WO2024201339A1

WO2024201339A1 - Making machine and making method for producing pouches each contaning a loose product dose

Info

Publication number: WO2024201339A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/052983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Ghiotti
Original assignee: SASIB SpA Bologna
Current assignee: SASIB SpA Bologna
Priority date: 2023-03-29
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2024-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-29
Also published as: IT202300006132A1; WO2024201339A8

Abstract

A making machine (6) and making method for producing pouches (1) each containing a loose product dose (2). The following are provided: a first forming drum (7) that is mounted rotatable about a first rotation axis (8) and has a pocket (10) that reproduces in negative part a shape of the pouch (1); a second forming drum (7) that is mounted rotatable about a second rotation axis (8) parallel to the first rotation axis (8) and is coupled to the first forming drum (7) to define a joining zone (9) comprised between the two forming drums (7); a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed, at a first feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), a first wrapping material web (12) that wraps around part of the periphery of the first forming drum (7); an inserter device (13) which is coupled to the first forming drum (7) between the first feeding station (SI) and the joining zone (9) and is configured to push the first wrapping material web (12) into the first pocket (10) of the first forming drum (7); a second feeding unit (11) configured to feed, at a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), a second wrapping material web (12) that wraps around part of the periphery of the second forming drum (7) such that the second wrapping material web (12) overlaps the first wrapping material web (12) in the joining zone (9) forming the pouch (1); and a third feeding unit (14) configured to feed, at a third feeding station (S2) arranged between the inserter device (13) and the joining zone (9), the loose product dose (2) into the pocket (10) of the first forming drum (7) covered by the first wrapping material web (12).

Description

MAKING MACHINE AND MAKING METHOD FOR PRODUCING POUCHES EACH CONTAINING A EOOSE PRODUCT DOSE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102023000006132 filed on March 29, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention relates to a making machine and a making method for producing pouches each containing a loose produce dose (viz. a non-compact product).

The present invention finds advantageous application in the production of snus pouches (viz. permeable pouches each containing a pre-packaged dose of a loose, moist nicotine product for oral use), to which the following discussion will make explicit reference without loss of generality.

PRIOR ART

Currently, snus pouches are produced using an FFS ('Form, Fill & Seal') production process and therefore have a rectangular shape and each has a longitudinal weld and a pair of transverse welds.

A known making machine (e.g., as described in patent application WO2008114128A2) for producing snus pouches is of the FFS type and comprises: a conveyor device for conveying a wrapping material web along a making path; a wrapping station arranged along the making path and in which the wrapping material web is wrapped to form a tubular wrapper having a longitudinal extension around a wrapping conduit; a longitudinal sealing unit for longitudinally sealing the tubular wrapper at an overlapping zone of the wrapping material web; a loose material feeding unit to feed the loose product doses in succession into the tubular wrapper; a transverse sealing unit for transversely sealing the tubular wrapper so as to form an alternating succession of sealing zones and zones containing a loose product dose; and a cutting unit for transversely cutting the tubular wrapper at the sealing zones so as to separate the individual snus pouches.

Patent application WO2013190517A2 describes a multi-compartment pouch-forming machine in which two pouches formed on adjacent and separate formers are joined to form a combined pouch.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a making machine and a making method for producing pouches each containing a loose product dose, which making machine and making method enable producing pouches in a shape other than the traditional rectangular shape and, at the same time, also enable high productivity to be achieved while ensuring high quality standards.

In accordance with the present invention, a making machine and a making method are provided for producing pouches each containing a loose product dose, as claimed in the appended claims.

The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

• figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective, side and plan view of a snus pouch;

• figure 4 is an exploded side view of the snus pouch of figures 1, 2 and 3;

• figure 5 is a frontal and schematic view of a making machine which makes snus pouches of the type shown in figures 1, 2 and 3;

• figure 6 is a perspective and schematic view of the making machine of figure 5;

• figures 7 and 8 are two different perspective and schematic views of an assembly of the making machine of figure 5;

• figure 9 is a perspective view of a forming drum of the assembly of figures 7 and 8;

• figure 10 is a perspective view of a cutting unit of the making machine of figure 5; and

• figure 11 is a perspective partially exploded view of a detail of the cutting unit of figure 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In figure 1, the reference number 1 shows a pouch of snus containing a dose 2 of snus therein (illustrated in figure 4), viz. a loose, moist oral nicotine product.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the snus pouch 1 has a circular shape in plan, but according to other embodiments, the snus pouch 1 could have different and more or less regular shapes in plan, e.g., a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

As illustrated in figure 4, the snus pouch 1 comprises two cup-shaped elements 3 which are overlapping each other to delimit a closed volume in which the dose 2 of snus is housed; each element 3 has a flat edge 4 which goes entirely around the element 3 so that the two flat edges 4 of the two elements 3 are overlapping each other and joined by a weld 5 which is closed on itself (viz. it has an annular shape without head or tail). In other words, the pouch has a single annular weld 5 (closed on itself without head or tail) connecting the two elements 3 to each other.

In figures 5 and 6, the reference number 6 indicates overall a making machine for producing snus pouches 1.

The making machine 6 comprises a frame that rests on a floor and has a vertical support wall (the 'front' wall of the making machine 6 and coinciding with the plane in figure 5) on which all the operating components that contribute to the production of snus pouches 1 are mounted.

The making machine 6 comprises two forming drums 7 (which are essentially identical to each other) that are mounted rotating with an intermittent law of motion (viz. a law of motion that reciproc atingly alternates between phases of motion and phases of standstill) around respective rotation axes 8 that are horizontal and parallel to each other (and perpendicular to the plane of figure 5). The two forming drums 7 are cooperating (coupled) with each other and are arranged one above the other to define a joining zone 9 between the two forming drums 7; viz. the two forming drums 7 are arranged vertically aligned at different heights so that one forming drum 7 is above and the other forming drum 7 is below.

Each forming drum 7 has a plurality of pockets 10 (better illustrated in figure 9), each of which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the snus pouch 1; in particular, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. Viz. each pocket 10 (or seat 10) is a recess that is hollowed on the outer surface of the respective forming drum 7 and reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 that together constitute the snus pouch 1. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each forming drum 7 has several groups (in particular eight groups) of pockets 10 each having a series of pockets 10 (in particular eight pockets 10) arranged side by side with each other and aligned parallel to the rotation axis 8. Thereby, a series of snus pouches 1 (in particular eight snus pouches 1) equal to the number of pockets 10 of each group are formed in the joining zone 9 defined between the two forming drums 7 at each work cycle. According to other embodiments not illustrated, the number of groups of pockets 10 of each forming drum 7 and/or the number of pockets 10 of each group could be different. Each pocket 10 of a forming drum 7 always cooperates with a same corresponding pocket 10 of the other forming drum 7 and, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative a shape of a corresponding half (viz. cup- shaped element 3) of the snus pouch 1 so that two pockets 10 together reproduce in negative the shape of the snus pouch 1.

The making machine 6 comprises two (mutually substantially identical) feeding units 11, each of which is configured to feed, at a respective feeding station S 1 arranged upstream of the joining zone 9 with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective forming drum 7, a respective wrapping material web 12 which wraps about part of the periphery of the respective forming drum 7. Thereby, in the joining zone 9 the two forming drums 7 convey the two wrapping material webs 12 towards each other so that the two wrapping material webs 12 overlap each other and join to form the snus pouches 1.

In other words, an only and single wrapping material web 12 is fed and wrapped about each forming drum 7.

The two wrapping material webs 12 overlap each other only and exclusively in the joining zone 9 forming for the first time each pouch 1 enclosing the dose 2 of snus between the two wrapping material webs 12.

The making machine 6 comprises two (mutually substantially identical) inserter devices 13, each of which is coupled to a respective forming drum 7 between the respective feeding station SI and the joining zone 9 and is configured to push the respective wrapping material web 12 into the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming drum 7. That is, each inserter device 13 locally deforms the respective wrapping material web 12 in order to insert the wrapping material web 12 inside the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming drum 7 so that the wrapping material web 12 covers the pockets 10; thereby, in each pocket 10, the wrapping material web 12 takes the form of a cup-like element 3, viz. the form of half a snus pouch 1.

Each inserter device 13 comprises a plurality of arms which are radially movable (viz. perpendicularly to the rotation axis 8 of the respective forming drum 7) and end in deforming heads which reproduce in positive the shape of the respective pockets 10: a radial movement of the arms brings the deforming heads inside the respective pockets 10 with the interposition of the corresponding wrapping material webs 12 causing the deformation of the wrapping material webs 12. Viz., the deforming heads constitute moulds while the pockets 10 constitute counter-moulds and thus the insertion of the deforming heads inside the respective pockets 10 'moulds' the shape of the pockets 10 into the wrapping material webs 12.

According to a preferred embodiment, each pocket 10 is sucking, viz. it is provided with a series of small holes that are connected to a suction source to hold the respective wrapping material web 12 therein after the respective inserter device 13 has pushed the wrapping material web 12 into the pocket 10. Generally, the suction of each pocket 10 is maintained from the zone of the inserter devices 13 (to facilitate the insertion of the wrapping material webs 12 into the respective pockets 10 by aiding the action of the inserter devices 13) up to the joining zone 9 (wherein the wrapping material webs 12 are overlapped and joined together) and is interrupted at the joining zone 9 (to facilitate the subsequent separation from the respective pockets 10 of the overlapping wrapping material webs 12).

The making machine 6 comprises a single feeding unit 14 (schematically illustrated in figure 5) configured to feed, at a feeding station S2 arranged between the respective inserter device 13 and the joining zone 9, a plurality of snus doses 2 into the pockets 10 of a group of pockets 10 of the respective forming drum 7 covered by the respective wrapping material web 12 (viz. with the respective wrapping material web 12 interposed). Viz., a single feeding unit 14 coupled to only one of the two forming drums 7 is provided to feed snus doses 2 (which are retained inside the pockets 10 by the suction action of the pockets 10) into the pockets 10 of the respective forming drum 7. In other words, the snus doses 2 are only and exclusively fed to one of the two forming drums 7 while the other of the two forming drums 7 is not fed any snus doses 2.

The suction of each pocket 10 that receives, at the feeding station S2, the respective snus dose 2 contributes to keeping the snus dose 2 inside the pocket 10 and in contact with the respective wrapping material web 12; viz., the wrapping material webs 12 are porous (breathable) and therefore ''transmit'' the suction generated by each pocket 10 also to the respective snus dose 2 and thereby the suction of the pocket 10 contributes to maintaining the snus dose 2 inside the pocket 10 and in contact with the respective wrapping material web 12. Also for this reason (viz. to maintain the snus doses 2 in the respective pockets 10), the suction of each pocket 10 is maintained from the zone of the inserter devices 13 up to the joining zone 9.

According to a preferred embodiment, each forming drum 7 combines a rotational motion about the corresponding rotation axis 8 with a reciprocating translation motion that is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axes 8 and results in a cyclic approach and departure of the two forming drums 7. Viz., an actuator device is provided that controls the movement of the forming drums 7 and imparts to the forming drums 7 both a rotation in pitch about the respective rotation axes 8 and a reciprocating translation motion that is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axes 8 to cyclically approach and distance the two forming drums 7. In particular, the two forming drums 7 are kept further apart from each other during the rotational movement of the forming drums 7 about the respective rotation axes 8 (to prevent the flat faces of the forming drums 7 from interfering during the rotation) and are approached during the stop of the rotation movement (viz. when the two forming drums 7 are not rotating) to compress the two wrapping material webs 12 against each other, facilitating (as further explained below) the heat-sealing between the two wrapping material webs 12, viz. by forming the respective annular weld 5 around each snus pouch 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming drum 7 is heated at least around the corresponding pockets 10 to make a heat-seal (requiring the simultaneous application of heat and pressure) of the two wrapping material webs 12 in the joining zone 9, viz. to make the respective annular weld 5 around the snus pouch 1 which is closed in a ring around the edge 4 of the snus pouch 1. Preferably, both forming drums 7 are heated (at least) around the corresponding pockets 10 to make a heat-seal of the two wrapping material webs 12 in the joining zone 9. For example, around each pocket 10 of a forming drum 7, an annular- shaped heating element (typically an electrical resistor) which surrounds the pocket 10 could be embedded inside the forming drum 7.

The heating of the forming drums 7 at the pockets 10 not only allows the two wrapping material webs 12 to be heat-sealed in the joining zone 9, but also allows to help the wrapping material webs 12 to take the shape of the pockets 10 due to the thermoplastic effect; viz., the wrapping material webs 12 are thermoplastic and therefore their heating in contact with the forming drums 7 increases the malleability of the wrapping material webs 12 which then more easily and more accurately take on the shape of the pockets 10 when they are pushed inside the pockets 10 by the deforming heads of the respective inserter devices 13.

According to a possible embodiment, the walls of the pockets 10 are heated to a lower temperature (for the sole purpose of obtaining a softening of the two wrapping material webs 12 at the moment of their deformation inside the respective pockets 10 by the corresponding inserter devices 13), while the walls of the forming drums 7 around the pockets 10 are heated to a higher temperature to obtain the heat- sealing of the two wrapping material webs 12 in the joining zone 9.

More in general, the at least one forming drum 7 comprises a plurality of sealing devices (e.g., heat-generating electrical resistors for a heat-seal or sonotrodes for an ultrasonic weld), each of which has a closed ring shape and is arranged around a corresponding pocket 10 to make, in the joining zone 9 between the two forming drums 7, a weld of the two wrapping material webs 12 so as to form the closed ring shape weld 5 around the edge 4 of the respective snus pouch 1. Also in the case of ultrasonic welding, the forming drums 7 can be heated not to heat-seal the two wrapping material webs 12 in the joining zone 9, but to soften the two wrapping material webs 12 at the moment of their deformation inside their respective pockets 10 by the corresponding inserter devices 13. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, both forming drums 7 comprise respective pockets 10; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, only one forming drum 7 comprises respective pockets 10 while the other forming drum 7 is smooth (viz. has a smooth outer surface and therefore no depressions) and obviously in this embodiment the smooth forming drum 7 is not coupled to any inserter device 13.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, both forming drums 7 have an outer surface of polygonal shape having a plurality of flat faces, and on each flat face there is a group of pockets 10 aligned axially (viz. parallel to the rotation axis 8). In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each forming drum 7 has an octagonal shape having eight flat faces and thus supporting eight groups of pockets 10; according to other embodiments not illustrated, each forming drum 7 could have a different polygonal shape, viz. a different number of flat faces.

According to a different embodiment not illustrated, each forming drum 7 has a cylindrical outer surface. In this embodiment, the translation motion of the two forming drums 7 can be avoided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two forming drums 7 could rotate around the respective rotation axes 8 with a continuous law of motion instead of an intermittent law of motion.

According to a different embodiment not illustrated, the two forming drums 7 are replaced by respective forming conveyors 7 having, at least at the joining zone 9 defined between the two forming conveyors 7, a linear movement.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, two inserter devices 13 are provided coupled to the two forming drums 7 ; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, a single inserter device 13 is provided that is coupled to the forming drum 7 that receives the snus doses 2 from the feeding unit 14. As best illustrated in figures 7 and 8, the making machine 6 comprises an advancing conveyor 15 which is arranged downstream of the two forming drums 7 and is configured to impart a forward motion to the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12 in which there is a succession of rows of snus pouches 1. Preferably, the advancing conveyor 15 comprises two conveyor belts 16 which are arranged on opposite sides of the overlapping wrapping material webs 12, are wrapped around respective end pulleys, and are provided with respective embossing bodies 17 that engage the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12 outside the snus pouches 1 (viz., upstream and downstream of the rows of snus pouches 1, viz., in the free space between two consecutive rows of snus pouches 1).

As illustrated in figure 10, the making machine 6 comprises a cutting unit 18 which is arranged downstream of the two forming drums 7 and downstream of the advancing conveyor 15 and is configured to cut out the snus pouches 1 within the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12. The cutting unit 18 comprises a fixed contrasting body 19 having a group of through-holes 20, each of which is shaped like a snus pouch 1 to be able to be passed through by a snus pouch 1; in particular, the group of through-holes 20 has a number of through -holes 20 equal to the number of pockets 10 in each group of pockets 10 and thus equal to the number of snus pouches 1 that are produced simultaneously in each work cycle. According to what is illustrated in figure 11, the cutting unit 18 comprises a plurality of pushing elements 21 (in particular, as many pushing elements 21 as there are through-holes 20 in the contrasting body 19), each of which is shaped like a snus pouch 1, is aligned with a respective through -hole 20, and is movable alternately to push a respective snus pouch 1 integral with the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12 through the through-hole 20 causing the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12 to be cut about an outer perimeter of the snus pouch 1.

According to what is illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the making machine 6 comprises an outlet conveyor 22 that receives the snus pouches 1 from the cutting unit 18 and transports them to an outlet of the making machine 6; in particular, the outlet conveyor 22 comprises a conveyor belt which has an intermittent law of motion (viz., a law of motion that alternates cyclically between phases of motion and standstill), is looped around two end pulleys, and has a horizontal conveying branch on which the snus pouches 1 are placed in single file during a standstill phase.

According to what is illustrated in figure 10, the making machine 6 comprises a transfer unit 23 configured to take a group of cut-out snus pouches 1 from the cutting unit 18 and release the group of snus pouches 1 onto the outlet conveyor 22. Specifically, the transfer unit 23 comprises a support drum 24 mounted rotating about a horizontal rotation axis 25 (and parallel to the rotation axes 8) and four sets of sucking gripper arms 26 mounted on the support drum 24. The rotation (with intermittent law of motion) of the support drum 24 about the rotation axis 25 brings each group of sucking gripper arms 26 first at the through-holes 20 of the contrasting body 19 of the cutting unit 18 to receive a group of snus pouches 1 from the cutting unit 18 and subsequently at the underlying outlet conveyor 22 to release the group of snus pouches 1 onto the outlet conveyor 22.

According to what is illustrated in figure 7, the making machine 6 comprises an optical inspection device 27 which is arranged upstream of the cutting unit 18 (in particular, it is arranged between the advancing conveyor 15 and the cutting unit 18) and is configured to capture at least one image of a group of snus pouches 1 passing at the inspection device 27. A control unit 28 is also provided which is configured, analysing the images acquired by the optical inspection device 27, to determine whether each snus pouch 1 is defective and to temporarily disable the cutting unit 18 or the transfer unit 23 at a defective snus pouch 1. According to what is illustrated in figure 10, below the cutting unit 18 a collection conveyor 29 (possibly coupled to a shredding device) is provided which receives the two overlapping wrapping material webs 12 after the cutting (separation) of the snus pouches 1 and to also receive any defective snus pouches 1 which have not been cut by the cutting unit 18 or have not been taken by the transfer unit 23.

The embodiments described herein can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The above described making machine 6 has several advantages.

Firstly, the making machine 6 described above allows high hourly output rates to be achieved while ensuring a high standard of quality.

Furthermore, the making machine 6 allows the production of pouches 1 of any shape and size and, above all, allows the shape and size of the pouches 1 to be modified by simply changing the shape of the pockets 10 of the two forming drums 7. Among other things, the polygonal shape of the forming drums 7 makes it possible to obtain perfectly flat snus pouches 1, viz., completely free of any curvature to which the snus pouches 1 might tend even if only by elastic return; in fact, the polygonal shape of the forming drums 7 makes it possible to create snus pouches 1 with a perfectly flat shape and thus avoid imprinting any curvature.

The making machine 6 is particularly compact and allows an operator standing close to the making machine 6 to reach all the various parts of the making machine 6 with his own hands without having to carry out unnatural movements.

Finally, the making machine 6 is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

1 snus pouch

2 dose

3 cup-shaped element

4 edges

5 weld

6 making machine

7 forming drums

8 rotation axes

9 joining zone

10 pockets

11 feeding units

12 wrapping material web

13 inserter devices

14 feeding units

15 advancing conveyor

16 conveyor belts

17 embossing bodies

18 cutting units

19 contrasting body

20 through-holes

21 pushing element

22 outlet conveyor

23 transfer units

24 support drum

25 rotation axis

26 gripping arm

27 optical inspection device

28 control unit

29 collection container

51 feeding station

52 feeding station

Claims

1) A making machine (6) for producing a pouch (1), preferably a snus pouch (1), containing a loose product dose (2), preferably a snus dose (2); the making machine (6) comprises: a first forming conveyor (7), preferably a forming drum (7) mounted rotatable about a first rotation axis (8), which has a first pocket (10) that reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1); a second forming conveyor (7), preferably a forming drum (7) rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis (8) parallel to the first rotation axis (8), which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (7) to define a joining zone (9) comprised between the two forming conveyors (7); a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed, at a first feeding station (SI) disposed upstream of the joining zone (9), a first wrapping material web (12) that wraps about part of the periphery of the first formation conveyor (7); a second feeding unit (11) configured to feed, at a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), a second wrapping material web (12) that wraps about part of the periphery of the second formation conveyor (7) so that the second wrapping material web (12) overlaps the first wrapping material web (12) in the joining zone (9) forming the pouch (1); and a third feeding unit (14) configured to feed, in a third feeding station (S2) arranged between the first feeding station (SI) and the joining zone (9), the loose product dose (2) in the first pocket (10) of the first forming conveyor (7) with the interposition of the first wrapping material web (12).

2) The making machine (6) according to claim 1 and comprising a first inserter device (13) which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (7) between the first feeding station (SI) and the third feeding station (S2) and is configured to push the first wrapping material web (12) into the first pocket (10) of the first forming conveyor (7).

3) The making machine (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second forming conveyor (7) has a second pocket (10) that reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1).

4) The making machine (6) according to claim 3 and comprising a second inserter device (13) that is coupled to the second forming conveyor (7) upstream of the joining zone (9) and is configured to push the second wrapping material web (12) into the second pocket 5) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each pocket (10) reproduces in negative a shape of a corresponding half of the pouch (1).

6) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each forming conveyor (7) is a forming drum (7) and has an outer surface of a cylindrical shape.

7) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each forming conveyor (7) is a forming drum (7) and has a polygon- shaped outer surface having a plurality of flat faces.

8) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each forming conveyor (7) is a forming drum (7) and combines a rotational motion about the corresponding rotation axis (8) with a reciprocating translation motion that is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axes (8) and results in a cyclic approach and departure of the two forming drums (7).

9) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the forming conveyors (7) also exhibit a reciprocating translation motion that results in a cyclic approach and departure of the two forming conveyors (7).

10) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one forming conveyor (7) comprises a sealing device having a closed ring shape and arranged around the corresponding pocket (10) to achieve, in the joining area (9), a sealing of the two wrapping material webs (12) so as to form a closed ring shape weld (5) around an edge (4) of the pouch (1).

ID The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one forming conveyor (7) is heated at least around the corresponding pocket (10) to make a heat-seal of the two wrapping material webs (12) in the joining area (9) so as to form a closed ring shape weld (5) around an edge (4) of the pouch (1).

12) The making machine (6) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one forming conveyor (7) is heated at least at the pocket (10) to heat the respective wrapping material web (12).

13) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and comprising an advancing conveyor (15) that is arranged downstream of the two forming conveyors (7), is configured to impart a forward motion to the two overlapping wrapping material webs (12), and comprises two conveyor belts (16) that are arranged from opposite sides of the overlapping wrapping material webs (12) and are provided with respective embossing bodies (17) that engage the two overlapping wrapping material webs (12) externally to the pouch (1). 14) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and comprising a cutting unit (18) that is arranged downstream of the two forming conveyors (7) and is configured to cut out the pouch (1) within the two overlapping wrapping material webs (12).

15) The making machine (6) according to claim 14, wherein the cutting unit (18) comprises: a fixed contrasting body (19) presenting a through-hole (20) that is conformed like the pouch (1) to be able to be passed through by the pouch (1); and a pushing element (21) that is conformed like the pouch (1), is aligned with the through- hole (20) and is movable alternately to push the pouch (1) integral with the two overlapping wrapping material webs (12) through the through-hole (20) determining the cutting the two overlapping wrapping material webs (12) about an outer perimeter of the pouch (1).

16) The making machine (6) according to claim 14 or 15 and comprising: an outlet conveyor (22); and a transfer unit (23) configured to take the cut-out pouch (1) from the cutting unit (18) and release the pouch (1) onto the exit conveyor (22).

17) The making machine (6) according to claim 16 and including: an optical inspection device (27) that is arranged upstream of the cutting unit (18) and is configured to capture at least one image of the pouch (1); and an inspection unit (28) configured to determine whether the pouch (1) is defective and to temporarily disable the cutting unit (18) or the transfer unit (23) if the pouch (1) is defective.

18) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the first pocket (10) has suction and is provided with a series of small holes that are connected to a suction source at least between the third station (S2) of feeding and the joining area (9).

19) The making machine (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second feeding unit (11) is configured to feed, in the second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), the second wrapping material web (12) that wraps about part of the periphery of the second forming conveyor (7) so that the second wrapping material web (12) overlaps the first wrapping material web (12) only and exclusively in the joining zone (9) forming for the first time the pouch (1) enclosing the loose product dose (2) between the first wrapping material web (12) and the second wrapping material web (12). 20) The making machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 19, wherein: an only and single first wrapping material web (12) is fed and wrapped about the first forming conveyor (7); an only and single second wrapping material web (12) is fed and wrapped about the second forming conveyor (7); the loose product dose (2) is fed alone and only to the first conveyor (7); and no loose product dose (2) is fed to the second forming conveyor (7).

21) A making method for producing a pouch (1), preferably a snus pouch (1), containing a loose product dose (2), preferably a snus dose (2); the making method comprises the steps of: advancing a first forming conveyor (7), preferably a forming drum (7) drum mounted rotating about a first rotation axis (8), presenting a pocket (10) reproducing in negative part of a shape of the pouch (1); advancing a second forming conveyor (7), preferably a forming drum (7) unit mounted rotatable about a second rotation axis (8) parallel to the first rotation axis (8), which is coupled to the first forming conveyor (7) to define a joining zone (9) comprised between the two forming conveyors (7); feeding, by means of a first feeding unit (11) and at a first feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), a first wrapping material web (12) that wraps about part of the periphery of the first formation conveyor (7); feeding, by means of a second feeding unit (11) and in a second feeding station (SI) arranged upstream of the joining zone (9), a second wrapping material web (12) that wraps about part of the periphery of the second formation conveyor (7) so that the second wrapping material web (12) overlaps the first wrapping material web (12) in the joining zone (9) forming the pouch (1); and feeding, by means of a third feeding unit (14) and in a third feeding station (S2) arranged between the first feeding station (SI) and the joining zone (9), the loose product dose (2) into the pocket (10) of the first forming conveyor (7) covered by the first wrapping material web (12).