EP4653332A1

EP4653332A1 - Oral pouched product dosing device and method

Info

Publication number: EP4653332A1
Application number: EP24177094.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dorcas JONES; Jake William CANNER; Haydn Reece TRETT
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-05-21
Filing date: 2024-05-21
Publication date: 2025-11-26
Also published as: WO2025243026A3; WO2025243026A2

Abstract

Dosing devices 200, 300, 400, 500 and methods are disclosed for use in the manufacture of a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material P and an object, such as a capsule C. The powdered material and the object are supplied to an interior volume of a partially-formed pouch formed by a substantially continuous pouch material, prior to final sealing of the pouch material and creation of the pouched product. A powder supply channel 220, 320, 420, 520 of the dosing device receives the powdered material prior to combination with the object. An object supply channel 230, 330, 430, 530 is configured to supply the object to the powder supply channel for combination with the powdered material. The powdered material and the object are both supplied to the powder supply channel by means of pressurised air. The dosing device includes pressure reduction means to reduce the pressure of air inside the powder supply channel and the object supply channel. The pressure reduction means may comprise a mesh 231, a vent in the form of a valve 340, or a cyclone separator 431, 531.

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a dosing device for use in the manufacture of a pouched product for oral use containing a dose of powdered material and an object such as a capsule. A method of manufacturing a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material and an object, such as a capsule, is also disclosed.

Background

Oral tobacco products containing nicotine have been available for many years. Conventional formats for so-called "smokeless" tobacco products include moist snuff, snus, and chewing tobacco, which are typically formed of particulate, granular, or shredded tobacco, and which are either portioned by the user or presented to the user in individual portions, such as in single-use pouches or sachets. In addition, traditional tobacco materials and non-tobacco materials have been combined with other ingredients to form product formats distinct from traditional smokeless products, with example formats including lozenges, pastilles, gels, and the like.
Other oral products may contain flavourants and/or active ingredients such as nicotine, caffeine, botanicals, or cannabidiol. The format of such products can vary, and include pouched products containing a powdered or granular composition, lozenges, pastilles, liquids, gels, emulsions, meltable compositions, and the like. Oral pouched products may contain a powdered or granular composition together with an object such as a bead or capsule which may release additional flavourants or active ingredients, possibly over time, to enhance the user's experience.
The present invention relates to the manufacture of oral pouched products containing a powdered or granular composition together with an object. Such products are typically formed by supplying a web of pouch material (typically a water-permeable nonwoven material) to a dosing device, which includes a supply channel or tube around which a continuous tube of pouch material is formed. The leading end of the continuous tube is sealed beyond the end of the supply channel, at which point the internal contents of the product (i.e. the powder dose and capsule) are supplied to the interior of the tube and come to rest adjacent the interior of the sealed leading end. The trailing end of the pouch can then be sealed and separated from the continuous tube to form a discrete pouched product containing the powder dose and the object. Simultaneously, the new leading end of the continuous tube is sealed beyond the end of the supply channel and the process is repeated to form the next pouched product.
In some manufacturing processes, the powder dose is supplied to a powder supply channel by pressurized air and the capsule is supplied separately via a capsule supply channel to the powder supply channel for combination with the powder dose and onward supply to the partially-formed pouch. The capsule may be supplied before, into, or after the powder dose. While the majority of the pressurized air is released through the nonwoven material of the partially-formed pouch, some air may flow into the capsule supply channel. Air flowing into the capsule supply channel may cause powder migration and contamination of parts of the machinery or may disturb the powder dose.
The present invention is intended to provide an improved manufacturing process which may, at least in some embodiments, address the above problems and provide additional advantages.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dosing device for use in the manufacture of a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material and an object, wherein the dosing device is configured to supply the powdered material and the object to an interior volume of a partially-formed pouch formed by a substantially continuous pouch material, prior to final sealing of the pouch material and creation of the pouched product, wherein the dosing device comprises: a powder supply channel for receiving the powdered material prior to combination with the object and for supplying the powdered material and the object to the interior volume of the partially-formed pouch; and an object supply channel configured to supply the object to the powder supply channel for combination with the powdered material, wherein the powdered material is supplied to the powder supply channel by means of pressurised air, wherein the object is supplied to the powder supply channel by means of pressurised air, and wherein the dosing device includes pressure reduction means to reduce the pressure of air inside the powder supply channel and the object supply channel.
In some embodiments, the pressure reduction means comprises a vent in the powder supply channel and/or the object supply channel. In one embodiment, the vent is continuously open and may be a mesh material. The continuously open vent may be located in a wall of the object supply channel. In another embodiment, the vent is selectively openable and may be a valve. The vent may be initially open to exhaust additional air flow and then closed to prevent powder outflow as the powder passes. The selectively openable vent may be located in a wall of the powder supply channel.
In another embodiment, the pressure reduction means comprises a cyclone separator located in the object supply channel. The cyclone separator may comprise a channel adjacent to the object supply channel with an open end adjacent to the powder supply channel. The cyclone separator may further comprise a channel around the object supply channel formed by a concentric tube around the object supply channel.
The cyclone separator may continuously extract air from the object supply channel during use. In this case, the momentum of the powder as it passes this point prevents the powder from being extracted.
In an alternative embodiment, the cyclone separator may periodically extract air from the object supply channel during use. In this embodiment, the object may be supplied to the powder supply channel by means of air at a first pressure and wherein air is supplied to the cyclone separator at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure, such that air is extracted periodically from the object supply channel in use. The lower pressure air may prevent powder backflow into the object supply channel between capsule supply cycles.
In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material and an object, comprising: supplying the powdered material to a powder supply channel of a dosing device by means of pressurised air, the powder supply channel being configured to receive the powdered material prior to combination with the object and to supply the powdered material and the object to an interior volume of a partially-formed pouch formed by a substantially continuous pouch material, supplying the object by means of pressurised air from an object supply channel to the powder supply channel for combination with the powdered material, providing means to reduce the pressure of air inside the powder supply channel and the object supply channel, supplying the powdered material and the object to the interior volume of the partially-formed pouch, and sealing the pouch material to create the pouched product.
The means to reduce pressure may comprise a vent which is continuously open or a vent which is selectively openable. The selectively openable vent may be initially open to exhaust additional air flow and then closed to prevent powder outflow as the powder passes.
In another embodiment, the means to reduce pressure comprises a cyclone separator located in the object supply channel which continuously extracts air from the object supply channel during use.
In another embodiment, the means to reduce pressure comprises a cyclone separator located in the object supply channel which periodically extracts air from the object supply channel during use. In this embodiment, the object may be supplied to the powder supply channel by means of air at a first pressure and wherein air is supplied to the cyclone separator at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure, such that air is extracted periodically from the object supply channel in use.
At least in preferred embodiments, the present invention reduces or minimises the risk of powder migration into the object/capsule supply channel.
The present disclosure generally relates to products configured for oral use. The term "configured for oral use" means that the product is provided in a form such that during use, saliva in the mouth of the user causes one or more of the components of the mixture (e.g., flavouring agents and/or active ingredients) to pass into the mouth of the user. In certain embodiments, the composition is adapted to deliver components to a user through mucous membranes in the user's mouth, the user's digestive system, or both, and, in some instances, said component is a nicotine component or an active ingredient (including, but not limited to, for example, nicotine, a stimulant, vitamin, amino acid, botanical, or a combination thereof) that can be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth or absorbed through the digestive tract when the product is used.
The products relevant to the invention are pouched products, e.g., in the form of a mixture of one or more components (also referred to as a "particulate composition"), disposed within a moisture-permeable container (e.g., a water-permeable pouch). Pouched products generally comprise, in addition to the pouch-based exterior, a composition/mixture within the pouch that typically comprises one or more active ingredients and/or one or more flavourants, and various other optional ingredients. According to the present disclosure, such composition/mixture further comprises one or more objects, which includes capsules.
In some embodiments, the composition/mixture can comprise any filling composition, including those included within conventional pouched products, and further comprising one or more capsules. Such particulate compositions are generally mixtures of two or more components and as such, the compositions are, in some cases, referenced below as a "mixture."
Such mixtures in the water-permeable pouch format are typically used by placing a pouch containing the mixture in the mouth of a human subject/user. Generally, the pouch is placed somewhere in the oral cavity of the user, for example under the lips, in the same way as moist snuff products are generally used. The pouch preferably is not chewed or swallowed. However, in some embodiments, chewing may be advantageous, e.g., to rupture the capsule. Exposure to saliva causes some of the components of the mixture within the water-permeable pouch (e.g., flavouring agents and/or active agents) to pass through e.g., the water-permeable pouch and provide the user with flavour and satisfaction, and the user is not required to spit out any portion of the mixture. After about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes, typically about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes, of use/enjoyment, substantial amounts of the mixture have been ingested by the human subject, and the pouch may be removed from the mouth of the consumer for disposal. Preferred pouch materials for products described may be designed and manufactured such that under conditions of normal use, a significant amount of the contents of the formulation within the pouch permeate through the pouch material prior to the time that the pouch undergoes loss of its physical integrity.
Objects that can be included in the pouched product include capsules. Capsules generally comprise an internal payload ("filling") component and a capsule wall. The capsules can have any range of shapes, such as generally rectilinear, oblong, elliptical, oval or spherical shapes.
The capsule wall is generally formed of a material that is configured to allow for dispersement of the internal payload under desired conditions. For example, the capsule wall may comprise a material that is configured to dissolve or otherwise degrade under mouth conditions. As another example, the capsule wall may comprise a material that is configured to be broken or otherwise degraded by shear forces (e.g. chewing). The crush strength of suitable capsules can be sufficient to allow for normal handling and storage without significant degree of premature or undesirable breakage. Providing capsules that possess both suitable integrity during storage and the ability to rupture or otherwise break down at the time of use can be determined by experimentation, depending upon factors such as capsule size and type, and is a matter of design choice.
The composition of the capsule wall may vary depending upon the nature of the internal payload. For example, where internal payload is particulate or comprises a non-aqueous liquid, the capsule wall can comprise, e.g., a material such as wax, gelatin, cyclodextrin, or alginate. Classes of materials that can typically be used to form the capsule wall include, but are not limited to, proteins, polysaccharides, starches, waxes, fats, natural and synthetic polymers, and resins. In some embodiments, the composition of the capsule wall is selected so as to accommodate an aqueous internal payload therein. In this case, the composition of capsule wall must be selected so as to be at least partially resistant to water, e.g., so as to retain a water-containing payload therein without any substantial degradation for a period of time.
The composition of the internal payload component can vary. As referenced above, the payload can comprise a particulate material, including a powder payload, a non-aqueous (e.g., organic) liquid, and/or an aqueous (i.e., water-containing) liquid. Liquid-containing payloads can comprise, e.g., neat liquids, solutions, emulsions, or dispersions. In some embodiments, capsules are provided which comprise, as payload, an organic liquid such as an alcohol or oil. In some embodiments, capsules are provided which comprise, as payload, water. In further embodiments, payload can comprise a mixture of water and a miscible liquid, such as alcohol or glycerin. Liquid-containing payloads can comprise the liquid(s) alone or can comprise one or more additional components/additives. For example, in some embodiments, the internal payload comprises one or more release-modifying agents; one or more flavourants, one or more active ingredients, or any combination of two or more thereof. For example, in some embodiments, payload comprises a flavourant (e.g., menthol).
Certain specific examples of capsules include, but are not limited to, a capsule comprising a menthol-containing payload within a gelatin capsule wall. The capsules can be formed using any encapsulating technology known in the art.
The particulate composition may comprise one or more filler components. Such particulate filler components may fulfill multiple functions, such as enhancing certain organoleptic properties such as texture and mouthfeel, enhancing cohesiveness or compressibility of the product, and the like. Generally, filler components are porous, particulate materials and are cellulose-based. For example, suitable particulate filler components are any non-tobacco plant material or derivative thereof, including cellulose materials derived from such sources.
The particulate composition may comprise one or more flavouring agents. As noted above, in some embodiments, the particulate composition comprises a capsule wherein the payload comprises one or more flavouring agents. In some such embodiments, the one or more flavouring agents within the capsule are the only flavouring agents within the particulate composition. In other embodiments, the particulate composition further comprises one or more additional flavourants (wherein the one or more additional flavourants (in non-encapsulated form) can be the same as or different than the one or more flavourants within payload of the capsule). In other embodiments, the capsule within a given particulate composition do not comprise a flavourant; in such embodiments, the particulate composition typically comprises one or more non-encapsulated flavourants.
As used herein, a "flavouring agent" or "flavourant" is any flavourful or aromatic substance capable of altering the sensory characteristics associated with the oral product. Examples of sensory characteristics that can be modified by the flavouring agent include taste, mouthfeel, moistness, coolness/heat, and/or fragrance/aroma. Flavouring agents may be natural or synthetic, and the character of the flavours imparted thereby may be described, without limitation, as fresh, sweet, herbal, confectionary, floral, fruity, or spicy.
The particulate composition may comprise one or more of the following additional components: taste modifiers, salt, sweetener, binding agent, humectant, processing aid, buffering agent, oral care ingredient, colorant, active ingredient (e.g. botanical, stimulant, amino acid, vitamin, antioxidant, nicotine component, organic acid, cannabinoid, terpene, pharmaceutical ingredient), tobacco material.
In various embodiments, a moisture-permeable packet or pouch can act as a container for use of the composition within. For example, the pouch provides a liquid-permeable container of a type that may be considered to be similar in character to the mesh-like type of material that is used for the construction of a tea bag. If desired, flavouring ingredients, disintegration aids, and other desired components, may be incorporated within, or applied to, the pouch material. Suitable packets, pouches or containers may be of the type used for the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products.
The pouch can be formed from a fleece material, e.g. a fibrous nonwoven web. A "fleece material" may be formed from various types of fibers (e.g., cellulosic fibers; such as viscose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, cellulose fibers, and wood pulps; cotton fibers; other natural fibers; or polymer/synthetic-type fibers) capable of being formed into a traditional fleece fabric or other traditional pouch material. For example, a fleece material may be provided in the form of a woven or nonwoven fabric.
The pouch material may not dissolve under conditions of normal use (i.e. upon contact with saliva in the mouth of a user). In some embodiments, the pouch material can be dissolvable (i.e. orally ingestible) such that upon contact with saliva in the mouth of a user, the pouch material dissolves. Preferably, the pouch material will dissolve after a significant amount of the soluble components of the composition within the pouch (e.g., active ingredient(s) and/or flavourant(s)) permeate through the pouch material into the mouth of the user. For example, the pouch material can be configured to dissolve at a rate such that the pouch material holds the composition together for a period of time sufficient to allow for the release of substantially all water soluble components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a pouched product for oral use;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a dosing device without pressure reduction means present, in order to illustrate the problem solved by the invention in its various embodiments;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a dosing device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a dosing device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a dosing device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a dosing device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a pouched product 10 for oral use which contains a dose of powder and a capsule. The pouch is formed from a web of water-permeable nonwoven material 11 which is formed into a continuous tube by wrapping the web around a supply channel (shown in Figs. 2 to 6) and forming a longitudinal seal 12. The leading end 13 of the tube is sealed by a saw-tooth cut/seal 14. After the powder dose and capsule are added to the interior of the tube adjacent the leading end, the trailing end 15 of the pouch is sealed and separated from the continuous tube by forming a further saw-tooth cut/seal 16 to form a discrete pouched product containing the powder dose and the capsule.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a dosing device without pressure reduction means present, in order to illustrate the problem solved by the invention in its various embodiments. Dosing device 100 includes a powder supply channel 120 for receiving the dose of powdered material P prior to combination with the capsule C and for supplying the combined powdered material and capsule to the interior volume of a partially-formed pouch. A substantially continuous tube of nonwoven material 111 is formed around the downstream end of the powder supply channel 120. The leading end 113 of the tube has been sealed and the partially-formed pouch is ready to receive the combined dose of powder and capsule. Dosing device 100 also includes an object supply channel 130 which supplies the capsule C to the powder supply channel before, into or after the powder dose.
The powder supply channel 120 receives the dose of powdered material P by means of pressurized air in the direction of arrow P1. This also pressurizes the air travelling ahead of the powder dose. The capsule C is supplied to the powder supply channel 120 from the object supply channel 130 in the direction of arrow C1. The capsule may also be supplied by means of pressurized air.
The majority of the pressurized air travelling ahead of the powder dose P escapes through the nonwoven material as shown by arrows A1. However, a smaller amount can migrate into the object supply channel 130 as shown by arrow A2. As mentioned above, air flowing into the capsule supply channel may cause powder migration and contamination of parts of the machinery or may disturb the powder dose.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a dosing device 200 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Dosing device 200 comprises a powder supply channel 220 and an object supply channel 230. In this embodiment, a mesh 231 is provided at the base of the object supply channel which allows the pressurized air A2 to escape from the object supply channel near the junction with the powder supply channel, rather than travelling up the object supply channel.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a dosing device 300 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Dosing device 300 comprises a powder supply channel 320 and an object supply channel 330. In this embodiment, a valve 340 is provided in a valve channel 341 leading from the powder supply channel 320, downstream of the object supply channel 330. The valve is switchable and is initially open to exhaust additional air flow A2 and is then closed to prevent powder outflow as the powder passes.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a dosing device 400 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Dosing device 400 comprises a powder supply channel 420 and an object supply channel 430. In this embodiment, the object supply channel includes a cyclone separator 431 in the form of a concentric tube around the object supply channel which continuously extracts air from the object supply channel at the base of the channel, in the direction of arrows C2. The momentum of the powder as it passes this point prevents the powder from being extracted. In this embodiment, pressurized air P1 does not escape via the object supply channel, but is vented substantially completely through the nonwoven material as shown by arrows A1.
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a dosing device 500 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Dosing device 500 comprises a powder supply channel 520 and an object supply channel 530. In this embodiment, the object supply channel includes a cyclone separator 531 in the form of a concentric tube around the object supply channel, together with inflow 532 which continually introduces moderate pressure air in the direction of arrow MP1 into the cyclone separator. The higher capsule insertion pressure C1 is periodic, which results in periodic cyclone extraction from the object supply channel at the base of the channel, in the direction of arrows C2. The momentum of the powder as it passes this point prevents the powder from being extracted. In this embodiment, pressurized air P1 does not escape via the object supply channel, but is vented substantially completely through the nonwoven material as shown by arrows A1.

Claims

A dosing device for use in the manufacture of a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material and an object, wherein the dosing device is configured to supply the powdered material and the object to an interior volume of a partially-formed pouch formed by a substantially continuous pouch material, prior to final sealing of the pouch material and creation of the pouched product, wherein the dosing device comprises:
a powder supply channel for receiving the powdered material prior to combination with the object and for supplying the powdered material and the object to the interior volume of the partially-formed pouch; and

an object supply channel configured to supply the object to the powder supply channel for combination with the powdered material,

wherein the powdered material is supplied to the powder supply channel by means of pressurised air, wherein the object is supplied to the powder supply channel by means of pressurised air, and

wherein the dosing device includes pressure reduction means to reduce the pressure of air inside the powder supply channel and the object supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction means comprises a vent in the powder supply channel and/or the object supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 2, wherein the vent is continuously open.
The dosing device of claim 3, wherein the vent is a mesh material located in a wall of the object supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 2, wherein the vent is selectively openable.
The dosing device of claim 5, wherein the vent is a valve.
The dosing device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the vent is initially open to exhaust additional air flow and is then closed to prevent powder outflow as the powder passes.
The dosing device of claim 2, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the vent is located in a wall of the powder supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction means comprises a cyclone separator located in the object supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 9, wherein the cyclone separator comprises a channel adjacent to the object supply channel with an open end adjacent to the powder supply channel.
The dosing device of claim 10, wherein the cyclone separator comprises a channel around the object supply channel formed by a concentric tube around the object supply channel.
The dosing device of any of claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein the cyclone separator continuously extracts air from the object supply channel during use.
The dosing device of any of claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein the cyclone separator periodically extracts air from the object supply channel during use.
The dosing device of claim 13, wherein the object is supplied to the powder supply channel by means of air at a first pressure and wherein air is supplied to the cyclone separator at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure, such that air is extracted periodically from the object supply channel in use.
A method of manufacturing a pouched product containing a dose of powdered material and an object, comprising:
supplying the powdered material to a powder supply channel of a dosing device by means of pressurised air, the powder supply channel being configured to receive the powdered material prior to combination with the object and to supply the powdered material and the object to an interior volume of a partially-formed pouch formed by a substantially continuous pouch material,

supplying the object by means of pressurised air from an object supply channel to the powder supply channel for combination with the powdered material,

providing means to reduce the pressure of air inside the powder supply channel and the object supply channel,

supplying the powdered material and the object to the interior volume of the partially-formed pouch, and

sealing the pouch material to create the pouched product.