COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING TEA, TEA-LIKE OR OTHER NON-TOBACCO LEAF-LIKE MATERIAL

Abstract

A non-tobacco formulation for oral administration in dry form includes a non-tobacco tea-like composition comprising plant material, an additive mixed with the composition and responsive to being wetted by a user's saliva to cause gaseous bubbles to be released and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth, and a liquid-porous container (e.g., a pouch) having walls enclosing the composition and additive therein while permitting liquid to pass therethrough. Alternatively the additive may coat the pouch walls.

Claims

1. A non-tobacco formulation product for oral administration in dry form to a user comprising; a non-tobacco tea-like composition comprising solid plant material; an additive mixed with said composition and responsive to being wetted by the user's saliva to cause gaseous bubbles to be released and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth; and a liquid-porous container enclosing the composition and additive therein while permitting liquid to pass therethrough; wherein water content of said composition is between 0% and 3% by weight.

2. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 1 wherein said additive has the gaseous bubbles entrapped therein.

3. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2 wherein said additive comprises a CO.sub.2-infused sugar or sugar substitute based solid.

4. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2 wherein said additive comprises at least one of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid.

5. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2 further comprising medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil as a particle binder.

6. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2: wherein said composition includes at least some particles that dissolve in saliva; wherein said container is a pouch comprising mesh-like walls with interstices for passing saliva therethrough, the interstices being sufficiently small to block passage therethrough of the contained solid composition except for particles fully or partially dissolved in saliva.

7. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2 wherein said composition further includes some or all of the following constituents: green tea, MCT oil, water-soluble extract of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), water-soluble extract of cannabidiol (CBD), plant material harvested from Cannabis Sativa and other tea or leaf ingredients.

8. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 2 wherein said composition further includes some or all of the following constituents: water soluble Tetrahydrocannbidiol extract, oil soluble Tetrahydrocannabidiol extract, Tetrahydrocannabidiol, water soluble Cannabidiol extract, oil soluble Cannabidiol extract, and/or Cannabidiol.

9. A non-tobacco formulation for oral administration in dry form to a user comprising; a non-tobacco tea-like composition comprising plant material; a liquid-porous container having walls containing the composition while permitting liquid to pass therethrough; and an additive coating said container walls and responsive to being wetted by the user's saliva to cause gaseous bubbles to be released and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth.

10. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 9 wherein said additive has the gaseous bubbles entrapped therein.

11. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10 wherein said additive comprises a CO.sub.2-infused sugar or sugar substitute based solid.

12. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10 wherein said additive further comprises at least one of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid.

13. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10 further comprising medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil as a particle binder.

14. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10: wherein said composition includes at least some particles that dissolve in saliva; and wherein said container is a pouch comprising mesh-like walls with interstices for passing liquid therethrough, the interstices being sufficiently small to block passage therethrough of the contained solid composition except for particles fully or partially dissolved in saliva.

15. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10 wherein said composition further includes some or all of the following constituents: green tea, MCT oil, water-soluble extract of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), water-soluble extract of cannabidiol (CBD), plant material harvested from Cannabis Sativa and other tea or leaf ingredients.

16. The non-tobacco formulation product of claim 10 wherein said composition further includes some or all of the following constituents: water soluble Tetra hydrocannbidiol extract, oil soluble Tetrahydrocannabidiol extract, Tetrahydrocannabidiol, water soluble Cannabidiol extract, oil soluble Cannabidiol extract, and/or Cannabidiol.

17. A non-tobacco formulation comprising: a non-tobacco composition comprising green tea; an additive mixed with said composition and responsive to being wetted by the user's saliva to cause gaseous bubbles to be released and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth; wherein water content of said composition is between 0% and 3% by weight.

18. The non-tobacco formulation of claim 17 wherein said additive has the gaseous bubbles entrapped therein and comprises a CO.sub.2-infused sugar or sugar substitute based solid said additive.

19. The non-tobacco formulation of claim 18 further comprising medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil as a particle binder.

20. A product including the non-tobacco formulation of claim 17 further comprising: a liquid-porous container having walls containing the composition while permitting liquid to pass therethrough; wherein said container is a pouch comprising mesh-like walls with interstices for passing saliva therethrough, the interstices being sufficiently small to block passage therethrough of the contained solid composition except for particles fully or partially dissolved in saliva.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosure will now be described, partially with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a pouch for containing the composition of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 1B is a perspective view in longitudinal section of the pouch FIG. 1A showing the contained composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] Terminology

[0017] The following terms shall have the following meanings in the following disclosure and claims:

[0018] Pouch means a liquid-porous container configured for placement in the mouth of a user and to contain pieces of the compositions and formulations described herein while permitting those pieces to be wetted and/or soaked by saliva. The liquid porosity may be provided by the pouch material or, preferably, by providing the material as a web or screen with interstices for passing liquid therethrough.

[0019] Particlized means pieces of the compositions and formulations described herein, the pieces being large enough to not be able to pass through interstices of the pouch.

[0020] The embodiments in this disclosure are described more fully hereinafter, partially with reference to the accompanying drawings of the pouch. The subject matter of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described specifically herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated or made clear from the context in which it is described, alternative and optional constituents or combinations in any of the disclosed embodiments and examples are interchangeable with each other. That is, a component described in one embodiment or example should be understood to be interchangeable or substitutable for one or more corresponding but different components in another described example or embodiment and, likewise, an optional feature of one embodiment or example may optionally also be used in other embodiments and examples. More generally, the elements and features of any disclosed example or embodiment should be understood to be disclosed generally for use with other aspects and other examples and embodiments. A reference to a component, additive or ingredient being operative or configured to perform one or more specified functions or the like, or included for a particular purpose including flavoring or for volume in the product, or for effect of the ingredient, is intended to mean that it can perform such functions in at least certain embodiments, and may well be able to perform also one or more other functions and/or operations.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a formulation includes an additive containing multiple gaseous bubbles and comprising liquid activated CO.sub.2-infused sugar or sugar substitute-based solids as ingredients in an amount between 1% and 99% by weight of the formulation. Alternatively, the additive containing multiple gaseous bubbles includes liquid activated sugar or sugar substitute-based solids and sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid as ingredients in an amount between 1% and 99% by weight of the formulation. The formulations are for oral administration and may additionally contain green tea and/or other teas or leaf ingredients, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and such other ingredients as set forth in US20160324777 (Victor et al). The formulations may be provided as loose pieces in a container or, preferably, as pieces enclosed within a liquid-porous pouch or similar structure made of a natural and/or synthetic material. In addition to the formulations, the methods of making these formulations and the methods for oral use thereof are also aspects of the disclosure,

[0023] In other embodiments of the disclosure the liquid-activated CO.sub.2-infused sugar or sugar substitute-based solids with or without flavoring and, alternatively, liquid-activated, sugar or sugar substitute-based solids further comprised of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid with or without flavoring, are substantially, or de facto, the only ingredients within the pouch or similar structure for oral administration.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the above described liquid activated additive with contained bubbles, with and/or without flavor, comprises between 0.1% and 99.0% of the weight of the composition with the additive adhered or otherwise fixed to the exterior of the pouch, or similar liquid pervious structure, and distinct from the formulation within the pouch or structure, which formulation may contain green tea and/or other leaf material, and may additionally contain a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, and such other ingredients as set forth in aforementioned US20160324777. The water content of the formulation is preferably substantially 0% and in any event less than 3% by weight. The pouch or similar structure is comprised of a natural and/or synthetic liquid-porous material.

[0025] Depending on the intensity of the tactile oral tingling sensation desired from a particular embodiment in which the additive is part of the composition, the additive may comprise anywhere from 0% to 99% by weight of the composition.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment the composition may contain any of the aforesaid additives plus one or more of green tea and/or other tea or leaf ingredients, MCT oil, water-soluble extract of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), water-soluble extract of cannabidiol (CBD), plant material harvested from Cannabis Sativa, and some or all of those ingredients set forth in US20160324777.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment the composition may contain any of the aforesaid additives and further comprise one or more of the following: water soluble Tetrahydrocannbidiol extract, oil soluble Tetrahydrocannabidiol extract, Tetrahydrocannabidiol as existing in leaf or other form, water soluble Cannabidiol extract, oil soluble Cannabidiol extract, and/or Cannabidiol as existing in leaf or other form. The composition may additionally comprise green tea and/or other tea or leaf ingredients, MCT oil, plant material harvested from Cannabis Sativa, and some or all of those ingredients set forth in the embodiments and claims set forth in US20160324777.

[0028] Since the compositions of the present invention contain no more than 3% water and, optimally, substantially 0% water by weight, the formulations described herein are functionally, if not de facto, dry, in contrast to many tobacco pouch products that are intentionally provided moist to achieve their intended functions and purposes. The dry formulation used in the present disclosure permits the liquid-activated constituents described herein to remain dormant until activated by saliva in a user's mouth.

[0029] The MCT oil, when used in some disclosed embodiments, represents up to 30% by weight of the formulations and serves as a binder for the small particle dry ingredients because: (1) in the manufacturing process, as the dry constituents are injected, deposited, released or otherwise inserted into a pouch or other similar structure, the smaller particle dry ingredients can become aerosolized and result in problems with equipment, labor and quality control; and 2) water is an undesirable ingredient in the formulations of the disclosure because a high water activity level can cause the formation of, and support the existence of, yeast, mold and bacteria. Other liquids, like ethyl alcohol, which might not cause health risks of water and which might evaporate quickly, are undesirable in that they are combustible.

[0030] Liquid-activated CO.sub.2-infused, sugar or sugar substitute-based solids, or, alternatively, liquid-activated, sugar or sugar substitute-based solids further comprised of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid, are typically and readily commercially available to retail consumers when further comprised of flavoring elements. When such aforementioned liquid-activated solid components are not further comprised of flavoring elements, the resulting components are not generally or desirably ingested by consumers.

[0031] Embodiments described herein, because they are formulated to be comprised of substantially 0% water or functionally, if not de facto dry or in any event less than 3% water, are well suited to a formulation with added elements comprising liquid-activated, CO.sub.2-infused solids since those elements must not be exposed to moisture during formulation, processing or storage.

[0032] The pouch for containing the formulations of the preferred embodiments is porous to liquid and preferably made from a web material in which the interstices are small enough to permit saliva to pass through but large enough to prevent passage of the particlized components of the contained composition. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example of a filled pouch 1. The pouch may be filled with any of the compositions and additives 100 disclosed herein; alternatively, the pouch may be coated with an additive as described. The pouch 1 may have a first closed end 52 and a second closed end 54 and may be comprised of an upper pouch 56 and a lower pouch 58. A first side 60 has a first side wall 59 optionally having a first side pleat 57. A second side 62 of the pouch has a second side wall 63 optionally having a second side pleat 64. The example pouch of FIG. 1A is generally rectangular pouch but it will be understood that the pouch may have any configuration consistent with the functional requirements described herein. As noted, the pouch material 50 is in the form of a web. A cross-sectional view of pouch 1 filled with the composition materials 99 is shown in FIG. 1B.

[0033] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the disclosure herein has the following features:

[0034] (a) a bubble-containing additive to a tea-like composition enclosed in a liquid-porous pouch, wherein the additive is responsive to saliva to cause the gaseous bubbles to release and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth;

[0035] (b) a bubble-containing substance enclosed in a liquid-porous pouch, wherein the substance is responsive to saliva to cause the gaseous bubbles to release and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth; and

[0036] (c) a bubble-containing additive coating a liquid-porous pouch that contains a tea-like composition, wherein the additive is responsive to saliva to cause the gaseous bubbles to release and provide a popping or cracking sensation in the user's mouth.

[0037] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word a or an should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to one embodiment of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the described features.

[0038] The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, other various embodiments of and modifications to the present disclosure, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to reside within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of particular formulations, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in substantially any number of formulations. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.