Oral Snuff Pasteurization on a Moving Conveyor Belt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current snuff production methods are limited by batch production, which reduces efficiency, flexibility, and requires lengthy cooling times and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A continuous method involving a moving conveyor belt for pasteurization and cooling, with heating and mixing steps integrated, allowing for continuous production of snuff composition, reducing microbial content, and enabling flexible flavor customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If batch production method is used for pasteurization, then microbial content is reduced, but production capacity and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial content reductionVSAvoidproduction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous pasteurization by moving the snuff composition through an oven on a conveyor belt, replacing the batch-wise heating method. This allows continuous processing without stopping to empty and refill batches, thereby maintaining microbial reduction effectiveness while significantly increasing production capacity and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a moving conveyor belt system that dynamically transports the snuff composition through the pasteurization oven. This dynamic approach replaces static batch processing, enabling continuous flow and improving both productivity and process efficiency while maintaining the required pasteurization效果.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If batch pasteurization in pots is used, then heating is effective, but cooling time is lengthy and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidcooling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous pasteurization system allows the snuff composition to move continuously through heating and into cooling zones without batch interruptions. This eliminates the lengthy cooling wait time associated with batch processing, as cooling begins immediately after heating in a continuous flow, significantly reducing total processing time and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If batch production is used, then process control is simple, but flexibility for different compositions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess control simplicityVSAvoidflexibility for different compositions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous production system with conveyor belt allows dynamic adjustment of processing parameters and easy switching between different snuff compositions. Different formulations can be fed continuously into the same pasteurization line, enabling flexible production of varied products without requiring separate batch processing setups, thus improving adaptability while maintaining manageable process control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances production capacity, efficiency, and flexibility, while significantly reducing cooling time and energy consumption, allowing for varied snuff compositions to be produced efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

the snuff composition is heated in a first heating step while being transported on the moving conveyor belt, the snuff composition being heated in the first heating step to a temperature within the range of 70 °C to 100 °C for a time period of 10 minutes to 72 hours to provide a pasteurized snuff composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal pasteurization: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4035540B1Method for producing a snuff composition for oral use and a snuff composition produced by the method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SWEDISH MATCH NORTH EURO
  • EP4035540B1 patent drawingFigure 1a)~1e)

AI summary

A method of producing a snuff composition for oral use, the snuff composition, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing an initial snuff composition (1); b) depositing the initial snuff composition (1) on a moving conveyor belt (2); c) moving the initial snuff composition (1) through an oven (3); wherein the snuff composition (1) is heated in a first heating step while being transported on the moving conveyor belt (2), the snuff composition (1) being heated in the first heating step to a temperature within the range of 70°C to 100°C for a time period of 10 minutes to 72 hours to provide a pasteurized snuff composition (1); and wherein water (4) is added to the snuff composition (1), either prior to the first heating step c) and/or during the first heating step c).