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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing comprising a substantially cylindrical wall having dimensions suitable for enclosing a container as a cap, wherein the housing comprises a slot defining an aperture in the housing; and    an elongated member disposed within the housing, the elongated member substantially extractable and retractable through the aperture in the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for biasing the elongated member to automatically retract into the housing after a portion of the elongated member has been extracted out of the housing through the aperture.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a spring coupled with the elongated member to bias the elongated member to automatically retract into the housing after a portion of the elongated member has been extracted out of the housing through the aperture.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the elongated member is a ribbon disposed in the housing, the ribbon to uncoil upon extraction of the ribbon, and the ribbon to coil up as the ribbon is retracted into the housing.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing the proximal end of the ribbon from being completely extracted from the housing.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing a distal end of the elongated member from being completely retracted through the aperture and into the housing.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises information to be indicated to a person.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member comprises information relating to the use of the contents of the container.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for attaching the cap to the container, wherein the means for attaching the cap to the container is coupled to the housing.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a mirror.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an inner cylindrical wall comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;    an outer cylindrical wall comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, 
 wherein the outer cylindrical wall encompasses the inner cylindrical wall,  
 wherein the exterior surface of the inner cylindrical wall and the interior surface of the outer cylindrical wall define an annular housing therebetween,  
 wherein the outer cylindrical wall comprises a slot defining an aperture in the annular housing; and  
   an elongated member disposed within the annular housing, the elongated member substantially extendable and retractable through the aperture in the outer cylindrical wall.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 means for biasing the elongated member to automatically retract into the annular housing after a portion of the elongated member has been extended through the aperture.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the interior surface of the inner cylindrical wall comprises means to engage a container;  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , 
 wherein the elongated member is a ribbon disposed in the housing, the ribbon to uncoil upon extraction of the ribbon, and the ribbon to coil up as the ribbon is retracted into the housing.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising means prevent the elongated member from being completely extracted from the annular housing.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing a distal end of the elongated member from being completely retracted through the aperture and into the housing.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated member comprises information to be indicated to a person.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated member comprises information relating to the use of the contents of the container.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the inner cylindrical wall forms a chamber for holding contents.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a bottom to couple one of the inner cylindrical wall and the outer cylindrical wall to form the chamber for holding contents.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the inner cylindrical wall forms a chamber of dimensions suitable to pills.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 means for biasing the elongated member to automatically retract into the annular housing after a portion of the elongated member has been extended through the aperture.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , 
 wherein the elongated member is a ribbon disposed in the housing, the ribbon to uncoil upon extraction of the ribbon, and the ribbon to coil up as the ribbon is retracted into the housing.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate member comprises a mirror.  
     
     
         25 . A method comprising: 
 pulling a portion of an elongated member through an aperture in one of a cap and a container to extract the portion of the ribbon therefrom.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 reading information indicated on the elongated member.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 releasing the ribbon to allow the elongated to retract back through the aperture and into the one of a cap and a container.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 pushing a portion of the elongated back through the aperture in one of a cap and a container.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 marking information on the elongated member related to the use of the contents of the container.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 accessing a coupon on the elongated member related to the use of the contents of the container.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 removing the coupon from the elongated member.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 accessing a mirror on the elongated member.    
     
     
         33 . A method comprising: 
 providing one of a container and a cap for a container, wherein the one of the cap and container houses an elongated member extractable therefrom by pulling a portion of the elongated member through an aperture in the one of a cap and a container.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , 
 wherein the elongated member comprises information related to the contents of the container.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 instructing a person to pull a portion of the elongated member through an aperture in the one the container and cap; and    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 instructing the person to read the information indicated on the ribbon.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the elongated member comprises coupons.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the elongated member comprises a mirror.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 instructing a person to mark information on the elongated member.