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 defining an internal space to store at least one item and a first aperture;    a first structure removably coupled to the housing to occlude the first aperture;    an expandable structure having a first surface with symbols printed thereon such that at least a portion of the symbols are visible when the expandable structure is in an expanded state.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a retraction mechanism for biasing the expandable structure to a retracted state.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable structure is housed within the housing when in a retracted state.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable structure is housed in the first structure when in a retracted state.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction mechanism includes a spring.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a blocking structure to prevent the expandable member from separating from one of the housing or the first structure.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction mechanism includes an elastic material.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second structure coupled to the expandable structure to facilitate the movement of the expandable structure between the expanded state and a retracted state.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an engagement mechanism to secure the first structure to the housing.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in the expandable structure includes at least one of paper, fabric, and plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines an aperture through which the expandable member is slidably disposed.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first structure defines an aperture through which the expandable member is slidably disposed.  
     
     
         13 . A method comprising: 
 applying force to an expandable structure to move the structure between an expanded state and a retracted state, the expanded structure disposed through an aperture in one of a container or a cap.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the expandable structure includes a first surface with symbols printed thereon.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 reducing the force exerted on the expandable structure to allow the expandable structure to return to a retracted state due to a biasing force applied to the expandable structure by a retraction mechanism.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising: 
 means for storing objects;    means for enclosing the means for storing objects; and    means for providing an expandable structure including a first surface with symbols printed thereon.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means for biasing the expandable structure to a retracted position.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing the detachment of expandable structure from the means for storing objects.