Abstract: A high speed straw insertion machine has a device which feeds a straw, feeds a lifter and then engages the straw with the lifter. This assembly is transported to a mechanism which secures the lifter to the straw and then puts the straw and the float into a container. The container with the straw and the float is transported to an anchoring machine which engages the straw and the container to trap the straw and float entirely within the container. In one embodiment, the straw is positioned between a corner and a shoulder defined by the container and is retained in this position due to the flexibility of the straw. In another embodiment, the straw is positioned below a rib formed in the body of the container.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. The straw engages a floating member which is located adjacent to the lid of the container when the container is filled with a fluid. The floating member includes a contoured or cam surface which is engaged by the opening tab of the container to rotate the floating member until the straw aligns with the opening. Various design configurations for the floating member are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for packaging a liquid filled container including the steps of providing a container, placing a capsule defining the cavity in the container, filling the container with a liquid, and allowing a gaseous exchange between the liquid and the cavity to provide a benefit to one of the capsule and the liquid. The invention also includes a method for providing retrievable payload in a liquid filled container that includes the steps of providing a capsule in a liquid filled container wherein the capsule has a cavity and is associated with the payload. The method further including the step of pressurizing the cavity.

Abstract: A method for packaging a liquid filled container including the steps of providing a container, placing a capsule defining the cavity in the container, filling the container with a liquid, and allowing a gaseous exchange between the liquid and the cavity to provide a benefit to one of the capsule and the liquid. The invention also includes a method for providing retrievable payload in a liquid filled container that includes the steps of providing a capsule in a liquid filled container wherein the capsule has a cavity and is associated with the payload. The method further including the step of pressurizing the cavity. The present invention also includes a capsule having a body defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, a payload disposed in the cavity, sealing means for sealing the cavity which contains gas at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure when the cavity is sealed, and vent means for selectively venting the pressurized gas from the cavity.

Abstract: A method for filling a liquid filled container includes the steps of providing a container, placing a capsule defining a cavity in the container, filling the container with a liquid, and allowing a gaseous exchange between the liquid and the cavity to provide a benefit to one of the capsule and the liquid. The invention also includes a method for providing a retrievable payload in a liquid filled container that includes the steps of providing a capsule in a liquid filled container wherein the capsule has a cavity and is associated with the payload. The method further includes the step of pressurizing the cavity. The present invention also includes a capsule having a body defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, a payload disposed in the cavity, sealing means for sealing the cavity which contains gas at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure when the cavity is sealed, and vent means for selectively venting the pressurized gas from the cavity.

Abstract: A high speed straw insertion machine has a device which feeds a straw, feeds a lifter and then engages the straw with the lifter. This assembly is transported to a mechanism which secures the lifter to the straw and then puts the straw and the float into a container. The container with the straw and the float is transported to an anchoring machine which engages the straw and the container to trap the straw and float entirely within the container. In one embodiment, the straw is positioned between a corner and a shoulder defined by the container and is retained in this position due to the flexibility of the straw. In another embodiment, the straw is positioned below a rib formed in the body of the container.

Abstract: A straw assembly disposed within a beverage container and adapted for use with various positioning mechanisms is disclosed. The straw assembly includes a plurality of structural features formed therein for appropriately locating the positioning mechanism. Additionally, a positioning mechanism slidably locatable along the axial length of the straw is disclosed which appropriately positions the straw in an opening of the container. The straw assembly may be fabricated from a photo-degradable material which expedites the photodegradation of the straw assembly when exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: A container includes a body defining a chamber and a neck region. A straw is disposed within the chamber. The straw is inserted through the neck region and into the chamber prior to filling the chamber and is trapped or wedged between a first portion of the container and a second portion of the container by mechanical engagement with the container. The position of the straw within the chamber does not interfere with the filling of the container. When filling has been completed, the body of the container is manipulated to release the straw from its mechanical engagement with the container and position it within the neck region.

Abstract: The present invention includes a conduit assembly having a fitment adapted to be sealingly coupled to a container, a closure mechanism, and a conduit operably coupled to the closure mechanism. The fitment includes a fitment passage and the closure mechanism is movable between a sealed position engaging the fitment to seal the fitment passage and an open position. The conduit is coupled to the closure mechanism for movement between a stored position and an operative position wherein the conduit is moved from the stored position toward the operative position when the closure mechanism is moved into its open position.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. In one embodiment, the straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention incorporating the weighted member are disclosed. In another embodiment, the straw is supported by a buoyant member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. The buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice as well as to align the straw with the orifice due to the manipulation of the can.

Abstract: A straw assembly disposed within a beverage container and adapted for use with various positioning mechanisms is disclosed. The straw assembly includes a plurality of structural features formed therein for appropriately locating the positioning mechanism. Additionally, a positioning mechanism slidably locatable along the axial length of the straw is disclosed which appropriately positions the straw in an opening of the container. The straw assembly may be fabricated from a photo-degradable material which expedites the photodegradation of the straw assembly when exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: A container includes a body defining a chamber having a neck region and a straw disposed within the chamber. The straw is inserted through the neck region and into the chamber prior to filling the chamber and is trapped or wedged between the bottom of the container and an annular ridge defined by the neck region of the chamber. When filling has been completed, the body is manipulated to release the straw from the annular ridge and position it within the neck region.

Abstract: A straw assembly disposed within a beverage container and adapted for use with various positioning mechanisms is disclosed. The straw assembly includes a plurality of structural features formed therein for appropriately locating the positioning mechanism. Additionally, a positioning mechanism slidably locatable along the axial length of the straw is disclosed which appropriately positions the straw in an opening of the container. The straw assembly may be fabricated from a photo-degradable material which expedites the photodegradation of the straw assembly when exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. In one embodiment, the straw is attached to a buoyant member which urges the straw into contact with a contoured surface on the can lid. In another embodiment, the straw engages a floating member which is urged against the lid of the container. The floating member includes a contoured or cam surface which is engaged by the opening tab of the container to rotate the floating member until the straw aligns with the opening. Various design configurations for the floating member are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a conduit assembly having a fitment adapted to be sealingly coupled to a container, a closure mechanism, and a conduit operably coupled to the closure mechanism. The fitment includes a fitment passage and the closure mechanism is movable between a sealed position engaging the fitment to seal the fitment passage and an open position. The conduit is coupled to the closure mechanism for movement between a stored position and an operative position wherein the conduit is moved from the stored position toward the operative position when the closure mechanism is moved into its open position.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. In one embodiment, the straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention incorporating the weighted member are disclosed. In another embodiment, the straw is supported by a buoyant member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. The buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice as well as to align the straw with the orifice due to the manipulation of the can.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. In one embodiment, the straw is attached to a buoyant member which urges the straw into contact with a contoured surface on the can lid. In a second embodiment, the straw engages a floating member which is urged against the lid of the container. In a third embodiment, a buoyant member is integrally formed with the straw and is disposed orthogonally within the body of the can. In a fourth embodiment, the floating member includes a surface treated for facilitating the nucleation of CO.sub.2 thereon. In a fifth embodiment, the floating member is provided with a skirt for entrapping a head space gas bubble under the floating member. In a sixth embodiment, the floating member reacts to a change in pressure to disengage from the container wall.

Abstract: A straw assembly disposed within a beverage container and adapted for use with various positioning mechanisms is disclosed. The straw assembly includes a plurality of structural features formed therein for appropriately locating the positioning mechanism. Additionally, a positioning mechanism slidably locatable along the axial length of the straw is disclosed which appropriately positions the straw in an opening of the container. The straw assembly may be fabricated from a photo-degradable material which expedites the photodegradation of the straw assembly when exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: A device for containing and delivering a payload from a container which has a closed end and an open end and at least one side wall extending between the closed end and open end, a lid secured to the open end having an orifice, a closure tab pivotally connected to the lid and closing the orifice, and an actuating member pivotally secured to the lid and being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the container to open the orifice. The device includes a capsule disposed within the container for containing the payload. The device also includes a support structure disposed within the container and contacting the closed end, the device being held under compression solely between the closed end and the lid in response to a compressive force against the support structure by the container for securing alignment of the capsule with the orifice of the lid.

Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring a straw or prize delivery device into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw or prize delivery device elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. In one embodiment, two straws engage a floating member which is urged against the lid of the container. When the container is opened by deflecting a closure tab into the container, the closure tab engages a cam surface on the floating member and imparts rotational motion to the floating member. The floating member rotates until one of the straws is aligned with the open orifice and a buoyant member associated with the straw elevates the straw through the orifice. In a second embodiment, one of the straws is replaced with the prize delivery device.