JP2023528847A - Packaging materials and oral bag products - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to packaging materials for use in oral pouch products to enclose a filling material. The packaging material is a saliva permeable nonwoven material containing fibers. The packaging material is a wet-laid nonwoven material, or alternatively the fibers are carded and the nonwoven material is hydroentangled, or alternatively the fibers are carded and the packaging material has a basis weight of 30 g/m or less. 50% to 100% of the fibers are cellulosic staple fibers and 0% to 50% of the fibers are thermoplastic fibers, where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fibers at 21° C. and 50% RH. The packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total mass of the packaging material. The invention also relates to an oral pouch product containing such packaging material. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing packaging material for oral pouch products.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging material for use in oral pouch products to enclose a filling material. The invention also relates to an oral pouch product containing such packaging material. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing packaging material for oral pouch products.

Oral smokeless tobacco products are made from tobacco leaves, such as leaf blades and petioles of tobacco leaves. Root and stem derived materials are not typically utilized in the manufacture of oral smokeless tobacco compositions. Oral smokeless tobacco includes chewing tobacco, dry snuff and moist (wet) snuff.

There are two types of wet snuff, the American type and the Scandinavian type. A Scandinavian type of wet snuff is also called snus. American-type wet snuff is generally produced by a fermentation process of moist, granular or cut tobacco. The Scandinavian type of wet snuff (snus) is generally produced using a heat treatment process (pasteurisation) instead of fermentation. Both processes reduce the bitterness of the untreated tobacco and also soften the texture of the tobacco, which is the primary reason why untreated tobacco is not used to make wet snuff. The heat treatment is also performed to degrade, destroy or denature at least a portion of the microorganisms within the tobacco preparation.

Both American and Scandinavian versions of wet oral snuffs are available in loose form or portion-packed in saliva-permeable, porous packaging materials that form bags. Pouch-shaped wet snuffs, including snus, are typically used by consumers by placing the pouch between their upper or lower gums and lips and holding it there for a limited amount of time. be done. The bag material holds the tobacco in place while allowing saliva to pass through the tobacco and diffuse the flavorants and nicotine from the tobacco material into the consumer's mouth.

The bag material used in oral pouch products, also called packaging material, is a saliva-permeable non-woven fabric. Nonwovens are fabrics that are neither woven nor knitted.

According to known techniques, several different methods can be used to bond the fibers together in the web, also called web consolidation. Different types of bonding methods include mechanical bonding (e.g. needle punching, stitch bonding, hydroentangling), chemical bonding (e.g. saturation bonding, spray bonding, foam bonding, powder bonding, printing bonding), and thermal bonding (e.g. thermal bonding). point binding in the calendar). Multiple bonding methods can be used to secure the nonwoven. In chemical bonding, a binder, also called a bonding agent or adhesive, is combined with the fibers. Nonwovens of this type are commonly referred to as chemically bonded or adhesively bonded nonwovens.

The oral pouch product may or may not be post-moistened after pouch formation. Oral pouch products that are not post-moisturized are referred to herein as non-post-moisturized. A post-moisturized pouch can be produced by spraying water onto the pouch before packaging the pouch into a can. The moisture content of the final pouched product containing wet or semi-dry snuff is typically in the range of 25 to 55% w/w based on the weight of the pouched product (i.e. the total weight of fill material and bag material). is within.

There are also oral pouch products (oral pouch products) that do not contain any tobacco material. Alternatively, the bag product may contain non-tobacco plant material and/or filler.

The addition of a small amount of tobacco to the bag provides a low tobacco bag. Thus, in addition to small amounts of tobacco, the pouched product contains non-tobacco plant material and/or filler.

Examples of oral nicotine-free pouch products and their manufacture are provided in WO2007/126361 and WO2008/133563. Such oral non-tobacco pouch products may be provided in discrete form and may be portion-packed in a saliva-permeable, porous packaging material forming the pouch.

Nicotine in the filling material can be synthetic nicotine and/or nicotine extracts from tobacco plants, although nicotine is added thereto for no or low tobacco content pouched products. Furthermore, the nicotine may be present in the form of nicotine base and/or nicotine salt. The nicotine salt may be free, ie it is mixed with the other ingredients of the product without being chemically bound to them. Additionally or alternatively, the nicotine salt may chemically bond with one or more components of the filler material. For example, the nicotine salt can be associated with alginate particles or cellulose.

As used herein, the term oral pouch product relates to the use of such products. The bag product is configured to fit comfortably and discreetly between the upper and lower gums and lips of the user's mouth. Thus, an oral pouch product, as the term is used herein, may be a tobacco-containing product or a tobacco-free product.

The oral pouch products described herein can be dry, semi-dry, or moist. Oral dry pouches generally have a moisture content of less than 10 wt% (mass %) and oral wet pouches have a moisture content of greater than 40 wt%. The oral semi-dry pouch product has a moisture content between 10 wt% and 40 wt%.

The oral pouch product may be flavored by mixing a flavoring agent into the filling material during manufacture. Additionally or alternatively, the flavoring agent may be added to the bag product after it is manufactured.

A bag-like product (pouch product) can be produced by weighing a portion of the filling material and inserting the portion into a nonwoven tube.

US 4,703,765 describes a device for packaging precise amounts of finely divided tobacco products, such as snuff tobacco, in tubular packaging material into which the snuff portion is injected via an injection tube. disclosed. Downstream from said tube are arranged welding means for transverse sealing of the packaging material and cutting means for separating the packaging material in the area of the transverse sealing thereby forming separate or individual portion packages. be done.

Alternatively, the bag-like product may be produced by placing portions of the filler material onto the nonwoven web using a bag packaging machine according to the apparatus disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,135,120.

The individual portions are then sealed and cut apart to form rectangular "pillow-shaped" (or any other desired form) bags of product. Typically, each final pouched product includes parallel transverse seals on opposite ends and longitudinal seals perpendicular to the transverse seals. The seal must be strong enough to preserve the integrity of the pouch during use while not interfering with the consumer's experience. Pouches are typically sized and configured to fit comfortably and discreetly between the upper and lower gums and lips of the user's mouth.

As packaging materials for pouched products, there is typically a trade-off between strength and comfort when placed in the user's mouth. The packaging material forms the exterior of the bag-like product and thus contacts the oral cavity, typically between the teeth and gums. The strength of the packaging material should desirably be high enough to handle the packaging material during manufacture of the packaging material itself, during manufacture of the pouched product, and for the pouched product in oral use. Therefore, it is important that the seal of the pouched product is sufficiently strong. Moreover, the packaging material should desirably be flexible enough so that the bag is comfortable when placed in the user's mouth. Commonly used packaging materials are often bag-like, particularly when exposed to the filler material enclosed by the packaging material in pouched products, such as the intense flavorants contained in smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco compositions. The problem is that the seal strength of a similar product is less than desired.

When producing a bag-like product in which the saliva-permeable bag encloses a filler material including a particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source, the requirements for the packaging material are less than those for a bag-like product of filler material containing tobacco. Higher to avoid leakage. This is because the individual elements, e.g. particles, of the filling material are smaller and thus can pass through the packaging material more easily, i.e. can leak more easily.

Leakage, if any, can cause problems in a variety of ways. Since particles of filler material eventually end up in the seal, leakage during manufacture of the product can cause the quality of the seal to deteriorate and thereby reduce the strength of the seal. Additionally, there can be residue build-up in the manufacturing machinery. These can fall back on the production line, eg, eventually ending up on the outside of the product or on the seal. Furthermore, residues are not good for the working environment, as they can spread, for example, in the air.

Furthermore, leakage can occur during subsequent handling of the pouched product when the pouched product is placed in a container, also called a can. For example, the container can be shaken during shipping and when carried to the user. And there is a risk that the filling material may leak from the bag into the can.

WO2007/126361 WO2008/133563 US 4,703,765 US6,135,120 EP1803443A2 EP3192380A1 WO2012/069505 WO2017/093486A1 WO2012/134380

Federal Register/ vol.74, no. 4/712-719/ Wednesday, January 7, 2009/Notices "Total moisture determination" AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: "Moisture in Tobacco" (1990), Fifth Ed., K. Helrich (ed) “Introduction to Nonwovens Technology”, Subhash K. Batra, Behnam Pourdeyhimi, 2012, ISBN No 978-1-60595-037-2

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate some of the problems associated with the prior art.

Definitions By "tobacco" is meant any part of any species of the genus Nicotiana, such as leaves, petioles and stems. Tobacco may be whole, shredded, beaten, chopped, crushed, cured, aged or fermented. or may have been treated in any other way, such as granulated or encapsulated.

The term "tobacco snuff composition" is used herein for finely divided tobacco material, such as ground tobacco material or cut tobacco. In addition to the tobacco material, the tobacco snuff composition may further include: water, salt (such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and any combination thereof), pH modifiers, flavoring agents, cooling agents, heating agents. , sweetening agents, coloring agents, humectants (eg propylene glycol or glycerol), antioxidants, preservatives (eg potassium sorbate), binders, disintegration aids. In one example, the smokeless snuff composition comprises or consists of finely divided tobacco material, a salt such as sodium chloride, and a pH adjusting agent. The tobacco snuff composition can be dry or moist. Tobacco snuff compositions may be used between the teeth and gums.

A "non-tobacco composition" is a composition that does not contain any tobacco material and can be used in a similar manner or in the same manner as a tobacco snuff composition. Instead of tobacco, the non-tobacco composition may contain non-tobacco plant fibers and/or filler materials. Engineered fibers such as microcrystalline cellulose fibers may also be used. The filler material may be present in particulate form. For example, the filler material can be a particulate filler material, such as particles of microcrystalline cellulose. The non-tobacco composition may comprise nicotine, ie it may be a nicotine-containing non-tobacco composition. Alternatively, the non-tobacco composition may be nicotine-free or substantially nicotine-free, ie, it may be a nicotine-free non-tobacco composition. As used herein, the phrase "substantially free of nicotine" intends an amount of nicotine of 1 weight percent or less based on the total dry weight of the composition.

"Buccal" and "oral" are used herein in all contexts to describe use in the oral cavity, eg, placement on the cheeks. The product is then intended for placement in the oral cavity, for example between the gums and the upper or lower lip, thereby containing the product as a whole in the oral cavity. The above products are not intended to be swallowed.

As used herein, "pouch product" (pouch product), "oral pouch product" (oral pouch product) or "oral pouch product" (oral pouch product) refers to an oral application, e.g. It can refer to a portion of filler material, such as a smokeless tobacco composition or a non-tobacco composition, packaged in a saliva-permeable bag material intended for use by buccal placement in the oral cavity. The bag product may alternatively be referred to as an oral portion pack (bag) product. And the term "portion" refers to the amount of said filling material suitable for portion pack products.

As used herein, the term "moisture content" refers to the total amount of oven volatile components such as water and other oven volatile substances (e.g. propylene glycol) in the referenced preparation, composition or product. say. Moisture content is given herein as mass percent (wt%) of the total mass of the preparation, composition or product referred to. Some textile materials can exhibit hygroscopic properties. Hygroscopic materials maintain an equilibrium moisture content depending on the ambient humidity and temperature. 74, no. 4/712-719/Wednesday, January 7, 2009/Notices "Total moisture determination" and AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: "Moisture in Tobacco" (1990), Fifth Ed., K. Helrich (ed). In this method, moisture content is measured herein assuming a temperature of 22° C. and a relative humidity (RH) of 60%, with a sample of 2.5±0.25 g taken before evaporation of water and after completion of dehydration. It is determined gravimetrically by weighing the sample at ambient conditions specified in the manual. A Mettler Toledo Moisture Analyzer HB43 Halogen Heating Method scale (instead of an oven and scale as in the literature references mentioned) is used with the values given herein. The sample is heated to 105° C. (instead of 99.5±0.5° C. as in the literature reference mentioned). The measurement is stopped if the mass change is less than 1 mg during the 90 second time window. The moisture content as a mass percent of the sample is then automatically calculated by the humidity analyzer HB43.

"Flavorant" or "flavoring agent" as used herein for substances used to affect the smell and/or taste of the pouched product, including, but not limited to, essential oils, single flavoring agents, compounds, blended flavors, and extracts.

As used herein, "% w/w", "w/w %", "wt%", "weight%" or "% by weight" refers to The weight percent of the referenced ingredient out of the total weight of the preparation, composition or product.

As used herein, references to "percent dry weight", "weight percent, based on dry weight", etc. refer to the dry ingredients, i.e., the referenced preparation, composition or product, excluding water content. refers to the weight percent of the referenced component based on the total weight of all components of

As used herein, references to "percent wet weight", "% by weight, based on wet weight", etc. refer to all of the components, i.e., the referenced preparation, composition or product, including the moisture content. refers to the weight percent of the referenced component based on the total weight of the components of Thus, "% by weight, based on total weight" as used herein is the same as "% by weight, based on wet weight."

As used herein, the term "oral pouched nicotine product" or "oral pouched nicotine product" refers to a portion of nicotine-containing filler material packaged in a saliva permeable pouch material intended for oral use. To tell. Two examples of oral pouched nicotine products are oral pouched nicotine non-tobacco products and oral pouched low tobacco nicotine products.

As used herein, the terms "oral pouched nicotine non-tobacco product," "tobacco-free oral pouched nicotine product," or "tobacco-free oral pouched nicotine product" refer to means a portion of nicotine-containing filler material packaged in a saliva-permeable bag material intended for oral use, which is not intended for oral use.

As used herein, the term "oral pouched low tobacco nicotine product" means that the product contains from about 0.1% to about 10%, or about 0.1% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material. Refers to a portion of nicotine-containing filler material packaged in a saliva-permeable bag material intended for oral use containing an amount of tobacco material within the range of 1% to about 5% by weight.

As used herein, the term "non-particulate" refers to ingredients that are not in particulate form. For example, the flavoring agents described herein can be non-particulate flavoring agents such as liquids, oils, or mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term "particulate non-tobacco material" refers to non-tobacco material comprising particles. The particles may have an average particle size within the range of 50 to 500 μm.

Exemplary microcrystalline cellulose is microcrystalline obtained by removing the amorphous (fibrous cellulose) regions of purified cellulose feedstock by hydrolysis, typically with a strong mineral acid such as hydrogen chloride. A highly crystalline particulate cellulose containing agglomerates is described in EP 1 803 443 A2. The acid hydrolysis process produces mostly coarse-grained agglomerates of microcrystalline cellulose, typically having an average size in the range of about 15 to 250 μm. Such microcrystalline cellulose is suitable for use as a filler material in the products described herein.

Measuring method
Seal Strength - General
Seal strength can be tested on either dry or wet samples. A sample can be taken from a manufacturing machine that makes a pouch product. Such products usually have one longitudinal seal forming a tubular structure and transverse seals on both ends of the product. Alternatively, the seal can be prepared on a laboratory scale. In that case, the strip of material is folded to hold itself together in the manner described in paragraph [0136] of EP3192380A1.

The seal strength is then measured by the method described in paragraph [0137] of EP3192380A1 or the CORESTA method for seal strength described herein. Both methods measure the first transverse seal made on the bag, ie the seal first exposed to the filling material.

Seal strength - CORESTA method
CORESTA stands for Cooperation Center for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco. The CORESTA method for seal strength includes:
1. Remove all material from the bag and cut the sample to 10 mm ± 1 mm as a vertical seal sample and as close to the edge as possible for a horizontal seal sample. Because bag morphology can vary, record the width on a piece of paper for each side seal sample prepared. The width of the prepared samples should be consistent. The first transverse seal made on the bag, ie the seal first exposed to the filling material, is the one measured.
2. Place the sample at 22° C.±1° C. and 60%±3% RH for 24 hours before testing (not required for wet measurements).
3. The gap between the clamping parts (jaws) is set to 15 mm ± 0.1 mm. Record the separation distance on the paper.
4. Set the pulling speed to 20 mm/min and record the speed on the paper.
5. Whenever possible, use the recommended preload of 0.1N.
6. If possible, measure the average load for the transverse seal values (if the maximum load is not recorded) and measure the maximum load for the vertical seal. Record the value on the paper.
7. For wet measurements, the samples are soaked in demineralized water for 60 minutes prior to transverse or longitudinal seal testing. Record the value on the paper.

breathability
Air permeability is measured according to test method WSP070.1.R3(12) defined by EDANA, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association.

Pore Area The pore area, also referred to as the pore size of the packaging material, is measured using a microscope Zeiss Stemi 2000-C, AxioCam ERc5s with associated software Zen Core. Acquire a normal black and white image of the nonwoven (3 cm x 3 cm) using 1.6x magnification. Image analysis is performed using automated measurements and an in-house pore area method using Zen Core software. In the pore area method, the color division in the RGB histogram (0-255) is performed to detect fiber voids. Set the red threshold to 0-99, green to 0-107, and blue to 0-136 to avoid oversaturation. Calculate the area of the voids and the radius of each void. Pore area can then be calculated using standard formulas.

Powder Leakage from Packaging Screening is used to assess powder leakage from packaging. The packaging material is cut into sheets with a size of 346 cm ² and clamped between two screening screens. The sieve gaps are large enough to force the powder through the sieve, 2 mm and 1.5 mm respectively. Connect the sieving sieve to the bottom plate. Add 40 g of powder to the top sieve. The sieve stack is attached to the lid and sieved for 5 minutes at 238 rpm using a Retch horizontal sieve shaker AS400 control. The bottom plate is then weighed to obtain the amount of ZYN powder sieved from the packaging material. The powder is the filling material used in the commercial product "ZYN Citrus Mini dry" sold by Swedish Match. Ingredients are fillers (E965, E460, E414), acidity modifiers (E500), stabilizers (E463), nicotine bitartrate, flavors, sweeteners (E950). Powder is therefore the filling material used in the product "ZYN Citrus Mini dry". The powder thus includes, inter alia, particulate non-tobacco material and a nicotine source.

Product Powder Leakage A portion pack pouch product comprising a portion of fill material and a saliva permeable bag of packaging material as described herein is measured for powder leakage from the product. The mass of the product is approximately 400 mg. Assess the amount of leakage by tumbling. The filling material of the test product is the same as in the product "ZYN Citrus Mini dry" marketed by Swedish Match mentioned above. 17 Place the cans containing the product on the sieving sieve. A screening screen is connected to the lid and bottom plate. The cans are then tumbled at 300 rpm for 2 minutes using a Retch horizontal sieve shaker AS400 control. After tumbling, gently remove the product from the can with a pair of tweezers, then weigh the can with the powder. Subtract the weight of the empty can to get the weight of the powder. Three cans are replicated for each material evaluated.

Disclosure It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

The above objects can be achieved by the subject matter of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 17, 20, 21 and/or 22. Embodiments are described in the attached dependent claims and the specification.

The present invention relates to packaging materials for use in oral pouch products to enclose a filling material.

The packaging material is a saliva-permeable wet-laid nonwoven material containing fibers. Alternatively, the packaging material is a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising carded fibers, the nonwoven material being hydroentangled. Alternatively, said packaging material is a saliva-permeable nonwoven material comprising carded fibers, said packaging material having a basis weight of 30 g/m ² or less.

The packaging material described herein is also described above in different alternatives, wherein 50% to 100% of said fibers are cellulosic staple fibers and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic Fiber, where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH. The packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total mass of the packaging material.

Utilizing the packaging materials described herein, both the packaging material and the seal have adequate strength, yet are strong enough to be comfortable when the bag-like product is placed in the user's mouth. Flexible oral pouch products can be manufactured.

The bag (pouch product) can be an oral nicotine-containing product, an oral tobacco bag and/or a nicotine-free oral bag.

The bags may be randomly arranged in the container or arranged in a manner, for example as described in WO2012/069505. The container may be a user container for an oral pouch product, typically containing between 10 and 30 products, such as between 20 and 25 products. The user container disclosed herein is a consumer package having a shape and size adapted to conveniently carry the consumer package in a pocket or handbag, and any known type of oral pouch. can be used to package bulk products.

Sufficiently strong seals can be made using the packaging material of the present invention, as well as seals made by ultrasonic sealing which are typically much narrower than seals made by heat sealing. . The seal strength is also high enough to be strong enough even when the product contains one or more strong flavorants.

Commonly used packaging materials often suffer from the problem that the seal strength of the pouched product is less than desired. Some flavoring agents are included in the filler material, e.g., smokeless tobacco composition or non-tobacco composition material, and are enclosed in the bag product by the packaging material, but may not be included in the bag made by known techniques. It is known to have a potential adverse effect on seal strength for products, particularly seal strength over time, which can lead to seal rupture upon storage of the product. In particular, reduced seal strength is a problem for wet pouched products. The strength and seal strength of the packaging materials described herein can be adapted to withstand such flavorings better than packaging materials commonly used for pouched products.

Further, with the packaging material and oral bag product of the present invention, leakage of filler material from the packaging material is maintained at an acceptable level. Additionally, the properties of the packaging material, such as breathability and/or median pore size, can be selected to be within desired levels.

The binders can be of the type commonly used in packaging materials for pouched products. The binder is formed, for example, by polymerization of any of the following monomers: vinyl acetate, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, ethyl acrylate. can be classified into emulsions of one or several vinyl polymers/copolymers. Such binders are known to the person skilled in the art, for example from the text “Introduction to Nonwovens Technology”, Subhash K. Batra, Behnam Pourdeyhimi, 2012, ISBN No 978-1-60595-037-2, Chapter 10.

When the packaging material of the present invention is a saliva-permeable wet-laid nonwoven material as described in the first alternative, the nonwoven material may additionally be hydroentangled. It may then be preferable to carry out the step of hydroentangling before supplying the binder.

Discloses that when the packaging material of the present invention is a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising carded fibers as described in the second alternative, the nonwoven material is hydroentangled; It may be preferable to carry out the step of hydroentangling before supplying the binder.

Of all the fibers of the packaging material of the present invention, said cellulosic fibers preferably account for 55% to 99%, preferably 58% to 95%, more preferably 65% to 85%, most preferably 70% of the fiber mass. % to 80%, where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH. It is also suitable to use only cellulosic fibers, i.e. to exclude the thermoplastic fibers completely.

Of all the fibers of the packaging material of the present invention, thermoplastic fibers account for 1% to 45%, preferably 5% to 42%, more preferably 15% to 35%, most preferably 20% to 30% of the fiber mass. %, where the % figures are based on the total mass of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH. It is also suitable to completely exclude thermoplastic fibers.

The fibers of the packaging material of the present invention may consist of cellulosic staple fibers and thermoplastic fibers. Adding further fibers may also be suitable.

The packaging material may consist of cellulosic staple fibers, thermoplastic fibers and a binder.

The basis weight of the packaging material, also known as the grammage, is at least 25 g/ ^m2 , more preferably at least 27 g/ ^m2 , most preferably at least 29 g/ ^m2 . good too. The upper grammage of the packaging material may be 45 g/m ² , 42 g/m ² or 40 g/m ² . For packaging materials of the present invention comprising carded fibers, but in which the nonwoven material is not hydroentangled, as described in the third alternative above, the packaging material has a basis weight of 30 g/ ^m2 or less. have

The cellulosic fibers may be natural cellulosic fibers or artificial cellulosic fibers such as regenerated cellulosic fibers such as rayon, lyocell or viscose. Tencel is the brand name of Lyocell.

The cellulosic fibers are known to be flexible, relatively inelastic, and/or hygroscopic. It is thus possible to impart desirable mechanical properties to the packaging material, whereby the packaging material is easy to handle during the production of the packaging material itself and/or during the production of the bag-shaped product, and additionally is comfortable when placed in the user's oral cavity. Additionally, these fibers are hydrophilic, which is an advantage when used in bag products.

Man-made fibers are fibers whose chemical composition, structure, and properties have been significantly altered during the manufacturing process. They consist of polymers. Man-made fibers are distinguished from natural fibers. Natural fibers are also composed of polymers, but they result from relatively unchanged manufacturing processes.

Some man-made fibers are derived from naturally occurring polymers, for example rayon, lyocell or viscose are derived from cellulose fibres. However, the cellulose is obtained in a radically altered state compared to the raw material source, such as wood, and is further modified in order to be regenerated into man-made cellulosic fibers. Such fibers such as rayon, lyocell or viscose are known as regenerated cellulose fibres.

Another group of larger man-made fibers are synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers consist of polymers that do not occur naturally, but are instead manufactured entirely, for example, in chemical factories or laboratories.

The cellulosic staple fibers may have a linear density of 3.3 decitex or less, preferably 1.7 decitex or less, more preferably 1.3 decitex or less, most preferably 0.9 decitex or less.

When the packaging material of the present invention is a saliva-permeable wet-laid nonwoven material as described in the first alternative, the cellulosic staple fibers are in the range of 2-15 mm, preferably in the range of 3-12 mm. , more preferably in the range of 5-8 mm.

When the packaging material of the present invention comprises carded fibers as described in the second and third alternatives, said cellulosic staple fibers are in the range of 30-80 mm, preferably 38-60 mm. It can have a length within a range. Commonly used lengths are 38, 40, 60 and 80 mm.

The thermoplastic fibers can be one or more of PP, PLA, PET, PP/PE, PLA/co-PLA. Here PP means polypropylene, PLA means polylactic acid, PET means polyethylene terephthalate and PE means polyethylene. PP/PE is a bicomponent fiber, eg a sheath/core bicomponent fiber with PP in the core and PE in the sheath. PLA/co-PLA is a composite fiber, eg, a sheath/core composite fiber having PLA in the core and coPLA in the sheath.

The thermoplastic fibers may have the same length as the cellulosic fibers, or may have different lengths. When two or more thermoplastic fibers are used, they may have the same length or different lengths.

When the packaging material of the present invention is a saliva-permeable wet-laid nonwoven material as described in the first alternative, said thermoplastic fibers are in the range of 2-15 mm, preferably in the range of 3-12 mm, More preferably, it may have a length within the range of 5-8 mm.

When the packaging material of the present invention comprises carded fibers as described in the second and third alternatives, said thermoplastic fibers are in the range of 30-80 mm, preferably in the range of 38-60 mm. can have a length within Commonly used lengths are 38, 40, 60 and 80 mm.

The thermoplastic fibers may have a linear density of 4.4 decitex or less, preferably 2.2 decitex or less, more preferably 1.7 decitex or less, most preferably 1.3 decitex or less.

The thermoplastic fibers may have a melting point in the range 110-260°C, preferably in the range 130-170°C, preferably in the range 140-165°C. This causes these fibers to be at least partially fused, preferably substantially fused, in the seal, thereby providing sufficient seal strength.

The binder comprises 20% to 60% of the total weight of the packaging material, preferably 25% to 55% of the total weight of the packaging material, more preferably 30% to 50% of the total weight of the packaging material, most preferably the packaging material. may constitute 35% to 45% of the total mass of the

The packaging material has a thickness of at least 0.2 N/mm, preferably at least 0.25 N/mm, more preferably at least 0.3 N/mm, most preferably at least 0, assuming the seal is made by ultrasonic welding. It may have a dry seal strength of 0.35 N/mm. These levels have been found to provide sufficient seal strength for the product. Dry seal strength values can be determined by the CORESTA method for seal strength, which is disclosed in greater detail elsewhere herein.

The above packaging material has a viscosity of 4000 l/m ² /s or less, preferably 3500 l/m ² /s or less, more Preferably, it can have air permeability of 3000 l/m ² /s or less. Breathability is related to the porosity of the packaging material and thus also to the tendency of the filling material to leak.

The packaging material may have a median pore size of 300 μm ² or less, preferably 250 μm ² or less, more preferably 200 μm ² or less, most preferably 150 μm ^{2 or} less. The average pore size of the packaging material is related to its tendency to leak through the filling material.

The packaging material is 400 mg or less, preferably 200 mg or less, more preferably 100 mg or less, most preferably 50 mg or less, or even It may have a powder breakthrough of 20 mg or less.

The present invention also relates to oral pouch products. A bag-like product (pouch product) includes a filling material and a saliva-permeable bag. The bag encloses a portion of the filling material, which is intended to constitute a portion of suitable size for the user. The bag comprises or consists of packaging material as described herein, the packaging material being sealed with at least one seal to enclose the portion.

It was thereby confirmed that the seal had adequate seal strength for products used in the oral cavity. The advantages described above for the packaging material are also applicable for the bag-like product.

Although there are two main methods of sealing such packaging materials, heat sealing and ultrasonic welding, the packaging materials described herein are advantageous for both. However, other methods may also be used. A method and apparatus suitable for ultrasonic welding are disclosed in WO 2017/093486 A1 relating to a sealing device for sealing packaging materials enclosing portions of filling material to provide portion-pack pouched products. This document further relates to arrangements for the manufacture of portion-pack pouched products, which arrangements include such sealing devices. This document also relates to a portion packing method for pouched products.

The thermoplastic fibers may be at least partially melted, preferably substantially melted, in the seal.

The pouch of product may be an oral pouch of nicotine containing product, an oral pouch of tobacco product and/or an oral pouch of non-nicotine product.

When tested as a product by the measurement method described herein, the pouched product preferably contains no more than 100 mg, as measured by the method for powder leakage from the product described herein. It may have a powder breakthrough of 50 mg or less, more preferably 25 mg or less, most preferably 10 mg or less, or 2 mg or less.

Examples of oral pouch products, also called oral pouch products (oral pouch products), include a saliva-permeable pouch consisting of a filling material and a packaging material enclosing the filling material, wherein the filling material is
- particulate non-tobacco materials,
- nicotine source,
- water in an amount ranging from 1 wt% to 45 wt% (mass%) based on the total mass of the filling material; and
- _pH adjusters (including e.g. _Na2CO3 , _K2CO3 , _NaHCO3 and/or _{KHCO3 )}
including.

The pouched product may be tobacco-free, ie, an oral pouched nicotine non-tobacco product.

Alternatively, the oral pouch product may contain a small amount of tobacco material, thereby providing an oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product. The amount of tobacco material in the oral pouch low tobacco nicotine product is in the range of about 0.1% to about 10%, such as about 0.1% to about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the filler material. , for example from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt %. The presence of this small amount of tobacco will not affect the pH of the product, which will be substantially different from that exhibited by the oral pouched tobacco-free products described herein.

The tobacco material may be provided in the forms described herein.

Additionally, the tobacco material may be a refined tobacco material, such as a bleached tobacco material or a tobacco extract.

The tobacco material described herein may contain one, two or more particulate non-tobacco materials.

The amount of water in the fill material of the pouched products described herein is in the range of about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, such as about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. , for example in an amount of about 3 wt %. The bag product is dry when the amount of water is in the range of about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, or about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt% as described herein. That is, it can be considered a dry bag product.

Alternatively, the moisture content of the fill material of the bag products described herein is in the range of about 20 wt% to about 50 wt%, such as 20 wt% to 45 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. sell. When the amount of water is within the range of about 20 wt% to about 45 wt% as described herein, the bag of product may be considered moist or wet bag of product.

The fill material of the bag products described herein is in the range of about 30 wt% to about 90 wt%, such as about 30 wt% to about 85 wt%, such as about 30 wt% to about 80 wt%, based on the total weight of the fill material. %, such as from about 60 wt % to about 90 wt % of particulate non-tobacco material.

The particulate non-tobacco material may be water insoluble, water soluble, or a combination thereof.

The particulate non-tobacco material may comprise or consist of a sugar alcohol, such as maltitol, and/or cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose and/or powdered cellulose. For example, the particulate non-tobacco material may include maltitol and/or microcrystalline cellulose.

Additionally or alternatively, the filling material of the pouched products described herein may be corn fiber, oat fiber, tomato fiber, barley fiber, rye fiber, sugar beet fiber, buckwheat fiber, wheat fiber, pea fiber. It may comprise one or more water insoluble fibers selected from the group consisting of fiber, potato fiber, apple fiber, cocoa fiber, bamboo fiber, citrus fiber, and any combination thereof. In one example, the water insoluble fibers may form part of the non-tobacco particulate material.

The filler material may contain one, two or more nicotine sources.

The fill material of the pouched products described herein can comprise a nicotine source within the range of about 1.0% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

The nicotine source can be a nicotine salt and/or a nicotine base. A nicotine source, eg, nicotine base, can be bound to an ion exchange resin, eg, Polacrilex, eg, via a salt bridge. Alternatively, or in addition, the ion exchange resin can serve as a solid support for the nicotine source, eg nicotine base.

Nicotine base, eg in the form of an oleaginous liquid, may be synthetically produced or extracted from tobacco.

The nicotine source is a nicotine salt such as nicotine hydrochloride, nicotine dihydrochloride, nicotine monotartrate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine bitartrate dihydrate, nicotine sulfate, nicotine zinc chloride monohydrate, and It may be a nicotine salt selected from the group consisting of nicotine salicylate, and any combination thereof.

In particular, the filling material can be nicotine bitartrate and/or nicotine bitartrate dihydrate.

The amount of nicotine source, e.g., nicotine salt and/or nicotine base, per pouch product is in the range of about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg nicotine, calculated as nicotine base, e.g., about 0.5 mg nicotine, about 1.0 mg, about 1.5 mg, about 2.0 mg, about 2.5 mg, about 3.0 mg, about 3.5 mg, about 4.0 mg, about 4.5 mg, about 5.0 mg, about 6.0 mg, about It can be 7.0 mg, about 8.0 mg, about 9.0 mg, about 10 mg, about 12 mg, about 14 mg, about 16 mg, about 18 mg, or about 20 mg.

The nicotine salt of the filler material in the pouched products disclosed herein can be a nicotine salt present in solid and/or dissolved form.

The nicotine sources disclosed herein may or may not be adsorbed onto the particulate non-tobacco materials disclosed herein. It will be understood that the phrase "adsorbed onto" means that the nicotine source is attached to the outer surface of the non-tobacco particulate material. When the nicotine source is adsorbed onto the non-tobacco particulate material, the nicotine source adheres to the outer surface of the non-tobacco particulate material without substantially penetrating any voids of the non-tobacco particulate material.

Alternatively, or in addition, the nicotine sources disclosed herein can be adsorbed into and/or onto tobacco materials described herein.

The filling material of the pouched products described herein may further comprise flavoring agents. The filling material may contain one, two or more flavoring agents. For example, the flavoring agent may be a non-encapsulating agent. Additionally or alternatively, the flavoring agent may be encapsulated. The non-encapsulated flavorant and encapsulated flavorant may be the same or different. As used herein, an encapsulated flavorant is a flavorant contained within a capsule. Thus, non-encapsulated flavorants are not contained within the capsule.

The flavorant of the fill material in the pouched products disclosed herein may be a hydrophobic flavorant.

The flavoring agent in the fill material of the pouched products described herein may be oils, liquids, freeze-dried materials, spray-dried materials, or mixtures thereof. In one example, the flavoring agents are oils and/or liquids.

The fill material of the pouched products described herein may comprise flavorants in the range of about 0.5% to about 3% by weight based on the total weight of the fill material.

The filling material of the pouched products described may include a humectant, such as polypropylene glycol.

In the pouched products described herein, the particulate non-tobacco material, the nicotine source, water, a pH modifier, optionally optionally tobacco material, optionally optionally flavorant, and optionally optionally Moisturizers can be uniformly mixed.

WO 2012/134380 discloses a pouch containing nicotine in free salt form, ie an oral pouch of nicotine-containing non-tobacco product. The product comprises at least one free nicotine salt powder, at least one pH adjusting agent and at least one filler, and a water-insoluble bag, the bag being saliva permeable and containing therein a portion of the powder. parts are dissolved. Such powders are suitable for use as filler materials in the products described herein.

The pouches disclosed herein can be used in the oral cavity, e.g., by placement on the cheeks (e.g., by placing the pouch between the upper or lower gums and the lips or cheeks). It is intended and may therefore be referred to as an oral portion pack (bag) product. The bag is sized and configured to fit comfortably and discreetly between the upper or lower gums and lips or cheeks of the user's mouth.

The bag-shaped product disclosed herein may have an elliptical shape, for example a shape that is substantially rectangular (when viewed from above when the product is laid flat). In such a case, the longitudinal direction of the product corresponds to the length of the substantially rectangular product and the lateral direction of the product corresponds to the width of the substantially rectangular product.

The total mass of the pouched product (including filling material and packaging material) can be in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 g.

The filling material of the pouched products described herein may be provided in powder or granular form. Thus, a filling material enclosed in a saliva-permeable bag of the packaging material described above can be provided in an uncompressed form.

The pouched (ie portion pack) product may be randomly arranged in the container or arranged in a manner, for example as described in WO2012/069505. Alternatively or additionally, each pouch of product may be placed in a sachet.

The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging material for an oral pouch product, wherein the packaging material is a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising fibers, wherein 50% to 100% of the fibers are cellulosic staple fibers. and 0% to 50% of the fibers are thermoplastic fibers, where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fibers at 21° C. and 50% RH. The packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total weight of said packaging material.

The method includes the steps of providing fibers, wet laying the fibers, and bonding the fibers by providing a binder. The method may further comprise an optional step of hydroentangling the fibers, preferably the step of hydroentangling is performed prior to the step of providing the binder.

Another method comprises the steps of providing fibers, carding the fibers, hydroentangling the fibers, and bonding the fibers by providing a binder, preferably the hydroentangling step providing the binder. performed before the step of

Another alternative method is the steps of providing an amount of fibers such that the packaging material has a basis weight of 30 g/m ² or less, carding the fibers and binding the fibers by supplying a binder. including. The method may further comprise an optional step of hydroentangling the fibers, preferably the step of hydroentangling is performed prior to the step of providing the binder.

The methods described herein are useful for manufacturing the packaging materials described herein. The packaging material is typically manufactured as a web of packaging material.

Further modifications of the invention are suitable within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention should not be considered limited by the embodiments and drawings described herein. Rather, the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the specification and drawings.

Claims (22)

1. A packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable wet-laid nonwoven material comprising fibers,
50% to 100% of said fibers are cellulosic staple fibers, and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers;
where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH,
A packaging material, wherein said packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total mass of said packaging material. A packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising carded fibers, said nonwoven material being hydroentangled. has been
50% to 100% of said fibers are cellulosic staple fibers, and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers;
where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH,
A packaging material, wherein said packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total mass of said packaging material. A packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising carded fibers,
50% to 100% of said fibers are cellulosic staple fibers, and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers;
where the % figures are based on the total weight of the fiber at 21° C. and 50% RH,
the packaging material further comprises at least 10% binder as wt% of the total mass of the packaging material;
A packaging material, wherein said packaging material has a basis weight of 30 g/m ² or less. 55% to 99%, preferably 58% to 95%, more preferably 65% to 85%, most preferably 70% to 80% of said fibers are cellulosic staple fibers, where the % figures are at 21°C. , based on the total mass of fibers at 50% RH. 1% to 45%, preferably 5% to 42%, more preferably 15% to 35%, most preferably 20% to 30% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers, wherein the % figure is 21°C; 5. Packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, based on the total mass of fibers at 50% RH. 6. Packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fibers consist of said cellulosic staple fibers and said thermoplastic fibers. 7. Packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, consisting of the cellulosic staple fibers, the thermoplastic fibers and the binder. 8. Packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, having a basis weight of 25 g/m2 ^{or more} , preferably 27 g/m2 or more, more preferably 29 g/ ^m2 or more. 9. Packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellulosic staple fibers are natural or artificial cellulosic fibers, e.g. regenerated cellulosic fibers such as rayon, lyocell or viscose. 10. The method of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cellulosic staple fibers have a linear density of 3.3 decitex or less, preferably 1.7 decitex or less, more preferably 1.3 decitex or less, most preferably 1.1 decitex or less. A packaging material according to any one of the preceding paragraphs. Claim 1, or when dependent on claim 1, wherein the cellulosic staple fibers have a length in the range 2-15 mm, preferably in the range 3-12 mm, more preferably in the range 5-8 mm 11. Packaging material according to any one of claims 4 to 10. 12. Packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic fibers are one or more of PP, PLA, PET, PP/PE, PLA/co-PLA. Claim 1, or when dependent on claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic fibers have a length in the range of 2 to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 12 mm, more preferably in the range of 5 to 8 mm. 13. Packaging material according to any one of claims 4-12. 14. Any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the thermoplastic fibers have a linear density of 4.4 dtex or less, preferably 2.2 dtex or less, more preferably 1.7 dtex or less, most preferably 1.3 dtex or less. or the packaging material according to item 1. 15. The thermoplastic fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thermoplastic fibers have a melting point within the range of 110-260°C, preferably within the range of 130-170°C, preferably within the range of 140-165°C. packaging material. The binder comprises 20% to 60% of the total weight of the packaging material, preferably 25% to 55% of the total weight of the packaging material, more preferably 30% to 50% of the total weight of the packaging material, most preferably The packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising 35% to 45% of the total mass of the packaging material. 17. An oral pouch-like product comprising a filling material and a saliva permeable bag, said bag enclosing a portion of said filling material, said bag containing a packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 16. A pouch-like product comprising or consisting only of said packaging material sealed with at least one seal to enclose said portion. 18. Bag-like product according to claim 17, wherein the thermoplastic fibers are at least partially fused, preferably substantially fused, in the seal. 19. The pouch of product according to claim 17 or 18, which is an oral pouch containing nicotine product, an oral pouch of tobacco product and/or an oral pouch of non-nicotine product. A method of manufacturing a packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising fibers, wherein 50% to 50% of said fibers. 100% are cellulosic staple fibers and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers, wherein the % figures are based on the total weight of the fibers at 21° C. and 50% RH;
The method comprises the steps of providing the fibers, wet laying the fibers, and supplying a binder such that the packaging material comprises at least 10% of the binder as a weight percent of the total mass of the packaging material. binding the fibers by
The method may further comprise an optional step of hydroentangling the fibers, preferably wherein the step of hydroentangling is performed prior to the step of providing the binder. A method of manufacturing a packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising fibers, wherein 50% to 50% of said fibers. 100% are cellulosic staple fibers and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers, wherein the % figures are based on the total weight of the fibers at 21° C. and 50% RH;
said method comprising the steps of: providing said fibers; carding said fibers; hydroentangling said fibers; A method comprising the step of binding said fibers by providing a binder, preferably wherein said hydroentangling step is performed prior to said step of providing said binder. A method of manufacturing a packaging material for use in an oral pouch product for enclosing a filler material, said packaging material being a saliva permeable nonwoven material comprising fibers, wherein 50% to 50% of said fibers. 100% are cellulosic staple fibers and 0% to 50% of said fibers are thermoplastic fibers, wherein the % figures are based on the total weight of the fibers at 21° C. and 50% RH;
said method comprising the steps of: providing an amount of said fibers such that said packaging material has a basis weight of 30 g/m ² or less; carding said fibers; binding said fibers by providing a packaging material comprising at least 10% of said binder;
The method may further comprise an optional step of hydroentangling the fibers, preferably wherein the step of hydroentangling is performed prior to the step of providing the binder.