WO2012064291A1

WO2012064291A1 - Drink container with a contained drinking straw having a straw delivering tongue and a drinking straw with such straw delivering tongue

Info

Publication number: WO2012064291A1
Application number: PCT/TH2010/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwhanchai Apithanakhun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-08
Filing date: 2010-11-08
Publication date: 2012-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-08

Abstract

The present invention disclosed a drink container with a contained drinking straw installed inside the container and a mechanism to retrieve the straw from the inside the container comprising a container, a straw and a straw delivering tongue assembled to the said straw. The straw delivering tongue, or at least a tip portion elasticity and spring action qualities and able to spring and resume its arranged posture after having been subjected to a force. Upon opening of the drink, the tip portion of the straw delivering tongue to protrude at the opening of the container enable the consumer to retrieve the straw from the inside of the container. A straw with the straw delivering tongue is also disclosed.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

DRINK CONTAINER WITH A CONTAINED DRINKING STRAW HAVING A STRAW DELIVERING TONGUE AND A DRINKING STRAW WITH SUCH STRAW DELIVERING TONGUE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drink container comprising a drinking straw inside the container and a mechanism to deliver the straw upon opening of the drink container.

At the present, various drinks available in the market packed in various kinds of packaging such as bottles, boxes, glasses, bag, etc. The packaging may be made from various kinds of material such as glass, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard, among others. Drinking directly from these containers, in certain circumstances, is not possible due to various reasons such as the characteristics of the container itself preventing access, inappropriate timing or setting, or hygiene issues. In many cases, the drinks are subjected to transportation and various steps of handling including stocking, shelving and refrigeration and thus are potentially exposed to dust, germs or other kinds of contamination. If the handlers or store owners do not provide sufficient care, drinking directly from the container could pose health risks to the consumer, in particularly, when the consumer allows the mouth or lips to come in direct contact with the container.

Due to the foregoing reasons, drinking straws are provided for various kinds of drinks. The straws can be totally separated from the drink container and provided to the consumer at the point of purchase, or in some instances the straws are provided on the package or container of the drink by the drink manufacturer. For example, the straw is simply attached to the side of the container with glue. Modification of the container to include a pocket to accommodate the straw is also commonly found in various drinks which come in a cup and the straw is place under the cap of the cup. However, drinking straws provided at the time of purchase can also pose health risks if they are not kept clean by the store owners. Also straw which comes with drinks are sometimes too short or too long making it inconvenience for the consumer to keep the straw for the next use should the drink is not completely consume in one go. Straws which are too long can break when subjected to folding which reduces its effectiveness for the next use. Straws which are too short could drop in to the drink and retrieving it from the drink, in many cases, not possible.

Another alternative developed to provide drinking straws with the drinks is to contain the straw inside the drink container wherein a mechanism, device or means to deliver the straw from the inside of the container is provided in order to deliver the straw at the time of opening the drink. The known examples of such attempts are as described below.

U.S. Patent Application No. 11/588,316 disclosed a method of positioning, in a can, including a container closed by a cover, a device for automatically extracting a straw that includes a straw-supporting member including an elastically deformable retention arm and a straw retaining portion. The method includes one of placing the elastically deformable retention arm in tension when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw.

U.S. Patent Application No. 10/711,285 disclosed a metal beverage container having a bend-down tongue in its orifice, a telescopic straw, and a mechanism, with an attachment for the straw to deliver this straw from within the container when the container has been opened.

U.S. Patent Application No. 09/886290 disclosed a container having a straw arranged inside the container and a device for extracting the straw from the interior of the container. The straw has a first end. The device for extracting the straw includes a straw supporting element movable between a free position in which the first end of the straw is located in the orifice of a device for opening the container and a lock position in which the first end is arranged in the interior of the container.

U.S. Patent No. 6, 264,057 disclosed a d rink instrument in the form of a beverage container has a prepackaged internal straw inserted into the interior thereof during a package process. The drink instrument with the internal straw includes an internal straw forming a plurality of upright guides which are adapted to be upright at the center portion of the drink instrument. The straw comprising an outer pipe and an inner pipe and having a predetermine buoyancy. A straw floating preventing part with a predetermined load being inserted into the lower portion of the straw and being adapted to serve as the bob of weight to be thereby submerged at the lower portion thereof on the bottom of the drink instrument. The straw floating preventing part being made of an edible material which is dissolved in the drinking fluid after a predetermined time elapses

As it can be seen, all the prior arts suggests complex elements or mechanisms, or needs high level of modification to the existing manufacturing process, or requires a new manufacturing process altogether in order to achieve the proposed objective of delivering drinking straw from inside the drink container. Obviously, the complex elements or mechanisms result in additional production steps as well as increased production cost of the drink container which are often unacceptable to the business operator when such added cost cannot be passed on to the consumer. The proposed devices, steps or processes as proposed by the prior arts thus have not been widely accepted. Therefore, there is a need to provide an alternative in providing a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from the inside of the container that is simple, easy to operate, has less complicated elements and is very easy to manufacture with lower production cost to satisfy the need of the industry. . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from the inside of the container.

In one aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from the inside of the container, in particular, glass bottles, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, plastic bags or any other type of container which includes a neck and has a cap assemble to the neck or an opening as with a bottle. In this aspect of the invention, the drink container has a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from inside the container, more specifically, a drink container including a neck or an opening and a cap or lid assembled thereto, for example, a bottle with a screw cap, a bottle with a ring cap, a crimped cap bottle, a snap cap container such as a commonly seen milk or juice boxes, including a container with a foil lid or a foil lid in combination with a cap or others. The invention includes a container, a drinking straw positioned inside the container and a container cap or lid. The straw includes a flexible portion disposed between a short arm and a long arm. In the assembled position, the straw is folded wherein the length of the folded straw is substantially equal to the height of the container such that the tip of the long arm remains in contact with the bottom of the container while the flexible portion is at the neck of the container or level with the opening of the container, and the short arm is set apart from the long arm and pressed against the neck of the container. The straw comprises an elastic straw delivering tongue enabling the tip of the tongue to spring out from the container when the drink is open or as the cap or lid is removed. While the container remains closed, the cap or lid forces the elastic delivering tongue to bend along the straw. The force from the container cap or lid against the straw while the tip of the long arm of the straw abuts the bottom of the container creates stability of the arrangement fixating the straw in the arranged posture. As the cap or lid is removed when the drink is opened, the force is removed allowing the delivering tongue to spring out, resuming its original posture, protruding above the container's opening, enabling the consumer to easily retrieve the straw and enjoy the drink. The straw may be retained and restored in the same manner if the consumer cannot finish the drink in one session.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from inside the container, in particular, when the container is a can, such as an aluminum can. In this aspect of the invention, the drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from inside the container comprising a can which includes a lid having a tab whereby the tab is pushed inside the can in order to open the drink, a straw assembled inside the can, the said straw comprising a straw delivering tongue assembled thereto and a straw positioning device assembled to the straw and the can lid. The said positioning device comprises a straw support and a base plate having a pre-cut strip. The straw support comprises wings fastened to the base plate. The base plate in turn is fastened to the can lid in order to restrict movement of the installation. As the drink is opened, the tab is pushed inward to the inside of the can. The said tab is pushed against the tip of the straw delivering tongue and once the tab is pushed further inward beyond the perimeter of the straw delivering tongue, the tip of the tongue is freed and springs back to resume its original posture having its tip protruding out of the can opening. When the tongue is pulled, the support of which is fastened to the base plate which in turn is fastened to the can lid, causes the base plate to be torn apart along the pre-cut strip, releasing the straw from the setting, making it ready for use to enjoy the drink.

The drinking straw having the straw delivering tongue assembled thereto and the straw delivering tongue is also disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of one of the embodiments of the container with a contained drinking straw having a straw delivering tongue for retrieving the straw from inside the container according to the principles of the invention, having the cap of the container removed;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the straw delivering tongue and its anticipated assembly to the short arm of a drinking straw by means of insertion;

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of straw delivering tongue and its anticipated assembly to the short arm of a drinking straw by means of using adhesives or welding; Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of straw delivering tongue and its anticipated assembly to the short arm of a drinking straw by means of welding with an aid of a welding patch;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the container with a contained drinking straw having a straw delivering tongue of Fig. 1 with a cap on;

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the container with a contained drinking straw having a straw delivering tongue of Fig. 5 with a cap on;

Fig. 7 shows a closer view of the container with a self- contained drinking straw having a straw delivering tongue of Fig. 1 having the cap removed;

Fig. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container, in the form of a can with a contained drinking straw having a tip of a straw delivering tongue protruded at the opening of a can as the can is opened;

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a straw delivering tongue having a tubular body for receiving insertion of a straw support; and comprising a perpendicular tip portion;

Fig. 9a shows the embodiment of the straw delivering tongue of Fig. 9 and its arranged posture when assemble to the can lid;

Fig. 9b shows an embodiment of a straw delivering tongue having a ring for receiving insertion of a straw support and/or a straw; Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a straw delivering tongue with a perpendicular tip portion without a tubular body or ring;

Fig. 10 a shows an embodiment of a straw delivering tongue with a perpendicular tip portion with a slanted middle portion; Fig. 1 1 shows an embodiment of a straw support and an embodiment of a base plate and their anticipated assembly to each other;

Fig. 12 shows an arrangement of the straw delivering tongue with a perpendicular tip portion, but without a tubular body or ring of Fig. 10 to a straw support of Fig. 1 1, by means of using adhesive or welding;

Fig. 12a shows an arrangement of the straw delivering tongue without tubular body or ring being assemble to the straw support using a welding patch;

Fig. 12b shows an arrangement of the straw delivering tongue having a tubular body with a straw support inserted therein;

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a straw support and a further embodiment of a base plate;

Fig. 13a shows an embodiment of a straw support and a further embodiment of a base plate;

Fig. 14 shows an installation of a straw inside a drink can using a base plate of Fig. 1 1 and a straw delivering tongue of Fig. 9a;

Fig. 15 shows an installation of straw inside a drink can using a base plate of Fig, 13a and a straw delivering tongue of Fig. 9a;

Fig. 16 shows a side view installation of a straw delivering tongue, a straw support, a straw, base plate and a can lid wherein the perpendicular portion of the straw delivering tongue is arranged in a backward posture projecting the tip of the perpendicular portion of the straw delivering tongue to a position right at the can opening; Fig. 17 shows a side view of the installation of Fig. 16 after the drink is opened having a tab bent inward to the inside of the can beyond the perimeter of the straw delivering tongue; and the tip portion of the delivering tongue protruded at the can opening.

DETIALED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a drink container having a drinking straw installed inside the container. The said container comprises a straw delivering tongue assembled to the straw in order for the consumer to easily retrieve the straw from the inside of the container. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present principles may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "an example" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The term "neck" of a bottle of which refers to throughout in description refers to a tubular portion or substantially tubular portion extending from the body or shoulder of a container such as is common in a conventional bottle. The neck of the bottle may further include threads or a ring to anticipate assembly of a cap. Further, the term "neck" may not necessarily refer to tubular portion extending from the body or shoulder, but instead to a portion that is located next to the body or the opening of the container such as is common in a crimped cap bottle. The term further refers to an element which is adapted to receive a cap or lid regardless of whether such container is a bottle or any other kinds of container.

The first aspect of the invention disclosed an embodiment of a container having a contained straw and a mechanism to deliver a straw installed inside the container. This embodiment of the installation is suitable for a drink container such as a bottle or any other kinds of container, for example, a cardboard box, or a bag, of which include a cap installation in the same manner as a bottle. That is, such containers include a "neck" and have a cap or lid which could be in a form of threaded cap, crimped cap, or a snapped cap with fastened ring or a foil seal assembled to the neck or container's opening. For the purpose of the explanation, a bottle will be used as an example to illustrate the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an example of the embodiment of the installation, of which the container is a bottle, comprising a bottle 22 with a neck 24 and a cap 26. The bottle 22 could be a glass bottle or a plastic bottle as is generally common. Inside the bottle 22, there is installed therein, a straw 28. Said straw 28 comprising a short arm 30, a long arm 32, and a flexible portion 34 interposed between said short arm 30 and said long arm 32. The straw 28 may be manufactured from a known process and materials commonly known in the industry. The straw 28 is folded at the flexible portion 34, and in a folded position, the length of the long arm 32 of the straw 28 is substantially equaled to the height of the bottle 22 such that the tip of the long arm 32 is press against the bottom 36 of the bottle 22 while the flexible portion 34 protrudes at the neck 24 region and is level or almost level to the bottle opening 25, while the short arm 30 is set apart from the long arm 32 and pressed against the wall of neck 24 opposite the long arm 32. The said straw 28 comprising a straw delivering tongue 38. In this embodiment, the straw delivering tongue 38 has a hollow tubular body 42 and a tip portion 40 extending from the said body in a shape of a strip or a strand. As shown, the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to one arm of the straw 28. As shown, as an example, the short arm 30 of the straw 28 is inserted into the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38. The tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 protrudes from the bottle opening 25 when the drink is opened or when the cap 26 is removed. The straw delivering tongue 38, in particularly, the tip portion 40, which has a shape of a strip or a strand, posses an elastic quality when a force is applied thereto and is able to spring back to resume its original posture when the force is removed and able to retain such quality even after prolonged exposure to such force. The manner in which the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the short arm 30 of the straw 28 may be by means of insertion as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, or by means of a welding using a known method such as Radio Frequency welding, Ultrasonic Welding, Microwave Welding, Heat Welding or by means of using adhesives as shown in Fig. 3. Other means to achieve the same effect are also possible. As shown in Fig. 3, the straw delivering tongue 38 according to this embodiment does not possess a tubular body and is simply in a shape of a strip or strand made from elastic material. The straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the short arm 30 of the straw 28 by welding or adhesive as described above. In order to provide a larger bonding area to the short arm 30 of the straw 28, the straw delivering tongue 38 according to this embodiment is prepared with a base 41 integrally formed with the tip portion 40. The base 41, at which is to be welded to the short arm 30, is larger than the tip portion 40.

In another embodiment, the straw delivering tongue 38 is not necessarily prepared with a tubular body as shown in Fig. 2, but instead the tubular body is replaced with a ring 37 that is designed to wrap around the arm of the straw 28. It is important that the materials in which the straw delivering tongue 38 are made of must meet food safety standards, must not release contaminants into the drink, cause taste alteration of the drink, or disintegrate both physically and chemically even after prolonged contact with the drink, or corrode even when the drink is acidic or carbonated. It is also important that the materials must possess elasticity or other physical properties that allow the straw delivering tongue 38 to spring back to resume its original shape or posture after prolonged exposure to a force such as a pressing force from the cap 26 or lid of the container 20. However, the entire straw delivering tongue 38 need not necessarily be made from the same kind of material. As long as the tip portion 40 has elastic quality and is able to spring back to resume its original shape and posture, it is acceptable. For example, in an embodiment in which the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the straw 28 by inserting the short arm 30 into its tubular body 42, it is not necessary that the said tubular body 42 must be made from a material which possesses elasticity and is able to resume its original posture as such quality is not an essential feature for the tubular body 42. From the tests, it was found that straw delivering tongue 38 that is made from silicone and food grade rubber possess the desired elasticity and has the ability to resume its original posture. These materials are also safe to be used with food items without any signs of contamination. Other materials or composite materials which can be used include PP plastic or TPE. However, it may be necessary to further modify the shape or other physical characteristics of the straw delivering tongue 38 made from such materials in order to enhance and maintain its ability to spring back and resume the original posture, for example, by making them resemble a spring coil or other forms or means.

Figs. 2-4 show various embodiments of the straw delivering tongue 38 and various installations of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the straw delivering tongue 38 having a tubular body 42 and a pointy tip portion 40. The tubular body 42 receives a short arm 30 of the straw 28. Thus, a diameter of the tubular body 42 should correspond to a diameter of the short arm 30, such that the short arm 30 can be inserted in to the tubular body 42 with relative ease, but is still able to provide a snug fit between them, avoiding loosening or dislodging of the arrangement. In one embodiment, there is provided a protuberance 44 projecting from the short arm 30 in order to secure the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28 and avoiding the tubular body 42 from slipping off the short arm 30. The said protuberance 44 projects from the surface of the straw 28. Cares must be taken not to cause any through holes in the straw 28 in order to maintain effectiveness of the straw 28. The said protuberance 44 may be prepared at more than one location on the straw 28 during plastic extrusion of the straw manufacturing process. Preferably, the protuberance 44 is made at the short arm 30 of the straw 28 at the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38, allowing the straw delivering tongue 38 to rest above the said protuberance 44 upon the straw delivering tongue 38 assembled to the straw 28. An additional protuberance may be made farther away from the first protuberance down the length of the short arm 30. In this manner, if the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is accidentally loosened and slips off the first protuberance, the second protuberance will stop the straw delivering tongue 38 from slipping off completely from the short arm 30. The protuberance 4 4 may be in a form of a stud or knob or a ring formed around the circumference of the short arm 30.

In another embodiment, the protuberance 44 may be prepared on both the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 as well as on the short arm at a corresponding position such that the protuberance 44 on both the straw delivering tongue 38 and the short arm 30 complements a better coupling between them.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the straw delivering tongue 38 and another installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28. In this embodiment, the straw delivering tongue 38 is prepared without a tubular body 42, but as a strip having a tip portion 40 and an integral widened lower portion forming into a base 41. The straw delivering tongue 38 is installed onto the short arm 30 of the straw 28 by means of using adhesives or welding bonding the base 41 of the straw delivering tongue 38 and the short arm 30 together.

Fig. 4 shows another installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28. In this embodiment, the straw delivering is also prepared without a tubular body similar to the straw delivering tongue of Fig. 3. Installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the short arm 30 according to this embodiment may also be made by means of welding. In some instances, the materials which were used to manufacture the straw delivering tongue 38 differ from the materials which were used to manufacture the straw 28. For example, the straw delivering tongue 38 is made from silicone while the straw 28 is made from plastic. The difference in the texture could result in a poor bonding between them. In order to resolve this problem, a welding patch 46 made from the same material as the straw is further provided. The said welding patch 46 has a corresponding shape and size to the base 41. The base 41 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is also further provided with at least one opening 48. The said opening 48 may be a square, triangle, circle or any other geometrical shapes. In an embodiment in which more than one opening 48 is prepared, each opening 48 is spaced-apart. In an installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28, the straw delivering tongue 38 is positioned onto the short arm 30 of the straw 28 at the position which enable the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 to reach the bottle opening 25 and protrude above the bottle opening 25 or be level with the bottle opening 25 upon removal of cap 26 of the bottle 22. After that, a welding patch 46 is placed on top of the base 41 of the straw delivering tongue 38. The welding patch 46 is then bonded to the short arm 30 of the straw 28 by positioning the texture of the welding patch 46 and the welding area 48" in particular to come in contact with the texture of the short arm 30 through the opening 48 of the base 41, bonding the welding patch 46 to the short arm 30 while securing the straw delivering tongue 38 between them.

In every installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the short arm 30 of the straw 28, the straw delivering tongue 38 may be assembled to the short arm 30 at any positions as long as the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 remains higher than the flexible portion 34 of the straw 28 wherein once the straw 28 is installed inside the bottle 22, the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 protrudes above the neck 24 region or the bottle opening 25. For example, the straw delivering tongue 38 may be positioned further away from the flexible portion 34 down the length of the short arm 30. However, a straw delivering tongue 38 with a longer tip portion 40 would be required in order that the tip portion 40 would still reach bottle opening 25. Thus, in order to reduce the quantity of the material in the manufacturing the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw delivering tongue 38, is preferably positioned adjacent to the flexible portion 34 of straw 28. Further, the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 should not be too long to interfere with closing the cap 26 or lid of the bottle 22.

Installation of the straw 28 having straw delivering tongue 38 inside the drink container such as bottle 22 as exemplary shown in Fig. 1 or any other types of containers with a neck 24 and a cap 26 or lid is achieved by positioning the long arm 32 of the straw 28 to extended along the height of the bottle 22 allowing the tip of the long arm 32 to abut the bottom 36 and extended upward until level with the neck 24 region or the bottle opening 25. The straw 28 is in a folded position having its short arm 30 set farther apart from the long arm 32 and hitting the wall of the neck 24 opposite the long arm 32. In an embodiment where the straw delivering tongue 38 has a tubular body 42 or a ring 37, the end of the said tubular body 42 or ring 37 positioned above the protuberance 44 is prepared on the short arm 30 of the straw 28, and the tip portion 40 protrudes above the neck 40 reaching the bottle opening 25. When the cap 26 is assembled to the bottle 22, the pressing force from the cap 26 will force the tip portion 40 which possess the elasticity to bend down and cover the flexible portion 34 of the straw 28 as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The force from the closing lid also press against the straw 28 such that the tip of the long arm 32 abuts the bottom 36 of the bottle 22, fixing the straw 28 in place even when subjected to handling during transport. When the drink bottle is opened and the cap 26 is removed, the pressing force from the cap 26 is eliminated, and the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 springs back to resume its original posture, i.e., protruding above the neck 24 region or level with or above the bottle opening 25 as shown in Fig. 7. The consumer simply pulls the protruding tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38 to retrieve the straw 28 from the inside of the bottle in order to conveniently enjoy the drink. As the straw 28 is unfolded, the straw delivering tongue 38 may be removed completely from the straw 28 or may be remained cling to the straw 28 without interfering with the pleasure of enjoying the drink. With the latter, the straw 28 may be restored in the original manner for the next use if the drink is not entirely consumed.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from inside the container, in particular, when the container is a can, such as an aluminum can in particular those aluminum cans which include a lid having a tab whereby the tab is pushed inward into the can in order to open the drink.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from the inside the container according to the principle of the present invention comprising a can 50, a straw 28, a straw delivering tongue 38, and positioning elements (comprising a straw support and a base plate 58, which will be further described) assembled to the straw 28 and a can lid 52. The materials, method, and installation of the straw delivering tongue 38 to the straw 28 are as previously described in the first aspect of the invention with an exception on the embodiment of the tip portion 40 of the straw delivering tongue 38. In this aspect of the invention, in one embodiment, the straw delivering tongue 38, more specifically the tip portion 40, is structured to be perpendicular to the remaining tip portion 40 itself (forming a right angle), which will now be referred to as a perpendicular tip portion 54, and the remaining tip portion adjacent to the perpendicular tip portion 54 will now be referred to as a middle portion 55 as shown in Figs. 9, 9a, 9b and 10. Fig. 10a shows another embodiment of a straw delivering tongue 38. In this embodiment, however, the perpendicular tip portion 54 is at an upright angle, while the middle portion 55 is made slanted at an angle. From these embodiments, it is apparent that perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is integrally from with the middle 55 while said middle portion 55 is either in a vertical or slanted position and integrally connected to the tubular body 42 or the ring 37 (see Figs. 9, 9a, 9b, 10a) or the base 41 (see Fig, 10), all of which will be assembled to the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56 by means of insertion or welding as the case may be. The perpendicular tip portion 54 is structured away from the middle portion 55, leaving sufficient distance between the perpendicular tip portion 54 and the tubular body 42, or the ring 37, or the base 41 allowing the middle portion 55 to have a suitable length to ensure spring action quality. The perpendicular tip portion 54 including the middle portion 55 is made with a sufficient thickness such that it will not tear when subjected to pulling by the consumer. Further, in order to create enough tension for the straw delivering tongue 38 to spring back and resume its original posture at the time when the drink is opened, the perpendicular tip portion 54, including the middle portion 55 is bent backward directing the very tip of the perpendicular tip portion 54 to press against the underside of the tab 68 of the can lid 52. Further details of the arrangement are further discussed below.

Due to the shape and configuration of the can 50, positioning of the straw 28 thus cannot be the same as in the first aspect of the invention in which the container is a bottle. Therefore, in this aspect of the invention, in which the container is an aluminum can, there is further provided a straw support 56 and a base plate 58 to be assembled to the can lid 52 in order to aid installation of the straw 28 inside the can 50. As shown in Fig. 1 1, the straw support 56 has a hollow tubular body 62 corresponding to the tubular shape of the straw 28. The diameter of the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56 is slightly bigger than the diameter of the straw 28 such that the tubular body 62 of the straw support can receive the straw (the arm) when inserted thereinto and provides a snug fit to the insertion without slipping off. Above the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56, there are disposed wings integrally formed with the tubular body 62 to anticipate assembling of the straw support 56 to the base plate 58 as illustrated. The straw supports 56, preferably comprising a left wing 64 and a right wing 64". The left and right wing 64, 64" are each adapted to define an area for assembling to the base plate 58 by means of using adhesive, or welding. Therefore, the span of the left and right wing (64, 64") should correspond to the distance of bonding area (76, 76" on the base plate 58. At least on one of the left or right wings 64, 64" there is a pre-cut strip 66 disposed outside the area of which to be assembled or welded to the base plate 58. The pre-cut strip 66 is set across the mid section of the width of the wing toward one edge, preferably toward the inner edge (opposite the perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 once the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the straw support). By this, as the consumer is pulling at the tip portion of the straw delivering tongue 38 to retrieve the straw 28 from the inside of the can 50, the pulling causes tearing in the base plate 58 which also includes pre-cut strips 84 releasing the installation from the inside of the can. In doing so, the base plate 58, including the straw support 56 connected to the base plate 58 will also come out of the can along with the straw 28. In order to avoid being in the way of enjoying the drink, the straw support 56 as well as the base plate 58 and the straw delivering tongue 38, are connected to one another could be easily removed by simply tearing the pre-cut strip 66 on the wing 64 or 64" of the straw support 56. The straw support 56 is also prepared with a protuberance 44 realized as a stud or knob or ring on the tubular body 62 similar to the protuberance 44 prepared on the short arm 30 of the straw 28 of the bottle aspect of the invention. A corresponding protuberance 44 is also prepared on the short arm 30 of the straw 28 or on the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 such that when the said straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the straw support 56, the protuberance 44 on the straw delivering tongue 38 lies on top of the protuberance 44 on the straw support 56 creating coupling between them keeping the straw delivering tongue 38 from slipping off from the straw support 56 (see Figs. 15, 16).

In another embodiment, the straw support 56 is not necessarily prepared with a tubular body 62 to receive the arm of the straw 28. The tubular body 62 may be replaced by a ring (not shown) of which will serve the same function as the tubular body 62, i.e. receiving of the arm of the straw 28.

Fig. 1 1 also shows detail of the base plate 58 structured in preparation for assembling the straw support 56 to it. The purposes of the base plate 58 is to restricted movement of the installation (the straw 28, the straw delivering tongue 38) in order to ensure that the perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 will not move away from the opening 82 of the can lid 52 as the drinks are handled or transported or as the drink is opened and the tab 68 is pushed against the said straw delivering tongue 38. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 1 , the base plate 58 has a wedge shape with a curve edge 70 corresponding to the curvature of an inner ring 72 of the can lid 52. The base plate 58 includes abutment point 71 which will restrict movement of the base plate 58 which will be further discussed below. The base plate 58 should preferably be made from the same material as the straw support 56. More specifically, the base plate 58, should be made from the same material as the wings 64, 64" of the straw support 56 in order to enhance bonding between them once they are assembled together. In addition, the size of the base plate 58 should correspond to the perimeter or the span of the wings 64,64" of the straw support 56 in order that the left and right wings 64,64" of the straw support 56 will be assembled to designated bonding areas 76,76" on the base plate 58. The base plate 58 also include a rivet hole 78 at around the center in order to receive a rivet 80 prepared on the underside of the can lid 52. The said rivet 80 should be prepared on a specific location on the underside of the can lid 52 such that when the assembly among the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw support 56, and the straw 28 is completed and subsequently assembled to the base plate 58 of which already assembled to the can lid 52, the perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is positioned at the opening 82 on the can lid 52 (see Fig. 14). As earlier mentioned, the base plate 58 also include at least one pre-cut strip 84, directing from the rivet hole 78 toward the curve edge 70 or in other similar manner such that when the straw delivering tongue 38 is pulled by the consumer in order to retrieve the straw 28, the pulling cause the base plate 58 to be torn apart along the pre-cut strip 84, releasing the installation from the underside of the can lid 52. The tearing of the base plate 58, being plastic also facilitates removal of the base plate 58 from the can for easy recycling purposes as well. As can be seen in Fig. 1 1 and Fig. 14, the base plate 58 includes only one rivet hole 78 in order to receive also only one rivet 80 being prepared on the underside of the can lid 52. This is because, preparing more than one rivet 80 on the can lid 52, although possible, is very difficult and adds unnecessary steps and cost in the manufacturing of the can lid 52. However, the downside of having only one rivet 80 is that it could pose an underlying cause for the base plate 58 to move freely during handling or transportation of the drink or when the drink is turned or shaken prior to consumption, or as a result of a pushing force from the tab 68 of the can 50 as the drink is opened. Free movement of the base plate 58 could potentially cause the perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 to move away from the opening 82 as originally installed, thus could pose difficulties in retrieving the straw 28 from the inside of the can 50. In order to avoid such possibilities, the base plate 58 is structured to abut the inner ring 72 of the can lid 52 in order to restrict movement of the base plate 58, thus avoiding dislocation of the straw delivering tongue 38. As shown in Fig. 1 1, the base plate 58 has a wedge shape with a curved edge 70 which will lines the curvature of the inner ring 72 of the can lid 52 and two abut points 71 to abut against the inner ring 72 of the can lid 52, restricting the base plate 58 from moving along the circle of the inner ring 72 avoiding displacement of the straw delivering tongue 38 as discussed above. It is, however, not an essential requirement that the base plate 58 must be a wedge shape as illustrated. It may be of any other shapes as long as the base plate 58 comprises abut points 71 which abut against the inner ring 72 and serves the intended purpose of restricting movement of the base plate 58.

However, a possible alternative solution, although more difficult, to restrict movement of the base plate 58 is by using two spaced apart rivets 80 to fasten the base plate 58 to the can lid 52, as shown in Fig. 13 and 13a and its installation in Fig. 15. The said base plate 58 has a square shape and includes bonding area 76, 76" to be bonded to the wings 64, 64" of the straw support 56. It also includes two spaced apart rivet holes 78, 78" prepared at a distance corresponding to the distance of the two rivets 80 prepared on the underside of the can lid 52. Pre-cut strips 84 are also prepared, one each at a corresponding rivet hole 78, 78" directing from the rivet hole 78, 78" toward the back edge of the base plate 58. The arrangement of the bonding area 76, 76" and rivet holes 78, 78" of the square type base plate 58 may be vary without particular significance. For example, bonding area 76 - rivet hole 78 - rivet hole 78" - bonding area 76" (see Fig. 13), or rivet hole 78 - bonding area 76 - rivet hole 78 - bonding area 76" (see Fig. 13a), or rivet hole 78 - bonding area 76 - bonding area 76" - rivet hole 78. Similarly, the shape and configuration of the base plate 58 as well as the location of the pre-cut strip may be changed. As the base plate 58 is fastened to the can lid 52 using two rivets 80, there will not be any problems associated with moving of the base plate 58 which causes dislocation of the straw delivering tongue 38 away from the can opening 82 due to the existence of counter balance force between the two rivets. Further, as the base plate 58 is fastened to the can lid 52 using two rivets, it is no longer necessary to provide abut point 71 on the base plate 58 as in the earlier described wedge shape embodiment of the base plate 71. With respect to the preparation of the rivet 80, the rivet 80 is integrally formed by pushing the can lid 52 inward forming into a stub protruding from the underside of the can lid 52. Preferably, the rivet 80 is formed on either the left or right of the tab 68 or the opening 82.

In preparation for the installation, as shown in Fig. 12, 12a and 12b, the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the straw support 56 by means of adhesives or welding in the form of either Radio Frequency welding, Ultrasonic welding, Microwave welding, Heat welding, or the like, with or without welding patch 46, or by insertion the straw support 56 into the straw delivering tongue 38. The perpendicular tip portion 54 is positioned between the left and right wings 64, 64" of the straw support 56. In the assembly according to Fig. 12b, the lower portion of the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 and the lower portion of the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56 meet and are even with each other. Thereafter, the straw delivering tongue 38 having the straw support 56 assembled to it is assembled to the short arm 30 of the straw 28 whereby the short arm 30 is inserted into the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56 allowing the protuberance 44 on the straw delivering tongue 38 to lies on top of the protuberance 44 on the straw support 56 creating coupling between them and keeping the straw delivering tongue 38 from dislodging from the straw support 56 (see Figs. 15, 16). Therefore, it is necessary that the diameter of the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 correspond to the diameter of the tubular body 62 of the straw support 56 such that a snug fit between them is achieved. In another embodiment, the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 may be without the protuberance 44 and in the assembly, the bottom edge of the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 rests above the protuberance 44 prepared on the straw support 56 similar to the arrangement of the straw delivering tongue 38 and the short arm 30 as shown and described in the bottle aspect of the invention, see Fig. 1. The intended purposes of the protuberance 44 is to stop the straw delivering tongue 38 from slipping off the straw 28 or the straw support 56 or to enhance the ability to cling or increase friction in insertion between the surface of the tubular body 42 of the straw delivering tongue 38 and the tubular body 62 or ring 37 of the straw support 56. With the foregoing purposes, it is also possible that the protuberance 44 may be of any other shape and configuration or other surface textures to satisfy such purposes.

Fig. 14 shows an installation of the straw 28 inside the drink can 50. As the straw delivering tongue 38 is assembled to the straw support 56 as illustrated in Figs.12, 12a, 12b and subsequently assembled to the straw 28 as previously described the assembly are then assembled to the base plate 58 by bonding the left and right wings 64, 64" of the straw support 56 to the base plate 58. The assembly of the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw support 56, and the straw 28 may be pre-assembled in advance and not necessarily in a particular order as described above. The pre-assembled assembly is then assembled to the inner side of the can lid 52 of which already has a base plate 58 assembled thereto by the can lid manufacturer using the rivet 80 prepared on the underside of the can lid 52 as earlier described. The base plate 58 is assembled to the can lid 52 by inserting the rivet 80 into the rivet hole 78. Therefore, it is necessary that the size of the rivet 80 and the rivet hole 78 correspond to each other to enable the coupling between them. Once the rivet 80 is inserted through the rivet hole 78, the rivet 80 is flattened, allowing the flattened rivet 80 to completely cover the rivet hole 78, securing the base plate 58 to the can lid 52. As the installation of the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw support 56 and the straw 28 is completed and subsequently assembled to the can lid 52, the straw 28 is suspended substantially vertically by the support of the straw support 56. The long arm 32 of the straw 28 stick to a groove 53 between a can end 57 and a can wall 51. The short arm 30 lies parallel to the long arm 32. The perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is bent backward while creating a curve in the middle portion 55 building up a tension in the said middle portion 55 in order to enhance the springing action lifting the perpendicular tip portion 54 to protrude at the can opening 82 once the drink is opened. The perpendicular tip portion 54 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is positioned right at the opening 82 of the can 50 (or at the position of the tab 68). As shown in Fig. 16, the abutment of the perpendicular tip portion 54 to the tab 68 of the can lid 52 causes the said perpendicular tip portion 54 to stay in backward curve posture while at the same time maintaining the tension in the straw delivering tongue 38, in particular, in the middle portion 55. The tension in combination with the elasticity quality of the straw delivering tongue 38 enables the straw delivering tongue 38 to possess the spring action quality. As shown in Fig. 17, as the tab 68 is pushed inward in order to open the can 50 and as the tab 68 is eventually pushed further inward beyond the perimeter of the elastic straw delivering tongue 38, the tension in the middle portion 55 of the straw delivering tongue 38 is eliminated allowing the perpendicular tip portion 54 to spring and protrude above the can opening 82 of the can lid 52 enable the consumer to conveniently retrieve the straw 28 from the inside of the can 50 by pulling at the said perpendicular tip portion 54, releasing the straw 28 from the installation. Furthermore, the abutment force of the perpendicular tip portion 54 to can lid 52 in combination with the abutment force of the tip of the long arm 32 to the groove 53 disposed between the can end 57 and the can wall 51, and in combination with the shape and configuration of the base plate 58 helps to stabilize the position and arrangement of the straw and thus contribute to limit displacement of the straw delivering tongue 38 as well.

For convenience in the production line of the drink manufacturers, the assembly of the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw 28, and/ or the assembly of the straw delivering tongue 38, the straw support 56, the straw 28, the base plate 58 and the can lid 52 may be pre-assembled (as subassembly) in advance, in which each element may be assembled to each other in no particular order. The subassembly is then assembled to the drink can 50 in the production line so as to put the can lid 52 onto the can 50 which is already filled with the drink.

From the foregoing principles of the present invention, the shape and configuration of the straw delivering tongue may be of any other possible shapes other than those illustrated as examples. The tip portion of the straw delivering tongue may also be of other shapes such as a square shape, or a tubular shape, and may have variable thickness as long as they possess elasticity and spring action quality and enable the consumer to grasp and pull the straw delivering tongue to retrieve the straw from the inside of the drink container. The protuberance as prepared on the straw delivering tongue, the straw , support, the short arm of the straw may be changed to any other suitable shapes and configuration as the intended purposes are fulfilled. The protuberance is an optional feature and the assembly of the elements according to the present invention would still be possible even without such protuberance provided that a snug fit is achieved between the assembly of the tubular body of the straw delivering tongue and the tubular body of the straw support; and/or between the tubular body of the straw delivering tongue and the straw. Further installation of the straw delivering tongue to the long arm of the straw is also possible in a similar manner to the installation to the short arm.

In addition, the materials which have been suggested as examples for the manufacturing of a straw delivering tongue as well as other associated parts or elements may also be changed as far as such items still perform and fulfilled intended functions and purposes according to the principles of the present invention as well as those satisfying consumer safety standards. If necessary, such elements or parts may be subjected to further treatments in order to meet such requirements, such as coating, spraying with materials or compounds authorized for use in food products or food processing, for example edible wax, food pigments, and plastics. The same may also be employed in order to prevent, reduce, or slow changes in chemical and physical properties of the parts or elements and thus reduce contamination of the drink. From the forgoing description, it is possible to provide a drink container with a contained drinking straw and a mechanism to deliver the straw from the inside of the container that is simple, easy to operate, has less complicated elements and is easy to manufacture with lower production cost to satisfy the need of the industry.

Various parts or elements, methods or processes, and embodiments described above of which may be changed or substituted in order to achieve the same effects, purposes and objectives are regarded to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A drink container (20) having a straw (28) and a straw delivering tongue (38) install inside the said container (20) in order to enable a consumer to retrieve the straw 28 from the inside of the container (20) upon opening of the drink, characterized in that the said container (20) comprising:

- a container (20) comprising a neck (24) and a cap (26);

- a straw (28) comprising a short arm (30), a long arm (32) and a flexible portion (34); the said flexible portion is disposed between a short arm 30 and a long ami (32);

- a straw delivering tongue (38) having at least an elastic tip portion (40) which possesses spring action quality and is able to spring and resume its original posture after having been subjected to a force; said straw delivering tongue (38) being assembled to one arm of the straw (28); and

wherein the long arm (32) of the straw (28) is positioned to abut against the bottom (36) of the container (20); and the flexible portion (34) of the straw (28) is positioned within the neck (24) of the container (20) and the short arm (30) presses against a wall of the said neck (24) opposite the long arm (32) of the straw (28); the said tip portion (40) of the straw delivering tongue (38), upon closing of the cap (26), is arranged to bend down to cover the flexible portion (34) of the straw (28) and spring back to be level with or above an opening (25) of the container (20) upon opening of the container (20) by removing the cap (26).

2. The container (20) according to claim 1, wherein the said container is a bottle (22) including any other types of container which includes a neck (24) and a cap (26) assembled to the neck (24), and the said straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the short arm (30) of the straw (28).

3. The container (20) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) includes a hollow tubular body (42); or a ring (37); and comprising a tip portion (40) integrally formed with the said tubular body (42) or said ring (37); the said tip portion (40) realized as a strip or strand; said straw delivering tongue (38) having at least said tip portion (40) possessing elasticity and spring action qualities and ability to spring and resume its original posture after having been subjected to a force and when such force is removed.

The container (20) according to claim 3, wherein the tubular body (42) or the ring

(37) of the straw delivering tongue (38) has a diameter greater than a diameter of the short arm (30) of the straw (28); and the tubular body (42) or the ring (37) of the straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the short arm (30) by means of inserting the short arm (30) into the tubular body (42) or ring (37) designating the straw delivering tongue (38) to be positioned on the short arm (30) which allows the tip portion (40) to extend from the said tubular body (42) or said ring (37) to protrude and be level with or above the container's opening 25 once the cap 26 is removed.

The container (20) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the straw delivering tongue

(38) comprising a base 41 and the tip portion (40) integrally formed with the said base (41); the said tip portion (40) possessing elasticity and spring action qualities and ability to spring and resume its original posture after having been subjected to a force when such force is removed; and wherein the said straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the short arm (30) of the straw (28) at a positioned of which allows the tip portion (40) extending from the said base (41) to protrude and be level with or above the containers' opening 25 once the cap 26 is removed.

The container (20) according to claim 5, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the short arm (30) of the straw (28) by means of adhesives or welding using known welding method including Radio Frequency Welding, Ultrasonic Welding, Microwave Welding, Heat Welding.

The container (20) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a welding patch (46); and wherein the base (41) is wider than the tip portion (40) and comprises at least one opening (48) having geometrical shape; and the straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the short arm (30) of the straw (28) via welding using a welding patch (46) which has a shape and size corresponding to the base (41), and is made from the same material as with the straw (28); whereby the straw delivering tongue (38), in particular, the base (41) is sandwiched between the welding patch (46) and the short arm (30) of the straw (28) and wherein the welding patch (46) is bonded to the short arm (30) of the straw (28) at the welding area (48") at a position corresponding to the opening (48) prepared at the base (41) of the straw delivering tongue (38).

A drink container (50) having a straw (28) and a straw delivering tongue (38) install inside the said container (50) in order to enable a consumer to retrieve the straw 28 from the inside of the container (50) upon opening of the drink, characterized in that the said container (50) comprising:

- a can (50) with a can lid (52) which comprising a tab (68); said can (50) is of a type op en by means of pushing the said tab (68) inward into the can to produce a can opening (82);

- a base plate (58) assembled to the can lid (52);

- a straw support (56) comprising a tubular body (62) and left and right wings (64, 64") for assembling to the said base plate (58); said wings (64, 64") are integrally formed above the said tubular body (62);

- a straw (28) comprising a short arm (30), a long arm (32) and a flexible portion (34); the said flexible portion (34) is disposed between a short arm 30 and a long arm (32);

- a straw delivering tongue (38) having at least an elastic tip portion (40) which possesses spring action quality and ability to spring and resume its original posture after having been subjected to a force; said straw delivering tongue (38) being assembled to the straw support (56); and

wherein the short arm of the straw (28) is inserted into the tubular body (62) of the straw support (56), while the said straw support (56) has the straw delivering tongue (38) assembled to it; and the straw support (56) being assembled to the base plate (58) of which being assembled to the can lid (52) suspends the straw (28) and directs the tip of the long arm (32) of the straw (28) to position into a groove 53 between a can end (57) and a can wall 51 ; and

wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) is structured to comprise a perpendicular tip portion (54), a middle portion (55) and a tubular body (42), or a ring (37) or a base (41), the said perpendicular portion (54) arranged to bend backward, having its tip press against the tab (68) on the can lid (52), and the middle portion (55) in a curved position creating a tension on the said middle portion (55); whereby as the tab (68) of the can (50) is pushed inward inside the can (50) until the said tab (68) is pushed beyond the perimeter of the perpendicular tip portion (54) of the straw delivering tongue (38) removing the tension on the middle portion (55) lifting the elastic perpendicular tip portion (54) to spring up and protrude above the opening (82) of the can (50).

9. The container (50) according to claim 8, wherein the perpendicular tip portion (54) integrally connected to the middle portion (55) and form a right angle with the middle portion (55), the middle portion being vertically connected to the ring (37) or the base (41) or the tubular body (62).

10. The container (50) according to claim 8 wherein the perpendicular tip portion (54) is at an upright angle and integrally connected to the middle portion (55) which is made slanted at an angle; the slanted middle portion (55) connected the ring (37) or the base (41) or the tubular body (62).

1 1. The container (50) according to claim 8, wherein the can lid (52) comprising an inner ring (72), and at least one inward rivet (80) integrally formed on the underside of the can lid (52).

12. The container (50) according to claim 1 1, wherein the base plate (58) is a wedge shape with a curved edge (70) corresponding to the curvature of the inner ring (72) of the can lid (52) comprising: - two abutment points (71) abutting to the said inner ring (72);

- two spaced-apart bonding areas (76, 76") to receive assembly of the wings (64, 64") of the straw support (58);

- a rivet hole (78) to received the rivet (80), prepared on the can lid (52);

wherein the distance between the two spaced-apart bonding areas (76, 76") corresponds to the span of the wing (64, 64") of the straw support (56); and said rivet (80) is adapted to be flattened and cover the said rivet hole (78) on the base plate (58) securing the base plate (58) to the can lid (52).

13. The container (50) according to claim 11, wherein the base plate (58) has a squared shape and comprising:

- two spaced-apart bonding areas (76, 76") to receive bonding of the wing (64, 64");

- two spaced-apart rivet holes (78,78") to receive two rivets (80) prepared on the can lid (52) ;

wherein the distance between the two bonding areas (76, 76") corresponds to the span of the wings (64, 64") of the straw support (56); and the distance between two rivet holes (78, 78") corresponds to the distance between the two rivets (80) on the can lid (52); the said rivets (80) is adapted to be flattened and cover the said rivet holes (78, 78") on the base plate (58) securing the base plate (58) to the can lid (52).

14. The container (50) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the base plate (58) comprising at least one pre-cut strip (84) directing from the rivet hole (78) toward the edge of the base plate (58) permitting the base plate (58) to torn apart along the said pre-cut strip (84) releasing the base plate (58) from the can lid (52) as the consumer attempt to pull at the straw delivering tongue (38) in order to retrieve the straw (28).

15. The container (50) according to claim 8, wherein the left and right wings (64, 64") of straw support (56) has a span between them corresponds to the distance between the two spaced-apart bonding areas (76, 76") on the base plate (58); the said wings are bonded to the bonding areas (76, 76") of the straw support (58) by means of welding or using adhesives; at least one of the wings (64, 64") is prepared with a pre-cut strip (66) disposed outside the area of which to be bonded to the bonding area (76, 76") of the straw support (56), permitting the straw support (56) to torn apart along the said pre-cut strip (66) enable the consumer to remove and discard the straw support (56) including the straw delivering tongue (38) and the base plate (58) assembled to the straw support (56).

16. The container (50) according to claims 8, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the straw support (56) by means of means of adhesives or welding, either Radio Frequency Welding , Ultrasonic Welding, Microwave Welding, Heat Welding.

17. The container (50) according to claim 8 or 16 wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) of which comprising the base (41) further comprising a welding patch (46) having a shape and size corresponding to the base 41; the base (41) being wider than the middle portion (55) and further comprising at least one opening (48) having geometrical shape; and the straw delivering (38) is assembled to the tubular body (62) of straw support (56) by mean of welding using the welding patch (46) made from the same material as with the straw support (56); whereby the straw delivering tongue (38), in particular, the base (41) is sandwiched between the welding patch (46) and the tubular body (62) of the straw support (56) and wherein the welding patch (46) is bonded to the straw support (56) through the opening (48) prepared at the base (41) of the straw delivering tongue (38) securing the straw delivering tongue (38) to the straw support (56).

18. The container (50) according to claim 1 1, wherein the straw support (56) and the straw delivering tongue (38) each comprising a surface texture to enhance friction between them as the straw support (56) is inserted into the tubular body (62) of the straw delivering tongue (38); wherein the said surface texture is prepared on the tubular body (62) of the straw support (56) and the tubular body (42) of the straw delivering tongue (38), at a corresponding position such that the surface texture on the straw support (56) comes in contact with the surface texture on the straw delivering tongue (38).

19. The container (20, 50) according to any one of the above claims wherein the short arm 30 comprising a protuberance 44 realized as a stud or knob, and/or a ring (86) formed at more than one location along the length of the short arm (28).

20. The container (20, 50) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38), at least, the tip portion (40) or the perpendicular tip portion (54) including the middle portion (55) are made from materials of which posses elasticity and spring action qualities.

21. The container (20, 50) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the straw delivering tongue are made from food grade silicone, or rubber or composite plastic.

22. A straw (28) comprising:

- a short arm (30), a long arm (32) and a flexible portion (34), wherein the flexible portion (34) dispose between the said short arm (30) and the long arm (32);

- a straw delivering tongue (38) assembled to the short arm (30) or the long arm (32), wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) comprising a tip portion (40) of which posses elasticity and spring action qualities;

wherein the said tip portion 40 possesses the ability to retain elasticity and spring action quality and able to spring and resume its arranged posture after having been subjected to a force.

23. The straw (28) according to claim 22, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) define a hollow tubular body (42) or a ring (37) and the tip^* portion (40) being a strip or strand extending from the said tubular body (42) or the ring (37); and the straw delivering tongue (38) is assembled to the straw (28) by inserting the short arm (30) of the straw (28) into the said tubular body (42) or said ring (37).

24. The straw (28) according to claim 22, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) adapted to define a base (41) integrally formed with the tip portion (40); the said base (41) is wider that the tip portion (40); and the said straw delivering tongue is assembled to the straw (28) by means of using adhesives or welding.

25. The straw (28) according to claim 24, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) further comprising a welding patch (46) defining welding areas (48"); and the base (41) further comprising at least one geometrical shape opening (48), each opening is spaced-apart; and wherein the welding patch (46) is bonded to the short arm (30) of the straw (28) by allowing the welding areas (48") to come in contact and bonded with the texture of the short arm 30 through the openings (48) of the base (41) sandwiched the base (41) between the welding patch (46) and the short arm (30)

26. The straw (28) according to claim 22, wherein the short arm (30) comprising a protuberance (44) formed at more than one location along the length of the short arm (30)

27. The straw (28) according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) or at least the tip portion (40) is made from a material posses elasticity and spring action qualities.

28. The straw (28) according to claim 27, wherein the straw delivering tongue (38) or at least the tip portion (40) is made from food grade silicone, or rubber, or composite plastic.