Flexible pouch for an alcoholic beverage

Abstract

A flexible pouch for alcoholic beverages and a method of making a flexible pouch are disclosed. The flexible pouch includes a front wall and a back wall defining a compartment. An opening structure is in fluid communication with the compartment. The front wall and/or the back wall is composed of a panel of film laminate. The film laminate includes an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a middle barrier layer, and an inner layer of polyethylene (PE). The front wall and the back wall are joined together by a top seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible pouch for alcoholic beverages, comprising:
 a front wall and a back wall defining a compartment;   an opening structure in fluid communication with the compartment;   at least one of the front wall and the back wall composed of a panel of a film laminate, the film laminate including an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a middle barrier layer, and an inner layer of polyethylene (PE); and   wherein the front wall and the back wall are joined together by a top seal.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the top seal includes a double seal disposed along a top edge of the front wall and the back wall. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the double seal includes a first heat seal and a second heat seal. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the double seal includes a first ultrasonic seal and a second heat seal. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the middle barrier layer is a titanium oxide film. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the middle barrier layer is a silicon oxide film. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the film laminate further includes a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) between the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the film laminate further includes a layer of nylon between the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the opening structure includes a tear notch, and wherein the tear notch is disposed between the top seal and the compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible pouch of  claim 8 , wherein the opening structure further includes a resealable zipper, the resealable zipper disposed between the tear notch and the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the opening structure is a fitment including a spout extending through the top seal. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom gusset disposed at a bottom edge of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a flexible pouch for alcoholic beverages, comprising:
 forming a pouch panel from a film laminate, the film laminate including an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a middle barrier layer, and an inner layer of polyethylene (PE);   forming a pouch body from the pouch panel, the pouch body including a first wall and a second wall defining a compartment with an open top;   filling the compartment with a product; and   sealing the open top with a top seal, the top seal joining the first wall and the second wall together.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein sealing the open top with the top seal includes forming a double seal along a top edge of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the double seal includes heat sealing a first seal along the top edge and then heat sealing a second seal in a region of the first seal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the double seal includes ultrasonic welding a first seal along the top edge and then heat sealing a second seal in a region of the first seal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the middle barrier layer is a titanium oxide film. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the middle barrier layer is a silicon oxide film. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the pouch body includes providing an opening structure in fluid communication with the compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the opening structure includes at least one of a tear notch, a resealable zipper, and a weakened straw pierceable portion.