US4884703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container and closure assembly
Assignee: Wheaton Inc
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Filing: 1988-09-27
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Granted: 1989-12-05
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Expires: 2008-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A multiple compartment container and closure assembly with a container having at least two adjacent compartments with end portions terminating in a common surface at one end of the container. The end is sized to accept a cap and the surface has a thin wall portion in communication with each of the compartments. A cap is sized to slidably fit on the end of the container which has puncture means being positioned in alignment with each of the thin wall portions of the container so that movement of the cap from a first position on the end to a second position causes the puncture means to puncture the respective thin wall portion with which it is aligned, to permit access to the contents of the adjacent compartments. A surface of interference on the one end of the container is positioned a predetermined distance from the thin wall portions, and a surface of resistance on the inside of said cap 15 positioned to engage the surface of interference to locate the cap on the end portion at the first position to prevent inadvertent movement of the cap to the second position.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. O'Meara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:48
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/18; B65D51/20; B65D51/22; B65D51/221; B65D51/222; B65D81/00; B65D81/32; B65D81/3261; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/0003; B65D2251/0006; B65D2251/0015; B65D2251/0068; B65D2251/0093; B65D2251/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A multiple compartment container and closure assembly, comprising: a container having at least two adjacent compartments with end portions terminating in a common surface at one end of said container, said end being sized to accept a cap and said surface having a thin wall portion in communication with each of said compartments; a cap sized to slidably fit on said end of said container and having puncture means being positioned in alignment with each of said thin wall portions of said container so that movement of said cap from a first position on said end to a second position causes said puncture means to puncture the respective thin wall portion with which it is aligned, to permit access to the contents of said adjacent compartments; and a surface of interference on said one end of said container positioned a predetermined distance from said thin wall portions, and a surface of resistance on the inside of said cap positioned to engage said surface of interference to locate said cap on said end portion at said first position to prevent inadvertent movement of said cap to said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A multiple compartment container and closure assembly, comprising: a container having at least two adjacent compartments with end portions terminating in a common surface at one end of said container, said end being sized to accept a cap and said surface having a thin wall portion in communication with each of said compartments; a cap sized to slidably fit on said end of said container and having puncture means being positioned in alignment with each of said thin wall portions of said container so that movement of said cap from a first position on said end to a second position causes said puncture means to puncture the respective thin wall portion with which it is aligned, to permit access to the contents of said adjacent compartments; and a surface of interference on said one end of said container positioned a predetermined distance from said thin wall portions, and a surface of resistance on the inside of said cap positioned to engage said surface of interference to locate said cap on said end portion at said first position to prevent inadvertent movement of said cap to said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said surface of interference and said resistance surface comprise a plurality of ridges such that two ridges are provided on either said cap or said end of said container and one ridge is provided on the other of said cap or said end of said container, whereby said one ridge fits between said two ridges to locate said cap on said end portion in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said surface of interference comprises a shoulder on said container end and said resistance surface comprises the end of the sidewall of said cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 3, wherein said cap is made from a material capable of expanding under force to permit movement of said cap to said second position on said container and upon application of sufficient force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said end portion of said container and said cap are mutually sized to provide a snug fit therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said puncture means comprise a sharp pointed means aligned above each thin wall portion for tearing said thin wall along a plurality of lines radially extending from the point of contact between said sharp pointed means and said thin wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 6, wherein said puncture means is sized to puncture said thin wall without contacting the edge of said thin wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
188 words
A double compartment container and closure assembly, comprising: a container having two adjacent compartments with end portions terminating in a common surface at one end of said container, said end being sized to accept a cap and said surface having a pair of thin wall portion in communication with each of said compartments; a cap sized to slidably fit on said end of said container and having puncture means being positioned in alignment with each of said thin wall portions of said container so that movement of said cap from a first position on said end to a second position causes said puncture means to puncture the respective thin wall portion with which it is aligned, to permit access to the contents of said adjacent compartments; and a surface of interference on said one end of said container positioned a predetermined distance from said thin wall portions, and a surface of resistance on the inside of said cap positioned to engage said surface of interference to locate said cap on said end portion at said first position to prevent inadvertent movement of said cap to said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
188 words
A double compartment container and closure assembly, comprising: a container having two adjacent compartments with end portions terminating in a common surface at one end of said container, said end being sized to accept a cap and said surface having a pair of thin wall portion in communication with each of said compartments; a cap sized to slidably fit on said end of said container and having puncture means being positioned in alignment with each of said thin wall portions of said container so that movement of said cap from a first position on said end to a second position causes said puncture means to puncture the respective thin wall portion with which it is aligned, to permit access to the contents of said adjacent compartments; and a surface of interference on said one end of said container positioned a predetermined distance from said thin wall portions, and a surface of resistance on the inside of said cap positioned to engage said surface of interference to locate said cap on said end portion at said first position to prevent inadvertent movement of said cap to said second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said surface of interference and said resistance surface comprise a plurality of ridges such that two ridges are provided on either said cap or said end of said container and one ridge is provided on the other of said cap or said end of said container, whereby said one ridge fits between said two ridges to locate said cap on said end portion in said first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said surface of interference comprises a shoulder on said container end and said resistance surface comprises the end of the sidewall of said cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 10, wherein said cap is made from a material capable of expanding under force to permit movement of said cap to said second position on said container and upon application of sufficient force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said end portion of said container and said cap are mutually sized to provide as nug fit therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said puncture means comprise a sharp pointed means aligned above each thin wall portion for tearing said thin wall along a plurality of lines radially extending from the point of contact between said sharp pointed means and said thin wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 13, wherein said puncture means is sized to puncture said thin wall without contacting the edge of said thin wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-04 | 1993-06-05 | 1993-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-06-05 | 1997-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-04 | 2001-06-05 | 2001-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |