WO1999026861A1

WO1999026861A1 - Beverage container with a pop-up straw and method of making the same

Info

Publication number: WO1999026861A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/025187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles E. Dunning
Original assignee: Fort James Corporation
Priority date: 1997-11-26
Filing date: 1998-11-25
Publication date: 1999-06-03

Abstract

A beverage container (10) has an extendable straw (22) inside for a convenient and sanitary drinking purpose. Preferably, the beverage container (10) is equipped with a top (13) having a raised portion (15). A float (28) is positioned on the straw (22) to elevate it against a top (13) of the container. The float (28) is substantially larger than the openable portion (18) to retain the lower end (26) of the straw (22) in the container (10) while the upper end (24) is extended through the openable portion (18) for use. Preferably, a fixing means (30) fixes the straw temporarily to the container (10) at the time of filling and hermetically closing the container with the top (13), and releases the straw (22) automatically to allow flotation within the container (10) after closing the container (10). The beverage container with the pop-up straw (22) facilitates sanitary drinking and is compatible with high-speed canning.

Description

BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH A POP-UP

STRAW AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beverage containers with a straw. More particularly, it concerns a beverage container having a self-contained pop-up straw.

Background of the Invention

In order to facilitate drinking a beverage from a container, it is k . nown to provide a beverage container with a self-contained straw. Presently, beverage containers are manufactured in assembly lines at considerable speed. Generally, the container body is filled with the beverage and, then a lid is placed and sealed onto the container body. Currently, the canning lines apply lids to container bodies with random rotational orientation, thus making it impracticable to attempt attachment of the straw to the container in controlled alignment with the opening in the lid. Moreover, the lids often feed from magazine stacks and approach the container body from one side during the manufacturing process, with only small clearance above the open container body. Therefore, attaching the straw directly to the lid is not feasible with the present canning procedures.

Paper cartons and juice boxes sometimes have straws attached to their outer surface, but they suffer from other problems, including unsanitary or lost straws. Furthermore, elaborate pop-up straw mechanisms undesirably increase manufacturing cost.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,547,103, 5,431,297, and 5,244,112 relate to containers with various straw dispensing mechanisms; however, each suffers from the drawbacks of relatively complex manufacturing processes and high manufacturing cost.

With increased demands for convenient and sanitary means for drinking from beverage containers, there is a need for beverage containers with pop-up straws that allow low cost of manufacturing and are compatible with conventional canning procedures.

Summary of the Invention

.Vn object of the invention is to provide beverage containers with pop-up straws that facilitate sanitary drinking and have reasonable manufacturing cost. The invention is compatible with the current high-speed canning processes, as well as the manufacturing process for paper cartons, such as milk cartons and juice boxes. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a beverage container having a bottom end and a top end opposite of the bottom end. .An extendable straw is placed in the container, and the straw has an upper end and a lower end. A float is positioned on the straw to elevate the upper end against the top end, and the float is configured to extend the upper end of the straw through the openable portion upon opening of the container.

The invention further includes a beverage container having a means for fixing the straw temporarily to the container at least during the time that the container is filled with liquid and hermetically sealed. The straw is released automatically to allow flotation within the container after sealing the container.

In another aspect of the invention, the beverage container comprises a top having a raised portion and covering the top end. The top has an openable portion for dispensing a liquid in the container for consumption.

In .another aspect of the invention, the objects and advantages of the invention are attained by the method of making a beverage container having a bottom end and an open top end opposite the bottom end. The method includes the steps of preparing an extendable straw having an upper end and a lower end. A float is disposed on the straw. The straw is placed in the container and temporarily fixed to the container. The container is filled with a liquid. The open top end of the container is hermetically sealed.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of tins specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container having an improved top incorporating the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container in FigJ with an opened pull- tab;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the telescopic straw and the float;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the straw with a bellows portion and the float;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the float with a fixing means with a depression portion.

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container with another embodiment of the fixing means; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container with another embodiment of the fixing means.

Detailed Description of the Prefeired Embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In accordance with the invention, a beverage container is provided with an extendable straw inside. A float is positioned on the straw to elevate the upper end through a dispensing opening of the container to facilitate the consumption of the liquid inside the container. Various types of beverage containers are suitable for the present invention and will be apparent to the skilled artisan. For example, cans, typically made of aluminum, milk cartons, and aseptic juice cartons are popular forms of beverage containers in the market.

The present invention will be described with reference to one of the prefeired embodiments, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A beverage container 10 has a bottom end 12 and a top end 13 opposite of the bottom end 12. Cans and paper cartons are typically used as containers for carbonated beverages and juices. On canning lines, a top 14 is placed to seal the container 10 hermetically after the container 10 is filled with a liquid 16. For paper cartons, the container is commonly sealed by folding and gluing its top end and its bottom end. Paper cartons are often used for non-carbonated beverages, such as milk and juices.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the top 14 preferably has a raised portion 15 to assist the straw in reaching the opening. A higher raised portion has a greater upward slope, thus moving the straw more readily to an openable portion 18. The raised portion 15 can have any shape, such as domed and gabled shapes. Some examples of the raised portion 15 may improve aesthetics and be appealing to consumers by using a logo having a raised area or for children's beverages, for example, an animal figure.

For paper cartons, the raised portion 15 can have a gabled or stepped shape. Typically, milk cartons have a gabled top providing upward sloping toward the center improving movement of the straw. More preferably, the edge of the gable is sloped upward to move the straw upward and forward through the opening. Many configurations for the raised portion 15 will be evident to the skilled artisan. However, the height of the raised portion 15 should not increased so significantly that it interferes with the canning line process or stackability of the containers. Preferably, the raised portion 15 does not significantly protrude beyond the top end 13.

As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the raised portion 15 is continuously formed in the top 14. The raised portion 15 has a sufficient slope or steps for an extendable straw 22 to move to the openable portion 18 in the top 14. In one preferred embodiment, the raised portion 15 has a domed shape as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The raised portion 15 has the openable portion 18 for the liquid 16 in the container 10 to be dispensed for consumption. The openable portion 18 is according to one embodiment located off-centered in the top 14 to facilitate drinking and pouring. For instance, the dome shaped top may have an off-centered apex with the openable portion. However, the openable portion 18 can be located in the center of the domed top 14. Placing the openable portion 18 at the center of the top 14 will allow greater upward slope angle for easier movement of the straw to the opening while facilitating both drinking from a straw and pouring. The openable portion 18 has an opening large enough to fit a straw. The openable portion 18 is typically formed from a weakened portion tab in the top 14 for cans. A pull- ring 20 is often attached to the weakened portion tab to facilitate the opening of the openable portion 18 prior to the consumption of the liquid 16. The openable portion 18 is manually opened by simply lifting and pivoting the pull-ring 20. However, the openable portion 18 can be any member capable of hermetically sealing the opening, such as a piece of foil that can be easily peeled off from the top.

In a conventional beverage can, a portion of the pull-ring 20 is pushed in the container 10. For paper cartons, the container 10 can be opened by simply breaking or peeling away a seal on the top 14. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the pull-ring 20 preferably is configured to be pulled out of the container 10. Also, the pull- ring 20 can be removed from the top 14. However, in one preferred embodiment, the pull- ring 20 stays attached to the top 14.

In this preferred embodiment, an extendable straw 22 is placed substantially vertically within the container 10. The straw 22 has an upper end 24 and a lower end 26, and the upper end 24 is the extendable portion. Moreover, the straw 22 is preferably short or compact enough to fit inside the container 10 during the filling of the liquid 16 and the sealing of the container 10 with the top 14. The straw 22 enables the user to drink the liquid 16 at the bottom of the container 10 when the upper end 24 of the straw 22 is extended through the openable portion 18.

A float 28 is preferably attached near the upper end 24 of the straw 22 to elevate the straw 22 prior to the consumption of the liquid 16. The float 28 should have a lower density than the liquid 16, and should not be softened or penetrated by the beverage. Also, the float 28 must be non-toxic and is preferably elastic or resilient. Materials suitable for the float 28 are foamed plastics and low-density plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The float 28 is positioned on the straw 22 near the upper end 24 so that the upper end 24 of the straw 22 will touch against the top 14 of the container 10 or the domed top 14 once the straw 22 floats freely in the container 10. Preferably, the float 28 is close to the upper end 24 of the straw 22 so that the float 28 touches the side wall of the container 10 and keeps the upper end 24 of the straw 22 from lodging under a crevice 25. In a conventional beverage container with a weakened portion tab, the tab is pushed into the container when the container is opened. As a result, a straw stored in the container may be caught behind the tab. When the straw is caught behind the tab, the user can simply rotate or tilt the container raising the area of the opening to bring the straw to the openable portion. However, one of the most effective ways to ensure the straw efficiently reaches the openable portion is to have the openable portion at the apex of a domed top, as illustrated in FigJ. The surface of the domed top 14 is sloped upwardly toward the openable portion 18. Thus, the straw 22, once freed in the container 10, will move toward the openable portion 18 due to the buoyancy of the float 28.

When the container 10 is opened at the openable portion 18, the float 28 will provide sufficient buoyancy to elevate the upper end 24 of the straw 22 through the openable portion 18 so that the user can readily grasp and extend the straw 22. The float 28 can be varied in sizes. In one preferred embodiment, the float 28 is larger than the openable portion 18 in the domed top 14 in order to restrain the lower end 26 of the straw 22 within the container 10 while the upper end 24 of the straw is being extended through the openable portion 18 for use. In another embodiment, the float 28 may be smaller than the openable portion 28 and, preferably, has a portion to rest against the top 14 to restrain the lower end 26 of the straw 22 within the container 10.

Fig. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the extendable straw 22. In the case of using a two-piece telescoping straw, the float 28 is preferably placed close to the joint where an exterior member 48 of the straw 22 overlaps the exposed end of an interior member 46 of the straw 22. If a float that contracts the end of the exterior member 48 of the straw 22 is used, it can be placed on the end of the exterior member 48 completely without overlapping the interior member 46. Furthermore, the interior member 46 of the straw 22 is preferably flared at the end overlapped by the exterior member 48. The exterior member 48 preferably has a groove 49. The combination of the flared end and the groove 49 will prevent accidental separation of the interior and exterior members 46 and 48.

In a prefeired embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a soft and resilient float 28 may be placed to partially overlap the exterior member 48 and also partially overlap the interior member 46, further providing a slight friction fit with the interior member 46 to keep the upper end 24 of the of the straw from slipping back into the container 10 once the straw 22 is extended. There should be a sufficient amount of slip resistance and air-liquid tight seal between the interior member 46 and the exterior member 48. The float 28 can have a shrink fit on an upper end 50 of the exterior member 48 in order to achieve tighter local fit on the interior member 46. Moreover, some longitudinal slitting of the end of the exterior member 48 may be provided to obtain a sufficient contraction.

Alternatively, the float 28 can be placed completely on the interior member 46. In this embodiment, the straw 22 can be inverted so that the exterior member of the straw 22 is close to the top end 13 of the container 10 and the interior member 46 is close to the bottom end 12 of the container 10. The float 28 in this embodiment is preferably close to the bottom end 12 of the container 10.

In another embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the straw 22 has a bellows portion 52 to be extended for drinking purpose. The float 28 should be attached to the straw 22 below the bellows portion 52 so that the bellows portion 52 can be readily extended. The float 28 preferably provides sufficient grip on the straw 22 to achieve restraint on the lower end of the straw 22 while the bellows portion 52 is stretched. Slight overlap of the upper end of the float 28 with the lower end of the bellows portion 52 may be used to achieve increased grip of the float 28 on the straw 22. hi a preferred embodiment when using certain canning procedures, it may be necessary for the straw 22 to be fixed to the container 10 during the filling of the liquid 16 and the closing of the container 10. Then, the straw 22 is released to float freely in the container 10 after closing the container 10. In order to satisfy these conditions, the straw 22 can be temporarily fixed to the container 10 by a fixing means 30. After closing the container 10, the fixing means 30 should automatically release the straw 22 so that it can rise through the openable portion 18 for drinking purposes.

As Illustrated in Fig. 1, the container 10 may include a float 28 having a suction surface 44 releasably attachable to the container 10. The suction surface 44 is a part of the surface of the float 28 and provides a suction effect. The float 28 with the suction surface 44 may be foπned by an injection-molding of foamed plastic.

In order to achieve low manufacturing cost, the float 28 can be formed by cutting a segment of an extruded cross section which has a hole 45 for the straw 22 to be inserted and the suction surface 44. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the float 28 preferably has a tapered end 40 to be easily gripped by a tool for inserting the float 28 in the container 10.

The surface 44 can be configured to allow timed release. There are many configurations for the surface 44 depending on a desired length of the timed release, some of which may be .known to the skilled artisan. For example, the surface 44 can be smooth or uneven. Moreover, a depression portion 43, as illustrated in Fig. 5, can be provided on the surface 44 in order to obtain a desired timed release of the surface 44. In addition, the release time of the surface 44 can be varied by texturing or roughening the surface 44 with sand papers of various roughness, for example. Fine grooves created by sanding, molding or any other methods on the surface 44 will enhance diffusion and fluid-channel effects for dissolving, softening or swelling of a bonding agent 32 in order to release the straw 22.

Alternatively, a bonding agent 32 can be applied to the surface 44. The bonding agent 32 can be applied in a smooth continuous layer. Alternatively, the bonding agent 32 can be applied to the surface 44 in an irregular manner. As used in the present invention, irregularity refers to continuously irregular, discontinuously irregular or discontinuously regular, e.g., screen patterns. The manner in which the bonding agent 32 applied to the surface 44 will affect the dissolution, softening, and/or swelling of the bonding agent 32. The bonding agent 32 should have sufficient viscosity to hold the straw 22 in place at least during the filling and sealing of the container 10 and slowly release the straw 22 by dissolving, softening or swelling in the liquid 16. The bonding agent 32 is preferably a concentrated ingredient normally included in the beverage syrup. Some examples of the bonding agent 32 for regular beverages are corn syrup and sucrose. In case of diet beverages, an added bonding agent 32 should farm viscous gel in water, be tasteless, odorless, and nontoxic in the beverages. Moreover, the bonding agent 32 for a diet beverage should not contribute significant digestible calories. For example, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, guar gum, pectin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol are suitable bonding agents for adding to diet beverages. These bonding agents 32 for addition to diet beverages can also be used for regular beverages. Some of the bonding agents 28 can be cross linked so they soften and/or sell, but do not appreciably dissolve in the liquid 16. In another embodiment, the fixing means 30 preferably comprises a straw holding member 34 with a holder 36 and a bonding agent 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the holding member 34 is fixed at the bottom of the container 10. A bonding agent 32, as described with reference to the previous embodiment, may be placed on the holder 36 of the holding member 34 or the straw 22 before joining the straw 22 and the holding member 34. The hole in the holder 36 should be large enough to allow the straw 22 to float upward freely once the bonding agent 32 dissolves while also being small enough to provide the appropriate dissolution rate of the bonding agent 32. The fit of the straw with the holder 36 can be manipulated by the sl illed artisan to provide a fit loose enough to allow the straw 22 to float upward while the fit being tight enough to provide appropriate disillusion rate of the bonding agent 32.

Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the fixing means. A fixing means 30b in Fig. 5 comprises a detachable suction cup 38. The suction cup 38 preferably has a tapered end 40 to be easily gripped by a tool for inserting the suction cup 38 into the container 10. The suction cup 38 is connected to a collar 42, which is fii ly fitted near the lower end 26 of the straw 22. Similar to the suction surface 44 of the float 28, the surface 44 of the suction cup is roughened or grooved to allow timed release of the suction cup 38. Moreover, the bonding agent 32 can be applied on a surface 44 of the suction cup 38 before it is inserted in the container 10. As in the suction surface 44 of the float 28, the surface 44 of the suction cup 38 can be configured to enhance diffusion of the beverage and dissolution, softening or swelling of the bonding agent 32 in the liquid 16.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the fixing means 30 of the present invention and in construction of the fixing means 30 without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those slcilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope .and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A beverage container having a bottom end and a top end, and a dispensing opening in said container that is initially closed for dispensing a liquid in said container for consumption, comprising: an extendable straw placed in said container, said extendable straw having an upper end and a lower end; and a float positioned near said upper end of said straw to elevate said upper end of said straw against said top end of said container, said float being substantially larger than said dispensing opening to retain said lower end of said straw in said container while said upper end is extended through said dispensing opening for use.

2. A beverage container in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a means for fixing said straw temporarily to said container at the time of filling said container with said liquid and hermetically closing the container, and releasing said straw automatically to allow flotation within said container after closing said container.

3. A beverage container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said straw comprises interior and exterior coaxial members extendable telescopically through said dispensing opening.

4. A beverage container in accordance with claim 3 wherein said float overlaps a juncture between said interior and exterior coaxial members.

5. A beverage container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said straw has a bellows portion for extension.

6. A beverage container in accordance with claim 5 wherein said float is attached near the lower end of said bellows.

7. A beverage container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for fixing said straw comprises a straw holding member with a holder for said straw and a bonding agent capable of dissolving in said liquid.

8. A beverage container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for fixing said straw comprises a detachable suction cup.

9. A beverage container in accordance with claim 8 wherein said suction cup is shaped to allow automatic gripping by the device used to affix said suction cup to internal surface of said beverage container.

10. A beverage container in accordance with claim 8 wherein a bonding agent capable of dissolving in said liquid is applied to the surface of said suction cup.

11. A beverage container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said float comprises a suction surface to be attached to said container.

12. A beverage container in accordance with claim 11 wherein said float is formed by injection-molding.

13. A beverage container in accordance with claim 11 wherein said suction surface of said float has a depression portion.

14. A beverage container in accordance with claim 13 wherein said float is shaped to allow automatic gripping by the device used to affix said float to internal surface of said beverage container.

15. A beverage container in accordance with claim 11 wherein a bonding agent is applied to said suction surface.

16. A beverage container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for fixing said straw comprises a cut segment of an extruded cross section having a hole for said straw and a suction surface to be attached to said container.

17. A beverage container in accordance with claim 16 wherein said cut segment is shaped to allow automatic gripping by the device used to affix said cut segment to internal surface of said beverage container.

18. A beverage container in accordance with claim 16 wherein a bonding agent capable of dissolving in said liquid is applied to the surface of said cut segment.

19. A beverage container in accordance with claim 16 wherein said cut segment comprises a suction surface to be attached to said container.

20. A beverage container in accordance with claim 16 wherein said suction surface of said cut segment has a depression portion.

21. A beverage container having a bottom end and a top end, and a dispensing opening in said container that is initially closed for dispensing a liquid in said container for consumption, comprising: an extendable straw placed in said container, said extendable straw having an upper end and a lower end; a float positioned on said straw to elevate said upper end of said straw against said top end of said container, said float being substantially larger than said dispensing opening to retain said lower end of said straw in said container while said upper end is extended through said dispensing opening for use; and a means for fixing said straw temporarily to said container at the time of filling said container with said liquid and hermetically closing the container, and releasing said straw automatically to allow flotation within said container after closing said container.

22. A beverage container in accordance with claim 21 wherein said means for fixing is a suction surface of said float.

23. A beverage container in accordance with claim 22 wherein said float is a cut segment of an extruded cross section having a hole for said straw.

24. A beverage container in accordance with claim 23 wherein said suction surface has a depression portion.

25. A beverage container having a bottom end and a top end opposite the bottom end, comprising: a top having a raised portion and covering the top end, said top having an openable portion for dispensing a liquid in the container for consumption; an extendable straw placed in the container, said extendable straw having an upper end and a lower end; and a float positioned on said straw to elevate said upper end of said straw against said top, said float being configured to extend said upper end through said openable portion upon opening of the container.

26. The beverage container of claim 25, further comprising a means for fixing said straw temporarily to the container at least during the time of filling the container with said liquid and hermetically closing the container, and releasing said straw automatically to allow flotation within the container after closing the container.

27. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said raised portion has an openable portion.

28. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said raised portion has a sloped surface.

29. The beverage container of claim 28, wherein said raised portion has a domed shape.

30. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said top has a pull tab for opening said openable portion.

31. The beverage container of claim 30, wherein said pull tab opens said openable portion and said openable portion is pulled outside of the container.

32. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said straw comprises interior and exterior coaxial members extendable telescopically through said openable portion.

33. The beverage container of claim 32, wherein said interior coaxial member has a flared end and said exterior coaxial member has a groove.

34. The beverage container of claim 32, wherein said float overlaps a juncture between said interior and exterior coaxial members.

35. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said straw has a bellows portion for extension.

36. The beverage container of claim 35, wherein said float is attached near the lower end of said bellows.

37. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said float is disposed near said upper end of said straw.

38. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said float has a suction surface releasably attachable to the container.

39. The beverage container of claim 38, wherein said float is formed by inj ection-molding.

40. The beverage container of claim 38, wherein said float is a cut segment of an extruded cross section having a hole for said straw.

41. The beverage container of claim 38, wherein said float is shaped to allow automatic gripping by the device used to affix said float to internal surface of the container.

42. The beverage container of claim 38, wherein said suction surface of said float has a depression portion.

43. The beverage container of claim 38, wherein said suction surface is textured to achieve timed release of said float.

44. The beverage container of claim 38, further comprising a bonding agent applied to said suction surface in a manner for timed release of said float.

45. The beverage container of claim 31 , wherein said means for fixing said straw comprises a straw-holding member for said straw.

46. The beverage container of claim 45, wherein said means for fixing further includes a bonding agent capable of releasing said straw.

47. The beverage container of claim 26, wherein said means for fixing said straw comprises a detachable suction cup having a suction surface.

48. The beverage container of claim 47, wherein said suction cup is shaped to allow automatic gripping by the device used to affix said suction cup to internal surface of said beverage container.

49. The beverage container of claim 47, wherein said suction surface of said suction cup has a depression portion.

50. The beverage container of claim 47, wherein said suction surface is textured to achieve timed release of said suction cup.

51. The beverage container of claim 26, further comprising a bonding agent applied to said suction surface in a manner for timed release of said suction cup.

52. The beverage container of claim 26, wherein said means for fixing said straw is a bonding agent applied to said straw and said bonding agent allows timed release of said straw.

53. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said float is configured to retain said lower end of said straw in the container for time sufficient to extend said upper end through said openable portion.

54. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said float is larger than said openable portion to retain said lower end of said straw in the container while said upper end is extended through said openable portion.

55. The beverage container of claim 25, wherein said float is smaller than said openable portion and configured to retain said lower end of said straw in the container while said upper end is extended through said openable portion.

56. The beverage container of claim 27, wherein said float is configured to retain said lower end of said straw in the container for time sufficient to extend said upper end through said openable portion.

57. The beverage container of claim 27, wherein said float is larger than said openable portion to retain said lower end of said straw in the container while said upper end is extended through said openable portion.

58. The beverage container of claim 27, wherein said float is smaller than said openable portion and configured to retain said lower end of said straw in the container while said upper end is extended through said openable portion.

59. The beverage container of claim 44, wherein said bonding agent is applied to said suction surface in an irregular manner for timed release of said float.

60. The beverage container of claim 51 , wherein said bonding agent is applied to said suction surface in an irregular manner for timed release of said suction cup.

61. A method for making a beverage container, the beverage container having a bottom end and an open top end opposite the bottom end, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an extendable straw having an upper end and a lower end; disposing a float on said straw; placing said straw in the container and temporarily and releasably fixing said straw to the container; filling the container with a liquid; and hermetically sealing the open top end of the container.

62. The method of claim 61 , wherein said float has a suction surface attachable to the container.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising a step of applying a bonding agent on said suction surface of said float.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising a step of texturing said suction surface of said float for timely releasing said float.

65. The method of claim 61 , further comprising a step of attaching a suction cup to said straw for releasably fixing said straw to the container and said suction cup has a suction surface.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising a step of applying a bonding agent on said suction surface of said suction cup.

67. The method of claim 65, further comprising a step of texturing said suction surface of said suction cup for timely releasing said suction cup.

68. The method of claim 61 , wherein the open end has a raised portion.