Manufacturing machine and manufacturing method for the production of a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product

Abstract

A manufacturing machine (7) and manufacturing method for the production of a snus pouch (1) containing a quantity (2) of snus. The following are provided: a first forming drum (8), which is mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (9) and has a pocket (11), which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1) and is provided with a plurality of sucking holes (16, 17) which can be connected to a suction source (18); a second forming drum (8), which is mounted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis (9) parallel to the first rotation axis (9) and is coupled to the first forming drum (8) so as to define a joining area (10) comprised between the two forming drums (8); a first feeding unit (12) configured to feed, in a first feeding station (S1) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a first wrapping material band (13) which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the first forming drum (8); and a second feeding unit (12) configured to feed, in a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a second wrapping material band (13) which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the second forming drum (8) so that the second wrapping material band (13) overlaps the first wrapping material band (13) in the joining area (10), thus forming the pouch (1). At least one sucking hole (16) of the pocket (11) is shaped so as to receive, on the inside, a respective portion of the first wrapping material band (13) so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band (13) which determines the formation of a relief element (6) which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch (1).

Description

[0001] “MANUFACTURING MACHINE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A POUCH CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF A LOOSE PRODUCT”

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102024000004456 filed on February 29, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and to a manufacturing method for the production of a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product (namely a noncompact product).

[0006] The present invention is advantageously applied to the production of snus pouches (namely permeable small bags, each containing a prepacked quantity of a nicotine- and / or tobacco-based loose and moist product for oral use), to which the following discussion will explicitly refer, without thereby losing generality.

[0007] Prior Art

[0008] Currently, snus pouches are produced with an FFS (“Form, Fill & SeaF) production process and thus have a rectangular shape and each have a longitudinal seal and a pair of transverse seals.

[0009] A known manufacturing machine (for example, as is described in patent application WO2008114128A2) for the production of snus pouches is of FFS type and comprises: a conveying device for conveying a wrapping material band along a manufacturing path; a wrapping station arranged along the manufacturing path and in which the wrapping material band is wrapped so as to form a tubular wrap having a longitudinal development around a wrapping duct; a longitudinal sealing unit for longitudinally sealing the tubular wrap in the area of an overlapping area of the wrapping material band; a feeding device of the loose material for feeding in sequence the quantities of loose product into the tubular wrap; a transverse sealing unit for transversely sealing the tubular wrap so as to form an alternated sequence of sealing areas and areas containing a quantity of loose product; and a cutting unit for transversely cutting the tubular wrap in the area of the sealing areas so as to separate the single snus pouches.

[0010] Patent application WO2013190517A2 describes a machine for forming multicompartment pouches, wherein two pouches formed on separate adjacent formers are joined to form a combined pouch.

[0011] Patent CA1299994C describes the production of porous small bags containing a granular product and in particular powdered tea.

[0012] Patent application US2007169878A1 describes the production of a reservoir for a reservoir transdermal patch.

[0013] Description of the Invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product, said manufacturing machine and manufacturing method allowing manufacturing a pouch having any shape (even different from the traditional rectangular shape) and having particular designs (in the following of the present discussion, it will be better defined what is meant with the term “designs”) in relief on the outer surface.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product, said manufacturing machine and manufacturing method allowing achieving high productivity guaranteeing high qualitative standards.

[0016] In accordance with the present invention, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product are provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the first sucking hole of the first pocket has a diameter larger than 0.5 mm and preferably larger than 1.0 mm.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the first sucking hole of the first pocket has an area larger than 0.2 mm2and preferably larger than 0.8 mm2.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, a vacuum generated by the suction source has an absolute pressure below 50 kPa and preferably equal to 20 kPa.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the first pocket has a plurality of first sucking holes mutually arranged and shaped so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first band which constitutes a design, said design can represent a writing or a decoration pattern.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the first pocket has a plurality of first sucking holes configured to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band and a plurality of second sucking holes configured not to generate any plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the second sucking holes have a smaller dimension than a dimension of the first sucking holes.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the first forming conveyor comprises a heating device configured to heat the first pocket.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the heating device is configured to heat the first pocket at a temperature exceeding 100 °C and preferably equal to 160 °C.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, a first inserting device is provided which is coupled to the first forming conveyor and is configured to enter the first pocket of the first forming conveyor so as to push the first wrapping material band into the first pocket. According to a preferred embodiment, the first inserting device comprises at least one deforming element which projects outwards and is shaped so as to be inserted into the first sucking hole, when the first inserting device enters the first pocket of the first forming conveyor.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the second forming conveyor has a second pocket which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch and is provided with a plurality of sucking holes which can be connected to a suction source; and at least one first sucking hole of the second pocket is shaped so as to receive, on the inside, a respective portion of the second wrapping material band so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the second wrapping material band, which determines the formation of a relief element, which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, a third feeding unit is provided configured to feed, in a third feeding station arranged between the first feeding station and the joining area, the quantity of the loose product into the first pocket of the first forming conveyor with the interposition of the first wrapping material band.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming conveyor is heated at least around the corresponding pocket in order to carry out a heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands in the joining area so as to form a ring-shaped seal around an edge of the pouch.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming conveyor is heated at least in the area of the pocket in order to heat the respective wrapping material band.

[0030] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming integral part of the present description.

[0031] The object of the present invention is also to provide a pouch containing a quantity of a loose product which can be obtained by the manufacturing machine and / or according to the manufacturing method, these also object of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0033] • Figures 1 and 2 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a snus pouch object of the present invention;

[0034] • Figure 3 is an exploded side view of the snus pouch of Figures 1 and 2;

[0035] • Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a manufacturing machine object of the present invention which manufactures the snus pouches of the type of the one of Figures 1 and 2;

[0036] • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a forming drum of the manufacturing machine of Figure 4;

[0037] • Figure 6 is a schematic view of a pocket of the forming drum of Figure 5 and of a corresponding forming device;

[0038] • Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of an alternative embodiment of a pocket of the forming drum of Figure 5;

[0039] • Figure 8 is a schematic section view according to line VIII- VIII of the pocket of Figure 7 and of a corresponding forming device;

[0040] • Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a pocket of the forming drum of Figure 5; and

[0041] • Figure 10 is a schematic section view according to line X-X of the pocket of Figure 9 and of a corresponding forming device.

[0042] Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0043] In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a snus pouch which contains, on the inside, a quantity 2 of snus (illustrated in Figure 3), namely of a nicotine- and / or tobacco-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use.

[0044] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus pouch 1 has in plan an elongated (oval) shape, but according to other embodiments the snus pouch 1 could have in plan different and more or less regular shapes, for example a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

[0045] According to what is illustrated in Figure 3, the snus pouch 1 comprises two cup-shaped elements 3 which are overlapped so as to delimit between them a closed volume in which the quantity 2 of snus is housed; each element 3 has a flat edge 4 that rotates all around the element 3 so that the two flat edges 4 of the two elements 3 overlap and are joined by a seal 5 which is closed on itself (namely has an annular shape without head or tail). In other words, the pouch has one sole annular seal 5 (closed on itself without head or tail) which connects the two elements 3 to each other. In accordance with an embodiment not illustrated, the snus pouch 1 comprises a cup-shaped element (totally similar to the one illustrated in Figure 3) and a flat element, the edge of which is overlapped on and joined to, by means of sealing, the edge of the cup-shaped element.

[0046] Specifically, the snus pouch 1 comprises a casing which defines an outer surface of the snus pouch 1 and a quantity 2 of a loose product contained in the casing.

[0047] The snus pouch 1 has a series (a plurality) of relief elements 6 which project outwards from an outer surface of the snus pouch 1. In other words, the casing comprises at least one relief element 6 which projects outwards from the outer surface of the pouch 1. The relief elements 6 can constitute a design which can represent a writing (possibly also in Braille alphabet) or a decoration pattern which can be seen through sight and / or can be felt through touch.

[0048] In Figure 4, reference numeral 7 indicates, as a whole, a manufacturing machine which produces the snus pouches 1.

[0049] The manufacturing machine 7 comprises a frame which rests on a floor and has a vertical base wall (the “front” wall of the manufacturing machine 7 and coinciding with the plane of Figure 4) on which all the operating components concurring to the production of the snus pouches 1 are mounted.

[0050] The manufacturing machine 7 comprises two forming drums 8 (substantially identical to each other) which are mounted so as to rotate with a law of intermittent motion (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases) around respective rotation axes 9 which are horizontal and parallel to each other (and perpendicular to the plane of Figure 4). The two forming drums 8 are cooperating with (coupled to) each other and are arranged on top of each other so as to define a joining area 10 between them comprised between the two forming drums 8; namely the two forming drums 8 are arranged vertically aligned at different heights so that one forming drum 8 is on top and the other forming drum 8 is underneath. In an alternative embodiment, the two forming drums 8 could be arranged side by side.

[0051] Each forming drum 8 has a plurality of pockets 11 (illustrated in Figure 5), each of which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the snus pouch 1; in particular, each pocket 11 reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. Namely each pocket 11 (or seat 11) is a recess which is hollowed on the outer surface of the respective forming drum 8 and reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each forming drum 8 has more groups (in particular, eight groups) of pockets 11, each having a series of pockets 11 (in particular, eight pockets 11) arranged side by side and aligned parallel to the rotation axis 9. In this manner, in the joining area 10 defined between the two forming drums 8, at every working cycle, a series of snus pouches 1 (in particular eight snus pouches 1) are formed equal to the number of pockets 11 of each group. According to other embodiments not illustrated, the number of groups of pockets 11 of each forming drum 8 and / or the number of pockets 11 of each group could be different.

[0052] Each pocket 11 of a forming drum 8 always cooperates with a same corresponding pocket 11 of the other forming drum 8 and, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each pocket 11 reproduces in negative a shape of a corresponding half (namely of a cup-shaped element 3) of the snus pouch 1 so that the two pockets 11 together reproduce in negative the shape of the snus pouch 1.

[0053] According to what is illustrated in Figure 4, the manufacturing machine 7 comprises two feeding units 12 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is configured to feed, in a respective feeding station SI arranged upstream of the joining area 10 with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective forming drum 8, a respective wrapping material band 13 which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the respective forming drum 8. In this manner, in the joining area 10, the two forming drums 8 convey the two wrapping material bands 13 toward each other so that the two wrapping material bands 13 overlap and by joining form the snus pouches 1.

[0054] In other words, around each forming drum 8, one sole and single wrapping material band 13 is fed and wrapped. Furthermore, the two wrapping material bands 13 overlap only and exclusively in the joining area 10 forming for the first time each pouch 1 which encloses the quantity 2 of snus between the two wrapping material bands 13.

[0055] The manufacturing machine 7 comprises two inserting devices 14 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is coupled to a respective forming drum 8 between the respective feeding station SI and the joining area 10 and is configured to push the respective wrapping material band 13 into the pockets 11 of a same group of pockets 11 of the respective forming drum 8. Namely, each inserting device 14 locally deforms the respective wrapping material band 13 so as to insert the wrapping material band 13 into the pockets 11 of a same group of pockets 11 of the respective forming drum 8 so that the wrapping material band 13 covers the pockets 11; in this manner, in each pocket 11, the wrapping material band 13 assumes the shape of a cup- shaped element 3, namely the shape of a half snus pouch 1.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each forming drum 8 is coupled to one sole inserting device 14; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, each forming drum 8 (or only one of the two forming drums 8) is coupled to two (possibly three) inserting devices 14 which repeat the same pushing operation of the respective wrapping material band 13 into the pockets 11 of a same group of pockets 11 of the respective forming drum 8. In other words, in order to increase the effect of the action of the inserting devices 14, each forming drum 8 (or only one of the two forming drums 8) is coupled to at least two inserting devices 14 arranged in sequence.

[0057] Preferably, the forming drums 8 have at the surface an anti-adherent treatment so as to reduce (or better annul) the likelihood that the wrapping material band 13 can adhere to the relative forming drum 8.

[0058] The manufacturing machine 7 comprises one single feeding unit 15 (schematically illustrated in Figure 4) configured to feed, in a feeding station S2 arranged between the respective inserting device 14 and the joining area 10, a plurality of quantities 2 of snus into the pockets 11 of a group of pockets 11 of the respective forming drum 8 covered by the respective wrapping material band 13 (i.e. with the interposition of the respective wrapping material band 13). Namely one single feeding unit 15 is provided coupled to only one of the two forming drums 8 so as to feed into the pockets 11 of the respective forming drum 8 the quantities 2 of snus (which are held inside the pockets 11 by the sucking action of the pockets 11). In other words, the quantities 2 of snus are fed only and solely to one of the two forming drums 8, whereas no quantity 2 of snus is fed to the other one of the two forming drums 8. Alternatively, the quantities 2 of snus could be fed in two portions: a portion of quantity 2 of snus fed to one forming drum 8 and a portion of quantity 2 of snus fed to the other forming drum 8.

[0059] According to what is illustrated in Figure 6, each pocket 11 is sucking, namely is provided with a series of sucking holes 16 and 17 which are connected to a suction source 18, so as to hold, on the inside, the respective wrapping material band 13 after the respective inserting device 14 pushes the wrapping material band 13 into the pocket 11. Generally, the suction of each pocket 11 is maintained at least from the area of the inserting devices 14 (so as to favour the insertion of the wrapping material bands 13 into the respective pockets 11 aiding the action of the inserting devices 14) up to the joining area 10 (in which the wrapping material bands 13 are overlapped and joined) and is interrupted in the area or downstream of the joining area 10 (so as to favour the following separation from the respective pockets 11 of the overlapped wrapping material bands 13).

[0060] The suction of each pocket 11 which receives, in the feeding station S2, the respective quantity 2 of snus contributes to maintaining the quantity 2 of snus inside the pocket 11 and in contact with the respective wrapping material band 13; namely, the wrapping material bands 13 are porous (breathable) and thus “transmit” the suction generated by each pocket 11 also to the corresponding quantity 2 of snus and in this manner the suction of the pocket 11 contributes to maintaining the quantity 2 of snus inside the pocket 11 and in contact with the respective wrapping material band 13. Also for such reason (namely for maintaining the quantities 2 of snus in the respective pockets 11), the suction of each pocket 11 is maintained from the area of the inserting devices 14 up to the joining area 10.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming drum 8 is heated at least around the corresponding pockets 11 in order to carry out a heat sealing (which requires the simultaneous application of heat and pressure) of the two wrapping material bands 13 in the joining area 10, namely in order to carry out around each snus pouch 1 the respective annular seal 5 which is ring-shaped around the edge 4 of the snus pouch 1. Preferably, both forming drums 8 are heated (at least) around the corresponding pockets 11 in order to carry out a heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands 13 in the joining area 10. For example, around each pocket 11 of a forming drum 8, a heating element (typically an electric resistance) having an annular shape surrounding the pocket 11 could be embedded inside the forming drum 8.

[0062] The heating of the forming drums 8 in the area of the pockets 11, besides allowing carrying out the heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands 13 in the joining area 10, also allows aiding the wrapping material bands 13 in taking the shape of the pockets 11 by thermoplastic effect; namely, the wrapping material bands 13 are thermoplastic and thus their heating in contact with the forming drums 8 increases the malleability of the wrapping material bands 13 which thus more easily and with greater precision assume the shape of the pockets 11 when they are pushed into the pockets 11 by the deforming heads of the respective inserting devices 14.

[0063] According to a possible embodiment, the walls of the pockets 11 are heated at a lower temperature (for the sole purpose to obtain a softening of the two wrapping material bands 13 at the moment of their deformation inside the respective pockets 11 by the corresponding inserting devices 14), whereas the walls of the forming drums 8 around the pockets 11 are heated at a higher temperature so as to obtain the heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands 13 in the joining area 10.

[0064] More in general, at least one forming drum 8 comprises a plurality of sealing devices (for example electric resistances that generate heat for a heat sealing or sonotrodes for an ultrasonic sealing), each of which is ring-shaped and is arranged around a corresponding pocket 11 in order to carry out, in the joining area 10 between the two forming drums 8, a sealing of the two wrapping material bands 13 so as to form the ring-shaped seal 5 around the edge 4 of the respective snus pouch 1. Also in the case of ultrasonic sealing, the forming drums 8 can be heated not in order to carry out a heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands 13 in the joining area 10, but in order to carry out a softening of the two wrapping material bands 13 at the moment of their deformation inside the respective pockets 11 by the corresponding inserting devices 14.

[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, both forming drums 8 comprise respective pockets 11; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, only one forming drum 8 comprises respective pockets 11, whereas the other forming drum 8 is smooth (namely has a smooth outer surface and thus devoid of depressions) and obviously in this embodiment the smooth forming drum 8 is not coupled to any inserting device 14. In such embodiment, the smooth forming drum 8 could comprise a series (plurality) of sucking holes 16 and 17 which are connected to a suction source 18, so as to hold on the surface of the smooth forming drum 8 the respective wrapping material band 13.

[0066] According to what is illustrated in Figure 6, each sucking hole 16 is shaped so as to receive, on the inside, a respective portion of the wrapping material band 13 in order to locally generate a plastic deformation of the wrapping material band 13 which determines the formation of a relief element 6 which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch 1. In other words, a portion of the wrapping material band 13 enters (is inserted into) each sucking hole 16 ascending along the sucking hole 16 for a certain extension (generally between 1 and 5 mm) and in this manner it undergoes a plastic deformation which determines the formation of a relief element 6 which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch 1. Namely the sucking holes 16 have a double function: hold the wrapping material band 13 in contact with the respective pocket 11 and, at the same time, determine localized plastic deformations of the wrapping material band 13 which determine the formation of the relief elements 6. According to what is illustrated in Figure 6, each sucking hole 17 is shaped only so as to hold the wrapping material band 13 in contact with the respective pocket 11 without determining any localized plastic deformation of the wrapping material band 13. In other words, the sucking holes 17 solely have the function of holding the wrapping material band 13 in contact with the respective pocket 11.

[0067] In general, a pocket 11 can both comprise sucking holes 16 that hold and deform, and sucking holes 17 that hold without deforming (embodiment illustrated in Figure 6). Alternatively, a pocket 11 can only comprise sucking holes 16 that hold and deform (in such embodiment the pocket is devoid of the sucking holes 17 that hold without deforming). As further alternative, a pocket 11 can only comprise sucking holes 17 that hold without deforming (if wanting to also produce snus pouches 1 devoid of the relief elements 6 or having the relief elements 6 only on one side).

[0068] The ability of the sucking holes 16 to permanently deform (in a plastic manner) the wrapping material band 13 is determined by a combination of dimensions of the sucking holes 16, suction force, and temperature of the pockets 11 (which by heating the wrapping material band 13 make it more easily deformable). The suction force and the temperature of the pockets 11 being the same, the sucking holes 17 differ from the sucking holes 16 only for their dimension, namely the sucking holes 17 are smaller than the sucking holes 16 (the sucking holes 17 have a smaller area than an area of the sucking holes 16).

[0069] Preferably, when the sucking holes 16 have a circular shape, the diameter of the sucking holes 16 is larger than 0.5 mm and preferably larger than 1.0 mm. More in general, when the sucking holes 16 have a shape that is also not circular, the area of the circular holes is larger than 0.2 mm2and preferably larger than 0.8 mm2.

[0070] Preferably, the vacuum generated by the suction source 18 has an absolute pressure below 50 kPa (500 mbar) and preferably equal to 20 kPa (200 mbar).

[0071] Preferably, the heating device is configured to heat each pocket 11 at a temperature exceeding 100 °C and preferably equal to 160 °C. As mentioned in the foregoing, the wrapping material bands 13 are thermoplastic and thus their heating in contact with the forming drums 8 increases the malleability of the wrapping material bands 13 which can thus more easily enter the sucking holes 16 so as to locally undergo a plastic deformation (which is stabilized when the wrapping material bands 13 cool).

[0072] In general, the sucking holes 16 which deform the wrapping material band 13 can be present on all of the pockets 11 of both forming drums 8, can be present on some pockets 11 of both forming drums 8, can be present on all of the pockets 11 of only one of the two forming drums 8, can be present on some pockets 11 of only one of the two forming drums 8.

[0073] According to what is illustrated in Figure 6, each inserting device 14 (which is coupled to the forming drum 8 and is configured to enter a pocket 11 of the forming drum 8 so as to push the wrapping material band 13 into the pocket 11) comprises at least one deforming element 19 which projects outwards and is shaped so as to be inserted into a corresponding sucking hole 16 when the inserting device 14 enters the pocket 11 of the forming drum 8. In other words, an inserting device 14 acts as punch, whereas the corresponding sucking hole 16 acts as matrix and they both cooperate to locally generate a plastic deformation of the wrapping material band 13 which determines the formation of a relief element 6.

[0074] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-6, the surface of each pocket 11 of each forming drum 8 is smooth (namely devoid of recesses or ribs) and is passed through only by the sucking holes 16 and 17.

[0075] In the variation illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, at least one pocket 11 of at least one forming drum 8 has at least one recess (groove) 20 which is hollowed in the respective surface, is configured to accommodate, on the inside, a portion of the respective wrapping material band 13, and reproduces a design (for example a logo, a letter, a word, a design ...). Similarly, each inserting device 14 comprises a punch 21 which reproduces (in positive) the shape of the recess 20 of the pocket 11 and is shaped so as to be inserted into the recess 20. In the coupling between each punch 21 and the respective recess 20 with the interposition of the wrapping material band 13, the wrapping material band 13 undergoes a (permanent) plastic deformation corresponding to the shape of the recess 20 (and thus to the shape of the punch 21). In accordance with the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the pouch 1 which is obtained has a relief element 6 which projects outwards from the outer surface of the pouch 1 and such relief element 6 has the shape of a circular ring. It is understood that such relief element 6 could have any shape. For example, said relief element could have any polygonal shape or a heart shape or a star shape or the shape of a letter or a logo.

[0076] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the recess 20 has a depth (with respect to the remaining part of the pocket 11) between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. Preferably, the recess 20 has a depth of 1 mm.

[0077] Preferably, inside each recess 20, sucking holes 17 are present which have the function of causing or facilitating the entry of the wrapping material band 13 in the recess 20. According to alternative embodiments, inside each recess 20, only sucking holes 17 can be present, both sucking holes 16 and sucking holes 17 can be present, or only sucking holes 16 can be present.

[0078] According to a possible embodiment, only the recesses 20 are present in the pockets 11 and the punches 21 are not present in the inserting devices 14; in this embodiment, the wrapping material band 13 is pulled inside the recesses only by the suction force generated by the sucking holes 17 and / or 16.

[0079] According to different embodiments alternative to one another, the recesses 20 can be obtained in all of the pockets 11 of only one forming drum 8 (and thus in the corresponding inserting devices 14), only in some pockets 11 of only one forming drum 8 (and thus in the corresponding inserting devices 14), in all of the pockets 11 of both forming drums 8 (and thus in the corresponding inserting devices 14), or only in some pockets 11 of both forming drums 8 (and thus in the corresponding inserting devices 14). In other words, in order to manufacture on the outer surface of a snus pouch 2 the relief elements 6 that project outwards, only the sucking holes 16 of the pockets 11 (possibly cooperating with the deforming elements 19 of the inserting devices 14) can be utilized, only the recesses 20 of the pockets 11 (possibly cooperating with the punches 21 of the inserting devices 14) can be utilized, or a combination of sucking holes 16 of the pockets 11 (possibly cooperating with the deforming elements 19 of the inserting devices 14) and of recesses 20 of the pockets 11 (possibly cooperating with the punches 21 of the inserting devices 14) can be utilized.

[0080] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the recesses 20 are made in the pockets 11, whereas the punches 21 are made in the inserting devices 14 and in this manner relief elements 6 are made that project outwards from an outer surface of the snus pouch 1; in the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the recesses 20 are made in the inserting devices 14, whereas the punches 21 are made in the pockets 11 and in this manner, depression elements 6 are made which project inwards from an outer surface of the snus pouch 1.

[0081] If a forming drum 8 is coupled to two inserting devices 14 arranged in sequence, the two inserting devices 14 can be identical to each other (thus are both smooth or both have the deforming elements 19, the recesses 20 or the punches 21) or can be differentiated (for example, an inserting device 14 is smooth, whereas the other inserting device 14 has the deforming elements 19, the recesses 20 or the punches 21).

[0082] In accordance with the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the pouch 1 which is obtained has a depression element 6 which projects inwards from the outer surface of the pouch 1 and such depression element 6 has the shape of a circular ring. It is understood that such depression element 6 could have any shape. For example, said depression element 6 could have any polygonal shape or a heart shape or a star shape or the shape of a letter or a logo. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the punch 21 has a height (with respect to the remaining part of the pocket 11) between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. Preferably, the punch 21 has a height of 1 mm.

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of snus; alternatively, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of a loose product different from the snus (for example tea or other powdered herb mixtures).

[0084] The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0085] The above-described manufacturing machine 7 has numerous advantages.

[0086] The above-described manufacturing machine 7 allows manufacturing in a very simple manner the pouches 1 having the relief elements 6, namely the pouches 1 having particular designs in relief on their outer surface.

[0087] The above-described manufacturing machine 7 allows manufacturing pouches 1 of any shape and dimension and especially allows modifying shape and dimension of the pouches 1 by simply modifying the shape of the pockets 11 of the two forming drums 8. The above-described manufacturing machine 7 allows achieving high hourly productivity still guaranteeing a high qualitative standard.

[0088] The above-described manufacturing machine 7 is particularly compact and allows an operator who is in the proximity of the manufacturing machine 7 to reach with his / her hands all the various parts of the above-described manufacturing machine 7 without having to make unnatural movements.

[0089] Finally, the above-described manufacturing machine 7 is relatively simple and cost- effective to manufacture.

[0090] LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0091] 1 snus pouch

[0092] 2 quantity

[0093] 3 cup-shaped element

[0094] 4 edges

[0095] 5 seal

[0096] 6 relief elements manufacturing machine forming drums rotation axes joining area pockets feeding unit wrapping material band inserting devices feeding unit sucking holes sucking holes suction source deforming element recess punch feeding station feeding station

Claims

C L A I M S1) A manufacturing machine (7) for the production of a pouch (1), preferably a snus pouch (1), containing a quantity (2) of a loose product, preferably a quantity (2) of snus; the manufacturing machine (7) comprises: a first forming conveyor (8), preferably a forming drum (8) mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (9), which has a first pocket (11), which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1) and is provided with a plurality of sucking holes (16, 17), which can be connected to a suction source (18); a second forming conveyor (8), preferably a forming drum (8) mounted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis (9) parallel to the first rotation axis (9), which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (8) so as to define a joining area (10) comprised between the two forming conveyors (8); a first feeding unit (12) configured to feed, in a first feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a first wrapping material band (13), which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the first forming conveyor (8); and a second feeding unit (12) configured to feed, in a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a second wrapping material band (13), which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the second forming conveyor (8), so that the second wrapping material band (13) overlaps the first wrapping material band (13) in the joining area (10), thus forming the pouch (1); the manufacturing machine (7) is characterized in that at least one first sucking hole (16) of the first pocket (11) is shaped so as to receive, on the inside, a respective portion of the first wrapping material band (13) so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band (13), which determines the formation of a relief element (6), which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch (1).2) The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 1, wherein the first sucking hole (16) of the first pocket (11) has a diameter larger than 0.5 mm and preferably larger than 1.0 mm.3) The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sucking hole (16) of the first pocket (11) has an area larger than 0.2 mm2and preferably larger than 0.8 mm2.4) The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a vacuum generated by the suction source (18) has an absolute pressure below 50 kPa and preferably equal to 20 kPa.5) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the first pocket (11) has a plurality of first sucking holes (16) mutually arranged and shaped so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first band (13), which constitutes a design, said design can represent a writing or a decoration pattern.6) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 5, wherein the first pocket (11) has a plurality of first sucking holes (16) configured to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band (13) and a plurality of second sucking holes (17) configured not to generate any plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band (13).7) The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 6, wherein the second sucking holes (17) have a smaller dimension than a dimension of the first sucking holes (16).8) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 7, wherein the first forming conveyor (8) comprises a heating device configured to heat the first pocket (11).9) The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 8, wherein the heating device is configured to heat the first pocket (11) at a temperature exceeding 100°C and preferably equal to 160°C.10) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 9 and comprising a first inserting device (14), which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (8) and is configured to enter the first pocket (11) of the first forming conveyor (8) so as to push the first wrapping material band (13) into the first pocket (11).ID The manufacturing machine (7) according to claim 10, wherein the first inserting device (14) comprises at least one deforming element (19), which projects outwards and is shaped so as to be inserted into the first sucking hole (16), when the first inserting device (14) enters the first pocket (11) of the first forming conveyor (8).12) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 11, wherein: the second forming conveyor (8) has a second pocket (11), which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1) and is provided with a plurality of sucking holes (16, 17), which can be connected to the suction source (18); and at least one first sucking hole (16) of the second pocket (11) is shaped so as to receive, on the inside, a respective portion of the second wrapping material band (13) so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the second wrapping material band (13), which determines the formation of a relief element (6), which projects outwards from an outersurface of the pouch (1).13) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 12 and comprising a third feeding unit (15) configured to feed, in a third feeding station (S2) arranged between the first feeding station (SI) and the joining area (10), the quantity (2) of loose product into the first pocket (11) of the first forming conveyor (8) with the interposition of the first wrapping material band (13).14) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 13, wherein at least one forming conveyor (8) is heated at least around the corresponding pocket (11) in order to carry out a heat sealing of the two wrapping material bands (13) in the joining area (10) so as to form a ring-shaped seal (5) around an edge (4) of the pouch (1).15) The manufacturing machine (7) according to one of the claims from 1 to 14, wherein at least one forming conveyor (8) is heated at least in the area of the pocket (11) in order to heat the respective wrapping material band (13).16) A manufacturing method for the production of a pouch (1), preferably a snus pouch (1), containing a quantity (2) of a loose product, preferably a quantity (2) of snus; the manufacturing method comprises the steps of: moving a first forming conveyor (8), preferably a forming drum (8) mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (9), having a pocket (11), which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1) and is provided with a plurality of sucking holes (16, 17), which can be connected to a suction source (18); moving a second forming conveyor (8), preferably a forming drum (8) mounted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis (9) parallel to the first rotation axis (9), which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (8) so as to define a joining area (10) comprised between the two forming conveyors (8); feeding, by means of a first feeding unit (12) and in a first feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a first wrapping material band (13), which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the first forming conveyor (8); and feeding, by means of a second feeding unit (12) and in a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining area (10), a second wrapping material band (13), which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the second forming conveyor (8), so that the second wrapping material band (13) overlaps the first wrapping material band (13) in the joining area (10), thus forming the pouch (1); the manufacturing method is characterized in that the step of feeding the first wrapping material band (13) entails inserting part of said first wrapping material band (13) into atleast one first sucking hole (16) of the first pocket (11) so as to locally generate a plastic deformation of the first wrapping material band (13), which determines the formation of a relief element (6), which projects outwards from an outer surface of the pouch (1).17) A snus pouch (1) comprising a casing, which defines an outer surface of the pouch (1), and a quantity (2) of snus for oral use contained in the casing; the snus pouch (1) is characterized in that the casing comprises at least one relief element (6), which projects outwards from the outer surface of the snus pouch (1).18) The snus pouch (1) according to claim 17, wherein the casing comprises a plurality of relief elements (6), which project outwards from the outer surface of the pouch (1), and said relief elements (6) constitute a design on the outer surface of the pouch (1), which can represent a writing or a decoration pattern.19) The snus pouch (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the quantity (2) of snus consists of a nicotine- and / or tobacco-based loose and moist product.

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