Multi-function container with a light source

• US 5,573,109 A
• Filed: 03/25/1994
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce P. Isacson
• Original Assignee: Bruce P. Isacson
• Inventors: Isacson, Bruce P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Jimmy G.
• Application Number:
  US08/217,686
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 206/38, 206/38.1, 206/0.81, 206/39.6, 206/459.1, 206/459.5, 206/528, 206/534-540, 362/116, 362/154-156, 362/202, 362/253, 368/10
• US Class Current: 206/38.1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 2/00 Systems of electric lighting devices systems employing both electric and non-electric light sources or exchangeable light sources F21L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A multi-function container includes a housing, a closure and an exterior light source. The container has a first interior portion adapted to hold small items. The closure is used to cover the first interior portion of the housing and to contain the small items in the first interior portion of the housing. The housing also has a second separate interior portion adapted to hold a battery. The light source is operatively coupled to the second interior portion to receive power from the battery, upon the battery being held within the second interior portion. Thus, the multi-function container may serve as a container and/or a flashlight. The multi-function container may also include a key ring which is coupled to an exterior surface of the closure, and may also include a clock coupled to the side of the housing.

Claims

1. A multi-function container, comprising:

a unitary housing with an interior portion having an impermeable closed top end wall forming a barrier with a coupling surface that is on an opposite side of the interior portion, and the housing also including a side adjacent to the closed top end wall and having an opening leading to the interior portion of the housing and which is oriented oblique to the closed end wall;

a hinged resealable closure adapted to be coupled and secured to the opening leading to the interior portion of the housing to cover and seal off the interior portion of the housing;

an exterior light source containing at least one light generating source and which is coupled to the coupling surface of the impermeable closed end wall of the container, wherein the light source is capable of being operatively coupled to a power source contained between the light generating source and the impermeable closed end wall of the housing; and

a key ring support coupled to an exterior surface of the container.

2. A multi-function container according to claim 1, wherein the housing is rectangular and box-shaped, wherein the box-shaped housing has a top and a side adjacent to the top, and wherein the interior portion is located at the side and the exterior light source is located at the top of the box-shaped housing.

3. A multi-function container according to claim 2, wherein the side has an edge and the closure is coupled to a side edge of the side of the box-shaped housing to cover the interior portion of the housing.