Multi-Layer Barrier For A Container

A container comprising:

• a finish portion including a top sealing surface, threads, and a support flange;
• a body portion;
• and
• a bottom portion;
• wherein:
• the top sealing surface includes only a base layer;
• the body portion and bottom portion each include an inner portion made of the base layer including an inner surface defining a receptacle of the container, an outer portion made of the base layer including an outer surface of the container, and an oxygen barrier layer encapsulated between the inner portion and the outer portion;
• the oxygen barrier layer is tapered such that the oxygen barrier layer is closest to the inner surface at and proximate to the bottom portion, and is farthest from the inner surface and closest to the outer surface farthest from the bottom portion and proximate to a support flange;
• the oxygen barrier layer is confined to an inner half of a total container wall thickness at the body portion of the container;
• the oxygen barrier layer is confined to below each of the top sealing surface, the threads, and the support flange;
• no part of the oxygen barrier layer extends through the outer portion or the inner portion;
• and
• the oxygen barrier layer has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the inner portion and less than a thickness of the outer portion.