Functions with Static Variables vs. Classes

For some simple applications I use a function to collect values in a static variable and to return them when called in a special way, just like this (fairly senseless) example: function example($elem='') { static $store = array(); if (!func_num_args()) return($store); ... do something with $elem ... $store[] = $elem; } I would call this a singleton-micro-class, as it works like a class with data and methods, but there is always only one of it, having only one method. Why do I? Because I dont need to worry about variablescope as if I would use global variables and I dont have to initialize an object before the first call (with the scope-problem again). I simply can call it everywhere and everytime. Do you have any comments to this approach? Thomas