RU2790370C2 - Flavoured wet oral packeted nicotine product including monoglyceride - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking devices.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to an oral packeted nicotine product containing a wet filler and to a method for producing a wet filler for the oral packeted nicotine product. Oral packeted nicotine product contains a wet filler and a saliva-permeable bag made of a packaging material, comprising a wet filler. The wet filler contains: a dispersed non-tobacco material, a non-encapsulated non-dispersed flavouring agent, a source of nicotine, a pH regulator, and a monoglyceride. The wet filler has a moisture content in the range from 30 to 60 wt.% as calculated for the total weight of the wet filler. The oral packeted nicotine product does not contain tobacco material or contains a tobacco material in an amount from 0.1 to 10 wt.%, in particular, 0.1 to 5 wt.%, as calculated for the total weight of the wet filler.

EFFECT: creation of an oral packeted nicotine product with a wet filler.

16 cl, 6 dwg, 18 tbl

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present invention relates to an oral pouch nicotine product containing a wet excipient comprising a particulate non-tobacco material such as microcrystalline cellulose, a non-encapsulated non-particulate flavor, a nicotine source, a pH adjuster, and a monoglyceride. The oral pouch nicotine product may contain no tobacco or may contain a small amount of tobacco.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moist oral snuff is available in loose form or as portion-packed in a saliva-permeable, porous pouch-forming wrapping material. The user typically applies the pouch wet snuff by placing the pouch between the upper or lower gum and the lip or cheek and holding it there for a limited period of time. The pouch material holds the tobacco in place while allowing saliva to enter the interior of the pouch and allowing flavors and nicotine to diffuse from the tobacco material into the user's mouth.

There are oral pouched nicotine containing non-tobacco products that can be offered as alternatives to oral pouched smokeless tobacco products. These oral pouch non-tobacco nicotine products are generally used in the same manner as the corresponding oral pouch tobacco containing products and are referred to herein as oral pouch nicotine products.

Oral pouched non-smoking tobacco products as well as oral pouched non-tobacco nicotine products can be prepared by metered portions of the excipient and incorporation of the portions into the packaging material. The packaging material forming the pouch in oral pouch products is typically a dry-laid bonded nonwoven material comprising rayon viscose (i.e., regenerated cellulose) fibers and an acrylic polymer that acts as a binder in the nonwoven material and provides thermal sealing of the pouch during their manufacture. The packaging material constituting the pouch of an oral pouch product, when sealed during manufacture, should not show fading or change color to only a small extent during storage of the pouch, and, when used by the consumer, maintain integrity and strength, providing the desired release profile of nicotine and flavors and creating an enjoyable sensation in the mouth.

For the user, organoleptic characteristics such as texture, aroma, taste, shape and appearance of the pouch are of great importance. It is generally desirable that oral pouch nicotine products release flavor and nicotine quickly, providing an initial strong flavor sensation and/or reducing nicotine cravings.

Patent document WO 2004/056363 A2 relates to a nicotine-containing particulate material comprising a combination of nicotine and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, complex or solvate thereof, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Patent document WO 2007/104573 A2 relates to the use of a nicotine-cellulose combination to obtain a snuff composition. The nicotine-cellulose combination may be enclosed in a membrane material.

Patent document WO 2010/114445 A1 relates to a plant fiber product for oral use, containing a mixture of plant fibers such as tea, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, corn, herbs, yerba mate tea or cellulose, and an alginate composition dispersed in the product and comprising water, alginate and an added substance intended to be released from the article when said article is in use. The added substance may be an active ingredient, such as nicotine, or a flavoring agent.

Patent document WO 2012/134380 A1 relates to a nicotine oral delivery product comprising a core comprising a powder of at least one of a free salt of nicotine, at least one pH regulator and at least one excipient, and enclosing the powder in a water insoluble sachet. As disclosed in patent document WO 2012/134380 A1, many physically and chemically stable nicotine salts are known. By using a suitable nicotine salt in place of the nicotine base, nicotine oxidation and volatility problems can be reduced or eliminated. When using a nicotine salt, it is not necessary to form a combination between nicotine and other components in the powder in order to protect the nicotine from oxidation and high volatility. The nicotine salt can be free, that is, you only need to mix it with other components in the powder. Moreover, the at least one pH adjuster ensures that a sufficiently high local pH is reached when the powder is dissolved in saliva. This high local pH is important to ensure that the dissolved nicotine is not protonated and thus can be effectively absorbed through the mucosa in the mouth.

Patent document WO 2015/009913 A1 relates to a method of introducing liquid nicotine into an oral product, comprising (a) mixing liquid nicotine with cellulose fiber to obtain a mixture of cellulose fiber and nicotine; (b) mixing a mixture of cellulose fiber and nicotine with one or more binder materials to form a preformed mixture of an oral product; and (c) molding the preformed mixture of the oral product into an oral product. As stated, dry ingredients are required for these injection molding processes. Flavorings and plasticizers such as triglycerides are mentioned. Also disclosed is a porous sachet containing cellulose fiber and nicotine.

US 2010/0282267 discloses a flavorant encapsulated in a lipid coating comprising a triglyceride, a monoglyceride, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is an article containing tobacco and said encapsulated flavoring agent.

Patent document WO2013/109961 discloses an oral article comprising an orally stable polymer matrix, cellulose fibers embedded in said orally stable polymer matrix, and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in an orally stable polymer matrix. The coating material may be an acetylated monoglyceride.

Patent document WO 2014/150881 discloses nicotine containing products which also contain anatabine. Products can be packaged. The articles may be a non-smoking article, such as preformed wet snuff, or substantially free of tobacco plant tissue. Products may contain flavors, fillers and plasticizers, and pH stabilizers. The plasticizer may be medium chain triglycerides.

Patent document EP3087852 discloses the article as an oral pouched non-tobacco nicotine-containing snuff having a rectangular shape, said article comprising a nicotine or salt containing excipient and one or more particulate excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose.

Patent document WO 2015/198067 discloses a powder for oral administration. The powder includes at least two sets of particles. The first set of particles includes a stimulant, and the second set contains a flavor. The stimulant may include nicotine. In addition, the powder may contain a combination that includes an intensifier. The enhancer may contain a hydrophobic material such as monoglycerides, diglycerides or triglycerides.

US 2004/123873 discloses a non-tobacco or herbal wet snuff composition comprising an herbal component containing or essentially consisting of corn stigmas and a process for preparing said composition.

Patent document WO 2015/009913 discloses methods and systems for stabilizing nicotine and administering nicotine to one or more oral products. Nicotine is stabilized by mixing liquid nicotine with cellulose fiber so that liquid nicotine is absorbed into the pores of the cellulose fiber to form a mixture of cellulose fiber and nicotine. Oral pouched nicotine-containing non-tobacco products are typically flavored. However, a significant amount of the added fragrance may be lost or, for example, degraded before the product is used, for example due to exposure to moisture, oxidation and evaporation of the fragrances. As a result, the consumer may not enjoy the flavor as intended. In general, this problem is more acute for moist oral nicotine pouch products than for dry oral nicotine pouch products.

Another problem associated with the incorporation of flavors into pouched nicotine products is that some flavors can adversely affect the seal strength of the resulting pouch, which can lead to seal failure during storage of the products. In particular, degradation of seal strength during storage is a problem for most wet oral pouch products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to mitigate at least one of the problems discussed above, and to achieve advantages and aspects not envisaged in hitherto known technology.

The present invention provides an oral pouch nicotine product comprising a wet fill and a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material containing the wet fill, the fill comprising particulate non-tobacco material; non-encapsulated non-dispersible flavor; source of nicotine; pH regulator; monoglyceride; and tobacco material within the range of 0% to 10% by weight.

The present invention also provides the use of a monoglyceride to preserve flavor, prevent loosening of a pouch seal, and/or improve shelf life stability in an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein.

In addition, the present invention provides the use of a combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride to preserve flavor, prevent loosening of a pouch seal, and/or improve shelf life stability in an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein.

Also provided is a method for producing a wet filler as disclosed herein, the method comprising:

- forming a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt,

- adding a monoglyceride and optionally a triglyceride to a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source, thereby forming a mixture comprising a particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source, a monoglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

- adding water to a mixture containing the particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt and/or to a mixture containing the particulate non-tobacco material a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt, a monoglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

moreover, the pH adjuster is added in and/or after any of the above steps, the non-encapsulated flavoring agent is added in and/or after any of the above steps, and, optionally, the tobacco material is added in and/or after any of the above steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term "tobacco material" is used herein for the fibrous materials of tobacco leaves or leaf parts such as the leaf blade and veins. The leaves or leaf parts may be finely divided (crushed), such as by grinding, cutting, grinding or threshing, and the leaf parts may be mixed in certain proportions in the tobacco material.

By "tobacco" as used herein is meant any part, such as leaves, veins and stems, of any member of the genus Nicotiana. The tobacco may be whole, ground, ground, cut, crushed, cured, aged, fermented, or otherwise processed, such as granulated or encapsulated.

"Oral" or "oral administration" in all contexts used here is a description of the route of application in the human oral cavity, such as the position behind the cheek.

As used herein, the term "moisture content" refers to the total amount of oven-volatile ingredients such as water and other oven-volatile substances (eg, propylene glycol) in a referenced preparation, composition, or article. Moisture content is given here as a percentage by weight (wt.%) of the total weight of the mentioned drug, composition or product.

In this document, the expressions "percent by weight", wt% and wt.% are used interchangeably.

Some fibrous materials may exhibit hygroscopic properties. Hygroscopic materials maintain an equilibrium moisture content depending on ambient humidity and temperature.

Moisture content, as mentioned herein, can be determined using the method based on the literature references Federal Register/volume 74, no. AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: "Moisture in Tobacco" (1990), fifth edition, K. Helrich (editor). In this method, moisture content is determined gravimetrically by taking a 2.5±0.25 g sample and weighing the sample at ambient conditions, here defined as 22° C. and 60% relative humidity, before the moisture evaporates and after dehydration is complete. The experiments described here use Mettler Toledo's Moisture Analyzer HB43, an accurate balance with halogen heating technology (instead of an oven and balance as in the references mentioned). The sample is heated to 105°C (instead of 99.5±0.5°C as in the references mentioned). The measurement is stopped when the change in weight is less than 1 mg over a 90 second time period. The moisture content as a percentage by weight of the sample is then calculated automatically by the Moisture Analyzer HB43.

"Perfume" or "flavor" is used herein to refer to a substance used to impart flavor and/or flavor to a nicotine product, including, but not limited to, essential oils, individual flavor compounds, compound flavors, and extracts.

As used herein, "% (w/w" or "wt %" or "wt %" or "wt %" refers to the weight percentage of the ingredient referred to relative to the total weight of the drug, composition or article referred to.

As used herein, reference to "percent dry weight", "% by weight, based on dry weight", and the like, means the weight percentage of the specified ingredient based on the total weight of the dry ingredients, that is, all ingredients of the referenced preparation, composition or articles, except for moisture content.

As used herein, reference to "weight percent wet", "% by weight, based on weight wet", and the like, means the weight percentage of the specified ingredient based on the total weight of the ingredients, that is, all the ingredients of the referenced drug , compositions or articles, including moisture content. Thus, "% by weight based on total weight" as used here is the same as "% by weight based on wet weight".

As used herein, the terms "pouched nicotine product for oral use" or "oral pouched nicotine product" refers to a portion of nicotine-containing excipient packaged in a saliva-permeable pouch for oral use.

As used herein, the terms "oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product" or "tobacco-free oral pouch nicotine product" means a portion of nicotine-containing excipient packaged in a saliva-permeable pouch for oral use, tobacco not being included in said product.

As used herein, the term "oral pouch nicotine tobacco product" means a portion of nicotine-containing excipient packaged in a pouch of saliva-permeable material intended for oral use, said product including tobacco material in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, or from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the filler.

As used herein, the term "monoglyceride" refers to an ester formed from glycerol and one fatty acid, that is, a monoester of glycerol and one fatty acid. The monoglyceride may be saturated or unsaturated.

As used herein, the term "diglyceride" refers to an ester formed from glycerol and two fatty acids, said fatty acids being the same or different. The diglyceride may be saturated or unsaturated.

As used here, the term "triglyceride" refers to an ester formed from glycerol and three fatty acids, these acids being the same or different. The triglyceride may be saturated or unsaturated.

As used here, the term "non-dispersible" means a component that is not in the form of a particle(s).

As used here, the term "non-encapsulated" means a component that is not encapsulated.

A particulate encapsulated flavor is known from US 2010/282267.

For example, the flavor described herein may be a non-encapsulated, non-dispersible flavor such as a liquid, an oil, or a mixture thereof.

As used here, the term "particulate non-tobacco material" means non-tobacco material containing particles. The particles may have an average particle size within the range of 50 to 500 microns.

An oral pouch nicotine product, as disclosed herein, is intended for use in the oral cavity, such as by placement behind the cheek (e.g., placing the pouch between the upper or lower gum and the lip or cheek), and may therefore be referred to as a unit-packed (pouch) product. for oral use. The oral pouch nicotine product is sized and configured to be conveniently and gently inserted into the user's mouth between the upper or lower gum and the lip or cheek.

An oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein may have an oblong shape, such as a substantially rectangular shape (when viewed from above when the product is placed on a flat surface). In such a case, the longitudinal direction of the article corresponds to the length of the substantially rectangular article, and the transverse direction of the article corresponds to the width of the substantially rectangular article.

The total weight of the oral pouch nicotine product (including fill and packaging material) may be within the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 g.

The pouch of the oral nicotine pouch can be made from any suitable saliva-permeable (and preferably insoluble) packaging material, such as a nonwoven material. The packaging material (here also referred to as the pouch material) may be a nonwoven material including regenerated cellulose staple fibers such as rayon viscose staple fibers and a binder material such as polyacrylate.

The packaging material may also include additional ingredients such as flavors and/or colorants.

The oral pouch nicotine product may be packaged in a box, jar, sealed container, carton, bag, tape wrap, plastic wrap, paper wrap, film wrap, blister bag, or placed on a tray.

Oral pouched (i.e., unit-packed) nicotine products can be placed randomly or ordered in the container, for example as described in WO 2012/069505. Alternatively or additionally, each oral pouch nicotine product may be placed in a sachet.

An oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein includes a wet fill and a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material containing the wet fill. Wet filler contains dispersed non-tobacco material, non-encapsulated non-dispersed flavor, nicotine source, pH regulator, monoglyceride; and tobacco material within the range of about 0% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. The oral pouch nicotine product may be tobacco-free, ie an oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product.

As described here, the wet filler may not contain tobacco material, that is, may be free of tobacco material. Alternatively, the wet filler may contain tobacco material within the range of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 0.3% by weight, such as about 0.2% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler.

The tobacco material may be purified tobacco material, such as bleached tobacco material.

The tobacco material described herein may include one, two or more particulate non-tobacco materials.

The tobacco material may be introduced as tobacco fibers, ground tobacco and/or as snuff such as snus.

The wet fill of the oral nicotine pouch article described herein is a fill material that may have a moisture content within the range of about 10% to about 60% by weight, such as from about 40% to about 60% by weight, such as from about 35%. up to about 55% by weight, such as from about 35% to about 45% by weight, such as from about 30% to about 40% by weight, such as from about 50% to about 60% by weight, or such as from higher than about 50% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler.

The wet vehicle described here includes a monoglyceride. The monoglyceride may be present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 6% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight, such as from about 1% to about 4% by weight, or such as from about 1% to about 3% by weight, such as from 0.3% to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. For example, the monoglyceride may be present in an amount of about 1%, about 2%, or about 3%, based on the total weight of the wet vehicle. In one example, the monoglyceride may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 2%, based on the total weight of the wet vehicle.

The monoglyceride may be distilled. Alternatively, the monoglyceride may be undistilled. In addition, the monoglyceride may be a combination of distilled and non-distilled monoglyceride.

An oral pouch nicotine product as described herein may contain a diglyceride. For example, an oral pouch nicotine product may include trace amounts of a diglyceride. The diglyceride may be present in the undistilled monoglyceride.

The monoglyceride may be a single monoglyceride such as sunflower oil monoglyceride. In addition, the monoglyceride may be a mixture of different monoglycerides, such as two or more monoglycerides.

The monoglyceride may include, consist of and/or be derived from one or more of the following: sunflower oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, lard, tallow, palm oil, coconut oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, cocoa butter, palmoleic oil, shea butter, mango seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, linseed oil, rosehip seed oil, argan oil, sesame oil, macadamia oil, wheat germ oil, Broccoli Seed Oils, Grapeseed Oils, Milk Thistle Oils, Walnut Oils, Palm Kernel Oils, Cottonseed Oils, Canola Oils, Sesame Oils, Mustard Oils, Beech Oils, Cashew Oils, Hazelnut Oils, Pecan Oils, Pine Nut Oils, Pistachio Oils , grapefruit seed oils, lemon oil, orange essential oil, pumpkin seed oil, watermelon seed oil, citrus oils, melon and pumpkin seeds, linseed oil, or the like. For example, the monoglyceride can be produced by a process comprising distilling one or more of the following: sunflower oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, lard, tallow, palm oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, or the like.

The oral pouch nicotine product may further comprise a triglyceride. The triglyceride may be a single triglyceride. Alternatively, the triglyceride may be a mixture of different triglycerides, such as two or three triglycerides.

The triglyceride of the wet fill of the oral pouch nicotine product disclosed herein may be present in an amount within the range of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, or from about 1.0% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill.

The triglyceride may be a vegetable fat or oil selected from the group consisting of cocoa butter, coconut fat or oil, palm oil, palmoleic oil, shea butter, mango seed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, linseed oil, rosehip seed oil, argan oil, sesame oil, macadamia oil, wheat germ oil, broccoli seed oil, grape seed oil, milk thistle oil, walnut oil , palm kernel oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil, sesame oil, mustard oil, beech oil, cashew oil, hazelnut oil, pecan oil, pine nut oil, pistachio oil, grapefruit seed oil, lemon oil, orange essential oil, pumpkin seed oil , watermelon seed oils, citrus oils, melon and pumpkin seed oils, cotton seed oils, safflower oil, and any and combinations of the above oils.

The triglyceride may be a vegetable fat or oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, coconut fat or oil, and any combination thereof.

The amount of monoglyceride and triglyceride in an oral pouch nicotine product comprising both monoglyceride and triglyceride may be within the range of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.5% to about 6% by weight. , such as from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. In addition, the monoglyceride and optionally the triglyceride may be dispersed within the wet vehicle. For example, small droplets of monoglyceride and optionally triglyceride can be dispersed within the wet filler. In addition, a diglyceride may be dispersed within the wet fill when present in an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein.

The monoglyceride and triglyceride in an oral pouch nicotine product containing both monoglyceride and triglyceride may be present in the wet vehicle in a ratio of about 1:1 to about 1:5. For example, the ratio of monoglyceride:triglyceride may be from 1:1 to 1:5.

The wet filler may include particulate non-tobacco material within the range of about 30% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler.

The particulate non-tobacco material is preferably water-insoluble.

The particulate non-tobacco material may contain cellulose, such as cellulose selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose and powdered cellulose.

The particulate non-tobacco material may contain a combination of cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose and powdered cellulose, and one or more water-insoluble fibers as described herein.

In particular, the particulate non-tobacco material may include or consist of microcrystalline cellulose.

The wet filler may include one, two or more non-encapsulated flavors. As used herein, an encapsulated flavor is a flavor component contained within a capsule. Accordingly, the non-encapsulated flavor is not contained within the capsule.

The flavor of the filler in an oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein may be a hydrophobic flavor.

The flavor described herein may be a non-encapsulated, non-dispersible flavor. For example, the filler flavor in an oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein may be an oil, a liquid, or a mixture thereof. In addition, the flavor(s) may be in the form of a liquid and/or a solid.

The wet fill of an oral pouched nicotine product as disclosed herein may contain flavor within the range of about 0.5% to about 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill.

The wet filler may further comprise an encapsulated flavor. The encapsulated flavor may be the same as or different from the non-encapsulated flavor. Alternatively, the wet fill may not contain an encapsulated flavor.

The wet fill may include one, two, or one, two or more sources of nicotine.

The wet filler of the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be in the form of a powder or granulate. Thus, the wet filler contained in a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material may be present in uncompressed form.

As used here, the term "nicotine source" means nicotine in any form.

The wet fill may contain a nicotine source within the range of about 1.0% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill.

The nicotine source may be a nicotine base, a nicotine salt and/or a nicotine complex such as nicotine bound to an ion exchange resin such as nicotine polacrilex. In particular, the source of nicotine may be a salt of nicotine.

Nicotine base (oily liquid) can be obtained synthetically or extracted from tobacco.

The nicotine source may be a nicotine salt, such as a nicotine salt selected from the group consisting of nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine-zinc chloride monohydrate, and nicotine salicylate, and any combinations of two or more of them.

In particular, the filler may include nicotine bitartrate and/or nicotine bitartrate dihydrate.

The amount of nicotine salt per pouch can be in the range of about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg of nicotine, calculated as nicotine base, such as about 0.5, about 1.0, about 1.5, about 2, 0, about 2.5, about 3.0, about 3.5, about 4.0, about 4.5, about 5.0, about 6.0, about 7.0, about 8.0, about 9, 0, about 10, about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18 or about 20 mg of nicotine.

The nicotine salt in the wet fill of an oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein may be in solid form and/or dissolved form.

The source of nicotine as disclosed herein may or may not be adsorbed onto the particulate non-tobacco material as disclosed herein. It will be understood that the expression "adsorbed on" means that the nicotine source adheres to the outer surface of the non-tobacco particulate material. Additionally or alternatively, the nicotine source may or may not be absorbed within voids or cavities of the non-tobacco particulate material.

When the nicotine source is adsorbed onto the non-tobacco particulate material, it adheres to the outer surface of said non-tobacco particulate material, substantially penetrating into any cavity(s) of said non-tobacco particulate material.

The flavor described herein may be stable at pH>7.

The wet filler described herein may contain one, two or more pH adjusters.

The wet fill of an oral nicotine pouch as disclosed herein may include a pH adjuster in the range of about 1.0% to about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill.

The amount of pH adjuster may be selected such that the wet excipient, when dispersed in the purified water, produces a pH value greater than 7.0, such as a pH within the range of about 7.0 to about 10.0, or a pH within the range of about 8.0 to about 9.0, such as a pH within the range of about 8.3 to about 8.7.

The pH value of the wet fill can be measured by adding 100 ml of distilled water to 5.0 grams of wet fill, for example, in a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask, stirring the resulting mixture at room temperature on a magnetic stirrer at a speed of 100 rpm for about 5 minutes, and then measuring the pH of the extract obtained from it using a calibrated (according to the manufacturer's instructions) pH meter. Sample solutions must be analyzed within one hour for reliable readings. In this document, the term "rpm" is understood as the number of revolutions per minute. In addition, in this document, the expression "room temperature" means a temperature from about 20°C to about 25°C, such as about 22°C.

Examples of suitable pH adjusters are sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium carbonate. These pH adjusters may be used alone or in combination of two or more of them.

In particular, the pH adjuster may be potassium hydroxide.

The wet filler described herein may further include water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of corn fibers, oat fibers, tomato fibers, barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, buckwheat fibers, wheat fibers, pea fibers, potato fibers, apple fibers. fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers, citrus fibers, and any combination thereof. The water-insoluble fibers may be mixed with the wet fill components and/or form part of the particulate non-tobacco material. In one example, the particulate non-tobacco material may comprise water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of corn fibers, oat fibers, tomato fibers, barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, buckwheat fibers, wheat fibers, pea fibers, potato fibers, apple fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers, citrus fibers, and any combination thereof.

In addition, the particulate non-tobacco material, the non-encapsulated flavor, the nicotine source, the pH adjuster, the monoglyceride, optionally the diglyceride, optionally the triglyceride, and optionally the tobacco material may be mixed uniformly, that is, to form a homogeneous mixture. Thus, an oral pouch nicotine product, as described herein, is obtained in which the wet fill components are substantially uniformly mixed.

Examples of flavors include bergamot, eucalyptus, orange, mandarin, citrus, lemon, peppermint, spearmint, mint, menthol, licorice, wintergreen, whiskey, rum, cherry, various berries, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, lime, apple, peach, carvone, limonene, and any combination of two or more of these. These flavors can be used in the present invention as flavoring.

The wet filler described here may not have other surfactants and/or emulsifiers than the monoglyceride specified here. In yet another example, the wet filler may not have other surfactants and/or emulsifiers than the monoglyceride, diglyceride and/or triglyceride mentioned here.

The wet filler of the oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein may also contain a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and any combination of two or more of these.

The wet fill of an oral nicotine pouch as disclosed herein may include a salt as described here, such as sodium chloride, in the range of about 1.0% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill.

Sodium chloride is usually used for its taste effect, but also has a preservative effect, improving the shelf life of the product. Salt, such as sodium chloride, reduces the water activity of products, thereby preventing the growth of microorganisms, which leads, for example, to an improved shelf life of the product.

The oral pouch nicotine product described herein may not contain anatabine.

For example, the oral pouch nicotine product described herein may be tobacco-free, ie, contains 0% tobacco material, and does not contain anatabine.

Anatabine is one of the non-essential alkaloids present in plants of the Solanaceae family, which among other things includes the tobacco plant. The oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product described herein may be tobacco-free, ie, may contain 0% by weight of tobacco material, and also be free of anatabine. Alternatively, the oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product described herein may contain a small amount of tobacco, such as from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, as described herein, and then may not include anatabine in addition to the anatabine present in said tobacco material.

The oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product described herein may be devoid of anatabine. In addition, an oral pouch nicotine product as described herein may include anatabine-containing tobacco, but without any added anatabine.

Also provided is the use of a monoglyceride as described herein to preserve flavor, prevent loosening of a sealed seal in a pouch, and/or improve storage stability, and/or an oral pouch nicotine product, such as an oral pouch non-tobacco nicotine product, and/or such as oral pouched nicotine product with low tobacco content. The oral pouch nicotine product may be as described herein. The low tobacco oral pouch nicotine product may include tobacco material in an amount within the range of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0 .1% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of said article, including or excluding the weight of the pouch material. The low tobacco oral nicotine pouch product may be an oral nicotine pouch product comprising tobacco as described herein. In particular, the oral pouch nicotine product described herein exhibits improved seal strength in a pouch formed by heat sealing, such as heat sealing pouches made from regenerated cellulose. The sealed seal of the pouch may include a chemical binder such as acrylate. Can be improved stability during storage at room temperature.

In addition, the use of a combination of a monoglyceride, a triglyceride, and optionally a diglyceride, as described herein, is also provided to preserve flavor, prevent loosening of a sealed seal in a pouch, and/or improve storage stability, and/or an oral pouch nicotine product such as an oral pouch non-tobacco nicotine product, and/or such as an oral pouch nicotine product with low tobacco content. The oral pouch nicotine non-tobacco product may be as described herein. The low tobacco oral pouch nicotine product may include tobacco material in an amount within the range of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, such as from about 0 .1% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of said article, including or excluding the weight of the pouch material. The low tobacco oral nicotine pouch product can be an oral nicotine pouch product comprising tobacco as described herein in an article as described herein. Can be improved stability during storage at room temperature, that is, at about 20°C.

Wet fill, as disclosed here, can be made using a method including:

- forming a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt,

- adding a monoglyceride and optionally a diglyceride and optionally a triglyceride to a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source, thereby forming a mixture comprising a particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source, a monoglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

- adding water to a mixture containing the non-tobacco particulate material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt, a monoglyceride, optionally a diglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

moreover, the pH adjuster is added in and/or after any of the above steps, the non-encapsulated flavoring agent is added in and/or after any of the above steps, and, optionally, the tobacco material is added in and/or after any of the above steps.

The method may also include the step of placing the wet fill in a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material, thereby forming an oral pouch nicotine product as disclosed herein.

Thus, a method is provided for the manufacture of an oral pouch nicotine product, said method comprising the steps of:

- forming a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a source of nicotine,

adding a monoglyceride, optionally a diglyceride and optionally a triglyceride to a mixture containing the particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source, thereby forming a mixture comprising a particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source, a monoglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

- adding water to a mixture containing a non-tobacco particulate material, a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt, a monoglyceride, optionally a diglyceride and optionally a triglyceride,

wherein the pH adjuster is added at and/or after any of the above steps, the non-encapsulated flavorant is added at and/or after any of the above steps, and optionally the tobacco material is added at and/or after any of the above steps, thereby creating a wet filler ; And

- placing the wet fill in a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material, thereby forming an oral pouch nicotine product.

It will be understood that the step of placing the wet filler in a saliva-permeable bag of packaging material can be carried out by measuring portions of the wet filler and introducing the portions into a nonwoven tube.

For example, the oral pouch nicotine products described herein can be prepared as described in US Pat. No. 4,703,765 or as described in EP 2428450 B1, which are incorporated herein by reference. While US Patent Documents US 4,703,765 and EP 2428450 B1 are dedicated to tobacco products, it will be appreciated that the instructions therein also apply to oral pouch nicotine products as described herein. US 4,703,765 discloses a device for packaging precise amounts of finely divided tobacco products, such as tobacco snuff or the like, into a tubular packaging material into which snuff portions are introduced through a loading tube. Downstream of the tube, sealing devices are placed for transversely sealing the packaging material, and also cutting devices for cutting the packaging material in the area of the transversely sealed seal, thereby forming individual or individual portion bags. EP 2428450 B1 relates to a method for dispensing snus in which a portion of tobacco is filled into the dosing chamber of the dispenser and then blown out of the dosing chamber by blowing air to which water vapor has been added.

In a further example, the oral pouch nicotine products described herein can be prepared by placing portions of wet filler on a nonwoven web using a pouch packing machine, in accordance with the apparatus disclosed in US Patent Document 6,135,120. It will be understood that this device can also be used for the wet filler described herein instead of the tobacco material. The device in US Pat. No. 6,135,120 includes a feeder for feeding tobacco material into pockets formed by a rotating portioning wheel for portioning the material into portions, at least one sealing device for sealing portions of tobacco material, a unit for advancing a packaging material such as a tape of nonwoven material, in synchronism with the compacted portions, at least one unloader for unloading the portions from the pockets onto the packaging material, and a molding unit for forming individual portion packs (i.e., pouches of smokeless tobacco products) from the discharged portions and the packaging material. At the place intended for unloading the portions onto the packaging material, the specified packaging material is in the form of a tape, and the sealing device is designed to seal the portions in a direction that is different from the directions of unloading and supply. The sealing is preferably carried out in a direction perpendicular to the discharge and supply directions. The compaction can take place in the axial direction of the portioning wheel, while the feeding and discharge can take place in the radial direction of said wheel. This method is referred to herein as the "NYPS" method.

The individual portions are sealed and cut off from each other, thereby forming rectangular "cushion" (or any other desired shape) pouch products. Typically, each finished pouch includes parallel transverse seams at opposite ends and a longitudinal seam perpendicular to the transverse seams. The seams must be strong enough to maintain the integrity of the pouch during use, while not hindering the user's experience.

The oral pouch products described herein are typically sized and configured for convenient and gentle insertion into the user's mouth between the upper or lower gum and the lip.

In the method(s) described herein, a non-encapsulated flavoring agent, such as a non-encapsulated, non-dispersed flavoring agent as described herein, may be added after all other components already mixed.

Also provided is a wet filler, as described here, which can be obtained by the method described here.

Also provided is an oral pouch nicotine product, as described here, which can be obtained by the method described here.

The blend of particulate non-tobacco material and nicotine source in the process described herein may be a dry blend.

EXAMPLES

In the following examples, rapeseed oil was purchased from Bressmer & Francke, Germany and coconut oil was purchased from Rene Voltaire, Sweden. The monoglyceride used was distilled sunflower oil monoglyceride, said monoglyceride being purchased as a Dimodan® product from Danisco, Denmark. The Catch spearmint tobacco product was purchased from Swedish Match, Sweden and had a moisture content of 56%. The General Classic white tobacco product was purchased from Swedish Match, Sweden and had a moisture content of 56%.

Example 1

It is a comparative example in which triglyceride was used.

Table 1 Quantity and percentage based on the wet weight of the composition Ingredient Sample 1 Sample 2 Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 39% 39% Sodium chloride (NaCl) 3.5% 3.5% Nicotine bitartrate dihydrate 3.0% 3.0% Potassium hydroxide (KOH) 1.5% 1.5% Water 51% 47% Rapeseed oil 1.0% 5.0% Flavor (containing limonene and linalyl acetate) 1.0% 1.0%

table 2 Quantity and percentage based on the wet weight of the composition Ingredient Sample 3 Sample 4 Control Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 39% 39% 39% Sodium chloride (NaCl) 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% Nicotine bitartrate dihydrate 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% Potassium hydroxide (KOH) 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% Water 51% 47% 52% coconut oil 1.0% 5.0% - - Flavor (containing limonene and linalyl acetate) 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%

In samples 1-4, the dry ingredients MCC, NaCl, and nicotine bitartrate were mixed with fat or oil in a Kenwood mixer (Major Titanium) at minimum speed for 2 minutes.

For samples 1 and 3, 15.5 g of an aqueous 50% by weight KOH solution was added to 250 g (250 ml) of water in a container and mixed. The resulting aqueous KOH solution was then added to the dry ingredients with stirring for 5 minutes at speed 1.

For samples 2 and 4, 15.5 g of an aqueous 50% by weight KOH solution was added to 230 g (230 ml) of water in a container and mixed. The resulting aqueous KOH solution was then added to the dry ingredients with stirring for 5 minutes at speed 1.

For the control example, 15.5 g of an aqueous 50% by weight KOH solution was added to 255 g (255 ml) of water in a container and mixed. The resulting aqueous KOH solution was then added to the dry ingredients with stirring for 5 minutes at speed 1.

Thereafter, flavor was added to the mixture, and the final composition was stirred for 4 minutes at minimum speed. The resulting compositions were analyzed for nicotine content (only control, Sample 3 and Sample 4 were analyzed) and flavor content immediately after manufacture and after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of storage at 30° C., 75% relative humidity. The aromatic components limonene and linalyl acetate were used as scent markers.

Samples were extracted using a liquid-liquid extraction method (described further below), which allows both nicotine and flavor compounds to be extracted simultaneously. The extracts were analyzed on a GC/MS instrument (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). Quantification was performed using a standard eight-point curve. The method has been tested on various matrices and analyte recovery rates are better than 95%.

For each replicate, 0.5±0.1 g of material was placed in an extraction tube. Added 4 ml of 3 M NaOH solution. The samples were shaken for 5 minutes at ambient temperature (360 rpm). After that, 10 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether and an internal standard were added. The samples were shaken for 60 minutes at 50°C (360 rpm). After cooling for one hour, the organic extracts were transferred to GC tubes and analyzed by GC/MS. The measured ions for nicotine, limonene and linalyl acetate were 84, 68 and 93 m/z.

The results are presented below in Tables 3a-5b and in Figures 1-3. Each measured value is the average of the three analyzed samples.

Table 3a Limonene (mg/g) Storage (weeks) 0% fat/oil 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 1% rapeseed oil 5% rapeseed oil 0 1.65 2.22 2.81 2.23 2.91 1 0.30 1.02 2.04 0.90 2.00 2 0.10 0.51 1.94 0.48 1.60 3 0.05 0.45 1.94 0.31 1.76

Table 3b Limonene (%) Storage (weeks) 0% fat/oil 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 1% rapeseed oil 5% rapeseed oil 0 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 1 18% 46% 73% 40% 69% 2 6% 23% 69% 22% 55% 3 3% 20% 69% 14% 61%

Table 4a Linalyl acetate (mg/g) Storage (weeks) 0% fat/oil 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 1% rapeseed oil 5% rapeseed oil 0 3.40 3.83 4.01 3.65 4.11 1 1.31 2.79 3.60 2.48 3.37 2 0.45 2.17 3.60 2.02 3.24 3 0.16 2.06 3.81 1.62 3.44

Table 4b Linalyl acetate (%) Storage (weeks) 0% fat/oil 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 1% rapeseed oil 5% rapeseed oil 0 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 1 38% 73% 90% 68% 82% 2 13% 57% 90% 55% 79% 3 5% 54% 95% 44% 84%

Table 5a Nicotine (mg/g) Storage (weeks) 0% fat/oil 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 0 10.00 10.08 9.63 1 9.40 9.72 9.56 2 9.06 9.41 9.48 3 8.96 9.26 9.48

Table 5b Nicotine (%) Storage (weeks) 0% fat 1% coconut fat 5% coconut fat 0 100% 100% 100% 1 94% 96% 99% 2 91% 93% 98% 3 90% 92% 98%

Example 2

It is a comparative example in which triglyceride was used.

Table 6 Quantity and percentage based on the wet weight of the composition Ingredient Sample 5 Control Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 39% 39% Sodium chloride (NaCl) 3.5% 3.5% Nicotine bitartrate dihydrate 3.0% 3.0% Potassium hydroxide (KOH) 1.5% 1.5% Water 42% 52% Rapeseed oil 10.0% - - Flavor (containing limonene and linalyl acetate) 1.0% 1.0%

The dry ingredients MCC, NaCl and nicotine bitartrate of Sample 5 were mixed with the oil in a Kenwood mixer (Major Titanium) at minimum speed for 2 minutes.

31 g of an aqueous 50% by weight KOH solution was added to 410 g (410 ml) of water in a container and mixed. The resulting aqueous KOH solution was then added to the dry ingredients with stirring for 5 minutes at speed 1.

For the control sample, 31 g of an aqueous 50% by weight KOH solution was added to 510 g (510 ml) of water in a container and mixed. The resulting aqueous KOH solution was then added to the dry ingredients with stirring for 5 minutes at speed 1.

Thereafter, flavor was added to the mixture, and the final composition was stirred for 4 minutes at minimum speed.

Thereafter, the composition of Sample 5 and the control composition were each portion-packed in a semi-permeable nonwoven packaging material using heat-melt sealing, thereby forming oral pouch products.

The pouch products were also analyzed for pouch seal strength using the following method.

After 10 days of storage at room temperature, samples were prepared by cutting to the desired width (listed below) and opening the pouch so that one seam with two layers remained. The weld strength was then tested using an Instron 5943. One layer of the weld was attached to the top gauge and one layer to the bottom gauge. The force applied to delaminate the seam was determined and expressed as load per width at maximum load. The following machine parameters were used:

load range: 50 N

stretch: 10mm

sensor length: 13mm

speed: 10mm/min

preload: 0.1 N

sample width: 12 mm

The results are presented in Table 7 below. Each measured value is the average of the twelve samples analyzed.

Table 7 Tensile Strength (N/mm) Sample 5 0.077 Control 0.053

Sample 5 was found to have improved seal strength compared to the control.

Example 3

In this example, a combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride was used. Compared with a composition comprising a triglyceride.

A wet composition (moisture content 35%-40% by weight based on the total weight of the composition) was obtained, comprising microcrystalline cellulose, sodium chloride, nicotine bitartrate, potassium hydroxide, water, monoglyceride and optionally triglyceride, and a flavor containing peppermint, with using the method described here. Thereafter, the resulting wet composition was batch-packed into a semi-permeable nonwoven packaging material using heat-melt sealing, thereby obtaining oral pouch products. Oral pouch products were analyzed for pouch seal strength using the method described here.

Two experiments were carried out in which rapeseed oil and monoglyceride were added in the following amounts, based on the wet composition:

(i) 5 wt% rapeseed oil and 1 wt% monoglyceride

(ii) 5 wt% rapeseed oil and 0 wt% monoglyceride

More specifically, the composition was as indicated below in Table A, which also shows the composition in which triglyceride was used. The compositions in Table A were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients of cellulose, flavor enhancer, nicotine and tobacco for 3 minutes. Thereafter, potassium hydroxide solution and humectants were added with stirring as wet ingredients, followed by rapeseed oil, flavor and, if applicable, monoglyceride. The total wet granulation time was less than 10 minutes. Thereafter, the resulting wet composition was batch-packed into a semi-permeable nonwoven packaging material using heat-melt sealing, thereby obtaining oral pouch products.

Table A Quantity and percentage based on the wet weight of the composition Ingredient Sample with 5% rapeseed oil Sample with 5% rapeseed oil and 1% monoglyceride Cellulose 40.48% 41.72% Flavor enhancer 3.56% 3.56% Nicotine and tobacco 6.41% 6.41% Potassium hydroxide solution (water 50%) 5.36% 5.36% Water and humidifiers 37.73% 35.51% Rapeseed oil 4.97% 4.97% Monoglyceride - - 0.99% Flavor (containing peppermint) 1.49% 1.49%

The strength of the sealed seam in the bag was measured during storage for four weeks at 8°C in the refrigerator. It was found that the strength of the sealed seal in the bag was significantly increased for experiment (i) compared to experiment (ii). The results are shown in Figure 4. From Figure 4 it is clear that the tensile strength is higher for experiment (i) compared to experiment (ii). It was concluded that the addition of a combination of triglyceride and monoglyceride increased the strength of the sealed seal in the pouch.

Example 4

In this example, a monoglyceride was optionally used in combination with a triglyceride.

In this example, the distribution of flavor in the pouch material and in the wet core of the pouched nicotine product was measured. In addition, flavor stability and pouch seal strength were measured.

A wet composition (moisture content 35%-40% by weight based on the total weight of the composition) was obtained, comprising microcrystalline cellulose, sodium chloride, nicotine bitartrate, potassium hydroxide, water, monoglyceride, optionally triglyceride, and flavor, as described below.

The following wet compositions were prepared containing a flavor mixture including carvone:

Table 8a Ingredient Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6 Cellulose 40.77% 40.77% 40.77% 40.77% 40.77% 41.77% Flavor enhancer 3.79% 3.79% 3.79% 3.79% 3.79% 3.79% Nicotine and tobacco 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% Potassium hydroxide solution (water 50%) 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.41% Water and humidifiers 47.13% 46.13% 45.13% 45.13% 43.13% 39.87% Triglyceride 0 0 0 1% 0 4.93% Monoglyceride 0 1% 2% 1% 4% 0.98% Flavoring (including carvone) 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% 1.36%

In addition, the following wet compositions were prepared containing a flavor mixture including limonene:

Table 8b Ingredient Sample 7 Sample 8 Sample 9 Cellulose 41.77% 41.77% 41.77% Flavor enhancer 3.79% 3.79% 3.79% Nicotine and tobacco 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% Potassium hydroxide solution (water 50%) 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% Water and humidifiers 45.98% 44.98% 39.37% Triglyceride 0 0 4.96% Monoglyceride 0 0.99% 0.99% Flavor (including limonene) 1.85% 1.85% 1.85%

In Tables 8a and 8b, percentages mean weight percentage based on the total weight of the composition.

Thereafter, the oral pouch products were kept at 22°C for 16 days (samples 1-6) and at 22°C for 21 days (samples 7-9).

The weight of each oral pouch was noted. The paper was separated from the filler and placed in different test tubes with each respective marked weight. 4 ml of 3 M NaOH solution was added to each extraction tube. The samples were shaken for 5 minutes at ambient temperature (360 rpm). After that, 10 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether and an internal standard were added. The samples were shaken for 60 minutes at 50°C (360 rpm). After cooling for one hour, the organic extracts were transferred to GC tubes and analyzed by GC/MS. The result is shown in Tables 9, 10 and 11 below. The results in Table 9 are shown in Figure 5. The results in Table 10 are shown in Figure 6.

Table 9 Karvon Carvone in a sachet Carvone in wet fill Sample 1 93% 7% Sample 2 57% 43% Tobacco product Catch spearmint 54% 46% Sample 3 46% 54% Sample 4 45% 55% Sample 5 31% 69% Sample 6 15% 85%

Table 10 Limonene Limonene in a sachet Limonene in wet fill Sample 7 50% 50% Sample 8 27% 73% Tobacco product General classic white 26% 74% Sample 9 5% 95%

From Table 9 and Figure 5, it can be seen that the presence of the monoglyceride results in improved flavor retention in the wet vehicle. This has also been observed for the combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride. It was also found that the monoglyceride present at 1% by weight (sample 2) had a similar flavor distribution as Catch spearmint smokeless tobacco product from Swedish Match, Sweden.

From Table 10 and Figure 6, it was seen that the presence of monoglyceride results in improved flavor retention in the wet vehicle. This has also been observed for the combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride. It was also found that the monoglyceride present at 1% by weight (sample 8) had a similar flavor distribution as for the General classic white smokeless tobacco product from Swedish Match, Sweden.

The flavor stability in the bagged wet fill of samples 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Table 8 was measured. Each sample initially contained 13.6 mg/g flavor. After storage for 16 days at 22°C, the amount of flavor remaining in the wet filler was found to be as shown in Table 11.

Table 11 Sample Measured amount of carvone after 16 days (mg/g) Sample 1 2.55 Sample 2 3.1 Sample 3 3.59 Sample 4 3.63

The amount of flavoring was found to be reduced less in the presence of monoglyceride (sample 2 and 3) or in the presence of a combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride (sample 4) compared to a sample without monoglyceride and triglyceride (sample 1).

Measured the stability of the flavor in the filler of the packaged nicotine product in samples 7, 8 and 9 in Table 8b. Each sample initially contained 18.0 mg/g flavor. After storage for 21 days at 22°C, the amount of flavor remaining in the wet filler was found to be as shown in Table 12.

Table 12 Sample Measured amount of limonene after 21 days (mg/g) Sample 7 0.52 Sample 8 1.26 Sample 9 3.93

The amount of flavoring was found to be reduced less in the presence of monoglyceride (sample 8) or in the presence of a combination of monoglyceride and triglyceride (sample 9) compared to a sample without monoglyceride and triglyceride (sample 7).

Measured the tensile strength for sample 1 and sample 2, which were kept at 8°C for four days. The measurement was carried out as described here in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 13.

Table 13 Sample Peel strength (N/mm) Sample 1 0.0658 Sample 2 0.1214

It was concluded that the presence of monoglyceride increased the strength of the sealed pouch seal (sample 2) compared to the corresponding sample without monoglyceride (sample 1).

Claims (27)

1. An oral pouch nicotine product comprising a wet fill and a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material containing the wet fill, the wet fill containing: - dispersed non-tobacco material; - non-encapsulated non-dispersible flavor; - source of nicotine; - pH regulator; And - monoglyceride; wherein the wet filler has a moisture content in the range of 30% to 60% by weight based on the total weight of the wet filler; wherein the oral pouch nicotine product does not contain tobacco material; or contains tobacco material in an amount of from 0.1% to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.1% to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. 2. An oral pouch nicotine product according to claim 1, wherein the wet fill has a moisture content within the range of 40% to 60% by weight, in particular 35% to 55% by weight, or 35% to 45% by weight, or 30% to 40% by weight or 50% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. 3. The oral pouch nicotine product of claim 1 or 2, wherein the monoglyceride is present in an amount within a range of 0.1% to 10% by weight, such as 0.1% to 6% by weight, such as 0 1% to 5% by weight, such as 0.5% to 5% by weight, such as 0.5% to 3% by weight, such as 1% to 4% by weight, or such as from 1% to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet filler. 4. An oral nicotine pouch product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monoglyceride is a single monoglyceride, such as sunflower oil monoglyceride, or a mixture of different monoglycerides. 5. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monoglyceride comprises one or more of the following: sunflower oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, lard, tallow, palm oil, coconut oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil oils, cocoa butter, palmoleic oil, shea butter, mango seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, linseed oil, rosehip seed oil, argan oil, sesame oil, oil Macadamia, Wheat Germ Oil, Broccoli Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Milk Thistle Oil, Walnut Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Canola Oil, Sesame Oil, Mustard Oil, Beech Oil, Cashew Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Pecan Oil , Pine Nut Oil, Pistachio Oil, Grapefruit Seed Oil, Lemon Oil, Orange Essential Oil, Pumpkin Oil, Oil from watermelon seeds, citrus oils, melon and pumpkin seed oils, flax seed oils. 6. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet fill comprises a particulate non-tobacco material in an amount of 30% to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill. 7. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate non-tobacco material comprises cellulose, such as cellulose selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose and powdered cellulose. 8. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-encapsulated non-dispersible flavor is a hydrophobic flavor. 9. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-encapsulated, non-dispersible flavor is an oil, liquid, or mixture thereof. 10. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet fill comprises flavor within the range of 0.5% to 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill. 11. The oral pouch nicotine product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet fill comprises a nicotine source in the range of 1.0% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the wet fill. 12. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nicotine source is a nicotine salt selected from the group consisting of nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine chloride monohydrate zinc, and nicotine salicylate, and any combination thereof, nicotine base and/or nicotine bound to an ion exchange resin such as nicotine polacrilex. 13. An oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet fill further comprises water-insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of corn fibers, oat fibers, tomato fibers, barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, buckwheat fibers. , wheat fibers, pea fibers, potato fibers, apple fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers, citrus fibers, and any combination thereof. 14. The oral pouch nicotine product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-tobacco particulate material, non-encapsulated flavor, nicotine source, pH adjuster, monoglyceride, and optionally tobacco material are intimately mixed. 15. A method of manufacturing a wet filler for an oral pouched nicotine product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, including stages: - providing a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt, - adding a monoglyceride to a mixture containing a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source, thereby forming a mixture comprising a particulate non-tobacco material, a nicotine source, and a monoglyceride, - adding water to a mixture containing a non-tobacco material and a nicotine source such as a nicotine salt and a monoglyceride, moreover, the pH adjuster is added at and/or after any of the above steps, the non-encapsulated flavorant is added at and/or after any of the above steps, and, optionally, the tobacco material is added at and/or after any of the above steps. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of placing the wet filler in a saliva-permeable pouch of packaging material, thereby forming an oral pouch nicotine product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14.

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