Porous plastic smokeless tobacco substitutes

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing synthetic substitutes for smokeless tobacco are provided. In one form, the application relates to systems for cessation of smokeless tobacco use and methods for making and using same. More particularly, but not exclusively, the application relates to the use of a plurality of porous plastic dispensing members sized and structured to imitate a quantity of smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco. The porous plastic members define a matrix including an internal network of passages in communication with pores on the exterior of the dispensing members. Residing within the matrix is a dispensate imitative of one or more characteristics of smokeless tobacco which is extractable from the matrix upon exposure to a fluid. In one form, the dispensate may be a tobacco derivative including one or more of nicotine, tobacco flavoring, menthol, vitamins, minerals, therapeutic agents, and/or additional flavoring.

1 . A system for providing a smokeless tobacco substitute, comprising:
 a plurality of dispensing members sized and structured to imitate a quantity of smokeless tobacco, wherein each of said plurality of dispensing members comprises a porous plastic material, said porous plastic material including a matrix defining an internal network of passages and pores on an exposed surface of said matrix in fluid communication with said passages; and   a tobacco substituting dispensate residing within said passages of said matrix which is extractable therefrom upon placement of said plurality of dispensing members within an internal cavity of a human user.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pores have an average size of from about 20 microns to about 200 microns. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensate comprises an aqueous fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensate comprises a non-aqueous fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said non-aqueous fluid is selected from the group consisting of a gas and an oil. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensate includes an additive selected from the group consisting of a flavoring, a pharmaceutical, a nutritional supplement, caffeine, a dietary supplement, water and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said flavoring is a member selected from the group consisting of: spearmint, cinnamon, raspberry, orange, rose, wintergreen, mint, apple, vanilla, peach, citrus, cherry, menthol, camphor and whiskey. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said thermoplastic polymer comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensate is a tobacco substitute. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said matrix of said porous plastic material is operable to wick the dispensate toward a saliva source. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensate includes at least one of nicotine, tobacco flavoring and vitamin A. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said dispensing members is defined by an elongated strip of said porous plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said dispensing members is defined by a particle of said porous plastic. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said dispensing members is defined by a pliable sheet of said porous plastic. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of dispensing members is positioned in a fluid permeable and sealable membrane, said membrane being structured to permit said dispensate to pass from said plurality of dispensing members therethrough. 
   
   
       17 . A method, comprising:
 providing a porous plastic material comprising a matrix defining an internal network of passages and pores on an exposed surface of said matrix in fluid communication with said passages;   dividing said material into a plurality of individual components sized and structured to imitate a quantity of smokeless tobacco; and   wherein said material includes a tobacco substitute within the passages of said matrix, said tobacco substitute being extractable therefrom upon placement of said plurality of individual components within an internal cavity of a human user.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said quantity of smokeless tobacco is selected from the group consisting of tobacco leaves and dip. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said tobacco substitute comprises a tobacco extract. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said tobacco extract includes an additive selected from the group consisting of: nicotine, menthol, flavoring, vitamins, minerals, and therapeutic agents. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein dividing said material includes shredding said material into a plurality of shreds. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein dividing said material includes shredding said material into a plurality of elongated strips. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said material includes a thickness and dividing said material includes shaving a plurality of pliable layers from said thickness. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a liquid permeable and sealable membrane and placing said plurality of individual components into said membrane. 
   
   
       25 . A method for introducing a smokeless tobacco substitute to a human user, comprising:
 providing a plurality of dispensing members sized and structured to imitate a quantity of smokeless tobacco, wherein each of said dispensing members comprises a porous plastic matrix defining an internal network of passages and pores on an exposed surface of said matrix in fluid communication with said passages, said passages including the smokeless tobacco substitute positioned therein; and   placing said plurality of dispensing members into the mouth of a user to cause the smokeless tobacco substitute to be released to the user.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said smokeless tobacco substitute is saliva-soluble and wherein contact with saliva extracts said smokeless tobacco substitute from said exterior pores of said matrix and said internal passages of said matrix. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said matrix is structured to wick said smokeless tobacco substitute through said network of passages toward a saliva source. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said smokeless tobacco substitute includes a tobacco extract. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said smokeless tobacco substitute includes an additive selected from the group consisting of: vitamins, minerals, menthol, synthetic flavoring, nicotine, tobacco flavor, and therapeutic agents.