Pouched product for oral use

Abstract

Described is a pouched product for oral use that includes a saliva-permeable pouch and a filling material which is enclosed in the pouch. The pouch is formed from a nonwoven material that includes fibres and a binder. The fibres in the nonwoven material are cellulose fibres and the binder is a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder applied to the fibres of the nonwoven material. The binder is present in an amount within the range of from 17% by weight to 29% by weight based on a total weight of the pouch material.

Claims

1. A pouched product for oral use comprising a saliva-permeable pouch and a filling material being enclosed in the pouch, wherein the pouch is formed from a nonwoven material comprising fibres and a binder, characterized in that the fibres in the nonwoven material are cellulose fibres and in that the binder is a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder applied to the fibres of the nonwoven material and wherein the binder is present in an amount within the range of from 17% by weight to 29% by weight based on a total weight of the pouch material, wherein the polyester-polyurethane binder has been applied to the fibres in the nonwoven material in the form of a polyester-polyurethane dispersion.

2. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose fibres comprise or consist of staple fibres having a fibre length in the range of from 10 mm to 52 mm.

3. The pouched product according to claim 2, wherein the nonwoven material is a dry-formed nonwoven material and wherein the staple fibres have a linear density in the range of from 0.9 decitex to 2.2 decitex.

4. The pouched product according to claim 3, wherein the dry-formed nonwoven material is a carded nonwoven material.

5. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven material is a wet-laid nonwoven material and wherein the cellulose fibres comprise or consist of staple fibres having a fibre length in the range of from 3 mm to 25 mm.

6. The pouched product according to claim 5, wherein the staple fibres have a linear density in the range of from 0.7 decitex to 6 decitex.

7. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose fibres comprise or consist of regenerated cellulose fibres such as viscose fibres, lyocell fibres, or the like.

8. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the polyester-polyurethane binder is present in an amount within the range of from 17% by weight to 27% by weight based on the total weight of the pouch material.

9. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the pouched product for oral use is a smokeless non-tobacco product.

10. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the pouched product for oral use is a smokeless tobacco product.

11. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the pouched product for oral use is a moist pouched product and wherein the filling material has a moisture content of 35% by weight to 55% by weight.

12. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the pouched product for oral use is a dry pouched product and wherein the filling material has a moisture content of from 2% by weight to 25% by weight.

13. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein more than 90% of the pouched product is disintegrated into smaller than 2 mm fractions within 12 weeks of composting, according to the industrial composting standard ISO 16929 (2021) (Plastics).

14. The pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the saliva-permeable pouch comprises two opposing end seals, a heat seal strength of the end seals being equal to or above 0.1 N/mm, as measured by an Instron 5943 instrument set with the following parameters: load range: 50N, extension: 10 mm, gauge length: 13 mm, speed: 30 mm/min, preload: 0.1N, and sample width: 33-43 mm.

15. The pouched product according to claim 1 wherein the filling material comprises a flavouring agent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be further explained hereinafter by means of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a pouched product for oral use as disclosed herein;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sample used in a method for determining heat sealing strength;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the flavour stability, i.e., the seal strength of the nonwoven when exposed to different flavours in a dual trough chamber in Example 2.

(5) It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual features and components, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

(6) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a pouched product 101 for oral use as disclosed herein. The pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 has a rectangular shape with a maximum length L.sub.0 extending in a length direction and a maximum width Wo extending in a width direction, whereby the maximum length L.sub.0 is greater than the maximum width Wo. The pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a filling material and a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing the filling material. The pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises two long side edges 103a, 103b and two short side edges 105a, 105b. The pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 also has an extension in a height direction, being perpendicular to the length direction and to the width direction, however not seen in this perspective.

(7) The pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises at least one seal 107 extending in the length direction. Typically, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a single seal 107 extending in the length direction. This seal is often called a longitudinal seal, since, when manufacturing the pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1, this seal is made along the direction of travel of the web forming the pouch. The longitudinal seal is often positioned spaced apart from the long side edges 103a, 103b. Thereby it is often preferred to position it at or close to the longitudinal centre-line, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. The longitudinal seal 107 may be made by any method known to the skilled person, e.g., by means of heat-welding and/or ultrasonic sealing.

(8) Further, the pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises two seals 109a, 109b extending in the width direction. The two seals 109a, 109b seal the two short side edges 105a, 105b and thus form edge seals. These seals 109a, 109b are often called transverse edge seals, since, when manufacturing the pouched product 101 as shown in FIG. 1, these edge seals are made transverse to the direction of travel of the web forming the pouch. The transverse edge seals 109a, 109b may be made by any method known to the skilled person, e.g., by means of heat-welding and/or, ultrasonic sealing. Since the transverse edge seals 109a, 109b are made after the longitudinal seal 107, i.e., downstream of the longitudinal seal 107 in the manufacturing apparatus, the longitudinal seal 107 is included in the transverse edge seals 109a, 109b, i.e., the longitudinal seal 107 forms part of the transverse edge seals 109a, 109b, e.g., the longitudinal seal 107 being welded into the transverse edge seals 109a, 109b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Method for Determining Moisture Content, Loss on Drying (LOD)

(10) The moisture content as referred to herein may be determined by using a method based on literature references Federal Register/vol. 74, no. 4/712-719/Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009/Notices Total moisture determination and AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methods of Analysis 966.02: Moisture in Tobacco (1990), Fifth Edition, K. Helrich (ed). In this method, the moisture content is determined gravimetrically by taking 2.50.25 g sample and weighing the sample at ambient conditions, herein defined as being at a temperature of 22 C. and a relative humidity of 60%, before evaporation of moisture and after completion of dehydration. Mettler Toledo's Moisture Analyzer HB43, a balance with halogen heating technology, is used (instead of an oven and a balance as in the mentioned literature references) in the experiments described herein. The sample is heated to 105 C. (instead of 99.50.5 C. as in the mentioned literature references). The measurement is stopped when the weight change is less than 1 mg during a 90 second time frame. The moisture content as weight percent of the sample is then calculated automatically by the Moisture Analyzer HB43.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

(11) In this example, the effect on seal strength of a nonwoven material having various concentrations of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder, was analysed. Both seals generated by heat-welding and ultrasonic sealing were measured respectively. As reference, a nonwoven material comprising 40% acryl vinyl acetate (AVA) as a binder was used.

(12) Dry laid nonwoven in accordance with the present disclosure was manufactured by spreading viscose staple fibres on a conveyor belt and forming a single-layer web by carding. The dry laid nonwoven was thereafter bound by impregnation using an aqueous dispersion of a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder.

(13) Three different nonwovens having different concentrations of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder were manufactured, i.e., nonwovens with 17%, 21% or 29% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder, respectively.

(14) The viscose fibres used had a linear mass density of 1.7 decitex and staple fibre with an average fiber length of 40 mm.

(15) The aqueous dispersion of the polyester-polyurethane binder used was Epotal ECO 3702, provided by BASF.

(16) For comparative data, a reference nonwoven which is used in commercially available smokeless tobacco and non-tobacco products was used. This nonwoven comprises a binder of about 40% AVA, and staple fibres of viscose having an average linear mass density of 1.7 decitex and an average staple fibre length of 40 mm.

(17) Sealings were made by heat-welding and ultrasonic sealing respectively and the respective sealing strength was thereafter measured.

(18) The heat sealing strength of the manufactured nonwovens, in dry state, was measured on a cut out strip 201 of the respective nonwoven having a length of about 1 m in the machine direction (MD) of the nonwoven and a width of 40 mm in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the nonwoven. The strip 201 was then double folded to obtain a two-ply material having a length of about 0.5 m. The two plies were welded to each other in a HS-2 laboratory heat sealer from RDM Equipment. The dimensions of upper and lower seal bars were 50 mm5 mm. The seal bars were applied such that the 50 mm direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the double-folded strip. The upper seal bar was heated to 300 C. The lower seal bar was not heated. The force used to press the seal bars against the nonwoven was 0.24 kN and the contact time was 0.06 s. A number of seals 202 were formed in the double-folded strip see thick grey lines 202 in FIG. 2. The samples to be measured were then made by cutting at about 5 mm from the seal at one side and at about 50 mm from the seal on the other side of the seal, see dashed lines 203 in FIG. 2.

(19) The heat seal strength of the nonwoven material was measured using an Instron 5943 instrument as follows. One ply was attached to the upper gauge and one ply to the lower gauge. The force used to peel apart the seal was determined and expressed as load per width at maximum load (Newton per millimeter, i.e., N/mm). As used herein, N stands for Newton, mm stands for millimeter(s) and min stands for minute(s). The following machine parameters were used: load range: 50N extension: 10 mm gauge length: 13 mm speed: 30 mm/min preload: 0.1N sample width: 33-43 mm

(20) The ultrasonic seal strength of the manufactured nonwovens, in dry state, was measured on a cut out strip of the respective nonwoven having a length of about 30 cm in the machine direction (MD) of the nonwoven and a width of 20 mm in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the nonwoven. The strip was then double folded to obtain a two-ply material having a length of about 15 cm. The two plies were welded to each other in a laboratory ultra sound sealer from Swiss sonic using an anvil and an ultrasonic horn as disclosed in WO 2017/093486 A1, 0.06 s and an amplitude of 80%. The samples to be measured were then made by cutting at about 5 mm from the seal at one side and at about 50 mm from the seal on the other side of the seal.

(21) The results are presented in Table 1 below. Each measured value is the average value of five analysed samples.

(22) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Seal Strength Seal Strength (heat seal) (ultrasonic) Seal strength [N/mm] - Epotal 17% 0.21 0.14 Seal strength [N/mm] - Epotal 21% 0.35 0.2 Seal strength [N/mm] - Epotal 29% 0.36 0.14 Seal strength [N/mm] - Reference 40% AVA 0.14 0.12

(23) It was observed that all nonwovens having the biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder Epotal ECO 3702 had higher heat seal strengths than the Reference material having 40% AVA as a binder.

(24) It was also observed that nonwoven comprising 21% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane as a binder had higher ultrasonic seal strengths than the Reference material having 40% AVA as binder. Further, nonwoven comprising 17%, respective 29% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane as a binder had higher ultrasonic seal strengths than the Reference material having 40% AVA as binder.

Example 2

(25) In this example, the flavour stability was measured, i.e., the heat seal strength of the nonwoven when exposed to different flavours in a dual trough chamber.

(26) Nonwoven material comprising 17%, 21% and 29% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane (Epotal) as a binder as well as the Reference material comprising 40% AVA was manufactured in the same way as in Example 1 and heat seal welds were formed in a double-folded strip of the tested material as described in Example 1 and shown in FIG. 2. Samples were cut from the heat seal welds in the double-folded strip of tested material. The samples were cut such that the heat seal weld was placed at an end edge of the sample with the seal weld extending along the end edge of the sample and with free end portions of the two nonwoven layers forming flaps overlying each other and extending away from the heat seal weld. Each sample had an extension in the length direction of the heat seal weld of 12 mm and an extension perpendicular to the length direction of the heat seal weld of 30 mm. The number of tested samples in each measurement was 8. The samples were sized to correspond to usual pouch dimensions for an oral pouched product and may be thought of as a pouch for an oral pouched product with only one end seal and with the longitudinal side edges cut open.

(27) The respective concentrated flavour, 6 ml, was added on one side of the dual trough chamber. The prepared welds were then placed on the other side of the dual trough chamber with the weld facing up. The dual chamber was covered with a lid and sealed with parafilm for 24 hours. After 24 hours, welding strength was measured as in Example 3, below.

(28) The results are presented in Table 2 below. Each measured value is the average value of eight analysed samples.

(29) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Seal strenght Standard [N/mm] deviation Epotal 17% Wintergreen 0.08 0.01 Peppermint 0.13 0.05 Spearmint 0.12 0.04 Menthol 0.12 0.04 Epotal 21% Wintergreen 0.14 0.03 Peppermint 0.23 0.06 Spearmint 0.20 0.04 Menthol 0.21 0.04 Epotal 29 Wintergreen 0.17 0.07 Peppermint 0.17 0.10 Spearmint 0.18 0.15 Menthol 0.27 0.17 Reference Wintergreen 0.02 0.01 Peppermint 0.03 0.01 Spearmint 0.03 0.01 Menthol 0.03 0.01

(30) It was observed that for all respective tested flavours (wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint and menthol) comprised in the respective nonwoven, both nonwovens having a concentration of 17%, 21% or 29% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane as a binder, had higher heat seal strengths than the Reference material having 40% AVA. The seal strength of the nonwoven when exposed to different flavours is visualized in FIG. 3.

Example 3

(31) In this example, the seal strength of pouched products comprising the nonwoven material as described in Example 1, was measured during storage in consumer containers.

(32) Pouched products comprising a filling material which is used in the commercially available product General White Portion, and wherein the pouch was made of nonwoven material comprising the biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder Epotal, as described in Example 1, was manufactured using the NYPS technique as described herein. Pouched products comprising a nonwoven with an Epotal-concentration of 17%, 21%, and 29% by weight, respectively, were manufactured

(33) As a reference a pouched product was used having the same filling material as the pouched products described above and with the nonwoven cover material comprising 40% AVA binder according to Example 1.

(34) The manufactured (by NYPS technique) pouched products were stored in consumer containers comprising about 20 pouches each. Samples for measuring heat seal strength of the pouched products were taken at three different times, namely at start (=0); after 1 week stored in refrigerator; and after 1 week stored in refrigerator followed by 3 weeks stored in room temperature. Further, in this document the expression room temperature stands for from about 20 C. to about 25 C. such as about 22 C.

(35) The pouch heat seal strength was measured using an Instron 5943 instrument as follows. One ply is attached to the upper gauge and one ply to the lower gauge. The force used to peel apart the seal was determined and expressed as load per width at average load (Newton per millimeter(s), i.e., N/mm). The following machine parameters were used: load range: 50 N extension: 10 mm gauge length: 13 mm speed: 10 mm/min preload: 0.1 N sample width: 12 mm

(36) The results are presented in Table 3 below. Each measure value is the average value of twelve analysed samples.

(37) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Seal strength Standard Sample Storage week [N/mm] deviation Epotal 17% 0 0.23 0.03 Epotal 17% 1 w fridge 0.21 0.05 Epotal 17% 1 w fridge + 3 w room 0.21 0.04 Epotal 21% 0 0.21 0.05 Epotal 21% 1 w fridge 0.16 0.04 Epotal 21% 1 w fridge + 3 w room 0.15 0.04 Epotal 29% 0 0.41 0.08 Epotal 29% 1 w fridge 0.36 0.11 Epotal 29% 1 w fridge + 3 w room 0.24 0.06 Ref. 0 0.14 0.02 Ref. 1 w fridge 0.12 0.01 Ref. 1 w fridge + 3 w room 0.09 0.02

(38) It was observed that a heat seal strength above 0.12 N/mm was achieved for all pouches comprising Epotal at both 17%, 21% and 29% by weight respectively, after storage up to 1 week in fridge followed by 3 weeks in room temperature.

Example 4

(39) In this example, composting of a pouched product comprising a nonwoven material with a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder is evaluated.

(40) The disintegration of a nicotine pouch having a filling material comprising a particulate microcrystalline cellulose-based filling material comprising nicotine, and where the nonwoven material of the pouch and a nonwoven material comprises a biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder with a concentration of 21% by weight was evaluated during 4 weeks of a method of composting according to ISO 16929 (2021), simulating industrial composting conditions.

(41) The test material, i.e., the pouched product having a length of 2.8 cm and width of 1.3 cm, was added to a mixture of fresh vegetable, garden and fruit waste and structural material.

(42) Regularly during the test, the contents that were placed in a vessel, were turned manually. At each turning the visual appearance of the test item was carefully checked. During all the time for composting, operational parameters such as temperature and oxygen present were followed and the operational parameters showed that the test was valid, i.e., that the composting followed the set up as defined in the ISO 16929 (2021).

(43) After one week of composting the test material was abundantly present in the vessel and remained completely intact. Two weeks later, i.e., after a total of three weeks composting, the major part of the test material had fallen apart into pieces of variable size. The disintegration proceeded and after four weeks of composting not a single test item piece could be retrieved. Hence, as all test item already was disintegrated after four weeks, the composting period was stopped.

(44) It was observed that the pouched product comprising a particulate microcrystalline cellulose-based filling material comprising nicotine and a nonwoven having 21% by weight of biodegradable polyester-polyurethane binder was disintegrated into fractions of less than 2 mm during four weeks of composting according to the ISO 16929 (2021), simulating industrial composting conditions.

(45) It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

(46) Unless expressly described to the contrary, each of the preferred features described herein can be used in combination with any and all of the other herein described preferred features.