting (jatin) and this pearl gram (bezuki) tobacco) or light air-curing of tobacco leaves (as northern Wisconsin (North Wisconsin) and Ge Lepa (galpoa) tobacco), chrysanthemum (Rustica) cigarette and other rare or professional tobaccos.Tobacco production, chemistry and technology (TobaccoProduction, Chemistry and Technology), listed respectively growing tobacco, planting the explanation of putting into practice, gathering in the crops practice and baking practice among the people such as Davis (compiling) (1999), the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.Referring to respectively growing tobacco of listing in the following document: Sensabaugh, No. the 4660577th, people's such as Jr. United States Patent (USP); No. the 5387416th, people's such as White United States Patent (USP); No. the 6730832nd, people's such as Dominguez United States Patent (USP); These documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.Most preferably pass through the tobacco-containing material of suitable baking and ageing.The particularly preferred technology and the condition that are used for the baking flue-cured tobacco have been listed in the following document: people such as Nestor, Beitrage Tabakforsch, Int., 20 (2003) 467-475; No. the 6895974th, the United States Patent (USP) of Peele; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.The representative art and the condition that are used for air-curing of tobacco leaves have been listed in the following document: people such as Roton, Beitrage Tabakforsch., Int., 21 (2005) 305-320; People such as Staaf, Beitrage Tabakforsch., Int., 21 (2005) 321-330; These documents all are incorporated into this by reference.But the uncommon or rare tobacco daylight airing of some kinds.Listed the mode and the method for the quality of smokeing panel test that is used to improve east type cigarette in No. the 7025066th, people's such as Lawson the United States Patent (USP), the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.Representational east type tobacco bale is drawn together Ka Tani (katerini), Pu Ruilipa (prelip), Kao Matini (komotini), Sang Te (xanthi) and Ya Mabu (yambol) tobacco.The tobacco tobacco compositions of having listed to comprise dark fire-cured tobacco in No. the 11/696416th, the U. S. application sequence that people such as Marshall submitted on April 4th, 2007, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.

Tobacco product of the present invention, for example the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-4 can grow tobacco (as with so-called " directly grade " form) in conjunction with independent one.For example, the tobacco in the tobacco product can only be formed (for example, all tobaccos all are made up of the mixture of flue-cured tobacco blade or flue-cured tobacco blade and flue-cured tobacco bar, perhaps all are derived from the mixture of flue-cured tobacco blade or flue-cured tobacco blade and flue-cured tobacco bar) by flue-cured tobacco.Tobacco in the tobacco product also can have what is called " blending " form.For example, tobacco in the tobacco product of the present invention can comprise the mixture (for example, being formed or be derived from the tobacco of the mixture of tobacco leaf or tobacco leaf and tobacco rods by the mixture of tobacco leaf or tobacco leaf and tobacco rods) of part flue-cured tobacco, burley tobaccos (as the Malawi burley tobaccos) and east type cigarette.For example, representational blend can be in conjunction with in the dry weight being the about 30-70 part of benchmark burley tobaccos (as blade or blade and bar), about 30-70 part flue-cured tobacco (as bar, blade or blade and bar).The tobacco blend of other examples can be in conjunction with in the dry weight being the about 75 parts of flue-cured tobaccos of benchmark, about 15 parts of burley tobaccos and about 10 parts of east type cigarettes; Perhaps about 65 parts of flue-cured tobaccos, about 25 parts of burley tobaccos and about 10 parts of east type cigarettes; Or about 65 parts of flue-cured tobaccos, about 10 parts of burley tobaccos and about 25 parts of east type cigarettes.

Tobacco-containing material can have following form: the tobacco section of processing, it mainly is the tobacco of the baking and the ageing of natural blades or rod type, tobacco extract, the tobacco slurry (as making water) that extracts as solvent, perhaps Yi Shang mixture (for example, with the tobacco slurry of extraction mixture) with the natural baccy blade combination of granular baking and ageing.

The tobacco that is used for tobacco product most preferably comprises tobacco leaf or tobacco leaf and bar mixture.With respect to tobacco rods, preferred combination the tobacco composition of tobacco leaf of main amount.Most preferably use tobacco leaf and bar with undrawn form, that is, it is suitable with existing way in the natural baccy that provides with baking and ageing form that these can extract part (as water-soluble portion) existing way in not extracting part (as the tobacco slurry).Most preferably do not provide tobacco with following form: recombinant forms, extrude form, perhaps any form by tobacco ingredient being extracted and recombinating and obtain.But, tobacco section in the tobacco product can have form processing, the tobacco rods of for example having processed (as cutting-rolling bar, the bar of cutting-rolling-expansion or cutting-loose bar), or the tobacco of volumetric expansion (for example Shu Song tobacco, as the tobacco (DIET) of dry-ice expanding).In addition, tobacco product is optional can be in conjunction with the tobacco of having fermented.The process technology of listing among the PCT WO 05/063060 referring to people such as Atchley that respectively grows tobacco, the document is incorporated into this by reference.

Can feed in raw material to tobacco-containing material (case) when needing and drying, grind into desired form then.For example, can feed in raw material to tobacco-containing material: sugar (as fructose, dextrose plus saccharose), NMF (as glycerine and propane diols), flavoring ingredients (as cocoa and Radix Glycyrrhizae) etc. with the moisture reinforced component that contains following component.Be benchmark applies non-aqueous reinforced component from the amount of about 1-15% to tobacco preferably in the tobacco dry weight.

The tobacco that is used to make tobacco product preferably provides with chopping, that grind, granular, fine particles or powder type.Most preferably use tobacco with the form of part or sheet, the particle mean size of these parts or sheet is less than the part of used chopping tobacco or the granularity of sheet in so-called " frittering " tobacco product.Usually tobacco particle or the sheet to very segmentation sieves; make it pass through the screen cloth of about No. 18 Tyler screen sizes; generally being sized to can be by the screen cloth of about No. 20 Tyler screen sizes; often being sized to can be by the screen cloth of about No. 50 Tyler screen sizes; often being sized to can be by the screen cloth of about No. 60 Tyler screen sizes; even can be sized to and further to be sized to the screen cloth that can pass through No. 200 Tyler screen sizes by the screen cloth of No. 100 Tyler screen sizes.Can use air classification equipment to guarantee to collect the small size tobacco particle of required size or size range when needing.In one embodiment, tobacco-containing material is a particulate form, is sized to still can not to pass through the screen cloth of No. 60 Tyler screen sizes by the screen cloth of about No. 18 Tyler screen sizes.Can the granular tobacco of different size is together partially mixed when needing.The granularity that is applicable to the tobacco particle of very segmentation of wet snuff product or part often is-8 to+No. 100 Tyler screen sizes usually greater than-No. 8 Tyler screen sizes, often is-18 to+No. 60 Tyler screen sizes.

Provide the mode of tobacco to change with segmentation or powder type.Powder type is pulverized, ground or be ground into to the preferred equipment and the technology that grind, mill etc. used with tobacco section or sheet.The equipment that uses hammer-mill, cutter head, air control grinder etc. and so on grind or the process of milling in, most preferably tobacco is comparatively dry form.For example it is ground for less than about 15-5 weight % the time or mill in the water capacity of tobacco section or sheet.

The relative quantity of tobacco can change in the tobacco preparation.In tobacco preparation dry weight is benchmark, and the amount of tobacco in the said preparation preferably is at least about 25-30%.In some cases, be benchmark in the dry weight, other group components in the tobacco preparation can surpass about 40%.The typical range of tobacco-containing material is about 30-40 weight % in the preparation.

Before the consumer used the tobacco preparation, the water capacity of said preparation can change.Before in inserting user's mouth, the water capacity of the tobacco preparation that exists in the bag is generally less than about 50 weight %, often less than about 45 weight % usually less than about 55 weight %.Before using, the water capacity of the tobacco preparation of some kinds is less than about 15 weight %, often less than about 10 weight %, often less than about 5 weight %.For some tobacco products, for example combine those products of wet snuff type tobacco compositions, water capacity can surpass 20 weight %, often surpasses 30 weight %.For example, the representational wet snuff type product water capacity that can have is about 25-50 weight %, the preferred tobacco compositions of about 30-40 weight %.

The mode of control preparation water capacity can change.For example, can heat-treat or Convective Heating preparation.As concrete example, can in the warm air of about 40-95 ℃ temperature, carry out oven drying to preparation, preferred temperature range is about 60-80 ℃, and be to be suitable for the water capacity that reaches required drying time.Perhaps can use following equipment to make the tobacco preparation become moist: sleeve pipe (casing) drum, regulate cylinder or drum, the liquid spraying apparatus, banded blender, from (the Littleford Day of LD company, Inc.) blender that obtains with FKM 130, FKM600, FKM 1200, FKM 2000 and FKM 3000, hoe formula blender cylinder etc.Most preferably moist tobacco preparation (preparation that respectively grows tobacco that adopts in for example wet snuff type product) is carried out pasteurize or fermentation.The technology of wet snuff type tobacco product being carried out pasteurize or fermentation is conspicuous for the technical staff in the wet snuff product design and the field of manufacturing.

The acidity or alkalinity of tobacco preparation (characterizing through pH commonly used) can change.The pH of preparation is at least about 6.5 usually, preferably is at least about 7.5.It is about 9 that the pH of said preparation is no more than usually, often is no more than about 8.5.Representational tobacco preparation shows the pH of about 6.8-8.2.A kind of representative art that is used for the pH of definite tobacco preparation comprises the water that 5 gram said preparations is dispersed in 100 milliliters of high performance liquid chromatographies, and the pH (as using pH meter) of measurement gained suspension/solution.

As mentioned above, before preparation tobacco preparation, can carry out irradiation, perhaps these parts or sheet be carried out pasteurize, perhaps carry out controlled heat treatment with other modes to tobacco section or sheet.In addition, when needing, after all or part of preparation of preparation, can carry out irradiation, perhaps this component material be carried out pasteurize, perhaps carry out controlled heat treatment with other modes to component material.For example, can prepare preparation, irradiation or pasteurize apply flavoring ingredients to said preparation then then.Perhaps, can be in the tobacco preparation being incorporated into wet bag or bag (autonomous container of wet snuff type smokeless tobacco product for example is provided) after, this tobacco preparation is carried out irradiation or pasteurize.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to method for treatment of tobacco.This method relates to heat-treats the tobacco that is used to prepare the tobacco preparation that is suitable as the smokeless tobacco preparation.This method relates to heat-treats the tobacco-containing material that most preferably is wet form.This heat treatment can be carried out in closed container (controlled atmosphere, controlled atmosphere component and controlled atmosphere pressures for example are provided), is perhaps carrying out in the container that surrounding air is opened substantially.Can make the overall characteristic of this tobacco-containing material or the change that required degree takes place character by under sufficiently high temperature, tobacco-containing material being carried out enough handling the heat treatment that is provided for a long time.For example, can use heat treatment to provide required color or visual characteristic, provide required organoleptic properties, perhaps provide required physical property or texture to this tobacco-containing material to this tobacco-containing material as tobacco-containing material.In addition, heat treatment makes the tobacco-containing material experience be treated to the processing of feature with Pasteur's antibacterial type.Like this, the inactivation such as spore, mould, microorganism, bacterium of some kind and amount be can make, consequent enzyme generation sex change or inactivation otherwise perhaps can be made.Some components that inactivation can take place or quantity is effectively reduced are the biological agents (as enzyme) that can promote to form tobacco-specific nitrosamine.For example on the website of Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture, listed the pasteurize technology.

Heat treated temperature and time can change, and along with heat treatment temperature raises, heat treatment time generally can shorten.Preferably avoid too high heat treatment temperature, for example be equal to or higher than the temperature of water boiling point.But the temperature that is characterized as rising of the temperature of heat treatment step represents that this temperature is higher than room temperature (promptly greater than 25 ℃).Being used to implement heat-treating methods and equipment can change.Can by use jacketed vessel, in tobacco directly injected steam, make the hot-air bubbling by modes such as tobaccos, temperature is controlled.The inventive method of hereinafter listing can use equipment known in the art to carry out, and for example various mixing apparatus comprise energy heating mixer inclusion and stirring or stir the various chuck mixing apparatus of blender inclusion.Can use the various pressure controlled or mixers that ventilate.The mixer of example comprises can be from Scott equipment company (ScottEquipment Company), (the Littleford Day of LD company, Inc.), the blender that BL (Breddo Likwifier) branch company of LP technology company (LodigeProcess Technology) and American I ngredients Company obtains.Providing the example of the container of pressure controlled environment to comprise can be from Berghof/America Inc, Concord, the autoclave that California obtains, and the high-pressure reactor that can obtain from Paro instrument company (The Parr Instrument Co.) (for example, 4522 types and the 4552 type Parr reactors of describing in No. the 4882128th, people's such as Hukvari the United States Patent (USP)).Preferred blender can directly be injected into steam in the inclusion of this blender.Can when stirring or stir tobacco-containing material, carry out following all processing steps.Pressure in this technical process in the mixer can be atmospheric pressure or elevated pressure (as being about 10-1000psig).

In the gross weight of accepting heat treated tobacco preparation is benchmark, and the water capacity of the heat treated moist tobacco-containing material of process preferably is at least about 30%, often is at least about 35%, often is at least about 40%.Can be by adding aqueous fluids, for example steam, liquid running water, sodium-chloride water solution etc. moisturize tobacco-containing material.Finish after the heat treatment step at least to a certain degree, this humidity tobacco-containing material is contacted with basic matterial (as sodium carbonate, sodium acid carbonate or their mixture), its pH is increased to the alkaline pH scope.When contacting with basic matterial, be benchmark in the gross weight of this tobacco preparation, the water capacity of this tobacco-containing material is at least about 30%, often is at least about 35%, often is at least about 40%.Before adding basic matterial, preferably this tobacco-containing material is carried out to a certain degree cooling (for example tobacco is cooled to and is lower than about 75 ℃, often be lower than about 65 ℃, often be lower than about 55 ℃) to tobacco-containing material.When tobacco-containing material experiences sufficiently high water capacity when the pH of this tobacco-containing material is reduced to about 8 pH units, this tobacco composition and this basic matterial are interacted.Cool off then and dry this tobacco-containing material.

In heat treatment process, can add various flavor enhancement materials to tobacco-containing material as required.The seasoning composition of example comprises and variously appends flavouring (top dressing) and add feed composition, comprises those compositions of describing in the following document: No. the 5121757th, people's such as White United States Patent (USP); No. the 5370139th, people's such as Shu United States Patent (USP); No. the 5318050th, people's such as Gonzalez-Parra United States Patent (USP); No. the 5343879th, the United States Patent (USP) of Teague; No. the 5413122nd, people's such as Shu United States Patent (USP); No. the 5962662nd, people's such as Shu United States Patent (USP); No. the 6048404th, the United States Patent (USP) of White; Coleman, No. the 6298858th, people's such as III United States Patent (USP); Coleman, No. the 6325860th, the United States Patent (USP) of III; Coleman, No. the 6428624th, people's such as III United States Patent (USP); No. the 6591841st, people's such as White United States Patent (USP); No. the 6695924th, people's such as Dube United States Patent (USP); Coleman, No. the 2004/0173228th, the U.S. Patent Application Publication of III, all documents all are incorporated into this by reference.In addition, in heat treatment process as herein described, can add various other additives, for example ammonia, oxirane, sulfur dioxide and chlorine dioxide to tobacco compositions.Listed the additive or the reagent of other kinds that can introduce tobacco-containing material in No. the 2004/0250821st, people's such as Perfetti the U.S. Patent Application Publication, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.

Therefore, the invention provides the whole bag of tricks of tobacco-containing material used in the preparation smokeless tobacco product.Specifically, the inventive method relates to the heat treatment tobacco, and regulates the pH of this tobacco in the mode of the storage stability of the organoleptic attribute that is suitable for improving smokeless tobacco product.In a kind of method of the present invention, provide desired form (as the chopping or particulate form) tobacco-containing material.Tobacco-containing material can comprise respectively growing tobacco of blending, the blend of for example various tobacco leaf materials (as baking blade, east type blade etc.) and various bar material (as chrysanthemum (Rustica) bar, Kano (Kurnoo) bar, India's Exposure to Sunlight bar etc.).The blend of tobacco-containing material provides with low water capacity usually, is the about 5-15 weight of benchmark % (10-12 weight % according to appointment) in the tobacco-containing material gross weight for example.

Preferably with tobacco-containing material and salt material combination, this salt material is preferably aqueous solution form.In one embodiment, add sodium-chloride water solution to tobacco-containing material, the water capacity of gained mixture is about 30-50 weight % usually, often is about 30-40 weight % (as 35 weight %).When needing, can when adding sodium chloride or other salt materials, heat tobacco-containing material, help this salting liquid is thoroughly mixed with this tobacco-containing material.For example, heating can comprise tobacco-containing material is heated to temperature at least about 60 ℃, about usually 60-65 ℃ temperature.

Then the moist tobacco-containing material with optional salt component is heat-treated step, this heat treatment step relates to this tobacco-containing material of heating under time that is enough to tobacco is carried out pasteurize as mentioned above and temperature conditions.The heating-up temperature of example comprises that temperature is equal to or higher than 85 ℃, for example about 85-100 ℃, and more generally about 90-95 ℃.The time of contact pasteurizing temperature can change, but usually at least about 1 hour, for example about 1-3 hour.In one embodiment, by rising hold tobacco-containing material blender jacket temperature and steam directly is injected in the tobacco-containing material this tobacco is heated.Vapor injection also can cause the water capacity of tobacco to increase during heating steps usually.Common water capacity with tobacco-containing material remains on substantially invariable water capacity in the heating steps process, perhaps allow to raise slightly, and as water capacity at least about 30 weight %, for example about 30-40 weight % (35 weight % according to appointment).In other words, tobacco remains under the moist relatively condition in heating steps.

After the heat treatment step, before adding alkali is with rising material pH, usually tobacco-containing material is cooled off.The temperature of tobacco-containing material is reduced to about 60-65 ℃ usually.Add alkali to tobacco-containing material then, and thoroughly mix with this tobacco-containing material.Described alkali can be any material that the pH of tobacco-containing material can be increased to alkaline pH scope (9-10 according to appointment).The alkali of example comprises alkali metal hydroxide, alkali carbonate, alkali metal hydrogencarbonate and their mixture.Spendable concrete base material comprises sodium carbonate, potash, sodium acid carbonate, saleratus, NaOH, potassium hydroxide and their mixture.

Described alkali adds with aqueous solution form usually, adds the alkali step and causes the water capacity of tobacco-containing material to increase usually.In one embodiment, add capacity alkali to tobacco-containing material, cause tobacco-containing material pH to be at least about 8.7, for example pH is about 8.7-10.Final water capacity often is about 40-55 weight %, often is about 45-50 weight %.

Add after alkali and the water, heat the tobacco-containing material of gained humidity, adjusted pH at elevated temperatures, for example at least about 55 ℃ temperature, temperature range often is about 55-95 ℃, more often is about 65-75 ℃.In this heating steps, the water capacity maintenance of tobacco-containing material is constant relatively, perhaps allow to raise slightly, to promote the sustained response between tobacco-containing material and the alkali.The water capacity of tobacco-containing material preferably remains at least about 40 weight %, about usually 40-55 weight %, often about 45-50 weight %.In order to prevent that tangible moisture loss takes place in this step, the mixer and the atmosphere that hold tobacco-containing material are ventilated, but can allow the head space of a small amount of filtered air stream, the ammonia that forms because of the acid material reaction in alkali and the tobacco-containing material to remove by this blender.

Adding alkali heating steps afterwards continues often to continue about 1-3 hour at least about 1 hour usually.In this step, pH is reduced to be lower than about 8.5, for example about 8.0-8.5 (according to appointment 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5).In this heating steps, by monitoring and control water capacity and the temperature of tobacco, can keep useful pH changing down usually along with the acid material sustained response in alkali and the moist tobacco.In one embodiment, the pH changing down remain an about 0.05-0.15 pH unit/hour, a more generally about 0.08-0.10 pH unit/hour (for example about 0.09 pH unit/hour).

After the above heating steps, by continue the heating tobacco-containing material simultaneously with the mixer exhaust to remove water vapour, drying should the humidity tobacco-containing material.This step is usually included in the temperature heating tobacco-containing material of suitable rising, for example at least about 35 ℃ temperature, often is about 35-70 ℃ temperature, and more frequent is about 55-65 ℃ temperature.The time of drying steps can change, but is about 20-24 hour usually.The final water capacity of tobacco-containing material is often less than about 35 weight % after dry, for example about 25-35 weight %, often about 25-30 weight %.It is useful in drying steps the pH of material being maintained at about 7.6-8.2.

In a kind of alternative methods, at first tobacco-containing material is mixed with a large amount of excessive water, form mixture with higher water capacity, it is characterized in that this mixture was slurries before heat treatment.These slurries comprise usually at least about 75 weight % water, often at least about 80 weight % water.In one embodiment, the tobacco-containing material slurries comprise about 75-95 weight % water.Choose wantonly slurries are mixed with salt material, for example sodium-chloride water solution.In the tobacco-containing material dry weight is benchmark, and the addition of salt material is about 1-8 weight % (for example about 1-3 weight %) usually.

The optional adding after the salt material, the heating slurries are to carry out pasteurize to tobacco-containing material.Heating steps generally includes the tobacco-containing material slurries is heated to temperature at least about 60 ℃, for example about 60-100 ℃ temperature, more frequent about 70-90 ℃ (for example about 75 ℃).Can change heat time heating time, but be at least about 30 minutes usually, for example about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

After the heating steps, when slurries still are in the temperature of rising, add base material usually.As mentioned above, base material is generally the form of the aqueous solution, and alkali can be any base material of above-mentioned material and so on.Heavy at a kind of embodiment, be benchmark in the tobacco-containing material dry weight, the addition of alkali is about 3-11 weight %.Add capacity alkali and make the pH of slurries be increased to the alkaline pH scope, for example at least about 8.5, often at least about 9.0.Add that the example pH scope of slurries is about 8.5-11, more frequent about 9-10 after the alkali.Add after the alkali, stir slurries and be heated to the temperature of rising,, be enough to heat time heating time make the pH of these slurries to reduce at least about 0.5 pH unit for example at least about 60 ℃ temperature.Usually be at least about 1.5 hours heat time heating time, for example about 1.5-3.0 hour.The temperature of heating steps is about 70-95 ℃ usually.The final pH of slurries is about 8.0-8.5 (for example about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5) usually after this heating steps.Though be not subjected to the restriction of any concrete operations theory, but believe by pH and regulate the tobacco-containing material in the aqueous slurry form, cause between the alkali of acid material in this tobacco and adding more heterogeneous mutual effect taking place, cause the storage stability of the pH of final smokeless tobacco product to increase subsequently.

Then slurries are cooled to environment temperature, for example are lower than about 35 ℃ temperature.When needing, during cooling or afterwards, can add the NMF of glycerine, propane diols or sugar alcohol (as maltitol) and so on.Dry then tobacco-containing material.In one embodiment, drying steps comprises slurries is cast on the band (as stainless steel band), makes tobacco be about 85-285 ℃ dry section by operating temperature.Tobacco-containing material is about 2-5 minute usually in the time of staying of dry section.Perhaps, the belt speed by dry section or drying alley is about 25-55 feet per minute clock.The final water capacity of dry back tobacco-containing material is about 5-15 weight % usually, often is about 10-12 weight %.Listed the drying tobacco material technology in for example following document: No. the 4941484th, people's such as Clapp United States Patent (USP); No. the 5005593rd, people's such as Fagg United States Patent (USP); No. the 5234008th, the United States Patent (USP) of Fagg, these documents all are incorporated into this by reference.

In another example that relates to heat treatment method, use according to the tobacco of handling with mode like the paper process reorganization tobacco to prepare the smokeless tobacco preparation: for example described in the United States Patent (USP) the 5159942nd of Brinkley and No. 5445169 with high water capacity tobacco composition.In this method, at elevated temperatures tobacco is carried out water-based and extract, thereby tobacco-containing material is separated into solid portion and extract part, wherein extract partly has lower solid content (3-6% solid content according to appointment).Time and the temperature extracted can change, but this temperature is at least about 60 ℃ usually, for example about 60-100 ℃ temperature, more frequent about 70-90 ℃ (75 ℃ according to appointment), extraction time is about 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours usually.The aqueous solution that is used to extract tobacco-containing material comprises salt and base material usually, is benchmark in tobacco weight, for example about 3-8 weight % salt (as sodium chloride) and about 1-5 weight % alkali.Preferably cool off extract (as being cooled to about 65 ℃) then, the optional alkali neutralize (for example in about 3.5% NaOH of tobacco weight and about 3.5% potash) that adds.After the neutralization procedure, the pH of extract is changed to about 8.0-8.5 from about 9.0-9.5.Then, can form concentrated extract for example by the vacuum evaporation concentrated extract with higher solids content (30-35% solid content according to appointment).After the evaporation, choose wantonly concentrated extract is mixed with NMF (6% glycerine according to appointment), return then in the solid portion that is added to extraction.Can dry gained tobacco-containing material to reduce water capacity, for example to about 10-12% water capacity.For example but serviceability temperature is about 85-100 ℃ forced air draft oven and carries out drying steps.

Use any above-mentioned heat treatment method, tobacco-containing material is mixed closely with base material, incorporation time is enough to promote that the acidic materials in alkali and the tobacco take place significantly to interact.Up to tobacco with could carry out tangible drying to this tobacco after alkali fully contacts.The result is, the inventor believes that above method causes using the formed smokeless tobacco product of handling according to these methods of tobacco-containing material to have the storage stability of higher organoleptic attribute, specifically, the inventor believes, uses method of the present invention can obtain the bigger pH storage stability of final products.

After any said method, the gained tobacco-containing material can be mixed with the flavor enhancement (comprising sweetener) that adds.Can use various flavor enhancements and water as required, to regulate local flavor and water capacity, make tobacco-containing material show the required final water capacity scope of product, this water capacity scope can change as mentioned above.In one embodiment, in this step, the water capacity of tobacco compositions is increased at least about 25 weight %.

When needing, can smoke, thereby change the organoleptic attribute of products obtained therefrom according to preference all or part of tobacco-containing material that is used for production smokeless tobacco product of the present invention.Typically the process of smoking can take place before or after above-mentioned heat treatment process, this process of smoking is included in the tobacco-containing material (for example water capacity is about 5-20 weight %) of the following heating of temperature (the about 85-300 ℃) relatively dry of rising, be enough to this tobacco-containing material is smoked for example about 1-3 hour heat time heating time.Before heating, tobacco and alkali and/or sugar (as glucose, fructose, sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, caramel, rhamnose or their mixture) or sugar alcohol (as maltitol, sweet mellow wine, xylitol, D-sorbite or their mixture) are mixed, thereby in heating process, promote the Maillard reaction.Listed the condition of smoking of example in for example following document: No. the 4534372nd, the United States Patent (USP) of White, No. the 4596259th, people's such as White United States Patent (USP), these documents are incorporated into this by reference.

Can also with the tobacco that is used for making tobacco product with other materials or composition (comprising any additives non-retention volume, that can be used for micro-capsule described herein) process, fusion, preparation, combination and mixing.For example, tobacco compositions can be in conjunction with salt, sweetener, adhesive, colouring agent, pH conditioning agent, filler, oral care additives, flavor enhancement, disintegration auxiliary agent, antioxidant, NMF and anticorrisive agent.Referring to those representative component of listing in the following document for example, the combination of component, those components and composition are with respect to the relative quantity of tobacco, and mode and the method for using those components: No. the 11/233399th, people's such as Holton U.S. Patent application sequence, No. the 11/351919th, people's such as Holton U.S. Patent application sequence, these documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.

The relative quantity of each component in the tobacco preparation comprises changing the amount of additive in the micro-capsule core district.The amount that this paper proposes is the total amount of various additives, can represent to seal (or otherwise separate) and the non-component of sealing.In other words, smokeless tobacco product of the present invention can comprise the following additive of various amounts: for the microencapsulation or the additive of isolated form otherwise, only be the additive of non-tight form only, perhaps is the form of mixtures of sealing with the non-additive of sealing.

The consumption of sweetener most preferably is enough to provide required taste attribute for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the sweetener of the representativeness amount that may exist is no matter be artificial sweetening agent or natural sugar, the highest 1-3% that is at least about.In the preparation gross dry weight, it is about 40% that the sweetener quantity in the preparation preferably is no more than, and often is no more than approximately 35%, often is no more than about 30%.

The amount of additive (for example particulate tobacco or tobacco extract) that contains the microencapsulation (or otherwise separate) of tobacco preferably is enough to provide required taste attribute for this tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of microencapsulation additive that contains tobacco is often at least about little 5%, more generally at least about 10%.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of microencapsulation additive that contains tobacco is usually less than about 50 weight %, often less than about 40 weight %, often less than about 30 weight %.

For the embodiment of the present invention of the water that comprises microencapsulation (or otherwise separate), be benchmark in the total formulation weight amount, usually with the microencapsulation form comprise at least about 10%, often at least about 15%, often at least about 20% water.The amount of the water of microencapsulation is often less than about 35%, often less than about 30%, often less than about 25%.

The use amount that is derived from the additive of herbal medicine or plant origin preferably is enough to for the tobacco preparation provides required functional attributes, and this amount changes according to the kind of required function and herbal medicine or plant origin.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the additive that may exist is at least about 1-3%.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of additive preferably is no more than approximately 40% in the preparation, often is no more than approximately 35%, often is no more than about 30%.

Can use adhesive, adhesive consumption is enough to provide required physical attribute and physical integrity for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the adhesive that may exist is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of adhesive preferably is no more than about 20% in the preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of adhesive often is no more than approximately 15% in the preferred formulation, often is no more than about 10%.

Can use the disintegration auxiliary agent, the consumption of disintegration auxiliary agent is enough to for the tobacco preparation provides control to required physical attribute, and for example when preparation contacts with water (for example by swelling takes place when contact with water) provides the loss of physical integrity and the dispersion of each component.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the disintegration auxiliary agent that may exist is at least about 1-10% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of disintegration auxiliary agent preferably is no more than approximately 50% in the preparation, often is no more than about 30%.

Can use colouring agent, the consumption of colouring agent is enough to provide required perceptual property for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the colouring agent that may exist is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of colouring agent preferably is no more than approximately 30% in the preparation, often is no more than about 10%.

Can use filler, the consumption of filler preferably is enough to provide control to required physical attribute and sensory attribute for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the filler that may exist (no matter being organic filler and/or inorganic filler) is at least about 5-15% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of filler preferably is no more than approximately 60% in the preparation, often is no more than about 40%.

Can use buffer or pH conditioning agent in the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of buffer that may exist or pH conditioning agent is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of buffer or pH conditioning agent is no more than approximately 10% in the preparation, often is no more than about 5%.

Can use the flavor enhancement of non-sweetener, the consumption of flavor enhancement preferably is enough to provide required sensory attribute for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the flavor enhancement that may exist (as vanillic aldehyde) is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, it is about 15% that the amount of flavoring ingredients preferably is no more than, and often is no more than about 5%.

Can use salt, the consumption of salt is enough to provide required sensory attribute for the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the salt that may exist is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, it is about 10% that the salt amount in the preparation preferably is no more than, and often is no more than about 5%.

Can use antioxidant in the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the antioxidant that may exist is at least about 1-3% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of antioxidant preferably is no more than approximately 25% in the preparation, often is no more than about 10%.

Can use anticorrisive agent in the tobacco preparation.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the anticorrisive agent that may exist is at least about 0.1-1% altogether.In the preparation gross dry weight, it is about 5% that the anticorrosion dosage in the preparation is no more than usually, often is no more than about 3%.

The tobacco preparation can be in conjunction with at least a MC composition (or these mixture of ingredients), thereby can prevent decayed tooth or dentine loss, prevent gingivitis, alleviate oral cavity pain, whitening teeth or otherwise prevent tooth dyeing, saliva stimulating secretion, prevent halitosis, make breath freshening etc.For example, can be in preparation in conjunction with effective dose for example below composition: thyme linaloe oil, eucalyptus oil and zinc (for example from Discus Dental with

The commercial preparation composition that obtains).Can be combined in other example compositions that contain in the tobacco preparation with required effective dose and comprise those of combination in the various oral care compositions of listing in the following document: people such as Takahashi, oral microorganism is learned and immunology (Oral Microbiology and Immunology), 19 (1), 61-64 (2004); No. the 6083527th, the United States Patent (USP) of Thistle; No. the 2006/0210488th, the U.S. Patent Application Publication of Jakubowski; No. the 2006/02228308th, people's such as Cummins U.S. Patent Application Publication.Other example compositions that contain the tobacco preparation comprise by Roquette by

With press by NatraRx

Those compositions that comprise in the preparation of selling.In the preparation gross dry weight, the representative amount of the oral care additives that may exist is at least about 1%, often is at least about 3%, often is at least about 5%.In the preparation gross dry weight, the amount of oral care additives is no more than approximately 30% usually in the preparation, often is no more than approximately 25%, often is no more than about 20%.

In tobacco preparation gross dry weight is benchmark, representative tobacco preparation can be in conjunction with about 25-60% tobacco, about 1-5% artificial sweetening agent, about 1-5% colouring agent, the organic and/or inorganic filler of about 10-60%, about 5-20% disintegration auxiliary agent, about 1-5% adhesive, about 1-5%pH conditioning agent/buffer is about 10% flavoring ingredients amount at most, be about 2% anticorrisive agent at most, be about 5% salt at most.The concrete percentage of each composition and selection will be according to required taste, texture and other characteristic variations.

The mode of each component of combination tobacco preparation can change.Can make each component of preparation in circular cone class blender, mixing rotary drum, ribbon blender etc., contact together, make up or mix.Like this, can make the overall mixture of each component and powdered tobacco component become comparatively even in nature.Referring to the whole bag of tricks of listing in the following document for example: No. the 4148325th, people's such as Solomon United States Patent (USP); No. the 6510855th, people's such as Korte United States Patent (USP); No. the 6834654th, the United States Patent (USP) of Williams, these documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.The mode and the method for the wet snuff type tobacco preparation of preparation are conspicuous for the technical staff of wet snuff tobacco product production field.

Though most preferably the form with the wet snuff type product performance that is described with reference to the drawings provides tobacco compositions, but, this tobacco compositions also can have following form: moist snuff in bulk, dry snuff in bulk, chewing tobacco, make the smoked sheet of grain, plume of extruding or smoked sheet, segmentation grind powder, Powdered and the segmentation of component or the agglomerate of milling, thin slice (for example can form) by the tobacco formulation components is reunited, the smoked sheet of mould process (for example forms coin, cylinder, beans, general shape such as cube), contain the tobacco film, combine the product with the mixture of the edible material of smoked sheet and/or tobacco extract combination, combine by the solid product etc. of the tobacco of edible substrate bears (for example being the form of tobacco extract) not.For example, tobacco compositions can have following form: the tobacco spherolite of compacting, the multilayer extrudate piece, extrude or the rod or the rod of moulding, have a kind of by the composition of the tobacco preparation of different types of tobacco preparation encirclement, banded film volume, soluble in water or easily be scattered in the film of water or bar (referring to No. the 2006/0198873rd, people's such as for example Chan U.S. Patent Application Publication), it is (for example transparent perhaps to have a shell, colourless, translucent or highly colored pliable and tough or hard shell) and contain the capsule-like material of the inner region (for example tobacco that combines newton's (Newtoniam) fluid or thixotropic fluid of some forms) of tobacco or tobacco flavor agent.

Can produce tobacco compositions in the following manner, Ya Zhi tobacco spherolite for example: granular tobacco and related preparations component are suppressed, these components are pressed into pellets, choose wantonly and each spherolite is applied with top layer material through processing.The facility for granulating of example can be pressed FL-M series Granulation Equipments (as FL-M-3) and (Alexanderwerk Inc.) press WP 120V and WP 200VN acquisition from inferior Lishan Mountain moral Waco Corp from many companies of prestige section (VectorCorporation).The press device of example (for example press) can be pressed Colton 2216 and Colton 2247 from many companies of prestige section (Vector Corporation), and presses 1200i, 2200i, 3200,2090,3090 and 4090 acquisitions from FC company (Fette Compacting).Be used for providing the equipment of external coating to press CompuLab 24, CompuLab 36, Accela-Cota 48 and Accela-Cota 60 acquisitions from Thomas engineering company (Thomas Engineering) to the granular tobacco preparation of compacting.

Can use the tobacco compositions of various extruding technology manufacturings, for example multilayer tobacco spherolite through processing.For example, can use coextrusion technology (for example using double screw extruder) to make multilayer tobacco spherolite.In this case, continuous moist or dry component or component mixture are placed independently extrude hopper.Along with the propelling of various drying composites, plastify and cure, in the extruder bucket, inject steam, gas (as ammonia, air, carbon dioxide etc.) and NMF (as glycerine or propane diols).Like this, each component is processed, thereby fully mix, make their contacts fully mutually then.For example, make each component contact, extrude in matrix or the extrudate thereby each component is embedded.Referring to No. the 4821749th, people's such as for example Toft United States Patent (USP), the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.Multilayer material can have the general type of film, and perhaps, the material that is generally sphere of multilayer can have outward extending each layer from the inboard.

Some tobacco compositions can be in conjunction with tobacco as its key component.Preferred these compositions do not stay any residue with any tangible degree in user's mouth.Preferred these compositions can not produce smooth slide or sticky sensation (for example because binder content is too high) in user's mouth.In process, can handle tobacco-containing material with pH conditioning agent or other suitable agent, the feasible natural pectin that can discharge in the tobacco-containing material.Discharging natural baccy pectin can reduce in order to promote the amount of the needed extra glue/hydrocolloid of required sheet or film tensile strength character, cellulose-derived or starch-based adhesive.For example, discharge pectin, under the temperature that raises with respect to environment, in the solution of the adjusted extremely alkalescence of pH, boil the tobacco fine powder.This processing also can be tobacco-containing material required sensory attribute is provided.Referring to for example following document: No. the 5099864th, people's such as Young United States Patent (USP); No. the 5339838th, people's such as Young United States Patent (USP); No. the 5501237th, people's such as Young United States Patent (USP), these documents all are incorporated into this by reference.

A kind of tobacco preparation of representing type has the inner region of shell and tobacco dosage form.Representative shell can provide in the following manner: provide alginates (as mosanom, pressing Kelvis, Kelgin and Mannucol from international special product company (International Specialty Products Corp.) obtains), rice starch, Sucralose, glycerine and the liquid mixture of flavor enhancement (as mint flavored dose) water, the liquid mixture that is provided is 25 ℃ of Brookfield viscosity that show about 20000-25000 centipoise.Can use this cementitious mixtures to form sheet, this sheet can be formed skin and (for example use VillawareImperia Pasta machine, Dough Roller 150, it is equipped with the Villaware Ravioli annex that is used for Imperia 150-25, they each obtain since Imperia trading company) maybe can make up (for example by heating) and form outer field semicircle shell.Usually, can carry out suitable drying to this cementitious mixtures by about 1 hour of about 60 ℃ of heating.Can be in shell in conjunction with multiple tobacco preparation.As a kind of representative tobacco preparation of its inner region is granular or the tobacco-containing material of the milling drying or the moist mixture that mix with other compositions, and described other compositions are for example flavor enhancement, NMF, filler, pH conditioning agent, dispersing aid etc.

A kind of representative tobacco preparation has gel or soft gel form.Can provide the tobacco preparation in the following manner: in water, mix tobacco-containing material, κ-antler glue, Kelvis type mosanom, propane diols and flavor enhancement (as menthol and Chinese cassia tree) granular or that mill, make the water capacity of said preparation be about 40-50 weight %.

A kind of representative tobacco preparation has fluid form.Can provide the tobacco preparation in the following manner: in water, mix tobacco-containing material, glycerine, propane diols, κ-antler glue, carboxymethyl cellulose (can be used as Ticalose 1500 obtains from TIC Gums) and microcrystalline cellulose (as Ticacel HV) granular or that mill, make the water capacity of said preparation be about 60-70 weight % from TIC Gums.

In some embodiments, when especially wherein tobacco is spherolite or other processing back form, may expect, thereby change the color of this tobacco-containing material with the tobacco-containing material in bleaching agent or the oxidizer treatment smokeless tobacco product.In some embodiments, may expect tobacco is bleached to more shallow color, make and use after this product, any residue of staying in user's mouth is seen not too easily, and the fibrous material (as clothes) of contact residue is colored.The bleaching agent of example comprises hydrogen peroxide, ozone and ammonia.The method of handling tobacco with bleaching agent has been discussed: Daniels, No. the 787611st, the United States Patent (USP) of Jr. in for example following document; No. the 1086306th, the United States Patent (USP) of Oelenheinz; No. the 1437095th, the United States Patent (USP) of Delling; No. the 1757477th, the United States Patent (USP) of Rosenhoch; No. the 2122421st, the United States Patent (USP) of Hawkinson; No. the 2148147th, the United States Patent (USP) of Baier; No. the 2170107th, the United States Patent (USP) of Baier; No. the 2274649th, the United States Patent (USP) of Baier; No. the 2770239th, people's such as Prats United States Patent (USP); No. 3612065, the United States Patent (USP) of Rosen; No. the 3851653rd, the United States Patent (USP) of Rosen; No. the 3889689th, the United States Patent (USP) of Rosen; No. the 4143666th, the United States Patent (USP) of Rainer; No. the 4194514th, the United States Patent (USP) of Campbell; No. the 4366824th, people's such as Rainer United States Patent (USP); No. the 4388933rd, people's such as Rainer United States Patent (USP); No. the 4641667th, people's such as Schmekel United States Patent (USP); The PCT WO 96/31255 of Giolvas, these documents are incorporated into this by reference.

The type that is used to hold the bag of tobacco preparation can change, and in fact, in some embodiments, does not need to use bag.For example, the tobacco preparation with form after the processing that tobacco spherolite or other adjusted sizes be fit to use separately not needs be contained in the form of bag.On the contrary, can be simply the tobacco preparation packing of spherolite or other processing back forms externally in the container, not independently be taken size and do not need to use bag that this tobacco preparation is divided into.

Various suitable bag, bag or the container that are used to make smokeless tobacco product can obtain with following trade name: " taboka ", CatchDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Goteborgs Rage, GrovsnusWhite, Metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint, Mocca Wintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf, TreAnkrare, Camel Snus Original, Camel SnusFrost and Camel Snus Spice.Can use and make the conventional wet used various components of snuff type product, the tobacco preparation is contained in bag and the bag.Can think that the saturating liquid container that bag or pile provide is similar to the mesh material that is used to constitute tea bag.Each component of pine dress, granular tobacco preparation diffuses through bag easily and enters in user's mouth.

In some embodiments, can make the example bag in a certain way with some material, make in user's use, controlled dispersing or dissolving takes place in this bag.These bag materials can have the form of mesh, screen cloth, perforated paper, permeable fabric etc.For example, be dissolvable in water in user's mouth by the big rice paper of mesh form or the bag material of perforation rice paper manufacturing.The result is, under regular service conditions, this bag and tobacco preparation disperse in user's mouth fully, and this bag and tobacco preparation are all absorbed by the user.Other example bag materials can use the filmogen (for example binding agent of alginates, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthans, pulullan etc. and so on) of water dispersible and make with those materials that grind cellulosic (for example fine granularity wood pulp) and so on combination of materials.Can design and make preferred bag material (can be scattered in water or water-soluble no matter be), make under regular service conditions, before this its physical integrity of bag forfeiture, the tobacco preparation inclusion infiltration that significant quantity is arranged be by this bag material.Can perhaps apply these components in conjunction with flavoring ingredients, disintegration auxiliary agent and other required components in bag material when needing to this bag material.

Also list the description of wet snuff type product and various components thereof in No. the 2004/0118422nd, people's such as Lundin U.S. Patent Application Publication, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.Referring to for example: No. the 4607479th, the United States Patent (USP) of Linden; No. the 4631899th, the United States Patent (USP) of Nielsen; No. the 5346734th, people's such as Wydick United States Patent (USP); No. the 6162516th, the United States Patent (USP) of Derr; No. the 2005/0061339th, people's such as Hansson U.S. Patent Application Publication; These documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.Referring to bag, bag material or the pile of the representative classes of listing in No. the 5167244th, the United States Patent (USP) of Kjerstad, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.For example can use the wet snuff type product of device fabrication that can obtain by SB51-1/T, SBL 50 and SB 53-2/T from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmBH, can insert equipment with the capsule of the general classes of listing in No. the 2007/0068540th, people's such as Thomas the U.S. Patent Publication these equipment are carried out appropriate reconstruction.Wet snuff bag can be used as independent bag and provides, perhaps many bags (as 2,4,5,10,12,15,20,25 or 30 bags) can be connected or connect together (for example with head to head mode), thereby can be simply from whole stranded strand of bag or matrix, take out separately bag or independent sector.

The bag that preferably will accommodate the tobacco preparation is packaged in the external container, and this external container tight seal is made of suitable material, makes can the atmospheric condition in the sealing packing be improved and/or control.That is, the sealing packing provides good stopping, can prevent that the composition of moisture and oxygen from entering wherein.In addition, can further improve the atmosphere in the sealing packing by in this packing, introducing selected gaseous material (as nitrogen, argon or their mixture) before the sealing.Like this, can under preparation, packing, storage and processing conditions, the atmospheric condition of tobacco compositions contact be controlled.

The present invention can relate to and using through suitable improved equipment, material, method and process conditions, thereby provides packing and controlled atmospheric condition for the tobacco product of related packing.Can improve the atmosphere in the packaging material in several ways.For example, can be from this packing the atmosphere (for example by use vacuum-packed class technology) of place to go significant quantity, perhaps can change atmosphere (for example washing the class technology) in this packing by controlled way by using gases.List the representative aspect of the various technology relevant in the following document: about being used to control and reducing/eliminate analysis and the evaluation (Analysis and Evaluation ofPreventative Control Measures for the Control and Reduction/Eliminationof Microbial Hazards on Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product) of microorganism to the defense controls means of the harm of fresh and fresh cutting products with improved atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging, the VI chapter, fresh and fresh cutting products is carried out controlled and microbial safety improved atmosphere package (Microbiological Safety of Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Packagingof Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product), food and drug administration (U.S.Food and DrugAdministration), food security and applied nutrition center (Center for Food Safety andApplied Nutrition) (September 30 calendar year 2001), the document is incorporated into this by reference.

Controlled or improved atmosphere of having packed in the tobacco product of the present invention can change.Thereby when tobacco product is carried out vacuum packaging or flushing make it have controlled or during improved atmosphere (for example, controlled atmospher in some way, making the atmosphere pressures in packing is malleation with respect to environment atmospheric pressure), usually the atmospheric condition in packing is controlled, made it possible to before this packing of sealing, from this packing, remove the oxygen of the obvious amount of the interior existence of packing, most preferably be actually whole oxygen.That is, sealing the weight of the controlled atmosphere that exists in the external packing, oxygen accounts for less than about 8%, often less than about 6%.For example, seal this packing after, be benchmark in the weight of the controlled atmosphere that exists at first in the sealing packing, the atmosphere of existence can comprise about 5% oxygen in this packing, is most preferably 1-5% oxygen.After gaseous material (as gas or the admixture of gas of selecting) flushing tobacco product, in the sealing packing atmosphere of significant quantity arranged usually, most preferably be actually whole atmosphere and provide by required gaseous material.The example gaseous material comprises (for example purity are greater than the high-pure gas of about 99 weight %) such as nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide.Perhaps, in the atmosphere of tobacco product in conjunction with the required gaseous material (as oxygen) of high level, thereby (for example provide " gas impact " to this tobacco product, for suppress the enzymic variable color, prevent anaerobic fermentation reaction and suppress aerobic and the anaerobe growth and when introducing " oxygen impact ", it is favourable having high level oxygen in the atmosphere).For example, in controlled atmosphere, comprise a certain amount of oxygen, make oxygen content in the atmosphere, during often greater than about 30 weight %, can provide to be suitable for introducing the condition that oxygen impacts greater than about 25 weight %.

Be applicable to that the typical equipments of carrying out the processing step relevant with packaging process described herein can obtain (for example being designated as the system of LD32, L25, L18 and L12) from Wei Pake company (Winpak Ltd.); Obtain (for example Linium301 type, 302 types, 303 types, 304 types or 305 types) as Linium 300 serial bottom horizontal flow sheet packaging systems from many C Compaq (Doboy Inc.); Obtain from company of Hai Teke system (Hitech Systems s.r.l.) as Hiwrap 504 systems; Various systems from RVG company (RovemaVerpackungmaschinen GmbH) acquisition.The packaging material that preferred equipment provides can provide the sealer that does not allow gas or moisture to pass through (sealer that for example can be considered to " air-tightness ").

Whether optional the bag (no matter further seal with above-mentioned air-tightness external packing) that comprises the tobacco preparation can be packaged in as outermost layer pack or the sealing rigid container of container in.Representative rigid container is limit short, that have sphering, and general routine is used to sell the cylindrical vessel of wet snuff type product.The representative Snuffboxes of the various designs of listing among the PCT WO 2005/016036 referring to for example Bjorkholm.But the other types container of appropriate reconstruction is plastics or the metal mold container of listing in people's such as Henson the United States Patent (USP) the 7014039th.Referring to the various rigid containers that are used to distribute following product: the Camel Snus that RJR tobacco company (R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company) produces; The Revel Mint Tobacco Packs class smokeless tobacco product that U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (U.S.Smokeless Tobacco Corporation) produces; " taboka " that SkoalDry that U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company produces and U.S. PM company (PhilipMorris USA) produce.Can transform the various containers that are used for " toboka " product when needing, make it have slidably top cover (for example generally being parallel to the container longitudinal axis slides), thereby can open and close this container.When needing, this container can have accordion or the design of bellows class; Can stretch when producing like this and open this container, the filling smokeless tobacco product makes its withdrawal then after finishing the container filling.Can be when needing for container is equipped with suitable sealer or grommet (grommet), making can provide good sealing when closing the container of opening again.

In use, the consumer can open rigid container, opens external packing, therefrom takes out one bag and enjoy this bag.The consumer manually reseals this rigid container as required, takes out other bag from this container.

Each amount that seals the tobacco preparation that adds in the external packing can change.In one aspect, can be in conjunction with tobacco compositions in bulk in external packing, this bag seals, and when opening this external packing, this tobacco in bulk is used as snuff in bulk or chewing tobacco.In aspect another is still preferred, in conjunction with the tobacco compositions that is included in wet snuff type bag or the bag, this bag seals, and when opening this external packing, can use this wet snuff type product in external packing.

The amount of (in each bag) tobacco preparation is generally and contains at least about 50 milligrams in each independent sector, often at least about 150 milligrams, often at least about 250 milligrams of dry weight tobaccos; And less than about 700 milligrams, often less than about 500 milligrams, often less than about 300 milligrams of dry weight tobaccos.For example, wet snuff type smokeless tobacco product can have the form of what is called " the wet snuff of part ".In a kind of typical embodiment, the amount of tobacco preparation is about the 100-400 milligram in each bag.

A kind of wet snuff type product of example has about 1 gram tobacco preparation, and the water capacity of said preparation is about 35 weight %; This tobacco preparation is contained in the pile bag of sealing, about 30 millimeters of this bag total length, and about 16 millimeters of width, highly about 5 millimeters, the length of the marker space of this bag is about 26 millimeters, because each end of this bag has the sealer of about 2 millimeters width.The wet snuff type product of another kind of example has about 0.5 gram tobacco preparation, and the water capacity of said preparation is about 35 weight %; This tobacco preparation is contained in the pile bag of sealing, about 26 millimeters of this bag total length, and about 12 millimeters of width, highly about 5 millimeters, about 22 millimeters of the length of the marker space of this bag is because each end of this bag has the sealer of about 2 millimeters width.

Also list the description about wetting snuff type product and component thereof and being used for the packaging structure of wet snuff product in people's such as Lundin the U.S. Patent Application Publication the 2004/0118422nd, the document is incorporated into this by reference.Referring to for example: No. the 4607479th, the United States Patent (USP) of Linden; No. the 4631899th, the United States Patent (USP) of Nielsen; No. the 5346734th, people's such as Wydick United States Patent (USP); No. the 6162516th, the United States Patent (USP) of Derr; No. the 2005/0061339th, people's such as Hansson U.S. Patent Application Publication; No. the 2007/0095356th, people's such as Winterson U.S. Patent Application Publication; Holton, No. the 2007/0062549th, people's such as Jr. U.S. Patent Application Publication; People's such as Sweeney PCT WO 2007/057789; People's such as Neidle WO2007/057791; No. the 11/461628th, people's such as No. the 11/461633rd, people's such as Mua U. S. application sequence and Robinson U. S. application sequence, these two parts of applications are all submitted on August 1st, 2006; These documents are incorporated into this by reference separately.Referring to the various bags of listing in No. the 5167244th, the United States Patent (USP) of Kjerstad, the document is by with reference to being incorporated into this.

Product of the present invention can adopt the mode identical with the general type smokeless tobacco product to pack and store.For example, many bags or bag can be contained in the cylindrical vessel.When needing, can moist tobacco product (for example water capacity is greater than the product of about 20 weight %) is freezing (for example temperature be less than about 10 ℃, often less than about 8 ℃, sometimes less than about 5 ℃).Perhaps, often comparatively dry tobacco product (for example water capacity is less than the product of about 15 weight %) is stored in wide temperature range.

Provide following examples explanation about other aspects of the present invention, limit the scope of the invention but should not be construed as.Unless other expressions are arranged, otherwise all umbers and percentage are all by weight.

Embodiment 1

The moist tobacco preparation that is suitable as wet snuff type smokeless tobacco product is provided in such a way.

With various tobacco-containing material combinations.Make the pre-blend of some blade components, and (VUM company (Vac-U-Max Company) is in the hundred li Weilers in New Jersey (Belleville, NJ)) to be metered into AeroFlex A115 type flexible screw conveyor.The notch board of this flexible auger feeder by having 0.125 inch diameter hole is directly to Fitzmill Comminutor hammer-mill (Fitzpatrick, Illinois Emma E Site (Elmhurst IL)) charging.To sieve (rood Koss Corp. (Rotex Corporation) through blade pneumatic conveying to Rotex 44 types of milling then, 2 screen clothes are used in Cincinnati, Ohio (Cincinnati, OH)), one is No. 18 Tyler screen sizes (mesh), and one is No. 60 Tyler screen sizes.To be transmitted back to less than material in the feed hopper for further milling, will abandon by the material of No. 60 screen clothes by No. 18 screen clothes.Will be by No. 18 screen clothes but be retained in No. 60 materials on the screen cloth and be discharged under gravity in the container and further use for this technology.Use equipment same as described above that many bar parts (chrysanthemum (Rustica), Kano (Kurnool) and India's Exposure to Sunlight bar) separately are milled to same size.

In a certain amount of various materials (blade, India's Exposure to Sunlight bar, chrysanthemum (Rustica) bar, Kano (Kurnool) bar) Scott blender of packing into.In mixing/blending step, the axle of this blender rotated minimum 5 minutes with 73rpm.The tobacco water capacity is 11.43 weight %, and pH is 5.23.

By making the mode of 97 ℃ the water leg of hot water by the Scott blender, the heating tobacco, making tobacco temperature is 65 ℃, applies first reinforced (casing) then.In heating steps, mixer shafts speed is 73rpm.

In Breddo Likewifier LORWW type blender, put into sodium chloride and water, minimum mixing 3 minutes.To describedly feed in raw material with the speed of 4gpm via the membrane pump of ARO air operation then and pump in the blender.Via Spraying Systems Corporation 1/2 GD SS-16 type waterpower atomizer with in the described reinforced introducing Scott blender.Mixer speed is 73rpm, and by applying hot water or cooling water to the blender water leg, the control tobacco temperature is 65 ℃ in this step.Blender moves minimum 10 minutes, guarantees that the first reinforced and tobacco appropriately mixes.The tobacco water capacity was 35.95% when this step finished, and pH is 5.30.

The temperature set-point of water leg is increased to 88 ℃, reduces the condensation in the heating period as far as possible.Steam directly injects the Scott blender via two nozzles, and a nozzle is installed in each end of this container.Injected steam raises tobacco temperature and remains at least 93 ℃, keeps at least 60 minutes in this temperature.During this step, mixer speed is 10rpm.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 40.23%, and pH is 5.22.

Finish after the pasteurize, tobacco is cooled to 65 ℃, apply second then and feed in raw material.Carry out this cooling step by evaporation and convection current cooling.Use fan to introduce in the Scott blender, tobacco is carried out evaporative cooling, also 3 ℃ cooling water is introduced in the water leg to cool off tobacco through the room air of the environment temperature of filtering.The speed of blender is 10rpm in this step.

In Breddo Likewifier LORWW type blender, place the second reinforced solution that comprises water and sodium carbonate, minimum mixing 3 minutes.Via the flow velocity of ARO air operation membrane pump described feeding in raw material pumped in the blender then with 4gpm.To feed in raw material via Spring Systems Corporation 1/2 GD SS-16 type waterpower atomizer and to introduce the Scott blender.Mixer speed is 73rpm, in this step, by applying hot water or cooling water to the blender water leg, tobacco temperature is controlled to be 65 ℃.The minimum operation of blender 5 minutes guarantees that the second reinforced and tobacco suitably mixes.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 51.62%, and pH is 8.72.

Add second reinforced after, use water leg make the Scott mixer temperature remain on 71 ℃ invariable, kept 2 hours.Make a small amount of stream pass through the Scott blender, the flushing head space through filtered air.During this step, mixer speed is 10rpm.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 49.36%, and pH is 8.34.

Finish after the above step, by making 54 ℃ hot water by water leg, and make through filtered air by the Scott blender, batch of material constant 38 ℃ dry 20 hours down.In this step, mixer speed is 10rpm.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 31.08%, and pH is 7.90.

After the drying, the cooling water that makes 3 ℃ is cooled to 29 ℃ by water leg with tobacco, applies the 3rd then and feeds in raw material.In this step, mixer speed is 10rpm.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 30.85%, and pH is 7.89.

In Breddo Likwifier LORWW type blender, place the 3rd reinforced solution that comprises sweetener, minimum mixing 3 minutes.To describedly feed in raw material with the flow velocity of 4gpm via ARO air operation membrane pump then and pump into blender.Via Spraying Systems Corporation 1/2 GD SS-16 type waterpower atomizer with described reinforced introducing Scott blender.In this step, mixer speed is 73rpm, makes cooling water pass through the blender water leg, and tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ℃.The minimum operation of blender 5 minutes guarantees that the 3rd reinforced and tobacco suitably mixes.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 34.23%, and pH is 7.87.

Apply the 3rd reinforced after, the cooling water that makes 3 ℃ remains on 29 ℃ by water leg with tobacco.In this step, mixer speed is 10rpm.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 34.23%, and pH is 7.87.

The flavor enhancement material that appends seasoning is placed on pressurization to be blown in the batch can.With the flow velocity of 4gpm dressing is pumped into blender by the air pressure of blowing on the batch can then.To append flavouring via Spraying Systems Corporation1/2 GD SS-16 type waterpower atomizer and introduce the Scott blender.In this step, mixer speed is 73rpm, makes cooling water add cover by the water of blender, and tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ℃.The minimum operation of blender 15 minutes guarantees to append flavouring and tobacco appropriately mixes.When this step finished, the tobacco water capacity was 36.53%, and pH is 7.84.Products obtained therefrom is stored in 3 ℃, for pack.

Embodiment 2

The moist tobacco preparation that is suitable as wet snuff type smokeless tobacco product is provided in the following manner.

Provide as the drying of listing among the embodiment 1 tobacco-containing material of having milled.In this drying tobacco composition, add water.The form of the water by environment temperature or the water of heating provides humidity.Can be in the water in conjunction with the composition that disperses or dissolves.For example adding sodium-chloride water solution in dry tobacco composition, is benchmark in the tobacco dry weight, and it is that the sodium chloride amount of benchmark meter reaches about 1-8 weight % that addition is enough to make tobacco-containing material weight.Like this, add enough water in tobacco composition, make that tobacco composition is the slurries form, water capacity is that the corresponding about 4-10 weight parts water of 1 weight portion tobacco is (as 1 portion of tobacco: 4-5 part water).

The tobacco-containing material slurries are heated to about 75 ℃, mix with the speed of 24rpm.By adding steam, tobacco composition is carried out convection current and conduction heating then to mixture.Specifically, use the nozzle in the blender to be blown into steam, contact with tobacco composition.Mixture was kept about 30-45 minute 75 ℃ of temperature, still mix simultaneously with 24rpm.In the steam treatment process, can control the water capacity of tobacco slurries by jacket temperature.For example, reducing jacket temperature in the steam treatment process can make the water capacity of tobacco composition increase.

Add alkali with aqueous solution form to the tobacco slurries, as potassium hydroxide or NaOH.For example, for obtaining about 10 final slurries pH, adding sufficient hydrogen potassium oxide makes in the tobacco dry weight to be benchmark, and concentration of potassium hydroxide is about 6-8 weight %.Mixture was kept about 1.5-3 hour in about 75 ℃ rising temperature.During this period of time, the pH of mixture is reduced to and is about 8.2-8.3.

The tobacco slurries are cooled to environment temperature, in cooling procedure, are benchmark in the tobacco dry weight, add the glycerine of about 3-8%.The gained mixture is cast on hot aluminium strip or the hot stainless steel band, makes tobacco-containing material pass through 85-285 ℃ dry section, be dried to the water capacity of about 10-12 weight %.

The dry tobacco-containing material of gained is placed blender, add entry and sweetener, water capacity is increased at least about 30 weight %.On moist tobacco, spray and append the flavouring flavor enhancement at last.The gained tobacco is cooled to environment temperature, in 3 ℃ of storages, for pack.

Embodiment 3

The moist tobacco preparation that is suitable as wet snuff type smokeless tobacco product is provided in the following manner.

To handle tobacco, there are some improvement with mode like the paper process reorganization tobacco described in the United States Patent (USP) the 5159942nd of for example Brinkley and No. 5445169.By mixing with 24rpm, at 75 ℃ tobacco (1 part) is carried out about 45 minutes water-based and extracts (11 parts of water), by centrifugation from rare extract (about 3-6% solid content) separating solids/fiber.In tobacco weight, the aqueous solution that is used to extract tobacco comprises about 3.5% salt (sodium chloride) and about 1% alkali (NaOH).Should be cooled to about 65 ℃ by rare extract, neutralize (for example in tobacco weight, about 3.5% NaOH and about 3.5% potash) by adding alkali then, mix about 1.5 hours with the speed of 10rpm simultaneously or the longer time.In mixed process, extract pH is changed to about 8.2 from about 9.2, via vacuum evaporation rare extract is concentrated dense extract into about the 30-35% solid content then.After the evaporation, dense extract is mixed with about 6% glycerine NMF, return then and be added to the fiber that has extracted, (temperature is about 85-100 ℃) is dried to about 10-12% water capacity in forced air draft oven then.

The dry tobacco-containing material of gained is placed blender, add water and sweetener, water capacity is increased at least about 30 weight %.On moist tobacco, spray the last flavouring flavor enhancement that appends.The gained tobacco is cooled to environment temperature, in 3 ℃ of storages, for pack.

This paper lists many improvement of the present invention and other embodiments, those skilled in the art understand above describe and accompanying drawing after can expect these improvement and other embodiments.Therefore, should be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the specific embodiment that disclosed, these improve and other embodiments comprise within the scope of the appended claims.Though this paper has used concrete term, they are to use with general and illustrative meaning, and unconfined purpose.

Claims (40)

1. smokeless tobacco product that is configured to be used for inserting in end user's mouth, this tobacco product comprises tobacco preparation that is suitable for the form in user's mouth of inserting and at least a additive that is included in this tobacco preparation, and this additive is existing the form of this additive and tobacco preparation physical separation.

2. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, additive is an encapsulated form.

3. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that additive is selected from down group: water, flavor enhancement, adhesive, colouring agent, pH conditioning agent, buffer, filler, disintegration auxiliary agent, NMF, antioxidant, MC composition, anticorrisive agent, the additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin and their mixture.

4. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, this product comprises the permeable bag that contains the tobacco preparation, described tobacco preparation comprises tobacco-containing material and the many micro-capsules that are dispersed in the described tobacco-containing material, described many micro-capsules comprise the shell of sealing intra-payload, and this intra-payload comprises at least a following additive that is selected from: water, flavor enhancement, adhesive, colouring agent, the pH conditioning agent, buffer, filler, the disintegration auxiliary agent, NMF, antioxidant, the MC composition, anticorrisive agent, be derived from the additive of herbal medicine or plant origin, with their mixture.

5. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that the payload of described micro-capsule comprises water, is benchmark in tobacco total formulation weight amount, and the water capacity of tobacco preparation before using is less than about 20 weight %.

6. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, is benchmark in tobacco total formulation weight amount, and the water capacity of tobacco preparation before using is less than about 10 weight %.

7. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that the payload of described micro-capsule comprises the flavor enhancement that contains tobacco.

8. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, the described regulator for smoking flavor of tobacco that contains comprises tobacco extract or particulate tobacco-containing material.

9. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that the payload of described micro-capsule comprises sweetener.

10. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that it is sweet that described sweetener comprises knob.

11. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the payload of described micro-capsule comprises the optional vanillic aldehyde of complex form that is.

12. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4, it is characterized in that the payload of described micro-capsule comprises and is selected from the following flavor enhancement that taste is provided: vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint, Chinese ilex, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, Chinese cassia tree, cloves, add Si Jialici, santal, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, Salvia japonica, Radix Glycyrrhizae, lemon, orange, apple, peach, bitter orange, cherry, strawberry and their any combination.

13. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the payload of described micro-capsule comprises packing material.

14. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described packing material comprises sponge.

15. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described packing material comprises the sugar beet fiber material.

16. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the payload of described micro-capsule comprises buffer.

17. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, described buffer cushions in the pH of about 6-10 scope.

18. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the payload of described micro-capsule comprises the additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin.

19. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, the described additive that is derived from herbal medicine or plant origin comprises oil or the extract from plant or herbal medicine source.

20. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the shell of described micro-capsule is water miscible in this smokeless tobacco product gross weight under the condition at least about 45 weight % water capacities that is benchmark.

21. smokeless tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the shell of described micro-capsule is rupturable, and breaking of shell makes payload contact with the tobacco preparation.

22. a method for preparing the tobacco compositions that is suitable as smokeless tobacco composition, this method comprises:

The water of slurries form and the mixture of tobacco-containing material are provided;

Be enough to mixture is carried out this mixture of heating under the temperature and time condition of pasteurize;

In slurries, add a certain amount of alkali, be enough to the pH of these slurries is increased to alkaline pH, thereby form the adjusted mixture of pH; With

Continue the adjusted mixture of this pH of heating under uniform temperature and time conditions, described condition is enough to after described adding step, and the pH of the adjusted mixture of pH is reduced at least about 0.5 pH unit.

23. method as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

The slurries that comprise water and tobacco-containing material are provided, and are benchmark in the slurries gross weight, and these slurries comprise at least about 75 weight % water;

Heat slurries in temperature, be enough to heat time heating time tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize at least about 60 ℃;

Add a certain amount of alkali to slurries, be enough to the pH of these slurries is elevated at least about 8.5, thereby form the adjusted slurries of pH; With

Continue the adjusted slurries of this pH of heating in temperature, be enough to heat time heating time after described adding step, the pH of these slurries is reduced at least about 0.5 pH unit at least about 60 ℃.

24. method as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, this method further is included in described heating steps adds salt before to slurries step.

25. method as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, this method further comprises slurries is cooled to less than about 35 ℃ temperature.

26. method as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, this method further is included in during the described cooling step or adds the step of NMF afterwards.

27. method as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, this method comprises that further with slurry dried be the water capacity that benchmark is not more than about 15 weight % in dry tobacco-containing material gross weight extremely.

28. method as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, this method further comprises the step that adds one or more flavor enhancements and other moisture to dry tobacco-containing material, and addition is enough to make the water capacity of tobacco-containing material to be elevated at least about 25 weight %.

29. method as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, described adding step comprises that adding capacity alkali is elevated at least about 9 the pH of slurries.

30. method as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

The slurries that comprise water and tobacco-containing material are provided, and are benchmark in the slurries gross weight, and these slurries comprise at least about 80 weight % water;

The heating slurries are enough to tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize extremely at least about 70 ℃ temperature heat time heating time;

Add a certain amount of alkali to slurries, be enough to the pH of slurries is elevated at least about 9, thereby form the adjusted slurries of pH;

The adjusted slurries of continuation heating pH arrive the temperature at least about 60 ℃, are enough to heat time heating time after described adding step, and the pH of slurries is reduced at least about 0.5 pH unit; With

Cool off the adjusted slurries of pH to about environment temperature, when cooling step began, the adjusted slurries of pH had the pH at least about 8.

31. method as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

The slurries that comprise water and tobacco-containing material are provided, and are benchmark in the slurries gross weight, and these slurries comprise at least about 80 weight % water;

The heating slurries are heated to the temperature at least about 70 ℃, keep at least about 30 minutes;

Add a certain amount of alkali to slurries, be enough to make the pH of slurries to be elevated to, thereby form the adjusted slurries of pH at least about 9.5;

The adjusted slurries of continuation heating pH arrive the temperature at least about 60 ℃, keep at least about 1.5 hours;

Cool off the adjusted slurries of pH to about environment temperature, when cooling step began, the adjusted slurries of this pH had the pH at least about 8;

During described cooling step or afterwards, add NMF to the adjusted slurries of pH; With

The adjusted slurries of dry pH under uniform temperature and time conditions, described condition are enough to make the water capacity of tobacco-containing material to be reduced to less than the about 15 weight % that in moist tobacco-containing material weight are benchmark.

32. a method for preparing the tobacco compositions that is suitable as smokeless tobacco composition, this method comprises:

Moist tobacco-containing material with first water capacity is provided;

The moist tobacco of heating under uniform temperature and time conditions, described condition is enough to this tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize, keeps water capacity to be equal to or higher than first water capacity simultaneously;

Add a certain amount of alkali and water to moist tobacco-containing material, this addition is enough to make the pH of slurries to be increased to alkaline pH, and water capacity is increased to second water capacity that is higher than first water capacity, thereby forms the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH; With

Continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of heating pH under uniform temperature and time conditions, described condition is enough to reduce the pH of moist tobacco-containing material, keeps water capacity to be equal to or higher than second water capacity simultaneously.

33. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

Provide that to have in moist tobacco-containing material gross weight be the moist tobacco-containing material of the benchmark water capacity that is at least about 30 weight %;

Heat moist tobacco at least about 85 ℃ temperature, be enough to heat time heating time this tobacco-containing material is carried out pasteurize, keep water capacity to be at least about 30 weight % simultaneously;

Add a certain amount of alkali and water to moist tobacco-containing material, addition is enough to make the pH of slurries to be increased at least about 8.7, and water capacity is increased at least about 40 weight %, thereby forms the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH;

Continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of heating pH at least about 55 ℃ temperature, be enough to heat time heating time to make the pH of moist tobacco-containing material to be reduced to, keep water capacity to be at least about 40 weight % simultaneously less than about 8.5; With

At least about the adjusted tobacco-containing material of 35 ℃ temperature drying pH, be enough to drying time make the water capacity of tobacco to be reduced to less than about 35 weight %, keep pH to be at least about 7.6 simultaneously.

34. method as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, provides the step of moist tobacco-containing material to comprise the mixture of the aqueous solution that dry tobacco-containing material and salt are provided, described dry tobacco-containing material has the water capacity less than about 15 weight %.

35. method as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, at least about 60 ℃ temperature, and adds sodium chloride solution to the tobacco-containing material of heating by the heat drying tobacco-containing material, prepares this mixture.

36. method as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, before described adding step, cools off extremely about 60-65 ℃ temperature of moist tobacco-containing material.

37. method as claimed in claim 33, it is characterized in that, the step of the moist tobacco-containing material that described continuation heating pH is adjusted is included in the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of heating pH under uniform temperature and the water capacity condition, described condition be enough to keep an about 0.05-0.15 pH unit/hour the pH changing down.

38. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

The moist tobacco-containing material of the mixture that comprises tobacco-containing material and salting liquid is provided, and is benchmark in moist tobacco-containing material gross weight, and this humidity tobacco-containing material has the water capacity at least about 35 weight %;

Heat moist tobacco extremely at least about 90 ℃ temperature, keep this tobacco-containing material being carried out pasteurize, keep water capacity to be at least about 35 weight % simultaneously at least about 1 hour;

Add a certain amount of alkali and water to moist tobacco-containing material, addition is enough to make the pH of slurries to be increased at least about 8.7, and water capacity is increased at least about 45 weight %, thereby forms the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH;

Continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of heating pH at least about 65 ℃ temperature, be enough to heat time heating time to make the pH of this humidity tobacco-containing material to be reduced to, keep water capacity to be at least about 45 weight % simultaneously less than about 8.5; With

At least about the adjusted tobacco-containing material of 35 ℃ temperature drying pH, be enough to drying time make the water capacity of this tobacco to be reduced to less than about 35 weight %, keep pH to be at least about 7.6 simultaneously.

39. method as claimed in claim 38 is characterized in that, this method further comprises the step that adds sweetener composition to dry tobacco-containing material.

40. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, this method comprises:

The moist tobacco-containing material of the mixture that comprises tobacco-containing material and salting liquid is provided, and is benchmark in moist tobacco-containing material gross weight, and this humidity tobacco-containing material has the water capacity at least about 30-40 weight %;

Heat moist tobacco extremely at least about 90 ℃ temperature, keep this tobacco-containing material being carried out pasteurize, keep this water capacity to be at least about 30-40 weight % simultaneously at least about 1 hour;

Add a certain amount of alkali and water to moist tobacco-containing material, addition is enough to make the pH of slurries to be increased at least about 8.7, water capacity is increased at least about 45 weight %, thereby forms the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of pH;

Continue the adjusted moist tobacco-containing material of heating pH extremely at least about 65 ℃ temperature, keep keeping water capacity to be at least about 45 weight % simultaneously at least about 1 hour, pH is at least about 8; With

Being at least about the adjusted tobacco of dry pH under 35 ℃ the temperature, be enough to drying time make the water capacity of tobacco to be reduced to less than about 35 weight %, keep pH to be at least about 7.6 simultaneously.

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