U.S. patent application number 10/401079 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for container with extractable and retractable instructions.
Invention is credited to Rhoades, Dean L..
Application Number | 20040045863 10/401079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31980975 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040045863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhoades, Dean L. |
March 11, 2004 |
Container with extractable and retractable instructions
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing instructions to a person
in regard to the contents of a container. In an embodiment, the
apparatus includes a ribbon retractably coiled in a container or a
container cap. The ribbon, which has instructions on how to use the
contents of the container, may be extracted from the cap by a
person.
Inventors: |
Rhoades, Dean L.; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SEVENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90025
US
|
Family ID: |
31980975 |
Appl. No.: |
10/401079 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10401079 |
Mar 27, 2003 |
|
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10236088 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/534 ;
206/540 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/02 20130101;
B65D 51/245 20130101; B65D 2203/02 20130101; B65D 25/205
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/534 ;
206/540 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining an internal space to
store at least one item and a first aperture; a first structure
removably coupled to the housing to occlude the first aperture; an
expandable structure having a first surface with symbols printed
thereon such that at least a portion of the symbols are visible
when the expandable structure is in an expanded state.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a retraction
mechanism for biasing the expandable structure to a retracted
state.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable structure is
housed within the housing when in a retracted state.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable structure is
housed in the first structure when in a retracted state.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism
includes a spring.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a blocking
structure to prevent the expandable member from separating from one
of the housing or the first structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism
includes an elastic material.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second structure
coupled to the expandable structure to facilitate the movement of
the expandable structure between the expanded state and a retracted
state.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an
engagement mechanism to secure the first structure to the
housing.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the expandable structure
includes at least one of paper, fabric, and plastic.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an
aperture through which the expandable member is slidably
disposed.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first structure defines
an aperture through which the expandable member is slidably
disposed.
13. A method comprising: applying force to an expandable structure
to move the structure between an expanded state and a retracted
state, the expanded structure disposed through an aperture in one
of a container or a cap.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the expandable structure
includes a first surface with symbols printed thereon.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: reducing the force
exerted on the expandable structure to allow the expandable
structure to return to a retracted state due to a biasing force
applied to the expandable structure by a retraction mechanism.
16. An apparatus comprising: means for storing objects; means for
enclosing the means for storing objects; and means for providing an
expandable structure including a first surface with symbols printed
thereon.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: means
for biasing the expandable structure to a retracted position.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: means
for preventing the detachment of expandable structure from the
means for storing objects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/236,088, filed on Sep. 6, 2002.
BACKGROUND
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] Containers and closures or caps for containers, including
caps for containers for pharmaceutical or nutritional products such
as tablets, capsules, and medicinal syrups.
[0004] (2) Background
[0005] Bottles have long been used as containers for pharmaceutical
products such as tablets, capsules, and medicinal syrups. The
containers and caps (i.e., closures or tops) of such containers
come in various forms, and many advances in container and cap
technology have been developed over the last century. In
particular, the pharmaceutical and packaging industries have
developed many innovative containers and caps that are engineered
to be tamper-proof. Such containers and caps are designed so that
they can not be easily opened by mischievous children, to whom
certain types of medicines may be fatal. Such containers and caps
use various configurations of engaging members to form a capped
container that is difficult for children to open.
[0006] Another aspect of safety that is related to containers of
pharmaceutical products concerns instructions for using pills held
in a container. Users of pills, tablets and medicinal syrups
require detailed and clear instructions regarding dosage,
indications, drug interactions, and other important aspects of
usage. Without instructions, or with insufficient instructions,
users may inadvertently overdose on pills, or may ingest pills that
dangerously interact with other medications that the user is
taking. For practical and economic reasons, pill bottles must be
limited to certain sizes. Most pill bottles range in size from 2.5
centimeters (one inch) to ten centimeters (four inches) in height,
and have a radial diameter of, in general, at most 7.5 centimeters
(three inches). As such, the area on the outer surface of the
bottle to provide printed instructions is limited. Additionally,
for consistency reasons, it is desirable to provide the same
quantity of directions regardless of whether a pill bottle is small
(e.g., for holding 12 pills) or large (e.g., for holding 200
pills). Accordingly, because the area of a small pill bottle is
quite limited, it is difficult for pharmaceutical manufacturers to
provide all of the necessary instructions on a label attached to
the outer surface of the bottle.
[0007] Additionally, instructions that are placed on labels on
outside surfaces of containers often become smudged and illegible,
due to moisture from the environment or from the hands of users.
This is another aspect in which traditional apparatuses and methods
of providing instructions for medicines have proven inadequate.
[0008] The aforementioned problem of insufficient space on
containers for instructions is somewhat alleviated by the use of
printed inserts in outer packaging (e.g., in a box that holds a
pill bottle). Inserts can be folded up so that they can contain a
great deal of product information. However, the use of inserts, by
their very nature as loose pieces of paper, pose serious risks to
medicine users. Specifically, the insert may get lost, and the user
will be left with no instructions at all. Or, perhaps worse, the
instructions of two different medicines may get mixed up, and the
user may consume an improper dosage, which could lead to a fatal
result.
SUMMARY
[0009] An apparatus and a method for providing instructions to a
person regarding the use of the contents of a container are
disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a ribbon housed
inside a container. In another embodiment, a ribbon is housed in
the container cap, top or closure. A person using the contents of
the container may pull the ribbon from the container or cap to read
information pertaining to the contents of the container. For
example, in the case of a medicine container, the ribbon could
contain information regarding indications or dosage related to the
medication. After reading the instructions, the ribbon can be
pushed back into the container or cap.
[0010] One aspect of the apparatus is that the disclosed
configuration reduces the possibility of the instructions getting
separated from the container (or contents of the container). If the
ribbon is housed in the container, it will remain with the contents
held in the container. Additionally, in the case of embodiments
where the ribbon is housed in the cap, it can be assumed that after
a person uses a portion of the contents of the container, he or she
will place the cap on the container to close the container. As
such, the instructions will stay with the container, and can be
conveniently read again by the user or by other subsequent users.
Additionally, because the instructions are housed inside the
container or cap, it is less likely that they will become smudged
and rendered illegible. In some embodiments, the ribbon may be
automatically retracted into the cap by a spring, elastic material
or by other means.
[0011] The apparatus provides a method whereby a great deal of
information regarding the contents of the container may be stored
with the container. The ribbon may be very long in some
embodiments, ranging up to several feet in length, or longer.
Additionally, users may also record information on the ribbon by
marking the ribbon after it has been pulled from the cap. For
example, users could mark the ribbon to keep track of when they
ingested a pill, or when they began taking the pills, or other
useful information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar
elements. It should be noted that references to "an" or "one"
embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same
embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of an
embodiment of a container and cap with a retracted instruction
ribbon housed in the container.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cut-away top view of a ribbon
housed inside an annular chamber formed by outer and inner
cylindrical walls of a container.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a view of an embodiment of a
container and cap with an instruction ribbon extracted from the
container.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a close-up view of an
instruction ribbon.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a ribbon and
container.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of an
embodiment of a container and cap with a retracted instruction
ribbon housed in the cap.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a view of an embodiment of a
container and cap with an instruction ribbon extracted from the
cap.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a top perspective view of an
embodiment of a means for retracting an instruction ribbon into a
cap.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a top perspective view of an
embodiment of a container with a false bottom and extendable
instruction ribbon.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a top perspective of an
embodiment of a container and cap with a telescoping instruction
slide.
[0023] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a top perspective of an
embodiment of a container with a side compartment for storing an
instruction ribbon.
[0024] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a top perspective of an
embodiment of a container and cap with a retractable ribbon
instruction set housed within.
[0025] FIG. 13a is an illustration of a container with a pocket and
detached expandable instructions.
[0026] FIG. 13b is an illustration of a pocket and attached
expanded instructions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to
provide an understanding of the disclosed subject matter. However,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosed
subject matter may be practiced in other embodiments that depart
from these specific details. In some instances, detailed
descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as
not to obscure the description of the disclosed subject matter with
unnecessary detail.
[0028] An apparatus and method for providing instructions to a
person regarding the use of the contents of a container is
disclosed. FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded perspective
view of an embodiment of container 10 and cap 20, with retracted
instruction ribbon 30 housed in container 10. Throughout this
specification, when reference is made to container 10, or to
specific applications concerning medicine, those skilled in the art
will not construe such references as limiting the scope of the
disclosed matter to containers for pharmaceutical products.
Specifically, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosed matter covers embodiments of containers that are not used
for pills or medicines, but which are used for housing other items
or materials, such as nutritional supplements, food, beauty
products, chemicals, or other items.
[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, container 10
comprises outer cylindrical wall 12. In embodiments, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, container 10 also includes inner cylindrical wall 16
that is encompassed by outer cylindrical wall 12. In such
embodiments, inner cylindrical wall 16 forms chamber 13, and
annular chamber 17 is formed between cylindrical wall 12 and inner
cylindrical wall 16. Chamber 13 can hold a number of pills or other
contents. In an embodiment, where container 10 is for containing
pills and is large, chamber 13 can hold 500 pills or more. In other
embodiments, where container 10 is small, chamber 13 may hold 12
pills, or less. It is appreciated that container 10 can be sized to
accommodate the desired batch size of the contents.
Representatively, with food or chemicals, chamber 13 may have a
volume of 0.96 liters (32 ounces), 3.79 liters (1 gallon) or
more.
[0030] Container 10 also includes threading 14 for attaching cap 20
onto container 10. Cap 20 comprises threading (not shown) that
cooperates with threading 14 so that cap 20 may be screwed securely
onto container 10 to close container 10. It is appreciated that
other means may be used to secure cap 20 to container 10. For
example, container 10 may include engageable members, which
cooperate with engageable members of cap 20 so that cap 20 may be
snapped on to container 10. Various other configurations for
securing cap 20 to container 10 will be apparent to those skilled
in the art.
[0031] In an embodiment, ribbon 30 is housed in annular chamber 17.
Ribbon 30 may be extracted from annular chamber 17 through aperture
19 in outer cylindrical wall 12 of container 10. In order to access
printed material on ribbon 30, a user may extract ribbon 30 from
container 10 by pulling on tab 31, which is attached to the free
end of ribbon 30. After the instructions have been read by the
user, the user may push ribbon 30 back into container 10.
[0032] Tab 31 has a dimension larger than aperture 19, and serves
as a means for abutting container 10 so as to prevent the free end
of ribbon 30 from retracting entirely through aperture 19. Tab 31
also provides a means for allowing a user to easily hold ribbon 30.
It is appreciated that various structures are adequate for tab 31,
and are also covered by the subject matter disclosed herein.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1 with ribbon 30 in an extracted position. After the
instructions on ribbon 30 have been read, ribbon 30 can be pushed
back into container 10. Information, such as instructions regarding
how to use the contents of container 10 may be printed on ribbon
30. For example, ribbon 30 may contain instructions such as the
indications, dosage and other information about a medicinal pill
found in container 10. After the instructions on ribbon 30 have
been read, ribbon 30 can be pushed back into container 10.
[0034] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a close-up view of ribbon 30,
showing an example of the type of information that may be printed
on ribbon 30. Examples of information include, but are not limited
to, instructions for use of the contents of container 10,
information about the contents of container 10, and coupons
redeemable toward the purchase of additional containers or other
items. In the case of coupons or other information that a consumer
or user of container 10 may remove, the coupons or other
information may be attached to ribbon 30 by an adhesive so that a
consumer or user of container 10 may remove the coupon or other
information while the length of ribbon 30 remains unchanged.
[0035] In an embodiment, tab 31 serves as a means for abutting cap
20 so as to prevent the free end of ribbon 30 from retracting
entirely into ribbon housing 25. More specifically, in an
embodiment, a dimension of tab 31 is larger than a dimension of
aperture 28, and, therefore, tab 31, as well as a portion of ribbon
30 that is connected to tab 31, may not be retracted into ribbon
housing 25. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other
means may be used to abut cap 20 to prevent ribbon 30 from being
completely retracted into ribbon housing 25. For example, a ring or
an L-shaped piece having a dimension larger than a dimension of
aperture 28 may be coupled to ribbon 30 to prevent ribbon 30 from
fully retracting into ribbon housing 25.
[0036] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a ribbon and
container. Ribbon 30 includes flared barbs 34 and 35 and tapered
end 37. The distance between the outermost edges of flared barb 34
and flared barb 35 defines a distance L.sub.1. Distance L.sub.1 is
greater than a distance L.sub.2, which is defined by the vertical
length of aperture 19. Accordingly, after tapered end 37 is
inserted into aperture 19, flared barbs 33 and 35 will, on full
extraction of ribbon 30, abut against an inner surface of outer
cylindrical wall 12, therefore preventing ribbon 30 from being
extracted entirely out of aperture 19. It is appreciated that
various structures can achieve the purpose of flared barbs 34 and
35, and such structures also fall under the subject matter of this
disclosure. In an embodiment, a dimension of annular chamber 17
will be of slightly larger than a dimension of ribbon 30, thus
causing flared bars 34 and 35 to be bent inside of annular chamber
17, so that a frictional force results between ribbon 30 and an
inner surface of annular chamber 17. This frictional force allows
for a more controlled extraction of ribbon 30.
[0037] In an embodiment, ribbon 30 may be made out of a laminate
material, so as to be flexible to bend and adhere to the circular
shape of container 10 in the retracted position. It is appreciated
that other materials, such as certain polymers (plastics), cloth or
metals, will also be adequate for ribbon 30. In an embodiment,
useful articles, such as a mirror or other reflective material, may
be affixed to, or a part of, ribbon 30. In an embodiment, in which
container 10 holds lipstick or other cosmetics, one side of ribbon
30 may contain product information, coupons or instructions, and
the reverse side of ribbon 30 includes a mirror or other reflective
material.
[0038] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a view of an embodiment of a
container and cap with an instruction ribbon extracted from the
cap. In an embodiment, container 10 comprises cylindrical wall 12,
which defines chamber 13. Chamber 13 can hold a number of pills. In
an embodiment, where container 10 is large, chamber 13 can hold 500
pills or more. In other embodiments, where container 10 is small,
chamber 13 only holds 12 pills, or less. It is appreciated that
container 10 can be sized to accommodate the desired batch size of
the contents. In one embodiment, chamber 13 may have a volume of
0.96 liters (32 ounces), 3.79 liters (1 gallon) or any other
standard or irregular size.
[0039] Container 10 also includes threading 14 for attaching cap 20
onto container 10. Cap 20 comprises threading (not shown) that
cooperates with threading 14 so that cap 20 may be screwed securely
onto container 10 to close container 10. It is appreciated that
other means may be used to secure cap 20 to container 10. For
example, container 10 may include engageable members, which
cooperate with engageable members of cap 20 so that cap 20 may be
snapped on to container 10. Various other configurations for
securing cap 20 to container 10 will be apparent to those skilled
in the art.
[0040] Cap 20 includes lower wall 22 and upper wall 24, which form,
in this embodiment, cylindrical chambers. The inner surface of
lower wall 22 includes threading (not shown) for attaching cap 20
to container 10. Cap 20 also includes ribbon housing 25, which
forms a chamber to hold ribbon 30. Ribbon housing 25 is formed by
upper wall 24, top surface 26 and bottom wall 27, which lies,
generally, between lower wall 22 and upper wall 24. Ribbon housing
25 has an interior volume sized, in one embodiment, to house a
length of ribbon (e.g., paper, plastic, or metal ribbon) with
instructions or other information thereon regarding the contents of
container. Representatively, the interior volume may have a height
on the order of two centimeters (defined by the length of top
surface 26) and diameter (in the case of a cylindrical cap) on the
order of four to five centimeters for a pill container. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, ribbon 30 is fully retracted and
is coiled inside ribbon housing 24. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that lower section 22 and ribbon housing 25 can be
manufactured as separate pieces to be coupled, or, may be
manufactured as a monolithic item having, generally, the features
indicated herein. For example, in another embodiment, cap 20
includes only one outer wall 24, but does not include separate
lower wall 22 and upper wall 24. In such an embodiment, cap 20
further comprises an inner wall encompassed by the outer wall. As
such, similar to the embodiment described in FIGS. 1-3, the outer
wall and the inner wall define an annular chamber for housing
ribbon 30. In such an embodiment, an inner surface of the inner
wall may contain threading for attaching cap 20 to container
10.
[0041] As stated above, ribbon 30 is disposed in ribbon housing 25.
A portion of ribbon 30 extends through aperture 28 in ribbon
housing 25. Cap 20, in embodiments, includes means for retracting
ribbon 30 into ribbon housing 25. In an embodiment, spring means
are used to retract ribbon 30 into ribbon housing 25, but those
skilled in the will recognize that other means for retracting
ribbon 30 into ribbon housing 25 may also be adequate, therefore,
also fall under the subject matter disclosed herein. In other
embodiments, ribbon 30 is pushed back into ribbon housing 25.
[0042] A user may extract a portion of ribbon 30 from cap 20 by
pulling on ring 32 to withdraw ribbon 30 from ribbon housing 25.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a view of an embodiment of container
10 and cap 20 with extracted ribbon 30. Information, such as
instructions regarding how to use the contents of container 10 may
be printed on ribbon 30. For example, ribbon 30 may contain
instructions such as the indications, dosage and other information
about a medicinal pill found in container 10. In an embodiment,
ring 30 serves as a means for abutting cap 20 so as to prevent the
free end of ribbon 30 from retracting entirely into ribbon housing
25. More specifically, in an embodiment, a dimension of ring 32 is
larger than a dimension of aperture 28, and, therefore, ring 32, as
well as a portion of ribbon 30 that is connected to ring 32, may
not be retracted into ribbon housing 25. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that other means may be used to abut cap 20 to
prevent ribbon 30 from being completely retracted into ribbon
housing 25. For example, an L-shaped piece having a dimension
larger than a dimension of aperture 28 may be coupled to ribbon 30
to prevent ribbon 30 from fully retracting into ribbon housing
25.
[0043] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a top perspective view of an
embodiment of a means for retracting ribbon 30 into cap 20, that
includes spring 36. As discussed above, those skilled in the art
will recognize that various other means for retracting ribbon 30
into cap 20 may be used. Specifically, as described above, ribbon
30 is disposed within ribbon housing 25. A portion or ribbon 30
extends through aperture 28 in ribbon housing 25. By pulling on
ring 32, a larger portion of ribbon 30 may be extracted from ribbon
housing 25.
[0044] In the retracted position, ribbon 30 is coiled around
revoluble shell 37 inside of ribbon housing 25. A distal end of
spring 36 is coupled to revoluble shell 37, and a proximal end of
spring 36 is coupled to divided stud 38. As ribbon 30 is extracted
from ribbon housing 25, revoluble shell 37 will revolve in a first
direction to increase tension on spring 36. Spring 36 is biased so
that when ribbon 30 is released, revoluble shell 37 will revolve in
an opposite direction as during extraction, and will automatically
retract ribbon 30 into ribbon housing 25. Lock 40 may be deployed
to prevent ribbon 30 from retracting into ribbon housing 25 after a
portion of ribbon 30 has been extracted from ribbon housing 25.
Additionally, lock 40 may also be used to apply a frictional force
to ribbon 30, so as to allow the user to control extraction and
retraction of ribbon 30, and, therefore, to carefully adjust the
length of ribbon 30 that is extracted at any given moment. As
stated above, those skilled in the art will recognize that various
methods and apparatuses may be used to extract and retract ribbon
30, and that various methods and apparatuses may be used to lock
the retraction means, or to adjust the length of ribbon that is
extracted. In this regard, it is appreciated that in embodiments
where ribbon 30 is housed inside of an annular chamber, as
discussed above, means for retracting ribbon 30 may be located
inside the annular chamber, or ribbon 30 may simply be pushed back
inside of the annular chamber.
[0045] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a top perspective view of an
embodiment including a container 900 having a compartment 905. In
one embodiment, compartment 905 defines a space adjacent the bottom
surface of container 900. This compartment 905 is reserved for
storing a set of instructions related to the contents of container
900. In one embodiment, compartment 905 is formed as an integral
part of container 900. In another embodiment, compartment 905 is
attached to container 900. Compartment 905 may be formed of any
material appropriate for forming container 900, including plastics,
metals, natural materials and similar materials used in the
construction of containers.
[0046] In one embodiment, compartment 905 houses instruction strip
909. Instruction strip 909 fits entirely into compartment 905 for
storage. Symbols and information may be inked, engraved or
similarly printed on instruction strip 909. Instruction strip 909
is slidably disposed through aperture 913 in the wall of
compartment 905. In another embodiment, instruction strip 909 forms
a portion or whole of a wall of compartment 909. Instruction strip
909 is slidably disposed through aperture 913 to allow it to be
extracted or retracted in relation to compartment 905. Compartment
905 may include a track or other similar structure for guiding the
instruction strip 909 when being extracted or retracted by a user.
A user grips instruction strip 909 by use of a tab or protruding
portion 911 of instruction strip 909. Instruction strip 909 may be
any size up to the approximate size of compartment 905. The size of
the aperture 913 is determined according to the size of the
instruction strip 911. In one embodiment, the movement of
instruction strip 909 is limited by protrusion 907, tab 911 or
similar structures to prevent the instruction strip 909 from being
disengaged from container 900 or compartment 905. Compartment 905
and instruction strip 909 can be placed along any surface of
container 900. Compartment 905 and instruction strip 909 can also
be placed adjacent or internal to a cap, lid or enclosure 915 of
container 900. In another embodiment, instruction strip 909 may be
a ribbon, sheet or similar or similar item with printed materials
on its surface capable of being stored in compartment 905. Notably,
instructions may be printed on both surfaces of strip 909 doubling
the area available for printing available (e.g, in comparison to a
label adhered to a same location on the bottle. Instructions may be
printed, etched or otherwise placed on the medium of a strip 909.
Instructions may be in the form of symbols, alpha numeric
characters, pictograms, icons, Braille, or similar figures.
[0047] FIG. 10 is an illustration of top perspective view of a
container 1000 with cap 1003. In one embodiment, container cap 1003
includes an internal slot or compartment for storing instruction
slide 1005. In one embodiment, instruction slide 1005 includes
multiple segments that can overlap when stored. In one embodiment,
a protruding structure 1007 is attached to the outer segment of
instruction slide 1005. A user pulls on protruding structure 1007
to extend the instruction slide 1005. Instruction slide 1005 maybe
returned to a storage condition by pressing against protruding
structure 1007. In one embodiment, instruction slide may rest in a
slot, track or similar structure to guide the extraction or
retraction of the instruction slide 1005. Container 1000 may be of
any shape, for example, cubic, cylindrical, irregular or other
container shape types. A telescoping instruction slide 1005 may be
housed in the cap or lid 1003 of a container or in the base of the
container 1000. Instruction slide may be replaced by a ribbon,
non-telescoping slide or similar structure with a surface for
printing instructions. In one embodiment, instruction slide 1005
may be housed perpendicular to a surface of container 1000 or lid
1003. In another embodiment, the instruction slide 1005 may be
housed at an angle to a surface of container 1000.
[0048] FIG. 11 is an illustration of top perspective view of a
container 1100 including a cut away to show a compartment 1109.
Container 1100 includes a cap or lid 1105. In one embodiment,
container 1100 includes a compartment 1109 adjacent an outer
surface of the container 1100 or cap 1105. The compartment defines
a space for storing instruction ribbon 1107. In one embodiment,
instruction ribbon 1107 may be any flexible material, such as a
fibrous material, elastomeric material, plastic or similar
material. In one embodiment, the instruction ribbon 1107 is packed
into compartment 1109. The instruction ribbon 1107 may be folded or
creased in order to facilitate storing the ribbon 1107 in the
compartment 1109. In one embodiment, ribbon 1107 is folded in an
accordion style. A user grips ring 113 or similar structure that
assists a user to grip an end of instruction ribbon 1107. The
gripping structure 1113 is attached to an end plate 1111 that forms
part of the outer surface of container 1100 when instruction ribbon
1107 is stored within compartment 1109. End plate 1111 is attached
to one end of instruction ribbon 1107 and seals instruction ribbon
1107 in compartment 1109 by a form fit with the aperture of the
compartment 1109, interlocking parts or similar engagement
mechanism. In one embodiment, instruction ribbon 1107 is attached
to a wall of compartment 1109 in order to prevent the detachment of
the instruction ribbon 1107 from container 1100 or lid 1105. In one
embodiment, instruction ribbon 1107 is attached to retraction
mechanism such as a biased rotating pin to roll the ribbon into the
compartment 1109 instead of or in combination with folding or
creasing the instruction ribbon 1107. In one embodiment, other
retraction mechanisms may be used to bias the instruction ribbon
1107 into a storage position within compartment 1109, including
spring mechanisms, elastic materials in the ribbon 1107 and similar
mechanisms.
[0049] FIG. 12 is a top perspective illustration of a container
1200 including a cap or removable portion 1205. In one embodiment,
instruction ribbon 1207 is stored in a compartment adjacent a
surface of the cap 1205 or container 1200. The instruction ribbon
1207 may be folded, creased or rolled when stored in the
compartment to minimize the space needed for the compartment. The
instruction ribbon is attached to the internal compartment, cap
1205 or container 1200. In one embodiment, the internal compartment
includes an aperture on the surface of cap 1205 or container 1200.
A protruding or gripping structure blocks the aperture when the
instruction ribbon 1207 is in a retracted position. In one
embodiment, instruction ribbon 1207 is threaded with elastic
material 1211. A user pulls structure 1209 expanding the elastic
material 1211 and instruction ribbon 1207. When a user releases or
reduces the force used on structure 1209 the elastic material 1211
biases the structure 1209 to a position that occludes the aperture
of the storage compartment. The instruction ribbon 1207 is
compressed back into the storage compartment as a result of the
retraction of the elastic material 1211 and structure 1209.
[0050] FIG. 13a illustrates a container 1300 for storing goods
which includes a lid 1302 or similar structure. In one embodiment,
container 1300 or lid 1302 has a pouch or pocket 1304 at least
partially attached to an outer or inner surface. Pocket 1304 may be
constructed of a polymer (plastics), natural product (e.g., paper,
fibrous material) or similar suitable materials. In one embodiment,
pocket 1304 is integrally formed with container 1300. In another
embodiment, pocket 1304 is attached to the surface of container
1300 using an adhesive material, latching mechanism or similar
attachment mechanism.
[0051] In one embodiment, an instruction strip 1306 is attached to
pocket 1304. Instruction strip 1306 may include folds or creases to
allow it to be folded in sections and stored in pocket 1304. When
stored in pocket 1304, tab 1310 is exposed and a pulling force may
be exerted on the tab 1310 to extract and expand instruction ribbon
1306. Sections A, B, and C of the instruction strip may overlap
when stored. Instructions or information related to the products or
container may be printed on either side of instruction strip
1306.
[0052] FIG. 13b illustrates a pocket 1304 attached to instruction
strip 1306. In one embodiment, 1306 may be removeably attached to
the pocket 1304. Instruction strip 1306 may include flanges 1308 to
fit in slits in pocket 1304. Instruction strip 1306 may slide along
the length of pocket 1304 into a retracted state. Flanges 1308
prevent instruction strip 1306 from easily separating from pocket
1304. This prevents the loss of instruction strip 1306 and improves
the safety of use in connection to medicines or similar goods by
insuring the presence of proper instructions for use. In another
embodiment, instruction strip 1306 is integrally formed with the
pocket 1304. In one embodiment, instruction strip 1306 is adhered,
latched or otherwise attached to pocket 1304.
[0053] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. One of ordinary skill
in the art would understand that the exemplary embodiments
discussed above may be modified for use with any shape of
container, for any type of stored material or product. Instruction
materials, storage compartments, gripping structures, retraction
mechanisms may be positioned in any position, including internal to
a container or removable portion of a container, external to
container or main compartment of the container. Each of the
retraction mechanisms and instruction materials may be used in
combination with any shape of container or removable portion of a
container. Multiple instruction ribbons and retraction means may be
used in a single container. Items other than instruction ribbons
may also be attached to the containers and lids by the exemplary
retraction mechanisms, including mirrors, tools, and similar
accessories to the items to be stored in the container. Lids, caps
and similar structures for enclosing a container may be attached to
a container by complementary threading, safety lock mechanism,
clips, form fits, and similar securing structures.
* * * * *