Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SMOKELESS DISSOLVABLE COMPRESSED TOBACCO PRODUCT
The present invention relates to an oral smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco
product.
A number of oral smokeless non-dissolvable tobacco products that include an
insoluble
residual component that is disposed of by a consumer after use are known in
the art. Known
smokeless non-dissolvable tobacco products include: plug, twist, and loose
leaf chewing
tobacco; dry snuff; moist snuff, which typically contains finely cut fermented
moist tobacco;
loose or portioned snus, which typically contains finely ground moist tobacco;
and tobacco-
containing chewing gum.
A number of oral smokeless dissolvable tobacco products that dissolve in the
mouth of a
consumer are also known. Amongst these are smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco
products in the form of pills, tablets and lozenges, which comprise powdered
or ground tobacco
together with other ingredients.
Raw, unprocessed tobacco may contain increased levels of viable bacteria. As
smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products dissolve and the tobacco in
such products
is ingested by the consumer, it would be desirable to provide an improved
method for treating a
smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product for oral use.
According to the invention there is provided a smokeless dissolvable
compressed
tobacco product comprising: a pasteurised tobacco component, wherein the
substantially
aseptic smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a total aerobic
microbial count
of less than 2 log cfu/g.
According to the invention there is also provided a method of making a
smokeless
dissolvable compressed tobacco product having a total aerobic microbial count
of less than
2 log cfu/g. The method comprises: pasteurising a tobacco component to reduce
the total
aerobic microbial count to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mould
count to less than
2 log cfu/g; mixing the pasteurised tobacco component with one or more non-
tobacco
components; and compressing the pasteurised tobacco component and one or more
non-
tobacco components to form a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.
For the purposes of the invention, the total aerobic microbial count is
measured in
accordance with the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis (NMKL) method No 86, 4.
Ed., 2006
and the total yeast and mould count specified is measured in accordance with
NMKL method No 98, 4. Ed., 2005. The NMKL method No 86, 4. Ed., 2006 is used
to
determine the aerobic plate count by preparing a dilution series of sample
material according to
general microbiological principles, followed by pour-plating into an agar
medium in Petri dishes.
In this method, the samples are incubated under aerobic conditions at either
30 C for 3 days,
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20 C for 3 days, or 6.5 C for 10 days. In the NMKL method No 98, 4. Ed., 2005,
the yeast and
mould count is determined by surface inoculation of appropriate dilution
series on dichloran rose
bengal agar (DRBC), dichloran glycerol agar (DG18) or oxytetracykline glucose
yeast extract
agar (OGYE) dependent on which matrix are analysed. In this method, mould and
yeast are
counted after incubation at 22-25.0 +/- 1.0 C for 5-7 days.
The tobacco component may be pasteurised using any suitable technique provided
that
the pasteuriation parameters such as temperature and time are sufficient to
reduce the total
aerobic microbial count of the tobacco component to less than 2 log cfu/g and
the total yeast
and mold count of the tobacco component to less than 2 log cfu/g to render the
tobacco
component substantially aseptic.
Suitable pasteurisation techniques include, but are not limited to, single hot
steam
injection, repeated hot steam injection and indirect heating. Preferably, the
tobacco component
is pasteurised by hot steam injection, more preferably by repeated hot steam
injection.
Preferably, the step of pasteurising the tobacco component comprises direct
heating of
the tobacco by hot steam injection to a temperature of between about 100 C and
about 120 C
for a period of between about 1 minute and about 30 minutes. More preferably,
the step of
pasteurising the tobacco component comprises direct heating of the tobacco
component by
repeated hot steam injection to temperatures of at least about 100 C.
As well as reducing the total aerobic microbial count and the total yeast and
mould count
of the tobacco component, the heat treament of the tobacco component during
pasteurisation
advantageously results in the formation of tobacco-derived flavourings.
The tobacco component may be pasteurised together with water. Alternatively,
or in
addition, the tobacco component may be pasteurised with one or more other
additives approved
for use in the food industry, including, but not limited to, sodium chloride,
sodium carbonate,
potassium carbonate, propylene glycol, glycerol and combinations thereof.
The pH of the pasteurised tobacco component may be adjusted prior to
compressing the
pasteurised tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form
the
smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.
Preferably, the pH of the pasteurised tobacco component is adjusted to between
about
7.5 and about 8.9. The pH of the pasteurised tobacco component may be adjusted
through the
addition of one or more acidity regulators. Suitable acidity regulators
approved for use in the
food industry are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: alkali
carbonates, such as
sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; calcium carbonate; alkali
hydroxides, such as
sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; calcium hydroxide; magnesium
hydroxide; and
combinations thereof.
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Preferably the pH of the pasteurised tobacco component is adjusted prior to
mixing the
pasteurised tobacco component with the one or more non-tobacco components.
However, alternatively or in addition, the pH of the pasteurised tobacco
component may
be adjusted by mixing the pasteurised tobacco component with one or more non-
tobacco
components comprising at least one acidity regulator or buffering agent.
The tobacco component may comprise one or more of tobacco lamina, tobacco
stem,
expanded tobacco and reconstituted tobacco.
The tobacco component may comprise a blend of two or more different types of
tobacco.
For example, the tobacco component may comprise a blend of two or more of
different types of
tobacco selected from the group consisting of Virginia, Burley, Maryland,
Nicotiana rustica and
oriental tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco component may comprise a single
type of tobacco.
The tobacco component may comprise tobacco that has been one or more of dried,
aged, flue-cured, air-cured, fire-cured, sun-cured, shredded, powdered and
ground.
Preferably, the tobacco component comprises air-cured tobacco, sun-cured
tobacco,
dark air-cured tobacco or a combination thereof.
Preferably, the tobacco component comprises particulate tobacco. More
preferably, the
tobacco component comprises powdered tobacco, ground tobacco or a combination
thereof.
The particulate tobacco may have any suitable average particle size. For
example, the
particulate tobacco may have an average particle size of less than about 1 mm,
less than about
0.5 mm or less than about 0.1 mm. Preferably, the particulate tobacco has an
average particle
size of between about 100 nm and about 1 mm, more preferably of between about
100 nm and
about 0.5 mm. The tobacco may be ground and sieved in a typical manner in
order to obtain a
desired particle size.
As well as the tobacco component, to obtain desired mechanical and
organoleptic
properties, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product further
comprises one or
more non-tobacco components. For example, smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco
products according to the invention may further comprise one or more non-
tobacco components
approved for use in the food industry selected from the group consisting of:
acidity regulators,
buffering agents, fillers, binders, gelling agents, lubricants, anti-
adherents, glidants,
disintegration agents, sweeteners, flavourants, taste enhancers and
colourants.
The tobacco component may be dry blended or otherwise mixed with the one or
more
non-tobacco components. For example, the tobacco component and one or more non-
tobacco
components may be ground together or mixed in a twisting powder mixer.
The tobacco component may be present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco product in an amount of between about 0.5% to about 60% of the dry
weight of the
compressed tobacco product. The amount of the tobacco component may be
selected as a
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function of, for example, the desired nicotine content or the desired flavour
or other organoleptic
properties of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the smokeless
dissolvable
compressed tobacco product comprises: at least one binder or filler; at least
one lubricant, anti-
adherent or glidant; at least one acidity regulator; at least one flavourant;
and at least one
sweetener. Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product
also comprises
one or more of a gelling agent, a taste enhancer, a colourant and a
disintegration agent.
Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product comprises at
least
one binder or filler. Throughout the specification, the terms "binder" and
"filler" are used to refer
to any component that increases the disintegration time of the dissolvable
compressed tobacco
product, maintains the integrity of the dissolvable compressed tobacco
product, increases the
hardness of the dissolvable compressed tobacco product, reduces the friability
of the
dissolvable compressed tobacco product or adds bulk to the smokeless
dissolvable
compressed tobacco product. It will be appreciated that a single non-tobacco
component may
perform the functions of a binder and a filler.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more gelling agents. Throughout the specification, the term "gelling agent" is
used to refer to
any component that affects the mouth feel of the smokeless dissolvable
compressed tobacco
product when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.
Suitable binders, fillers and gelling agents are known in the art and include,
but are not
limited to: non-tobacco plant fibres; starches, including pre-gelatinized
starch; gums, including
natural gums, such as xanthan gum, gum, acacia, gum arabic, guar gum, locust
bean gum and
sodium alginate; pectins: gelatine: agar: carrageenan; pullulan;
microcrystalline cellulose;
methyl cellulose; carboxymethyl cellulose; dextrins, including maltodextrin;
sugar alcohols, such
as erythritol, xylitol mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol and lactitol;
glucose; lactose; sucrose;
polyvidone; calcium sulfate dihydrate; and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco
product
comprises microcrystalline cellulose, which functions as a binder and a
filler.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or combinations thereof. Throughout
the specification,
the terms "lubricant" "anti-adherent" and "glidant" are used to refer to any
component that
facilitates manufacturing of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco
product by reducing
friction, reducing adhesion, or otherwise improving flow properties. It will
be appreciated that a
single non-tobacco component may perform the functions of one or more of a
lubricant, an anti-
adherent and a glidant.
Suitable lubricants, anti-adherents and glidants are known in the art and
include, but are
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not limited to: stearates, including magnesium stearate, calcium stearate,
sodium stearate, zinc
stearate, and derivatives thereof, including sodium stearyl fumarate; fatty
acids, including
stearic acid; silicates, including magnesium silicates and calcium silicates;
starch; lauryl
sulfates, including magnesium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate;
polyethylene glycol; and
silica aerogels, including colloidal fumed silica.
The one or more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or combinations thereof
may be
present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount
of, for
example, between about 0.1% to about 5% of the dry weight of the compressed
tobacco
product. Preferably, the one or more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or
combinations
thereof are present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in
an amount of
less than about 1% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product, more
preferably in an
amount of about 0.2% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more disintegrants. Throughout the specification, the term "disintegrant" is
used to refer to any
component that facilitates breakup or disintegration of the smokeless
dissolvable compressed
tobacco product when placed in a consumer's mouth.
Suitable disintegrants are known in the art and include, but are not limited
to: starches,
including pregelatinised starch; sodium starch glycolate; sodium alginate;
croscarmellose
sodium; crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, including crospovidone; sodium
carboxymethyl
cellulose; calcium carboxymethyl cellulose; sodium bicarbonate; and calcium
carbonate.
Depending on the nature thereof, the one or more disintegrants maybe present
in the
smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount of, for example,
between
about 1% to about 15% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more sweeteners. Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according
to the
invention may include natural sweeteners, artificial sweeteners or
combinations thereof.
Suitable natural and artificial sweeteners are known in the art and include,
but are not limited to:
monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, ribose xylose and invert sugar;
disaccharides,
such as lactose, maltose and sucrose; sugar alcohols, such as erythritol,
xylitol mannitol,
sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol and lactitol; and artificial sweeteners, such as
sucralose, aspartame,
saccharin, acesulfame K, and cyclamate,
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more flavourants. Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according
to the
invention may include natural flavourants, artificial flavourants or
combinations thereof. The one
or more flavourants may be added in encapsulated or non-encapsulated form.
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Suitable natural and artificial flavourants are known in the art and include,
but are not
limited to, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, menthol, eucalyptus oil,
angelica, anise,
anethole, carvone, vanillin, vanilla, basil oil, cardamom, cassia, cinnamon,
clove, cocoa,
coriander oil, fennel oil, fenugreek, ginger, lemon grass, liquorice, nutmeg,
palmarosa oil, sage
oil, acacia, amber, clary, geranium, jasmine, juniper berry, lavender oil,
magnolia, oak moss,
orris root, osmanthus, rose oil, sandalwood, bergamot oil, lemon oil, lime
oil, orange oil, fruit
extracts, fruit flavouring, almond, coconut, chocolate, coffee, tea, arrack,
rum, cognac, whisky,
and gin.
The one or more flavourants may be present in the smokeless dissolvable
compressed
tobacco product in an amount of, for example, between about 0.1% to about 4%
of the dry
weight of the compressed tobacco product.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more taste enhancers such as, for example, sodium chloride or ammonium
chloride.
The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally comprise
one or
more colourants to, for example, indicate or reflect the flavour or brand of
the compressed
tobacco product or otherwise enhance its aesthetic appearance.
It will be appreciated that smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products
according to the invention may comprise multifunctional non-tobacco components
that perform
two or more of the functions previously described above. For example, the
smokeless
dissolvable compressed tobacco product may comprise a multifunctional non-
tobacco
component that functions as at least two of: (i) a binder or filler; (ii) a
lubricant, anti-adherent or
glidant; and (iii) a disintegrant. In one embodiment, the smokeless
dissolvable compressed
tobacco product may comprise pre-gelatinised starch that functions as a
binder, lubricant and
disintegrant.
Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according to the invention
may
also comprise mutlifunctional non-tobacco components that perform two or more
other
functions. For example, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product
may comprise
a sugar alcohol that acts as a binder and a sweetner, or colloidal fumed
silica that acts as a
glidant and a desiccant. Other suitable known desiccants such as, for example,
magnesium
sulfate may also be included in smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco
products according
to the invention to control the moisture content thereof.
The pasteurised tobacco component may be dry blended with one or more non-
tobacco
components and then directly compressed in a typical manner to form the
smokeless
dissolvable compressed tobacco product. The pasteurised tobacco component and
one or
more non-tobacco components maybe be directly compressed using, for example, a
tablet
press having a single die and punch arrangement or a rotary tablet press
having multiple dies.
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Prior to being dry blended with one or more non-tobacco components, the
pasteurised tobacco
component may optionally be wet granulated in a typical manner using, for
example, a fluid bed
granulator.
The compression forces used to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco
product may be selected based on a number of factors. These factors include:
the type of
apparatus employed to compress the tobacco component and one or more non-
tobacco
components; the size of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;
the desired
physical and mechanical properties of the smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco product,
including but not limited to the hardness, friability, disintegration or
dissolution characteristics;
and the desired appearance of the compressed smokeless dissolvable compressed
tobacco
product. For example, through an appropriate choice of compression force and
the tobacco and
non-tobacco components thereof, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco
products
according to the invention may be produced having a hardness of between about
2 N and about
300 N.
Furthermore, through an appropriate choice of compression force and the
tobacco and
non-tobacco components thereof, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco
products
according to the invention may be produced that dissolve in the mouth of an
average consumer
within about 5 minutes to about 45 minutes.
In a preferred embodiment, through an appropriate choice of the one or more
non-
tobacco components therein, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products
according to
the invention dissolve in the mouth of an average consumer within about 5
minutes to about
15 minutes.
Through another appropriate choice of the one or more non-tobacco components,
smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according to the invention
which dissolve
in the mouth of an average consumer within about 30 minutes to about 45
minutes and which
can be sucked by a consumer and then "parked" between their cheek and gum may
be
advantageously produced.
If desired, one or more surfaces of the formed smokeless dissolvable
compressed
tobacco product may be embossed or debossed. Alternatively the formed
smokeless
dissolvable compressed tobacco product may be at least partially coated in a
typical manner
using, for example, a pan coater.
Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according to the invention
may be
produced in a variety of different shapes. Figs. 1-12 show: (a) perspective
views; (b) side
views; and (c) top views of examples of different shaped smokeless dissolvable
compressed
tobacco products according to the invention.
Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according to the invention
may
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also be produced in a variety of different sizes. For example, smokeless
dissolvable
compressed tobacco products according to the invention may have a diameter of
from about
2 mm to about 30 mm and a weight of from about 0.1 g to about 3.0 g.
