Collapsible and/or erectable substantially egg-shaped container and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A collapsible and/or erectable, shape-sustaining substantially egg-shaped container is selectively moveable from a substantially erect condition to a substantially collapsed condition and/or from a substantially erect condition to a substantially collapsed condition. Methods of producing and using the container are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using an erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg, comprising the steps of:
 providing an erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg in a substantially collapsed condition, the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein at least one of the first and second portions is selectively moveable between a substantially collapsed condition and a substantially erect condition;   moving at least one of the first and second portions of the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg from the substantially collapsed condition to the substantially erect condition;   disposing at least one object in at least a portion of a receiving space of the first portion of the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg, wherein at least a portion of a receiving space of the second portion of the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg acts as a shield for a portion of the at least one object disposed in the first portion of the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is further defined as an erectable, shape-sustaining Easter egg. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of edible items, toys, figurines, stuffed animals, stickers, stationary, coins, money, decorative items and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disposing the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg having the at least one object disposed therein in a basket. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a sidewall of at least one of the first and second portions of the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg has at least one condition modifying element to facilitate erecting the container from the substantially collapsed condition to the substantially erect condition, wherein the at least one condition modifying element is selected from the group consisting of score lines, hinges, concentric sections, interlocking concentric sections, pivotally interlocking sections, sections of material which are thinner than the remainder of the container, sections of material which are more flexible than the remainder of the container, pleats, folds, perforations, creases, voids, partially or wholly cut through areas, removed portions of material, a V-shaped or U-shaped member, excess material, flexible material, stretchable material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg further comprises a connecting assembly for matingly connecting the first and second portions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg further comprises at least one shape-sustaining member for maintaining the decorative egg in the substantially collapsed condition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg further comprises at least one retaining member for maintaining the decorative egg in the substantially collapsed condition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg further comprises a joining assembly that connects the first and second portions together. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg further comprises at least one of a decorative pattern, decorative design, and color disposed on at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of natural polymers, synthetic polymers, plastic, foamed polymeric material, cavitated polymeric material, expanded polymeric material, polymeric materials with differential densities, polymeric materials with differential thicknesses, polymeric materials with voids formed therein, paper, cardboard, cloth, metallized film, foil, metal, clay, feathers, peat moss, wood, and combinations, aggregates or laminations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is self erecting. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is manually erecting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is self collapsing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is manually collapsing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disposing the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg having the at least one object disposed therein in a basket. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg is further defined as a collapsible and erectable, shape-sustaining egg, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 removing the at least one object from the collapsible and erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg; and   moving at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the collapsible and erectable, shape-sustaining decorative egg from the substantially erect condition to the substantially collapsed condition.