Abstract:
The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers in which a variety of items can be stored, such as eyeglasses writing instruments, pills, medicines, thermometers, rulers, note pads, to name a few of the nearly limitless number of items that can be stored. The containers may be provided with writing implements or gauges to measure a parameter, such as a timepiece, or a computational device, such as a calculator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers in which a variety of items can be stored, such as eyeglasses writing instruments, pills, medicines, thermometers, rulers, note pads, to name a few of the nearly limitless number of items that can be stored. The containers may be provided with writing implements or gauges to measure a parameter, such as a timepiece, or a computational device, such as a calculator. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are numerous containers in the prior art that can be used to store items, that may or may not have another purpose associated with it, such as an attached writing instrument, or storing another item, or providing information on a prevailing aspect of the moment, such as temperature or time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers and that can be used to store and retain a variety of items, including such items as eyeglasses, medicines, foods, rulers, thermometers, note pads, to name but a few of the possibilities. The containers have an interior space for storing an item, and may be provided with a second interior space for storing a second item, The container may be provided with a writing implement, or it may be provided with a gauge for measuring a parameter, or a computational device, such as a calculator. In one embodiment, the invention is a pair of folding eyeglasses that is transformable into its own compact case. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1-3 show a multi-purpose container comprised of, in side-by-side arrangement. 
     FIGS. 4-6 show variations on the multi purpose container of FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIGS. 7-9 show variations on the multi purpose container of FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIGS. 10-12 show perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 13-15 show variations on the multi purpose container of FIGS. 10-12. 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 shown in an assembled state. 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 16 embodiment. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 shown in an assembled state. 
     FIG. 20 is an exploded view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 16 embodiment. 
     FIG. 21 is an exploded view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 16 embodiment. 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 22 embodiment. 
     FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 24 embodiment. 
     FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 26 embodiment. 
     FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an embodiment having variations on the FIG. 28 embodiment. 
     FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 31-35 show perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 36-38 show perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate a pair of foldable eyeglasses in extended and folded state which can be stowed in the pen; 
     FIGS. 41-44 show another embodiment of folding eyeglasses of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 45-50 show another embodiment of folding eyeglasses of the present invention. 
     FIG. 51 shows an embodiment of a hinge suitable for use in the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-3 show a multi-purpose container  30  having, in side-by-side arrangement, a first container portion  32  configured to receive a hand held electronic device, wherein the first container portion is provided with first half  34 , a second half  36 , and a hinge  38  joining the first half and the second half, the second half movable between an open position (FIG. 3) and a closed position (FIGS.  1  and  2 ), the first container portion  32  having an interior space  40  for receiving a hand held electronic device. The electronic device can be inserted and removed from the container portion by moving the second half between the open position and the closed position. 
     The multi purpose container  30  is further provided with a second container portion  42  adjacent the first container portion  32 . The second container portion  42  is configured to receive a writing instrument  44 , the second container portion being open on one side  46 , through which the writing instrument can be inserted and removed from the second container portion. 
     FIGS. 4-6 show the multi purpose container  30  of FIGS. 1-3 provided with a gauge to measure a parameter, such as time, temperature, positioning, humidity, barometric pressure, to name but few possibilities. As shown in the figures, the container is provided with a digital timepiece and a thermometer  48  on its depth side  50 . In another embodiment, a computational device can be included, such as a calculator. 
     FIGS. 7-9 show the multi purpose container  30  of FIGS. 1-3 provided with a gauge to measure a parameter, such as time, temperature, positioning, humidity, barometric pressure, to name but few possibilities. A computational device, such as a calculator, can also be employed. As shown in the figures, the container is provided with an analog timepiece  54  and a compass  56  on its top side  58   
     FIGS. 10-12 show a container  60  having a first half  62  and a second half  64 , the first and second halves each having hinge forming members  66  that are joined together to form a hinge  68 , permitting the container to be opened and closed. The halves are constructed of a base  70  and a skirt  72  that extends around the perimeter of the base  70  in a direction perpendicular to the base. The hinge forming members  66  are located on one side of the base. When the container is in the closed position, the skirt of the first half  62  and the skirt of the second half  64  are in an abutting relationship. The hinge forming members  66  on the first and second halves  62 ,  64  define an open space on the inside of the hinge forming members, in which space a writing instrument, or other object sharing that configuration, can be positioned. This arrangement can be constructed by varying the diameter of one of the hinge forming members so that it fits in the other hinge forming member. The interior space between the first and second halves, hereinafter referred to as the first interior space  74 , is sized and configured to retain a pair of eyeglasses, or other objects, including but not limited to notepads calendars, diaries, foods, medicines, maps, storage medium (digital or analog), to name but a few possibilities. The second interior space  76  can house an item configured like a writing instrument, including but not limited to a writing implement such as a pen, pencil, a thermometer, pressure gauge, flashlight, to name but a few possibilities. 
     FIGS. 13-15 show a variation on the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12 by including gauges that measure parameters. Here, the gauges  78 ,  80  measure time and temperature. It should be understood that any kind of gauge may be employed, including those previously noted here. A computational device may also be placed where the gauge is placed. 
     FIG. 16 shows an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, which is a container  82  that, when not subjected to a force sufficient to flip it or turn it, remains in an upright position, or returns thereto. The container has a housing  84  having top  86  and bottom  88  zones, the bottom zone  88  having a rounded surface  90  constituting the bottom of the container. The bottom zone  88  is heavier than the top zone. The bottom zone can be made heavier than the top zone by including a metal weight into the bottom zone  88 , or by constructing the bottom zone to have a density in excess of the density of the top zone. This can be accomplished by selecting the appropriate materials to achieve this result. 
     When the top and bottom zones are joined together (FIG.  19 ), the housing defines an interior space in which at least one item can be stored. In one embodiment, the housing is provided with a top zone that is separable from the bottom zone in order to permit access to the interior space. See FIG. 18 The top zone can be provided with a conical shape. It should be understood that the top zone can be provided with a lid that can be positioned on the opening, or removed therefrom, in order to access the interior space and/or items stored therein. 
     Because the bottom of the container is rounded, and heavier than the remainder of the container, the container will, if not subjected to an external force, rest on its bottom, and remain in an upright position. If the container is pushed, it will wobble and then return to its upright position. 
     In another embodiment, the container is provided with a gauge for measuring a parameter, such a timepiece  90 , as shown in FIGS. 18-21. Alternatively, a computational device can be placed where the gauge is placed. In another embodiment, the container is provided with an opening  91  to receive a writing instrument. See FIGS. 18-20. In another embodiment, a pair of eyeglasses, or other item, can be stored in the container. See FIGS. 16-21 In another embodiment, the container is provided with compartments  92  for retaining the stored item in place. The compartment  92  may be a slot having circular sidewalls  94  that extend upward in the interior space from the bottom of the container, as shown in FIG. 20 Alternatively, the compartment  92  can be constructed out of a plurality of slot defining sidewalls  96  that extend upward in the interior space from a bottom of the container. See FIG. 20 
     FIG. 22 shows a container for storing an item such as a pair of eyeglasses and a second container portion for storing an item having the configuration of a writing instrument. The container  100  has a first container portion  102  having a sidewall  103  that defines a first interior space  104 . Container  100  further has a second container portion  106  defining a second interior space that can store a item having the configuration of a writing instrument, the second container portion being located on to the sidewall  103  of the first container portion  102 . 
     The first container portion has a closure  108  attached to a hinge  110 , which is mounted to the sidewall  103 . The closure  108  is movable between a position closed on the container and an open position permitting access to the interior space. 
     In a variation on this embodiment shown in FIG. 23, the closure  108  is provided with a gauge  112  to measure a parameter, which in this case is a timepiece. The time piece  112  is located on the interior facing side of the closure, and so is visible when the closure is in the open position. Alternatively, a computational device can be provided. 
     FIG. 24 shows another embodiment of the present invention showing a container having first and second portions that has compartments configured to hold eyeglasses and a writing instrument. The container  114  has a first container portion  116  that is a hinged body having a length dimension L. Hinged body has two halves  118 ,  120  joined at a hinge  122  which extends in the length dimension. The second container portion  124  for the writing instrument is attached to one of the two halves. The hinged body is movable between a closed position and an open position along the hinge. The first hinged body has end closures  118  at a first and second ends  121 ,  123  of the body. When in a closed position, the body defines an interior space in which an item, such as a pair of eyeglasses, can be placed when it is in the closed position. 
     The second container portion  124  has a wall portion  125  that defines an interior space that can store an item configured like a writing instrument, the second container portion being joined to one of the halves of the hinged body that forms the first container portion. 
     In a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, at least one of the end closures  118  is provided with a gauge  117  for measuring a parameter. FIG. 25 shows a timepiece at one of the end closures. Alternatively, a computational device may be provided. 
     FIG. 26 shows a container  130  for holding first and second container portions in an adjoining relationship. The container can hold items such as eyeglasses and writing instruments in the first and second container portions. 
     Container  130  is provided with a body  132  having first and second halves  136 ,  138  joined along a hinge  134  that extends in the length dimension L of the container. The first and second halves are movable along the hinge between a closed position and an open position. 
     Each of the halves are divided into first container forming portion  140  and a second container forming portion  142 . As shown in FIG. 32, the first and second halves have sidewalls that are partitioned into the first container forming portion and second container forming portion at zone boundary  144 , which is contiguous with the first and second container forming portions  140 ,  142 . 
     Body  132  has end closures  146  at a first and second ends  148  of the body. When the container is in the closed position, the body has first and second interior spaces located in the first and second container portions. That is, the zone boundaries  144  of the first and second container forming portions  140 ,  142  enter into an adjacent relationship when the container is in the closed position. 
     The first container portion is configured to retain a pair of eyeglasses, but any of the other aforenoted items may be stored there. The second container portion is configured to retain a writing instrument, but any of the other aforenoted items may be stored there. 
     In a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, at least one of the end closures  146  is provided with a gauge  149  for measuring a parameter. FIG. 31 shows a timepiece at one of the end closures. Alternatively, a computational device may be provided. 
     FIGS. 28 and 29 show a container  150  comprised of a body  152  having a length dimension L that is divided in two halves  154 ,  156  in a direction that intersects the body. The halves can be joined together to form a closed container, or separated to provide an open container. The halves  154 ,  156  further have first and second container portions  158 ,  160  in an adjoining relationship that define first and second interior spaces for retaining items placed within the interior spaces. Thus, when the halves are joined together, items can be retained in the first and second container portions. 
     The first container portion  158  is configured to retain a pair of eyeglasses, but any of the other aforenoted items may be stored there. The second container portion  160  is configured to retain a writing instrument, but any of the other aforenoted items may be stored there. 
     In one embodiment, halves  154 ,  156  are about equal in length. In another embodiment, the first container portion  158  has a perimeter and the second container portion  160  is located on the perimeter. In another embodiment, the second container portion  160  is provided with an open end. 
     In a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 28, at least one of the end closures  162  is provided with a gauge  164  for measuring a parameter. FIG. 29 shows a timepiece at one of the end closures. Alternatively, a computational device may be provided. 
     FIG. 30 shows a writing instrument that is provided with a mirror  219 . The mirror may be positioned near the tip  211  of the writing implement  212 , or the mirror may cover the predominant portion of a barrel side. Although FIG. 42 shows a first end having a fingernail shaped housing in which the writing implement  212  is positioned, it should be understood that the other configurations are possible. 
     FIG. 31 shows a folding eyeglass frame  240  in which the glasses, when in the open position (FIG. 31) are configured to be worn in the conventional manner, and a closed position (FIG. 36) in which the lenses and all or a substantial portion of the frame are enclosed within clam shell like portions  242  of the frame  240  that serve as the ear rest portions of the arms  244 . When in the folded the state, it is not apparent that the resulting object, which resembles a clam, contains a pair of glasses. The compact form the glasses take, when folded, provides apparent space saving benefits. 
     The glasses are provided with a front frame  246  including a pair of lens retaining portions joined together by a hinged bridge  248 . The hinged bridge is constructed of two hinge forming members  249 , each of which extends from the inward side of the lens retaining members  250 . The hinge forming members are provided with apertures which are placed in alignment with each other and joined together by a screw, pin, bolt, or other known devices for joining a hinge. The glasses can be folded along the hinge, as shown in FIGS. 34-36. 
     Arms  244  are attached to the outward sides of the lens retaining members  250  at hinges  251  in same manner as described with respect to the joining the hinge forming members at the bridge. The hinged arms can be moved out ward, in a configuration in which the glasses can be worn by the user, or moved inwardly, towards the lens retaining members. 
     The arms are constructed of a first relatively thin portion  252  that extends from the hinges  251 . Concave shaped ear rests  254  are slidably mounted over the relatively thin portions  252 . The concave shaped ear rests  254  have an open face  255  in the direction of the user&#39;s head. 
     After wearing the glasses, the user can fold them into a compact, space saving form, more easily stored than the unfolded form. The user slides the ear rests forward over the relatively thin portions of the arm (FIG.  33 ), folds the glasses inward at the hinges  251  so that the lens retaining members approach each other and eventually abut each other (FIG.  34 ), and then folds the concave shaped ear rests  254  over the lens retaining members on the other side of the glasses (FIGS.  35  and  36 ). In this folded state, the edges  257  of the ear rests  254  abut each other, and the lens retaining members and other portions of the frame are enclosed within the ear rests. 
     FIG. 37 shows a container  270  for storing folding eyeglasses in a container that is provided with a cover portion  272 , a base portion  274 , and a gauge  278  for measuring a parameter, such as a timepiece or any of the others previously noted. Alternatively, a computational device may be provided. The gauge is positioned on the face of the cover portion  272 . The cover portion  272  is attached to the base portion by a hinge  276 . An item, such as a pair of folding eyeglasses, can be stored in the interior container space, and enclosed there when the cover is closed. Any of the other previously mentioned items can be stored there. 
     FIG. 38 shows a variation on the previous embodiment. Here, the timepiece  278  is positioned on the interior face  272  of the cover, and is visible only when the cover is in the open position. 
     The container can take any known shape. Exemplary are the square and rounded shapes shown in FIGS. 37,  38 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, the eyeglasses  1012  in this embodiment are preferably of a foldable type having a pair of foldable lenses  1121  and a pair of foldable temples  1122  such that they can be folded compactly for placement in the interior chamber  11 . 
     FIGS. 41-44 show a folding eyeglass frame  240  in which the glasses, when in the open position (FIG. 41) are configured to be worn in the conventional manner, and a closed position (FIG. 44) in which the lenses and all or a substantial portion of the frame are enclosed within clam shell like portions  242  of the frame  240  that serve as the ear rest portions of the arms  244 . When in the folded the state, it is not apparent that the resulting object, which resembles a clam, contains a pair of glasses. The compact form the glasses take, when folded, provides apparent space saving benefits. 
     The glasses are provided with a front frame  246  including a pair of lens retaining members  250  joined together by a hinged bridge  248 . The hinged bridge is constructed of two hinge forming members  249 , each of which extends from the inward side of the lens retaining members  250 . The hinge forming members are provided with apertures which are placed in alignment with each other and joined together by a screw, pin, bolt, or other known devices for joining a hinge. The glasses can be folded along the hinge, as shown in FIGS. 42-44. Here, during folding, the hinged bridge  248  is positioned in the space where the user&#39;s head would be when in the open position of FIG.  41 . This is in distinction to the embodiment of FIGS. 31-35 where, during folding, the lens retaining members  250  are positioned in the space where the user&#39;s head would be when in the open position of FIG.  49 . In other words, lens retaining members fold inward in FIGS. 31-35. They fold outward in the embodiment of FIGS. 41-44. A clasp  221  can be provided on the case to keep the clam shell like portions  242  in a closed position. 
     FIGS. 45-50 shows another embodiment of folding eyeglasses having case members having the components aforedescribed: a front frame  246 , lens retaining members  250  joined together by a hinged bridge  248 , clam shell like portions  242  of the frame  240  that serve as the ear rest portions of the arms  244 . The hinged bridge is constructed of two hinge forming members  249 , arms  244  attached to the outward sides of the lens retaining members  250  at hinges  251 , the arms being constructed of a first relatively thin portion  252  that extends from the hinges  251 , and concave shaped ear rests  254  are slidably mounted over the relatively thin portions  252 . The concave shaped ear rests  254  have an open face  255  in the direction of the user&#39;s head. 
     FIG. 51 shows the hinge  251 . A spring  233  constructed of resilient and flexible material is attached to an end of the relatively thin portions  252  of the arms  244 . The spring has a two wires  231  extending in the direction of the arm, and a portion  233  attached to each wire that extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of the wires. The wires are fitted into hinges  251 , which are provided with a slot  235  having a slot portion  237  extending around the periphery and a vertical slot portion  239  on the front side and rear side of the hinge. By squeezing the wires, the arms can be pivoted through the slot  235 . The arms lock into either a front position or rear position when the wires enter the vertical slot portion  239  position, where they expand. When in the wear position, the arms are on the back side of the lens retaining members  250  (FIG.  45 ). 
     To fold the glasses, the arms  244  are moved to the front position (FIG. 46) and folded inward at the hinged bridge  248 . The concave shaped ear rests are slid up towards hinge  251 , and the arms  244  are brought closer to the lens retaining member  251  (FIG.  47 ). In this arrangement, the open face  255  of the concave shaped ear rests  254  face outward (FIG.  48 ). The concave shaped ear rests are then rotated to encase the lenses. The concave shaped ear rests can be made of a durable flexible plastic material that facilitates the rotating action. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.