The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 01, 1999
Patrick J. Sumpmann, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Curtis J. Deering, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Sarah J. Moberg, Minneapolis, MN (US);
William E. Archibald, Maple Grove, MN (US);
General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A canister for containing a particulate-type product. The canister includes a canister body and a plurality of microholes formed in the canister body. Other than the plurality of microholes, the canister body is hermetically sealed. In this regard, the canister body defines an internal storage region configured to contain a particulate-type product. The plurality of microholes are sized to allow passage of air from the internal storage region, as well as to limit passage of the particulate-type product. During use, a decrease in atmospheric pressure applied to the canister, such as during shipping, results in air being vented from the internal storage region via the plurality of microholes. Due to this air flow, an internal pressure of the canister body maintains substantial equilibrium with atmospheric pressure such that the canister body will not expand.