Composition For Herbal Moist Snuff

A present invention and process for preparing an herbal moist snuff product, including the essential herbal component citrus fiber. Citrus fiber, when shredded, boiled, and dried has the ability to absorb moisture components similar to genuine snuff tobacco, however, the dangerous components of genuine snuff tobacco, such as nicotine, cadmium, benzopyrene, etc., are nonexistent in the present invention. When absorbed by its liquid casing, the dried citrus fiber carries all the organoleptic qualities, without the harmful chemicals, of a genuine snuff tobacco.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,315 A 9/1987 Summers

U.S. Pat. No.4,813,438 A 3/1989 Fleming

U.S. Pat. No.4,817,640 A 4/1989 Summers

U.S. Pat. No.4,887,620 A 12/1989 Summers

U.S. Pat. No.4,969,477 A 11/1990 Yagisawa

U.S. Pat. No.5,417,229 A 5/1995 Summers

U.S. Pat. No.7,913,700 A 3/2011 Calandro

US 2012/0042888 A1 11/2011 May

US 2012/0031415 A1 2/2012 Essen

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of tobacco substitutes. Particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of compositions for smokeless tobacco substitutes and methods of producing such substitutes thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to herbal tobacco compositions intended for personal use as moist snuff.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tobacco can be consumed in a variety of ways. Most commonly, tobacco is either smoked or “dipped”. Its dipped form is known as moist snuff. Moist snuff is not consumed, but rather held in the oral cavity by placing a pinch of moist snuff between one's lower lips and gums. It is held in the oral cavity for extended periods of time typically ranging from several minutes to upwards of an hour. The consumer dips moist snuff primarily for its organoleptic qualities, such as its sweet tobacco flavor, its spicy “bite” or burning sensation, and for its dizzying, light-headed effect, a direct result of its high nicotine content.

Nicotine is a proven addiction-forming chemical, and according to a New York Times article the concentration of nicotine in moist snuff is 1.5 to 2.5 percent greater than that of cigarettes. In addition, diseases, such as cancer may be caused by dipping moist snuff tobacco in the oral cavity. Thus, there has been an increase in attention by the medical profession, the public, and government directed against moist snuff tobacco. In light of the foregoing, there is a need for herbal moist snuff substitutes intended for personal use as moist snuff. Such herbal moist snuff products may be offered as a healthy alternative to moist snuff tobacco products, especially for those who currently use smokeless moist snuff tobacco products.

As a result of numerous cancer-causing chemicals, including nicotine, found in moist snuff tobacco products, several moist snuff tobacco substitutes in the form of herbal compositions have been developed. Herbal moist snuff is produced from two primary components—an herbal component and a liquid casing component. The herbal component consists of a singular shredded plant, such as red clover, alfalfa leaves, kudzu, etc. Optimally, the herbal component will satisfy one of the four organoleptic qualities—texture. It is each prior art's herbal component that most differentiates one art from another. To fulfill the remaining organoleptic qualities—appearance, aroma, and flavor—of a fine moist snuff tobacco, the herbal component is made moist by the addition of the liquid casing component. Few such moist snuff substitutes have been created and even fewer have been issued United States patents.

Many prior art compositions stress the importance of their art's “organoleptic” qualities, or those qualities that most closely resemble some or all of the perceived four organoleptic qualities of a moist snuff tobacco. These four qualities consist of appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture. Visually, due to the dark brown hue of the tobacco leaf, a finely shredded moist snuff tobacco product will be dark brown in color; it will carry the sweet aroma of the tobacco leaf; it will provide a slight burning sensation in addition to its sweet tobacco flavor; and its texture will be soft, moist, and slightly spongy. These are the four organoleptic qualities accomplished by or sought after by all prior art. However, it is the current art's intent to bring an overlooked fifth organoleptic quality to the forefront—an organoleptic quality not accomplished in all prior art. This organoleptic quality is “cud consistency”.

Cud consistency is identified by how well the moist snuff tobacco remains intact as a singular entity in the oral cavity. A good cud consistency is malleable, is not dissolvable by the oral cavity's salivatory response, and it can easily be moved as a single entity into, around, and out of the oral cavity. The present art's essential herbal ingredient, citrus rind and pith—hereto referred to as citrus fiber—accomplishes this feat where all other prior art fails. The following is a list of all prior art and their composition's respective shortcoming as compared to the organoleptic qualities of the present art's composition.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,700 March 2011; Calandro. This invention is intended for the use as an herbal moist snuff dipped in one's oral cavity. The essential herbal ingredient of this invention is corn silk. Corn silk is the hair-like fibrous strands found between the husk and kernels of a head of corn. As described in this art, corn silk has a “light texture, smooth mouth feel, uniform appearance, and a smell and taste that is nonexistent.” In essence, this invention satisfies four of the five organoleptic qualities of a fine herbal moist snuff tobacco. However, no cud consistency is formed, rather the herbal moist snuff becomes scattered, easily dispersed throughout the oral cavity. Also, according to David L. Hoffman, Director of the California School of Herbal Studies, corn silk as a demulcent has known adverse health risks associated with it, such as decreased potassium levels in the blood, skin rashes, allergies, as well as decreased blood sugar resulting in complications with persons suffering from diabetes. Therefore, all persons suffering from the adverse effects of diabetes whom are also moist snuff consumers in search of an herbal moist snuff substitute may wish to seek out a more compatible herbal moist snuff.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,700 also offers a unique component in its liquid casing, which greatly distinguishes itself from all other prior art in the field of herbal moist snuff. This invention allows for the presence of nicotine in a variation of its primary invention. The presence of nicotine allows this invention to compete in the nicotine-laden genuine moist snuff tobacco marketplace as well as the herbal moist snuff marketplace, however, this dual approach both increases and decreases this invention's appeal. On the one hand, the presence of nicotine increases desire among moist snuff tobacco consumers whom have been unsuccessful at quitting nicotine products, and on the other hand, the presence of nicotine defeats the purpose of a chemical-free composition, thus, a true 100 percent herbal composition is not realized. The following is an excerpt from U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,700 referencing this invention's inclusion of nicotine:

“It is likely that the primary users of nontobacco (read: herbal) moist snuff compositions according to the present invention will be current users of tobacco-based moist snuff compositions. As such, it is likely that many users of nontobacco moist snuff compositions according to the present invention will have an addiction to nicotine. Therefore, nicotine may be included in the casing component to provide a nontobacco moist snuff composition with a desirable amount of nicotine without appreciable effects. When present, it is preferable that nicotine be included as a liquid in the casing component in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.10% by weight of the total composition.”

In other words, this invention provides the consumer with either a non-nicotine or nicotine product, with the nicotine present ranging in an amount between 0.01 to 0.10 percent total weight of the composition. What this invention fails to provide is an intermediary product, which the present art fulfills with its nicotine cessation program.

The present art is the first art in the field of moist snuff compositions to offer the consumer a nicotine cessation program. The nicotine cessation program will provide the consumer with a variety of personally tailored nicotine cessation plans. Such plans range anywhere from four to sixteen weeks duration, in which every two to three weeks the nicotine content found in the present art will diminish by 25 to 50 percent total weight of the composition. By the final week of the plan, the nicotine content will be omitted altogether from the art.

The nicotine cessation program offered by the present art is the first and only program of its kind in which the nicotine addicted consumer has the opportunity to gradually diminish his or her nicotine consumption over an extended period of time, thus, eliminating one's need to quit “cold turkey”—an option not provided in any other art in the field of herbal moist snuff. For further detail of this plan, please see the “Summary of the Invention” section of the present art.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,315, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,640, U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,620; September 1987, April 1989, December 1989, respectively; Summers. The main ingredient, also the only herbal ingredient, of the invention is the red clover blossom. Most commonly used in tea products due to its sweet flavor, red clover also produces a vegetal flavor, which taints the sweeter taste of genuine tobacco. Furthermore, red clover, due to its harvesting method, consists of undesirable stalks and seeds, which do not absorb the dark tobacco-like coloring of a good herbal snuff substitute. And, due to the small size of the blossoms, as compared to the stalks and seeds, it is inevitable that the mixture of pulverized red clover blossoms will include an undesired amount of red clover stalks and seeds. This lack of a uniform mixture of red clover has several adverse effects, especially to texture and appearance. Specifically, the stalks and seeds are harder, drier, sharper, and lighter in color as compared to the pulverized blossoms.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,229 May 1995; Summers. This is an invention related to herbal moist snuff and chew compositions containing the principal herbal component alfalfa leaves. The alfalfa plant is ubiquitous throughout the world and is commonly used as forage for cattle. Commercially, it is harvested as hay. Superficially, this species of plant is identical to the red clover—clusters of small purple flowers followed by fruits containing 10-20 seeds—thus, identical shortcomings of above prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,696,315, 4,817,640, and 4,887,620 are discovered.

US 2012/0031415 A1 (Patent Publication) February 2012; Essen. This invention relates to an herbal moist snuff composition for oral use with high dietary fiber content. The scope of this invention is simply too large to fully understand the entirety of its shortcoming. The main ingredient of this invention is “plant fibers”, which, as further described, can consist of maize fibers, oat fibers, tomato fibers, barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers, citrus fibers, or a “combination thereof”. The scope of this invention needs to be more self-contained as such a multitude of “plant fiber” combinations will create far-ranging products and bi-products alike, from one plant species to another.

US 2012/0042888 A1 (Patent Publication) November 2011; May. This is an herbal moist snuff intended for one's oral cavity made in part by the essential herbal component kudzu from the plant genus pueraria. Unlike a genuine moist snuff tobacco, this invention scatters and disperses throughout one's oral cavity. No cud consistency is formed. The invention becomes messy and sloppy, not easily moved into, around, or out of one's oral cavity, such as a moist snuff tobacco will allow. This may be due to the high glycerin content. Glycerin is a known humectant, meaning it absorbs and withholds moisture content. Referencing the table in FIG. 5, one will notice the high glycerin content found in this invention. In no other invention found in FIG. 5 is more than 26.5 percent by total weight of the composition glycerin. In patent publication US 2012/0042888 almost twice this amount is used. 46.4 percent by total weight of the composition in US 2012/0042888 is glycerin. The ubiquitous amount of glycerin in this invention creates too great a moisture content; thus, the invention fails to adhere to itself once placed in one's oral cavity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,477 November 1990; Yagisawa. This invention is intended for use as a smoking material composed of the essential herb pineapple fiber. The pineapple pulp is extracted from the fruit, rolled, cut, flavored, and dried. Whereas the present art is made moist and dipped in one's oral cavity, U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,477 is dried and smoked, therefore, these two inventions not only differentiate by their essential herbal component, but also by their intended use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,438 March 1989; Fleming. Again, as stated above in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,477, this invention is intended for use as a smoking composition. It is composed of the essential herbs bran, soybean, and mesquite fibers. These fibers are treated in a sodium chloride and glycerol solution. The components are eventually dried for use as a smoking agent, thus, when compared to the present art, the two inventions differentiate between an art intended as a moist snuff tobacco substitute versus an invention intended as a dry herbal smoking tobacco substitute.

Although the various essential or primary components in these herbal moist snuff tobacco and herbal dry tobacco products have made some impact on the use of less harmful components found in tobacco products, such alternatives are still void of one, some, or all of the five organoleptic qualities of a fine moist snuff tobacco, thereby acting as only a safer product and not as a desirable and satisfying alternative to tobacco, or more particularly to a moist snuff tobacco. Thus, there is a need in the art for a product that can more closely resemble moist snuff tobacco without carrying with it the harmful components of a moist snuff tobacco while simultaneously satisfying the five organoleptic qualities of a fine moist snuff tobacco alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an herbal snuff tobacco that is made moist and “dipped” in one's oral cavity, and it is used as a safe alternative to moist snuff tobacco. In the present invention, compositions and methods have been provided for a safe herbal moist snuff product including a dry herbal component encased within a liquid material and processed to a texture which is non-injurious to the surface of one's oral cavity unlike moist snuff tobacco. The herbal component, when combined with the liquid casing, produces all the desired organoleptic qualities of a superior herbal moist snuff product.

Although several different ingredients, such as kudzu, alfalfa leaves, red clover, and corn silk have been used as the primary ingredients in herbal moist snuff tobacco substitute products, none have yet disclosed or recognized the herbal component of the citrus fruit as a feasible alternative to tobacco leaves. The use of citrus fibers results in a superior herbal moist snuff that most closely mimics the five organoleptic qualities of moist snuff tobacco without producing the harmful chemicals and components of a moist snuff tobacco. Citrus fiber, when dried, and voided of all its organoleptic qualities, such as aroma, appearance, and flavor, can easily absorb the desired organoleptic qualities of the present invention's liquid casing as well as provide the desired organoleptic quality of cud consistency in one's oral cavity. The result is a healthy, safe alternative to moist snuff tobacco.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a composition for use as a moist snuff tobacco substitute. The composition includes citrus fiber as the essential herbal component as well as a liquid binder to create cohesion in the final product. The composition includes 20 percent by total weight of the present invention citrus fiber (to include the rind and pith) as the base herb; also included is 48 percent by total weight distilled water, 18.4 percent by total weight caramel color, 4 percent by total weight glycerin, 3 percent by total weight sodium chloride, 2.4 percent by total weight flavoring propylene glycol, 1.6 percent by total weight cayenne pepper, 1.6 percent by total weight caffeine anhydrous, and 1 percent by total weight sodium bicarbonate all representing the liquid component.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method for producing a moist snuff tobacco substitute. The method includes providing the herbal component including citrus fiber as well as adding the liquid casing void of caffeine anhydrous to create cohesion. In other words, a non-caffeinated version of the present invention is created.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method for producing a moist snuff tobacco substitute. The method includes providing the herbal component including citrus fiber as well as adding the liquid casing—whereas caffeine anhydrous is excluded and in its place liquid nicotine is included—to create cohesion. Nicotine added to the present invention will be the first and only of its kind, when compared to all prior art related to the field of a moist snuff tobacco alternative, in such that nicotine is included in the present art as a nicotine cessation program.

The nicotine cessation program will provide the consumer with a variety of personally tailored nicotine cessation plans. Such plans range anywhere from four to sixteen weeks duration, in which every two to three weeks the nicotine content found in the present art will diminish by 25 to 50 percent total weight of the composition. For example, in one such plan—the 12-week plan—the plan will begin with a nicotine content similar to that found in leading moist snuff products on the market today. The nicotine content in these products ranges between 0.01 percent to 0.10 percent total weight of the composition. This nicotine amount will only be available in weeks one and two of the present art. The following three Weeks—weeks three, four, and five—will provide a nicotine content ranging between 0.005 percent to 0.05 percent total weight of the composition, a 50 percent reduction from weeks one and two. The nicotine content in weeks six, seven, and eight will then be reduced an additional 50 percent from the previous three weeks (0.005 percent to 0.05 percent total weight of the composition to 0.00125 percent to 0.0125 percent total weight of the composition). Weeks nine, ten, and eleven will see yet another 50 percent decrease in nicotine content, again, from the previous three weeks so that the nicotine content present ranges from 0.00001 percent to 0.01 percent total weight of the composition. Finally, in week twelve, the nicotine content will be at 0 percent total weight of the composition. In essence, from one nicotine content level to the next, 50 percent nicotine by total weight of the composition will be reduced. Note: In order to obtain this nicotine fluctuation, the nicotine component will have an inverse relationship with the distilled water component. Where the nicotine component is added, the distilled water component is subtracted, and vise versa.

Each individual consumer will also be allowed to tailor his or her plan according to their comfort level, meaning longer or shorter plans as well as higher or lesser nicotine content in the present art. However, the consumer will not be given the opportunity to have a nicotine content greater than that of 30 mg (the highest amount of nicotine offered in genuine moist snuff tobacco), nor will the consumer be given the opportunity to undertake the nicotine cessation program for any longer than two sixteen week plans in a calendar year. Unlike prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,700, and genuine moist snuff tobacco products on the market today, it is not the intent of the present art to provide the consumer with unlimited nicotine, but rather to assist the consumer in defeating his or her nicotine addiction by slowly and gradually weaning him or her off the harmful chemical.

The nicotine cessation program offered by the present art is the first and only program of its kind in which the nicotine addicted consumer has the opportunity to gradually diminish his or her nicotine consumption over an extended period of time, thus, eliminating one's need to quit “cold turkey”—an option not provided in any other art in the field of herbal moist snuff.

For better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and tables, the scope of which is pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects and features mentioned above of the present invention, as well as additional objects and features, can be understood from the description of the invention presented herein below, taken in combination with the accompanying figures, tables, and drawings below, in which:

FIG. 1 is a table, which provides a list of the herbal and liquid components by percentage of total weight of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second table in which caffeine anhydrous is omitted from the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a third table in which 1 percent nicotine total weight of the present invention is added, and 1 percent distilled water total weight of the present invention is omitted. Note: This figure represents one of several nicotine content variations in the present art. Other such nicotine contents are available in 1.5, 1, 0.5, and 0.25 percent total weight of the composition.

FIG. 4 is a table depicting the compositions by total weight of the present invention in relation to the compositions by total weight of all related prior art. Only the herbal moist snuff inventions are included in the following table. All prior art intended for smoking purposes were omitted from this table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the present invention in more detail, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are tables that represent the components of the present invention by each component's total weight of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is the primary version of the present invention, in which the invention can be marketed as an energy supplement in addition as a moist snuff tobacco substitute. FIG. 2 omits the component caffeine anhydrous. This variation of the invention is intended for those individuals that do not desire the effects of a caffeinated product, which may include light-headedness or a “buzzed” feeling, and adrenaline rush among other effects.

FIG. 1 is a list of the components that create the present invention of an herbal moist snuff. The ingredients are listed in order by total weight, whereas distilled water is 48 percent total weight of the present invention, citrus fiber is 20 percent total weight, caramel color is 18.4 percent total weight, glycerin is 4 percent total weight, sodium chloride is 3 percent total weight, propylene glycol is 2.4 percent total weight, cayenne pepper is 1.6 percent total weight, caffeine anhydrous is 1.6 percent total weight, and lastly, sodium bicarbonate is 1 percent total weight of the present invention. FIG. 1 also shows whether or not the listed component is an herbal or liquid component by denoting an “X” in the coordinating column.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it is important to understand how the components are included in the present invention. The method, or process in which these components are combined, is significant so that the present invention maintains its consistency among the five previously stated organoleptic qualities of a fine herbal moist snuff, which includes appearance, texture, aroma, flavor, and cud consistency. In order to accomplish this a detailed process is as follows.

A. The Herbal Component

1. Gather citrus fruits. Citrus fruits can range from lemons and limes to oranges and grapefruit, or any hybrid of the citrus variety. It is each fruit's outer fibrous material—the rind and pith—that create the present invention's herbal component.

2. Shred the citrus fruit using a commercial-grade zesting tool, such as a Zipzester, which allows its user to zest, or shred, many citrus fruits quickly and effectively. The resulting shred is spongy, fresh, and fibrous. It is this shredded citrus fiber that is the essential herbal component of the present invention. This is where the present invention differentiates the most from all other prior art. Ultimately, the sponge-like fibrous material of the citrus fiber allows the present invention to remain intact in one's oral cavity. As stated in prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,913,700 and 4,696,315, 4,817,640, 5,417,229, and 4,887,620 it is the difference of each art's “essential” ingredient, such as corn silk, red clover, and alfalfa leaves, respectively. These three essential ingredients fail to allow a cud-like entity to form in one's oral cavity. The shredded citrus fiber in the present invention is absolute essential in this respect.

3. Boil shredded citrus fiber for a minimum of 15 minutes. This releases the citrus aroma and flavor from the citrus fiber as these are not organoleptic qualities desired in the present invention. Repeat Step 3 to eliminate any remaining citrus aroma and flavor.

4. Collect the boiled citrus fiber and place in a food dehydrator. Dehydrate the citrus fiber at 155 degrees. Remove the citrus fiber at the 5 hour mark. The shredded, boiled, and dehydrated citrus fiber will now be void of all moisture. The moisture content of the citrus fiber will be at 0 percent and ready to combine with the liquid casing.

B. The Liquid Casing

1. Begin the liquid casing by adding 48 percent total weight of distilled water. Distilled water is the essential component of the liquid casing as it represents almost half of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of distilled water over other liquid sources is to limit the number of impurities that can lead to spoilage in the present invention. Fewer impurities found in the present invention will lead to a longer shelf life and an altogether fresher, healthier product for the consumer. Distilled water, when mixed with the following components, will return necessary moisture back to the dehydrated citrus fiber. The present invention should have a moisture content to that of a genuine snuff tobacco, which has a pH of 7.5.

2. Add 18.4 percent total weight dark brown caramel color to the distilled water. Caramel color is one of the oldest and most widely used food colorings and is found in many commercially produced foods, including beer, bread, chocolate, custards, potato chips, gravy, ice cream, soft drinks, etc. Caramel color is widely considered a safe, effective food ingredient worldwide. In the present invention, the caramel color is important for maintaining a visual appearance to that of a genuine snuff tobacco—a dark brown color.

3. Add 4 percent total weight glycerin to the distilled water and caramel color. In food and beverages glycerin serves as a humectant and solvent, and is considered a preservative. Glycerin has also been used as a filler in low-fat foods as well as a thickening agent in liqueurs. For the present invention glycerin is used as a humectant and preservative to maintain moisture and create a longer shelf life of the present invention.

4. Add 3 percent total weight sodium chloride to the distilled water, caramel color, and glycerin. Sodium chloride is important to the present invention as it serves as yet another food preservative, which dramatically extends the shelf life of the present invention. In addition to this, sodium chloride also serves as a trigger to the oral cavity's salivatory response. As a genuine moist snuff tobacco produces an excess of saliva in one's oral cavity, the use of sodium chloride in this respect is highly desired in the present invention.

5. Add 2.4 percent total weight propylene glycol to the distilled water, caramel color, glycerin, and sodium chloride. Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, hygroscopic liquid used as a humectant, solvent, flavor carrier, and preservative in food and tobacco products. Here, propylene glycol is not only used as a solvent and preservative, but most importantly it is used to mimic the flavor of a genuine snuff tobacco. Such propylene glycol flavorings can include sweet tobacco, wintergreen, peppermint, apple, berry, peach, cherry, grape, cinnamon, rum, whiskey, etc. The propylene glycol not only provides flavoring to the present invention, but it also provides the essential aroma desired.

6. Add 1.6 percent total weight cayenne pepper to the distilled water, caramel color, glycerin, sodium chloride, and propylene glycol. Cayenne pepper in the liquid casing component will provide a satisfying approximation of the “bite” found in a genuine moist snuff tobacco composition.

7. Add 1.6 percent total weight caffeine anhydrous to the distilled water, caramel color, glycerin, sodium chloride, propylene glycol, and cayenne pepper. Caffeine anhydrous is added to the present invention in order for the present invention to mimic the dizzying feeling one gets from the nicotine content of a genuine moist snuff tobacco composition. The addition of caffeine anhydrous also allows the present invention to be more marketable. With a large market for energy supplements, such as drinks, capsules, and foods, the addition of caffeine anhydrous will allow the present invention to compete in such a marketplace.

8. Add 1 percent total weight sodium bicarbonate to the distilled water, caramel color, glycerin, sodium chloride, propylene glycol, cayenne pepper, and caffeine anhydrous. Sodium bicarbonate is another food preservative that extends the shelf life of the present invention. Sodium bicarbonate also serves as a filler or place holder for non-caffeinated version of the present invention. Note: As a specified amount of caffeine anhydrous is removed from the present invention, that same specified amount of sodium bicarbonate is added, and vice-versa.

C. Combining the Herbal and Liquid Casing Components

1. Combine 20 percent total weight of the composition dehydrated shredded citrus fiber—the herbal component—with the aforementioned liquid casing components. Allow approximately two hours for the dehydrated citrus fiber to completely absorb the liquid casing, then mix. The mixing is accomplished by using any commercial-grade mixing blender, such as a KitchenAid Artisan blender set to low for 5 minutes.

2. Once the dehydrated citrus fiber has completely mixed and absorbed the liquid casing, the mixture should be re-shredded in any commercial-grade food processor, such as a Cuisinart T3500, for 30 seconds or until the mixture is completely shredded into a uniform mixture ranging between 20 to 40 mesh (referencing NBS screen size) and, ultimately, mimicking the mesh screen size of a genuine snuff tobacco.

In more detail, still referring to the present invention of FIG. 1, the ingredients come together as a whole and surpass the shortcomings of all prior art. The essential ingredient of the present invention—citrus fiber—when shredded, boiled, dehydrated, and combined with a high distilled water content, in addition to the remaining liquid casing components, produces a unique herbal substitute that most closely resembles genuine moist snuff tobacco. When the dehydrated citrus fiber is rehydrated with the liquid component a striking resemblance to genuine moist snuff tobacco is created and all five organoleptic qualities of an herbal tobacco substitute are served; there is an earthy texture, a sweet tobacco aroma, a bite or burn to the taste, a deep brown appearance, and once placed in one's oral cavity, a true cud consistency is formed—the present invention remains intact and malleable in one's oral cavity.

Claims

1. A composition for use as an herbal moist snuff tobacco substitute with the composition comprising: an herbal component comprising entirely of citrus fiber; and wherein a liquid casing component serving as a binder and comprising of distilled water, caramel color, glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, cayenne pepper, and caffeine anhydrous is included.

2. The herbal component of claim 1 is obtained'by undertaking the following process: Any whole citrus fruit's fiber—orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, or hybrid thereof—is shredded to 20-40 mesh screen size; wherein the shredded fiber is boiled for 15 minutes to remove all undesired organoleptic citrus fruit qualities; wherein the boiling process is repeated to remove any remaining undesired citrus fruit organoleptic qualities; and the herbal component—citrus fiber—is dehydrated to a moisture content of 0 percent.

3. The liquid component of claim 1 is obtained by combining the following components: distilled water included in an amount of 48 percent total weight of the composition, caramel color included in an amount of 18.4 percent total weight of the composition, glycerin included in an amount of 4 percent total weight of the composition, propylene glycol included in an amount of 2.4 percent total weight of the composition, sodium chloride included in an amount of 3 percent total weight of the composition, cayenne pepper included in an amount of 1.6 percent total weight of the composition, caffeine anhydrous included in an amount of 1.6 percent total weight of the composition, and sodium bicarbonate included in an amount of 1 percent total weight of the composition.

4. A method of producing an herbal moist snuff composition comprising the steps of: shredding citrus fiber to NBS mesh size between 20 and 40; twice boiling the citrus fiber in water to remove all undesirable citrus fruit organoleptic qualities; dehydrating the shredded and boiled citrus fiber to a moisture content to 0 percent, such that the strands of the citrus fiber are vacated of moisture; providing an herbal component having the citrus fiber as the essential ingredient; providing a liquid casing component comprising: distilled water comprising 48 percent total weight of the composition, caramel color comprising 18.4 percent total weight of the composition, glycerin comprising 4 percent total weight of the composition, sodium chloride comprising 3 percent total weight of the composition, propylene glycol comprising 2.4 percent total weight of the composition, cayenne pepper comprising 1.6 percent total weight of the composition, caffeine anhydrous comprising 1.6 percent total weight of the composition and sodium bicarbonate comprising 1 percent total weight of the composition; combining the liquid casing component into the strands of the citrus fiber; wherein the citrus fiber is present as 100 percent total weight of the herbal component; and wherein the citrus fiber moisture content and particle size produce a moist herbal snuff composition having organoleptic qualities comparable to the organoleptic qualities of a genuine moist snuff tobacco composition.

5. The herbal moist snuff composition of claim 1 further void of caffeine anhydrous, wherein said omitted caffeine anhydrous is replaced by additional sodium bicarbonate.

6. The herbal moist snuff composition of claim 1 further comprising of liquid nicotine, wherein said liquid nicotine is included in the composition as part of a nicotine cessation program in which the nicotine content included in the composition diminishes over a predetermined set period of time so that the nicotine cessation program begins with a nicotine content similar to genuine moist snuff tobacco compositions and finishes with the herbal composition of claim 1.

Patent History
Publication number: 20150230516
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2015
Inventor: Jeffrey Daniel Stewart (Arlington, VA)
Application Number: 14/182,881
Classifications
International Classification: A24B 15/16 (20060101); A24B 15/42 (20060101);