Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.

Abstract: A process for preparing an orally-enjoyable film of encapsulated plant material includes combining particles of finely divided plant material, a first coating material, and a second coating material, then inducing gelation to form a gel matrix of the particles coated with the first coating material embedded in the second coating material, followed by forming a film from the gel matrix. Also disclosed is a film of coated particles of finely-divided plant material, made of a gel matrix of plant material at least partially surrounded by a first coating material and embedded in a second coating material.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to consumable products incorporating a matrix of cultured tobacco cells. Any tobacco variety may be utilized for establishing in vitro tobacco cultures, including native tobacco varieties and genetically modified tobacco varieties derived from any tobacco variety. Various embodiments are directed to methods for producing tobacco products incorporating cellular material and/or extracts derived from tobacco cells cultured in vitro.

Abstract: An oral pouch product having a soft edge includes an inner filling material enclosed inwardly of at least one seam between opposed layers of porous pouch wrapper. The at least one seam is separated from the periphery of the porous pouch wrapper by an unbonded area of the opposed layers so as to form a soft edge of the pouch wrapper.

Abstract: A tobacco-free oral pouch product providing immediate and long lasting flavor release comprises a pouch wrapper and tobacco-free flavor beads contained within the pouch wrapper. The flavor beads comprise at least one of microcrystalline cellulose, pectin and sodium alginate, at least one polymer having a higher solubility in saliva than microcrystalline cellulose, pectin and/or sodium alginate, and at least one flavorant. The pectin and sodium alginate are cross-linked. The tobacco-free flavor beads provide immediate release of the flavorant upon placement of a pouch product in a user's mouth and long lasting release of the flavorant for about 15 minutes to about 80 minutes. The oral pouch product contains only tobacco-free flavor beads.

Abstract: A smoking system includes a capillary wick for holding liquid, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and a chamber between the air inlet and air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet and the chamber are arranged so as to define an air flow route from the air inlet to the air outlet via the capillary wick so as to convey aerosol formed from the liquid to the air outlet. The smoking system further includes at least one guide for channeling the air flow in the air flow route, so as to control particle size in the aerosol. The smoking system optionally includes at least one heater for heating the liquid in at least a portion of the capillary wick to form the aerosol.

Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labeled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a composite conduit to transport multiple liquids to a heating element at flow rates such that the liquids arrive at the heating element in desirable concentrations. The heating element volatilizes the liquids to form volatilized fluid, which mixes with ambient air to form an aerosol with desirable concentrations of the multiple liquids.

Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.

Abstract: A filter segment for use in a filter of a smoking article includes a substrate loaded with at least one smoke-modifying agent. The substrate is located within the body of the filter segment and is formed from filter plug wrap having an air permeability ranging from about 6,000 Coresta units to about 24,000 Coresta units.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.

Abstract: A smoking article includes a sheet material including a fibrous layer formed of cellulosic fibres and at least 50% by weight of inorganic filler material having a particle size in range of from 0.1 microns and 50 microns, wherein the sheet material has a tensile strength of at least 900 N/m. The fibrous layer includes a binder material, such as an organic binder material. The organic binder material can be a cellulosic binder material. A coating layer may be provided on at least one side of the fibrous layer.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

Abstract: An oral pouched product comprising a pouch containing moist botanical beads comprising compacted loose, fibrous moist botanical material and method of manufacture thereof. The loose, fibrous moist botanical material can comprise moist smokeless tobacco. The pouch comprises a porous outer web, and the beads comprise a majority amount of loose, fibrous moist botanical material having a moisture content of at least about 50% OV.

Abstract: A smoking system includes a capillary wick for holding liquid, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and a chamber between the air inlet and air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet and the chamber are arranged so as to define an air flow route from the air inlet to the air outlet via the capillary wick so as to convey aerosol formed from the liquid to the air outlet. The smoking system further includes at least one guide for channeling the air flow in the air flow route, so as to control particle size in the aerosol. The smoking system optionally includes at least one heater for heating the liquid in at least a portion of the capillary wick to form the aerosol.

Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.

Abstract: A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.