Fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product
A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.
1. A smokeless tobacco product comprising:
smokeless tobacco; and
a fabric surrounding the smokeless tobacco, the fabric including,
polymeric fibers having a basis weight of less than 30 grams per square meter (gsm), the polymeric fibers including,
a polymer, and
a filler, the filler being configured to increase a hydraulic permittivity of the fabric.
2. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises a colorant.
3. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 2 , wherein the colorant comprises a brown colorant.
4. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a mouth-stable polymer.
5. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 4 , wherein the mouth-stable polymer comprises an elastomer.
6. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 5 , wherein the elastomer comprises polyurethane.
7. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the polymeric fibers have a diameter of less than 30 microns.
8. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 7 , the diameter ranges from 0.5 microns to 5 microns.
9. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 7 , wherein the diameter ranges from 10 nanometers to 1 micron.
10. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric fibers comprise melt-blown polymeric fibers.
11. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the basis weight is less than 25 gsm.
12. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the smokeless tobacco has an average length ranging from 0.1 inch to 1 inch.
13. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 , wherein the smokeless tobacco has an average width ranging from 10 cuts per inch to 110 cuts per inch.
14. An oral product comprising:
a non-tobacco plant material; and
a fabric surrounding the non-tobacco plant material, the fabric including,
polymeric fibers having a basis weight of less than 30 grams per square meter (gsm), the polymeric fibers including,
a polymer, and
a filler, the filler being configured to increase a hydraulic permittivity of the fabric.
15. The oral product of claim 14 , wherein the non-tobacco plant material comprises tea leaves, red clover, coconut flakes, mint leaves, citrus fiber, bamboo fiber, ginseng, apple, corn silk, grape leaf, basil leaf, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.
16. The oral product of claim 14 , further comprising:
a tobacco extract including nicotine.
17. The oral product of claim 14 , wherein the polymer comprises a mouth-stable polymer including an elastomer.
18. The oral product of claim 17 , wherein the elastomer includes polyurethane.
19. The oral product of claim 14 , wherein the polymeric fibers comprise melt-blown polymeric fibers.
20. The oral product of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the polymeric fibers have diameter of less than 30 microns.