Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of obtaining and/or deriving proteins from plants of the Nicotiana species and methods for incorporation of such proteins into various products. For example, a method for obtaining a protein-enriched material from a plant of the Nicotiana species or portion thereof is provided, comprising: extracting one or more proteins from the plant material into a solvent to form a liquid protein-containing extract; separating a solid extracted plant material from the liquid protein-containing extract; clarifying the liquid protein-containing extract to form a clarified protein-containing extract and a solids fraction; and treating the clarified protein-containing extract so as to provide a protein-enriched material comprising at least about 60% protein by weight.

Abstract: A method of isolating compounds from a tobacco-derived black liquor, including receiving a black liquor from a pulping process of an input material comprising a plant of the Nicotiana species, treating the black liquor with an acid to lower the pH of the black liquor to about 7 or lower in order to produce a precipitate and an acidified black liquor, separating the precipitate and the acidified black liquor, extracting the acidified black liquor with an organic solvent in order to produce an organic layer extract and an aqueous layer extract, and separating the organic layer extract and the aqueous layer extract.

Abstract: A container configured to hold one or more units of a product is provided. The container may comprise a lid and a base. The lid and/or the base may be constructed from a pulp derived from a plant material. For example, the pulp derived from the plant material may be a wood pulp material. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides certain nicotine salts, co-crystals, and salt co-crystals and provides novel polymorphic forms of certain nicotine salts. In particular, nicotine salts with mucic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and crystalline polymorphic forms of nicotine 4-acetamidobenzoate, nicotine gentisate, and nicotine 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate are described. The invention further provides methods of preparation and characterization of such nicotine salts, co-crystals, and salt co-crystals and polymorphic forms thereof. In addition, tobacco products, including smoking articles, smokeless tobacco products, and electronic smoking articles comprising nicotine salts, co-crystals, and/or salt co-crystals are also provided.

Abstract: A meltable smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a particulate tobacco material and a lipid having a melting point of about 36° C. to about 45° C. An associated process is also provided. The process includes melting a lipid having a melting point of about 36° C. to about 45° C. to form a molten lipid composition, mixing a particulate tobacco material with the molten lipid composition to form a molten smokeless tobacco composition slurry, and cooling the molten smokeless tobacco composition slurry to form a solidified smokeless tobacco composition.

Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal measurement system includes a thermocouple configured to couple to a location of a heating element of an electronic smoking article. The thermocouple is structured to measure a surface temperature of the location. A thermocouple data module is operatively connected to the thermocouple and is structured to receive data of the surface temperature from the thermocouple. A pneumatic system is configured to connect to an end of the electronic smoking article and draw an air flow through the electronic smoking article. The pneumatic system includes a solenoid valve having an open state that causes air to flow through the electronic smoking article. The solenoid valve has a closed state that prevents air flow through the electronic smoking article. An infrared camera is disposed over the viewing window. The infrared camera is configured to measure a wire temperature of a heating element wire of the electronic smoking article.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for translation and validation of representations of data for use in retail transactions. The systems and methods may be implemented by a device including at least one circuit. In some implementations a device may comprise a scanning component and a display component. The scanning component may be operable to capture data corresponding to a first representation of the data. The screen may be operable to display a second representation of the data. The data may correspond to coupon data associated with the sale of a product.

Abstract: Smoking-related article inspection systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some aspects, the systems include an x-ray imaging device configured to capture at least one image of the smoking-related articles, a smoking-related article transporting device configured to sequentially introduce the smoking-related articles into the imaging zone; and an analysis unit in communication with the x-ray imaging device and configured to analyze the at least one image captured by the x-ray imaging device for each of the smoking-related articles, the analysis unit being configured to execute: an inspection tool to determine values for one or more parameters of each of the smoking-related articles based on the analysis of the at least one image; and a comparison tool to determine an acceptability of the smoking-related articles for further processing based on comparing the determined values for the one or more parameters to ideal values for the one or more parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering tobacco material from tobacco rod sections is provided, each tobacco rod section including a wrapping paper wrapped about the tobacco material. The apparatus includes a centrifugal object-orienting device including a disc disposed at an incline within a cylindrical container, the cylindrical container and the disc being rotatable about a rotation axis such that the rotating cylindrical container and disc impart centrifugal force to the tobacco rod sections, the tobacco rod sections being responsive to the centrifugal force to orient lengthwise. A first conveyor device is configured to receive and convey in a conveyor direction the tobacco rod sections, with the tobacco rod sections being oriented lengthwise relative to the conveyor direction. A slitting device is operably engaged with the first conveyor device and configured to lengthwise slit the wrapping paper wrapped about the tobacco material of each of the tobacco rod sections.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

Abstract: A pouched product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product is provided herein. The pouched product can include an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity containing a composition adapted for oral use and having a surface area, wherein the outer water-permeable pouch can include a nonwoven web including a first plurality of continuous filament heat sealable binder fibers oriented substantially parallel to each other in a first direction, a second plurality of continuous filament heat sealable binder fibers oriented substantially parallel to each other in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first plurality of continuous filament heat sealable binder fibers and the second plurality if continuous filament heat sealable binder fibers are bonded with a heated lamination process.

Abstract: A package that may be employed to store a tobacco-containing material is provided. The package may include a container including a body portion and a cover configured to engage the body portion. The body portion may define an internal space therein configured to receive a product. An internal surface of one or both of the body portion and the cover may include a wood liner. The wood liner may be a wood veneer.

Abstract: Provided here is a smokeless tobacco product, comprising a tobacco composition and an encapsulating composition coating the tobacco composition, wherein the encapsulating composition comprises methyl salicylate, and also a method for producing the smokeless tobacco product. Further provided is a tobacco product package, comprising a casing comprising an outer rim, and a removable lid enclosing the outer rim of the casing, wherein the outer rim is coated with a coating layer comprising methyl salicylate, and also a method for producing the tobacco product package.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for forming a biodegradable filter material for a filter element of a smoking article, wherein the method involves combining cellulose acetate fibers with regenerated cellulose fibers, drawing the combined cellulose acetate fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers to form drawn combined fibers, and crimping the drawn combined fibers to form a mixed fiber tow. An associated filter material for the filter element of a smoking article is also provided.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A pouched product adapted for release of a water-soluble component therefrom is provided herein. The pouched product can include an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity containing a composition that includes a water-soluble component capable of being released through the water-permeable pouch and has a surface area, wherein the outer water-permeable pouch can include a nonwoven web including a plurality of heat sealable binder fibers blended with a second plurality of dissimilar fibers. The nonwoven web can be carded, hydroentangled and point bonded.

Abstract: The invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a tobacco extract. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco product is translucent. The invention further provides methods for making and using the smokeless tobacco product. In certain embodiments, the smokeless tobacco product comprises isomalt, maltitol syrup, and a translucent tobacco extract prepared by ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A smart packaging system and a smart display system and methods relating thereto are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the packaging system may include an inner package, an outer package, and an identification tag disposed between said inner package and said outer package. Said identification tag may be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a near-field communication (NFC) identification tag, or any variation thereof. In various embodiments, the display system may include a display shelf for positively positioning a plurality of product packages, at least one near-field communication antenna, and a control system. Each of said plurality of product packages may include said identification tag. Said control system may transmit and receive product information data to and from said identification tag for each of said plurality of product packages.