An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

The invention relates to a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture for use in a water pipe or hookah, comprising a fluid containing water as well as containing glycerin and/or 1,2-propanediol and comprising at least one thickening agent, which is distributed in the fluid (1).

The invention also relates to the use of such a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture in a water pipe or hookah and a method for producing a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, wherein a fluid is mixed with a thickening agent, such that it forms a mixture with the thickening agent.

The invention relates to a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture for use in a water pipe or hookah, comprising a fluid containing water as well as containing glycerin and/or 1,2-propanediol and comprising at least one thickening agent, which is distributed in the fluid (1).

The invention also relates to the use of such a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture in a water pipe or hookah and a method for producing a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, wherein a fluid is mixed with a thickening agent, such that it forms a mixture with the thickening agent.

A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

The present invention relates to a packaging material for use in a pouched product for oral use in order to enclose a filling material. The packaging material is a saliva-permeable nonwoven material comprising fibres. The packaging material is a wetlaid nonwoven material, or, alternatively, the fibres are carded and the nonwoven material is hydroentangled, or, alternatively, the fibres are carded and the packaging material has a basis weight ≤30 g/m.sup.2. 50%-100% of the fibres are cellulose-based staple fibres, and 0%-50% of the fibres are thermoplastic fibres, with % numbers being based on total weight of fibres at 21° C. and 50% RH. The packaging material further comprising at least 10% of a binder, taken as a wt % of a total weight of the packaging material. The present invention also relates to a pouched product for oral use comprising such a packaging material. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing of a packaging material for a pouched product for oral use.

The present invention relates to a packaging material for use in a pouched product for oral use in order to enclose a filling material. The packaging material is a saliva-permeable nonwoven material comprising fibres. The packaging material is a wetlaid nonwoven material, or, alternatively, the fibres are carded and the nonwoven material is hydroentangled, or, alternatively, the fibres are carded and the packaging material has a basis weight ≤30 g/m.sup.2. 50%-100% of the fibres are cellulose-based staple fibres, and 0%-50% of the fibres are thermoplastic fibres, with % numbers being based on total weight of fibres at 21° C. and 50% RH. The packaging material further comprising at least 10% of a binder, taken as a wt % of a total weight of the packaging material. The present invention also relates to a pouched product for oral use comprising such a packaging material. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing of a packaging material for a pouched product for oral use.

The present invention generally relates to methods and materials involved in producing tobacco plants having reduced levels of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine. In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, tobacco plants comprising mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof. In other embodiments, the invention is directed toward nicotine demethylase RNA interference, tobacco plants comprising a nicotine demethylase RNA interference transgene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof.

A melt spun tobacco composition, e.g., in flake or particle form, for oral use in a mammal made by melt spinning comprising tobacco and/or a tobacco extract and at least one material which is solid at room temperature, which melts at or below 500° F., and carries from 1% to 70% of tobacco when processed through melt spinning, and solidifies again in less than 5 seconds after melt spinning.

A melt spun tobacco composition, e.g., in flake or particle form, for oral use in a mammal made by melt spinning comprising tobacco and/or a tobacco extract and at least one material which is solid at room temperature, which melts at or below 500° F., and carries from 1% to 70% of tobacco when processed through melt spinning, and solidifies again in less than 5 seconds after melt spinning.

The disclosure provides methods of preparing pouched products which includes the production of an agglomerated composition situated with a cavity of an outer water-permeable pouch. The pouched agglomerate can be dosed with a given amount of moisture, resulting in at least partial degradation and/or expansion of the agglomerated composition into powdered form. Pouched products prepared according to such methods are also described.