Tobacco Product And Method For Manufacture

Abstract

The tobacco products incorporate binder systems. The binder systems possess or exhibit thermoplastic properties, characteristics or behaviors. The binder system can incorporate at least one type of binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic properties (e.g., the binding agent can be composed of at least one thermoplastic polymeric material). Additionally, the binder system can incorporate ingredients or materials so as to provide a binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic characteristics (e.g., the binding agent can be composed of at least one thermoplastic binding material in combination with a plasticizer). Tobacco products are produced by contacting tobacco, together with other desired ingredients, in the presence of a binder system, and forming (e.g., by extrusion) the resulting mixture into a shape. Of particular interest are processing conditions that most preferably involve exposing a tobacco formulation to a temperature of less than about 100° C. during processing conditions (such as those experienced during extrusion), that involve use of a binding agent that can be employed in relatively low amounts, that involve use of a binding agent that exhibits desirable thermoplastic behavior (and hence can act to provide good physical integrity to the formed tobacco product) at processing conditions of less than about 100° C., and that involve the use of relatively low to moderate amounts of liquid processing aids (e.g., water or other liquid carriers).

1 . A tobacco product in a form suitable for insertion into the mouth of a user comprising: tobacco and a thermoplastic binder system, the amount of the thermoplastic binder system being present in an amount less than about 30 weight percent of the dry weight of the tobacco product. 
     
     
         2 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic binder system incorporates at least one thermoplastic polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The tobacco product of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material comprises an amount less than about 20 weight percent of the dry weight of the tobacco product. 
     
     
         4 . The tobacco product of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material exhibits thermoplastic behavior at temperatures less than about 100° C. 
     
     
         5 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic binder system incorporates at least one thermoplastic binding material and at least one plasticizer. 
     
     
         6 . The tobacco product of  claim 4 , wherein the plasticizer comprises at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         7 . The tobacco product of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic binding material exhibits thermoplastic behavior at temperatures less than about 100° C. 
     
     
         8 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic binder system exhibits thermoplastic behavior at temperatures less than about 100° C. 
     
     
         9 . A method for making a smokeless tobacco product comprising:
 contacting tobacco material and thermoplastic binder system to provide a mixture;   subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature;   forming the mixture into a desired shape of a tobacco product; and   cooling the tobacco product.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , whereby the thermoplastic binder system incorporates at least one thermoplastic binding material and at least one plasticizer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , whereby the thermoplastic binder system incorporates at least one thermoplastic polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , whereby the thermoplastic polymeric material comprise an amount less than about 20 weight percent of the dry weight of the tobacco product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , whereby the mixture comprises less than about 30 weight percent of the thermoplastic binder system, based on a total dry weight of the tobacco product. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , whereby the forming of the mixture involves subjecting the mixture to a temperature of less than about 100° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  whereby during forming, the mixture possesses a moisture content greater than about 5 weight percent, based on a total weight of the tobacco product and moisture.