Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a fuel element for a smoking article comprising forming a combustible carbonaceous material into a fuel element adapted for use in a smoking article; incorporating a metal-containing catalyst precursor into the fuel element or onto the surface thereof to form a treated fuel element, the incorporating step occurring before, during, or after said forming step; and optionally heating or irradiating the treated fuel element at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalytic metal compound. Examples of metal-containing catalyst precursors include iron nitrate, copper nitrate, cerium nitrate, cerium ammonium nitrate, manganese nitrate, magnesium nitrate, and zinc nitrate. Fuel elements treated according to the invention, and smoking articles including such fuel elements, are also provided.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is provided that includes a tobacco material in the form of a tobacco extract, a particulate tobacco material, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco product is substantially translucent. Methods for making and using the smokeless tobacco product are also provided. The smokeless tobacco product can include isomalt, maltitol syrup, particulate tobacco, and a translucent tobacco extract prepared by ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating certain target compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials or smoke generated by a smoking article. The method can be used to remove undesirable compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials, or tobacco smoke. The method can also be used to remove flavor compounds from tobacco or tobacco materials, which can then be used as flavor components for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette with a filter element comprising at least one longitudinally extending section of filter material. The section of filter material comprises a smoke-altering material therein that is useful for removing a quantity of vapor phase chemicals from the mainstream smoke. The section of filter material further comprises one or more tubes inserted into and extending through section of filter material. The one or more tubes each define a channel adapted for passage of mainstream smoke through the section of filter material while substantially avoiding contact of the portion of mainstream smoke therein with the smoke-altering material. The provision of a portion of mainstream smoke substantially unaltered by the smoke-altering material can be useful to retain certain desirable taste and other sensory properties of the mainstream smoke.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided herein. The smokeless tobacco product can be prepared by impregnating a tobacco-containing nonwoven fabric with a second tobacco material, e.g., using at least one alternating electric field. The obtained impregnated tobacco-containing fabric is subsequently bonded to form a composite, which can be further modified in order to obtain desired properties such as moisture content and flavor profile.

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: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: Methods and machines are provided for forming a five-sided carton of packages of smoking articles. A piece of film material is applied to a plurality of packages of smoking articles such that five sides of the plurality of packages are at least partially covered by the film material, but the sixth side remains uncovered. The film material is applied such that the group of packages is sufficiently tightly bound so that none of the packages may slip free from the carton. The sixth side of the plurality of packages in the carton remains exposed so that tax stamps may be easily applied. The film of material may be applied so that a gap is formed relative to the sixth side.

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: The invention provides an smokeless tobacco composition adapted for oral use, the composition including a tobacco material and an effervescent material. The effervescent material includes an acid component and a base component, wherein the acid component includes a triprotic acid such as citric acid and at least one additional acid. The invention also provides a method for making a smokeless tobacco composition that involves first forming a granulation mixture, granulating the granulation mixture, and then blending the resulting granules with further blending components. Thereafter, the material can be formed into a predetermined shape, such as by compression or extrusion. The acid component of the effervescent material is divided into two portions, the first portion added to the granulation mixture and the remaining portion added during the blending step.

Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. A first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers and a second plurality of degradable polymeric staple fibers are blended to give a fiber mixture, wherein the staple fibers of the fiber mixture are randomly oriented. The degradable polymeric staple fibers can be treated to increase hydrophobicity. The staple fibers of the fiber mixture can then be bonded to form a fibrous bundle which can be incorporated into a filter element. Related methods and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: A method of preparing an orally ingestible hard boiled product, comprising: i) heating a sugar material to a first temperature sufficient to liquefy the sugar material; ii) cooling the liquefied sugar material to provide a cooled sugar material having a solid or semi-solid form; iii) heating the cooled sugar material to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature; iv) combining the sugar material with one or more temperature sensitive ingredients before, during, or after said heating step iii), but after said cooling step ii), such that an intimate mixture of the second liquefied sugar material and the one or more temperature sensitive ingredients is provided; and v) cooling the intimate mixture to form an orally ingestible product. Orally ingestible hard boiled products prepared according to this method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides certain nicotine salt co-crystals and provides novel polymorphic forms of certain nicotine salts. In particular, certain nicotine salt-co-crystals are described, including nicotine and two different coformers. The invention further provides methods of preparation and characterization of nicotine salts, co-crystals, and salt co-crystals. 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: Methods of forming pyrazines from reactants derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, including receiving an aqueous reactant solution including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar and at least one tobacco-derived amino acid, heating the reactant solution to a reactant temperature and holding the reactant solution at the reactant temperature for a reactant time to produce a reactant product including at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine, and isolating the at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine from the reactant product. Tobacco products incorporating the tobacco-derived pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a flavored menthol-containing solid object, which can be used as an input material for hot melt application to a smoking article component. The method generally includes the steps of combining and heating menthol and a flavorant to give a molten mixture; depositing the molten mixture onto a surface; allowing the deposited molten mixture to cool to give a solidified mixture; and removing the solidified mixture from the surface to afford a flavored menthol-containing solid object. The method can further involve melting the solid object and applying the melted material to a smoking article component to modify the flavor/aroma profile of a smoking article into which the coated component is incorporated.

Abstract: A method of preparing a smoke-treated tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of: (i) subjecting a tobacco material to smoke to give a smoke-treated tobacco material with modified taste characteristics; and (ii) incorporating the smoke-treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a smoke-treated tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be, for example, a moist snuff tobacco product.

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 orotic acid are described. The invention further provides methods of preparation and characterization of such nicotine salts. 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 product including a package is provided. One or more tobacco-containing articles may be received in the package. A power producer may be configured to produce an electrical current. An output mechanism may be configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. The perceptible effect may, for example, increase a consumer's interest in the product. A related method is also provided.