Multi-ply flexible container for wine and the like

Abstract

A multi-ply flexible container comprising opposing first and second inner panels, opposing outer panels, a seal and an oxygen scavenger. The opposing outer panels extend over each of the first and second opposing inner panels respectively. The seal joins the first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least one outer cavity. The oxygen scavenger is associated with at least one of the opposing first and second outer panels.

1 . A multi-ply flexible container comprising: 
 an inner ply comprising: 
 a first inner panel having an outer surface and an inner surface;  
 a second inner panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surfaces of each of the first and second inner panels face each other; and  
 at least one seal joining the first and second outer panels to define an inner cavity;  
   an outer ply comprising: 
 a first outer panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, the first outer panel positioned such that the inner surface of the first outer panel faces the outer surface of the first inner panel;  
 a second outer panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, the second outer panel positioned such that the inner surface of the second outer panel faces the outer surface of the second inner panel;  
 an oxygen scavenger associated with at least one of the first and second outer panels; and  
 at least one seal joining the first and second outer panels to one of each other and the respective first and second inner panels to define an outer cavity; and  
   a fitment providing fluid communication with the inner cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second outer panels include an oxygen scavenger.  
   
   
       3 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 1  wherein each the seals joining the outer plies and the seals joining the inner plies are substantially coextensive.  
   
   
       4 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second panels comprise a multi-layer construction having a seal layer, and a cap layer, the oxygen scavenger being positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer.  
   
   
       5 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 4  wherein the first and second panels further comprise a nylon layer positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer.  
   
   
       6 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 4  wherein the first and second panels include an identical multi-layer construction.  
   
   
       7 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 1  wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises a ferrous oxide based material.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-ply flexible container comprising: 
 opposing first and second inner panels;    opposing first and second outer panels extending over each of the first and second opposing inner panels respectively;    a seal joining the first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least one outer cavity; and    an oxygen scavenger associated with at least one of the opposing first and second outer panels.    
   
   
       9 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 8  wherein the seal joins the first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and two outer cavities, each outer cavity opposing the inner cavity.  
   
   
       10 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second outer panels comprises a multi-layer construction having a seal layer and a cap layer, the oxygen scavenger positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 10  wherein each of the first and second panels comprises a multi-layer construction having a seal layer and a cap layer, the oxygen scavenger positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 8  wherein the first and second inner layers comprise an oxygen permeable material.  
   
   
       13 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 8  wherein the first and second inner layers and the first and second outer layers are dimensionally substantially identical.  
   
   
       14 . The multi-ply flexible container of  claim 13  wherein the at least one outer cavity comprises two outer cavities, each outer cavity being substantially identical in configuration and each of the two outer cavities positioned on opposing sides of the inner cavity.  
   
   
       15 . A wine container comprising: 
 an outer container;    a multi-ply flexible container positioned within the outer container, comprising: 
 opposing first and second inner panels;  
 opposing first and second outer panels extending over each of the first and second opposing inner panels respectively;  
 a seal joining the first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least one outer cavity;  
 an oxygen scavenger associated with at least one of the opposing first and second outer panels; and  
 a fitment providing fluid communication with the inner cavity; and  
   a wine product positioned within the inner cavity of the multi-ply flexible container.    
   
   
       16 . The wine container of  claim 15  wherein the wine includes free SO 2 , the oxygen scavenger is capable of maintaining free SO 2  in excess of 10 ppm for a period of time greater than a multi-ply flexible container either of EVOH or metalized polyester based material.  
   
   
       17 . The wine container of  claim 15  wherein the wine includes dissolved oxygen, the oxygen scavenger is capable of reducing the dissolved oxygen within the wine over a predetermined period of time to a level lower than that achievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material.  
   
   
       18 . The wine container of  claim 15  wherein the dissolved oxygen is at least 30% lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of time in excess of 71 days.  
   
   
       19 . The wine container of  claim 18  wherein the dissolved oxygen is at least 20% lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of time in excess of 95 days.  
   
   
       20 . The wine container of  claim 18  wherein the dissolved oxygen is at least 30% lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of time in excess of 95 days.