Composite tobacco-containing materials

Abstract

Tobacco products suitable for oral ingestion are provided. The tobacco products include a tobacco composition and at least one edible film. The edible film can include one or more of (i) a fruit or vegetable puree and (ii) a denatured protein. A multi-layer tobacco product is provided that includes a tobacco composition in the form of a compressed sheet layer and at least one edible film adjacent to the tobacco composition layer, wherein the edible film includes a puree of at least one fruit, vegetable, or a combination thereof. A process for preparing a tobacco product is also provided, such as a process that includes receiving a tobacco composition and an edible film; applying the edible film to the tobacco composition; and compressing the edible film and tobacco composition together to form a multi-layer tobacco product.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A tobacco product adapted for oral consumption, comprising:
 a tobacco composition; and   at least one edible film, wherein the edible film comprises one or more of (i) a fruit or vegetable puree and (ii) a denatured protein, and wherein the film is adapted for oral ingestion.   
     
     
         2 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco composition comprises at least one of a cut, ground, pelletized, particulate, granular, shredded, reconstituted, extruded, cast, or compressed tobacco sheet material. 
     
     
         3 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco composition is in the form of a compressed tobacco sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco composition is enclosed in a pouch or bag, and the edible film is in contact with the pouch or bag. 
     
     
         5 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the edible film is fibrillated. 
     
     
         6 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the edible film is perforated. 
     
     
         7 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the edible film further comprises at least one flavorant, flavor enhancer, sugar or other sweetener, souring agent, preservative, filler, pigment, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the edible film comprises a puree comprising at least about 75% of at least one fruit, vegetable, or combination thereof on a percent solids basis. 
     
     
         9 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein the edible film further comprises a film layer comprising an edible film-forming polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The tobacco product of  claim 9 , wherein the edible film-forming polymer is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 
     
     
         11 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , comprising at least two or more edible film or tobacco composition layers. 
     
     
         12 . A multi-layer tobacco product adapted for oral consumption, comprising
 a tobacco composition in the form of a compressed sheet layer; and   at least one edible film adjacent to the tobacco composition layer, wherein the edible film comprises a puree of at least one fruit, vegetable, or a combination thereof, and wherein the film is adapted for oral ingestion.   
     
     
         13 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the edible film comprises at least 75% of at least one fruit, vegetable, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the edible film further comprises an edible plasticizer, an edible polymer, an edible insoluble fiber source, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the edible film comprises a puree of a plant selected from the group consisting of green tea, coffee, wheatgrass, papaya, mangosteen, apple, peach, pear, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, mango, banana, cherry, apricot, rhubarb, guava, raisin, date, carrot, tomato, broccoli, bell pepper, pumpkin, kobocha, squash, corn, sweet potato, spinach, green bean, green pea, asparagus, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the edible film is fibrillated. 
     
     
         17 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the edible film is perforated. 
     
     
         18 . The tobacco product of  claim 12 , wherein the film further comprises at least one flavorant, flavor enhancer, sugar or other sweetener, souring agent, preservative, filler, pigment, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A process for preparing a tobacco product adapted for oral consumption, comprising
 receiving a tobacco composition;   receiving at least one edible film;   applying the at least one edible film to the tobacco composition; and   compressing the edible film and tobacco composition together to form a multi-layer tobacco product adapted for oral consumption,   wherein the edible film comprises one or more of (i) a fruit or vegetable puree and (ii) a denatured protein.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the tobacco composition is received as a cut, ground, pelletized, particulate, granular, shredded, reconstituted, extruded, or cast tobacco material. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the tobacco composition is received as a compressed tobacco sheet. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the edible film is fibrillated or perforated prior to or after compressing the edible film and tobacco composition. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of heating the edible film prior to compressing the edible film and tobacco composition.