Flexible pouch for an alcoholic beverage and method of forming

Abstract

A flexible pouch for packaging an alcoholic beverage and a method of forming is provided. The flexible pouch includes a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a first side edge and a second side edge. The upper edge is sealed by a first seal and a second seal spaced a predetermined distance from the first seal, so that some of the beverage is trapped between the first seal and second seal. The pouch also includes an opening means disposed in the panel for accessing the beverage. The method includes the steps of forming a body of the pouch from a roll of laminate material, and sealing the lower edge, first side edge and second side edge, applying an opening means to the panel and finishing the pouch.

1 . A flexible pouch for packaging a beverage having an alcoholic content, said pouch comprising: 
 a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a first side edge and a second side edge extending therebetween the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the upper edge is sealed by a first seal that is an ultrasonic seal and a second seal spaced a predetermined distance from the first seal so that some of the beverage having an alcoholic content is trapped between the first seal and second seal; and    an opening means disposed in said panel for accessing the beverage having an alcoholic content contained within the pouch.    
   
   
       2 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an angled top seal extending between the first side edge and the upper edge, wherein the opening means is positioned relative to the angled top seal to facilitate removal of the alcoholic beverage through the opening means;  
   
   
       3 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said opening means is disposed between the upper edge of the pouch.  
   
   
       4 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said opening means is positioned along an angled side edge between the second side edge and the upper edge of the pouch.  
   
   
       5 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said opening means is a tear strip integrally formed in said panel.  
   
   
       6 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said opening means is a fitment having a spout and a cap removably connected to the spout.  
   
   
       7 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said panel is made from a laminate material having at a layer of cast polypropylene (CPP).  
   
   
       8 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said panel is made from a laminate material having a layer that is extruded.  
   
   
       9 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said beverage is wine, or beer or a liquor.  
   
   
       10 . A flexible pouch for packaging a beverage having an alcoholic content, said pouch comprising: 
 a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a first side edge and a second side edge extending therebetween the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the upper edge is sealed by a first seal that is an ultrasonic seal and a second seal spaced a predetermined distance from the first seal so that some of the beverage is trapped between the first seal and second seal;    an opening means disposed in said panel for accessing the beverage contained within the pouch; and    an angled top seal extending between the first side edge and the upper edge, wherein the opening means is positioned relative to the angled top seal to facilitate accessing the beverage through the opening means.    
   
   
       11 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said opening means is disposed between the upper edges of the pouch.  
   
   
       12 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said opening means is positioned along an angled side edge between the second side edge and the upper edge of the pouch.  
   
   
       13 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said opening means is a tear strip integrally formed in said panel.  
   
   
       14 . The pouch as set forth of  claim 11  wherein said opening means is a fitment having a spout and a cap removably connected to the spout.  
   
   
       15 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said panel is made from a laminate material having a one layer of cast polypropylene (CPP).  
   
   
       16 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said beverage is wine, or beer or a liquor.  
   
   
       17 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said beverage is wine, or beer or a liquor.  
   
   
       18 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said pouch includes an aperture formed in a corner seal portion of the pouch located between the angled top seal and an outermost edge of the pouch.  
   
   
       19 . A method of forming, filling and sealing a flexible pouch with a beverage having an alcoholic content using an automated machine, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a body of the pouch from a roll of laminate material, wherein the body of the pouch includes a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a first side edge and an opposed second side edge extending therebetween;    sealing the lower edge, first side edge and second side edge;    applying an angled top seal between the first side edge and upper edge;    applying an opening means to the panel; and    finishing the pouch.    
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19 , further including the steps of: 
 opening the pouch;    filling the pouch with the product, wherein the product is beer or wine or a liquor;    sealing the upper edge of the pouch with a first closing seal, wherein the first closing seal is an ultrasonic seal;    applying a second closing seal spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first closing seal, wherein some of the product is trapped between the first closing seal and the second closing seal, and    removing the filled pouch from the machine.