Pumpkin-shaped container

Abstract

A pumpkin-shaped container for space-saving shipping and storage includes a first half and a second half, a fastener to attach or detach the first and second half, and decorative portions resembling the facial features of a Jack-O-Lantern. The first and second half are divided either parallel or perpendicular to the top opening of the pumpkin-shaped container. The first half has a plurality of fixing projections and the second half has a plurality of fixing recesses along the respective mating edges that are fitted together to assemble the pumpkin-shaped container. The fastener further secures the first half and second half to each other. The fastener encompasses various forms such as a lever having a hook engaging with a pin, Velcro pads, or a hinge. The second half may attach to the first half by a pivot access to allow the second half to rotate over the first half. Various combinations of above allow the pumpkin-shaped container to take up no more than one-fifth of the space needed when it is in the unassembled state compared to the assembled state.

1 . A pumpkin-shaped container comprising 
 a) a first half;    b) a second half; and    c) a fastener to detachably attach the first half and the second half together;    wherein the first half and the second half forms a hollow main body when the first half and the second half are assembled by engaging the fastener, wherein the hollow main body comprises a top opening for access into the main body, and a decorative portion.    
   
   
       2 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 1  wherein the a mating line between the first half and the second half is perpendicular to the top opening, wherein the first half comprises a first top opening half, and the second half comprises a second top opening half, and wherein the first top opening half and the second top opening half forms the top opening when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       3 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 2  wherein the fastener comprises a plurality of fixing projections provided on the first half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, and a plurality of fixing recesses provided on the second half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, wherein the fixing projections are inserted into the fixing recesses and fit tight with each other when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       4 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 3  wherein the fastener further comprises a flexible hinge positioned between the first half and the second half and opposite to the top opening, and integrated with the first half and the second half.  
   
   
       5 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 4  wherein the decorative portion comprises depressions that represent facial features of a Jack-O Lantern.  
   
   
       6 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 5  wherein the depressions are painted with dark color.  
   
   
       7 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 4  wherein the decorative portions are cut-outs that represent facial features of a Jack-O Lantern.  
   
   
       8 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 2  wherein the fastener comprises an upper fastener that is positioned near the top opening, and a lower fastener that is positioned opposite to the top opening, wherein the lower fastener comprises a hinge positioned on the mating line between the first half and the second half.  
   
   
       9 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 8  wherein the upper fastener comprises a first Velcro pad provided on the first half and a second Velcro pad provided on the second half, wherein the first Velcro pad engages with the second Velcro pad when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       10 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 8  wherein the upper fastener comprises a lever pivotally attached on the first half, a pin fixed to the second half, wherein the lever comprises a hook that is engaged with the pin when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       11 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 8  wherein the hinge comprises an L shaped projection provided on the first half, and a U shaped projection provided on the second half, wherein the U shaped projection engages with the L shaped projection when the first half and the second half are assembled so that the first half and the second half are not separated.  
   
   
       12 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 8  wherein the hinge comprises a flexible hinge positioned between the first half and the second half and opposite to the top opening, and integrated with the first half and the second half.  
   
   
       13 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 8  wherein the fastener further comprises a plurality of fixing projections provided on the first half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, and a plurality of fixing recesses provided on the second half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, wherein the fixing projections are inserted into the fixing recesses and fit tight with each other when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       14 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 13  wherein the decorative portion comprises depressions that represent facial features of a Jack-O Lantern, and the depressions are painted with dark color.  
   
   
       15 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 2  wherein the second half is rotatably attached to the first half to allow the second half to rotate over the first half.  
   
   
       16 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 1  wherein a mating line between the first half and the second half is parallel with the top opening, and wherein the top opening is provided on the first half.  
   
   
       17 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 16  wherein the fastener comprises a plurality of fixing projections provided on the first half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, and a plurality of fixing recesses provided on the second half along the mating line between the first half and the second half, wherein the fixing projections are inserted into the fixing recesses and fit tight with each other when the first half and the second half are assembled.  
   
   
       18 . The pumpkin-shaped container of  claim 17  wherein the decorative portion comprises depressions that represent facial features of a Jack-O Lantern and the depressions are painted with dark color.