Tobacco lozenge

Abstract

A tobacco lozenge includes a body configured to be wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a matrix including a soluble fiber in an amount greater than or equal to 60 weight percent of the body, tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the matrix, and an additive dispersed in the matrix.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a lozenges, the method comprising:
 forming a mixture at a mixture temperature of less than or equal to 200° C., the mixture including soluble fibers in an amount greater than or equal to 95 weight percent, water, and an additive; and   portioning the mixture into a lozenge including a body, the body including a matrix comprising the soluble fibers and the additive dispersed within the matrix.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is tobacco. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein tobacco is included in an amount greater than or equal to 1 weight percent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forming comprises:
 mixing the soluble fibers and the additive in an extruder.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the portioning includes
 extruding the mixture, and   reshaping the mixture after the mixture is extruded.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive includes colorants, sweeteners, flavorants, plasticizers, antioxidants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the additive is tobacco plant tissue, and   the forming a mixture includes mixing dry ingredients including the soluble fibers and the tobacco plant tissue at a first location to form a powder.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the forming the mixture comprises:
 mixing a group of solution ingredients including water and a sweetener at a second location.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the forming the mixture comprises:
 mixing the dry ingredients and the group of solution ingredients in a first stage of an extruder at a temperature between 100° C. and 120° C. to form the mixture.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 adding a flavor into the mixture downstream of the first stage of the extruder.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the soluble fibers includes maltodextrin, psyllium, inulin, arabinoxylans, cellulose, resistant starch, resistant dextrins, lignin, pectins, beta-glucans, oligosaccharides, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive includes a medium chain triglyceride. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture is free of sugar and sugar alcohols. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture has a glass transition temperature ranging from 50° C. to 120° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive includes an energizing agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture includes less than 5 weight percent water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the soluble fibers are digestion-resistant soluble fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portioning includes:
 extruding the mixture into a sheet, and   cutting lozenges from the sheet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lozenges are cut using a stamping die. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lozenges are cut while the mixture is at a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the mixture.