Abstract:
The present invention is directed to cases for storing eyeglasses also having an item such as a mirror, thermometer, compass, laser pointer, or timepiece included in its structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/607,265 filed Jun. 30, 2000, now U.S. Pat No. 6,270,274 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/625,748 filed Jul. 26, 2000, co-pending, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/775,156 filed Feb. 1, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to eyeglass cases for storing eyeglasses. The containers are provided with gauges to measure a parameter, such as a timepiece. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are containers disclosed in the prior art 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 novel containers used to store eyeglasses. The containers have an interior space for storing eyeglasses. Either on an exterior surface of the container, or inside the container, it is provided with an item. The item may be a gauge for measuring or detecting a parameter, such as a clock or a thermometer, and it could also be a compass. The item may also be a light source such as a flashlight or laser pointer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 shows an end view of the first end closure suited for use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 shows an end view of another first end closure suited for use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 shows an end view of the first end closure suited for use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 shows an end view of another first end closure suited for use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIGS. 12-13 show a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12A shows a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-13; 
     FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 14-15 show a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15B shows an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 15A; 
     FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 19,  20 ,  21  and  22  show other items that can be employed in the embodiments disclosed in the present application. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-6 show a container  210  having a first end  214  and a second end  216  with a barrel therebetween  218 . Together, the ends and barrel define an interior space in which eyeglasses can be stored. The barrel has a partition that intersects the length dimension of the container and divides the container into first and second components  215 ,  217 , on which the first and second ends  214 ,  216  are respectively located. The first and second components  215 ,  217  can be separated from each other at the partition  219  to allow access to the interior space, at which time the eyeglasses or other item can be removed or placed in the interior space. The barrel  218  may be provided with a band or ring  220  located at the partition  219 . The band or ring may be positioned on the first component, the second component, or both. When the first and second components are joined, the interior space is sealed from the outside environment. The inner edges of the first and second components  215 ,  217  may be provided with complimentary profiles to facilitate joinder of the components. For instance, the first component  215  may be provided with a portion having a perimeter that fits within the perimeter of the second component  217  and frictionally engages therewith. This arrangement can also be reversed. 
     A timepiece, such as a digital clock (FIG. 2) or analog clock (FIG. 1) is provided on the first end  214  of the container  210 . In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the timepiece is located on a side of the container  210 . The interior space is configured to hold a pair of eyeglasses. In yet a further embodiment, a mirror  250  is provided on the first end  214  of the container  210 . See FIG.  1 A. 
     In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the barrel  218  of the container  210  is not partitioned, and is provided with an opening  220  at the first end  214 , where the timepiece  221  is located, and a second end  216  integral with the barrel  218  and that seals the second end. The timepiece  221  is mounted on a closure element  223  that fits on or over the first end  214  in order to seal the interior space from the outside environment. The closure element  223  is provided with a base  222  and a plug  224  attached to the base  222  that, when joined to the barrel  216 , seals the opening  220  from the exterior environment and encloses the eyeglasses when they are placed inside the space. The closure element  223  can be provided with a flat end piece  225  onto which the timepiece  221  is positioned, from which piece the plug  224  extends. The plug  224  is dimensioned to fit within the barrel  218  and engage the inner sidewalls of the barrel. Alternatively, the timepiece  221  can be mounted on the back surface of the plug (FIG.  8 ), which requires the user to remove the closure element  223  in order the view the timepiece. Also, a mirror (not shown) can be mounted on the flat end piece  225  or plug  224  in lieu of the timepiece, or one of such components can be mounted on the first end and the other component can be mounted on the second end. 
     Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 9-11, the closure element  223  can be provided with a flat end piece  225  onto which the timepiece  221  is positioned, and a skirt  226  that extends perpendicular to the perimeter of the base  222  of the closure element  223 . The skirt  226  is dimensioned to fit over the barrel and engage the outer sidewalls of the barrel when the interior space is sealed by the closure element. Alternatively, the timepiece can be mounted on the back surface of the closure element (FIG.  11 ), which requires the user to remove the closure element  223  in order the view the timepiece. Also, a mirror (not shown) can be mounted on the flat end piece  225  or skirt  226  in lieu of the timepiece, or one of such components can be mounted on the first end and the other component can be mounted on the second end. 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-15, the container  310  has a clam shell arrangement in which there is a first upper half  312 , a second lower half  314 , joined together at hinge  316  (FIG.  12 A). Together the first upper half  312  and the second lower half  314 , when closed, define an enclosed interior space into which a pair of eyeglasses can be stored. The container can be opened and closed to provide access to the interior space, or to close it off from the outside environment. 
     A timepiece  318  can be positioned on the outer sides of one of the halves, such as first half  312 . The time piece may be analog or digital. In an alternative embodiment, the time piece is positioned within the case (FIG.  15 ). In yet another embodiment, a mirror  318 ′ can be positioned on the container in lieu of the timepiece, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 14A, where the mirror is positioned on the outer side of the container (FIG. 13) and on inside of the upper half (FIG.  14 A). 
     FIGS. 15A,  15 B,  16 , and  17  demonstrate a further embodiments wherein the container  310  is provided with a semicircular shape wherein the container has a flat surface  312  and an arcuate surface  314 . The container  310  has a first end  314  and a second end  316  with a barrel therebetween  318 . Together, the ends and barrel define an interior space in which eyeglasses can be stored. The barrel has a partition  319  that intersects the length dimension of the container and divides the container into first and second components  315 ,  317 , on which the first and second ends  314 ,  316  are respectively located. The first and second components  315 ,  317  can be separated from each other at the partition  319  to,allow access to the interior space, at which time the eyeglasses or other item can be removed or placed in the interior space. When the first and second components  315 ,  317  are joined, the interior space is sealed from the outside environment. The inner edges of the first and second components  315 ,  317  may be provided with complimentary profiles to facilitate joinder of the components. For instance, the first component  315  may be provided with a portion having a perimeter that fits within the perimeter of the second component  317  and frictionally engages therewith. This arrangement can also be reversed. 
     A mirror  350  is provided on the flat surface  312  of the container  310 . In one embodiment, the mirror  350  traverses the first and second components  315 ,  317 . See FIG.  15 . In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the mirror is positioned on just one of the components, in this case the second component  317 . In yet another embodiment (FIG.  17 ), the barrel  318  of the container  310  is not partitioned, and is provided with an opening  320  at the first end  314 . The mirror is provided on the flat side: of the body. The first end can be closed as set forth in the description of FIGS. 6-11 by closure element  323  having either the base and plug arrangement of FIGS. 6-8 or the base and skirt arrangement of FIGS. 9-11. 
     FIG. 18 shows a container for storing eyeglasses  300  that is provided with a mirror  419 . The case has a barrel  405 . The mirror  419  may be positioned near the tip or the mirror may cover the predominant portion of a barrel side. Although FIG. 18 shows a fingernail shaped housing with tip  417 , resting against removable closure element  414 , it should be understood that the other configurations are possible. 
     FIGS. 19,  20 ,  21  and  22  show other items that can be positioned on the eyeglass case. These items can be employed in any of the embodiments previously disclosed, alone or in combination with any of the other items. FIGS. 19 and 20 show analog and digital thermometers  450 . FIGS. 21 and 22 show a compass and a laser pointer  470 , having a body  472 , a laser light emitting tip  474 , and a switch  476 . Further, the items can be located either on the barrel of the container or on one of the ends of the container.