Methods and machines for pouching smokeless tobacco and tobacco substitute products
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 4mJ 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.
1. A method of making a pouched oral product comprising:
depositing an oral product on a first nonwoven fabric, the first nonwoven fabric including an elastomeric material;
applying a second nonwoven fabric over the first nonwoven fabric, the second nonwoven fabric including the elastomeric material, the oral product disposed between the first nonwoven fabric and the second nonwoven fabric;
sealing the first nonwoven fabric to the second nonwoven fabric using a seal cutter roller, the seal cutter roller defining a recess configured to align with the oral product; and
concurrently with the sealing, cutting the first nonwoven fabric and the second nonwoven fabric to form the pouched oral product.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing is performed using ultrasonic energy.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
molding the oral product prior to the depositing.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying the first nonwoven fabric to a surface prior to the depositing.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
conforming the first nonwoven fabric to the surface prior to the depositing.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the conforming includes applying vacuum to the first nonwoven fabric.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the surface is configured to move.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the surface is a surface of a conveyor.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the surface is a surface of a rotating drum.
10. The method of claim 4 , wherein the applying the first nonwoven fabric includes supplying the first nonwoven fabric with a supply roller.
11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the depositing includes aligning the oral product with a recess in the surface, the recess in the surface configured to be aligned with the recess of the seal cutter roller.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying includes supplying the second nonwoven fabric with a supply roller.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material includes polyurethane.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric and the second nonwoven fabric each have a basis weight of less than or equal to 30 grams per square meter.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric includes melt-blown fibers.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric includes electro-spun fibers or centrifugally force spun fibers.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oral product includes tobacco.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oral product includes nicotine.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the nicotine is a tobacco extract.