Beverage container with prize delivery receptacle

Abstract

A product container, for example, a beverage can, for dispensing an in-package prize when the container is opened. The container is sealed by a closure that the consumer peels back to gain access to the contents of the container. The prize, which is contained in a receptacle affixed to the underside of the closure, is revealed when the closure is peeled back. Due to the construction of the prize-delivery container, the container may concurrently hold both a prize and the consumer product.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A product container with a promotional item hidden until the container is opened, comprising: 
 a container body comprising an interior and an opening permitting access to said interior;    a closure member peelably-connected to said container body and temporarily sealing said opening, said closure member comprising an inside surface facing said interior of said container body, said inside surface being exposed to the consumer when said closure member is peeled away from said opening; and    a promotional item integral with said closure member, said promotional item dimensioned to fit through said opening when said closure member is peeled away from said opening.    
     
     
         2 . The product container of  claim 1 , wherein said container body comprises a cylindrical portion having a closed end and an open end, a lid portion sealed to said cylindrical portion over said open end, and a lid portion comprising an aperture therein.  
     
     
         3 . The product container of  claim 2 , wherein said product container comprises a beverage container and said promotional item comprises a prize delivery receptacle formed from a liquid-impermeable material.  
     
     
         4 . The product container of  claim 3 , wherein said closure member comprises a foil adhered to said lid portion around the periphery of said aperture.  
     
     
         5 . The product container of  claim 4 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle is peelably attached to said inside surface of said closure member, whereby said prize delivery receptacle may be opened by the consumer after opening said product container to gain access to a prize contained in said prize delivery receptacle.  
     
     
         6 . The product container of  claim 5 , wherein said container body comprises metal, said closure member comprises a metal foil, and said prize delivery receptacle comprises plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The product container of  claim 6 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a semi-rigid container.  
     
     
         8 . The product container of  claim 7 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a cup.  
     
     
         9 . A closure and prize delivery assembly for a container having an aperture providing access to contents contained in said container, comprising: 
 a closure member having an underside and constructed to be peelably sealed to said container around the periphery of said aperture, said closure member including a tab portion suitable for a consumer to grip and peel at least a portion of said closure member away from said container to expose said underside and said aperture; and    a prize delivery receptacle integrally formed with said closure member.    
     
     
         10 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle is peelably attached to said underside of said closure member.  
     
     
         11 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a pouch attached to said underside of said closure member.  
     
     
         12 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a cup.  
     
     
         13 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a cup attached to said underside of said closure member.  
     
     
         14 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle is formed by a volume captured between two layers of a material comprising said closure member.  
     
     
         15 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle is formed from a liquid-impermeable material.  
     
     
         16 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said closure member is at least partially formed of a metal foil and said prize delivery receptacle comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         17 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a semi-rigid container.  
     
     
         18 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said prize delivery receptacle comprises a cup attached to said underside of said closure member.  
     
     
         19 . The closure and prize delivery assembly of claims  9 , further comprising a flavoring positioned within said prize delivery receptacle.  
     
     
         20 . A product container, comprising: 
 a container body;    a container top positioned on said container body;    said container top comprising an aperture therein; and    a closure sealing said aperture;    said closure comprising a receptacle positioned about said aperture.    
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said closure comprises a pull-tab lid.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 20 , further comprising an article positioned within said receptacle.  
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 20 , further comprising a liquid positioned within said receptacle.  
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said receptacle comprises a cup.  
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said receptacle comprises a sachet.  
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said receptacle comprises a pull-tab.  
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said receptacle comprises a cup with a frangible end.  
     
     
         28 . A product container, comprising: 
 a container body;    a pull-top lid positioned on said container body; and    said pull-top lid comprising a receptacle positioned thereon.