Nicotine pouch product container, and method of consuming nicotine pouch products in nicotine pouch product container

Abstract

To provide a nicotine pouch product container, and a method of consuming nicotine pouch products in the nicotine pouch product container.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a nicotine product, and more specifically, a nicotine pouch product container, a method of consuming a nicotine pouch product, and nicotine pouches and an oral product included in the nicotine pouch product container. Specifically, the nicotine pouch product container includes: a plurality of nicotine pouches for nicotine oral delivery having a pH ranging from 7.5 to 11; and at least one oral product including a buffer component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to nicotine products, and more particularly to containers for nicotine pouch products, methods of consuming nicotine pouch products, and nicotine pouches and oral products contained within the containers for nicotine pouch products. The nicotine pouch products are configured for oral use and deliver substances such as flavors and / or active ingredients during use. Such products may include tobacco or tobacco-derived products, or may be tobacco-free alternatives. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of reduced-risk or modified-risk tobacco products has increased dramatically as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products.

[0003] An alternative to traditional tobacco products is smokeless articles, which rely on saliva to extract soluble substances such as nicotine and / or flavours from ingredients contained in the smokeless article, typically from tobacco.

[0004] Some conventional smokeless articles have a saliva-permeable pouch to contain the contents, see, for example, (Patent Document 1) which relates to an oral tobacco product that allows a user to ingest tobacco components through saliva, and (Patent Document 2) which relates to an oral tobacco product for a user to absorb tobacco components through saliva, and also provides a storage case for storing such a smokeless article.

[0005] Nicotine is known to be basic, and the nicotine component used in smokeless articles is usually present in a free base form, a salt form, a complex, or a solvate to provide its oral absorption. For example, (Patent Document 3) discloses several components that may be included in smokeless articles with respect to saliva-soluble stimulant units, and also explains that the pH of saliva during consumption of a smokeless article may become basic in consideration of the absorption of nicotine.

[0006] Each user may experience different levels of basicity in a product. Some users may begin to experience basicity when the pH of the smokeless article is 9, while others may begin to experience basicity when the pH of the smokeless article is greater than 9. For example, if the pH of a smokeless product is 9.5, the sensation in the user's mouth associated with consuming such a smokeless product may range from a mere tickling sensation for one user to significant oral discomfort for another user. Traditionally, water dilution has been recommended to address the oral discomfort associated with consuming products with medium to high basicity. However, water is not always accessible, and water dilution may not be very effective and may be very time consuming. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0073588A1 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2010 / 147024A1 Brochure [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 91 / 06288A1 Brochure [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] The Treatment of Alkaline Burns of the Skin by Neutralization, Kris Andrews, MD, Arian Mowlavi, MD, and Stephen M. Milner, MB, BS, BDS, FRCS(Ed.), FACS Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] It would be desirable to have a solution on demand for users to alleviate the possible discomfort associated with the consumption of smokeless products having a pH above 9. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides a container for a nicotine pouch product that solves some or all of the above problems.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container for a nicotine pouch product, comprising: a plurality of nicotine pouches for oral delivery of nicotine having a pH in the range of 7.5 to 11; At least one oral product comprising a buffer component; Including, the plurality of nicotine pouches have a pH distribution including a low pH side of the pH distribution and a high pH side of the pH distribution; the buffering component in the at least one oral product is used in an amount sufficient to reduce an elevated pH that occurs in the user's oral cavity as a result of use of a nicotine pouch selected from a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH on the high pH side of a pH distribution; A container for a nicotine pouch product is provided.

[0012] With this solution of having one or more such oral products in each container of a nicotine pouch, the discomfort caused by basic nicotine pouches can be easily and quickly addressed and alleviated.

[0013] In a second aspect of the disclosure according to the first aspect, the high side of the pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches comprises nicotine pouches having a pH in the range of 9 to 11, and the high side of the pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches represents 35% or less of the total pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches, preferably 25% or less, more preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less.

[0014] This solution allows for a sufficient amount of buffering ingredient (acidity and amount of oral product) to be placed within the container for basic nicotine pouches that may cause discomfort to the user.

[0015] In a third aspect of the disclosure according to the first or second aspect, the buffering component in the oral product is in an amount sufficient to reduce the elevated pH of the user's oral cavity resulting from use of a nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11 to a pH in the range of 6 to 8, preferably 6.5 to 7.5.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the above aspects, the oral product is in a solid form, preferably a patch, chewing gum, capsule, or crush ball.

[0017] This arrangement makes the oral product easier for the user to consume.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the oral product is disposed separately from the nicotine pouch.

[0019] This arrangement ensures that the oral product is not in the same container as the nicotine pouch. Therefore, this arrangement avoids any chemical reaction between the oral product and the nicotine pouch. For example, this arrangement can avoid moisture balance reactions between the oral product and the nicotine pouch, which leads to a decrease in moisture content in the nicotine pouch and an increase in moisture content in the oral product. The change in moisture content of the nicotine pouch and the increase in moisture content in the oral product can lead to a poor user experience.

[0020] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the previous aspects, the oral product comprising a buffering component is substantially free of nicotine.

[0021] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the above aspects, each of the plurality of nicotine pouches has an outer surface with a first indicia, and the oral product including a buffering component has an outer surface with a second indicia, the first indicia being different from the second indicia, and preferably the first indicia and the second indicia include a color, a printed pattern, and / or an embossed pattern.

[0022] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure according to the fifth or sixth aspect, a container for a nicotine pouch product comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, a plurality of nicotine pouches are disposed in the first chamber, and an oral product comprising a buffering component is contained in the second chamber.

[0023] This configuration allows the user to easily distinguish between the nicotine product and the oral product.

[0024] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the oral product comprising a buffering component is disposed within a plurality of nicotine pouches.

[0025] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the above aspects, the buffer component consists of or comprises an acidic component, a mixture of different acidic components, or a mixture of an acidic component and a basic component, wherein the acidic component is preferably an organic acid, more preferably citric acid.

[0026] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure according to the previous aspects, the oral product comprising an acidic component comprises 2-10% by weight, preferably 3-8% by weight, even more preferably 4-6% by weight of citric acid.

[0027] With this arrangement, the oral product is effective in rapid tissue neutralization and reduced discomfort compared to water irrigation alone, without the increased risk of tissue damage associated with the exothermic nature of acid-base reactions.

[0028] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the acidic component is in powder and / or liquid form.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the previous aspect, the liquid acidic component is contained in a capsule or in a crush ball.

[0030] In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the oral product comprising a buffering component comprises a flavoring agent.

[0031] This arrangement makes ingesting the oral product easier and more comfortable for the user.

[0032] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of consuming a nicotine pouch product comprising a plurality of nicotine pouches and at least one oral product, the method comprising: consuming a nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11 from a plurality of nicotine pouches for oral delivery of nicotine; consuming an oral product that includes a buffering component in an amount sufficient to reduce the elevated pH that occurs in the user's oral cavity as a result of consuming a nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11; A method of consumption is provided, comprising:

[0033] Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a container for a nicotine pouch product of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a box plot graph showing the pH ranges of several nicotine pouch product lines. [Diagram 3] 1 is a graph showing the distribution of nicotine pouches contained within a container for a nicotine pouch product. [Figure 4] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of several embodiments of nicotine pouches and oral products of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Provided herein is a container that includes a pouch product configured for oral use. As used herein, the term "configured for oral use" means that the pouch product is provided in such a manner that one or more of the ingredients of the mixture (e.g., flavoring agent, sweetener, buffering ingredient, and / or nicotine) are carried into the user's mouth by saliva in the user's mouth during use. In certain embodiments, the pouch product is adapted to deliver a releasable ingredient to the user through the mucous membrane in the user's mouth, and in some cases, the releasable ingredient can be an active ingredient that can be absorbed through the mucous membrane in the user's mouth during use of the product.

[0036] As used herein, "active ingredient" refers to one or more substances belonging to any of the following categories: API (active pharmaceutical ingredient), food additive, natural drug, and naturally occurring substances that may have an effect on humans. Exemplary active ingredients include any ingredient known to affect one or more biological functions in the body, such as ingredients that provide pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or affect the structure or any function of the human body (e.g., providing a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, an energizing effect, an antipyretic or analgesic effect, or otherwise providing a beneficial effect on the body). In some embodiments, the active ingredient may be of the type commonly referred to as a dietary supplement, nutraceutical, "phytochemical," or "functional food." These types of additives are sometimes defined in the art as encompassing substances (e.g., plant materials) that provide one or more beneficial biological effects (e.g., health promotion, disease prevention, or other medicinal properties), but that are not classified or regulated as drugs, typically available from naturally occurring sources. Non-limiting examples of active ingredients include those within the categories of botanicals, stimulants, amino acids, nicotine ingredients, and / or pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin C, and / or cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)).

[0037] As used herein, the term "nicotine" preferably refers to nicotine extracted from tobacco. Nicotine may be provided in a number of different forms, for example, as a complex with an ion exchange resin, as a salt, or as a free base, but not in the form of tobacco or powdered tobacco.

[0038] The specific selection of actives will vary depending on the desired flavor, texture, and desired properties of a particular product. The percentage of actives present will vary depending on the desired properties of a particular product. Typically, the actives or combinations thereof will be present at a total concentration of at least about 0.001% by weight of the total product, such as in the range of about 0.001% to about 30%. As used herein, "weight percent of releasable ingredient" refers to the weight percent of releasable ingredient relative to the total weight of the oral composition, not including the weight of the pouch material.

[0039] In addition, the term "pouch" is intended to mean a container typically formed by a web of fibrous material surrounding a cavity. The pouch is a pouch designed for administration of active ingredients into the oral cavity, and therefore the pouch is adapted for oral use, non-toxic and non-water-soluble. The fibrous material may form a woven or non-woven web or fabric. The pouch may be sealed, for example, by gluing two corresponding pieces of web or fabric together along their edges to form a cavity for the nicotine and the water-insoluble composition. To release the active ingredients, the pouch is made saliva-permeable to allow saliva from the oral cavity to penetrate the pouch and enter the oral cavity, where the saliva can contact the active ingredients, thereby releasing said active ingredients from the oral pouch.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a container 1 for nicotine pouch products includes a plurality of nicotine pouches 3, at least one oral product 2 different from the nicotine pouches 3, and a storage case 4. The number of oral products 2 shown in FIG. 1 is merely schematic. The number of oral products 2 contained in the storage case 4 can be any number, and preferably, the number of oral products 2 is in the range of 1 to 10. In a preferred embodiment, the number of oral products 2 contained in the storage case 4 is 10 or less oral products 2, more preferably 8 or less oral products 2, more preferably 6 or less oral products 2, more preferably 4 or less oral products 2, even more preferably 3 or less oral products 2, particularly 2 or less oral products 2, and most preferably only 1 oral product 2. In a preferred embodiment, the number of nicotine pouches 3 contained in the container 4 can be any number, preferably at least 10 nicotine pouches, more preferably at least 20 nicotine pouches, even more preferably at least 40 nicotine pouches, particularly at least 60 nicotine pouches, and most preferably at least 100 nicotine pouches. In another preferred embodiment, the number of nicotine pouches 3 in the container 1 for nicotine pouch products ranges from 15 to 35, most preferably from 20 to 30, and even more preferably from 20 to 25. In another preferred embodiment, the container 1 for nicotine pouch products includes 15 to 35 nicotine pouches 3 and 1 to 10 oral products 2, and most preferably includes 20 to 25 nicotine pouches 3 and 1 to 10 oral products 2.

[0041] [Nicotine products / pouches] The nicotine pouch 3 includes a pouch and a composition including nicotine enclosed in said pouch. The pouch is formed from a sheet of saliva-permeable fibrous material. The saliva-permeable fibrous material can be formed of a woven or nonwoven web or a woven or nonwoven fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the saliva-permeable fibrous material is formed of a nonwoven web or a nonwoven fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the nicotine mixture includes free nicotine or nicotine particles or nicotine salts or combinations thereof as active ingredients. In another preferred embodiment, the nicotine can be used in combination with tobacco. In such a case, the nicotine is mixed with tobacco particles having a particle size of 2 mm or less obtained by shredding or grinding tobacco material. A person skilled in the art will understand that the nicotine pouch could also be any other oral nicotine product available on the market. For consumption, the nicotine product 3 is placed between the upper lip and gums of the user and delivers nicotine when the nicotine product is exposed to saliva in the user's oral cavity. Nicotine is then released into the user's mouth upon exposure to saliva, and further, a portion of the substrate material in the pouch may pass through, for example, the saliva-permeable fibrous material of the pouch, providing flavor and satisfaction to the user. After about 10 to about 60 minutes, typically about 15 to about 45 minutes of use / tasting, a significant amount of the releasable ingredient and / or substrate material has been taken up by the subject and the unit may be removed from the subject's mouth for disposal. The nicotine product 3 does not release smoke upon use. Thus, the user may use the nicotine product 3 anywhere.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, the nicotine content in the nicotine pouch 3 is extracted from tobacco. In some other preferred embodiments, the nicotine content in the nicotine pouch 3 comprises or is made from tobacco, preferably a substantially small amount of tobacco. More specifically, the tobacco content is preferably 5% or less by weight of the total nicotine composition, more preferably 4% or less by weight of the total nicotine composition, even more preferably 3% or less by weight of the total nicotine composition, and / or preferably at least 1% by weight of the total nicotine composition, and more preferably at least 2% by weight of the total nicotine composition.

[0043] In order to enhance a pleasant taste to the user, it is desirable for the nicotine composition to have a water content in the range of 1% to 60% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition. In a preferred embodiment, the water content is in the range of 25% to 60% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, preferably in the range of 35% to 55% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, more preferably in the range of 35% to 50% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, even more preferably in the range of 35% to 45% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition. In another preferred embodiment, the water content of the nicotine composition is in the range of 1% to 35% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, preferably in the range of 1% to 25% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, more preferably in the range of 1% to 18% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, even more preferably in the range of 1% to 12% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition, even more preferably less than 10% by weight per weight of the entire nicotine composition.

[0044] The nicotine composition of the present invention preferably has a pH in the range of 7.5 to 11. In a preferred embodiment, the nicotine composition is desirably alkaline. As used herein, the term "alkaline" means that the nicotine composition has a pH greater than 8.0. In such a preferred embodiment, the nicotine composition may have a pH in the range of 7.5 to 11, preferably in the range of 8.0 to 11, most preferably in the range of 8.5 to 10, and most preferably greater than 8.

[0045] Having an alkaline nicotine composition means that an alkaline buffer is used to buffer the nicotine composition to the desired alkaline pH during the manufacturing process. More specifically, when the alkaline nicotine composition contains a predetermined water content, for example, a water content of more than 25% by weight per weight of the total nicotine composition, the homogeneity of the alkaline nicotine composition during the addition of the alkaline buffer is a key step to provide a uniform batch used to provide a plurality of nicotine pouches of a predetermined pH. In particular, the inventors have observed that for a batch of 100 nicotine pouches, the pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches follows a Gaussian-like curve, also referred to as a bell-shaped pH distribution curve. In such a case, the inventors have observed that for the batch of 100 nicotine pouches at a predetermined alkaline pH, for example, a predetermined pH of about 8.5, the pH distribution is divided into a low pH side, a medium pH side, and a high pH side of the pH distribution. The central portion of the pH distribution corresponds to the central Gaussian-like curve and defines a region that includes a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH in the range of 8.2 to 8.8, i.e., a plurality of nicotine pouches having a target pH of about 8.5. The low pH side (i.e., the low tail of the Gaussian-like curve) and the high pH side (i.e., the high tail of the Gaussian-like curve) of the pH distribution correspond to the left and right sides, respectively, of the central portion of the Gaussian-like curve of the pH distribution. The high tail region of the Gaussian-like curve includes a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH above 8.8, particularly a pH in the range of 8.8 to 11. Such a region can include, for example, 25 nicotine pouches. The low tail region of the Gaussian-like curve includes a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH below 8.2 and in the range of 7.5 to 8.2. Such a region can include, for example, 25 nicotine pouches. Thus, in the above example, 50% of the plurality of nicotine pouches have a pH in the range of 8.2-8.8, 25% of the plurality of nicotine pouches have a pH in the range of 7.5-8.2, and 25% of the plurality of nicotine pouches have a pH in the range of 8.8-11.In such a case, when a user ingests one of the 25% of the nicotine pouches having a pH in the range of 8.8 to 11, the user may relatively quickly begin to experience a tickling or discomfort in the mouth due to the use of the high pH nicotine pouch, which can be explained by an acid / base reaction between the components in the saliva / buccal mucosa, which typically have a pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5, and the nicotine pouch, which has a pH in the range of 8.8 to 11.

[0046] The degree of discomfort caused by the use of alkaline nicotine pouches may vary from person to person, but in most cases, a pH of 11 can cause discomfort in the oral tissues that can be felt by most people, and in some cases, even a pH of 9-11 may already cause discomfort in certain users. Therefore, it is ideal to target a basic nicotine pouch with a pH of 9-11.

[0047] From another perspective, the pH distribution (7.5-11) of the nicotine pouches in the container includes a low pH side and a high pH side of the pH distribution. To quantify the distribution, it is found that the nicotine pouches belonging to the high side of the pH distribution represent 35% or less of the total distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches, more likely (preferably) 25% or less, even more likely (preferably) 20% or less, most likely (preferably) 15% or less, most likely (preferably) 10% or less, and most likely (preferably) 5% or less. In another embodiment, the nicotine pouches belonging to the high side of the pH distribution represent at least 35% of the total distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches, more likely (preferably) at least 25%, even more likely (preferably) at least 20%, most likely (preferably) at least 15%, most likely (preferably) at least 10%, and most likely (preferably) at least 5%. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the multiple nicotine pouches 3 contained within the container 1 have a pH distribution defined by a bell-shaped pH distribution curve, i.e., a Gaussian-like pH distribution. The bell-shaped pH distribution curve has a low pH tail of the distribution (shown in dotted line) and a high pH tail of the distribution (shown in black), where C is the cutoff pH value used to target the high tail. Thus, the targeted pH value (C) is below the 75th percentile of the pH distribution, preferably below the 85th percentile, more preferably below the 90th percentile, and most preferably below the 95th percentile. In another preferred embodiment, the high tail of the pH distribution, preferably the 75th percentile (i.e., 25% of the nicotine pouches 3 within the container 1), has a pH greater than 9, more specifically a pH between 9 and 11. In another preferred embodiment, the high tail of the pH distribution, preferably the 95th percentile (i.e., 5% of the nicotine pouches 3 within the container 1), has a pH greater than 9, more specifically a pH between 9 and 11.

[0048] [Oral products / oral patches] As explained above, considering that the alkalinity of some nicotine pouches may cause discomfort, an oral product is provided in the container 1 to buffer the alkalinity of the nicotine pouch 3 if discomfort occurs. In this solution, if the user experiences discomfort in the mouth, the user can use the oral product 2, also called an oral patch, contained in the nicotine pouch container 1 to counteract the effects related to the use of an alkaline nicotine pouch. Since the buffering component in the at least one oral product may need to neutralize only the nicotine pouch 3 that may cause discomfort, it is used in an amount sufficient to lower the elevated pH that occurs in the user's mouth as a result of using a nicotine pouch selected from a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH on the high pH side of the pH distribution, i.e., having a pH between 9 and 11. Thus, the reference cutoff value C in FIG. 3 on the high pH side of the basic nicotine pouch 3 is also a reference value for the acidity and amount of oral product for the selected nicotine pouch 3 and for reducing and addressing the discomfort. The acidity and amount of the oral product 2 should be adjusted to target the high tail of the pH distribution of the nicotine pouch 3. In other words, the total amount of the buffering component of the oral product 2 provided in the container (i.e., the acidity and amount of the oral product 2) should be sufficient to reduce the elevated pH that occurs in the user's oral cavity as a result of using a nicotine pouch selected from a plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH on the high pH side of the pH distribution. Specifically, the container 1 should have a sufficient amount of buffering component to reduce the elevated pH in the user's oral cavity as a result of using a nicotine pouch on the high pH side to a pH in the range of 6 to 8, preferably 6.5 to 7.5.

[0049] It has been found that acids can be used to neutralize the discomfort associated with alkalinity. For example, acids such as acetic acid, i.e., 5% organic acid, provide rapid tissue neutralization and reduced discomfort compared to water irrigation alone, without the additional tissue damage associated with the exothermic nature of acid-base reactions. For reference, the article "(Non-Patent Document 1)" is incorporated. In particular, this article shows that animals treated with acid, specifically 5% acetic acid, that are alkaline-induced discomfort, demonstrated a more rapid return to physiological pH, increased depth of dermal retention, reduced leukocyte infiltration, and improved epithelial regeneration compared to animals treated with water irrigation.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the buffering component comprises citric acid, preferably citric acid powder (HOC(CO2H)(CH2CO2H)2), typically used for pH correction of cakes. Milliard™ citric acid is an example of such a citric acid powder. The main use of citric acid is as a flavoring and preservative in food and beverages, especially soft drinks and candies. In other embodiments, the buffering component comprises other acids that can be used in food, such as acetic acid, malic acid, DL lactic acid (food grade), L(+) lactic acid (food grade), phosphoric acid, L(+) tartaric acid, fumaric acid, or combinations thereof. The buffering component can also be in liquid form, rather than in solid form, obtained by dissolving the buffering component in a solvent. As solvents, water, alcohol, glycerin, propylene glycol, etc. can be used. The solvent is preferably contained in a capsule or in a crush ball.

[0051] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, oral products containing an acidic component, such as the acetic or citric acid powders described above, contain 2-10% by weight, preferably 3-8% by weight, even more preferably 4-6% by weight of citric acid.

[0052] Other organic acids with similar properties to citric acid can be used instead of or in combination with citric acid.Furthermore, the buffer component can be composed of one acid component or acid concentration, a mixture of different acid components, or a mixture of acid components and basic / neutral components.For example, when the oral product is solid or semi-solid, its raw materials can be the same raw materials used for Sour Gummy Bears (pH 3.0), Skittles (pH 2.5), Starburst (pH 2.4), Sour Skittles (pH 2.2), Wonka Fun Dip (pH 1.8), Warheads Sour Spray (pH 1.6), etc. Specifically, the ingredients include sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, less than 2% of: tapioca dextrin, natural and artificial flavors, modified corn starch, coloring, sodium citrate, carnauba wax, or combinations thereof. If the oral product is in liquid form, the ingredients can include water, sugar, citric acid, malic acid, glycerin, lactic acid, artificial flavors, potassium sorbate preservative, or combinations thereof.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the acidity of oral product 2 has a sufficient amount of buffering components as described above such that, upon ingestion of oral product 2 by a user, it takes 1 minute or less, preferably 45 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less, even more preferably 15 seconds or less, and most preferably 5 seconds or less for the pH to return to physiological levels, i.e., within the pH range described above, thereby substantially alleviating the oral discomfort caused by the alkaline agent.

[0054] The oral product 2 may have a similar construction to the nicotine pouch 3, but does not include any nicotine. For example, the oral product 2 may include a pouch and a buffer ingredient mixture enclosed in the pouch. The pouch is formed from a sheet of saliva-permeable fibrous material similar to the nicotine pouch 3. The saliva-permeable fibrous material may be formed from a woven or nonwoven web or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the saliva-permeable fibrous material is formed from a nonwoven web or fabric.

[0055] With reference to Figures 4(a)-4(c), a detailed description of the form and construction of oral product 2 is provided below.

[0056] In some preferred embodiments, the oral product 2 includes a pouch 21 and a buffering component mixture. The pouch 21 is formed from a sheet of saliva-permeable fibrous material, preferably a saliva-permeable fibrous material formed from a woven or nonwoven web or woven or nonwoven fabric, more preferably a saliva-permeable nonwoven fabric. The buffering component mixture includes a buffering component as a main component. Specifically, the oral product may further include at least one of a filler, a binder, a humectant, a gelling agent, an emulsifier, a water content, a sweetener, and a flavoring agent. In a preferred embodiment, the filler may be cellulose and the humectant may be glycerin.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the outer wrapper of the oral product 2 is in the form of a rectangular sheet. The pouch 21 packages the buffering ingredients in a form of packaging called a pillow package. Other types of packaging, such as a tubular twist-wrap type, can also be used. Other forms that can be used in the oral cavity, such as capsules or crush balls, can also be used to contain the buffering ingredient mixture. Chewing gum or sugar containing acid (buffering ingredient) can also be used. Specifically, the corner radius can be about 2 mm, while the dimensions can be about 14 mm in length, about 6 mm in width, and about 3 mm in height. This size, along with the jelly / rubber texture, allows the acid patch to be positioned in the same position as the nicotine pouch is placed. The raw materials of such an embodiment are, for example, 38% gelatin powder, 35% water, 18% sugar, 8% citric acid, flavor, and coloring. In another embodiment, the oral patch can be rigid and more compact, for example, a cylinder about 11 mm long with a diameter of about 7 mm and rounded corners with a radius of about 3 mm. The ingredients of such an embodiment are, for example, 50% sugar by weight, 30% water by weight, 12% corn syrup by weight, 8% citric acid by weight, flavor, color. The weight and volume of the oral product 2 is preferably smaller than that of a nicotine pouch, preferably at least 0.3 g, more preferably at least 0.4 g, most preferably at least 0.5 g, preferably 1 g or less, more preferably 0.8 g or less, most preferably 0.6 g or less.

[0058] Water-repellent fluororesin is a suitable water-repellent material. Asahi Guard (trademark) manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. is an example of such a water-repellent fluororesin. It is commonly used to coat wrappers for foods and other products containing fats and oils, such as confectionery, dairy products, prepared foods, fast foods, and pet foods, and is therefore safe when applied to pouches 21 intended to be placed in the mouth. The water-repellent material used is not limited to fluororesin. That is, other materials with water-repellent properties can also be used, such as paraffin resin, silicone resin, and epoxy resin. The water-repellent material may include additives such as calcium carbonate or titanium dioxide. Such additives increase the whiteness of the water-repellent material. There are options that are food grade and do not melt at body temperature, as well as other materials such as waxes.

[0059] In order to distinguish the nicotine pouch 3 as shown in FIG. 4(b), in a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the front and rear surfaces, i.e., the outer surface, of the pouch 21 is colored as an indicia 23 in a different color from the nicotine pouch 3. In another preferred embodiment, a printed and / or embossed pattern 23 is provided on the pouch of the oral product 2. As shown in FIG. 4(c), a circular colored pattern 23 is disposed on the front and / or rear surface of the pouch 21 along the longitudinal axis of the pouch 21 in one of two longitudinal regions defined by the longitudinal axis of the pouch. Other types of indicia 23, such as a combination of letters or a combination of numbers, may also be presented on the front and / or rear surface of the pouch 21 to indicate that the pouch 21 is an oral product 2 and not a nicotine pouch 3. The indicia 23 may also be disposed in different sizes between the nicotine pouch 3 and the oral product 2. For example, the oral product may be half the size or exactly half the width of the nicotine product, such as 14mm long, 3mm wide, and 3mm high, etc. In other embodiments, such labeling methods may also be applied to capsules, (effervescent) tablets, or crushing ball forms.

[0060] Food flavors may be attached to or applied to the oral product 2 in order to enhance the taste and / or compensate for the acidity of the oral product. Menthol, mint, vanilla, apricot, black tea, cocoa, liquorice, and honey may be used alone or in combination as food flavors. Since the oral product has an acidic pH as described above, the food flavors are desirably neutral or acidic when attached to or applied to the oral product. The food flavors are used in powder form or in liquid form obtained by dissolving the food flavors in a solvent. As the solvent, water, alcohol, glycerin, propylene glycol, etc. may be used. The food flavors are also preferably used together with a humectant such as glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.

[0061] [Containment case] Returning to FIG. 1, the nicotine pouch 3 and oral product 2 are held within a containment case 4 .

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the storage case 4 includes a case body 46 and a lid 410. The case body 46 is flattened and cylindrical, and those skilled in the art will understand that the case body 46 may have any other shape and size as long as it has a volume for containing the tobacco product 3 and the oral product 2. The cover 420 is joined to the lid 410 by a hinge 418 so that it can be opened and closed with the lid 410. In other embodiments, the cover 420 and the lid 410 may be connected by other means or may be completely separate when opened. The lid 410 has approximately the same shape as the case body 46 and has outer dimensions equal to the outer dimensions of the case body 46. In the closed position, the cover 420 is flush with the lid 410 and can be pivoted upward about the hinge 418 to expose the interior space of the lid 410. To ingest the nicotine product 3, the user can separate the lid 410 from the container body 46 to expose the internal space of the container body 46 in which the nicotine product 3 is contained. In other words, the container case 4 can keep the nicotine product 3 and the oral product 2 separated. As shown in FIG. 1, the container case 4 has an internal space of the lid, which is the upper chamber of the container case 4, and an internal space of the container body, which is the lower chamber, and the multiple nicotine pouches 3 are placed in the lower chamber, and the oral product containing the buffering component is contained in the upper chamber. Thus, in the container case 4, the nicotine pouches 3 can be stacked and placed directly under the lid 410 and separated from the oral product 2 placed in the internal space or hollow of the lid 410. By opening the cover 420, the hollow space of the lid 410 is exposed, so that the user can take out the oral product 2 from the lid 410 by opening the lid 410. Such an arrangement may make the oral product 2 more accessible when needed.

[0063] In another embodiment, the lid 410 does not have a cover and is formed as a single piece, and the user only needs to open the lid 410 to open the container 4 for the nicotine pouch 3 and / or the oral product 2. The separation means for separating the oral product 2 and the nicotine product 3 can be a partition plate arranged in the inner space of the case body 46 and perpendicular to the bottom surface, so that both the nicotine pouch 3 and the oral product 2 can be easily reached by the user at the same time. A person skilled in the art will understand that any other kind of separation means can be arranged in the case body 46 to separate the oral product 2 and the nicotine pouch 3.

[0064] In other embodiments, the nicotine pouch 3 and the oral product 2 are positioned in the same interior space, and the user can still distinguish between the oral product 2 and the nicotine pouch 3 by the above-mentioned indicia 23 on the oral product 2.

[0065] Thus, if a user touches the above-mentioned nicotine pouch and as a result begins to experience discomfort in the mouth (the pH in the user's mouth increases), the user can open the cover 420 or lid 410 and place one, or even multiple, oral products 2 into the user's mouth. The acid-base reaction caused by the oral products 2 reduces the discomfort and neutralizes said discomfort to physiological levels, i.e., the pH ranges mentioned above.

[0066] In another embodiment, the containment case (4) further comprises a cavity for a used nicotine pouch and / or for the oral product 2 (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0067] [Variations] Unlike the embodiment described above, in which the oral product 2 is separate from the nicotine pouch 3, an oral product 2 with a buffering component may also be provided within the nicotine pouch 3, preferably within each nicotine pouch 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Nicotine pouch product container 2 Oral products 3 Nicotine pouches 4 Storage Case 21 Pouch 23 displays 46 Case body 410 Lid 418 Hinge 420 Cover

Claims

1. A container for a nicotine pouch product, comprising: a plurality of nicotine pouches for oral delivery of nicotine having a pH in the range of 7.5 to 11; at least one oral product containing a buffering component; wherein the plurality of nicotine pouches have a pH distribution including a low pH side and a high pH side of the pH distribution; the buffering component in the at least one oral product is used in an amount sufficient to lower the elevated pH that occurs in the user's oral cavity as a result of using a nicotine pouch selected from the plurality of nicotine pouches having a pH on the high pH side of the pH distribution; A container for a nicotine pouch product.

2. The high pH side of the pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches includes nicotine pouches having a pH in the range of 9 to 11, and the high pH side of the pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches represents 35% or less, preferably 25% or less, more preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less of the total pH distribution of the plurality of nicotine pouches. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 1.

3. The buffering component in the oral product is in an amount sufficient to lower the elevated pH of the user's oral cavity to a pH in the range of 6 to 8, preferably 6.5 to 7.5, as a result of using a nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 1.

4. The oral product is in solid form, preferably a patch, chewing gum, capsule, or crash ball. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 1.

5. The oral product is arranged separately from the nicotine pouch. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 1.

6. The oral product containing the buffering component is substantially free of nicotine. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 1.

7. Each of the plurality of nicotine pouches has an outer surface with a first display, and the oral product containing the buffering component has an outer surface with a second display. The first display is different from the second display. Preferably, the first display and the second display include color, printing pattern, and / or embossing pattern. The container for a nicotine pouch product according to Claim 5 or 6.

8. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 5 or 6, comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the plurality of nicotine pouches are disposed within the first chamber, and the oral product containing the buffering component is housed within the second chamber.

9. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 1, wherein the oral product containing the buffering component is disposed within the plurality of nicotine pouches.

10. The buffering component consists of or includes an acidic component, a mixture of different acidic components, or a mixture of an acidic component and a basic component, and the acidic component is preferably an organic acid, more preferably citric acid. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 1.

11. The oral product containing an acidic component contains 2 to 10% by weight, preferably 3 to 8% by weight, and even more preferably 4 to 6% by weight of citric acid. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 1.

12. The acidic component is in powder form and / or liquid form. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The liquid acidic component is contained in a capsule or a crash ball. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 12.

14. The oral product containing the buffering component contains a flavoring agent. A container for a nicotine pouch product according to claim 1.

15. A method of consuming a nicotine pouch product comprising a plurality of nicotine pouches and at least one oral product, consuming a nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11 from the plurality of nicotine pouches for oral nicotine delivery; consuming an oral product containing a buffering component in an amount sufficient to lower the elevated pH that occurs in the user's oral cavity as a result of consuming the nicotine pouch having a pH in the range of 9 to 11 The consumption method includes.

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