Tobacco compositions

Abstract

The invention features tobacco compositions and methods of their use and manufacture. Compositions of the invention may be based on a variety of technologies. Technologies include films, tabs, shaped parts, gels, consumable units, insoluble matrices, and hollow shapes. In addition to tobacco, compositions may also contain flavors, colors, and other additives as described herein. Compositions may also be orally disintegrable. Exemplary compositions and methods of their manufacture are described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An orally-disintegrable film comprising:
 a water-soluble polymer in an amount ranging from 20 weight percent to weight percent; and   tobacco in an amount ranging from 20 weight percent to 40 weight percent.   
     
     
         22 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the water-soluble polymer includes a water-soluble cellulose-derivative including hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the water-soluble polymer includes a synthetic water-soluble polymer including polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water-soluble cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, methylvinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, an acrylic acid copolymer, an anionic polymer of methacrylic acid and methacrylate, a cationic polymers with dimethyl-aminoethyl ammonium functional groups, a polyethylene oxide, water soluble polyamide, polyester, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a soluble fiber in an amount ranging from 2 weight percent to 20 weight percent.   
     
     
         25 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 an insoluble fiber in an amount ranging from 5 weight percent to 20 weight percent.   
     
     
         26 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 microcrystalline cellulose.   
     
     
         27 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a plasticizer in an amount ranging from 5 weight percent to 15 weight percent.   
     
     
         28 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a starch in an amount ranging from 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent.   
     
     
         29 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 maltodextrin in an amount ranging from 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent.   
     
     
         30 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the tobacco is in a form of a powder having an average particle size of less than 80 μm. 
     
     
         31 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 titanium dioxide.   
     
     
         32 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 sodium lauryl sulfate, and wherein the film is a foamed film.   
     
     
         33 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , comprising:
 a first portion including,
 the water-soluble polymer, and 
 the tobacco; and 
   a second portion including
 a plurality of flakes including,
 gum arabic, and 
 propylene glycol monostearate. 
 
   
     
     
         34 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of flakes further includes a tobacco powder. 
     
     
         35 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of flakes further includes a flavorant. 
     
     
         36 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of flakes further includes an artificial sweetener. 
     
     
         37 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the film has a thickness ranging from 5 μm to 125 μm. 
     
     
         38 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the film is a single-layer film. 
     
     
         39 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 21 , wherein the film is a multi-layer film. 
     
     
         40 . The orally-disintegrable film of  claim 39 , wherein
 the film includes a first layer and a second layer, and   at least a portion of the tobacco is between the first layer and the second layer.