WO1997001486A1

WO1997001486A1 - Bottle closure with premium insert carrier

Info

Publication number: WO1997001486A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/011029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher J. Mero; Martin Kanengiser
Original assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
Priority date: 1995-06-27
Filing date: 1996-06-27
Publication date: 1997-01-16
Also published as: AU6292196A; BR9503926A

Abstract

A prize bearing container mountable within the neck of a bottle beneath the cap thereof is provided with a tab (36, 120, 158) for easy removal from either the cap or the bottle neck after the bottle and cap have been separated by a customer. In a first embodiment, the container is a generally cylindrical body having an interior chamber for storing a prize therein. A thin film closure layer is sealed to the top of the container and extends to the bottom thereof where it forms a removal tab (36). In a second embodiment, the body includes an annular flange (13, 118, 156) for seating against the upper lip of the bottle and a tab which is manipulated for removal of the body from the cap or container neck. In a third embodiment, the container includes an adhesive substance for fixation to the bottom surface of the top wall of the cap and a tab which is manipulated for removal of the container from the cap or bottle neck.

Description

BOTTLE CLOSURE WITH PREMIUM INSERT CARRIER

The present invention relates to promotional and prize premiums that are provide with consumer products to stimulate the sales of those products. More specifically, the present invention relates to insert assemblies for holding premiums which are ideally suited for mounting within a bottle cap or the neck of the bottle to store promotional prizes, and which remain undetectable prior to opening.

A wide variety of promotional schemes have been developed in which the packaging of selected ones of items, such as food or drink, are prize bearing. It is fundamental in such promotional campaigns that the consumer not be able to discern whether a given package contains a prize until the item has been purchased and opened. With respect to bottles of soft drinks, beer, juices, and the like, in order to prevent pre-purchase identification of those bottles which contain prizes it is well known that an ideal positioning of the prize is within the cap or adjacent to the cap, in the neck of the bottle, so that the cap may shield the prize bearing assembly from view. In many programs a cap seal has a printed message indicating that a prize may be awarded to the consumer who redeems the seal insert and/or cap.

One variation of the hidden prize bearing bottle is taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,056,681 to Howes, in which a cylindrical cup having a widened top opening is designed to fit into the neck of the bottle. Howes further teaches that and overlying disc containing a prize identification message is preferably disposed over the widened top opening.

A structurally similar seal assembly is taught in U.S. Patent 4,858,776 to Mehra. Mehra discloses a shallow dish-shaped seal having an annular widened top which is intended to mate with the top of the neck and with a downwardly extending sealing ring of the bottle cap.

A prize bearing insert constructed in accordance with the teaching of the prior art devices is shown in cross section in Figure 1. This illustration shows the cylindrical insert body 1, having an annular flange portion 2 which seats against the top lip 3 of the bottle 4. The bottle cap 5 is threadably engaged on the neck 6 of the bottle 4, and includes a circular seal 7 adjacent the inner surface of the top wall 8 of the cap 5 which is intended to mateably interface with the lip 3 of the bottle 4. Seal 7 is secured by an annular lip 7a. The presence of the insert 1, and more importantly, the annular flange 2, inhibits the cap 5 from fully seating against the lip 3, as the flange 2 wedges between the bottle lip 3 and the sealing lip 7a, and prevents the seal 7 from properly seating against the bottle lip 3. This improper seating causes the cap 5 to remain higher on the bottle 4 than would otherwise be desired. Because the cap 5 remains high, leaving a dead space above the flange 2, between the cap 5 and the top of the insert 1, the threading of the cap 5 and the bottle 4 does not properly mate, therein requiring extreme torque to unscrew the cap 5 from the bottle 4. In fact, the presence of the flange 2 between the cap lip 7a and the bottle lip 3 prevents the safety or security seal ring 9 from expansively engaging the locking ring 35, therein causing the seal to be removed with the cap and failing to signal if the bottle has been tampered with.

The above described difficulties, as well as others associated with subsequent removal of the insert by customers are considerable drawbacks. These difficulties, including for example the frustration and tediousness which correspond to failed attempts at grasping and removing a small tight fitting insert from the bottom of a narrow cap, have mititated against the use of such inserts.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a prize bearing insert assembly for use with bottles and corresponding caps which are easily manufactured.

It is also a principal object of the present invention to provide a premium insert which does not interfere with the proper seating of the bottle cap on the bottle.

It is further a principal object of the present invention to provide a prize bearing insert having a tab which may be easily gripped by the customer to remove the insert from the bottle cap in which it is disposed.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide an insert assembly for use in bottles and corresponding caps which is easily incorporable into a manufacturing line, and which does _not require significant alteration of the standard bottling machine of line.

The above stated objects of the present invention are achieved by a pull tab prize bearing container as described more fully hereinbelow. In each of its various embodiments, the container comprises a cylindrical body having an interior chamber and a hard exterior, for example constructed of a suitable thermoplastic such as poly-olefin, which provides physical and chemical protection for prizes mounted therein. The insert further includes a tab disposed on the exterior surface thereof, for use by customers desiring to remove the insert from the bottle cap in which it is disposed.

In a first embodiment the insert comprises a film closure layer which extends over, and is sealed to, the top of the insert. The film closure layer is also sealed, by induction heat seal, glue, or other suitable means, to the lower surface of the top wall of the bottle cap, therein coupling the insert to the cap. An annularly extending portion of the film may extend over the lip of the bottle when the cap is properly positioned thereon, therein forming part of the bottle seal structure.

It is understood that the film is a very thin layer which ensures that if it extends over the lip, the cap will properly seat against the lip of the bottle. Thus, the threads of the bottle will properly engage the threading of the cap, and the safety seal ring will engage the bottom of the threads on the bottle as intended.

A separate portion of the thin film closure layer may extend downwardly and be coupled, by an adhesive material, heat sealing, or other suitable means, to the bottom of the insert. This portion of the film forms one form of the removal tab which a consumer may easily utilize to remove the insert from the bottle cap subsequent to opening of the bottle and recognition for the insert's presence.

In an alternative embodiment the premium container includes a thin annular flange portion which extends outward from the top end of the cylindrical body. The annular flange provides the container with a surface which can seat against the top lip of the bottle neck, therein holding the container in position in the neck during storage and prior to opening. The annular flange of the premium container is preferably notched to provide a flow path for extreme built-up gasses to vent. Once the bottle cap has been threadably locked onto the bottle neck, the flange of this embodiment of the container is locked between the lower surface of the upper wall of the cap and the top lip of the bottle neck. Two variations of this embodiment are provided, the first being one in which the annular flange remains seated against the top lip of the bottle neck after the cap is removed by a customer, the second being one in which the container remains coupled within the bottle cap after removal thereof. In the first variation the annular flange is narrower than the inner diameter of the threading in the cap. In the second variation, the annular flange is designed to fit into a recess formed in the seal area of the cap prior to being threaded onto the neck. In the first variation of this alternate embodiment, which is designed to remain inserted into the neck of the bottle once the cap has been removed, the top surface of the annular flange comprises a pull tab. The pull tabs may be of any suitable design which a customer may easily manipulate to remove the container from the neck of the bottle.

In the second variation, which is designed to remain in the cap once the cap is removed, the bottom of the cylindrical body portion of the container may include a pull tab. The pull tab of the second variation, is similar to the pull tab of the first variation in that it is designed to be easily manipulated by a customer so that the container may be removed without frustration or damage from the cap.

In a third embodiment, the top surface of the premium container is fixably coupled to the lower surface of the upper wall of the cap, for example by induction heating or by an adhesive such as a glue. An annular flange such as was included in the variations of the first embodiment comprises the top of the container, however, it is unnecessary for the flange to seat against the top lip of the bottle neck. In practice, however, it is useful to include the laterally extending flanges so that if the container is disposed slightly off center within the cap, as a result of normal manufacturing variation, that the cap will properly seat against the top lip of the bottle neck. In this third embodiment, there is provided a pull tab extending downward from the bottom surface of the cylindrical body of the container, similar to the pull tab of the second variation of the first embodiment.

Reference may now be had to the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section view of a prior art premium insert assembly;

Figure 2a is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention in its seated position within a bottle cap which is properly positioned on a bottle;

Figure 2b is an enlarged detail of a portion of Figure 2a;

Figure 2c is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention in its seated position within a bottle cap which is properly positioned on a bottle;

Figure 2d is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 2c;

Figure 2e is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention in its seated position within a bottle cap which is properly positioned on a bottle;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container element of a first variation of another alterative embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c are side views of three separate variations of the pull tab which are aspects of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the bottle neck, the pull tab, the container, and the bottle cap of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the container element of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the bottle neck, the container, the pull tab, and the bottle cap of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8a is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the annular flange of the container is angled toward said closed bottom; and

Figure 8b is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 8a.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. The premium insert assembly 10 comprises a generally cylindrical body 12, having an open top 14, and a closed bottom 16, therein forming a contained chamber therein. The cylindrical body 12 is formed of a suitable material capable of providing physical and chemical protection for a prize which is stored therein when the container is disposed in the neck of a bottle which is filled with a fluid, such as soft drinks, beer, juices, or any suitable beverage. For example the cylindrical body 12 may be formed of poly-olefin, polyethylene, or other polymer or plastic material which is compatible with long term storage of foodstuffs.

As illustrated in Figure 2b, the open top 14 of the cylindrical body 12 is covered by a film closure layer 18 which extends over, and is sealed to, the top thereof. An annularly extending portion 20 of the film 18 extends outward and doubles back under the insert so that it engages the lip 22 of the bottle 24 when the cap 26 is properly positioned thereon, as shown in Figure 2a. The film closure layer 18 is sealed by induction sealing to the upper surface of the cylindrical body, or an adhesive such as for example a low tack glue, and also to a lower surface of the top wall 28 of the bottle cap 26, thereby coupling the insert 10 to the cap 26. The thin film 18 is intended to be a very thin layer such that its extension over the lip 22 does not interfere with the proper seating of the cap 26, and the seal 30 descending from the lower surface of the cap 26, against the lip 22 of the bottle 24. This ensures that the threads of the bottle will properly engage the threading 32 of the cap 26, and the safety seal ring 34 will engage the locking bead 35 on the bottle 24 as intended.

A separate portion 36 of the thin film closure layer 18 is curved around to the bottom of the insert 10, to which it is releasably coupled by a suitable adhesive means such as set forth above, therein forming a removal tab. This removal tab 36 is provided such that a consumer may easily remove the insert 10 from the bottle cap 26 subsequent to recognition of the insert's presence.

In a separate variation of this first embodiment, the portion of the thin film closure layer 18 which forms the removal tab 36 is not coupled to the bottom 16 of the cylindrical body 12, but rather remains uncoupled but easily manipulated by the consumer for the purposes of removing the insert 10 from cap 26 and accessing the premium disposed therein. As illustrated in 2b, the premium insert container 10 is formed with a narrow annular rim 13 which is dimensioned to rest on the neck 22 of bottle 24 and be received within an annular recess defined by seal member 30 which has been formed within bottle cap 26. The premium insert container 10, the thin film member 18 and the seal member 30 may be inductively welded as indicated at plastic weld 25 to secure the premium insert container 10 to the bottle cap 26. Access for inductive electrodes may be provided by recessed sidewall portions 12a, 12b illustrated in Figure 2d. While the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2d is a bottom plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2c, the recessed openings 12a, 12b may be formed with equal convenience in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b.

As illustrated in Figure 2c, still another embodiment of the invention includes the premium insert carrier 10 having an annular sidewall 12 closed on the bottom with bottom wall 16 and closed on the top by thin film member 18 in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b. However, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2c, the thin film member 18 includes an outwardly extending circular portion 20a which may form part of the seal structure for the bottle 24 and cap 26. Inasmuch as the annular circular portion 20a extends outwardly over the lip 22 of bottle 24, it is engaged by the corner seal 30 formed within cap 26. When the cap is mounted on the bottle as illustrated in Figure 2c, the outward depending circular portion 20a hangs downwardly on each side of neck 22 and is sealed between corner seal 30 and neck 22. The premium insert carrier 10 and the thin film member 18 may be secured to the bottle cap 26 and cap seal 30 by means of inductive welding as previously described with respect to Figures 2a and 2b wherein access for welding the assembly to the cap is gained through recesses 12a and 12b formed in the sidewall 12 of the insert container.

As illustrated in Figure 2e, still another embodiment of the invention includes the premium insert container 10 having an annular sidewall 12 enclosed on the bottom wall 16. The open mouth 14 of the premium insert container is closed with a thin film member 18 as previously described with respect to Figures 2a-2d. However, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2e, the thin film member 18 is inductively welded to the premium insert container 10 and to the neck of the bottle 22 at 22a. The thin film 18 is further sealed to the neck 22 of bottle 24 by means of an annular ridge 25 formed on the inner sidewall of cap member 26. The corner seal bead 26a of cap 26 may also be used, in combination with the thin film member 18 to provide a corner seal between the neck of the bottle 22 and closure 26.

Referring now to Figure 3, a container 100 which is insertable into the neck of a bottle is shown in a perspective view. The container comprises a generally cylindrical body 112 having a frusto-conical bottom portion 114. A lid or cap 122 is provided which is secured to the annular body member 100 at flange 118, and is provided with a lift tab 120. The generally cylindrical body includes an interior chamber in which a prize may be disposed. It is understood that such a frusto-conical bottom portion 114 is an expedient for automated assembly, whereby the container is self-aligning with the opening of the bottle into which it is to be disposed. In addition, however, the frusto-conical bottom portion 114 may be releasably secured to the remainder of the body portion 112, such as by a snap clip arrangement, threading, or other suitable means, so that a customer may easily access the prize within the interior chamber, once the customer has opened the bottle and retrieved the container.

It is understood that any alternative means for providing a customer easy access to the interior chamber of the container, while ensuring that prior to the opening of the bottle, the prize remains physically and chemically protected from interaction with the contents of the bottle, and which does not otherwise interfere with the operation of the other features of the container-bottlecap assembly may be utilized. It is further understood that it is preferred that such alternative means to compatible with a high volume molding process as is standard in the industry.

The top portion 116 of the container 110 is secured to annularly extended flange 118 which extends outwardly from the generally cylindrical body 112. This extended flange 118 is ideally suited to seating on the upper lip of a bottle neck into which the container is to be disposed (as more fully described with respect to Figure 5) . In the embodiment illustrated, flange 118 is shown as being substantially perpendicular to said cylindrical body 112. As described with more particularity with respect to Figure 8, flange 118 can also be at an angle relative to said cylindrical body 112, preferably at an angle toward the closed bottom end of said container. The diameter of the flange 118 and top 116 is such as to be received into a recessed area of the seal in the bottle cap, and the outer diameter of cylindrical portion 112 is such as to snugly engage the mouth of the bottle when inserted therein. In this manner, the insert container remains seated in the bottle when the cap is removed and does not lodge within the cap.

The top portion 116 of the container, further, comprises a tab 120. In Figure 3, the tab 120 is shown to be flexibly mounted, such that the tab 120 is rotatable from an orientation wherein it is flush with the top surface 122 of the generally cylindrical body 112, to an orientation perpendicular thereto and directed upwards. It is understood that the rotatability of the tab 120 is provided so that a bottle cap (see Figure 5) may be placed over the container once the container has been inserted into the neck of the bottle. It is further understood that if the bottle cap includes a region into which the tab 120 may extend without requiring it to rotate downward, then the tab would not require the flexible mount . Referring now to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, various embodiments of the tabs 120a - 120c are shown in side perspective views. The tabs which are shown in Figures 4a - c are utilized for the purposes of description of the other various embodiments set forth hereinbelow. It shall be understood, however, that any of the tabs 120a - 120c which have been disclosed, as well as any equivalent structures designed to facilitate the grasping and removing of the container from either the bottle neck, or, as set forth below, the bottle cap itself, may be employed.

In Figure 4a, the tab. 120a is a trapezoidal section having a slight taper in the vertical axis along one horizontal direction. In a preferred variation, the tab 120a may include a ribbing 121, or other grip enhancing surface morphology so that a user might more easily grasp and hold the tab 120a.

Figure 4b shows a variation of the tab 120b which is similar to the tab 120a, but further includes a through hole 122. Through hole 122 is provided in the tab 120b so that a user might manipulate and securely grip the container with an instrument for the purposes of removing the container from the bottle neck into which it is disposed. The hole 122 also improves the grip surface for manually removing the insert from the bottle or from the cap, as desired.

Figure 4c shows a variation of the tab 120c which is used for the same purpose as the previously described tabs 120a, 120b, however, when relaxed after molding forms a T-shaped top. The top 124 of the tab 120c is designed to be easily grasped or held between the fingers of a user. The top member 124 is hingedly connected to base 126 to allow the top member 124 to flex in the direction of arrow A during removal from the mold in which it was formed.

Referring now to Figure 5, an exploded view of the assembly of a container 110 within the bottle neck 130 and the bottle cap 128 is provided. The generally cylindrical body 112 of the container 110 is designed to fit within the opening 132 of the neck 130 of the bottle. The annular flange 118, which extends outwardly from the top portion 116 of the generally cylindrical body 112, is provided having a greater diameter than the opening 132 of the neck 130, and therefore seats onto, but does not extend beyond the lip 134 of the bottle neck 130.

Once the container insert 110 has been properly placed into the bottle neck 130, the bottle cap 128 may be placed on the bottle. In the illustration provided in Figure 5, the cap 128 and the exterior 136 of the neck each include threads 138a, 138b, respectively, which threads are engageable whereby the cap 128 may be securely locked onto the bottle neck 130.

In this variation of this embodiment, the container insert 110 is intended to snugly engage the inner walls of neck 130 so that it remains seated on the lip 134 of the bottle neck 130 after removal of the cap 128 by customer. Removal of the insert 110 from the bottle 130 by the customer is achieved by manually engaging the tab 120 and lifting the insert 110 out of the opening 132 of the bottle. in another embodiment, illustrated in Figure

6, the container insert 150 is intended to remain within the bottle cap 128 after removal thereof from the top of the bottle 130. Referring to Figure 6, the container insert 150 of this embodiment of the prize bearing insert assembly is provided in a side perspective view. As set forth above with respect to the container 110 of the first embodiment, the container comprises a generally cylindrical body 152 having a frusto-conical first end 154, and a second end which includes an annular flange 156 wihch extends outwardly from the generally cylindrical body 152. The container insert 150 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a tab 158 attached to the bottom surface 160 of the insert. As suggested above, the tab may be formed in any suitable shape, such as those illustrated in Figures 4a - 4c.

Referring now to Figure 7, the premium insert of this embodiment is shown in an exploded view, wherein the relative disposition of the premium container 150 is shown with respect to the bottle neck 130 and the bottle cap 128. The premium container 150 is intended to fit within the opening 132 of the neck 130 of the bottle, with the annular flange 156 of the container 150 seated against the lip 134 of the bottle neck 130. The bottle cap 128 is threadably mated to the top of the bottle via the mutual engagement of interior threads 138a of the cap and exterior threads 138b on the exterior surface of the neck 130 of the bottle.

Once assembled, the annular flange 156 of the container 150 is held within the bottle cap 128 at the bottom surface 162 of the top wall 164 thereof. After removal of the cap, by a customer, the container is loosely retained in the cap 128 by the relative diameter of the flange 156 with respect to threads 138a. The customer may then manually engage the tab 120 which protrudes from the end of the container 150 which is directed outward from the cap 128, and separate the container 150 from the cap 128.

Turning now to Figure 8A, an embodiment of the present invention is depicted whereat the flange 118 is angled relative to container body 112. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, flange 118 is angled at angle a toward closed bottom 170 of the container. As contemplated by the present invention, angle may be up to about 30°, preferably between about 15° and about 25°, more preferably about 20°. Additionally, it is preferred if edge 171 of flange 118 is notched. In the embodiment illustrated, edge 171 is notched such that there is an overhang 172 at the top portion thereof and an inner edge portion 174.

Also on the embodiment depicted, frusto- conical bottom portion 114 is at angle β relative to closed bottom 170. Preferably, angle β is between about 40° and about 80°; more preferably, β is between about 50° and about 70°; most preferably, β is about 60° . Similarly, while the container body 112 is generally cylindrical, it is preferred if the side walls thereof manifest a taper, defined as angle γ. In the practice of this aspect of the invention, angle γ is contemplated as being up to about 5°; preferably between about 1° and about 3°; most preferably, γ is about 2° .

While the dimensions of the embodiment depicted in Figure 8A are readily discernible in accordance with the other aspects of the present invention as described herein, a preferred configuration includes a thickness t. of said closed bottom 170 of about 0.8 mm with the height h_x of said container being about 7.3 mm. The height h₂ of said frusto-conical bottom portion 114 is about 2.5 mm. Although not necessary in the practice of the present invention, gate 173 generally has a thickness t₂ of about 1.3 mm. Diameter O as measured from outer edge of overhang 172 is in this preferred embodiment about 27.9 mm, whereas D₂, as measured from the inside of notch 174, is about 76.8 mm. Diameters D₃ and D₄, having further reference to Figure 8B, are about 18.8 mm and about 18.2 mm, respectively. Referring to Figure 8B, depicted thereat is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 8A. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, on the interior side of cylindrical body 112 generally opposite flange 118 is an inwardly directed nub 175. In a preferred configuration, nub 175 manifests radii of curvature R and R₂ which, as preferred, are about 0.25 and about 0.5, respectively. Also in this aspect of the invention it is preferred if distance d_x is about 0.25 mm and distance d₂ is about 0.6 mm.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A premium insert container for concealing a prize within a bottle, said bottle having a threaded neck portion that is closed by a threaded cap, said container comprising: a cylindrical body sized to fit with the neck of said bottle, said cylindrical body portion having an annular sidewall, an open top and a closed bottom to define a chamber therein; a thin film closure layer sealed to the open to of the body portion and detachably secured to an interior surface of said threaded cap; a tab, formed of a portion of said thin film closure layer, extended downward from said open top along the exterior of said cylindrical body portion, therein provided a means for removal of the premium insert container subsequent to removal of the threaded cap from the neck of the bottle.

2. The container as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the tab is releaseably coupled to a lower surface of said closed bottom.

3. A premium insert container for concealing a prize within a bottle, said bottle having a threaded neck portion that is closed by a threaded cap, said container comprising: a cylindrical body portion, said body portion being insertable into the threaded neck portion of said bottle, said cylindrical body portion being centered within said threaded cap which is threadably engaged with said threaded neck to thereby seal the bottle; means for retaining said cylindrical body portion within said neck while the cap and the bottle are threadably engaged; a tab secured to said cylindrical body member, said tab extending from said body portion to enable a consumer to remove the premium insert container from the threaded cap subsequent to release of the cap from the neck of the bottle.

4. The container as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said means for retaining said body portion within said neck comprises an annular flange, said flange extending radially outward from a first end of said cylindrical body portion, said flange dimensioned to seat against a lip of said threaded neck portion.

5. The container as set forth in Claim 4, wherein said flange is substantially perpendicular to said cylindrical body portion.

6. The container as set forth in Claim 5, wherein said flange is at an angle to said cylindrical body portion.

7. The container as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said container has a closed bottom and said flange is angled toward said closed bottom.

8. The container is set forth in Claim 7, wherein said flange is angled up to about 30° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

9. The container as set forth in Claim 8, wherein said flange is angled between about 15° and about 25° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

10. The container as set forth in Claim 9, wherein said flange is angled at about 20° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

11. The container as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said means for retaining said body portion within said neck comprises an adhesive for releasably securing said premium insert container to said cap.

12. The container as set forth in Claim 3 , wherein said tab is mounted to an end of said cylindrical body portion and is orientable upwards and out of the bottle neck in which it is mounted.

13. The container as set forth in Claim 12, wherein said tab is rotationally mounted to said body portion whereby said tab may be rotated from an orientation wherein it is flush with said end of said body portion, to an orientation perpendicular thereto and directed upwards and out of said bottle.

14. The container as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said tab is mounted to an end of said body portion and is directed downwards, away from the cap.

15. The container as set forth in Claim 14, wherein said tab is rotationally mounted to said body portion whereby said tab may be rotated from an orientation wherein it is flush with said end of said body portion, to an orientation perpendicular thereto and directed downwards, away from the cap.

16. A prize bearing bottle, container, and cap assembly, comprising: a bottle having a neck defining an opening; a cap, releasably secured to the neck of said bottle; a premium container having a cylindrical body portion, said body portion being insertable into said opening of said bottle, beneath the cap; means for retaining said container within said neck while the cap is releasably secured to the neck of said bottle; a tab, extending outward from said body portion to facilitate the easy removal of the premium container subsequent to the release of the cap from the bottle.

17. The assembly set forth in Claim 16, wherein said means for retaining said container within said neck comprises a thin film closure layer which is releasably secured to both a top of the container and an underside of the cap.

18. The assembly set forth in Claim 17, wherein a portion of said thin film closure layer extends to, and is coupled to, a bottom surface of said premium container, to form a tab which facilitates removal of the premium container from the cap.

19. The assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein said means for retaining said container within said neck comprises an annular flange, extending radially outward from an end of said body portion, said flange dimensioned to seat against a lip of said neck.

20. The assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said flange is substantially perpendicular to said cylindrical body portion.

21. The container as set forth in claim 20 wherein said flange is at an angle to said cylindrical body portion.

22. The container as set forth in claim 21 wherein said container has a closed bottom and said flange is angled toward said closed bottom.

23. The container as set forth in claim 22 wherein said flange is angled up to about 30° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

24. The container as set forth in claim 23 wherein said flange is angled between about 15° and about 25° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

25. The container as set forth in claim 24 wherein said flange is angled at about 20° relative to said cylindrical body portion.

26. The assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein said means for retaining said container within said neck comprises an adhesive for releasably securing said container to an inner surface of said cap.

27. The assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein said tab is mounted on an end of said body portion and is directable upwards and out of the bottle neck in which it is mounted.

28. The assembly set forth in claim 27, wherein said tab is rotationally mounted to said end of said body portion whereby said tab may be rotated from an orientation wherein it is flush with said end of said body portion, to an orientation perpendicular thereto and directed upwards and out of said bottle.

29. The assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein said tab is mounted to an end of said body portion and is directed downwards, away from the cap.

30. The assembly as set forth in claim 29, wherein said tab is rotationally mounted to said body portion whereby said tab may be rotated from an orientation wherein it is flush with said end of said body portion, to an orientation perpendicular thereto and directed downwards, away from the cap.

31. The assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein said means for retaining said container within said neck comprises a thin film closure layer which is releasably secured to both a top of the container and a neck of said bottle.

32. The assembly set forth in claim 31, wherein said tab is circular and extends outwardly from said premium container and the neck of said bottle.