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.

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 an item of additional functionality, such as a massage element, a fan, a calculator, personal digital assistant, a radio, an MP3 player, to name a few possibilities. 
   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. In onenon limiting embodiment, the invention is a pair of folding eyeglasses that is transformable into its own compact case. 
   While the detailed description relates to a container for eyeglasses, it is immediately apparent that other items can be stored in the containers as well. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a container provided with a massage element. 
       FIGS. 2-6  are side elevational views of additional embodiments of containers provided with a massage elements. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a personal digital assistant and container. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a radio and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a radio and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a MP3 device and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a MP3 device and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a calculator and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a calculator and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of a utility storage device and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a utility storage device and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of fan and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a fan and container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows a container  10  for storing eyeglasses or other items. The container  10  is provided with a body  11  defining a cavity in which an item such as eyeglasses can be stored. The container is provided with a cap  12  dimensioned to close the opening  13  of the body  11 , through which opening  13  the eyeglasses are inserted into the cavity. When the cap  12  is joined to the body  11 , the interior space is enclosed. When the cap is removed from the body, the interior space can be accessed, permitting the user to insert or remove the eyeglasses from the space. 
   The container is further provided with a massage element  15  at its other end. The massage element has a spherical tip suited to providing a pleasing or therapeutic effect to parts of a person&#39;s body. The massage effect can be provided manually, or it can be provided mechanically. One such manner of providing the effect mechanically can be provided by placing a vibrator within the housing  17 , which can hold a battery (not shown) for powering the vibrator. 
   In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the container opens between the housing  15  and body  11 . Body  11  can be provided with rim  11   a  that fits within the interior wall of the housing  15  and forms a frictional fit therewith. In yet a further alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing is provided with a recess or opening  18  on one of its sides for receiving the body  11 . This positions the massage element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body  11 .  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment where the opening  13 , and cap  12 , which seals the opening, is positioned at the end opposite the massage element  15 . 
     FIG. 5  shows an alternative arrangement in which the massage element  15  is mounted to a clamshell type eyeglass case. The clamshell-type eyeglass case is provided with an upper portion  20 , and a lower portion  22  each of which are joined to each other by a hinge  24 .  FIG. 6  shows a claim-shell type arrangement for the case wherein the massage head is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     FIG. 7  shows a container for storing eyeglasses having a PDA device (Personal Digital Assistant)  28  located on the container. In the embodiment shown, the container  10  is provided with a portion  22  that is attached to the body  20  by a hinge  24 . The PDA is provided with a keyboard  30 , display  32 , and functionality keys  34 . The portion  22  can be opened and closed in order to provide access to the interior of the container. In another arrangement shown in  FIG. 8 , the container can be provided with an opening in at least one end. A cap or other closure  12  can then be placed over the opening, or removed therefrom, to provide access to the interior of the container. 
     FIG. 9  shows a container on which a radio  40  is positioned on the container  10 . The radio is provided with the standard controls: an on-off switch  42 , a tuner control  44 , a volume control  46 , band selection, and a tuner display.  FIG. 9  shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap  12  can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container.  FIG. 10  shows a container in a clam-shell arrangement in which a radio is positioned on the container. 
     FIG. 11  shows a portable MP3 player in which is positioned on the container  10  is in a clam shell type arrangement. The MP3 player is provided with the conventional controls, including ones that permit track selection, fast forward, rewind, skip forward, skip backward, erase, upload, download, on and off, and volume. The device is also provided with ports that can be used to interface the device to a source from which MP3&#39;s can be transferred, either to or from the MP3 device.  FIG. 12  shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which a the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container. 
     FIG. 13  shows a calculator which is positioned on the container that is provided with a clam shell type arrangement. The calculator is provided with the conventional controls, including ones that buttons for digits, mathematical functions, clear, and on/off. It is also provided with a numeric display  52 .  FIG. 14  shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap  12  can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container. 
     FIG. 15  shows a utility type device  100  which provides a container having a body  102  for storing eyeglasses in an interior portion, and other compartments  104 ,  106 ,  108   110 , for holding any of a number of useful items, such as scissors, tweezers, a screw driver, and a pen. The container may also be provided with a flashlight  112  having a light source, an on/off switch  114 , and a recess for a power supply, such as a battery. A sidewall portion  116  is joined to the body  102  by a hinge  118 . The sidewall can be opened and closes along the hinge.  FIG. 16  shows an embodiment in which the container is open and closed with a cap as in every other even numbered embodiment. 
     FIG. 17  shows a container  10  for storing eyeglasses or other items. The container  10  is provided with a body  11  defining a cavity in which an item such as eyeglasses can be stored. The container is provided with a cap  12  dimensioned to close the opening  13  of the body  11 , through which opening  13  the eyeglasses are inserted into the cavity. When the cap  12  is joined to the body  11 , the interior space is enclosed. When the cap is removed from the body, the interior space can be accessed, permitting the user to insert or remove the eyeglasses from the space. 
   The container is further provided with a fan  150  at its other end. The fan  150  has a propeller  152  joined to the body  11  by axial pin  156 . The body  11  contains a power source (not shown), such as a battery (not shown), that powers a motor that rotates the axial pin  156 . Switch  158  turns the motor on and off. 
   In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 , the container opens between the housing  154  and body  11 . Body  11  can be provided with rim  11   a  that fits within the interior wall of the housing  154  and forms a frictional fit therewith.  FIG. 19  shows an alternative arrangement in which the fan  150  is mounted to a clamshell type eyeglass case. The clamshell-type eyeglass case is provided with an upper portion  20 , and a lower portion  22  each of which are joined to each other by a hinge  24 .