CA3228431A1 - Pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material - Google Patents
Pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3228431A1 CA3228431A1 CA3228431A CA3228431A CA3228431A1 CA 3228431 A1 CA3228431 A1 CA 3228431A1 CA 3228431 A CA3228431 A CA 3228431A CA 3228431 A CA3228431 A CA 3228431A CA 3228431 A1 CA3228431 A1 CA 3228431A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- compacted
- zones
- nonwoven
- fibers
- pouch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 93
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N (-)-Nicotine Chemical compound CN1CCC[C@H]1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 229960002715 nicotine Drugs 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N nicotine Natural products CN1CCCC1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 36
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims 2
- 229920003043 Cellulose fiber Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 8
- 210000003296 saliva Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 210000000214 mouth Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000433 Lyocell Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019568 aromas Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003490 calendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004195 gingiva Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002200 mouth mucosa Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005457 optimization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002269 spontaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010421 standard material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019505 tobacco product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B13/00—Tobacco for pipes, for cigars, e.g. cigar inserts, or for cigarettes; Chewing tobacco; Snuff
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/425—Cellulose series
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/58—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
- D04H1/60—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives the bonding agent being applied in dry state, e.g. thermo-activatable agents in solid or molten state, and heat being applied subsequently
Landscapes
- Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a pouch which is made of a nonwoven and contains a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material, wherein the nonwoven: in part comprises cellulose-based fibres; comprises a binder in part on the surface of the fibres; and comprises compacted zones and zones which are not compacted or which are compacted to a small degree; and the binder holds the compacted zones in the compacted state.
Description
Pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material The invention concerns a pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material, hereinafter also termed a snus pouch, oral pouch or oral tobacco packet, wherein these terms apply both to pouches containing tobacco material as well as other nicotine-containing material.
Oral tobacco or smokeless tobacco is a tobacco product or nicotine-containing tobacco substitute (hereinafter also: nicotine-containing substitute, nicotine-containing substrate, other nicotine-containing material or tobacco substitute) which enables a quick absorption of nicotine through the oral mucosa. Tobacco smoke is not thereby released. Oral tobacco packets are known which contain a usually moist tobacco composition in a pouch consisting of a nonwoven. Moreover, comparable products are also known which, instead of the moist tobacco, contain a dry, frequently not brownish but rather a white nicotine substitute.
Snus is a form of oral tobacco that is especially widespread in Scandinavia which is produced from dried, ground tobacco provided with water, salt and aromas. Snus is generally packaged in small pouches of cellulose and consumed as portion snus. With white portion snus, the pouch is dry in order to improve the storage properties. Sometimes for white portion snus, a nicotine-containing substitute is used instead of tobacco. With original portion snus, the pouch is moist.
The snus pouch is placed behind the upper lip or lower lip. Within 15 to 60 minutes, it releases tobacco flavor and nicotine. Then the pouch is removed from the mouth.
With respect to the use of oral tobacco, the following challenges for the pouches and the nonwovens used therefore exist:
1. spontaneously wettable with saliva,
Oral tobacco or smokeless tobacco is a tobacco product or nicotine-containing tobacco substitute (hereinafter also: nicotine-containing substitute, nicotine-containing substrate, other nicotine-containing material or tobacco substitute) which enables a quick absorption of nicotine through the oral mucosa. Tobacco smoke is not thereby released. Oral tobacco packets are known which contain a usually moist tobacco composition in a pouch consisting of a nonwoven. Moreover, comparable products are also known which, instead of the moist tobacco, contain a dry, frequently not brownish but rather a white nicotine substitute.
Snus is a form of oral tobacco that is especially widespread in Scandinavia which is produced from dried, ground tobacco provided with water, salt and aromas. Snus is generally packaged in small pouches of cellulose and consumed as portion snus. With white portion snus, the pouch is dry in order to improve the storage properties. Sometimes for white portion snus, a nicotine-containing substitute is used instead of tobacco. With original portion snus, the pouch is moist.
The snus pouch is placed behind the upper lip or lower lip. Within 15 to 60 minutes, it releases tobacco flavor and nicotine. Then the pouch is removed from the mouth.
With respect to the use of oral tobacco, the following challenges for the pouches and the nonwovens used therefore exist:
1. spontaneously wettable with saliva,
2. effective permeability to flavors in a wet state with saliva as the carrier medium,
3. sufficient strength in a dry state for processing and in a wet state for use in the mouth, Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
4. soft surface without excessive rigidity for a pleasant feel when the pouch is placed between the lip and gingiva,
5. good visual appearance in the packaging with dry or moist tobacco material, and good grip upon removing the pouch and insertion into the mouth,
6. thermal sealability for the purpose of processing into a pouch.
Nonwovens of viscose fibers that are chemically bonded with binders (chembound) substantially satisfy these different requirements and are established in the market as a standard material for oral tobacco packets. The use of a suitable binder permits a thermal seal of the non-thermoplastic nonwovens of viscose fibers which are advantageous due to their spontaneous wettability with saliva and their softness. It is important in this case for the binder to be selected such that no sharp edges arise when sealing the pouch.
In particular, the following patent publications address the optimization of the property profile of the nonwoven:
EP 3 223 636 Bl describes the use of a chemically bonded nonwoven of viscose fibers with a certain share of viscose fibers with a multilobal (trilobal) cross-section for optimizing the feel, in particular in oral use and for rapid wetting. The share of multilobal fibers increases the visual transparency of the nonwoven, accelerates the wetting by an increased capillary effect of the channels formed by the multilobal fibers, and offers a pleasant surface roughness upon oral contact. The multilobal fibers are relatively expensive. Such cellulosic fibers with a multilobal cross-section are manufactured by Kelheim Fibres and marketed under the name of Galaxy Fiber.
US 9,913,491 B2 describes the use of a nonwoven for the production of a snus pouch. For this purpose, preferably a perforated, hydroentangled nonwoven of viscose fibers is additionally treated with a chemical binder to obtain the desired material properties. The permeability of the nonwoven to saliva and flavorings is increased and its bending stiffness is decreased by the perforation.
In addition to the conventional snus pouches which contain tobacco particles, there are increasingly snus products that contain different powdered, generally nicotine-containing substrates which sometimes differ greatly in terms of particle size, flavor intensity and speed Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 of the transfer of flavorings through the nonwoven. With the conventional nonwovens which are used for snus pouches, a suitable fiber and pore structure would have to be developed for optimum performance which would be expensive and lead to the provision of very different nonwovens for the production of snus pouches with different powdered substrates.
In addition to the adaptation of the properties of the nonwovens, the greater number of different substrates makes it seem desirable to identify the products with respect to their particular properties, and to attractively present the diversified product portfolio to the customer. This would be desirable directly on the product in addition to the conventional advertising options on packaging containing the product.
Against this backdrop, the object of the invention is to provide an oral tobacco packet which makes it possible to more easily adjust the properties of the nonwoven to the particular substrate.
Furthermore, a method for producing the pouch from a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material is to be provided.
The object is achieved by a pouch according to claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the pouch and the method are presented in the dependent claims and in the following description.
The pouch according to the invention consisting of a nonwoven contains a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material, wherein the nonwoven comprises fibers based on cellulose, a binder on the surface of the fibers, and compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones which are compacted to a lesser extent, and the binder keeps the compacted zones in the compacted state.
Nonwovens suitable for snus pouches (e.g. consisting of chemically bound fibers containing viscose) are distinguished by their thermal sealability or sealability under high pressure.
Conventionally for snus pouches, nonwovens with a maximum permeability to flavorings are used. Such a material has a relatively open pore structure. By locally pressing (embossing) the material, the nonwoven can be compacted in one or more defined zones in a simple calendering process using an engraving roller (embossing roller) and a smooth roller, and thereby more or Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 less closing the pore structure in the region of the one or more compacted zones and, if applicable, closing it to a lesser extent in the zones compacted to a lesser extent than in the compacted zones. In the zones compacted to a lesser extent, the nonwoven is compacted to a lesser extent than in the compacted zones. The nonwoven is a textile fabric, and the compacted zones are formed by compacting the nonwoven in a perpendicular direction to the two main directions of extension of the nonwoven. The binder binds the fibers of the nonwoven in the compacted zones and, if applicable, in the zones compacted to a lesser extent by adhesion, mechanical hooking or other interactions, whereby these zones are secured, or respectively fixed in the particular compacted state. The adhesion of the fibers can be achieved in that, when compressing the nonwoven, the binder is at least partially crosslinked in the compacted zones because of an increase in pressure and temperature. The crosslinking can be brought about by an increase in the temperature of the rollers from the heat released by means of the rollers while pressing, and/or by the specific supply of heat. The adhesion of the fibers can furthermore be achieved by heating and cooling thermoplastic binders, or by compressing pressure-sensitive binders. The nonwoven is lastingly compacted in the compacted zones and kept closed. The compacted and closed zones stay mostly compacted and closed even in a wet state during oral use. Accordingly, the compacted zones have a lesser permeability (passage of the substance saliva with flavorings of the tobacco material) compared to the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent of the nonwoven. The permeability of the nonwoven in the compacted zones can be negligibly low. In the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent, the permeability is however not or only partially decreased by compaction of the fibers so that the nonwoven is able to retain its original, or respectively only partially reduced permeability there.
By a specific selection of the compacted zones and zones compacted to a lesser extent, the overall permeability of the nonwoven in comparison to the employed starting material can be reduced and adapted to the particular tobacco materials or tobacco substitutes contained in the snus pouch. By a specific selection of the structure of the compacted zones and to the zones compacted to a lesser extent (embossed structure), not only can the permeability to flavorings be adjusted, but the flexural rigidity, elongation, and strength in the longitudinal and transverse direction can also be influenced and, by the adjustment of the three-dimensional surface structure, the roughness and therefore the feel of the pouch upon removal from the pack and during oral use can be specifically modeled.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 The specific adjustment of the cited nonwoven properties by local compaction and solidifying of the nonwoven can also be used to specifically influence the visual appearance of the nonwoven and therefore produce visually diversified snus pouches. To influence the permeability, basically only the proportions of compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent in the total area of the nonwoven are decisive.
This leaves a lot of design leeway to emboss different structures in the nonwoven in a given surface of compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent and therefore create products with a tailored look (e.g. textile look, perforated look, look of leather or other materials) or embossing the manufacturer's name, the brand, a logo, a club crest, or another identification.
It is very advantageous that the diversified properties of the nonwoven can be adjusted in a subsequent, less complex processing step, wherein the same nonwoven can always be used as the starting product.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the nonwoven is a chemically bonded nonwoven. In the chemically bonded nonwoven, the fibers are bound to each other at contact points by a binder applied thereto. The chemically bonded nonwoven includes a chemical binder. The chemical binder is an at least partially crosslinkable binder.
When crosslinking the binder, long-chain molecules, which can be crosslinked to each other and form a polymer, are formed from monomers or short-chain molecules. According to one embodiment, the compacted zones are permanently fixed in the compacted state by the same binder. For this purpose, during the production of the nonwoven, a binder can be used, which chemically crosslinks to become a thermoset while drying and binds the fibers to each other at the contact points, wherein however the crosslinking is only partial, so that still crosslinkable components remain. When compacting the nonwoven by embossing, the pressure and the temperature can be locally increased so that the binder crosslinks in the region of the embossing zones and forms a permanently compacted structure that possesses a certain wet strength.
For example, the nonwoven product marketed by the company pely-tex & Co. KG, Willy-Pelz-Str. 2-4, 23812 Wahlstedt under the product name "Nonwova CV 29/viv" can be used as the starting material for the nonwoven. Compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are produced in the starting material by local pressing (embossing).
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to another embodiment, the nonwoven is a mechanically bonded nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, the nonwoven is mechanically bonded by needling or by water jets. The mechanically bonded nonwoven is also provided with the binder.
The compacted zones are permanently held in the compacted state by interactions between the binder and the fibers.
According to one embodiment, the pouch has sealing seams in which mutually overlapping regions of the nonwoven are interconnected by the binder. For this purpose, pressure and/or temperature is exerted on the regions of the nonwoven to be connected when sealing the sealing seams. Non-adhered binder of the nonwoven can be used to produce the sealing seams. These can be non-adhered parts of the binder in the compacted and/or the non-compacted zones.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises fibers of one or more of the following types of cellulosic fibers: Viscose fibers, Lyocell fibers or cotton fibers.
For the sake of simplified expression, claim 1 indicates that the pouch comprises a nonwoven with compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent. This denotes both embodiments in which the nonwoven of the pouch comprises a plurality of compacted zones and a plurality of non-compacted or zones compacted to a lesser extent, as well as embodiments in which the nonwoven comprises a plurality of compacted zones and only a single non-compacted zone or zone compacted to a lesser extent, or only a single compacted zone and a plurality of non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones within a contiguous non-compacted zone or in a zone compacted to a lesser extent. In this embodiment, the non-compacted zone or zone compacted to a lesser extent forms a contiguous main surface in which the mutually separated compacted zones are arranged.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises a plurality of separate non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent within a contiguous non-compacted zone. In this embodiment, the contiguous compacted zone forms a main surface in which the separate non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are arranged.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
Nonwovens of viscose fibers that are chemically bonded with binders (chembound) substantially satisfy these different requirements and are established in the market as a standard material for oral tobacco packets. The use of a suitable binder permits a thermal seal of the non-thermoplastic nonwovens of viscose fibers which are advantageous due to their spontaneous wettability with saliva and their softness. It is important in this case for the binder to be selected such that no sharp edges arise when sealing the pouch.
In particular, the following patent publications address the optimization of the property profile of the nonwoven:
EP 3 223 636 Bl describes the use of a chemically bonded nonwoven of viscose fibers with a certain share of viscose fibers with a multilobal (trilobal) cross-section for optimizing the feel, in particular in oral use and for rapid wetting. The share of multilobal fibers increases the visual transparency of the nonwoven, accelerates the wetting by an increased capillary effect of the channels formed by the multilobal fibers, and offers a pleasant surface roughness upon oral contact. The multilobal fibers are relatively expensive. Such cellulosic fibers with a multilobal cross-section are manufactured by Kelheim Fibres and marketed under the name of Galaxy Fiber.
US 9,913,491 B2 describes the use of a nonwoven for the production of a snus pouch. For this purpose, preferably a perforated, hydroentangled nonwoven of viscose fibers is additionally treated with a chemical binder to obtain the desired material properties. The permeability of the nonwoven to saliva and flavorings is increased and its bending stiffness is decreased by the perforation.
In addition to the conventional snus pouches which contain tobacco particles, there are increasingly snus products that contain different powdered, generally nicotine-containing substrates which sometimes differ greatly in terms of particle size, flavor intensity and speed Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 of the transfer of flavorings through the nonwoven. With the conventional nonwovens which are used for snus pouches, a suitable fiber and pore structure would have to be developed for optimum performance which would be expensive and lead to the provision of very different nonwovens for the production of snus pouches with different powdered substrates.
In addition to the adaptation of the properties of the nonwovens, the greater number of different substrates makes it seem desirable to identify the products with respect to their particular properties, and to attractively present the diversified product portfolio to the customer. This would be desirable directly on the product in addition to the conventional advertising options on packaging containing the product.
Against this backdrop, the object of the invention is to provide an oral tobacco packet which makes it possible to more easily adjust the properties of the nonwoven to the particular substrate.
Furthermore, a method for producing the pouch from a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material is to be provided.
The object is achieved by a pouch according to claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the pouch and the method are presented in the dependent claims and in the following description.
The pouch according to the invention consisting of a nonwoven contains a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material, wherein the nonwoven comprises fibers based on cellulose, a binder on the surface of the fibers, and compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones which are compacted to a lesser extent, and the binder keeps the compacted zones in the compacted state.
Nonwovens suitable for snus pouches (e.g. consisting of chemically bound fibers containing viscose) are distinguished by their thermal sealability or sealability under high pressure.
Conventionally for snus pouches, nonwovens with a maximum permeability to flavorings are used. Such a material has a relatively open pore structure. By locally pressing (embossing) the material, the nonwoven can be compacted in one or more defined zones in a simple calendering process using an engraving roller (embossing roller) and a smooth roller, and thereby more or Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 less closing the pore structure in the region of the one or more compacted zones and, if applicable, closing it to a lesser extent in the zones compacted to a lesser extent than in the compacted zones. In the zones compacted to a lesser extent, the nonwoven is compacted to a lesser extent than in the compacted zones. The nonwoven is a textile fabric, and the compacted zones are formed by compacting the nonwoven in a perpendicular direction to the two main directions of extension of the nonwoven. The binder binds the fibers of the nonwoven in the compacted zones and, if applicable, in the zones compacted to a lesser extent by adhesion, mechanical hooking or other interactions, whereby these zones are secured, or respectively fixed in the particular compacted state. The adhesion of the fibers can be achieved in that, when compressing the nonwoven, the binder is at least partially crosslinked in the compacted zones because of an increase in pressure and temperature. The crosslinking can be brought about by an increase in the temperature of the rollers from the heat released by means of the rollers while pressing, and/or by the specific supply of heat. The adhesion of the fibers can furthermore be achieved by heating and cooling thermoplastic binders, or by compressing pressure-sensitive binders. The nonwoven is lastingly compacted in the compacted zones and kept closed. The compacted and closed zones stay mostly compacted and closed even in a wet state during oral use. Accordingly, the compacted zones have a lesser permeability (passage of the substance saliva with flavorings of the tobacco material) compared to the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent of the nonwoven. The permeability of the nonwoven in the compacted zones can be negligibly low. In the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent, the permeability is however not or only partially decreased by compaction of the fibers so that the nonwoven is able to retain its original, or respectively only partially reduced permeability there.
By a specific selection of the compacted zones and zones compacted to a lesser extent, the overall permeability of the nonwoven in comparison to the employed starting material can be reduced and adapted to the particular tobacco materials or tobacco substitutes contained in the snus pouch. By a specific selection of the structure of the compacted zones and to the zones compacted to a lesser extent (embossed structure), not only can the permeability to flavorings be adjusted, but the flexural rigidity, elongation, and strength in the longitudinal and transverse direction can also be influenced and, by the adjustment of the three-dimensional surface structure, the roughness and therefore the feel of the pouch upon removal from the pack and during oral use can be specifically modeled.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 The specific adjustment of the cited nonwoven properties by local compaction and solidifying of the nonwoven can also be used to specifically influence the visual appearance of the nonwoven and therefore produce visually diversified snus pouches. To influence the permeability, basically only the proportions of compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent in the total area of the nonwoven are decisive.
This leaves a lot of design leeway to emboss different structures in the nonwoven in a given surface of compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent and therefore create products with a tailored look (e.g. textile look, perforated look, look of leather or other materials) or embossing the manufacturer's name, the brand, a logo, a club crest, or another identification.
It is very advantageous that the diversified properties of the nonwoven can be adjusted in a subsequent, less complex processing step, wherein the same nonwoven can always be used as the starting product.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the nonwoven is a chemically bonded nonwoven. In the chemically bonded nonwoven, the fibers are bound to each other at contact points by a binder applied thereto. The chemically bonded nonwoven includes a chemical binder. The chemical binder is an at least partially crosslinkable binder.
When crosslinking the binder, long-chain molecules, which can be crosslinked to each other and form a polymer, are formed from monomers or short-chain molecules. According to one embodiment, the compacted zones are permanently fixed in the compacted state by the same binder. For this purpose, during the production of the nonwoven, a binder can be used, which chemically crosslinks to become a thermoset while drying and binds the fibers to each other at the contact points, wherein however the crosslinking is only partial, so that still crosslinkable components remain. When compacting the nonwoven by embossing, the pressure and the temperature can be locally increased so that the binder crosslinks in the region of the embossing zones and forms a permanently compacted structure that possesses a certain wet strength.
For example, the nonwoven product marketed by the company pely-tex & Co. KG, Willy-Pelz-Str. 2-4, 23812 Wahlstedt under the product name "Nonwova CV 29/viv" can be used as the starting material for the nonwoven. Compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are produced in the starting material by local pressing (embossing).
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to another embodiment, the nonwoven is a mechanically bonded nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, the nonwoven is mechanically bonded by needling or by water jets. The mechanically bonded nonwoven is also provided with the binder.
The compacted zones are permanently held in the compacted state by interactions between the binder and the fibers.
According to one embodiment, the pouch has sealing seams in which mutually overlapping regions of the nonwoven are interconnected by the binder. For this purpose, pressure and/or temperature is exerted on the regions of the nonwoven to be connected when sealing the sealing seams. Non-adhered binder of the nonwoven can be used to produce the sealing seams. These can be non-adhered parts of the binder in the compacted and/or the non-compacted zones.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises fibers of one or more of the following types of cellulosic fibers: Viscose fibers, Lyocell fibers or cotton fibers.
For the sake of simplified expression, claim 1 indicates that the pouch comprises a nonwoven with compacted zones and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent. This denotes both embodiments in which the nonwoven of the pouch comprises a plurality of compacted zones and a plurality of non-compacted or zones compacted to a lesser extent, as well as embodiments in which the nonwoven comprises a plurality of compacted zones and only a single non-compacted zone or zone compacted to a lesser extent, or only a single compacted zone and a plurality of non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones within a contiguous non-compacted zone or in a zone compacted to a lesser extent. In this embodiment, the non-compacted zone or zone compacted to a lesser extent forms a contiguous main surface in which the mutually separated compacted zones are arranged.
According to one embodiment, the nonwoven comprises a plurality of separate non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent within a contiguous non-compacted zone. In this embodiment, the contiguous compacted zone forms a main surface in which the separate non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are arranged.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
7 According to another embodiment, the nonwoven comprises a plurality of compacted zones and a plurality of non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent between the compacted zones. For example, the compacted zones and the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are arranged like a chessboard, wherein the compacted zones are arranged like the dark areas, and the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent are arranged like the light areas of the chessboard pattern.
According to another embodiment, different sections of the nonwoven have compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent formed in various above-described ways. For example, the one side of the pouch is formed in a different way than the other side.
According to another embodiment, the compacted zones and/or the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent have one or more of the following shapes:
polygonal, circular, oval, cruciform, strip-shaped, wavy (e.g. in the form of a sinusoidal, rectangular, triangular or sawtooth oscillation).
According to another embodiment, the pouch has a sealing seam running in the longitudinal direction on one large-area side in an overlap region of the nonwoven, and sealing seams running in the transverse direction on the two transverse sides in the overlap regions of the nonwoven. At the sealing seams running in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction, the pouch can be produced with high output quantities as a tubular pouch.
According to another embodiment, the pressed zones occupy 5% to 95% of the surface area of the nonwoven, and the non-compressed zones occupy 95% to 5% of the surface area of the nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, the dry nonwoven, in the machine direction, has a strength of 10 to 100 N/50 mm, and/or in the transverse direction, a strength of 5 to 50 N/50 mm.
The strengths refer to a determination according to EDANA WSP 110.4.
According to another embodiment, the dry nonwoven has, in the machine direction, an elongation of 5 to 50%, and transverse to the machine direction, an elongation of 10 to 100%.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
According to another embodiment, different sections of the nonwoven have compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent formed in various above-described ways. For example, the one side of the pouch is formed in a different way than the other side.
According to another embodiment, the compacted zones and/or the non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent have one or more of the following shapes:
polygonal, circular, oval, cruciform, strip-shaped, wavy (e.g. in the form of a sinusoidal, rectangular, triangular or sawtooth oscillation).
According to another embodiment, the pouch has a sealing seam running in the longitudinal direction on one large-area side in an overlap region of the nonwoven, and sealing seams running in the transverse direction on the two transverse sides in the overlap regions of the nonwoven. At the sealing seams running in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction, the pouch can be produced with high output quantities as a tubular pouch.
According to another embodiment, the pressed zones occupy 5% to 95% of the surface area of the nonwoven, and the non-compressed zones occupy 95% to 5% of the surface area of the nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, the dry nonwoven, in the machine direction, has a strength of 10 to 100 N/50 mm, and/or in the transverse direction, a strength of 5 to 50 N/50 mm.
The strengths refer to a determination according to EDANA WSP 110.4.
According to another embodiment, the dry nonwoven has, in the machine direction, an elongation of 5 to 50%, and transverse to the machine direction, an elongation of 10 to 100%.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
8 The elongations refer to a determination according to EDANA WSP 110.4.
According to an additional embodiment, the dry nonwoven has a permeability, measured as the air permeability of a test surface of 5 cm2, of 1,000 to 2,250, preferably of 1,400 to 2,000 L/m2/s, to which normal pressure is applied on one side, and to which an overpressure of 125 Pa is applied on the other side.
In this case, the air permeability is measured according to the EDANA standard NWS 070.1 RO.
The air permeability is a good measure of the permeability of the nonwoven because the compacted zones, the non-compacted zones and the zones compacted to a lesser extent are largely held in the same state by the binder as is the case with dry nonwoven even upon moistening the nonwoven.
According to claim 11, in the method according to the invention for producing a pouch consisting of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material according to one of claims 1 to 10 or one of the above embodiments, a web material consisting of a nonwoven containing fibers based on cellulose and a binder is moved between a rotatable engraving roller having one or more projections on the outer periphery and a rotatable smooth roller, the engraving roller and the smooth roller are pressed against the web material from different sides and run in the circumferential direction on the web material, wherein the web material is compacted in zones between the engraving roller and the smooth roller by means of the one or more projections, the web material is not compacted or is compacted to a lesser extent in zones between the regions of the engraving roller that have no projections and the smooth roller, and in the compacted zones, the fibers of the web material are interconnected by the binder in the compacted state, and pouches are formed from portions of the tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material and severed sections of the web material.
The engraving roller and the smooth roller are rollers of a calender with which the nonwoven is provided with compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent.
The engraving roller and the smooth roller are pressed with their axes of rotation in the same plane from different sides against the web material in order to provide it with compacted zones Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
According to an additional embodiment, the dry nonwoven has a permeability, measured as the air permeability of a test surface of 5 cm2, of 1,000 to 2,250, preferably of 1,400 to 2,000 L/m2/s, to which normal pressure is applied on one side, and to which an overpressure of 125 Pa is applied on the other side.
In this case, the air permeability is measured according to the EDANA standard NWS 070.1 RO.
The air permeability is a good measure of the permeability of the nonwoven because the compacted zones, the non-compacted zones and the zones compacted to a lesser extent are largely held in the same state by the binder as is the case with dry nonwoven even upon moistening the nonwoven.
According to claim 11, in the method according to the invention for producing a pouch consisting of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material according to one of claims 1 to 10 or one of the above embodiments, a web material consisting of a nonwoven containing fibers based on cellulose and a binder is moved between a rotatable engraving roller having one or more projections on the outer periphery and a rotatable smooth roller, the engraving roller and the smooth roller are pressed against the web material from different sides and run in the circumferential direction on the web material, wherein the web material is compacted in zones between the engraving roller and the smooth roller by means of the one or more projections, the web material is not compacted or is compacted to a lesser extent in zones between the regions of the engraving roller that have no projections and the smooth roller, and in the compacted zones, the fibers of the web material are interconnected by the binder in the compacted state, and pouches are formed from portions of the tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material and severed sections of the web material.
The engraving roller and the smooth roller are rollers of a calender with which the nonwoven is provided with compacted and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent.
The engraving roller and the smooth roller are pressed with their axes of rotation in the same plane from different sides against the web material in order to provide it with compacted zones Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
9 and non-compacted zones or zones compacted to a lesser extent. According to one embodiment of the invention, a gap is set between the engraving roller and the smooth roller to a defined value.
The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing pouches according to one of claims 1 to 10 or one of the above-described embodiments.
According to one embodiment, the engraving roller and the smooth roller run on the web material without a relative movement to each other in the throughput direction of the web material. This prevents the web material from being torn by the relative speed in the surfaces of the rollers.
According to another embodiment, the engraving roller and/or the smooth roller are driven.
Preferably, the engraving roller and the smooth roller are driven to avoid relative movements between the surfaces of the rollers in the throughput direction of the web material.
According to another embodiment, the engraving roller has an exchangeable embossing sleeve having one or more projections on the outer periphery. When using a calender with an exchangeable embossing sleeve, the desired material properties such as permeability, bending stiffness, roughness, elongation, strength, haptics and visual appearance can be adjusted with relatively slight effort when using a uniform nonwoven as the starting material. This makes product diversification easy by using a suitable standard nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, portions of the tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material are fed onto the web material, the web material above the portions is folded up, a sealing seam that extends in the longitudinal direction is introduced in overlapping edge regions of the web material, transverse sealing seams are introduced in the overlapping regions of the web material on both sides of each portion of the tobacco material and/or the other nicotine-containing material, and the web material is cut into individual pouches within the transverse sealing seams. This makes it possible to produce the pouches as a tubular pouch at a high speed.
The invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Fig. 1 shows a front view of a snus pouch;
Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the snus pouch;
Fig. 3 shows a photograph of a nonwoven with compacted and non-compacted zones for the production of the snus pouch;
Fig. 4 shows an enlarged vertical section of a compacted zone within a non-compacted zone;
Fig. 5 shows a plurality of mutally separated compacted zones within a contiguous non-compacted zone in a plan view;
Fig. 6 shows a plurality of separate non-compacted zones within a continuous contiguous zone in a plan view;
Fig. 7 shows different geometries of compacted or non-compacted zones in a plan view.
According to Fig. 1 and 2, a snus pouch 1 comprises a pouch 2 consisting of a nonwoven 3 in which a small amount of tobacco material 4 and/or another nicotine-containing material is arranged. The nonwoven 3 is produced from viscose fibers.
The pouch 2 is designed as a tubular pouch. A strip of the nonwoven 3 is folded onto itself at the longitudinal edges and bonded to itself by a longitudinal sealing seam 5.
The tobacco material 4 is, for example, snus. Furthermore, the two transverse edges of the pouch 2 are interconnected by transversely oriented sealing seams 6, 7.
During use, the snus pouch 1 is placed behind the lower lip and the upper lip.
Saliva from the oral cavity penetrates and releases nicotine and other flavorings from the tobacco material 4.
Fig. 3 shows a strongly enlarged photograph of a nonwoven 3 for producing the pouch 2 according to Fig. 1 and 2. The nonwoven 3 has a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones 8 within a contiguous, non-compacted zone 9, which are embossed by means of a calender with an engraving roller and smooth roller. For this purpose, the engraving roller has projections with a hexagonal or honeycomb cross-section. The nonwoven 3 is a chemically bonded nonwoven in which the fibers of viscose are provided with a binder that is chemically crosslinked while drying to form a thermoset. When embossing the compacted zones 8, still uncrosslinked parts of the binder are crosslinked in the compacted zones 8 so that the crosslinked binder keeps the compacted zones 8 in the compacted state.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to Fig. 4, in the compacted zones 9, the fibers 10 lie close together, and the regions between the fibers are at least partially closed by binder 11 so that the permeability of the nonwoven 3 to flavorings in the compacted zones 8 is much less or negligible.
In the non-compacted zone 9, the nonwoven 3 has its original structure and permeability.
The total permeability of the nonwoven 3 is therefore determined jointly by the compacted zones 8 and the non-compacted zone 9.
Accordingly, by means of the selected embossing structure, the permeability of the nonwoven 3 of the snus pouch 1 can be adjusted to the particular tobacco material 4. In the production of the snus pouches 1 with different tobacco materials 4, the same nonwoven 3 can always be started with which is provided with an individual emboss depending on the tobacco material 4.
Different embossing cylinders with which the engraving cylinder of the calender is equipped can be used for this purpose.
According to Fig. 5, a nonwoven 3 can be provided with compacted and non-compacted zones such that it has a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones 8 and a contiguous non-compacted zone 9. This is also the case with the nonwoven 3 of Fig. 3.
According to Fig. 6, alternatively, a nonwoven can be provided with compacted and non-compacted zones such that it has a plurality of separate non-compacted zones 9 within a contiguous compacted zone 8.
According to Fig. 7a-f, the compacted or non-compacted zones can have different geometries, in particular polygonal (Fig. 7a), circular (Fig. 7b), oval (Fig. 7c), cruciform (Fig. 7d), linear (Fig. 7e) or wavy (Fig. 71) geometries.
In the following tables, measurements of the strength, the elongation and the stiffness are shown, in each case in the machine running direction and transversely thereto, as well as static friction forces, static friction coefficients, sealing strengths, sliding friction forces and sliding friction coefficients, as well as air permeabilities, in each case for a conventional nonwoven (standard) and a nonwoven according to the invention provided with compacted and non-compacted zones (embossed pattern), each weighing 29 gsm. The embossed pattern is the nonwoven depicted in Fig. 3. Each of the employed standard measuring methods are indicated in the tables.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to the measurements, the embossed pattern has weaker MD and CD
strengths than the standard. Furthermore, the embossed pattern has less MD and CD elongation than the standard. This is because when embossing of the embossed pattern, bonds of the chemically bonded nonwoven are destroyed, and this is only partially compensated for by the crosslinking of binder in the compressed zones.
Furthermore, according to the measurements, the embossed pattern manifests greater static friction and dynamic friction forces than the standard. This is based on the greater structuring of the surface from the embossings.
Finally, in the embossed pattern, the air permeability is reduced compared to the standard. This is due to the fact that the surface of the embossed pattern is closed in the region of the embossing, and this reduces the air permeability in comparison to the standard. Corresponding to the reduction of the air permeability, the flavoring permeability for flavorings in saliva is also reduced.
Nonwova CV 29/viv Strength MID Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [N/50 mm] 71 46 [N/50 mm] 68 35 [N/50 mm] 67 43 [N/50 mm] 70 44 [N/50 mm] 69 42 Average [N/50 mm] 69 42 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 1.65 4.32 Variation coefficient [%1 2.39 10.31 min. [N/50 mm] 67 35 max. [N/50 mm] 71 46 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Elongation MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 8 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 7 Average 1%/50 mm] 8 7 Standard deviation [%/50 mm] 0.24 0.35 Variation coefficient [%1 2.98 4.98 min. [%/50 mm] 8 7 max. [%/50 mm] 8 8 Rigidity MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 090.3 [g] 214 94 [g] 215 111 [g] 246 111 [g] 209 96 [g] 221 103 Average lg] 221 103 Standard deviation [g] 14.61 8.03 Variation coefficient [%1 6.61 7.80 min. [g] 209 94 max. [g] 246 111 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Sealing strength Standard Embossed pattern DIN EN 29073-3 [N/50 mm] 7.00 10.70 [N/50 mm] 6.86 7.78 [N/50 mm]
[N/50 mm]
Average [N/50 mm] 6.78 7.93 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 0.26 2.69 Variation coefficient [%] 3.88 33.95 min. [N/50 mm] 6.49 5.32 max. [N/50 mm] 7.00 10.70 Friction Standard Embossed pattern measurement Static friction force [N] 0.880 1.790 (Force static) Static friction 0.448 0.912 coefficient las Sliding friction force [N] 0.580 1.030 (Force dynamic) Sliding friction 0.297 0.525 coefficient i-ti) Nonwova CV 29/viv Strength CD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [N/50 mm] 17 15 [N/50 mm] 17 12 [N/50 mm] 17 12 [N/50 mm] 18 16 [N/50 mm] 17 14 Average IN/50 mm] 17 14 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 0.53 1.82 Variation coefficient [%1 3.07 13.29 min. [N/50 mm] 17 12 max. [N/50 mm] 18 16 Elongation CD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP [%/50 mm] 30 30 110.4 [%/50 mm] 37 28 [%/50 mm] 35 25 [%/50 mm] 38 32 [%/50 mm] 35 28 Average 1%/50 mm] 35 28 Standard deviation [%/50 mm] 2.82 2.60 Variation coefficient [%1 8.09 9.17 min. [%/50 mm] 30 25 max. [%/50 mm] 38 32 Elongation MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 090.3 [g] 57 48 [g] 63 41 [g] 53 43 [g] 57 41 [g] 58 43 Average lg] 58 43 Standard deviation [g] 3.57 2.86 Variation coefficient [%1 6.21 6.62 min. [g] 53 41 Air permeability Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 070.1 [L/m2/s1 2,780 1,920 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 125 Pa/at 5cm2 test area [1/m2/s] 2,960 1,750 [1/m2/s] 2,620 1,620 [L/m2/s] 2,860 1,610 [1/m2/s] 2.920 1,490 Average [IIIII2/s] 2.828 1,678 Standard deviation [L/m2/s] 134.61 163.62 Variation coefficient [%] 4.76 9.75 min. [L/m2/s] 2,620 1,490 max. [L/m2/s] 2,960 1,920 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing pouches according to one of claims 1 to 10 or one of the above-described embodiments.
According to one embodiment, the engraving roller and the smooth roller run on the web material without a relative movement to each other in the throughput direction of the web material. This prevents the web material from being torn by the relative speed in the surfaces of the rollers.
According to another embodiment, the engraving roller and/or the smooth roller are driven.
Preferably, the engraving roller and the smooth roller are driven to avoid relative movements between the surfaces of the rollers in the throughput direction of the web material.
According to another embodiment, the engraving roller has an exchangeable embossing sleeve having one or more projections on the outer periphery. When using a calender with an exchangeable embossing sleeve, the desired material properties such as permeability, bending stiffness, roughness, elongation, strength, haptics and visual appearance can be adjusted with relatively slight effort when using a uniform nonwoven as the starting material. This makes product diversification easy by using a suitable standard nonwoven.
According to another embodiment, portions of the tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material are fed onto the web material, the web material above the portions is folded up, a sealing seam that extends in the longitudinal direction is introduced in overlapping edge regions of the web material, transverse sealing seams are introduced in the overlapping regions of the web material on both sides of each portion of the tobacco material and/or the other nicotine-containing material, and the web material is cut into individual pouches within the transverse sealing seams. This makes it possible to produce the pouches as a tubular pouch at a high speed.
The invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Fig. 1 shows a front view of a snus pouch;
Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the snus pouch;
Fig. 3 shows a photograph of a nonwoven with compacted and non-compacted zones for the production of the snus pouch;
Fig. 4 shows an enlarged vertical section of a compacted zone within a non-compacted zone;
Fig. 5 shows a plurality of mutally separated compacted zones within a contiguous non-compacted zone in a plan view;
Fig. 6 shows a plurality of separate non-compacted zones within a continuous contiguous zone in a plan view;
Fig. 7 shows different geometries of compacted or non-compacted zones in a plan view.
According to Fig. 1 and 2, a snus pouch 1 comprises a pouch 2 consisting of a nonwoven 3 in which a small amount of tobacco material 4 and/or another nicotine-containing material is arranged. The nonwoven 3 is produced from viscose fibers.
The pouch 2 is designed as a tubular pouch. A strip of the nonwoven 3 is folded onto itself at the longitudinal edges and bonded to itself by a longitudinal sealing seam 5.
The tobacco material 4 is, for example, snus. Furthermore, the two transverse edges of the pouch 2 are interconnected by transversely oriented sealing seams 6, 7.
During use, the snus pouch 1 is placed behind the lower lip and the upper lip.
Saliva from the oral cavity penetrates and releases nicotine and other flavorings from the tobacco material 4.
Fig. 3 shows a strongly enlarged photograph of a nonwoven 3 for producing the pouch 2 according to Fig. 1 and 2. The nonwoven 3 has a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones 8 within a contiguous, non-compacted zone 9, which are embossed by means of a calender with an engraving roller and smooth roller. For this purpose, the engraving roller has projections with a hexagonal or honeycomb cross-section. The nonwoven 3 is a chemically bonded nonwoven in which the fibers of viscose are provided with a binder that is chemically crosslinked while drying to form a thermoset. When embossing the compacted zones 8, still uncrosslinked parts of the binder are crosslinked in the compacted zones 8 so that the crosslinked binder keeps the compacted zones 8 in the compacted state.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to Fig. 4, in the compacted zones 9, the fibers 10 lie close together, and the regions between the fibers are at least partially closed by binder 11 so that the permeability of the nonwoven 3 to flavorings in the compacted zones 8 is much less or negligible.
In the non-compacted zone 9, the nonwoven 3 has its original structure and permeability.
The total permeability of the nonwoven 3 is therefore determined jointly by the compacted zones 8 and the non-compacted zone 9.
Accordingly, by means of the selected embossing structure, the permeability of the nonwoven 3 of the snus pouch 1 can be adjusted to the particular tobacco material 4. In the production of the snus pouches 1 with different tobacco materials 4, the same nonwoven 3 can always be started with which is provided with an individual emboss depending on the tobacco material 4.
Different embossing cylinders with which the engraving cylinder of the calender is equipped can be used for this purpose.
According to Fig. 5, a nonwoven 3 can be provided with compacted and non-compacted zones such that it has a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones 8 and a contiguous non-compacted zone 9. This is also the case with the nonwoven 3 of Fig. 3.
According to Fig. 6, alternatively, a nonwoven can be provided with compacted and non-compacted zones such that it has a plurality of separate non-compacted zones 9 within a contiguous compacted zone 8.
According to Fig. 7a-f, the compacted or non-compacted zones can have different geometries, in particular polygonal (Fig. 7a), circular (Fig. 7b), oval (Fig. 7c), cruciform (Fig. 7d), linear (Fig. 7e) or wavy (Fig. 71) geometries.
In the following tables, measurements of the strength, the elongation and the stiffness are shown, in each case in the machine running direction and transversely thereto, as well as static friction forces, static friction coefficients, sealing strengths, sliding friction forces and sliding friction coefficients, as well as air permeabilities, in each case for a conventional nonwoven (standard) and a nonwoven according to the invention provided with compacted and non-compacted zones (embossed pattern), each weighing 29 gsm. The embossed pattern is the nonwoven depicted in Fig. 3. Each of the employed standard measuring methods are indicated in the tables.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 According to the measurements, the embossed pattern has weaker MD and CD
strengths than the standard. Furthermore, the embossed pattern has less MD and CD elongation than the standard. This is because when embossing of the embossed pattern, bonds of the chemically bonded nonwoven are destroyed, and this is only partially compensated for by the crosslinking of binder in the compressed zones.
Furthermore, according to the measurements, the embossed pattern manifests greater static friction and dynamic friction forces than the standard. This is based on the greater structuring of the surface from the embossings.
Finally, in the embossed pattern, the air permeability is reduced compared to the standard. This is due to the fact that the surface of the embossed pattern is closed in the region of the embossing, and this reduces the air permeability in comparison to the standard. Corresponding to the reduction of the air permeability, the flavoring permeability for flavorings in saliva is also reduced.
Nonwova CV 29/viv Strength MID Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [N/50 mm] 71 46 [N/50 mm] 68 35 [N/50 mm] 67 43 [N/50 mm] 70 44 [N/50 mm] 69 42 Average [N/50 mm] 69 42 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 1.65 4.32 Variation coefficient [%1 2.39 10.31 min. [N/50 mm] 67 35 max. [N/50 mm] 71 46 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Elongation MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 8 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 7 [%/50 mm] 8 7 Average 1%/50 mm] 8 7 Standard deviation [%/50 mm] 0.24 0.35 Variation coefficient [%1 2.98 4.98 min. [%/50 mm] 8 7 max. [%/50 mm] 8 8 Rigidity MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 090.3 [g] 214 94 [g] 215 111 [g] 246 111 [g] 209 96 [g] 221 103 Average lg] 221 103 Standard deviation [g] 14.61 8.03 Variation coefficient [%1 6.61 7.80 min. [g] 209 94 max. [g] 246 111 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Sealing strength Standard Embossed pattern DIN EN 29073-3 [N/50 mm] 7.00 10.70 [N/50 mm] 6.86 7.78 [N/50 mm]
[N/50 mm]
Average [N/50 mm] 6.78 7.93 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 0.26 2.69 Variation coefficient [%] 3.88 33.95 min. [N/50 mm] 6.49 5.32 max. [N/50 mm] 7.00 10.70 Friction Standard Embossed pattern measurement Static friction force [N] 0.880 1.790 (Force static) Static friction 0.448 0.912 coefficient las Sliding friction force [N] 0.580 1.030 (Force dynamic) Sliding friction 0.297 0.525 coefficient i-ti) Nonwova CV 29/viv Strength CD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 110.4 [N/50 mm] 17 15 [N/50 mm] 17 12 [N/50 mm] 17 12 [N/50 mm] 18 16 [N/50 mm] 17 14 Average IN/50 mm] 17 14 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 Standard deviation [N/50 mm] 0.53 1.82 Variation coefficient [%1 3.07 13.29 min. [N/50 mm] 17 12 max. [N/50 mm] 18 16 Elongation CD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP [%/50 mm] 30 30 110.4 [%/50 mm] 37 28 [%/50 mm] 35 25 [%/50 mm] 38 32 [%/50 mm] 35 28 Average 1%/50 mm] 35 28 Standard deviation [%/50 mm] 2.82 2.60 Variation coefficient [%1 8.09 9.17 min. [%/50 mm] 30 25 max. [%/50 mm] 38 32 Elongation MD Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 090.3 [g] 57 48 [g] 63 41 [g] 53 43 [g] 57 41 [g] 58 43 Average lg] 58 43 Standard deviation [g] 3.57 2.86 Variation coefficient [%1 6.21 6.62 min. [g] 53 41 Air permeability Standard Embossed pattern EDANA WSP 070.1 [L/m2/s1 2,780 1,920 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06 125 Pa/at 5cm2 test area [1/m2/s] 2,960 1,750 [1/m2/s] 2,620 1,620 [L/m2/s] 2,860 1,610 [1/m2/s] 2.920 1,490 Average [IIIII2/s] 2.828 1,678 Standard deviation [L/m2/s] 134.61 163.62 Variation coefficient [%] 4.76 9.75 min. [L/m2/s] 2,620 1,490 max. [L/m2/s] 2,960 1,920 Date Recue/Date Received 2024-02-06
Claims (12)
1. A pouch made of a nonwoven material containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material, wherein the nonwoven material is a chemically bonded or mechanically bonded nonwoven material, comprises fibers based on cellulose, a binder on the surface of the fibers, and compacted zones as well as non-compacted zones or zones that are compacted to a lesser extent, and the at least partially crosslinked binder keeps the compacted zones in the compacted state.
2. The pouch according to claim 1, which comprises sealing seams in which overlapping regions of the nonwoven material are interconnected by means of crosslinked binder.
3. The pouch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crosslinked binder is simultaneously the chemical binder that chemically bonds the nonwoven material.
4. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nonwoven material comprises one or more of the following types of fibers: cellulose fibers, viscose fibers, cotton fibers, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or other thermoplastic fibers.
5. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nonwoven material comprises a plurality of mutually separated compacted zones within a contiguous zone that is not compacted or is compacted to a lesser extent and/or a plurality of mutually separated zones that are not compacted or are compacted to a lesser extent within a contiguous compacted zone and/or a plurality of compacted zones and a plurality of non-compacted zones or zones that are compacted to a lesser extent between the compacted zones and/or only one single compacted zone and only one single non-compacted zone or zone that is compacted to a lesser extent.
6. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compacted zones and/or non-compacted zones or zones that are compacted to a lesser extent have one or more of the following shapes: polygonal, circular, oval, cruciform, strip-shaped, wave-shaped.
Date Recue/Date Received 202402-06
Date Recue/Date Received 202402-06
7. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which comprises a sealing seam that extends in the longitudinal direction on a large side in an overlap region of the nonwoven material and comprises sealing seams that extend in the transverse direction on both transverse sides in overlap regions of the nonwoven material.
8. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the compressed zones occupy 5% to 95% of the surface area of the nonwoven material and wherein the non-compressed zones occupy 95% to 5% of the surface area of the nonwoven material.
9. The pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising one or more of the following features:
= the dry nonwoven material has a strength of 10 to 100 N/50 mm in the machine direction and/or a strength of 5 to 50 N/50 mm in the transverse direction, = the dry nonwoven material has an elongation of 5 to 50% in the machine direction and an elongation of 10 to 100% transversely to the machine direction, = the dry nonwoven material has a permeability, measured as air permeability of a test surface to which normal pressure is applied on one side and to which an overpressure of 125 Pa is applied on the other side, of 1,000 to 2,250, preferably 1,400 to 2,000 L/m2/s.
= the dry nonwoven material has a strength of 10 to 100 N/50 mm in the machine direction and/or a strength of 5 to 50 N/50 mm in the transverse direction, = the dry nonwoven material has an elongation of 5 to 50% in the machine direction and an elongation of 10 to 100% transversely to the machine direction, = the dry nonwoven material has a permeability, measured as air permeability of a test surface to which normal pressure is applied on one side and to which an overpressure of 125 Pa is applied on the other side, of 1,000 to 2,250, preferably 1,400 to 2,000 L/m2/s.
10. A method for producing a pouch made of a nonwoven material containing a tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a web material made of a chemically bonded or mechanically bonded nonwoven material containing fibers based on cellulose and a binder is moved through between a rotatable engraving roller having one or more projections on the outer periphery and a rotatable smooth roller, the engraving roller and the smooth roller are pressed from different sides against the web material and run in the circumferential direction on the web material, wherein the web material is compacted in zones between the engraving roller and the smooth roller by means of the one or more projections, the web material is not compacted or is compacted to a lesser extent in zones between the regions of the engraving roller that have no projections and the smooth roller, and the fibers of the web material are interconnected in the compacted zones in the compacted Date Recue/Date Received 202402-06 state by means of the at least partially crosslinked binder, and pouches are formed from portions of the tobacco material and/or another nicotine-containing material and severed sections of the web material.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the engraving roller comprises an exchangeable embossing sleeve having one or more projections on the outer periphery.
12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein portions of the tobacco material and/or the other nicotine-containing material are fed onto the web material, the web material above the portions is folded up, a sealing seam that extends in the longitudinal direction is made in overlapping edge regions of the web material, transverse sealing seams are made in the overlapping regions of the web material on both sides of each portion of the tobacco material and/or the other nicotine-containing material, and the web material is cut into individual pouches within the transverse sealing seams.
Date Recue/Date Received 202402-06
Date Recue/Date Received 202402-06
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP21183302.5 | 2021-07-01 | ||
| EP21183302.5A EP4111873B1 (en) | 2021-07-01 | 2021-07-01 | Pouch made of a nonwoven material containing a tobacco material and / or another nicotine-containing material |
| PCT/EP2022/067686 WO2023275022A1 (en) | 2021-07-01 | 2022-06-28 | Pouch made of a nonwoven, containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3228431A1 true CA3228431A1 (en) | 2023-01-05 |
Family
ID=76764835
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3228431A Pending CA3228431A1 (en) | 2021-07-01 | 2022-06-28 | Pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4111873B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN117794396A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA3228431A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2973304T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2023275022A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE202024101532U1 (en) | 2024-03-27 | 2024-05-23 | Pely-Tex Gmbh & Co. Kg | Bag with a bag cover made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric with a filling material arranged therein for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2504495A (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2014-02-05 | British American Tobacco Co | Fleece for smokeless tobacco pouch |
| US10959456B2 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2021-03-30 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Nonwoven pouch comprising heat sealable binder fiber |
| WO2016083463A1 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2016-06-02 | Swedish Match North Europe Ab | Oral pouched product |
| EP3330190A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-06 | Swedish Match North Europe AB | Method and arrangement for portion-packing of an oral pouched snuff product |
-
2021
- 2021-07-01 EP EP21183302.5A patent/EP4111873B1/en active Active
- 2021-07-01 ES ES21183302T patent/ES2973304T3/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-06-28 CA CA3228431A patent/CA3228431A1/en active Pending
- 2022-06-28 WO PCT/EP2022/067686 patent/WO2023275022A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-06-28 CN CN202280053815.9A patent/CN117794396A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2973304T3 (en) | 2024-06-19 |
| EP4111873C0 (en) | 2023-12-13 |
| EP4111873B1 (en) | 2023-12-13 |
| EP4111873A1 (en) | 2023-01-04 |
| CN117794396A (en) | 2024-03-29 |
| WO2023275022A1 (en) | 2023-01-05 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5989682A (en) | Scrim-like paper wiping product and method for making the same | |
| AU2002363951C1 (en) | Heated embossing and ply bonding process | |
| CA2393356C (en) | Hydrophilic cotton pad for skin care and comprising two different external surfaces | |
| EP2039815B1 (en) | Cleaning and/or skin care item comprising a raised pattern on its surface and production method thereof | |
| EP0219508B1 (en) | Decorative ribbon and sheet material | |
| CA3228431A1 (en) | Pouch made of a nonwoven containing a tobacco material and/or a different nicotine-containing material | |
| GB1294794A (en) | Fibrous sheet material and method and apparatus for forming same | |
| EP0681621B1 (en) | Hydrophilic cotton lap and products obtained by processing same | |
| DK155816B (en) | TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING IT | |
| CN113395910A (en) | Paper and method for making same | |
| CA2246323C (en) | Dry-formed absorbent web material | |
| JP4490814B2 (en) | Insole | |
| JP7463387B2 (en) | Manufacturing of web-type packaging materials | |
| US20240349782A1 (en) | Filter material for smoking articles having improved expansion behaviour | |
| US20240245105A1 (en) | Hydroentangled filter material for smoking articles having improved expansion behaviour | |
| RU2808142C2 (en) | Production of packaging cloth material | |
| TWI599322B (en) | Tipping paer and cigarette article having filter | |
| CA3228707A1 (en) | Oral pouch for delivering active ingredients | |
| CN117460429A (en) | Filter material for smoking articles with improved expansion properties | |
| JP2024506661A (en) | Structured filter materials for nicotine delivery products | |
| CS274200B1 (en) | Method of felt textile fabrics production | |
| JPS61241137A (en) | Packaging material requiring air permeability, such as desiccant, deodorant, etc. and manufacture thereof | |
| WO2005117681A1 (en) | Pick-up absorbent tissue paper |