NL2011463C2

NL2011463C2 - Tobacco pouches asembly and method for handling tobacco pouches.

Info

Publication number: NL2011463C2
Application number: NL2011463A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Bernhard Mumelter
Original assignee: Schur Flexible Benelux B V
Priority date: 2013-09-18
Filing date: 2013-09-18
Publication date: 2015-03-19

Description

Title: Tobacco pouches assembly and method for handling tobacco pouches

The invention relates to a tobacco pouches assembly. The invention also relates to a method for handling a tobacco pouches set.

Generally, tobacco pouches comprise a sheet of flexible material, such as plastic or paper material, folded into a pouch. The sheet material may for example be mono or multi layer material, and can be provided with appropriate printing. Usually, these pouches are designed as throw away or disposable pouches.

Usually, tillable, loose tobacco pouches are manufactured by a producer of tobacco packaging. Each manufactured pouch can have a tobacco chamber positioned between a front sheet portion and rear sheet portion, and a tobacco opening for filling said tobacco chamber. Once manufactured, a plurality of such empty tobacco pouches can be put into a box or other container, for example in order to transport the still empty tobacco pouches from a manufacturing plant to a filling plant. Typically, the pouches are neatly stacked or put side by side in the box. For example, all front sheet portions are facing in the same direction, e.g. to the left, and all filling openings are also facing in a single direction, e.g. upwardly.

In a method of handling empty tobacco pouches, at least a part of a plurality of pouches, preferably neatly arranged pouches, can be taken from a container and can be put into a handling fine, for instance a filling line for filling pouches with tobacco. For example, multiple pouches can be put into a pouches magazine, or into or onto a supply unit such as a conveyor of such handling and/or filling line. Usually, the pouches are put into the filling line by hand, preferably while keeping them neatly arranged. However, it may be cumbersome and/or time consuming to take a stack of neatly arranged loose tobacco pouches by hand from a box and put them into a handling fine by hand without the pouches getting disarranged.

Besides, during handling of the tobacco pouches, said pouches can be conveyed from one place to another. For example, pouches can be conveyed by a conveyor, e.g. from a pouches magazine to a filling unit or filling station. During conveying, one or more of the pouches can shift and/or twist unintentionally. As a result, when a certain pouch reaches the filling unit, said tobacco pouch can be oriented in the wrong direction. Apparently, this may cause severe problems during a filling process.

In order to counteract problems, known handling and/or filling fines may be equipped with special equipment for checking the orientation of pouches being handled, e.g. being supplied to a filling unit. However, such known equipment can be expensive and/or error prone. Besides, the handling and/or filling process can be interrupted when a pouch oriented wrongly is detected by such equipment.

Another problem of known handling and/or filling fines can be that a handling unit, such as a filling unit, can accidently grab two pouches adhered to one another in stead of grabbing only one pouch a time. This may cause jamming said unit, thereby causing interruptions and/or malfunction.

An object of the present invention is to provide for an alternative method for handling tobacco pouches and/or an alternative tobacco pouch, tobacco pouches set and/or tobacco pouches assembly. It is a further object of the present invention to alleviate or solve at least one of the disadvantages above. In particular, the invention aims at providing a method, wherein at least one of the disadvantages above is counteracted or advantages there above are obtained. In embodiments, the invention aims at providing a tobacco pouch, tobacco pouches set and/or tobacco pouches assembly, which is easy to handle and/or economical.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides for a tobacco pouches assembly comprising a string of tobacco pouches, wherein adjacent pouches are interconnected by means of at least one carrier structure.

By interconnecting adjacent tobacco pouches by means of at least one carrier structure, it can be counteracted that an orientation of one of two adjacent pouches changes unintentionally with respect to an orientation of the other of said two adjacent pouches.

In embodiments, the carrier structure is a rollable and/or foldable structure. As a result thereof, it can be counteracted that a string of interconnected tobacco pouches forms a substantially rigid and/or inflexible string. To the contrary, a string of interconnected tobacco pouches can be formed as a substantially flexible string, which may counteract unintentional changes in mutual orientation of adjacent pouches seen in a conveying direction. Additionally or alternatively, a rollable and/or foldable carrier structure can facilitate that the tobacco pouches assembly can be rolled-up and or folded up, for instance such that said assembly can be put into a container such as box, e.g. in order to facilitate storing and/or transporting of said tobacco pouches assembly.

Preferably, the carrier structure can be a substantially elongated carrier structure, such as for example a strip, slip, band, tape and/or ribbon.

The carrier structure can be made from any suitable material, e.g. a plastic material, a paper material, a gauze material, a fabric material, a cloth material and/or a multi layer and/or composite material.

The carrier structure may be made of substantially flexible material, preferably at least such that the carrier can deform at least about one or more rotation axes and/or folding lines extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction of the string of tobacco pouches when said string is rolled-out and/or folded out and/or transverse to a conveying direction of the tobacco pouches assembly during handling thereof. In embodiments, the carrier structure, e.g. by means of its design and/or material properties, can be arranged for substantially counteracting deformation in a direction other than about said rotation axes and/or folding lines. Therefore, unintentional disorientation of tobacco pouches within the string may be counteracted even further.

In embodiments, the carrier structure can extend along a plurality of the interconnected pouches, preferably along all the interconnected pouches of one tobacco pouches assembly. By making a relatively long carrier structure, e.g. in stead of providing a relatively short carrier structure, it can be relatively easy to produce a string of pouches in which the pouches are oriented neatly with respect to each other. Further, a relatively long carrier structure can counteract that the carrier structure remains unintentionally attached to a pouch when said pouch is removed from the assembly.

It is noted that at least between two adjacent pouches one carrier structure can be present. Alternatively, multiple, e.g. parallel elongated carrier structures, can be provided at least between two adjacent pouches. Multiple, preferably parallel, carrier structures, may counteract that the orientation of adjacent pouches, especially when conveyed as a relatively flat, substantially strip-shaped string, will unintentionally change with respect to each other, especially in a width direction of said relatively flat, substantially strip-shaped string of tobacco pouches.

In advantageous embodiments, the carrier structure can be releasable attached to the pouches, preferably by means of an adhesive, such as a glue or gum. Preferably, an adhesive may be provided at the carrier structure. Then, the pouches can be stuck in a releasable manner to the carrier structure, preferably such that when a pouch is removed from said carrier structure, substantially no visible and/or tangible and/or noticeable adhesive remains at said pouch. Preferably, the material of the pouch, the material of the carrier structure, the adhesive and/or the manner of applying said adhesive can be chosen such that the adhesive will substantially remain at the carrier structure and not at the pouch when said pouch and carrier structure are disconnected from each other.

The invention also relates to a method for handling a tobacco pouches set. The method comprises the step of handling a tobacco pouches assembly including a string of tobacco pouches forming the pouches set. In the string, adjacent pouches are interconnected by means of at least one carrier structure.

Advantageously, the step of handling the tobacco pouches assembly can include conveying at least a part of the assembly, preferably conveying said at least a part of the assembly up to a filling unit for filling tobacco pouches with tobacco.

In embodiments, the tobacco pouches assembly can be supplied as an at least partly rolled up and/or at least partly folded up string. Subsequently, the string can be at least partly unrolled and/or unfold, especially during or before conveying said assembly. As a result, the assembly comprising the string of tobacco pouches may be handled and/or conveyed as a substantially flat, elongated, strip-like string, whereas, e.g. prior thereto, said assembly can be stored and/or transported in a relatively compact manner, such as in a container having limited dimensions.

Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a tobacco pouches assembly; figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a tobacco pouches; figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a tobacco pouches assembly; and figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a tobacco pouches.

In this description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing by way of example only. These embodiments should by no means be understood as limiting the scope of the disclosure. At least all combinations of elements and features of the embodiments shown and/or described are also considered to have been disclosed herein. In this description, the same or similar elements and features will be referred to by the same or similar reference signs.

In this description tobacco has to be understood as encompassing but not limited to tobacco for cigarettes, such as tobacco for make-your-own cigarettes or roll tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes, pipe tobacco, snuff tobacco or the like.

Figures 1 and 2 show schematic perspective views of first and second embodiments of a tobacco pouches assembly 1. The tobacco pouches assembly 1 comprises a string 2 of tobacco pouches 3. Adjacent pouches 3a, 3b are interconnected by means of at least one carrier structure 4.

In both fig. 1 and fig. 2, the carrier structure 4 is a substantially elongated carrier structure 4. The carrier structure 4 can extend along a plurality of the interconnected pouches 3, preferably along all the interconnected pouches 3 of the string 2.

For example, the carrier structure 4 may be or comprise a strip, slip, band, tape and/or ribbon, especially when said structure 4 is extending along a relatively large number of interconnected pouches. However, in alternative embodiments, the carrier structure 4 can have an alternative form. For example, the carrier structure can have a round, elliptical, triangular, rectangular or square shape. Additionally or alternatively, the carrier structure may only interconnect a limited number of the pouches 3 of the string 2, for instance the carrier structure 4 may only interconnect two adjacent pouches 3a, 3b, whereas a further carrier structure interconnect one of these pouches 3b with a further pouch 3c of the string 2.

In figure 1, two adjacent pouches 3a, 3b are interconnected by means of one carrier structure 4. In the alternative embodiment of figure 2, two adjacent pouches 3a, 3b are interconnected by two carrier structures 4a, 4b. In alternative embodiments, two adjacent pouches may be interconnected by another number of carrier structures 4, e.g. three or four carrier structures. When providing two or more carrier structures for interconnecting two adjacent pouches 3, said carrier structures may preferably comprise at least two substantial parallel elongated carrier structures 4. Providing multiple carrier structures 4a, 4b interconnecting two adjacent pouches 3a, 3b in stead of providing one carrier structure 4 that interconnects two adjacent pouches 3a, 3b can have the advantage of counteracting that said two pouches 3a, 3b rotate and/or shift with respect to each other in one or more directions, e.g. in a direction other than the longitudinal direction L of the string 2 and/or other than a direction in which the string 2 can be rolled up and/or folded up.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a tobacco pouches assembly 1, wherein the string 2 is rolled up at least partly. Here, the string 2 is rolled up around a core 5, e.g. a cardboard core. The core can for instance be a spindle, spool or bobbin. Preferably, the core 5 is a cylindrical, especially round cylindrical, core, but may alternatively have a different shape.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a tobacco pouches, wherein the string 2 is folded up at least partly. Here, the string 2 is folded in a substantially fanfolded manner. In this description fanfolded manner can be understood as a being folded like a fan so that the string 2 can stack readily and/or that the string 2 may be folded in a zig-zag manner. It is noted that the string 2 may be folded otherwise in alternative embodiments, e.g. the string 2 can be substantially folded and/or rolled around a block-shaped or prism-shape core.

In figure 3, the carrier structure 4 is rollable, and in figure 4, the carrier structure 4 is foldable. Alternatively or additionally, said structure 4 may be rollable and foldable, or may nor be substantially rollable, neither be substantially foldable.

The carrier structure 4 may be made of a substantially flexible material, preferably flexible in at least a direction such that the carrier structure 4 can deform at least about one or more rotation axes A and/or folding fines extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction L of the string 2 of tobacco pouches 3 when said string 2 is rolled-out and/or folded out, and/or extending transverse to a conveying direction L of the tobacco pouches assembly 1 during handling thereof. In embodiments, the material of the carrier structure can arranged for substantially counteracting deformation in a direction other than about said rotation axes A and/or folding lines. Therefore, unintentional disorientation of tobacco pouches 3 may be counteracted.

It is noted that the carrier structure 4 can be made from any suitable material, such as for instance, but not limited to a plastic material, a paper material, a gauze material, a fabric material, a cloth material and/or a composite material.

Preferably, each pouch 3 and/or the at least one carrier structure 4 is of relatively flat design, i.e. the pouch 3 and/or carrier structure 4 can have a length and a width direction, both substantially larger than the thickness of said pouch 3 and/or carrier structure 4. Advantageously, the string 2 comprising the interconnected pouches 3 is of relatively flat design. Preferably, the pouches 3 can be attached to the at least one carrier structure 4 such that the pouches 3 extend in a substantially flat plane, when the string 2 is stretched out in a flat plane. The thickness direction of the pouches 3 and the thickness direction of the at least one carrier structure 4 can preferably extend in substantially the same direction, such that the string 2 can be of relatively flat design.

In the shown embodiments, each pouch 3 comprises a front sheet portion 6 of flexible material and a rear sheet portion 7 of flexible material. Said sheet portions 6, 7 are connected to each other near or along a part of their edges 8. The pouch 3 further comprises a tobacco opening 9 for accessing a tobacco chamber 10 positioned between the front sheet portion 6 and the rear sheet portion 7.

For clarity reasons, the pouches of the figures are shown as having two side faces and a bottom face offsetting the front sheet portion 6 and the rear sheet portion 7. However, in embodiments, the pouches can be designed as having no side and bottom faces and/or the front and rear sheet portions 6, 7 can be connected to each other directly. For example, said sheet portions 6, 7 may be sealed and/or glued to each other, preferably at or near their edges, or said sheet portions 6, 7 can be formed from a single sheet and be connected by means of a fold. It is noted that the pouches can have any suitable design, and that the pouch 3 may have side and/or bottom sides which can be folded, especially in a zig-zag manner, e.g. in order to facilitate expanding of the thickness of the pouch 3. Further, it is noted that the pouch 3 can have different thicknesses at different locations. For instance, the pouch 3 may be thicker at the location of the tobacco chamber 10 than at the location of an unfolded flap sheet portion 11. Additionally or alternatively, the pouch, especially an empty pouch, may be thicker near its edges than near the middle of the tobacco chamber 10, e.g. due to a bonding at or near the edges and/or due to side faces, especially folded side faces.

It is noted that in this description a sheet portion of flexible material has to be understood as encompassing at least a substantially flat piece of flexible material, pliable and/or foldable, made of a single or multiple materials. A sheet portion can for example be but is not limited to one or a combination of a single or multi layer material, laminated material or materials, plastic, paper, board, metal, cloth or combinations thereof, extruded or coextruded materials and the hke. These materials and methods for forming sheet portions are given by way of example only and should not be considered limiting the scope of this disclosure. For example, the sheet may comprise a paper label enclosed between two transparent plastic films. A sheet will have a length and a width direction, both substantially larger than the thickness of the sheet. Preferably, the sheet portions are made of laminated sheet, which can be understood as a multi layer sheet, wherein the layers are superimposed and each layer connected to at least one other layer at least partly. The layers can be made of the same or different materials. In specific embodiments a sheet can have at least three layers, one enclosed at least partly between an upper and lower layer, whereas the layers may be made of any suitable material for forming a pouch. The layers may be fully or partly connected to each other. By way of example one or both of the outer layers and/or the or each intermediate layer can be made of the same material, such as but not limited to plastic or paper, or of different materials. One or both of the outer layers can be made of transparent material, at least in part. Printing can be provided on one, some or all of the layers, at a side facing outward and/or a side facing inward during use of the pouch 3.

Additionally or alternatively, the pouches 3 may be provided with stickers or adhesive labels, for instance price tags.

Further, the pouch 3 may comprises a closing flap sheet portion 11 of flexible material for at least partly closing off the tobacco opening 9, especially by folding said flap sheet portion 11 over said tobacco opening 9.

The opening 9 can extend substantially along a portion of an edge 8b of at least one of the front sheet portion 6 and the rear sheet portion 7.

Additionally or alternatively, the closing flap sheet portion 11 can be connected to the rear sheet portion 7, preferably near, at and/or along an edge of said rear sheet portion extending near, at and/or along the tobacco opening 9. In embodiments, such as the embodiment of figure 1, the closing flap sheet portion 11 and the rear sheet portion 7 can be integrated. For example this can be understood as that in an open position of the pouch 3, a rear sheet 12 comprising the rear sheet portion 7 can extend substantially beyond the tobacco opening 9 and can also comprise the closing flap sheet portion 11.

In embodiments, the carrier structure 4 can be releasable attached to the pouches 3, preferably by means of an adhesive, such as a glue or gum, more preferably an adhesive provided at the carrier structure 4 for releasable sticking to the pouches 3.

In preferred embodiments, such as for instance shown in figures 1 and 2, the interconnected pouches 3 are each attached to the carrier structure 4 in a similar orientation.

In embodiments, each tobacco pouch 3 can be attached to the carrier structure 4 with its same sheet portion. For example, at least a part of the rear sheet portion 7 of each pouch 3 can be attached to the carrier structure 4. In another embodiment, at least a part of the front sheet portion 6 of each pouch 3 can be attached to the carrier structure 4.

Alternatively or additionally, the closing flap sheet portion 11 can be attached to the carrier structure 4, preferably at an outside side 11a of said flap sheet portion 7, such as for instance shown in figure 1. The outside side 11a can be understood as a side 11a substantially facing outwardly when the pouch 3 is closed off by means of said flap sheet portion 11. In an alternative embodiment, the carrier structure can be attached to an inside side lib of the flap sheet portion 11, i.e. a side 11a facing inwardly when the pouch 3 is closed off.

As mentioned above, the interconnected pouches 3 can each be attached to the carrier structure 4 in a similar orientation. For instance, each pouch 3 can be attached to the carrier structure 4 with its tobacco opening 9 facing in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the carrier structure 4 and/or the longitudinal direction L of the string 2. Advantageously, the openings 9 may all face substantially in the conveying direction D. Alternatively, the openings may face in another direction, such as a direction substantially opposite to the conveying direction D or a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the string 2, i.e. a sideward direction with respect to said string 2.

In alternative embodiments, the pouches 3 can be attached to the at least one carrier structure 4 with mutually different orientations. For example, the tobacco openings 9 of some of the pouches 3 can be facing in one direction, whereas the openings 9 of other pouches 3 can face in another direction, especially substantially opposite directions. For instance, a number of the pouches has its openings facing to the left side of the string 2, whereas openings 9 of other pouches 3 are facing to the right of said string 2 and/or some openings 9 can face in the conveying direction D or a first longitudinal direction L of the string 2, whereas others may face in the opposite direction thereof.

It is noted that the pouches 3 can be differently oriented alternately. For example, the string 2 of interconnected pouches 3 can have the openings 9 of adjacent pouches alternately facing in opposite directions. Alternatively, a first group of at least two mutually adjacent pouches may be oriented in first direction and a second number of pouches adjacent to the first group can be oriented in a second direction.

As for instance shown in figures 1 and 2, adjacent pouches 3 of the string 2 may be partly overlapping each other, especially in an imbricated manner. In the embodiment of figure 1, a part of the flap sheet portion 11 of a first pouch 3a overlaps a rear sheet portion 7 of an adjacent pouch 3b at least partly. In the embodiment of figure 2, a part of the flap sheet portion 11 of a first pouch 3a overlaps a front sheet portion 6 of an adjacent pouch 3b, at least partly. Additionally, the flap sheet portion 11 of a first pouch 3a can also overlap the flap sheet portion 11 of the adjacent pouch 3b. It is noted that pouches 3 may in alternative embodiments overlap each other in different manners, such as in a sideward manner. For instance, a left side 13 of a first pouch 3a may overlap a right side 14 of an adjacent pouch 3b.

Advantageously, the interconnected pouches 3 can be interspaced regularly with respect to each other.

Alternatively, the pouches 3 can form a pattern, especially substantially regularly pattern, wherein at predetermined positions pouches are omitted. As a result, at places of the string 2 where one or more pouches 3 are omitted and/or where less pouches are overlapping each other with respect to other parts of the string 2, the string 2 may be foldable relatively easily. This can be advantageous, for instance when the pouches are relatively stiff and/or inflexible with respect to the carrier structure 4. It is noted that a string 2 can be relatively well foldable locally, for example because said string 2 and/or the carrier structure 4 is locally free of pouches 3 or is locally only provided with a part of a flap sheet portion 11 and not with a tobacco chamber 10 defining part of the pouch, which part may be less flexible than the flap sheet portion 11.

In embodiments, one or more interleaves may be provided, e.g. for counteracting that parts of the carrier structure 4 which are free of a pouch part will unintentionally stick to other carrier structure parts, to pouches, to handling units and/or to other elements. For example, interleaves may be provided at or near parts of the string 2 and/or carrier structure 4 free of pouches. Alternatively or additionally, one or more interleaves may be provided between adjacent layers of string 2 when said string 2 is rolled up and/or folded up.

The invention also relates to a method for handling a tobacco pouches set 3, 3a, 3b. The method comprises the step of handling a tobacco pouches assembly 1. Said assembly includes a string 2 of tobacco pouches 3, 3a, 3b forming the pouches set 3, 3a, 3b. In the string 2, adjacent pouches 3a, 3b are interconnected by means of at least one carrier structure 4.

It is noted that the method may include the step of attaching the tobacco pouches 3, 3a, 3b of said set 3, 3a, 3b to said at least one carrier structure 4 before handling said tobacco pouches assembly 1. Additionally, the method may comprise a step of checking and/or selecting tobacco pouches 3, 3a, 3b, preferably before attaching the tobacco pouches to said at least one carrier structure 4. In embodiments, the method for handling a tobacco pouches set 3, 3a, 3b can include assembling the tobacco pouches assembly 1.

Alternatively or additionally, the method, for instance the step of handling the pouches, can include rolling up and/or folding up the string 2 of tobacco pouches 3 at least partly.

Alternatively or additionally, the step of handling the tobacco pouches assembly 1 can include putting the assembly 1 into a handling line, for instance a filling fine for filling pouches with tobacco. For example, the assembly 1, e.g. an at least partly rolled up, folded up, unrolled and/or unfolded assembly, can be put into a pouches magazine, or into or onto a supply unit such as a conveyor of such handling and/or filling fine. It is noted that a line or a machine arranged for handling, conveying and/or filling the tobacco pouches assembly 1 or a pouch 3 thereof, may also be arranged for handling loose tobacco pouches, preferably stacked pouches. In embodiments, such machine or line may be arranged for filling a pouches magazine thereof by hand or providing a supply unit thereof with pouches by hand, additionally to providing it with a tobacco pouches assembly 1.

Additionally or alternatively, the step of handling the tobacco pouches assembly 1 may comprise conveying at least a part of the assembly 1, preferably conveying said at least a part of the assembly 1 up to a filling unit for filling tobacco pouches 3 with tobacco. Said conveying may take place in a substantially horizontal direction, or in another direction, such as a substantially vertical direction or a sloping direction. For example, said at least part of the assembly 1, especially a substantially stretched out or flat part of the assembly 1, such as a unrolled and/or unfolded part, can be conveyed by a conveyor, e.g. as a conveyor belt.

It is noted that the handling of the tobacco pouches assembly 1 can include handling a string 2 of empty tobacco pouches 3, 3a, 3b.

Furthermore, the method can include supplying the tobacco pouches assembly 1 as an at least partly rolled up and/or at least partly folded up string 2, and subsequently at least partly unrolling and/or unfolding said string 2 during or before conveying said assembly 1.

In embodiments, the string 2 can after unrolling and/or unfolding be at least partly rolled up and/or folded in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which it was originally rolled up and/or folded. Subsequently, the string 2 or part thereof can again be unrolled and/or unfolded. As a result, it that can be counteracted that the string 2 or the assembly 1 tends to roll back and/or fold back partially after initially unrobing and/or unfolding it. Counter-rolling or counter-folding may facilitate that the string 2 can be conveyed in a relatively flat manner. Additionally or alternatively, the pouches 3 may be bent back, e.g. by counter-rolling or counter-folding, preferably before conveying the string. However, the pouches may alternatively or additionally be bent back after being conveyed, for instance after being separated from the string 2, preferably upon reaching the filling unit, and/or before being filled by said filling unit. As mentioned above, the pouches 3 can each have a tobacco opening 9 for accessing a tobacco chamber 10 positioned between a front sheet portion 6 and a rear sheet portion 7 of the pouch 3. Preferably, the pouches 3 can be attached to the carrier structure 4 with their tobacco openings 9 facing in the same direction with respect to a conveying direction D in which the multiple tobacco pouches 3 are conveyed. Advantageously, the openings 9 may all face substantially in the conveying direction D, e.g. facing towards the filling unit when the string 2 is stretched out. Alternatively, the openings 9 may face in a direction substantially opposite to the conveying direction D or in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction D. Alternatively to having all pouches 3 facing their openings 9 in the same direction, the string 2 of interconnected pouches can have openings 9 facing in different directions, preferably facing in opposite directions in an alternating manner.

In embodiments, each pouch 3 can be separated from the string 2 when it reaches the filling unit. Subsequently said pouch separated from the string 2 may be filled with tobacco at least partly. Alternatively, the tobacco pouches 3 can be filled in the filling unit without being separated from the string 2 beforehand.

In embodiments, the method may comprise a step of reducing or eliminating static electricity or so-called static electric charge. For example, static charge may be reduced or removed from the assembly 1, pouches 3, string 2, and/or carrier structure 4, for instance after unrolling, unfolding, counter-rolling and/or counter-folding it. Additionally or alternatively, static charge may be removed from the pouches before filling them and/or after separating them form the string 2. For example, static electricity can be removed by contacting the assembly 1, pouches 3, string 2, and/or carrier structure 4 with an earthed or so-called grounded conductive element. Additionally or alternatively, the assembly, string, pouches, and/or carrier structure may comprise or can be formed of antistatic material and/or may be provided with an antistatic agent.

It is noted that the handling of the tobacco pouches assembly 1 can include handling a string 2 of tobacco pouches 3, 3a, 3b filled at least partly. For example, after filling the pouches, the assembly comprising at least partly filled pouches can be conveyed, rolled up, folded up, and/or handled in a different manner.

These and many variants, including at least all combinations or parts of the embodiments disclosed, are considered to have been disclosed herein too, will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims

A tobacco pouch assembly comprising a concatenation of tobacco pouches, wherein adjacent pouches are connected by means of at least one support structure.

Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one support structure can be rolled up and / or foldable.

Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support structure is a substantially elongated support structure.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the support structure extends along a plurality of mutually connected pouches, preferably along all the connected pouches.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the support structure is detachably attached to the pouches, preferably by means of an adhesive, such as an adhesive or gum, more preferably an adhesive provided on the support structure for detachably on the pouches to paste.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pouch comprises a front field part of flexible material and a rear field part of flexible material, said field parts being connected to each other near or along a part of their edges, the pouch further comprising a tobacco opening for reaching a tobacco chamber located between the front leaf section and the rear leaf section, the pouch preferably comprising a closing flap section of flexible material for at least partially closing the tobacco opening, in particular by said flap section part over the said tobacco opening.

An assembly according to claim 6, wherein each of the connected pouches is attached to the support structure in a similar orientation.

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein each of the connected tobacco pouches is attached to the support structure with its same section.

An assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pouches are each attached to the support structure with their tobacco openings directed in the same direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the concatenation and / or the longitudinal direction of the support structure.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein adjacent pouches of the concatenation partially overlap each other, preferably in a roof tile-like manner.

11. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the concatenation is rolled up at least partially, preferably around a core, such as a spindle, spool or spool.

12. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the concatenation is folded at least partially, preferably in a substantially step-folded manner.

A method for processing a set of tobacco pouches, comprising the step of processing a tobacco pouch assembly comprising a string of tobacco pouches forming the set of pouches, wherein adjacent pouches of said string are interconnected by means of at least one support structure.

The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of attaching the tobacco pouches of said set to said support structure prior to processing said tobacco pouch assembly.

Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of processing the tobacco pouch assembly comprises transporting at least a part of the assembly, preferably transporting said at least part of the assembly into a filling unit for filling with tobacco of tobacco pouches.

A method according to claim 15, wherein the pouches each have a tobacco opening for reaching a tobacco chamber that is placed between a front leaf section and a rear leaf section of the pouch, wherein the pouches are attached to the support structure with their tobacco openings directed in the same direction with respect to a transport direction in which the multiple tobacco bags are transported.

A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each pouch is separated from the concatenation upon reaching the filling unit and subsequently filled at least partially with tobacco.

A method according to any of claims 15-17, wherein the tobacco pouch assembly is supplied as an at least partially rolled-up and / or at least partially folded chain and subsequently at least partially unrolled and / or unfolded, in particular during or prior to the transporting the assembly.

A method according to claim 18, wherein after unrolling and / or unfolding the assembly is at least partially rolled and / or folded in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which it was originally rolled and / or folded, and subsequently unrolled again and / or unfolding, such that it can be prevented that the assembly tends to partially roll back and / or fold back after the initial unrolling and / or unfolding.