METHOD FOR MOISTURIZING A POUCHED PRODUCT FOR ORAL USE

Abstract

Described is a method for moisturizing a pouched product for oral use. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a plurality of pouched products, the pouched products having a first moisture content; b) laying down the pouched products on a support surface; and c) applying water with a water application tool comprising a water dispensing arrangement to the pouched products in a confined water application area of the support surface, to raise the moisture content to a second moisture content, the second moisture content being higher than the first moisture content, wherein the first moisture content is from 2% by weight to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is from 20% by weight to 60% by weight based on the pouched product, the second moisture content being at least 25% higher than the first moisture content.

Claims

1. A method for moisturizing a pouched product for oral use, comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of pouched products for oral use, the pouched products having a first moisture content: b) laying down the pouched products on a support surface; and c) applying water with a water application tool comprising a water dispensing arrangement to the pouched products in a confined water application area of the support surface, to raise the moisture content to a second moisture content, the second moisture content being higher than the first moisture content, wherein the first moisture content is within the range of from 2% by weight to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is in the range of from 20% by weight to 60% by weight based on the pouched product, the second moisture content being at least 25% higher than the first moisture content.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first moisture content is within the range of from 10% by weight to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is within the range of from 35% by weight to 55% by weight based on the pouched product.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pouched product for oral use is a tobacco-free or substantially tobacco-free product.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one confinement wall is arranged at a perimeter of said confined water application area.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the water application tool comprises the at least one confinement wall.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one confinement wall forms a wall of a water application chamber.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the water application tool comprises a water permeable water distribution member, the water distribution member having a product contact area corresponding to the confined water application area and wherein step c) comprises: ii) bringing the water distribution member of the water application tool into contact with the pouched products; and iii) applying water to the pouched products in the confined water application area by supplying water into the water application chamber and onto the water distribution member, the water distribution member acting to distribute the applied water and to transfer the water to the pouched products.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the product contact area of the water distribution member is a perforated plate with a plurality of openings or a net having an open area of from 5% to 50% of the total area of the product contact area of the water distribution member.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the water distribution member is a net having a mesh size of from 0.05 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is a bottom wall of a user container and step b) is carried out by laying down a set of pouched products on the bottom wall of the user container.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pouched products in the set of pouched products are arranged in a predetermined configuration in the user container, such as being arranged partially overlapping, with an exposed area of each pouched product being the same or substantially the same for all pouched products.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10, wherein step c) further comprises: i) forming a water application chamber by aligning the confinement wall of the water application tool with a side wall of the user container.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the water application tool comprises a water permeable water distribution member, the water distribution member having a product contact area adapted to the shape and size of the bottom wall of the user container and wherein step c) further comprises: ii) bringing the water distribution member of the water application tool into contact with the pouched products in the user container: iii) applying water to the pouched products in the user container by supplying water into the water application chamber and onto the water distribution member, the water distribution member acting to distribute the applied water and to transfer the water to the pouched products in the user container; and iv) removing the water application tool from the user container.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is a surface on a conveyor, the conveyor being arranged to move in a machine direction.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein at least two confinement walls extend in the machine direction and being arranged on each side of the confined water application area of the support surface on the conveyor.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) further comprises applying one or more additives.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] The method as disclosed herein will be further explained hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0108] FIG. 1 shows an overview of a water application system;

[0109] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a conveyor with pouched products and a water application tool having four confinement walls;

[0110] FIGS. 3a-3b shows cross-sectional views taken along the line IIIa,b-IIIa,b in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3a the water application tool is equipped with a water distribution member and in FIG. 3b the water application tool has no water distribution member;

[0111] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a conveyor with pouched products and a water application tool having two confinement walls which form a tunnel;

[0112] FIG. 5 a shows a water application tool and a user container wherein pouched products are moisturized;

[0113] FIG. 5 b shows a water application tool equipped with a water distribution member and a user container wherein pouched product are moisturized;

[0114] FIG. 6 a shows a water application tool being partly inserted in a user container;

[0115] FIG. 6 b shows a water application tool equipped with a water distribution member being partly inserted in a user container; and

[0116] FIG. 7 shows arranged patterns for pouched products in a user container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] Different aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings. The embodiments disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein.

[0118] It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual features and components, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0119] A continuous as well as an intermittent or semi-intermittent method of producing moisturized pouched products as disclosed herein will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

[0120] With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an overview of a water application system 101 where pouched products 103 for oral use having a first moisture content are further moisturized by means of a water application tool 105 within a confined water application area 106.

[0121] Formation of pouched products 103 having a first moisture content is performed in a pouch formation arrangement 107 prior to laying down the formed oral pouch products 103 having a first moisture content on a conveyor 109 which is movable in a machine direction MD.

[0122] The oral pouched products 103 with the first moisture content are produced in the pouch formation arrangement 107 by measuring portions of a filling material and enclosing the portions by a saliva-permeable porous wrapper, thus forming a plurality of individual portion packs which are subsequently laid down on the moving conveyor 109.

[0123] FIG. 1 shows a plurality of formed pouched products 103, the pouched products having a first moisture content and being transferred from the pouch formation arrangement 107 and being laid down in a predetermined pattern on a support surface 111 of the conveyor 109. The pouched products 103 may be arranged in any useful pattern on the movable conveyor 109, such as in one or more rows of pouched products 103, the rows extending in the machine direction MD and being arranged side by side in a cross machine direction CD, perpendicular to the machine direction MD. Other useful arrangements include patterns in which the pouched products 103 are grouped together in sets of pouched products 103.

[0124] FIG. 1 further shows a water application tool 105 which is applied above a portion of the conveyor 109. The water application tool 105 is equipped with confinement walls 113 which together with the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109 define a water application chamber 121. The confinement walls 113 are constituted by a first pair of side walls 113 extending in the machine direction MD, a second pair of side of walls 113 extending in the cross-machine direction CD and a top wall 113. The four side walls 113, 113 in FIG. 1 together shield off a rectangular area on the conveyor 109 which constitutes a confined water application area 106.

[0125] The water application tool 105 is connected to a water supply 115 (not shown in the figure) and is further equipped with a water dispensing arrangement 117 which is placed inside the water application chamber 121 which is formed by the confinement walls 113 of the water application tool 105. In FIG. 1, the water dispensing arrangement 117 is represented by a row of spray nozzles 119 arranged in the cross-machine direction CD on the top wall 113 of the water application tool 105, inside the water application chamber 121. Accordingly, the water dispensing arrangement 117 is located in the water application chamber 121 and above the conveyor 109. Consequently, the area on the conveyer 109 beneath the water application tool 105 with its water dispensing arrangement 117 constitutes the confined water application area 106. The illustrated arrangement of a row of spray nozzles 119 in the top wall 113 of the water application tool 105, should not be considered limiting to the water application method as disclosed herein. The water dispensing arrangement 117 may be constituted by a single spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles 119, distributed in any useful pattern for distributing water to the pouched products 103 which are located within the confined water application area 106 inside the water application chamber 121.

[0126] The conveyor 109 may move continuously or discontinuously beneath the water application tool 105 with its water dispensing arrangement 117 so that new pouched products 103 having the first moisture content are continuously exposed to wetting by the water dispensing arrangement 117 such that the pouched products 103 attain a second moisture content. The second moisture content may also be referred to as a final moisture content of the pouched products 103, as it corresponds to the moisture content which the pouched products are intended to have when presented to a consumer. It is an aim of the methods as disclosed herein to distribute water and any additives in the water as uniformly as possible over the confined water application area 106 in order that the pouched products 103 attain a pre-determined second moisture content.

[0127] The pouched products 103 having the first moisture content are advanced in the machine direction MD by the conveyor 109 and passes beneath the water application tool 105, i.e., within the confined water application area 106, whereby water is applied to the pouched products 103 located in the confined water application area 106 by the water dispensing arrangement 117 of the water application tool 105. As disclosed herein, water and any additive in the water is applied to the oral pouched products by the water application tool 105 to raise the moisture content of the oral pouched product from the first moisture content to the second moisture content, the second moisture content being higher than the first moisture content.

[0128] In FIG. 1 the water application tool 105 may be stationary during water application and may be located above the conveyor belt 109 so that a gap 124 is formed between the conveyor 109 and the water application tool 105. The gap 124 is selected to allow the pouched products lying on the advancing conveyor 109 to pass freely beneath the water application tool 105. The speed of the conveyor 109 is set such that a desired amount of water is applied to the pouched products 103 during their dwell-time on the confined water application area 106 in the water application chamber 121.

[0129] Alternatively, or in addition to the water application tool 105 being stationary during water application, the water application tool 101 may be arranged to be moved in a height direction H, perpendicular to the plane defined by the cross machine direction CD and the machine direction MD, as disclosed herein.

[0130] The pouched products 103 are preferably arranged on the conveyor 109 in an organized pattern to allow control of the number of pouched products that are accommodated in the confined water application area 106 and exposed to moisturization by the water application tool 105. Thereby, a more even and equal distribution of water to each of the pouched products may be attained by the process. Thus, a high level of control of the moisture content in the pouched products 103 is achieved as a uniform distribution of water and a uniform final moisture content is ascertained by arranging the pouched products on the pre-determined, confined area 106.

[0131] When the oral pouched products 103 having the first moisture content have been further moisturized by passing under the water application tool 105 and hence reached the second moisture content, the oral pouched products 103 having the second moisture content are further transferred for packaging in containers, such as in user containers which is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0132] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a conveyor 109 with pouched products 103 being arranged thereon, and a movable water application tool 105. The water application tool 105 in FIG. 2 may be moved in the machine direction MD along with the conveyor and/or in the height direction H perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor 109, i.e., up from the conveyor 109 and down towards the conveyor 109.

[0133] FIG. 2 shows oral pouched products 103 having a first moisture content before passing the water application tool 105 and having a second moisture content after having passed beneath a water application tool 105.

[0134] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of formed pouched products 103 having the first moisture content in an arranged pattern on a support surface 111 of a movable conveyor 109 which may be advanced in a machine direction MD. The oral pouched products may be arranged one after the other in a single line on the conveyor 109 or may be arranged, as shown in FIG. 2 with several rows across the width of the conveyor 109.

[0135] FIG. 2 further shows a water application tool 105 arranged over a portion of the conveyor 109. The water application tool 105 in FIG. 2 extends over and covers all pouched products 103 across the width on the conveyor 109, i.e., in the cross machine direction CD and extends over and covers a selected number of pouched products 103 in the machine direction MD. The area covered by the water application tool 105 constitutes a confined water application area 106. As in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the water application tool 105 is equipped with confinement walls 113 arranged at the perimeter of the water application area 106. As in FIG. 1, the confinement walls 113 of the water application tool 105 in FIG. 2 consist of two side walls 113 extending in the machine direction MD, two side walls 113 extending in the cross-machine direction CD and a top wall 113 opposite the conveyor 109. The four side walls 113, 113 in FIG. 2 together shield off the rectangular confined water application area 106 on the conveyor 109. A water application chamber 121 is delimited by the confinement walls 113 of the water application tool 105 and the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109.

[0136] The water application tool 105 is equipped with a water dispensing arrangement (not seen in FIG. 2) inside the water application chamber 121 formed by the water application tool 105 and the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109. The water application tool 105 is further connected to a water supply 115 which is not seen in the figure.

[0137] The water dispensing arrangement 117 which is located inside the water application chamber 121 is not visible in FIG. 2 but is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0138] The conveyor 109 may move continuously or discontinuously beneath the water application tool 105 so that new pouched products 103 may be exposed to wetting by the water application tool 105. The speed of the conveyor 109 and a continuous or discontinuous operation of the conveyor may be used to control the dwell-time for the pouched products 103 on the confined water application area 106 in the water application chamber 121.

[0139] The pouched products 103 are advanced on the conveyor 109 and pass beneath the water application tool 105, i.e., within the confined water application area 106, whereby water and any additive in the water is applied by the water dispensing arrangement 117 of the water application tool 105 to the pouched products 103 in the confined water application area 106. The water which is applied to the pouched products 103 raises the moisture content of the oral pouched product 103 from the first moisture content to the second moisture content.

[0140] As in FIG. 1, the oral pouched products 103 on the conveyor 109 are preferably arranged in an organized way on the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109 to improve control of the amount of water applied to the pouched products 103 that are arranged in the confined water application area 106 beneath the water application tool 105, and which are thereby exposed to moisturization by the water application tool 105.

[0141] When the moisture content of the oral pouched products 103 has been increased from the first moisture content to the second moisture content by passing under the water application tool 105 the oral pouched products 103 with the second/final moisture content are further transferred for packaging in containers, such as in user containers, which is not shown in the figure.

[0142] FIGS. 3a and 3b show two slightly different alternatives for the water application tool 105 in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3a the water application tool 105 is similar to the water application tool 105 in FIG. 1. However, the water application tool 105 in FIG. 3a is equipped with a water distribution member 125.

[0143] FIG. 3a shows a set of pouched products 103 while they are lying on the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109, beneath the water application tool 105.

[0144] The set of pouched products as seen in FIG. 3a are all located within the confined water application area 106 beneath the water application tool 105.

[0145] The application tool 105 in FIG. 3a is further equipped with a water distribution member 125 which is attached to the bottom of the confinement walls 113 of the water application tool 105 and forms a bottom wall of the water application chamber 121.

[0146] The water distribution member 125 has a product contact area 126 corresponding to the confined water application area 106.

[0147] By moving the water application tool 105 in the height direction H perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor 109, the water distribution member 125 is brought into contact with the pouched products 103. The water distribution member 125 preferably exerts a slight pressure on the pouched products 103 to ascertain a close contact between the water distribution member 125 and the pouched products. The water distribution member 125 acts to distribute the applied water across the plane of the water distribution member 125 and to transfer the water to the pouched products 103. Thereby, water which is supplied into the water application chamber 121 and onto the water distribution member 125 is applied to the pouched products 103 within the confined water application area 106. The direct contact between the water distribution member 125 and the pouched products 103 enables absorption of water from the water distribution member 125 into the pouched products 103. By means of the water distribution member 125, it is possible to achieve complete or almost complete transfer of the applied water to the pouched products 103 with no or only a negligible amount of moisture ending up on the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109. The water distribution member 125 acts to slow down the water flow from the water dispensing arrangement 117 and enhances an even distribution of the water and any additive in the water over the pouched products 103 within the confined water application area 106.

[0148] Prior to water application to the pouched products 103, the water application tool 105 moves down into contact with the pouched products. After sufficient moisturization has been achieved, the water application tool 105 moves up and out of contact with the pouched products 103.

[0149] The moisturizing method as is seen in FIG. 3a may be intermittent, with the conveyor 109 stopping during the time when the water distribution member 125 of the water application tool 105 is in contact with the pouched products 103 and water is transferred from the water distribution member 125 to the pouched products 103. Alternatively, the water application tool 105 may move in the machine direction, MD, together with the conveyor 109, during water transfer between the water distribution member 125 and the pouched products 103. After the pouched products have been sufficiently moisturized, the water application tool 105 may move back and be brought into contact with a new set of pouched products to be moisturized. The pouched products 103 absorb all or virtually all applied water from the water distribution member 125, whereby no, or virtually no water ends up on the conveyor 109.

[0150] FIG. 3b shows the water application tool 105 equipped with water dispensing arrangement 117 but without a water distribution member 125.

[0151] FIG. 3b shows a set of pouched products 103 while they are lying on the support surface 111 of the conveyor 109, beneath the water application tool 105.

[0152] As in FIG. 3a, the set of pouched products as is seen in FIG. 3b are all located within the confined water application area 106 beneath the water application tool 105.

[0153] In FIG. 3b the water application tool 105 is located above the conveyor 109 in the same manner as the water application tool 105 in FIG. 1, so that a gap 124 is formed between the conveyor 109 and the water application tool 105. This allows the pouched products 103 lying on the advancing conveyor 109 to pass unhindered beneath the water application tool 105.

[0154] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a movable conveyor 109 with pouched products 103 and a stationary water application tool 105 only having confinement walls 113 in the form of side walls 113 extending in the machine direction MD, the side walls 113 being arranged on each side of a confined water application area 106 and a top wall 113. The confinement walls 113 in FIG. 4 form a tunnel, extending in the machine direction, and being open at both ends.

[0155] FIG. 4 shows the pouched products 103 with a first moisture content at the inlet of the tunnel formed by the confinement walls 113 and with a second moisture content after having passed through the tunnel formed by the confinement walls 113.

[0156] In the same manner as for the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b, FIG. 4 shows a plurality of formed pouched products 103 which are arranged in an ordered pattern on a support surface 111 of the conveyor 109 which is arranged to be advanced in the machine direction MD.

[0157] The water application tool 105 which is shown in FIG. 4, extends over a portion of the conveyor 109 corresponding to a confined water application area 106. The water application tool 105 differs from the water application tool 105 as shown in FIG. 1 by having a greater extension in the machine direction MD and by the tunnel formed by the confinement walls 113 defining a water application chamber 121 which is only partly closed, i.e., the water application chamber 121 being closed in the cross machine direction CD and being open in the machine direction MD at the ends of the tunnel. The confined water application area 106 is defined by the area of the conveyor 109 which is covered by the tunnel formed by the confinement walls 113.

[0158] The water application tool 105 is equipped with a water dispensing arrangement 117 not seen in FIG. 4 inside the water application chamber 121 formed by the water application tool 105. The water application tool 105 is further connected to a water supply 115 which is not seen in the figure. The water application tool 105 with its confinement walls 113 forms a tunnel over a portion of the conveyor 109. The space inside the tunnel thus constitutes a water application chamber 121 and the area on the conveyer 109 that is covered by the tunnel constitutes a confined water application area 106.

[0159] The water dispensing arrangement 117 is in FIG. 4 represented by spray nozzles 119 located at the top wall 113 of the water application tool 105, inside the water application chamber 121. Accordingly, the water dispensing arrangement 117 is within the water application chamber 121 and above the conveyor 109 and consequently also above the confined water application area 106. As set out herein, the water dispensing arrangement 117 may be constituted by several spray nozzles 119, distributed in any pattern, located within the water application chamber 121.

[0160] The conveyor 109 may move continuously or discontinuously beneath the water application tool 105 so that new pouched products 103 having the first moisture content are continuously moved into the tunnel where they are exposed to wetting by the water dispensing arrangement 117, to raise the moisture content to a desired second moisture content.

[0161] When the pouched products 103 have been moisturized to the desired degree, they are further transferred for packaging in containers, such as in consumer containers.

[0162] FIG. 5a shows a water application tool 205 and a user container 228 which is placed on a conveyer 209 which can be advanced in the machine direction MD, as indicated in the figure.

[0163] The water application tool 205 is equipped with a circular confinement wall 213. In FIG. 5a water application chamber 221 is formed between the water application tool 205 and the user container 228 by aligning the confinement wall 213 of the water application tool 205 with a side wall 230 of the user container 228. The confinement wall 213 on the water application tool 205 is configured to match the shape of the side wall 230 of the user container 228 and to fit inside the side wall 230 of the user container 228. In the example shown in FIG. 5a, the user container 228 has a circular shape which is matched by a corresponding circular shape of the confinement wall 213 on the water application tool 205. However, the user container 228 may have any useful shape, such as triangular, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes as well as modified polygonal shapes, such as polygonal shapes with rounded corners.

[0164] A set of pouched products 203 having a first moisture content is placed on a bottom wall 229 of a user container 228, the bottom wall 229 of the user container 228 constituting a support surface 211 for the pouched products 203. The set of pouched products 203 may be arranged in a predetermined configuration in the user container, such as in a star-shaped configuration or any other useful configuration.

[0165] The water application tool 205 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 229 of the user container 228. Prior to application of water to the pouched products 203, the water application tool 205 is moved down so that the confinement wall 213 is partly located inside of the side wall 230 of the user container 228 whereafter water is applied to the pouched products 203 in the user container 228 by supplying water into the water application chamber 221 and onto the pouched products 203 in the user container 228. After moisturization, the water application tool 205 is moved up and out from the user container 228.

[0166] The moisturizing method as is illustrated in FIG. 5a may be intermittent, with the conveyor 209 stopping during the time when the water application tool 205 is applying water to the pouched products 203 in the user container 228. Alternatively, the water application tool 205 may move in the machine direction, MD, together with the conveyor 209, during water application to the pouched products 203. After the pouched products 203 have been sufficiently moisturized, the water application tool 205 may move back and be brought into a new user container 228 with a new set of pouched products 203 being laid down on the bottom wall 229 of a user container.

[0167] The user container 228 may have a circular cross-section and the pouched products 203 may be arranged in a sequence, the sequence of pouched products forming a full circle, a semi-circle or any other part of a circle. Alternatively, the user container may have a rectangular or generally rectangular cross-section and the pouched products may be arranged in a staggered brick pattern. The pouched products may also be arranged partially overlapping, with an exposed area of each pouched product being the same or substantially the same for all pouched products, such that an equal amount can be applied to each pouched product.

[0168] FIG. 5b. shows a water application tool 205 and a user container 228 placed on a conveyor 209 which can be advanced in a machine direction. The water application tool 205 in FIG. 5b is similar to the water application tool 205 in FIG. 5a with the difference that the water application tool 205 in FIG. 5b is equipped with a water distribution member 225.

[0169] As in the FIG. 5a embodiment, the water application tool 205 is equipped with a confinement wall 213 which is arranged to be aligned with a side wall 230 of the user container 228 and to be at least partially inserted into the user container 228 to form a water application chamber 221 delimited by the water application tool 205 and the user container 228.

[0170] A set of pouched products 203 having a first moisture content is placed on the bottom wall 229 of a user container 228, the bottom wall 229 of the user container forming a support surface 211 for the pouched products 203. The set of pouched products 203 may be arranged in a predetermined configuration in the user container, as disclosed herein. The pouched products may further be arranged partially overlapping, with an exposed area of each pouched product being the same or substantially the same for all pouched products.

[0171] The water application tool 205 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall of the user container 228. Prior to water application to the pouched products 203, the water application tool 205 equipped with the water distribution member 225 is moved down and brought into contact with the pouched products 203. After moisturization, the water application tool 205 equipped with the water distribution member 225 is moved up and out of contact with the pouched products 203.

[0172] The water distribution member 225 of the water application tool 205 is brought into contact with the pouched products 203 whereafter water is applied to the pouched products 203 in the user container 228 by supplying water into the water application chamber 221 and onto the water distribution member 225. The water distribution member slows down the water flow from the water application member 217 and causes the applied water to be distributed over the pouched products 203 in the user container 228. The pouched products directly absorb all or virtually all applied water from the water distribution member 225, whereby dripping of excess water from the water application tool 205 is avoided when the water application tool 205 is moved between different user containers 228.

[0173] The moisturizing method as is seen in FIG. 5b may be intermittent, with the conveyor 209 stopping during the time when the water distribution member 225 of the water application tool 205 is in contact with the pouched products lying on the bottom wall of a user container 228. Alternatively, the water application tool 205 may move in the machine direction, MD, together with the conveyor 209, during water transfer between the water distribution member 225 and the pouched products 203. After the pouched products have been sufficiently moisturized, the water application tool 205 may move back and be brought into contact with a new set of pouched products 203 being laid down on the bottom wall 229 of a user container 228 to be moisturized.

[0174] FIG. 6a shows the water application tool 205 of FIG. 5a and FIG. 6b shows the water application tool 205 of FIG. 5b respectively, with the confinement wall 213 of the water application tool 205 partially inserted into the user container 228 to form a water application chamber 221 delimited by the confinement wall 213 of the water application tool 205 and the walls of the user container 228.

[0175] FIG. 7a-7c show examples of different arranged patterns for pouched products 203 in a user container 228. In FIG. 7a-7c, the user containers 228 filled with pouched products 203 are seen from above.

[0176] Although the method as disclosed herein has been illustrated with a single post moisturizing step, it is to be understood that the second moisture content may be attained by raising the moisture content in two or more steps. Accordingly, in the methods illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, two or more water application tools may be arranged spaced apart along the moving conveyor, such that the moisture content in the oral pouched products travelling on the conveyor may be successively raised to the second moisture content. A multi-step moisturizing process may allow dispensed moisture to be absorbed by the products on the moving conveyor before further moisture is added, thereby further decreasing the risk of spillage.