Pouch for Storage and Preservation of Wine

Abstract

A system for the storage and preservation of wine using a pouch is disclosed. The combination of pouch materials and method of packaging results in a product with an extended shelf-life. The compact and efficient nature of the packing reduces the cost and weight of packaging materials, reducing weight and lowering cost. The laser-scored removable corner allows for easy-opening without worry of spillage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pouch for the storage of wine, the pouch comprising:
 a. a front sheet made of one or more layers, the front sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge;   b. a back sheet made of one or more layers, the back sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge; and   c. a bottom sheet made of one or more layers, the bottom sheet having an proximal edge and a distal edge;   d. wherein the upper edge of the front sheet is fused to the upper edge of the back sheet, the left edge of the front sheet is fused to the left edge of the back sheet, the right edge of the front sheet is fused to the right edge of the back sheet, the proximal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the front sheet, and the distal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the back sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. a laser-cut score through a portion of the front sheet.   
     
     
         3 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 2 , wherein the laser-cut score is along a corner formed by an intersection of the upper edges and left edges of the front and back sheets, the laser-cut score allowing for the pouch to be opened and contents removed. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 3 , wherein the laser-cut score is a series of small holes, the series of small holes in both the front and back sheets, the series of small holes forming a line. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 3 , wherein the laser-cut score is a series of small holes, the series of small holes in both the front and back sheets, the series of small holes forming a line, the series of small holes penetrating one or more layers of the front sheet, and one or more layers of the back sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 5 , wherein the series of small holes penetrates two layers of the front sheet, and two layers of the back sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 5 , wherein the line is in the shape of an arc, where the arc is a segment of a circle. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 4 , wherein a space created between the front sheet and back sheet contains wine and an inert purge gas. 
     
     
         9 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 8 , wherein the inert gas is carbon-dioxide. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 9 , wherein the inert gas is nitrogen. 
     
     
         11 . A pouch for the storage of wine, the pouch comprising:
 a. a front sheet made of one or more layers, the front sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge;   b. a back sheet made of one or more layers, the back sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge; and   c. a bottom sheet made of one or more layers, the bottom sheet having an proximal edge and a distal edge;   d. wherein the upper edge of the front sheet is fused to the upper edge of the back sheet, the left edge of the front sheet is fused to the left edge of the back sheet, the right edge of the front sheet is fused to the right edge of the back sheet, the proximal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the front sheet, and the distal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the back sheet; and   e. within a space created by the fusion of the front sheet, back sheet, and bottom sheet contains wine and an inert purge gas.   
     
     
         12 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a. a laser-cut score through one or more layers the front sheet and one or more layers of the back sheet, wherein the laser-cut score is along a corner formed by the intersection of the upper edges and left edges of the front and back sheets, the laser-cut score causing a portion of the pouch to be removable by tearing, the tearing following the laser-cut score.   
     
     
         13 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 12 , wherein the laser-cut score is a series of small holes, the series of small holes in both the front and back sheets, the series of small holes forming a line, the series of small holes penetrating one or more layers of the front sheet, and one or more layers of the back sheet. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 13 , wherein the series of small holes penetrates two layers of the front sheet, and two layers of the back sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 14 , wherein the series of small holes is in the shape of an arc, where the arc is a segment of a circle. 
     
     
         16 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 11 , wherein the pouch does not include any mechanical connectors. 
     
     
         17 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 12 , wherein the front sheet has a thickness of from about  115  microns to about  135  microns. 
     
     
         18 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 12 , wherein the front sheet, back sheet, and bottom, each have a weight of from about 124 grams/square-meter, to about 146 grams/square-meter. 
     
     
         19 . The pouch for the storage of wine of  claim 12 , wherein the front sheet, back sheet, and bottom, are fused with an adhesive, the adhesive having a strength of about 250 g/inch. 
     
     
         20 . A pouch for the storage of wine, the pouch consisting of:
 a. a front sheet made of one or more layers, the front sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge;   b. a back sheet made of one or more layers, the back sheet having an upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge; and   c. a bottom sheet made of one or more layers, the bottom sheet having an proximal edge and a distal edge;   d. a laser-cut score through a portion of the front sheet and a portion of the back sheet, wherein the laser-cut score is along a corner formed by an intersection of the upper edge and left edge of the front and back sheets, the laser-cut score causing a portion of the front sheet and the portion of the back sheet to be removable by tearing, the tearing following the path of the laser-cut score;   e. wherein the upper edge of the front sheet is fused to the upper edge of the back sheet, the left edge of the front sheet is fused to the left edge of the back sheet, the right edge of the front sheet is fused to the right edge of the back sheet, the proximal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the front sheet, and the distal edge of the bottom sheet is fused to the lower edge of the back sheet;   f. within a space created by the fusion of the front sheet, back sheet, and bottom sheet, contains wine and an inert purge gas.