Patents by Inventor Patrick Sumpmann

Patrick Sumpmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050019452
    Abstract: A packaging for containing a particulate product is disclose in preferred forms of a canister (10) and a bag (100). The packaging includes a body (11, 110) and at least one microhole (40, 400) formed in the body (11, 110). Other than the microhole(s) (40, 400), the body (11, 110) is hermetically sealed. In this regard, the body (11, 110) defines an internal storage region (20, 200) configured to contain a particulate product (22). The microhole(s) (40, 400) are sized to allow passage of air from the internal storage region (20, 200), as well as to limit passage of the particulate product (22). During use, a decrease in atmospheric pressure applied to the packaging, such as during shipping, results in air being vented from the internal storage region (20, 200) via the microhole(s) (40, 400). Due to this air flow, an internal pressure of the body (11, 110) maintains substantial equilibrium with atmospheric pressure such that the body (11, 110) will not unexpectedly expand or in the case of bag (100) burst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Sumpmann, Curtis Deering, Sarah Moberg, William Archibald, Stuart Bernard
  • Patent number: 6484929
    Abstract: A canister for storing a particulate-type product. The canister includes a tubular body, a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of tabs. The tubular body defines an upper opening, a lower opening, and an internal storage region. The bottom panel is connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the lower opening. The top panel is similarly connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the upper opening and includes a lid. The lid is selectively secured to the tubular body at the upper opening such that the lid is moveable from an initial, closed state to an opened state, and from the opened state to a reclosed state. In the initial, closed state, the lid is secured to the tubular body. In the opened state, the lid is displaced from the tubular body to define a pour opening through which the internal storage region is accessible. In the reclosed state, the lid substantially encompasses the pour opening. Finally, the plurality of tabs are associated with the lid in at least the reclosed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sumpmann, Gordon Meier, Curtis Deering
  • Publication number: 20010011678
    Abstract: A canister for storing a particulate-type product. The canister includes a tubular body, a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of tabs. The tubular body defines an upper opening, a lower opening, and an internal storage region. The bottom panel is connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the lower opening. The top panel is similarly connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the upper opening and includes a lid. The lid is selectively secured to the tubular body at the upper opening such that the lid is moveable from an initial, closed state to an opened state, and from the opened state to a reclosed state. In the initial, closed state, the lid is secured to the tubular body. In the opened state, the lid is displaced from the tubular body to define a pour opening through which the internal storage region is accessible. In the reclosed state, the lid substantially encompasses the pour opening. Finally, the plurality of tabs are associated with the lid in at least the reclosed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Patrick Sumpmann, Gordon Meier, Curtis Deering
  • Patent number: 6267243
    Abstract: A canister for containing a particulate-type product. The canister includes at least one side wall, a top closure and a bottom closure. The side wall defines at least a portion of an internal storage region having an upper opening and a lower opening. The side wall includes a first paper-based layer, a second layer and an adhesive. The first layer includes a main body portion and a premium. The body portion and the premium are integrally formed such that the premium is selectively detachable from the body portion. The body portion and the premium each define an inner surface and an outer surface. The second layer has an inner surface and an outer surface. The adhesive bonds the inner surface of the body portion to the outer surface of the second layer, but does not impede detachment of the premium from the body portion. The top closure is connected to the side wall to encompass the upper opening. The bottom closure is connected to the side wall so as to encompass the lower opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sumpmann, Curtis Deering, Sarah Moberg, Gordon Meier