Device for fixing in a container such as a metal can a device automatically extracting the straw, and its associated device

Abstract

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, causing deflection of the elastically deformable retention arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw, or forcing downwards the elastically deformable retention arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw.

1 . 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 comprising an elastically deformable retention arm and a straw retaining portion, the method comprising one of: 
 placing the elastically deformable retention arm in tension when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    causing deflection of the elastically deformable retention arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    forcing downwards the elastically deformable retention arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw; and    prestressing the elastically deformable retention arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning results from direct or indirect effect of the cover.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning results from direct effect of the cover.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning, the deflection, the forcing or the prestressing results from contact between an upper end of the straw retaining portion and a lower surface of the cover.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 before the placing, the causing, the forcing, or the prestressing, fixing the straw to the straw retaining portion.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 filling the container with a beverage.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 before the placing, the causing, the forcing, or the prestressing, filling the container with a beverage.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 crimping the cover on the container.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 before the placing, the causing, the forcing, or the prestressing, filling the container with a beverage.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning, the deflection, the forcing or the prestressing results from contact between a projection coupled to the elastically deformable retention arm and the cover.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the straw supporting member further comprises one of a peripheral ring and annular ring.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable retention arm has one end coupled to the peripheral ring and the annular ring.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the straw retaining portion comprises a retaining tube portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the straw supporting member is a one piece member made of injected plastic material.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the straw supporting member further comprises one of a peripheral ring and annular ring and a succession of deformable lips that are peripherally sandwiched during crimping of the cover onto the can.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the straw supporting member further comprises one of a peripheral ring and annular ring and a succession of deformable lips that are peripherally sandwiched during crimping of a sealing groove of the cover onto the can.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable retention arm includes an actuation arm adapted to be actuated and displaced by the cap during an opening of the can.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting the elastically deformable retention arm with a peripheral ring using two elastically deformable zones.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the two elastically deformable zones comprises a first deformation zone enabling the elastically deformable retention arm to move in horizontally about a vertical pivoting axis (XX′), and a second deformation zone, distinct from the first deformation zone, enabling the elastically deformable retention arm to move in vertically about a horizontal pivoting axis (YY′).  
   
   
       20 . A method of positioning a device for automatically extracting a straw between a container and a cover for the container, wherein the device for automatically extracting a straw includes a deflectable arm and a straw retaining portion, the method comprising one of: 
 placing the deflectable arm in tension when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    causing deflection of the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    forcing downwards the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw; and    prestressing the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw.    
   
   
       21 . A method of positioning a device for automatically extracting a straw between a can and a cover for the can, wherein the device for automatically extracting a straw includes a deflectable arm having one end coupled to a peripheral ring and another end coupled to the straw retaining portion, the method comprising one of: 
 placing the deflectable arm in tension when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    causing deflection of the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw;    forcing downwards the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw; and    prestressing the deflectable arm with the cover when the cover is coupled to the device for automatically extracting a straw.