Pouch comprising a pouch sleeve made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric having a filling material arranged therein for oral application with controlled release of active ingredients

Abstract

The invention relates to a pouch (1) comprising a pouch sleeve (2) made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic materials, and a filling material arranged inside the pouch sleeve for oral application with controlled release of active ingredients, which pouch has at least one heat-sealed seam (5, 6, 7) which interconnects overlapping regions of the nonwoven fabric, at least one non-sealed edge region (8, 10.2, 11.2) of the nonwoven fabric projecting outwards from the heat-sealed seam and having a cut edge (9, 12.2, 13.2) at the distal end.

Description

[0001] Bag with a bag cover made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric with a filling material arranged therein for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients

[0002] The invention relates to a bag with a bag cover made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric and a filling material arranged therein for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients.

[0003] Oral tobacco is a tobacco product or nicotine-containing tobacco substitute that allows for rapid absorption of nicotine through the oral mucosa. Oral tobacco packs are well-known, containing a generally moist tobacco composition or a nicotine-containing substrate in a nonwoven pouch. Snus is a form of oral tobacco, particularly popular in Scandinavia, made from dried, ground tobacco mixed with water, salt, and flavorings. Sometimes, a nicotine-containing substitute, to which flavorings may be added, is used instead of tobacco. The snus pouch is placed behind the upper or lower lip. Within 15 to 60 minutes, it releases the tobacco flavor or added flavorings and nicotine. The pouch is then removed from the mouth.

[0004] This form of release of active ingredients to the oral mucosa is also suitable for the delivery of medications contained in an oral pouch and then absorbed by the body through the oral mucosa. This form of medication administration offers the advantage that the medication does not have to be absorbed through the stomach, thus avoiding contact with stomach acid. Furthermore, this oral administration of medication offers the advantage that no water is required for ingestion and the medication can be delivered dry in the pouch. A typical application would be the administration of acetylsalicylic acid as a painkiller. Snus pouches containing tobacco or nicotine powder must be made of a material that is hydrophilic, preferably spontaneously wettable with saliva, thermally sealable, resistant to flavors such as menthol, and soft and pleasant when applied orally.The pore size of the nonwoven fabric must be adjusted so that no substrate can escape from the bag and the passage of liquid (saliva) and flavorings is not impaired, so that they can be released from the bag in a controlled manner and reach the user's oral mucosa.

[0005] Typically, pouches for oral use (e.g. snus) are made from nonwovens that are formed into a tube and thermally sealed lengthwise and crosswise. Currently, chemically bonded nonwovens with viscose fibers or other cellulosic fibers with a binder are preferred for the production of such oral pouches. The binder crosslinks during chemical bonding and thermal sealing. With the right choice of binder, a soft seal seam can be formed. When these pouches for oral use are filled with flavorings, such as menthol, the seal seam softens because the more aggressive flavors (strong flavor), particularly in combination with water, swell the binder, significantly reducing the strength of the seal seam.

[0006] To counteract this, thermoplastic binding fibers are often added to nonwovens made from cellulosic fibers in addition to the binder. When such nonwovens are thermally sealed, the binding fibers melt and form consolidation points in the area of ​​the heat seal seam. These consolidation points lead to consolidation in the area of ​​the heat seal seam and, with the right choice of thermoplastic polymer, are largely inert towards flavorings such as menthol. Suitable polymers for binding fibers include polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, which are largely inert towards flavorings. Even when a larger proportion of such thermoplastic binding fibers is added to the chemical binder (e.g. polyacrylic), a loss of seal strength occurs when fillers containing aggressive flavorings (e.g. menthol in combination with moisture / water) are used.

[0007] If the chemical binder is partially or completely replaced with binding fibers, the loss of seal strength caused by aggressive flavors can be reduced or even prevented. However, the melted binding fibers form film-like structures in the seal seam, which have a hard cut edge, which is perceived as disadvantageous by users, especially in oral applications.

[0008] A pouch made of a chemically bonded nonwoven fabric containing a nicotine-containing material for oral use with wavy cut edges on two transverse sealing seams is described in EP 4 111 873 B1.

[0009] A bag made of a water-jet-needled and thermally point-bonded nonwoven fabric containing a water-soluble component with serrated cut edges on the two transverse sealing seams is described in WO 2016 / 040754 A1.

[0010] Based on this, the object of the invention is to create a bag with a bag shell made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric and a filling material arranged therein for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients with at least one sealing seam, which is at least largely inert to flavorings and is perceived as pleasant, particularly in the area of ​​the sealing seam.

[0011] The object is achieved by a bag according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the bag are specified in subclaims and in the following description.

[0012] The bag according to the invention with a bag shell made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic materials and a filling material arranged within the bag shell for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients has at least one heat-sealed seam which connects overlapping regions of the nonwoven fabric to one another, characterized in that at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwards from the heat-sealed seam and has a cut edge at the distal end.

[0013] In the bag according to the invention, the nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic materials from which the bag shell is formed is not severed directly at the heat-sealed seam, but rather has a small "flag" in the form of an unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric that protrudes outwards distal to the heat-sealed seam. Due to the thermoplastic materials it contains, the nonwoven fabric has more or less pronounced thermoplastic properties. The heat-sealed seam is created using temperature and pressure, e.g., by means of sealing jaws or ultrasonic welding devices. Heat-sealed seams formed by melting thermoplastic synthetic fibers or other thermoplastic materials are particularly hard and can form particularly sharp cut edges.Since the cut edge is formed on the outer edge of the protruding edge region, which does not have any thermoplastic fibers melted by heat sealing, no sharp sealing edge is formed, so that the bag is not perceived as unpleasant or sharp-edged during oral use. Conventional systems for producing powder-filled bags can be used to implement the invention. When producing bags with a longitudinal sealing seam (longitudinal sealing seam) and transverse sealing seams (transverse sealing seam) at both ends, the longitudinal sealing seam can be placed at a distance from the longitudinal edge of a strip-shaped section of the nonwoven fabric that overlaps an underlying section of the nonwoven fabric.The tube formed by means of the longitudinal sealing seam can be severed at a distance from the transverse sealing seam, whereby the separation can be carried out without melting of fibers, provided that the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic fibers.

[0014] The bag according to the invention is made of a nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic materials. Sharp cut edges are avoided by forming the cut edge at the distal end of an unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric, which protrudes outward from the seal seam. The distal end of the unsealed edge region is the end of the unsealed edge region remote from the heat-sealed seam. In conventional nonwoven bags containing thermoplastic materials, where the cut edges extend through the sealed areas, sharp sealing edges form in the seal seam due to the material hardening. These edges are more or less pronounced depending on the type of nonwoven fabric used.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, two overlapping edge regions of the nonwoven fabric protrude outward from the heat-sealed seam. These two overlapping edge regions provide particularly good cushioning at the sides of the heat-sealed seam, preventing any unpleasant sensation during oral use. This embodiment is particularly suitable for transverse seals because two overlapping regions of the nonwoven fabric have a cut edge on the same side of the transverse seal.

[0016] According to another embodiment, only an unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric protrudes outward from the heat-sealed seam and has a cut edge at the distal end. This is preferably an edge region of the nonwoven fabric at a longitudinal heat-sealed seam, where the overlapping regions of the nonwoven fabric on different sides of the heat-sealed seam have a cut edge, so that one of the two cut edges is located within the bag shell.

[0017] According to one design, two congruent, unsealed edges of the nonwoven protrude outward from the heat-sealed seam. The cut edges of the congruent edges are arranged one above the other, creating a particularly soft feel.

[0018] According to another design, the unsealed edge area has a cut edge running parallel to the heat-sealed seam. This allows the heat-sealed seam to be evenly padded on the sides.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the unsealed edge area has a straight, curved, wavy, or serrated cut edge. This allows for particularly material-saving and soft-perceived cut edges to be realized.

[0020] According to one design, the unsealed edge area is wider than the sealed seam. This creates particularly soft, unsealed edge areas. The width refers to the extent perpendicular to the main extension direction of the sealed seam.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the unsealed edge region protrudes at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, further preferably at least 3 mm, particularly preferably at least 5 mm outward from the heat-sealed seam. According to a further embodiment, the edge region protrudes at most 10 mm, preferably at most 8 mm, further preferably at most 7 mm, particularly preferably at most 6 mm outward from the heat-sealed seam. This results in softly padded heat-sealed seams with minimal material usage.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the bag has a transverse heat-sealed seam at each of its two ends, and at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric protrudes outward from each transverse heat-sealed seam. Preferably, two unsealed edge regions of the nonwoven fabric protrude outward from each transverse heat-sealed seam.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the bag has a longitudinal heat-sealed seam and at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwards from the longitudinal heat-sealed seam. Preferably, only one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwards from the heat-sealed seam and has a cut edge at the distal end, and the cut edge of the lower layer of the nonwoven fabric is arranged inside the bag shell. According to another embodiment, the longitudinal heat-sealed seam comprises a folded-back region of the nonwoven fabric and a region of the nonwoven fabric superimposed thereon, the cut edges of the two overlapping regions being arranged on the same side of the heat-sealed seam. In this embodiment, both the upper layer and the lower layer preferably have an outwards-projecting edge region.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the stiffness of the unsealed edge area is at least 20%, preferably 50%, or particularly preferably 70% lower than the stiffness of the sealed seam. This can significantly reduce the perceived hardness of the cut edge. The stiffness of a nonwoven or a film-like sealed seam can be determined using the cantilever method (ISO 9073-7 and ED ANA 30.5-99).

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the thermoplastic materials of the nonwoven fabric are thermoplastic fibers and / or thermoplastic binders.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the nonwoven fabric is consolidated in one of the following ways:

[0027] (i) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic fibres and is thermally bonded;

[0028] (ii) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic and optionally cross-linking binders and is chemically bonded;

[0029] (iii) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic fibres and is thermally bonded and the nonwoven fabric also contains cross-linking binders and / or thermoplastic binders and is additionally chemically bonded.

[0030] . Thus, the nonwoven fabric is exclusively thermally bonded, exclusively chemically bonded, or thermally and chemically bonded. According to a further embodiment, the thermally bonded and / or chemically bonded nonwoven fabric is additionally mechanically bonded. Thermal bonding refers to the bonding of the nonwoven fabric by melting and subsequent cooling, forming strong bonds at the intersection points of thermoplastic fibers. Chemically bonded nonwovens are nonwovens in which the fibers are bonded together by a cross-linking or thermoplastic chemical binder. Mechanically bonded nonwovens use active ingredients bonded by water jet needling or mechanical needling.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the nonwoven fabric comprises one or more of the following fiber types: thermoplastic fibers, in particular thermoplastic monocomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers; hydrophilic fibers, in particular fibers not melted by thermal bonding, preferably cellulosic fibers. Thermal bonding can be achieved through the thermoplastic fibers. The hydrophilic fibers are advantageous for wetting the bag with saliva and allowing the fluid to pass through the nonwoven fabric.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the nonwoven fabric comprises one or more of the following types of fibers: cellulose fibers, viscose fibers, cotton fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers or other thermoplastic fibers.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the crosslinking or thermoplastic binder comprises or consists of, for example, copolymers of vinyl acetate and acrylic acid esters, which are marketed by Celanese under the brand name Vinycryl. Polyacrylates are examples of non-crosslinking thermoplastic binders. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings of one embodiment. In the drawings:

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a pouch according to the invention for snus or another active ingredient for oral use with wavy cut edges at both ends in front view;

[0035] Fig. 2 the same bag in rear view;

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a further bag according to the invention with straight cut edges at both ends in front view;

[0037] Fig. 4 the same bag in rear view.

[0038] According to Figs. 1 and 2, a pouch 1 comprises a pouch shell 2 made of a thermally bonded nonwoven fabric 3 containing thermoplastic fibers, in which small amounts of tobacco material and / or another nicotine-containing material or another active ingredient are arranged. The tobacco material 4 is, for example, snus. The thermally bonded nonwoven fabric is made, for example, of viscose fibers and bicomponent fibers with a polyethylene and a polyester component.

[0039] According to another example, the nonwoven fabric 3 is a chemically bonded nonwoven fabric containing a thermoplastic binder.

[0040] According to a further example, the nonwoven fabric 3 is a thermally and chemically bonded nonwoven fabric with thermoplastic fibers and a crosslinkable and / or thermoplastic binder,

[0041] The bag 1 is designed as a tubular bag. A strip of nonwoven fabric 3 is folded over the long sides, and the overlapping areas of the nonwoven fabric 3 are connected to each other near the long edges by a longitudinal heat-sealed seam 5. Furthermore, the two overlapping areas near the transverse edges of the bag are connected to each other by transverse heat-sealed seams 6, 7.

[0042] On one side of the longitudinal sealing seam 5, an unsealed edge region 8 of the nonwoven fabric 3 protrudes outward and has a cut edge 9 at the distal end. The cut edge 9 extends parallel to the heat-sealed seam 5 and is linear.

[0043] From each transverse heat-sealed seam 6, 7, two unsealed strip-shaped edge regions 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2 protrude outwards, with one edge region 10.1, 11.1 being connected to the upper layer and the other edge region

[0044] 10.2, 11.2 is connected to the lower layer of the nonwoven fabric 3. The two overlapping edge regions extend parallel to the transverse sealing seam 6, 7. At the distal end, they each have a wavy cut edge 12.1, 12.2, 13.1, 13.2.

[0045] Through the unsealed edge areas 8, 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2 projecting outwards from the heat-sealed seams 5, 6, 7 with the cut edges 9, 12.1,

[0046] 12.2, 13.1, 13.2 at the distal end, the heat seal seams are perceived as soft compared to conventional heat seal seams, where the cut edges are formed at the edge of the heat seal seams or within the heat seal seams.

[0047] The cut edges on the longitudinal heat-sealed seam can also be wavy, serrated, or curved. Furthermore, the cut edges at both ends can be straight. Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment with straight cut edges at the distal ends of the edge regions 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2. The various cut edge configurations can be combined as desired.

Claims

Claims:

1. A bag comprising a bag shell made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic materials and a filling material arranged within the bag shell for oral use with controlled release of active ingredients, which filling material has at least one heat-sealed seam connecting overlapping regions of the nonwoven fabric to one another, characterized in that at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwards from the heat-sealed seam and has a cut edge at the distal end.

2. A bag according to claim 1, wherein two overlapping unsealed edge regions of the nonwoven fabric protrude outwardly from the heat-sealed seam.

3. Bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two congruent unsealed edge regions of the nonwoven fabric protrude outwards from the heat-sealed seam.

4. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unsealed edge region has a cut edge running parallel to the heat-sealed seam.

5. A bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unsealed edge region has a straight, an arcuate, a wavy or a serrated cut edge.

6. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unsealed edge region has a greater width than the sealing seam.

7. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unsealed edge region is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, furthermore preferably at least 3 mm, particularly preferably at least 5 mm, protrudes outwards from the heat-sealed seam.

8. A bag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which has a transverse heat-sealing seam at each of its two ends and in which at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwardly from each transverse heat-sealing seam.

9. A bag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which has a longitudinally extending heat-sealed seam and in which at least one unsealed edge region of the nonwoven fabric projects outwards from the longitudinally extending heat-sealed seam.

10. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stiffness of the unsealed edge region is at least 20%, preferably 50% or particularly preferably 70% lower than the stiffness of the sealed seam.

11. A bag according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the nonwoven fabric is consolidated in one of the following ways: (i) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic fibers and is thermally bonded; (ii) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic and optionally cross-linking binders and is chemically bonded; (iii) the nonwoven fabric contains thermoplastic fibers and is thermally bonded and the nonwoven fabric additionally contains cross-linking binders and / or thermoplastic binders and is chemically bonded 12. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the nonwoven fabric is additionally mechanically strengthened.

13. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises one or more of the following fiber types: thermoplastic fibers, in particular thermoplastic monocomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers, hydrophilic fibers, in particular fibers not melted by thermal consolidation, preferably cellulosic fibers.

14. Bag according to claims 1 to 13, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises one or more of the following types of fibers: cellulose fibers, viscose fibers, cotton fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers or other thermoplastic fibers.

15. A bag according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the nonwoven fabric is binder-free.

16. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 15, which is filled with a filling material containing one or more of the following active ingredients: nicotine, caffeine, taurine, one or more flavorings, one or more drugs.

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