A package for a smokeless tobacco product and the use of the package is provided. The package comprises at least one can and a lid, wherein the lid and the can are coupled via a hinged connection. This allows the can and the lid to be swiveled with respect to each other around a swiveling axis in that an access opening of the can is opened and closed. The swiveling axis projects substantially perpendicularly to the access opening.

A smokeless tobacco product includes a plurality of orally disintegrable granules (10). Each granule has a lipid core (12) and at least one layer (14) surrounding the core. The core can also include binders, powdered tobacco carbohydrates, water soluble polymers, flavorants, salts, sweeteners, and combinations thereof. The orally disintegrable granules can provide a pleasing texture and/or flavor experience.

A container (10) adapted for storing a product is provided. The container includes a body (20) having a bottom wall (22) and a side wall (24). The bottom wall and the side wall define an internal storage compartment (26) adapted for storage of a plurality of units of a product. The side wall has an outer peripheral surface. A rib structure (60) is engaged with the body about the outer peripheral surface of the side wall and extends outwardly therefrom. A cover (40) is configured to be removably engaged with the body. The cover includes a top wall (42) and a peripheral flange (44) having an inner surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth and is configured to interact with the rib structure when the cover is received over the outer peripheral surface of the side wall so as to form an interference fit.

Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include one or more preformed smokeless tobacco products (110) configured to generally retain their shape during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. In particular embodiments, each smokeless tobacco product can comprise a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a selected binder such that the final product is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.

A pocket sized dispenser houses in coiled form a flexible strip of portions (202) of smokeless tobacco sized for placement between a consumer's cheek and gum, where the flexible strip includes a base tape (201) removably attached to the plurality of portions (202), and wherein the dispenser and strip are adapted to allow a consumer to separate individual portions (202) from the base tape (201). The individual portions (202) comprise either a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component; or pouches attached to the base tape (201) with a food-grade adhesive, the pouches comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper with at least one lap-sealed edge. Methods of preparing such are disclosed.

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.

The invention provides a multi-layered smokeless tobacco product comprising two or more formulations with varying properties. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco products provide combinations of different organoleptic properties within the same product. In certain embodiment, these combinations allow for a modified release profile of active ingredients as the user enjoys the smokeless tobacco product. The invention further provides methods for making and using the smokeless tobacco product.

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.

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 36C to about 45C. An associated process is also provided. The process includes melting a lipid having a melting point of about 36C to about 45C 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.

The present invention relates to a sealable wrapper for storage of moist smokeless tobacco, such as snus or snus pouches, a stack of sealable wrappers, and a smokeless tobacco container provided with a stack of sealable wrappers.

Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include one or more silicone smokeless tobacco products configured to generally retain their shape during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. In particular embodiments, each silicone smokeless tobacco product can comprise a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a silicone binder such that the final product has tobacco exposed along an exterior surface and is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.

A meltable smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a tobacco extract and a lipid. An associated process is also provided. The process includes melting a lipid to form a molten lipid composition, mixing a tobacco extract with the molten lipid composition to form a molten smokeless tobacco composition, and cooling the molten smokeless tobacco composition to form a solidified smokeless tobacco composition.