Pouched products

Abstract

A pouched product adapted for release of a water-soluble component therefrom is provided herein. The pouched product can include an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity containing a composition that includes a water-soluble component capable of being released through the water-permeable pouch and has a surface area, wherein the outer water-permeable pouch material is formed by a process which includes needle punching.

1 . A method of preparing a water-permeable pouch material, comprising:
 providing a fibrous web comprising a plurality of fibers; and   needle punching the fibrous web to form the water-permeable pouch material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a continuous supply of the pouch material;   engaging lateral edges of the pouch material such that a longitudinally-extending seam is formed;   sealing the longitudinally-extending seam such that a continuous tubular member is formed from the continuous supply of pouch material;   inserting a composition adapted for oral use into the continuous tubular member;   subdividing the continuous tubular member into discrete pouch portions such that each pouch portion includes a composition charge; and   sealing a leading and an end edge of each discrete pouch portion such that an outer water-permeable pouch is formed that encloses the composition charge.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of a particulate tobacco material, nicotine, particulate non-tobacco material treated to contain nicotine and/or flavoring agents, and fibrous plant material carrying a tobacco extract. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nicotine component, botanicals, stimulants, nutraceuticals, amino acids, vitamins, cannabinoids, cannabimimetics, terpenes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is substantially free of a tobacco material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises a plurality of heat sealable binder fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch material has a basis weight in the range of 25-40 gsm. 
     
     
         8 . A pouched product prepared according to the method of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A pouched product, comprising:
 an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity; and   a composition comprising a water-soluble component;   wherein the composition is situated in the cavity; and   wherein the outer water-permeable pouch comprises a needle-punched nonwoven web.   
     
     
         10 . The pouched product of  claim 9 , wherein the water-permeable pouch comprises at least two nonwoven layers, wherein at least one of the two nonwoven layers has been formed by a process comprising needle punching, and wherein one of the at least two nonwoven layers is relatively hydrophilic and one of the at least two nonwoven layers is relatively hydrophobic. 
     
     
         11 . The pouched product of  claim 9 , wherein the composition within the cavity of the pouch comprises at least one of a particulate tobacco material, nicotine, particulate non-tobacco material treated to contain nicotine and/or flavoring agents, and fibrous plant material carrying a tobacco extract. 
     
     
         12 . The pouched product of  claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nicotine component, botanicals, stimulants, nutraceuticals, amino acids, vitamins, cannabinoids, cannabimimetics, terpenes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The pouched product of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is substantially free of a tobacco material.