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US5447236A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multiple compartment package

Assignee: General Mills Inc
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Filing: 1994-03-22
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Granted: 1995-09-05
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Expires: 2014-03-22
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Abstract

Abstract A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of foodstuff articles includes a first compartment portion, a second compartment portion, and a retaining mechanism for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael R. Perry
  • 👤 Joseph C. McDilda
  • 👤 Michael J. Rice

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 19:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/32; B65D81/3205; B65D3/00; B65D3/02; B65D3/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of articles, comprising: a first cylindrical compartment portion having a main cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall, a first end and an opposing second end, the cylindrical wall having a recess proximate to the first end, the first cylindrical compartment portion further including a lid attached to the first end; second cylindrical compartment portion that includes a flange integral to the compartment wherein the flange rests upon the lid and is positioned in close relation to the lid; and a single component retaining means for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion, the retaining means restricting movement of the flange and positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion, the retaining means including a plurality of lugs for engaging the recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 138 words
A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of articles, comprising: a first cylindrical compartment portion having a main cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall, a first end and an opposing second end, the cylindrical wall having a recess proximate to the first end, the first cylindrical compartment portion further including a lid attached to the first end; second cylindrical compartment portion that includes a flange integral to the compartment wherein the flange rests upon the lid and is positioned in close relation to the lid; and a single component retaining means for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion, the retaining means restricting movement of the flange and positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion, the retaining means including a plurality of lugs for engaging the recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The multiple compartment package of claim 1 wherein the retaining means includes a tab to enable the retaining means to be torn and thereby releasing the second compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The multiple compartment package of claim 1 wherein the second cylindrical compartment portion has a lid integrally formed therein opposite the flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The multiple compartment package of claim 3 and further comprising a sealing membrane that covers the flange end of the second compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The multiple compartment package of claim 1 wherein the retaining means includes a concentric ring having an annular shoulder and a plurality of lugs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The multiple compartment package of claim 5 wherein the concentric ring is contiguous to the flange of the second cylindrical compartment portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 205 words
A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of articles, comprising: a first cylindrical compartment portion having a main cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall, a first end and an opposing second end, the cylindrical wall having a recess proximate to the first end, the first cylindrical compartment portion further including a lid attached to the first end; a second cylindrical compartment portion that includes a flange integral to the compartment wherein the flange rests upon the lid and is positioned in close relation to the lid; and a single component retaining means for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion, the retaining means restricting movement of the flange and positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion, the retaining means comprising a main body comprising an upper annular segment that includes a shoulder defining an aperture; a side annular segment contiguous to the upper annular segment defining a cavity that encloses a rim of the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical compartment portion; the side annular segment including a plurality of lugs that are positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion when the retaining main body is attached to the multi-compartment package.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 205 words
A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of articles, comprising: a first cylindrical compartment portion having a main cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall, a first end and an opposing second end, the cylindrical wall having a recess proximate to the first end, the first cylindrical compartment portion further including a lid attached to the first end; a second cylindrical compartment portion that includes a flange integral to the compartment wherein the flange rests upon the lid and is positioned in close relation to the lid; and a single component retaining means for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion, the retaining means restricting movement of the flange and positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion, the retaining means comprising a main body comprising an upper annular segment that includes a shoulder defining an aperture; a side annular segment contiguous to the upper annular segment defining a cavity that encloses a rim of the cylindrical wall of the first cylindrical compartment portion; the side annular segment including a plurality of lugs that are positioned within the recess of the first cylindrical compartment portion when the retaining main body is attached to the multi-compartment package.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The retaining means of claim 7 wherein the shoulder of the upper annular segment contacts the flange of the second cylindrical compartment when the retaining main body is attached to the multiple compartment package.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-09-04 1999-03-06 1999-09-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-09-04 2003-03-06 2003-09-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-09-04 2007-03-06 2007-09-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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