Methods and machines for pouching smokeless tobacco and tobacco substitute products

Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, VA); Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond, VA); Yan Helen Sun (Midlothian, VA); William J. Burke (Nashville, TN); Christopher Joseph Dinovi (Ruther Glen, VA); David Phillips (Richmond, VA); Jason Andrew Macko (Richmond, VA); Robert Smith (Glen Allen, VA)

Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC

A24B15/186 A24B13/00 A24B15/283 D04H13/00

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,813,382
App. No.: 16/042,221
Granted: Oct 27, 2020
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4 mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.

Claims (32)

1. A method of making a pouched product including smokeless tobacco, a tobacco substitute product, or a combination thereof, the method comprising:

applying a first web of non-woven fibers on a surface of a rotating drum, the surface defining a plurality of recesses;

depositing a product portion on the first web of non-woven fibers in a recess of the plurality of recesses, the product portion including tobacco, a tobacco substitute, or both tobacco and a tobacco substitute;

applying a second web of non-woven fibers on the first web of non-woven fibers, the product portion between the first web of non-woven fibers and the second web of non-woven fibers;

sealing the first web of non-woven fibers and the second web of non-woven fibers to one another around the product portion with a weld and cut roller including a recess corresponding to the recess of the plurality of recesses; and

cutting the first web of non-woven fibers and the second web of non-woven fibers around the product portion with the weld and cut roller.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first web of non-woven fibers includes electro spun polymeric fibers.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first web of non-woven fibers includes centrifugally force spun polymeric fibers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first web of non-woven fibers includes melt-blown polymeric fibers.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second web of non-woven fibers includes melt-blown polymeric fibers.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second web of non-woven fibers includes electro spun polymeric fibers.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second web of non-woven fibers includes centrifugally force spun polymeric fibers.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first web of non-woven fibers is a pre-formed web of non-woven fibers.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second web of non-woven fibers is a pre-formed web of non-woven fibers.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying a first web of non-woven fibers on the surface of the rotating drum comprises:

applying polymeric fibers that form the first web of non-woven fibers on the surface of the rotating drum.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying a second web of non-woven fibers comprises:

applying polymeric fibers that form the second web of non-woven fibers.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

applying the first web of non-woven fibers on a substrate before the applying the first web of non-woven fibers to the surface, the substrate between the first web of non-woven fibers and the surface.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

molding the product portion prior to the depositing.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing and the cutting are performed after applying the second web of non-woven fibers.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers of the first web of non-woven fibers and the fibers of the second web of non-woven fibers comprise a mouth-stable polymer.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers of the first web of non-woven fibers and the fibers of the second web of non-woven fibers comprise an elastomer.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers of the first web of non-woven fibers and the fibers of the second web of non-woven fibers comprise polyurethane.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the elastomer has a basis weight of less than or equal to about 30 grams per square meter (gsm).

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fibers of the first web of non-woven fibers and at least a portion of the fibers of the second web of non-woven fibers have a diameter of less than about 30 microns.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product portion comprises the tobacco, the tobacco having an average length ranging from about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch and an average width ranging from about 0.009 inch to about 0.1 inch.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the tobacco has an oven volatiles content ranging from about 4 percent by weight to about 61 percent by weight.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the oven volatiles content ranges from about 30 percent by weight to about 61 percent by weight.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product portion further comprises a flavorant.

Continuity (3)

Division 14212826 · Mar 14, 2014

Provisional Application 61786315 · Mar 15, 2013

Related Publication 20180338521A1 · Nov 29, 2018