1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein:
(i) said protein comprises at least one protein selected from the group consisting of milk protein, whey protein, soy protein, wheat protein, rice protein, egg white protein, protein obtained from tobacco, gelatin, and protein hydrolyzates; andor
(ii) said protein comprises a Zwitterionic or positively charged protein.
4. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein:
(i) said pectin comprises at least one pectin obtained from tobacco, apples, citrus peel, plums, or gooseberries;
(ii) said polysaccharide composition comprises an anionic polysaccharide;
(iii) said polysaccharide composition comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of carrageenans, gum arabic, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginates, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, gellan gum, and xanthan gum; or
(iv) two or more of (i), (ii), and (iii).
5. (canceled)
6. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein said coated particle of plant material comprises \u03ba-carrageenan in an amount from about 10% to about 60% by weight of total polysaccharides in said first and second layers.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein:
(i) said coated particle has a ratio \u03b4 of a loss modulus component G\u2033 and an elastic component G\u2032 of from about 5 to about 11, andor
(ii) said coated particle has an elastic component G\u2032 of from about 10,000 Pa to about 35,000 Pa.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. A coated particle of plant material, comprising:
a base particle of plant material;
a first layer at least partially coating the base particle, the first layer comprising a protein; and
a second layer at least partially coating the first layer, the second layer comprising a polysaccharide composition including a pectin.
15. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein the base particle comprises:
(i) a plant extract, or
(ii) a finely divided plant or part of a plant.
16. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein said polysaccharide composition comprises a second polysaccharide and said pectin comprises a pectin derived from tobacco.
17. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein:
(i) said base particle has a largest dimension of less than about 3 mm;
(ii) said coated particle comprises:
(a) plant material in an amount of about 10 to about 90% by dry weight,
(b) first layer in an amount of about 1% to about 20% by dry weight, andor
(c) second layer in an amount of about 5% to about 50% by dry weight;
(iii) the coated base particle has a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight;
(iv) the coated particle has a net negative or neutral charge; or
(v) combinations of two or more of (i) to (iv).
18. The coated particle of claim 14, wherein the plant material comprises tobacco, a tobacco substitute, or a combination thereof.
19. A palatable or comestible product comprising at least one coated particle according to claim 14.
20. The palatable or comestible product of claim 19, wherein said product is in a form of a tablet, stick, strip, snus, pouched product, chewable gum, spongy material, or combination thereof.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for facilitating a reduction of speckle in a screen receiving light from a light source, said method comprising the steps of:
positioning at least one optical path distributing screen element such that the light originating from the light source passes through the screen element shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting the screen is at least two times a coherence length of the light and emerges decorrelated from the screen element toward an audience space; and
positioning an angular distribution element between the screen element and the audience space such that the angular distribution element distributes the decorrelated light from the screen element toward the audience space.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing screen element.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing screen clement comprising at least one non-imaging optical concentrator.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one of a non-imaging trapezoid concentrator and a non-imaging skew concentrator.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator.
6. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising one of a polycarbonate, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyester, a poly(4-methyl pentene) polystyrene, a polymer formed by photopolymerization of an acrylate monomer(s), and mixtures thereof.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.40 and less than about 1.65.
8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.50 and less than about 1.60.
9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.55 and less than about 1.60.
10. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of positioning at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element comprises the step of positioning at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator having an index of refraction greater than about 1.1 and less than about 3.
11. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of attaching a field lens to the optical path distributing screen element and the angular distribution element to form an integral body.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said step of attaching a field lens comprises the step of attaching at least one of a holographic field lens and a Fresnel field lens.
13. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a unitary body with the optical path distributing screen element and the angular distribution element.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning an angular distribution element further comprises the step of positioning an angular distribution element comprising a diffuser to distribute the decorrelated light from the screen element.
15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing screen element further comprises the step of positioning at least one imaging optical path distributing element having an exit angle between twenty-five percent and two-hundred percent of a diffusion angle of the angular distribution element.
16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing screen element further comprises the step of positioning at least one imaging optical path distributing element having an exit angle, said step of positioning an angular distribution element further comprises the step of positioning an angular distribution element having a diffusion angle substantially equal to the exit angle between the screen element and the audience space such that the angular distribution element distributes the decorrelated light from the screen element.
17. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element further comprises the step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element including a reflecting layer.
18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element further comprises the step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element including an absorbing layer.
19. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element further comprises the step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element including a reflecting layer and an absorbing layer such that the absorbing layer is between the reflecting layer and the audience space.
20. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element further comprises the step of positioning at least one optical path distributing element including a reflecting layer including a bulk absorber.
21. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of position at least one optical path distributing element comprises the steps of positioning at least one imaging optical path distributing screen element.
22. A method for facilitating a reduction of speckle in a projection television screen, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of optical path distributing screen elements each including a light-incidence light engine side and a light-emergence audience side, the screen elements shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting at least eighty percent of the screen elements from the audience side is at least two times the coherence length of the light; and
positioning a plurality of diffuser elements between the screen elements and an audience space such that the diffuser elements distribute decorrelated light emerging from the screen elements toward an audience space.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing comprises the step of providing a plurality of non-imaging optical path distributing screen elements each including a light-incidence light engine side and a light-emergence audience side, the screen elements shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting at least ninety percent of the screen elements from the audience side is at least two times the coherence length of the light.
24. A method according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing comprises the step of providing a plurality of non-imaging optical path distributing screen elements each including a light-incidence light engine side and a light-emergence audience side, the screen elements shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting substantially all of the screen elements from the audience side is at least two times the coherence length of the light.
25. A method according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing comprises the step of providing a plurality of imaging optical path distributing screen elements each including a light-incidence light engine side and a light-emergence audience side, the screen elements shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting at least ninety percent of the screen elements from the audience side is at least two times the coherence length of the light.
26. A method according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing further comprises the step of providing a plurality of imaging optical path distributing screen elements each including a light-incidence light engine side and a light-emergence audience side, the screen elements shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting substantially all of the screen elements from the audience side is at least two times the coherence length of the light.
27. A rear projection television comprising:
a housing;
a light engine positioned in said housing; and
a screen positioned between said light engine and an audience space, said screen mounted to said housing and comprising:
a field lens;
at least one optical path distributing screen clement operationally coupled to said field lens; and
at least one angular distribution element operationally coupled to said non-imaging optical screen element shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting said screen is at least two times a coherence length of the light and positioned such that said angular distribution element distributes a decorrelated light emerging from said screen element toward the audience space.
28. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical path distributing screen element comprises at least one non-imaging optical path distributing element.
29. A rear projection television according to claim 28 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one of a non-imaging trapezoid concentrator and a skew concentrator.
30. A rear projection television according to claim 28 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one substantially ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator.
31. A rear projection television according to claim 28 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one substantially ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising one of a polycarbonate, a polymethylmethylate, a polyester, a poly(4-methyl pentene) polystyrene, a polymer formed by photopolymerization of an acrylate monomer(s), and mixtures thereof.
32. A rear projection television according to claim 31 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.40 and less than 1.65.
33. A rear projection television according to claim 31 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.50 and less than 1.60.
34. A rear projection television according to claim 31 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.55 and less than 1.60.
35. A rear projection television according to claim 31 wherein said non-imaging optical path distributing element operationally coupled to said angular distribution element forming an integral body.
36. A rear projection television according to claim 28 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one substantially ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator having an index of refraction greater than about 1.1 and less than 3.0.
37. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said non-imaging element operationally coupled to said angular distribution element forming a unitary body.
38. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said angular distribution element comprises a diffuser.
39. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical path distributing screen element comprises at least one imaging optical path distributing element.
40. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a reflecting layer.
41. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises an absorbing layer.
42. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical distributing element comprises a reflecting layer and an absorbing layer such that said absorbing layer is between said reflecting layer and the audience space.
43. A rear projection television according to claim 27 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a reflecting layer comprising a bulk absorber.
44. A unitary screen for a rear projection television, said screen comprising:
a light engine side comprising at least one non-imaging optical screen element comprising a substantially ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising a polycarbonate having an index of refraction of about 1.59; and
an audience side comprising at least one diffuser element positioned such that said angular distribution element distributes decorrelated light emerging from said screen element toward an audience space, said trapezoid concentrator shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting said screen is at least two times a coherence length of the light.
45. A screen for a rear projection television, said screen comprising:
a light engine side comprising at least one optical path distributing screen element shaped such that a distribution of optical paths of light exiting said screen is at least two times a coherence length of the light; and
an audience side comprising at least one angular distribution element positioned such that said angular distribution element distributes decorrelated light emerging from said screen element toward an audience space.
46. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a non-imaging element.
47. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises at least one non-imaging optical concentrator.
48. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one of a non-imaging trapezoid concentrator and a non-imaging skew concentrator.
49. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator.
50. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprising one of a polycarbonate, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyester, a poly(4-methyl pentene)polystyrene, a polymer formed by photopolymerization of an acrylate monomer(s), and mixtures thereof.
51. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator comprises at least one ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator having an index of refraction greater than about 1.1 and less than about 3.0.
52. A screen according to claim 50 wherein said ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.4 and less than 1.65.
53. A screen according to claim 50 wherein said ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.50 and less than 1.60.
54. A screen according to claim 50 wherein said ten by five degree trapezoid concentrator comprises a polycarbonate having an index of refraction greater than about 1.55 and less than 1.60.
55. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator operationally coupled to said angular distribution element forming an integral screen.
56. A screen according to claim 47 wherein said non-imaging optical concentrator operationally coupled to said angular distribution element forming a unitary screen.
57. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said angular distribution element comprises a diffuser.
58. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises an imaging element.
59. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a reflecting layer.
60. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises an absorbing layer.
61. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a reflecting layer and an absorbing layer such that said absorbing layer is between said reflecting layer and the audience space.
62. A screen according to claim 45 wherein said optical path distributing element comprises a reflecting layer comprising a bulk absorber.