Method for moisturizing a pouched product for oral use

Abstract

Described is a method for moisturizing a pouched product for oral use. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a plurality of pouched products, the pouched products having a first moisture content; b) laying down the pouched products on a support surface; and c) applying water with a water application tool comprising a water dispensing arrangement to the pouched products in a confined water application area of the support surface, to raise the moisture content to a second moisture content, the second moisture content being higher than the first moisture content, wherein the first moisture content is from 2% by weight to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is from 20% by weight to 60% by weight based on the pouched product, the second moisture content being at least 25% higher than the first moisture content.

1 . A method for moisturizing a pouched product for oral use, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of pouched products for oral use, the pouched products having a first moisture content:   b) laying down the pouched products on a support surface; and   c) applying water with a water application tool comprising a water dispensing arrangement to the pouched products in a confined water application area of the support surface, to raise the moisture content to a second moisture content, the second moisture content being higher than the first moisture content, wherein the first moisture content is within the range of from 2% by weight to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is in the range of from 20% by weight to 60% by weight based on the pouched product, the second moisture content being at least 25% higher than the first moisture content.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first moisture content is within the range of from 10% by weight to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the pouched product, and the second moisture content is within the range of from 35% by weight to 55% by weight based on the pouched product. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouched product for oral use is a tobacco-free or substantially tobacco-free product. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one confinement wall is arranged at a perimeter of said confined water application area. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the water application tool comprises the at least one confinement wall. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one confinement wall forms a wall of a water application chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the water application tool comprises a water permeable water distribution member, the water distribution member having a product contact area corresponding to the confined water application area and wherein step c) comprises:
 ii) bringing the water distribution member of the water application tool into contact with the pouched products; and   iii) applying water to the pouched products in the confined water application area by supplying water into the water application chamber and onto the water distribution member, the water distribution member acting to distribute the applied water and to transfer the water to the pouched products.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the product contact area of the water distribution member is a perforated plate with a plurality of openings or a net having an open area of from 5% to 50% of the total area of the product contact area of the water distribution member. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the water distribution member is a net having a mesh size of from 0.05 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the support surface is a bottom wall of a user container and step b) is carried out by laying down a set of pouched products on the bottom wall of the user container. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the pouched products in the set of pouched products are arranged in a predetermined configuration in the user container, such as being arranged partially overlapping, with an exposed area of each pouched product being the same or substantially the same for all pouched products. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to any one of  claims 10 , wherein step c) further comprises:
 i) forming a water application chamber by aligning the confinement wall of the water application tool with a side wall of the user container.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the water application tool comprises a water permeable water distribution member, the water distribution member having a product contact area adapted to the shape and size of the bottom wall of the user container and wherein step c) further comprises:
 ii) bringing the water distribution member of the water application tool into contact with the pouched products in the user container:   iii) applying water to the pouched products in the user container by supplying water into the water application chamber and onto the water distribution member, the water distribution member acting to distribute the applied water and to transfer the water to the pouched products in the user container; and   iv) removing the water application tool from the user container.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the support surface is a surface on a conveyor, the conveyor being arranged to move in a machine direction. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein at least two confinement walls extend in the machine direction and being arranged on each side of the confined water application area of the support surface on the conveyor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step c) further comprises applying one or more additives.