Wacky Halloween Patents

Carvable Artificial Pumpkin and Method
Inventor Jeffrey Chapman
Patent #5,491,007
Issued February 13, 1996

Patent Abstract

The invention is in the field of three-dimensional hollow novelty items and their manufacture, particularly items such as artificial pumpkins that the consumer desires to carve or alter after purchase. The carvable article can be formed by an inventive process in which polyurethane foam material, such as material having a nominal density of about 2.5-3.0 pounds per cubic foot, is sprayed from a nozzle rotating with respect to the inside of a mold. After the polyurethane foam article and the mold are separated, the article is coated with an elastomeric coating, such as an acrylic material that is applied as a liquid. Thus, the inventive articles, including those made in accordance with the inventive process, can be used as three-dimensional hollow novelty items of a variety of shapes. In addition, the inventive articles, such as Halloween pumpkins, are carvable, reusable, and can be used with a light source.