Compostable Coated Paper Container With Oxygen Barrier

Abstract

A compostable container and a method of using the compostable container are disclosed. The container comprises a paper layer having oxygen barrier properties. The paper layer may be sized with the oxygen barrier chemical. The container may further comprise an oxygen barrier layer comprising a compostable polymeric material. The compostable container may be used in a method of producing a beverage with a beverage dispensing machine comprising a container receiver arranged to receive a container. In the method, one uses a compostable container of the invention comprising at least one component made from a coated paper with oxygen barrier properties.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a compostable paper container with oxygen barrier properties.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typical coated paper containers have poor oxygen barrier properties and thus are poor for prepackaging of coffee and other food items that are oxygen sensitive for storage in warehouses, distribution and sales in stores.

A recent beverage industry trend for self brewing has been the development and acceptance of on-demand brewing of single servings through the use of coffee, tea and other beverages pre-packaged in single-use pods. The original pods are made from polypropylene (PP) with a barrier layer of ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) with an aluminum foil or metallized plastic film lids. Several other variants have come on the market since. Unfortunately, polypropylene is not easily biodegradable and therefore, these pods are not compostable.

Therefore, what is needed are coated paper containers that are compostable and have good oxygen barrier properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met by compostable paper containers with oxygen barrier properties and methods of using the same as described herein.

In one aspect, the invention provides a container comprising a paper layer having oxygen barrier properties, wherein the container is compostable. The paper layer may be sized with an oxygen barrier chemical selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyglycolic acid, and polytrimethylene terephthalate. The paper layer may be dry end sized with polyvinyl alcohol.

The container may further comprise an oxygen barrier layer. The oxygen barrier layer may comprise a compostable polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polybutylene adipate succinate, polyhydroxy alkanoate and blends thereof. The container may comprise an additional oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized coating or a silicon dioxide coating.

The container may include a cup formed from the paper layer, and a bottom of the cup may be either flat or raised. A rim of the cup may be flanged or rolled. The rim may be rolled and flattened.

The container may be a component of a single-serve beverage pod for on-demand brewing. Preferably, the container is dimensioned to work in an on-demand single-serve brewing machine. The container may further comprise one or both of: (i) a compostable filter, and (ii) a compostable lid. Preferably, the container does not require disassembly after use in a brewing machine to be fully compostable. Preferably, the container has less than 3% oxygen content inside the container after one year, when initially flushed with nitrogen prior to sealing with a lid.

The container can include a cup formed from the paper layer, and a bottom wall of the cup can be pre-punctured, pre-scored, or have an iris. A bottom wall of the cup can include a hole covered by film or a peel off sticker.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a beverage with a single serve beverage dispensing machine comprising a container receiver arranged to receive a container. The method comprises using a compostable container comprising at least one component made from a coated paper with oxygen barrier properties. The method may comprise the steps of: (a) arranging the compostable container in the container receiver of the beverage dispensing machine; (b) introducing a liquid into the compostable container via a first opening in the compostable container; and (c) collecting the beverage from a fluid outlet of the compostable container.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of one embodiment of a paper structure according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of another embodiment of a paper structure according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of yet another embodiment of a paper structure according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of still another embodiment of a paper structure according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of yet another embodiment of a paper structure according to the invention.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a cup of an embodiment of a container according to the invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the cup of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a side view of a lid suitable for use with the cup of FIG. 6A of the embodiment of a container according to the invention.

FIG. 6D is a top view of the lid of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 6E is a side view of a filter suitable for use with the cup of FIG. 6A of the embodiment of a container according to the invention.

FIG. 6F is a top view of the filter of FIG. 6E.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the cup lip of the cup of the assembled container of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of one embodiment of a container cup according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a container cup according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the interaction between a container according to the invention and a beverage dispensing machine.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A compostable paper container and methods of using the same are described herein. In a general embodiment, the compostable paper container has oxygen barrier properties. The paper container may be produced by any means including using a cup forming machine from companies such as those manufactured by Paper Machinery Corporation (PMC, Milwaukee, Wis.) or Michael Hörauf Maschinenfabrik (Donzdorf, Germany) which produce cups by cutting blanks from paper stock, then rolling the side wall and sealing a side seam, and then inserting a bottom and forming a bottom seal. Alternatively, the paper could be pressed into a form or mold to produce a container.

The paper container can be used to contain liquids or solids including, for example, coffee, soup, salad, sugar, whole and ground tea leaves, and whole and ground coffee beans. The paper container may be of any size, though the most suitable sizes are from 3 to 1000 milliliters in capacity. The single use or multiple use container may be sold as a food container, soup container, cup or pod and may be used to store prepackaged goods for warehousing and distribution to a store or consumer for in-store packing on demand or short sale for consumers to purchase.

The oxygen barrier properties of the paper layer or the container may be measured by any known means including using laboratory equipment for measuring oxygen transmission rate by companies such as Mocon International (Minneapolis, Minn.). Alternatively, the oxygen barrier properties may be determined by actual shelf life testing. One shelf life testing method is to fill a container with the product to be packaged for sale, nitrogen flush and then close the container; this container is then placed in actual storage conditions for the maximum storage time anticipated and then measuring the oxygen content of the atmosphere contained within the container or by determining the quality of the packaged product through taste or other testing.

The oxygen barrier properties of the container of the invention result in a reduced oxygen transmission rate versus typical paper coated with a 25 micron thick polyethylene coating and preferably a reduced oxygen transmission rate versus paper coated with a 25 micron thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coating.

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the container can be expressed by many different complex units. One typical unit expression is cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm). For this invention, the OTR is less than 2 cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm), preferably less than 0.5 cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm) and most preferably less than 0.3 cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm).

The compostability of the paper structure and a container formed from the paper structure can be determined using standard test methods and specifications of ASTM, CEN, ISO or other accepted standards bodies. In general, compostability specifications require that a material or product pass four criteria: heavy metal content not to exceed 50% of that allowed for sewage sludge; 90% disintegration to less than 2 millimeter particles size in less than 84 days; 90% biodegradation as determined through carbon dioxide generation in less than 180 days; and non-toxicity to plants, and in some cases worms, as compared to a negative control. Preferably, the container passes ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 industrial compostability standards.

The paper layer of the compostable paper may be any typical unbleached, partially bleached or bleached paper produced from softwood, hardwood or a combination of the two. For containers, the typical paper stock in North America is standard bleached sulfate (SBS) paper. The bleaching may use by any known method including those using chlorine, peroxide, ozone and sodium hypochlorite. The paper layer may contain only virgin fiber or may include all or some recycled fiber. The paper layer may also contain any known chemicals for modifying the properties of paper.

The paper layer may be wet and/or dry end sized with a chemical to impart additional oxygen barrier properties using any method typically used in paper production. In one embodiment, a chemical that imparts additional oxygen barrier properties may be applied at the wet (internal sizing) or on the dry end (surface sizing), or both. These chemicals are typically also water soluble. Non-limiting example water soluble polymers include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) though any fully or partially water soluble chemical that reduces the oxygen transmission rate is envisioned.

Polyvinyl alcohol, which is one of a few crystalline water soluble polymers, has excellent interfacial characteristics and mechanical characteristics, and is hence used for processing paper and fibers and stabilizing emulsions, and also as a starting material for polyvinyl alcohol film and polyvinyl alcohol fiber. Polyvinyl alcohols can have atactic, isotactic, heterotactic and syndiotactic stereospecificity. Changes in the stereospecificity of polyvinyl alcohol affect thermal resistance, crystallinity, melting point, the rate of water dissolvability and biodegradability. Polyvinyl alcohol comprises vinyl alcohol units and preferably consists essentially of vinyl alcohol units. There are no specific limitations with respect to the process for producing the polyvinyl alcohol used as a component in the diversion sand.

Polyvinyl alcohol may also be partially or fully functionalized to produce a polymer that is also water dissolvable. For example, PVOH may be reacted with acetic acid or an equivalent to produce polyvinyl acetate (PVA).

The paper layer may be coated with a compostable polymer including polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene adipate succinate (PBAS) and polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHA).

The compostable polymeric material described herein may be a thermoplastic that is produced from any combination of monomers or low molecular weight precursors that can produce a water dissolvable polymer. The polymers can be produced by any chemical means known such as a condensation reaction or a radical polymerization with and without catalysts in both instances. The thermoplastic polymer or combination of thermoplastic polymers may be among amorphous, semicrystalline or crystalline polymers. The polymeric materials may also be virgin, scrap, post-industrial recycled or post-consumer material.

The compostable polymeric material layer may also have been produced from a thermoset.

Polylactic acid (PLA) can be prepared according to any method known in the state of the art. For example, PLA can be prepared from lactic acid and/or from one or more of D-lactide (i.e. a dilactone, or a cyclic dimer of D-lactic acid), L-lactide (i.e. a dilactone, or a cyclic dimer of L-lactic acid), meso D,L-lactide (i.e. a cyclic dimer of D- and L-lactic acid), and racemic D,L-lactide (racemic D,L-lactide comprises a 1/1 mixture of D- and L-lactide).

Polylactic acid (PLA) can also be nucleated using mineral fillers or other polymers including highly stereospecific (e.g., >95% D) PLA polymers to dramatically increase the thermal resistance of PLA by having the material be semi-crystalline or crystalline rather than be amorphous.

The compostable polymeric material layer can be produced by any known means including blown and cast film extrusion and casting. The compostable polymeric material layer may also be unoriented, monoaxially or biaxially oriented.

The compostable polymeric material layer may also include any known additive for improving processability or properties of the polymeric material resins. Such additives include compatibilizers, especially if blending two or more polymers including impact modifiers, internal and external lubricants, thermal and UV stabilizers, flow promoters, polymer processing aids, slip agents, viscosity modifiers, chain extenders, nanoparticles, spherical glass beads, organic fillers, inorganic fillers, fibers, colorants, anti-microbial agents and the like. The additional components can be added to the polymer composition at any suitable time in the manufacturing process.

To reduce the oxygen transmission rate of the compostable polymeric material layer, the layer may also be further coated by any known method such as lamination, metallization or vapor deposition. The additional layer may be from a single to several atoms thick and may be comprised of aluminum or other metals or minerals such as silicon dioxide. It is preferred that this additional layer maintains the compostable properties of the polymeric material layer.

The polymeric material layer can be added to the paper layer through any known means including thermal and adhesive lamination and extrusion coating and metallization.

In adhesive lamination, an adhesive may be incorporated into or onto the polymeric material or paper layer during their manufacturing or may be applied between the two layers during the lamination process. Any known adhesive may be used including those that are sugar-based.

The compostable polymeric material layer with an additional oxygen barrier coating may be laminated to the paper layer with the oxygen barrier coating on the side facing the paper or away from the paper. Alternatively, a paper layer that is extrusion coated with the compostable polymeric material layer may be first metallized or otherwise coated before the compostable polymeric material is extruded onto the paper layer or the compostable polymeric material layer is extruded onto the paper layer and then is itself metallized or otherwise coated.

An alternative structure is to have the paper layer metallized or otherwise coated and not have a compostable polymeric material layer.

In the paper structures, the metallized coating would not be on the food contact surface if the metallized coating does not meet the local requirements and regulations for food packaging.

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of one embodiment of a paper structure 10 according to the invention. The paper structure 10 includes a paper layer 12, a metallized layer 14, an adhesive layer 16, and a compostable polymeric material layer 18. The materials used for the paper layer 12, the metallized layer 14, the adhesive layer 16, and the compostable polymeric material layer 18 may be as described above. The paper structure 10 has a food contact surface 19. The paper layer 12 may have a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters. The compostable polymeric material layer 18 may have a thickness in a range of 0.015 to 0.050 millimeters.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of another embodiment of a paper structure 20 according to the invention. The paper structure 20 includes a metallized layer 22, a paper layer 24, an adhesive layer 26, and a compostable polymeric material layer 28. The materials used for the paper layer 24, the metallized layer 22, the adhesive layer 26, and the compostable polymeric material layer 28 may be as described above. The paper structure 20 has a food contact surface 29. The paper layer 24 may have a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters. The compostable polymeric material layer 28 may have a thickness in a range of 0.015 to 0.050 millimeters.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of yet another embodiment of a paper structure 30 according to the invention. The paper structure 20 includes a metallized layer 32, a paper layer 34, and a compostable polymeric material layer 36. The materials used for the paper layer 34, the metallized layer 32, and the compostable polymeric material layer 36 may be as described above. The paper structure 30 has a food contact surface 39. The paper layer 34 may have a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters. The compostable polymeric material layer 36 may have a thickness in a range of 0.015 to 0.050 millimeters.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of still another embodiment of a paper structure 40 according to the invention. The paper structure 40 includes a paper layer 42, a metallized layer 44, and a compostable polymeric material layer 46. The materials used for the paper layer 42, the metallized layer 44, and the compostable polymeric material layer 46 may be as described above. The paper structure 40 has a food contact surface 49. The paper layer 42 may have a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters. The compostable polymeric material layer 46 may have a thickness in a range of 0.015 to 0.050 millimeters.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of yet another embodiment of a paper structure 50 according to the invention. The paper structure 50 includes a metallized layer 52, and a paper layer 54. The materials used for the paper layer 54, and the metallized layer 52 may be as described above. The paper structure 50 has a food contact surface 59. The paper layer 54 may have a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters.

Containers formed from the compostable paper structure may include a container cup 60 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The container cup 60 has a bottom wall 61, a lower side wall 62 in which the diameter increases from the bottom wall 61 towards an opening 65 of the cup 60, an upper side wall 63 of constant diameter, and a flange 64 at the top of the cup 60. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the flange 64 has an outer diameter d1 of 2.0020 inches, the upper side wall 63 has an outer diameter d2 of 1.8000 inches, the upper side wall 63 has an inner diameter d3 of 1.7280 inches, the bottom wall 61 has an outer diameter d4 of 1.4600 inches, the cup 60 has a height h1 of 1.7520 inches, the upper side wall 63 has a height h2 of 0.2000 inches, the flange 64 has a height h3 of 0.0300 inches, and the side wall 62 has a draft angle A of 4.8 degrees. In a general embodiment, the flange 64 may have an outer diameter d1 of 1 to 3 inches, the upper side wall 63 may have an outer diameter d2 of 0.8 to 1.8 inches, the upper side wall 63 may have an inner diameter d3 of 0.72 to 2.72 inches, the bottom wall 61 may have an outer diameter d4 of 0.46 to 2.46 inches, the cup 60 may have a height h1 of 0.75 to 2.75 inches, the upper side wall 63 may have a height h2 of 0.1 to 0.3 inches, the flange 64 may have a height h3 of 0.01 to 0.05 inches, and the side wall 62 may have a draft angle A of 2 to 8 degrees.

The containers formed from the compostable paper structure may have additional features for the product to function as needed. The container cup 60 may be covered with any film or paper lid 70 (see FIGS. 6C and 6D) that is thermally or adhesively sealed to the flange 64 of the container cup 60. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the lid 70 has a circular wall 71 having an outer diameter d5 of 2.0020 inches, and a thickness t of 0.0040 inches. For a fully compostable container with oxygen barrier properties, the lid 70 also is compostable and has a low oxygen transfer rate such as less than 2 cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm). The lid 70 may be produced from any of the paper structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 above.

The container cup 60 can house a filter 80 (see FIGS. 6E and 6F and 7). The filter 80 has a bottom wall 81, a side wall 82 in which the diameter increases from the bottom wall 81 towards an opening 84 of the filter 80. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the opening 84 of the filter 80 has an outer diameter d6 of 1.7280 inches, and the bottom wall 81 of the filter 80 has an outer diameter d7 of 1.2200 inches. For a fully compostable container with oxygen barrier properties, the filter 80 also is compostable and has a low oxygen transfer rate such as less than 2 cc·mil/(100 in²·day·atm). The filter 80 may be produced from any of the paper structures 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 above 0. A compostable filter 80, inserted and optionally adhered to the inside of the container cup 60, is advantageous when the container 90 is a single-use coffee pod for single-serve coffee machines. Coffee 83 (or other beverage forming material) is placed in filter 80. A beverage pod of this invention may be packed in bulk and does not need each pod to be individually wrapped in an oxygen barrier film or package. In one non-limiting embodiment, the beverage pod is compostable without disassembly after use in the brewing machine.

Looking at the container 90 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the cup lip 92 of the container cup 60 may be flanged or rolled. A rolled rim 66 of the cup lip 92 may be additionally flattened to form a larger surface 93 on which to adhere the lid 70.

An interior section of the container cup bottom wall 61 may be flush with the bottom of the container cup 60 or be raised. In the embodiment of the cup 60a in FIG. 9, the bottom wall 61a of the cup 60a may include a paper slit iris 67 that opens and closes. In the embodiment of the cup 60b in FIG. 10, the iris 69 may be further covered by a removable or dissolvable film tab 68. Alternatively, the bottom of the cup may be pre-punctured, perforated or scored to create a hole that opens and closes. The hole may be further covered by a removable or dissolvable film. Exterior fluted/ribbed/corrugated type container sidewalls 62 are also an option.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of various components included in an example on demand beverage dispensing machine in which the container 90 can be used. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that a beverage dispensing machine may be configured in a variety of different ways. Generally, conduit for fluid flow is defined by 432 and electrical communication lines are defined by 434. Water or other liquid from a storage tank 400 may be provided via a supply conduit 402 to a pump 404, which pumps the liquid via a pump conduit 406 to a metering tank 416. Operation of the water pump 404 and other components of the apparatus may be controlled by a controller 430 with components necessary to perform desired input, output, or other functions. The metering tank 416 may be filled with a desired amount of liquid by any suitable technique, such as running the water pump 404 for a predetermined time, sensing a water level in the metering tank 416 using a conductive probe sensor or capacitive sensor, detecting a pressure rise in metering tank 416 when the liquid fills the tank, or using any other viable technique. For example, the controller 430 may detect that the metering tank 416 is completely filled when a pressure sensor detects a rise in pressure indicating that the water has reached the top of the metering tank 416. Water in the tank may be heated, if desired, by way of a heating element 414 whose operation is controlled by the controller 430 using input from a temperature sensor or other suitable input. Water in the metering tank 416 may be dispensed via a metering tank conduit 420 to a beverage forming station 422. The beverage forming station 422 has the capability to make a variety of beverages depending on what type of container 90 is used. Liquid may be discharged from the metering tank 416 by pressurizing the metering tank with air provided by an air pump 428 that causes the liquid to be discharged out of a tube 418 and into the metering tank conduit 420. Completion of the dispensing from the metering tank 416 may be detected in any suitable way, such as by detecting a pressure drop in the metering tank 416, by detecting a water level change in the metering tank 416, use of a flow meter, or using any other viable techniques. Liquid may alternately be discharged from the metering tank 416 by the water pump 404 operating to force additional liquid into the metering tank 416, thereby displacing water out of the metering tank 416 and to the beverage forming station 422. A flow sensor or other suitable device may be used to determine the amount of liquid delivered to the metering tank 416, and thus the amount of liquid delivered to the beverage forming station 422. Alternately, the water pump 404 may be a piston-type or metering pump such that a known volume of liquid may be delivered from the water pump 404 to the metering tank 416, thus causing the same known volume to be delivered to the beverage forming station 422. Liquid may be introduced into the container 90 at any suitable pressure by piercing the lid 70 of the container 90 with hollow piercing needle. A drinking cup 424 is positioned to receive the finished beverage from the beverage forming station 422.

Having described construction of an example beverage dispensing machine, the making of a beverage can be described. First, a container 90 as in FIG. 7 is provided with an interior space defined by walls 61, 62 and 63, a flange 64 at an opening 65 to the interior space, and a lid 70 attached to the flange 64 and closing the opening 65. Next, the lid 70 is pierced to form a first opening. Then, a liquid (e.g., water) is introduced into the interior space via the first opening. The beverage is then formed by the interaction of liquid with the coffee 83 (or other beverage forming material) in the container 90. The lid 70 is then pierced to form a second opening. Finally, the beverage is removed via the second opening, ideally into a drinking cup. After use in the beverage dispensing machine, the container 90 does not require disassembly to be fully compostable.

Thus, the invention provides compostable paper containers with oxygen barrier properties and methods of using the same. The containers are suitable for use in on-demand brewing of single servings through the use of coffee, tea and other beverages pre-packaged in single-use pods comprising the compostable paper containers of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a paper layer having oxygen barrier properties,wherein the container is compostable.

2. The container of claim 1 further comprising: an oxygen barrier layer.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein: the oxygen barrier layer comprises a compostable polymeric material.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein: the compostable polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polybutylene adipate succinate, polyhydroxy alkanoate and blends thereof.

5. The container of claim 4 further comprising: an additional oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized coating or a silicon dioxide coating.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein: the paper layer is sized with an oxygen barrier chemical selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyglycolic acid, and polytrimethylene terephthalate.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein: the paper layer is dry end sized with polyvinyl alcohol.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container includes a cup formed from the paper layer, anda bottom of the cup is either flat or raised.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container includes a cup formed from the paper layer, anda rim of the cup is flanged or rolled.

10. The container of claim 1 wherein: the paper layer has a thickness in a range of 0.075 to 0.500 millimeters.

11. The container of claim 2 wherein: the oxygen barrier has a thickness in a range of 0.015 to 0.050 millimeters.

12. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container passes ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 industrial compostability standards.

13. The container of claim 1 wherein: an oxygen transmission rate of the container is less than 2 cc·mil/(100 in2·day·atm).

14. The container of claim 1 wherein: an oxygen transmission rate of the container is less than 0.5 cc·mil/(100 in2·day·atm).

15. The container of claim 1 wherein: an oxygen transmission rate of the container is less than 0.3 cc·mil/(100 in2·day·atm).

16. The container of claim 1 further comprising: one or both of: (i) a compostable filter, and (ii) a compostable lid.

17. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container does not require disassembly after use to be fully compostable.

18. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container has less than 3% oxygen content inside the container after one year, when initially flushed with nitrogen prior to sealing.

19. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container includes a cup formed from the paper layer, anda bottom wall of the cup is pre-punctured, pre-scored, or has an iris.

20. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container includes a cup formed from the paper layer, anda bottom wall includes a hole covered by film or a peel off sticker.

21. A method of producing a beverage with a beverage dispensing machine comprising a container receiver arranged to receive a container, the method comprising: using a compostable container comprising at least one component made from a coated paper with oxygen barrier properties.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: (a) arranging the compostable container in the container receiver of the beverage dispensing machine;(b) introducing a liquid into the compostable container via a first opening in the compostable container; and(c) collecting the beverage from a fluid outlet of the compostable container.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein: an oxygen transmission rate of compostable container is less than 2 cc·mil/(100 in2·day·atm).

24. The method of claim 21 wherein: the paper is sized with an oxygen barrier chemical selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyglycolic acid, and polytrimethylene terephthalate.