Tobacco Articles and Methods

Abstract

Some embodiments of a tobacco article may include tobacco disposed in a porous matrix. The tobacco article may provide tobacco, tobacco constituents, or both tobacco and tobacco constituents to the consumer's mouth in the form of particles, liquid, or vapor so as to provide tobacco satisfaction to the consumer. In some circumstances, the tobacco may be integrally molded with a plastic material so that at least a portion of the tobacco is disposed in pores of the matrix.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a dispensing member comprising porous plastic and including a matrix defining an internal network of passages and defining pores on an exposed surface of the matrix in fluid communication with the passages;   a stock member structured to engage with the dispensing member such that the device has a size and structure corresponding to the shape of a cigarette; and   a dispensate residing within the passages of the matrix which is extractable therefrom upon exposure to a fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a section of the dispensing member is encircled by the stock member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising an end cap, wherein the end cap is structured to cover an exposed portion of the dispensing member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the stock member is slidably engaged with the dispensing member to removably cover the pores of the dispensing member. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dispensate includes tobacco flavoring. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dispensate includes menthol. 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 a rigid dispensing member comprising an external surface and porous plastic including a matrix defining an internal network of passages and defining pores on an exposed surface of the matrix in fluid communication with the passages wherein the pores further comprise the external surface of the dispensing member; and   a tobacco substitute passively retained in the passages of the matrix and extractable therefrom upon exposure to a fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the dispensing member is sized and structured for placement in a human mouth and wherein the tobacco substitute is extractable therefrom upon contact with saliva. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the dispensing member is defined by a shape corresponding to the shape of a cigarette. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a cover member wherein the cover member is sized and structured to enclose the device when not in use. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the tobacco substitute comprises a tobacco extract. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the tobacco extract is in a powder form. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the tobacco extract includes the additive menthol. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the tobacco extract is saliva soluble. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the dispensing member is structured to wick the tobacco substitute toward a saliva source. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising an outer stock member engageable with the dispensing member such that the device is sized and structured as a cigarette. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the stock member is slidably adjustable relative to the dispensing member to control exposure of the external pores of the porous plastic.