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EP-4740754-A1 - NONWOVEN FABRIC AND ITS USE FOR ORAL DOSAGE FORMS

EP4740754A1EP 4740754 A1EP4740754 A1EP 4740754A1EP-4740754-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric that is both bio-based and biodegradable and/or compostable, an oral dosage form, specifically an oral nicotine formulation containing this nonwoven fabric as a carrier, a process for producing the nonwoven fabric and the oral dosage form, and the use of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric contains a fiber composition comprising man-made cellulose fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers, as well as a bio-based polymeric binder.

Inventors

  • TRASER, Steffen, Dr.
  • FREY, Marco
  • FRANK, PETER

Assignees

  • Carl Freudenberg KG

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (15)

  1. Nonwoven fabric containing a) a fiber composition comprising a1) man-made cellulose fibers, a2) Polyvinyl alcohol fibers, and a3) possibly other fibers different from a1) and a2), b) at least one bio-based polymeric binder other than a1), a2) and a3).
  2. Nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the man-made cellulose fibers a1) are selected from regenerated cellulose fibers, derivatized cellulose fibers and mixtures thereof, preferably the man-made cellulose fibers a1) are selected from viscose fibers, lyocell fibers, modal fibers, cellulose acetate fibers and mixtures thereof, in particular the man-made cellulose fibers a1) comprise viscose fibers or consist of viscose fibers.
  3. Nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 or 2, wherein component a1) contains fibers with a fineness in the range of 0.1 to 30.0 dtex, preferably 1.0 to 12.0 dtex, in particular 1.2 to 3.3 dtex.
  4. Nonwoven fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyvinyl alcohols contained in component a2) have one or more of the following properties: - a melting point ( Tm ) of at least 150°C, preferably of at least 170°C, in particular of at least 190°C, - a degree of saponification in the range of 91.00 to 99.99 mol%, preferably from 97.00 to 99.99 mol%, in particular from 98.00 to 99.98 mol%, - Soluble in water at a temperature of at least 30°C, preferably at least 60°C.
  5. Nonwoven fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber composition a) comprises at least one further fiber a3), selected from further biodegradable and/or compostable fibers, preferably selected from cellulose-containing natural fibers, thermoplastic starch fibers, fibers of natural polymers of different types, biodegradable and/or compostable polyester fibers, polyesteramide fibers and mixtures thereof, in particular selected from cellulose-containing natural fibers and mixtures thereof.
  6. Nonwoven fabric according to claim 5, wherein the fiber composition a) comprises at least one further biodegradable and/or compostable fiber a3), selected from fibers of cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, soy, palm, coconut, wool, silk, chitin, chitosan, poly(ethylene succinate) fibers, poly(butylene succinate) fibers, poly(ethylene adipate) fibers, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) fibers, polyhydroxyacetic acid fibers, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene sebacate) fibers, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) fibers, poly(tetramethylene succinate) fibers, polycaprolactone fibers, polypropriolactone fibers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) fibers, Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) fibers, and mixtures thereof.
  7. Nonwoven fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric binder b) comprises at least one polyelectrolyte with cationogenic/cationic groups and/or at least one polyelectrolyte with anionogenic/anionic groups, wherein preferably the polymeric binder b) comprises at least one polyelectrolyte with cationogenic/cationic groups selected from chitosan, aminoacetylated polyvinyl alcohol, poly-(L)-lysine, poly-(L)-arginine, poly(ornithine), basic gelatin, cationically modified starch, cationically modified amylose, cationically modified amylopectin, cationically modified cellulose, cationically modified guar gum, cationically modified gum arabic, cationically modified gum karaya, cationically modified gum guar, cationically modified dextran, cationically modified pullulan, cationically modified xanthan gum, cationically modified curdlan, cationically modified gellan, cationically modified carubin, cationically modified agarose and acid addition salts and quaternization products and mixtures thereof.
  8. Nonwoven fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric binder comprises b) citrus fruit peels, preferably orange peels.
  9. Oral dosage form which, when used, releases at least one ingredient into the mouth and throat, containing A) at least one releaseable ingredient and B) a carrier comprising or consisting of a nonwoven fabric as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.
  10. Oral nicotine composition, comprehensive A1) Nicotine, A2) optionally at least one ingredient different from A1), preferably selected from flavourings, pH regulators, rheology modifiers, wetting agents and mixtures thereof. B) a carrier comprising or consisting of a nonwoven fabric as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.
  11. Oral nicotine composition according to claim 10 in the form of a tobacco-free or tobacco-containing composition, preferably in the form of a tobacco-free composition.
  12. A method for producing a nonwoven fabric as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one i) provides a fiber composition a) which a1) man-made cellulose fibers, a2) Polyvinyl alcohol fibers, and a3) possibly includes further fibers different from those in a1) and a2), ii) subjects the fiber composition provided in step i) to a process for producing a fiber nap, iii) subjects the fiber nap produced in step ii) to a thermal process to obtain a solidified nonwoven fabric, iv) loads the solidified nonwoven fabric obtained in step iii) with a binder b), v) subjects the nonwoven fabric obtained in step iv) loaded with the binder b) to a thermal treatment.
  13. A method for producing an oral dosage form as defined in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein in a method according to claim 12 one additionally vi) loads the nonwoven fabric with at least one ingredient, vii) subjects the nonwoven fabric obtained in step vi) loaded with an ingredient to shaping.
  14. Oral dosage form obtainable by a method as defined in claim 12 or 13.
  15. Use of a nonwoven fabric as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, as a carrier for oral dosage forms, in particular oral nicotine compositions.

Description

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric that is both bio-based and biodegradable and/or compostable, an oral dosage form, specifically an oral nicotine composition containing this nonwoven fabric as a carrier, a method for producing the nonwoven fabric and the oral dosage form, and the use of the nonwoven fabric. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Nonwovens are extremely versatile textile materials that have found widespread use. Products made from nonwovens are used in many sectors and for many purposes, such as in the clothing and automotive industries, the construction and energy sectors. Specialized applications for nonwovens can be found in the cosmetics, hygiene, and healthcare sectors. Nonwovens can be tailored to specific applications by selecting the physicochemical properties of the fibers used in their production, the type of fiber laying, compaction, and bonding, the fiber finishing, and the manufacturing process. There is currently a high demand for nonwovens that meet the ecological requirements for the use of sustainable materials. The aim is to avoid fossil raw materials, such as mineral oil, in the supply of the fibers used, and the nonwovens and resulting products should be biodegradable and/or compostable. Sustainable production should not negatively affect the application-related properties of the nonwovens. Special requirements are placed on carriers for oral dosage forms that serve to release ingredients into the mouth and throat without the carriers themselves dissolving or being ingested. Such dosage forms can be placed, for example, under the upper lip (labially), in the cheek (buccally), or under the tongue (sublingually), and the ingredients are absorbed either through the oral mucosa or the gastrointestinal tract. A special type of such oral dosage form is oral nicotine compounds, which are placed, for example, under the upper lip for consumption. These so-called smokeless products for oral use are well-known to experts and include both tobacco-containing and tobacco-free products. Tobacco-containing oral products are a form of oral nicotine product particularly widespread in Scandinavia and are also known as snus (pronounced snooze). Such tobacco products are offered in loose form or as portion packs in a saliva-permeable, porous casing material, which generally forms a pouch enclosing a tobacco-based filling material. Snus is to be distinguished from tobacco-free products. Nicotine products that are also consumed orally but do not contain tobacco. Non-tobacco products are offered, for example, in the form of nicotine pouches, also known as nicotine bags, nicotine pouches, nicopods, nicobags, and "white snus." They generally consist of a filling material as a carrier, which contains a particulate material and/or fibers, which may be plant fibers of a different origin than tobacco or synthetic fibers. Oral-use pouch products are typically used by the consumer by placing the pouch between the upper or lower gum and lip and leaving it there for a limited time. The pouch material holds the tobacco or non-tobacco filling material in place, while saliva can penetrate the filling material and release active ingredients, such as nicotine, as well as other ingredients, such as flavorings, into the consumer's mouth and throat. It is known to use water-insoluble nonwovens as a carrier material for oral nicotine products. The EP 4193849 A1 This describes an oral, smoke-free product comprising a carrier and an active ingredient and/or flavoring, wherein the carrier consists of a water-insoluble nonwoven fabric. The fibers of the nonwoven fabric may comprise or consist of cellulose fibers, such as cotton, pulp, flax, hemp, or man-made cellulose fibers. It is described that the carrier may comprise a biodegradable material and that it may be a wet-laid nonwoven fabric. There remains a need for nonwovens for use as carriers for oral dosage forms, particularly oral nicotine formulations, that exhibit an optimized property profile. These nonwovens should not only be biodegradable and/or compostable, but also bio-based. The use of components derived from fossil raw materials, especially mineral oil, should be avoided as much as possible. The nonwoven fabric, and even its intermediate products, should possess excellent application properties. In particular, the laid nonwoven (the fiber pile) should already exhibit good strength before impregnation and bonding with a binder. Specifically, the binder used should also be biodegradable/compostable and bio-based. The resulting nonwoven fabric should also possess good properties as a carrier material for oral dosage forms, especially oral nicotine formulations. It should be readily impregnated with the desired ingredients, particularly nicotine and/or flavorings, especially through coating and/or impregnation with a liquid formulation of the ingredients. The nonwoven fabric loaded with the ingredients should be easily formed into the desired shape,