Halloween portable container

The present invention is an apparatus that is portable, easy to transport, and protects confections during Halloween “trick-or-treat”. The apparatus of the present invention includes a container element including a cover element, wherein the container element and cover element are in the form of a Halloween object, such as a pumpkin, witch, ghost, goblin, monster, vampire or werewolf. The apparatus further includes a projection element, which may further include a gripping element, to assist in maneuvering to push and/or pull the apparatus, via a rotating element. An alternate embodiment of the present invention is contemplated that includes a frame element to allow the container element to be disengaged from the frame element such that the container can be used as a decorative piece, for example displayed on a front porch or kitchen counter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable container, and more particularly to a portable container for storing confections received by a donee from a donor, such as during Halloween “trick-or-treating”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Halloween is a tradition celebrated on the night of October 31, most notably by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting confections, such as sweets, fruit, and other gifts. “Trick-or-treating”, also known as guising, is an activity for children on Halloween in which they proceed from house to house in costumes, asking for confections with the question, “trick or treat?”. Guising is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighborhood with children to purchase confections in preparation for trick-or-treaters.

Typically, children collect confections in containers, such as bags, backpacks, cases, duffel bags, handbags, knapsacks, pillowcases and even the popular orange plastic pail resembling a pumpkin. As more confections are received, the container becomes weighted and difficult to carry or transport from house to house. Additionally, the containers traditionally used do not have a cover, such as a lid, to prevent the confections from falling out of the container or becoming damaged from weather elements, such as rain.

Therefore, there is a demand for an apparatus that is portable and easy to transport while collecting confections during Halloween “trick-or-treat”. Likewise, there is a demand for an apparatus that protects and secures the confections. The present invention satisfies these demands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention includes a container element. The container element can be of any size, shape or configuration. Likewise, the container element can be manufactured of any material, such as plastic, metal, nylon to name a few. It is contemplated that the container can be in the form of a pumpkin, witch, ghost, goblin, monster, vampire, werewolf, or any other Halloween related object.

The container element includes a cover element. The cover element can be removable or removably connected to the container element. The cover element can be removably connected to the container element via a hinge element, such as a joint, hook, pin, spring, string, and swivel, to name a few. The cover element can be of any size, shape or configuration to further complement the container element. Likewise, the cover element can be manufactured of any material, such as plastic, metal, nylon to name a few. For example, the cover can be the stem of a pumpkin wherein the container element is a pumpkin body.

The apparatus further includes a projection element, which may further include a gripping element. The projection element, such as an arm or rod, assists in maneuvering, driving or controlling the apparatus, for example pushing and/or pulling. The projection element can be of any size, shape or configuration as well as manufactured of any material, such as plastic, metal, nylon to sufficiently drive the apparatus.

The projection element may further include a collapsed state and deployed state. For example, the projection element can telescope or pivot between the two states. The projection element may further include a locking element, such as a snap-fit fastener, to secure it into either state. The deployed state allows easy maneuvering of the apparatus while the collapsed state is ideal for storage or display of the apparatus. It is also contemplated that the projection element includes a fulcrum element, such as a pin-socket arrangement or lever, so that the projection element can swivel horizontally and/or vertically to assist in maneuvering, driving or controlling the apparatus.

The gripping element assists in holding or griping the projection element and further assists in maneuvering, driving or controlling the apparatus. It is contemplated the gripping element can be any size, shape or configuration, and manufactured of any material, including an edible confection. For example, the gripping element can be a pumpkin, witch, ghost, goblin, monster, vampire, werewolf, or any other Halloween related object.

The apparatus further includes a rotating element that effects motion. For example, the rotating element can be castors, wheels, rollers, discs, to name a few and can further be unidirectional or multi-directional. The rotating element rotates or revolves and can further spin or swivel. A support element, such as an axle, pole, shaft, rod, spindle or stem can either combine two or more rotating elements or attach the rotating element directly to the container element. It is further contemplated that the rotating element can include an anchoring element. When the anchoring element is activated, the rotating element is anchored to prevent motion and stabilize the apparatus, for example on an incline.

In one embodiment, the container element is attached to the support element, which is further connected to the rotating element. An alternate embodiment of the present invention is contemplated that includes a frame element. The support element and/or the rotating element can be connected to the frame element. The container element is secured or removably secured to the frame element via a securing element, such as a bolt, clamp, clasp, fastener, hook, or latch, to name a few. Thus, the container element can be disengaged from the frame element such that the container element can be used as a decorative piece, for example displayed on a front porch or kitchen counter. It is also contemplated that a container element can be interchangeable with another container element. A container element, such as in the form of a pumpkin, can be disengaged from the frame element and replaced with another container element, such as in the form of a witch.

An object of the present invention is to easily carry or transport confections during Halloween “trick-or-treat”.

Another object of the present invention is to secure the confections, such that they do not fall out of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to protect the confections, for example, from heat, rain and snow.

Another object of the present invention is to enhance safety during Halloween “trick-or-treat”. Any of the elements of the present invention can possess the property to “glow-in-the-dark”.

Another object of the present invention is to provide holiday décor.

The present invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of presently contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.FIG. 2illustrates a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1of the apparatus according to the present invention.

The apparatus100includes a container element110including a cover element120. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the container element110is a pumpkin112and the cover element120is a stem122. The container element110includes an interior surface114and an exterior surface116, wherein the interior surface114defines a receptacle118into which confectioneries are received. The cover element120includes an inside surface124and an outside surface126. The hinge element130, here a joint132, removably connects the container element110and cover element120. When closed, the interior surface114of the container element110substantially abuts the inside surface124of the cover element120to close the receptacle118.

The apparatus100includes a projection element140that further includes a gripping element150. The projection element140includes a proximal end144and a distal end146. The projection element140is a telescoping rod142shown in the deployed state inFIGS. 1 and 2. The distal end146of the projection element140is attached to said container element110. A locking element148secures the rod142in the deployed state, and can be positioned anywhere on the projection element140. Here, the locking element148is shown approximately between the proximal end144and the distal end146. The locking element148is disengaged to place the rod142in the collapsed state (not shown).

The gripping element150, here a knob151, is located at the proximal end144of the projection element140and assists in holding or griping the rod142for pushing and/or pulling the apparatus100. The projection element140further includes a fulcrum element180shown inFIG. 2at the distal end146, here a pin-socket arrangement182, which allows the rod142to swivel horizontally and/or vertically for maneuvering the apparatus100.

The apparatus100further includes a rotating element160that effects motion. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating element160is a wheel162, which is multi-directional. The wheel162is attached to a support element170, here a spindle172, which is attached to the pumpkin112. In this embodiment, the container element110is attached to the support element170and further to the rotating element160.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.FIG. 4illustrates a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 3of the apparatus according to the present invention.

The apparatus200includes a container element210including a cover element220. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the container element210is a pumpkin212and the cover element220is a stem222. The container element210includes an interior surface214and an exterior surface216, wherein the interior surface214defines a receptacle218into which confectioneries are received. The cover element220includes an inside surface224and an outside surface226. The hinge element230, here a pin232, removably connects the container element210and cover element220. When closed, the interior surface214of the container element210substantially abuts the inside surface224of the cover element220to close the receptacle218.

The apparatus200includes a projection element240that further includes a gripping element250. The projection element240includes a proximal end244and a distal end246. The projection element240is a retractable arm242shown in the deployed state inFIGS. 3 and 4. A locking element248secures the retractable arm242in the deployed state, and can be positioned anywhere on the projection element240. Here, the locking element248is a snap-fit fastener and is positioned approximately between the proximal end244and the distal end246of the projection element240. The locking element248is disengaged to place the retractable arm242in the collapsed state (not shown).

The gripping element250, here in the form of a ghost251, is located at the proximal end244of the projection element240and assists in holding or griping the retractable arm242for pushing and/or pulling the apparatus200. The projection element240further includes a fulcrum element280shown inFIG. 4at the distal end246, here lever282, which allows the retractable arm242to swivel horizontally and/or vertically for maneuvering the apparatus200.

This embodiment of apparatus200further includes a frame element290to which the container element210is secured. Frame element290includes a base portion292and a side portion294. Side portion294includes a first side portion294aand a second side portion294b. The container element210is secured or removeably secured to the frame element290via a securing element300, here a hook and loop fastener302, located on the side portion294of the frame element290. The container element210is placed on the base portion292between the first side portion294aand the second side portion294bof the frame element290. The container element210is secured to the frame element290by engaging the securing element300. The securing element300can be disengaged to unsecure the container element210from the frame element290such that the container element290can be used as a decorative piece, for example displayed on a front porch or kitchen counter.

The apparatus200further includes a rotating element260that effects motion. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating element260is a castor262. The castor262is attached to a support element270, here an axle272, which is attached to the frame element290, although it is contemplated that the rotating element260can be attached directly to the frame element290.

In another embodiment, the apparatus200includes an anchoring element310. As shown inFIG. 3, the anchoring element310is a foot brake312although any anchoring element310is contemplated, such as a hand brake, latch, lever to name a few. When the foot brake312is activated, the castor262is anchored to prevent motion of the apparatus200.