IP Library Granted Patent US 8,616,221
Granted Patent B2
US 8,616,221 · App. 12/071,772 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Oral pouch product with flavored wrapper

Inventors: Karen M. Torrence (Chester, VA); Warren D. Winterson (Richmond, VA)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,616,221
App. No.
12/071,772
Granted
Dec 31, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is an oral pouch flavor product with a fibrous flavored wrapper that encloses an inner filling material. Preferably, the fibrous flavored wrapper includes embedded flavorants. The fibrous flavored wrapper may also include a softening agent, colorants, and/or browning inhibitors. The inner material may include non-tobacco, plant material fibers and preferably has a low moisture content so as to prevent the need for preservatives or refrigeration.

Claims (27)

1. An oral pouch product comprising:

a single-layer, fibrous flavored wrapper including at least one embedded flavorant; and

an inner filling material including non-tobacco, plant material fibers enclosed in said fibrous flavored wrapper, the inner filling material having a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight of the inner filling material,

wherein said fibrous flavored wrapper includes a browning inhibitor so as to inhibit discoloration of the wrapper and the browning inhibitor is sodium hexametaphosphate.

2. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous flavored wrapper is made of paper and/or fabric.

3. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous flavored wrapper includes a softening agent so as to soften the fibrous flavored wrapper.

4. The oral pouch product of claim 3 , wherein said softening agent is selected from the group consisting of humectants, flavored oils, and combinations thereof.

5. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavorant is a flavored oil.

6. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous flavored wrapper includes colorants.

7. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said inner filling material is tobacco-free and does not include preservatives.

8. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavorant is in the form of spray dried flavors, essential oils, encapsulated flavors, coacervated flavors, suspensions, and/or solutions.

9. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavorant comprise microencapsulated beads providing controlled release of the flavorants.

10. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavorant is added in an amount of about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg per flavored wrapper and/or in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the inner filling material.

11. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said pouch product weighs about 200 mg to about 600 mg.

12. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said non-tobacco, plant material fibers include tea, spice, herb, fruit, and/or vegetable fibers.

13. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said inner filling material has a water activity level in an amount of about 0.5 aw to about 0.75 aw.

14. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said oral pouch product is a rectangular shaped wrapper and has a length of about 20 mm to about 35 mm, a width of about 10 mm to about 20 mm, and a thickness of about 3 mm to about 6 mm.

15. The oral pouch product of claim 1 , wherein said oral pouch product is elliptical shaped and has a major axis of about 20 mm to about 35 mm, a minor axis of about 10 mm to about 25 mm, and a thickness of about 3 mm to about 6 mm, and

wherein said elliptical shaped pouch is truncated along at least one axis.

16. A method of making an oral pouch product comprising:

forming a flavored wrapper by applying flavorants to a single-layer, fibrous wrapper;

forming the flavored wrapper into a pouch;

filling said pouch with an inner filling material; and

applying a seal around said inner filling material to form an oral pouch product,

wherein said inner filling material includes non-tobacco, plant material fibers and wherein the inner filling material has a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight of the inner filling material,

wherein said fibrous flavored wrapper includes a browning inhibitor so as to inhibit discoloration of the wrapper and the browning inhibitor is sodium hexametaphosphate.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein inner filling material is tobacco-free and said flavorants are applied to said fibrous flavored wrapper by spraying, coating, immersing, embossing, and/or dispersing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2008
From: TORRENCE, KAREN M.; WINTERSON, WARREN D.
To: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
Reel/Frame 020849/0430 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60903848 · Feb 28, 2007
Related Publication 20080202536A1 · Aug 28, 2008