# US 2019/0168435 A1 · Methods and machines for making oral products > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168435 A1 - Document ID: US20190168435A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/266,573 - Filed: 2019-02-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Altria Client Services LLC - Applicants: Altria Client Services LLC - Inventors: Carl Gregory MILLER; Charles Lester DENDY; Jeremy J. STRAIGHT; Gregory James GRISCIK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168435A1 ## CPC - B29C 48/0022: {combined with cutting} - A23G 3/0021: {Processes in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally the associated cutting} - A23G 3/0023: {Processes for cutting, modelling of sections or plates; Embossing, punching} - A23G 3/0247: {Devices for cutting, modelling of sections or plates; Embossing, punching, e.g. stamping tools} - A24B 15/16: of tobacco substitutes - B29C 48/0011: {combined with compression moulding} - B29C 48/022: {characterised by the choice of material} - B29C 48/07: Flat, e.g. panels - B29C 48/92: Measuring, controlling or regulating - A23G 3/0242: {Apparatus in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally the associated cutting device} - A24B 15/12: of reconstituted tobacco - A24B 15/14: made of tobacco and a binding agent not derived from tobacco - A24B 15/243: {Nicotine} - B29C 48/00: Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C49/04) - B29C 48/001: {Combinations of extrusion moulding with other shaping operations} - B29C 48/12: Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles - B29C 2948/00: Indexing scheme relating to extrusion moulding - B29C 2948/926: Flow or feed rate - B29C 2948/92647: Thickness - B29C 2948/92923: Calibration, after-treatment or cooling zone - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF - A24B: MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF ## Abstract A method of forming an oral product includes extruding a mixture, conveying the extruded mixture through one or more pairs of forming rollers, and cutting the extruded mixture into one or more oral products. The mixture can include polymer and at least one flavorant, sweetener, active ingredient, or combination thereof. The extruded mixture forms an extrudate having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. The one or more pairs of forming rollers abut to define a passage there between as each forming roller rotates. The passage has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional shape. The method can be performed using a machine including an extruder, one or more pairs of forming rollers, and a cutting device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A machine for forming a plurality of oral products comprising: an extruder configured to form an extrudate; pairs of forming rollers including, a first pair of forming rollers cooperating to define a first passage therebetween, the first passage being configured to receive the extrudate from the extruder, the first passage having a first cross-sectional area, and a second pair of forming rollers cooperating to define a second passage therebetween, the second passage being configured to receive the extrudate from the first pair of forming rollers, the second passage having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area; and a cutting device configured to receive the extrudate from the pairs of forming rollers and cut the extrudate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, wherein the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area by an amount ranging from 0.1% to 10%. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area by an amount ranging from 0.5% to 5%. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, wherein the pairs of forming rollers further includes, a third pair of forming rollers cooperating to define a third passage therebetween, the third passage being configured to receive the extrudate from the second pair of forming rollers, the third passage having a third cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The machine of claim 6, wherein the second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area, and the third cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, wherein the first pair of forming rollers is configured to rotate at a first outer linear speed, and the second pair of forming rollers is configured to rotate at a second outer linear speed, the second outer linear speed being different from the first outer linear speed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting ledger configured to support the extrudate, the cutting ledger comprising a plurality of channels configured to circulate a heat-exchange fluid. ### Claim 10 A machine for forming a plurality of oral products comprising: an extruder configured to form an extrudate; pairs of forming rollers including, a first pair of forming rollers configured to receive the extrudate from the extruder and rotate at a first outer linear speed, and a second pair of forming rollers configured to receive the extrudate from the first pair of forming rollers and rotate at a second outer linear speed different from the first outer linear speed; and a cutting device configured to receive the extrudate from the pairs of forming rollers and cut the extrudate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, wherein the second outer linear speed is less than the first outer linear speed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, further comprising: a drive motor; and a gear train operatively connected to the drive motor, the gear train being configured to rotate the first pair of forming rollers at the first outer linear speed and the second pair of forming rollers at the second outer linear speed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, further comprising: a first drive motor operatively connected to the first pair of forming rollers and configured to rotate the first pair of forming rollers at the first outer linear speed; and a second drive motor operatively connected to the second pair of forming rollers and configured to rotate the second pair of forming rollers at the second outer linear speed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, wherein the extruder is configured to discharge the extrudate at an extrusion linear speed different from the first outer linear speed and the second outer linear speed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, further comprising: a programmable logic controller configured to control the first outer linear speed and the second outer linear speed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting ledger configured to support the extrudate, the cutting ledger comprising a plurality of channels configured to circulate a heat-exchange fluid. ### Claim 17 A machine for forming a plurality of oral products comprising: an extruder configured to discharge an extrudate at a first linear speed; a plurality of holding rollers configured to receive the extrudate from the extruder and translate the extrudate to a second linear speed different from the first linear speed; and a pair of forming rollers cooperating to define a passage therebetween, the passage being configured to receive the extrudate from the plurality of holding rollers and move the extrudate; and a cutting device configured to receive the extrudate from the pair of forming rollers and cut the extrudate into the plurality of oral products. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The machine of claim 17, wherein each holding roller of the plurality of holding rollers defines a groove configured to receive the extrudate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The machine of claim 17, wherein the second linear speed is greater than the first linear speed.