Patent ID: 8863755

Claim:
An oral tobacco pouch product comprising: a web defining an enclosure; and a loose filling material in said enclosure, said filling material comprising: tobacco material capable of releasing tobacco flavor; and particles consisting essentially of a hydrocolloid, said particles interspersed with said tobacco material in an amount sufficient to retard release of flavor from the tobacco material when exposed to saliva during use, wherein the hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of high-methylated pectin, low-methylated pectin, amidated pectin, hydroxyl methyl propyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl cellulose, xanthan gum, agar, carrageenan, guar gum, alginate, carboxyl methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrin, and combinations thereof; the hydrocolloid is included in the oral tobacco pouch product in an amount of about 1% to about 5% by weight based on the weight of the filling material; and the particles have a size ranging from about 300 mesh to about 10 mesh.