Patent Publication Number: US-2004045863-A1

Title: Container with extractable and retractable instructions

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. 13 a  is an illustration of a container with a pocket and detached expandable instructions.  
     [0026]FIG. 13 b  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 1 . Distance L 1  is greater than a distance L 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. 13 a  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. 13 b  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.