Smokeless tobacco pastille and injection molding process for forming smokeless tobacco products

Abstract

A smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and a polysaccharide filler component such as polydextrose. A process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is also provided. The process includes mixing a tobacco material with a binder and a polysaccharide filler component to form a smokeless tobacco mixture, injection molding the smokeless tobacco mixture, and cooling the smokeless tobacco mixture to form a solidified smokeless tobacco composition pastille. The mixing step can include forming a dry blend of the tobacco, filler, and binder components, and combining the dry blend with a viscous liquid component. The injection-molded pastille can provide a dissolvable and lightly chewable product.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user, the composition comprising:
 a botanical particulate component;   at least about 10 dry weight percent of a polysaccharide filler component, wherein the polysaccharide filler component comprises polydextrose;   at least about 10 dry weight percent of at least one binder;   at least about 20 dry weight percent of at least one humectant;   at least about 1 dry weight percent of at least one emulsifier;   at least about 0.1 dry weight percent of at least one sweetener; and   at least about 0.5 dry weight percent of at least one flavorant,   
       wherein the composition is in the form of a pastille,
 prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
 preparing a mixture of the botanical particulate component with a binder and a polysaccharide filler component; 
 extruding the mixture into an extruded form; 
 grinding the extruded form into a ground form; 
 injection molding the ground form into an injection molded form; and 
 cooling the injection molded form to provide the composition. 
 
 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the composition comprises about 10 dry weight percent to about 25 dry weight percent of the polysaccharide filler component. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 29 , further comprising an additional filler component comprising a sugar alcohol. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein the additional filler component is sorbitol. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the binder comprises a water soluble gum. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the binder is gum arabic. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 29 , further comprising a disintegration aid. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the botanical particulate component is in powder form. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the composition is capable of lasting in the mouth of the user for about 10-15 minutes until it is completely dissolved. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein polysaccharide filler component consists essentially of polydextrose. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the polysaccharide filler component further comprises maltodextrin, pullulan, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the polysaccharide filler component is in the form of pieces with an average particle size of less than about 100 microns. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the polysaccharide filler component is in the form of pieces with an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the composition comprises at least about 5 dry weight percent of the polydextrose. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the composition comprises at least about 10 dry weight percent of the polydextrose. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, vanillin, ethylvanillin glucoside, mannose, galactose, lactose, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 29 , further comprising a salt. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, polyglycitol, corn syrup, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the humectant is present in an amount of about 3 to about 35 dry weight percent. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 29 , comprising:
 about 10 to about 20 percent by dry weight of the polysaccharide filler component;   about 10 to about 20 percent by dry weight of the binder;   about 25 to about 35 percent by dry weight of the humectant; and   about 1 to about 2 percent by dry weight of the emulsifier.