DISPOSABLE BIODEGRADABLE BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Abstract

A biodegradable pod or package designed to work in single serve beverage machines. The package of the present invention includes a base, a filter, and a top, all of which are biodegradable. In some embodiments, the base and filter are formed from a biodegradable polymeric material such as polylactic acid (PLA); preferably, both the base and the filter are formed from PLA or include a coating of PLA thereon (for example, paper with a PLA coating). The top can be formed from a cellulosic material or other plant-based material. The package utilizes a unique bond between the three components so as to withstand the temperature and pressures to which the pod is exposed by the beverage machine. The bond is formed by melted or softened biodegradable polymeric material from the base and the filter that also adheres the top.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/575,326 filed Aug. 17, 2011 titled “Biodegradable Beverage Pod and Method of Making Same”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to disposable, single use and single serving beverage packages.

Coffee machines for offices, homes, and other establishments provide single serve cups of coffee. Typically, users can select from a large variety of coffee types, insert a sealed packet or pod containing the desired beverage choice, and within a minute or two enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee or other beverage. After use, the spent pod is thrown away.

Single serve packets come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be referred to as pods, cups, K-Cups, packets, T-pouches, etc., depending on which coffee machine the packet was designed to fit. Typically, the package, pod or packet is made of plastic and/or aluminum foil. In order to make a good cup of coffee or other beverage, the packets have a defined interior volume that holds the ingredients, such as ground coffee, tea, or other ingredients. Depending on the nature of the contents, it may contain a filter in which case the volume will be divided in two parts: that which is above (i.e., upstream) and that which is below (i.e., downstream) of the filter.

The package is hermetically sealed to preserve the product's freshness. In operation, this seal is broken by a piercing means typically located on the brewing machine, allowing hot water and/or steam to enter the packet and intermix with the contents. A second opening in the package, which may be pierced or cut by the machine, allows the brewed product to exit the package and flow to a receiving cup. After the beverage has been brewed, the spent package is discarded.

Structurally, the package can be broken down to three elements: a top or sealing means; a filter to retain the spent product (if of a granular form such as coffee); and a base or volume defining means. Depending on the particular machine being used, the package will take on different shapes. All however, will typically contain the structural elements described above, namely, a top, filter, and a base.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a package commonly known as the K-Cup® package designed for use with a Keurig coffee machine. Hot water and/or steam enters through the pierced top 1 by means of a piercing means 6, driven through the material contained by the filter 2, and exits the pierced base 3 via a hole formed by second piercing means 5.

Another common package is shown in FIG. 2; the “T-Disc” is a pod designed for a Tassimo brewing system. Aside from special features, the basic elements parallel those of the K-Cup® package. A piecing means 6b provides access through a top 1b allowing water/steam to flow through coffee contained by filter 2b and exiting the base cup 3b by means of a hole formed by a second piercing means 5b.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the “Flavia Fusion” single serve package designed for use with a Flavia brewer. The plastic cover 1c is pierced by means 6c allowing passage of hot water and or steam into the volume defined by side walls 3c. The brewed liquid escapes the volume through a slit 5c. Solid contents are retained in the volume by filter 2c attached to side walls 3c.

As can be seen, all the prior art packages or pods are structurally similar. All have a top that is pierced to allow the entry of hot water and/or steam. All use a filter affixed to the volume to retain the spent ingredients (e.g., coffee grounds). All have a means for the brewed liquid to exit the space beneath the filter.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes a biodegradable pod or package designed to work in single serve beverage machines. The package of the present invention includes the three main components: a base, a filter, and a top. However, the package of the present invention utilizes a unique bond between the three components so as to withstand the temperature and pressures to which the pod is exposed by the beverage machine. In some embodiments, the bond is formed by melted or softened biodegradable polymeric material from the base and the filter that also adheres the top. In addition, friction force between the filter and the inside walls of the base offloads some of the force placed on the bond, further increasing the integrity of the pod. In some embodiments, the base and filter are formed from a material that includes biodegradable polymeric material, such as polylactic acid (PLA). The biodegradable polymeric material may be a sheet or film, may be a coating on a carrier material, or may be fibers forming a woven or nonwoven sheet. For example, the base and/or filter can be formed from suitable water impermeable or water permeable paper which is then treated (e.g., coated) with PLA. The top is also formed from biodegradable material. In some embodiments, the top is formed from a cellulosic material or other plant-based material and a suitable biodegradable sealing agent may be used to seal the top to the base.

A first particular embodiment of the invention is a single use beverage package comprising a base comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material; a top comprising biodegradable cellulose-based material, together the base and the top defining an interior volume; a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material positioned in the interior volume, the filter retaining beverage ingredients; and wherein the filter and top are hermetically sealed to the base via the polylactic acid in the base and filter.

A second particular embodiment of the invention is a single use beverage package comprising a pouch having side walls and an interior volume comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material; a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material positioned in the interior volume of the pouch, the filter retaining beverage ingredients; and wherein the filter is sealed to the sidewalls of the pouch via the polylactic acid in the base and filter.

A third particular embodiment of the invention is a method of making a single use beverage package comprising providing a base comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material; providing a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material; providing a top comprising biodegradable cellulose-based material; and attaching the filter and top to the base with the polylactic acid in the base and filter to form a seal between the base, filter and top by applying heat and/or pressure to the base and the top.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a single use package, also referred to as a filter cup.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a single use package, also referred to as a pod.

FIG. 3A is a schematic front view of a third embodiment of a single use package; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the package in cross section.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a package of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C are enlarged views of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing a step-wise procedure for sealing the preferred package.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged, schematic side view of a portion of the package of FIG. 4 showing an out-gassing valve in a closed position; FIG. 6B illustrates the out-gassing valve in open position;

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of the package portion showing the out-gassing valve.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a single use package of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the material used to form the package of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of a single use package of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows three different possible pleat configurations suitable for a single use package of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a pouch for use in a single use package of the present invention; section BB′ is a cross-sectional side view of the pouch taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a package of the invention incorporating the pouch of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of a single use package of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides biodegradable pods or packages for single service beverage machines, such as coffee machines. Examples of such machines include those available from Keurig, Tassimo (by Bosch), and Flavia Fusion (by Mars). The packages of the present invention can be used with existing single serve coffee machines, may be hermetically sealed, they are economical to produce, and biodegradable after use. Prior to use, the package is sealed to preserve the freshness of the product present within the package. During use in a single serve brewing machine, the package is ruptured (e.g., a seal is broken) and hot water and/or steam is allowed to pass through the filter, through the beverage ingredients, out from the package and then into the cup, providing a beverage to be enjoyed. Although the following discussion uses the term “package”, it is understood that use of this term is not limiting and is intended to encompass products that may alternately be called pods, cups, packets, and the like.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration at least one specific embodiment. The following description provides additional specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the example provided below.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The package of the present invention includes a base, filter, and a top cover. In accordance with the invention, the base is made from a polymeric biodegradable material or suitable material (e.g., paper or other cellulosic or biodegradable material) treated with polymeric biodegradable material. The filter is present within the interior volume of the base and retains the coffee or other beverage ingredients. The filter is made from a polymeric biodegradable material, a PLA-paper fiber mix or cellulose material (e.g., typical coffee filter material) that has been optionally coated with PLA or other sealant material at least in the seal area (i.e., the area where the seal with the cup and/or top will be made). By using biodegradable polymeric material to form the base and the filter, additional sealing materials to assemble the package are avoided. In alternative embodiments where a sealant material is used, suitable sealing agents or materials include polymeric and biodegradable adhesives and resins. For example, DuPont Surlyn® packaging adhesives and resins available from DuPont, Wilmington, Del. are suitable sealing agents for use in the present invention.

It is to be understood that although the following discussion is directed to a single serving coffee package, the package could be used for other single servicing beverages, such as tea, hot chocolate, lanes, etc. Further, use of the term “single serving” or variations thereof is intended to cover volumes of 4 to 12 fluid ounces (e.g., 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, or 12 oz).

Referring again to the prior art package products, the various package configurations are known. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, a K-Cup® package has a top cover 1, the filter 2, and base cup 3. In addition in FIG. 1, the piercing means 5, 6 from the brewing machine for both the top and base are shown. The T-Disc, a pod designed for the Tassimo Brewing System (shown in FIG. 2), is functionally equivalent in a basic sense to the Kuerig cup, except that the pod has a different aspect ratio (i.e., it is shorter and wider). The Flavia Fusion package is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Note that the filter 2c is attached to the side walls 3c and that the bottom of the package is slit, allowing brewed product to exit the package. The packages of the present invention have several features that differ from those of the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 4, a single use package having a base 9, a filter 7 within base 9, and a top 8 is shown. Coffee or other beverage ingredient is held between filter 7 and top 8. During use, piercing means such as piercing means 5 would provide access for hot water/steam to and from the ingredients in the package.

In accordance with this invention, base 9 is formed from a biodegradable film or sheet material, preferably plant-based. Examples of suitable materials include degradable polyethylene, biodegradable polyester amide, polylactic acid, starch-based polymers, cellulose derivatives and polypeptides. Polylactic acid (i.e., PLA), a biodegradable polymeric material made from corn and available from Cargill Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., is preferred for base 9. PLA is obtainable as a film or sheet material that can be readily molded and formed (e.g., vacuum formed). Alternately PLA can be obtained as a bulk material that can be applied (e.g., coated) on a carrier material, such as a paper sheet or web. Multiple base units 9 can be ganged formed as in a matrix array, or handled individually. Some versions of PLA film or sheet material include polyvinylidone chloride (PvdC) or polyglycolic acid (PGA) to improve the barrier properties and inherently have a high barrier resistance to O₂. Alternatively, other treatments can be used such as egg-based coating, paraffin spray, corn- or soy-based substances or beeswax to improve barrier resistance to O₂. Although base 9 is shown in FIG. 4 as having smooth side walls, the inclusion of ribs, gussets, braces and other such structures to base 9 is contemplated, as adding such structures to the generally-vertical surface will strengthen the wall thus allowing a lesser thickness of material to be used for the same strength. Various additional and alternate features of base 9 are described later, in reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

Filter 7 is positioned within base 9 and retains the coffee grounds, both before and after use of the package. Filter 7 allows water (or other liquid) to pass through the coffee and then through filter 7 while retaining the grounds. During brewing, filter 7 is the element that is subjected to the maximum amount of force against it.

In accordance with this invention, filter 7 is formed from a biodegradable polymeric material, preferably plant-based. Polylactic acid (i.e., PLA), a biodegradable material made from corn, is preferred for filter 7. Alternately filter 7 may include a coating of PLA on a suitable substrate, such as paper or cellulose.

The physical configuration of the filter media for filter 7 is an important design features. An overly restrictive filter weave would lengthen brew time, and possibly result in rupturing the filter. If the weave to too loose, the water may pass too quickly through the filter, limiting the extraction of the coffee flavor from the grounds. It has been determined that a filter material that provides a 30-32 second brew time is preferred for a single serving size. A preferred non-woven PLA filter material for filter 7 is available from Yamanaka Industry Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan under the designation “Soilon NW 080” (80 gsm).

As one example, filter 7 may be pre-formed by a vacuum draw means. A thin layer of resilient material, such as neoprene, facilitates the draw and serves to ease handling and packaging. As with base 9, multiple filters 7 can be arranged as a matrix (to match that of the base cups) or individually handled.

Filter 7 may be formed and then coffee provided to the filter immediately prior to assembly of the final package. Alternately, a pre-filled filter pouch may be formed and then subsequently inserted into base 9. See, for example, FIG. 11, where a three-dimensional filter pouch 17 is illustrated. Pouch 17 is formed with a charge of coffee 20 sandwiched between opposing filter layers 18a and 18b. The coffee 20 is held in place by a circumferential seal 19, such as a thermo-formed bond. As seen in FIG. 11, a plurality of pouches 17 may be formed and then subsequently separated. Preferably, after separation, a surplus 21 of filter material extends beyond seal 19.

Returning to FIG. 4, the single use package also includes top 8, whose function is to seal the package (preferably hermetically) and optionally identify the contents of the package and as well as provide other information. Top 8 may be any color or have any design or indicia thereon.

In accordance with this invention top 8 is also formed from a biodegradable material. Top 8 may be formed from PLA material, or may be formed from other suitable materials. It has been found that it is difficult to provide pure PLA with the colorful and decorative features, thus top 8 may be formed from materials other than PLA. One suitable material for top 8 is a three-layer material, having a clear substrate, graphics, and a foil-backed substrate. Biodegradable films made by Innovia Films Ltd, England, NatureFlex™ NKR and NatureFlex™ NM are sandwiched with graphics by the Revere Group (Seattle, Wash.) to produce a biodegradable product made from a tree-based cellulose that has the look and feel of contemporary package tops. This material provides the physical properties and decorative qualities for top 8 desired while being biodegradable.

The package of the present invention may include a one-way venting valve in top 8, preferably centered in top 8. Because the coffee packaged in the biodegradable packages of this invention will preferably and typically be fairly fresh, a high level of out-gassing may be experienced from the coffee. To decrease the pressure within the packaged, a valve comprising a plurality of ports in a multi-layer top 8 is provided. If the three-layer material for top 8 is that from The Revere Group, an additional sheet or layer is preferably added to the to the three-layer material in a separate operation. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate one embodiment of a suitable valve. Alternatively, a commercially available biodegradable valve could be used.

The illustrated valve is formed by a plurality of ports 13 in a first or outer layer, illustrated as an annulus surrounding a central port 14 in a second or inner layer. In FIG. 6A, the valve is shown sealed, preventing outside air to enter through ports 13. In FIG. 6B, the seal is shown open allowing excess CO₂ to escape through the central port 14 and then through channels or alleys between the layers to annulus ports 13. FIG. 6C is a top view that shows the annulus of small exit ports 13 and the central portion 14. Such a valve is sufficiently small that is would not detract from the package's appearance.

During assembly, filter 7 is positioned within base 9 and a charge of freshly roasted and ground coffee is placed on filter 7, if not already present. Preferably, filter 7 snugly fits in base 9, but stops short of the closed end of base 9 (approximately ½ to ¾ of the distance between the open end of base 9 and the closed end, e.g., ⅔ of the distance). Having filter 7 stop short of the bottom of base 9 defines a “brewing volume”, allows for any stretching of filter 7 and accommodates the mechanism that pierces and/or drains brewed coffee from the package (see, for example, piercing means 5 of FIG. 1). FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate formation of the seal between base 9 and filter 7 and thus formation of the package. It is noted that freshly roasted coffee emits CO₂. For this reason, if no pressure relief valve is present in the resulting package, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before packaging the coffee in the package. Failure to accommodate the out-gassing, may cause the package to rupture. To guard against this failure while packaging fresh coffee, a one-way, pressure relieve valve is preferably included in the package to allow CO₂ to escape while preventing air from entering.

Referring to FIG. 5A, base 9 has a flange, lip or tab at its open end. Filter 7 is held proximate and preferably in contact with the tab base 9. Top cover 8 is seated over filter 7, thus sandwiching filter 7 between base 9 and top cover 8. In accordance with this invention, each of filter 7, base 9 and top 8 are biodegradable. Base 9 and filter 7 both comprise PLA material, either formed completely from PLA or having at least some amount of PLA therein, preferably as an outer coating. Top cover 8 may be PLA or material(s) other than PLA.

After positioning of filter 7 between base 9 and top cover 8, a sealing mechanism, such as top platen 10a and corresponding bottom platen 10b, seals the three components together and a forms a peripheral seal. The seal between the components should be continuous along the entire circumference or periphery of the top of the resulting package. Although it is preferred that a continuous seal is formed, multiple seals may be formed and connected to form the final continuous seal.

FIG. 5A illustrates the three distinct components (base 9, filter 7 and top 8) just prior to contact with the anvils or platens 10a, 10b. In FIG. 5B, the platen pair is shown applying heat and/or pressure to the components 9, 7, 8. The heat and/or pressure at least softens and optionally melts the PLA. A temperature of about 160-180° F. is adequate to soften and/or melt the PLA without degrading the PLA. Note that in FIG. 5B, at least a portion of filter 7 and of base 9 are melted together and appear homogenous. The melted together material has a solid or semi-solid consistency, but in some embodiments, a portion of the material may be liquid or otherwise flowable. In FIG. 5B, a puddle 11 of PLA is shown. This puddle 11 can be used as an adhesive to affix top 8 to filter 7, such as for those embodiments where top 8 does not include PLA (for example, if top 8 is cellulose). If top 8 comprises PLA or other biodegradable polymeric material, that material will typically also soften or melt, providing additional adherence. FIG. 5C shows the finished bond with platens 10a, 10b retracted. The filter and the base remain homogenous with no discernible distinction at the seal area, and the top is dimpled or indented.

After formation of the package (as shown in FIG. 4), the package is hermetically sealed with the coffee grounds positioned between filter 7 and top 8. During the brew cycle, which provides hot water and/or steam to the interior of the package, the bond between base 9 and filter 7 is subjected to high force by the water/steam and the coffee. Preferably, the failure limit for any point in the bond is no less than 35-65 N/5 cm, thus essentially assuring that filter 7 itself will fail before the bond between filter 7 and base 9.

If a pre-filled filter is used, such as coffee pouch 17 from FIG. 11, prior to sealing the three components together, coffee pouch 17 is held in base 9 by filter surplus 21. Pouch 17, base 9 and top 8 are bonded together as described above.

Alternatively, a pre-filled filter may be retained within base 9 without being sealed thereto.

As seen in FIG. 13, pouch 17 can be inserted in base 9 and held in place by a suitable restrictive means 22, allowing adequate volume between filter and base 9 for the brewing to be accomplished.

The foregoing description has focused on using a biodegradable polymeric material for base 9 and filter 7. The following discussion provides various embodiments and alternate features that could be incorporated into base 9. For example, there are instances where a manufacturing process would be better suited to forming base 9 from a suitable planar material, rather than by molding.

Turning to FIG. 7, a generic base is illustrated. The base has a base radius “r”, a side wall length “l”, an upper or open end radius “R”, and a flange, lip or tab width “t”. To form such a shape from a film or sheet of planar stock, a circle of material with a radius “Σ” is needed, where:

Σ=r+l+t  (1)

To accommodate through folding the difference between the starting circumference and the ending circumference, δ, where:

δ=2π(Σ−R),  (2)

and where the material is pleated in a cupcake-paper fashion to provide pleats in the side wall of the resulting base. In order to evenly divide this excess along the periphery flange or rim, approximately every 10 degrees (or 36 fold), the pleat width, Δ, can be defined by:

Δ2π(Σ−R)/36.  (3)

Finally, because the pleat folds back on itself, the pleat width is halved (0.5Δ).

In FIG. 8, the pleated yet flat construction used to form the construction of FIG. 7 is shown, with an individual pleat identified as 15 and the overall double back fold identified as 16. As can be seen in FIG. 8, adjacent pleats 15 do not touch. By reducing the number of pleats 15, the pleat width increases and the flange or lip on the rim of the base cup can assume a uniform thickness of three times the thickness of the starting stock material.

In FIG. 10 shows several alternate pleat styles. In FIG. 10 (a), the original pleat, as shown in FIG. 8, is illustrated. The distance between adjacent pleats is shown as “x”. In FIG. 10 (b), the distance between adjacent pleats is shown as “y” and is very short, as adjacent pleats are very close, almost touching. When compressed, the combined thickness will be uniformly 3× the width of the stock formed by three overlapping layers of the material. This uniformity will allow for a better seal to the top (i.e., top cover 8). In FIG. 10 (c), another pleat style with adjacent pleats almost touching is shown, with the shortest distance between adjacent pleats shown as “z”. This pleat configuration also achieves a uniform 3× thickness of the stock material.

Returning to FIGS. 7 and 8, as an example, in order to form a cup having a side length “l” of 1.70 inch, a flange, lip or tab width “t” of 0.15 inch, a base radius “r” of 0.72 inch, a planar circle of material having a radius Σ of 2.57 inches is needed.

When this material is folded using 36 evenly spaced pleated it provides the desired cup size with a pleat width of approx. 0.023 inch.

After the paper is preferentially creased and pleated as designed, a die set having a male and female die is used to draw the folded paper to the desired geometrical shape (see FIG. 7). Typically, the material is either PLA, includes PLA therein, or is coated with PLA (e.g., a spray). In some embodiments, the material may be coated with a coating (such as an egg wash) to render the surface impermeable.

The previous discussion has been directed to single serving, single use beverage package having a configuration generally similar to that of the Keurig K-Cup® package (shown in FIG. 1). It should be understood that the inventive features of this discussion, that of utilizing biodegradable polymeric material such as PLA for at least some of the package components, can be applied to other package configurations.

For example, a package similar to the Flavia Fusion package shown in FIG. 3 could be made using the features of the present invention. The nozzle 4 could be injection molded from PLA and affixed to biodegradable material side wall 3c which is formed as shown, thereby creating the requisite internal volume. Alternately, the nozzle 4 could be affixed and sealed to side wall 3c that includes PLA. As with the K-Cup® package, melted PLA from the filter serves as the adhesive to bond the filter to the side walls of the package. The result is a modified package or pouch that is biodegradable.

Thus, embodiments of the DISPOSABLE BIODEGRADABLE BEVERAGE PACKAGE are disclosed. The implementations described above and other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A single use beverage package comprising:

a base comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material;

a top comprising biodegradable cellulose-based material, together the base and the top defining an interior volume;

a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material positioned in the interior volume, the filter retaining beverage ingredients; and

wherein the filter and top are hermetically sealed to the base via the polylactic acid in the base and filter.

2. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the polylactic acid-containing material in the base comprises a polylactic acid film or sheet.

3. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the polylactic acid-containing material in the base comprises water impermeable paper coated with polylactic acid.

4. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the polylactic acid-containing material in the filter comprises water permeable paper at least partially coated with polylactic acid.

5. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a multilayer film or sheet containing polylactic acid and at least one low permeable polymer.

6. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a nonwoven material comprising polylactic acid and paper fibers.

7. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the top comprises a clear cellulosic layer, a graphics layer, and a foil layer.

8. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises an egg-based coating, a corn-based coating, a soy-based coating, a paraffin coating, or a beeswax coating.

9. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the base is a cup having side walls, a rim, and a peripheral flange around the cup's rim.

10. The beverage package of claim 9 wherein the top is hermetically sealed to the base and filter at the peripheral flange around the cup's rim.

11. The beverage package of claim 9 wherein the sidewalls of the cup are pleated.

12. The beverage package of claim 11 wherein the pleats provide substantially three overlapping layers of the polylactic acid-containing material of the base when the pleats are compressed.

13. The beverage package of claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve.

14. A single use beverage package comprising:

a pouch having side walls and an interior volume comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material;

a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material positioned in the interior volume of the pouch, the filter retaining beverage ingredients; and

wherein the filter is sealed to the sidewalls of the pouch via the polylactic acid in the base and filter.

15. A method of making a single use beverage package, comprising:

providing a base comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material;

providing a filter comprising biodegradable polylactic acid-containing material;

providing a top comprising biodegradable cellulose-based material; and

attaching the filter and top to the base with the polylactic acid in the base and filter to form a seal between the base, filter and top by applying heat and/or pressure to the base and the top.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the base is a cup having side walls, an opening, and a peripheral flange around the cup's rim.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the top is hermetically sealed to the base and filter at the peripheral flange around the cup's rim.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the sidewalls of the cup are pleated.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the pleats provide substantially three overlapping layers of the polylactic acid-containing material of the base when the pleats are compressed to form the seal between the base, filter and top.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising attaching the filter and top to the base with a sealing agent.